Guyana Times 19 February 2018

B Division ranks awarded for sterling service, performance

P9 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3486

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, February 19, 2018

PRICE

Enmore, Skeldon Estates still up for privatisation – SPU

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P3

Local Govt Elections

“AFC has taken a sensible position” –...asDr Hinds P11 party plans to engage APNU to contest with coalition

…not all workers will be rehired, Rose Hall still in the cold …more decisions to be made within next 8 months

Cross-dresser killed in Vreed-en-Hoop P accident 7

…but family says he was murdered

Cotton Tree man dies after car plunges into canal

$80 vat included

P10

New Demerara River crossing

Govt allowing contractors to lead project – Jagdeo

P10

Soesdyke residents P8 arrested after robbing 50-year-old

11-year-old in need of $4.5M for urgent life-changing surgery in India P8

...reiterates non-support for medium level open bridge

Year of the Dog ushered in

Truck driver arrested with unlicensed P10 gun, ammo

The Chinese Embassy celebrated Chinese New Year, welcoming the Year of the Dog, which signifies loyalty, vision, and dedication, with an official reception on Sunday at New Thriving Providence hosted by Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun, and his wife, Madame Liang Huili. In photo, President David Granger and his wife, First Lady Sandra Granger share a toast with their hosts and another official from the Chinese Association (Carl Croker photo)

Govt MP recovering in ICU after falling ill P

11

Prison Officer reportedly attacked, robbed by Police P Corporal

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Education Ministry to relook at NAMS P13 mismanagement concerns – GTU 1 arrested after robbery under arms at P7 Ithaca

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news

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monDAY, February 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Monday, February 19 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, February 20 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, February 19 – 06:15h-07:45h and Tuesday, February 20 – 06:45h-08:15h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Weather: Lightly cloudy skies with sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies in the evening. Overall temperatures are expected to range between 19 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 6.70 metres.

High Tides: 06:43h and 19:03h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.71 metres respectively.

Low Tides: 12:36h reaching a minimum height of 0.51 metre.

Enmore, Skeldon Estates still up for privatisation – SPU …not all workers will be rehired, Rose Hall still in the cold …more decisions to be made within next 8 months

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hile Government is prepared to reopen two estates on a limited basis, that would not happen until the estates are privatised; at which point, the future of the rehired workers would be decided by the new owners.

In an interview with this publication, Public Relations consultant Alex Graham stressed that the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) still intends to privatise the estates. There is, however, one problem -- one which necessitates the reopening of the estates for its solution.

“There’s a process, (the) Pricewaterhouse valuation is taking place, and has to precede a privatisation.

there. This means, among other things, the presence of sugar cane. As such, he noted that Rose Hall estate’s reopening could not be ruled out.

“Based on the activities that have to be conducted, decisions will be made as to which people have to be hired. Wherever there are viable crop assets at the moment, we are seeking to secure (those) in the best way possible. And the best way possible is to try to get limited activity, so that the cane harvest is in process. It de-

Graham was asked exactly what categories of workers would be hired. He noted that though there is cane, the first people to be hired are not necessarily cane harvesters, as the cane would have to be maintained before it is cut.

Government will be reopening the Skeldon and Enmore Estates

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It isn’t going to happen in less than eight months. The problem is (that) all these estates that were closed have cane in the ground,” he related. “So the objective is to try to extract the value of the cane in the ground.”

“So it’s not a full factory-and-field operation. It is just an operation to take advantage of, and process, cane in the ground at the moment. It’s not to start a whole new operation. It’s a limited operation, so we don’t need all the people we had. It does not mean everyone goes back to work.”

Questioned on the fate of Rose Hall, Graham pointed out that the only way that estate would be reopened in addition to Skeldon and Enmore would be if all conditions present on the other estates were also present

PR Consultant Alex Graham

also now indicates that the Government’s decision to close sugar estates and downsize the industry was political in nature.

And while the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) had hailed the decision to reopen certain estates, it has questioned the fate of the Rose Hall Estate. The union has pointed out that former workers of the Rose Hall Estate are in straits that are similar to what is being experienced by other sugar workers.

pends on a variety of circumstances,” he explained.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan was recently quoted affirming that the estates would remain operational. This, he had noted, was to make them more appealing prospects for potential investors.

The closures

Government has moved to close the Enmore and Rose Hall Sugar Estates, as well as sell the Skeldon Sugar Factory. Its explanation for downsizing the industry has always been to cut costs. A special unit under the Ministry of Finance has been established to coordinate the divestment of these estates.

There has been persistent criticism that the decision to close the estates is political

in nature. Severance payment for these workers has also become a sore issue. So when the decision to reopen was made known, it did not help to dispel the perception that the decision to close was political in nature.

While the Parliamentary Opposition has welcomed Government’s decision to have at least two sugar estates reopened soon, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has said this now proves that Government’s move to close the sugar estates was purely political in nature.

The Opposition Leader has said that President David Granger and his entire Cabinet must take full responsibility for the flipflop policy choice, which

The GAWU has noted that these workers have to contend with joblessness and the fight to keep children in school. In fact, GAWU has said that workers have even complained of school attendance falling in the wake of the estate’s closure. The union is therefore questioning what would happen to persons who are living on ever dwindling finances.

Guyana Times understands from sources close to both the SPU and GAWU that, over the coming weeks, a process is to be rolled out that would see scores of workers from Enmore and Skeldon being re-employed.

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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

A chilling effect

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ow that the dust has settled over the claim by at least one insurance company that the AntiMoney Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Amendment Act of 2015 authorized them to ask on their “Customer Verification FormIndividual” that applicants should “indicate any affiliation with Government/Military/state officials (including political party)”, it may be opportune to review the controversy, since, in our estimation, it has very severe implications for fundamental rights of Guyanese citizens.

We should note that the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) Director Matthew Langevine, in charge of overseeing the Act, later said the policy was “misguided”. In reference of the provisions of the AML/CFT legislation for Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) he said, “It is not intended to work by these reporting entities asking you about your political affiliation.” But while he pronounced that asking applicants for their “political affiliation” was “reckless”, he admitted that each insurance company was expected to use its “discretion” to identify PEPs. And herein lies the danger, since the financial institutions are operating in a new environment, largely defined by the Government.

Recommendation 12 of the global Financial Action Task Force (FATF), incorporated into the 2015 AML/CFT Amendment Act and regulations with regard to “Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs)” states the following: “A politically exposed person (PEP) is defined by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as an individual who is or has been entrusted with a prominent public function.” However, this is a very broad definition, and because of the context in which the legislation has been deployed, it is not surprising that the insurance company adopted a very stringent political test.

Contextually, the AML/CTF was highly publicized by the present Government. When they finally passed legislation soon after taking office in 2015, (after rejecting the PPP’s version in 2012 and 2014), they used it as a weapon to go after the members of the PPP, whom they insisted had engaged in financial skullduggery that violated the legislation. Nothing makes this clearer that the utilization of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), which was established by the PPP/C Administration as the investigative arm of the FIU, now focusing almost totally on supposed infractions by the PPP. Against this background, there arises the larger issue of what is called the “chilling effect” that this legislation can have on several fundamental rights of citizens.

According to Wiki, “A chilling effect may be caused…any legal action that would cause people to hesitate to exercise a legitimate right (freedom of speech or otherwise) for fear of legal repercussions.”

In the context of the action by the insurance company, the freedom to belong to any political party, guaranteed by the Freedom of Association via Art 147, is definitely threatened. Art 147. Sec (1) states rather explicitly: “Except with his or her own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his or her freedom… of… association...that is to say…his or her right to…associate with other persons, and in particular to form or belong to political parties…” The Article goes on to emphasis, in Sec (4) “Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with, or in contravention of, this article to the extent that the law in question makes provision – (a) that is reasonably required in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health.”

But in buttressing the chilling effect due to the discretionary power of financial institutions to query political affiliations and the cue by SOCU's actions, by making the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) subject and responsible to the AML/CFT Authority, there is the existential possibility of it being compromised and undermined in terms of its autonomy and independence. The financial institutions would have to be sensitive to this.

More troubling is the fact that the politically exposed persons – Members of Parliament -- appoint the AML/ CFT Authority, the FIU Director, Deputy Director, and other important functionaries in the FIU. The lesson for Guyana from this episode is that the threats to freedom today are multifarious.

One of the contingents of older students during the Children’s Mashramani Float Parade on Saturday through the streets of Georgetown

Please swear in the ERC Commissioners Dear Editor, It seems that for anything to happen in this country, there must be a struggle, an outcry, and then, lo and behold, like the hero, the Government intervenes and then it looks good.

In the past, it appears that Govt created the problem (recall VAT on education, reversal of Skeldon

Estate closure, parking meter fiasco etc.), anticipated an outcry, then appeared like the problem solver.

Enough of the PR stunts, let’s get on with this nation building process.

Ethnic Relations Commission

After lingering in the Parliament for almost a whole year, then prior one year consultation, Guyana

finally saw some agreement from both sides of the house, as 10 names were approved. Getting such an agreement should be seen as a blessing, since there are many disagreements in Parliament. Mr Norton did his part, the MPs did their part, now it is up to the President to do his part.

It appears that there needs to be an outcry for the

swearing in of these commissioners, like there was for their approval.

This nation needs healing, politics aside, Mr President. Walk the walk.

Your speeches are inundated with a vision for unity, social cohesion and cooperation, so when are you going to get the ball rolling?

Alexis Sinclair

A better way of evaluating the performance of the Guyana Police Force

Dear Editor, The vexed question is: How does one evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the Police? Many persons, including the Police themselves, tend to use crime rates, number of arrests, and case clearance to measure how the Police are doing. This may appear to be a good performance appraisal process; however, according to Wayne Bennett and Karen Hess (2004), such measures have several problems. They posit that: Low crime rates do not necessarily mean a Police agency is efficient and effective. A high arrest rate does not necessarily show that the Police are doing a good job. A high ratio of Police officers to citizens does not necessarily mean high quality Police services. Responding quickly to calls for service does not necessarily indicate Police agency is efficient. In many instances, clearance rates are notoriously unreliable, and arrest data are suspect. The possibility of ghosting should not be overlooked.

Ghosting is the falsifying of patrols logs "to make the numbers come out right"; or, to use a local and common Police term, "cock the stats so that we can look good."

In addition, there are the

dark figures of crime -- crimes that were not reported for diverse reasons. Kramer and Fiedler (2002) summarise the problem well: "Traditional measures such as the Uniform Crime Reports....arrest and tickets tabulate only events. They do not measure whether the activities were completed efficiently and effectively, and they don't describe what impact the activities had on the community."

They argued that rather than looking at crime rates, number of arrests and response time, evaluation should assess whether the agency is effective in fulfilling its responsibility to the communities.

They further stress that when evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency and productivity of the entire department, managers must focus on their mission statement. They must also consider what citizens want and expect from their protectors.

Most citizens want to live in safe, orderly neighbourhoods.

Reduction of fear is a very important measure. It sends a very clear message to the public that the Police are addressing their fear of crime and neighbourhood disorder.

What are some indicators

to look for to conclude whether or not the Police are doing a good job?

Citizens’ approval or disapproval of Police performance is generally reflected in support for Police programmes; letters of criticism or commendation; cooperation with crimes and incidents being investigated; letters to the editor; or public response to a single Police/ citizen incident. The Police are considered effective when they produce the perception that crime is under control.

One way to assess citizens’ approval or disapproval is through citizens’ surveys.

They are each a win-win situation. Citizens are better served, and the Police receive positive feedback. It is key in establishing communication.

I clearly remember that, sometime during the mid1990s, Police Commissioner Laurie Lewis detailed Superintendent Michael Wilson to conduct a Quality of Service probe at the East La Penitence Police Station. The officer had recently returned to Guyana from a Command Course for Caribbean Police Officers, conducted by the British at the Jamaica Constabulary Staff College. Wilson's findings were very instructive.

This led to a paradigm shift in the strategic, tactical, and operational postures of ranks at that station, in an effort to make them more efficient and effective.

Perhaps, the Police can conduct some Citizens’ Surveys to find out whether or not they are efficiently and effectively utilising their human and other resources in the fight against crime, and the fear of crime and traffic lawlessness on our roads.

The Police have many university graduates among their ranks. Over the past few years, two officers won the Prime Minister's Medal for being the best graduating students at the University of Guyana. Some are not only high-ranking officers, but are decorated with post graduate and master’s degrees.

They are fit and proper persons to conduct the citizens’ surveys with the objective to enable their members to efficiently and effectively deliver the highest quality of service to the citizens of the country they swore to serve and protect.

Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

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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

City Hall complains about Sherod Duncan, Andreia Marks Dear Editor, The Mayor and City Council has received several worrying reports from its senior officers about their dissatisfaction with the behaviour and conduct of certain Councillors. Officers complained that two Councillors, in particular Sherod Duncan and Andreia Marks, have been constantly attacking the chief administrative officer of the Council, Royston King, in very personal ways at statutory meetings and in the media.

Officers are of the view that, after more than two decades, the Council, under the leadership of this administration, has been revitalizing several systems necessary to provide municipal services to communities.

Over the last two months, it has been observed, both Councillors Sherod Duncan and Andreia Marks have personally attacked the persona of the Town Clerk and other officers. Also, Councillor Sherod Duncan has attempted to impugn the good character of the Mayor of Georgetown.

Since 2015, administration has been doing all things possible to improve the condition of the city. It has been doing so with very limited resources in very harsh working conditions.

However, the incumbent elective Council has not done much to improve the financial situation at the Mayor and City Council, nor to improve systems. In fact, for nearly

two years, the council has not made any policy to assist administration with its work, or to improve the image of the Council.

Instead, certain individual Councillors have been critical about almost every action of the administration, without providing alternatives or solutions to existing challenges at the Council.

The officers noted that, notwithstanding repeated requests by the Town Clerk, the Council, through its Market/ Public Health Committee, has not been able to design a simple policy for vending in the city, to guide administration on how to treat with this aspect of city life. Yet, when the administration takes action to enforce compliance with existing by- laws, it is criticized by the very Councillors who have not provided any guidance in this area.

After more than one year, at City Hall, the elective Council has not made one policy on any of Council’s responsibilities or any aspect of the work of the municipality, but has been attacking officers on their work. Instead of making policies, certain Councillors have fallen in to the habit of interfering with the work of the administration. The role of the elective council is to make policy, not to do administrative work.

The officers have written to the Mayor of Georgetown, Mrs. Patricia Chase-Green, about their concerns. In their

letter to Her Worship, the officers stated that they are professionals, qualified in their respective fields, that they are embarrassed by the behaviour of some Councillors, and that their counterparts in other Ministries and agencies are making fun of them.

They have requested that, as Chairman of the Council, the Mayor guide Councillors, in particular Sherod Duncan and Andreia Marks, on their conduct, and encourage them to desist from giving inaccurate information to the general public.

The Act, Chapter 28:01 is clear in its guidance on the conduct of officers and Councillors.

Also, the officers intend to approach their union -- the Guyana Local Government Officers Union -- on the behaviour and attitudes of Councillors.

The high level of disrespect shown to the Town Clerk and other senior officers, the way the Councillors are sullying the image of the Georgetown Municipality by releasing fake news to the press and generally misleading the public.

Officers feel that there is need for collective action by the staff of the municipality to secure their integrity and to go forward with the development of the city.

Debra Lewis Public Relations Officer Mayor and City Council

Zuma’s removal was long overdue Dear Editor, The ruling African National Congress of Azania (still named South Africa), has finally removed Jacob Zuma as president. Zuma will be remembered as one of Africa's most inept Heads of State. He will also be remembered for his shameful collusion with the imperial powers in the destruction of Libya and the brutal killing of one of Africa's greatest leaders, Muammar Qaddafi.

Like Thabo Mbeki before him, Zuma’s pursuit of neo-liberal economic policies has created a new class -- a parasitic, bureaucratic bourgeoisie who work hand in hand with transnational and Boer capital to enrich themselves, their families and friends, all the while calling it "Black empowerment". Truth be told, Azania has moved from apartheid to neo-apartheid.

As the great revolutionary Pan-Africanist Kwame Ture pointed out, "Black visibility and Black faces in high places does not necessarily translate into Black Power".

Enter Cyril Ramaphosa, the new president, and one of the wealthiest men in Africa. Guyanese need to know that Ramophosa was a director of the Lonmin Mining Company and a senior member of the governing ANC when, in 2012, the South African Security

GECOM needs more centres in Region 6

Dear Editor, With the unilateral appointment of the new GECOM chairman, the commission is moving in a go-slow or frustrated mode of work. The commission has opened only the GECOM main centres in the country, and this is causing serious inconvenience to persons who access these offices, especially in Region 6.

Imagine, to do a transaction at these GECOM offices, you have to spend close to four hours, or even more; this includes waiting time and the

actual transactions. An individual has to take time off to get their transaction done at GECOM, and is indeed losing time and money, and is being deprived of their rights to register or correct situations that can hinder them from being an eligible voter in any elections.

GECOM is mandated with the responsibility to ensure citizens are being tended to in a timely and comfortable manner.

The commission is trying to frustrate the citizens by us-

ing only the main offices, to create a build-up of residents, which leads to frustration and causing them to leave without completing their transaction.

GECOM needs to put in more offices to take off the burden on the few centres, so that residents can have their issues addressed in a timely and comfortable manner, to ensure a person or persons is/ are not deprived of their rights to vote.

So, residents are asking that more centres be established immediately, in order

I support the messages contained in the book the ROOTS OF EMPATHY

Dear Editor, Influenced as I am and have been since my early career as a school teacher -- that the focus of our basic educational pursuits should be both academic and attitudinal -- I was recently impressed by a publication I chanced upon in my daughter’s home in Toronto (she herself is a School Superintendent with the Toronto District School Board). It is titled: “Roots of Empathy”, subtitled: “Changing the World Child

by Child” and written by Mary Gordon.

The following reviews of the book provide a good synopsis of its essential messages, which I firmly believe are quite deserving of attention by our own Guyanese educa-

tional community and political leaders and parents: “Every so often in the life of a civilization, there comes a book that can literally change the way we are in the world.

Roots of Empathy is such a book---With violence, anti-social behavior, bullying and aggression among our young children escalating at a frightening rate, it is clear that we need to develop a new understanding of childhood”.

“--- In clear and lively language, Mary Gordon introduces us to the wisdom of babies, and shows us how they can teach us ---and our children—what it is to be human—I have learned that the human capacities for empathy and respect must be fostered from earliest childhood to reduce violence in

the world and build a truly civil society”.

“This book describes the extraordinary value—probably the best program of its kind to support optimal early childhood development, and to help communities build tolerant pluralistic democratic societies” Nowrang Persaud

to allow residents to do their business with GECOM in a timely manner.

My personal opinion is that this sloth can be the first step in preventing people from voting in the next elections, so I can be wrong if GECOM corrects this situation immediately.

Zamal Hussain RDC Councillor Region 6

Forces were given the order to shoot workers striking against Lonmin. In total, 34 workers were gunned down

by Police.

Referred to as the Marikana Massacre, this shocking act of State terrorism was eerily reminiscent of actions taken by the White Apartheid Regime of days gone by. A former leader of the National Union of Mineworkers, Ramaphosa, in an email between Lonmin management and government officials the day before the massacre, stated, “The terrible events that have unfolded cannot be described as a labour dispute. They are plainly dastardly criminal acts and must be characterised as such…there needs to be concomitant action to address this situation”.

Ramaphosa was directly responsible for the company’s failure to abide by its commitment to build 5,500 houses for employees, instead completing only three dwellings. It was this and low wages that the striking workers were protesting.

After more than two decades of ANC rule, the majority of Azanians are still without basic necessities, such as decent housing, electricity and healthcare, while the wealth of the country is plundered by foreign capital.

The truth is that the ANC has betrayed its own Freedom Charter, and is quite content to manage a neo-colonial arrangement, facilitating EU and US control of African resources, not unlike the PNCR, who have betrayed the Sophia Declaration, and are also facilitating the plunder of Guyana’s resources in the name of “Black empowerment”.

Like Organization for

the Victory of the People (OVP) here in Guyana, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) under the leadership of former ANC youth leader Julius Malema are leading the charge when it comes to resisting neoliberalism and completing the national liberation struggle initiated by the African National Congress, Pan Africanist Congress, Azanian People's Organization, and others.

The EFF is now the third largest party in both houses of Parliament, having received 1,169,259 votes in the 2014 elections. Its members dress as miners and maids in parliament to reflect the people they represent. With more than half a million members and growing, they have relentlessly opposed Zuma’s corrupt leadership and the ANC’s neo-liberal agenda. Their battle cry is “economic justice in our lifetime”.

EFF has just issued a statement vowing to oppose Ramaphosa, stating that he is every bit as corrupt as Zuma.

In Azania, as in Guyana, Black faces in high places has not translated into liberation for Black people, who remain impoverished, exploited and marginalized despite the vast wealth of their countries. In both countries, the struggle for true independence, economic justice, human advancement and dignity in a genuinely multi-cultural society continues.

God willing, our day will come.

Sincerely, Gerald A Perreira Leader Organisation for the Victory of the People (OVP)

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Talking with teens about for children: 10 common questions answered STIs

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arents need to know that using antibiotics when they are not the right medicine will not help and may even cause harm to children.

Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infections and they target bacteria, not viruses. Before prescribing an antibiotic, your child's doctor will find out if it is the right medicine to treat your child's infection.

Read on for answers from the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) to common questions about the use of antibiotics. Talk with your child's doctor if you have other questions.

1. My child has a really bad cold. Why won't the doctor prescribe an antibiotic?

Colds are caused by viruses. Antibiotics are used specifically for infections caused by bacteria. In general, most common cold symptoms – such as runny nose, cough, and congestion – are mild and your child will get better without using any medicines.

2. Don't some colds turn into bacterial infections? So why wait to start an antibiotic?

In most cases, bacterial infections do not follow viral infections. Using antibiotics to treat viral infections may instead lead to an infection caused by resistant bacteria.

Also, your child may develop diarrhoea or other side effects.

If your child develops watery diarrhoea, diarrhoea with blood in it, or other side effects while taking an antibiotic, call your child's doctor.

3. Isn't a nose draining yellow or green mucus a sign of a bacterial infection?

During a common cold, it is normal for mucus from the

nose to get thick and to change from clear to yellow or green.

Symptoms often last for 10 days.

Sinusitis is a term that means inflammation of the lining of the nose and sinuses.

A virus or allergy can cause sinusitis and in some cases, bacteria can be the cause.

There are certain signs that bacteria may be involved in your child's respiratory illness.

If your child has a common cold with cough and green mucus that lasts longer than 10 days, or if your child has thick yellow or green mucus and a fever higher than 102°F (39°C) for at least 3 or 4 days, this may be a sign of bacterial sinusitis.

If your child has developed bacterial sinusitis (which is uncommon), an antibiotic may be needed.

Before an antibiotic is prescribed, your child's doctor will ask about other signs and examine your child to make sure an antibiotic is the right medicine.

4. Aren't antibiotics supposed to treat ear infections?

Not all ear infections are treated with antibiotics. At least half of all ear infections go away without antibiotics. If your child does not have a high fever or severe ear pain, your child's doctor may recommend observation initially.

Because pain is often the first and most uncomfortable symptom of ear infection, your child's doctor will suggest pain

medicine to ease your child's pain. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are over-thecounter pain medicines that may help lessen much of the pain. Be sure to use the right dose for your child's age and size. In most cases, pain and fever will improve within the first one to two days.

There are also ear drops that may help ear pain for a short time. You can ask your child's doctor if your child should use these drops. Over-the-counter cold medicines (decongestants and antihistamines) don't help clear up ear infections and are not recommended for young children.

Your child's doctor may prescribe antibiotics if

your fever that is more severe ear infection in both

child has increasing, pain, and eardrums.

5. Aren’t antibiotics used to treat all sore throats?

No. More than 80 per cent of sore throats are caused by a virus. If your child has sore throat, runny nose, and a barky cough, a virus is the likely cause and a test for “strep” is not needed and should not be performed.

Antibiotics should only be used to treat sore

throats caused by group A streptococci. Infection caused by this type of bacteria is called “strep throat.” Strep throat generally affects schoolaged children and not children younger than three years.

If your child’s doctor suspects strep throat based on your child’s symptoms, a strep test should always be performed. If the test is positive, antibiotics will be prescribed.

6. Do antibiotics cause any side effects?

Side effects can occur in 1 out of every 10 children who take an antibiotic. Side effects may include rashes, allergic reactions, nausea, diarrhoea, a n d stomach p a i n .

M a k e sure you let your c h i l d ’s doctor know if your child h a s h a d a reaction to antibiotics.

Sometimes a rash will occur during the time a child is taking an antibiotic. However, not all rashes are considered allergic reactions. Tell your child’s doctor if you see a rash that looks like hives (red welts); this may be an allergic reaction. If your child has an allergic reaction that causes an itchy rash, or hives, this will be noted in her medical record.

7. How long does it take an antibiotic to work?

Most bacterial infections improve within 48 to 72 hours

of starting an antibiotic. If your child’s symptoms get worse or do not improve within 72 hours, call your child’s doctor.

If your child stops taking the antibiotic too soon, the infection may not be treated completely and the symptoms may start again.

8. Can antibiotics lead to resistant bacteria?

The repeated use and misuse of antibiotics can lead to resistant bacteria. Resistant bacteria are bacteria that are no longer killed by the antibiotics commonly used to treat bacterial infection. These resistant bacteria can also be spread to other children and adults.

It is important that your child use the antibiotic that is most specific for your child’s infection rather than an antibiotic that would treat a broader range of infections.

If your child does develop an antibiotic-resistant infection, a special type of antibiotic may be needed.

Sometimes, these medicines need to be given by IV (vein) in the hospital.

9. What are antiviral medicines?

Influenza (flu) is a viral infection that can cause cold symptoms for which an antiviral medicine will work.

An antiviral medicine may be prescribed for children that are at higher risk of becoming severely ill if they get the flu.

For most other viruses causing cough and cold symptoms, there are no antiviral medicines that work or are recommended.

10. How can I use antibiotics safely?

Antibiotics aren’t always the answer when your child is sick. Ask your child’s doctor what the best treatment is for your child.

Ask your child’s doctor if the antibiotic being prescribed is the best for your child’s type of bacterial infection. For instance, certain antibiotics such as azithromycin are no longer effective for the bacteria causing most ear and sinus infections.

Antibiotics work against bacterial infections. They don’t work on colds and flu.

Make sure that you give the medicine exactly as directed.

Don’t use one child’s antibiotic for a sibling or friend; you may give the wrong medicine and cause harm.

Throw away unused antibiotics. Do not save antibiotics for later use; some out-of-date medicines can actually be harmful. Call Poison Help at 1-800-2221222 or check the US Food and Drug Administration Web site for information on the safe disposal of medicines. (healthychildren.

org)

…an open conversation can bolster prevention efforts

By Jon Lasser, PhD

Why talk to your teen about Sexually Transmitted Infections?

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any parents are concerned with the health and safety of their children, but may when it comes to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), it can be hard to talk about prevention.

Parents tell their children to look both ways for traffic before crossing the street. When a child falls down, a caring parent picks him up, gives a reassuring hug and perhaps puts a bandage on to make it better. These are simple ways to show you care.

But when it comes to talking with your child about sex and the risks associated with unprotected sex, parents may not know how or when to have “the talk”. Many parents never received high quality sexuality education themselves.

Times have changed a lot since many parents first learned about sex. Today's youth are much more likely to access online pornography and may be exposed to sexual images without adequate information about STI prevention. This is of great concern because in many cases, a sexually transmitted infection causes no visible symptoms. However, it is very important to note that even when there are no obvious symptoms of an STI, damage to the reproductive organs can still occur. Silence, or lack of awareness, can have devastating effects on the body, mind, and emotional wellbeing of a person. Education about sex, on the other hand, can help adolescents make responsible choices.

Sexual risk taking among teens happens at levels that may surprise parents.

By the spring of their senior year, about two thirds of high school students have had sex, putting them at risk for pregnancy and contracting an STI. Young people age 15 to 24 make up nearly half of the new cases of STIs each year. At the same time, the numbers that support the effectiveness of sexual education in preventing STI and pregnancy are promising.

Some research shows that rates of getting an STI decline after comprehensive sexuality education is implemented.

Though many parents are afraid that talking with their kids about sex will “put ideas in their heads” and increase their teens’ sexual behaviour. There is no evidence to support this myth.

Parents are their children’s first and most important educators. While it may be awkward or embarrassing to discuss sexual health with adolescents, this willingness to be brave, open and honest can help to prevent a number of problems: teen pregnancy, STIs, sterility, certain types of cancer and early death. If your child has not yet had sex, or has already had one or more sex partners, if s/he has contracted an STI, or is at risk of doing so, there is no time like right now to show you still care about her/his lifelong health and safety. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

To be continued

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Cross-dresser killed in Vreed-en-Hoop accident …but family says he was murdered

By Kizzy Coleman

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ross-dresser Donneikel Campbell, called “Mogo”, of an unknown address in Georgetown, allegedly met his demise at about 03:45h on Sunday after he reportedly jumped into the path of a vehicle at Vreed-enHoop, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

According to reports, the 28-year-old Campbell was a pedestrian when he was struck by motor car PRR 5279, being driven by a 40-year-old resident of Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Guyana Times understands that the motor car was proceeding west along the southern carriageway when Campbell suddenly dashed across the road and into the path of the vehicle.

He was struck, and reportedly fell onto the roadway in an unconscious condition.

Having received severe head and other injuries to his body, Campbell was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where he was admitted but later succumbed to his injuries.

A breathalyser test showed no alcohol on the breath of the driver of the motorcar, but he has since

Donniekel Campbelle

been taken into Police custody.

Cry foul

However, when this publication visited the home of Campbell’s relatives at Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, his mother, Shunay Gooding, was adamant that her son had met his demise as a result of foul play.

The woman, who had lost another son to murder three years ago, said she was informed of the accident later on Sunday morning. She reported that she was visited by a Police Officer, who informed her of what had transpired on the West Coast of Demerara.

According to Gooding, Campbell had moved from Ann’s Grove to live in Georgetown a while ago, but he would visit the West Coast of Demerara to check on friends that he had living there.

Having receiving the news of Campbell’s demise, Gooding and other relatives of the late Campbell visited the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, where they were able to speak with the driver of the motorcar which had struck him.

“When we go to the Police Station, we saw the driver, and he telling me the story that how this bai run into he car,” Gooding explained in tears.

The mother relayed that after the driver gave his account of events, her family was shown the car, and it was then that they doubted his story.

“If you see my son size.

He say that this bai run into his car, but he car only got a small thing. So me say that this bai isn’t a mad person; you didn’t see when he coming? He say, ‘Yes, but de boy done jump into the car’. I asked if someone was chasing him, and he said, ‘No’,” Gooding relayed.

The woman is speculating that her son was killed

because of some misunderstanding he had with the driver of the car. She revealed that when checks were made inside the vehicle which had struck him, she saw his earing and sheets.

“Got to be some wrong thing play out there and (the driver) kill he (Campbell), and then he want put it over as an accident. He (Campbell) is a gay, so he mussy had business with him (the driver) and something went wrong. All my son had was one long chop by his ears. Is a wrong deal!” she insisted.

“He had a sheet in the car, so I asked him what the sheet doing there if he just pick up this man from the road after the accident, and up to now he can’t answer me,” the distraught mother revealed. According to Campbell’s sister, even if the sheet was already inside of the vehicle, questions are being raised because the sheet was without any sign of blood.

“If what he is reporting to the Police is true and ‘Mogo’ was indeed involved in the accident, I don’t see how the sheet that he said was in his car was without any trace of blood. How can someone with such a huge cut after an accident be placed on a

sheet and not one speck of blood can be found on the sheet? Impossible! It’s foul play!” the angry teen speculated.

She reminded that the driver reported that Campbell had jumped in front of his vehicle, but the only damages visible on the

vehicle were to the side.

Campbell, who was described as a very fun-loving and friendly person, leaves to mourn his mother and four sisters.

An investigation has been launched into the accident.

1 arrested after robbery under arms at Ithaca

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man who reportedly carried out a daring robbery on a taxi driver at Ithaca, Berbice is now in Police custody after he was arrested at Number Four Settlement, West Bank Berbice on Sunday.

Reports are that the man, in the company of another, pounced on the victim whose car they used to take them to Rosignol, Berbice from Ithaca.

The suspects reportedly boarded the car around 19:35h, but shortly after, one of them reportedly requested that the victim stop as he forgot his cell phone.

However, when the man stopped, one of the suspects placed a gun to his head and they relieved him of his valuables – his cellphone, a gold ring and his wallet which contained some $12,000 – before making good their escape.

The matter was reported and the Police acting on information received went to the Number Four Settlement, where one of the suspects was apprehended.

He has since been positively identified by the victim. The other suspect, however, is still being sought by ranks as investigations continue.

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Soesdyke residents arrested after robbing 50-year-old

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wo Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD) residents who robbed a 50-year-old man on Saturday have been taken into Police custody.

The suspects were caught on Saturday afternoon with the stolen items in their possession.

According to reports, the 24-year-old and 22-year-old were intercepted around 13:40h in a motor car.

Guyana Times understands that the men reportedly broke and en-

tered the storage room of the 50-year-old resident of Timehri Base Road, EBD and removed several items, including an electrical saw, six block-making and spindle mouldings, and a water pump engine.

However, Police, while carrying out investigations into reports made by the victim, stopped the suspects and the items were found hidden in the motor car in which they were travelling.

They are said to be assisting with investigations.

Fixing…

T The stolen items recovered by Police

11-year-old in need of $4.5M for urgent life-changing surgery in India

By Lakhram Bhagairat

F

or 11-year-old Shakira Peters, of Linden, growing up is not as fun as it is supposed to be.

For her every day is a struggle, a struggle to wake up, a struggle to smile, a struggle to move, a struggle to play.

She has been diagnosed with

sickle cell anaemia since she was two years old and has always been in and out of the hospital.

Since being diagnosed, Shakira has suffered two major strokes and is now wheelchair bound. She is in constant pain and for the past two years, her mother, Nicola Peters, has been working

tirelessly, pleading with corporate Guyana and private citizens to help get Shakira to India for an emergency bone marrow transplant.

Shakira’s eldest sister has been identified as the donor and the trio would require approximately $10 million to travel to India to have the surgery conducted at the Artemis Health Institute.

They are expected to stay there for approximately six to eight weeks.

Peters told Guyana Times that she began raising money since June 2016 and thus far has been able to raise over $5.5 million inclusive of $3 million donated by the Public Health Ministry. The distressed woman said that after the surgery, her daughter would be able to walk again and to lead a normal life.

She noted that her eldest daughter, the donor, was 14 years old and was a student of the Linden Special School since she has poor muscle

Shakira Peters

strength. Peters said that she was unable to work since daycare centres refuse to take Shakira because of her fragility.

Thus far, TravelSpan have donated three airline tickets for the trio to fly to New York and they would be required to pay US$3100 for a flight from New York to India.

Peters explained that they were expected to leave for India by the end of the first week in March, but she was actively trying to raise the funds to pay for their tickets. The trio was scheduled to leave for India in August of last year, but the lack of finances prevented that.

“I went into the interior and I worked a little and I had some donation boxes at various places. So far, we have been receiving some donations from companies and people and I have been trying to work and get too,” she related.

Peters said Shakira did not leave for surgery this time around, she was afraid of what would happen. She explained that her child’s condition continued to worsen and she has moved from requiring blood once every two months to twice per month.

The worried mother also indicated that her daughter required O+ blood, which was hard to source.

The family would host regular blood drives so that they could source the requisite amount of blood for Shakira’s survival.

Persons willing to make a donation can do so by making a deposit to Republic Bank account 7660129 or contact Nicola Peters on 444-8420 or 684-7683.

…or spinning wheels on Third Force here seems to be an effort to jump-start another “Third Force” in Guyana today; and former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran attempted to rationalise it in his column from yesterday. This Third Force idea’s been floated time and again as a way to break the debilitating stand-off between the PPP and PNC – parties which obtain their support from ethnic Indian and African voters, who are closely matched in size.

The theory is simple but, unfortunately, also simplistic. It assumes there’s a bloc of voters who stand above the ethnic fray, and will “do the right thing” for Guyana if a party can weld them into this “Third Force”. However, since Ramkarran conceded ethnic voting won’t disappear, your Eyewitness wonders why he even considered the possibility that a Third Force can win it all. Even the name “Third Force” assumes such a grouping can’t win – by accepting the continued existence of the other two “forces” that would be larger than it.

The most credible “Third Force” was the WPA at the 1992 elections, and we know how ignominious their defeat was. They hit all the “right” notes – good pedigree (Rodney), credible leaders from all the ethnic groups, good manifesto, working for Guyana etc,etc.

They – and a host of the chattering class -- were convinced they’d win. Yet they received barely 2% of the votes compared to the PNC’s 42% - after the PNC had immiserated (their presidential candidate Thomas’s word) all Guyana – ethnically defined or otherwise.

Next up was the AFC, launched in 2006. The three politicians from the PNC, PPP and WPA who became its leaders – Trotman, Ramjattan and Holder – benefited from the ambiguity of who floated them.

Like Ramkarran, they insisted they’d deny the two big parties a majority and hold the “balance of power” – voting with one or the other, depending on what benefited Guyana the most.

But the experience of the AFC is what will guarantee the failure of any new “Third Force”. What could the new cast of characters say or do to GUARANTEE they won’t go the way of the AFC?? Meaning, to become a footstool of one of the two big parties just for “self and power”? The answer is nothing!! Ramkarran’s counting on the “middle class” from the “Mixed” demographic to provide the bulk of the support base of the new Third Force. RISE? But it’s not immediately clear why he’s conflating the two totally divergent group categories of ‘class” and “ethnicity”.

He seems to forget that ethnicity provides the instrumental economic imperative of class plus the affective emotional pull of identity.

Just look where the putatively middle-class, “Mixed”, Raphael Trotman is today!!

…the elections result for 2020 The Chairman of Region 1 recently complained about the APNU MP of the Region being integrally involved in the distribution of birth certificates. Now, at first blush, it might seem the Chairman’s looking a gift horse in the mouth, since birth certificates in the “interior” regions aren’t that much of a routine as it is for those closer to Georgetown.

But we’ve got to be alert to several things going on here. While the MP should be concerned about his constituency getting their birth certificates, he ought not to be directly involved in the job of the bureaucracy!

They’re supposed to be apolitical. At a minimum, the act – highlighted also by the Director of Public Information – shows the PNC’s willingness to blur the lines between the executive and the bureaucracy. PNC paramountcy!!

But, more insidiously, since birth certificates are involved and these are the basis of registration of voters, one does not have to be a brain surgeon to figure out what else might be in store.

Padded lists? …oil contracts Government partisans are excusing Trotman’s oil giveaways because the terms of the just released CGX contract are similar. The fly in the ointment with that excuse is to overlook the elephant in the room.

Trotman renegotiated his contract AFTER a billionbarrel oil strike!!

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

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monDAY, february 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Oil sector

Former AG defends CGX contract – says comparing contract with 2016 PSA is desperate

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n the wake of the release of the 2013 oil contract between Government and CGX Resources Incorporated, comparisons were made between that contract and the Exxon agreement. However, the Attorney General at the time of the signing of the CGX contract has raised a staunch defence of the agreement.

According to former Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, the CGX contract was signed in circumstances that are starkly different from when the coalition Government signed its controversial contract with Exxon. In a statement, he called it desperate to even compare the two documents.

“The attempt by the Government at comparing the 2016 Petroleum Agreement which it entered into with ExxonMobil with similar agreements entered into by the PPP/Civic Administration

is nothing but a desperate, pathetic and asinine attempt at damage control,” Nandlall said. “It is the most incompetent attempt at mitigating one of the most lopsided contracts perhaps ever negotiated,” he declared.

“At the time when the PPP/ Civic Government negotiated these contracts, the realities were radically and fundamentally different. There was no conclusive evidence that we had oil in commercial quantities, moreover and certainly, in the quantities numbering billions of barrels. Additionally, when some of those contracts were signed, our border controversy with Suriname was not yet resolved,” he advanced.

Nandlall pointed out that when the ExxonMobil agreement was negotiated in 2016, there was confirmation of an estimated three-billion-barrel oil reserve in the Stabroek Block’s Liza project.

In May of the preceding year, Exxon had confirmed that more than 295 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone reservoirs had been encountered at its Liza 1 well.

Discoveries have since been made at the Payara, Snoek and Liza Deep wells.

CGX, whose entire portfolio is focused on Guyana, has meanwhile not yielded the success of Exxon, with three dry holes being drilled in 2005.

“For this Government to even think that sensible Guyanese will gobble up this clumsy propaganda is not only a crass insult to our collective intelligence, but it demonstrates how extraordinarily naive the Government is,” Nandlall noted.

The contract

Government on Saturday released the contract with CGX. In a statement that accompanied the news that the

B Division ranks awarded for sterling service, performance

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everal officers, members of the business community and members of the media fraternity were recipients of awards when the Guyana Police Force’s B Division (Berbice) held its annual award ceremony recently.

Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Lyndon Alves, during his address, noted that “the Police are the servants of the public”.

“Therefore, they should continue to serve and be prepared to deliver quality services to ensure citizens can once again sleep with their doors open.”

It was against this backdrop Assistant Commissioner Alves related that the B Division took the initiative to show its appreciation to those who have worked tirelessly and those who have assisted in the work of the Police during 2017.

“I appreciate the support from my Deputy Commander and other ranks from the time I took up my post here in 2017 and I am looking forward to the full support of my Deputy and all the ranks from the Division in 2018,” Alves added.

Reminding attendees of

Best Cop awardee, Deputy Commander Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper the plan which was drafted when he took command of the Division to ensure safe communities in Berbice, the Assistant Commissioner noted that much success has been achieved. The plan, he noted, has seen the reduction of crime in Berbice.

Deputy Commander, Senior Superintendent Edmond Cooper, who had initiated the award ceremony several years ago whilst stationed in Berbice, remarked

that while it was a small gesture, he was optimistic that it would go a far way in ensuring that ranks were encouraged to provide quality service that was second to none.

Cooper too noted that the Division has seen a massive reduction in criminal activities and expressed optimism that this would continue in 2018.

He pointed to the fact that corruption was one of the issues that destroy the fabric of society and more so the relationship between society and Police. “We are thankful that during the year 2017, we hadn’t so many reports of corruption among our ranks. Let us give ourselves a tap on the back for achieving this milestone,” Senior Superintendent Cooper said.

Among the recipients of awards were Best Cop Senior Superintendent Cooper; Runner-up Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Elton Davidson and ASP John Singh. Special awards were given to Commander Alves, former Commander Paul Williams and retired Commander Ian Amsterdam among others.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

contract was released, the Natural Resources Ministry promised that “over the coming weeks and months, as all aspects for the release are worked out with the operators, the remaining Agreements will be released in similar fashion.”

Under Article 11, ‘Cost Recovery and Production sharing’ heading of the contract which was signed on February 12th, 2013, the then Government has agreed to accept a one per cent royalty in addition to a 53 per cent share of profit oil and gas, after re-

coverable costs have been satisfactorily negotiated. This is provided that the company moves from exploration to production.

The contract states: “All recoverable contract costs incurred by the contractor shall, subject to the terms and conditions of any agreement relating to non-associated gas… be recovered from the value… of a volume of crude oil or natural gas produced from the contract area, and limited in any month to an amount which equals 75 per cent of the total production from the contract area for such month…”

This is a greater share than the 50 per cent share the coalition Government would come to negotiate with ExxonMobil three years later. The one per cent royalty was, in fact, contained in the original 1999 Exxon agreement, until it was increased by one per cent by the coalition in 2016.

Oil companies -- in this case CGX -- are expected to use revenue from their production in order to recoup their capital investment. This will be categorized as “cost oil”. Whatever remains of this is the ‘profit oil,’ which Guyana would have

to split with the oil company and its associates, if there are any.

When it comes to relinquishment, Article Five of the contract states: “If, prior to the end of the initial period of the Petroleum Prospecting Licence issued to the contractor under Article 3.1, an application is made by the contractor for renewal of the Licence under section 24 (1) of the Act, the contractor shall relinquish at the end of the initial period an area equal to at least 15 per cent of the original contract area…”

It goes on to say: “If, prior to the end of the first renewal period… an application is made by the contractor for a second renewal of the licence, under section 24 (1) of the Act, the contractor shall then relinquish at the end of the first renewal period an area equal to at least 25 per cent of the original contract area…”

This was invoked last year when the Canadian company gave up 25 per cent of its concessions after renegotiating its work commitments. As a consequence, its blocks in the Corentyne and in Demerara have reverted to the state.

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monDAY, February 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cotton Tree man dies after car plunges into canal

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wenty-one-year-old Rafike Mohammed of Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice was killed, and two other persons sustained injuries after the vehicle in which they were travelling reportedly became uncontrollable and ended up in a canal at Number 6 Village, West Coast Berbice.

This accident reportedly occurred at some time around 01:45h on Sunday, when three persons in a pick-up vehicle were travelling along the West Coast Berbice highway at an allegedly fast rate of speed.

According to reports received, Mohammed and another person were in the

Dead: Rafike Mohammed

tray of the pick-up when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a turn. The vehicle reportedly toppled several times before com-

ing to a halt on its side in a nearby trench.

‘B’ Division Commander Lyndon Alves confirmed to Guyana Times that one life has been lost while the other two occupants have been hospitalised for the injuries they sustained.

He explained that the Police are awaiting the results of a post mortem examination to ascertain whether Mohammed was killed when the pick-up toppled, or if he drowned after the vehicle plunged into the canal.

Meanwhile, the driver remains under guard, since he was found to be above the legal limit in terms of alcohol consumption.

New Demerara River crossing

Govt allowing contractors to lead project – Jagdeo ...reiterates non-support for medium level open bridge

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he Opposition People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has criticised Government for the approach it has taken in regard to implementation of the New Demerara River Crossing project, wherein it is allowing the contractors to take the lead in helping to design the new bridge.

General Secretary of the PPP/C, Bharrat Jagdeo, has described this move as incompetent, and has said it only shows how unsure the Government is about what is

it undertaking.

Jagdeo recalled that the aim was to have three contractors who would provide proposals either to fund the bridge or have a public/private partnership (PPP) with the Government. Instead, the Opposition Leader has claimed, Government is waiting on the three handpicked contractors to decide on the design.

“Nowhere in the world has this happened. When we built the Berbice Bridge, we decided from the beginning that we wanted a public/ private partnership. We developed a prospectus and a financial model for the bridge. We changed the laws for a PPP, and we went out for tender for investors,” he said.

Jagdeo has said that, in the case of the new Demerara River Crossing project, the contractor will be leading the project. He also reiterated his party’s non-support for a bridge which has to open, as currently obtains.

“We will support the Government if it goes with a high-level bridge that is fixed; that has no opening. And once

Gail Teixeira had outlined that the company had not tendered for the project, but was awarded the multi-million-dollar contract.

“I therefore call on the Public Procurement Commission under Article 212 AA (1) (a), (c), (d), (g), (i), and (j) of the Guyana Constitution to immediately investigate the process and procedures used for the bidding, selection and the award of tender to a company, LievenseCSO, that did not tender for the consultancy of the Feasibility Study and designs of a new Demerara River Crossing,” Teixeira said to the PPC head, in her letter which was dated September 18, 2017.

The Opposition Chief Whip detailed that, back in January last year, it was reported that some 22 companies had responded to a public advertisement, and had submitted expressions of interest for a consultancy for the feasibility study and design of a new Demerara River crossing.

She cited media reports detailing that the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s Chief Works Officer, Geoffrey

An artist’s impression of the new Demerara Bridge

it is transparently pursued, we will support the Government,” he added.

The Opposition has long said it would not support a medium-level bridge that has to open. Jagdeo said the Government has a responsibility to define the parameters.

“Because we don’t want to be stuck with such a project in the next two years; and if we get into office, we will have to fix something that is not in the best interest of Guyana,” he explained.

During last year, the PPP/C had lodged a formal complaint with the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), calling for an investigation into the selection and award of a $146 million contract to Dutch firm LievenseCSO for the feasibility study of the new Demerara River Crossing/Bridge.

In a letter to the Chairperson of the PPC, Carol Corbin, Opposition Chief Whip

Vaughn, had disclosed that the Ministry had already evaluated the tenders and had handed over the list to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) for processing.

Teixeira went on to outline that it was also reported “on December 8, the National Procurement & Tender Administration opened the bids from seven European and four Chinese companies, which signalled their interests. Several other overseas companies have applied for the contract, some in partnership with local firms”.

Besides replacing the outdated Demerara Harbour Bridge, the new Demerara River crossing is geared at reducing traffic congestion; but based on projections, a few years after the completion of the proposed bridge, the administration will be required to construct another bridge.

Truck driver arrested with unlicensed gun, ammo

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truck driver has been taken into custody after he was on Sunday morning arrested by Police with a gun and ammunition for which he did not possess a firearm licence.

The suspect, a 27-yearold driver of Adams Road, Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD) was reportedly arrested by Police on the Back Road, Soesdyke.

Guyana Times understands that around 04:20h, Police of A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) swooped down on the premises at the abovementioned address and made the bust.

The driver was found with the pistol along with 10 matching rounds of ammunition.

He is expected to proceed to the courts shortly.

NEWS

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monDAY, February 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 1 Chairman complains about Govt’s interference in State agencies

Local Govt Elections

“AFC has taken a sensible R position” – Dr Hinds …as party plans to engage APNU to contest with coalition

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he decision taken by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Alliance For Change (AFC) to consider joining with the coalition parties to contest the Local Government Elections (LGE) under one ticket has been described as a sensible position that could help the Government.

Political analyst Dr David Hinds has said that the dynamics of the coalition meant that should the parties contest the elections separately, they would be fighting each other for the same voters.

“And that could create bad blood among them, which would then make it difficult for them to come together for the general election a year or so later,” Hinds told Guyana Times on Sunday.

He opined that it was hard to “convince people that you are serious about coalition politics if you fight each other at one election and then try to come together for another election”.

According to Dr Hinds, the only attraction for the AFC to contest the LGE by itself is if it can be assured of getting a section of the Indo-Guyanese vote. However, Dr Hinds said, from all indications, that is a long shot, as it appears that the Indo-Guyanese vote the AFC got in 2015 has returned to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

“So, from the standpoint of electoral survival, it makes sense for the AFC to want to avoid going alone. I think the party has finally confronted the tenuous electoral fortunes of third parties in Guyana.”

The Working People’s Alliance (WPA) executive also thinks that if the AFC contests with the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), it would be doing so from a weakened position. And unlike the case of the Cummingsburg Accord, it now has to demonstrate to constituencies to use that as a bargaining chip.

Close to one month after announcing that it may break

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman

away from APNU/AFC for this year’s LGE, the AFC has now decided to reconsider.

The party said this decision was made at the NEC, the second highest decision-making organ of the AFC, following a duly-constituted meeting on Saturday, February 17, 2018.

“National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Alliance For Change (AFC) having met on February 17, 2018 at a duly constituted meeting, has mandated the Leader of the Party to engage the A Partnership For National Unity (APNU) in discussion that could see the parties contesting the 2018 Local Government Elections as a coalition,” the party stated.

AFC Leader Raphael Trotman is now expected to write President David Granger outlining the party’s position on the way forward and specific issues that are of concern to the AFC. In January, Trotman told a news conference that, “There is a strong opinion of body within the party that we should go alone.” However, in the same breath, he said that there was another view that the AFC should seek to enter a new accord.

The party leader explained that the Cummingsburg Accord that was signed between the AFC and APNU in 2015 was just to facilitate the General Election and did not include local elections.

“We are currently assess-

ing the views of the various party leaders here in Guyana and outside of Guyana, and we would have met with the APNU and other parties to get a sense … and make a decision well before the date is announced for Local Government Elections,” he added.

The AFC has, of recent, come under fire for the perceived submissive role it played when it joined forces with APNU. In mid-November 2017, the top leadership of the AFC had decided to revise its governing agreement with its coalition partner. This decision was taken after the AFC – the smaller of the two groups forming the Government – was accused of being coerced by its large partner.

Speaking about the discussions surrounding the review of this Accord, Trotman said that it was still on the party’s agenda and it has sought to get some other views to begin the process.

“We have, in fact, identified a team that will represent us in upcoming talks, because, like I said, the Accord has a lifespan of a minimum of three years and a maximum of five. And it was geared primarily towards national elections. It was very silent on Local Government Elections,” he explained.

During the recent NEC meeting, issues relating to the Cummingsburg Accord were discussed with the aim of critically analysing its operationalisation and the expectation of AFC members that “this still relatively new arrangement will concretise a new era of good governance and development in Guyana”.

According to the party, the meeting also acknowledged that there were areas in the relationship that were working well and others that needed to examined, clearly defined and strengthened.

An AFC team was identified to discuss these areas with APNU.

Govt MP recovering in ICU after falling ill

M

inister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings on Saturday upon returning from travel duties took the opportunity to visit an ailing Member of Parliament (MP), who was admitted to the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday, after going to the facility complaining of ill health.

Currently recovering in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the tertiary heath institution is MP Rajcoomarie Gloria Bancroft, a regional advocate for Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni), who sits on the Government benches in the National Assembly.

Out of concern, Minister Cummings thought it best to render some sort of support to her colleague and to ensure that the MP was assured of the optimum service she

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings, reaches out to Member of Parliament Rajcoomarie Gloria Bancroft, who is currently recovering at the Georgetown Public Hospital after a brief period of illness

would receive at the Hospital.

Minister Cummings believes that MP Bancroft would recover in a timely manner and be able to return to her duties as a regional advocate.

MP Bancroft is currently under observation after she had experienced severe dia-

betic complications. Her attending physician, Dr John Anderson, noted that “she is doing quite well”. She is being monitored and medical staff will continue to carry out the necessary procedures to ensure that Bancroft recovers well.

egion One (BarimaWaini) Chairman Brentnol Ashley has raised concerns over the active participation and involvement of Government Member of Parliament (MP), Richard Allen in the affairs and functions of several State agencies and elected bodies in the Region.

In a letter to the editor on Saturday, Ashley pointed out that this was happening although the A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) geographic parliamentarian was not employed at any of those agencies, nor elected to any.

In this regard, the Regional Chairman posited that Allen has no “locum stadi”.

He pointed to a recent article in the Guyana Chronicle titled, “Government Tackles low birth registration In Region One,” which reported in detail on MP Allen’s active involvement with the General Register’s Office (GRO) visiting team issuing birth certificates in the Region.

“While I commend the work of the Register’s Office for reaching out to Region One with the objective of ensuring the people of the Region are registered, I am questioning the transparency and equality of treatment due to MP Allen’s apparent “embedding” in the team’s day-to-day operations and process of the issuance of birth registration,” he said.

Ashley went on to disclose that he has even received reports of Allen personally distributing birth certificates in bulk to people in various communities.

With Local Government Elections due this year, birth registration documents are critical for the

Region One Chairman Brentnol Ashley

registration of voters and in the past, the Toshaos and other community leaders had been the ones who worked with the GRO team, since they were knowledgeable about the eligibility of residents in their communities.

However, the Regional Chairman pointed out that the fact that “Allen (is) accompanying and directing the GRO team as to who needs birth certificates and subsequent distribution of birth certificates, is highly questionable and suspect”.

In addition to the MP’s access to such personal and sensitive documents, Ashley went on to highlight that Allen has been distributing pension books despite the Social Protection Ministry’s objection to anyone other than staff members doing so.

“I can recall that at the [Regional Democratic Council] RDC at several statutory meetings, representation was made for Toshaos and other community leaders to be entrusted with uplifting and distributing pension books of aged persons in their communities who are from far-flung areas or are otherwise unable to travel long distances.

“When this recommen-

Government MP Richard Allen

dation was made by the RDC to the Ministry of Social Protection, it was informed that no individual that is not employed by the Ministry of Social Protection can uplift pension books to distribute, yet Councillors of the RDC have seen and received many reports that MP Richard Allen is distributing pension books on behalf of Ministry of Social Protection,” the Regional Chairman pointed out.

He further alleged that Allen’s actions even saw him accessing money from a Government Ministry to host a Christmas party for senior citizens, which was originally warranted for the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of Matarki.

“The majority of the Councillors are disturbed by and opposed to MP Allen’s apparent interference in the operation of these agencies and the NDC’s budget highlighted…,” the Chairman said.

He concluded by reminding all that the MP was not employed nor did he have any authority to be involved in or interfere with the functions of State bodies providing services within the Region. He also called for these agencies to put an immediate halt to his access and interference in their functions.

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monDAY, February 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

President promises improved Government services for Whitewater community

P

resident David Granger on Friday committed to ensuring that the residents of Whitewater Creek, Region One (Barima-Waini) receive enhanced services in the areas of education, infrastructural development and citizenship.

He announced that a new ferry has been procured for the Region, and committed to delivering a school boat and other educational services while ensuring that a team from the Ministry of Citizenship was dispatched to the area to achieve total registration in that village and surrounding communities.

In his address to residents at a community meeting, the President said that investments in education coupled with the development of the physical infrastructure and stimulation of the economy through increased agricultural activity, particularly agro-processing, will play a leading role in the transformation of the Region and the country.

In this regard, the President, who spoke of his Five Bs – “Boats, Buses and Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books” – programme and his National Endowment for Science and Technology (NEST), said that these programmes were part of Government’s efforts to ensure that every Guyanese child had access to education, as it was only through education that they could gain employment and become empowered, thereby contributing to the growth

Enmore workers ready to return to work under right conditions

President David Granger addressing the residents of Whitewater

and development of Guyana.

Whitewater already benefits from a 15-seater school bus under the Five Bs programme which takes secondary school students to school in Mabaruma. In addition to committing to providing a school boat and engine, President Granger said he would explore options to determine the possibility of providing another bus.

“From no school buses to 27. Similarly, there are a dozen boats; Pomeroon River has a boat, Essequibo River has a boat, Demerara River has a boat, Berbice River has a boat and, if you need a boat, if you need a boat here, I promise you that I will provide a boat for your children to go to school. Every child must go to school,” he said.

One resident noted that the community was particularly happy with the Five Bs initiative.

Citizenship

As far as registration is concerned, President Granger said he would ensure that a team from the Ministry of Citizenship visited Whitewater before midyear to complete registration services.

“This has been a problem, especially in the riverine areas. When I went into office in May 2015, I created a new Ministry of Citizenship, the first time we’ve had a Ministry of Citizenship because I’m very concerned that every Guyanese should be registered. So give me until July 1 and that team will be here, in Whitewater, in Region One, looking after your registration…,” he said.

ICT and infrastructure

Meanwhile, the President said that Government has been placing heavy emphasis on public infra-

structure programmes and Government would continue to work with the regional administration to ensure that Region One got its fair share of the budget for infrastructural development each year.

In addition to upgrades at the Mabaruma Airstrip, the Public Infrastructure Ministry is currently conducting works on the Mabaruma road, for the first time in history. Noting that works for 2018 have already been budgeted for, President Granger called on the regional administration to ensure that works for Whitewater and surrounding communities were included in the 2019 National Budget.

Whitewater Toshao Cleveland DeSouza, in his remarks, said that the community was grateful for the visit. “I am very happy to have you here. We are very much thankful to the Government for the improvement of our livelihoods within this part of the country. We are privileged to have our President here with us,” he said.

The Enmore Sugar Estate

E

nmore workers say they are eager to return to the sugar estate under the right conditions following Government’s announcement that it is reopening two sugar estates earlier in the week.

Workers who spoke with Guyana Times on Thursday morning said that they were in disbelief when word spread through the village about the Government’s sudden U-turn on the matter.

“I couldn’t believe it, but then another worker who is field supervisor tell me and I ask he if he sure. De man said yes and I tell my mistress that I might get back wuk,” one worker, Suresh Singh related.

He said that he was also surprised when he heard that the reopening of the estate would be limited and not for an indefinite period as he expected.

“Me ain’t really understand all dem fancy term, but I hear like is temporary work. Well, I want

Mr Granger to know that we want full-time, fullweek and permanent wuk … they were wrong to dismiss abee…we does work hard…I can barely survive, don’t worry that chicken feed severance,” he declared.

Another worker who identified himself as “Balram Singh” explained that he hoped the Government expedited the decision so that he could be able to handle some bills that were still outstanding.

“I ready to wuk. I is a man who don’t like deh home…I trying to do some construction work, but that is not for me, I am old man…All me life I wuk at Enmore…,” he related.

Other dismissed workers called on the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) to ensure that the right working conditions and pay were agreed to with the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and the Government’s Special Purposes Unit.

NEWS

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monDAY, February 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Brandon Harding crowned Carib Soca Monarch 2018

L

indener Brandon Harding was, in the wee hours of Sunday, crowned Carib Soca Monarch 2018 after outshining his nine other finalists at Durban Park, Georgetown.

The young man, who now resides in St. Lucia with his family, returned to Guyana to enter into the Carib Soca Monarch, which was on pause for two years. The return of the monarch saw new talent being exposed, thus giving the artistes a chance to showcase same to the world.

Winning the monarch was the expectation of the young Harding who, before the commencement of the competition, was full of confidence and energy. As the first performer, he set the bar for the others to follow and catch up, but this was indeed a huge task.

His performance was electrifying, as he set the stage on fire and, more so, had the crowd on his side.

Singing his tune "Alive" decked in all white did the job for the young musician.

His stage presentation and lyrics were enough to get the nod from the judges as the best of the best.

At one time, his “countrywoman” Diana Chapman seemed as though she was going to take the lead after her performance, and although she performed well, she just could not match up Harding's lively performance.

Eventually, the judges thought she was the third best in the competition.

However, coming in second was seasoned campaigner

Brandon Harding during his performance

Melissa Vanilla Roberts. She rocked the stage and had a great performance; but, in the end, the judges thought she was a few points short of Harding.

Coming in fourth was another Lindener, Lil Colwyn.

Some thought he should not have placed in the final four, but the judges thought otherwise.

Apart from the top four performers, some others did well and some not so well.

Jonathan "Lil Red" King, who has been competing in the competition for quite some time, failed to impress the crowd and ultimately the judges during his performance. His performance of "Paint, water and powder" needed some more energy to get the crowd hyped and moving.

Another performer, "Fluffy," with "Bam Bam," had a good start but failed to carry through with the same vibes and energy to the end.

In addition, Roger Hinds, who performed "Money," had a good stage entrance with some hiccups, but after a few minutes into his performance, he started to bash the former soca monarchs,

Jumo Primo and Kwasi Ace Edmondson.

However, at intermission, Edmondson replied to Hinds with a lyrical tongue-licking.

All in all, it was a good

night, even with a few disappointments. First, the competition, which was billed to commence at 20:00h, never got underway until after 23:00h.

At 22:30h, the host of the event, Tameka Henry, appeared on stage; and after a few minutes of rambling, she introduced the members of the Heatwaves Band, who, without a doubt, set the tone for the night with some high quality performances from Calvin Burnette and Mark Batson.

The Heatwaves dancers were also quite impressive with some energetic dance routines. At the end of the night, the newly crowned

The top four of the Carib Soca Monarch 2018 competition

Carib Soca Monarch walked away with $1.5 million in cash, the title, bragging rights, and a chance to rep-

resent Guyana at the international soca monarch competition in Trinidad and Tobago in February, 2019.

Education Ministry to relook at NAMS mismanagement concerns – GTU

I

ssues surrounding the management of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) continue to go unresolved, and parents and teachers cry out for a major intervention by the Education Ministry.

The school, which has a rich history, was once deemed one of the best institutions in the Region, but continues to disintegrate slowly owing to a number of issues that do not seem to have a resolution. In an effort to have their voices heard, parents and guardians on numerous occasions have written letters to newspapers so that the issues could be publicised.

Some of the concerns being aired are mismanagement of school funds, favouritism, bickering and

shockingly racial tension.

At the centre of these complaints was the acting Deputy Headmistress. Accusations of racial preference and favouritism were even made against the teacher.

When questioned about the issue, Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) General Secretary Coretta McDonald noted that the Union has received the reports and has adopted a position on them.

“Anything to do with racism the GTU stands firmly against. We see teachers, students, parents, we do not see race.”

Meanwhile, in a telephone interview, GTU President Mark Lyte informed Guyana Times that the Ministry was once again looking at the matter. “The Ministry is trying to see how

best they can resolve the issue,” Lyte stated.

It was reported that the acting Deputy Headmistress after the school board’s life had come to an end, had made provisions to reshuffle aspects of school life such as the management of the canteen.

In November of last year, it seemed like the concerns of the parents and teachers were finally answered when the controversial teacher in question was mandated to be transferred from the school to Vrymens Erven Secondary School with effect from 201801-02. However, it was reported that the Education Ministry’s decision was rescinded and the teacher remained at the NAMS. The school’s predicament has continued, this was in-

dicated by the holding of a Parent-Teachers Association (PTA) meeting in January, with the topic of discussion being ‘racial tension and transfers’. This came as a result of the Headmistress and acting Deputy’s differences, which have reportedly ballooned into them portraying racial tendencies. On the matter of transfers, 12 teachers have made requests to be transferred out of the school, as they are no longer comfortable in the stagnant environment. Those transfer requests have not been acknowledged. In similar fashion, an alarming number of parents are requesting transfers for their children while some students have already been transferred out of the institution, since the problems arose.

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monDAY, february 19, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cummingsburg Accord a sham – former AFC executive

W

hile the Alliance For Change (AFC) is singing the praises of the Cummingsburg Accord that brought it elections victory, a former executive member of the party is describing the agreement, three years later, as nothing more than a sham.

According to former AFC Executive Sasenarine Singh, the Accord was marketed particularly to the youths as a forerunner to change. This change, Singh noted, was supposed to fulfill the wishes of youth.

“However, history has exposed what a sham that promise proved to be; because, in reality, the Cummingsburg Accord has been one of the most dishonest documents (and) was hijacked by some very insincere people who cared little about the youths of Guyana.

“It was more a document to facilitate some fat pen-

sions and perks for some septuagenarians and octogenarians. To really talk about the Cummingsburg Accord, the entire situation must be given context. The way the Cummingsburg Accord was sold to the nation in 2015 was that it was going to be designed to reflect the wishes of the youths.”

Reflecting on his time spent campaigning with and for the AFC on the frontlines during the 2011 General and Regional elections, Singh noted that the youths wanted change and a more accountable government.

Singh also suggested that had the party’s co-founder, Sheila Holder, been alive today, she would have resisted an alliance with the People’s National Congress (PNC)dominated APNU due to her independence of thought.

Praise

Earlier this week, the Alliance For Change (AFC) Public Relations Committee had hailed the agreement in the wake of its anniversary.

Despite persistent analysis and criticism of the party’s passivity in matters ranging from unconstitutional appointments to massive loss of jobs in the sugar belt, the AFC maintained the accord’s usefulness.

“The Accord laid the foundation for the restoration of honour, dignity, credibility and unprecedented levels of accountability and transparency in executive governance in Guyana.

The Cummingsburg Accord is, without question or debate, one of the most significant partnership and collaborative agreements in the Caribbean’s political history,” the party had claimed.

“The Cummingsburg Accord is a sunset agreement for 3 to 5 years. The three-year mark has been reached. Having achieved the initial objectives of the restoration of the rule of law and order in our beloved

Former AFC Executive Sase Singh

country, the party has been reviewing the accord as we work with all parties with shared interests to unlock Guyana’s true potential,” the AFC had continued.

There have been other criticisms of the Accord, including the fact that certain provisions were never followed. The Accord had designated responsibilities, such as domestic affairs and chairing of the Cabinet, to AFC executive Moses Nagamootoo, the Prime Minister.

Ever since these things did not materialise, the Prime Minister has always had to defend against claims that his role was ceremonial. In addition, Nagamootoo has, for some time, expressed the need for a revised agreement.

In April of last year, Nagamootoo had said that he was of the firm opinion that a renegotiation of the Cummingsburg Accord was in high order. He had noted that the agreement was supposed to be for a limited time duration and that when the Government was midterm, it should be reviewed.

Former AFC General Secretary and Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson had, in the past, complained that the day-to-day administration of the Accord has been problematic, especially at the local level.

Prison Officer reportedly attacked, robbed by Police Corporal

A

Chief Prison Officer of High Park, Timehri, East Bank Demerara was, at about 01:00hr on Saturday, reportedly pounced upon by a group of men that included a Police Corporal, and robbed of $40,000 cash.

According to reports, the 43-year-old victim was standing on the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara when he suddenly found himself surrounded

by four males, one of whom was armed with a knife. He was held at knifepoint, and was relieved of the money.

The men then quickly made good their escape, but two of them were apprehended shortly afterwards by the Police. The money was found in their possession, and it was returned to the Prison Officer.

The Police are hunting the other suspects as investigations continue.

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monDAY, febrUARY 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

What should the Education Ministry do to curb bullying in schools across Guyana?

Denisia Chapman "I think in order to tackle bullying the Education Ministry should come up with a plan for officials to go into schools and teach students to be each other’s friends, and how they can be friendlier. Sometimes children act out what they see in the environment, but I think if we emphasise more that the bullying behaviour is not OK, especially from a school or educational level, then we might be able to get somewhere. "

Caesar McAlmont "This is a very important issue that simply needs to be addressed. I don't think enough attention is being placed on bullying in schools though it is an everyday issue which affects students of all ages. There needs to be an anti- bullying campaign and students could be encouraged to get on board with it. Parents also need to talk to their kids more about this issue. "

Don Deodat “I think the Ministry should launch a bully awareness week where the children participate in dress and colours to show the less unfortunate and differently able. Also, the Ministry should support the school in performing plays to bring bullying to the open and apply a non-tolerance approach to bullying in general. Make a point person in every school that’s easy to approach so as children meet in a neutral environment for them to have a conversation about their experience with bullies. Set laws in place where the bullies can be penalised”

Che Chung “They should have a random police patrol in the schools every month or two weeks in a month whereby officers go to the schools and speak of the consequences and penalties of a [being] bully and persons taking advantage of another and tell them what it's like to go to jail and let them know it's an offence to do one such act, and if after they finish school, what will happen to them if they continue with that behaviour as an adult where they will end up because not everyone out in society would make a report, but would more likely take action or consideration into their own hands; that's what I think”.

Paul Adams “They really can't do anything.

The people themselves have to devise a way to deal with bullies, because every day we have to deal with difficult people and people more aggressive than ourselves and we have to implement strategies on an individual level and if to say they should do something I would say teach children to learn to go smoke people out to learn who are your friends and foes from early and size up their peers and deal with them in a diplomatic matter and by, as far a means, to not let it get physical and if it does get physical, well, such is life sometimes.”

Nishelle Archibald “I had said that the Ministry of Education can have regular home visits done to see what type of home and background these children are coming from.

Also, they can have workshops to sensitise both parents and teachers on how to deal with bullying. They can have counsellors at schools or in the clusters in order to talk to the children to understand what are the issues affecting them to cause them to act out in such an aggressive manner. After finding out the issues, they can provide positive ways for the child to express themselves or deal with the issues bothering them.”

Elizabeth Charles “Once in a while, officers of the Ministry of Education should go in the schools and carry out investigations to see what’s going on, because some children will not tell anyone because they might be afraid that the children who bullying them will beat them up. The teachers have to open up and talk to them more and be their friend once in a while.”

Savetrie Goulcharran “I think they can stop bullying by talking to students and also by spreading awareness. Taking action can also be done.”

Sanae Williams “I think that a council should be set up especially for this matter and also make it compulsory for those that bully others to get detention.”

Debo Foo “The Ministry got to put stiffer penalty for them children who bullying children and even some teacher bullying children too, telling them that if they ain’t got money to do assignment, don’t come school.”

“The Ministry can implement stronger anti-bullying policies and place counsellors in every school so that students can have someone to speak to.”

Andrew Belle

Kariem Edwards “They can try to implement more strict rules and be more vigilant about what is happening in and out of class and try to have meetings with the parents of the bullies to let them know what their child is doing in schools.”

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monDAY, february 19, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, february 19, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Florida school shooting: Students to march on Washington

Y

oung survivors of Wednesday's school shooting in Florida have announced a national march on Washington to demand political action on gun control.

Student organisers told US media that they were determined to make Wednesday's shooting a turning point in the national gun debate.

The attack, which left 17 students and staff members dead, was the deadliest US school shooting since 2012.

On Saturday, protesters chanted "shame on you" at US lawmakers and the President.

President Donald Trump said last year he would "nev-

The students from Parkland have demanded "never again" in response to the shooting

er" infringe on the right to keep arms – a long-running and contested debate within the US. In his first public comments on the gun control issue since the attack, Trump

blamed the Democrats for not passing legislation when they controlled Congress during the early years of Barack Obama's administration.

He also rebuked the FBI

for missing signals before Wednesday's school shooting, after the organisation admitted it had failed to act on a tip-off about the suspected shooter Nikolas Cruz.

Speaking on US television networks on Sunday morning, student survivors from Marjory Stoneman Douglas announced their March for Our Lives campaign.

They are planning to march on Washington on March 24 to demand that children and their families "become a priority" to US lawmakers. They want other protests to happen simultaneously in other cities on the same day. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Carnival threat cases far from closed

Hunt for ISIS network head N etworks of the ISIS cell in Trinidad and Tobago which Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley referred to in Parliament are spread from Aranjuez, Charlieville and Enterprise to Rio Claro among other locations, a national security official has said.

They spoke on Friday night when asked by T&T Guardian to elaborate on Rowley’s earlier confirmation

that there is an ISIS cell in T&T. Rowley made the comment in response to questions from United National Congress (UNC) Member of Parliament Bhoe Tewarie about whether there was anything that could be considered an ISIS cell or satellite locally.

Rowley replied, “It’s common knowledge across the world that T&T citizens sub-

scribe to some of the doctrines of ISIS and persons from T&T have travelled to areas of combat in Iraq and Syria. Many have been intercepted in Turkey and Britain, some have been returned to T&T. “Some are in custody in foreign countries—persons who seek to join ISIS. And in fact, as ISIS has dispersed in Iraq and Syria, that doctrine has now been spread to home-

bound activities and, therefore, we have to be particularly concerned about such persons and the monitoring of such persons is an integral part of our national security. “... And the answer to the question is—yes.”

The matter came to the fore following police investigations into a plot to disrupt Carnival 2018 activities days before Carnival. (Excerpt from Trinidad

C

hina plans to pull 400,000 people out of dire poverty this year in its restive Xinjiang region as the central government fears a rise in the ranks of local armed groups.

A three-year poverty eradication plan will focus on the north-western region's 22 poorest counties, the official Xinhua

Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai mourned in Harare

Z

and sisters, and come together and mourn our former Prime Minister," he said after his visit.

"When we write the history of this country, we cannot leave out the participation and role that the former Prime Minister played in the effort to entrench democratic values in this country," Mnangagwa added.

The new president, who took over following the military ousting of longtime leader Robert Mugabe in November, called for "fair, free and credible" elections, which are due to take place this year.

Tsvangirai, the fiercest opponent of Zanu-PF rule, had led the opposition MDC since its formation in 1999.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Muslim Uighurs complain of religious and cultural discrimination, allegations that Beijing denies [How Hwee Young/EPA]

news agency reported on Sunday.

China launched a major security operation in the Muslim-majority ter-

All 65 passengers, crew feared dead in Iranian plane crash

A

ll 65 passengers and crew were feared dead in a plane crash in central Iran on Sunday after the domestic flight came down in bad weather in a mountainous region.

A spokesman for Iranian carrier Aseman Airlines had told State television that everyone was killed, but the airline then issued a statement saying it could not reach the crash site and could not “accurately and definitely confirm” that everyone died.

The airline had also initially said 60 passengers and six crew were on board the twin-engine turboprop

ATR 72 that was flying to the south-western city of Yasuj. But it later said there were a total of 65 people on board, as one passenger had missed the flight.

The Aseman-operated plane crashed near the town of Semirom after taking off from Tehran’s Mehrabad airport, emergency services spokesman Mojtaba Khaledi told ISNA news agency.

As night approached, bad weather prevented helicopters searching the probable crash site, but emergency workers were scouring the mountainous area by land, the television said. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Mexico's Foreign Minister to visit Jamaica, St Lucia

Guardian)

China launches anti-poverty drive in restive Xinjiang

imbabwe's President has called on all citizens to unite to mourn Opposition Leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who died of colon cancer last week.

A memorial service for Tsvangirai was held in a packed church in the capital Harare, while outside hundreds of supporters of his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) gathered.

Tsvangirai died in hospital in South Africa on February 15 at the age of 65.

He will be buried in his home village of Buhera on Tuesday.

President Emerson Mnangagwa visited Tsvangirai's family to offer condolences ahead of the service.

"Let us all be brothers

17

ritory in response to deadly violence that erupted in recent years that Beijing blames on ethnic Uighur "separatists".

Xinjiang is home to about 10 million Uighur Muslims who say they routinely face discrimination along with cultural and religious repression.

Beijing denies the allegations.

Hundreds of people have been killed in Xinjiang in violence between Uighurs, who speak a Turkic language, and migrants from the Han Chinese ethnic majority, especially in the Uighur dominated southern part of Xinjiang. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

M

Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray

exico’s Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray is scheduled to visit St Lucia early next month to discuss several projects being funded by his government.

According to a consul official, the visit will also include Jamaica and possibly Grenada.

Head of Corporation at the Castries Embassy, Imanol Belausteguigoitia told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), that while the Jamaican leg of the mission has been confirmed, the Grenada visit was still being arranged.

He said, however, that the visit to St Lucia was a follow-up to the State visit by Prime Minister Allen Chastanet to Mexico in October last year when Mexico agreed to fund a

number of infrastructure projects for the island.

“We are just completing a water treatment plant in the village of Dennery on the islands’ east coast, so the visit is essentially to review the infrastructure cooperation projects we are undertaking.

“When Prime Minister Chastanet visited in October he invited the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mexico to come to St Lucia and the foreign minister has had other invitations from other islands in the Caribbean as well,” the official told CMC. Concerning the pending trip to Grenada, he said: “It’s probably not going to be the same type of visit as the one to St Lucia, and we are still trying to find a suitable date”, but he declined to provide details of talks planned for Jamaica. (Excerpt from CMC)

Dagestan church shooting leaves 5 dead in Kizlyar

F

ive people have been killed in a shooting at a Christian church in the Russian republic of Dagestan.

Five others were also injured in the shooting, Russia's Interior Ministry said.

A local man fired at people leaving an evening service in the city of Kizlyar, Russia's Tass news agency said.

The attacker was shot and killed at the scene, and

Doctors examine wounded patients in a hospital in Kizlyar

two Police Officers were among the wounded, the news agency reports.

Russian media report that the attacker used a hunting rifle, opening fire on

worshippers leaving a service during the Maslenitsa celebrations – a traditional pre-Lent festival.

Russian news outlet RBK Daily quoted an Orthodox priest as saying the attack took place immediately following the afternoon service.

"We had finished the mass and were beginning to leave the church. A bearded man ran towards the church shouting 'Allahu Akbar' (God is greatest) and killed four people," the priest said. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, February 19, 2018

ARCHIE

Don’t wait to be asked to jump in and help. Fire up your (March 21enthusiasm and make a differApril 19) ence to the outcome of whatever you pursue. Distance yourself from disgruntled or negative individuals.

ARIES

Sign up and help out.

TAURUS Whether assisting in your (April 20- community or promoting your May 20) beliefs, doing something for the betterment of society will make you feel good and will encourage progress.

dilbert

TODAY’S WORD — FEARSOME (FEARSOME: FEER-sum: Capable of causing fear.)

Average mark 34 words Time limit 45 minutes Can you find 49 or more words in FEARSOME? The list will be published today.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — TENSILE

Slow down before you GEMINI (May 21- make a mistake. Partnerships June 20) will test your patience and leave you feeling uncertain.

Take a step back to gain a better footing.

Look past the demands being put on you and focus (June 21- on what’s actually possible.

July 22) If you are intent on learning and experimenting with alternative methods, you will excel.

CANCER

Peanuts

Initiate change, but do so LEO quietly and quickly. Act on (July 23- instinct and make sure that Aug. 22) whatever you initiate is going to increase your financial situation instead of creating debt.

Put your energy into someVIRGO thing that will make a differ(Aug. 23ence. Don’t argue or waste Sept. 22) time on people who play mind games with you. Choose your friends wisely.

Calvin and Hobbes

You’ll flip-flop when it LIBRA (Sept. 23- comes to emotional matters.

Oct. 23) Try not to confuse someone you love. If you cannot commit to something, do your best to explain why that’s so.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — SPECIOUS

SUDOKU

Make positive changes at SAGITTARIUS home.

Move things around (Nov. 23to make space for new projDec. 21) ects or to encourage using what’s at hand and getting rid of what you don’t need.

(SPECIOUS: SPEE-shus: Having a false look of truth or genuineness.)

Average mark 18 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 25 or more words in SPECIOUS? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — NEGATED neat need eaten edge enate gate geed gene genet gnat aged

agent ante tang teed teen tend date dean deet dent

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Be open to new possibilSCORPIO ities.

It’s OK to change your (Oct. 24mind or do things differently.

Nov. 22) Connecting with people who have something to offer will inspire you.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Get everything in order CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- before you lay your cards on Jan. 19) the table. Precision and attention to detail will help you avoid an unwanted change that could leave you struggling to reach your goal.

Don’t step out of bounds AQUARIUS when dealing with people (Jan. 20who can affect the outcome of Feb. 19) what you are trying to pursue. Getting along with others will encourage support and success.

PISCES Know what you want be(Feb. 20- fore you start talking. Having March 20) a plan will give you the control you need to get others to bend to your way of thinking.

Personal gains are apparent.

monDAY, february 19, 2018

19

Winter Olympics 2018, Pyeongchang

Russian medallist at Games Fourcade wins gold in biathlon photo finish suspected of doping

Alexander Krushelnitsky, Olympic Athlete from Russia, delivers a stone in the mixed doubles curling

A

Russian medallist at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics is suspected of having tested positive for a banned substance, a source at the Games said on Sunday, in a potential major blow to Russia’s efforts to emerge from a drug-cheating scandal.

Alexander Krushelnitsky, a bronze-medalist along with his wife in mixed-doubles curling, is suspected of having tested positive for meldonium, the source said. Meldonium increases blood flow which improves exercise capacity in athletes.

Krushelnitsky did not respond immediately to a request for comment. A spokesman for the Russian delegation at Pyeongchang said he had no immediate comment.

Russia has been accused of running a state-backed, systematic doping program for years, an allegation Moscow denies. As a result, its athletes are competing at Pyeongchang as neutral “Olympic Athletes from Russia” (OAR).

Russian sports officials are to meet anti-doping officers at Pyeongchang, the source said, adding that any violation would only be confirmed after analysis of a “B” sample.

Krushelnitsky and his wife, Anastasia Bryzgalova, won bronze in a game against Norway, which would take that medal if a doping violation were to be confirmed.

“I hope it’s not true ... for the sport of curling,” said Norwegian team skipper Thomas Ulsrud.

“If it’s true I feel really sad for the Norwegian team who

Federer cruises past Dimitrov to claim Rotterdam title

R

oger Federer celebrated his return to the top of the world rankings with his second title of the season, swatting aside Grigor Dimitrov 6-2 6-2 in the final of the ABN AMRO World Tournament in Rotterdam on Sunday.

Federer, 36, who guaranteed becoming the oldest ever ATP world number one by reaching the semi-final, had won all six of his previous meetings with Dimitrov and was in command throughout Sunday’s 55-minute final.

He broke the Bulgarian opponent early in the contest and cruised to a one-set lead at the Ahoy Rotterdam.

Playing flawless tennis, the 20-times major winner carried the momentum forward in the second set to seal

worked really hard and ended up in fourth place and just left for Norway and they aren’t even here.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said it had taken note of the case without going into details. t said that if the case were to be confirmed, it would be considered by its OAR Implementation panel, the body in charge of monitoring the OAR team’s behavior at the Games.

“On the one hand it is extremely disappointing when prohibited substances might have been used, but on the other hand it shows the effectiveness of the anti-doping system at the Games which protects the rights of all the clean athletes,” an IOC spokesperson said.

As neutral athletes, the Russians are unable to have their anthem played in medal ceremonies or use national symbols.

The IOC has said it may allow the Russians to march with the Russian flag and in national uniform at the Games closing ceremony on Feb. 25, provided they will have complied with its code of conduct on neutrality.

The code requires compliance with IOC anti-doping rules. (Reuters)

a 97th career title and third in Rotterdam having won in 2005 and 2012.

The Swiss, who won the Roger Federer of Switzerland holds the trophy A u s t r a l i a n after winning against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria Open last month pected a tougher afternoon for the second year in succession, also im- against Dimitrov who will proved his head-to-head re- rise from five to four in the cord against world number rankings.

“Grigor is a great player five Dimitrov to 7-0.

“It’s definitely one of those and a great athlete and he’s weeks I will never forget in been playing super well in remy life,” Federer, who last cent months,” he said.

“I thought that this wasn’t topped the standings in 2020, going to be the result, but he said.

“It’s unbelievable to get looked to be struggling a bit my 97th title and get back to and I never looked back. I world number one. It’s very was able to execute my tennis the way I wanted to. I‘m very special.”

Federer said he had ex- happy.” (Reuters)

Simon Schempp (left) of Germany and Martin Fourcade of France

M

artin Fourcade held on in a stunning finish for gold in the Winter Olympics men’s biathlon 15km mass start.

The Frenchman, 29, had to settle for 15km silver at the past two Olympics, losing out to Norway’s Emil Hegle Svendsen in a photo finish in 2014.

The pair had an identical time and the same happened again for Fourcade in Pyeongchang, when he lunged for the line with Germany’s Simon Schempp.

But this time Fourcade secured gold, with Svendsen finishing in third.

Fourcade actually thought he had been denied the 15km gold yet again as

he watched Schempp’s ski cross the line before slamming one of his poles into the snow in frustration.

But the photo finish revealed he crossed millimetres ahead of the 29-year-old German, giving Fourcade his fourth Olympic gold after becoming the first man to defend the pursuit title earlier in these Games.

Biathlon combines skiing and shooting, and the men’s 15km event features five laps of a 3km course, with four shooting rounds - the first two prone and the second two standing.

Johannes Thingnes Bo, the 20km individual gold medallist, was third heading into the second shoot

but missed three of the five targets, meaning the Norwegian had to ski three laps of the 150m penalty loop.

Germany’s Benedikt Doll, Erik Lesser and Schempp led going into the third shoot but Fourcade shot clean to leave the range in first place.

Fourcade and Schempp then battled it out for the lead over the last two laps, with both missing one target during the final shoot.

There was rarely more than a second between them over the last 6km, and it was also a close finish for third place, with Svendsen beating Lesser by 0.4 of a second. (BBC)

20 Zealand Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar New advance to give India 1-0 lead final despite monDAY, february 19, 2018

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

loss to England

N

S

Shikhar Dhawan turns the ball towards the leg side © BCCI

eamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar took AB de Villiers was ruled out of the series career-best figures of 5-24 to help with a knee injury.

India ease to a 28-run victory over The second Twenty20 clash will be South Africa in the opening Twenty20 played in Pretoria on Wednesday, with the International of their three-game series at final game on Saturday in Cape Town. (Reuters) the Wanderers on Sunday.

Having been sent in to bat, India plundered 203 for five from their 20 overs on a flat batting wicket as opener JP Duminy (c) c Raina b Kumar Shikhar Dhawan hit a superb India Innings R Sharmac †Klaasen b Dala 21 3 72 from 39 balls.

It is India’s highest in- S Dhawan c †Klaasen b D Miller c Dhawan b Pandya 9 72 F Behardien c Pandey b Chahal nings total against South Phehlukwayo S Raina c & b Dala

15 39 Africa in the shortest format V Kohli (c) lbw b Shamsi

26 H Klaasen †c Raina b Kumar 16 of the game, with debutant 29 A Phehlukwayo c Chahal b seamer Junior Dala (2-47 in M Pandey not out MS Dhoni † b Morris

16 Unadkat 13 four overs) the most successH Pandya not out

13 C Morris c Raina b Kumar

0 ful home bowler.

Extras (lb 2, w 9)

11 D Paterson run out (Pandya South Africa were in the /†Dhoni) 1 game until Kumar’s final over Total (20 Overs) 203/5 CJ Dala not out when he picked up the key Did not bat: T Shamsi not out 0 wicket of Reeza Hendricks B Kumar, JD Unadkat, JJ Bumrah, YS Chahal Extras (b 1, lb 1, nb 1, w 5)

8 (70 from 50 balls), and then Fall of wickets: Total (20 Overs)

175/9 dismissed Heinrich Klaasen (16) and Chris Morris (0) in 1-23 (R Sharma, 1.5 ov), 2-49 Fall of wickets: successive balls, before Dane (SK Raina, 3.6 ov), 3-108 1-29 (JT Smuts, 2.5 ov), 2-38 Paterson (1) was the fourth (V Kohli, 9.3 ov), 4-155 (S (JP Duminy, 4.6 ov), 3-48 wicket to fall as he was run Dhawan, 14.4 ov), 5-183 (MS (DA Miller, 6.2 ov), 4-129 (F Dhoni, 18.1 ov) Behardien, 14.6 ov), 5-154 out.

Bowling: (RR Hendricks, 17.1 ov), 6-158 The home side ended their innings on 175 for nine, D Paterson 4-0-48-0, Dala (H Klaasen, 17.4 ov), 7-158 Morris 4-0- (CH Morris, 17.5 ov), 8-159 (D continuing their struggles 4-0-47-2, 39-1, Shamsi 4-0-37-1, Paterson, 17.6 ov), 9-175 (AL against the tourists in the Phehlukwayo2-0-16-1 Phehlukwayo, 19.4 ov) limited overs matches on the South Africa Innings Bowling: tour having been thrashed 5-1 in the one-day international (target: 204 runs from 20 overs) B Kumar 4-0-24-5, Unadkat J Smuts c Dhawan b Kumar 14 4-0-33-1, Bumrah 4-0-32-0, series.

South Africa were dealt a R Hendricks c †Dhoni b Kumar Pandya 4-0-45-1, Chahal 4-039-1 blow before the start of the 70 match as their best batsman

SCOREBOARD

ew Zealand advanced to the final of the trans-Tasman Twenty20 triangular series against Australia despite suffering a two-run loss to England at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Sunday.

New Zealand, who beat England by 12 runs in their previous match, advanced to the Feb. 21 final on net run rate. They had only needed to score 175 to have the superior run rate.

The hosts ended on 192 for four after England had posted 194 for seven courtesy of a 93-run partnership between captain Eoin Morgan, who finished 80 not out, and Dawid Malan (53).

Despite advancing to the final, Kane Williamson’s side should have won the game comfortably after Colin Munro (57) and Martin Guptill (62) blasted an impressive 78-run opening partnership in 6.3 overs.

The 30-year-old Munro smashed an 18-ball half century, which included seven sixes, before England’s spinners Adil Rashid, who dismissed Munro on his third delivery, and Liam Dawson choked off New Zealand’s scoring.

Guptill and Mark Chapman, however, saw off the threat of the two main spinners to add 64 runs in 5.2 overs and ensured New Zealand were within sight of the final before Guptill was bowled by Malan with his side 164 for three.

Chapman, who was bowled by Chris Jordan in the penultimate over for 32 but then recalled as the bowler had overstepped, and Colin de Grandhomme, however, were unable to score the 12 runs needed from the final

over from Tom Curran.

Morgan, who had missed England’s last two games in the series due to a groin strain, proved he had not lost any form while sitting on the sidelines

the score on 117 for three and then scored 40 of his side’s next 48 runs but was starved of the strike in the final two overs.

Australia won all four of their

Martin Guptill swung four sixes in his 62 © Getty Images

with a composed innings.

The lefthander was on 37 when Malan departed with

games and are favourites for Wednesday’s final at Eden Park in Auckland. (Reuters)

SCOREBOARD

England innings J Roy c Williamson b Boult 21 A Hales c Williamson b Southee 1 D Malan c Chapman b de Grandhomme 53 E Morgan (c) not out 80 J Buttler † st †Seifert b Sodhi 2 S Billings b Boult 6 DJ Willey c Guptill b Southee 10 LA Dawson c Guptill b Boult 10 CJ Jordan not out 6 Extras (nb 1, w 4) 5 Total (20 Overs) 194/7 Did not bat: AU Rashid, TK Curran Fall of wickets: 1-22 (AD Hales, 2.3 ov), 2-24 (JJ Roy, 3.1 ov), 3-117 (DJ Malan, 12.1 ov), 4-123 (JC Buttler, 13.6 ov), 5-165 (SW Billings, 17.5 ov), 6-176 (DJ Willey, 18.6 ov), 7-187 (LA Dawson, 19.4 ov) Bowling: Boult 4-0-503, Santner 2-0-32-0, Southee 4-0-22-2, C de Grandhomme

4-0-32-1, Williamson 1-0-16-0, Sodhi 4-0-31-1, C Munro 1-011-0 New Zealand Innings (target: 195 runs from 20 overs) M Guptill b Malan 62 C Munro c Willey b Rashid 57 K Williamson (c) b Dawson 8 M Chapman not out 37 R Taylor c Morgan b Curran 7 C de Grandhomme not out 7 Extras (b 2, lb 8, nb 2, w 2) 14 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 9.6) 192/4 Did not bat: TL Seifert †, MJ Santner, TG Southee, IS Sodhi, TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-78 (C Munro, 6.3 ov), 2-100 (KS Williamson, 11.1 ov), 3-164 (MJ Guptill, 16.3 ov), 4-173 (LRPL Taylor, 17.5 ov) Bowling: Willey 3-0-3-0, T Curran 3-0-32-1, Jordan 4-041-0, Rashid 4-0-22-1, Dawson 4-0-27-1, Malan 2-0-27-1

Sri Lanka sweep series after dominating Bangladesh

S

ri Lanka have begun 2018 with series wins across all three formats after dominating the second Twenty20 against Bangladesh.

Sri Lanka cruised to a 75-run victory over Bangladesh in Sylhet to wrap up a 2-0 triumph in the Twenty20 international series.

Dinesh Chandimal’s side had chased down 194 with 20 balls to spare on Thursday and they displayed even more power batting first in this contest, piling on 210-4 after being put in by Mahmudullah.

Danushka Gunathilaka (42) and Kusal Mendis looked in supreme control from the

off, compiling 98 for the first wicket before more positive mode than they spent much of Gunathilaka holed out to the part-time medi- the previous year. (Sportsmax) um pace of Soumya Sarkar.

The platform for a dominant total had already been set, though, and Mendis topscored with 70, ably assisted by Madushanka 5 Sri Lanka innings thrilling knocks from Thisara M Gunathilaka c Iqbal b Sarkar 42 Mahmudullah (c) run out Perera (31 off 17 balls) and K Mendis c Hasan br Rahman 70 (Mendis/Udana) 41 Upul Tharanga (25 off 13) be- T Perera c Sarkar b Jayed 2 31 A Haque lbw b Mendis fore Dasun Shanaka added five U Tharanga c Sarkar b Saifuddin 25 M Saifuddin c sub (Vandersay) b boundaries and a six among his M Shanaka not out 20 30 Udana D Chandimal (c) † not out 2 M Hasan c Udana b Shanaka 11 11 balls for 30.

8 10 M Rahman b Gunathilaka Bangladesh were soon be- Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 7) Jayed st † Chandimal b Total (20 Overs)

210/4 hind the eight ball in their Gunathilaka 2 chase, Sarkar (0), Mushfiqur Did not bat: BMAJ Mendis, N Islam not out 1 MA Aponso, A Dananjaya, Rahim (6) and Mohammad Extras (w 10) 10 DSK Madushanka, I Udana Mithun (5) falling inside the Fall of wickets: 1-98 (MD Total (18.4 Overs, RR: first powerplay, while Tamim Gunathilaka, 10.6 ov), 2-149 7.23) 135 all out Iqbal was not far behind them, (T Perera, 15.3 ov), 3-160 Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Sarkar, 1.4 having scored 29 of Sri Lanka’s (K Mendis, 16.3 ov), 4-205 ov), 2-14 ( Rahim, 2.3 ov), 3-22 59 runs at the fall of the fourth (U Tharanga, 19.4 ov) ( Mithun, 2.6 ov), 4-59 ( Iqbal, 7.4 ov), 5-68 ( Haque, 8.4 ov), Bowling: Jayed 4-0-45-1, N wicket.

6-110 (Mahmudullah, 14.2 ov), Though Mahmudullah Islam 4-0-28-0, Hasan 2-0-25-0, 7-113 (Saifuddin, 14.5 ov), 8-132 scored a battling 41, his was Rahman 4-0-39-1, Saifuddin (Hasan, 17.5 ov), 9-132 (Rahman, 4-0-46-1, Sarkar 2-0-25-1 the only contribution of note as 18.1 ov), 10-135 (Jayed, 18.4 ov)

the Tigers eventually crumbled Bowling: Madushanka 2.1-0-23Bangladesh Innings (target: to 135 all out.

2, A Dananjaya 4-1-20-1, Shanaka 211 runs from 20 overs) Sri Lanka shared the wick- T Iqbal c Dananjaya b Aponso 29 1.5-0-5-1, T Perera 3-0-33-0, ets around no fewer than seven S Sarkar c Mendis b Dananjaya 0 Aponso 4-0-31-1, Mendis 1-0-8-1, bowlers as they backed up vic- M Rahim † c Perera b Udana 2-0-12-1, Gunathilaka tories in the ODI tri-series and Madushanka 6 0.4-0-3-2 Bangladesh Tests with further M Mithun c Mendis b success, beginning 2018 in a far

SCOREBOARD

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‘Wrong image’ to blame for VAR confusion in United’s FA Cup win Juan Mata’s goal was disallowed based on video assistant referee (VAR)

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More futsal action is in store for fans at the National Gymnasium

he fixtures for the Corona Futsal in collaboration NAMILCO Wheat Germ have been released and the opening night should set the tone for what is been touted to be an exciting tournament when it gets underway from Saturday at the National Gymnasium.

Sparta Boss are to set engage Tiger Bay while Back Circle battle Broad Street and Leopold Street come up against Alexander Village. The other draws see YMCA in action with Albouystown and Future Stars being pitted against Team Xtreme and Plaisance face Mocha. Action is slated to commence from 19:00h and the next match day will be February 27.

The group assessments sees Group A: Alpha Warriors, Tucville, Showstoppers and Kingston; Group B: Sparta Boss, Tiger Bay, Plaisance and Mocha; Group C: Old Skool Ballers, Future Stars, Team Xtreme, and New Market Street; Group

D: West Front Road, YMCA, Sophia and Albouystown; Group E: Bent Street, North East La Penitence , Channel 9 Warriors and California Square; Group F: Back Circle, Leopold Street, Alexander Village and Broad Street.

The lucrative tournament sees the winning purse being $600,000 and the championship trophy. Second to fourth will take home $300,000, $150,000 and $75,000 along with the corresponding accolades.

Two motor cycles will be awarded, one to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and the other to a lucky spectator at the grand finals on Easter Saturday (March 31).

More so, with teams being split into six groups of four, the battle will not be just to progress to the knock-out stages but cop the group prizes; $40,000 for first place team, $30,000, $20,000 and $10,000 will be awarded to second to fourth-place group teams.

21

fter a long delay led to Juan Mata’s goal for Manchester United being disallowed, Hawk-Eye Innovations have explained the confusion.

The provision of the incorrect image to broadcasters led to confusion over a video assistant referee (VAR) decision in Manchester United’s FA Cup win at Huddersfield Town, says a company involved in the technology.

Juan Mata thought he had doubled United’s advantage in Saturday’s fifth-round tie at the John Smith’s Stadium, only for the decision to be referred to the VAR system.

Misleading graphics showing seemingly wobbly grid lines were displayed by broadcasters in the immediate aftermath, with Mata’s strike eventually correctly ruled out for offside as his kneecap was narrowly beyond the line of the last defender.

But the long delay for the decision to be confirmed, in addition to the bizarre irregular lines on the graphic shown by broadcasters, led to criticism of the VAR technology, which is being trialled in the FA Cup. On Sunday, Hawk-Eye Innovations sought to explain why the grid lines shown on BT Sport’s television coverage did not appear to be straight, with a kink in the line initially indicat-

ing Mata was onside.

“A technical issue led to an incorrect graphic being provided by Hawk-Eye to @btsportfootball last night,” the company said in a statement posted on Twitter.

“To confirm, the VAR saw the correct image with the correct lines to make the decision.

“This was a case of the wrong image being provided to the broadcaster and we apologise.”

After the match, Mata said he was still “up for” VAR being used in English football despite seeing his goal ruled out, while United manager Jose Mourinho suggested the offside call was too tight to use the technology.

“The feeling is amazing when the truth comes, but there are problems, like what happened today,” he told a news conference.

“Protocol says it needs to be a ‘clear and obvious’ situation and it was not clear or obvious.

But we know it is experimental and I am speaking after a 2-0 victory.

“I think it should be the referees to decide. Do they want it, do they feel happy with it and do they want technological help? Or do they want to live with the mistakes they make as humans?” (Sportsmax)

GFF/Pele Alumni Frank Watson U-15 League – EBFA

Timehri Panthers move into 3rd place T imehri Panthers capped a fine weekend and welcomed the return of competitive football to the Timehri Red Ground by winning their second match on the trot, downing Swan FC 2-0 when the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) leg of the GFF/Pele Alumini Frank Watson U15 Intra Association League was contested yesterday at the Timehri Red ground.

Match day 7 also witnessed an exciting clash between Soesdyke Falcons which erased a two goal deficit to take full points from Herstelling Raiders on account of a hat-trick of goals from 14-year-old Tyrone Burnette; it was Soesdyke’s first points in four matches.

This match also saw the talented Shoran James of Herstelling Raiders fame netting another double to take his tournament tally to 13 goals in four matches but it was in a losing cause.

The other match that should have been, ended with Kuru Kururu Warriors notching full points via the walk over route from Friendship All Stars.

Timehri, in the main match of the day put away the challenge of a game Swan team with goals either side of the 70-minute clash. Tywell Lovell who scored a double in their win over Friendship on Saturday, sent Timehri into

the lead on 10 minutes, a lead which they enjoyed until the break.

Sawn made a few moves in the Timehri defensive third but were not allowed to be effective owing to some solid defending led by Timehri’s Captain, Prince Forde. The second and final goal for the winners came off the boot of Marlon Burnette in the 52nd minute which handed his team all three points which has taken them to 9 and third place on the table.

The Herstelling / Soesdyke showdown produced end to end action from the first to the final whistle.

Herstelling cathered to an early 2-0 lead by the 12th minute owing to goals from Shoran James and Xavi Atkinson (a fierce left footed shot) in the 8th and 12th minute.

Up to that point, the Soesdyke players were still settling down but once they did, it was game on. The lanky Tyrone Burnette netted the first of his hat-trick on 20 minutes to reduce the Herstelling advantage but even before that, Indera Winter, standing in goal for Herstelling brought off some solid saves for her team.

Seven minutes after halving the deficit, Burnette then delivered the equaliser for Soesdyke as the Herstelling defenders lost their focus

and allowed him the requsite space to fire his shot past Winter.

James was not intent to allow Soesdyke coming close to and he handed his team the lead once again in the 33rd minute. There was a lull in the scoring up until the 50th minute when Romuloo Khan neutralised

Herstelling’s advantage again to level the score, 3-3.

With both teams now sensing that they were in with a chance to win, Soesdyke it was that had the momentum going their way and made it count for them when the dangerous Burnette bobbed and weaved his way past three de-

fenders before tucking his shot into the back of the nets in the 57th minute to hand his team the lead and win.

It was the first win for the Falcons in four encounters, matches will continue this weekend at the same venue.

22 Persaud wins Yokohama Demerara crowned ladies U-19 T20 champs Tires Golf Tournament GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, february 19, 2018

From left: Kassim Khan, Club President Aleem Hussain, Patrick Prashad, Avinash Persaud, BAL’s Ulex Smith, Fazil Haniff, Patanjalee Persaud, and Vickram Amit

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The victorious Demerara Under-19 team after their victory on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club Ground

n a low-scoring affair Demerara were crowned champs of the GCB U19 ladies T20 inter county tourney despite losing to the GCB’s President XI at the Everest Cricket Club ground on Sunday.

GCB’s President XI won the toss and decided to have a bat but was only able to compile a paltry 38 runs from their allotted 20 overs as none of the girls reached double figure scores.

Sheneta Grimmond top scored with nine runs and Shakeba Gajnabi the next best with 3. Bowling for Demerara, Lovern Welcome and Mandy Mangru were

the destroyers, claiming 2 for 3 and 4 runs respectively while Yogeeta Balkishun and Cherry Ann Fraser also collect a wicket each.

Things also went bad for Demerara who matched their opponents poor batting performance with on of their own as they were rolled out for 37 runs.

Balkishun top scored with 11 and Mangru supported with 9 runs. The GCB President XI did an excellent job at restraining the Demerara team from attaining their mega total as the batting order fell cheaply with six ducks total.

Kassica Munroe per-

formed brilliantly, collecting four wickets for 11 runs while she gained support from La Fona Gilgeous and Sheneta Grimmond who collected 2 wickets for 1 run.

In the end, Demerara won the tournament based on their good NRR (net run rate) which they maintained throughout the match.

The two day tourney was used as a measuring stick for selectors who will look to assemble the best U19 unit ahead of this year’s Regional assignment. Guyana are the current U19 women’s Regional champs.

ight times Guyana Open Champion Avinash Persaud resumed his winnings ways as he stormed the Greens this past Saturday to emerge champ of the Beharry Automotive Limited (BAL) Open.

Despite light showers, Persaud lit up the Course this past Saturday to win his first major Open of 2018. The Champ recorded a Best Net of 71, displacing the likes of second place Patrick Prashad (72/9), third place Patanjalee ‘Pur’ Persaud (72/20) and fourth place Fazil Haniff (72/13).

Veteran golfers Prashad, and Haniff and even recovering

from injury Pur \Persaud, had good outings as their respective 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places were 1 stroke behind Persaud’s), was a tie that had to be determined by the ‘Back 9’ count!

Nearest to The Pin prize was snatched up by Kassim Khan (6 feet) while Persaud, who also won best Gross for his 73 walked away with the grand prize of four new Yokohama tires compliments of BAL. Other golfers that scored in the top ten were Papo Haniff (73/6), Deanand Bissessar (75/22), Joaan Deo (75/18), Roy Cumming (77/11), Maurice Solomon (78/25), Aleem Hussain (78/12) and Balgobin

Ragnauth (79/18).

Following the match, Persaud said, “This was normal performance, I shot a net 71, some players may have had a difficulty because the Course lacked bounce and roll today, but I mastered it and so was able to produce a good game.”

This tournament marked the first Yokohama Tires of BAL who further made a commitment for another tournament later in the year. Marketing Officer of BAL, Ulex Smith said the Company’s support for golfing in Guyana, adding that BAL continually strives to give back to Guyana in the form of charitable work and sponsorships.

McKinnon stars in GSSF/ P&P Brokers Shoot

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eteran Pistol Shooter Ryan McKinnon shot his way to the Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF)/ P&P Insurance Brokers Practical Shoot held at the Timehri Rifle Ranges on Saturday.

McKinnon, who shot a total aggregate of 235.5987 points, destroyed the competition in the two categories contested. In the Limited category, McKinnon outshot the likes of second place Johan Dasilva who registered 197.71 points and third place Rajiv Latchana 134.92.

Ryan McKinnon

The newly elected GSSF President McKinnon also

recorded the best time of the U-class shooters, ticking 66.17 on the clock while Latchana remained right under his tail as he won the Production Category after racking up 100.000 in Stage Points.

Former President of the GSSF Vidushi McKinnon shot a 44.58 percentage in the Lady’s category where she shot 105.0355 points. Meanwhile, the GSSF will continue to push the sport as plans are in place to further promote the sport in 2018.

monDAY, february 19, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

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Bounty Farm Handicap Squash…

Joseph, Alphonso surge to titles

The respective category winners and runners-up with Guyana Squash Association Vice President David Fernandes

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Michael Alphonso (right) was clinical against Abosaide Cadogan

yron Joseph and Michael Alphonso withstood the pressures of some stiff challenges to secure championship honours in the Open and Category ‘A’ respectively when the Bounty Farm Limited Handicap Squash tournament concluded on

Sunday at the Georgetown Club Courts.

Joseph had to pull on all his years of experience to tame young star Alex Cheeks for the Open title while Alphonso used great skill and precision to defeat Abosaide Cadogan.

With a -22 handicap,

Joseph had to score a total of 37 points to win one set while opponent Cheeks with -3 needed 18 points and the close-knit battle produced all the fireworks to appease the sizeable audience present.

Albeit with a niggling hand injury Joseph won

the first set easily 15-2 but Cheeks rebounded to secure a -5-15 win in the next.

Down to the third set, fatigue certainly began telling on both players and they were going point for point until Joseph pulled ahead to win 15-9.

In the third-place playoff, Nicholas Narine took care of Adam Alves having to overcome a -12 to Adam’s +5 handicap. Nicholas could not climb fast enough in the first game but buckled down in the second and third to

GTTA Cadet & Junior Championships

James Meckdeci to win 15-6 and 15-11.

Their plate finals saw Nicholas Verwey (5) edge ahead of Kamir Khan (7) 15-9, 14-15 and 15-9 while Zachary Persuad (0) sauntered to an easy victory over Osmand Mack (3) 15-6 and 15-8.

The five-day event saw 50 players compete vigorously in the two categories from which respective winners were rewarded trophies. (Akeem Greene)

Milo Schools Football Tournament 2018…

Christianburg wallop Dolphin 5-1

Clinical Ninvalle cops U-13 title – Wong cruises to U-18 crown

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win 6-15, 15-11, 15-7.

The plate final for the category saw Roberto Natiello (10) defeating Samuel InceCarvalhal (5) 15-14, 11-15 and 15-9 Over in Category ‘A’, Alphonso was on true form against Cadogan who put up a good fight but was unable to overcome his genius deception as he came back from -6 to win 15-6 and 15-11 while in the third place showdown Kirsten Gomes withstood the promising signs shown by young

Miguel Wong (left) hardly broke a sweat during his Under-18 final with Niron Bissu

aysan Ninvalle and Jonathan Van Lange produce what was arguably the most compelling and heated match before the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) Cadet and Junior Championships came to a close on Sunday at the National Gymnasium.

Both players pushed each other to the limit in a tight battle of attrition but the burly built Ninvalle had the finishing touches to win the boys’ 13 and under title. Nicknamed “Baby faced Assassin”, the 12 yearold pressured Van Lange’s fore-arm play to steal some cheeky points. Van Lange had his moments during some long and looping rallies which tested Ninvalle’s patience. In the end, the thriller went 11-4, 1012, 11-5 and 13-11.

One of the marque national players Miguel Wong

hardly broke a sweet as he won the under-18 in straight sets by easily disposing of Niron Bissu 11-7, 11-8 and 11-2 .

Van Lange returned to challenge Bissu for the under-15 crown but still could not produce the finishing touches on the last hurdle.

Bissu won 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 11-13 and 11-8 while in the 11 and under Collin Wong soared to 11-6, 7-11, 11-6 and 11-7 over Dhanesh Peraud; Ebo McNeil and Malachi Moore jointly finished in third place.

Due to a small number of entries, the girls category was played on a round-robin basis which saw Thuria Thomas win the under-13 ahead of Nkechi McRae and Rose-Anna Saunders.

For 11 and under, Akera Watson, Jasmin Bellgeny and Samara Sukhai rounded-off the top three; 9

and under saw Watson, Bellgeny and Quanna Torrington take the top spots.

The girls double had the duo of Thomas and Shania Barrow coming from behind to win 5-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9 and 11-9 against Tatyana Mohamed and McRae while for the boys Ninvalle and Van Lange formed an alliance but went down to Bissu and Ashish Persaud 7-11, 11-8, 8-11 and 9-11.

Mixed doubles went in favour of Bissu and Thomas who dismantled the duo of Jamal Nicholas and McRae 12-10, 8-11, 11-6, 5-11 and 11-4.

The tournament which spanned three days formed the initial phase of preparation for the regional junior and cadet championships which are scheduled for April 2 to 10 in Cuba.

(Akeem Greene)

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It was wholesome action once again as the tournament continued on Sunday at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue

i n d e n ’ s Christianburg/ Wismar Secondary won their second match in convincing style by defeating Dolphin Secondary 5-1 when the sixth annual Milo Schools Football tournament continued on Sunday at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Javier Smith opened the scores in the 3rd but Akeem James equalized five minutes later; the ascendency was regained following Andre Mayers in the 9th. More goals rained in from Mickel Adams (25th), Lennox Richards (41st) and Akeem Caesar (53rd).

More so, Bishops’ High

School suffered their first loss after a draw in their first match against Pure Masters. It was Morgan’s Learning Centre who inflicted the 7-0 result via a helmet-trick from Darren Dickenson who netted in the 6th, 38th, 46th and 56th. The other three goals came from Dorwin George in the 24th and 54th while Ruben Miller netted in the 69th.

The other match of the day saw Vergenogen Secondary dispose of Ann’s Grove Secondary 4-2; Jermin Gill netted a double (11th & 53rd) while Staroy Lee (12th) and Ronaldo Macey (61st) made the

other conversions; Carlos Cole (39th) and Seminar McPherson (68th) scored for the East Coast Demerara unit.

Meanwhile, the under-18 tournament which is a collaboration between the Ministry of Public Health under the theme “there is no excuse for violence” will see pivotal final round of group matches get cracking from Wednesday with Business School battling Charlestown Secondary from 16:00h followed by three-time defending champions Chase Academic Foundation against the inform Annadale Secondary from 17:30h.

monDAY, february 19, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Bounty Farm Handicap Squash…

Joseph, Alphonso surge to titles Pg 23

Nryon Joseph (left) and Alex Cheeks produced an entertaining final for the Open Category at the Bounty Farm Limited Handicap Squash Tournament

GTTA Cadet & Junior Championships

Clinical Ninvalle cops U-13 title

Pg 23

– Wong cruises to U-18 crown Kaysan Ninvalle (left) and Jonathan Van Lange produced great fireworks in their Boys Under-13 final on Sunday at the National Gymnasium

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