Guyana Times - Wednesday, January 23, 2019

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

Pages 3&7

Issue No. 3813

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Special meeting for Thursday to determine GECOM’s timelines for elections

... house-to-house registration cannot be accommodated – GECOM Commissioner No-confidence cases

Nandlall, AG file submissions in High Court – cite case law, dictionaries to substantiate cases Page 12

PPP/C presidential candidate begins national outreach

Page 9

PPP/C presidential candidate Irfaan Ali in discussions with residents of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) on Tuesday during a visit to the region as he commences his national outreach

Ex-cop gets 4-year jail sentence for cocaine trafficking

Page 17

...accomplices freed of charges

Ex-soldier gunned down at Eccles Page 16

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Electronic Transaction Bill for P14 Cabinet on Tuesday

Home of P8 young Essequibo couple razed by fire

Police to monitor P15 usage of pedestrian overpasses

Bus conductor granted bail on rape P8 charges Berbice brothers’ murder

Defence failed to produce alibi footage of client on night of crime P17

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wednesdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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wednESdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, January 23 – 05:00h-06:30h and Thursday, January 24 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, January 23 – 06:05h-07:35h and Thursday, January 24 – 06:50h-08:20h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals will prevail throughout the day, with partly cloudy to clear skies in the evening. Overall temperatures will range between 20 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 06:10h and 18:27h at maximum heights of 2.74 metres and 2.83 metres.

Low Tide: 11:59h reaching a minimum height of 0.49 metre.

saturDAY, JANUARY 19, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

06 17 22

23 24 27

FREE TICKET

21 Bonus Ball

tuesDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019 DAILY MILLIONS

14 15 16 24 26 LUCKY 3

9

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Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

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PAY DAY

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17 18 20 SUPER PAY DAY 01 03 10 15 17

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

Special meeting for Thursday to determine GECOM’s timelines for elections

A

decision has been taken for a special meeting to be held on Thursday, when matters pertaining to the Guyana Elections Commission’s readiness for the next elections will be discussed.

This decision came out of a meeting of the Commission held on Tuesday and convened by the Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson. It was Patterson’s first day back on the job after medical leave.

According to People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Commissioner Robeson Benn, not only was the meeting set for Thursday, but an update was given about the meeting that is supposed to take place between Patterson and the National Assembly’s two Chief Whips – the Opposition’s Gail Teixeira and the Government’s Amna Ally.

“On Thursday morning at 9, the Commission will reconvene to discuss the various timelines in terms of when elections could be held.

And by then or thereafter, we will be in a better position in respect of meetings with the Chief Whips,” Benn explained.

“We didn’t have any documentation in terms of any situation which could advance the meeting… we only got a letter today to which the Chairman had replied to (Government Chief Whip) Amna Ally. She had written the Chairman on the 10th, pointing out the need for the meeting. He replied on the 14th. Unfortunately, we only saw that letter today.”

It turns out that it was, in fact, the Chairman who paved the way for electoral matters to be discussed.

According to Commissioner Benn, a report is expected to be prepared and submitted

by GECOM’s technical staff.

“What did happen is that the Chairman suspended the agenda and allowed for the questions relating to GECOM’s readiness for elections,” the Commissioner further explained, adding that the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield will have to present the relevant information to the Commission.

According to Commissioner Bibi Shadick, the report will contain details regarding the time needed to complete various measures for preparing for elections.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Sase Gunraj noted that when that report is presented, the Commissioners will have a report of their own based on the information provided.

“As you are aware, we at the Commission level have to get a report from the Secretariat. We’ve put a system in place whereby the CEO will prepare that report for us. Hopefully, we have that within 24 hours.

We will go through that report. Thereafter, you will get a full, more comprehensive report from us on what is going on,” Gunraj added.

It had been agreed at a meeting between

PPP/C Commissioner Robeson Benn

PPP/C Commissioner Sase Gunraj

President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo earlier this month that the Chief Whips would be sent to ascertain GECOM’s readiness for elections.

But the GECOM Chairman had had his medical leave extended and since this assignment was given to the Chief Whips, GECOM CEO Lowenfield had declined to meet with them and had instead deferred to Patterson.

Now that election matters will finally be ventilated at GECOM, it is expected that this meeting will be set and the President be given information with which an election date can be set.

On December 21, the

no-confidence motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition –PPP/C – against the Government succeeded when former Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud broke ranks and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state that

“Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such longer period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Since the passage of the motion, however, persons aligned with the coalition have sought to question the motion’s validity even as the vote has already been certified. These arguments formed part of the opinions presented to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland in the hopes that he would reverse the ruling. He refused to do so.

Amid calls to resign, Government has insisted it is going nowhere until elections are held. A court case was filed, in which an order was sought to, among other things, delay the elections until the court rules on the matter.

That and other related cases came up for hearing last Tuesday, but acting Chief Justice Roxane George committed to a ruling by the end of this month, while noting that such an order would be unnecessary.

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wednESdAY, January 23, 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

As if it never happened

S

ome years back there were reports of two West Indian cricketing stars being seen drinking what were believed to be alcoholic beverages in a stand just moments after the completion of a Test match. That would have been all right had the West Indies team won. In fact they lost, and the images, broadcast across the cricketing world, of the two senior players reportedly imbibing after defeat, angered disappointed fans who saw the action as wanton disrespect for their feelings.

The question on the minds of regional cricketing followers then was: how could the two icons be celebrating defeat while fans were saddened? For the fans and even the administrators, the actions of the two cricketers were grossly insensitive and probably epitomised the believed lack of concern by some players over whether the team succeeded or not. This is despite the overwhelming support the fans gave hoping that with every match, victory will be achieved.

One interpretation of that incident is that for the players in question, the defeat probably never happened. Years after, a similar situation is playing out and it has nothing to do with cricket.

A no-confidence motion against the Government was carried on December 21, 2018; the consequences of which must be elections within 90 days. In addition, the Government, while it remains in office during that period, operates in a caretaker capacity.

Thirty days have since elapsed following the success of the motion and from what is evident publicly it appears that the Government is not too keen to implement the necessary mechanism to meet the 90-day requirement as mandated by the Constitution. Instead, it has resorted to the courts. Many believe that to be frivolous excuses to delay abiding by the Constitution; in other words, the inevitable.

Prominent and ordinary citizens continue their calls on the Government to respect what the supreme law of the land dictates.

So far, it appears that, for the Government, nothing will happen before the court rules. In the same manner, in keeping with their actions as if the no-confidence motion never happened, the President’s New Year’s address seems to confirm that view. For him, it seems to be business as usual. There appears to be no dissimilarity in the action of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

He would be excused during the time of his illness, even though there were reports of him being spotted in a village and in good health shortly after. That aside, while he returned to work yesterday (January 22), 31 days after the no-confidence motion, from reports in the media, there was nothing on his agenda to address the constitutional requirement for the holding of elections.

Obviously, the agenda can change given his prerogative as Chairman. However, the absence of the impending elections as an agenda item can suggest a lack of urgency and a deliberate attempt to ignore the work of the Chief Whips as agreed by the President and the Leader of the Opposition. For the GECOM Chairman, who is a retired Judge, it can also be interpreted as if the passage of the no-confidence motion never happened.

Barring an agreement by two thirds of the National Assembly for an extension of the 90-day period to facilitate the elections on a needs basis, a constitutional crisis can present itself on March 21 this year. From what seems evident from the standpoints of both the Government and the GECOM Chairman, one can assume that the March deadline may not even be on the horizon for them.

Of course, all can change in a moment given that the President placed the ball in GECOM’s court of readiness. With readiness just two and a half months ago for the Local Government Elections (LGE), the Chairman can declare such for polling by March 21. Only time will tell.

As the Government seeks recourse in the court, at the same time the President has been endorsed by his party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), as the presidential candidate for the impending elections according to its General Secretary. Also, the party is reportedly engaged in fund-raising activities specific to elections. Many see this as the natural thing to do in keeping with the timeframe mandated by the Constitution. The rush to the courts, therefore, becomes a delaying ploy.

Another ploy is the touting of house-to-house registration by a Commissioner from the Government side. GECOM would have taken pride in its list-readiness for the November 12 LGE and which would have had to be endorsed by the said Commissioner. How unready could the list now be less than three months after? This call, in the context of all that is transpiring, can therefore only be seen directly as a desperate and seemingly orchestrated plan to buy more time for the Government.

What is urgently needed, and which should have happened before, is for the GECOM Chairman to have the upcoming elections discussed at the Commission and readiness declared so that the President can announce a polling date. Anything else would make Guyanese further believe that for the Government, the noconfidence motion never really happened. Like the cricket fans in question, much is at stake.

Chiung Falls, located in the North Pakaraimas of Guyana (James Deeges photo)

Turkey readies international probe into Jamal Khashoggi killing

T

urkey has said it is planning to launch an international investigation into the murder of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi and will take further steps in the coming days.

Speaking at a youth meeting in Istanbul on Monday, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Saudi Arabia has not shared with Turkey any information from its own probe regarding the Washington Post writer’s murder.

Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed by a Saudi hit squad on October 2 shortly after he entered

Jamal Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last October [Jack Taylor/Getty Images]

Khashoggi died in a “rogue operation” after initially claiming he had left the Consulate before vanishing.

Cavusoglu said his country’s investigation had forced Saudi Arabia to recognise the assassination of Khashoggi, and accused Western countries of trying to cover up the crime.

“We see how those who speak of freedom of press in the world cover this thing up when they see money,” Cavusoglu said.

“Now we have made preparations for an international probe in the coming days. We will take the nec-

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday his country was still gathering facts to uncover those involved in Khashoggi’s killing his country’s Consulate in Istanbul. He was dismembered inside the building in what Turkey called a “premeditated murder” orchestrated by the Saudi Government.

Saudi officials have countered that claim, insisting

essary steps,” he added, saying Turkey is well aware of the difficulties in shedding light on the murder.

Highest levels

Despite a joint investigation with Saudi officials looking at their Consulate in Istanbul, the Consul’s residence and several other locations, the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s remains are still unknown.

Ankara has repeatedly asserted the order was issued by the highest levels of the Saudi Government and that the Saudi hitmen did not act on their own.

Turkey also demanded that Saudi Arabia extradite those accused of carrying out the murder to be tried in

Turkish courts.

The Turkish authorities repeated the request after Riyadh announced early this month the start of the trial of 11 defendants, including five who the Saudi prosecution is seeking the death penalty for.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Sunday his country was still gathering facts to uncover those involved in Khashoggi’s killing.

In a television interview with the US media group, Sinclair, he said the relationship with Saudi Arabia could be maintained and those responsible for Khashoggi’s killing should be held accountable. (Al Jazeera)

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wednesdAY, January 23, 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

I support Irfaan for President Dear fellow Guyanese, I want to congratulate my comrade, Irfaan Ali, who was elected by secret ballot on January 19, 2019, by the fully constituted Central Committee of the PPP as its presidential candidate for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.

I have known Irfaan for many years and l know that

he will do his utmost to not only win the elections but also to be the President who will reverse the grievous damage and hardships that the APNU/AFC coalition Government has wrecked on the lives of our people and on the nation itself. A heavy responsibility l know he will not shirk from.

However, Irfaan cannot

do this alone; he will be surrounded and supported by the entire leadership and membership of the party, supporters and sympathisers – all who want to see the PPP/C back in power so that hope and optimism can be renewed in our nation.

I, for one, will be one of those leaders who will support and assist him and

work in the PPP to the best of my ability to ensure that the PPP/C wins with a significant majority.

I wish to thank so many people, both inside and outside of the PPP, who encouraged me to put my name forward as a possible candidate for the PPP presidential candidate. People from all walks of life gave me the

courage to do so and l wish to thank them for having such confidence in me.

I recognised that despite this support that I did not have enough votes to win, and therefore l withdrew my name. In doing so, l gave my support to Irfaan Ali. Through a democratic process, the PPP Central Committee elected its pres-

idential candidate and President in Waiting. I am proud to have participated in this process.

That contest is over, let us focus now on winning.

I am ready to work for the PPP/C victory on or before March 19, 2019. Are you ready?

Sincerely, Gail Teixeira

Delay tactics… Team PPP/C is a formidable force!

Dear Editor, As a young lad, I was present when Guyana’s Prime Minister Forbes Burnham made his famous utterance in a speech at Parade Ground; I remember the mood of the crowd being ominous before the speech, the air was electric! Then on came the man and he started slowly, his sonorous voice had a calming effect; then his voice rose, it thundered “back to back, belly to belly, ah don’t give a damm, ah done dead ah-ready” the response was a spontaneous, primal roar of approval, forgotten were all the rumblings of discontent, that crowd, that night, would have fought Satan himself for the soul of their hero if asked.

Editor, the man thereafter dubbed the “Kabaka” would be saddened to see the state of his beloved People’s National Congress today. Led by a weak man with a chest full of medals earned in classrooms, the PNC cowers behind cries of “house to house” as they fear the wrath of an electorate betrayed most abominably.

The Official List of Voters (OLV) used by the Guyana Elections Commission for the November 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) remains valid until May 12, 2019, well past the March 19, 2019 deadline for General and Regional Elections as stipulated

by The Constitution, our Supreme Law. There were no claims of irregularity made to GECOM or reported flaws in the OLV by any party or group that contested the LGE in 2018. No issues have been raised in any forum or legal redress sought. The 2018 OLV withstood the test at an election in November 2018 and there is no reason for a “house to house” verification exercise at this time.

The registration and verification exercise planned for June 2019 can be done

at that time. The Granger Administration has mercifully left enough funds in the treasury to enable GECOM to carry out its mandate and deliver an election on or before March 19, 2019.

The PPP/C presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali at 38, is 3 years younger than Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham (LFSB) was when he became Prime Minister, he is 3 years older than our youngest ever President Bharat Jagdeo was when he became President, he brims with passion to make a better life for all Guyanese, he has faced the vilest of accusations with an equanimity that demonstrates maturity beyond his years, Irfaan’s list of achievements, his experience and on the job performance already make him the most qualified candidate for the presidency in our nation’s short history.

An impromptu campaign at Leonora on Sunday saw thousands roar their approval; they know we have a man from the people, for the people, pledging his service to benefit all Guyanese.

It pains me that so many reminders that our Constitution is inviolate have to be made to our Head of State. The leader of the party of Burnham professes to be a great admirer of the man and has turned his (D A Granger) former home into the Forbes Burnham Research Institute; however, Granger fails to emulate his hero’s indomitable fighting spirit, no more “back to back” instead, he hides behind the skirts of “house to house” .My father, Jai Narine Singh Sr famously wrote that Burnham had become a man whose “head has grown too big for his hat”. I can only surmise that he would have observed that Granger was trying to wear shoes much too big for his feet.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Dear Editor, The long-awaited presidential candidate of the PPP/C has been announced and that person is Mr Irfaan Ali. He is the most talked about person in Guyana and I must say on the planet right now.

From all appearances, the name Charrandas Persaud has suddenly slipped off the radar and is in the backseat of the thoughts of those who oppose the PPP/C as they now hotly pursue Mr Ali. It is a venomous pursuit as known critics - some of them coming up under new pseudonyms bash the daylight out of Mr Ali. But, try as they may, nothing is going to stop this man from leading the PPP/C unto victory in the next General Elections.

And here's my point, the venom some put in their criticism comes from the fact that none of the parties, not one of them, can win an election here in Guyana.

Even when they teamed up with each other in that incestuous association called a coalition they could not put the PPP/C away, only to

surrender in a vote of conscience after three and a half long burdensome and torturous years.

It is a clear borne fact that the only political party that can and will win any election in Guyana is the PPP/C. That reality has sent shockwaves in the camps of those of our opposers that right now are quivering in fear. The PPP/C has proven that fact throughout its history.

And not only would it win an election, but it is also a party that has delivered to the electorate; you talk to any Guyanese even to those in the political divide and they will tell you that the best years of their lives were under the PPP. Bad-talk and smear campaigns cannot erase that.

So, I empathise with our detractors out there who are trying their utmost to stop the unstoppable.

But let me tell them what has been and still is the PPP/C's real source of strength, I call it their bedrock, that is, its total reliance on teamwork. Team PPP/C is a formidable force and a tower of strength.

A case in point is the calling in of Police to illegally oust Bishop Edghill out of Parliament.

The team stood by the Bishop and boxed him in thereby telling the world that we are a united group with one purpose in mind.

We shall not be moved, we have a country to stand up for.

So, if you follow all of Mr Ali's speeches you will see one common thread of thought "Team PPP/C" or "We" will deliver, we will

are working together to build Guyana again. To come up against such an indomitable team means that you do not have a ghost of a chance, you cannot penetrate or break our singleness of purpose. Because we are a team and people-oriented too, helping, building people- ordinary people, all Guyanese, that is our main objective. Long live Team PPP/C! Respectfully, Neil Adams

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wednesdAY, january 23, 2019

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Foundation

W

o fair!”

“You cheated!”

“It wasn’t my fault we

lost!”

Have you ever played on a team with somebody who hated to lose? Or maybe you have a tough time if you lose anything – even a game of tic-tactoe.

Some kids find it extra-hard to lose, but everyone needs to learn how to do it. Learning to lose without losing your cool is a skill, like learning to ride a bike. You might not be able to do it at first, but over time it will get easier.

And when you can handle losing, people will call you a good sport.

Why learn to lose gracefully?

Everyone wants to win. But any time two teams or kids are facing each other in a game or contest, someone will lose (unless it’s a tie). Kids lose in small ways, like in a game of checkers, but they also might face losing in bigger ways, like when their team loses a championship game.

Losing is disappointing, so it’s not surprising that kids don’t like it.

Adults don’t like it either, but everyone can learn to control how they react to a loss. In other words, what should you do when you lose?

The tricky part is that sometimes you might react before you even realize it. For instance, it’s the last out of your Little League game and, in a flash, the other team has won. There they are celebrating on the field and you burst into tears. Oh dear, you probably don’t want to be crying right now, even though it’s OK that you feel sad.

Cool down

The important thing is what you do next. Do you storm over to the oth-

er team’s dugout and accuse them of cheating? No! The best thing to do is to try to collect yourself and get in line with your teammates so you can congratulate the other team. Maybe you’ve seen Little League players do this. Each team lines up and they walk along sort of high-fiving the other team’s players and saying “good game.”

To be sure, the losing team may not feel like it was such a good game, but this tradition is one way to teach everyone how to be a good sport. If you feel like crying later or you want to complain about the game, you can do that – but it’s best to do it off the field and after you’ve had a chance to cool down. After a little time passes, you might not feel as upset as you were right when the game ended.

Losing – on your own

Sometimes kids lose on their own, like in a neighbourhood game of basketball. These situations can be extra-hard if there are no grownups around to be the referees. Then it’s up to kids to decide among themselves whether something counted as a basket or a foul. It’s good for kids to learn to play without a grownup deciding everything but it also can lead to a lot of arguing. All kids want their team to win and may feel very strongly about plays that don’t go the team’s way.

How do you solve these disagreements? It’s best if everyone tries to be fair. Some kids still might cheat or bend the rules, but you can do your best to be fair. That might mean giving the other team the benefit of the doubt.

Maybe you thought a basket shouldn’t count and the other team thinks it’s OK. If it’s close, you might say, “OK, it can count.” Hopefully, the other team will be just as sportsmanlike when one

of your calls could go either way. Even if they’re not, you certainly can’t be accused of cheating or playing unfairly.

You’ve done your part to bring good sportsmanship to the game.

Kids who are good sports – and don’t freak out when they lose – will become known as kids who are fun to play with. Kids might not be as eager to play with someone who gets angry all the time and won’t ever give the other guy or girl a break.

10 ways to be a good sport

Here are some ways that you can show others what good sportsmanship is all about: Be polite to everyone you’re playing with and against. No trash talk – which means saying mean things while you’re in the middle of a game.

Don’t show off. Just play your best.

If you’re good, people will notice.

Tell your opponents “good game!” whether you’ve won or you’ve lost.

Learn the rules of the game. Show up for practices and games on time – even if you’re the star of the team.

Listen to your coaches and follow their directions about playing.

Don’t argue with an official if you don’t agree with his or her call. If you don’t understand a certain call, wait until after the game to ask your coach or the official to explain it to you.

Don’t make up excuses or blame a teammate when you lose. Try to learn from what happened.

Be willing to sit out so other team members can get in the game — even if you think you’re a better player.

Play fair and don’t cheat.

Cheer for your teammates even if the score is 1,000 to 1! You could inspire a big comeback! (kidshealth.org)

hen you compete in a sport, you play against another player or another team. Both sides play to win. Competing can make a sport more exciting. And it can make you a better player. But it also means somebody wins and somebody loses.

If you compete in sports, you have to be ready to: try hard win or lose handle pressure be a good sport take care of yourself Here are some tips to help you compete.

Try hard When you play or practice, give it your best.

When you try hard, you get to see what you can do.

When you fail, don't give up. Just try again. You may need to try lots of times to get good at a new skill.

When you win Go ahead and feel good!

You earned it! But don't brag or boast in a way that makes others feel bad.

Think about what you did that helped you win.

Did you try hard? Use a new skill? Practice a lot? Help a teammate score? Keep up your good work.

When you lose Keep your cool. You might feel upset or frustrated. It's OK to feel the way you do.

But try hard not to lose your temper. If you need help with this, ask a parent or coach.

Even when you lose, there are things you did well.

Think of what they are. Think of what you need to work on too. Use the loss to help you improve.

Encourage yourself. Don't let the loss keep you down too long. There's always next time.

It's another chance to play and try to win. Stay hopeful.

Keep a winning attitude – even when you lose.

Check the pressure A little pressure can be a good thing. It's like a "get ready, get set" signal. Don't let a nervous feeling freak you out. Use it to help you step up.

Too much pressure can come from your coach, your parents, or your teammates.

If others are being too hard on you, talk to them about it. Ask them to ease up. It's good if they expect a lot from you. But if they pressure too much, it's hard to do your best. Tell them what would make you feel more confident during practice and games.

Do you put too much pressure on yourself? Don't

be too hard on yourself when you don't do well. It's OK to make mistakes. Each one is a chance to learn.

If there's too much pressure, let a parent or coach know. If you are too stressed to enjoy your sport, it's time to ask for help.

Figure out what to do to ease pressure. Make a change if you need to.

Be a good sport Follow the rules. Play safely. Play fair. If there's a call you think is unfair, it's OK to say so. But you'll have to go by what the ref says.

Say thanks when people say you did great. Tell teammates they played well.

Give players who lost a good word too. Say they played a good game. or that they'll do great next time. Think of what words help you feel OK when you lose.

Treat and talk to other players well. Players you compete against today might be on your team another time. You might fight hard against a player during a game. But when the game is over, treat each other with friendship, fairness, and respect.

Take good care of yourself Take care of your body.

You'll need energy to play well. Eat foods that are good for you. Get plenty of sleep.

Go to bed on time. Go to bed a little early the night before a big game.

Take care of your mind too. Learn ways to keep your nerves under control. Take a few slow deep breaths.

March in place. Do some gentle warm-up stretches. Talk yourself up. Some teams have a group cheer or huddle before heading onto the field. Let any tension you feel melt into the excitement of the first play.

Win or lose – go have fun!

You'll win some and lose some. That's just how it is.

Of course, everyone who competes wants to win. But someone has to lose. Give it your best and see what happens.

Each game and practice is a chance to get better. Learn from coaches and from other players. Enjoy the friendship and fun of being part of a team.

You don't always have to compete. When you feel like playing just for fun, you can shoot baskets, kick a soccer ball around, or have a catch.

Swim, ride your bike, dance, or go for a run. Whether or not you compete, have some active play every day.

Because it's fun – and really good for you! (kidshealth.org)

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wednESdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Elections in 90 days

House-to-house registration cannot be accommodated – GECOM Commissioner

GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick

P

eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) representative on the Guyana Elections Commission, Bibi Shadick on Tuesday made it clear that house-to-house registration could not be accommodated within 90 days.

As stipulated by the Constitution of Guyana following the no-confidence resolution, an election must be called in 90 days. For Guyana, that resolution was passed on December 21, 2018.

On Tuesday, Shadick made the position known as she was responding to

her colleagues on the other side of the Commission who stated the present list could still contain a large number of dead voters and the only way to sanitise the list is to get a new one. It is believed that the People’s National Congress (PNC) Commissioners are pushing for house-to-house registration in order to have a delay in the hosting of Regional and National Elections.

“It is agreed that there is a valid list up to April 30.

The thing is, we’re working with the fact that there is a valid list.”

“One of the Commissioners mentioned (house-to-house registration), but I don’t think that can be accommodated before an election. If that is accommodated, we’re saying to the Constitution, ‘go wherever you want, we’re doing what we want’. These are abnormal circumstances. So we have to deal with it in a different way.”

Back in November 2018, GECOM was able to deliver a Local Government Elections (LGC) with limited hiccups. In less than a month, however, a no- confidence motion was filed

against the Government.

The no-confidence motion brought by the parliamentary Opposition – the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – succeeded when Charrandas Persaud, a former Alliance For Change (AFC) parliamentarian, broke ranks and made a conscience vote in favour of the motion.

With the Government’s defeat, the next steps are spelt out in the Constitution of Guyana. Article 106 (6) of the Constitution states: “The Cabinet including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by

Taxi driver charged with sexually assaulting teenager

A

taxi driver was on Tuesday hauled before the courts for sexually assaulting a schoolgirl.

Nowrang Samaroo, called “Fenton” of Canefield, East Canje, Berbice appeared before Magistrate Peter Hugh charged with sexual assault.

It is alleged that on January 8, 2019, at Vryheid Road, New Amsterdam, Samaroo sexually assaulted the teenager while she was a passenger in his motor car.

Samaroo, who was unrepre-

sented, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Police Prosecutor Inspector Bernard Brown had no objections to the accused being granted bail. He was placed on $75,000 bail and would make his next court appearance on January 29, 2019.

It was reported that on the day in question, the teen plunged out of the suspect’s car after he attempted to rip off her clothes.

The teenager reported-

ly boarded the car outside her school with the intention of heading home. However, during the journey, the driver allegedly started to make sexual advances at the teen.

Soon after, he reached across to the teen and started to take off her clothes, but the teen opened the door and jumped out.

She was picked up by another driver and taken to the Police Station where a complaint was lodged.

the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence.”

Meanwhile, clause 7 goes on to state: “Notwithstanding its defeat, the Government shall remain in office and shall hold an election within three months, or such lon-

ger period as the National Assembly shall by resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the votes of all the elected members of the National Assembly determine, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

Government has gone from promising to respect the vote to denying the vote’s validity on grounds that include an argument that 34 out of 65 should have been a majority vote. A court case has been filed seeking, among other things, a stay of the elections pending a ruling.

That and other related cases came up for hearing last Tuesday, but acting Chief Justice Roxane George committed to a ruling by the end of this month, while noting that such an order would be unnecessary.

The Opposition Leader has already warned that if elections are not facilitated within 90 days and there is no parliamentary agreement to extend this time, Guyana will have in place an unconstitutional government.

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wednESdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Home of young Essequibo couple razed by fire

A fire official at the site conducting his investigation

A

young couple of Capoey, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) is now left to make alternative living arrangements for them and their baby after a fire completely razed their home on Monday

evening.

Based on reports received, the young mother was making porridge for her one-year-old baby when the kerosene stove fell off the kitchen shelf and quickly engulfed the two

flat wooden building.

The woman in tears stated that she was unable to save any household items. The house, Guyana Times understands, is located across the Capoey Lake hence the fire service could not render assistance.

The young mother estimated her lost to be in the millions.

She related that after the fire started she grabbed her daughter and ran to safety. Residents ran to her to assist but were unable to do so since there was no water. She stated that she stood in tears as she watched her home go up in flames and subsequently reduced to ashes.

Williams said that her husband is working very hard to give them a comfortable home which they started to build about two years ago.

The husband was not at home at the time as he was working out of the area. On Tuesday a team of fire officials travelled to the location to conduct an investigation.

Bus conductor granted bail on rape charges

A

cting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Tuesday granted a 37-yearold bus conductor bail after he was charged for raping a child under the age of 16 on two separate occasions.

The accused, Handikuma Bakker of Pearl, East Bank Demerara (EDB), was not

required to plead to the indictable charges. The first charge detailed that between May 1, 2018, and May 31, 2018, in Georgetown, he had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old.

Another charge stated that between June 1, 2018, and June 31, 2018, in Mahdia, Region Eight, he

engaged in another act with the said 13-year-old girl.

However, Bakker was fortunate to be granted bail in the sum of $300,000 on both charges and will return to court on January 29, 2019.

Additionally, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus ordered the accused to stay away from the minor.

Reports are alleging that the accused and the teen were in a relationship, during which he took her on several trips and also gave her cash.

But sometime after, the teen’s parents became aware of what was taking place and reported the matter to the Police.

Dragging their feet...

I

...but digging their grave t was a bit surprising the PNC’s still insisting the elections be dragged out – via their unilaterally appointed GECOM Chair, James Patterson – after they and their partisans universally squealed that Irfaan Ali was the easiest candidate to beat!! If that’s so, why don’t they accept the clear directive of the Constitution and have elections in three months? All they’re doing is delaying their certain defeat, that’s what!

And there are so many reasons for this. Right off the bat, the PNC doesn’t have a candidate! And that’s exactly why General Secretary Amna Ally had to rush out with an announcement that David Granger’s their candidate! Has she suddenly qualified as an oncologist to predict what’ll happen by the time Granger gets to the fifth cycle of his chemotherapy for his Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma? Not even the big guns at Sloan Kettering are able to predict with any degree of certainty Granger’s prognosis a year down the road. We may all HOPE he’ll be better, but there’s that huge area of uncertainty, greater than the one Heisenberg declared for predicting the speed and location of electrons!

Knowing this, the PNC’s scared sh*tless of the inevitable, vicious infighting that’s about to break loose as the several factions prepare for their internal Armageddon!! Basil vs Volda? Harmon vs Basil vs Volda and Basil? Corbin throwing his hat back into the ring? The mind boggles and eyes glaze over at the combinations and permutations!! The PPP, on the other hand, was able to pull off a smooth process for their presidential candidacy with their CC voting for Irfaan with an enormous margin that should put to rest any talk of “influence”, but won’t.

After all, what else keeps the PNC going but hatred at the success of Jagdeo?

Another reason why the PNC’s shooting itself in the foot with its foot dragging on elections is they’re giving the PPP more time to thumb their noses at them for being unable to get any convictions amidst all the hoopla (not to mention the billions spent!) about PPP “corruption”!

On the other hand, PNC’s corruption – like the latest one amounting to billions involving Burnham’s son-in-law and underinvoiced fuel – is popping up like jumbie umbrellas!

The PPP will have a field day in a year’s time about real PNC corruption!

Rather than the shade being thrown by the PNC on the PPP!

...as the economy implodes The biggest fallout from the PNC’s foot-dragging on elections, however, could be the implosion of the economy as they fiddle while the economy implodes and they place all their economic eggs in the first oil basket.

Take a sector of the economy – ANY sector – and if you scratch the surface, you’ll see the effects of the PNC’s bumbling. Agriculture’s a good example. The greatest damage has been done to this strategically important sector. But which the PNC sees as a PPP redoubt and as such, must be destroyed. Much as Sherman did to Southern agriculture as he retreated. Burn and destroy was his cry as he saw imminent defeat looming. Like the PNC, he didn’t want to leave anything to give sustenance to the “enemy”!

Never mind that the coastland was made habitable and suitable for agriculture by the blood, sweat and tears of our forebears. And it’s a sacrilege to their memory for such land to revert to bush. Four of the sugar estates have been shuttered and were supposed to’ve been sold by now. What happened? Ineptitude stepped in, that’s what!

Imagine only after the closures did the PNC realise by the time they conducted a “valuation”, the fields and canals would deteriorate so much as to make them practically worthless.

So they borrow $30 BILLION to prepare the estates for sale!! And won’t spend a cent by next year as interests are paid out!!

Even their partisans won’t forgive that! ... on constitutional reform From the angst displayed by many of their supporters, foot-dragging on Constitution reform could prove to be the Achilles heel of the PNC Regime.

Thanks to Nagamootoo!

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

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wednESdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP/C presidential candidate begins national outreach

D

ays after being elected as the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) presidential candidate, Irfaan Ali travelled to Berbice, on Tuesday, where he was given a resounding welcome as he commenced a national outreach programme with the intention of meeting with the electorate.

The presidential hopeful, who was accompanied by several party stalwarts, visited a number of villages on the West Coast of Berbic,e where he had the opportunity of meeting with youths and business owners among other stakeholders.

During his interactions, Ali listened to the painful stories of many persons, including youths who have complained about the difficulties they are facing to make ends meet and the broken promises of the coalition Government.

The residents also expressed concern at the deteriorating state of the economy, poor public health services and the high taxes imposed by the current Government. In addition, some elderly persons have also raised concerns about the meagre pension they receive and the hassle they face on a monthly basis to receive their monies.

The PPP/C presidential candidate also received requests from a number of persons to reverse a number of draconian tax measures implemented by the coalition, including widening the Value Added Tax (VAT) base.

The residents were also upbeat about the results of

the PPP/C in the upcoming elections. Ali, on the other hand, spoke of the potential of Berbice and its economy, and pledged to work with everyone to realise it.

Ali is expected to continue his outreach to oth-

the no-confidence motion.

Many supporters of the co-

alition have also pledged their support to Ali and

er parts of the country in the coming days and weeks leading up to the General and Regional Elections constitutionally due by March 19, 2019.

Following his election as the Party's presidential

candidate, Ali told a gathering on the West Coast of Demerara of his plans to make heavy investment in the country's agricultural sector as well as create some 50,000 jobs during the first year of his presidency.

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wednESdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

No-confidence cases

Nandlall, AG file submissions in High Court – cite case law, dictionaries to substantiate cases

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

V

arious parties in the slew of no-confidence vote related legal challenges have filed and sent out their submissions to the High Court. In one, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, through his legal representatives, is arguing that the court processes are being abused to overturn that fateful vote.

This is according to the submission made on Jagdeo’s behalf in the Compton Reid vs Speaker of the National Assembly; Charrandas Persaud; the Attorney General; Jagdeo and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) General Secretary Joseph Harmon.

Asking the court to strike out Reid’s application, Jagdeo’s legal team (led by former Attorney General Anil Nandlall) noted that “it does not disclose any reasonable ground for bringing the claim; it is an abuse of the process of the Court and it is scandalous, frivolous and vexatious.”

The submission goes on to argue that Reid’s application “flies in the face of the Constitution”, when one stops to consider the National Assembly (Validity of Elections) Act Chapter 1:04.

AG vs Speaker, Opposition Leader

Meanwhile, a second submission was made on Jagdeo’s behalf by Nandlall and two other members of his legal team – attorneys-at-law Manoj Narayan and Rajendra Jaigobin – in the case of AG vs Speaker and Jagdeo.

In this submission, the team argues that the AG’s application is “incurably bad in law” and should be dismissed. According to the team, the court has no jurisdiction to deal with the application by way of a “case stated”, based on the Civil Procedures Rules (CPR).

The team, nevertheless, addressed the substantive is-

Attorney General Basil Williams

sues raised by the AG’s application, such as his claim that 33 is not a majority of 65.

Here the team cited Blacks’ Law Dictionary, the Oxford Dictionary and the Webster’s third new International Dictionary, in order to define a majority.

Blacks’ Law Dictionary states “A majority always refers to more than half of some defined or assumed set.

In parliamentary law, that set, may be all of the members or some subset, such as all members present or all members voting on a particular question.”

The Oxford Dictionary defines a majority as “the state or fact of being greater,

the number by which in voting, the votes cast on one side exceeds those cast on other.”

Meanwhile, the Webster Dictionary states that a majority is “the quality or state of being greater: number greater than half of a total: the excess of such a greater number over the remainder of the total.”

The team went on to assert that by the AG’s definition, the meaning of what a majority has a ripple effect.

The team gave as an example the Court of Appeal and its three Judges and the Public Service Commission.

“The Attorney General’s approach will also lead to unusual and unworkable results under the Constitution.

Thus for any question proposed for decision to be passed in the National Assembly under section 168(1)1, where all 65 members are present and voting, the votes of 34 members must be obtained.”

“Where a Government is formed on the basis of the support of only 33 of the 65 elected members, it means that in order to implement any legislative measure, it must obtain the vote of at least one opposition member,” the team stated.

Ram vs AG, Opposition Leader Meanwhile,

Attorney

Political activist Christopher Ram

General Basil Williams, through his legal representative, has submitted a response contesting the arguments put forward by activist Christopher Ram, who had approached the court seeking to have the Government resign as per the Constitution.

In the AG’s response, filed by Attorney Maxwell Edwards, he argues a number of things. According to the AG, resignation depends on Parliament being dissolved before General and Regional Elections.

In this instance, the AG cited Article 106 (7) of the Constitution of Guyana to support his arguments. He

then went on to reject calls for Government to be in a caretaker mode, contending that the vote was not a valid one.

On the matter of former AFC MP Charrandas Persaud’s dual citizenship, the AG then pointed to Article 165 (2) of the Constitution. The AG noted the danger to Guyana’s democracy to have MP’s who are disqualified from voting due to dual citizenship, vote in the National Assembly.

When the cases were first heard in her chambers, Chief Justice (acting) Roxanne George had given the sides a date of January 18 to exchange submissions, January 21 for rebuttal submissions and in the case of Christopher Ram versus the Attorney General and Speaker of the National Assembly, submissions will be heard today.

Oral submissions for Compton Reid versus the Attorney General, former MP Charrandas Persaud and the Speaker of the National Assembly will be heard on January 24. And finally, in the case of the Attorney General versus the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Opposition Leader, oral submissions will be done on January 25. (Jarryl Bryan)

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wednESdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Meten-Meer-Zorg murder trial

Prosecution’s star witness identifies 7 accused as robbery planners

Murdered: Zulfikar Namdar

By Shemuel Fanfair

T

he High Court trial regarding the killing of 20-year-old Zulfikar

Namdar who was left in a pool of blood during the course or furtherance of a robbery in September 2013 continued on Tuesday with Meten-MeerZorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD) native Nick Skeete testifying before the 12-member jury.

He was deported to Guyana in 2012 and was initially charged with the September 10, 2013 crime but those charges have since been dropped. He testified on behalf of the Prosecution, having identified the seven accused as being part of the crime-planning operation, claiming that he was acquainted with all of them.

Croft; Esan Lawrence, called “Muscle”; Jermaine Williams, called “Yankee”; Andrew Chandler, called “Sonic”; Samuel Bacchus, called “Kirk”; and Cassandra SinghDorsett who all denied murdering Namdar.

The self-coined drug pusher during his evidence in chief had also claimed that he had a good relationship with his cousin who would buy mari-

Andrew Chandler, called “Sonic”, was a friend of the deceased, Namdar

They are: Allan Dorsett called “Baird”; Delwayne

Allan Dorsett, called “Baird”

Delwayne Croft

Esan Lawrence, called “Muscle”

Jermaine Williams, called “Yankee”

Samuel Bacchus, called “Kirk”

Cassandra Singh-Dorsett, wife of number one accused

juana from him. He said too that Jermaine Williams also bought narcotics from him, adding that he grew up with another accused, Andrew Chandler who was the dead man’s childhood friend.

The star witness said he knew Samuel Bacchus through his cousin. Skeete added that his cousin Allan had a black vehicle and few financial problems. Skeete

testified that he sold narcotics and lived 200 yards from the Namdars, adding that his cousin is the number one-accused Allan Dorsett, while Williams is his wife’s cousin.

He said too that on September 3, 2013, the men bought “some weed” from him and smoked at a tree in his backyard when he supposedly heard them discussing their robbery plan.

Turn to page 14

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wednesdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Electronic Transaction Bill for Cabinet on Tuesday

W

ith the use of online shopping rapidly expanding, the Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) has taken up the task of protecting customers who choose to use digital marketing.

This was revealed by the Director of the Commission, Dawn Holder-Cush, during the Guyana Press Association’s (GPA) Lunch Time Lecture on Tuesday at Moray House, Camp Street, Georgetown.

The Director of the consumer body revealed that an Electronic Transaction Bill is currently being drafted and will be presented to Cabinet next Tuesday, which is intended to protect the rights of customers who shop online.

“I was asked to do some consultations and we have an Electronic Transaction Bill which will go before Cabinet next week Tuesday,” she said.

Holder-Cush was sceptical to divulge information on the contents of the Bill but promised to engage the GPA during the consultation phase.

The Commission which falls under the Business Ministry will now bear this responsibility although it previously fell within the boundaries of the Public Telecommunications Ministry.

Back in December, this newspaper reported that the CCAC had no provisions in place to protect such customers

Director of CCAC, Dawn Holder-Cush

although the number of persons rushing to the online markets has spiked.

This was at the time confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the Commission, Allison Parker during an interview with Guyana Times.

As pointed out by her, the Consumer Affairs Act only provides guidelines for electronic sale transactions locally.

This means that persons who source items online from overseas suppliers have no rights if an item arrives and does not meet their specification.

CCAC said “The Consumer Affairs Act does not provide jurisdiction for cross border e-commerce”.

With regards to legislation, the Consumer Affairs Act states that “The Minister may, after consultation with the Commission, make regulations

for the purpose of protecting consumers in relation to electronic sale transactions”.

Persons have many a time complained of sourcing items from online stores only to receive, in some cases, an entirely different put-together item when it comes to clothing, makeup, accessories and even electronics.

Meanwhile, when it comes to other complaints in the areas of electronics, appliances, vehicles and others the Commission said it has received a total of 289 complaints for 2018 which valued $91,868,324, from customers who were unable to get value for their dollar.

These figures, however, notably only cover items that were sourced locally as no provisions are made in the legislation to protect the rights of customers who source items from overseas.

Case dismissed against student nurse who burnt ‘rival’

T

he case against a Linden student nurse accused of assaulting a young woman by burning her with hot water was on Tuesday dismissed by Magistrate Wanda Fortune, after the victim indicated that she did not wish to pursue the case.

Twenty-year-old Denauda Williams, of Lot 129 Wismar Housing Scheme, Linden, was accused of wounding 19-year-old Shanyce Bynoe, at Wisroc Housing Scheme, on Thursday, January 3.

However, when the matter was called for the second time at the Linden Magistrate’s Court, the teenager told the court that she would not be going ahead with the case against the accused.

Bynoe noted under oath that she was not forced or threatened to make the decision; hence, the matter was dismissed.

The accused, who is attached to the Charles Roza School of Nursing, had initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of unlawful wounding when she first appeared in court a few weeks ago and was granted $80,000 bail by Magistrate Fortune.

Preliminary reports indicated that the accused and her boyfriend were conversing at his home at Wisroc Housing Scheme when Bynoe, who is allegedly also in a relationship with the young man, turned up at his home.

The young man reportedly went to speak with the teen and the accused, who was said to be cooking at the time, became upset.

She allegedly collected the pot of hot water from the stove and threw it on Bynoe.

The teen was rushed to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), where she was treated for second-degree burns to her hands and chest.

Prosecution’s star witness...

Led by Prosecutor Tuana Hardy, Skeete outlined that on the night of September 10, 2013, the men were brandishing weapons, noting that Croft had a long firearm and the others had smaller guns. About 5 minutes after they left, he heard gunshots; later learning of young Namdar’s demise.

He was arrested six days after the incident. However, Chandler, Croft and Dorsett out-rightly denied robbing anyone during the police interview.

He told the jury that he was not forced to give his statement to Police.

Dorsett’s lawyer, Nigel Hughes suggested Skeete planned the attack and crafted a story after the two getaway cars were seen outside of his home in a bid to have his charges dropped.

He denied this but later admitted to asking one of the store’s workers if his boss man stored money at home, claiming he had no reason for asking this.

Police Inspector Nolan Burnett was earlier in the day grilled by Attorneys Hughes, Adrian Thompson and George Thomas over his conduct in carrying out investigations. He was accused of being present when Croft and Chandler were beaten, shocked, tortured and allegedly forced to give confession statements which he denied.

Burnett testified that he could not recall if fingerprints were lifted from the crime scene.

The senior police rank took the caution statement of Allan Dorsett. Under cross-examination by Attorney Thompson, Burnett denied that he was present when water was thrown on Croft.

As the gruelling cross-examination continued by George Thomas, Inspector Burnett then denied that Chandler was placed in a room to kneel down when Inspector Singh threw water on the accused.

“You dropped his pants; you shocked him on his penis,” Thomas suggested.

From page 13

“Sir, I never did that, I wasn’t there,” the policeman quipped.

He further noted that he never interviewed Namdar’s relatives. Thereafter, Thomas suggested that Burnett’s investigation was poor to which the witness did not agree. Thomas even suggested that Police offered another suspect, Chris Jagdeo, a promise to not prosecute if he gave a statement but Burnett stressed that he did not know anything about that.

It was on Monday that the jury heard that Mrs Dorsett allegedly gave the men head ties to cover their faces.

Hughes, Ashley Henry and Jed Vasconcellos are representing the number one accused Dorsett while Thompson is representing Williams, Chandler and Bacchus. Meanwhile, Thomas is appearing for Croft, Lawrence and Singh-Dorsett. Attorneys Tuanna Hardy, Abigail Gibbs and Teriq Mohammed are prosecuting the case presided over

by Justice Navindra Singh.

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wednesdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations The health sector in chaos, both Ministers of Public Health are missing in action

W

hen it comes to the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) Ministers, the discourse in most households and in most gatherings relate to which minister is mostly missing in action, which is the most MIA minister. In fact, the discourse relating to APNU/ AFC Ministers across the board is which one is the most incompetent, most corrupt, or the most disinterested in Dr Leslie Ramsammy their sector. A good example is the discourse relating to the public health sector.

Just one day of newspapers and TV newscast stories reveal something is really wrong. Newspaper stories, TV newscasts, and the social media on Tuesday tell stories of two children who died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where parents and relatives have major concerns surrounding the circumstances of their deaths. A third child appears to be in critical condition because of the same issues that led to the death of the two children. More than one week has passed since the first child died. The GPHC insists it is still conducting an investigation, an investigation that should have started, in accordance with standard protocols, the minute after the child died. Even as this scandal is eliciting rage in the population, there is another family asking questions about the death of a young woman after she gave birth to a baby at the same hospital earlier in the month, but the Hospital insists it is still conducting an investigation.

On Tuesday, people got up and were horrified by newspaper stories that at least four bodies have decomposed while being stored at the non-functional mortuary at the New Amsterdam Hospital. There was prior knowledge the mortuary was not functional for some time now. I heard this story since Saturday last. It cannot be that the Ministers of Public Health are now finding out this calamity, just like everyone else, from the newspapers. While this mortuary is creating even more grief and agony for people who have lost their loved ones, there are the continuing months-long problems at Skeldon Hospital.

This hospital which used to receive electricity from the Skeldon Estate, which is now closed, was eventually, after almost a year, connected to GPL. But the electricity supply is not stable, is insufficient and is plagued by constant blackouts. Management and staff have to determine which equipment will be used, since all of them cannot be used at the same time. This nightmare is not fiction, it is real.

These stories are only those in Tuesday’s (January 22) news and do not include other stories that people are numb to. There are operating theatres not functioning, X-ray equipment out of order, laboratories without laboratory supplies and the continued medicine shortages, among the many woes that patients and healthcare staff confront daily. While all of this are affecting people, the Ministers are busy with their politics, busy purging the staff of people they consider not supportive of APNU/AFC, busy bringing in people they consider as their “own PNC” people, as Senior Minister Volda Lawrence described them.

With all this chaos, one wonders where the Ministers are. Neither of them seems interested, they are distant from the problems and they signal a “don’t-care-attitude” that compound the rage people feel. The Ministers are consistently, for the last three-and-a-half years, totally missing in action, MIA. Even professionals in the public health sector have deemed the Ministers of Public Health the MIA Ministers. The truth is that most, if not all, of the APNU/AFC Ministers are living in la la land, all MIA. With the magnitude of the chaos in the health sector, this past week, the Senior Minister of Public Health was on the East Bank Demerara, at Diamond commissioning a billboard touting the benefits of a Smart Hospital. Last week, the Junior Minister of Public Health found herself assuring people again, while she was on the West Coast of Demerara, that the Ministry is working on ensuring adequate medicine supply, after she was forced to acknowledge that complaints of medicine shortages are now worse than they have even been since APNU/AFC. Neither Minister seemed bothered by the chaos in the sector, giving no sign that they care.

The Guyanese people across the board have no confidence in the public health sector. No matter who they voted for in May 2015, no matter where they live, no matter their economic circumstances, no matter their race or religion, the Guyanese people have lost confidence in APNU/AFC’s ability to manage the public health system. It is not only the incompetence, mismanagement and corruption which are rife in the Ministry of Public Health that exasperate people, it is the absolute disinterest by the Ministers that make people angry.

Police to monitor usage of pedestrian overpasses

T

he Public Infrastructure Ministry is currently in the process of implementing measures which will enable Police to monitor the use of the pedestrian overpasses erected along the East Bank of Demerara.

This is according to the subject Minister, David Patterson who told Guyana Times that these final works should be completed shortly to allow pedestrians to use the elevators.

“The elevators are working, the elevators are installed (and) everything is completed but we just need to fully put them into operation. There is a security issue which we are addressing”.

Patterson made it clear that the overpasses have no default and the Ministry is just trying to ensure that the commodity itself is secured as well as the pedestrians who will be using it.

“You want to ensure that there is adequate security available 24 hours before it

One of the new structures

will be in use for 24 hours so that’s the only thing we are doing as we speak…the Police will be able to monitor the usage of the overpasses so that’s what we’re working out,” he added.

When asked when the elevators will be operation he said “eminently”.

To further ensure that the elevators are properly used, the Ministry in September last announced plans to train persons on the safe usage of the new struc-

tures.

At present, there are five pedestrian overpasses located at Houston, Eccles, Peter’s Hall, Providence and Diamond.

Ten lifts were sourced from Sweden earlier in 2018 and two were installed; one on each side of the crosswalk.

Construction of the pedestrian overpasses commenced mid-2017 and was almost completed by December 2017.

The contract for the overpasses at Houston, Eccles and Peter’s Hall was awarded to B&J Civil Works for the sum of US$1,034,326.

Meanwhile, there were separate contracts for the Providence and Diamond overpasses which were both awarded to S Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services to the tune of US$364,247 and US$364,727 respectively.

Trinidadian supervision firm RM Engineering Ltd was recruited to oversee the construction of the overpasses.

The introduction of these flyovers was intended not only to reduce the high level of road carnage but to eliminate traffic congestion along the East Bank Road, which is said to be the busiest in the country.

While many concerns were raised about the time it takes to walk the flight of stairs, the Public Infrastructure Ministry noted previously that this guarantees safety.

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wednesdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ex-soldier gunned down at Eccles

The car that Walters was driving at the time of his demise

Dead: Kelvin Walters

A

man was on Tuesday evening gunned down in the vicinity of the Two Brothers Service Station, Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD) by two men on a motorcycle.

The dead man has been identified as 35-year-old Kelvin Walters of Eccles Public Road.

He was reportedly an ex-soldier and worked as a bodyguard at a mining company up to the time of his demise.

While information remains sketchy, Guyana Times understands the man was shot to his face by one of the men on the motorcycle after he refused to pull his car over into the corner.

After being shot, Walters re-

The abandoned motorcycle at the scene

portedly slammed into the two men on the bike.

Based on reports received, the two men fell to the roadway, but hurriedly got up and made good their escape on foot leaving the motorcycle and a weapon at the scene. From reports received, one of the men might have suffered a broken leg.

An injured Walters was pulled from his mo-

tor car and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. At the time of the shooting incident, his wife and daughter were in the vehicle and sustained minor injuries as a result of the collision.

The Police have launched a manhunt for the two men as they continue their investigations.

Innovative approach to prevent HIV needed – PANCAP

T

he Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) has called on all countries to introduce innovative prevention approaches to reduce the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

This message was resounded in a press statement recently issued by the organisation.

“The board also called on all countries to introduce innovative prevention approaches and improve the quality of prevention services to ensure greater impact in reducing new HIV infections; and further called on the Priority Areas Coordinating Committee to develop a new Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS for the period 2019 to 2023,” the release stated.

It continued to say that while tens of thousands of cases of HIV infections have been prevented, a need still exists to significantly reduce new infections which requires countries to promote age-appropriate sexual education and skills and extend sexual reproductive health services to all youth and key populations.

It added, “The Executive Board noted the legal judgments in Caribbean courts affirming human rights arising from litigation and called on countries not to wait on litigation but to make amendments to laws to rec-

ognise the rights of key populations and the rights of all to access sexual and reproductive health services”.

Last year, Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings said Region Four ( D e m e r a r a Mahaica) has recorded the highest number of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) cases for 2017.

In fact, 705 cases were recorded in 2015, 855 in 2016, and a whopping 961 cases were confirmed in 2017.

Region Four has since earned the title of the region that is most populated with HIV affected persons due to the fact that it is evidently the most populated region in the country.

Trailing Region Four was Region Three, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, with 130 cases of HIV in 2017.

For the same year, Region Eight, (Potaro-Siparuni), was documented as the region with the least number of cases, since a mere three persons were diagnosed with the virus there.

Cummings noted that there are many gaps in AIDS responses, which deserve some attention.

Statistics provided by PANCAP, which were collected in six strategic priority areas revealed that the annual number of new HIV infections among adults in the Caribbean declined by only 18 per cent from 2010 to 2017, from 19,000 to 15,000.

Majority of the new HIV infections, which represented 68 per cent of the total population was accounted for

by Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), S e x Workers (SWs) and their clients, transgender persons, and persons who use drugs PANCAP disclosed.

New infections among children also fell from about 2300 in 2010 to 1100.

Although significant progress has been made in eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV, available data for the period 2015 to 2017 showed that HIV-infected pregnant women receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to reduce HIV transmission declined from 92 per cent in 2014 to 79 per cent in 2015 and 75 per cent in 2016 and 2017 respectively, illustrating a significant decrease that requires investigation.

17

news

wednesdAY, January 23, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ex-cop gets 4-year jail sentence for cocaine trafficking Alleged “troublemaker” charged for beating father of 3

...accomplices freed of charges

A

23-year-old ex-Policeman, of Adam’s Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was on Tuesday sentenced to four years in prison by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly on a trafficking of cocaine charge, which occurred back in 2017 at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).

Louie Dublin, along with his two accomplices Delvor Bunbury and Gavin Harris, was charged back in 2017

for the crime and was remanded to prison.

The ex-cop was busted during a sting operation carried out at the Lotus Restaurant and Bar located at CJIA, Timehri, EBD, where he was found to have in his possession a bag containing the illegal drug ,which was said to be given to him by the other two accused.

However, the charges against Bunbury and Harris were dismissed, since

Magistrate Daly ruled that the prosecution did not provide sufficient evidence to prove the men guilty of the offence.

Meanwhile, Dublin faced the full brunt of the law after sufficient evidence was found for him to be convicted. At the time of the drug bust, Dublin was a serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) while Bunbury was Manager of Ivor Bunbury Furniture and Harris was his assistant.

S

Jailed: Louie Dublin

Berbice brothers’ murder

Defence fails to produce alibi footage of client on night of crime

T

he defence in the Corentyne brothers’ murder trial is no longer pursuing using video footage from a surveillance camera which purported to show that the accused was at another location at the time of the murder.

The Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into the murder of Premchand Samaroo also called “Tully”, 45, and Harichand Samaroo also called “Davo”, 46, continues at the Springlands Magistrate’s court.

Eighteen-year-old Keeran Jeenarine also called “Roni”, a relative of the two dead men, has since been arraigned with the December 31 killings.

When the matter was first called on January 15, Attorney Charlyn Artiga argued that the police arrested the wrong man while holding out that her client was not at the scene of the mur-

Eighteen-year-old Keeran Jeenarine also called “Roni”

der on December 31.

The court had given one week to produce the evidence. When the matter was called on Tuesday before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh at the Springlands Magistrate’s Court,

Artiga said that the backup was deleted after 24 hours had elapsed.

However, she asked for the prosecution to make available a disclosure of all evidence. Police Prosecutor Inspector Orin Joseph indicated that the file was incomplete.

The attorney related that the police are in possession of a caution statement purportedly given by Jeenarine but she contended that her client did not give such a statement.

Magistrate Singh gave the Prosecution two weeks to make a disclosure of all the evidence that it has as it relates to the charges and the accused. The matter has been transferred to the Whim Magistrate Court and comes up again on February 4.

Natural Resources Ministry assesses various sectors

A section of the gathering of stakeholders from the Ministry’s annual review

T

he Natural Resources Ministry hosted its annual sector review at its Main Street office on Monday with the aim of strengthening its institutional capacity.

In a release on Tuesday, the Ministry stressed that this will provide a judgment of how well its agencies are performing and are expected to perform.

The session saw the involvement of subject Minister Raphael Trotman, Junior Minister Simona Broomes, along with staff of the Ministry and representatives of the various agencies that fall within the purview of the Ministry.

It was outlined that the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC), Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Guyana Gold Board (GGB), Guyana Extractive Industries

Transparency Initiative (GYEITI), Compliance Department, and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Project (FCPF) all formed part of the engagement.

In his brief remarks, Minister Trotman stressed Government's positions and expectations of the Ministry and its agencies for the year.

After this, the various sector representatives made presentations on the work of their respective agencies, which included “reports of projects, highlights for the year 2018, work plans, successes, challenges and the way forward.

It further allowed an assessment of the economic and financial conditions and prospects of the agencies within the sector.”

The Ministry said that each presentation gave way

for discourse where questions were asked and advice and recommendations on improvement were given. “The heads of the agencies were encouraged to continue the interagency coordination, for the enhancement of the implementation of systems, achievement of goals and overall improved sector performance,” the Ministry disclosed.

The Ministry added that it remains committed to working together with its agencies towards achieving Government’s vision. “Our ability to direct our energies towards our overall accomplishments is the fuel that allows us to continue the utilisation, promotion and sustainment of our country’s natural resources to the benefit of all Guyanese.”

elvin Allen, one of the three men accused of attacking and brutally beating a single father of three, made his appearance at the Suddie Magistrate’s Court.

According to information provided, the accused denied that on January 12, 2019, at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Trevor Chapelle.

He was granted bail but is expected to make his second Court appearance on February 15, 2019, for statements.

It was reported that Chapelle, of Red Village, Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast, was attacked and beaten on the day in question. According to the victim’s sister, Chapelle and a friend had been walking to the shop when they were approached by the “two known troublemakers” from Onderneeming.

The perpetrators reportedly asked Chapelle for money to buy something to drink to which he replied: “I don’t have any”.

The men then allegedly attacked and beat him to his head and body with

An injured Trevor Chapelle

a piece of wood before residents intervened.

The suspects quickly escaped the scene of the crime and Chapelle was picked up and rushed to the Suddie Hospital where he was treated for injuries to his right side, head, knee, back and throat. The matter was later reported to the Police and based on investigations, one of the suspects was arrested and charged.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, January 23, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

dilbert

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

You’ll learn from someone with more experience if you network or attend a meeting or lecture. If you keep an open mind and listen carefully, it will lead to personal improvements.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Opportunities will arise through a connection you make while doing something physical. Refuse to let a jealous person use emotional tactics to lower your self-esteem. Love who you are.

CANCER

Don’t settle for less when you can have so much more.

Look at the possibilities and try something new. A partnership should enhance your life, not limit what you can do.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

Get fired up and get things done. Don’t let minor setbacks or negative people slow you down. Your accomplishments will encourage positive change.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Mix business with pleasure to get ahead. Not everyone will favor what you propose, but those who do will offer enough support to help you reach your goal.

Romance is highlighted.

Self-deception can be costly. Don’t fall into a trap someone sets. Talk to an experienced colleague to discover the best way to deal with adversity and emotional blackmail.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Pay more attention to yourself and your needs. A makeover or quality time spent with a loved one will help you deal with the responsibilities hanging over your head.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Education will help you bring about the changes you want to make in your life.

Don’t procrastinate when you should be taking the initiative to make things happen.

SUDOKU

Be open to trying new SAGITTARIUS things, but don’t be gullible (Nov. 23- if someone offers something Dec. 21) unrealistic. Do your own research and depend on your resources to get things done properly.

A steady pace forward CAPRICORN will bring the best results.

(Dec. 22- Don’t be tempted by what Jan. 19) others do or say. Follow what works best for you and keep moving ahead.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A physical outlet will help temper an emotional situation. Concentrate on what needs to be done, and don’t stop until you are satisfied with your progress.

Don’t share your feelings. Someone will use what you tell them to make you look or feel bad. If you focus on what you can do for others, good karma will come your way.

wednesdAY, January 23, 2019

19

Australian Open 2019‌

Tsitsipas beats Agut to reach semi-finals S

tefanos Tsitsipas beat Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut in four sets to continue his superb run in Melbourne and reach the Australian Open semi-finals.

At 20 years and 168 days, Tsitsipas is the youngest man to reach the last four of a Grand Slam since Novak Djokovic at the 2007 US Open.

The Greek 14th seed won 7-5 4-6 6-4 7-6 (7-2) in three hours and 15 minutes.

He will face 2009 champion Rafael Nadal in the last four after the Spaniard beat unseeded American Frances Tiafoe.

"It all feels like a fairytale almost. I'm just living the dream, living what I've been working for," he said.

"I feel a bit emotional but not too much because I know I really worked hard to get here."

Tsitsipas became the first Greek player to go beyond the fourth round of a Grand Slam when he knocked out six-time champion Roger Federer to reach the quarter-finals.

He is the youngest man to reach the last four in Melbourne since Andy Roddick in 2003.

Nadal beats Tiafoe in quarter-finals

Second seed Rafael Nadal eased past unseeded American Frances Tiafoe to reach the Australian Open semi-finals and continue his bid to win all four Grand Slams for a second time.

The 32-year-old Spaniard cracked 29 winners in a 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory.

Nadal broke 21-year-old Tiafoe in each of his first service games of the set.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion will play Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last four after the 20-year-old Greek beat Spain's Roberto Bautista Agut.

"It is emotional to be back in the semi-finals," said Nadal, who retired injured in his quarter-final against Marin Cilic last year.

"I had some troubles in this event so, after a while of not playing, to be back in the semi-final means a lot to me. I feel very lucky to be where I am after all the troubles I've been through."

Kvitova sets up semi-final against Collins

A tearful Petra Kvitova says she did not expect to be "playing with the best" again after reaching her

Petra Kvitova suffered serious injuries to her dominant left hand in the knife attack in 2016 – she later said she was lucky to be alive following the incident

first Grand Slam semi-final since being stabbed in a knife attack.

The Czech, 28, won 6-1 6-4 against home favourite Ashleigh Barty at the Australian Open.

The sixth seed suffered a serious hand injury when attacked in her home in December 2016.

"It wasn't easy to see myself in a semi-final after everything," she said.

"I'm calling it my second career. So it's the first semi-final of the second career."

The two-time Wimbledon

champion, who has not reached a major semi-final since winning the SW19 title in 2014, overpowered the smaller Barty in a 27-minute first set.

Barty, 22, provided resistance in the second, Kvitova saving two break points before taking the last three games.

She will play unseed-

ed Danielle Collins in the last four on Thursday after the American beat Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 2-6 7-5 6-1 to reach her first major semi-final.

Kvitova's victory also means Simona Halep, who lost to Serena Williams on Monday, will see her 48week reign as world number one end.

Kvitova is currently projected to take over from Halep, although Naomi Osaka, Elina Svitolina or Karolina Pliskova could also still claim the top spot if they continue their progress in Melbourne.

"I don't think there's any room here to think about that now," Kvitova said, "The next match - playing Danielle in the semi-final - that's what matters right now." (BBC Sport)

20 Ronaldo accepts €18.8M CWI calls for 1st class deal over tax evasion games before ICC GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, January 23, 2019

F

ootball superstar Cristiano Ronaldo has cut a deal with a court in Madrid over tax evasion charges, accepting an €18.8 million (£16.6 million) fine.

A huge media presence met the player outside the court, after a judge refused his request to appear by video or to enter the building by car to avoid the spotlight.

The deal, agreed in advance, includes a 23-month jail sentence.

But in Spain, conCristiano Ronaldo

victs do not usually do time for sentences under two years.

The non-violent nature

of Ronaldo's offence means he is unlikely to spend any time at all in jail, serving it on probation instead.

The court app e a r ance lasted mere minutes as Ronaldo accepted the deal offered by prosecutors.

The current Juventus player, who played for the club in Italy the night before, arrived at the provincial court with his fiancee Georgina Rodriguez. Smiling and giving a thumbs-up, he was apparently unfazed by the media presence.

His lawyers had argued that given his fame, avoiding the main entrance was needed for the player's security.

Ronaldo, five-time winner of Europe's Ballon d'Or and often titled one of the world's best players, was accused of avoiding paying tax in Spain between 2010 and 2014, when he was playing for Real Madrid and based in the Spanish capital.

The case centres around lucrative image rights deals. Prosecutors say the proceeds were funnelled through low-tax companies in foreign nations to avoid paying the required tax.

In court, as part of his deal, Ronaldo acknowledged four incidents amounting to €5.7m owed, according to Spanish-language news agency EFE. In 2017, when the allegations first emerged, prosecutors said it was a "voluntary and conscious breach of his fiscal obligations in Spain".

But Ronaldo's lawyers said it is all down to a misunderstanding over what was and was not required under Spanish law, and

deny any deliberate attempt to evade tax.

The deal, struck in June last year, had to be agreed with Spain's tax authorities.

Meanwhile, Ronaldo is not the only high-profile player to face the wrath of Spain's tax system.

His former Real Madrid team-mate Xabi Alonso also appeared in court on Tuesday in connection with similar offences amounting to about €2m.

Alonso was appearing before the court for the first time, facing a potential sentence of up to five years.

Unlike Ronaldo, he has not yet struck any deal with authorities and has maintained his innocence.

Shortly after Alonso's trial began, the court suspended proceedings to consider whether it was competent to hear the case, or if it should be referred to another criminal court, EFE reports.

The longer sentence prosecutors are seeking means that Alonso could, unlike Ronaldo, face jail time.

There are several other examples of footballers facing Spain's courts in recent years. (BBC World)

Test Championships

W

ith the world preparing for the 2021 start to the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championships, Cricket West Indies (CWI) recently made a bid to the world body that a mandatory FirstClass warm-up match be hosted prior to every series in the event.

The revolutionary championships will be hosted following the end of the 2019 50-Overs World Cup, where players and teams alike will shift into Test cricket mode but in a tournament-like setting.

CWI recently aired its disappointment after the England Cricket Board (ECB) declined several requests to play a First-Class game ahead of the Test series in the Caribbean, which commences today at the Kensington Oval.

Players were forced to partake in a pair of two-day warm-up matches, which were a lopsided affair as the CWI President’s XI players were outdone by Joe Root and company, with only Windies batsman Sunil Ambris, who is not in the Test team, scoring big, hitting 98 in the second game.

The level of cricket was clear as the Windies were outplayed after fielding a make-shift team composed of players from across the various franchises in the Caribbean.

Another reason for the Windies pushing for the First-Class games is to keep the competitiveness alive prior to international games to play a high-level brand of cricket against opponents. (CWI)

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21

West Indies v England, 1st Test, Kensington Oval…

Can Windies keep England’s 15year drought going?

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Then England Captain Michael Vaughan and his men celebrate with the Wisden Trophy back in 2004

H

James Anderson the only player from that series to return years later for a possible repeat. Apart from Anderson, only Windies openers Chris Gayle and Devon Smith are currently active on the international scene, with Gayle retired from Tests and Smith, who made 108 in the 2004 Tests, playing his last Test as recent as July 2018 versus Bangladesh.

In two of those four Tests, a pacer, specifically Steve Harmison, won the player of the match award while former England middle-order batsman Graham Thorpe and Lara won the other two for their efforts with the bat. With an entirely new-look team under different leaders, both sides are now practically faced with reigniting their war from more than a decade ago. All will soon see which way the pendulum swings.

Root and a few of his marquee players received full marks for making the most of their time during the pair of warm-up tour matches. The England skipper, opener Rory Burns, Ben Stokes, and Jonny Bairstow looked particularly good. With Stuart Broad with his hat-trick and Anderson’s seemWindies legend Brian ingly endless class on full show, the Lara smashed 400 not visitors seem to be heading into the out during England’s bout full of confidence. last Test series win Windies will favour the English’s on regional soil

aving not won a series on Caribbean soil since 20032004, England are out to break the shackles, but West Indies could further use their opponents 15-year drought to keep the record standing.

The last time England beat the Windies in their backyard was under the captaincy of Michael Vaughan, who managed to snatch a remarkable series win in a number of years prior to the Test series.

Windies skipper Brian Lara rewrote the history books in that same series when he scored his monumental 400 not out at the then Antigua Recreation G r o u n d .

England swept the first three games with ease before Lara’s magic knock helped the Windies to salvage some pride and secure a

draw.

Fastforward to 2019 and only three warriors are left standing from the battle years of long ago; with England’s bannerman

lack of momentum in the Caribbean over the years, as, with the Flashback! A young Jimmy Anderson celebrates exception of the wicket of Chris Gayle during England’s 2004, England 2004 Test series win in the Caribbean were never able to get the better of any Windies, meanwhile were the Windies team. In the 1998-99 series, victims of India and Bangladesh in England won one, lost two and drew the Test world, but with the Indians three before winning 3-0 in 2004. known for playing a style of crickReturning almost four years latet similar to that of England, it is er, England would never get out of possible that a few Windies batsthe blocks after they failed to win a men like Shimron Hetmyer, Shai single game in the five-match series, Hope, Darren Bravo, and Kraigg but managed to play to four draws Braithwaite – the future of the West with a loss to their name, confirmIndies batting – will create their own ing that despite the format it seems bit of history.

Caribbean conditions haunt the perToday’s Test at the Kensington formance of the English.

Oval will not only be an important The hosts will have the obvious match as the winner will carry moadvantage, given that stats prove mentum forward, but it will be a England falter mostly when playing demonstration of the brand of crickTest cricket in this part of the world et and what’s to come from these two but should history be re-written as it historical rivals over the next few has been many times over, England days as they embark on what could break their jinx. could be a magical series.

2004’s series was dominated by both batsmen and bowlers alike and with the quality of batsmen in both sides improving with the introduction of T20 cricket, it will be left to be seen what type of cricket England play away from home.

Sri Lanka felt the brunt of England’s newfound aggression and no-nonsense approach as they were whitewashed on their own turf by Root and company in the last encounter of 2018 for the visitors.

Boateng makes “dream” loan move from Sassuolo K

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

evin-Prince Boateng has completed a "dream" move to Barcelona on loan for the remainder of the season.

The former Tottenham and Portsmouth forward was handed the chance to make a surprise return to La Liga as Barca needed attacking cover for Luis Suarez.

Boateng made Italian side Sassuolo his ninth club on a free transfer last year and Barca have the option

to sign the 31-year-old for £7.1m in the summer.

"It's a big dream come true," he said. "It's a big honour for me to be here."

After leaving Hertha Berlin in 2007, Boateng played for Spurs and Pompey before earning a move to AC Milan in 2010, helping them win Serie A in his first season.

He was praised for leading Milan players off the pitch during a friendly against Pro Patria in

January 2013 because of racist chants.

Boateng later played for Schalke before scoring 10 goals for Spanish side Las Palmas in 2016-17 and helping Eintracht Frankfurt win last season's German Cup. He has scored five goals in 15 games for Sassuolo this season, taking his career total to 61 in 398 games.

Although born in Germany, he made 15 appearances for Ghana while his half-brother - Bayern

Kevin-Prince Boateng has scored four goals in 13 league games for Sassuolo this season

Munich defender Jerome Boateng - plays for Germany and they faced each other at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

Barca were short of attacking options after the La Liga leaders sold Paco Alcacer and Munir El Haddadi this month.

"He doesn't seem

to need m u c h time to adapt," s a i d coach Ernesto Valverde.

"He knows his stuff and can start playing straight away.

"He's comfortable in many positions, as a central striker or playing off another striker, and even deeper too." (BBC Sport)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesdAY, January 23, 2019

Magnum Mash Cup to kick off February 2 …organisers appeal for rethink of GFF sanction

T

he doors of the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue will once again open to futsal action in the coming weeks as ANSA McAL, under its Magnum brand, prepares to host the second edition of the Magnum Mash Cup. The indoor tournament, which had a blistering first year in 2018, is being organised by Sansports with the help of the National Sports Commission (NSC) among other sponsors.

The Mash Cup action will feature 32 teams from Georgetown, East Bank, East Coast, West Bank and Linden over nine nights of nail-biting football.

Speaking on behalf of Sansports, organiser Esan

Griffith highlighted the importance of support for those teams that are drawn out of communities. Notably, the organiser spoke to the issues that the tournament faced in its first year, promising spectators that security was of utmost priority.

“As promoters, we want to assure that security will be the top of our priority during this tournament, so leave your guns, knives among other things and bring your rags, horns, and flags to shout for your team as the tournament progresses,” Griffith declared.

But the organiser was not done, as he made an appeal to the President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to grant elite players

the opportunity to play in the tournament.

“We want to make a public appeal to Mr [Wayne] Forde, president of GFF to rethink his position and to allow the players to come on board, so that each community could have their best team during this competition,” Griffith stated.

In 2018, the GFF had placed a sanction on all elite league players, barring them from participating in futsal and street football tournaments that were not “sanctioned under the auspices of the Elite League”.

On a lighter note, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones brought a lot of positives to the party, firstly by emphasising the need for young

The team from Bent Street were the ones to emerge victorious in the first edition of the Magnum Mash Cup in 2018

people (players) to see some amount of hope and commitment on the part of everyone involved, to see development in sport.

“We would like to stress

the importance of young people being involved in sporting activities and that is why through investment from the Government, we will continue to make facilities available to them so that they can practice,” the Director of Sport stated, before going on to hail ANSA McAL for its continued involvement in sport.

Aside from providing the first-place trophy for the Magnum Mash Cup, the Director of Sport made the bold announcement that the NSC would be adding to the prize monies. The first-place

winner would have pocketed $500,000, but they will now receive $600,000. The second- and third-place prizes which were $250,000 and $100,000 have now been increased to $350,000 and $200,000.

The Magnum Mash Cup will kick off on Saturday, February 2, with game days being February 5, 9, 13, 16, 19, 21, and 24. The finals will be staged on March 2.

Aside from the NSC and the primary sponsors, the tournament has seen support from Trophy Stall, Insurance Brokers, and Beacon Café.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesdAY, January 23, 2019

23

Pybus optimistic about Windies outfit ahead of Wisden Test N

ewly-appointed Interim Coach of the Windies cricket team, Richard Pybus is confident the squad selected for the Test series against England has the skills and motivation to emerge victorious.

“We have a clear goal – we are here to win the series,” said Pybus, who believes that despite strong opponents, the Windies side is ready to start consistently de-

liv-

ering “some

Kemar Roach

r e a l l y great cricket”.

Pybus, who was recently called up to lead the regional side through the busy upcoming 2019 cricket season, said the West Indian players were disappointed with their performance during the recent tour of the sub-continent, and have a point to prove.

“Playing at home in the Region, the guys a r e v e r y m o t i v a t ed,” Pybus reckoned, e x plaini n g t h a t the team with its good balance and experience would focus on consistency.

He welcomed the support of his coaching staff, which includes Assistant Coaches Vasbert Drakes of Barbados, Esuan Crandon from Guyana and Englishman Toby Radford, along with spin bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed, who Pybus previously coached when Ahmed played for Pakistan.

“Mushtaq is great to have around the guys; he is incredibly positive and has a superb cricket brand. Toby is highly experienced in the system: he knows all the guys and brings a lot of value. Vasbert was part of our high-performance p r o gramme, he is a World Cup-winning coach in his own right and is well-established as a player and a coach; and Crandon has been the standout First-Class Coach for quite a period of time now,” he commented.

Pybus lauded the leadership of Captain Jason Holder, who he believes has matured as a cricketer and as a leade r , and

w a s well poised to help the team advance. “At times it has been a really tough gig, from where he started to where he is now, and I think he has handled that excep-

tionally well.”

The Windies skipper, according to Pybus, has improved markedly. “His performance has really evolved over the last while and he has become one of the standout all-rounders in international cricket. He was superb with the ball last year and his batting has really come on. So, I think he's also getting to a point in terms of his own personal maturity, where he's comfortable where he is with the captaincy, and I think he is confident being in a situation, where he can really demand excellence out of the side.”

Meanwhile, Pybus, an Englishman, deflected criticisms surrounding his appointment to the regional Caribbean side, chalking it up as part of the landscape of professional sport.

“It just goes with the territory really. We've got a Test match coming up. That for me, is what I'm personally focused on. Wherever you are, there are critics, and as a coach, your job is to make sure that you produce winning cricket.”

Squad ready!

Meanwhile, the West Indies camp is calm and confident ahead of the start of the first Test match against England in the Wisden Trophy Test Series.

Speaking to members of the media during Monday’s training session, fast bowler Kemar Roach and middle-order batsman Shai Hope both noted that the “underdogs” have prepared well for what will be a major assignment on home soil.

The first Test starts today. First ball is 10:00h (9am Jamaica Time).

“We are the so-called underdogs… but if we play our cricket, we can win,” said the

25-year-old Hope. “We are all was something special,” he confident and we believe our said. “My next goal is to get preparation has been very 200 Test wickets and in dogood. This could be the start ing so, win some more games of a special year for us, with for West Indies. I will see the Test Series here and then how far I can go from there. onto the World Cup. There is I think I still have another a lot to play for.” three to four years in West Hope added that it was Indies cricket, good to have the experience of Darren Bravo back in the squad. The classy lefthander is about to make his 50th Test match appearance.

“Darren is a quality player,” Hope said. “He definitely makes the dressing room feel a lot more confident with the batting. So, it’s just key Richard Pybus for him to settle in again. We know what he’s capable of, so we need to make sure that we grasp his knowledge as well.”

Roach, who made his Test debut back in 2009, has taken 166 wickets in 50 Tests. He is now among West Indies’ top 10 wicket-takers of all time.

“I recently reached one of my goals in the last series… obviously to be among the top 10 West Indian bowlers of all time in Test cricket

and I want to contribute to the team.”

Roach added: “Seeing the names of past greats on the stands is an inspiration. Kensington is an historic place and a lot of great cricketers have played at the ground. It has been renovated from the old one, but it is still a good feeling to go out there and see the Sir Garfield Sobers Pavilion, Greenidge and Haynes Stand, The Three Ws, Hall and Griffith or bowling at the Malcolm Marshall or Joel Garner ends.” (CWI)

wednesDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019

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Pybus optimistic about Windies outfit ahead of Wisden Test

Page 23

Director of Sport, Christopher Jones and Sansports’ Esan Griffith pose with this year’s championship trophy in the company of Magnum officials and players

Page 22

Magnum Mash Cup to kick off February 2

…organisers appeal for rethink of GFF sanction

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