Guyana Times 29 january 2018

3-year-old Lindener needs urgent medical attention Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Venezuelan drowns in Wenamu River guyanatimesgy.com

Monday, January 29, 2018

Issue No. 3465

Page 9

…while swimming to Guyana in search of food

Govt making empty promises to sugar workers – Jagdeo ...says sugar belt meetings a sign

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Sisters Village brutal stabbing & robbery

Suspect released, couple P13 slowly recovering – residents call for more Police patrols

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Venezuela’s credibility, integrity will be tested at ICJ – former Minister of desperation Page 10 1st Diocesan Priest in 3 decades ordained Page 7

Lance P2 Corporal arrested with large quantity of cannabis

Page 13

Oil and gas sector

Guyana still considering refining oil in T&T P9

2 hospitalised after Mahaica shooting P8 Scores were at the historic Brickdam Cathedral to witness a special ceremony organised for the ordination of Carl Anthony Philadelphia.

Inset: the newly-appointed Priest, Father Philadelphia after the ordination presided over by Bishop Francis Dean Alleyne on Sunday

Govt’s dismissal of sugar workers

Bagotville accident

Ex-Policeman detained after fleeing scene

Severance payments begin today – Holder Page 2

...unions never agreed to privatisation proposals – says Chand ...GAWU claims Harmon “misinformed” public

Page 3

Social P13 Cohesion Minister on assessment tours

2 News

monDAY, january 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bagotville accident

Ex-Policeman detained after fleeing scene signs of being intoxicated.

Reports are that the Spacio hit the taxi, a Toyota Carina 212, after hitting a parked truck. Both cars appeared to have been written off with car oil leaking from both and their airbags being dislodged. It was reported that the taxi driver, Sewkumar Mohabir, received some injuries and his occupants received lacerations to the head. It was also noted that the driver of the taxi was released on bail after he had reported the matter to the La Grange Police Station.

The chaotic accident scene on Saturday

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former Policeman who was identified as Lloyd Thomas is now under Police guard at a private medical institution in the city after he fled the scene of an accident at Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, which left two persons injured over the

weekend.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the injured persons who were taken to West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) were treated and released on Sunday for the injuries they sustained when the ex-Policeman’s HC 6031 Toyota

Spacio collided with a HC 7086 taxi that was transporting an elderly couple.

This publication was told that the former Policeman after escaping from the area, checked himself into the medical facility after which Police were informed of his whereabouts. As such, he

was arrested and placed under guard before charges are laid against him which could include failure to render assistance.

This newspaper understands that the accident occurred just after 17:00h on Saturday and the ex-Policeman was reportedly showing

Lance Corporal arrested with large quantity of cannabis

The parcels of compressed cannabis found hidden inside a gas stove in the trunk of a car

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Lance Corporal, along with another person, has admitted to being the owner of a large quantity of cannabis found in a vehicle in which they were travelling.

The 24-year-old Joint Services rank and the 27-year-old driver of the vehicle, both of Stanleytown, Berbice, were stopped by a rank on patrol duty after they were caught overtaking on the Strathspey Public Road, East Coast

Demerara (ECD).

They were both escorted to the Vigilance Police Station where the hire car in which they were travelling was searched.

The search unearthed three parcels of compressed cannabis hidden inside a gas stove that was in the trunk of the black FielderWagon.

The two men are currently in Police custody and are expected to appear in court shortly.

news

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monDAY, january 29, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Govt’s dismissal of sugar workers

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

Saturday, January 27 – a night retraction at 01:00h and a day retraction from 13:00h-14:30h and Sunday, January 28 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, January 29 – 14:25h-15:55h and Tuesday, January 30 – 14:15h-15:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny conditions can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening.

Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 14:59h reaching a maximum height of 2.65 metres.

Low Tide: 08:30h and 21:04h reaching minimum heights of 0.73 metre and 0.52 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, january 27, 2018

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DAILY MILLIONS 04 09 21 23 26 LUCKY 3 5 1 8

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Severance payments begin today – Holder ...unions never agreed to privatisation proposals – says Chand ...GAWU claims Harmon “misinformed” public

By Shemuel Fanfair

G

overnment’s payout of almost $2 billion as severance to thousands of dismissed sugar workers at the Rose Hall, Skeldon and East Demerara (Enmore) estates is scheduled to go ahead as planned, nearly one month after the entities shut down operations and staff was reduced to skeletal numbers.

This was on Sunday confirmed by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder, who disclosed that this segment of payments will be finalised by Wednesday.

“As far as I’m aware, everything will be paid off in full. All workers that have to be paid will be paid before Wednesday, before the end of the month,” Minister Holder highlighted.

Earlier this month, it was disclosed to the National Assembly that dismissed sugar workers whose severance packages are $500,000 or less would be paid in full

by January 31, and workers receiving in excess of aforementioned sum would attain 50% of their severance benefits.

Questioned on possible setbacks or legal challenges that could be mounted against this move, which many stakeholders deemed illegal, Minister Holder indicated that, in fact, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has seen the sense of not following through with such plans.

“I haven’t heard of any hiccups...I think this time GAWU has been sensible,” the Minister noted, seemingly referring to the “satisfactory” outcome of the meeting between the unions and Government earlier this month.

Reports coming out of that very meeting, according to Minister of State Joseph Harmon, indicated that the unions were in fact in agreement with the option of privatising the industry.

But GAWU President Komal Chand, on Sunday, when contacted by this newspaper on the union’s alleged decision to agree with privatizing the industry, offered a contrasting view to the privatisation claims.

He staunchly denied that his union or the National Association of Agricultural, Commercial and Industrial Employees (NAACIE) had made any such agreement during a meeting with President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of State Joseph Harmon, and other senior Government functionaries.

“We disassociate ourselves...we haven’t made that agreement. Our general counsel has not made such a statement. GAWU and NAACIE have not jointly made such a statement,

GAWU President Komal Chand

and the last letter we gave to Mr Harmon stated very clearly that we are opposed to Colvin Heath-London from the Special Purposes Unit. So that is not true,” Chand observed.

The longtime GAWU leader in fact stated that a union stance on privatisation was a matter of policy: “We didn’t agree, but Mr. Harmon attributed to have said we agree; [but] we haven’t changed our position – a policy position of the union.

We never, in any way, said we agree to the privatization of any estate in the sugar industry,” he noted.

Asked whether the statements Minister Harmon made could be deemed dishonest, Chand responded: “All we have to say is that if the Minister so informed the public, then he is misinforming the public”.

Unions monitoring severance payout Speaking on this week’s severance payments, Chand indicated that the union would be keeping a watchful eye on the payout in a move to safeguard workers from being shortchanged in the severance computation.

“If we go with the Government’s word -- that people will get their severance pay, and some will get half now and half later -- we have to wait to see if there’s any miscalculation. Those of the view that their calculations are wrong, once they come to us, we will see that the formula is applied in keeping with their last year’s earnings, and they will know, because workers will have the pay slip to show,” he pointed out.

“Our Field Secretaries are always on the ground, and they will be available for workers to approach them.

That is how it was done for workers at Wales who got their severance pay...we had a few cases from Wales and we represented them and they were sorted out,” he added.

Following a meeting held at the Ministry of Presidency between the unions and Government, Chand was quoted as having expressed satisfaction with the meeting’s outcome. In the subsequent days, reports which surfaced revealed promoted calls from sugar workers for

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

him to resign, wherein it was observed that the long-time union and its President had not made adequate representation on their behalf.

Since closure of the estates, Government has been heavily criticized for not having a clear direction to steer the terminated workers; and at one point, it seemed that the closure of the Rose Hall Estate would have been pushed back to this year.

The Uitvlugt, Blairmont and Albion estates are the only three that remain operational.

Last Thursday, Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan said the current Administration had expended some $32 billion since 2015 to bail out the sugar industry and meet its wage bill of close to $350 million per week. He said closure of estates was not new, as it has happened before.

In a bid to justify Government’s delay in paying workers their severance at the time of dismissal, Ramjattan made reference to a case involving Trinidad and Tobago, where dismissed workers in that country’s sugar industry allegedly had to wait close to two years before they could receive their severance payments.

He quickly changed gear, and this time ran to the rescue of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) as workers expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which that union had handled the issue.

“We begged GAWU and we invited NAAICE to come and talk to us…and they did,” Ramjattan said, before being interrupted by a worker who shouted, “But they sell we out!”

In response, a visibly upset and embarrassed Ramjattan responded, “No!

It cannot be said that way…

GAWU is a responsible … they understand…putting (it) the way the polarization of hate and the purveyors of hate…and you got some of them here (who) will say that they sell us out…they did not...they understand the crisis that we have at hand, and they, too, realize that just as how you close Port Mourant years ago, Belladrum, Leonora and LBI…the things need certain closures…”

When workers resisted his suggestion and explanations, the Vice President invoked religion, saying that somehow, the failure of sugar could have been part of a divine plan.

“So it’s important to understand that hard decisions have to be made, and we are (the) ones that will (have) to make (them)… probably it was destined to have to fail.

Probably God wanted it that way, and we have to make the decisions now… Probably that is why God also said let (them) find the oil under this Administration, and we have found it”, he remarked.

The Vice President admitted that, somehow, the unions were part of, or suggested, the preferential payment of severance to workers, following a meeting organised by President David Granger.

“We are even speaking with the GAWU and NAAICE on all these matters, and it appears that the Opposition does not want to hear us… But let me say this…we are here to say (to) everyone that would like to listen to us and give suggestions…they (GAWU) came up with a suggestion recently after the President asked them to meet us. And then we decided all under $500,000 are going to get their full lump sums; and that is what we are going to do…,” he said.

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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

Multicultural practice

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here are widespread claims of discriminatory treatment by some groups in Guyana, not only in the economic realm, but in the expression of their cultural practices. Guyana must begin to insist on “multicultural” practices.

A multicultural practice means that there will be fair and equitable treatment of others by individuals, groups, institutions and the state. Instead of racism and discrimination, there will be respectful and equal treatment of individuals and groups from any ethnic, racial, or immigrant background.

The cavalier treatment of the Ethnic Relations Commission raises doubts about the Administration’s commitment to multicultural practices.

While we will have to accept the diversity we find ourselves with, we will also have to hone some kind of unity so that we may achieve what most modern states are expected to deliver to their citizens – at a minimum, civil peace. The question of “national culture” has occupied centre stage in the political arena. It has been the site of the contestation of power in civil society as well as the state. It has therefore been a wider struggle. This is what a multiculturalism addresses.

The notion that some groups must reject or discard their cultural heritage to participate in the polity must be rejected. It arises from a barbaric past, when nations were forced to ‘assimilate’ by force. Even in those circumstances, ethnic bonds were never completely annihilated. Witness Scottish nationalism almost four hundred years after their conquest. Modern international norms of ‘equality’ and ‘self-determinations’ of peoples militate cultural hegemony being accepted by even subordinate groups. Rather than the ‘melting pot’ ideal of integration, the ‘salad bowl’ model should be encouraged. Let each group discover their roots and shape their cultural practices to suit “modernity”.

It is a fact about the world that there are many multicultural societies. Each member of such societies is also a member of a particular cultural group. And each member of a cultural group will have different experiences from another belonging to a different cultural group. This is because our culture shapes and gives meaning to our lifeplans, and the mere participation of each member helps to change the culture itself. Out of this relationship between people and their cultures arises a sense of identity and belonging.

The question as to whether “unity” or “diversity” should be privileged is partially a semantic one, caused by the conflation of “state” and “nation”. But, at the bottom, the dispute has to do with power, as it almost always does.

Political unity and culturally diversity do not have to be mutually exclusive. Each society has to find the right balance between the demands of the two concepts that is appropriate for its own circumstances, so as to have a political system that is cohesive and stable, while facilitating the cultural aspirations of all the peoples. We need political unity to guide the state, but that is not contradictory to “diversity” in terms of the “nation” – of diverse cultural expressions by the people of a given society.

We need to address the type of cultural integration that may be best for Guyana in view of our evident cultural diversity. While the definitions of culture are legion, for our purposes, we may see culture as, in the words of Ronald Dworkin, “a shared vocabulary of tradition and convention” by a group of people. Their culture gives them a shared understanding of life – how to live it and how to organise it. Since each “shared understanding” may entail a different conception of the good life, there are obvious implications for the political viability of a culturally plural society.

Having one’s social institutions embody one’s culture means that they will be immediately comprehensible to us, and therefore easier to use. The mutual intelligibility will promote relationships of solidarity and trust. Too many leaders work against this, and implicitly insist some groups jettison their cultural practices when displaying their own cultural strand during public appearances. They should rather insist on the widest expression of our national multicultural tapestry.

Red carpet arrival! One of Guyana’s newest nonagenarians, Sydney Grenville, of Belladrum, West Coast Berbice, arrives in style for his birthday celebration see story on page 14

Sugar workers will speak again at the polls Dear Editor, In discussions on the topic of the retrenchment of the sugar workers and the payment of their severance, one salient fact is being overlooked, if not underreported; that is: the violence factor.

Yes, the violence factor.

It is an all-too-familiar, sordid piece of our history, wherein the disaffected party would resort to violence.

However, so far, there has been no incident of violence or any such “vulgar” behaviour by the aggrieved workers. To date, there are no reports of any shooting or looting, as is customary when persons affiliated to the PNC are on protest marches.

There has not even been the burning of sugar canes; none of the above has taken

place, only pure and simple protest for what is rightfully theirs -- their severance.

And with good reason, violence could have been a part of the workers’ protest, because you cannot tell me hundreds of workers (most of them with families) could have been so brutally axed from their main source of income just before Christmas and no severance paid to them. That in itself was a call for a violent, insane reaction.

The actions of this Government are low, unreasonable, and unconscionable enough to make any normal person revolt.

Even when they were told that their severance would not be paid in one instalment, the sugar workers still did not go the violent

route of protest.

With the help of the Opposition, the workers are making their voices known, that: in spite of all the odds, we look far beyond this transitory, heartless and ruthless Coalition to a peaceful and prosperous tomorrow.

The sugar workers are not like other workers, prime example being the bauxite workers of Linden.

When asked to pay a few more dollars for their electricity, their response was a prompt and open show of violence.

The results are there, the violent response to the Government’s asking for a slight reduction on the subsidy of their charmed life.

Violence became their response.

Probably that is what the

powers had hoped for: a situation of violence, for them to now turn loose the security forces on the hapless workers.

There would have been mayhem had the workers played into the hands of the Police.

But this part of their bullyism was thwarted because the sugar workers did not allow that dubious and draconian part of the PNC-led coalition to take shape.

But lest they take the workers’ peacefulness for weakness, I will say this: come next election, those same workers and thousands more will speak again.

I rest my case.

Regards, Neil Adams

Dr Bulkan’s appointment illegal Dear Editor, On the 17th of January 2018, Dr. Arif Bulkan was appointed by President David Granger as a temporary Justice of Appeal. The life of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) expired on the 30th September 2017.

Article 128 (1) governs the appointment of all judges other than the Chancellor and

the Chief Justice.

The article provides for judges to be appointed -whether temporary, permanent or acting -- by the President, who must act in accordance with the advice of the JSC. Article 128 (1) provides “The Judges, other than the Chancellor and the Chief Justice, shall be appointed

by the President, who shall act in accordance with the advice of the Judicial Service Commission.”

There was no Judicial Service Commission in force to have advised the President in respect to Bulkan’s appointment. The President has no unilateral power of appointment over these judges.

The word ‘shall’ in ar-

ticle 128 (1) is mandatory.

Therefore, Bulkan’s appointment is unconstitutional and unlawful. Again, the Attorney General seems to have ill advised the President. The incompetence is never-ending.

I await the voices of the legal luminaries.

Yours faithfully, Nandkumar Puran

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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

Supportive of the Remembering Mohandas Gandhi CoI on crime Dear Editor I am supportive of the APNU+AFC Administration of President David Granger holding a CoI into the 2002-2009 crime wave.

As an outsider looking in, the gist of the problems started when “activists/politicians” tried to enlighten African Guyanese to their plight, claiming that they were being systematically

discriminated against and being marginalized. People did not really understand what words like discrimination and marginalization meant; they just knew they were bad words because “activists/politicians” said so.

This led to certain Guyanese picking up guns to fight for their “rights,” becoming “freedom fighters” in the eyes of some.

Because of the unprece-

dented out-of-control crime spree, which the Police were unable to get a grip on, the phantom squad/s were formed, and they retaliated against the “freedom fighters”.

In a way, the crime wave was an attempt to bring down the democratically elected PPP/C Government.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

Outraged at 10% deduction of hinterland head teacher’s salary

Dear Editor, As a member of the Saxacalli Primary School P.T.A, I was shocked when I learnt that our headmaster was required to pay ten percent of his salary as rent for the teacher’s house he is temporarily occupying.

Riverine schools have always had a problem attracting teachers from the Coastland and Saxacalli Primary is of no exception.

In fact, in the past, our school was always under staffed. Happily this situation changed when our headmaster was appointed.

Editor, to leave your home and family and venture into the interior is a sacrifice. Apparently the Minister of Education does not recognized this fact.

I think that if a little research was done this drastic measure might not have been implemented.

Our headmaster who took up his appointment less than a year ago, is doing a wonderful job and

should be encouraged. In fact all riverine teachers who leave their homes to serve interior locations should be lauded.

I happened to know that our head teacher is paying rent where he and his family reside on the West Bank of Demerara.

To expect a teacher who is already under paid to pay rent for two houses, is I think, unfair.

It is my humble opinion, that teachers in the interior areas should be given special considerations since dedicated teachers are often out of pocket for simple things which the Ministry of Education does not supply. Grants are inadequate and can never supply everything needed.

For, instance, our head teacher uses his privately owned computer and printer to do school work. Ink for printers is expensive and the cost is never reimbursed.

Teachers who have families out of the district are already sacrificing part of

their salaries.

The Ministry of Education should deal with teachers and especially those with a university degree in such a way that they will not seek greener pastures abroad.

The powers that be, should do some research and make the necessary adjustments where riverine teachers are concerned.

It will be a sad day for Saxacalli if because of this drastic measure our sir decides to leave.

I sympathize with His Excellency President David Arthur Granger, he has scraped the bottom of the barrel to find ministerial material. Imagine the Minister of Education a born and bred Guyanese not knowing the difference between Pagwah and Diwali.

Sincerely Mr E C Lobert

Dear Editor, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, son of Gujarat, father of Bharat, and teacher of all mankind, departed his mortal body on January 30, 1948, but left us lessons with his last breath.

One of international repute, his life attracts extensive research, but Rajmohan Gandhi’s reference to his grandfather’s last days is preferable, as outlined in his book, PATEL. When the Mahatma broke his fast on January 17 at 12.45 pm, the violence factions all made promises to keep him alive. But this clearly did not please everyone.

On January 20th, a bomb was thrown during a prayer meeting; Mandanlal, who hurled the grenade, was caught, and he provided information that there was a conspiracy to kill Gandhi by those who had escaped.

Uniformed and plainclothes policemen were placed at different parts of Birla House, but this only annoyed Gandhi. He even refused Patel permission to search every man entering the house.

On January 30th, at about 4.00 pm, Vallabhbhai Patel was having his last conversation with Gandhi during his evening meal of vegetables, orange slices and milk. The extensive discussions made him late for his prayer meeting, as the subject was the breach between Nehru and Patel; and the three were supposed to meet the next day, but the actions of Nathuram Godse intervened, and the world knows the rest.

A few minutes after leaving Birla House, Patel got the message that Bapu was shot. He returned to find the body on the floor, his face calm and serene while he uttered last words, “He Ram”, as the Gita was being recited by those around.

Nehru came a few minutes later, and like so many others, cried like a baby.

Gandhi’s wish, as disclosed

by Lord Mountbatten, was the reconciliation of Nehru and Patel, and his death accomplished this.

The two embraced each other, and addressed the nation together that night.

Patel, the iron man, gave clear instructions that Police impose strict restrictions all over India, and quash speculation by letting the public know that the assassin was a Hindu.

It is customary to celebrate October 2 each year as the date on which this great soul arrived on Earth, but few activities take place on January 30, in part because we do not share or understand the messages that the Mahatma and the Gita left with us. He often wondered why we fear or mourn death if we believe the Atman to be immortal, and, as the Gita states, cannot be destroyed by weapons, fire, water or air.

We die only to be born again, for if death is not a prelude to another life, the intermediate period is a cruel mockery. This ancient message still has to reach many, who refuse to welcome death as they welcome birth. When birth and death are treated as pairs of opposites, believers will approach them as inevi-

table and equal, not treating death with sorrow and birth with joy. Life becomes livable only to the extent that death is treated as a friend, never as an enemy, as it delivers us from numerous trials, tribulations and sufferings.

Hopefully, we can learn from his death, and continue to celebrate his life and message by organising more events around January 30 each year, to reduce greed, violence to all living organisms, and excessive materialism -which lead to all kinds of ecological problems on the spaceship called Earth.

The search for Truth and Peace involves more than non-violence. They transcend all aspects of life, all professions and disciplines; and his passing should be viewed as another opportunity to save us from ourselves by sharing the eternal universal messages of the GREAT SOUL. Regards, Ramnarine Sahadeo

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Foundation

Raising independent, self-confident children The Book Brigade talks to psychologist Wendy Moss and psychiatrist Donald Moses

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– 3 lessons from a marathon runner’s training that we can apply to customising education for each student

By Ben Johnson

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team of runners, scientists, and specialists set an unimaginable goal recently—helping a runner to run 26.2 miles in under two hours. Though they did not quite meet the goal, the Nike Breaking2 got closer than anyone in history (2:00:25) and learned valuable lessons along the way.

With the support of his coach, scientists, and sponsors, Eliud Kipchoge accomplished what no other human being has accomplished.

I believe that we, as educators, can learn from this amazing achievement.

A takeaway lesson to be learned and embraced from the Breaking2 team is that helping students learn at impressive rates requires not only a skilled support team of educators dedicated to go the distance but also a customised learning plan for each student.

From 2014 to 2017, the Breaking2 team consistently used specific strategies in attempting to meet their goal. Borrowing their strategies for education, the formula to get impressive results from our students is that our teams must likewise align our efforts, know and address our weaknesses, and set a persistent pace.

Special education as a model

I believe the closest thing we currently have in education to the Breaking2 team is found with special education. We have monthly meetings with specialists that discuss students’ data—their challenges and strengths. In special education, individualised education programmes (IEPs) are created, including accommodations and behaviour plans. And what about the rest of our students? The concept of individualised plans created by a team of experts for students in special education has been around for a long time, but this is precisely what is necessary to successfully guide all students to run their best in the learning marathon.

What we can learn from Breaking2

Here are three approaches successfully

also increase the efficiency of learning by using a variety of learning tools (electronic, traditional, and non-traditional) depending on each student’s needs. Additionally, in order to enhance and motivate learning, teacher teams must intentionally design classrooms—the lighting and the type of furniture and how it is arranged, for example—so they are inviting places to learn.

Set a mile-by-mile goal for a recordbreaking time. The Breaking2 team set the impressive goal to break the two-hour marathon barrier. Then they determined what pace needed to be run for each of the 26 miles. A pacing car drove in front so the runners could see on a display the target pace and their current pace. In relating this to education, the best syllabi are those that have full disclosure of what is necessary for success. They break down the total learning into months or weeks, plan for frequent checks for understanding and “This is teamwork, assessment, and provide for feedback.

I get information What else is necessary? We must create from the scientists, a pacing plan where we review daily the information from target learning goals with students and the management, where the students are in achieving and from the coaching them. True formative assessment helps system. So it’s really students adjust their pace and their a circle. You cannot performance. And when we conduct train alone and expect formative assessments frequently, need?). to run faster. There’s students know exactly what they need to We then do to improve. Teachers must also provide need to a formula.” – Eliud plenty of opportunities for improvement. share this Kipchoge, marathon And once learning milestones are information runner completed, students should be recognized with the and celebrated. s t u d e n t s and parents through continual formative assessments (progress checks, with feedback Working together, setting goals and opportunities to improve).

The Breaking2 team helped Kipchoge Strategise running training, use of tools, run the fastest marathon in history by asking and control of the environment. Learning questions at the molecular level, testing and would be customised for each student. retesting, employing all of their resources in Teacher teams, parents, administrators, a unified strategy, and setting a persistent and school specialists would deliberately pace. By applying these same approaches, work together to create learning plans teacher teams can help their students that maximise learning for each student. improve academically. As educators, we Avoiding one-size-fits-all means doing must embrace the idea that teaching and what the Breaking2 team did in custom- learning are a team effort, and that each fitting shoes and gear to the individual child deserves a customised learning plan. characteristics of each runner. Teachers can (edutopia.org)

used by the Breaking2 team, with descriptions of ways teacher teams can use these approaches when getting to the molecular level of learning for each student.

Initial testing to know physical capacity and potential and identify areas of efficiency.

Time and resources must be allocated to pre- and post-test each student, or in other words discover their ability to learn. This means that the number of evaluations would increase. The evaluations would need to be aligned to standards and performance expectations so that diagnostic testing and gap analysis could be performed (eg, what specific knowledge and skills do the students have, and what do they still

ometimes parents attempt to solve their children’s problems for them. While it may cut out a lot of whining, it can have the unintended effect of robbing a child of a necessary life skill: a sense of self-agency.

More often, it’s better to let a child push through their own frustrations.

What are executive functioning skills and why are they important?

Executive functioning skills, in general, are skills that help people to be organised, start, and then follow through on tasks.

You have heard the phrase, “ready, set, go.” Sometimes, children aren’t sure how to get ready to begin a task, struggle to know when they are set to move forward with it, and are confused about how to get started on it.

With all of the expectations placed on children in school, how can parents help children build up executive functioning skills?

There are many ways that parents can help children to develop their executive functioning skills.

For example, some skills can begin to be taught simply by using a calendar to teach time management. Parents can model how to get organised to work on a task. They can help children to figure out how to prioritise their work so they begin to understand the process, and guide children to know how long they can persevere without a break to meet deadlines.

They can teach children to motivate themselves through the use of incentives. An incentive could simply be that the child spends a few minutes shooting baskets or listening to a favourite song before moving on to the next homework task. For long-term projects, using a picture of a ladder where children write on each step what is needed to build to the completed task can be a useful visual aid for breaking down a large assignment into manageable segments.

Children who also know when to be self-reliant and when to ask for help are going to be people who can generally feel more confident that they can get through the work.

Is it a parent’s job to help a child to feel content and not frustrated in life?

Of course, children need to feel love, safety, and happiness to thrive.

However, it’s unrealistic to think that anyone can

go through life without any frustration. Having the opportunity to experience and tolerate frustration is a key element to becoming a confident child, teen, and adult. Some children become overwhelmed when they can’t get immediate gratification because they don’t think that they can cope with the frustration.

This can lead to temper tantrums, crying, or angry outbursts.

The good news is that overcoming minor frustrations can have a major impact. Imagine if a 6-yearold starts having a tantrum when he can’t instantly jump on his new two-wheeler bike and ride down the street with his older sister. That’s a time to acknowledge his feelings, teach him how to calm himself, begin teaching the skill that he hoped to have instantly mastered, and eventually show him that these skills can lead to his goal, down the road.

Parents who have seen the pride on their child’s face after she overcomes an obstacle knows that overcoming frustration can lead to gratification.

Therefore, using the word “no,” when necessary, or supporting but not taking over when children face age-appropriate struggles, does not make parents too strict. Rather, they are preparing their children for independent life.

It is imperative that parents understand the need, and allow their children, to face ageappropriate frustrations, develop executive functioning and empathy skills, and gain problemsolving, decision-making, and coping strategies. We feel that by teaching skills to young children and adolescents, they can more easily internalise them and increase their chances of comfortably being independent. Of course, it is okay for all of us to sometimes rely on others, but teaching when and how is also important. We hope to guide parents in their efforts to raise independent, confident children.

What is the most important point you want to convey?

Many children will eventually move out of their parents’ home and work to navigate life as adults.

We want to help parents explore numerous tools that they can use to empower their children to do this in a confident and independent manner. (psychologytoday.com)

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monDAY, january 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana-Venezuela border controversy

Venezuela’s credibility, integrity will be tested at ICJ – former Minister

O

nce a decision is made by the United Nations to send the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the credibility of the Nicolás Maduro Government of Venezuela will be tested, former Foreign Affairs Minister Henry Jeffrey has said.

Dr Jeffrey’s statement comes on the heels of delays by the UN in announcing its decision on whether to send the matter before the ICJ. The former Minister is of the opinion that the present Venezuelan Government is too weak to carry that argument to its people to have the border controversy resolved.

“So you really need a strong regime in Venezuela to be able to make a credible showing at the ICJ to sell that to the Venezuelan people. That does not exist at the moment. Venezuela wouldn’t want to go in the first place, but if they had a strong Government at least they could have said that they are going. Right now, they have a weak Government and that is something to think about,” he explained.

The former Minister claimed that while many Venezuelans believe that the Essequibo belongs to their country, especially since they have been repeatedly told this since the 1960s, going to the ICJ might be the best decision, but there could be several implications for the

Government.

At present, Venezuela is facing several international sanctions over rights and corruption allegations.

Support for Maduro's Administration has fallen off sharply as Venezuela's economy has plunged deeper into crisis marked by widespread shortages and a rise in inflation.

However, Maduro plans to stand for re-election in a presidential vote due by the end of April. It has already been made known; however, that should the presidential vote be perceived as fraudulent, further foreign sanctions would be initiated, including from United States President Donald Trump.

Jeffrey believes that the issues facing Venezuela will be endless. “That is not going to finish in Venezuela anytime soon, especially for a government of some standing to come into being that can negotiate this. The Government now has no capacity to do that,” he added.

As such, the former Minister said more attention should be paid at managing the relationship with Venezuela, to get a positive outcome for Guyana. He said the delay by the UN was no reason for Guyana to put its hand up. “I don’t believe that these border issues are settled that easily and overnight.”

He continued, “Going to the ICJ in my view would be a moral victory and it might well give us some

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Henry Jeffrey

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro

sort of leverage in terms of future investment in the region with Venezuela, but it would not end the border… [controversy]. The Venezuelans in my view would not accept it in the first place.”

Arguing that border issues are not solved effortlessly, even when the matter is taken to the ICJ, Dr Jeffrey declared that both sides of the political divide in Venezuela were united on the issue.

“So I believe what we are struggling here for is some kind of leverage and moral authority. I doubt it would solve the problem in any sensible way, or in a way we would like to see it solved,” he reiterated.

Current Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge said recently that following the end of the Good Offices Process on December 31, 2017, UN Secretary General António Guterres could take two

years to decide on the next move regarding the border controversy.

Former UN Secretary

General Ban Ki-moon had given an undertaking that 2017 would have been the last year of mediation to end the border controversy. If that process failed, the controversy would be referred to the ICJ, the principal judicial organ of the UN. Guyana maintains that the 1899 Arbitral Tribunal Award that settled the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was full and final. But Venezuela has, for several decades, registered its diplomatic and military objection to Guyana’s development of its natural resources onshore and offshore.

Venezuela, with almost 40 times the population

of Guyana and a territory that is several times bigger, purported to claim in 1968 the entire territorial sea of Guyana by means of the Leoni Decree, which has never been withdrawn.

Relations between Guyana and Venezuela have worsened ever since oil giant ExxonMobil announced in 2015 that it had found oil in Guyana.

Venezuela has staunchly been against oil exploration in Guyana’s Stabroek Block, where multiple oil deposits have been found

by ExxonMobil.

In fact, Venezuela’s National Assembly had approved an agreement to reject the oil exploration activities in March 2017.

8 news

monDAY, january 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

3-year-old Lindener needs urgent medical attention

Three-year-old Crystal John and her father, Ivan

A

Linden family is seeking the help of the public in securing funds for their threeyear-old daughter who has been diagnosed with Retinoblastoma (cancer of the retina of the eye) and is in urgent need of treatment.

Crystal John of Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden,

was diagnosed with the life-threatening disease when she was just eight months old, resulting in the removal of one of her eyes. It has since spread to her other eye and she is currently unable to see.

In an effort to save her life and prevent further spread, her remaining eye

has to be removed. As such, her parents, Ivan John and LaShawn Daniels, are seeking the assistance of the public in an effort to raise funds for her to travel to Cuba to receive urgent treatment.

The family is presently seeking to secure US$10,000, which includes treatment, accommodation, transportation and other costs. A number of organisations, including the Giving Hope Foundation – Guyana and the Sar & B Nonprofit Foundation have since been on the quest to assist the family in raising the funds with the help of the public.

Linden Nurse Colwyn Allen has also organised a telethon on his radio programme “Healthy Living with Nurse Allen” in an effort to assist. Donations can be made via Citizens Bank Account # 219-002772 and GBTI Account # 001062730013. A GoFundMe account has also been set

Rewriting history…

H

Crystal in happier times

up at GoFundMe:https:// www.gofundme.com/crystals-johns-treatment.

Her parents can be contacted on phone numbers 690-0866, 670-4337 or 6877171, or interested persons can contact the Giving Hope Foundation on phone numbers 227-6588 or 624-0531 to donate.

2 hospitalised after being shot by minibus driver T hirty-three-yearold Marlon Browne, a farmer of Helena, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, and 23-yearold Teron Orwin Gordon, a labourer of 9 Belmont, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara are now nursing gunshot wounds at the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital after they allegedly were shot by a minibus driver known to them on Saturday night.

The shooting incident

reportedly occurred at about 21:40hrs while the two victims were in a shop at the Mahaica Market Square. The Guyana Times understands that the men were approached by the suspect, and an argument ensued between the three.

The driver subsequently departed the scene in his bus, but later returned holding a handgun which he used to immediately discharge rounds in the direction of Browne and Orwin.

The victims, who were both playing dominoes at the time, attempted to run for cover, but sustained gunshot injuries while so doing. Browne received a wound to his left side chest and Gordon received a wound to his left side ribs and to his left forearm.

They were both rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where they were said to be in stable condition up to press time.

Five .357 magnum

spent shells were retrieved from the crime.

Police are making stringent efforts to apprehend the suspect.

Body of Cummings Lodge man found at Oleander Road

T

he Police are investigating the circumstances behind the body of 20-year-old Hemchand Dalchand, called “Rakesh”, of Cummings Lodge, East Coast Demerara, being discovered on the Oleander Gardens Public Road, East Coast Demerara, on Saturday at about 18:00hrs.

Reportedly found lying in a pool of blood, this body bore several wounds, and was said to be without a jersey and footwear which he had been wearing when he left his home.

Dalchand had last been seen alive on Saturday, when he left his home in the company of some female friends to attend an entertainment show at the Ogle Community Centre.

A post-mortem examination is scheduled for tomorrow to determine the cause of his death, as investigators probe the discovery.

…in sugar and politics

alfway through the APNU/AFC’s term of office, Nagamootoo has demonstrated he’s most comfortable in selling out even those people of Berbice who gave him their votes in 2015; because they thought he was a native son, but mostly because he had flashed the “Accord” he and Ramjattan said they had “hammered out” with the PNC/APNU. And why did the “Cummingsburg Accord” encourage those Berbicians to vote AFC to give the PNC/APNU the 11% needed from the PPP’s traditional Indian-Guyanese base to capture the Government? Simple: the Accord promised that Nagamootoo and the AFC would have REAL power to counterbalance the inclinations of the die-hard PNCites they were “tying bundle” with.

The PM’s powers would be enlarged; the AFC would get 40% of Ministries, and in effect what Guyana would have would be a form of “power sharing”. And on what basis was the power to be shared? Well, duh!! The AFC would represent -- at a minimum -- the Berbice Indian Guyanese interests to produce a “real” multiracial Government!!

This was supposed to be the safeguard that would prevent the AFC from becoming “dead meat” to their Berbice supporters - in the memorable words of Ramjattan.

Any abrogation of the Accord as far as preventing the AFC from being a countervailing power to the PNC would in effect have the AFC joining the PNC and getting “larwah” in return.

The tip-off that Nagamootoo and Ramjattan had been screwed (literally and figuratively!) was when Nagamootoo was told the Accord’s promise of him Chairing Cabinet meetings and be in charge of “governance” – along the lines of the French President/PM model – couldn’t be kept!!!

Sorry, he was told, the Constitution doesn’t permit it! And the clincher that Nagamootoo had sold his soul for the salary, SUV, and frequent-flyer miles was when he accepted the traducing of the Accord by the PNC. Nagamootoo had become a lap dog who had to bark on command.

He was given a weekly column in the Chronic to do his barking. This week’s column, captioned, “Return to Roots”, tried to defend the indefensible – the firing of 4000 Berbice sugar workers by his govt. And for once he was true to his word – he regurgitated his trademark lies and contempt for the people who put him where he is.

He had the gall to say he went “to GROUND with retrenched sugar workers, who will receive their severance pay on Tuesday”!! To ground? Walter Rodney must have turned like a top in his grave at Le Repentir!! First of all, the workers would BELATEDLY receive only HALF their severance.

And secondly, to call those who felt betrayed and protested “rabble” showed the low-life that Nagamootoo is.

The Prime Minister told the Berbice workers that the sooner the Government saves and collects revenues from persons who are not paying their taxes, the sooner they can advance monies to GuySuCo to pay the other half.

…on the “Freedom Fighters”

It’s strange how quickly people forget. Or maybe they don’t really forget, but simply “play stupid”, as we Guyanese say, when it suits them. Suddenly everyone accepts the President announcing he’ll have an inquiry into the “Jagdeo era” killings when he’s actually talking about the “Post-1998 PNC Protest killings”, or the “Buxton Gang Killings”; or the “Buxton African-Guyanese Freedom Fighters” killings etc.

But by linking the killings to Jagdeo’s presidency - when that’s merely a time frame (a correlation), the president and his spin doctors are proposing a causation – as they’ve been doing over the past decade.

But this isn’t how you start any inquiry if you’re really interested in the truth. The PNC should remember why they rejected the Rodney inquiry being dubbed an inquiry into his “assassination” rather than his “death”.

But it’s all about labelling, isn’t it?

…on land grab

In the 1990s, when there was an alleged land grab at East Bank Essequibo, then PNC leader Hoyte advised the landowners to “shoot to kill”.

Will the present PNC leader David Granger likewise advise the businessman whose lands are being swiped at Tuschen EBE??

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

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monDAY, january 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil and gas sector

Guyana still considering refining oil in T&T G

overnment is still considering several options when it comes to refining the oil it hopes to receive when oil and gas production commences in 2020, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has said.

Trotman noted that nothing has been ruled out as yet, but the Government was actively looking at all the options before it made a final decision, taking into account offers made by neighbouring countries.

He disclosed that the twin-island republic of Trinidad and Tobago has already made a proposal, which was currently being looked at by all the key players in the decision-making process.

“Trinidad has put in a submission and we will have to consider it. We are still doing so,” he said recently.

The Minister hinted mid last year that Trinidad had already approached Guyana about the idea of refining its oil. That country is currently operating below optimum capacity and is importing oil from Nigeria.

During that same period

last year, a large delegation of Trinidadian businessmen and women working in the oil and gas sector had visited Guyana to explore business opportunities here.

The 25-member trade delegation lobbied strongly for opportunities, expressing a belief that they could play a role in the nascent sector and efforts would be made to explore opportunities locally.

But Trinidad is not the only country that has expressed an interest in partnering with Guyana.

Suriname had expressed an interest too. However, it was discovered that Guyana’s oil was too light and the chances of it being refined in that country were slim.

Despite this, late last year, Government said it was exploring the possibility of sharing an oil-processing facility with Suriname even as new oil companies had expressed an interest in exploration activities.

"We did discuss with Suriname the possibility of us establishing a joint industrial centre or site to service both countries," said Minister Trotman in

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

October last year.

His statement came days after his return from a visit to the neighbouring Dutch-speaking Caricom country. "That's something that I wish to raise with my minister colleagues here," he added.

Government has already hinted that it would not be investing in an oil refinery at this time, but would support Private Sector efforts towards this end.

Trotman said that while the Private Sector has not yet approached his Ministry on the proposal, the US oil company Chevron has made

"a very good proposal" to work in Guyana.

Additionally, Trotman said last week a decision would be made as regards Chevron’s application soon.

However, other companies such as Total have submitted applications for offshore concessions as well.

“That is still pending.

They are already looking to collaborate with Eco Atlantic,” he stated.

In May 2017, a feasibility study about Guyana building an oil refinery was shared with the public, at a consultation.

Director of Advisory

Venezuelan drowns in Wenamu River …while swimming to Guyana in search of food

T

he body of a Venezuelan man identified as Chavo Daniels Diaz, 27, of El Tigre in Maturin was found floating in the Wenamu River in Region Seven on Sunday at about 14:00hrs.

It is understood that the Venezuelan had on Saturday attempted to

swim to Guyana in search of food, but perished in the undertaking.

The Guyana Times understands that Diaz, in the company of other Venezuelan men, had on Saturday been venturing to Guyana, as is customary with Venezuelans attempting to find food which would

then be taken back to their homeland. He, however, was reportedly not a good swimmer, and thus began to experience difficulties in the water, which was very rough at the time.

Diaz eventually went underwater, and despite best efforts of the others in attempting to save him,

did not resurface. His body was on Sunday discovered floating a short distance away from where he had drowned.

The body was collected

by Captain of the San Wan in Venezuela, to be transported back to his homeland.

Services at the United States-based Hartree Partners, Pedro Haas had said that the cost to build a refinery that would produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day was US$5 billion, with a construction period of 50 to 60 months.

This cost not only catered for the off-site location and other facilities, but took into account the cost for energy, hydrogen supply, water and docking.

Even with a smaller oil refinery, Haas said, there was a high possibility of Guyana getting a negative rate of return on an investment of between US$2 billion and US$3 billion.

Some Guyanese here and abroad believe that Guyana should build its own oil refinery, because even if this was done at zero profit, it has the potential to create between 3000 and 6000 jobs. More than that,

Guyana could become the exporter of more than 100 by-products, including fertilisers.

Some US$500 million has already been set aside to build an onshore oil and gas facility at Crab Island, at the mouth of the Berbice River. The facility, which will largely support ExxonMobil’s offshore oil exploration and production operations, will include heliports, maintenance and transportation hubs.

Earlier this year, ExxonMobil announced the sixth oil discovery offshore Guyana since 2015.

The company had positive results from its Ranger-1 exploration well. This discovery adds to previous world-class discoveries at Liza, Payara, Snoek, Liza Deep and Turbot, which are estimated to total more than 3.2 billion recoverable oil-equivalent barrels.

10 news Govt making empty promises to sugar workers – Jagdeo monDAY, january 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

...says sugar belt meetings a sign of desperation

By Samuel Sukhnandan

M

eetings held with citizens in the sugar belt on Friday and chaired by several Cabinet Ministers, including Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, have been described as a master public relations strategy which was just a regurgitation of more failed promises and political rhetoric, Opposition Leader and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Bharrat Jagdeo has said.

Jagdeo told media operatives at a press conference on Saturday that the meetings were a desperate attempt by the coalition Government to show that they care about sugar workers, when in fact they were the ones who planned the downsizing of the industry, which is now taking effect and creating chaos for thousands of families whose livelihoods depend on that industry.

“Imagine: half of the Cabinet, the whole AFC (Alliance For Change) going to the sugar belt to say they will provide training and that the Special Purpose Unit (SPU) is looking for investors. It was a (public re-

lations) PR exercise, a master PR strategy; that (is) what it was. Nothing more than that,” he said.

The former President claimed that Nagamootoo has nothing new to say to the workers but that the Government is not closing the industry. “He said the Government not closing sugar and that sugar will remain alive. We heard similar sentiments from this same person who is now Prime Minister pre-election…who said they will receive significant support and (give) 20 percent increase in wages and salaries.”

Jagdeo said the reality today is that the coalition Government has taken the most “callous decision ever in sugar.” On that basis alone, he believes that Nagamootoo’s statements were not sincere, and sugar workers will not fall for the same trap of believing what was promised.

“Secondly, he told them that 1,000 workers will get $500,000 severances. They could have paid the 1,000 workers their full severance.

What he didn’t say is that they withholding half of the severance, which is payable by law. So, they making it that sugar workers beg for

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

what is due to them by law.

What was the message...the situation placed a strain on the treasury,” the former President told the press.

Jagdeo believes that if anything has put a severe strain on the treasury, it is the “bloated Government” which travels overseas more frequently and spends millions on luxury vehicles to parade in.

Another observation made by Jagdeo about the Prime Minister’s address to people in the sugar belt was the fact that “he said there is no need for quarrel and row”. He was referring to moments when workers’ voices drowned

Nagamootoo’s speech.

Nagamootoo had said that if tension is put aside and both parties work together and have meaningful talks, then they can find answers and solutions.

“He wants to work together. But this is the same Prime Minister who, a week prior to that, stood up in Parliament (and) argued against (the) Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report on Sugar being debated fully at the Economic Services Committee in the National Assembly,” the PPP/C General Secretary pointed out.

Jagdeo also observed that the Government was so desperate in its attempt to try to fix a problem it created that it is telling sugar workers of a plan to have them meet with the Private Sector so that they can discuss ways in which their severance pay could be reinvested to create a business.

“This is desperate, and it’s ridiculous. Which business can you start really with $500,000? And in fact the people need it now to sustain themselves,” he added.

During those meetings, Third Vice President Khemraj Ramjattan

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

explained that the Government had no other choice but to make the “hard decision”. He admitted that challenging days are ahead for the sugar industry. He remarked that times are changing globally, and had Guyana responded at the right time and in the right manner, the dynamics of the sugar industry would have been very different now But Ramjattan’s famous words from that meeting were: “God wanted sugar to fail.” The Minister also said, “So it’s important to understand that hard decisions have to be made,

and we are (the) ones that will (have) to make it… probably it was destined to have to fail. Probably God wanted it that way, and we have to make the decisions now…Probably that is why God also said let (them) find the oil under this Administration, and we have found it.”

Ramjattan was accompanied by Business and Tourism Minister Dominic Gaskin; Public Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes; Citizenship Minister Winston Felix; and Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes. The Ministers were accompanied by a representative of the SPU, GuySuCo’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Paul Bhim, and other senior officials.

The team met workers at the Enmore Training Centre and Staff Club on Friday.

The team that was led by the Prime Minister met with sugar workers at the Skeldon Community Centre on that same day.

He was accompanied by Agriculture Minister Noel Holder and Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma.

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monDAY, january 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

President meets with GTT sponsors inaugural UN Coordinator GIPEX event P T resident David Granger was on Friday given a status update on the progress of the work of United Nations’ (UN) agencies in Guyana during a courtesy call made

by United Nations Resident Coordinator Ms. Mikiko Tanaka at State House.

With hope of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a total of fifteen UN agencies had executed a number of projects in and around the country in 2017. The UN agencies have also conducted several capacity-building programmes with ministries and Government agencies.

Added to that, a series of community sensitization projects have been held based on several issues, such as gender-based violence, HIV/AIDS, corporal punishment, and nutrition.

President Granger has committed to working

President David Granger is flanked by Minister of Public Affairs, Dawn Hastings-Williams (left), and United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator Mikiko Tanaka

with the UN programmes to guarantee their success. And as such, he has appointed Public Affairs Minister Dawn HastingsWilliams to work alongside Ms. Tanaka, to consolidate the UN programmes

and to conduct an analysis so that implementation can be more effective.

In an attempt to create greater collaborations with the UN agencies, President Granger has invited the Heads of those

programmes to a roundtable meeting consisting of Cabinet members.

This meeting would allow for direct interaction between cabinet members and the programmes’ heads.

Portuguese-speaking bandits rob jewellery store, arrested

T

hree Portuguesespeaking gunmen reportedly stormed Michael’s Jewellery and Cell Phone Shop, located at Barrack Retreat and Kanuku Drive in Lethem, Region 9, at about 15:00hrs during a recent robbery attempt.

This publication understands that the trio, all armed, suddenly entered the establishment and attacked and robbed its owners and customers present, before being promptly apprehended by Police.

They tied up Maxine Buckley, wife of the store owner, as they did a 24-year-old customer and a Brazilian businesswoman, before proceeding to

arrested. The bag containing the items was however not found.

The trio -- Gabriel Fanun Da Pinha, Elton Diego Doarete and Luenderson Mangabeira – were on Friday arraigned at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and were all remanded to prison.

ransack the store, packing gold jewellery, cell phones, watches, and other items with an estimated value of over $3.8 million.

A gun was then placed to Mrs Buckley’s head and the keys to her husband’s car were demanded. The fright-

ened woman complied with the demand, and the men proceeded to board the car in attempting to escape, but crashed into a wall some distance away.

An alarm was raised, and the men -- later identified as Brazilians -- were all

he Guyana Telephone Telegraph (GTT) has become the official technology and platinum sponsor of the recently launched Guyana International Petroleum Summit, which is to be held in Guyana from February 7-9, 2018.

According to GTT, the support for the conference at such a strategic level signals its support of the emerging oil and gas sector, and its recognition of its importance to the growth and development of the Guyana economy and Guyanese as a whole.

“We are the premier technology company in Guyana, and the only one adequately able to provide full-service to the oil and gas sector”, GTT’s CEO Justin Nedd stated.

He noted that for local and international connectivity, unparalleled holistic solutions are found at GTT. “We continue to do more to improve our products and services to the oil and gas sector,” he said. “For 2018, we will exceed the tremendous work done in 2017, and create more satisfied customers”. Nedd further added.

GTT was, late last year, awarded by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry with the award for “Large Business of the Year 2017” and “Corporate Citizenship Award of the Year 2017”.

GTT CEO Justin Nedd

As the number one network in Guyana, GTT stands ready to provide technology solutions to cater to the needs of the oil and gas industry.

In the past, GTT has shown similar support for the mining industry, as demonstrated in the establishment of telecommunication facilities for Troy Mining Resources at Issano, Region 7.

Businesses are encouraged to visit GTT’s booth at GIPEX, to acquaint themselves with the wide array of technology business solutions. The company welcomes all participating companies to the inaugural event.

12 news

monDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Downsizing sugar

Granger responsible for greatest destruction of rural wealth ...Long-term socioeconomic impact inadequately quantified – analyst

By Samuel Sukhnandan

A

s Government’s decision to downsize the local sugar industry starts to take effect, many people within the sugar belt seem to have grown despondent, and all fingers are pointing blame at President David Granger and his Cabinet for creating one of the most devastating economic problems in recent times in Guyana, particularly in rural communities.

Adding his voice to the mass criticisms that Government continues to receive is former Alliance for Change (AFC) executive and Guyana-born financial analyst Sasenarine Singh, who opined that the President has supervised one of the “greatest destructions of rural wealth in the history of Guyana.”

“The consequence will be national. All Guyanese will suffer. The fallout from this is now beginning to happen yet. But when it begins, we will all see a heavy dose of hopelessness in rural Demerara and Berbice. And we will also see destitution in blocks in big parts of rural Guyana,” Singh explained.

The outspoken financial analyst also feels that some point will be reached where “rural destitution” will be so pervasive that people will commit all kinds of social ills.

Singh said he is afraid that Guyanese --- particularly those directly affected by the downsizing and ultimate closure of the industry -- may turn to not only suicide, but simple larceny, organised crime, and other social issues, which will escalate.

He said, “The cost of this is a total deconstruction of the rural family. And with a deconstructed family, the children will suffer too, because they will not be able to move to the next level. It is a danger point that only Team Granger seems insen-

sitive to.”

Singh also made reference to new immigration plans being touted by the Donald Trump Administration, which is seeking to have the sponsorship of siblings removed from United States laws.

He said this is another outlet that could be potentially shut by the US, and this will create a greater level of hopelessness for Guyanese, as fewer people will have alternative choices.

While declaring that the destruction of the sugar industry started with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration when Dr. Rajendra (Raj) Singh served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), the former AFC executive said the President, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister Khemraj Ramjattan did not deliver on the promise they made to people at Whim, Berbice during the 2015 election campaign.

Singh recalled that the coalition had promised Guyanese that they would run the industry more efficiently than the previous Government. “They did not keep that promise. They lied to the people. It’s a patent dishonesty. What should have been done from 2015 to now was not done, as they tinkered around the real solutions,” he charged.

While he commended the Government for launching a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) which, according to him, was extremely necessary to understand what was happening in the industry, the financial analyst said it is unfortunate that the CoI was incomplete; because one of the most fundamental things that were missing from that CoI was a list of proposed actions and the cost to deliver on that plan of action.”

“It’s not there. That CoI

P

February 5 at the PNCR party office at Mackenzie, Linden and will be conducted on Mondays and Fridays.

“The brain needs food to learn. With the help of sponsors, the PNCR Region 10 Committee is trying to emphasise the importance of a good and healthy meal,” Adams noted.

“Since we are fully aware of the many difficult problems pupils of primary and secondary schools encounter in their daily life, we have established a feeding programme for those who need it most. The feeding programme reaches out to pupils who encounter

have made more economic and social sense to ask the CoI to move to another level and list out possible solutions with a cost structure around each idea, and then back that with an action plan with hard timelines.

“This is how serious people in the real world fix big problems. But all I have seen from this Granger regime is bogus actions that mask heavy doses of deception and subterfuge with a

value chain? Nothing! They consolidated the production of raw sugar, which consolidated the death of the industry,” Singh charged.

Another recommendation Singh made was to identify within the value chain those non-value- added activities and cut them out. He noted there were cases in which senior managers of GuySuCo were allegedly stealing fertilizers and fuel. “Find them, hunt

Failed

Former AFC executive and financial analyst, Sasenarine Singh

report just basically gave you a list of problems. But you don’t fix anything by regurgitating problems. How you fix things is identifying the problems and then you give a list of recommended actions with a cost structure attached, and then you go find the resources to invent a solution,” he further stated.

Singh said if Government could have funded the $9 billion loss and use monetary policy via the Bank of Guyana to curtail or curb inflation, the matter could have been properly addressed. “It’s a misconception of the Finance Minister (Winston Jordan). It’s either he doesn’t understand the theory or he doesn’t understand how an economy works, or wants to mislead the people.”

If Government can find $9 billion to fund the operation of the Ministry of the Presidency, which has a smaller workforce compared to an entire industry; and $11B to fund the Guyana Defence Force, which has a staff of 1,900; then they should find that $9 billion for an industry that supports 17,000 families, he contended.

“Their (Government) priority is totally out of or-

Region 10 students to benefit from “Feeding Angels” initiative rimary and secondary school students in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are expected to benefit from a school hot meal feeding programme, organised through the Region’s People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) office.

According to the PNCR Region 10 Chairman Deron Adams, who is presently seeking additional sponsorship for the programme, the initiative will target students who encounter financial difficulties and those considered disadvantaged.

The feeding programme is expected to commence on

One of the major blunders of the Government in handling the proposed downsizing of the industry was its failure to communicate with the people in the sugar belt, Singh stated.

“It’s 5,800 people now let go in total, and that is not a small amount of the working population. And it will have long-term socioeconomic adverse impacts that have not been quantified by the Government,” he argued.

According to the former AFC executive, it would

fake commitment to fixing the sugar industry,” he declared.

Singh, who has written extensively about the economics of sugar in Guyana, said that while raw sugar is dead, sugar-related products like ethanol, refined sugar, packaged sugar, and agro-energy are all profitable. The profitability of those elements range between 15 and 75 percent, he stated.

“But the Granger Government seems focused on the production of raw sugar. What have they done from 2015 to now to carry the sugar industry up the

der, and it’s a charade,” he opined.

daily financial problems, or those from particularly disadvantaged backgrounds.

We are aware that single-parent families struggle really hard to get enough income to provide for their children hence this initiative is timely,” he continued, while he stressed the need for the help of sponsors.

He added that in the future, a database would be created after careful analysis of those who may need additional assistance via the outreach programme, as he welcomed sponsors to partner with the Committee to support the initiative.

them down and chop them out of the business. That is how you do it. But (Clive) Thomas was wasting valuable time all along. You have to cut those things out first, and make some examples; and once you’re able to do that, you will be able to reduce the losses of the industry. Then you have to do a detailed cash flow analysis estate by estate, and then use these hard data to increment rightsizing of the industry. Not engage on this Alice in Wonderland journey that Minister (Noel) Holder seems to be on when it comes to the sugar industry.

“Once you make that decision. You also have the back plan to support how and when you will pay things like severance pay.

You would put in place a concrete retraining plan for the displaced workers; you would relocate workers, if needed; you would facilitate access to financing if they want to move to another form of employment; you would break down the market barriers for their new products in targeted markets like Trinidad and the Eastern Caribbean,” he added.

While outrightly criticizing Agriculture Minister Holder for his handling of this issue, Singh described the Minister as a patent failure. “He is just focusing on the losses in the raw sugar production process, and has totally failed to recognize the powerful opportunities in the value-added sector of the sugar production business. He is a yesterday’s man. What you have now on your hands is 5,800 families and their associate dependents like the shopkeepers who are now fiscally exposed.”

Plaisance/Sparendaam to soon benefit from improved water supply

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he community of Plaisance/Sparendaam is scheduled to benefit from improved water supply as the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is looking to introduce a new product called the SeaQuest within the next two to three weeks.

GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles made the announcement to the East Coast Demerara (ECD) residents and revealed that the new product would reduce the iron content in the water supply.

The product has already been introduced and has provided communities of the Essequibo Coast, as well as Agricola, Clonbrook and Goed Fortuin with improved water.

In addition to the introduction of SeaQuest, GWI will also be improving water pressure and the hours of service in those areas as the company seeks to reach the

GWI Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles

goal of 24/7 supply of ‘good water’.

In some areas, Dr Van West-Charles revealed, generators are being purchased to ensure the continuance of the water supply in the event of power outages.

Residents countrywide are being asked to play their

part and to report leakages in order for the infrastructure to be maintained.

Dr Van West-Charles also stressed the need for residents to pay off their debt, as he disclosed that the debt owed to GWI by residents living in Goedverwagting to Plaisance stands at approximately $128 million, with residents of Plaisance owing some $60 million of that amount.

He said that the company was continually examining ways to make it easier for customers to pay their debt and providing additional means to address service delivery.

In this regard, the company will be working along with all Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and village councils so that customers can lodge their complaints at those offices as well.

news

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monDAY, january 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Social Cohesion Minister 1st Diocesan Priest in 3 decades ordained on assessment tours

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Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton carrying out his inspection of equipment at the National Music School with Music Administrator Andrew Tyndall

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ocial Cohesion Minister with responsibility for youth, culture, and sport, Dr George Norton has visited and inspected the National Museum and the National School of Music as he continued his assessment tours of the various departments under his purview.

He was accompanied by a team that included the Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain and Technical Officer at the Ministry, Pamela Nauth.

Following the completion of the visit on Thursday at the National School of Music, the Minister expressed satisfaction “… there is much to offer there in terms of music, the actual teaching process, the instruments that are available, the classes that are undertaken there, the fact that they are going to have a recording studio there shortly and right now we have calypso rehearsals taking place right there. I am certainly happy with what I

Dr Norton carrying out his inspection of artefacts at the National Museum

find at the music school.”

He underscored the importance of the National Museum, noting that the necessary steps must be taken to ensure that historical artefacts were properly preserved.

“I think that we need to do some more work: the place should be air-conditioned and all the infrastructure work that was earmarked, we hope that we can get it done early, like the repairs to the roof and the rewiring and all the different

showcases that we have.”

According to Minister Norton, the inspections of the various departments allow him to get an understanding of what improvement are needed. He noted that it would be “impossible for him to sit in his office and know what is happening at each department without personally visiting them”.

Inspections were also carried out on Friday at the Walter Roth Museum, National Trust, Umana Yana, and D’Urban Park.

he nation’s first Diocesan Priest in over three decades was on Sunday ordained at an exquisite service, which was held at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on Brickdam, Georgetown.

The ceremony saw scores of churchgoers and Government officials gathering to celebrate the rare event as it was specially planned for the ordination of Deacon Carl Anthony Philadelphia and was convened by Bishop Francis Dean Alleyne.

Like any other church service, there were a series of hymns and Bible verse recitals before the auspicious moment. The 36-year-old Philadelphia had to be found worthy by his colleagues and had to affirm his commitment to the office he was about to hold.

The event saw the presence of First Lady Sandra Granger and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s wife, Seeta. The congregation cheered on as the newly-appointed Priest took on his new robes.

The newly-christened Father Carl, in a lengthy speech, expressed nothing but gratitude to God, his

The new Priest, Father Carl Philadelphia

family, colleagues and his church. He noted that he has come a long way and has a far way to go.

Father Carl’s first mass will be held today, January 29 at the Lady of Fatima Church.

Sisters Village brutal stabbing & robbery

Suspect released, couple slowly recovering – residents call for more Police patrols

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ollowing the brutal chopping and stabbing of a couple at Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD) who were robbed by four masked bandits last week, a suspect has been released from Police custody pending the outcome of investigations.

His release comes after revelations that the hat of one of the bandits was found at the scene of the crime. Meanwhile, Goeberdhan and Sangeeta Mahabir, who were attacked at their residence at Nowran Dam, Sisters Village, are said to be in stable condition and are recovering at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Guyana Times reported that Goeberdhan was in the process of closing his variety store, located in front of his two-storey home, when the bandits jumped the fence and pounced on him.

Two of the bandits, who were reportedly armed with knives – entered the house and attacked Sangeeta while the remaining two, who were also armed, remained with the businessman.

The men assaulted Goeberdhan, while their accomplices ransacked the variety store, where an undisclosed sum of cash was found.

Just before leaving the scene, the bandits stabbed

the couple several times about their bodies, before fleeing west. Goberdhan received a stab to his belly, one to his head and a cut on his forehead, while his wife was cut about five times on the right arm, on her leg and on her back, a relative explained.

The couple’s nephew, who resides a short distance away, told this publication that he heard screams coming from his uncle’s home and upon checking, he observed him on the ground in front of his shop, bleeding profusely.

Meanwhile, residents of the surrounding communities of the Wales area contended that there should be beefed-up security to tackle rising crime. This newspaper was at the time questioning if robberies were on the increase in the area.

“Since this Estate close down, we getting more crime and robbery, because nobody ain’t working or getting money and no business ain’t going on. To me, Wales dead,” former cane harvest-

er “Alexander” told Guyana Times over the weekend.

His sentiments were shared by sluice attendant Nandkishore Singh and retrenched sugar worker Krishna Ramlall, who both said an increased Police presence would reduce crime in the area.

Ramlall reminded that many of his colleagues were still finding difficulties in gaining consistent work and noted that many young men in the area were without jobs.

When the Wales Estate closure was announced in early 2016, workers and their family members had long expressed fear that Wales would become a “ghost town” and that criminal activity would increase.

The current spate of crime was compounded with the rise of criminal gangs who had been prowling the area before the Estate was closed. In the past few years, Sisters Village, Good Intent, Patentia and Wales have all seen increased reports of robberies.

Former sugar worker “Alexander” called for more Police patrols to curb crime

The house where the couple reside in Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara

AFC extends condolences to City Councillor’s family

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he Alliance For Change (AFC) has extended its condolences to the family and colleagues of the late Councillor Junior Garrett.

The party has particularly extended its deepest condolences to the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) whom Garrett represented at the Georgetown municipal council.

In a statement released on Sunday, the party noted that it stood in solidarity with its coalition political colleagues at

Dead: Junior Garrett

this difficult time of mourning. The AFC also praised the contributions of Councillor Garrett and his professional work as a respected accountant.

Councillor Garrett on Friday last collapsed and died at his place of business located at Urquhart Street, Georgetown. He had just returned from a meeting with fellow council members. The 64-year-old man was heralded for his professionalism and skill; he leaves to mourn seven children.

14 news

monDAY, January 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Drug shortage at NA Hospital President joins nonagenarian linked to stealing – Minister in birthday celebration

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence on a recent tour of the New Amsterdam Hospital

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ublic Health Minister Volda Lawrence has publicly admitted that there is massive stealing of drugs at the New Amsterdam Hospital. This, she says, must stop.

Speaking at a ceremony last week for the commencement of a new maternity wing at the medical institution, the Public Health Minister acknowledged that drugs at the NA Hospital were being pilfered.

“I would like to see the pilfering stopped… I would ensure that those who are caught are locked away for

a very long time,” she said.

The shortage of drugs at the Hospital has been a sour issue for close to two years with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) being forced to address the issue on many occasions.

But the Director of Regional Health Services, Javon Stephens has always defended the drug stocking policies by either denying a shortage or stating that a shipment of drugs was expected within days.

However, the Minister’s statements suggest that the RDC was probably be-

ing misinformed. Lawrence said Government has been spending too much money for there to be a constant drug shortage at the Hospital.

“We just keep buying and buying and it seems as though there’s a black hole somewhere that they are falling into. Yes, I do think about the investment that we’re losing, but I also think of those poor brothers and sisters who will have to go without their medication because they turned up here and were told ‘we do not have any’. Unlike many of us, they don’t have anywhere else to go or anyone else to turn to.”

The shortage of drugs at the Region’s premier medical facility has been directly linked to the suspected pilfering of medicine.

The Public Health Minister called on employees to be alert and report any suspicious activities, even as efforts were in place to provide new equipment and structures to boost the delivery of services.

“I want to assure all of you that these matters will be addressed. So, I’m going to ask you to be vigilant, we’re all in this thing together,” she added.

President remembers Burnham’s commitment to working class – at Annual Fund-raising Dinner

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resident David Granger last evening hosted members of the Forbes Burnham Foundation at the Baridi Benab at State House, where they held their Annual Fund-raising Dinner. This is the first in a series of activities that are being spearheaded by the Foundation to commemorate the 95th birth anniversary of Guyana’s first Executive President, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.

Making brief remarks at the event, President Granger spoke of the humble beginnings from which Mr. Burnham came, and which he believes had helped to shape his ideas and ideals.

“Early in life, he developed a strong commitment to in-

dependence… He developed a strong commitment to the working class. He was committed to a multi-ethnic society,” he said.

Currently, there are four non-governmental organisations dedicated to the memory of Forbes Burnham. These are the Forbes Burnham Foundation, Burnham Education Scholarship Trust (BEST), Burnham Research Institute, and the Burnham Book Trust.

President Granger said the mission of these organisations remains as relevant today as they were when they were first established.

“Burnham was the right man at the right place at the right time,” he said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Forbes Burnham Foundation, Mr. Vincent Alexander, explained that all funds raised from this or any event hosted by the Foundation go directly into supporting its work.

The Foundation hosts several activities leading up to February 20, Mr. Burnham’s birth anniversary; and in August, his death anniversary.

Additionally, the body conducts a mentorship programme, targeting youths.

“We induct every year children who are entering secondary school, and seek to mentor them for the entire period, from first form to the last year of secondary school; and we work with those children religiously,” Mr. Alexander said.

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resident David Granger on Sunday journeyed to Belladrum, West Coast Berbice to join the relatives and friends of Sydney Grenville, one of Guyana’s newest nonagenarians, in celebration of the milestone.

Grenville, a well-known resident of the village, marked his 90th birth anniversary last Wednesday, January 24, 2018.

President Granger, in his remarks, said that he was pleased that he could make the trip. He noted that he has known Grenville for most of his life and was thankful for the contributions he has made and his service to the country.

“Despite this event being sandwiched between two important events I had scheduled, I simply had to come to wish Sydney Happy

President David Granger and Sydney Grenville sharing a light moment at the 90th birthday celebration

Birthday. I thank God for him and that he can live to see 90,” the Head of State said.

In brief remarks, Grenville said that he was grateful that the President was able to make the trip and noted that he was proud

of the leader he has become.

President Granger handed over a hamper while Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott, handed over a fruit basket on behalf of Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally. (Ministry of the Presidency)

GGMC to manage interior roads

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s part of improving the infrastructure in the mining community, the management of interior roads is returning to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes, said the GGMC Project Unit will be responsible for the construction and maintenance of interior roads this year.

Minister Broomes noted that last year the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI) had assumed the responsibility. She was speaking at a press conference held on Thursday in the Ministry’s boardroom at Brickdam, Georgetown.

The GGMC will now work in conjunction with the MPI to ensure miners have access to their lands.

Minister Broomes noted the decision to return the management to the GGMC is part of the effort to ensure gold declaration meet its 2018 target.

“We’re looking this year…at areas that are highly populated with mining, and to examine some of those roads, and even internally: how can we open up some more roads to give ac-

A deplorable interior road

cess, because we’re looking at the increase in production,” Minister Broomes said.

Poor road conditions were highlighted among the reasons that gold declaration fell short of meeting its target for 2017.

However, this was recorded at 653,754 ounces, the second highest declaration in the mining industry’s history.

Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, has said the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Guyana Women Miners

Association (GWMA) and the Mining Syndicates have been working with the GGMC and MPI to develop a list of interior roads that need to be upgraded.

“They would put up lists, both in terms of what needs to be repaired and maintained and where perhaps you can open new roads to get to lands that have been allocated, so that production could be increased.”

The sum of $2 billion was allocated to the GGMC in the 2018 National Budget, and this would be used for construction and maintenance of roads, among other projects.

President Trump hits back at Jay-Z over 'superbug' comments

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resident Donald Trump has hit back at Jay-Z after the rapper called him a "superbug" and attacked his treatment of minorities.

In a tweet, Trump said "black unemployment has just been reported to be at the LOWEST RATE EVER RECORDED!".

African-American unemployment stands at 6.8 per cent, a record low.

But critics say economic growth began under President Obama and unemployment remains far higher among the black

population than the white.

Appearing on CNN's The Van Jones Show, Jay-Z said focusing on unemployment rates was "missing the point".

"It's not about money at the end of the day…money doesn't equate to happiness. It doesn't. That's missing the whole point.

You treat people like human beings...that's the main point."

He then said Trump's election was due to a failure to properly address certain problems.

"You have sprayed per-

Jay-Z accused President Trump of failing to fix anything while in office

fume on the trash can," he said. "What you do when you do that is the bugs come. You spray something and you create a superbug because you don't take care of the problem."

"You don't take the trash out, you keep spraying whatever over it to make it acceptable. As those things grow, you create a superbug. And then now we have Donald Trump, the superbug."

Jay-Z supported Barack Obama during his presidency, and spoke out in favour of Hillary Clinton

in the 2016 election that Trump won.

He was also asked about the President's alleged use of the word "shithole" to describe African nations.

"It's disappointing and hurtful," he said.

"Everyone feels anger.

After the anger, it's really hurtful because he's like looking down on a whole population of people."

Trump has denied accusations he is racist. He has the said the language he used was "tough" but disputed the wording of the reports. (BBC News)

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monDAY, JANUARY 29, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

Do you think that we should review the legislation so that there are tougher penalties for robberies in Guyana?

Caesar McAlmont "Yes, I think there should be stricter penalties. Robbery

has been around for years and it gets worse now. So, they should really review it and add stricter penalties yes.

That is the only way you would get rid of about 90 per cent of the crime. Right now the crime rate down somewhat, but I think if they should really sum up these robberies and get to the persons who are committing these crimes and jail them, there would be a reduction of crime. Every time you think that the crime rate down it's more crime."

Dabriah Frank

Stephon Gabriel-Adams “Yes, this is a serious offence and it has the potential to repeat itself if penalties aren't stricter. Persons who are repeat offenders or have been charged with a number of robberies should have stricter bail conditions (first timers too); if convicted of the number of robberies, they should have consecutive prison sentences.”

"I definitely think that we should review the legislation to include stricter penalties for robberies especially. Too many blatant robberies being committed in Guyana these days and it's like the perpetrators are not afraid to commit these acts against people. At least if that happens, others would think twice before they act."

Aseef Balmacoon

Gavin Persaud

“Yes, but to go hand in hand with that, we have to review the entire Home Affairs culture to make it effective. Bribery has always been the biggest detractor to good order and discipline in Guyana.”

“Legislations don't always work... we need to get to the root of the problem and that is employment for our youths and we also need to engage our youths in a national conversation on what really affects and how we can solve these issues.

No, we don't need stricter penalty. In addition, [we need] prison reform.”

Darren Williams

“Absolutely. My thing is, everyone knows someone, or is paying off someone. So to effectively implement penalties, you have to address the foundation. If not, it's kind of pointless to put in harsher penalties if so many are getting off the hook so easy.”

Benaiah Das

“Yes, they should give them more penalties because ‘thou shall not steal’. When they use firearms, I think the robbers should get like 10 years and then when they’re inside, make sure they work and pick up garbage and help the environment.

Don’t have them sitting down in the jail not doing anything.”

Sidney Francois “Yes, I do think that the legislation should be reviewed. Up to last night, one of my friends got robbed.

And it is funny because it is a lot of young [people] been committing these robberies.”

Krishna Ramlall

“The court supposed to put more penalties because these people does want go in your house and if anything happen, the Magistrate does want sentence you too so bandits them got to get more jail time. Ten years they should give them to make them an example especially because the time hard.”

Ramkissoon

“Yes, the robbers should get lil’ more (jail) time, but I can’t really say how much because man murdering and barely getting six-seven years. I think the court wasting time behind putting people in jail for three or four years for weed and joint.”

Sasha Wilson “It doesn’t have to do with the legislation alone. We have to look at the root cause. What really are the contributing factors to the increase of robberies? Attack those and then we will be able to see a difference.”

Rondon Lyte

“We have to get to the bottom of the issue. It is time for us to relook at our laws and pen-

alties because I feel sometimes the system is not working. Too many hardworking families and business people have been the victims of serious crimes and robberies. As a Guyanese, I want to see tougher laws, which will discourage people from committing these offences. I also believe that a revision of our laws could also result in young people being deterred from committing these offences. It can also discourage gangs. Our country’s future is at stake and we must all become involved in advocating for stricter laws. It’s a deterrent to the crime.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, january 29, 2018

Regional

Colombia: Police station bombing Mexico to send troops to stem violence after kills 5 and injures dozens record 25,000 murders

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t least five Police Officers have been killed and dozens wounded in the bombing of a Colombian Police Station.

Officers were gathered to receive their morning assignments when the bomb exploded outside the station in the city of Barranquilla.

Officials said the attack was probably in retaliation for a crackdown on drug trafficking and organised crime.

Police have offered a reward of 50 million pesos (£12,700) for information about the attackers.

It is believed the device was detonated remotely, possibly having been planted earlier.

One 31-year-old suspect has already been arrested, Colombia’s office of the Attorney General said.

“We will charge (him) with five aggravated murders ... attempted murder, terrorism and use of explosives,” Attorney-General

A soldier stands guard next to a crime scene, where men were killed inside a home by unknown assailants, in the municipality of San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico, (Reuters)

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The attack happened in Barranquilla’s San Jose district during the station’s morning meeting

Nestor Martinez said in remarks carried by AFP. Colombian newspaper El Tiempo said the suspect had been found near the station with radio equipment and plans of the police station.

It is believed a number of others were also involved in planning and carrying out

the attack.

In addition to the five dead officers, more than 40 others were injured.

Most injuries were not life-threatening, but several officers remain in serious condition in nearby hospitals, local media said.

Colombia’s national po-

lice director, General Jorge Nieto, visited the scene and spoke to several injured officers.

President Juan Manuel Santos labelled the attack “cowardly” and said authorities would not rest until they had found those responsible.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

New survey finds climate change concerns much higher in C’bean than US, Canada

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leading university here has found that climate change concerns are much higher in Latin America and the Caribbean that in the United States and Canada.

According to a new “Insights” report from Vanderbilt University’s Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP), titled “Education and Risk Assessments Predict Climate Change Concerns

in Latin America and the Caribbean,” 66.7 per cent of Caribbean nationals were “very serious” about climate change.

The report says 21.9 per cent of Caribbean nationals said they were “somewhat serious” about the phenomenon.

Meanwhile, more than eight in 10 adults in Mexico and Central America believe climate change is a very serious problem for their country, more than twice the

proportion of adults in the United States and Canada, the report says.

Elizabeth Zechmeister, LAPOP’s director and Cornelius Vanderbilt Professor of Political Science, and graduate student Claire Evans wrote the report.

“Climate change is a highly politicised and partisan issue in the United States, and we wanted to examine whether that is a common characteristic of this is-

sue in other countries in the region,” said Zechmeister.

“If not politics, then what predicts attitudes about climate change in these other places?”

Using data collected from LAPOP’s 2016-17 Americas Barometre survey, Zechmeister and Evans analysed responses to the question: “If nothing is done to reduce climate change in the future, how serious of a problem do you think it will be for [country]?” (Excerpt from CMC)

Cuba unveils replica of NY statue of independence hero Jose Marti

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replica of a statue in New York’s Central Park of Cuban independence hero Jose Marti was unveiled Sunday in a plaza in Havana, a gesture of friendship in a time of strained US-Cuban relations.

Cuban President Raul Castro was present at the unveiling ceremony in what is likely to be one of his last public appearances before he steps down April 19.

Funds for the statue were raised by the Bronx Museum of the Arts with the help of the Friends of Jose Marti, a US-based group.

It is a replica of a mid-20th-century work by American sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, the only bronze equestrian statue in existence of Marti.

The ceremony marked the 165th anniversary of the birth of Marti, a writer and activist who championed the island’s independence from Spain.

He was killed May 19, 1895 fighting the Spanish in Cuba.

US-Cuban relations are at their lowest point since the two Cold War foes restored diplomatic relations in 2015 after a half-century break.

“The idea is that Cubans in exile

The Bronx Museum Board Chair Joseph Mizzi gives a speech during the inauguration of Cuban national hero Jose Marti sculpture on its 165th anniversary, in Havana, on January 28, 2018. The sculpture is an exact replica of the one at Central Park in New York, done as a gift of that city to the Cuban people (Photo: AFP)

and those here should work together to continue lifting up Cuba,” Carlos Gutierrez, former US commerce secretary, told AFP at the ceremony.

Gutierrez, whose family fled Cuba in 1960 when he was six, expressed hope that the gains made under for-

mer US President Barack Obama will not be lost under his successor Donald Trump.

“We are going to have to wait a bit with President Trump,” he said.

“We’re going through a difficult time.”

(Excerpt from AFP)

exican officials said on Sunday the Government was set to unleash a new wave of troops to crack down on criminal groups in regions where a surge in violence led to more than 25,000 murders last year.

National Security Commissioner Renato Sales said federal police troops will work with local officials to round up known major criminals and bolster investigations.

The aim was “to recover peace and calm for all Mexicans,” he said. He did not provide details on the number of federal police to be deployed.

More than 25,000 murders were recorded last year as rival drug gangs increasingly splintered into smaller, more blood-thirsty groups after more than a de-

cade of a military-led campaign to battle the cartels.

Violence is a central issue ahead of the presidential election in July. Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto’s ruling Institutional Revolutionary Party is trailing in third place in recent polls.

Sales said Federal Police troops would be deployed in the states of Colima and Baja California Sur, the resort town of Cancun and the border city of Ciudad Juarez, among others. He said more details would be forthcoming within days.

Earlier this month, the United States slapped its most stringent travel warnings on the states of Colima, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Guerrero, ranking them as bad as war-ravaged Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

T&T immigration officers not happy with their boss

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mmigration officers have taken a vote of no confidence in T&T’s acting Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) Charmaine GandhiAndrews. At least 300 officers have signed a petition which was sent to the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The PSC has now launched an investigation into claims which suggest that immigration officers throughout T&T are dissatisfied with the manner in which Gandhi-Andrews carries out her duties.

The petition listed some concerns by officers, including issues with management, general indiscretions, court cases, facilities issues and internet, information technology and communications issues.

The petition, along with a letter—“No confidence in acting Chief Immigration Officer, Charmaine GandhiAndrews”—dated August 7, 2017, was sent to Auditor General Majeed Ali. That letter, which was signed by President of the Public Services Association, Watson Duke, was also copied to The Chief Personnel Officer; Director of Personnel Administration; Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime

T&T’s acting Chief Immigration Officer (CIO) Charmaine Gandhi-Andrews

Minister and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security.

He added that the following information supported its call to put an end to the unsatisfactory performance of the acting CIO by having her removed.

One of the major issues highlighted in the letter is that there has been no solution implemented to alleviate the backlog created by the closure of the Moonan Building on Frederick Street, which houses the Permanent Residence and Citizenship (PR&C) section of the Immigration Division. It was closed with no alternative arrangements made for the services being offered there.

(Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

monDAY, january 29, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

UAE-backed separatists launch Kabul mourns 100 dead after ambulance bomb 'coup' in southern Yemen

Y

emen's Prime Minister has accused southern separatist forces backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of staging a "coup" after they seized several Government offices during deadly clashes in the port city of Aden.

"In Aden, legitimacy is being overturned," Prime Minister Ahmed bin Dagher said in a statement on Sunday.

"What is happening is very dangerous and affects the security, stability and unity of Yemen... This wrongdoing is no different than the crimes committed by the Houthis in Sanaa," he added.

Clashes erupted in Aden early on Sunday after the army of President

Supporters of the southern separatists demonstrate against the Government in Aden on Sunday [Fawaz Salman/Reuters]

Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is supported by Saudi Arabia, tried to prevent separatists, backed by the UAE, from entering the city.

At least 10 people were killed and 30 wounded in

the fighting, hospital sources were quoted as saying.

The main airport was also reported closed.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) – a movement demand-

ing secession for southern Yemen - had given Hadi's Government a seven-day ultimatum last week to either dismiss his Prime Minister and Cabinet, or face an overthrow. Hadi's Government refused to be coerced and subsequently banned public gatherings ahead of Sunday's deadline.

Murad Abdu, a youth activist in southern Yemen, told Al Jazeera the deployment of Hadi's presidential guard sparked the fierce confrontation with the STC's armed forces.

Heavy gunfire reverberated throughout much of the city with pitched street battles in Aden's Khormaksar, al-Mansoura, and Dar Sad districts, Abdu said. (Excerpt

M

ore than 100 people are now known to have been killed in a suicide bombing on Saturday in Kabul.

Attackers drove an ambulance past a police checkpoint to get to a crowded street in a district full of Government buildings and Embassies.

A f g h a n i s t a n ' s Government has declared a day of mourning for Sunday, as funerals take place and relatives search hospitals for survivors.

The Taliban – a hardline Islamist group – said it was behind the attack.

It was the deadliest attack in Afghanistan for months and took place a week after an attack on a Kabul hotel in which 22 peo-

from Al Jazeera)

ple were killed.

Interior Minister Wais Barmak said a number of people died in hospital overnight and the death toll now stood at 103, with 235 wounded. Most of the injured are men.

Witnesses say the area – also home to offices of the European Union, a hospital and a shopping zone known as Chicken Street – was crowded with people when the bomb exploded on Saturday at about 12:15 local time (08:45 GMT).

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said the attacker got through a security checkpoint after telling police he was taking a patient to nearby Jamhuriat hospital. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Ikea founder dies in Sweden at 91 Outrage in Hong Kong as

T

he Swedish founder of the Ikea furniture chain, Ingvar Kamprad, has died at the age of 91, the company has announced.

Kamprad – who pioneered flat-pack furniture – died at his home in Småland, Ikea confirmed in a statement.

The company said that Kamprad was "one of the greatest entrepreneurs of

the 20th century".

The billionaire, who was born in 1926 in Småland, founded Ikea at the age of 17.

He used some money his father had given him as a gift for performing well at school despite his dyslexia.

In the later years of his life, Kamprad faced questions over his past links to fascist groups – something he admitted, but said was a

"mistake".

In a statement on Sunday, Ikea said that Kamprad had "peacefully passed away at his home".

"He worked until the very end of his life, staying true to his own motto that most things remain to be done," it added. Kamprad eventually stepped down from the company's board in 2013, at the age of 87. (Excerpt from BBC News)

In historic first, India's Modi to visit Palestinian territories

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures after India's 69th Republic Day Parade in New Delhi, January 26, 2018

I

ndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Palestinian territories during a four-day trip in February. He will be the first Indian Prime Minister to ever embark on such a

visit.

According to an official statement, Modi will hold discussions on matters of mutual interest with Palestinian leaders, apart from participating in other

events. Modi will also visit the United Arab Emirates and Oman during his trip.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was recently in India for a six-day visit in what he hailed as the beginning of a new era of friendship between the two nations. The Israeli Premier's visit came nearly six months after Modi visited Israel in what he similarly hailed as a historic visit.

Modi became the first Indian prime minister to visit Israel in July of 2017.

Netanyahu personally toured Modi around the country showing him advances in Israeli water technology.

activist is barred from polls

P

ro-democracy groups took to the streets of Hong Kong on Sunday to protest the Government's decision to disqualify a prominent activist from legislative elections in March.

Agnes Chow, 21, was seeking to become Hong Kong's youngest council member ever, contesting the seat of another "umbrella movement" activist, Nathan Law, 26, who was stripped of his seat for his role in the pro-democracy movement.

The Government said Chow could not be a candidate because her party's political platform violates the city's electoral laws.

Chow is a member of a Hong Kong group that wants more autonomy from China, and the decision was seen as the latest move in the government's crackdown against opposition politicians.

Al Jazeera's Divya

Agnes Chow is a member of a Hong Kong group that wants more autonomy from China [Reuters]

Gopalan, reporting from Hong Kong, said many residents were "angry and confused" by the move.

"So many are saying that this decision is unexpected and has no basis," she said.

"Legal experts also say that this decision could set a precedent, perhaps, in the future, barring candidates from the elections based on

O

to provide water safely.

The extreme water shortage follows three consecutive years of drought, and if Day Zero arrives, Cape Town would be the first metropolis in the world to run out of water.

The level of Theewaterskloof Dam, once Cape Town's biggest provider of water, is currently estimated at less than 10 per cent. The area is currently an

R

(Excerpt from haaretz.com)

arid piece of land, with hardly any water in sight.

Once the water has been turned off, no water will come out the taps, fire services would be unable to extract water from fire hydrants, and residents would not be able to flush their toilets.

Instead, locals would have to go to collection points for a daily ration of 25 litres.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

from Al Jazeera)

Russian Opposition Leader released after rally – lawyer

Cape Town taps to run dry on April 12

fficials in Cape Town have brought forward "Day Zero", the date when taps are expected to run dry in the South African city.

That day is now April 12, nine days earlier than previously expected, meaning desperate measures to conserve water are having little effect.

The taps will be turned off when the reservoirs serving Cape Town drop below the minimum levels needed

some high-level officials' decision, or perhaps an opinion that a candidate's history or political party's manifesto is not suitable."

Until her disqualification on Saturday, Chow's papers were considered in order, Gopalan reported, adding she even gave up her British passport to stand in the elections. (Excerpt

A still image taken from video footage shows Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny being detained by Interior Ministry members during a rally for a boycott of a March 18 presidential election in Moscow, Russia, January 28, 2018

ussian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was released from Police custody late on Sunday after a brief appearance at a rally in Moscow calling for the boycott of a March presidential election that he said would be a rigged.

Navalny’s lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, told Reuters that her client had been released without charge but would have to face court at a later date.

If charged with violating laws on holding demonstrations, Navalny could face up to 30 days in jail. (Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, january 29, 2018

ARCHIE

Take some time to do ARIES something that makes you (March 21- happy. Indulging in a shopApril 19) ping spree or relaxing with a good book will give you a different perspective on personal situations that have been bothering you.

Share your knowledge and TAURUS experience with people you (April 20- are close to, but don’t divulge May 20) secret information to outsiders trying to take advantage of you. Choose your friends and allies carefully.

dilbert

Put in the time and take GEMINI (May 21- control of your current situJune 20) ation to come out a winner.

Personal improvements will be praised by others and will boost your morale.

A boost of energy will help you get started on something (June 21- you’ve wanted to do for some July 22) time. Let your creative imagination flow and see what happens. You’ll gain recognition.

CANCER

Peanuts

Investing in property, fixLEO ing up your surroundings and (July 23- making a promise to a loved Aug. 22) one are all favoured, as long as you are realistic and financially savvy moving forward.

A vivid imagination and a VIRGO detailed, precise mindset will (Aug. 23lead to all sorts of interesting Sept. 22) ideas. If you collaborate with people you find interesting, a window of opportunity will open up.

Calvin and Hobbes

Protect your home, famiLIBRA (Sept. 23- ly and reputation. Emotional Oct. 23) mistakes will be made if you act in haste. Concentrate on growing personally and implementing a healthy lifestyle. Romance is highlighted.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — ASTONISH

SUDOKU

Limit your spending and SAGITTARIUS avoid being caught short. A (Nov. 23joint venture will tempt you, Dec. 21) but the results will not live up to your expectations.

(ASTONISH: uh-STON-ish: Fill with sudden wonder or amazement.)

Average mark 20 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 27 or more words in ASTONISH? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — LOCUTION lint lion loco loin loon loot lotic lotion lout olio onto otic

clot clout coil coin colon colt cool coot count cult uncoil unit

unlit until unto toil tonic tool tunic icon into noil

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

Look for opportunities SCORPIO and make a point to take ad(Oct. 24vantage of what’s going on Nov. 22) around you. Short trips, business meetings and information-sharing are all favoured.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Weigh the pros and cons CAPRICORN and make smart choices (Dec. 22based on what works best Jan. 19) for you. Take care of your responsibilities early on and encourage others to do the same.

Personal changes will AQUARIUS boost your morale but also (Jan. 20create stress if you don’t stick Feb. 19) to a set budget. Attention to detail, moderation and structure will help you stay out of trouble.

Express your feelings with PISCES compassion and thoughtfulness.

(Feb. 20Sharing your views with youngMarch 20) er and older people in your life will be informative. Develop your talents. Turn one of your skills into a profitable endeavour.

monDAY, january 29, 2018

19

10-0

Milo Schools Football Tournament 2018

Masters punish Queenstown – Sir Leon's Lesson cruise past Uitvlugt

I

t continued to rain goals on the second day of the sixth annual Milo Schools Football tournament as seventeen goals were score at Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue on Sunday.

Ten of those goals were scored by Masters Academy in their 10-0 trouncing of Queenstown Secondary which was led by the dynamic Calvin Peters who netted five goals. Peters converted in the 4th, 8th, 26th, 29th,

Sir Leon's Lesson goalscorers (L-R) Julian Bamfield, Shamr Carrington and Zian Gray

34th and 69th minutes. He was ably assisted by Troyne Khan, Mario Eastman (15th), (16th & 44th) and Isaiah Anderson (69th).

Sir Leon Lesson were also on the winning side as they comfortably defeated Uitvlugt Secondary 3-0, with Julian Bamfield and Zian Gray giving their team the lead by half-time with goals in the 4th and 30th respectively; Shamr Carrington hammered the last nail in the coffin with a penalty in the 63rd.

The first drawn match for this year came between Charlestown Secondary and South Ruimveldt with their 2-2 score line. The back and forth affair saw Raymond Bandhu putting Charlestown ahead in the 8th followed by Robert Downes in the 21st. Four minutes later Negal McBean reduced the lead for South and Jamal Nedd levelled it in the 41st.

The under-18 tournament which is a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Public Health under theme “there is no excuse for

Though the game was one-sided, great fight was shown by both Uitvlugt Secondary (yellow bib) and Sir Leon's Lesson at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue (Akeem Greene photo)

violence” will continue this weekend at the same venue.

On Saturday, Ann’s Grove Secondary clash with Dolphin Secondary from noon followed by top Linden side Christianburg Secondary against Vergenogen Secondary from 13:30 hrs; the final match from 15:00 hrs will be Lodge

Secondary and Queen’s College.

The following day at the same starting times as mentioned, Annandale Secondary and Friendship Secondary clash then exciting Bishops’ High face a tough task in Pure Masters.

It then sets the tone for 2017 runners-up Morgan

Learning Centre and School of the Nations.

Teams will be hoping to secure the first place prize of $500,000 which goes towards a school project.

Second to fourth, will receive $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively which also go towards school projects.

Forde recommits support towards Region 9 development

P

resident of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, declared open the regional office of the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) on Thursday where he announced his continued support for the association.

“The RFA has done exceptionally well in the eyes of the GFF. The GFF has supported this association in every possible way we can. Everything that I do, everything that President Grant and his team do in the RFA, every project that the Mayor does and every funding and logistical support that the Chairman brings is a fine example of what is possible when the right people come together for the right reasons,” said Forde in his remarks at the opening ceremony.

The ceremony held at the 107 Middle Street, Lethem location sae the attendance of Regional Chairman, Brian Allicock; Mayor, Carlton Beckles and Acting RFA President, Curtis Buckley.

Forde emphasized the importance of increased administrative capacity to realize the development of football in the region and affirmed the GFF’s continued support.

“We have 13 GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATCs) across Guyana and four of them are in the Rupununi. The GFF is committed to the development of football in Guyana and stands ready to provide

necessary support. I am pleased, honoured and privileged to be a part of a movement that will, in my opinion in the not too distant future, produce players from this region that can go all the way to professional football in

chief among them, the expansion of the membership and the number of national players emerging from the region: “Initially, we started with only five clubs.

Despite the negatives and

GoGetters from Mahdia, Region 8. I must recognize our 30 footballers that were chosen for the national camp; eight senior females, eight Under-17 males, eight Under-15 males and six Under-13 males. As a result, three

From left: Mayor Carlton Beckles, Acting RFA President Curtis Buckley, GFF President Wayne Forde and Regional Chairman Brian Allicock

Europe and further.”

For his part, Acting RFA President, Buckley, highlighted some of the RFA’s achievements since its election on October 30, 2015;

positives, today we stand with 17 clubs. I thought the furthest club that’s a part of the RFA would’ve been the Titan Warriors located in Aishalton Village, but the furthest club is the

of the Under15 males went on to represent us at the international level. They were Kenneth Salvador from Moco Moco FC, Orville Daniels from Paiwomak Warriors in Annai and

Wayne Da Silva from Saint Ignatius FC. Within our two years we have promoted youth football and have participated in national tournaments including the Frank Watson U15 and the NAMILCO tournaments respectively.”

Mayor Beckles recommended that the Rupununi should be the ‘Mecca’ of women’s football in Guyana. Coming out of that report, the next year Guyana was represented in Antigua by no fewer than nine females from the Rupununi including the vice-captain.

Meanwhile, Allicock, said he was proud of the strides made by the region in football development: “Having this office in the RFA tells us that there is development taking place and more has to come yet. We have to go a far way. We have to be a proud people from the region, because I remember the Haiti game where the Daniels boy made Guyana win that match. I feel so proud about these youngsters. I remember when our boys had to play against other regions (Digicel School Championship), there was such a crowd”.

The opening ceremony of the office, which will serve as a hub for football administration in the region, was followed by the official ribbon cutting and tour of the building. The occasion was commemorated with two novelty matches played at the Wadapna Community Centre Ground.

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, january 29, 2018

ICC Youth World Cup 2018

Sri Lanka hold off Windies to win plate final

S

GFF President Wayne Forde (white top) also paid keen attention to the proceedings

Dejection turned to jubilation for West Indies in the last 10 overs

ri Lanka lost 31/7 before clinging on for victory in the U19 Cricket World Cup Plate Final against West Indies.

Something must have been in the Gatorade. It's the only explanation for what happened following the final drinks break of the day, when Sri Lanka almost lost the unlosable, only to finally reach victory in the last over.

If the water bottles were tampered with, there was something in the mix for both teams. Both were responsible for the fluctuation, Sri Lanka inexplicably panicking, and West Indies finding their mislaid spirit. At the stoppage, Sri Lanka were 203/0, needing 52 from 84 balls. Hasitha Boyagoda had passed his hundred, Dhananjaya Lakshan was nearing one of his own, and the result seemed a formality.

And then it happened.

Boyagoda spooned to Jarion Hoyte to Nyeem Young at midoff. Nishan Madushka was run out, then Jehan Daniel, and then Lakshan, trying to reach his hundred with a boundary and relieve some pressure, was

caught at mid-off as well.

All of a sudden a stroll had turned into a contest, and it was only made closer when Bhaskar Yadram bowled a double wicket maiden, removing Kamindu Mendis and Ashen Bandara.

Runs were coming, but slowly, and the game tightened again when with six to win, Nawanidu Fernando tried to finish it in one blow and was well caught on the boundary.

A chipped four to end the 49th over left Sri Lanka one to win, and seemed to have settled the matter. Three dot balls to start the 50th unsettled it. And then a rushed single, and jubilant celebrations, and the inevitable result finally transpired. The finish is why the game will be remembered, but it was set up by a trio of special performances that deserve not to be forgotten in the maelstrom. Hasitha Boyagoda was exceptional, once again, playing an innings that was at least the equal of his record breaking 191 against Kenya.

Scoring all round the ground, with an array of sweeps and scoops allowing him to find

SCOREBOARD Windies under-19s innings K Simmons c Fernando b Malinga 24 B Yadram c Bandara b Jayawickrama 31 K Melius lbw Jayawickrama 7 Al Athanaze not out 110 K Kallicharan c Buddila b Malinga 24 E Stewart*+ c sub 11 37 B Barnes not out DnB: J Royal, N Young, R Alimohamed, J Hoyte Extras (w 8, lb 2) 10 Total (5 wickets, 50 overs) 254 Fall of wickets: 1-53 (B Yadram, 7.3 ov), 2-63 (K Melius, 11.5 ov), 3-63 (K Simmons, 12.2 ov), 4-122 (K Kallicharan, 28.4 ov), 5-152 (E Stewart, 35.1 ov) Bowling: Rashmika 9-0-59-1, Daniel 2-0-26-0, Jayawickrama 10-1-33-2, Malinga 101-63-2, Mendis 9-0-370, Buddila 10-0-34-0

Sri Lanka Under 19s ( target 255 from 50 overs) D Lakshan c Barnes b Hoyte 98 H Boyagoda c Young b Hoyte 116 Ni Madushka+ run out (Royal) 1 J Daniel run out (Simmons) 6 K Mendis*lbw Yadram 1 N Fernando c Melius b Barnes 14 A Bandara b Yadram 0 H Buddila not out 5 T Rashmika not out 4 DnB: N Malinga, P Jayawickrama Extras (w 10) 10 Total (7 wickets, 49.4 overs) 255 Fall of wickets: 1-218 (H Boyagoda, 37.6 ov), 2-222 (N Madushka, 39.1 ov), 3-231 (J Daniel, 43.5 ov), 4-231 (D Lakshan, 43.6 ov), 5-237 (K Mendis, 45.1 ov), 6-237 (K Bandara, 45.4 ov), 7-249 (N Fernando, 48.2 ov) Bowling: Alimohamed 5-1-33-0, Hoyte 9.4-0-44-2, Yadram 10-1-42-2, Royal 10-054-0, Barnes 10-1-48-1, Young 3-0-22-0, Athanaze 2-0-12-0

We want to turn ‘raw talent’ into professionals – Greenwood

space behind the wicket, he seemed entirely at ease until he was dismissed. He must have thought with the game won he had licence. He couldn't have known.

And he was ably supported

by Dhananjaya Lakshan, who almost joined him on two hundreds for the tournament, rotating the strike and allowing his more aggressive partner to have his way, while also chipping in himself with 12 fours and a six.

Then there was Alick Athanaze’s wonderful unbeaten hundred, his second of the tournament, which held the West Indies innings together.

Sri Lankan captain Kamindu Mendis won the toss and chose to bowl, and might have initially been regretting his decision as West Indies’ openers added 50 within seven overs. Bhaskar Yadram was particularly severe, taking five early boundaries, and though all were struck firmly, each was kept along the ground, and it was only when he tried to take the aerial route that his downfall came, picking out Ashen Bandara at mid-on.

His dismissal initiated a slide of 10/3 as Sri Lanka turned the screws, especially through slow bowler Praveen Jayawickrama, who claimed the wickets of Yadram and Kimani Melius on his way to figures of 2/33.

But West Indies recovered through Alick Athanaze who played the situation to perfection, realising that a counter-attack wasn’t on and instead nudging singles and rotating the strike, doing so regularly enough to ensure his strike rate didn’t suffer.

He received stodgy support from Kirstan Kallicharan and Emmanuel Stewart and Brad Barnes, though all three struggled to score freely, tied down by accurate bowling and energetic fielding, and both were dismissed by excellent catches. Even towards the end Athanaze was still struggling to find the boundary, and his innings contained just seven in total, making the fact that he finished scoring at a run a ball all the more remarkable. (ICC)

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) led by their Technical Director Ian Greenwood and his team undertook a scouting and development exercise at the Albouystown tarmac (opposite the Masjid) on Sunday aimed at extracting the ‘raw talent’ of the young players to hopefully become future national team stars.

According to Greenwood, the project which is in its infancy stages is already promising to be a booming success should the GFF garner the required sponsors to extend the federation’s reach.

“This is the first one of these projects and we are looking to do a lot more around the city. We know there is a lot of raw talent

W

indies batting star Chris Gayle has been picked up by the Kings XI Punjab on the second day of the Indian Premier League (IPL) auction.

The 38-year-old Gayle, who had no takers on the first day was also left on the auction block for the second round of picks. The third time, however, proved to be the charm for the big West Indian who was taken for his base price of Rs 2 crore (20m

and this morning [Sunday] we have seen a lot of it and some very positive play from a lot of the young boys and girls. It is well received”.

When Guyana Times Sport visited the scene budding footballers from as young as four and up to eighteen years-old were engaged in various team and skill enhancing drills under the watchful eyes of technical officers and GFF President Wayne Forde.

“The idea is we come in and develop their game, given them some more technical understanding. A lot of it is about decision making.

We have seen they want to keep the ball for themselves and do tricks but the key is understanding when to move the ball, when to run with it and when to pass”,

Greenwood added.

Aside from the scouting exercise, the programme was aimed on helping to stimulate players social development and then gravitate the players into their academies. GFF are understood to have 13 Scotiabank sponsored academy centers for boys and girls, in the nine member associations.

The academies will offer at least five age-specific, professional training sessions per week in line with the new national football coaching and playing philosophy. There is also a grassroot participation sessions for boys and girls aged 5-11, while there will are sessions for Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 boys and Under-17 girls. (Akeem Greene)

Gayle picked up by Kings XI Punjab

Indian rupees US$314,685).

The swashbuckling batsman spent the last several seasons at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) but was not among three players retained when the list was released three weeks ago.

Gayle, the record runs scorer in the shortest format of the game, has struggled to make a positive impression in the competition for the last two seasons. The batsman played 19 matches

in total and only managed to score 447 runs.

The player was shockingly left out of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) last year but rebounded with a strong performance in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) where he led Rangpur Riders past Dhaka Dynamites in the final. Kings XI Punjab’s best finish in the IPL came in 2014 where the team claimed the runner-up spot.

(Sportsmax)

sports

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Ramdial lauds LGC for a successful “Speedy” Open

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21

MACORP CEO Jorge Medina

V

ish Trading CEO Vish Ramdial hailed the members of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) for making Saturday’s memorial Open a huge success, adding that he’s now driven to make the event even bigger in the future.

Vish, son of the late Prabhudial “Speedy” Ramdial, who was an avid golfer and close member of

the club for more than a decade; told Guyana Times Sport on Saturday evening following the 7th annual Open, that he was overwhelmed by the turnout. “This turnout was very good; I like it because there were a lot of persons enthusiastic about playing golf”.

He said.

While this year’s winner, Rohan Albert walked away with a big trophy, Ramdial confirmed that the 8th edition onwards will see the top golfer winning a medal made of pure gold. He said the medal will be the hallmark of his father’s memory as such a prize was never done in golf before.

The businessman, who a few weeks back promised the members of the LGC four new electric golf carts, further confirmed that he has already sourced the vehicles from China and they should be arriving soon.

Ramdial said the move was part of his way of keeping

Vish Ramdial (right) hands over the winning trophy to Rohan Albert

his father’s memory going all year round, while it will help to further expand the club.

As a new member Ramdial on Saturday evening following the Open, was given platinum membership for himself and five

family members for an entire year, courtesy of LGC executive Brian Hackett who was a close friend of Prabhudial.

Also, LGC President Aleem Hussain along with a full house consisting of golfers and other execu-

tives inducted MACORP CEO Jorge Medina as the club’s honorary member for his outstanding work in the club’s restoration project.

The members also hailed MACORP Product Supply Manager Guillermo Escarraga for his recent push in ensuring the Excavator which was provided by the company had its part replaced after it was damaged.

Hussain said the machine had been working overtime since last December in ensuring the course was playable at the start of 2018, however a part of the machine went bad and Escarraga ensured the part was flown in and the excavator was up and running to continue the ongoing works.

The members recognized both executives for the contributions and pledged to continue the long-term partnership. (Clifton Ross)

Major companies invest in Fernandes tops RHTY&SC 2018 programmes Endurance race

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orporate support for the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS list of activities for 2018 has started with three long time sponsors making contributions to the Club and its ten cricket teams.

The club for 2018 has set itself a target of 700 activities after registering its highest amount of 712 in 2017.

The first list of donors was Mings Product Service, John Fernandes Ltd and Caribbean Containers Inc. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, club Executives Ravindranauth Kissoonlall and Mark Papannah who were all responsible for the day to day operation of the club receiving a large quantity of cricket balls from Mings Products Service while Caribbean Containers Inc and John Fernandes Ltc contributed financially.

Foster, disclosed that the balls donation were the 10th successive year that Mings is doing so and hailed the assistance of the Company towards the promotion of sports.

John Fernandes Ltd and Caribbean Containers Inc are both long time sponsors of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports club and their contributions would be used in the Club’s massive Say No/Say Yes Campaign which is organised by its ten cricket teams with the main objectives to get youths

meet

Executive and Representatives of Mings Products Service pose with the donation of balls

to Say No to Drugs, Suicide, Alcohol, Tobacco, Crime and Yes to Education, Life, Sports, Religion and Culture.

Foster stated that apart from organising hundreds of activities under a wide range of sub-headings, the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club receives dozens of requests from Clubs, Schools, Churches and less fortunate families for assistance.

The policy, as a matter of policy, tries to assist as much as possible but with an increasing amount of requests being received, it is getting beyond the capacity of the Club. The long serving Secretary expressed gratitude to Mr. Stanley Ming, Colin Ming of Mings Products Service, Patricia Bacchus of Caribbean Containers Inc and the Management of

John Fernandes Ltd for their donations.

Meanwhile the Cricket Development Committee of RHTY&SC is inviting youths between the ages of 13 to 18 years old to join the club’s cricket section. From February 1 they would be opening its membership for a three weeks period for new cricketers.

Membership is free but members are expected to be drug free, discipline and dedicated. Members of the Ccub shall have to be in school and be prepared to get involved in making positive differences in the lives of others. The club would also provide all necessary gears.

Interested players can call 337 4562 for more information or visit the Club office at the Area ‘H’ Ground during working hours, Monday to Friday.

Adrian Fernandes drove a well-calculated race on Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit

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drian Fernandes got the best possible start to his 2018 with an outstanding display of driving at the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMRSC) first meet of the season, the Endurance Meet on Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit.

Up to press time, Fernandes was the overall unofficial winner of the event and also took control of the 1501-1600cc class, with a total of 83 laps with a best lap time of 1minute; 25seconds There four classes contested in the 1500cc, 15011600cc, 1601-2000cc and the unlimited class featuring cars over 2000cc.

President of the GMRSC, Rameez Mohamed, who geared up in his Starlet recorded an unofficial lap record of 1minute 19 seconds as he finished 1st in the 16012000cc class, unofficially.

Roshan Ali with a total of 76 laps from the two-hour race was top of the pack in the 0-1500cc class while Romeo Singh rounded off the unofficial results with 57 laps.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, january 29, 2018

GCF Points Races

Crawford beats John in 1st race a perfect bike throw but it was too little too late as Eastman grabbed fourth and eight points while DeNobrega collected fifth with six points.

After his National Park exploits on Saturday, Dey settled for sixth and five points; however he too explained to

had to make up ground and did well to finish in the top six.

Other riders said that the race was tiring and the hills on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway felt like mountains under the blistering sun.

The race began from just outside the National

Romello Crawford eases across the finish line ahead of Jamual John (foreground) to take the first GCF ‘Points’ Race of 2018

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fter finishing second on Saturday behind teammate Cortis “Chappy” Dey, Romello Crawford held off 2017’s top cyclist Jamual John on the back stretch to cross the finish line and claim first place and 15 points in the Guyana Cycling Federation’s (GCF) first ‘Points’ race of 2018 on Sunday.

Crawford who is known as a sprinter held with the peloton and eventually gapped them along with John on the return from Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.

However, on Mandela Avenue (Back Road) John suffered a flat back tire; “basically I was riding on rims”

he noted.

Despite having a flat John kept pace with Crawford but could not make the final sprint; “if I had both tires it would have been a different story” John pointed out.

Crawford finished first in a time of three hours 10 minutes 22 seconds to take 15 points while John settled for second and 12 points. Coming not too far behind was Andrew Hicks who copped third and 10 points.

The race for fourth, fifth and sixth was a tight call as Hamzah Eastman, Paul DeNobrega and Cortis Dey pushed each other across the finish line; the latter executed

Jamual John had to finish the race with a flat back tire but still did well to grab second place

Guyana Times Sport that he was keeping with the chasing pack but a puncture stopped him on the return leg; he revealed that instead of waiting up for him, the other riders left him for dead thus he

Sports Commission (NSC) headquarters on Homestretch Avenue, proceeded to Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway and then back to the point of origin for the finish.

(Michelangelo Jacobus)

Lack of quorum postpones GRFU elections T

he Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was scheduled to occur on Sunday at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue but was postponed until February 25 due to not having the required quorum.

The AGM would have also been used to elect their new two-year executive after the Peter Green led body tenure time expired. It is understood that the union needed at least 16 persons to commence the business of the day at 11:00 hrs but at 11:30 hrs they were only about nine persons present.

Prior to polling day, there was talk circulating that former presidents Christopher ‘Kit’ Nascimento and Noel Adonis would launch a challenge for the presidency.

Green in an interview with this publication had stated he is willing to “step aside” and let someone else take up the mantle.

At the last elections in September 2015, Green returned unopposed as president while John Lewis, the former senior vice-president has been replaced by Joshua

Outgoing GRFU President Peter Green

Griffith. Elwin Chase was elected to serve as junior vice-president, replacing Alwin Etwah.

Petal Adams replaced long-serving member Terrence Grant as secretary and Keith White was named treasurer, after Roger Pereira declined re-election.

Ryan Dey (Assistant secretary/treasurer), Esan Griffith (Public Relations Officer) and Shane GrantStewart (Match secretary) were the other elected members while Daniel Anderson, Sabola Gray and Delroy Gordon were the committee members.

Albert cops “Speedy” Memorial title

Winner’s row: Rohan Albert (centre) receiving his trophy from tournament sponsor Vish Ramdial, flanked by the respective winners and LGC President Aleem Hussain

LGC President Aleem Hussain sinks a perfect shot during the Speedy Open Memorial

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ewbie golfer Rohan Albert stormed the Greens on Saturday to emerge winner of the 7th annual “Speedy” Memorial Open played at the Lusignan Course.

Some 41 pros registered with 36 taking to the Fairways in honor of the late Prabhudial “Speedy”

Ramdial whose memory lives on through his sons; most notably Vish Ramdial CEO of tournament sponsor, Vish Trading.

Defending champ Jooan Deo was forced to relinquish her title to the young Albert who shot a 96 Gross and a Net 68 from his 18 holes.

Despite the Course’s excellent condition the overnight showers dampened

the outfield, making life difficult for the golfers. Albert defied the odds in the end however, as he got the better of second place David Harry who recorded 85 Gross 75 Net. Third place went to Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Secretary A. Shawh 88 Gross and a Net 70 while Fazil Haniff copped 4th place for his 85 Gross 75 net.

Among other notable

awardees; MACORP executive Mario Acuna won Most Honest Golfer, Best Gross Papo Haniff 79 Gross, Nearest to the Pin William Walker and Longest Drive (250 yards) Robin Tiwari.

At the presentation, LGC President Aleem Hussain hailed the organizers for putting on a brilliant Open which he said saw the standard of Golf going up an-

other notch. LGC member and close friend of the late Speedy Ramdial, Brian Hackett said it was good to see the massive support shown by the fraternity.

In support of the Ramdial Family, Hackett announced that the club had decided to offer Vish Ramdial and four other members of the family one year honorary membership to the club.

monDAY, january 29, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

“We have to be positive but selective” – Johnson

23

…as Jaguars depart for elusive Super50 title chase

By Akeem Greene

S

prung on confidence after a fourth consecutive Regional four-day title, Guyana Jaguars departed these shores just around 06:15 hrs on Sunday destined to Antigua where they compete in Cricket West Indies Regional Super50.

It is not the first time, the players and management dressed neatly in their yellow and blacked attire boarded a flight with a four-day trophy in their showroom but could not return with the 50-over

equivalent.

Since 2005 when they defeated Barbados in fading light at the Georgetown Cricket Club, Bourda, they have not won the Super50.

Each year the post-mortem of the unsuccessful tour points towards a lack of positivity, especially concerning their batting. Captain Leon Johnson feels the breath of new and exciting players will add greater value to the team’s dynamics.

“The way one day cricket is going, scores like 250 are not very challenging anymore, depending on the conditions. Teams now are pushing to get 300 and sometimes that is par, so we definitely have to be positive in our approach but selective and sensible at the same time”, the captain told Guyana Times Sport prior to departure at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport

will learn.

“One of the things we talk about in the four –day is the pressure situations because you will always come under pressure and it will happen especially in white-ball cricket. It is just how you handle those situations; I would like them [young players] to learn and experience it for themselves, we the seniors will be there to guide”.

at Ogle.

Compared to the last season, where they failed to reach the semi-finals, selectors made six changes to their 14man squad with Chandrapaul Hemraj, Keemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford, Ramaal Lewis, Clinton Pestano and Ricardo Adams earning their maiden calls.

“I am very excited; these guys would bring a different energy to the team. The younger guys have brought new dynamics to the team and hopefully it goes well in the tournament”.

He added, “the youths have done well, yo u n g

Nineteen-year-old Sherfane Rutheford is expected to be an ‘X-factor’ with both bat and ball

[Sherfane] Rutherford and Keemo [Paul] have done well in t four-day cricket and looked decent in the

T20 tournament played late last year [October] in Antigua”.

The signs of promise also stems from the said players producing the goods during their practice match against a ‘Rest XI’ at Providence on Friday.

S h i m r o n H e t m y e r spanked a

Captain Leon Johnson knows a lot rests on his shoulders to deliver the elusive 50-over title

score of 101 while Anthony Bramble and Rutherford had belligerent knocks of 86 and 74 respectively; Paul also cracked a 20-ball 48 in the 386-8 total they posted.

“Play in the practice match was good and I was very stratified with the effort that was put out by the players; very pleasing and the bowlers did a good job”.

All is well with having exciting young players whom much is expected but the question of handling pressure usually defines how adept they are for this level of cricket and the out-of favour Windies player contended this brigade

Stepping up The skipper is firm on the concept of senior players leading and delivering the results.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul have an abundance of experience at this level which the 30 year-old plans on making good use.

“We senior player need to stand up and produce the performances; when the senior players lead from the front, it says good for the team and the youngsters obviously follow”.

He further stated, “we have to put the runs on the board; I was leading runs scorer [for the team]last year but that did not count for much as we didn’t get through to the semi-final so it’s about getting good performances so you can get your team into a championship position”.

Jaguars are aligned in Group ‘B’ alongside English County side Kent, Unites States, 2017 runners-up Jamaica Scorpions and the Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

They begin their campaign on Wednesday against Kent at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground from 09:00 hrs Group ‘A’ will be contested

The selection of leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo adds great depth and experience to the bowling department

in Barbados and includes defending champions Barbados Pride, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, Hampshire, Combined Campuses and Colleges Marooners and the Windward Islands Volcanoes.

Jaguars full squad reads; Shimron Hetmyer, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (cpt), Raymon Reifer, Anthony Bramble (wkpt), Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Veerasammy Permaul, Devendra Bishoo, Clinton Pestano, Ricardo Adams and Ramaal Lewis.

Government pledges to get replay screen for Providence

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Since the Guyana National Stadium began hosting international matches during the 2007 ICC World Cup, temporary replay screens were used

inister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton has committed to making available a replay screen for the Guyana National Stadium at Providence.

This was disclosed by the Minister during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The Minister said that there is no doubt that a replay screen at the Guyana National Stadium is needed, adding that all the information for such has been provided. The intention is to acquire the screen before November since a number of International Cricket Council (ICC) 2018 Women’s Twenty20 preliminary games are scheduled to play here.

It was previously indicated by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones in a recent interview that having a replay screen is one of the prerequisites needed for the hosting of the 2018 Women’s Twernty20.

“We know the benefits and every effort will be made for us to get that replay screen up and functioning here at the National Stadium in time for the different cricket tournaments that we expected to host at an international standard” the Minister stated.

Additionally, Minister Norton said the fact that cricket and in particular the 2018 Women’s Twenty20 cricket tournament, is slated to be held in Guyana, is a significant boost for the country. (DPI)

MONDAY, january 29, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

“We have to be positive but selective” – Johnson

…as Jaguars depart for elusive Super50 title chase

Pg 23

Guyana Jaguars players and management pose for a photo opportunity prior to departure on Sunday morning at the Eugene F Correia International Airport (John Ramsingh Photo)

We want to turn ‘raw talent’ into professionals – Greenwood Pg 20

Guyana Football Federation Technical Director Ian Greenwood watches some of the youngsters showcasing their skills in a talent identifying exercise in Albouystown on Sunday (Akeem Greene photo)

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