Guyana Times - Wednesday, March 20, 2019

24 Guyanese added to ExxonMobil team P14

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

Issue No. 3869

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNesday, MARCH 20, 2019

PRICE

GECOM ignores constitutional fiat on NCM elections

PPP Commissioners rap Chairman's unilaterally foisted 8-month delay

Page 3

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Man found not guilty of raping 3-year-old P8 GCCI President slams Govt for underperformance in mining, P13 quarrying industry

– Jagdeo rules out Opposition support for unconstitutional November timeline

Contempt of court charges dropped against GBTI officials Page 9

Social P2 Protection Ministry awaits report before acting on NOC breakout – claims it’s clueless at this point

P15 Courts, Georgetown Rotary Club donate pregnancy kits at WDRH Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali and former Health Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy posed with a group of children following a meeting with residents of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara on Tuesday

More needs to be done to tackle corruption in Guyana – British High Commissioner Page 10

Govt’s move is Guyana’s worst constitutional Page 7 transgression – FITUG

Discussions with RUSAL P9 progressive – Bauxite Union

2 news

wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Social Protection Ministry awaits report before acting on NOC breakout – claims it’s clueless at this point

Social Protection Minister Amna Ally

I

nvestigations into the breakout at the New Opportunity Corps at Onderneeming Village, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are still ongoing and at this point, the Social Protection Ministry is still to determine what went wrong.

According to the Ministry, it is only when these investigations have concluded that measures can be implemented to correct this situation as well as prevent a recurrence.

Guyana Times was told that a report on the incident where the 24 juveniles escaped from the facility on Saturday last is expected to be completed by Friday and shortly after it will be presented to Social Protection Minister Amna Ally for guidance on the way forward.

Meanwhile, the police are still conducting their investigations into the matter as well.

The juvenile offenders made good their escape on Saturday around 19:30h after climbing down from the southern window in their dormitory. Some juvenile offenders then climbed over a fence and made a dash

for freedom while another group used the koker entrance which is currently dried as a result of the dry season. Of the 24 escapees, there were 17 males and seven females.

Although the facility is equipped with security officers, the teen offenders managed to outsmart them.

Meanwhile, police have since said that investigations revealed that the females opened a southern door in their dormitory and tied five sheets together then threw the knotted sheets over the western fence of the compound in order to escape.

Police in G Division (Essequibo Coast-Islands) have since managed to recapture 16 of the escapees with a few of them voluntarily returning to the facility. Several others are still on the run. Police are seeking

A section of the NOC compound, Region Two

the assistance of the public in recapturing the others.

In November 2018, a search was launched for five female juvenile offenders who escaped from the facility.

That incident followed a number of other incidents wherein inmates tried to flee the holding facility.

On October 18, a 17-yearold juvenile offender from New Amsterdam, Berbice, pushed down a social service assistant and escaped.

The teen was sent to the juvenile correctional facili-

ty to serve a three-year sentence on a charge of breakand-enter and larceny.

Reports are that the teen was being escorted back to his dorm when he pushed the 61-year-old social service assistant to the ground and ran west, out of the compound and into an area covered with high vegetation and made good his escape.

Meanwhile, a few weeks prior to that incident, 13 persons managed to escape from the facility in another such incident. This publication understands that

10 of the teens escaped on September 27, 2018, and the other three escaped on September 28, 2018.

The juveniles had completed some chores in the compound of the facility after which they started to run towards the western side of the premises which is not fenced.

Since the coalition Government came into power, responsibility for the NOC has been assigned to the Social Protection Ministry.

news

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wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Wednesday, March 20 – 04:30h and 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, March 21 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, March 20 –15:55h-17:25h and Thursday, March 21 – 16:40h-18:10h.

GECOM ignores constitutional fiat on NCM elections

PPP Commissioners rap Chairman’s unilaterally foisted 8-month delay

– Jagdeo rules out Opposition support for unconstitutional November timeline ing discussions, reiterating that the PPP will not sit and violate the Constitution.

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

The letter

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals are expected to prevail during the day, followed by clear skies in the evening.

Overall temperatures will range between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 04:09h and 16:29h reaching maximum heights of 2.77 metres and 2.86 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:02h and 22:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.42 metre and 0.35 metre respectively.

saturday, march 16, 2019

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TuesDAY, MARCH 19, 2019 DAILY MILLIONS

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

GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson

T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman has advised the Executive that elections can be held no sooner than November 2019, earning him a sharp rebuke from the Opposition nominated Commissioners on GECOM, who condemned this position to hold elections outside of the constitutional timeframe.

A Tuesday statutory meeting abruptly broke up after it was revealed that GECOM Chairman James Patterson wrote a letter to President David Granger advising him of this, without informing them.

The three People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Commissioners called a press conference soon after the botched meeting where Commissioner Robeson Benn said the Chairman’s advocacy for elections in November is an unconstitutional position.

“We on this side naturally walked out at that point. There (are) attempts to delay the elections. Any delay of elections founded in the no-confidence vote would be unconstitutional and illegal.

He noted that despite GECOM starting its preparations and holding meetings right after the no-confidence vote, the secretariat mysteriously abandoned those preparations and subsequently frittered away the time.

“The Guyana Elections Commission, immediately after the passage of the no-confidence vote had started holding meetings in respect of the work plans for having those elections within the 90-day timeframe, was somehow forced to abandon its duties,“ the Commissioner said.

Benn, along with fellow Commissioners Sase Gunraj and Bibi Shadick, rejected the position adopted by the Chairman, on the grounds that it ignores the constitutional provision of three months to hold elections.

He also lambasted Chairman James Patterson for writing such a letter without discussing it with the Commission.

As a consequence, he said GECOM is not functioning as it ought to, with the Chairman making decisions to the exclusion of the PPP Commissioners.

In fact, the Commissioner expressed doubts about the authorship of the letter, noting that the writing style differs from Patterson’s.

The Commissioner also defended his side against Justice Patterson’s insinuations that the PPP Commissioners have been walking out and frustrat-

Patterson wrote President Granger, informing him that General and Regional Elections cannot be held before late November 2019, even though GECOM is constitutionally mandated to hold elections within three months of the passage of a no-confidence motion against the Government.

In the case of Guyana, that deadline expires on Thursday.

In the letter dispatched to the Head of State, the GECOM Chair explained that since the elections body is continuing with its normal work pro-

A picture of the letter in question

The PPP Commissioners – from left: Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn

gramme, that is, the holding of house-to-house registration, it will need some $3.5 billion to host elections.

Patterson also claimed that GECOM would only be able to produce a new voters list with a qualifying date of October 31, 2019. He continued by urging the President to make the required additional resources available.

In this regard, the GECOM Chairman explained that “no election date should be contemplated less than five months after these funds are placed at the disposal of and under the control of GECOM.”

“In consideration of all of the above, the fulfilment of the various conditions highlighted, the removal of the external impediments, and based on the advice I have been given by the Chief Elections Officer, I would proffer that the Commission would be in a position to conduct General and Regional Elections no earlier than late November 2019 with an official list of electors having a qualifying date of 31st October, 2019,” Patterson told Granger in the letter.

No extension

Article 106 (6) of the Guyana 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.”

106 (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.”

So far, there has been no word on when a sitting of the National Assembly will be called. Nor has the court granted a stay on the count down.

When asked at a previous press conference, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had informed the media that there must be pressing issues for the National Assembly to be called. When asked if elections were not a pressing matter, he then conceded that it was.

Turn to page 10

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, MARCH 20, 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

Lessons from New Zealand

T

he world, more particularly New Zealand, is trying to come to grips with the horror of last Friday’s (March 15) shooting that left 50 people dead and many others injured, some critically. Many watched in complete shock on social media as a lone gunman opened fire on the gatherings at two Mosques during the Friday prayers. It was an attack that was well planned in advance based on various now known facts most evident from the live-streaming.

From reports, the Australian-born gunman had earlier published a manifesto in which he strongly objected to immigration and multiculturalism. In that document, he reportedly showered praise on Anders Breivik, the Norwegian white supremacist who killed 77 people in Norway in 2011. That suggests that his deliberate and calculative actions were premised in hate for a particular group of people; from those targeted, Muslim immigrants and refugees.

He seemingly spared no effort in his planning to maximise casualties given the calibre and amount of weapons he had in his possession. The fact that he also spared no effort to have it streamed live meant he wanted a worldwide audience to see in real time his actions of triumphalism; actions that are seemingly becoming routine in various parts of the world as seen on March 18 when three persons were killed by a Turkish citizen in the Dutch city of Utrecht; actions that can only be blatant acts of terrorism.

Some of the victims would have fled their war-torn homelands in a gruelling search for peace and a place to be shielded from such atrocities. New Zealand in many ways offers such and was deemed and believed to be a safe country with its sanctuary city of Christchurch; now infamous for that shooting. While it was another incident of spewing hate with deadly consequences, two things stood out in its aftermath; the coming together of the country and the announced intention of the political leadership to swiftly change existing gun laws.

The images of New Zealanders, especially those with visible Caucasian extraction, comforting surviving relatives and the Islamic community while at the same time forthrightly condemning the barbaric action, are not only comforting, but send a strong message of tolerance, peace and love. Common was the sentiment that the action of the gunman is not representative of the people of New Zealand.

Over time, many such despicable actions of hate crime targeting different groups have occurred and in every case, people from all backgrounds have rallied in support of the victims. It shows that people in the vast majority across the world want peace and tolerance to prevail. It also unfortunately shows that some will do their utmost to continue to create disharmony in propagation of their belief and which is not in keeping with the efforts of forging togetherness.

By rallying around each other, New Zealanders, like others in various parts of the world in the past, continue to send a very strong message rejecting those who perpetrate hate. There must be no place for hatred and all efforts to dispel it from society must be fully supported. Guyana has had incidents that resulted in many innocent ones being murdered. The massacres at Lindo Creek, Lusignan and Bartica continue to haunt us all. Those tested resolve and stability, but in the end, despite the challenges posed, the actions of the perpetrators were and continue to be rejected.

The onus is upon all, especially those with influence, to continue to advocate for the rejection of hate and for efforts designed to promote and strengthen tolerance and harmony to be supported.

Come March 21, a constitutional crisis, which could have been avoided had the Government abided by the supreme law that governs the successful passage of a parliamentary no-confidence motion, would engulf the country.

It’s unchartered waters and could challenge the social fabric of togetherness. With historical incidents that tested that resolve, especially with elections as a catalyst, the upcoming period will have to be traversed with a profound sense of responsibility in words and actions by all, including those who are prolific on social media.

Unfortunately, there will be those who will find it difficult to curb their tendencies to spew hate and disharmony. Again, they must be rejected and made to feel that what they advocate is not representative of the people of Guyana.

From all reports, the unity play staged by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) was well received with members of the audience welcoming those bonds expressed at the grassroots but the Government at the top has acted to tear them asunder.

The Government’s actions in rejecting the Constitution has push the nation to the impending constitutional crisis. That sends a strong message of disrespecting law and order which will naturally cause resentment in some quarters. It is therefore not helpful to the process of building harmony; a process which must be led by the government of the day.

A lesson can therefore be had from New Zealand as its Government is leading in the healing process and has demonstrated a willingness to take immediate action to help prevent a recurrence in an effort to safeguard the welfare of its citizens.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali distributes Phagwah powder and water toys to the children of Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara, during a meeting there with residents on Tuesday. Also in photo is Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Venezuela’s Opposition-controlled legislature makes new military offer

M

embers of the Venezuelan armed forces that abandon President Nicolás Maduro will keep their rank and be reinstated once a new government is in place, the Opposition-controlled legislature said Tuesday.

The announcement marked the latest offer from the National Assembly, headed by Opposition Leader and self-declared interim President Juan Guaidó, to try to convince more military personnel to switch sides.

Guaidó, recognised by more than 50 countries as acting President, launched a challenge to socialist Maduro’s authority in January.

But Maduro retains the backing of the powerful armed forces’ high command and the Opposition knows it cannot force him from power without military support.

A text approved by the National Assembly said it “guarantees that every military professional citizen who decides to restore constitutional order... will be reincorporated into the armed forces” once a new government assumes power.

The assembly said this would preserve the chain of command – in a bid to assuage any fears the high command may have that they would lose their power and influence should Maduro fall.

Guaidó had previously offered amnesty to any members of the armed forces that disavow Maduro.

While dozens of soldiers have abandoned their

A member of Venezuela’s Bolivarian National Guard patrols at the border with Colombia – the country’s Opposition is trying to convince more military personnel to switch sides (AFP/Juan BARRETO)

posts, as of yet none of the high command have pledged their allegiance to Guaidó.

Guaidó is attempting to remove Maduro from power and set up a transitional government ahead of new elections.

The opposition dispute Maduro’s re-election last May in polls widely dismissed as neither free nor fair.

Venezuela is suffering from an economic crisis following more than four years of recession marked by hyperinflation and shortages of basic necessities such as food and medicines.

US sanctions Venezuela State gold mining company – Treasury

The United States slapped sanctions Tuesday on a Venezuelan State mining company, charging that its illicit gold operations were being used to prop up President Maduro and his inner circle.

The action was tak-

en against CVG Compania General de Mineria de Venezuela CA, or Minerven, and its president Adrian Antonio Perdomo Mata, the US Treasury Department said.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Minerven and its president were targeted “for propping up the inner circle of the corrupt Maduro regime.”

“The illegitimate Maduro regime is pillaging the wealth of Venezuela while imperilling indigenous people by encroaching on protected areas and causing deforestation and habitat loss,” he said.

The sanctions were the latest in a series of US actions aimed at cutting off financing to Maduro in support of an Opposition drive to force the leftist president from power.

They were announced as US President Donald Trump was meeting at the White House with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro

to discuss strategy toward Venezuela.

The United States and more than 50 other countries recognise Opposition Leader Guaidó, the head of the National Assembly, as the country’s rightful president.

The US sanctions freeze Minerven’s assets and those of its president in the United States and bars Americans or US entities from doing business with them.

With Venezuela’s State oil company also under US sanctions and its economy in shambles from years of mismanagement, the Treasury said Maduro has turned to gold mining as a crucial source of hard cash.

Minerven buys gold from miners working dangerous, makeshift mines in southern Venezuela that are controlled by the military.

According to the Treasury, these operations have reaped hundreds of millions of dollars worth of gold since 2016. (AFP)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESday, MARCH 20, 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

The looming crisis What goes for Peter must go for Paul

Dear Editor, We are headed for a constitutional crisis because Granger and his band-wagoners are bent on circumventing the clear and unambiguous letter of the law. They are bent on holding on to power no matter what the cost, so the usual T-dancing on non-essential and illogical issues that have nothing to do with the clear set mandates in the Constitution continues.

I see disgraced lawyer Nigel Hughes giving his nonsensical opinion on the same issue also, he is postulating a “what if” scenario. There is no “what if” scenario to the successful passage of a no-confidence motion, what I can safely tell Nigel and friends is that the Constitution of Guyana has no ‘what if’ attached to its clauses. The matter of a no-confidence vote being carried has the attending consequences for the sitting Government and that is fi-

nal.

Now, there can be an extension to the March 21 date but that is dependent on the consent, and I repeat, the consent and approval of the Opposition. I know The Granger folks do not like to hear this because, in their book, the Opposition should have no say in the run of things in this country. But the way the Constitution is written, this cannot happen, they must seek education and legally guided reasoning from the Opposition.

At every step of the way, the Opposition must be quoted, this is shared governance at its best. So, poor Granger is at his wit’s end as to the way forward.

Well, a sound suggestion to the President to ease the stress is, set a date for the election, you still have time.

Stop listening to the hardliners in your party and set a date, it will be the most enlightened decision you would have made in your

entire career.

The Constitution further prescribes: The President and Cabinet shall resign and announce a date for elections within 90 days. That is so clear.

That 90-day ends when the clock strikes midnight on Thursday, 21 March, 2019, and if an election date is not set by that time, the Government becomes an illegal entity, a squatter, if you please. All squatters have to be evicted, chased out of their place.

I do not think the PNC would like that impending crisis to settle in because it would be dark and gloomy for all members of that illegal entity called the PNCled coalition.

No court of law can overturn what is clearly etched out in the Constitution, so Mr Granger, come on, do the right thing.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

Dear Editor, I wish not to believe there is Colourism in Parliament.

I wish not to believe that the public buildings of Parliament have different yardsticks for measuring mode of dress between the Guyanese people and their foreign counterparts - some aliens, no pun intended.

Allow me the space to explain my plight. My friend and I were preparing for a debate competition hosted by the University of Guyana Students Society, with the moot reading “The Constitution of Guyana should restrict participation in Government based on dual citizenship to the President and Prime Minister only” and so, we thought it best to go down quickly to Parliament Buildings and read the Hansards concerning what led to the reform and the Article in question.

My friend was dressed in a lovely red dress, with broad

straps and with length passing her knees, while I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

My friend was told by a security officer that she cannot: 1) Enter the building with arms out, he (the guard) was adamant. However, my friend reached into her bag and took out a sweater jacket. 2) We were then told to check back after lunch, for the Parliament workers are on lunch. At this point, we managed to convince him (security guard) that we will seek the discretion of the researchers, for we needed urgent help as we were in preparation for a final debate that afternoon.

Fast forward, we got the much-needed information from the Hansards.

As we were leaving the public buildings, my friend highlighted to me that a group of Caucasian people were about to enter Parliament. They appeared to be foreigners – greet-

ed with a hearty welcome – they were escorted by an officer from the PR department.

The irony, and colourism, and double standards existed whereby the group of foreigners, who were dressed in fine straps that exposed their cleavage, short pants that showed their legs and slippers and sandals were allowed to enter our Parliament dressed in whatever made them comfortable, while we, Guyanese were asked to get in order according to dress code.

This type of attitude cannot bolster public knowledge on matters of Parliament and encourage students to do primary and or secondary research. Further, it will not engender the cohesion we seek as a nation.

What goes for Peter must go for Paul.

Regards, Dornel McFarlane

Corruption and deceit at NPTAB is nothing new

Dear Editor, This exposure of tender board officials caught on camera removing documents and the police having to be called in is a very worrisome incident for the following reasons: It shows the deception and dishonesty that have penetrated our society and what has happened to our people. Since people in Guyana, it now seems, can be induced ‘to sell their souls to the devil’ for a few pieces of printed, coloured paper called “money” which will give them temporary luxury yet still demolish their soul for a lifetime for which they will have to pay. This deceit and corruption seems to preponderate more so in recent times than in previous.

Anytime humanity does a wrong thing either steal (or commit criminal actions) or lie in thoughts or verbally, something triggers in their body or mind. That is why the lie detector or polygraph machine can pick up when a person is lying.

Their heartbeat changes and the body’s biological and psychological systems trigger and tells you that you are doing wrong or not being honest. This is called the human conscience.

This is a serious offence when persons go and tender and their submitted, sealed, tender documents are tampered with. Tendering is an expensive process. A simple tender may cause GY$50,000 to GY$250,000 and may even cause millions of dollars to put up a bid, for the 2 per cent bid security, for documents, preparation, and management. In this reported case, I believe that the police department has to put tremendous amounts of pressure on this implicated

person so that he can reveal the name/s of the person/s who was paying him to commit this illegal practice.

I have observed, as a child growing up from our time of independence, that this level of corruption seems to have impregnated our nation and society with deception, evil, and corrupt activities, from the political uppermost level to the man in the street. We have a serious dilemma - when anyone can go and tamper with sealed tender bidding documents so that their friends or associates can win a tender is a sad state of affairs.

I am saying this because I know Guyana and Guyanese, as well as the level of corruption. I previously suffered from a similar incident of this nature some time ago, and when I called the then Chairman of the Tender Board (during the past administration) he was refuting the accusations of corruption and saying that the tender box is where everyone can see it, but I suggested that a camera be installed around the area of the tender box because persons with possession of the keys can enter and tamper with the submitted tender documents.

Needless to say that my suggestion went unheeded.

In my case, my submitted entire bidding tender document package disappeared from the tender box after my company certified that they submitted it. So this meant that we were watched and one gentleman in the security industry was my main suspect because he was always bragging of his conquests of tampering with submitted tenders aided by his political connections (this conclusion was also

formed because of my police investigative skills which I was born with and studied and developed over time).

This same gentleman was also responsible for submitting fake GRA documents and NIS compliances, and only because his illegal actions were discovered, I was able to garner the Government regional security tenders for Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six. Corruption in the security tendering process in this country is nothing new and it has gone to such a level that it ‘boggles’ the human mind. This is only security service tenders that I am referring to here. Imagine what goes on in buildings, sea walls, schools and road projects. The road projects specifically! One can only imagine what goes on in their tendering processes. One gentleman previously told me that I can get Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine regional security tenders if I give him three million dollars and that the previous guy who won the bids went to KFC and pack money in the boxes – “five million dollars” – and give it to them.

I told him that I do not get involved in such corrupt practices and live with a humble disposition so that my children and children’s children lives would not be affected, and the earnings that I have would not bring my family into disrepute and that the universe will not “spite” me because I believe in this karmic order of things in which for the evils we commit and for the sins we commit “two by two”, we pay for them “one by one”( it is my belief).

Persons are tendering below cost and one or two per-

sons are always winning all the Government and regional contracts. If persons in the Government should do an audit, they will see massive manipulation of the taxes (GRA, NIS, PAYE, VAT etc), fake GRA and compliance certificates submitted, awarding of contracts to known international criminals, etc.

I had the experience of persons taking away 95 per cent of my security businesses and that was as a result of a few persons who maliciously wanted to ruin me financially and install their friends and families. The major part of RK Guyana Security Services was always linked to Government contracts since 1979 when the business was first established with GY$7.50 immediately after the 2015 elections, 95 per cent of its businesses were lost. I reported this to the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) and the Chairperson of the Commission, who did not do her job and failed to investigate, said it was a matter for the Permanent Secretary of another Ministry.

So, it boggles the mind why people would do such evil practices and why the PPC would shirk from its terms of references to be impartial and professional.

Here is another example: I won a security contract after a lot of work and cost. But a few hours just before I started, it was terminated for convenience. Cabinet gave the no objection and the tender award was approved by the tender board and the evaluators which came from the Ministry of Education (this matter is sadly now before the courts). So there is corruption in high places

and it is painful and hurtful.

But such an experience would not cause me to publicly abuse the Government or become disrespectful. I respond by logic, intellect, wisdom, communication, and the avenues of redress available to me eg the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) which failed our company and for which I have lost respect, in this case which is now before the courts.

Corruption is rife and rampant in Guyana and I hope that one day we can come out of this and the per-

sons who induce these evaluators with financial rewards (con and paper money) to commit such illegal acts which will destroy their careers, their honour, cause them to go to prison. These are truly evil persons and should be dealt with. I pray for my country, I want this country to develop and grow and for it to prosper and be enhanced. Corruption is eating away at the very heart of our country.

Sincerely, Roshan Khan Snr

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WEDNESday, march 20, 2019

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guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation E

D

iets aren’t the way to go when it comes to losing weight. That’s because they create temporary eating patterns – and, therefore, temporary results. Most dieters gain back any lost weight when they go back to their old eating habits.

So what’s the best way to drop excess weight? Create a new normal!

Weight loss is most likely to be successful when people change their habits, replacing old, unhealthy ones with new, healthy behaviours.

Here are five ways to make that happen:

Exercise

Regular physical activity burns calories and builds muscle — both of which help you look and feel good and keep weight off. Walking the family dog, cycling to school, and doing other things that increase your daily level of activity can all make a difference. If you want to burn more calories, increase the intensity of your workout and add some strength exercises to build muscle. The

more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even when you aren’t exercising.

Reduce screen time

People who spend a lot of time in front of screens are more likely to be overweight.

Set reasonable limits on the amount of time you spend watching TV, playing video games, and using computers, phones, and tablets not related to school work.

Be sure to set aside enough time to exercise every day and get enough sleep.

Watch out for portion distortion. Big portions pile on extra calories that cause weight gain. Sugary beverages, such as sodas, juice drinks, and sports drinks, are empty calories that also contribute to obesity. So choose smaller portions (or share restaurant portions) and go for water or low-fat milk instead of soda.

Eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day

Fruits and veggies are about more than just vitamins and minerals. They’re

also packed with fibre, which means they fill you up. And when you fill up on fruits and veggies, you’re less likely to overeat.

Don’t skip breakfast

Breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, burning calories from the getg o and

giving you energy to do more during the day. People who skip breakfast often feel so hungry that they eat more later on. So they get more calories than they would have if they ate breakfast.

In fact, people who skip breakfast tend to have higher BMIs than people who eat breakfast. (kidshealth.org)

ver wonder how your mom or dad puts dinner together with no problem? Or how a chef on TV can make something delicious without getting the food all over the place?

If you want to grow up to be a star in the kitchen, start now by learning some basics about cooking.

Always get an adult’s permission before you use the kitchen. If your recipe uses the stove, oven, a knife, or other kitchen appliances, you will need an adult assistant.

Before you start, read the recipe from beginning to end. It helps to read it more than once, so you’re sure you understand it.

If you’re not sure, ask an adult.

Do you have the right ingredients? Utensils, like measuring spoons or a whisk? Appliances, like an electric mixer?

Check the clock and make sure you have enough time to make the recipe.

Consider the time you’ll need to set up, mix your ingredients, cook or bake your recipe, and clean up.

Before you start, put your ingredients in one place. Some chefs like to measure out each ingredient ahead of time before cooking.

Pull out the utensils, measuring cups, and spoons you’ll be using and keep them handy so you won’t need to run all over the kitchen.

Make sure you understand kitchen safety.

Cooking is no fun if someone gets hurt or sick.

The best kinds of recipes

When you’re thinking about what to make, remember that simple recipes are the best. That’s why you might want to start with recipes just for kids.

Recipes for kids should: * be clear and easy to follow * contain ingredients that are easy to find *give you an idea of how long it will take * make a small number of servings (portions of the food you’re making) * be something that you want to eat

Where to find recipes

If you’re looking for recipes, consider these sources: * kids’ cookbooks * kids’ magazines * food packages (the packaging or label may have a recipe that uses the food inside the package) * your friends * your family * websites or cooking apps

Creative kids in the kitchen

Once you’ve tried some kid-friendly recipes, you might want to: Try some grown-up recipes that aren’t too hard.

Start slow: Remember to check out your recipe and get help if you need it.

Learn to use herbs and spices like oregano or parsley. You can even grow your own.

Get artistic. You might use vegetables to turn your pizza into a smiley face or learn to decorate a cake.

Focus on a favourite food and become really good at it. You could be the master of muffins or the queen of zucchini.

Find recipes that introduce you to new foods or new ways to prepare old favourites.

Try recipes from different cultures or ethnicities. Where would you like to go? Make a dish from that part of the world.

Invent your own recipes and trying them out on family and friends. Maybe you’ll come up with a worldclass recipe of your own! (kidshealth.org)

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wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt’s move is Guyana’s worst constitutional transgression – FITUG

FITUG President Carvil Duncan

T

he Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) has spoken out against the move made by Government to ignore the constitutional provisions of a no-confidence motion describing it as one of the country’s worst constitutional transgression.

The umbrella trade union body said it cannot ignore the many concerns being expressed at this time regarding what will be the state of play following the March 21, 2019 constitutional deadline regarding the legitimacy of the coalition Government.

“For its part, the Federation has seen Government’s attempts to quell the worries that have risen slowly to the brim over the last three months.

Most recently, we have heard from no lesser than President David Granger who in an address to the nation last Friday (March 15) sought to assure the populace that all will be well and that no crisis will be at hand,” FITUG said in a statement.

The Federation said it also recognises, as it were,

that the Government has thrown the ball squarely in the court of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). The discourses of that body have now gained public repute and it seems there is no haste on the part of the Commission to deliver elections in keeping with what is constitutionally prescribed.

“Undoubtedly, such conclusions were not hard to reach as we noted that the Commissioners who emanate from the President’s party are insisting on the conduct of a house-tohouse registration exercise. It is our view, that the Commissioners making such calls are merely parroting their party’s position. The public is well aware of the protests and picketing exercises, led by the President’s party, calling for such an exercise,” it added Tuesday.

FITUG also made reference to a video which appeared on social media which revealed that at an activity organised by the President’s party – the People’s National Congress (PNC) – a call of war was sounded should the exercise not be pursued. “What war meant is obviously up for debate and could be best answered by those who sounded the proverbial horn.”

Further, it said the inde-

cision at GECOM comes at the same time the President said he is committed to having credible elections in the shortest time frame. But it noted that the President who expressed this desire after more than two-thirds of the timeline had expired has yet to define what he really means.

FITUG said, “We recognised notwithstanding the President’s call, his nominated Commissioners are vehement in their demand for house-to-house registration though the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield, is quoted in the media to say that GECOM can work with the list.”

At this time too, FITUG said it is perplexed as it saw the President in his address saying that he is prepared to do his part to ensure credible elections within the shortest possible time this year. “Our obvious confusion is heightened, noting that the house-to-house registration process, cannot, in all likelihood, be completed this year but the President is, apparently, adamant the elections must be held this year,” the trade union umbrella body added.

Taking the two contradictory objectives into account, FITUG said it cannot help but wonder whether the house-to-house call is a

President David Granger and his Cabinet

pretext to ensure that the current valid official list of electors expires on April 30, 2019. “If this is indeed the case, the rationale for such a ploy evades us, and we wonder whether it is a case of there being more in the mortar than the pestle.

Given our nation’s history of electoral malpractices, this concern should not be treated lightly.”

It ended, “We are aware of the several justifiable concerns that have been expressed and know in such situations that it is the

working-people and their families that are usually the worst affected. As the sands of the constitutional clock run out, our people grow more and more worried as our country’s worst constitutional transgression takes place.”

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WEDNESday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Man found not guilty of raping 3-year-old

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onway Gray walked out of the High Court a free man on Tuesday after a 12-member jury found him not guilty of raping a 3-year-old girl back in 2015.

The ruling was hand-

ed down by Justice Jo Ann Barlow after he was found not guilty by 10 of the jurors.

It is alleged that Gray, on June 19, 2015, raped the child. He was represented by Attorney-at-Law

Maxwell McKay while the case was prosecuted by Seeta Bishundial.

In giving the ruling, Justice Barlow told the accused that he was being given another chance and as such, should stay away from

the court environment.

Meanwhile, he advised the prosecution to continue to provide support for the victim since she is of age to understand what had transpired in court.

Trial to commence into businesswoman’s TIP matter

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he trial for the proprietress of a popular Georgetown liquor bar, Savita Persaud, who was charged with four counts of Trafficking In Persons is set to commence on March 29, 2019, before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Persaud, of Station Street, Kitty, had pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts earlier in March.

Particulars of the first two charges stated that between January 31 and March 8, 2019, she unlawfully recruited, transported and withheld the identification papers of two Venezuelan nationals for sexual exploitation.

Savita Persaud

The defendant was also slapped with two counts of Trafficking In Persons charges during the same time.

She was also charged with employing a child on a property that sells liquor.

Defence Attorney George Thomas in a bail submission had told the court that his client rented the property to the Venezuelans and is innocent of the trafficking accusations.

However, the police prosecutor opposed to bail being granted based on the serious nature, prevalence and the penalty that the offences attract.

As such, the prosecution’s submission was upheld by the Chief Magistrate who remanded the woman to prison.

Whitewashing…

A

…GECOM’s discrimination s if GECOM’s studied foot dragging by its unilaterallyappointed Chairman and the PNC Commissioners weren’t enough to prove it’s working in cahoots with President Granger to stymie the constitutionally-due elections, the recent news from the ERC should do the trick.

Now we all know, that, by and large, we Guyanese vote along ethnic lines, don’t you? If you don’t accept that, then you’re definitely suffering from some Rip Van Winkle syndrome!! So with our “electoral fiddling” history, when it’s claimed 90 per cent of GECOM’s employees are from one ethnic group, not surprisingly eyebrows are raised!

And folks want to know whether another bout of ethnic fiddling’s being hatched!

What to do?? Well in Guyana, we have an Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) that’s supposed to investigate such matters after a complaint is made – which in this case was done by PPP Commissioner Robeson Benn. The ERC appointed a very senior and qualified sub-committee to do the honours and after several months, finally delivered the (shocking) report.

The first anomaly that jumps out at you, is – in the face of declaring that the HR department refused to even show up to be questioned, much less submit documents – the ERC could still declare they could find no evidence of “ethnic discrimination”!! Of course, they didn’t. How could the PPP get the evidence when the recalcitrant HR Dept didn’t even show up so that they could be asked to produce their records?!! But the ERC also erred when they claimed it’s the responsibility of the complainant (PPP) to independently provide the evidence to support their claim!! Really?!!

In anti-discrimination law in the US, there have so much experience on these matters going back to the sixties, they have a doctrine of “adverse impact”. Once the complainant can show the institution has a “substantially different rate of selection in hiring, promotion, or other employment decision which works to the disadvantage of members of a race, sex, or ethnic group” the burden of proof shifts to the employer to show their practices aren’t discriminatory!!

Then came the matter of the hiring of the Deputy Chief Executive Officer. The former DCEO received a higher score from the evaluators than his “green” rival but was still denied the position. Why? Seems the unilaterally appointed Chairman – saw something “shifty” in the fella’s records! He promised to produce these “shifty” records but never did. While the ERC found discrimination, they said they couldn’t say whether it was “ethnic”.

So what was it?? Political?? Or gender?

The fella should sue the Chairman of GECOM for that “shifty” slur! …GPHC’s administration?

GPHC’s been in the news lately…but sadly, not for the right reason. Which, in the medical field is saving lives.

We all know of the sad deaths of three young kids who were already suffering from cancer but died after their treatment (chemotherapy) was administered incorrectly.

Then there was the case of the premature twins, one of whom was incorrectly presumed dead and sent to the morgue…only to be discovered as still alive.

While these are heart-rending cases, it behooves all of us to look behind the incidents so that they can become things of the past. One of the common thread in both scenarios was the question of supervision and protocols of junior doctors and staff. We’ve had experts from within the field emphasise this factor. But what isn’t stressed enough is that the staff at GPHC is stretched very, very thin.

There needs to be more doctors hired to deal with a workload that handles ALL the “hard” cases from across the country.

This administration’s appointments of “insiders” hasn’t helped. …close mindedness Justice Bryn Pollard, had a sly dig at ANUG’s leader Ralph Ramkarran, for evidently changing his position on whether a court can order an illegal government to demit office.

He should be reminded: “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen, philosophers and divines.”

And evidently “old head” legal advisers.

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

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wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Contempt of court charges dropped against GBTI officials

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he Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday threw out contempt of court charges against eight top executives of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry Limited (GBTI), saying the bank’s officials should not have been charged in the first place.

The matter was brought by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) against GBTI and its Board of Directors. This case stemmed from the matter in October 2017, when SOCU charged the bank’s directors with contempt based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The contempt proceedings stemmed from the bank’s failure to comply with a production order made by acting Chief Justice Roxane George on August 29, 2017.

The bank had contended in its application for the variation of the order granted by Justice George that countless efforts were made to gather all the documents requested but it was discovered that some were either destroyed or could not be found.

The documents are pertinent to the ongoing US$500 million Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) probe being conducted by SOCU. The bank’s failure to hand over the documents has assisted in stalling the probe and has since led to a clash between GBTI and SOCU. On Tuesday, Magistrate

tors should not have been charged since the court had already granted them more time to provide information based on a SOCU investigation.

During the initial hearing, Attorney Nigel Hughes who represented the eight accused, told the court that the move to the court was nothing more than an abuse of prosecutorial power. He stated that his clients were following the court’s order and had been granted an extension by the Chief Justice to turn over all the relevant information to the SOCU. Further, Hughes stated that the order was handed over to SOCU, but the unit chose not to acknowledge it. He said the court order by the Chief Justice was directed to the bank and not necessarily its directors.

However, SOCU is contending that the bank failed or stalled and gave all kinds of excuses, and even destroyed pertinent records relating to GRDB. GBTI officials leaving the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday following the hearing

Ann McLennan dismissed the case and a no-case submission was upheld by the court. The Magistrate ruled that the prosecution failed on several counts, but the critical points were that at the time of the complaint there could not have been failure to comply with the production order because the date for compliance had already been extended by

the High Court, and that the prosecution failed to tender all of the documents provided to SOCU by GBTI. The High Court had issued an order instructing the company to provide the information. When the company failed to do so immediately, SOCU filed the contempt charges.

McLennan said that in her opinion, the direc-

Discussions with RUSAL progressive – Bauxite Union – matter of re-employment vs reinstatement of workers still to be addressed

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here have been significant improvements in the discussions held on Tuesday between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) and the Russianowned bauxite company, RUSAL, but there are some issues which are presently at a standstill.

This is according to President of the GBGWU, Lincoln Lewis, who told Guyana Times that the most pressing matter is that of the 61 dismissed workers and the 30 displaced workers.

He stated that while the Union has proposed to have those workers reinstated, RUSAL wants them to be re-employed, and this is not acceptable since it would mean that the workers will have to receive new contracts and more.

According to the veteran trade unionist, on the bright side, RUSAL and the GBGWU has agreed to commence negotiations for workers’ wages, salaries and other benefits 14 days after resumption.

GBGWU President Lincoln Lewis

Turn to page 10

The bank had made an application before the acting Chief Justice to be relieved from the production of the documents that were referred to in matter, on the grounds that they have either been destroyed by the applicant after the applicant’s retention period had expired, or they have been lost and cannot be found despite diligent efforts to find them.

The bank is said to have an internal policy with regard to the retention of documents for its customers, however, the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) legislation provides for banks and or financial institutions to maintain records for their customers up to a period of 10 years.

In a statement following the decision, GBTI said despite the ongoing public war of words against it, which seemed designed to “sully the esteemed reputation of the distinguished members

of the Board and the financial institution they represent, the Bank is grateful that this malicious attack on its integrity and that of staff has been brought to a predictable end in the court.”

It stated too that while this unwarranted attack and abuse of power was not without severe and widespread consequences to the sterling institutional image and that of the personal reputation of distinguished directors and staff, GBTI withstood the onslaught with customers rallying around in support.

“GBTI wishes to express its gratitude to so many customers and friends who expressed their support in so many ways through this traumatic, shameful charade. To the attorneys who distinguished themselves by the highest standards of legal representation possible we are duty bound to publicly congratulate each of you.”

10 news

wednESday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

More needs to be done to tackle corruption in Guyana – British High Commissioner

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n recent years, Guyana has seen a steady improvement in the Transparency International (TI) Corruptions Perception Index, but there is still much more that needs to be done to address the issues around perceptions of corruption and the ease of doing business.

This is according to British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn, who during the 129th Annual General Meeting of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) on Monday, elaborated that while some progress is being made, Guyana is still behind many other countries in tackling corruption.

“In 2012 the score was 28 out of 100. In 2018 it was 37 out of 100, sadly this was a 1-point drop on 2017, but TI noted that Guyana was one of the significant improvers overall. That puts Guyana in joint 93rd position (out of 180 countries measured) with the Gambia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Mongolia and Panama… Only the Dominican Republic and Haiti in the Caribbean region are lower than Guyana,” the High Commissioner said.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Gregory Quinn

He stated that the average score for all countries was 43 and that anything below 50 indicates a failure to tackle corruption.

More than two-thirds of the countries measured scored below 50.

He explained that the Corruptions Perceptions Index evokes strong feelings among the business community and that while many

find fault with the methodology and the results, the TI Index is globally accepted and looked at by investors who want to do business in a country.

“So the Government, in cooperation with the Private Sector, must work together to continue to address this issue and to tackle corruption, wherever it is found, head on.

This also feeds into the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business scores, whilst there were some improvements, Guyana dropped from 126 to 134 in the latest report published in October 2018. That was extremely unfortunate and indicates that there is still much work to be done.

Guyana is below the regional average,” the British High Commissioner posited.

In addition, he explained that legislation in Guyana is an important topic that needs to be addressed where it is lacking. He went on to say that in the political climate that Guyana is now facing, it must be reiterated that the Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana.

“It is not, however, my role to interpret that

Constitution but what I will say is that the clock is ticking following the no-confidence vote in December. A legal process is ongoing, I recognise that, but that clock has not been stayed. I, therefore, urge, indeed implore, the political leadership of this country to get together and

agree [on] a constitutional way forward.”

According to High Commissioner Quinn, it is imperative that this happens and that all political parties have a responsibility to act “honestly and truthfully” and to act for the betterment of every citizen.

“If no way forward is found I fear there will be a further and more harmful impact on business and investment in Guyana. None of us in this room want that…Politicians need to put the people first,” he added.

(Kristen Macklingam)

PPP Commissioners rap...

Even if such a sitting is called, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo made his position on the letter pellucid on his social media page on Tuesday evening. According to a post on his page, “the PPP/C will never accept the November 2019 date for the holding of elections as is being put forward by the three A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) nominated Commissioners and the unilaterally appointed Chairman,” Jagdeo stated.

Pressure

Since the December 21, 2018 passage of the motion of no-confidence against the APNU/AFC coalition, calls have been made by various stakeholders including foreign diplomats here for the Government to abide by the Constitution and set a date for elections.

Recently, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times reminded that the clock is ticking on the constitutional three-month deadline for holding elections. This

observation was repeated just a few days ago.

Additionally, representatives from the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have also echoed similar calls in February for the Guyana Government to adhere to the Constitution.

The Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has already written several international bodies and representatives asking that they do not recognised the coalition Government after March 21, if there is no extension.

Discussions with RUSAL...

However, it is not clear when the workers will resume duties since it is yet to be determined if they will be re-employed or reinstated by RUSAL. Lewis explained that the Union will continue dialogue with RUSAL today at Aroaima, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) after it meets with its members there to debrief them about the progress that has been made thus far.

Additionally, when asked about removing the blockades that were preventing access to RUSAL’s operations in that area, Lewis reminded that these actions were not done at the behest of the Union.

“The community is the one

that blocked the river, not us.”

On Friday, the Union had met with officials of RUSAL’s Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) for another round of discussions to put an end to the ongoing friction between the company and its dismissed workers, which ended with no possible solution to the problem.

However, after amicable talks, RUSAL’s representatives chose to return to their Russian counterpart for advice on the way forward and no agreement was arrived at.

The discussion had circled around the reinstatement of the dismissed workers and the removal of the blockage on the Berbice River.

From page 3

From page 9

BCGI had dismissed 61 workers on February 19, 2019, for protesting against a one per cent wage increase and since then, employees blocked a section of the river which leads to the company’s operation located at Aroaima, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice). A further 30 persons were dismissed since the affected section of the operation had to be temporarily closed.

The Berbice River has been blocked with wire rope, preventing bauxite-laden barges from passing. This publication understands that as a result of the blockages, the Russian company has lost millions already. (Kristen Macklingam)

NEWS

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wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM’s budget yet to be released to agency – Shadick – says act breaches law, intended to frustrate election preparations

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n a letter to the President, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman claimed that the agency needed $3.5 billion to start preparations for elections. Yet it has millions that were budgeted for them but not disbursed and no articulate plan for spending the money.

This is according to People’s Progressive Party (PPP) nominated Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, who was at the time speaking during a press conference called after another botched meeting at GECOM on Tuesday.

“From $2 billion for ordinary elections, it has gone to $3.5 billion. And their plan is to hold it after house-tohouse registration, for which they have $3.5 billion. So that money is there. So what is this money for? Nobody can tell me.”

“Now this is a Chairman asking for $3.5 billion extra to what they got, that was appropriated but never disbursed to GECOM, contrary to law. According to the CEO, every quarter they have to request. And that’s not for constitutional agencies, which have all their money.”

According to Shadick, over $5 billion was appropriated for GECOM in the

The Guyana Elections Commission

National Assembly.

At the time, none other than Finance Minister Winston Jordan had declared to the Assembly that the money would be a lump sum to be used by the Commission.

The Commissioner noted that this indicates that there was never any sincere plan to hold elections.

Shadick said that GECOM has been deliberately dragging its feet at every turn.

Shadick also revealed that the secretariat deliberately took little to no steps to update the voters’ list and is now claiming that there is too little time for logistical preparations.

She observed that GECOM has two main functions; to hold elections and to register electors. According to Shadick, GECOM has failed miserably in both of its constitutional mandates, particularly considering the

soon to be elapsed 90-day timeline. Efforts to contact officials from the Finance Ministry were futile.

Constitutional budget

Last year, Finance Minister Winston Jordan had announced that $5.4 billion has been allocated in the 2019 Budget for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to hold the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

During his budget presentation in the National Assembly that afternoon, Jordan explained that of this amount, nearly 3 billion will go towards preparations for the elections which are constitutionally due by August 2020.

In reference to the poor voter turnout at the most recent Local Government Elections, he had said that this is an indication of the

APNU/AFC has failed us – Kwakwani campaigner

R

esidents along the Berbice River have lambasted the current Administration for turning its back on them following their victory at the polls in 2015.

This is according to Hansel Vandenburg, a man who campaigned heavily for the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition at the last elections.

The residents are from Regions Five (Mahaica-

Berbice), Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) while most are from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The area was considered campaign ground for the coalition before the 2015 National and Regional Elections. But after the coalition won, they pocketed the promises they made to those residents and no member of Government has visited them since.

Hansel Vandenburg

Turn to page 15

low level of confidence citizens have in the Local Government system, which all stakeholders should work to address.

Despite the availability of cash, calls have been made by various stakeholders including foreign diplomats here for the Government to abide by the Constitution and set a date for elections since the December 21, 2018, passage of the motion of no-confidence against the APNU/AFC coalition, Recently, British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times reminded that the clock is ticking on the constitutional three-month deadline for holding elections.

This observation was repeated just a few days ago.

Additionally, representatives from the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU) have also echoed similar calls in February for the Guyana Government to adhere to the Constitution.

The Opposition, People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has already written several international bodies and representatives asking that they do not recognise the coalition Government after March 21 if there is no extension.

12 News

wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Social Cohesion Ministry ushers in Phagwah

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here was a fusion of colours as well as cultures on Tuesday at the Umana Yana, Georgetown, as the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport hosted a Holi programme ahead of the festivi-

ties on Thursday.

The Hindu religious holiday, Holi, popularly known as Phagwah is usually celebrated on the last full moon of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month marking spring, which makes the date vary

with the lunar cycle.

A member of the Hindu Core Group, Prabhu Deva, shared the spiritual significance of the holiday. “Holi is a festival that signifies the beginning of spring. It is celebrated at the end of the

winter season at the last full moon day of the lunar month of February/March. It also celebrates the beginning of spring season, however, every day in our lives can also be Holi, not just one day… all these colours that we use in Holi are very bright.

Each one is so unique, so different, so individual and yet in the celebration of Holi, all of it comes as one.

Philosophically, this signifies that the very sacred principle of unity in diversity,” he noted.

Phagwah also has a religious meaning as it is based on a legend about King Hiranyakashipu who ordered his sister, Holika, to sit on a burning fire along with his own son, Prahlad, who refused to worship him.

When the fire was lit, Prahlad began praying to Lord Vishnu and was saved while Holika burned to her death.

While Hiranyakashipu and Holika came to rep-

A few persons enjoying the festival of colours

resent evil, Vishnu and Prahlad came to represent good. The story shows the victory of good over evil, which is why it is tied to the festival.

The Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton, during brief remarks, urged Guyanese to celebrate the joyous festival while em-

A dancer from the Indian Cultural Centre performing the Kathak

bracing its significance.

“Phagwah is a festival that carries with it many noble messages, it reiterates the triumphant of good over evil…Guyanese usually celebrate this festival with much pomp and splendour but even amidst all the excitement, I want to urge persons to remember the true religious significance of Phagwah or Holi and to ensure it maintains its sacredness,” Norton posited.

In attendance of the special event were Junior Public Health Minister, Karen Cummings; Junior Public Infrastructure Minister, Annette Ferguson; Indian High Commissioner to Guyana; members of the Guyana Police Force, students and representatives from Christian and Muslim Core Groups, among others.

Attendees were entertained with several dance pieces and chowtal singing.

The brief ceremony saw excited persons partaking in playing Holi at the conclusion.

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wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GCCI President slams Govt for underperformance in mining, quarrying industry

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he decline in the mining and quarrying industry has resulted in dismal economic performances, primarily in the labour intensive sectors, and this has had further spiralling effects in relation to consumption in Guyana.

This is according to outgoing President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Deodat Indar, who at the 129th annual general meeting of the Chamber stated that more could have been done by the Government in its budget for this year to cushion such effects.

“We to some extent are a little disappointed that our recommendation for a stimulus in the 2019 Budget to recover from job losses and to spur economic growth were not adequately addressed in the budget for 2019. Taxation in 2018 continued to grow as you see in the budget for 2019, extracting about $200 billion out of the economy and that is expected to grow in 2019 to $223 billion. And those figures are from the budget,” he stated.

According to Indar, while

there has been some move afoot to widen the tax base, the total tax rate an individual (a consumer) and a company pays remains high: in excess of 40 per cent in the former, and a 25 per cent in the latter.

However, he explained that the GCCI welcomes the reduction in the manufacturing and non-commercial rate by 25 per cent and views this as a path in the right direction. Some regional countries have lower tax rates in comparison to Guyana so the reduction in this tax rate is welcomed, the GCCI President said.

“We are pleased to some extent to see some of our recommendations are placed in the 2019 Budget with our consultation and they were taken on board and we are very happy for those especially when it comes to the aircraft engines and so on in the tourism sector. We find that some component parts of the aircraft and so on there were some ease in terms of tax paid on them, and the waivers of duties and VAT on equipment which utilise on alternative energy technologies, renewable energy options and items that

GCCI President Deodat Indar

would harness renewable energy. So those things are welcomed in terms of the development of Guyana.”

Economic growth and improvements in hospitality services

Additionally, Guyana’s economy is estimated to have grown by 3.4 per cent in 2018, with a notable growth in the construction sector attributed to investments in the oil and gas sector.

“This continued increase in construction activities as a labour intensive sector or an industry provides em-

ployment for areas of all categories of workers- skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled.

And 2018 also recorded marginal increases in agriculture, fisheries and forestry which combined in total expected to grow by 1.1 per cent,” he noted.

According to Indar, in the area of tourism and hospitality, there is much more than can be done here in Guyana and it is to that end that the GCCI is pursuing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between itself and the Chamber of Commerce from Barbados.

“The Barbados Chamber of Commerce gave their interest to partnering with the GCCI so maybe in another 30 days we will have an MoU with the Barbados Chamber of Commerce… es-

pecially in the area of making sure that the skills in the hospitality and tourism sector is transferred into Guyana. As you know we have a lot of foreigners trotting our land these days and the hospitality industry can use some help in terms

of the level of service, what are the areas that we need to expand and improve on. I believe that that MoU with the Barbados Chamber of Commerce could provide some help to our members who are in the hospitality sector,” he added.

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WEDNESday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

24 Guyanese added to ExxonMobil team

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wenty-four Guyanese were added to the ExxonMobil team as operations and maintenance technicians and will be assigned to the Liza Destiny Floating Production, Storage and Offloading Vessel.

The team of Guyanese which includes two females are expected to receive a one-week orientation exercise in Guyana after which they will depart for additional training at Cape Brenton University, Canada, for 18 months.

ExxonMobil noted in a press statement on Tuesday

The newly employed Guyanese contingent at ExxonMobil

that a significant portion of that time will be spent on

Advanced Skills Training in four areas – Operations,

Electrical, Instrumentation and Mechanical – as well as

specific training for oil and gas production operations.

“ExxonMobil Guyana’s development model for operations and maintenance employees is designed for trainees to advance from Technician I to III over time. The intent is to enhance their capacity to such a level that they are able to replace an experienced international worker,” the release added.

The technicians join the more than one thousand Guyanese already working on Liza Phase 1 project activities. The recruitment process of the next set of 50 technicians will commence in 2020 ahead of first oil.

Substandard, falsified pharmaceuticals a threat to Guyana, other developing countries – Food & Drug Department partners with US-based leading company to counter threat

G

uyana is not immune of the threat of substandard or falsi-

fied pharmaceuticals and in light of this, the Government Analyst and Food and Drug

Department (GA-FDD) is now partnering with a USbased leading pharmaceuti-

cal company, Ansa Zenica, to address the issue.

Director of the GA-FDD, Marlon Cole, at a drugs importers meeting on Tuesday, stated that such a collaboration is both timely and opportune relative to the threat that countries in the developing world, particularly low and middle-income countries, face in terms of the quality and safety of medicinal drugs and medical supplies being released for sale in the market.

He explained that in the 2017 World Health Organisation (WHO) report, it is stated that 10 per cent of pharmaceuticals that are used in low and middle-income

GA-FDD Director Marlon Cole

countries are substandard or falsified with the market share of drugs and pharmaceuticals recorded between low and middle-income countries to be US$300 billion.

“If you factor that 10 per cent in then you would see that substandard drugs that are, we are exposed to in this part of the world, is actually US$30 billion annually. I say that to say we in Guyana we are not immune or remote from such a threat and it is a clear and present danger for us.”

This means that one in every 10 drugs is substandard or falsified because of unavailability in accessing quality medication.

“The report suggested too that there is weakness in governance in those countries that would affect or cause the proliferation of substandard or falsified (drugs) in the market.

We here in Guyana are currently looking at legislative review to ensure that when we issue a marketing authorisations, same as is done under the backdrop of solid regulatory oversight or we have a good regulatory framework to ensure that we insulate ourselves from such a threat. Lastly, I must say that the report suggested that capacity-building or lack thereof in terms of technical capacity operative in middle and low-income countries contributed to the proliferation of substandard

or falsified drugs in societies,” Cole further stated.

According to the GAFDD Director, with the collaboration between the Food and Drug Department and US company, Ansa Zenica, strides are expected to be made in securing the country from such a threat.

“We at the Food and Drug Department would benefit directly from the capacity-building by the manufacturers themselves as it relates to product security and stability data on the very products. While we operate in a global supply chain, it is important that as regulators we know that there is no acrimonious relationship between the regulators and manufacturers. We regulators are to regulate the manufacturers but still, there must have opportunity for dialogue and communication and the exchange of information to insulate ourselves from the threat of substandard products.”

He said that during this period amidst the backdrop of threats that are associated with substandard or falsified medication, the GA-FDD is happy that Ansa Zeneca actually accepted the invitation whereby the GA-FDD can be exposed to presentations on product security and this also has to do with substandard and falsified products, how you would detect them and capacity-building.

Cole added that the GAFDD can benefit tremendously from information shared by Ansa Zenica, a manufacturing company with over 100 years of experience in the production of pharmaceuticals.

Ansa Zenica boasts over 50,000 staff globally with 30 manufacturing sites across 19 countries. Also in attendance at the drug importers meeting were representatives from the Public Health Ministry and staff from various sections of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and its pharmacy. (Kristen Macklingam)

news

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wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

Ethnic Relations Commission runs away from truth – evidence of racial bias at GECOM

T

he Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), one of the most important institutions that must guarantee the survival and strengthening of Guyana’s democracy, has been hijacked by the People’s National Congress (A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change).

All those who remained silent when President Granger unconstitutionally used arbitrary powers to appoint his hand-picked Chairman must now realise their folly.

President Granger has led the transformation of GECOM Dr Leslie Ramsammy – one of the protectors of Guyana’s freedom and democracy – into a creature of the PNC to carry out a coup d’etat in Guyana. One of the instruments is filling GECOM with politically and racially biased staff.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) desperately ran from this truth. In spite of the spin and desperate efforts to run and hide from the truth, the ERC still could not exonerate GECOM. That in itself is devastating and condemning. The truth was so palpable in one case the ERC highlighted that, even with its obvious reluctance to speak the truth, with its clear posture of not speaking truth to power, the ERC could not let GECOM off the hook. GECOM, first by not renewing the contract of Vishnu Persaud as the Deputy Chief Elections Office and; second, by refusing to appoint him even though he scored the highest points in GECOM’s evaluation, clearly discriminated against Vishnu Persaud. Only the gullible and those who desperately want to deny the truth will not see GECOM discriminated blatantly against Persaud on the basis of his race.

Persaud had been Deputy Chief Elections Officer with an outstanding record in several positions at GECOM. Former Chairman of the Commissions, Steve Surujbally, highly vouched for the professionalism, hard work and competence of Persaud.

He should have had his contract renewed when it came to an end. This was the standard practice at GECOM - many officers who have performed well have had their contracts renewed, none had to reapply in a new search to fill the position. In this case, under the leadership of the then new arbitrarily-appointed Chairman of the Commission, Persaud’s contract was not renewed, but had to re-apply for his position.

Interviews were conducted by the Commissioners from both the government and opposition sides and Persaud scored the highest points, by far. He was not appointed, instead, a candidate with close ties to the PNC was appointed. The experienced candidate with a distinguished service in the same job, having been ranked #1 after the interviews and assessment was rejected by the Commission, as the three government commissioners and the Chairman voted to not appoint Persaud. In spite of the PPP-appointed commissioners’ objection, GECOM appointed a candidate that had no experience and whose only obvious strength for this position was that she was on the right political side. Calling a spade a spade, she was also the right ethnicity, being an Afro-Guyanese.

Persaud had impeccable qualifications for the position of Deputy Chief Elections Officer, being the most academically qualified candidate, the one with the most experience, one who had performed the duties of Deputy Chief Elections Officer with a distinguished track record, performing his duties professionally without any political and racial bias, but he was disqualified. The one obvious truth is that he is also an Indo-Guyanese, an ethnic group that has been shamefully subjected to bias, discrimination and harassment since May 2015.

The most shameful part of the ERC’s report is the behaviour of GECOM’s Chairman. The Chairman’s reason for voting against Persaud was that in his encounters with Persaud, he found Persaud was “shifty”. I am assuming by “shifty” he meant Persaud was untrustworthy. When asked how many times he met with Persaud, he confessed he had never seen Persaud. Did the ERC find Persaud “shifty”? How could a man who claimed falsely that he was once the Chief Justice of Grenada simply dismissed a man as “shifty” during encounters that never happened? How can such a man be “fit and proper” for a position that is a deal-breaker for the health or death of Guyana’s freedom and democracy?

The treatment of Persaud is a clear case of racial bias and discrimination, no ifs, ands and buts. The ERC’s investigation of racial bias at GECOM was one requested by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Commissioners at GECOM. Robeson Benn had accused GECOM of racial policies in the appointment of staff with the claim that more than 90 per cent of the staff at GECOM are of one race – Afro-Guyanese. Walk into GECOM and you would think Guyana is a racially homogenous country, with only one race. After many months of investigation, the ERC ran from the truth by insisting that Benn had the obligation to provide proof. They gave GECOM a pass by allowing GECOM’s defence on the basis of a refusal to provide the records of employees, even though they promised on several occasions. The ERC was never looking for the evidence.

Courts, Georgetown Rotary Club donate pregnancy kits at WDRH

B

oth smiling and aching mothers at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) on Tuesday received pregnancy kits, compliments of Courts Guyana and the Rotary Club of Georgetown as the agencies observe maternal and child health month.

Each of the 40 hampers cost $20,000 and included items for the newborn babies as well as mothers.

Included in the kit were baby wipes, diapers, towels, clothing, oil, lotion, shampoo, napkins and hygiene products for the mother among others.

The mothers and expectant mothers over in Bartica, as well as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, are expected to benefit from the initiative later this week.

Service Director at the Rotary Club of Georgetown, Ariane Mangar said “We are just giving it out to help the mothers just to get them off their feet because we know how it is when

A few mothers and expectant mothers receive their kits from the representatives of the organisation in the presence of hospital staffers

you would have just given birth sometimes especially if they come from hardships and just to be able to afford some of these basic things”.

For the past four years, the two agencies have been partnering to bring smiles to the faces of families.

Senior Registrar and Head of Department at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Doctor Fareez Khan told Guyana Times that he was quite happy when he learnt of the initiative as many times, especially on

special occasions such as Mother’s Day and others, donors would give to the big hospitals and would forget of the regional hospitals, which are most times in more need for such supplies for their patients.

He said, “We welcome this donation first of all because the region as a whole, most of the persons who tend to come to these public hospitals are not only from the area but are persons who cannot afford better circumstances so most

APNU/AFC has failed us...

“I didn’t ask for an office or a position in the Government to run nothing.

All I am asking for is for those people to handle these situations and issues which we voted for and fought for to bring this country to a place where it is tidy and clean. That is my vision and what I am here for. I have not seen any improvements.

They have failed us. They have failed us miserable,” Vandenburg stated.

Vandenburg said he campaigned against the previous Administration hoping to have a better Guyana.

“I took rain. I took dew day and night with people in my hand down the Berbice River campaigning that our present Government in office to stamp out irregularities but I have seen no improvement so far. My labour has gone to waste. I voted for those people to stamp out these kinds of irregularities. I really would like someone to give an ear to this and to the blockage of the River,” Vandenburg added.

He said while the people of Hururu continue to block the River, Government has not acted in a responsible manner. “No one seems to give a voice up to now. The question is why?”

Residents of Hururu, situated about 4km from RUSAL’s main mine at Kurubuka, have blocked a section of the Berbice River with wire ropes and nets to prevent any vessel from going up or down the River.

This, they said, is an act

of protest against the mining company at which most of the residents have found employment. But persons

of the patients who frequent these locations do have financial difficulties so the donation in itself is welcomed to at least start for some of the mothers because many do come to the hospital without the basic necessities for the delivery”.

The doctor added that he hopes other businesses and organisations can follow in the footprints of Tuesday’s exercise to assist mothers, some single, who are in need of those supplies.

From page 11

doing logging in the upper Berbice River are also being affected.

In recent months,

Guyanese have come forward bashing the Government for lack of vision.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, MARCH 20, 2019

Regional

US-Russia talks on Venezuela Trump forges bond with Brazil’s Bolsonaro stall over role of Maduro

H

igh-level US-Russian talks on how to defuse Venezuela’s crisis ended on Tuesday with the two sides still at odds over the legitimacy of President Nicolás Maduro.

Russia has said Maduro remains the country’s only legitimate leader whereas the United States and many other Western countries back Juan Guaidó, Head of the Opposition-controlled National Assembly who invoked a constitutional provision in January to assume an interim presidency.

“No, we did not come to a meeting of minds, but I think the talks were positive in the sense that both sides emerged with a better understanding of the other’s views,” US special representative Elliot Abrams told reporters.

The Russian side also said the two sides now understood their respective standpoints better after the two-hour talks in Rome, but Moscow’s delegation chief, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov was blunter.

“Perhaps we failed to narrow positions on this situation...,” Russian State news agency TASS quoted Ryabkov as saying. “We assume that Washington treats our priorities seriously, our approach and warnings.”

Ryabkov was quoted by Russia’s RIA news agency as saying the talks

in White House visit

U

Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro speaks during his visit to the Hydroelectric Generation System on the Caroni River near Ciudad Guayana, Bolivar State, Venezuela, March 16

were difficult but frank and that Moscow had warned Washington not to intervene militarily in Venezuela.

Abrams said “who gets the title of President” in Venezuela was still a point of contention.

He called Tuesday’s talks useful, substantive and serious, and said both sides agreed “on the depth of the crisis”. Ryabkov said Russia was increasingly concerned by US sanctions on the Latin American country.

Hours earlier, the United States imposed sanctions against Venezuela’s

State-run gold mining company Minerven and its president, Adrian Perdomo.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said all options are on the table for Venezuela, a position Abrams said the Russian side brought up at Tuesday’s meeting.

High-ranking military officers are seen as crucial to keeping Maduro in power in the face of a hyperinflationary economic meltdown that has spread hunger and preventable disease and led to an exodus of some three million people since 2015. (Excerpt from Reuters)

S President Donald Trump and Brazil’s new far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro forged a bond over their shared brand of conservative and populist politics on Tuesday, with Trump pledging to give more US support to Brazil’s global ambitions.

In a joint news conference in the White House Rose Garden, Trump said he told Bolsonaro he would designate Brazil a major non-NATO ally and possibly go further by supporting a campaign to make Brazil “maybe a NATO ally”.

Bolsonaro, a former army captain who rode to the presidency with a brash, anti-establishment campaign modelled on Trump’s 2016 run, has declared himself an unabashed admirer of the US President and the American way of life.

He praised Trump for changing the United States in a way he said he hoped to change Brazil.

“Brazil and the United

States are tied by the guarantee of liberty, respect for the traditional family, the fear of God our creator, against gender identity, political correctness and fake news,” Bolsonaro said, touching on themes that have inflamed his critics in Brazil concerned about his autocratic views.

Nicknamed the “Trump of the Tropics”, Bolsonaro rose to power praising the US-backed military government that ran Brazil for two decades before a return to democracy in 1985.

He moved quickly to ally Brazil closer to the United States, a shift in diplomatic priorities after over a decade of leftist party rule that had seen Brazil forging closer ties with regional allies.

At Tuesday’s news conference, the two Presidents repeatedly rejected socialism, celebrating their joint efforts to oust Venezuela’s left-wing leader, Nicolás Maduro. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T&T: student deaths spark meningitis alert JLP candidate snubs code of conduct signing; scolds Political Ombudsman, Crawford T

he South West Regional Health Authority (SWRHA) is on heightened alert after two children from different schools in South Trinidad died from suspected cases of meningitis.

While the cause of the deaths has not been confirmed, the SWRHA has ensured public health measures have been put in place at the schools because the disease is contagious.

The Education Ministry has confirmed one of the children was a student of the Fifth Company Baptist Primary School, but also made no mention of a suspected case at any other school. However, a Ministry source said Monday that they were unaware of a second student dying from suspected meningitis.

The SWRHA also did not identify the schools in

T&T Unified Teachers Association President Lynsley Doodhai

the release. It stated, “Due to the contagious nature of the disease, officials from the South-West Regional Health Authority and the Office of the County Medical

Officer of Health for County Victoria visited the children’s schools to ensure that the public health measures have been put in place and surveillance continues.

“The SWRHA continues to be on heightened alert and surveillance for suspected meningitis cases and has coordinated all its facilities to be fully prepared for any further presence of the disease in the South-West Region.”

In keeping with the SWRHA’s protocols, the release stated samples to test for meningitis were taken from the patients and sent to the T&T Public Health Laboratory.

“The authority remains committed to taking all the precautions required to manage a contagious disease of this type and is committed to safeguarding the health of the population.”

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Global Legal Action Network joins fight against construction of Barbuda’s airport

T

wo Barbudans who raised environmental concerns about the construction of a new airport on the sister island, have teamed up with a global non-profit organisation to further propel their fight and halt a new airport construction project.

John Mussington and Jacklyn Frank are receiving support from the Global Legal Action Network (GLAN) and are seeking the public’s assistance through pledges as they move to appeal the latest court decision in the matter.

“Our fight is not over.

We have several appeals to go through and that takes money and so in order for us to set this precedent and to make a difference in terms of how we approach, bearing in the mind the decade of environmental damage the UN has declared, we need civil society to come on board. One of the ways that you can do so is logging on to Global Legal Action Network account funding page and support us in our action we are taking in terms of making a difference,” Mussington, an envi-

ronmentalist and educator, told Observer Media.

GLAN is a unique non-profit organisation that pursues innovative legal actions across borders, challenging States and actors involved with human rights.

A message on the website said Barbudans are in need of help to fight a crucial legal battle to protect their environment and resist the construction of a vast airport and resort on communally-held land which has now been taken away from them. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

P

arliamentary contender Ann-Marie Vaz on Monday stayed away from the signing of a political code of conduct ahead of the April 4 parliamentary by-election for Portland Eastern as a dispute between the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Political Ombudsman worsened.

Vaz, in a letter to Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown, expressed “deep concern regarding the inaction” of the Political Ombudsman’s office on a number of issues that have soiled the electoral contest between her and the Opposition People’s National Party candidate Damion Crawford.

According to Vaz, Parchment Brown has refused to respond to offensive comments and utterances made by Crawford in relation to her, her family and women in general during the last two weeks.

“These discriminatory comments of classism and sexism are indeed repugnant and offensive,” Vaz wrote.

She also accused the

Custos of Portland Major Lincoln Thaxter affixes his signature to the political code of conduct as Political Ombudsman Donna Parchment Brown, Mikael Phillips (seated left) and PNP candidate Damion Crawford look on. (Photo: Everard Owen)

Political Ombudsman of failing to respond to “the slew of slanderous negative social media posts against my good self and my family” and pointed out that the office is mandated and resourced to monitor and make itself aware of all activities and public utterances of candidates and their respective campaigns.

“In principle, I am not against signing the Political Code of Conduct; however, your office needs

to act in good faith, which has not been reflected by your actions to date,” Vaz told Parchment Brown, adding that she was “not prepared to share the same space” with Crawford “until a formal acceptable apology is offered to all women of Jamaica”.

In response, Crawford, who signed the code of conduct, apologised and said that his comments were not meant to disrespect Vaz.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Barbados: Royal visit to health centre

H

er Royal Highness, The Duchess of Cornwall paid a courtesy visit to the Maria Holder Diabetes Centre, Warrens, St Michael Tuesday afternoon as she and Prince Charles continue their tour of the Caribbean.

During her 20 minute visit, accompanied by a small entourage, The Duchess greeted staff members and got quick updates on the work done at the Centre.

She also engaged some patients in conversation and

enquired about their battles with Type One and Two diabetes.

Just before her departure, the Duchess of Cornwall unveiled a plague commemorating her official visit. (nationnews.com)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, MARCH 20, 2019

17

Around the World

Kazakhstan’s leader Nazarbayev resigns At least 10 migrants die when boat sinks off after three decades in power Libyan coast: official K

azakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev unexpectedly resigned on Tuesday after three decades in power, in what appeared to be the first step in a choreographed political transition that will see him retain considerable sway.

Known as “Papa” to many Kazakhs, the 78-yearold former steel worker and Communist party apparatchik has ruled the vast oil and gas-rich Central Asian nation since 1989, when it was still part of the Soviet Union.

Bestowed by Parliament with the official title of “The Leader of the Nation”, he was the last Soviet-era leader still in office and oversaw extensive market reforms while remaining widely popular in his country of 18 million people.

Kazakhstan’s President Nursultan Nazarbayev writes during a televised address to inform of his resignation in Astana, Kazakhstan

But Nazarbayev, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, said he would retain key Security Council and party leader positions and hand over the presidency to a loyal ally for the rest of

his term, which ends in April 2020.

Speaker of the upper house of Parliament, KassymJomart Tokayev will take over as Kazakhstan’s acting President for the remain-

der of his term in line with the Constitution, Nazarbayev said.

The Kremlin said Nazarbayev and Putin had spoken by phone on Tuesday, but gave no details of their conversation.

Nazarbayev, who helped attract tens of billions of dollars from foreign energy companies and more than tripled Kazakh oil output, said he would continue to chair the Security Council and remain leader of the Nur Otan party which dominates Parliament.

The new acting President, 65-year-old Tokayev, is a Moscow-educated career diplomat fluent in Kazakh, Russian, English and Chinese who has previously served as Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister and Prime Minister.

A

t least 10 migrants died when their boat sank off the Libyan coast near the western town of Sabratha on Tuesday, a Libyan security official said.

About 17 others were rescued, Aiman Dabbashi, Sabratha’s security operations spokesman, said.

Libya’s western coast is a main departure point for migrants fleeing poverty and wars to reach Europe, though numbers have dropped since Italy and the European Union stepped up efforts to support the Libyan coast guard.

“According to a survivor from Sudan, the boat was

carrying about 27 illegal migrants who set off from (the western town of) Zuwarah but we are still finding out more,” Dabbashi told Reuters.

“We rescued about 17 illegal migrants including a woman who all were taken to the hospital. There are about ten bodies of the other migrants.”

The migrants came from various sub-Saharan countries.

The United Nations migration agency IOM said 15 survivors had been brought to a hospital but it did not know how many people had been on board. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brexit: Theresa May to Clashes in Kashmir after teacher formally ask for delay (Excerpt from Reuters)

dies in Police custody

H

undreds of protesters clashed with Indian security forces in parts of Indian-administered Kashmir after police said a man detained over a security investigation died in police custody.

Rizwan Asad Pandit, a 29-year-old chemistry teacher, was arrested as part of “terror case investigation”, the police said in a statement on Tuesday. “The person died in police custody,” the police said, adding an investigation into the cause of his death was underway.

Mubashir Asad, Pandit’s brother, said police arrested Pandit at his home in the Awantipora village late on Sunday night. “They said he would be released soon. My

Police fired tear gas to disperse stone-throwing protesters in Kashmir’s Pulwama district

brother was not involved in anything. This is a cold-blooded murder,” he said.

Tensions in Kashmir, a region claimed by both India and Pakistan, have been high since a suicide bombing killed 42 Indian soldiers in the Pulwama district in

February.

A senior police official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Rizwan was detained over the Pulwama attack. “We had some information that he knew how to make explosives and suspected his role in the recent at-

tack,” the official said.

Following Rizwan’s death, separatist leaders in Indianadministered Kashmir called for a shutdown in the region.

Rights groups claim hundreds of people detained by Indian security forces following a 1989 armed revolt have died in state custody, although there are no official figures.

While custodial deaths have not been common in recent years, Rizwan’s death “adds to the more than 70,000 killings, more than 8000 enforced disappearances, as well as thousands of torture and sexual violence cases” in Indian-administered Kashmir over the past three decades, said Khurram Parvez, a human rights activist. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

P

rime Minister Theresa May is writing to the EU to formally ask for Brexit to be postponed.

One ministerial source told the BBC the longer delay could be up to two years, amid reports of a Cabinet row, but No 10 said no decision had been made.

EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said the EU would not grant a delay without a “concrete plan” from the UK about what they would do with it.

Under current law the UK will leave the EU with or without a deal in 10 days.

The Prime Minister says the UK will need a short extension to get the necessary legislation through Parliament, if MPs back her withdrawal deal.

A Cabinet source told the BBC that she plans to ask for a short delay to Brexit until

June 30, with an option of a longer delay.

May has warned Brexiteer Tories a longer extension will be needed if the deal does not get through Parliament but any delay will have to be agreed by all 27 EU member states.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said Ministers all wanted the “shortest possible delay” but Cabinet members “have different approaches to how we should do this”.

May is heading to Brussels on Thursday to discuss the delay options with EU leaders.

The Prime Minister had hoped to have another try at getting MPs to back the withdrawal deal she has agreed with the EU this week - but Speaker John Bercow effectively torpedoed that with his surprise intervention on Monday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

NZ Police release bodies of 6 US-backed Syrian fighters Christchurch attack victims ‘overrun IS encampment’

S

ix bodies have been returned to the families of Christchurch mosque attack victims, according to New Zealand police, amid growing anguish over a lack of progress by officials tasked with identifying the dead.

In a statement on Tuesday evening, police said six other bodies were also ready to be released having been “identified to the satisfaction” of coroners tasked with distinguishing the 50 victims killed last week in the Pacific country’s worst-ever mass shooting.

Autopsies had been completed on all those killed, the statement added.

The police announcement came against a backdrop of growing frustrations within Christchurch’s Muslim community over the release of the bodies of Friday’s attack, with families eager to bury their loved ones thwarted from doing so to date.

Muslims customari-

IS militants and civilians were evacuated from Baghuz in lorries on Tuesday

Floral tributes were seen at the Botanical Garden in Christchurch on Monday

ly bury the deceased within 24 hours of death. Before their burial, the bodies are washed and wrapped in a white shroud so that funeral prayers can be conducted.

On Sunday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said some bodies would be returned to victims’ families the same evening and expressed hope that all of those killed would be with their relatives again

by Wednesday at the latest.

It now seems unlikely

that that will be the case, however, with coroners and police yet to confirm the identity of 38 of those killed at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques in what Ardern has branded a “terrorist” attack.

Volunteers at a makeshift victim support centre in Christchurch, set up in the wake of the massacre, said the Muslim community’s initial patience with the authorities’ processes was beginning to run out. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

U

S-backed Syrian fighters are reported to have overrun an encampment that made up most of the last patch of territory held by the Islamic State group.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance said militants refusing to surrender had pulled back to a sliver of land along the River Euphrates south of Baghuz, and that clashes continued.

Although it warned the battle was not over, some fighters began celebrating.

Baghuz’s fall would bring an end to the “caliphate” proclaimed by IS in

2014.

After five years of bloody battles, local forces backed by world powers have driven IS out of all but a few hundred square metres.

But the group is by no means defeated. US officials believe IS may have 15,000 to 20,000 armed adherents active in the region, many of them in sleeper cells, and that it will return to its insurgent roots while attempting to rebuild.

Jiaker Amed, a spokesman for the Kurdish militia that dominates the SDF, told our correspondent they were celebrating “a victory for all humanity”.

Amed declared that all IS territory in Baghuz had been retaken, although he admitted that some militants might be hiding underground in tunnels.

Even with its defeat in Baghuz imminent, IS released a defiant audio recording purportedly from its spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir that asserted that the caliphate was not over.

Muhajir accused US President Donald Trump of “falsely” announcing victory over IS in Syria in December, and insisted IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was alive. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, March 20, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

Pay attention to detail at work or be careful when putting together an offer, proposal or resume for someone in a key position. Charm will help you win favours.

If you take the initiaTAURUS tive, you will earn respect, (April 20- recognition and a chance to May 20) get ahead. An ambitious approach to life, love and happiness will attract positive people and opportunities.

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

Make improving your life and relationships your first priority. Stick to the facts when dealing with others, and question anyone you feel is exaggerating.

CANCER

A change will turn out to be better than anticipated.

Look on the bright side to discover options you didn’t know existed. A joint venture will lead to improvements.

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — RESTFUL

SUDOKU

Average mark 28 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 36 or more words in RESTFUL? The list will be published tomorrow.

bone bony botany byte abet aeon ante atone oaten

obey neat note ebon ebony toby tone tony

Make today about you and the people you love. Enjoy activities or events that make you feel relaxed and decrease stress. Distance yourself from negativity, arguments and criticism.

Emotional situations will cause havoc. Don’t make assumptions. Time alone will give you the chance to figure out what’s fact and what’s false. Make personal growth a priority.

Money, contracts and legal

CAPRICORN matters should be dealt with (Dec. 22- quickly. Investments, real esJan. 19) tate or home improvements are

YESTERDAY’S WORD — BAYONET bane bate baton bean beano beat bent beta boat

Take the plunge and learn something new.

Expanding your knowledge and skills will give you greater power over opportunities to earn more money.

Take a break and do someSCORPIO thing interesting, creative (Oct. 24- or adventurous. Embrace a Nov. 22) chance to improve your personal life. Collaborate with like-minded people and walk away from those who cause chaos and discord.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

(RESTFUL: REST-ful: Tranquil; quiet.)

Don’t let a disagreement turn into a physical confrontation. Go about your business and stay out of other people’s affairs. Personal growth is encouraged, along with a smarter health regimen.

favoured. Take care of matters personally and avoid someone trying to take advantage of you.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Stick close to the people you know and feel comfortable with. Don’t get involved with anyone who wants you to overspend or indulge in pastimes that could be hazardous to your health.

Spend time with someone who motivates you. The more compromises you establish and the fewer burdens put on you or someone else, the better the outcome.

wednesday, march 20, 2019

19

Chennai to host 2019 IPL final on May 12

T

(Eliminator) and May 10 (Qualifier 2). It is also understood that the BCCI has kept Vizag has a standby venue in case any match has to be shifted due to unforeseen circumstances.

The BCCI had initially released the dates for the knockouts as part of the final schedule, but that was pulled out immediately. It is believed the reason for that was the BCCI wanted to stay flexible with the knockout dates keeping in mind the IPL will be played during India’s elections, which will take place across seven phases throughout the country. With the Central Election Commission

The CSK team pose with the trophy

he 2019 IPL final will be held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on May 12. On Tuesday, the BCCI released

the schedule for the second half of the IPL - till May 5 - but left out the knockout phase.

However, ESPNcricinfo

understands the final will be played on May 12, while the likely dates for the other knockout matches are May 7 (Qualifier 1), May 8

imposing certain restrictions in terms of when the matches would have to be played, the BCCI is being cautious about the knockout dates.

In January, the BCCI had released a short initial schedule, restricted to just 17 matches starting from March 23 till April 5. The BCCI had stated that the entire schedule could not be put out as the dates of India’s elections had not been announced at the time. Recently, the Election Commission of India announced the dates for the general elections, which will begin on April 9, with counting on May 23.

The elections are unlike-

Tokyo 2020 Games: Japan Olympics chief Tsunekazu Takeda quits

Dirk Nowitzki goes 6th on NBA all-time scoring list

Dirk Nowitzki (right) is congratulated by Dallas Mavericks teammate Luka Doncic

D

allas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki overtook all-time great Wilt Chamberlain to go sixth on the NBA scorers’ list during his side’s defeat by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Nowitzki, who is expect-

ed to retire at the end of the season, surpassed the LA Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers legend during the first quarter, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

The Mavericks lost 129125 in overtime.

The 40-year-old’s 31,424

points total puts him a place behind Michael Jordan.

LA Lakers’ LeBron James went ahead of Jordan on the all-time list earlier in March, reaching 32,311 points in 1,190 games.

The Pelicans’ Elfrid Payton became the fifth player to record a triple-double in five consecutive NBA games in the win over the Mavericks.

Elsewhere, the Denver Nuggets sealed their place in the play-offs for the first time since 2013 with a 114-105 win at the Boston Celtics.

The San Antonio Spurs secured their ninth straight victory by defeating twotime defending champion the Golden State Warriors 111-105. (BBC Sport)

ly to be of any concern to the franchises because the final group schedule allows them to host all their seven home games at their own bases.

With the elections running parallel to the IPL in many of the states where the teams are based, the franchises were initially unsure whether they could play all the home games in their own cities.

There had also been some speculation whether the BCCI would change the timing of the matches, but as per the final schedule, the day matches will begin at 4 pm IST, with the night games commencing at 8 pm. (ESPNcricinfo)

Tsunekazu Takeda (second right) announced his resignation to the media on Tuesday

T

he head of Japan’s Olympic Committee (JOC) is stepping down over corruption allegations relating to the awarding of the 2020 Games to Tokyo.

Tsunekazu Takeda is being investigated by French prosecutors who are looking into claims a 2m Euro (£1.7m) bribe was paid to secure Tokyo’s winning bid.

Tokyo was awarded the Games in 2013, beating Madrid

and Istanbul.

“I don’t believe I’ve done anything illegal,” Takeda said as he announced he would not seek re-election.

“It pains me to have created such a fuss, but I believe it is my responsibility to serve out the rest of my term,” he added.

Takeda’s tenure ends in June.

The Japanese government has always insisted its Tokyo bid is clean.

The company to which the payment was made is linked to the son of former world athletics chief Lamine Diack, who was a member of the International Olympic Committee when it awarded the Games to Tokyo and is the subject of corruption allegations being looked at by French investigators.

The son, Papa Massata Diack, also faces corruption allegations - which he denies.

A JOC panel has already cleared Japanese bidding officials of any illegal activity in the case, their 2016 report said the payment was a legitimate one for consulting services.

Takeda is a veteran Olympics official who competed as a show jumper in 1972 and 1976.

He has been JOC president since 2001.

The IOC said: “We take note with the greatest respect of the decision taken by Mr Takeda to resign as an IOC member.

“Our respect of this decision is even greater because he took this step to protect the Olympic movement while the presumption of innocence, on which the IOC insists, continues to prevail.” (Reuters)

Christophe Jean is taking the Osakas to court

A

ustralian Open champion and women’s World No. 1 tennis player Naomi Osaka is again at the centre of a coaching storm, but this time it’s about more than sacking the coach she won two grand slams with.

In a lawsuit filed in the United States, Osaka is being sued by former junior coach Christophe Jean.

Jean claims he has a contract that was entered into

by Osaka’s father Leonard Francois — commonly referred to as Max — for coaching her and sister Mari when they were teenagers in 2011.

He states the contract entitles him to 20 per cent of both sisters’ prizemoney and

endorsement deals for an “indefinite” period.

Jean is seeking at least US$2 million ($AUD2.8 million) in compensation.

The claims come amid a report in the South Florida Sun Sentinel that brought to light the modest financial upbringing of the Osaka sisters, whose talent, according to multiple coaches cited in the story, was enough to get them heavily discounted coaching as they bounced around the state between tennis centres and coaches.

Jean said he did not want to take the legal avenue against Osaka but felt compelled to based on what he alleges was the last conversation he held with Francois.

“I didn’t want to do this, but the last time I talked with Max he told me to go get a lawyer,” Jean told the Sun Sentinel. “So I got a lawyer.”

Osaka has also hired a lawyer. engaging the services of New York-based Alex Spiro. Spiro has previously defended NBA stars Thabo Sefolosha and Matt Barnes, as well as now deceased former NFL star Aaron Hernandez, getting him acquitted of a double homicide in Boston.

“While it comes as no surprise that Naomi’s meteoric rise as an international icon and inspiration would lead to some false claim, this silly ‘contract’ that Naomi never saw or signed — which

purports to give away part of herself at the age of 14 — is particularly absurd,” Spiro said in a statement.

“This case has no merit and we will move past it.”

While Osaka has yet to comment publicly on the case it does cast a shadow on what should otherwise have been a happy homecoming to Florida at the Miami Open, after winning the 2018 US Open and then the Australian Open in January.

Osaka parted company with former coach Sascha Bajin in February after her two grand slam successes, but denied that move was money-related.

“Everyone thinks it was a money-related issue, but

it wasn’t,” she said at the time.

“I wouldn’t put success over my happiness.

I’m not going to sacrifice that just to keep a person around. That’s one of the most hurtful things I’ve ever heard.”

Osaka has since teamed up with Jermaine Jenkins. (newsau)

Naomi Osaka

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesday, march 20, 2019

Deaf Chess Workshop meets 3-year mark F

or many sport disciplines, inclusiveness is always a priority in order to give everyone a fair chance in the game.

The same goes in the world of chess, as the National Sports Commission fuels a Deaf Chess Workshop.

The Workshop, which is being hosted in collaboration with the Deaf Association of Guyana, affords the opportunity to disabled students to learn the game of chess.

Furthermore, the Workshop also educates their teachers so that they would be able to continue the game play in classrooms.

The Workshop, which is now in its third year, has a number of objectives, which the Deaf Chess Club hopes to meet. A few of these objectives include adding Deaf Chess Club players to the local chess players’ database and hosting the first

CM Ronuel Greenidge teaches students with the help of a sign language expert

of a strategically structured tri-annual training/coaching session for chess players from the club.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, FIDE approved Chess Coach Wendell Meusa disclosed interna-

Edward “Screw” Richmond U-18 Schools Tournament…

Linden Foundation needle New Silvercity in opener

tional hopes for the upcoming players.

“We have been training kids in an effort to groom

them to represent Guyana one day in this category of chess. As we know, chess is a mental sport and it has been contributing to the development of these kids,” he explained.

Furthermore, he went on to state that measures have been put in place to keep the students avidly playing the game.

“The aim of this is to keep these kids under guidance and regular training, so one day they can participate on the international level representing Guyana,” Meusa said.

While the programme caters for some 40 students from New Amsterdam, East Bank, West Coast, Linden and Georgetown, a handful of teachers are also benefiting from the programme, with the objective of overseeing the game in the classroom. Meusa is responsible

2nd London-Lambert Cycling Classic set for Thursday

– another double-header on today

P

lay in the Edward “Screw” Richmond Linden Schools Under-18 football championship, now in its 11th year will continue this afternoon with two more matches at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground after there was an opening win by Linden Foundation on Monday.

The games set for today will see at 14:45h, the hosts, Wisburg Secondary School

facing Linden Foundation Secondary while at 16:00h, it will be a clash between Harmony Secondary and Mackenzie High School.

On Monday, Shedrack Mackenzie netted the tournament’s opening goal in the 33rd minute for the Linden Foundation Secondary when they won 1-0 against New Silvercity Secondary at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground.

Cyclists at the Baker’s Memorial Classic held in Linden in 2017

In the other game which was played also at the Wisburg Secondary School Ground, Harmony Secondary and Linden Technical Institute played to a 0-0 draw.

for training teachers while Candidate Master Ronuel Greenidge oversees the children.

Anita Lall, a teacher at the Tuschen Deaf Academy who has been a part of the programme since its inception, shared her thoughts on the benefits of the Workshop.

“Well, it’s a brainstorm and it’s a nice game, the children they really like it.

It builds a mind of interest for them,” she explained.

When questioned about the academic advances that the game encourages, Lall answered in the affirmative.

“Yes, it helps in finger counting too, because it involves Maths. And it helps with spelling,” she said.

The three-day programme which caters for students from 10-21 is expected to conclude today with a certification ceremony. (Jemima Holmes)

S

everal categories of cyclists are down to compete when the second annual London and Lambert Classic race meet comes off in Linden tomorrow.

The organisers of the event are the Linden Bauxite Flyers Cycle Club, and the

races are for juvenile, junior, senior and veteran cyclists.

The races will begin outside the residence of Pastor Nigel London in Richmond Hill in south Mackenzie at 07:00h, thence to central Mackenzie and then on to the Linden Highway to Silver Hill and

back to Mackenzie before moving over the MackenzieWismar Bridge to end at the junction on the Winifred Gaskin Road before the turn to Wisroc in Wismar.

The sponsors of the races are Pastor London and Littleton Lambert who have offered up cash incentives and spare parts for cycles, to go to the first three finishers in each category of races.

According to the organisers, there are two upcoming events – the annual Baker’s Memorial 60-Mile Road Race on April 7 to be sponsored as usual by the Baker family and the Linden Town Week Champion of Circuits Race on May 1 at the Wismar circuit.

BCB/NBS 2nd Division Cricket Tournament…

Sinclairs inspire Rose Hall Town Bakewell to another championship

T

hree years ago, Rose Hall Town Bakewell became the runners-up of the Berbice Cricket Board/ New Building Society (BCB/ NBS) Second Division 40Over Cricket Tournament when they lost to Tucber Park by a mere six runs at the Albion Community Centre Ground.

On Sunday, they lifted their sixth Berbice Second Division Championship when they easily defeated D’Edward Cricket Club by 71 runs at the Albion Community Centre Ground.

Rose Hall Town Bakewell were inspired by brilliant allround performances by skipper Kevin Sinclair and Junior Sinclair, both Guyana junior national players.

The final was played in front of a noisy fair-sized crowd in brilliant and hot sunshine. D’Edward won the toss and to the surprise of Rose Hall Town Bakewell, elected to field. The Sinclair cousins started slowly but later blossomed to put on

The victorious RHT Bakewell team pose with NBS Berbice Branch Manager Rana Persaud (left)

131 for the first wicket in 26 overs before Junior Sinclair was caught off the bowling of H Lalsa for 43 from 71 balls.

Kevin continued to play in his attacking style, and together with Surendra Kissoonlall, took the score to 190 for 1 in the 36th over.

Kissoonlall scored 25 fluent runs in the 59-run partnership before he was dismissed while Sinclair fell

shortly after for a brilliant 119 from 112 balls. His innings included 11 sweetly-timed boundaries. Rose Hall Town Bakewell ended on 211 for 8 from their allotted 40 Overs as the rest of the batsmen tried to score quickly in the final four overs.

Bowling for D’Edward, Keith Fraser took 2 for 23; Romesh Boodram, 2 for 20 and Eon Abel, 2 for 17.

Needing to score 212 to win their third title at this level, D’Edward started like a house on fire as they raced to 33 without loss in the fourth over before Lakeraj Sookhra was run out by a direct hit

by Kevlon Anderson for 22.

Heeralall Bridgelall was also run out for a duck at 48 for 2 before Romesh Boodram was caught off left-arm spinner Keith Simpson for one.

Opener Altaf Khan and Deandranauth Persaud then added 50 crucial runs for the fourth wicket before the partnership was broken by Junior Sinclair at 112 for 4 in the 26th over.

With D’Edward needing to score about seven runs per over, the pressure proved to be too much for the other batsmen. Persaud eventually fell for 39, but Devendra Lalsa (0); Jaaipaul Heeralall (6); Eon Abel (2); Keith Fraser (3) and H Lalsa (1) all fell cheaply as D’Edward folded for 141 all out in 34 overs. Junior Sinclair (4 for 30); Kevin Sinclair (2 for 28); Keith Simpson (1 for 15) and Jonathan Rampersaud (1 for 13) all bowled well for the champions.

BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the completion of the 90-team tournament in just eight months as a remarkable achievement, and stated that it was the shortest time in which the tournament was completed in the 12-year history of NBS-sponsored

cricket in the Ancient County.

The BCB President also hailed the continued support of NBS, and noted the contributions of Dr Nanda Gopaul, Anil Beharry and Rana Persaud. Foster also disclosed that the BCB was expecting to host over 30 finals in 2019.

NBS Berbice Manager Rana Persaud noted that the financial institution was pleased to be associated with Berbice cricket and stated that he was very pleased with the level of cricket played during the tournament.

A pleased Persaud also congratulated the Cricket Board on its outstanding organising of Guyana’s largest cricket tournament and announced that NBS would continue to support Berbice cricket in the future. Kevin Sinclair was named Man of the Final and received $10,000 and a trophy. The champions and runners-up received $100,000 and $50,000, respectively, along with trophies.

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sports BCB/Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Cricket Tournament…

Tigers and Ramnarine Memorial advance

R

ose Hall Town Tigers and Ramnarine Memorial have advanced further in the 2019 Berbice Cricket Board/ Spready’s Snackette 100 Balls Cricket Tournament for teams in the Lower and Central Corentyne Subzone.

Rose Hall Town Tigers defeated Belvedere United by seven wickets while Ramnarine Memorial cruised past Chesney by nine wickets.

Playing at the Toopoo Ground, Belvedere United were bowled out for a mea-

W

ith a Cricket W e s t Indies (CWI) election just about a week away, the Dave Cameron-led organization is having to clear the air over the sacking of former coach Phil Simmons.

The need for the CWI response came following an ESPN Cricinfo report which alleges that CWI have been forced to admit liability in the case set for March 26 in Antigua, after Simmons claimed damages of more than US$300,000.

According to the report, Ricky

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gre 45 runs from 10 overs as left-arm spinner Rondhall Lewis took eight wickets

Skerritt, the man c h a l lenging Cameron in that election on March 24,

tives are ongoing.

While we have a hearing date for March, 26, 2019, we are hoping to reach a settlement

says Cameron led the board to believe the dismissal would not cost anything.

However, the CWI is saying that the organization never denied liability so as to avoid a lengthy court case, and not because there was no cause for the sacking.

“The negotiations with the former coach, Phil Simmons and his representa-

soon,” read a release from the CWI. Simmons was sacked from the Windies after a couple of run ins with his employers, beginning with public outbursts about the players he wanted to see back in the West Indies setup and culminating with a claim there was interference in the selection of that team.

(Sportsmax)

feated Chesney by nine wickets at the Chesney Ground.

One of the Tournament’s favourites was restricted to 98 for 9 in their allotted 100 Balls with former national player Imran Khan top-scoring with 39 while S Bacchus and S Khan supported.

Paul Tyndall, R Pottaya and M Tyndall took two wickets each for Ramnarine Memorial. Needing to score 99 runs from 100 Balls, the visitors raced to 104 for 1 from just 14 overs as Paul Tyndall returned with the bat to blast 51 not out, with three boundaries and two

huge sixes. D Baldeo supported with 43 not out.

Ramnarine Memorial would not clash with Fyrish in the semi-finals while Rose Hall Town Tigers would play the winner of the Courtland versus Port Mourant second-round match in the other semi-finals.

Powerhouses Rose Hall Town Bakewell and Albion Community Centre have been debarred from this Tournament in an effort to allow other teams an opportunity to win a major tournament.

Triple Crown 2nd leg

T&T’s Ali to mount “Vera’s Finally” R onald Ali of Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) will be coming to Guyana for the second leg of the Jumbo Jet Thoroughbred Racing Committee’s Triple Crown.

Ali, a former champion jockey in the twin-island republic who last won the accolade in 2017 and was runner-up in 2016, will mount “Vera’s Finally” of the Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, who is undefeated at Sunday’s venue, for the meet.

The venue is the Rising Sun Turf Club, which is located in West Coast Berbice (45 minutes from Georgetown), and over 70 entries have already been registered for Sunday’s showdown.

In a release from the organisers of the event, it was noted that owing to the current situation of the horse racing industry deteriorating in T&T, Ali is looking to further his career in greener pastures and the experienced jockey is hoping that Guyana can continue raising its standards in the sport, as has been the case for the past few years.

This Sunday’s feature race will attract a total prize purse of almost $2 million with the winner of that C Class and Lower race pocketing $1 million.

The winner of the three-year-old

Ronald Ali

Guyana-bred race will pocket $400,000; the F Class winner, $350,000; H Class, $300,000; I Class, $250,000; J Class, $230,000; K Class, $220,000; L Class, $200,000; L Class and Lower, $140,000.

BCB/Elizabeth Styles 2019 Under-21 Cricket Tournament…

RHT, Albion, Blairmont among teams advancing to next round

T

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

Rondhall Lewis

for six runs in a remarkable spell of spin bowling. It is the best-ever bowling figure for any bowler in the entire Ancient County.

Khemraj Mahadeo and skipper Turbhuwan Jagdeo supported with a wicket each. In reply, Rose Hall Town Tigers reached 46 for 3 in seven overs, with Mark Papannah (19) being the principal scorer. L Bisram (2-2) and T Khemraj (1-18) were the wicket-takers for Belvedere.

In the other match played, newcomers Ramnarine Memorial de-

CWI clears the air over Phil Simmons sacking, ‘negotiations’

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he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)organised Elizabeth Styles Under-21 Cricket Tournament continued recently in the Ancient County.

A total of 20 teams are participating in the Knockout 50-Over Tournament, which is being sponsored by USbased cosmetics brand Elizabeth Styles.

Promising players Kevlon Anderson, Adrian Sukhwa and Marvin Prashad each scored centuries for their teams.

Anderson blasted 110 in a well-timed innings as Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets amassed 349 all out in 48.4 overs versus Bush Lot Rising Star.

He received support

from Jonathan Rampersaud (51); Mahendra Gopilall (55) and Nicholas Lawson (23).

Latchman Dauna had 2-28 and Nicholas Shivrattan, 2-65.

The visitors were then bowled out for 146 in 24.5 overs to lose by 203 runs. Kris Ramnarine (25); Prakash Bharrat (13) and Navindra Prasad (26) were the principal batters as Anderson had 3 for 21 and Kevin Sinclair, 3 for 29.

Defending champions Blairmont were defeated by D’Edward Cricket Club, but still advanced to the quarter-finals after D’Edward were found guilty of playing an over-age player.

Scores from the other matches were:

At No 73 Ground, Albion Community Centre defeated No 73 Cricket Club by 275 runs. Albion made 343 for 6. Adrian Sukhwa – 110; Jeetendra Autar – 54; Kevin Umroa – 58; Reyad Karim, 38. Ganesh Singh had 4 for 71.

No 73 Cricket Club made 68 all out. Kevin Umroa bagged 4 for 25 while Beesham Surujnarine claimed 3 for 18.

At Scottsburg Ground, Rama Krishna Cricket Club defeated Scottsburg United by seven wickets.

Scottsburg United – 77 all out in 22 overs; J Joseph (11); Naresh Singh – 2 for 11; Chitram Singh – 2 for 21; Inderdat Singh – 2 for 10.

Rama Krishna Cricket Club

– 80 for 3 in 15 overs; Gavin Chatterpaul (34); Rockeel Gordon – 2 for 21.

At Bush Lot Ground, Bush Lot Rising Star defeated Paradise Cricket Club by eight wickets. Paradise Cricket Club – 49 runs in 10.1 overs; O Bharrat (13); Devag Persaud – 5 for 14.

Bush Lot Rising Star Cricket Club – 50 for 2 in 8.1 overs.

Yurendra Budhoo – 18 not out.

At Albion Ground, Albion Community Centre crushed No 19 Kendall’s Union Cricket Club by 10 wickets.

No 19 Kendall’s Union Cricket Club – 22 all out in 13.4 overs; H Harris (10); Govraj Ramesh – 5 for 6; Mahendra Chaitnarine – 3 for 10.

Albion Community Centre – 24-0 in 3.4 overs; Reyad Karim (10) and Jeetendra Autar (11).

At Port Mourant Ground, RHT Gizmos & Gadgets defeated Port Mourant Cricket Club by 145 runs.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Cricket Club – 230 for 8 in 37 overs.

Kevlon Anderson (34); Jonathan Rampersaud (40); Chanderpaul Govindan (40); Sylus Tyndall (62 not out).

Mahendra Charran – 3 for 21.

Port Mourant Cricket Club – 85 all out in 19 overs.

Daniel Samaroo (47 not out); Sylus Tyndall – 3 for 10; Keith Simpson – 3 for 5 and Doorsammy Mahadeo – 2 for 18.

22

WEDNesday, march 20, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Corporate Guyana lends a massive hand to Nations League Qualifier

I

n the spirit of patriotism, many Guyanese business entities have exercised their corporate responsibility by readily jumping on board and partnering with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) to ensure Guyana’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Golden Jaguars, are well prepared for the crucial match against Belize on Saturday, March 23, 2019.

ANSA McAL has acquired the “beer rights” for the match and will have bars at the match venue. Sueria Manufacturing Inc has donated 100 cases of Aqua Pur Water to the team to aid their training and match day activities, and KFC has purchased 200 tickets, which will afford patrons an opportunity to roar for the Golden Jaguars.

Following the presentation done at the company’s East Coast Headquarters, ANSA McAL’s Non-Alcoholic Beverage Division Business Unit Head Errol Nelson acknowledged the fruitful relationship with the GFF and urged fans to support the match.

“ANSA McAL has had a long and fruitful relationship with the Guyana Football

Federation over the years.

We are pleased to be once again on board with GFF to ensure the successful hosting of CONCACAF Nations League games in Guyana. I would like to wish our Golden Jaguars success in their encounter with Belize on the 23rd March. Additionally, I would want to urge all the supporters and fans of football to come out and support the game, the ANSA McAL bars and help us to make the event a grand success,” he said.

In response, GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood thanked the company for the partnership and emphasised the importance of corporate support for the match. “The GFF expresses gratitude to the ANSA McAL Group for their timely partnership. A match of this magnitude requires all hands on board and ANSA McAL must be acknowledged for recognising this and being an enduring partner. This is the Golden Jaguars’ chance to create history for all Guyana and partnerships such as that of ANSA McAL’s ensure that the significance of the event is appreciated by all,”

ANSA McAL’s Errol Nelson presents sponsorship on behalf of the company to GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood

he said.

Meanwhile, in a brief presentation at the company’s production site at Industrial Site, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Sueria Manufacturing Inc Chief Executive Officer Frank Sanicharra, in the presence of some of the Golden Jaguars’ players and staff, said his company was proud to donate to the team.

“Contributing to sports is always part of our corporate social responsibility and, more so, I’m very proud to

see the Guyanese boys are here. I feel encouraged to the point that I have to be there on Saturday and, once more, I’m very proud to be a part of this. On behalf of the Aqua Pur team, we want to congratulate you guys and we will be there to support you,” he declared.

Golden Jaguars defender Samuel Cox said he was also pleased with the partnership: “We all know the importance of hydrating properly and the partnership with Aqua Pur is fantastic, not only for the

programme but it will steer us in the right direction going forward. Everybody is thrilled and we look forward to Saturday’s game against Belize.”

Greenwood said the partnership was key to aid recovery and performance of players. “The GFF is very excited about this partnership with Aqua Pur. We know it’s vitally important that the players are correctly hydrated during the week. We’re 90 minutes away from creating history on Saturday, so this partnership will definitely help the recovery and performance of the players.”

KFC Guyana too has come on board to ensure that school-aged children have an opportunity to view the match against Belize.

Following a presentation at the entity’s Vlissengen Road outlet, Marketing Assistant Carina Westford expressed her company’s support for the Golden Jaguars.

“KFC Guyana fully supports the GFF and its phenomenal match coming up – our own Golden Jaguars vs Belize. We encourage all to come and support our home team, because they are amaz-

ing. The public can get their tickets at our Regent Street and Mandela Avenue branches. We believe in the importance of sports and its relationship to the development of youth. It is a great alternative to activities which are not beneficial to the development of youth such as crime, so we fully support sports and, in this instance, football in our country.”

Tickets for the match are being sold at $1500 at the following locations: Andrews Supermarket – Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, The Guinness Bar – Durban Street, GT; West Indian Sports Complex, Robb Street; Nice Restaurante, below Space Gym, Croal Street, GT; Pegasus Hotel Guyana; KFC Outlets – Regent Street & Mandela Avenue; Dad’s Fish Shop, Den Amstel; Patsy Food Court and Bar, Linden-Soesdyke Junction; The Fashion Box, Vendors Arcade, Bartica and at Giftland Mall.

Fan jerseys are also available at the GFF Secretariat, the Guyana Pegasus and Giftland Mall at a cost of $5000. Match time is set for 18:30h.

CONCACAF Nations League Qualifier…

Attitude, discipline, performance – instrumental in squad selection

W

ith just four days left before Guyana take to the Leonora Track and Field Centre to contest their most important football match to

date against Belize, Head Coach Michael Johnson recently revealed a 23-man final squad for game day.

The squad, comprising three goalkeepers, seven de-

fenders, seven midfielders and six forwards, is a combination of locals and overseas-based players, with the international players being the majority.

Despite the imbalance, Head Coach Johnson is of the opinion that the best possible team have been put together.

“Probably one of the strongest, if not the strongest team Guyana has ever got together. So we’re in a good place, the mood in the camp is tremendous,” Johnson stated.

More importantly, the team have seen the addition of three debutantes in Reiss Greenidge, Anthony Jeffery and Keanu Marsh Brown.

The three who are said to have a wealth of experience are all elated to join the Guyanese outfit and shared similar sentiments, with Greenidge noting that he is excited for game day.

“I’m excited obviously; it’s a good opportunity to get the team into the Gold Cup and I’m just happy to be selected, happy to have the opportunity to help the country. It’s my first time in Guyana, but I’ve been here for a day and it’s great,” Greenidge said.

Speaking to the composition of the team, Head Coach Johnson explained that selection was very thorough, and he clarified some of the areas which were instrumental in keeping a few locals out of the squad.

“Well, we’ve talked to Wilson and Charles not just about how they play or how they were for the past seven weeks in the camp; it’s about your attitude, your discipline towards training, the

Golden Jaguars Head Coach Michael Johnson

way you conduct yourself as well as your performance.

“The last few weeks, the game itself, the staff discussions and then we came to a process where we eliminated unfortunately, players that might count themselves unlucky to be left out of the final 23,” Johnson said.

Aside from the new faces, Warren Creavalle, Emery Welshman, Samuel Cox, Walter Moore and Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson have returned to the team.

“Jackie Chan”, who is popularly known for his heroics on the football field, spent some time out of the Guyanese national team, but has returned with a bang and according to Coach J o h n s o n , Richardson is an excellent addition.

“It’s been fascinat-

ing listening to his story. He recognises that this is his final chapter of his career as a footballer and it’s such a fitting way for him to give back to the country,” Johnson said.

While detailing ways in which Richardson’s presence will improve the team structure, Johnson disclosed that he expects the 36-yearold to make the best of his time on the field.

“One of the country’s finest players, I’m aware, and I knew he would play a pivotal part in the changing rooms in the build-up with the youngsters. And I can see this chapter being ended on a high note,” Johnson explained.

The remainder of the squad reads Alex Murray, Axel Clarke, Sese Norville, Elliot Bonds, Terrence Vancooten, Ronayne MarshBrowne, Kevin Layne, Neil Danns, Trayon Bobb, Kadell Daniel, Clive Nobrega, Stephen Duke- McKenna, Pernell Schultz, Marcel Barrington, and Sheldon Holder.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, march 20, 2019

23

Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup…

Terrific Taylor’s 119 overshadows Campbelle’s 111 in Jamaica win Tremayne Smartt played a smart innings of 58 from 64 balls

By Brandon Corlette

G

uya n a continued to move in the wrong direction of the Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup, registering their second defeat in as many matches. The Guyanese had their tails up high scoring 242 all out in 49.5 overs.

It was Shemaine Campbelle’s brilliance that led the hosts to a respectable total, but Tremayne Smartt added the finishing touches with calm and composed 58.

In reply, Captain Stafanie Taylor carved out a century of her own, riding her luck until it ended her sensational in-

nings of 119, ensuring the Jamaicans finished on 2446 in 46.4 overs, winning by six wickets.

Earlier,

Campbelle won her second toss this tournament, and elected to have a bat first.

The new-look Guyanese opening pair in Sheneta Grimmond and Mandy Mangru took centre stage at the packed Everest Cricket Club that saw the

largest support thus far.

Grimmond lost her wicket when she was out bowled

by Karla Cohen with the score on 13-1. That wicket brought the courageous captain Campbelle to the crease that showed her brilliance showcasing a ray of shots on the quick outfield. After Campbelle lost her batting partners, she found Shabika Gajnabi (20) who added 48 runs together for the sixth wicket partnership.

At 105-5, at the half way stage of the innings, the Guyanese batters were reckless but it took a smart individual to join forces with the classy Campbelle.

It was Tucber Park’s finest, Tremayne Smartt who led the resurgence entering the crease at 114-7. The Berbicians added 98 runs together for the eighth wicket partnership, in the process; Campbelle reached her century in 108 balls in 136 minutes, hitting 13 boundaries and two sixes.

The most established Guyanese female cracker in the country, who grew up in Liverpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice, ended

her splendid innings of 111 from 118 balls, striking 14 fours and two sixes batting at a strike rate of 94.07, before she was out caught at the long-on boundary. Meanwhile Tremayne Smartt hit a solid 58 from 64 balls falling in the penultimate ball of the innings, after she hit six boundaries, playing each ball on its merit.

Bowling for the Jamaicans, off-spinner, Stafanie Taylor had 3-44 in 10 overs while left-arm spinner, Alecia Bookal had 2-32 in seven overs. In hot pursuit, Jamaica lost belligerent opener, Natasha McLean for a duck, when Erva Giddings shattered her stumps. Stafanie Taylor batting at number three showed her class entering the crease without a run on the broad.

Taylor added 119 runs together with Rashada Williams (47) for the second wicket partnership. The terrific batter, Taylor reached her century off 98 balls in 126 minutes hitting 14 timely fours and one six. Prior to Taylor’s milestone, she sur-

vived run out opportunities and dropped catches.

The Windies and Jamaican captain rode her luck ended her player of the match performance on 119 from 118 balls, hitting 16 fours and one six. Chedean Nation scored 30, while Chinelle Henry took a liking to the Guyanese bowlers finishing unbeaten on 23 from nine balls. Erva Giddings was brilliant with the ball grabbing 3-39 in 10 overs. She lacked support from the fielders that portrayed a poor display of ground fielding and catches.

Guyana will play Leeward Islands on Thursday at Enmore; speaking after the match, Campbelle stated that she was disjointed in the team’s fielding performance and this century will not be special since it was in a losing cause.

Meanwhile, Taylor stated that her team is happy with the performance riding the luck given by the Guyanese in the atrocious fielding display.

Taylor bowls during her threewicket haul at Everest

Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup

Barbados blow Windward Islands away by 241 runs

– T&T trounce Leewards by 7 wickets

T

h e Barbadians a n d Trinidadians continued to show dominance in this Colonial Medical Insurance W o m e n ’ s Super50 Cup, with c o n trasti n g victories.

In their respective matches, they totally outplayed their opponents with great ease. The encounter at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, s a w

Team Barbados in action at the National Stadium

Deandra Dottin hit an aggressive 94

Barbados racking up 3343 in 50 overs against the Afy Fletcher-led Windward Islands team.

Deandra Dottin led the charge with a 50-ball unbeaten 94 that included 15 fours and two sixes. Birthday girl Hayley Matthews hit a classical 91 from 113 balls, batting for 128 minutes hitting 13 fours and one six.

Kycia Knight scored 81 from 106 as the trio missed out on well-deserved centuries.

However, it was sufficient to blow away Windwards for 93 all out in 28.3 overs.

Bowling for the Bajans, fast bowler Shamilia Connell had 3-36 in 10 overs while Hayley Matthews and Shakira Selman had two wickets each in their complete team performance.

In the other fixture at the Georgetown Cricket Club Bourda, Trinidad Divas finished before lunch bowling out Leeward Island for 76 in 25.1 overs. Spinner, Leandra Ramdeen did the damage for the Trinidadian with 4-12 in 6.2 overs. Anisa Mohammed had 2-15.

In reply, the ladies in red

ended on 79-4 in 17 overs; Felicia Walter opening the innings and remained unbeaten on 32 form 50 balls batting 80 minutes.

The matches will continue on Thursday, March 21 – Guyana and Leeward Islands at Enmore; Trinidad and Tobago will meet Windward Islands at Everest; and Barbados will meet Jamaica at the Georgetown Cricket Club.

All matches will commence from 09:30h local time. (Brandon Corlette)

Shamilia Connell had three wickets

WEDNesday, march 20, 2019

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

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Colonial Medical Insurance Women’s Super50 Cup…

Terrific Taylor’s 119 overshadows Campbelle’s 111 in Jamaica win Corporate Guyana lends a massive Deaf Chess hand to Nations League Qualifier Workshop meets 3-year mark Page 23

Shemaine Campbelle hit one for a maximum

Stafanie Taylor showed her class during her 119 (Brandon Corlette photos)

Page 20

Page 22 KFC’s Training Manager presents match tickets to Golden Jaguars’ Samuel Cox in the presence of other players

Wendell Meusa engages teachers

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