Guyana Times November 8 2018

GCAA seeking direct flights to Africa to boost tourism P14

…whether feasible or not – Director Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3740

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Govt silent on property tax increases – Jagdeo Page 12

Armed bandits rob Corentyne family Page 7

All public schools to be closed for LGE Page 2

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Construction worker P8 charged for death of cyclist

Supermarket P2 owner fined for tampering with expiration dates

PPP to re-file P9 private criminal charges against Govt Ministers Father, son, nephew freed of attempted murder P9 charge

Deputy Commissioner of Operations, Maxine Graham on Wednesday did a formal inspection of the Guyana Police Force’s fleet of vehicles, donated by the People’s Republic of China. The inspection follows a mandate that the GPF’s vehicles be maintained in good condition, given their critical function

President Granger leaves Cuban ... analyses of illness hospital still incomplete

Cataract surgeries not being offered at ophthalmology P11 centre

Oil and gas industry

Guyanese accuse T&T company of discriminatory hiring practices Opposition Leader condemns Govt takeover of Berbice River Bridge Page 10

Page 7

Page 3

Caribbean candidates victorious in US midterm elections P11

2 news

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

All public schools to Supermarket owner fined for be closed for LGE tampering with expiration dates

A

A

ll public schools will be closed on Monday to facilitate the holding of Local Government Elections (LGE).

The Education Ministry on Wednesday announced that in order to facilitate polling stations schools would be closed for Monday only and classes resume as per normal on Tuesday, November 13.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Wednesday, Education Ministry Public Relations Officer (PRO) Brushell Blackman informed that this decision was taken since some schools would be used as polling stations for voters to cast their ballots.

“All public schools will be closed on Monday to facilitate the hosting of Local Government Elections,” he posited.

Additionally, teachers are slated to perform the functions of the various election officials for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) at these polling stations.

Consequently, it only seemed fit to pause school activities for the day, the PRO said.

“Some teachers will be performing the duties of officers at these polling stations and performing various functions for the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Outside of that, some

schools will also be used as polling stations, so taking those factors into consideration, hence the closure,” Blackman added.

The polls will be held across the country on Monday giving citizens the chance to select individuals in the community to represent them. Once elected, these persons will be responsible for ensuring that the needs of the constituencies are fulfilled.

The election process would have commenced with Nomination Day on September 21 when the candidates would have entered the elections arena under their respective political party or as independent candidates.

Chinese supermarket owner, who operates on the East Coast of Demerara, was on Monday fined $60,000 when he appeared before the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court, to answer to three charges of tampering with food items.

Yuhai Lin of Lin Supermarket admitted he repackaged foods under insanitary conditions, sold expired products and tampered with the labels of milk products.

Lin was fined $60,000 for the three offences.

Criminal proceedings were instituted against the proprietor in accordance with the laws of Guyana – Food and Drug Act of 1971, Chapter 34:03, Section 35.

Under this law, Part II (5), it states: “any person who sells an article of food that is unfit for human consumption or was manufactured, prepared, packaged or stored under the unsanitary condition is guilty of an offence”.

Part II (6) of the Act went on to outline that: “Any person who labels, packages, treats, processes, sells or advertises any food in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quality,

A section of food items discovered to be repackaged under insanitary conditions

composition, merit or safety is guilty of an offence.”

Head of the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), Marlon Cole told Guyana Times that he hoped this would be a warning to other businesses who may be involved in illegal repackaging and tampering.

The owner of the embattled supermarket was just last month busted during an inspection exercise on the East Coast of Demerara, on October 5.

According to the GAFDD, the proprietor of the supermarket, which was only recently established, was discovered to be repackaging foods under insanitary conditions, selling expired foods and also tampering with expiration dates. He was found to be

extending the date mark on condensed milk products.

The Department disclosed that 51 395-gram tins of condensed milk which had the date marks tampered with were seized and removed from the premises. These tins just had the manufacture date and the expiry date, whereas those products that were not tampered with carried a barcode along with the manufacture and expiry dates.

The GA-FDD is calling on consumers to pay closer attention to the expiry dates on products being sold.

“Consumers are again asked to ensure that all items of food have a label, is English translated and to ensure the dates are closely examined and not altered or tampered with,” the Department warned.

news

3

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, November 8 – 05:00h-06:30h and Friday, November 9 – 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, November 8 –16:45h-18:15h and Friday, November 9 – 05:15h-06:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with clear skies expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to East North-easterly and North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 04:37h and 16:48h reaching maximum heights of 2.71 metres and 2.80 respectively.

Low Tide: 10:24h and 22:46h reaching minimum heights of 0.53 metre and 0.41 metre respectively.

WednesDAY, novemBER 7, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

03 04 11

17 25 28

FREE TICKET

1 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

03 04 07 12 17 LUCKY 3

8

9

3

5

Afternoon Draw

0

1

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

04

05

07

14

PAY DAY

09 14 15 16 17

15 16 20 SUPER

PAY DAY

05 07 14 18 21

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

Opposition Leader condemns Govt takeover of Berbice River Bridge

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has expressed his disapproval of Government’s recent move to take over the operations of the Berbice River Bridge and said it could also create a negative image for Guyana to potential investors here and abroad.

“This issue about nationalisation and taking over private property, we don’t agree with it because we are seeking similar models to construct other bridges, hydro power and everything else,” Jagdeo told reporters on Wednesday at his weekly press conference.

The Opposition Leader questioned whether there is enough justification for the move taken by Government to nationalise the bridge.

“Could there be some other remedy? The Minister (David Patterson) already had the remedy in the Act. He did not have to sign the toll order,” he said.

Jagdeo reiterated that any increase in tolls at the Berbice Bridge without the Minister signing the toll order under the Act would have been illegal. As such, he feels Government should not have made such a rash move to take over the operations of the bridge.

Jagdeo, who is also General Secretary of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), feels that the decision taken

by Government could be seen as a clever political move. He said, “it was contrived to get the entire media to play it out until November 12 so there is no focus on the other issues… the bridge issue is now dominating daily news headlines.”

The Opposition Leader reminded members of the media that the issue started with Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI) Chairman, Dr Surendra Persaud, who also happens to be Chair of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) and a member of the Alliance For Change (AFC).

But he recognised that the focus has now been shifted, and blame is now being placed on the PPP, even in light of the fact that the BBCI is in breach of the agreement to increase tolls by over 300 per cent and a request made to extend the life of the agreement for 19 years.

Justified

Jagdeo said the request from the company cannot by any means be justified, because it has been made clear that revenue is performing better than what was predicated in the concession agreement.

“So, clearly the company has to justify in very clear detail why it has not met its obligations to the shareholders and the investors, because they are two groups,” he noted.

Further, he made reference to statements made by Finance Minister Winston Jordan who claimed that the project was flawed, and sections of the media that re-

ported that the bridge was used as a cash cow.

Jagdeo explained that the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) had invested in Bond One of the project $300 million. The scheme received (not principle payments) $270 million, a 90 per cent return on their investment.

If they invested in treasury bills it would have been far less.

NIS also invested in Bond Two, $760 million and received $823 million in return.

The company also invested $500 million for subordinate debt (loan stuck) $456 million and is now owed $207 million.

Preference shares invested was $950 million. They were paid back $163 million and are owed $507 million. Some $80 million was invested in common shares with zero returns so far. “…these are the only instruments that have had a return on investment,” he added.

Agreement modifications

Jagdeo said if there should be modifications to the existing agreement, he would support a two- or three-year extension or even for the tolls to remain the same until the life of the agreement ends.

The BBCI has criticised the Government’s unlaw-

ful move to take over the bridge and has demanded answers from Minister David Patterson. It noted that based on the legal advice it received, Toll Order 2018 to take over operations of the Bridge was unlawful under the Berbice River Bridge Act.

Slap to public-private partnerships

However, the Government’s unilateral decision did not go down well with BBCI Vice Chairman Paul Cheong, who on Monday told Guyana Times such an arbitrary move was a slap in the face of all public-private partnerships.

Speaking with this publication on Monday, a very livid Cheong said, “The decision came as a shock to us and, so we are working with our lawyers to weigh our legal options. I have a meeting

with our lawyers tomorrow (Tuesday). This is a slap on the whole Private Sector… this is something bigger than toll increases… it is a slap to all public-private partnerships... it was a model project for private-public partnership and so the Government will have to be responsible in its actions.”

But on Monday, several members of the Private Sector were on edge, as, according to a leading businessman, the move by Government did not augur well for investors in Guyana.

Dip in confidence

Last week, the World Bank’s 2018 Report signalled a dip in investors’ confidence in Guyana. This year, Guyana placed 126th in the global rankings. Last year, Guyana ranked 124th, while in 2015, the nation ranked 140th.

The Ease of Doing Business Index is one of the most comprehensive studies done by the World Bank.

In determining ease of doing business, the World Bank looks at key indicators such as registering, compliance, taxation, obtaining loans and similar factors such as administrative procedures. It also looks at legal measures, such as protection and settlements.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, November 8, 2018

Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Getting voters out

T

he campaigns for the November 12 Local Government Elections (LGE) are winding down with reminders on the forefront. This is part of the efforts in the final push to get voters out and is crucial given that much is at stake as claimed by all involved.

Just recently, the mid-term elections in the United States of America were held following what can be described as a very bruising campaign. In many ways it was seen as a general referendum on President Donald Trump either for or against his policies.

With his party losing its majority in the House of Representatives, more than likely aspects of his agenda would be affected. Already there are talks by the Democrats of reining him in with a possibility of investigations being initiated. That briefly demonstrates the effectiveness of those elections and the impact it can have on the implementation of policies. It also highlighted how high the stakes were. Americans and the rest of the world will be eagerly following to see how it unfolds.

Same here in Guyana as the upcoming LGE in many ways could be seen as a reflection of Guyanese’s sentiments over the coalition Government. Since it came to office, many have lamented the fact that a once vibrant and growing economy has slowed tremendously. Numerous entities, large and small, were closed leading to the loss of thousands of jobs. Many farmers and vendors were saddled with steep increase in fees and licenses exacerbating their challenges.

Economic burdens were further compounded by the implementation of a plethora of new taxes making it very difficult, including those with jobs, to make ends meet. The economy is just one of the many areas of concerns as some social services also declined and fear heightened as crime continues to increase. The LGE therefore will be an opportunity to send strong messages.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) won in a landslide in 2016.

Following the 2016 LGE results, it proceeded to create new Local Authority Areas (LAA) and expand current ones in places deemed to be favourable to it and reduced constituencies in areas seemed favourable to the PPP. This was branded as a blatant act of gerrymandering with the sole intention of increasing Government’s chances and reducing the PPP’s. It was challenged in court.

The attempt to alter the LGE physical landscape to hopefully give the Government some sort of momentum in 2020 can be seen as a strong indication of its growing concern over another PPP landslide victory. That would be an official blow to Government’s popularity reflecting the high stakes at least from its perspective.

One of its minor partners in the coalition, the Alliance For Change (AFC), was taken to court by the PPP for alleged electoral fraud with regard to backers for candidates within the Whim/ Bloomfield area in Berbice. Persons affiliated to the PPP claimed they were deliberately misled reportedly by AFC’s officials into signing the related forms. There were also allegations of some signatures being forged and persons names used without their authorisation. While the case was dismissed, an appeal was filed.

Given the circumstances, one may venture to ask of an alleged nexus between desperation and that incident in view of the waning popularity of the coalition. With the stakes as high as it is, ruling it out may not be easily contemplated by some. All eyes will therefore be on the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to ensure a smooth execution of the electoral process on November 12 across the country.

One concern is, as seen when the Joint Services voted on November 2, was the absence of some names from the extracted lists for some polling stations. The expectation would be for rectification by November 12 of whatever may have been the reason. Disenfranchisement is unacceptable and GECOM has a responsibility to ensure it does not happen.

By extension, the Government will also not be able to avoid responsibility given what transpired, including the allegations of gerrymandering and the manner in which some leading GECOM officials were appointed.

It was noted that in the past, persons were either told that their names were not on the list or they were not slated to vote at the place where they turned up. Those conveying the information were either from a particular political party or identified by their attire to be reportedly from GECOM. In those cases, some voters were deliberately misled and turned away.

Mechanisms would have to be in place to prevent this and actions taken against those responsible. With the stakes already high, there is the possibility for that practice to be in play. The bottom line is that all eligible voters need to not only turn out on November 12, but to be wary of any and all attempts that could prevent them from doing so. Democracy is also at stake.

Democrat Ilhan Omar is greeted by her husband’s mother after appearing at her midterm election night party in Minneapolis, Minnesota, November 6, 2018. Omar is one of two women elected as the first female Muslim members of Congress. Omar is also the first member of Congress to wear a hijab and the first Somali-American elected to Congress (Reuters/Eric Mille)

Saudi King shows support for heir on public tour despite Khashoggi crisis

S

audi Arabia’s King Salman has embarked on a domestic tour this week with his favourite son, demonstrating his support for his chosen heir despite the crisis spawned by the murder of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Roads were lined with Saudi flags and images of the king and his son Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), when they arrived in the central region of Qassim late on Tuesday. Distinguished figures greeted them and children offered flowers.

The tour is the latest public outreach by the 82-year-old monarch, apparently intended to shore up the power of Prince Mohammed, known as MbS, who has taken over day-to-day rule but whose international reputation was battered in the month since Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

State media said the King laid the foundation for new or planned projects worth US$1.12 billion and ordered the release of some people from debtors’ prison in Qassim, a conservative province in the heart of the Arabian peninsula.

“There is a lot of tension, fear and apprehension among Saudis in the aftermath of the Khashoggi affair. So it’s a trip that reassures the various regions that the King is still in his place and he’s the highest authority,” said Madawi al-Rasheed, a London-based Saudi author critical of the Al Saud.

Turkish officials have accused MbS of ordering Khashoggi’s murder.

US President Donald Trump has suggested ultimate responsibility lies with the crown prince as de facto ruler.

Saudi Arabia, which offered numerous contradictory explanations for Khashoggi’s disappearance, now says the US-based Washington Post

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS)

columnist was killed in a rogue operation. MbS broke weeks of silence on October 25 to vow justice would prevail.

King Salman stepped in to defuse the situation. He sent a trusted aide to Turkey last month, then fired five senior officials, including his son’s most trusted adviser.

After weeks of lying low, the Prince has now returned to the public stage. He visited troops near the border with Yemen, where Riyadh is involved in a three-and-a-halfyear war, appearing in an online video on Monday with a soldier he called a hero. In a ceremony at a Riyadh university, he laid the foundation stone for a planned nuclear research reactor.

Greg Gause, a Gulf expert at Texas A&M University, said the domestic tour with his father did not indicate that the royal family is in the clear yet, only that “the king is confident that nothing is afoot right now.”

Circling the wagons

The 33-year-old crown prince is on course to become the first Saudi monarch from a new generation in 65 years, following a succession of six brothers drawn from among at least 45 sons of state founder Abdulaziz ibn Saud, who died

in 1953.

But MbS’s rise has upended the system of rule in place for decades, in which successive kings sought family consensus and allocated powerful posts to their brothers and nephews.

MbS consolidated his rule by stripping some of his most powerful cousins from positions of authority and locking some under house arrest.

Others were caught up in an anti-corruption crackdown and confined inside a luxury hotel for months.

There have been signs since last week that some princes are being rehabilitated to foster family unity in the wake of the Khashoggi killing.

Last week, one of the king’s surviving younger brothers, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, returned from two and a half months abroad where he had appeared to criticise the leadership.

Two of the king’s nephews, detained last year, appear to have been released recently, with pictures circulating of them reuniting with family.

Diplomats say the ruling family is “circling the wagons”. But there is no indication King Salman is considering elevating another prince, either to replace his son or balance his authority by serving as his deputy.

“MbS is not going anywhere. The family is meeting and they will unite stronger behind him,” said a senior Arab diplomat. “There is no way back” after the king cleared MbS’s path to the throne by sidelining potential rivals last year.

The king’s decision to put MbS in charge of restructuring the intelligence apparatus – a move aimed at addressing a purported cause of the Khashoggi crisis – indicates that the Crown Prince remains “untouchable”, the diplomat added.

On Tuesday evening, as King Salman and MbS arrived in Qassim, north of Riyadh, to a stadium of cheering residents, online photos emerged showing Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd with his brothers and daughters in a residential setting.

The images were the first of the prince, the son of a former king, since his detention, which the Government never acknowledged. It was not made clear whether he had reached a settlement with the State like other detainees who were subsequently released, or if his freedom is still restricted.

Over the weekend, another of the king’s nephews, a brother of billionaire investor Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, was photographed at his ailing father’s bedside after being held for months over online criticism of the anti-corruption purge ordered late last year by MbS. The next day Alwaleed, who was among scores of top royals, businessmen and government officials held at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel as part of the sweep, went on Fox News to defend MbS in the Khashoggi crisis and the anti-corruption campaign.

“I believe the Saudi crown prince will be 100 per cent vindicated and exonerated,” Alwaleed said of his cousin.

Alwaleed’s own detention was “forgiven and forgotten,” he said.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said he will have a “much stronger opinion” on the killing of the dissident Saudi Journalist “over the next week”.

Trump said he was working with the US Congress, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia on solving the October 2 killing at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

“I am forming a very strong opinion,” the US President said during a press conference at the White House. (Reuters and Al Jazeera)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, November 8, 2018

5

You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Patterson rehashing an old Burnhamite illegal law Motive behind march for this weekend

Dear Editor, It has happened just the way we predicted weeks ago, that is the Alliance For Change (AFC) David Patterson riding into Berbice as the knight in shining armour. He has, as it were, came to the rescue of the hapless citizens of Berbice; or is it? I think differently, I see this as another election gimmickry to again somehow squeeze votes out of Berbicians.

This tactic was tried in the lead up to the 2015 General Elections when Nagamootoo and Ramjattan fooled Berbicians into voting for them with that "we will never close the sugar estates" talk.

They came as the saviours of Berbice then and quite frankly were believed by some gullible Berbicians who threw their votes on the AFC's side. The sad reality of all of that is soon after taking office, the same Nagamootoo and Ramjattan sat in council and quickly closed the sugar estates and fired over 5000 workers in the Berbice area. A pretty tough way to love voters who faithful-

ly trusted you and persons to whom you told just weeks before that you were going to protect their wellbeing?

So let us fast forward to 2018, here we have an AFC point man, Dr Surendra Persaud, speaking of a 365 per cent hike in bridge toll – this time coming on the very same day of another election. Isn't it odd that something like this could happen at election time? Even if you have half a brain, you could see through this intricately woven ruse of the AFC in another attempt at pandemonium politics. The trick is first get Berbicians all hyped-up into a panic mode by that announcement of a steep toll rise, then Patterson would ride into town with that rescue package of his.

Note his words, "in light of the planned increase in tolls, the Government yesterday assumed temporary control over the operation of the Berbice River Bridge and promised to retain the present toll structure as it seeks to find an amicable resolution to its ongoing

dispute with the concessionaire the Berbice Bridge Company Inc (BBCI)." Very nice words for the fools they mistakenly believe Berbicians are?

Now what is Patterson telling us? Is he telling us that they are going to eventually buy over the bridge and the affairs of the said bridge would be managed by his Government?

I don't think so, I think Patterson is rehashing an old Burnhamite illegal law which gives him the right to forcefully take over private property. This policy of Burnham was practiced to good advantage when that party was in Government.

They bullied a number of private business owners into giving up their properties without compensation, the same situation the BBCI Company is faced with right now. This further tells you that this matter is going to have serious legal implications in the long-term.

Now, I deliberately left out the words “threat to public safety" used by Patterson and this is my main concern at the moment. I am in the least in-

terested in Patterson and his Government's publicity stunts, they are all about surviving what is an inevitable situation them, so try any which way to put up a good show to the public; in this case the Berbice public.

However, what I am most concerned about is the fact that this "control" of the bridge they are talking about does it entail a financial control also? Would all the maintenance and affiliated costs of this bridge's smooth operation be adequately addressed? For a Government that is known for its non-economic, backward stance in management of anything, is this bridge's affairs in for that kind of treatment also?

These are legitimate questions that require urgent answers.

So, would my heart be in my hand when I face another crossing over this bridge? Yes I will, the point is with this present Administration I have all reasons to be fearful?

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Local democracy and empowerment (Pt 1) Dear Editor, We are once again approaching yet another Local Government Election which should democratically elect local representatives to run the affairs of their Local Authority Areas (LAAs). However, I have listened with disdain and disbelief as both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) seem to be suffering intense delusion that the People’s Progressive Party is to be blamed for the currently stymied development of these LAAs countrywide.

In terms of local democracy, we have witnessed numerous instances in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) where-

by there were efforts by the APNU and the AFC to fraudulently frustrate the electoral process by inserting as candidates many persons who were not backed by the people living in the respective communities such as Whim/Bloomfield and 51/Good Hope LAAs. This by itself being a fraudulent act, has more so damaged and frustrate the entire meaning and purpose of Local Government Elections and has denied the people to democratically elected representatives of their choice. Article 71(1) of our Constitution is seriously breached since it says that, ‘Local Government is a vital aspect of democracy and shall be organised so as to involve as

many people as possible in the task of managing and developing the communities in which they live’.

It is therefore imperative that the people so elected should be competent to manage and develop their communities and have the support of persons in their community, at least 18 of those in the case of Neighbourhood Democratic Councils. A relevant question needs to be ventilated here. If a prospective candidate cannot even find 18 persons to back him or her, can we conclude that such a candidate is ‘fit and proper’? Imagine a prospective candidate has to cheat, deceive and commit forgery just to have 18 names to back his/her candida-

cy! Why would political parties go against the spirit and meaning of what local democracy is all about? Voters should beware of such political parties since they have already shown their true colours so do not expect them to deliver when they get into office.

We have seen this played out at the last General and Regional Elections in 2015 and its aftermath! Has Local Government Elections truly returned democracy to Guyana? The answer is NO! The entire electoral process must be deemed to be free and fair!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region Six

GECOM’s decisions, activities affect all Guyanese

Dear Editor, Since Tuesday was Diwali and a national holiday, there was no statutory meeting of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). I have made two calls to the Chairman; one Monday and another earlier Tuesday, to impress upon him the need for a meeting of the full Commission in view of the fact that D-day is just concluded, and the main elections are to take place next Monday, November 12, 2018.

On Monday, the Chairman agreed to address his mind to the issue and Tuesday he also agreed to ‘see what the others think’ about my suggestion that Thursday at 13:00h (1 pm) would be a good time for the meeting. I am still waiting for any notice of any meeting.

But folks, perhaps you are now wondering why I am writing this even though there was no meeting. Well, I have seen and read a very interesting letter published in a section of the media on Tuesday November 6, 2018, written by my fellow GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander.

This follows one written on a much earlier date

by Commissioner Desmond Trotman, whose letter I decided to ignore because it was so racially charged and sychophantic of the Chairman. I thought that Trotman’s whole letter should be instructive to the Ethnic

Relations Commission in their investigation of the hiring practices at GECOM, so I prefer not to challenge Trotman’s assertions about which manager at GECOM is Indian and which is not.

Now, here is Vincent Alexander, who seems to be accusing me of my most noteworthy ‘omission of the most important issue that was interrogated/discussed at the meeting’ in my last letter and then asserting that I omitted to mention the matter because ‘suffice it to say that the officer responsible for that matter is kith and kin to her and has been openly favoured by her in past events’!!!

Vincent Alexander’s letter accuses me of being unethical and suggests that my weekly reports on the GECOM statutory meetings ‘may well put Commissioners and staff in harm’s way of overzealous political activists’!! What absolute nonsense. Now he is feeling threatened by my factual reporting of the GECOM meetings? Come on Vincent, don’t you think your comment is a wee bit farfetched? And then you suggest that ‘given the nature of GECOM’s undertakings’ my reports ‘may discredit and undermine the work of the organisation’? Really?

For too long Commissioner Alexander, throughout your 11 years at GECOM and perhaps

even before then, to the regular citizen of Guyana, GECOM seemed to have been run like a secret society and from your comments you seem to want it to go on being some sort of Lodge, but it is my view that since the work of GECOM affects the life and well-being of every single citizen, then people have a need to know. When I was appointed Commissioner of GECOM in September 2015, I took an oath to “execute the functions of that office without fear or favour, affection or ill will’ and I have faithfully kept that oath.

One of the first observations I made was that GECOM is the most distrusted organisation in Guyana and since then I have come to realise that the people had good reason for that distrust. I have made a conscious effort to try to gain the trust of the electorate of Guyana. I have tried speaking openly at meetings asking for information to be shared with stakeholders. I have tried to speaking at press briefings and press conferences, addressing issues which needed to be exposed, but there are persons like Vincent Alexander and Desmond Trotman among others who think that GECOM’s work is somehow secret and must be kept from the public at all costs. I beg to differ. GECOM’s decisions and activities affect all Guyanese and there can be no secrets.

I reserve the right to account to the people of Guyana, whom I serve at all times, and no one, not Vincent Alexander, not Desmond Trotman, no one, will guilt trip me, coerce me, or otherwise stop me from telling the people of Guyana what they need to know. I write as I see things and others can write too if they have the capacity or wish to do so. I have never been anything but ethical. I do not misreport.

I write on issues which I think should be reported and if I omit to report on any matter which was discussed, it is because I think it is of no moment Commissioner Alexander, and I assure you Sir, that my ‘kith and kin’ are those related to me by blood and close ties, and none of them is employed at GECOM. I challenge anyone to identify my lineage, much less try to accuse me of shielding officers of GECOM who are my ‘kith and kin’, a term of art in the Guyanese context, which has always been used to identify those who belong to the same racial group.

Until after the next statutory meeting folks. And yes, I do intend to continue reporting to the people of Guyana to whom I have a fiduciary duty.

Sincerely, Bibi Safora Shadick Commissioner – GECOM

Dear Editor, The notice announcing the Georgetown Ministers Fellowship’s decision to host a ‘March for Jesus’ on Saturday, November 10, 2018, and the anticipated participation of certain officials from the coalition Government provokes some like myself to question the motive behind the entire affair.

Editor, the event is scheduled two days before the 2018 Local Government Elections and seems to be a ploy to drum up support for the Christian People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leaders, especially since the PNCR/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) campaign in the City is failing. You only have to look at the APNU public meeting that was held at Stabroek Square recently and the poor turnout there, if you are looking for evidence of this.

After three years of disrespecting the people of Georgetown and doing little to improve their lives, this seems like a return to a tactic used before the May 2015 General and Regional Elections.

In 2015, many of the same leaders from the Georgetown Ministers Fellowship lamented issues like lack of jobs, corruption and high crimes to their congregations. Since then, these very ‘leaders’ have been silent in the face of a far worsened situation that CANNOT be compared to that of 2015.

I say that things are worse because if you judge the current state of affairs by the standard of these ‘leaders’, some of the actions taken by the PNCR/APNU/Alliance For Change Government are some of the most un-Christian acts Guyanese have seen in years.

All of the newspaper reports in the last week or so feature the corrupt acts that were uncovered by the Auditor General in his 2017 report. On top of that, you had millions wasted to pay a PNC member for a bottom-house, while there was a functional drug bond with space at Diamond. You had all the spending at D’Urban Park, spending that auditors still can’t

find documents for.

Also, look at the allowances to promote things like gambling in the City. Where under the last Government there was one licensed place where gambling could take place, now there are hundreds in areas. All of these licences were given out by this coalition Government to increase gambling in the City and in places around the country – many of them being places where there is little oversight to prevent underage youths from being engaged in such activities.

Look at the assault on poor people. People have to pay more money for basic medicines, text books, transportation and more. In all this, why are the ‘leaders’ of the Georgetown Minister’s Fellowship silent when they were vocal in 2015?

I ask this question rhetorically, Editor. You only have to look at the national awardees’ list and look at the appointments to some of the State Agencies’ Board to realise that some of these ‘leaders’ have been bought. All of this has happened while the regular, average people in the congregations of these ‘leaders’ are the ones who face the brunt of the hardships imposed on them by David Granger PNCR/APNU/ AFC Government.

Some of these ‘leaders’ have taken unprincipled positions and joined the tiny cabal of persons running this country and enjoying the benefits that flow to them; all the while their congregants are facing increasing challenges and are left to fend for themselves in the face of the hardships being imposed on them by this Government.

In all of this, what is clear is that they must stop playing politics. All leaders have an obligation to be fair, at least.

Editor, as a Christian, I have no intention of supporting this march, because it would be marching with unprincipled leaders, not a march of Jesus Christ. If the announced march is truly one for Jesus Christ, then why not do it after the elections?

Regards, Dave Martindale

6

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

Page

By Richard Weissbourd

T

hese days we hear a lot of talk about teaching children values.

According to a major survey by the organisation Public Agenda, more than six in ten American adults identified “as a very serious problem” young people’s failure to learn fundamental moral values, including honesty, respect, and responsibility for others. A huge character education industry has cropped up in the last few decades, and much of it is devoted to touting values in schools and other settings.

It is, of course, important for children to learn values. But one big problem with this approach became clear to me several years ago talking to a few seven-year-old girls who are friends of my daughter. I asked them how they would respond to a question in a popular character education programme. “Should you be honest with your teacher if you forget to do your homework?” One girl said: “Do you want me to tell you what you want to hear or should I tell you the truth?”

Another friend chimed in: “No kid is honest about that – who wants your teacher to get mad at you?”

I’m obviously for values, but research shows that my daughter’s friends are not exceptions.

By the time children are four years old, they often know certain values – that stealing is wrong, for example. Because children tend to know values, they often feel patronised by lectures about values or just learn to parrot back what adults want to hear.

That’s not to say --- and this can’t be shouted loud

Foundation

enough – that these children do not have a problem with values. But for many children the problem is actually living by values such as fairness, caring, and responsibility day to day.

Sixteen-year-old Bill Heron knows that he laughed too hard when a friend put ice under the desk of a new girl in class, but he didn’t want to “spoil the joke” for everyone. Ten-year-old Jim Wright knows that teasing can be hurtful, but he believes that if he stops teasing he’ll be tagged a loser: “I’ll slide right into the sea of dorks.” As a quite direct 16-year-old said to me: “I’m taking this class where they’re trying to help us figure out how to determine what’s right from wrong.

But children at my school know right from wrong.

That’s not the probl e m .

The problem is that some children just don’t give a s***.”

These child r e n don’t

need us to define the goal. That’s easy.

The challenges for us are much harder and deeper. To develop children’s morality, we need to focus, minimally, on five basic capacities.

transgress. Developing children’s morality is about preventing children from suffering high levels of shame, envy, entitlement and other destructive emotions and helping children manage these feelings.

Moral identity

Another problem with simply teaching values is that children often face moral dilemmas, situations where values collide. For example, if a friend steals a calculator, should a child be honest with the teacher who asks her who stole the calculator, or loyal to her friend? Children need help developing moral reasoning, the capacity to sort through these moral dilemmas and problems. That means, in part, helping children take multiple perspectives and think about the precedents they are setting by their actions for their communities.

We need to help children not only know values but develop a deep commitment to values. Values such as fairness, kindness and responsibility for others should be an integral part of a child’s self or identity. The self-sacrificing acts of those who rescued Jews from the Nazis in World War II, research by Samuel and Pearl Oliner reveals, were not matters of deliberation. They were acts that emerged from these individuals’ basic self-concepts and dispositions. By requiring children to help around the house, by insisting that children be respectful to us, to their friends, to our friends and to strangers, by talking to children about why values are important – among many strategies – we can weave values such as responsibility for others into children’s sense of self from an early age.

Moral reasoning

Key social and emotional competencies

Morality is also about having the skills needed to treat people well everyday – knowing how to help others without patronising them, say, or how to give feedback constructively. Adults can guide children in developing these social and emotional skills.

The strength and maturity of the self

To stand up for important principles or to take responsibility for others may mean painful ostracism or other hardships. Cultivating children’s morality thus also means nurturing the strength and maturity of the self.

To be sure, developing these five moral capacities, in addition to moral literacy, is not a simple task. But unlike simply teaching values, it stands a real chance of helping many children become strong, caring and fair adults. (psychologytoday.com)

Managing destructive emotions

Often it is emotions, such as the fear of being a pariah or a “loser,” that cause us to

• • • •

•

• • • • •

Every night before bed, think of three moments or people you are grateful for. #Gratitude Identify your top three strengths and find ways to bring them into your life in new ways. #Character Identify one strength you want to develop and make a list of practices you can do each day to strengthen it. #Perspective #Perseverance Think of people you see every day but don’t know personally — find out their name and something about them. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes. #Empathy #Curiosity Next time you’re in a group setting, if you’re a shy person, try to raise your hand or speak first; if you’re a vocal person, let others speak first. #Humility #Courage Recognise character strengths in others and compliment them regularly. #gratitude #Perspective #Empathy Think of one of your heroes and identify the strengths you admire in them #Leadership If you have an email that is stressing you out, sleep on it before you send #Self-control Recognise teachable moments in real life and on screen and identify what strengths they exercise. #SocialIntelligence Ask people for permission to post (PTP) before sharing their photo online. #Kindness #Self-Control

news

7

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil and gas industry

Guyanese accuse T&T company of discriminatory hiring practices

A

bout 30 Guyanese seafarers have vented their concerns over the recent move by ExxonMobil subcontractor, Ramp’s Logistics, to hire Trinidadians instead of Guyanese to work on the oil rig.

The discrimination was raised at the recent Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) open space meeting on oil and gas, held at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, where members of the Guyana Seafarer’s and General Workers Union (GS&GWU) protested against actions of the Trinidadian company.

The event was hosted to give the public the opportunity to express their opinions on how the oil revenues can be utilised to benefit all Guyanese.

One of the main issues raised by the GS&GWU was the concern that the sub-contractor is recruiting

Trinidadians over Guyanese who meet the job requirement.

They highlighted that the vacancies were advertised in the newspapers for able-bodied seamen (Ab), ordinary sailors (OS), captains, mates, engineers and riggers. According to the Union, while many skilled Guyanese had applied for these positions, they are rarely picked. The GS&GWU claimed that some 2000 qualified seamen are available in New Amsterdam alone.

Guyana Times is told on Wednesday that the company has denied the allegations saying that it has in fact hired over 70 per cent Guyanese.

Earlier this year, the Union had written to Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge about the alleged discrimination which was transpiring. They be-

lieve Trinidadians are being hired on more favourable terms than the Guyanese and are being paid higher for the same quality of work.

Additionally, the other issue revolves around the payment and non-payment of taxes; payments in foreign currencies and preferential travel arrangements for foreigners.

The Union also disclosed that these persons are allowed to work in Guyana without possessing a Guyanese work permit,

Armed bandits rob Corentyne family

The ransacked house

A

s armed bandits continue their rampage on the Corentyne, in Berbice, two masked men carrying handguns pounced on a Bush Lot house, terrorising the family.

Reports are that about 22:45h on Tuesday, the men invaded the Lot 127 Bush Lot home where Tameshwar Singh, 19, was lying in his hammock under the house

talking on his cellular phone. The men immediately grabbed the phone and dragged the teen into the house.

His mother, who was asleep, was alerted by her son calling out to her and went to the living room where she was confronted by the bandits. One pointed a gun at her and demanded cash and jewellery.

The woman, Sasewatti Singh, 37, told Guyana Times that she immediately went into the bedroom and gave one of the intruders a bag containing $20,000. One of the gunmen also grabbed the two finger rings the woman was wearing and a pair of gold bangles. The men also went to the woman’s 18-year-old daughter and took away a gold band and her cellular phone. A gold ring was also taken from Tameshwar, who was being held at gunpoint.

The men, not satisfied with the loot, proceeded to ransack the house as they continued to demand cash and jewellery.

During the ordeal one of the men threatened Tameshwar that they were there to kill him if he made any noise.

The men made good their escape before Police arrived.

Several persons have been questioned as the Police probe the incident.

Cuban charged for overstaying in Guyana

A

25-year-old Cuban was on Wednesday taken before the court of law to answer to the charge of overstaying in Guyana.

Gilbert Lopez appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. He admitted that between February 23 and November 7, 2018, he failed to comply with the conditions of his permit to stay in Guyana from January 23, 2018 to February 22, 2018 – that is he overstayed in the country.

In a plea of mitigation, Lopez told the court that he has been residing in Mahaica, working to ob-

Cuban Gilbert Lopez

tain money to return to his country. He was fined $30,000. Failure to pay the

fine will result in him having to serve three months in prison.

whereas all Guyanese seamen are required to obtain a work permit as a condition of permission to obtain employment in Trinidad.

In a recent incident which is dubbed as an act to “disparage” locals, a seaman in New Amsterdam received a call to ‘immediately’ visit the Georgetown office.

However, when he arrived, he was told his job had gone to a Trinidadian and he was not hired, the union alleged.

At the conclusion of the discussions in New

Amsterdam, it was assured that evidence to substantiate the allegations would be provided to the Guyana Human Rights Association.

The allegations made by the GS&GWU has once again bring to the fore the issue of local content, which has been a very controversial matter since ExxonMobil discovered oil in Guyana.

It has been argued that primary aim of the local content policy should be to ensure the education, inclusion, and advancement of as many Guyanese as possible in the oil industry.

The draft local content policy has been criticised in recent months for lacking provisions which would safeguard against exploitation by companies, especially since there have been intensified reports of the local companies being bypassed for contracts and services with foreign companies be-

ing favoured.

According to the draft local content framework document, the policy seeks to address the suite of opportunities that may arise and the approaches to be taken in selecting and developing opportunities related to enhancing the capabilities of Guyanese nationals and businesses through training and well-tailored social contributions for greater impact and benefits among others.

Earlier this year, following the closing of the inaugural Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit (GIPEX), the Private Sector Commission (PSC) vowed to continue pushing for an effective local content policy that would benefit all Guyanese.

The second review of the local content policy is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year.

8 news

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Construction worker charged for death of cyclist

A

32-year-old construction worker was on Wednesday released on bail when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Trevor Singh, of Buttercup Place, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown,

appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied that on November 1, 2018 at Aubrey Barker Road, Georgetown, he rode motorcycle CE 2681 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Floyd House.

The prosecution is contending that on November

1, Singh was heading west on Aubrey Barker Road when he collided with House, who was also heading in the same direction on a pedal cycle. Both men were picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where House was pronounced dead on

arrival.

The defendant was represented by Attorney-atLaw Paul Fung-A-Fat, who asked that his client be granted bail in a reasonable amount.

Singh was released on $350,000 bail, and the case was adjourned to November 20, 2018.

Kitty man remanded on rape charge

A

Station Street, Kitty resident was on Wednesday remanded to prison by Magistrate Leron Daly when he appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts charged for raping a 13-year-old girl.

Odinga Greene, 42, was not required to plead to the indictable charge after it was read to him by

Magistrate Daly.

The prosecution is contending that between November 1 and 31, 2016, he engaged in sexual activity with a child under the

age of 16.

Magistrate Daly remanded Greene to prison.

He is expected to make his next court appearance on November 21, 2018.

Duo remanded on joint robbery charge

T

wo men slapped with a joint charge of robbery under arms were remanded to prison by Magistrate Fabayo Azore on Wednesday when they appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The men, Anthony

Persaud and Randy Smith, denied that on November 4, 2018 at Hinck Street, Georgetown, while armed with an ice pick – they robbed Owen Marks of one Samsung Galaxy S6 cellphone valued $70,000.

Police Prosecutor Warren Thornhill object-

ed to bail for Persaud, 23, of Lot 19 Albertttown, Georgetown and Smith, 18, of Lot C Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

The Prosecutor’s objections were based on the nature, prevalence and seriousness of the charge.

Prosecutor Thornhill also

informed the court that the men were previously before the court for charges of a similar nature.

Magistrate Azore upheld the prosecution’s submissions and remanded the duo to prison. The case will continue on November 28, 2018.

Moving on…

T …in US politics?

he US “midterm” elections are over, and some are hopeful that this will result in a less “Trumpdominated” politics in what’s still the most powerful country in the world. And which, not so incidentally, has the largest Guyanese population outside of Guyana. Frankly, your Eyewitness doesn’t think anything will change a whit!

But then, like cricket, you never know!

After all the Sturm und Drang, the bottom line is the Republicans snapped up two more seats in the Senate to now have an outright majority of 51 Senators out of the total of 100. In the Congress, the Democrats as of when this was written, picked up 26 seats by defeating Republicans to now command an outright majority of 219 in the House that has 435 members. So some might say, it’s a tie, with Republicans controlling the Senate and the Democrats controlling the House?

Not really…since that analysis doesn’t take into consideration the elephant in US politics – the President, Donald Trump! No wonder he said he won big time!! While it’s said with a great deal of truth that the US system of government is based on “checks and balances” between its various components, a President as forceful and obstreperous as Trump can still maintain dominance with the new configuration. The President, after all, sets the agenda for government – and more than any other President in the history of the US, including Franklin D Roosevelt – Trump hasn’t been bashful in setting that agenda DAILY on Twitter!!

Take the matter of appointments to the highest offices of the land – including Cabinet Ministers and Members of the Supreme Court. These have to be ratified by the Senate – which Trump can now count on even more since it’s largely due to his campaigning that Republicans prevailed.

In an effort to counteract “mob rule”, the framers of the US Constitution gave each state – no matter how small, two Senators. So California with 39 million persons has the same two Senators as Wyoming with 579 thousand!!

Ironically, what this does in the modern US is to give the rural-dominated states with small populations – which would’ve been identified as “the mob” in the 18th century – an inordinate amount of power over the urbanised states like California and New York. And it’s in these rural areas that the bulk of Trump supporters live. Derided as “hicks” and “rednecks” and “yahoos” for the longest while, they’re now giving the “city slickers” their comeuppance – with a vengeance!

The Republican party now owes Trump big time on the wave he’s been able to create via xenophobia, nativism and American exceptionalism.

So it’ll be even more of Trump’s brinksmanship politics!!

…or moving backwards in cricket?

OK…your Eyewitness could deal with India defeating us in Test Cricket. With their 1 billion+ population, they have more folks who’re used to the tedium of a game that spans five days – most of it while watching the grass grow. Especially when most of them are given to contemplating their navels for hours on end!!

We West Indians, after all, like our fun to be quickfire – slam, bam, thank-you-maam – affairs, don’t we? Conditioned as slaves and indentured servants for hundreds of years, there was never too much time for leisurely pursuits. So when the ONE DAY INTERNATIONALS series came around, better was expected – after all, it’s only 50 overs per innings, which only took ONE DAY as the name suggests. Surely, your Eyewitness expected, our boys could keep their eyes on the ball for ONE DAY? But it was not to be – and they merely flattered to deceive.

And then came the T20’s!! This was our mettle…our forte…our bake and saltfish!! We practically invented this 4-hour format!

And yet we lost!

Is all lost?

…to the Berbice Bridge

Your Eyewitness is confused. Now that it has chosen nationalisation, will the PNC-Government now subsidise the BCCI to ensure all debts are serviced?

With them being used to “deficit financing” and all that!

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

News

9

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP to re-file private criminal charges against Govt Ministers

G

eneral Secretary People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Bharrat Jagdeo is again questioning the slothfulness of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) having publicly committed to question Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson over the sole sourcing of a $148 million Demerara Harbour bridge contract. Jagdeo on Wednesday said the PPP will be re-fling private criminal charges against several Government Ministers.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) had flagged Minister Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the contract be sole sourced, instead of being processed through the Procurement Board as the law dictates should be done.

Earlier this year, the PPP had filed private charges against the Minister and four of his Cabinet colleagues but Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Shalimar Ali-Hack discontinued the charges over the contentious D’Urban Park Project.

It was contended that the Ministers allegedly breached the Procurement Act in relation to the expenditure of $906 million in public funds to a private company.

Now that the PPC and Auditor General have issued findings highlighting breaches in the procurement process regarding Governmentsigned contracts, Jagdeo signalled on Wednesday that his party intends to write the Police on the matter with corresponding documents. The Opposition Leader’s commitment comes after the DPP’s public disclosure in April that her reasoning for discontinuing the charges were based on the position that allegations should have been reported to Police in the interest of “good governance.”

“We want to see if the DPP will still look at these charges now that an audit report is out because she said she is for the cause of good governance, I don’t know what kind of good gov-

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Former Education Minister, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton

ernance that is but that was the excuse” Jagdeo said.

The Party already sent one matter to the Police implicating Minister Patterson for breaches to the procurement process by the awarding of a $148 million solesourced contract to Dutch company, LievenseCSO for a feasibility study into the new Demerara River crossing.

Jagdeo said he is surprised that the Minister has not yet been called in

by SOCU – the very unit that called several Ministers of the former President’s Cabinet on multiple occasions.

“We deposited it with SOCU and asked for an investigation, already two months have passed, and Patterson did have to go into SOCU as yet and this is an investigation done by the constitutional body, the Public Procurement Commission and it was found that it was illegal. The Police didn’t have to do much more investigation, they could’ve used the report to put the allegations to Patterson and then charge him by now, they should’ve invited the whole Cabinet in like they did to talk about what took place at the other Cabinet… they promised that,” Jagdeo revealed. It was subsequently announced that SOCU would be investigating the contract award.

Bharrat and Juan Edghill – against Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton for misconduct in public office. This was in relation to the sole sourcing of drugs and other pharmaceuticals for the

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation from privately owned, ANSA McAL Trading Limited and the rental of a house in Sussex Street, Albouystown, Georgetown to be utilised as a drug bond at a cost of $12 million monthly, The use of the building has

since been discontinued, after several millions were expended.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Winston Jordan, then Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Minister Patterson were charged for misconduct in re-

lation to the D’Urban Park Project. However, after brief consideration, DPP Ali-Hack discontinued for misconduct in public office, contrary to the Common Law, under Article 187 (1) (c) of the Constitution.

Previous charges

On April 19, 2018, the PPP filed cases in the names of two Members of Parliament (MP) – Vickram

Wedding house brawl

Father, son, nephew freed of attempted murder charge

Freed: Rajnarine Ishree

A

Freed: Kumar Ishree

father, his son and nephew were on Wednesday set free on an attempted murder incitement by a Berbice

jury.

The three, Rajnarine Ishree 48; his son Kumar, 21; and nephew Sandeep Toolsie, 19; all of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, were accused of attempting to murder Henry Garret, 28, of Number 23 Village, Berbice.

The prosecution’s case, which was presented by Sate Prosecutor Mandel Moore, stated that on March 12, 2016, Garret was at a wedding house at Bush Lot and left to check on his bicycle and as he was heading back to the celebrations, the three men approached him and asked, “What a 23 man ah do ah Bush Lot.” The men were accused of ambushing Garret and beating him with paling

Freed: Sandeep Toolsie

staves until he fell unconscious.

During the trial, Prosecutor Moore called six witnesses, including two Police Officers. One of the witnesses, Garret’s cousin Mukesh, told the court that he was at the wedding house and he noticed persons running towards the door. He said he too ran outside and saw his cousin lying on the dam.

He told the court that he picked Garret up in an unconscious state and took him to the Fort Wellington Hospital.

Meanwhile, Garret in his evidence, said he was beaten by the Ishrees’ and Toolsie. He said when he regained consciousness, he was in the Fort Wellington Hospital.

The three men maintained throughout the trial that they were not the ones who injured Garret but rather it was other per-

Injured: Henry Garret

sons at the scene of the incident.

Attorney Tagenarine Ramroop representing the Ishrees’ argued that the music had stopped and as a result, persons began fighting. He said those fighting were not invited to the wedding and were put out of the celebrations.

Toolsie was represented by Attorney Arudranuth Gossai.

Garret had said that he was friends with the bridegroom’s father. He said he was not invited but it is customary for persons in nearby communities to turn up at wedding houses without being issued with an invitation.

Meanwhile, after considering all of the evidence, the jury found the accused not guilty on a wounding with intent indictment. They also found the men not guilty on the attempted murder indictment.

10 news

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

President Granger SWF proceeds could be spent on restocking leaves Cuban hospital Depleted reserves

reduced reserves – Jagdeo

F

ollowing reports of Guyana’s reserves, including that gold has been significantly depleted by Government, Guyanese could very well see the proceeds of the prospective Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) being utilised to replenish the country’s assets which signals that some time would pass before citizens can benefit from the impending oil and gas sector.

This was posited by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who told members of the press on Wednesday that Government’s approach to the yet to be established investment fund is “wrong in principle”.

“Often Sovereign Wealth Funds are there when you have reserves to manage but we are running down our reserves so low now [with] over $400 million [spent in] less than three months of imports, that we may have to spend a couple years using all the money we receive from ExxonMobil just to build up back our reserves,” Jagdeo noted at his Georgetown office.

The former President told reporters that the current approach is being dominated by the Government to which the People’s Progressive Party is opposed.

“We want an independently managed Sovereign Wealth Fund that insulated from actions of people in the political sphere. We want a petroleum commission that exhibits the

same features that is a technical body without political interference. We believe that once the management of the SWF caters for that, it must have a simple fiscal rule to get resources out of this fund and once that happens there must be a transparent system,” he noted.

The PPP’s position is that once the resources are paid into the revenue stream of the Government, it must go through the requisite parliamentary process. Noting that SWFs are managed for saving for a country’s future, stabalisation and excess reserves but according to him, State reserves have be “run down” by the present coalition Administration.

“They have already sold out all the gold and used up the money; they have transferred over $40 billion from the semi-autonomous agencies that they claimed was there as a slush fund under the PPP.

They transferred it and used it all up. In the reserves in the central bank, the net foreign assets in the country are being depleted and they are borrowing more. Government is damaging our future by borrowing so much money,” the former Head of State opined.

In April 2018, an interpretation of the Bank of Guyana’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities reflected that the bank’s total assets were on a slide, as several indices ranging from the bank’s gold holdings to its market securities showed reductions when compared to previous years.

According to the bank document, its total assets as of March 28, 2018, were $206.4 billion which had included $1.9 billion in gold reserves, $82.1 billion in capital market securities and $5.6 billion in money market securities.

This is a reduction from the gold reserves the bank recorded in June 2017. According to

... analyses of illness still incomplete

the bank’s Half Year Report last year, it had $4.8 billion worth of gold in its foreign holdings as assets. The central bank in a subsequent report, explained that gold reserves were down as it was taking advantage of a higher price.

Bank of Guyana Governor Gobind Ganga told the press that “you sell when the value is high and buy when it is low”.

At the end of August 2018, ExxonMobil made its ninth discovery offshore Guyana, marking its fifth discovery on the Stabroek Block in the past year. The previous discoveries had led to the announcement of an estimated recoverable resource of more than four billion oil-equivalent barrels discovered to date. It also created the potential for up to five floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels producing more than 750,000 barrels per day by 2025.

The first discovery was made in 2015 and as 2019 approaches, Government is yet to establish the SWF even though first official oil production is expected by 2020.

Government had issued a Green Paper on the Fund but Jagdeo had said it proved nothing unless the Administration took the necessary steps to introduce draft legislation on the SWF which will guide how money from oil resources will be utilised for the country’s development.

P

resident David Granger is resting comfortably at an official residence following an intensive series of tests by specialist doctors immediately after he arrived in Cuba on October 30.

This was revealed by the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday evening.

According to a statement from the Ministry, the President was receiving treatment at the Centro de Investigaciones Medico Quirugicas (CIMEQ) in Havana. Clinical analyses are still incomplete, the statement noted.

“The Head of State has responded satisfactorily to medical interventions over the past week, however, and is recovering well.

President Granger wishes to assure all citizens that he is receiving the best possible medical advice and attention. The President wishes to thank Guyanese for their expressions of concern,” the statement said.

Government on October 29 issued a terse release, stating that President Granger would be going to Cuba for almost a week.

People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) General Secretary Amna Ally, in an interview with sections of the media, as-

President David Granger

sured that the President was not expected to undergo surgery.

She also informed that the President called a meeting with Cabinet Ministers from his PNCR party on Monday last.

In May of this year, Granger and the First Lady, Sandra Granger had travelled to the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to undergo what was referred to as their annual medical check-up. At the time, and in response to reports in the press, the Government had revealed that the couple did their examinations under a Caribbean medical insurance scheme at the Good Health Medical Centre.

Those results, Government had said, indicated a clean bill of health.

news

11

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cataract surgeries not being offered at ophthalmology centre

T

he National Ophthalmology Centre at Port Mourant, Berbice, has the capacity to perform hundreds of cataract surgeries but currently because of poor budgeting, the Centre had not conducted any for the past three years.

The $140 million facility at Port Mourant was commissioned in July 2009 and was the first specialised Ophthalmology centre in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Head of the Regional Health Committee Zamal Husain admits that the institution is operating way below its capacity. In fact, there are no cataract surgeries done over the past three years.

In May, Public Health

Minister Volda Laurence announced that shortly the Centre will recommence cataract surgeries. Five months after, nothing has happened.

Hussain, who was addressing the issue at the RDC said the institution has the capacity to carry out hundreds of cataract surgeries.

Relating to figures, Hussain noted after its first 10 months of operation, there were 21,074 persons seen at the Centre.

He noted that 8932 were seen for refractive errors of the eye. One thousand five hundred and thirty-six surgeries were done, of which 316 were cataract surgeries.

“This hospital had the capacity to do about 10,000 surgeries and if we

The National Ophthalmology Centre at Port Mourant

leave this very important Ophthalmology hospital nonfunctional, imagine what

will happen to the people of Guyana.”

The National

Ophthalmology Centre has been out of kits to perform cataract surgeries for more than two years. Region Six Chairman David Armogan says that is so because of poor budgeting.

However, Director of Regional Health Services, Jevaughn throws the blame on Central Government, saying it does not fall under the regional administration. He added that it is the Public Health Ministry that is tasked with providing drugs and medical supplies and also to ensure that the national ophthalmology hospital is up and running.

The Cuban Government had funded the facility for nationals of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

Armogan, who was at that time the head of the Regional Health Committee and also the President of the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam which was instrumental in arranging and facilitating some of the surgeries of the Centre, says the National Ophthalmology Centre at Port Mourant should be up and running.

He recalled that an Indian national was brought to the Ophthalmology hospital and was performing 40 surgeries per day. also noted Armogan that another surgeon, who is currently attached to the New Amsterdam Hospital, performs 10 cataract surgeries per day. (Andrew Carmichael)

Caribbean candidates victorious in US midterm elections

I

n an unusually very high voter-turnout in midterm elections in the United States that observers say illustrates strong opposition to President Donald J Trump, a number of Caribbean Democratic candidates in New York romped to victory on Tuesday night with overwhelming majorities.

Uninterrupted rain throughout Tuesday and problems with the voting machines did not prevent voters for casting their ballots.

According to the New York State Board of Elections results, popular Caribbean American Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, won in a landslide, garnering 167,199 votes, or 87.59 per cent, to her Republican Haitianborn challenger, Lutch Gayot, who received 10,336 votes, or 10.13 per cent.

Clarke, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, noted that her victory came on the 50th anniversary of the first Caribbean American woman,

Shirley Chisholm, to run for the United States Congress.

The late Chisholm, whose mother was Barbadian and father Guyanese, was also the first black woman to run for the US Congress.

She had represented the then 11th Congressional District in Brooklyn.

“I’ve demonstrated to the people of this district (9th Congressional) that I am committed to them,” Clarke told the Caribbean Media Corporation.

“But I still have more work to do in the era of Trump – that this district has opportunities to sustain itself, that we use voter-strength to push for the goals of my community,” she added.

With the Democratic party regaining the US House of Representatives, Clarke, a senior member of the House Energy Committee, said she will be in a better position to help her constituents.

“The victory will help to invest in infrastructure, health care, among a host of other things,” she said.

In the New York State Senate,

Democratic Senator Roxanne Persaud, a Guyanese-born immigrant, regained her seat in a landslide in the 19th Senatorial District in Brooklyn.

Persaud received 64,940 votes, or 86.90 per cent, to her Republican challenger, Jeffrey Ferretti, who received 7419 votes, or 9.93 per cent.

“By winning the seat, we can continue doing what we’re doing,” Persaud told CMC on Tuesday night at the Democratic Party Club headquarters.

“I’m not focusing on one group of people. When you do that, you’re polarising people. I do a lot of social issues in my community – foster care, senior care, etc,” Persaud added.

For just the third time in 50 years, the Democratic party gained control of the New York State Senate Tuesday night in what pundits said was a clear repudiation of Trump’s policies.

In the 20th Senatorial District in Brooklyn, Zellnor Myrie, a young lawyer of Costa Rican parentage and Jamaican-born grand-

mother, defeated the incumbent Jesse Hamilton, who ran for the Independent Party.

Democrat Myrie had trounced Hamilton in the Democratic Primary.

In Tuesday’s midterm elections, Myrie received 67,803 votes, or 88.06 per cent, to Hamilton’s 5327 votes or 6.92 per cent. In New York State Assembly, Caribbean Democratic candidates were also triumphant.

Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn, handsomely beat two challengers.

Bichotte garnered 26,817 votes, or 87.66 per cent; Republican Matthew Williams received 2173 votes, or 7.10 per cent; and Jamaican Anthony Beckford, of the Green Party, received 631 votes, or two per cent.

“I feel good!” Bichotte exclaimed on Election Night. “I think, throughout the whole year, I’ve been working hard to fill all corners of my constituency.”

Bichotte’s Assembly Democratic

colleague, Diana Richardson, the daughter of St Martin and Aruban immigrants, was unchallenged in the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn.

Richardson received 33,345 votes, or 92.94 per cent.

In her first bid for elective office, Haitian, Dr Mathylde Frontas, a Columbia University professor, was victorious in the 46th Assembly District in Brooklyn.

In a four-way race, Democrat Frontas received 14,750 votes, or 51.84 per cent; Republican Steven Saperstein received 11,823 votes, or 41.55 per cent; Ethan LustigElgrably, of the Working Families Party, received 421 votes, or 1.48 per cent; and Patrick Dwyer, of the Green Party, received 284 votes, or one per cent.

Trinidadian Jaime Williams was overwhelmingly re-elected in the 59th Assembly District in Brooklyn.

Democrat Williams received 26,229 votes, or 77.69 per cent, to Republican Brandon Washington’s 6306 votes, or 18.67 per cent. (CMC)

12news

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt silent on property tax increases – Jagdeo

W

ith less than one week before the 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE) are held, the Opposition is questioning why the two main coalition partners have been mum on possible increases to property rates and taxes especially, since its Government hired a North American company to assess the current rates.

As all parties intensify efforts in the final days leading up the polls; Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at his press conference at his Georgetown office on Wednesday that candidates from both the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and AFC (Alliance For Change) are basically silent on the impending increases on property taxes.

“APNU and AFC are not saying anything about ‘no tax increases’ at the local level. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has made it clear that we will not support any in-

crease at the local levels because these communities are already overburdened with taxation at the national level,” Jagdeo outlined.

The Georgetown Mayor and City Hall where the APNU/AFC coalition won a majority in the 2016 LGE has long been complaining about being unable to meet financial obligations from current property rates and taxes. These comments were picked up by which later hired Canadian firm Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to assess the tax rate in not just the city but countrywide for approximately $330 million.

He however reminded reporters on Wednesday that following the 2016 LGE, the PPP had not increased any taxes, whereas some APNU/AFC stronghold areas such as New Amsterdam saw increases for property rates and taxes.

The former President feels APNU and AFC candidates are deliberately avoiding the issue as he expressed

that the property tax issue should play an integral part of the LGE discussion.

In any case, he stated that PPP officials and representatives are currently on the ground across the various Local Authority Areas (LAAs) as the Party has a message he feels will reso-

nate with all Guyana.

Jagdeo has been noted saying for quite some time that Government has been increasing too many taxes – about 200, he in fact says. When the Party launched its campaign in September, he had said no tax increases for proper-

ties, but Government had, however, outlined that rate hikes would be up to local officials after the valuations were complete. It was in 2017 that Finance Minister Winston Jordan revealed that efforts were being made to ensure the stability and self-sufficiency of the

Local Democratic Organs (LDOs), to reduce dependence on subventions from Central Government. The Government has expressed its dissatisfaction with the national valuation system, noting that it showed an extended neglect of the Local Government system.

Region 3 hosts National Day of Villages 2018

C

ommunities Minister Ronald Bulkan has stated that the Government is committed to stimulating and reviving the village economy. While he did not state how this will be done, the Minister, delivering the feature address at the Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara National Day of Villages 2018, said the Administration has embraced a different approach to governance and to development.

The event was hosted today at Hydronie Playpark, East Bank Essequibo, and was attended by Minister Bulkan and Legal Adviser to

Two Region Three youths performing a cultural piece at the Essequibo Islands-West Demerara National Day of Villages 2018

the Minister of State, Geeta Chandan-Edmond, members of the regional administration, students and residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

National Day of Villages was hosted under the theme “Working in Harmony, Building Better Relationships for a Brighter Future”. In his feature address, Minister Bulkan told the gathering that the event provides an opportunity for recommitment to develop-

ment at the community level and ultimately the national level.

Minister Bulkan is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying that the Government believes in “people’s empowerment and development from the bottom up, at the level of our villages”. He added that the developmental rate of Guyana is dependent on the rate at which the municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs)

progress.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of State Joseph Harmon, Geeta Chandan-Edmond told residents that it is important to utilise every opportunity to foster social cohesion. She reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to supporting events of this nature.

Chandan-Edmond quoted President David Granger, stating “diversity is an asset, it does not necessarily translate into inclusivity.”

She further stated that better relations should be fostered at the community level.

“We want better relations among our villages among our races and ethnic communities we want great trust in cooperation we want in other words social cohesion in all parts of our society.”

Patrons were treated to cultural performances which showcased the talents of the region’s youths.

news

13

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

$10M lapidary for Monkey Mountain on stream

The Region Eight gem lapidary under construction

R

esidents in the village of Monkey Mountain in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) will soon benefit from the operation of a lapidary, as construction moves apace.

The establishment of the lapidary will see jewellery, ornaments and exotic furniture being produced from the semi-precious stones which can be found in abundance on the plains of the North Pakaraimas. Among them, crystals, amethyst, volcanic, jasper and agate gemstones, and once retrieved and processed will produce several unique pieces. The 40’x 20’ facility will boast a workshop, exhibit area, washrooms and a security area.

Earlier this year, Minister within the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry, Valerie GarridoLowe held a meeting with the residents of the community to discuss the location of the facility. The Minister noted that with the establishment of the state-ofthe-art facility is part of the administration aim to empower the residents of the community.

There is a tourism aspect to the project which

will allow visitors to go on excursions in search of the semi-precious stones themselves and observe the process from the moment the semi-precious minerals are collected to completion of

Denni Abraham, a resident told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the establishment of the lapidary, “will do a lot of good for the young people of Monkey Mountain… I know

Some of the semi-precious stones found in the Pakaraimas

the final product.

C o o p e r a t i v e Development Officer attached to Social Protection Ministry, Scott Bar-Jones explained that he will play a vital role in monitoring the facility, once it is commissioned. “This initiative will not only generate income for the people of Monkey Mountain but will provide an opportunity for the youths within this community,” Bar-Jones said.

that they are excited.”

Another resident, Andrea Stanislaus, said: “I am happy to know that we have the lab going being built and I know that it will be helpful for us, my children and grands, also and so I am thankful for it.”

Kato, Kurukubaru, Maikwak and Tuseneng are the four other villages set to benefit since semi-precious stones can also be found in these communities.

14 news

thursdAY, November 8, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana to host 192 countries GCAA seeking direct flights at upcoming ICAO conference to Africa to boost tourism …whether feasible or not – Director

T

A

s Guyana observes Tourism Month in November, representatives from 192 countries are expected to visit for one of the largest aviation conferences in Guyana.

This was on Wednesday revealed by senior representatives of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) during a press conference hosted at the agency’s head office on High Street, Georgetown.

The conference is expected to have some 192 Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) participate as was related by Director of Marketing and Operations Support, Franklin Vieira.

It is slated to be held in Guyana at the Arthur

Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown from November 21 to 23, 2018.

The conference is being held under the theme “Promoting connectivity for sustainable air transport development”.

It was pointed out during the meeting on Wednesday that air transport played a vital role in linking many coastal areas and communities in the hinterland and in connecting States to regional and global markets.

In facilitating travel, air transport generates economic growth and development and even provides jobs among other benefits.

“The objective of this meeting is to come up with practical solutions to the air

transport challenges that we are facing in the sector internationally,” Director of Air Transport Management, Saheed Sulaman told Guyana Times.

According to him, one of the challenges in the aviation sector is connectivity between States. He, however, noted that this month’s Air Transport Meeting would also address issues such as harmonising the regional air transport regulatory framework as well as the liberalisation of air cargo through regional and global approaches.

Although only 25 countries have confirmed attendance, the GCAA said it was looking forward to having fruitful discussions during the three-day event.

he Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is now seeking to partner with African states to have direct flights traverse the countries in a bid to boost tourism.

This was on Wednesday disclosed by Air Transport Management Director, Saheed Sulaman on the sidelines of an event held at the GCAA’s head office on High Street, Georgetown.

“We are always looking to develop relationships with all ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) member states. It’s the only way we can connect to those states and it’s the only way our airlines can get connected to those states so I’d say yes we are looking to develop relationships with those countries and not only those countries in Africa but in Asia, in Europe, we are looking to develop relationships with those countries as well,” he said.

According to him, a few African airlines have since expressed interest in the market.

Asked if he believes the market will be a feasible one, the Director noted that although there might not be enough traffic to operate “you got to start somewhere.”

“The Government doesn’t really access feasibility, the investors do that and the mere fact that we have had interest from two African airlines it means that they are seeing something feasible to engage the GCAA,” he added.

It was explained by him

Director of Marketing and Operations Support, Franklin Vieira and Director of Air Transport Management, Saheed Sulaman addressing media operatives

that the present flight system in Guyana allows for a person to fly to Africa, only after arriving in Europe or the United States.

Sulaman pointed to the fact that the flights will be beneficial in promoting tourism in Guyana, especially at a time where tourism month is currently being observed.

One of the airlines, which is a Nigerian one he said, is a key player in Africa and is even the largest nation in the continent. “To have interest from that nation is a great great step forward,” he expressed.

It was clarified that although Guyana is seeking to have direct flights to Africa, the option of having small stops in between have not been wiped off the table.

“We are awaiting final confirmation from the Government of Tanzania and the Government of Ghana on their availability to sign an air services agreement...we’ve already done

our work and we are awaiting their confirmation.”

He outlined that those agreements will be important to allow for smooth operations between the countries while explaining, “The air services agreement, they are generally template version, pretty much the standard agreement for all countries.

What is critical in an air services agreement are the rights that are granted both agreements that we have negotiated they are what you call liberal or open skies agreement that will allow for any amount of airlines from Guyana or Tanzania to operate between the routes of Georgetown and Tanzania… and Ghana it’s the same principle”.

According to him, “while we may not have something right now, should an airline of Tanzania or Ghana decide we want to fly to Georgetown that instrument is already in place to facilitate that operation”.

EBD beheading

Suspect to be slapped with murder charge …underwent psychiatric evaluation

T

he 25-year-old who reportedly beheaded his brother-in-law on Monday morning was subjected to a psychiatric evaluation and has since been detained in Police custody.

This is according to the Divisional Detective Office of A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara), Superintendent Julius Wright, who told Guyana Times on Wednesday that the suspect, Anthony King, will most likely be processed for court this week.

“He’s in custody. A psychiatric evaluation was done so he likely would be before court on Friday,” said Wright.

King was arrested on Monday after he reportedly killed his sister’s husband at about 08:20h at the family’s Lot 1323 ‘Block Y’, Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

The dead man, 39-yearold Justin Peterkin of Paradise, East Coast Demerara (ECD) visited the area that morning when the incident occurred.

The house where the murder took place at Grove, East Bank Demerara

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, a neighbour, Daniel Boutrim, recalled that he ventured outside of his house and subsequently spotted King, who was holding a hammer.

According to the neighbour, the suspect then entered the house and he subsequently heard a “knocking” sound which urged him to check again to see what was transpiring. He reportedly saw Peterkin lying motionless on the ground, being hammered and chopped

about his body by his brother-in-law.

“When I peep, I see he chopping away on the man head down here with a kitchen chopper and lashing the hammer on the knife,” Boutrim told this publication.

After finishing the act, King reportedly left the yard and proceeded towards the street with the two weapons in hand. The neighbour said he went after the suspect and by then the Police arrived and took him into custody.

thursdAY, november 8

Tourism Awareness Month school talks commence …as Restaurant week takes shape

I

n observance of Tourism Awareness Month 2018, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has announced a schedule of events, which will be executed throughout the month of November. These activities would have started early with engagements at the educational level.

Themed, “Promoting Sustainability, Celebrating Diversity”, the month of awareness is aimed at portraying Guyana mainly for its natural characteristics while placing emphasis on the adventure and cultural experiences which once can experience during their stay.

Partnering with the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), the list of activities was officially launched with input from the Business Minister, Dominic Gaskin.

Gaskin used the platform to point out that con-

Students partaking in one of the previous fairs at the Stabroek Market

centration needs to be placed on what the country has to offer in relation to nature-based tours.

The GTA Director, Brian Mullis assured that they are willing to collaborate with the private sector to ensure that Guyanese are given affordable travel packages throughout the year.

The events started with school talks at Linden Foundation Secondary School, Tutorial High School, JC Chandisingh Secondary School, and Anna Regina Secondary School and will wrap up on November 14.

Meanwhile on Friday at the Giftland Mall, a Tourism

Sector Fair is planned in an effort to increase public awareness. The organisations are encouraging the public to visit the event where they can learn about available tours and opportunities to see the beauty of Guyana. Participating companies include Old Fort Tours, Dagron Tours, Rainforest Tours, Evergreen Adventures, Lake Mainstay and the Aruwai Resort.

The excitement will continue with a Scavenger Hunt on November 24. This activity is intended to “engage the younger generation, to promote teamwork and drive conversation about tourism”.

THAG in collaboration with Tourism Department of the Business Ministry is also set to host the Guyana Restaurant Week, regional tourism planning and development workshops and the launch of the Guyana Rum Route among others.

Bee Hive fatal accident

Constable died from poisoning – PME

A

post-mortem examination (PME) conducted on the Police Constable who was involved in an accident which claimed the life of a 27-year-old female confirmed that he died as a result of pesticide poisoning.

It was reported that Oswin Argyle took his life on last Tuesday ingesting what he told his colleagues was rat poison at work. When the poison took effect moments later, the Constable report-

edly ran out of the compound of the East Coast Demerara (ECD) Police Station where he was working and collapsed on the roadway.

He was immediately rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment.

The Constable was involved in an accident on October 29, 2018, causing the death of Keiolla Thomas of Clonbrook, ECD. Thomas was the sole pas-

senger of a speeding PWW 5851 motor car that was being driven by Argyle.

Initial reports are that the Policeman of Supply, Mahaica, ECD, was proceeding south along the eastern side of the Bee Hive Public Road at a fast pace when he lost control of the vehicle and hit two Guyana Power and Light (GPL) utility poles, located on the said eastern side of the road.

As a result of the impact, the vehicle careened off into a

nearby canal. Police revealed that both parties suffered injuries and were rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, where Thomas was pronounced dead on arrival.

The cop escaped with minor injuries and was treated and sent away. A breathalyser test conducted on him gave a negative reading of zero per cent. He was taken into custody and then transferred to the Turkeyen Police Station, where investigations were in progress.

Sterling Products Limited takes ice-cream magic to Enmore

T

he new Sterling Products outlet at the Enmore Mall, East Coast Demerara, is now in full operation as patrons and passers-by have found the ice-cream parlour to be a place of interest for the family, especially since it has the magic of sweet treats.

The new location seeks to create fun, positive human engagements and community spirit within the area.

The new venture has quickly become a top-quality meeting spot for everyone, since patrons can unwind in a pleasant environment and enjoy the numerous flavours of ice-cream offered.

Sterling Products Ltd Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramsay Ali has revealed that the launching of the Enmore Igloo Ice Cream facility was the continuous flow of a successful business model whereby the company would take its ice-cream to selected locations and make a positive social contribution by getting people from different cultural backgrounds to merge and mix, based on their shared love of sweet treats.

The CEO further stated that the Enmore outlet was practically a du-

plicate of Igloo Ice Cream’s successful outlet at Providence, along the East Bank of Demerara.

“What you have seen at Providence is exactly what is happening at Enmore … families are coming out on weekends, especially in the afternoons.

They are bringing their children; they are buying ice-cream products and they are using the play area to have some fun…,” Ali said.

The CEO elaborated that his company’s business development mod-

el had a strong communal aspect that aimed at developing and enhancing communities and family ties.

He also explained that the company had plans to establish similar outlets across Guyana, and East Berbice was targeted to be one of the locations next year. In addition, each facility is built and operated according to strict hygienic and safety standards. The Enmore facility’s children’s play-park complies with the highest standards of comfort and safety.

news

15

, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ethnic Relations Commission message on Local Government Elections 2018

D

ear brothers and sisters of Guyana, as you are aware, our nation is in the process of another important elections, specifically Local Government Elections to be held on November 12, 2018.

Many of our citizens, either from Parliamentary and other political Parties, independent groups or ERC Chairman John Smith as individual candidates, are engaged in the process to become elected representatives within the various Municipalities and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils while thousands of others will be executing their constitutional and democratic right to vote for those of their choice.

Campaigning is a natural and integral part of the process for the purpose of bringing awareness to programs and polices of those who seek these public offices. These campaigns, whether through public meetings or personal interactions, in addition to its primary objective of awareness, unfortunately hold the potential for statements which are counterproductive to the fostering of harmony, to be enunciated.

If that potential were to be realized, then the challenges it can pose to our society, as what regrettably obtained in the past, need no explanation or convincing.

It is in this context that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), with a constitutional mandate for the promotion of harmony and good relations, as agreed by the various political Parties within our country’s Parliament, seeks your assistance for you to do your part and to encourage all to keep the campaigns and other interactions, including social media, free of any utterance which can impact negatively on national harmony and good relations amongst Guyanese.

Guided by lessons on elections from our history, the ERC believes that the assistance sought from you is extremely important given it’s a task it cannot accomplish on its own. Among other things, a campaign free of hate, racial and all other forms of incitement is most desirable and essential to the efforts of building and sustaining a cohesive nation with a common destiny.

The promotion of harmony, while constitutionally mandated to the ERC, is a vital process that requires the efforts of all of us. The Chairman, Commissioner and Staff of the ERC encourage that the campaign, the electoral procedures on November 12 and the period following be proliferated with respect and tolerance in a demonstration to ourselves and others that while we will disagree in the process, it is not a reason for hostility through hated.

Let us together use this opportunity and challenge ourselves to remove whatever barriers of togetherness and humanity that confront us as we endeavor collectively to promote harmony, unity and good relations. Elections must not be a process that divides us.

Let us also use this opportunity to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood and to make foremost the welfare of this land that is home to all of us; our Guyana.

The ERC takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to all the candidates who continue to dedicate their time to become representatives of the various constituencies; to all the staff and volunteers involved in the process and to you whether you are eligible to cast a ballot or not. Peace, during and after the process is in the hands of all of us.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

Regional

and Antigua European Union extends sanctions Grenada and Barbuda reject CCJ on Venezuela for a year C T he European Union has extended its sanctions against crisis-hit Venezuela until November 2019, ramping up pressure on President Nicolás Maduro’s Government.

The bloc had imposed an arms embargo in November 2017 and added various officials to the sanctions list over the course of this year, most recently in June in response to Maduro’s re-election during polls marred by an opposition boycott and claims of vote-rigging.

The extension on Tuesday came for what the EU said were human rights violations and undermining of democracy and the rule of law under Maduro. There was no immediate comment from Venezuela’s socialist Government.

Once one of Latin

President Nicolás Maduro blames the crisis on an ‘economic war’ against his socialist country by opponents, including the US

America’s wealthiest countries, Venezuela has been struggling with a hyper-inflationary economic meltdown in the wake of the crash of oil prices in 2014.

Almost two million peo-

2 Caricom nations among countries in the Americas on track to eliminate malaria by 2020

T

he Caribbean C o m m u n i t y (Caricom) countries of Belize and Suriname are among seven nations in the Americas that could be malaria free in another two years, according to the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO).

On the eve of Malaria Day in the Americas, PAHO said Argentina is on track to obtain its certification in 2019, and Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico and Suriname are potentially on their way to achieving elimination by 2020.

The others were malaria control programmes in two municipalities in Brazil (Alto Río Solimões y Machadinho D’Oeste) and Paraguay’s Malaria Control Programme.

While there has been progress in these countries, PAHO says other countries have recorded an increase in the number of cases of malaria, which puts at risk achievement

of the goals to reduce the number of cases, and eliminate the disease in the region by 2030.

It therefore urged countries of the region to take urgent action to halt the increase in cases, maintain achievements, and free the continent of malaria, a disease which, during the last century, was the leading cause of death in almost every nation in the world.

Many countries in the region are expanding their efforts to control and eliminate malaria with the support of PAHO, USAID and other partners. In 2013, the ‘Elimination of Malaria in Mesoamerica and the Island of Hispaniola’ initiative was launched with the aim of eliminating malaria in nine countries by 2020. Since then, the Zero Malaria Alliance, launched in 2015, has joined the efforts to achieve this aim of eliminating the disease in two of these countries, Haiti and The Dominican Republic. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

ple have fled the oil-rich country since 2015 due to chronic food and medicine shortages, according to the United Nations.

This has resulted in increased pressure and re-

strictions from neighbouring countries while causing a migration crisis in the region. The European Council said on Tuesday the decision was taken “in view of the continuing deterioration of the situation in Venezuela”.

“These measures are intended to help encourage democratic shared solutions in order to bring political stability to the country and allow it to address the pressing needs of the population,” the Council said in a statement.

The EU’s move comes less than a week after the United States introduced new tough sanctions on Venezuela, targeting its gold sector in particular, and denounced Caracas for being part of a “troika of tyranny” with Cuba and Nicaragua. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

itizens of Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda voted on Tuesday to keep the UK Privy Council as their countries’ final of appeal, overwhelmingly rejecting the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) as its replacement.

While a two-thirds majority of voters was needed to approve the move, not even a simple majority was obtained in each country. In Grenada, where the failed referendum was the second in as many years, Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell expressed disappointment and said it was his final time trying to get the island to vote in favour of the Trinidad-based CCJ. “I will not initiate another attempt at this issue as Prime Minister of the country. I hold very dearly to this particular position,” he said after the defeat.

Antigua and Barbuda’s

Prime Minister Gaston Browne expressed a similar sentiment as he noted the impact the failure of the referendum in his country would have on future constitutional reforms – a situation he said was his biggest disappointment.

The turnout for the referendum in Grenada was particularly low, with Supervisor of Elections Alex Phillip reporting that only 28 per cent of registered voters participated. In 2016, Grenadians voted of 9492 in favour and 12,434 against several pieces of constitutional reform legislation, including a bill that would give the nod to the CCJ. Tuesday’s results mean Barbados, Belize, Dominica and Guyana remain the only Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries that have acceded to the appellate jurisdiction of the CCJ.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Peru ‘baby trafficking ring’: Ex-Police Chief held

Raul Becerra (pictured at right), former head of the national police force, speaks during a police ceremony in 2016. Authorities in Peru said Tuesday that Becerra is accused of involvement in a baby trafficking ring

P

olice in Peru say they have busted a suspected baby trafficking ring in the southern city of Arequipa.

Among the 14 people arrested in early morning raids is the former head of Peru’s National Police Force, General Raúl Becerra. He has not yet commented.

Police suspect his partner of being the ringleader of the gang which convinced poor women to hand over their babies and then sold them. A five-month-old

baby was rescued as part of the raids, officials said.

Police said 500 officers took part in simultaneous raids on 18 properties in the industrial city, starting at 03:00 local time (08:00 GMT) on Tuesday. One of the properties searched was that of General Becerra, whom Police suspect of being a key accomplice in the criminal scheme allegedly led by his 32-year-old partner, Cinthia Tello.

General Becerra, 61, led Peru’s national Police Force from 2010 until his retire-

ment in 2011. Neighbours said Tello ran local beauty contests and organised public events.

Investigators say the gang looked for poor pregnant women who were considering having abortions because they felt they could not afford to bring up a child. The gang then allegedly offered the women enough money to convince them to carry to term and would then sell their babies at huge profit. Investigators allege the babies were sold for 4000

Peruvian soles (US$1187; £900). Police are still investigating whether the children were sold to foreign couples looking to adopt or to organ trafficking gangs.

A gynaecologist and a paediatrician are among those arrested, as well as three women who allegedly “fished” for pregnant women by pretending to offer illegal abortions. Abortion is currently only allowed in Peru when a woman’s physical or mental health is at risk. (BBC News)

British Airways to boost travel to and from Barbados

B

arbados stands to gain from increased capacity and product enhancements being introduced by British Airways to boost travel to and from the island this winter season and next year.

The airline currently operates 10 non-stop flights per week from Barbados to London Gatwick and will operate two additional services during the peak winter periods. Next year, there will be an extra three weekly flights in April, providing over 3900 additional seats to meet the Easter

holiday demand.

British Airways is currently offering sale prices to London for the Christmas holidays. There are several events and activities taking place in London at this time of year including the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, Southbank’s Wintertime Festival and Christmas in Leicester Square, in addition to shopping.

“We are constantly looking at ways to support the travel needs of customers in Barbados and from our key markets overseas,” said Diane Corrie, Commercial

Manager Caribbean at British Airways. “London is an exciting city to celebrate the holidays and we’re excited to offer these special fares for those looking for a magical holiday.”

Corrie said the recently launched product enhancements to its catering, Club World bedding and inflight entertainment on its Boeing 777 aircraft which plies the Barbados to London Gatwick route make for “an enhanced flight experience” and customer feedback has been very positive. (Caribbean360)

17

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Mid-term elections 2018: Republicans retain Senate, Democrats win House

U

S President Donald Trump has hailed "tremendous success" in the mid-term elections after a night of mixed results for his Republican party.

The Democrats won the House of Representatives, which will enable them to thwart the president's agenda.

But the Republicans consolidated their grip on the Senate, ensuring he can still make key appointments.

Trump said the outcome "defied history" as the ruling party does not usually gain seats in the mid-terms.

At a feisty news conference on Wednesday, Trump offered an olive branch to Democrats, proposing both parties work together on joint legislative priorities.

But he said that if Democratic-controlled congressional committees started serving legal writs against his administration, Republicans would do likewise and gridlock would ensue.

In ill-tempered exchanges, Trump called a CNN correspondent "a rude, terrible person" and told an NBC reporter: "I'm not a big fan of yours either." He told a

Native American women to be elected to Congress.

All are Democrats. Ayanna Pressley was elected as Massachusetts' first black congresswoman.

What's happening in Governors' races?

President Donald Trump said the outcome "defied history" as the ruling party does not usually gain seats in the mid-terms. He is hoping for a "beautiful bipartisan situation". At right is one of the women who made history in the mid-terms. New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman ever elected to the US House at 29 years old

black reporter who asked whether his self-professed nationalism would embolden white nationalists that it was "such a racist question".

The President also mocked Republicans who did not "embrace" him on the campaign trail, and went on to lose their election races. "They did very poorly," Trump told reporters. "I'm not sure that I should be happy or sad but I feel just fine about it."

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi has promised her party will serve as a counterweight to the White House. Pelosi – who is favourite to become speaker, a position she held from 2007-11

- told supporters: "Today is more than about Democrats and Republicans. It's about restoring the Constitution's checks and balances to the Trump Administration."

Meanwhile the Florida Senate race is heading for a recount after Republican Rick Scott got 50.21 per cent and incumbent Bill Nelson 49.79 per cent of the vote.

A margin of less than half a percentage point automatically triggers a recount.

The Democrats gained more than the 23 seats they needed for a majority in the 435-seat lower chamber.

They could now launch investigations into Trump's administration and business affairs, from tax returns to potential conflicts of interest.

The Democrats could also more effectively block his legislative plans, notably his signature promise to build a wall along the border with Mexico. In the Senate, Democrats were facing an uphill battle because they were defending 26 races, while just nine Republican seats were up for grabs.

The Republicans are on course to increase their representation from 51 to 54 in the 100-seat Senate upper chamber. Trump has threat-

months of negotiations with Germany, who France wants at the centre of the force.

Macron proposed the idea more than a year ago but was met with scepticism by other European Union nations, the idea coinciding with the EU’s launch of a landmark defence pact meant to promote joint military investment.

Germany, Belgium, Britain, Denmark, Estonia, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal have all given their green light for the Frenchled move. It will see members collaborate on planning, on the analysis of new military and humanitarian crises, and on eventual mil-

itary responses to those crises.

The imminent departure from the EU of Britain, long opposed to EU military collaboration outside NATO, has revived talk of defence cooperation – as have concerns that Trump might prove less willing than his predecessors to come to Europe’s defence in the face of a newly assertive Russia.

The initiative does not “contradict or circumvent the EU’s historic defence efforts, nor those of NATO,” the defence official said. “On the contrary, it will only improve interoperability between the participating countries.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

choolchildren kidnapped from a boarding school in Cameroon's North-West region have met the regional governor after being freed.

The 78 boys and girls and three others were seized early on Sunday in the region's capital, Bamenda.

A driver was also released, but the school's principal and a teacher are still being held. The Government has accused separatists in the Englishspeaking region of being behind the kidnapping.

The Anglophone separatists have denied they were involved. The seces-

What difference will the new Congress make?

ened to retaliate for any Democratic investigations with his own probes in the Senate into alleged "leaks of classified information".

Who are the new faces in Congress?

Female candidates fared particularly well in an election cycle that had been billed as the Year of the Woman. Two 29-year-old Democrats – Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Abby Finkenauer – are due to be the youngest women ever to win House seats.

Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib are the first Muslim women and Sharice Davids and Debra Haaland the first

Governors – who head the executive branch in state governments – have been chosen in 36 out of 50 states. In Florida, a progressive Democrat conceded after an ugly battle against Trumpist conservative Ron DeSantis.

But in Georgia, Democrat Stacey Abrams – who was hoping to become the first black female governor in the US – refused to concede as her Republican opponent Brian Kemp took a commanding lead after a bitter campaign.

Democrats also captured governorships in Michigan, Illinois, Kansas and Wisconsin, where former Republican presidential contender Scott Walker was beaten. New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo – sometimes spoken of as a 2020 presidential contender – cruised to a third term. (BBC News)

European defence coalition Cameroon kidnapping: launched in Paris Bamenda students freed

A

coalition of European militaries ready to react to crises near the continent’s borders was launched on Wednesday with Finland becoming the 10th country to join, amid calls by French President Emmanuel Macron for a “real European army”.

The French-led initiative would not conflict with the almost 70-year-old, USdominated NATO alliance, proponents say, but reflects in part concerns about a more isolationist United States under President Donald Trump.

The European Intervention Initiative took official shape in Paris after

S

sionist movement took up arms last year to demand independence for the NorthWest and South-West regions – the two Englishspeaking regions in a country where French is the most widely spoken official language.

The kidnapped students, aged between 11-17 years old, were "frightened and traumatised but in good shape", Reverend Fonki Samuel, Presbyterian Church Moderator in Cameroon, told the BBC Focus on Africa programme.

He said that they were being given food and being checked by the doc-

tors before being reunited with their parents. One of the hostages, 17-yearold, Alain, said the kidnappers forced them to run after seizing them. He told Reuters news agency that they were not mistreated and the captors gave them food.

Reverend Samuel said the Bamenda's Presbyterian Secondary School – where the students were seized – had been closed. "The release was done peacefully... by unidentified gunmen. They [students] were brought into the church premises," Rev Samuel said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

IS left 200 mass graves in Iraq – UN Trump fires Attorney

M

ore than 200 mass graves containing thousands of bodies have been found in areas of Iraq that were once controlled by the Islamic State (IS) group, a UN investigation has found.

The graves were found in the north and western governorates of Nineveh, Kirkuk, Salahuddin and Anbar. They could contain as many as 12,000 victims, the UN report said. IS seized parts of Iraq in 2014 and imposed brutal rule, commonly killing anyone of whom it disapproved.

It was eventually vanquished by a US-led air campaign backed by Iraqi government forces and allied militias on the ground,

Civilians flee as Iraqi forces battle to retake Mosul

although pockets of IS activity remain in some areas.

The sites, the report notes, contain critical evidence that will not only identify the victims but also help prosecutors build cases for war crimes, crimes against humanity and pos-

sibly genocide.

The report said 202 mass graves had been documented so far, including 95 in Ninevah, 37 in Kirkuk, 36 in Salah al-Din and 24 in Anbar. Investigators estimate between 600012,000 victims are bur-

ied at the sites, including women, children, the elderly, people with disabilities, foreign workers, and members of the Iraqi security forces.

Significant challenges facing families of the missing are also highlighted. Currently, they have to register with five separate Iraqi offices to try to establish the fate of their loved ones. The report calls for a public, centralised registry of missing persons as well as a federal Office of Missing Persons. It also urges the international community to provide more resources and support to the Iraqi government to help carry out a detailed forensic search of the sites. (Excerpt from BBC News)

General Jeff Sessions

U

S Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been fired by President Donald Trump.

"We thank Attorney General Jeff Sessions for his service, and wish him well!" Trump tweeted on Wednesday.

The President had repeatedly criticised his top law enforcement official after he recused himself from the Russia investigation dogging the White House.

Trump said Sessions would be temporarily replaced by his chief of staff, Matthew Whitaker, who has criticised the Russia inquiry.

In a resignation let-

ter, Sessions – a former Alabama senator who was an early supporter of Trump – made clear the decision to go was not his own.

"Dear Mr President, at your request I am submitting my resignation," he wrote in an undated letter.

"Most importantly, in my time as Attorney General, we have restored and upheld the rule of law," Sessions added, while thanking the Republican president.

According to a White House official, Trump's Chief of Staff John Kelly called Sessions on Wednesday before Trump held a press conference to discuss mid-term election results. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Take care of unfinished business. Something fun, romantic or rejuvenating should be scheduled, once your responsibilities are out of the way.

Set your plans in motion and don’t stop until you reach your goal. Discipline and hard work will pay off and will give your reputation a boost. Advancement is favoured.

Dig in and get things done. Your accomplishments will speak for you and will deter others from interfering and complaining. Make special plans that will improve an important relationship.

Dealing with peers or an authority figure won’t be easy. Someone is likely to give the wrong impression or mislead you. Get firsthand information.

Sign up for something that interests you. Network, socialize and discuss your plans to find out where you stand. Don’t feel you must pay to impress.

Move forward with caution. What starts out favourable can quickly go south if someone has a change of heart. Don’t take anyone or anything for granted.

Changes are best made LIBRA (Sept. 23- in secret if you want to avoid Oct. 23) interference. Take care of your responsibilities so that you can move on to more personal endeavours.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — EXPIATES (EXPIATES: EK-spee-ates: Makes amends or reparation for.)

SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S WORD — LEAGUES gale glee glue usage sage sale seal segue slag slue slug

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

Anger will slow you down. If you want to be aggressive, get involved in a physical sport that will give you the outlet you need to blow off steam.

Consider the truth beSAGITTARIUS fore you act. Go directly to (Nov. 23- the source if you have any Dec. 21) doubts. Positive change will result from doing the right thing at the right time.

Average mark 23 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 32 or more words in EXPIATES? The list will be published tomorrow.

lase lease lees lues luge eagle ease easel else ague alee

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t play games when it comes to emotional matters. Know what you want and what you are willing to offer in return. Make positive suggestions and listen to what others tell you.

Emotional distress will not mix well with aggression. Consider what you can do differently to make things better. A personal change will do you good. Make it happen.

You won’t be thinking clearly when it comes to sensitive issues. Listen but don’t respond to what’s being said until you are sure that you’re hearing the truth.

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

19

Mega Festival set to begin in the Caribbean S

ure, Australia have three titles to their name and are generally acknowledged as the biggest threat, but they have not won a world title in any format since 2014. England are the ICC Cricket World Cup 2017 champions, but have not dominated world cricket since their giddy highs in 2009. New Zealand have worn the favourites tag in previous tournaments, but have not worn a crown since 2000. The Windies are the defending champions, but can the support of the home crowd take them to the summit again?

There are so many questions going into the tournament, but few answers. And yet there are certainties: the tournament will make history, becoming the first ever stand-alone Women’s World T20, marking the true departure of women’s cricket from the shadow of the men’s game.

It will also be the first in which every single game is televised, ensuring that the world can watch the best cricketers at work from the comfort of their homes. And it will be the first time the DRS is used in all matches of a global women’s tournament, ensuring that the women’s game moves forward aided by the best technology.

The numbers indicate the time is right for such ground-breaking moves to define a new norm. More than 180 million people watched the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, and 70% of the ICC’s billion fans surveyed last year expressed an interest in watching more women’s cricket.

And with the tournament being played out in the West Indies, it is likely to encapsulate everything that is so special about cricket in this region- that unique combination of cricket, music and entertainment. The stage could not be set better.

Defending champions the Windies will look to use home advantage to become only the second team after England to win an ICC Women’s World T20 at home. Their win in the 2016 edition has made the possibility of a world champion from beyond the usual suspects more than a possibility.

While you could predict who the semifinalists would be five years ago, both groups contain at least three teams each who will challenge for the top two spots and a chance to play in Antigua and Barbuda,

where the semifinals and finals will be played at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground.

Group A features ODI champions England and T20 champions the Windies, along with Asian Champions Bangladesh.

South Africa will look to improve on their semi-final finish at the ICC Women’s World Cup last year, and Sri Lanka will play with little to lose. The teams will play in the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground in St. Lucia.

Providence Stadium in Georgetown, Guyana will host Group B, featuring two

teams hungry for a world title - Australia and New Zealand. India will be keen to build on recent form and improve their patchy reputation in the shortest format. Pakistan have some exciting young players and a new captain, and Ireland are looking for a top-eight finish which will earn them automatic qualification to the next ICC Women’s World T20.

The tournament will feature talent both seen and unseen on the world stage. The class of Stafanie Taylor, Meg Lanning and Heather Knight will be complemented by the firepower of Harmanpreet Kaur, Deandra Dottin and Lizelle Lee. Young Tayla Vlaeminck of Australia will give established quicks like Shabnim Ismail a run for her money in the fast bowling department. And expect leg spinners to have a say in how the tournament unfolds, India’s Poonam Yadav in particular. This will also be the first ICC tournament since the revisions made to the playing conditions in October 2017, which have made the game even more watchable.

Both on and off the field, women’s cricket is on the cusp of history. If the growth has been like a river steadily gaining water and speed,

Juan Mata equalises for Manchester United with a brilliant free kick in the 86th minute

Windies still searching for best opening line-up – Brathwaite

W

indies T20 skipper Carlos Brathwaite admits the team has been undergoing a period of experimentation to determine its best batting line-up, following another crushing defeat to India.

On the back of a five-wicket loss to the hosts in the first T20 match, which had seen the regional team manage to squeeze just 26 runs from the top order of Shai Hope, Denesh Ramdin and Shimron Hetmyer,

the Windies made alterations for the second. On Tuesday, it was Hope and Hetmyer who opened with Darren Bravo coming in at three, however, there was very little difference with none able to match the exploits of India opener Rohit Sharma who put 111 unbeaten on the board for India.

“We didn’t come on tour with an out and out opener.

So we are still trying to find our best opening combination,” Brathwaite said of the changes

in the line-up.

“They were a few theories in the first game as well as this game in terms of how we want to decide the order. For various reasons ultimately, none of the two really worked because we never got off to a good start in the first six overs in either of the two games,” he added.

“Working with the players that we have on tour it was difficult to choose the perfect batting pair.” (Sportsmax)

the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 now represents the waterfall, poised to grow at a speed and in a direction never seen before.

Australia are the topranked side in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings with 281 points but with New Zealand only four points behind and England a further one point behind, the possibilities of a shake up is very much on the cards.

The 10-team tournament will also feature the top names fighting it out in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings with the home side having three of the top four players in the list of all-rounders – captain Stafanie Taylor (first), Hayley Matthews (second) and Deandra Dottin (fourth).

Suzie Bates, New Zealand’s captain until recently, is the top-ranked batter while Australia’s Meg Schutt is the leading bowler in the rankings. Others to feature in the top-five of different lists include Australia captain Meg Lanning (third) and Beth Mooney (fourth) in the batters’ list, India’s Poonam Yadav (second) and Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Anam Amin (fourth) among bowlers and Australia’s Ellyse Perry (third) in the list of all-rounders.

Man United score twice in last 5 minutes to stun Juventus M anchester United stunned Juventus with two goals in the final five minutes to beat the Italian champions in Turin and give themselves a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages.

Juan Mata curled in a freekick with five minutes to go, before Ashley Young's setpiece was bundled into his own net by Juventus defender Alex Sandro.

Cristiano Ronaldo had put the hosts ahead with an

outstanding volley against his former club.

Ronaldo watched Leonardo Bonucci's long pass over his shoulder before lashing it past United goalkeeper David De Gea for his first goal in the competition since signing for the Serie A leaders.

Juventus had hit the frame of the goal either side of halftime, with Sami Khedira striking a post and Paulo Dybala curling an effort on to the bar.

Jose Mourinho's side offered little attacking threat at the other end, until substitute

Mata beat goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with a wellplaced free-kick from the edge of the box in the 86th minute.

Three minutes later and another United free-kick proved Juventus' undoing, as Young's in-swinging delivery was inadvertently turned in under pressure by Sandro from close range.

The visitors' late double keeps them second in Group H and two points above Valencia, who beat Young Boys 3-1 in the early kick-off, with two games still to play. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

Junior badminton team step onto international stage

The Guyanese badminton team

A

team of young Guyanese badminton players have stepped onto the international stage for the Li Ning BWF World Juniors Mixed Team & Individual Badminton Championships, which are being hosted in Markham, Canada.

The competition, which will span the next two weeks, will give the players more ex-

posure to international competition as teams from all across the world are listed to compete.

The Guyanese team consist of young sensation Priyanna Ramdhani who will play the role of team captain.

Jayde DaSilva, Tyrese Jeffrey and Akili Haynes (Vice Captain) will make up the remainder of the team while Emelia Ramdhani will serve

as the team manager.

Being the only team from a Caribbean country at the high-level competition, it is expected that the Guyanese players will be under immense pressure. Nevertheless, the ‘high stakes’ competition will equip the players with the necessary experience so as to boost their world ranking. This in turn will benefit the players in 2019, heightening their eligibility for the Pan Am Games, which is an Olympic qualifier event.

The 41 countries which are currently participating in the tournament, were placed in Groups A1, A2, B, C, D, E, F, G and H. The four-member Guyanese team have been placed in Group G where they will compete against Denmark, Singapore, the USA and the Dominican Republic.

Since the competition began on Monday, November 5, the Guyanese team, despite being on the losing side of a few encounters, have shown that they have what it takes to compete with the best in the world.

Priyanna Ramdhani and Jayde DaSilva in battle against the USA

In their first match, Guyana were paired with Singapore and lost the mixed doubles 21-11, 21-4; the men’s singles 21-1, 21-3; the women’s singles 21-4, 21-18; the men’s doubles 21-2, 21-1 and the women’s doubles 21-5, 217.

In their encounter with Denmark, the foreigners got the better of Guyana in the mixed doubles 21-0, 21-4; the men’s singles 21-2, 21-5; women’s singles 21-7, 21-6; the men’s doubles 21-6, 21-4 and the women’s doubles 215, 21-7.

The result was the same when they met the USA, with losses in the mixed doubles 21-4, 21-1; the men’s singles 21-4, 21-4; the women’s singles 21-3, 21-9; the men’s doubles 21-7, 21-8 and the women’s doubles 21-1, 21-2.

Guyana registered a 5-0 win when they were awarded a walkover against the Dominican Republic.

The team extended their gratitude to SOL, Guyana Olympic Association (GOA); GTT; Courts; Temple Scribe Solutions and Eureka Medical Laboratory.

2018 GCB Female Franchise Under-17 Secondary Schools T20 League Final Round

Essequibo crowned champions – Ramnauth, Edwards and Ross star in final round

E

The winning team

ssequibo walked away with the winning trophy, lifting the championship with a total of 30 points. Lower Corentyne also finished with 30 points, but Essequibo walked away with the tournament, since they won against Lower Corentyne in their encounter.

The females continued to show the love for the game of cricket as the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Female Franchise Under-17 Secondary Schools T20 League concluded with exciting matches across beautiful Guyana.

In Essequibo’s encounter with West Berbice over at Wales, Essequibo won the

toss and batted first, scoring 106 for 4 in 15 overs. Anisa D’Aguiar top-scored with 18 not out. Bowling for West Berbice, Marisa Telford collected two wickets for 19 runs off the innings. West Berbice in reply fell for 89 for 7 in 15 overs with Tia Isaacs (21) and Tiernicia Solomon (11). Bowling for Essequibo, Divine Ross picked up 3 for 19. Essequibo won by 17 runs.

In the big matchup between Lower Corentyne and Georgetown, played at Enterprise Cricket Club on the East Coast, the city side won the toss and opted to field. The Berbicians were given a chance to bat first under beautiful sun-

shine as they racked up a daunting 176-4 in their 20 overs. Opener Ashmini Munisar, who was amongst the top performers in the recent round, was removed for a golden duck by the fourth delivery of the innings bowled by Emalissa Whyte. Shania Simon and Niveena Ramnauth were the chief scorers as the duo batted solidly, adding 91 runs together for the second wicket. Simon top-scored with an unbeaten 32, including three boundaries, while Ramnauth supported with a quick-fire 25 runs.

Ramnauth’s destructive innings included two maximums and two fours. Whyte was Georgetown’s most suc-

cessful bowler, picking up 3-33 in her four overs. The other bowlers were expensive as the Lower Corentyne batters played aggressively.

In Georgetown’s reply, the batters looked rusty as the Lower Corentyne bowlers dominated from the getgo. The city side failed terribly as they crumbled to 20-8 in seven overs. Ramnauth ripped through the batting line-up, collecting five wickets for eight runs and Samaroo supported with three wickets for 11 runs.

Lower Corentyne won by 62 runs.

Over at Wales, West Demerara won the toss and mustered 140 for 5 in 20 overs. Jamaica Simon scored 29 not out while Africa Gentle collected 3 for 23 and Hemwanttie Mohabir, 1 for 30.

In West Demerara’s reply, Gentle could not take her team to victory after she fell for 56 when Simon took a brilliant catch to dismiss her. East Bank failed to reach their target and fell short by two runs, scoring 139 for seven from their allotted 20 overs. Simon was the most destructive bowler grabbing 3 for 23 while she gained support from Ariana Buckan, Rebika Renee and Vauni Pitamber who took one wicket apiece. West Demerara won the match by one run.

At Enterprise, we saw East Coast winning the toss

Acting GCB President Mr Bacchus handing over the winning trophy to the Essequibo Captain

and taking to the crease scoring 163 for 3 in their 20 overs. Shemika Edwards scored an acceptable 51 not out while Sarah Amin was also not out on 14 runs.

Bowling for Upper Corentyne, Britney Mc Ally and Shenea Leitch picked up a wicket each for 19 and 21 runs respectively. Upper Corentyne in re-

sponse struggled to reach their total, scoring 101 for 8 in 20 overs. Shaina Farzer top-scored with 11 while national Under-19 player Sarah Amin grabbed 2 for 14 and Player of the Match Shemika Edwards, Tillya Madamootoo and Vinita Ballkishun took one wicket respectively. East Coast won the match by 62 runs.

CLASSIFIED ADS

thursdAY, november 8, 2018 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

ACCOMMODATIONS Conferences and retreats – full service: Hotel, Catering & Facilities.

Aracari Resort WBD – 264-2946 Alex Wayne.

Weddings and anniversaries: Rental or full service: Banquet Hall & Catering.

Aracari Resort 264-2946 Alex Wayne.

Aracari Hotel, WBD (Near Harbour Bridge) – All modern amenities, rates from $25. Phone 264-2946-8 Salon/Spa. Cosmetology – full course $100,000, technician $40,000. Aracari Salon and Spa, WBD 264-3312

Driving School Enroll at Shalom Enterprise at Lot 2 Croal Street, Stabroek and obtain an international driver’s permit covering 132 countries. Tel# 619-0106, 622-8162, 227-3869, 227-3835.

FOR SALE SKUTT AUTOMATIC KILN, MODEL 1227, AND MOVABLE STAGE PIECES FOR SALE. 650-1713 Dyna Canter GSS9669, 2 tons, 2005 model 1.2 M Whats app:680-3863

HERBAL TREATMENT MIRACLE HERB PRODUCTS - HAVE ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE HERBAL CANCER TREATMENT. RESULTS IN 3 DAYS. CALL 612-8944, 688-3663 MIRACLE HERB PRODUCTS - HAVE THE CURE FOR DIABETIC FOOT AND OTHER WOUNDS. NO AMPUTATION NO MATTER HOW HARD. CALL 6128944, 688-3663 MIRACLE HERB PRODUCTS HAVE TREATMENTS FOR THE FOLLOWING: CANCER, DIABETIC FOOT, GALL STONES, ASTHMA, HORMONE IMBALANCE, PROSTATE, THYROID, COUGH AND COLD, HEART BLOCKAGES, CIRCULATION PROBLEM, PAIN IN JOINTS AND MUSCLE, CUTS/ BRUISES, SNAKE BITE, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, KIDNEY STONES AND MANY OTHER HEALTH ISSUES. CONTACT MAHADEO LALL ON TEL# 612-8944 OR 688-3663.

Spiritual healing: remove blockages, voodoo, excurse, black magic, spell, business, upliftment, pregnancy, love & marriage problems, clearance, etc. Contact: 694-9569 or 6835228 Sri Guru Raghavendra Astrology.

Master: VEERA BHADRA. Specialized in: PALM, FACE, PATRA READING & HOROSCOPE BOOK OPENING. An expert in clearing negativity in life by using ancient prayer methods. Gives complete solution to your problems like: love, children, finance, job, marriage, finance and education.

Meet him once to get guidance. All religions are welcome. Private and confidential. Tel: 695-9805 & 6526427.

INDIAN FAMOUS ASTROLOGER MASTER VENKATESH ALL RELIGIONS WELCOME SPECIALISED IN BRINGING LOVED ONES BACK, EXPERT IN READING PALM & FACE READING. GET ADVISE AND SOLUTIONS FOR LOVE, MARRIAGE, DIVORCE, FAMILY PROBLEMS, SEXUAL PROBLEMS, FINANCE PROBLEMS, STOP ALCOHOL ADDICTION, SICKNESS, BUSINESS/ JOB CAREERS, VISA ETC. PANDIT CAN REMOVE ANY KIND OF BLACK MAGIC, VOODOO, AND GIVE PROTECTION. CONTACT- 600-8222 WWW.ASTROVENKATESH.COM

taxi services GR Taxi, 24 hours. Phone: 2257878, 219-5000 or 227-2100

TO LET ONE, 1-BEDROOM, SEMIFURNISHED CONCRETE STUDIO APARTMENT WITH LIGHT AND WATER, FULLY GRILLED ALL AROUND WITH GARAGE. WORKING COUPLE PREFERRED. NO CHILDREN, NO PETS. TEL: 615-7129 ONE BRAND NEW APARTMENTPARKING AVAILABLE. ONE 2-BEDROOM BOTTOM FLAT $50,000 PER MONTH. TEL: 226-3430 One-bedroom apartment at Parfaite Harmonie (Dairy) Call: 670-2653, 638-8499

LAND for sale

VACANCIES

One transported land for sale 100x50ft at Hope Town village West Coast Berbice Price 1.2M Contact # 680-1009

Pump Attendant- Rubis BelAirWhats app: 680-3863/6240033 House Keeper/ Cook Whats app: 624-0033 Accounts Assistant Whats app: 680-3863 Bill Payment Clerk Whats app: 680-3863 Supervisor for Water Company Whats app: 680-3863

MASSAGE Visit Cloud 9 spa located at Lenora W.C.D for massage, manicure, pedicure, facial and nails. Book appointment with Renisa on 625-1323.

property for sale Transported Land. 11.6 Acres. Lot 15 Public Road. #2 Village. West Coast Berbice. Price $18M. Contract # 6864818, 648-7109 Property for Sale: Friendship, EBD Interested persons contact Manjarie on 668-1092 TRANSPORTED LAND WITH COMMERCIAL BUILDING 33X40 LAND(108X200) LOCATED AT LOWER MAHAICONY, ECD. PRICE: 38 MILLION NON NEGOTIABLE. CONTACT: 642-0336, 258-0280, 6556643 LOT 15 PUBLIC ROAD #2 VILLAGE WEST COAST BERBICE. 3 HOUSE LOTS. COCONUT AND MANGO TREES. RICE CULTIVATION. RED SAND. 49FT BY 10,314 FT LENGTH. PRICE $18M. CONTACT: 648-7109, 686-4818 Lot 15 Public Road, #2 Village, West Coast Berbice. 49ft x 10,314ft Length. $18M. Contact: 648-7109 or 686-4818

spirituality & ASTROLOGY INDIAN ASTROLOGER AND SPIRITUAL CENTER. INTERNATIONAL FAMOUS ASTROLOGER. MASTER RAJARAM. ALL RELIGIONS ARE WELCOME. RISE, AWAKE AND STOP NOT TILL THE GOAL IS REACHED. SPECIALISED IN READING PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE, FACE READING, PALM READING, BOOK OPENING, SHELLS READING. GIVE SOLUTIONS FOR: HUSBAND AND WIFE, LOVE, PROMOTION, REUNITE LOVERS, BUSINESS, PROPERTY, STOP DIVORCE, SEXUAL PROBLEM, JEALOUSY PROBLEM, FINANCIAL PROBLEM ETC. PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. CONTACT: 6928449, 693-8655

VEHICLES FOR SALE ONE TOYOTA MARK 2 (GX 100) $1,500,000. CONTACT # 615-5646

WANTED WANTED. Drivers and Security Personnel. Apply to North West Mining Investment Inc. 344 Middle and East Streets, N/Cummingsburg

sports

21

Uitvlugt thump QC in Guyoil thriller T

he Uitvlugt Secondary School’s Under-18 team are on a steady rise in the Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Under-18 tournament, and in their last match, they made Queen’s College their latest victim.

The encounter between Uitvlugt and Queen’s College came in the sixth round of the already intense tournament.

Anthony Benn, who was indisputably the star of the match, began his scoring as early as the fourth minute to give Uitvlugt an early advantage. Ruben Dainty joined in in the 18th minute with his first goal, pushing the score to 2-0.

As Uitvlugt became more comfortable, their scoring improved, which

saw a series of impressive plays rewarding them with a hat-trick of goals between the 26th and 29th minutes. Ivelaw Khan added his name to the score sheet just after the second half began and was followed by Dainty with his second. Diarra Thomas made an attempt to save face for QC, with a goal in the 43rd minute. However, Uitvlugt could not be contained as Dainty completed his hat-trick in the 53rd and Benn secured five by the 66th minute. Also contributing to Uitvlugt’s tally was Jadius Edwards with two goals.

Thomas of QC

had netted another by this time, but it was a little too late as they bowed out in an 11-2 loss.

The next game of the evening featured front-runners Christianburg Wismar Secondary School and Vergenoegen Secondary School. Both teams have beaten their opponents by large margins in the past, but this pairing seemed a task too difficult for both sides. After much back and forth on the playing field, piercing the hands of Christianburg’s goalkeeper was Ronaldo Macey, who placed Vergenoegen one up. Although the West Coast team held on to the lead for a while, Christianburg’s top striker, Tyrese Lewis managed to slip one through in the 43rd minute for a level score at the end of regulation time.

The sixth round of games will continue today, November 8, at the Ministry of Education Ground from 15:30h.

Bennette continues to host karate classes F ollowing Breast Cancer Awareness Month which recently concluded, Live ProActive hosted free karate classes in collaboration with GTT under the Pinktober banner.

There was a one-hour free karate session at Berea International Hall, opposite Impeccable Hall on Brickdam.

The proceedings did not end in the month of October as many persons had now become interested in the classes and want to learn the ancient art and its acquired discipline under the teachings of 2nd Dan black belt holder Miranda Bennette.

Bennette started her martial arts career in 2002 at the age of seven, under the instruction of Sensei Robert Alleyne. She went on to Banks DIH and learnt Wado with Master Winston Dunbar. In July 2012, Bennette joined Little Diamond International

Martial Arts Academy, known today as the Guyana International Kyokushinkai Martial Arts A c a d e m y (GIKMAA) – under guidance of Dr Nazim Yassim – where she worked her way up the ladder to earn the title of 2nd Dan Black Belt.

She has stellar accomplishments under her belt, including Community Spirit and Ambassador Hall of Fame Awards, the first of

two females to receive black belts in Guyana for Kyokushin.

Representing Guyana in Suriname was added to her long list of achievements.

Bennette is currently in training for her D level referee and judging certification exam, which is

Miranda Bennette

in November, along with her 1st Dan Kubodo Weapons Exam. In 2019, she intends to focus on her 3rd Dan and chief instructor level exams, which are also set for November, as she aims to qualify herself to become a standout for Guyana in karate.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport in an exclusive, Bennette stated that she was very happy with her achievements, as being one of a few female instructors in Guyana was quite an accomplishment. She went on to state that she envisioned herself entering the European Championship and putting Guyana on the map and that she would love to visit Brazil to train to expand her knowledge of martial arts.

Classes are being held on Saturdays from 13:30h to 14:30h at a cost of $2500 per month, catering for children between the ages of 6 and 15. (Timothy Jaikarran)

Guardians humble Eagles

– Ravens lose again

T

his past Sunday at the Burnham Hard Court, the Republic Bank Nets outscored the Ravens while Plaisance Guardians headlined the night as they humbled the Eagles in the Under-23 division as the Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/ Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) league continued.

In the First Division match-up, the Republic Bank Nets clashed with the Ravens who continued their seesaw season losing 70-73. Ravens tried as they maintained an excellent first-quarter lead of 18 to 10, but went back to their old tradition which saw Nets easily creeping past them to lead 32-28 at the half.

They somehow managed to get their game plan back on track as they held the Nets 52-48 at the end of the third. However, with the Nets so close behind, the free-scoring nature of the game saw them tie at the final whis-

Terrence Daniels

tle which pushed the game into extra time. The Nets got eight on the board and restricted the opposition to scoring only five points.

The Nets were once again led by Sheldon Howell, who backed up his last score of 21 points with a magnificent 30 points to take his team over the line.

In the headline match-up of the night, the in-form Plaisance Guardians crushed the Eagles recording an 82-67 win. It did not matter what angle the game was viewed from, the Guardians were just too strong for the Eagles as they won convincingly.

Top-scoring for the Guardians was once again Terrence Daniels, with a whopping 32 points, and he was offered support from Andrew Johnson (11).

As per normal, Sherland Gillis and Shemar Huntley traded in good performances, with 18 and 16 points respectively.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

Stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 warm-up matches…

Australia, Pakistan win in contrasting styles C

aptain Meg Lanning led a superb recovery as Australia scored a comfortable 46-run victory over South Africa while Bismah Maroof starred in Pakistan’s eight-run win over Bangladesh in another practice match ahead of the ICC Women’s World T20 2018.

Electing to bat, Australia made a strong comeback from eight for three to score 130 for four. After Shabnim Ismail bowled Alyssa Healy and Ashleigh Gardner, the three-time defending champions were 38 for four in 10.1 overs before Lanning (65 not out) and Rachel Haynes (29 not out) added 92 runs to put up a challenging score.

South Africa were never in the chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm spinner Jess Jonassen grabbed three for 11 while rookie fast bowler

Tayla Vlaeminck and Nicola Carey grabbed two wickets each. Vlaeminck, 20, who has yet to make her T20I debut, bowled Lizelle Lee with the first ball of the innings and looked quite impressive.

Australia captain Meg Lanning said, “Pretty challenging times with the bat.

Initially (the pitch) was skiddy, you had to be patient, it was more than a normal T20 game. For our team, it was a very good learning curve for what we need to do. We know our batting line-up is strong and even if we lose early wickets we have people who will come and do the job for us.”

Meanwhile, South Africa all-rounder Sune Luus on her team’s performance said, “We bowled nicely throughout, restricting them to 130.

Obviously, Meg played a key role. I think we produced a good bowling and fielding

performance.

The batting let us down today and that is something we need to work out.

Meg had the patience to work it around for ones and twos and she built partnerships… that is something that we have struggled with.”

Khadiza-Tul Kubra grabbed two wickets each.

Bismah also grabbed two wickets with her useful slow bowling as Pakistan held off

Pakistan defended well

In the second match of the day, Pakistan scored 106 for seven after electing to bat. Bismah Maroof, included in the squad quite late as she was recovering after a sinus surgery, slammed 22 to show her fitness while captain Javeria Khan chipped in with 21. For Bangladesh, captain Salma Khatun and

CONCACAF Men’s U-20 Championship 2018…

Bangladesh’s challenge and restricted them to below the three-figure mark. Former captain Sana Mir, who recently became the top-ranked bowler in the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Women’s Player Rankings, also took two wickets, as did Aiman Anwar.

“We won the match but we want to see what we can do better. Today I was disappointed with the way we batted.

These warmup matches

Australia Captain Meg Lanning

have helped us and we want to keep improving. It was good that Bismah could get some runs and bowl some overs because we lacked a player who could do that.

I’ve been batting well but I should convert them to 30s 40s and 50s, stay positive and get a big score,” Pakistan captain Javeria Khan stated after the match.

Bangladesh coach Anju Jain was of the view that his side’s batting costed them the game. “One part of the match was good. We did not get the kind of start we were looking for. Bowling and fielding was good. Batting was not up to the mark today but we can do better and are confident going into the tournament. Spin has been our strength and we have been doing well. The pitch was pretty good, something there for everyone. It’s a good surface to play on.”

GABA Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme…

Coach confident Jaguars hunt Curaçao Eagles in U-23 squad for 1st victory

Eagles U-23 Coach Courtenay Taylor sitting with his players during a competition

A

G

Guyana forward Kesley Benjamin is challenged by Cayman Islands’ Eric Wilson in their Group F clash on Tuesday

uyana’s participation in the CONCACAF Men’s Under-20 Champions will continue today, Thursday, November 8 at the IMG Academy in Florida when they take on Curaçao in search of their first victory.

This Group F encounter is billed as an intriguing one with both sides in mustwin situations after losing their first two encounters, which has placed them at the bottom of the Group.

Jaguars were drilled

4-nil in the opening match against Guatemala, then suffered a heart-breaking 3-2 loss at the hands of Cayman Islands on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, their opponents, Curaçao, were defeated 2-1 by the Group leader, El Salvador, and second-place holder, Guatemala, 3-1. Cayman Islands, with only one win, occupy the third-place spot in the Group.

It has already become a task for Guyana and

Curaçao to advance to the second round since they have no points, prior to contending their penultimate Group match.

Guyana’s final match will be against the rampant El Salvador team on Saturday. They are undefeated in three matches following their win over Guatemala to gain control of the Group. That match is scheduled for a 19:45h start.

Today’s showdown will kick off at 12:45h.

s the action continues at the Burnham Hard Court in the Rainforest Water/Malta Supreme/ Georgetown Amateur Basketball Association (GABA) league, the Eagles U-23 Coach Courtenay Taylor is confident that his side can become a force to reckon with while being cautious when competing.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, the Under-23 Coach stated that the side has been playing well, but play was not up to the standard that was set for the team. He went on to explain that even though the team were playing at a high level, there are some aspects of the game that have to be corrected for the team to be at that elite level, which separates them from the rest of the competition.

In the last match-up for

the Eagles, they were set to face the Kobras, even though they had won the match 6856, it was very close, with the Eagles taking the first quarter 16-15, but losing the second quarter 13-12 as the Kobras struck their retaliatory blow.

The Eagles, however, swept the third quarter 236, in the process showing their superiority over the opposition. And although the Kobras again retaliated by winning the fourth quarter 22-17, their margin of deficit was 12 points.

When asked about Sherland Gillis and Shemar Huntly, who have been standing up consistently for the side, Taylor said, “they are rated very high as they are both naturally talented, with Huntly one of the most elusive guards in the league and Gillis is very athletic, that is excellent on both

offence and defence. Their success comes from their natural talent combined with hard work and they are easy to coach, so it’s easy for me to put them in positions that they are very effective.

They both have a good understanding for the game and allow me to guide them to be a great asset whenever on the court.”

Taylor also stated that even though Huntly and Gillis stand out, the players around them were really good also and know their roles which in turn brings the team great success.

Taylor went on to extend the invitation for youths to be proactive and become part of the sport: “I would like to encourage the youth to take part, it’s a wonderful sport, really fun and exciting.” The Eagles will face the Sonics on November 10.

(Timothy Jaikarran)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

23

MACORP Open tees off this weekend

C

ontinuing a 13-year partnership with the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), the Machinery Corporation of Guyana (MACORP) Ltd will return once again for its annual Golf Open on a much larger scale.

The highly-anticipated event on the greens of the LGC will tee off this Saturday, November 10 and if it is anything like last year’s tournament, there will be over 50 local golfers in attendance. To this end, MACORP CEO Guillermo Escarraga noted that the company was pleased with and committed to its relationship with the sport.

“We have been working with the Lusignan Golf Club over the years and we’ve

seen the development of golf in Guyana, and this year we’ve decided to throw our support behind the Club, because we see that there is a lot of potential for golf, not only Guyanese but for foreigners who come and want to be part of this,” Escarraga said.

Speaking along similar lines, Club President Aleem Hussain shared some of the contributions that MACORP has made to the Club and course.

“The first phone call I made was to MACORP and I said we’ve got a golf course under water, can you help?

Within 24 hours, we had one of their best pieces of machinery delivered to the course. Two months later, we had transformed the

MACORP CEO Guillermo Escarraga

LGC into one of the most [complete] courses in terms of preparation, drainage and irrigation,” Hussain explained.

Given the company’s quarter-century celebrations

this year, Hussain noted that they were going all out for the 2018 tournament.

“He (Escarraga) said we have done a lot for our 25th anniversary; however, golf is near and dear to our hearts

and this will be the greatest tournament that MACORP has ever pulled off,” the LGC President said.

He went on to illustrate his point by detailing some of the fantastic prizes up for grabs. “You guys will see from the prizes that we’ve got three different flights of awards, with prizes for both the grand champion in the gross and grand champion in the net. And for the first time ever, MACORP is putting out a whole lot of additional prizes,” Hussain shared.

MACORP’s CEO encouraged local golfers to turn out in their numbers, with the promise of an explosive tournament.

“Golf is a sport that brings about the best in every play-

er and we really embrace the camaraderie that we enjoy at the golf course. And this year, we want to put a lot of emphasis in this tournament, we want to make it big for everybody to enjoy.

It’s going to be a fantastic event, we hope that golfers will turn out in big numbers to participate in this event,” Escarraga stated.

In addition to the prizes for best net and best gross overall, the competing golfers will have a chance to win first to third place prizes in one of three categories, namely: 0-9, 10-18 and 1928. There will also be several novelty prizes in the form of CAT tokens. The 13th edition of the tournament will tee off at 12:30h on Saturday.

Stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 tournament…

Pakistan visit President’s College – ICC, CWI aim to promote female cricket in schools

W

Members and manager of the Pakistan cricket team accompanied by President’s College students and teacher (Brandon Corlette photos)

omen’s cricket has continuously evolved over the years; the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Cricket West Indies (CWI) have organised programmes to spread awareness of the beautiful game.

Members of the Pakistan cricket team visited prestigious local senior secondary school, President’s College located at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, to

spread awareness of cricket to female students.

Five members of the Pakistan team along with the team manager took time off their busy schedule to help promote women’s cricket to the female cricket enthusiasts. The Pakistanis received hearty welcomes from the students and teachers with a planned cultural programme in the school’s auditorium.

President’s College fe-

male cricket team and the members of the Pakistan T20 International team assembled at the school’s tarmac which was transformed into an IPL-like atmosphere.

The entire school’s population were on their feet supporting the game of cricket as the Pakistan women’s and President’s College female cricket team showcased an exhibition of cricketing strokes that greatly entertained the school’s pop-

ulation.

Additionally, the members of the Pakistan team made significant presentations to the school’s administration: a Women’s T20 International t-shirt was presented and a number of tickets were given to the school’s population to witness the exhilarating standalone ICC Women’s World T20 matches at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The Pakistan team will play their first match of

the tournament against a tough Australian team on November 9 at the National Stadium.

Pakistan squad reads: Aiman Anwar; Aliya Riaz; Anam Amin; Ayesha Zafar; Bismah Maroof; Diana Baig; Javeria Khan (Captain); Muneeba Ali Siddiqui; Nahida Khan; Nashra Sundhu; Natalia Parvaiz; Nida Dar; Omaima Sohail; Sana Mir; Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper). (Brandon Corlette)

Torginol mixes with Jeffrey ahead of Radical Cup

Kristian Jeffrey (third right) collects the sponsorship from the Torginol representatives

K

A Pakistan international player watches on from the non-striker’s end as a President’s College female player bowls

ristian Jeffrey will enter the Radical Caribbean Cup with a fresh coat of paint from Torginol after the company branded his SR3 on Wednesday.

At a brief ceremony, Mohamed S Ally, company secretary of the paint brand, contended that the partnership represented a pair of aces.

Ally did not rule out the idea of a deal extending beyond the race meet, saying that, “There is a distinct possibility that this may be so, but I don’t want to commit 100 per cent to

that right now. This is our first getting together with Kristian and let us hope that it grows from strength to strength.”

He continued, “Kristian is a winner and Torginol Paint is a winner and we will paint the entire racetrack W.I.N.” Jeffrey believes that with the new look on his Radical, he is definitely better equipped to take on the competition.

“Definitely with this help, it puts us in a better position. We’ve acquired some more tyres to do some additional testing and we

should be up there to win,” Jeffrey added.

Jeffrey, along with fellow Guyanese Mark Vieira and Calvin Ming, will represent Team Guyana in the Cup. Barbados has the Maloney trio and brothers in point leaders Stuart, third placed Mark and Sean Maloney.

Second placed Isa Deen out of Trinidad will be joined by countrymen Luke Bhola and Kristian Boodoosingh to confirm the nine-car lineup.

The first of the three 20lap races will take place on Saturday, with the remaining two set for Sunday.

thursdAY, november 8, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 tournament…

The Pakistan team presented an autographed t-shirt and complimentary tickets to the school’s administration (Brandon Corlette photo)

Pakistan visit President’s College Page 23

– ICC, CWI aim to promote female cricket in schools

MACORP Open tees Essequibo crowned off this weekend 2018 GCB Female Franchise Under-17 Secondary Schools T20 League Final Round

champions

Page 20

– Ramnauth, Edwards and Ross star in final round Page 23

MACORP’s CEO Guillermo Escarraga hands over the sponsorship cheque to Lusignan Golf Club President Aleem Hussain GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.