Guyana Times, Friday October 11, 2019

Police donate cleaning materials to flood-hit victims

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4073

FRIday, OCTOber 11, 2019

Brothers tortured, shot dead in Region 1 See story on page 7

PPP activates process to select PM candidate – Opposition Leader

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Too early for P9 cash grants from oil – Jagdeo ECD man P8 charged for killing mother of 3

Page 3

High rate of glaucoma detected during eye testing exercise at GPHC Page 12

Ophthalmologist, Dr Jenell Sarju-Kanhai conducting one of the many eye tests on a patient, as Guyana celebrated World Sight Day 2019 at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation on Thursday

Several injured after minibus crashes into utility pole in Region 2 Page 2

…driver critical

Teen wanted for murder of NDC Clerk Page 2

Magistrate recuses self from PI into “White Boy” murder P10 Healthcare professionals benefit from “Helping Babies Breathe” P14 initiative

Chronic P13 illnesses, cognitive impairment continue to affect elderly

Mechanic P8 slapped with ganja trafficking charge

2 NEWS

friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Teen wanted for Several injured after minibus crashes into utility pole in Region 2 murder of NDC Clerk ...driver critical

The mangled minibus after the accident

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t least three persons, including a schoolchild, were rushed to the Oscar Joseph District Hospital in Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) after the driver of a minibus lost control and crashed into a utility pole on Thursday afternoon.

Based on reports received, the accident occurred about 15:30h along the Dunkeld Public Road, Essequibo Coast. One of the injured persons was identified as the driver of the minibus, 25-year-old Jerome Banson of Better Success, Essequibo Coast.

He is presently in critical condition after sustaining severe injuries.

A woman who was in the front passenger seat suffered a broken leg and the schoolchild, who was reportedly thrown from the minibus, also sustained injuries.

Guyana Times was told that Banson lost control of the minibus while attempting to overtake a motor lorry along the Dunkeld Public Road after

which the vehicle slammed into a lamp pole. The minibus then ended up on its side on the roadway.

At the time of the accident, the minibus was reportedly loaded with schoolchildren and teachers. Villagers quickly responded to the accident and righted the mangled bus to rescue the

passengers. Residents and passengers confirmed that the bus was speeding.

The other passengers of the minibus were transported to the Suddie Hospital where they were medically cleared by personnel. An investigation has been launched into the accident.

Meanwhile, angry parents of the injured school children vented their frustration at Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikarran, who was visiting the Oscar Joseph District Hospital when the injured passengers were taken to the medical facility.

The parents were forced to hire public transportation to transfer their injured children to seek medical attention at the Suddie Hospital, since there were no ambulances to transport them from the Oscar Joseph District Hospital to the Suddie Hospital.

At the time, none of the ambulances at Charity Hospital were in working condition, although drivers are being paid to be on standby.

The angry parents have since accused the REO of being busy with political campaigning and not paying attention to the welfare of the citizens. They have since called for him to be removed from the Region with immediate effect.

An ambulance transporting injured persons to the hospital

Dead: David Gentle

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wo days after 19-yearold Rollan Abrams, of Melanie, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was arraigned for the murder of David Gentle, the Police have issued a wanted bulletin for another teenager –Lennox Roberts for questioning in connection with the crime.

The first teen, Abrams, was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

The Police stated that on September 2, 2019, Abrams murdered 58-year-old Gentle.

He was remanded to prison by presiding Magistrate Fabayo Azore and was scheduled to make his next court appearance on October 22, 2019.

It was reported that Gentle, of Lot 42 Golden Grove, ECD, was a Clerk attached to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at the time of his demise.

Police investigations revealed that on the day in question, Gentle, a father of four, was last seen at a karaoke in Nabaclis North, ECD. Upon the discovery of his

Murder accused: Rollan Abrams

Wanted: Lennox Roberts

body, relatives dismissed robbery as a motive, since it was found with his jewellery and his cellular phone.

Gentle’s younger sister, Wanda Benjamin, had stated that on the day in question, she was awakened by someone who arrived at her home to request the services of her husband – a photographer.

The woman said she and her family went to the scene, but initially did not recognise Gentle as his face was covered with blood.

After a thorough investigation, Abrams was arrested and charged.

news

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friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Friday, October 11 – 03:30h – 05:00h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Saturday, October 12 – 04:00h – 05:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, October 11 – 15:00h – 16:30h and Saturday, October 12 – 15:35h – 17:05h.

PPP activates process to select PM candidate – Opposition Leader Furthermore, he noted that Hinds also played a critical role in the changes in the mining sector.

“So he worked very hard,” Jagdeo emphasised.

The PPP had elected former Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali as its Presidential Candidate

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny conditions will prevail throughout the day. There will be clear skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

mer Minister within the Finance Ministry, Bishop Juan Edghill.

Earlier this year, Edghill, when contacted by Guyana Times, would only admit that he had been contacted by various persons and told of his suitability to be the candidate. However,

Winds: East North-Easterly to South-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 02:58h and 15:18h reaching maximum heights of 2.42 metres and 2.48 metres.

Low Tide: 08:52h and 21:10h reaching minimum heights of 0.75 metre and 0.71 metre.

wednesday, october 9, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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FREE TICKET Thursday, october 10, 2019

20 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

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

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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s it prepares for the hosting of General and Regional elections on March 2, 2020, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has activated the process to select a Prime Ministerial (PM) candidate who will be running alongside Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali. This was revealed by the party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, at a press conference on Thursday.

“We outline the nomination process – so you can nominate people – then where the meetings and discussions will take place, and where the selection will take place,” he posited.

Pointing out that the party’s Prime Ministerial candidate is generally chosen from its Civic component, Jagdeo, a former PPP President and now Opposition Leader, said he is unsure of who the nominees for the post will be.

“I don’t know who will be the person. I can’t tell you that. We will have a number of people, I suggest, being nominated and then the discussions will take place and at the end, the party will chose,” he explained.

Nevertheless, the Opposition Leader posited that the party’s PM candidate will have to be one who has an excellent work ethic, similar to that of former PPP Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.

“People who have a good work ethic, who can implement things, who would be there on a sinecure position, who could actually do work…We need candidates who can work, not like Nagamootoo,” he asserted.

On this note, Jagdeo lamented that Hinds did

not get enough credit for his contributions to Guyana.

“Prime Minister Samuel Hinds did not get enough credit because people, the APNU disparaged him. But on a daily basis, he dealt with weighty issues. Sam dealt with tons of issues in the difficult period,” he outlined.

According to the Opposition Leader, the former PM was in the forefront in dealing with the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) – taking it from a period of one-week blackouts to the state when the PPP left office in 2015.

PPP Executive Juan Edghill

back in January and since then, there have been much speculations about his potential running mate for next year’s March 2 elections.

Already, possible candidates had been making their rounds in sections of the media. Such names include former Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and for-

the Opposition parliamentarian said he remained committed to the Party and was available to serve if called upon.

When asked on Thursday about Edghill’s nomination, Jagdeo noted that while he was a credible individual, it will be “… really out of line if I tell you who will be nominated. I don’t know as yet”.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, october 11, 2019

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

Haphazard disposal of garbage

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t has become apparent and of recent, more glaring, that we have become increasingly irresponsible in disposing our trash, which eventually ends up in our drains and waterways. The voluminous build-up of garbage in communities across the country speaks of a society that is yet to be trained on proper waste disposal. We are guilty of indiscriminate dumping of garbage.

A casual drive around many communities would reveal the shocking truth: in many areas, there are mounds of garbage strewn across the reserves and roadways. As an attempt to conceal the act of indiscriminate dumping, some perpetrators dispose of their trash at night and would go so far as to travel to neighbouring communities and villages to commit the act.

How sad that we have become so callously abusive of our environment. We only think of Mother Nature when calamity or disaster strikes. Every human being should go the extra mile of caring for our one and only Mother Earth.

Many of the smaller communities do not have regular garbage disposal services, and most private collectors would service these areas at least once a week; does this then excuse the action of residents to take their waste elsewhere? There are so many other options for solid waste disposal.

In most developed and developing countries, like Guyana, with increasing population, prosperity and urbanisation, it remains a major challenge for municipalities to collect, recycle, treat and dispose of increasing quantities of solid waste, especially in a changing climate. Everyone is aware of the issues we are facing with solid waste management.

Isn’t it high time we took part in making our society garbage-free? Communities cannot rely solely on our Government to clean up the environment. A concerted effort is highly needed.

A cornerstone of sustainable development is the establishment of affordable, effective and truly sustainable waste management practices. We should, therefore, make it a daily habit to help control the floods and other problems caused by the mountains of garbage we throw away. What is lacking is discipline in disposing of our garbage properly.

It was reported that the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the Earth’s atmosphere have surged past an important threshold and may not dip below it for “many generations”.

The 400 parts per million (ppm) benchmark was broken globally. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), a new global warming report titled “United in Science,” averaged global temperature for 2015-2019 will be the warmest of any equivalent period on record. It is currently estimated to be 1.1 C above pre-industrial (1850-1900) times and 0.2 C warmer than 2011-2015.

Further, the report stated that observations show that global mean sea level rise is accelerating, along with an overall increase of 26 per cent in ocean acidity since the beginning of the industrial era.

What is alarming is that experts say that the last time CO2 was above 400 ppm was three to five million years ago!

It is time to consider the reality facing the world today, and it is even more crucial to take stock of the individual responsibility for this global situation. It is highly improbable that citizens do not yet know the impacts of climate change and are unaware of current challenges across the globe, with regard to access to potable water, arable lands and in some severe cases, access to food.

The time has long since passed for affirmative action and the hour of reckoning is upon us; the Earth itself is sending a message and it behoves us to change our attitudes and behaviours. It is time we see the importance of becoming waste-wise and take the pledge to make a concerted effort to recycle more, and reduce the waste sent to the landfill. If not today, when would be the perfect time for action?

Students wear masks of China’s President Xi Jinping as others wave national flags of India and China, ahead of the informal summit with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a school in Chennai, India (Reuters/P Ravikuma) see story on page 17

Tactics of the desperate must not be allowed to flourish

Dear Editor, Please allow me space to respond to former PNCR Executive member B Beniprashad Rayman who made an effort to pose questions in true ‘straw man’ fashion. It is always difficult to reply to fiction with fact as readers are often left at a loss of whom to believe.

These are the tactics of the desperate but they must never be allowed to flourish.

Rayman begins by positing that the Diamond and LBI estates were closed by President Bharrat Jagdeo.

The Diamond factory was closed in 1985 and a large area of the estate’s cultivation was retired. Bharrat Jagdeo was a student at the time. In 2011, a decision was made to close the LBI factory. The decision was taken against the backdrop of the improvement of the Enmore factory and the construction of the packaging plant which yielded a higher price for the sugar produced.

Few of the workers were affected by the closure; some were retained at LBI to work in the enlarged workshop that was created, while the others were transferred to work in the Enmore factory and a small number opted for early retirement. In contrast, the actions of the Granger administration are unmatched for their callous nature.

In April 2016, the Granger administration closed the LBI Estate which ceased to exist and many workers were shown the door. A few weeks later, Granger announced its closure of the East Demerara Estate and put thousands out of work. Granger has closed four sugar estates

and put seven thousand persons out of work. The rationale offered by Granger’s Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan that, “Probably, it was destined that way. Probably God wanted it that way that we have to make the decision now,” who also said that payment of workers’ severances was a “drag” on the economy. David Granger is not done with the sugar industry by any means, GuySuCo remains the country’s single largest employer, going by Ramjattan’s pronouncements, probably nothing but total closure of the sugar industry will satisfy ‘God’.

The absolute fiction of the PPP Government closing down the bauxite industry is in direct contrast to the facts; production of bauxite declined rapidly after Burnham nationalised the industry in the 1970s.

In the mid-1980s, bauxite production was 1.5 million tonnes per year or half the annual level of the 1960s and 1970s. The state-owned Guyana Mining Enterprise Limited (Guymine) suffered repeated losses as a result of inefficient management, declining world prices for bauxite, and prolonged strikes by workers. The losses drained the company’s capital reserves and led to the deterioration of plants and equipment. Guyana’s single alumina plant, located in Linden, used to separate 300,000 tonnes per year of aluminium oxide from raw bauxite ore until the facility closed in 1982. Interestingly, it was the USD 400 million levies paid by the sugar industry that propped up bauxite

and Burnham’s burgeoning Public Service. How soon we forget.

In 1992, PPP/C met an arrangement by the Multilateral Financial Institutions (MFIS), which funded and placed MINPROC as manager of the Linden Bauxite Company (LINMINE).

MINPROC’s purpose was to determine and demonstrate whether LINMINE could be profitable. MINPROC reported that the there was no pathway to profitable operation; however, the PPP/C did not shut down the industry. They subsidised the industry until OMAI came on board as a managing partner/investor. The PPP brought in both current employers in the bauxite industry, Bosai, and Rusal. The PPP has also enabled largescale gold mining and timber operations whose employees are primarily from Region 10.

Having dispensed with the distracting fictions, I can discuss a matching of performance by Irfaan Ali during his tenure as a Minister and David Granger as President. Irfaan Ali held the important Housing and Water portfolios, he delivered 28,456 new housing units, more than anyone in the history of Guyana, provided transformational leadership in the industry, with his ‘one-stops’ delivering expedited house-lot ownership throughout the country.

Irfaan Ali delivered twenty-five new wells and seven treatment plants, moving access to potable water from twenty-five per cent of the population to over fifty per cent. Granger has held one portfolio during his tenure

as President: oil and gas, this he assumes reluctantly after widespread criticism and dissatisfaction surfaced about Raphael Trotman’s disastrous engagements with ExxonMobil, namely, the hidden $18 million bonus and the two per cent renegotiation. Granger has not accomplished anything in the O&G sector, and in fact, passed the work of securing the interests of Guyanese through local content legislation to Dr Mark Bynoe, a crony who wrote for Granger’s National Review publication. Bynoe also passed the buck; this work has been delegated to foreigners to the detriment of the local populace.

Granger as President cannot match the achievements of Ali as Minister. I will concede that David Granger is unmatched in his incompetence, mismanagement, untrustworthiness, undermining of democracy, lack of vision, lack of leadership and his penchant for pursuit of the trivial.

Over the coming months, Irfaan Ali will deliver speeches outlining his vision for Guyana’s future; they will be as detailed as articulate. In the same period, Granger will subject us to the vague ‘good life’ promise he has been making since Noah was a boy. Granger has promised much and delivered very little. Granger deliberately cloaks his incompetence in vagueness.

Irfaan Ali’s promises will be made on deliverables, based on sound economic principles and an unmatched performance record.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

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

Mr Granger fetching a crowd!

Dear Editor, The PNC/APNU clan is utilising an overworked strategy in attempt to counter their justified rejection after abandoning Lindeners and other support bases. The sinister approach targets creating the illusion that they are actually doing better politically than the facts support. This is evidenced by their now-familiar entourage approach of putting up a front and ferrying their paid hard-core members to meetings across the country, in a futile attempt to sway public belief that they are being supported to cover up discernable, widespread citizen rejection.

By now, the public has realised that they are up to no good, and would breach the entire rulebook to ritualise a backdoor approach to remaining illegally in power. Their objectionable behaviour is correctly treated with disgust by citizens, so much that the illegal regime is now advantaging the use of school children and unsuspecting sports personalities to dishonestly draw attention. Mr Christopher Gayle

has recently publicly clarified that the low-handed, underthe-deck players clandestinely duped him into believing that the organisers were taking him to meet fans.

Many citizens have long identified with their false promise and bullish approach, and have made up their minds that the uncompromising and ruthless lawlessness of this Granger-led clan has to go.

There is, however, a measured hesitancy amongst our citizens to publicly demonstrate their objections, on which the cabal have capitalised to this point. While this allowance by citizens will never be permanent, it is related to the fears that are obviously linked to the usual political masturbation and persecution that has emerged as a major character trait of the innate design of PNC/APNU regime. There is no doubt that Mr Granger and his clan are acutely aware of their rejected status and they have moved to counter by fetching a crowd.

It is quite amazing, however, that the cabal using taxpayer’s money would move to

disrupt citizen’s normal objective pursuits to draw attention and seek audiences. In this instance, they utilised barricades to close off the entire bloc around the market, the car park and the entire business community, days before the actual event last Saturday.

Like the previous 2018 fiasco in Vreed-en-Hoop where the regime caused over 200 vehicles to cross the Harbour Bridge toll-free, the fuelled up David Granger PNC train went to Linden in Region 10.

It is clear that Mr Granger and his PNC/APNU understand the right of the people to picket Granger and his created illegality, and the now-imposed barrier protection. However, there was no need to block off the entire area two days before a meeting.

Lindeners, at large, boycotted the Granger meeting because there are no jobs and the UNBELIEVABLE crime rate, due to the lack of concern by this APNU/AFC regime. It is a fact that while in Government, Mr Granger and his team effectively continued their Opposition man-

tra by deliberately closing down Guyana’s first call centre placed in Linden under the then President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo. At the time, it did not matter to this vindictive cabal that the impact would realise the loss of jobs for one hundred and forty-three young Lindeners.

Additionally, the closure resulted in another seventy-nine persons, who worked as cleaners, handymen, and labourers at the centre, being been kicked to the curb. It is sad to say that the PNC people, who were put in charge of the closure, illegally removed and stole all of the valuable equipment and accessories.

Shame on Mr Granger to be begging the people of Linden for a chance and now announcing that he will re-open the PPP/C-instituted call centre at the same venue in Kara Kara.

It is of particular note that the APNU/AFC allocated millions of dollars in the 2017 budget towards another false promise to build a state-of-theart synthetic track in Linden.

To date, only some drains and a few loads of sand are visible at

the site on the Wismar shore of the Demerara River. They also budgeted for the development of several Community Centres and playfields. To date, nothing is visible for the residents to benefit from.

The evidence of blatant abuse of State resources for party campaigning purposes was uncaringly obvious at the PNC party activity in Linden. The National Sports Commission Bus, bought by the PPP/C to facilitate National Sports programmes by the National Sports Commission was seen transporting PNC supporters from Georgetown to Linden. When the PNC activists saw citizens taking out photographs of the bus, they bullishly threatened to take away the citizens’ phones.

The bus, along with more than fifty other vehicles that transported people from Georgetown and as far as Berbice, were subsequently moved by their respective drivers from the nearby vicinity to a far-out area. The movement of the busses provoked the older people, resulting in an em-

barrassing ranting, shouting and cursing out at a level never witnessed in Linden before.

At the same time and against the backdrop of an erupted systemic banditry and other crimes all across Guyana, Mr Granger conflictingly spoke that his Government has achieved and restored calm and peace. Along with many citizens, I am absolutely convinced that his grey matter has eroded beyond rationality.

The PNC/APNU meeting in Linden was an absolute disgrace as the residents have shown that their abandonment by likes of David Granger and his cabal is not forgotten. Lindeners have largely demonstrated their disapproval having come to the stark realisation that they were much better off under the PPP/C. Mr Granger can continue to fetch his barriers, bags of empty promises and a crowd. However, once bitten, twice shy! We in Linden want the PPP/C. Sincerely, Andrew Forsythe

Civil society needs to become Profitability of GuySuCo not more proactive on elections the only criterion for closure Dear Editor, National elections have polarised Guyanese society, politically and ethnically for the past fifty years.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, they are likely to do so precisely when the issues facing Guyana require as unified a national response as possible. Civil society energies, effectively mobilised, could make a positive impact on this challenge.

Normally, elections in democratic countries seek to win votes by focusing on issues most likely to attract votes. In Guyana, by contrast, debating alternative visions of the future is marginalised when the major contending parties’ resort to maligning each other over electoral fraud and ethnic mischief-making. Reasserting ethnic insecurity in this way tends to marginalise smaller, as well as new parties.

Despite the fact that changing political demographics are gradually undermining traditional ethnic alignments, the race play-book continues to be a determining factor in national elections.

While a widely criticised practice

by Guyanese of all backgrounds, the traditional parties have too much vested in its continuance to desist.

Most significantly, they also control the elections machinery through their dominance over GECOM. Until the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is replaced by a modern, politically impartial Elections Commission, Guyanese elections will retain its deserved reputation as the most dysfunctional in Caricom. Since both major

political formations have resisted ample opportunity to reform GECOM (23 years in the case of the PPP, and the past four years of coalition government), it is clear that a solution will not come before the next elections.

However, while reform of GECOM and other fundamental reforms are not feasible in the short-term, this does not rule out the possibility of raising the quality of the upcoming national elections on March 2, 2020.

For example, the parties listing names of candidates in the order that seats will be assigned is within their choice. A commitment to translate 50% of females on lists to 50% of seats won is another improvement within the parties’ choice. More scrutiny can be exercised to force parties to select candidates of integrity, with a record of public service and other qualities necessary for political leadership.

Applying criteria of this nature in the run-up to elections allows voters to assert some measure of influence to improve their quality. Civil society can use the current election in this way to sharpen its own advocacy skills and capacity to influence the contending parties. The runup to elections also provides an opportunity for civic society to review its own role in national politics.

A more robust civil society is an insurance policy to ensure any eventual successful reform of the formal political culture is likely to endure. The most significant example of civic action in Guyana to improve elections occurred in 1990-1992, when the Guyanese Action for Reform and Democracy

(GUARD) effectively put a stop to the history of rigged elections. Combined activism that included human rights, professional, faithbased, business and trade union activism produced the first clean national elections since Independence.

Unfortunately, GUARD followed a familiar path with respect to civic action, namely, allowing the momentum to drain away once a shortterm goal is achieved.

Civic organisations are encouraged to express themselves in ways that build citizenship. Civic influence could be asserted on electoral debates, which need to be rescued from the bi-partisan bullying which debased them in the recent past. Moreover, even when civic bodies are not inclined to take action as a body, their membership should be encouraged individually to educate themselves on issues and take some elementary steps such as making full use of the Claims & Objections period to check the accuracy of their names and other details on the Voters’ List to guard against allegations of fraud surfacing on elections day.

While national elections in Guyana often appear to be exercised in mass frustration, they also serve as opportunities for re-invigorating public life in positive ways. The essential lesson to be learnt is that civic interventions need to become a continuous part of the political landscape in a more systematic manner, and cannot be reduced solely to casting votes.

Executive Committee, Guyana Human Rights Association

Dear Editor, Are we to believe that profitability was the only criterion used by the coalition government to callously close the sugar estates? If this was so, then the so-called downsizing or ‘right-sizing’ should have never taken place since there were more compelling reasons why they should not have been shuttered.

There were some who supported the closure since they saw taxpayers’ dollars going down a ‘dark hole’. Even a few pseudo-economists could have only seen that these monies could have been better diverted in providing other public services and given wage increases to public servants. This was adamantly echoed by a visionless AFC leader. These myopic visionaries could not have seen that closing sugar estates would spell the doom for a grossly mismanaged economy where corruption has become endemic.

They reasoned that once a business is no longer profitable then it should be closed. That false premise appealed to some who are ignorant of economics. Moreover, with oil coming as early as 2020, why hold on to a ‘bloodsucking entity’? Oil will be the panacea for all our social and economic ills, they reasoned, oblivious of the ‘oil curse’! Whether this will be so is now very much doubtful given the wholesale give away of our oil resources from corrupt deals brokered by the coalition government. The pre-contract costs, the insignificant royalties, and the lop-sided production sharing agreements are just a few.

Furthermore, the Government, as another of its deceitful elections campaign tactic, is hotly debating how to spend the ‘tons’ of illusory cash; whilst one faction wants to give ‘fishes’, another faction wants to

teach ‘fishing’. But what is certain is that the Agriculture sector is faced with imminent extermination. This is a sector which holds the key to our sustained social and economic development. Only a fool will deny that GuySuCo provided numerous benefits to the economy even though it was a loss-making entity. It provided employment both directly and indirectly; it earned scarce foreign exchange which helped to stabilise the exchange rate. It provided medical services to poor people and provided drainage and irrigation services both to residents and farmers. Moreover, all the surrounding communities benefited from the wages and salaries earned by the sugar workers. The closing of Wales, Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon estates negatively affected these communities and the domino effect was devastating. These communities are yet unable to cope with the resulting social and economic fallouts.

The subsidies given to this entity were well-spent!

It is now the stark reality that it was never the intention of this Government to save sugar but instead it came to be used as another avenue to ferment the many forms of corrupt practices unleashed on this nation and to wreak vengeance for supporting the PPP. It could be recalled that when the $30 billion bond was secured, it was meant to upgrade the remaining estates and to invest in plantain white sugar and co-generation plants. However, after spending more than $17 billion, none of these materialised. In fact, the estates continue to suffer from factory breakdowns, inputs for field operations, and impassable dams resulting in GuySuCo being nearly 35% behind their schedule. This is a fall short by 12,023 tonnes. In the first

crop also, GuySuCo had also failed to achieve its first crop target. This is a direct result of the SPU starving the entity of much needed funds to carry out its capital works and maintenance. The old adage still holds true: Too many cooks spoil the broth! The foisting of the SPU on the hapless GuySuCo seems to have one purpose and that is to bring the remaining three estates to such a deplorable and unproductive state that closure becomes the only option. I fully empathise with the management of GuySuCo! In the meantime, the $30 billion ‘largesse’ is meant to ensure that the fat cats are wellfed and the monies are squandered, filling the pockets of those in the SPU and by extension some in the Government.

It must be painfully recalled that even though GuySuCo was given an average annual subsidy of $5 billion, all the estates were operational, foreign exchange in excess of US $100 million was garnered from exports, jobs were saved and workers were enjoying a reasonable standard of living, communities were thriving, and the US dollar was stabilised. In addition, there was little flooding, residents were getting assistance from GuySuCo but today, the resources-starved entity could hardly help itself.

Now the NIS contribution has dwindled, thereby, resulting in the entity being unable to meet its financial obligations.The CoI saw these benefits to the economy and advised against any closure!

However, the economy and the people of Guyana can be deemed collateral damage! These should have been the foremost criteria for any Government worth its salt!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

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ven if you’re lucky enough to have perfect 20/20 vision, taking care of your eyes and protecting them against injury or infection are important parts of keeping your peepers perfect.

Vision basics One of the best things you can do for your baby blues (or greens, or browns, or hazels, or whatever colour your eyes are) is to have them checked by your doctor whenever you have a physical examination. If you’re having trouble seeing or if your eyes have been hurting or bothering you, tell a parent so that you can have your eyes examined by an eye specialist.

An ophthalmologist (pronounced: ahf-theh-MAHluh-jist) is a medical doctor who specialises in examining, diagnosing, and treating eyes and eye diseases. An optometrist is not a medical doctor, but has been trained to diagnose and treat many of the same eye conditions as ophthalmologists, except for treatments involving surgery.

It’s a good idea to have your eyes checked at least every 2 years or even more often if you have a family history of eye problems such as glaucoma or early cataracts.

Common vision problems Have you ever wondered whether there’s any truth in some of the stuff you may have been told about how to treat your eyes?

For example, you may have been warned that sitting too close to the TV or computer can ruin your eyes. But that’s not true. You also may have heard that using a nightlight (instead of bright light) to read will cause nearsightedness, but there’s no clear scientific evidence to support this. You can strain your eyes if you don’t have enough light when you read, but it

Foundation

won’t ruin your vision.

So what’s the cause of many common vision problems? Often, eye shape and size. Someone with perfect 20/20 vision has eyes that are basically round like a baseball.

Someone who needs corrective lenses to see usually has eyes that are shaped differently.

Myopia (pronounced: my-OH-pee-uh), or nearsightedness, is one of the most common problems teens have with their eyes. When a teen has myopia, he or she is unable to focus properly on things that are far away. People with myopia have eyes that are a little longer than normal, measuring from the front of the eyeball to the back. This extra length means that light focuses in front of the retina (the part of the eye that receives images and sends them to the brain) instead of on it, and that affects vision. Glasses or contacts can easily correct this problem.

Hyperopia (pronounced: hy-per-OH-pee-uh), or farsightedness, is another vision problem. People with hyperopia have trouble focusing on things close up because their eyes are too “short” from front to back. In people with hyperopia, light focuses behind the retina instead of on it, causing blurry vision. Someone with significant farsightedness will need glasses to correct his or her vision. But here’s an interesting fact: Many babies are born farsighted! Their eyeballs get longer as they grow, and most of them outgrow the condition.

Another condition where the eye is differently shaped is astigmatism. Here, the cornea isn’t perfectly round. To be able to see well — either close up or far away — the person needs contact lenses or glasses.

Once people reach 18 and

their eyes are fully grown and less likely to change, some people choose to have refractive surgery to correct myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism so they don’t have to wear contacts or glasses anymore.

Refractive surgery is a procedure — usually done with a laser — that reshapes the eye to

change the way light enters it and forms an image, allowing a person to see better.

Dealing with common eye problems and injuries The best rule of thumb for when to see an eye specialist if you injure your eyes is “when in doubt, check it out!”

If you have a red eye, pain in an eye that doesn’t go away within a short period of time, or at any time have had changes in

your vision, then it’s time to have your eyes checked.

If you get any small foreign objects in your eye, such as sand or sawdust or metal shavings, don’t rub it. Flush your eye for several minutes with lukewarm water (it may

be easiest to do this in the shower). If it still feels as though there is something in your eye, then be sure to see an eye specialist.

If you’ve been hit in the eye and it looks strange or appears to be bleeding, or if you have changes in or lose your vision, go to a hospital emergency department right away to be checked out.

One of the most common eye injuries for teens is a scratched cornea, which is often related to wearing contact lenses or playing sports. With a scratched cornea, it

may feel like something is in your eye when there’s really nothing there. Your eye may get red and irritated, produce lots of tears, and be overly sensitive to light.

If you think you have any kind of eye injury and you wear contact lenses, stop wearing your contacts until you see an eye specialist. Wearing contact lenses if you have an eye injury could damage your eyes more or cause an infection to develop. Don’t worry — if your cornea is scratched, it usually will heal quickly and may require a week or two of medicated eye drops and not wearing your contacts.

You may hate wearing your old glasses, but it’s just for a little while — and it beats permanently damaging your eyes!

Caring for your eyes Just as you wear a seatbelt to protect yourself when you’re in a car, it’s wise to protect your eyes before something happens to them.

W e a r i n g sunglasses is high on the list of ways to care for your vision.

UV light causes long-term damage to the inner structures of the eye, so wear a pair of sunglasses with ultraviolet (UV) protection whenever you’re in the sun. This can help prevent conditions linked to UV exposure, such as cataracts and macular degeneration: A cataract is an eye condition in which the lens of the eye becomes clouded, impairing vision.

Macular degeneration is an eye disease in which the macula (a structure within the eye that allows you to see) gradually deteriorates, leading to decreased vision or blindness. (Need one more reason not to smoke?

Smoking puts you at greater risk for developing macular degeneration.)

You also can care for your eyes by putting on protective eyewear whenever you play sports like racquetball or when you’re doing projects in shop class or the science lab. It only takes a second for something to hit an unprotected eye and cause serious damage. And avoid being near fireworks that could explode and harm your eyes. Why take chances with your vision?

Although steering clear of fireworks probably seems like an obvious way to protect your eyes, you may not think about protecting them around the house. Yet something you might do every day — staring at a computer screen for a long time — can strain your eyes. That’s because most people blink about 10 times per minute. But when you stare, your blink rate can go down to two or three times per minute. The best thing you can do is to blink more! It also helps to change your focus often. Look

at something across the room for a few moments and then go back to looking at the computer screen.

If your eyes feel dry and irritated when you use the computer, use artificial tears.

Don’t use products that remove the red from your eyes, though, because they may contain a chemical that eliminates redness temporarily but actually makes your eyes look worse later.

You should take special care of your eyes if you have a medical condition such as diabetes or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis because they put you at an increased risk of developing serious eye disease. Be sure to see your doctor at least once a year if you have any medical condition that can affect your eyes.

Depending on your situation, your doctor may need to check your eyes as often as every 3 months.

Preventing eye infections You can also protect your eyes by preventing infections that could harm them. Conjunctivitis, also called pinkeye, is an eye infection that can be caused by a virus, bacteria, an allergic reaction, a chemical, or an irritant (something that gets in the eye).

Conjunctivitis caused by germs like viruses and bacteria can easily pass from person to person. After you shake hands with someone who has a bad cold and pinkeye, for instance, you could spread the infection to your own eye by touching it with your hand.

To avoid spreading the germs that can cause eye infections: Don’t share eye makeup or drops with anyone else.

Don’t touch the tip of a bottle of eye drops with your hands or your eyes because that can contaminate it with germs.

Never put contact lenses in your mouth to wet them. Many bacteria and viruses — maybe even the virus that causes cold sores — are present in your mouth and could easily spread to your eyes.

Wash your hands regularly!

Glasses and contacts If you need glasses or contact lenses, follow a few tips for the best results. When you pick out glasses, remember as a general rule that smaller frames will probably suit you better. The larger the frame, the more distortion you’ll have, and you may not be able to see as well.

If you get contact lenses, follow your doctor’s orders exactly when it comes to cleaning them, how many hours you can safely wear them, and when you should replace them. If you don’t, you could develop serious infections or ulcers in your eye that are painful, difficult to treat, and may need months of medication or even surgery.

Eyes and vision are something no one wants to be without. To keep them working for you for many years to come, protect them now and take the best care of them that you can. (kidshealth.org)

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friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police still hunting for suspect Brothers tortured, who set dredge owner, wife on fire shot dead in Region 1 C

Region One Police Divisional Commander Wendell Blanhum

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he lifeless bodies of two brothers were discovered on Thursday morning at Father’s Beach, North West District (NWD), with several gunshot and chop wounds about their bodies.

The men have been iden-

tified as Eon and Rakesh Mathias. Based on reports received, the two brothers left home on Wednesday to go fishing.

However, between 14:00h and 14:30h, residents in close proximity to the location (including the brothers’ relatives) heard the sound of rapid gunfire.

As a result, the father of the two men raised an alarm since it was an unusual occurrence.

A report was made to the Police, who in turn contacted the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guards, for assistance. The area was searched but there were no signs of the two brothers and the vessel they were using to fish.

Fearing for the worst, the father returned to his community to update other relatives and friends that the young men had disappeared.

It was on Thursday

morning that persons in the area noticed the bodies of the two brothers lying along Father’s Beach foreshore. Without hesitation, the Police were contacted and the ranks immediately cordoned off the area.

Speaking with Guyana Times after the discovery, Divisional Commander in that area, Wendell Blanhum, related that there were several gunshots wounds about the brothers’ bodies.

In addition, he noted that one of the men sustained chops wounds, which meant that the two brothers might have been tortured before they were shot and killed.

He confirmed that up to late Thursday afternoon, the detectives were continuing their investigations. The bodies are expected to be transported to the Mabaruma Hospital Mortuary awaiting post-mortem.

lose to two months after a miner set a dredge owner and his wife on fire in their mining camp at Toroparo Landing, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), the Police are yet to arrest the main perpetrator.

Lyndon Joseph of Karrau Village, Region Seven and his reputed Brazilian wife Maria Pereira Da Silva were reportedly sleeping when they were doused with gasoline and set alight.

After spending some time in hospital, 30-year-old Da Silva succumbed to her injuries on September 26 while receiving attention.

Joseph, however, remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Divisional Commander Kevin Adonis, when contacted, told Guyana Times on Thursday that the Police have intensified their search for the suspect so that he

Top performers at NGSA rewarded

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hildren of Albion Sugar Estate employees, who performed exceptionally at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), on Thursday received bursaries in the tune of $960,000.

The awards were presented to 24 students at the Estate’s Training Centre.

The bursary awardees were each given the sum of $6000, and are entitled to an additional $1000 each year for the next five years. This is, however, dependent on their “satisfactory attendance and performance” in school.

Both the parents and awardees expressed thanks to the Estate for the monetary rewards.

The bursary awardees were: Chitra Ramdial, Sangeeta Jaundoo, Alisyah Mahadeo, Meera Mahabir, Shivnane Mahadeo, Maira Chinapen, Niall Phagoo, Jason Welaidum, Netram Ramnauth, Mahesh Ramnarine, Anna Balraj, Pravena Pancham, Tansanya Hooper, Safrana Yunas, Dinesh Ishmael, Shania Ramkishun, Ziyad Birbal, Malachi Chung, Sahana Lallman, Nyesha Graham, Leon Sarju, Feisha Chintyomby, Gavin Seepersaud and Amrita Dhaniram.

The recipients of the bursaries

Assistant Commissioner of Police and Commander of Region Seven, Kevin Adonis

can be brought to justice.

He stated that since the act was committed in August, the suspect was not seen, nor did he make contact with any relatives.

The couple had been allegedly set on fire following a confrontation with a man at their camp around 04:00h

on August 29.

They were both rushed to the Bartica Hospital and subsequently medevaced to the city. Hours before the incident took place, the couple were at a function when they were informed that someone had invaded their camp.

As a result, they immediately left for the camp and upon arrival, they saw a male individual there and an argument ensued between them and the suspect.

He is said to have subsequently left and Da Silva and Joseph retired to bed but were awakened by intense heat as their camp was set on fire moments later.

The incident occurred at Toroparo Landing, Region Seven. At the time, the Police had said that the couple received burns to 80% of their bodies.

8 news

friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ECD man charged for killing mother of 3

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Clive Wilson

he 35-year-old man who stabbed the mother of his three children to death in August at Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Thursday arraigned for the heinous crime.

Clive Wilson, a

pork-knocker of Montrose, ECD, appeared before Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court and was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

The charge detailed that on August 25, 2019 at Victoria Village, he murdered Shamain Frank.

It was reported that on the day in question, the suspect was seen entering the 27-year-old woman’s yard, but was ordered by the victim’s brother to leave the premises because of the abuse his sister had suffered at Wilson’s hands.

The brother of the deceased woman had related to investigators that shortly after, he heard screams, and went to his sister’s aid.

Upon checking, the wom-

Murdered: Shamain Frank

an was discovered with a stab wound to her left breast lying in a pool of blood.

It is believed that the suspect gained entry to the house by removing three louvre panes. After committing the act, the suspect reportedly departed through a

back door, which was discovered open.

The suspect and the victim were reportedly engaged in an argument when she was attacked and fatally stabbed.

The injured woman was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival. After committing the act, the man went into hiding.

The couple had recently rented an apartment at Mon Repos, ECD, but because the abuse had continued, Frank had returned to the home she had shared with her siblings.

The accused was remanded to prison, and he was ordered to make his next court appearance on November 26, 2019.

Mechanic slapped with ganja trafficking charge

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mechanic who allegedly threw a bag containing cannabis into

a clump of bushes after seeing Police was on Thursday charged for the possession of

Kishawn Breedy (right)

cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Twenty-three-yearold Kishawn Breedy, of Roxanne Burnham Gardens, Georgetown, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

The Police stated that on October 6, 2019, at Norton Street, Georgetown, he had

in his possession 86 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

Attorney-at-Law Patrice Henry, who represented the defendant and made a successful bail application, told the court that his client had no knowledge of the narcotic.

The Attorney added that while his client was in Police custody, the investigative ranks attempted to force his client to admit that the drug was his.

However, the lawyer said, his client did not give the Police any written or oral statement admitting ownership.

Facts presented by Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield stated that on the day in question, ranks from the Narcotics Branch were conducting raids in the area when the defendant was seen throwing a bag that he had been carrying into a clump of bushes.

As such, the ranks retrieved the bag and upon examining it, the illicit substance was discovered.

Breedy was then taken into custody at the Alberttown Police Station.

The Prosecutor did not object to bail being granted to the defendant; however, he asked that conditions be applied if it was granted.

The defendant was released on $100,000 bail, and his next court appearance was scheduled for October 29, 2019.

He was further instructed to report every Friday to the Alberttown Police Station until the determination of the trial.

The newbie…

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…party-ettes f it’s another week – after Granger threw out March 2nd as the date of the next elections – it must be another political party-ette launched. There was a bit of a hiatus after the initial mushrooming in the wake of the NCM, but the party-ettes are now spawning fast and furious. What else but “party-ette” can you call these entities, when at the launch of one, the “founder” performed the role of Master of Ceremonies, introduced himself, and then handed over the mic to himself, all alone at the head table!! A “micro-party” would’ve had at least a complement of at least, say, two office bearers, no?

But your Eyewitness knew for sure this was gonna happen after the PNC scooped up all the existing partyettes in 2011, forming what they dubbed a “coalition” named “APNU”. It was more like a ship with barnacles!! But they created a vacuum that just had to be filled. After all, in every election since 1992, there’s been this remarkable phenomenon where unknown fellas (and they’re always “fellas”) suddenly popped out of the woodwork to announce they’re running for the presidency!! If nothing else, it sure proved our “democratic” credentials, since everyone (males at least) evidently believe they can become president!

The new party-ettes appear inspired by the AFC’s success after launching in 2005, picked up five seats in 2006 and seven in 2011. They fail to appreciate that lightning doesn’t strike twice at the same place. In 2006, the PPP had been in office for 13 years and had become enmeshed in a war of attrition with gangsters holed up in Buxton. Both they and the PNC appeared to be losing control of the political situation and lots of folks from across the divide were looking around.

One prominent member of the PPP, PNC and WPA defected from their parties – so they already had name recognition – and launched their AFC, which, they assured everyone (wink, wink!) was backed by the US Embassy!!

In fact, the fella from the PPP had been thrown from that party for “carrying news” to the Americans!! Now it could be that since the AFC has imploded since the last LGE, the new party-ettes are hoping to pick up the detritus from the implosion.

But then, they don’t understand the politics of this divided society called Guyana. Now that the two behemoths are back to full strength, they’ve each shown they have a reasonable chance of winning the whole enchilada, and the Americans ain’t looking, the “disaffected” have returned “home”. Why split the vote??

So, what’s your Eyewitness’ prediction of the partyettes chances come March 2??

One of them MAY get a left-over seat!! At best! …businesses in oil While it may be a tough pill to swallow, the former TT Energy Minister’s reported touting of his country as the “logistics hub” for our incipient oil industry might have a lot of truth to it. Firstly, 150 miles from the oilfields to our shores isn’t a whole deal different from 250 miles to Trinidad’s, when it comes to servicing those FPSO’s and drilling ships. Especially when we just don’t even have the local content law to compel use of “Guyanese” companies.

Or even defining what percentage of Guyanese ownership makes a company “Guyanese”. And even if the business doesn’t literally go to Trinidad, the money will end up there since so many Trini companies with the necessary expertise have set up shop here, using Guyanese as “fronts”. The sad truth is most of our companies are still at the stage of just knowing how to import plastic buckets and selling them to street vendors.

The only hope is our diaspora. Whichever party wins the next elections will have to aggressively recruit overseas Guyanese talent. …in financialised markets The plummeting Guyana dollar is our first taste of one effect of “capital flight” in our completely liberalised financial markets – imposed on us by the IMF since 1989.

So when are we going to relook at capital controls??

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

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friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Too early for cash grants from oil – Jagdeo —urges citizens to keep open minds

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s the debate continues over the ‘cash grant’ proposal, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo says that Government is creating such a turmoil over something that will be a non-issue until the next decade.

“There is a WPA (Working People’s Alliance) proposal on the table which has been found to be technically unsound because even Clive Thomas himself said that to make [the cash grants] successful, you have to get up to 1.5 million barrels per day. That’s not gonna happen until after 2030, if ever,” Jagdeo pointed out at his weekly press conference on Thursday.

His comments come after President David Granger said on Wednesday that the WPA – one of the five parties that make up the APNU component of the coalition – proposed cash grants from the oil revenues but the Head of State noted that no details had been worked out.

“The proposal has been made by the Working People’s Alliance but we have not worked out the de-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

tails. We…the other partners, are not against cash grants but we asked for more information …details on who will be eligible, how it will be disbursed,” the President told reporters on Wednesday.

But according to the Opposition Leader, some WPA members want people to embrace this proposal without studying it and its implications.

“What the WPA wants is to go in the communities and

say to people ‘vote APNU because if you do this, next year you gonna get 5000 USD for every households.’ That’s what they want: to lie to people… But since oil proceeds are variable and prices fluctuate, any model that will see universal transfer or the basic income approach has to have been carefully calculated. It also has to be variable if it’s practiced and secondly, it must be sustainable. It can’t destroy the rest of the economy through the Dutch disease etc…,” Jagdeo posited.

The Opposition Leader went on to explain that come next year, United States oil giant, ExxonMobil, will start production with 120,000 barrels per day and in order to achieve what the WPA is proposing, 1.5 million barrels per day would be required. “[So] why make it such a big hot issue at this time when we’re not gonna be able to do this in another decade from now. So this is what they want to do, mislead people once again,” he asserted.

Nevertheless, Jagdeo

$35M in lights for selected hinterland airstrips

Bimichi airstrip in Moruca sub-district

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any airstrips throughout the hinterland are set to receive $35M in lights before the end of 2019. This was revealed by Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson on day four of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference.

“That is exciting news for me,” Toshao Milton Fredricks of MainstayMayaka told the Department of Public Information (DPI).

The village leader explained that during a conference at Mainstay last year, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure assisted with lighting the airstrip to facilitate landing and departure at nights.

“If we have permanent lights in place, it will certainly serve a very good purpose because we do have cases of emergencies in the village, and not only in the village but on the Essequibo Coast and if aircrafts or helicopters need to come in and we have lights, it will be no problem.

So, I really really feel excited about that news and I look forward to the implementa-

tion,” the Toshao added.

Representing the Annai District, Toshao Zacharias Norman wasted no time in stating his unequivocal approval of the Ministry’s move. In an invited comment, Toshao Norman said, “first of all, I must thank the Government [for] upgrading the airstrip. It is in good condition right now and now putting this system into place would be a great improvement for the airstrip…

It would be a big improvement for the people of the North Rupununi”.

Even though Akawini does not have an airstrip, the village’s Toshao welcomed the transformation that awaits some of the other hinterland airstrips.

Toshao David Wilson called on the village councils to secure the lights so that it can serve their communities. The Toshao also shared the opinion that lights along the airstrips are critical to the advancement of Indigenous communities in the hinterland.

In his address to the Toshaos, Minister Patterson

disclosed the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), for which he has oversight, will, “procure solar lights with chargers so that we can install on selected airstrips so that medevacs in the evening can be done”.

According to the Minister, the items will be in the care of the village Council to reduce the likelihood of tampering and theft.

Several hinterland communities are also on the list for airstrip upgrades under the Public Infrastructure Ministry’s budget for 2020.

These will be conducted at a cost of $690M. Karukubaru, Orinduik, Kaieteur, Fairview, Karisparu, Paruima and Achiwib will receive major rehabilitative works.

Since 2015, the coalition government has invested a staggering $1.4billion in upgrades for 16 airstrips. It is the Grangerled Administration’s mission to reduce the disparities that may exist between the coast and the hinterland by the execution of these critical projects.

President David Granger

further pointed out that cash grants are something the PPP is open to in the future.

“We should keep an open mind to the concept because it’s a global concept and I think the intention is a good one to ensure everybody has at least basic income,” the Opposition Leader contended.

In fact, he noted that the previous People’s Progressive Party (PPP) administration had distributed cash grants, such as the $10,000 ‘Because We Care’ initiative, to school children and that was done without oil resources.

Going forward, Jagdeo said if the party returns to office, it will not only be reinstating that programme but intends to increase the amount to as much as $50,000 per child per year.

This, he noted, was the party’s plan had it remained in office at a time when oil revenues were not in the picture as yet.

Additionally, the Opposition Leader noted that cash grants will also be set aside for pensioners and

other vulnerable groups.

This cash grant initiative got its life when Professor Thomas, a WPA Executive, had touted the idea of the impending oil revenues be distributed, that is, US$5000 to each household in Guyana sometime back.

But in a revised position more recently, the economist posited that indeed this proposal could take several years before Guyana is actually in a position to make such cash pay-outs to an estimated 210,000 Guyanese households every year.

Still insisting, however, that his initiative can work, Professor Thomas explained that it can be manageable in the long-term since the cash transfers would be limited to 10 per cent of the country’s total revenue from oil.

But even with this, Jagdeo last week had dismissed the model that the WPA exec is proposing.

He had explained that some countries have been exploring the concept of a ‘universal basic income’ which sees every citizen in that country getting a cash grant from the treasury.

This model was supposed to help with employment and reduce poverty, among other areas.

The Opposition Leader noted that of recent, some countries have been experimenting with the initiative but the result does not show any shift in employment.

The results, he said, have been mixed.

Moreover, Jagdeo also explored the ‘Alaska’ model. In the oil-producing US State, persons receive a cheque every year but that sum is varied based on the prices of oil on the market.

While this too does not

Professor Clive Thomas

impact employment in any way as well, the Opposition Leader posited that one thing people do not factor in about this model is that Alaska is not only a State in the US but also uses the US dollar.

“So they can spend as much US dollars as they wish without it having the effect of the ‘Dutch disease’ and so the biggest concern from developing countries is the change in relative prices. Because if you spend too much US dollar in the economy, the local currency appreciates and it kills off the productive sectors and so that macro-economic impact that a scheme of that sort will have on, say, a smaller country, the US or Alaska doesn’t have to bear.

So you have to think about that carefully,” Jagdeo contended.

Bringing it a bit closer to home, however, the former President pointed to the model that neighbouring Brazil uses. The Portuguese nation distributes cheques to only poor families but the grant is conditional upon children attending school.

10 NEWS

friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Magistrate recuses self from PI into “White Boy” murder

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Dead: Patrick “White Boy” Fraser

s the Preliminary Inquiry into the execution-style killing of 20-year-old Patrick Fraser, called “White Boy”, was set to commence on Thursday, the presiding Magistrate recused herself from the matter and as such, it was sent back to the Chief Magistrate for reassignment.

When the suspects, Kevin Rose, called “Boyo”, 20, of Diamond Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Shamar Moore, called “Frankie”, 23, of 108 Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD) ap-

peared in court, Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus made the announcement.

The charge against the two men stated that on May 9, 2019, at Bagotstown, EBD, while being in the company of others, they murdered Fraser during an attempted robbery.

It was reported that on the day in question, Fraser was shot twice while imbibing with friends in an abandoned yard, known as a “drug yard”, at Bagotstown.

Fraser, of Republic Park, EBD, was pronounced dead at the Diamond hospital.

Investigators believed that the young man was executed.

The Police recovered a .32 spent shell, one warhead, a pair of slippers, and a white cap at the crime scene.

Rose recently served a four-year sentence for a gun-related charge and Moore served a nine-month sentence for a break and enter. Both men were recently released from prison, in April 2019.

The men are currently on remand for the heinous crime.

Murder accused: Kevin Rose

Murder accused: Shamar Moore

BHS Alumni in US to host student conference in Guyana

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he New York Tri-State Chapter of The Bishops’ High School (BHS) Alumni Association is holding its second career guidance student conference at its alma mater in Georgetown, Guyana between October 16 and 19, 2019.

The three-day conference, which will be held at the school on Carmichael Street, is titled “After Graduation – What’s Next?” Once again, the event aims to provide the school’s senior students with a unique opportunity to be exposed to a variety of perspectives on career choices, higher education, and vocational opportunities.

This year, however, the conference has expanded both in scope and reach. Alumni Chapter President Wayne Knight notes that this year the group has targeted Fifth Form students in addition to

the sixth formers, the original beneficiaries of this opportunity.

“As we are cognisant that students tend to leave high school after either Fifth or Sixth Form, we wanted to make sure that regardless of when they opt to leave, we would have the chance to interact

with them in a meaningful way in terms of professional guidance,” the Alumni President explained.

The conference will host for the first time a career fair and three sports clinics.

“We invited businesses to our career fair, where they will have

the opportunity to speak with students and showcase their businesses, while also showing the students what career opportunities might be available to them in their organisations. Our association will also be providing the school with sports equipment that we will utilise as we have also added sports clinics in table tennis, badminton and basketball,” Chapter President Knight related.

Students will take part in a teambuilding event and will also gain skills in CV writing and interview preparation.

The conference will begin on Wednesday, October 16 with a Welcome Assembly and registration of the students. The highlight of that day will be the Career Fair and the first sports clinic that will be held at 13:00h and 15:30h respectively.

The main events will be held on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18 with concurrent presentations and workshops daily featuring 37 presenters representing a wide variety of fields of study from entrepreneurship, law, IT, medicine, culinary arts, and engineering to new areas including veterinary medicine and agriculture, energy, alcoholism and substance abuse counselling, and real estate and asset management services, to name a few.

“We hope that by providing the students with information and some of our own experiences, they will be better equipped in making decisions about their careers. We also hope in some cases to show them career paths that they may not have thought about as viable options,” said Knight. continued on page 11

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friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

FDA official advises Guyanese exhibitors on standards for exporting to US

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any of the participants in the Florida International Trade Conference and Expo (FITCE 2019) that are small manufacturers of sauces, cosmetics and other products which require US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in order to enter the US market met with Kim Prenter, a senior official of the Administration.

The invitation was extended to Prenter by Wesley Kirton, President of the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce (GACC).

During visits to the var-

ious booths, Prenter discussed with the exhibitors the standards which their products need to meet in order to be legally imported and sold in the United States.

While many of the products can find markets in the US, it was pointed out that the labelling needs to be improved, in some cases to include ingredients and nutritional facts; caps need to be properly sealed, in cases where colouring is added, this needs to be stated; claims of benefits of the use of lotions and soaps either need to be medically proven or removed from the packaging, exporters need

FDA executive Kim Prenter and Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce President Wesley Kirton

to be registered with the FDA in both Guyana and the United States and the processing/production process needs to be certified.

Quite a few companies have shown interest in some of the products from Guyana and impressed with the quality of especially the pepper sauces, green seasonings, bar-bque sauces, soaps and coconut oil. Many were not too familiar with the cassareep and achar and information on their use were provided.

On Thursday, the Guyanese manufacturers, many of them small enterprises owned and operated by women, will participate

in an FDA workshop that will include the agency’s legal team.

The FDA has agreed to prepare and provide to the GACC a number of documents regarding import guidelines which the Chamber will share with Guyanese manufacturers, as well as with Chamber of Commerce and the Private Sector Commission in Guyana.

Kirton also discussed with the FDA the possibility of hosting in workshop in Guyana for the manufacturers, as well as visit to their operations with a view to having these certified by the agency.

PPP mourns the passing of Natural Resources Ministry, agencies participate in NTC 2019 Cyril Belgrave

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he People’s Progressive Party announces, with great sadness, the passing of one of its leaders, Cyril Belgrave, CCH, on Thursday in New York, USA. The PPP expresses its deepest condolences to the family and relatives of Cyril Belgrave and the members of the PPP family who knew and loved this friendly and humble leader.

Cyril Belgrave was a long-standing and loyal member and leader of the Party dating back to the 1950s.

Unquestionably a fighter for the working man and woman, as a stevedore, he joined the trade union movement and became a well-respected trade unionist in the Guyana Labour Union, becoming its President in 1984.

In the 1960s, during the long strikes engineered to bring down the democratically-elected PPP Government, Belgrave and many stalwarts of the PPP, such as Shirley Edwards, Philomena Sahoye-Shury and others, at great sacrifice, guarded the Guyana Power Company and the wharves when they came

Cyril Belgrave

under threat by the People’s National Congress.

Brave and disciplined, he remained loyal to the People’s Progressive Party throughout his more than six decades of membership right up to his passing. Ill health led him to live overseas but his heart remained always in Guyana and up to his passing, he was anxious to be kept abreast as to what was happening and when elections would be held next year.

He joined the Pioneer Youth League, the precursor to the Progressive Youth Organization, in 1955. He joined the PPP

BHS Alumni in...

“We will be providing information about traditional and non-traditional careers, as well as many life skills that they will hopefully be able to start to cultivate now, and then continue to develop in the future.

I also hope that the conference will open their eyes to the broad spectrum of opportunities available to them,” said Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, JoAnn Davis-Valz. A former Head Girl of The Bishops’ High School, Davis-Valz says she is excited to be able to give back to the school that has been so pivotal in her own development.

“I am especially looking forward to meeting the other

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presenters as an extension of the “true comrade and true friend” relationship as reflected in the school motto.”

Current Headteacher of The Bishops’ High School, Marilyn Gibson, in looking forward to the event, said she hoped students would use the guidance given to be better able to decide where they would like to be in the next five years.

“Strive to be a (well) rounded person not just an academic student,” she advised. The Headmistress hopes that Communications, History and Foreign Languages will be among the career paths represented in the future.

and was elected repeatedly to the Central Committee of the party for over 50 years and was a Member of Parliament for over three decades (1976-2006) and a member of several parliamentary committees, including the Public Accounts Committee. He also served on the Georgetown City Council from 1970-76.

As a patriot who fought for Guyana’s independence and the restoration of democracy, in 1992, Cyril Belgrave was given the Cacique Crown of Honour, the CCH by President Dr Cheddi Jagan, in recognition of his bravery and commitment to the people of Guyana.

The PPP has stood as a strong and relevant party for 69 years for all the people of Guyana because of men and women members and leaders like Cyril Belgrave who remained committed to the vision of a united, modern and democratic Guyana.

At a later time, the Party will hold a more fitting tribute to celebrate and honour the life and contributions of Cyril Belgrave— a dedicated Guyanese and leader of the Party.

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epresentatives of the Natural Resources Ministry and its agencies – Guyana Forestry Commission, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, and the Guyana Gold Board participated in the National Toshaos Conference (NTC) at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Wednesday, October 9.

The participation served as a means to make presentations on Government initiatives, interact with, and answer questions and address matters of concern of the village representatives and Toshaos.

Ministry representatives of the Forest Partnership Facility Project Clayton Hall (Project Coordinator) and Michelle Astwood (Project Assistant) made initial presentations on the work the project had done so far.

The presentation focused on the immense progress that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) - funded project, whose objective is sustainable forest management, has made.

Particularly, the presentation highlighted the partnership with Indigenous

Natural Resources Raphael Trotman

Minister

Peoples in fulfilling the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) initiative. The project’s assistance in funding some operations of the National Toshaos Council was also highlighted.

Also making presentations was the Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman, who outlined the Ministry’s goals, sector accomplishments, along with completed projects to better the lives of persons residing in the hinterland.

Minister Trotman outlined projects on water man-

agement, roads, environmental management and youth. He further highlighted the partnerships with the NTC through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to better allow both parties to complete their objectives and mutually benefit.

The Minister closed by noting the Ministry’s aim and commitment towards sustainable management and development of the natural resources sector to the benefit of all Guyanese.

On completion of presentations, village representatives and Toshaos were allowed to ask questions, all of which were addressed by the Minister; Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) Commissioner Newell Dennison, and Deputy Commissioner of Forests, Gavin Agard.

The Ministry is pleased to have been able to make presentations and interact with the attendees. The Ministry maintains its commitment towards the Indigenous peoples and will ensure all matters raised during the remainder of the Conference will be addressed.

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friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police donate cleaning materials to flood-hit victims

World Sight Day

High rate of glaucoma A detected during eye testing exercise at GPHC

s part of giving back to the community in which they serve, Police ranks in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) have pooled their resources to purchase cleaning detergents to distribute to the residents who were affected by the recent floods.

Police Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord, along with his ranks, conducted a distribution exercise on Wednesday, where they donated a variety of cleaning items to several households at Zeelugt, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The policemen also made the timely donations to a teacher attached to the New Horizon Daycare and Playgroup in the Den Amstel Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD), so that the items could be used to assist in getting the much-needed daycare centre up and running again.

Additionally, a Reverend of the Ebenezer Church Playgroup, which is also lo-

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undreds of persons turned up at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) on Thursday to benefit from free eye tests, an annual activity undertaken by the public health institution in observance of World Sight Day. World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, is a global event that brings awareness on vision impairment.

Guyana Times visited GPHC, where Ophthalmologist, Dr Jenell Sarju-Kanhai explained that they would have opened their doors to the general public in areas of eye testing and other optical services.

“We’re doing free eye screening for the general public, focusing on diabetes and glaucoma. Anyone could come in from the public and we see them. Because it’s World Sight Day, we’re focusing on preventing blindness and visual impairment,” she identified.

According to the specialist, the response throughout the day was overwhelming.

Other personnel were set up to examine persons as they entered the facility. This publication was told that the most common diagnoses were glaucoma and refractive errors.

On a daily basis, however, she noted that there are prevalent cases of cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to your eye’s optic nerve and gets worse over time. It’s often linked to a build-up of pressure inside your eye. On the other hand, refractive errors can be fixed with specialised spectacles.

“We have detected a lot of glaucoma cases. With some,

Dr Jenell Sarju-Kanhai tending to one of the patients

it is like a refractive error.

There are some diabetic patients, so we have the diabetics screening programme here as well. We refer them there,” she informed.

Dr Sarju-Kanhai also pleaded with persons to get their eyes examined every year, to make early detections. She emphasised that some problems can only be detected with a check-up.

Adding to that, age presents a greater risk factor.

“I’ve seen over 40 patients for the past hour and a half. There are other doctors that are seeing almost the same amount as well. There’s a lot of diseases that you only detect on a general screening. You may not present any symptoms whatsoever, so it is important to do a regular check-up of the eye every year, mainly patients above 40. From 40, your age alone is a risk factor”.

Two days ago, the World Health Organisation launched its first report on

vision. The report stated more than 1 billion people worldwide are living with vision impairment because they do not get the care they need for conditions like short and far sightedness, glaucoma and cataract.

The document further stated that eye conditions that can cause vision impairment and blindness – such as cataract, trachoma and refractive error – are the main focus of national prevention and other eye care strategies. But eye conditions that do not typically impair vision, including dry eye and conjunctivitis, must not be overlooked as they are among the main reasons for people to seek eye healthcare services in all countries.

It also found that stronger integration of eye care is needed within national health services, including at primary healthcare level, to ensure that the eye care needs of more people are addressed.

Police Commander of Region Three, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord, along with ranks, during the distribution exercise on Wednesday

cated at Den Amstel, WCD, received similar assistance from the law enforcement officials.

According to Commander Lord, all of the items distributed were purchased from monies that his Police officers took out of their pockets.

“My ranks willingly de-

cided that they would donate monies towards purchasing the much-needed items so that they could help persons who were badly affected. This is our way of giving back to the community we serve and protect, and want to assist persons in this Region whenever we can,” he stated.

Graham’s Hall Primary pupil gets spectacles from Lions Club …after successful vision screening

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he Lions Club on Thursday donated eye wear to a student of the Graham’s Hall Primary School, who was among the many children screened on Monday for sight complications.

Through partnership with ReVision Optical, the Lions Services for Children, District 60A, were able to supply the eyewear to students who underwent the test and required intervention.

After 100 children were screened at the school, a collaboration from ReVision Optical and other corporate sponsors would have made the venture successful.

Last Monday saw the students of the Graham’s Hall Primary School involved in a vision-screening exercise, with the objective of detecting sight disorders

at an early age.

A vision screening, also called an eye test, is a brief exam that looks for potential vision problems and eye disorders. Vision screenings are often done by primary-care providers as part of regular check-ups.

During the activity, the Club was able to achieve its target of 100 individuals at the School. A similar exercise was carried out the following day at the Peters Hall Primary on the East Bank of Demerara. Students were sourced from the Grades One to Six classes, aged six to 12.

Chairperson of the Lions Services for Children, Ambika Singh had said it was a joint effort between different branches of the organisation and ReVision Optical.

“We’re collaborating with

the Lions of East Demerara.

The optometrist is here doing the screening with the children and we’re also doing this in keeping with one of the five service areas of the Lions, which is vision. This is Vision Month so we’re doing it with that and in keeping with our district goals,” Singh posited.

A significant percentage of screened students displayed conditions which may require them to wear spectacles. Vision screening is a very important way to identify vision problems. During an exam, the doctor looks for eye disease and checks to see if the eyes are working properly. Children with a family history of childhood vision problems are more likely to have eye problems.

Teachers of the school would have also capitalised on the opportunity to get screened.

13 Seaboard donates to Dharm Shala News

friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Chronic illnesses, cognitive impairment continue to affect elderly

Coordinator of Elderly Health at the Public Health Ministry, Dr Melissa Dehaarte

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any elderly persons in Guyana continue to face negativities stemming from social issues in society, topped with their health statuses.

This is according to Coordinator of Elderly Health at the Public Health Ministry, Dr Melissa Dehaarte, who during an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, stated that in relation to treating the physical ailments, chronic illness continues to affect the elderly.

She explained that most of the chronic illness that the elderly suffer from could be treated before they further develop but that usually, it is when that illness has evolved then elderly folks decide to seek treatment.

“And a lot of chronic illnesses are not diagnosed because persons do not come in to our primary health care

facilities and we want to encourage them to do that to get screened. Many chronic illnesses do not have symptoms early on and when it is in its advanced stage then you may symptoms of diabetes or hypertension”.

According to Dr Dehaarte, cognitive impairments are also major issues that the elderly continues to battle with on a daily basis.

“Such as senility or Alzheimer’s, where you would see persons acting violently or wandering away from home. Or forgetting where they are or who they are. We want persons to be screened for that. That can be screened for at any primary healthcare facility”.

She added that outside of the physical and medical conditions that the elderly have to deal with, there are social ills that affect them— the most terrible of which is elderly abuse. This, she says, is more prevalent than

one would think.

“There are different forms of elderly abuse, we can encounter physical abuse, financial abuse and even verbal abuse. Most persons know about financial abuse when we speak of someone taking away someone’s pension or their land and so on. So basically, any form of abuse that does not recognise or uphold the human rights of an older person, we face that a lot in our society”.

Earlier this year, a study conducted by ChildLink found that abuse against the elderly has been on the increase. ChildLink had presented the information at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown, in March.

Chairman of the advocacy group, Kosi John, who had shared an overview of the report said, “as in those of the low-income group and also among the under-aged and very young, abuse of elderly, women and children has been on the increase”.

John went on to say that urgent attention must be focused on the plight of the vulnerable group, who are often incapable of defending themselves and breaking out of the abusive environment.

The Chairman, at that time, said he believes that abusive trends are linked to the fact that young people grow up seeing that someone should be hit when they do something that is not pleasing.

Managing Director Bert Sukhai (fourth from left) makes the contribution to Kella Ramsaroop of the Dharm Shala

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he Seaboard Overseas Trading Group, through its local subsidiary National Milling Company (NAMILCO), on Thursday handed over a monetary contribution to Dharm Shala, a home for persons who need shelter and other assistance.

The contribution was handed over by Managing Director of NAMILCO, Bert Sukhai. According to him, it is part of their annual social corporate responsibility. Other shelters and organisations that would have benefitted in the past include Bal Nivas, Ptolemy Reid Center, Doobay Medical Clinic among others.

“It’s a yearly thing that we do for our overseas company. We are part of a group called Seaboard Corporation and they make donations every year world-

wide to our subsidiaries.

We’re fortunate that for the last seven or eight years, they have been giving us a donation to give to charity,” Sukhai expressed.

Managing Director of the Dharm Shala, Kella Ramsaroop received the donation on behalf of the shelter. Presently, there are about 25 persons who are being cared for at the shelter.

She insisted that these individuals are being provided with meals, sleeping accommodation, religious outlets and all other necessities. The company was thanked for their sizeable donation, as it would assist those in need.

“I always say that we’re national interest. We not only feed these people, but we do a lot for them. We look after their social and religious beliefs and every-

thing”.

Seaboard Overseas Training Group lists its missions as promoting health, development, education of children, empowerment of women, assisting with programmes dedicated to improving public health, eliminating hunger and promoting nutrition, developing sustainable agriculture and providing funding to other worthy causes.

Some 98 years ago, the Dharm Shala was founded by Pandit Ramsaroop Maraj. On 1941, twenty years after, he established the Albouystown facility, the Dharm Shala extended its services to Berbice, where it established a building of similar capacity and erected a temple and a church to serve its residents and the wider community.

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friday, october 11, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Healthcare professionals benefit from “Helping Babies Breathe” initiative

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ealthcare professionals attached to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have benefited from a twoday practical training workshop titled, “Helping Babies Breathe”.

The workshop, which was facilitated by the Bridges Global Medical Mission, is one endorsed by the American Academy of Paediatrics with the aim of significantly reducing neonatal deaths.

Facilitated by Neonatal and Perinatal Specialists Dr Yanick Vibert and Dr Folasade Kehinde, the exercise saw nurses attached to the hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Maternity and Paediatric Wards as well as midwives benefiting.

According to Dr Kehinde, around the world, babies are most vulnerable the first 28 days of life or at birth and 90 per cent of those deaths usu-

ally occur within the first 24 hours.

Hence, she pointed to the significance of the training exercise. The “Helping Babies Breathe” programme is one which prepares health-care workers to deal with complications which may arise immediately after the birth of an infant.

During the exercise, health-care professionals were educated on the correct methods of suction and resuscitation of newborns.

Dr Kehinde highlighted that the professionals were also

trained on how to effectively utilise minimum resources.

“What we are here to do is help (health-care workers) to learn how to take care of babies when we do not have so many resources to help them to survive. Not just the delivery of the baby, but the first 24 hours and first 28 days of life,” she explained.

It was noted that since the introduction of the programme, some studies have shown significant reduction in deaths among babies with the intervention of the Helping Babies Breathe

(HBB) techniques at birth.

As such, the PanAmerican Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) and the Latin American and Caribbean Neonatal Alliance are supporting the Public Health Ministry in the start-up of the national HBB programme in Guyana.

The initiative, which has been in existence since 2010, has since been implemented in several countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and other parts of the world.

NCC gets $19M sound system upgrade

LHC healthcare workers engaged in a practical demonstration during the training exercise

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atrons can now benefit from much-improved sound at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) as a brand new, state-of-the-art sound system is currently being installed to the tune of $19 million.

The first phase of the project commenced recently at a cost of $7 million which saw the installation of new stage monitors, a new Public Address (PA) system for the theatre, as well as new amplifiers and line array speakers.

The upgrades to the

NCC’s sound system are just part of a multibillion-dollar effort to comprehensively upgrade the NCC, and bring it up to par with similar facilities located across the Region and internationally.

The Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport has embarked on a massive overhaul of the facility, with a series of upgrades already being executed in several areas.

These include rewiring of the facility, the purchase

of new curtains, the installation of a modern lighting system, and repairs to the NCC’s roof.

More significant are the efforts to replace all the old chairs in the theatre, with brand new ones.

The NCC, which opened on May 16, 1976, is Guyana’s premier venue for cultural and theatrical entertainment. The auditorium seats approximately 2000 people; the stage is 15 metres (48 feet) deep with an orchestra pit, and a 22-metre (72-foot) wide by 6.1-metre (20-foot) high opening.

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friday, october 11, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Trade integration more Cuba reshuffles to improve important for LatAm&Caribbean governance, old guard as growth slows — World Bank removed from council of State

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he World Bank Thursday said Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region has entered a new phase of weak economic performance, but increased integration in international trade and global value chains could reinvigorate economic growth.

It said steps toward greater trade integration include the United States, Mexico, Canada (USMCA) and the EU-Mercosur agreements signed in the last year.

These agreements could have substantial positive effects on growth, but environmental impacts and the potential for negative effects in some areas must be addressed, according to “Trade Integration as a Pathway to Development,” the latest semi-annual report from the World Bank’s Chief Economist Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

World Bank Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean, Martín Rama, said after rapid economic growth due to high commodity prices during the first

decade of the 21st century, the region is in a new phase of lacklustre performance.

“The years of high commodity prices are now clearly behind us, and we need to focus on areas like trade integration to boost the region’s productivity,” he added.

Gross Domestic Product in the Latin America and Caribbean region, excluding Venezuela, is expected to grow 0.8 per cent in 2019 and 1.8 per cent the following year, according to the report.

Countries in the Pacific sub region, as well as in Central America and the Caribbean will continue to experience faster economic growth, on average, than countries on the Atlantic. The largest economies in the region have faced recession, macroeconomic turbulence or growth deceleration.

The report however notes that the short and medium-term outlook is not particularly encouraging. Export performance has been relatively weak and limited fiscal space leaves little room to stimulate domestic demand.

Trade tensions have so far benefitted several countries in the region. For example, Mexico overtook China as the US’s top trade partner and Brazil is capturing market share from American soybean exporters in China.

The report shows how the region’s relatively low integration in international trade and global value chains has hindered growth. Limited openness is the result of policy choices that have led to higher trade restrictiveness than in most other developing regions.

Tariff and non-tariff barriers are especially high among countries on the Atlantic.

The World Bank said for decades, Latin American and Caribbean countries focused on preferential trade agreements as a way to boost their international integration. However, a vast majority of these agreements were intra-regional. Only in recent years have South-North agreements become more common, especially among countries in the Caribbean and on the Pacific. (CMC)

T&T: Social media surveillance coming in 2020

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n 2020, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) will create a centre with the capacity to monitor and analyse social media activity via the use of surveillance systems, and the TTPS will also get the Armoured Personnel Carriers which Police Commissioner Gary Griffith had advocated since he was the National Security Minister under the People’s Partnership regime.

This and other information on TTPS’ plans for 2020 are contained in the 2020 Public Sector Investment plan (PSIP) and Development Programme.

These reports were part of 2020 Budget documents laid in Parliament on Monday.

The TTPS received approximately $2.6B in the 2020 Budget - an increase from $2.2b in 2019.

Police officers said yesterday such an initiative like a social media analysis centre has the potential to greatly assist TTPS systems, providing material on a wide range of issues from incidents of crime and terrorism to cross border issues contributing to crime.

In 2020 TTPS will be expanding its fleet from 1,668 to 1,900 vehicles.

The PSIP stated, “This increased mobility will improve TTPS’ efficiency and effectiveness by improving the level of service provided to citizens, increased police visibility nationwide and improved operational capability throughout the organisation.”

“An allocation of $30 million will assist TTPS in purchasing the following types of vehicles: Sport Utility Sedan, Armoured Personnel Carrier

T&T Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith

(APC), and Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

Griffith had advocated the use of APCs since 2014 when he was the PP Government’s National Security Minister.

APCs are built to transport protective services/troops and are geared for self-defence and to protect passengers from small-arms fire or shrapnel.

As Minister, Griffith sparked controversy in 2014 when he said six APCs were being purchased to add to similar carriers the Defence Force previously had. He said the APCs would be used for situations including counter-terrorism activity or bombings, explosive devices or hostages.

He also planned to order 20 armoured vehicles, similar to Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) with bullet-proof glass were also being acquired. It was estimated one vehicle would have cost around $1 million.

Griffith had said police had come under gunfire, with cars being riddled with bullets and he’d said only criminals should fear APCs. He noted APCs were used by Canadian authorities in the October incident when Canada’s Parliament was attacked.

At the time then PNM

PRO Faris Al-Rawi (now Attorney General) had said the PNM was concerned as to “the mind and management of national security operations, particularly in view of the catastrophic detection and conviction rate” and called on the PP to address particulars of national security assets.

After the PNM took office, in May 2015, a special evaluation committee reviewed the APC acquisition process and former National Security Minister Edmund Dillon said there’d been problems with the initial procurement and APCs wouldn’t be appropriate in areas of TT. Griffith- then out of office - accused Dillon of having an “agenda” of dismantling initiatives of the previous government. Dillon was replaced by Stuart Young as NS Minister in 2019 when Griffith was appointed Commissioner.

Meanwhile, Budget plans include the upgrade of security screening equipment at Piarco and Tobago airports for the capability of automatic explosives detection.

The TTPS was also allocated $25m for Mobile Device Tracking Systems and purchase of Public Order Equipment including conductive energy devices (tasers), canister grenades, sock bean bags, launchers and projectiles, seed pod launchers and rubber batons, rubber pellet grenades, pepper spray and riot gear kits - helmets, arm and chest shields and leg protection gear).

Funding also included $1.5m for refurbishing the Police Commissioner’s residence and $2m to refurbish Police Headquarters. (T&T Guardian)

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uba started implementing a government reshuffle aimed at improving governance on Thursday, naming Miguel Diaz-Canel to the new position of president of the Republic and removing the last of the revolutionary generation from the council of state.

Diaz-Canel, 59, who took office last year from Raul Castro, has three months to nominate a prime minister to head up the council of ministers he used to lead, as well as governors for the country’s 15 provinces - also newly-created positions.

The president of the National Assembly, Esteban Lazo, 75, took Diaz-Canel’s position as head of the council of state, the assembly’s top executive body, despite talk the job might go to a younger candidate.

The reorganization, mandated by a constitution approved in a referendum earlier this year, aims to strengthen provincial governance and free up the president from the day-today activities of governing.

The president remains all powerful, and behind

him the Communist Party, however, said Arturo Lopez-Levy, a former analyst for the Cuban government and now assistant professor at Holy Names University in California.

“There is a split of functions, and more delegation in the management of dayby-day activities, but in the personnel and decision area, nominally and institutionally, power is more concentrated on the president,” he said.

Two revolutionary commanders, Ramiro Valdes, 87, and Guillermo Garcia Frias, 91, were removed from the council of state, which was reduced to 21 from 31 members.

As a result, the council will no longer include any members of the so-called “historic” generation that fought in its 1959 revolution, reflecting the broader generational transition that some Cubans hope will result in more reforms.

Cuba has been suffering from a severe fuel shortage that has forced austerity measures. September saw public transportation crippled, huge lines at gas stations, oxen replacing trac-

tors, work places closed and hours cut, and wood being used to cook in some bakeries and schools.

In a speech to the assembly on Wednesday, broadcast by state television on Thursday, DiazCanel blamed the crisis on U.S. efforts to stop bartered fuel shipments from ally Venezuela and other countries and said the United States was “chasing (fuel imports) ship by ship and negotiation by negotiation.”

The Trump administration has piled new sanctions on top of the decades-old trade embargo, exacerbating a cash shortage due to the implosion of Venezuela’s economy, which is also under sanctions.

Diaz-Canel said Cuba was now operating with 62 percent of the fuel it used before September and hoped to reach 80 percent, while also trying to build up reserves.

Venezuela increased crude and fuel shipments to Cuba at the end of last month to try to ease the crisis but it is unclear if that will continue. (Reuters)

Ireland PM says Brexit deal “still possible”

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck a positive tone following their talks on Thursday [Noel Mullen/EPA-EFE]

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rish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said that a Brexit deal was still possible by October 31, following what he described as a positive meeting with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

“I had a very good meeting with the prime minister ... very positive and very promising,” Varadkar said on Thursday. “I do see a pathway to an agreement in coming weeks.”

“I think it is possible for us to come to an agreement, to have a treaty agreed, to allow the UK to leave the EU in an order-

ly fashion and to have that done by the end of October but there’s many a slip between cup and lip and lots of things that are not in my control,” he said.

Striking a positive tone at Liverpool airport, Varadkar said the main issues remain ensuring that any long-term agreement has the consent of the people of Northern Ireland and ensuring no customs border on the island of Ireland.

“What I would hope that what’s happened today would be sufficient to allow negotiations to resume in Brussels.”

In a joint statement, the two leaders said they “could see a pathway to a possible deal”.

When asked how long the “pathway” to a deal was, Varadkar said: “In terms of how long it will take, I can’t predict that with any certainty, but I think all sides would like there to be an agreement next week at the council if possible.

“Obviously, there’s a further deadline after that which is the 31st of October, so I would say a short pathway rather than a long one, but it’s impossible to predict that for sure.” (Al Jazeera)

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, october 11, 2019

Regional

Migrant protesters occupy US-Mexico border; bridge, crossing closed

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igrants seeking asylum in the United States, who are camped in a dangerous Mexican border town, occupied a bridge to Brownsville, Texas on Thursday, leading US authorities to close the crossing, witnesses and authorities said.

Hundreds of the migrants have been sleeping for weeks on the end of the bridge in Matamoros, Mexico, a city known for gang violence and for cartels that control human trafficking.

Many of those living in tents or on the sidewalk in a plaza abutting the bridge are awaiting court dates for hearings in the United States weeks or months later under a US policy called the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP).

Video shot by a Reuters photographer showed men,

women and children— some lying on blankets— midway across the bridge over the Rio Grande. Dozens of US border agents stood behind a gate topped with razor wire, which blocked the path into the United States.

Some migrants said they were trying to cross as a group into the United States, and were frustrated that court dates kept being pushed backwards, leaving them uncertain of how long they would be stuck in Mexico.

“We want to argue to cross over – we didn’t ask to be in Mexico, they sent us here unjustly,” said a man who declined to give his name. He said he had a court date in the United States.

Matamoros Mayor Mario Lopez and a Mexican migration official pleaded with asylum-seekers to

A woman from Honduras holds her three-year-old daughter as she sits with a group who returned to Mexico to await their US asylum hearing in Matamoros, Mexico [Photo by:REUTERS/Veronica G Cardenas]

clear the blockage.

A Honduran man responded by indicating the lumps and rash on the throat of his young daughter, which he attributed to unhygienic conditions in the camp.

He said Mexican officials

encouraged those in the camp to take a Government paid-for bus back to the border with Guatemala, instead of pursuing their US asylum claims. He said this was not a safe option for his family. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Indigenous leaders detain Police in escalation of Ecuador protests

I

ndigenous leaders in Ecuador captured and publicly paraded eight Police officers before a crowd on Thursday, pushing back against a tough Government crackdown on anti-austerity protests that have shaken President Lenin Moreno’s administration.

In an escalation of weeklong demonstrations over Moreno’s ending of fuel subsidies and loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), protesters detained the officers at a cultural centre in Quito being used as an opposition base, Reuters witnesses said.

The eight officers were forced on stage in front of thousands of people.

Looking scared, the officers were asked to take off their helmets, bullet proof vests

and boots.

The action followed clashes with Police during a nationwide strike on Wednesday that killed at least one protester in the highland capital. The ombudsman’s office is investigating reports of other fatalities.

The unrest in Ecuador is the latest flashpoint in Latin America over unpopular structural economic reforms. Argentine President Mauricio Macri was trounced in an August primary vote amid stiff Opposition to an IMF deal he signed last year.

Complaining about a lack of local media coverage of Police violence, Indigenous leaders asked TV journalists onto the stage and demanded that broadcasters show

A Police officer in plain clothes listens to Indigenous people as they participate in an assembly to protest against Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno’s austerity measures in Quito, Ecuador [Photo by: Carlos Garcia Rawlins]

the scene live.

At least three private channels complied.

“We’re going to radicalise (the protests) with more force, my friends,” Jaime Vargas, Head of Indigenous

group Conaie, told the cheering crowd. “I’ve just ordered our partners in the Amazon to close all oil wells”.

In a message to Moreno, Vargas added: “Don’t play with Indigenous people”.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Colombia elections: Candidates face spate of violence

N

ine bullet holes dot the front door and window of Jhon Jairo Vasquez’s home in the northern town of Caucasia in Colombia’s Bajo Cauca region.

Gunmen opened fire on September 11 at 01:30h.

It was the day after the 53-year-old local incumbent Councillor held a campaign rally, where he spoke against criminal groups and coca production – the base ingredient for cocaine – in the region.

Vasquez said has not slept well since the attack.

“I’m taking sedatives.

I’ve become depressed, but trying to keep going,” he told Al Jazeera inside his humble home, where holes from ricocheted bul-

lets mark the walls, many just outside his bedroom where he was sleeping at the time of the attack.

Threats and intimidation have become common in this town and region, but the situation has spiralled nationwide since campaigning began on June 27. Seven candidates have been killed and 62 others have been attacked or threatened.

It is a stark contrast from last year’s relatively peaceful presidential election. But this year’s poll is also the first of its kind at the local level since the signing of the landmark 2016 peace agreement between the Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia

Jhon Jairo Vasquez shows the bullet holes on the front door of his house. He had covered them with campaign stickers to not draw attention to the violent event [Photo by: Steven Grattan/Al Jazeera]

(FARC). Such local and regional elections have traditionally seen high levels of violence, and this year proves to be no different.

Around 117,000 people

are running for provincial governorships, mayorships and seats on provincial legislatures and local councils in the October 27 election.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trinidad: Kidnapped fishermen freed, US$ ransom paid

T

hree Icacos fishermen allegedly abducted by Venezuelan pirates have been released.

Police have confirmed that the men, 64-year-old Ramkissoon Harricharan, 61-year-old Carlo Sneider and Alverad Esanoza were released by their captors last evening.

Guardian Media understands that the US$15,000 ransom, demanded for the men’s safe return, was paid.

The men were reportedly dropped off at an area known at Icacos Point around 20:00h.

On Tuesday, the men were held at gun point while fishing in waters off Galfa Point in Icacos.

Relatives had expressed their dissatisfaction over the authority’s failure to assist in the recovery of the fishermen.

Shortly after their capture, secretary of the group Fishermen and Friends of the Sea, Gary Aboud, slammed the Government for failing to implement measures to protect members of the fishing industry.

(T&T Guardian)

US drops support for Brazil OECD bid after Trump offered backing – Brazilian sources

T

he US Government has not backed Brazil’s bid to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development despite a public endorsement by President Donald Trump, according to two Brazilians who saw a US letter to the OECD. The officials, who asked not to be named because of diplomatic sensitivities, said a letter sent to the club of wealthy nations in late August by US. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo backed the bids by Argentina and Romania but made no mention of Brazil.

The apparent reversal would be a major snub for right-wing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro,

who has held Trump up as a role model and touted US support for Brazil’s OECD bid as one of the achievements of his nine-month-old Government.

There was no immediate comment from the US State Department.

Standing next to Bolsonaro outside the White House on March 19, Trump announced his support for Brazil to become a full member of the OECD, a forum of three dozen democratic nations with solid market economies.

In July, US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross reaffirmed the Trump administration’s backing for Brazil during a visit to Latin America’s largest country.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Antigua PM calls for global equity tax as Region debates slavery reparation

A

ntigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne Thursday called for the establishment of a global equity restoration tax by developed countries to assist Caribbean countries with a history of slavery, even as he maintained that seeking reparation was not a “handout”.

Addressing the one-day symposium exploring the historical roots of Western banks in the financing and profiteering from the enslavement of Africans and their descendants in the Diaspora, Browne said the one per cent tax could be imposed on the world’s most wealthiest to help bring about a realignment of the global community.

“There should be the introduction of a global equity restoration tax on the wealthy, especially that one per cent to adjust the scourge of global inequality …as well as to cover reparatory organisations in the Caribbean.

“So I am making a call here for a global equity res-

Prime Minister Gaston Browne addressing the symposium on reparation (Photo: CMC /Jamaica Observer)

toration tax. As I said before the one per cent controls nearly half of the US$85 trillion global economy and they should be made to pay this equity in the form of a restoration tax to restore global equity,” Browne told the symposium, making reference to the profits made by banks.

Insurance companies and other European-based financial institutions during the period of slavery. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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friday, october 11, 2019

17

Around the World

Turkey Syria offensive: Tens of thousands flee homes

T

ens of thousands of people have fled their homes in northern Syria, as Turkish forces step up their cross-border offensive on Kurdish-held areas.

Turkish troops have encircled the border towns of Ras al-Ain and Tal Abyad and aid agencies fear the exodus could reach hundreds of thousands.

International clamour

has increased for Turkey to halt the attack.

Turkey has defended its bid to create a “safe zone”, free of Kurdish militias which could also house Syrian refugees.

Turkey regards the Kurdish militias of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) – which have controlled the cross-border areas – as “terrorists” who

Residents flee their hometown of Ras al-Ain

Giuliani associates charged with funnelling foreign cash to pro-Trump group

T

wo Trump donors have been charged with violations of campaign finance laws, New York prosecutors say.

Businessmen Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman conspired to “funnel foreign money to candidates for federal and state office”, say the charges.

The pair have been associated with US President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

They have been peddling unsubstantiated corruption claims against a top Democratic presidential contender.

Both men are US citizens.

Parnas was born in Ukraine, Fruman in Belarus.

The two men were arrested at Dulles International Airport in Virginia before they could board a scheduled

Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman are accused of campaign finance violations

flight to Vienna, Austria, on Wednesday night.

They appeared in federal court in Virginia on Thursday.

Their Attorney, John Dowd, who previously represented Trump, has not commented to US media.

Two other men, Andrey Kukushkin, a Ukrainian, and David Correia, a US citizen, were also indicted in the same

case on Thursday. Mr Correia is not yet in federal custody.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Thursday he never met Parnas and Fruman, but “heard about them”.

Parnas and Fruman have been charged with conspiracy, lying and falsifying records.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Mass shooting rumour spreads in private Facebook group

B

efore the annual Blueberry Festival in Marshall County, Indiana, in early September, a woman broadcast a warning to her neighbours on Facebook.

“I just heard there’s supposed to be a mass shooting tonight at the fireworks,” the woman, whose name is held to protect her privacy, said in a post in a private Facebook Group with over 5,000 members. “Probably just a rumour or kids trying to scare people, but everyone keep their eyes open,” she said in the post, which was later deleted.

There was no shooting at the Blueberry Festival that night, and the local Police said

there was no threat.

But the post sparked fear in the community, with some group members cancelling their plans to attend, and shows the power of rumours in Facebook Groups, which are often private or closed to outsiders. Groups allow community members to quickly spread information, and possibly misinformation, to users who trust the word of their neighbours.

These groups and other private features, rather than public feeds, are “the future” of social media, Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said in April, revealing their importance to Facebook’s business model.

The threat of misinformation spreading rapidly in Groups shows a potential vulnerability in a key part of the company’s growth strategy.

It could push Facebook to invest in expensive human content monitoring at the risk of limiting the ability to post in real time, a central benefit of Groups, and Facebook in general, that has attracted millions of users to the platform.

When asked if Facebook takes accountability for situations like the one in Indiana, a company spokeswoman said it is committed to maintaining groups as a safe place, and that it encourages people to contact law enforcement if they see a potential threat.

support an anti-Turkish insurgency.

The SDF have been key allies of the United States in the battle against the Islamic State (IS) group.

However, it was after President Donald Trump’s decision to pull US troops out of the area that Turkey launched its assault, sparking SDF accusations they had been “stabbed in the back”.

Many in the US, including some of Trump’s Republican allies, say the withdrawal effectively gave Turkey a green light.

One major concern for the international community is the fate of thousands of suspected IS prisoners, including many foreign nationals, being guarded by Kurdish-led forces in the region. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Iraq appoints 2 new Ministers after PM promises sweeping reform

I

raq appointed new Education and Health Ministers on Thursday, a day after Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi promised to reshuffle his government and enact reforms to try to stem unrest.

Suha Khalil is one of few women to have become a Minister in Iraq. Her appointment was approved by Parliament, which also voted for the appointment of the new Health Minister, Jaafar

Allawi, after his predecessor quit before the wave of unrest.

The changes are unlikely to satisfy Iraqis after more than 110 people were killed in a Government crackdown on protests that began last week over jobs, services and corruption.

The protesters blame a corrupt and divided political class for failing to improve their lives even in peacetime, some two years after Islamic State was declared defeated

in Iraq. The unrest is the biggest security challenge for the country since then.

Abdul Mahdi on Wednesday declared three days of national mourning, said he had not ordered use of live ammunition and announced measures aimed at placating protesters including a cabinet reshuffle, punishment of corrupt officials, job opportunities for the unemployed and stipends for the poor. (Excerpt from Reuters)

India’s Modi and China’s Xi eye new border security steps in summit talks

C

hinese President Xi Jinping and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to agree new security measures along their unsettled border during a summit on Friday, officials said, in an effort to smooth ties ruffled by differences over Kashmir.

The two are meeting in a seaside resort in southern India after weeks of jousting over India’s decision to revoke the special status of its part of the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir, angering arch-rival Pakistan and its ally China.

India said on Wednesday any change to Kashmir’s status was an internal affair and there was no place for a third country to be involved, after Xi said he was watching the situation closely and assured Pakistan of Chinese support for its core interests.

China has longstanding military ties with Pakistan, which has twice fought a

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands as they visit the Hubei Provincial Museum in Wuhan, Hubei province, China [Photo by: China Daily via REUTERS/File Photo]

war with India over Muslimmajority Kashmir.

Modi and Xi will be aiming to prevent a further deterioration in relations during the informal summit in Mamallapuram, and the expectation is the two sides will move forward on a set of confidence-building measures, an Indian source briefed on the discussions said.

India and China share a 3,500 km (2,200 mile) border, over which they went to war

in 1962 and which remains unresolved despite more than 20 rounds of talks.

The border has been largely peaceful, but there have been occasional standoffs between soldiers from the two Asian giants, who have overlapping territorial claims. The measures on the table include more border trade, tourism and even joint military patrols to boost trust, said the source. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

German synagogue shooting was Apple pulls app used to track Hong far-right terror – Justice Minister Kong Police, Cook defends move A

A

pple Inc has removed an app that helped Hong Kong protesters track Police movements, saying it was used to target officers, after a Chinese state newspaper sharply criticised the US tech giant for allowing the software.

Chief Executive Tim Cook defended the move in the face of criticism for appeasing mainland China, telling Apple workers that “this decision best protects our users”.

The move to bar the HKmap.live app, which crowdsources the locations of both Police and protesters, from its app store plunges Apple into the increasingly fraught political tension between China and the protesters that has also ensnared other US and Hong Kong businesses.

The company only just last week had approved the app after rejecting it earlier this month.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google on Thursday said it had dropped a game from its app store that allowed players to pretend they were Hong Kong protesters, saying its policies forbid capitalising on ongoing sensitive events.

However, Google said it had found no policy violation by HKmap.live, and confirmed that the tracking app was available on its app store. (Excerpt from Reuters)

shooting at a synagogue in the German city of Halle on Wednesday was a farright terror attack, said Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht.

Alleged perpetrator Stephan Balliet had four kilos (9lb) of explosives in his car, Lambrecht said in a statement with attorney-general Peter Frank.

Frank said the gunman had been planning a massacre.

The suspect, 27, faces two counts of murder and

nine counts of attempted murder, German media report.

The German national is due to appear in court on Thursday afternoon.

Prosecutors allege he intended to create a “worldwide effect” by deliberately mimicking tactics used during a mass shooting at two New Zealand mosques earlier this year.

About 2,200 people watched a live stream he allegedly posted on the online streaming platform Twitch.

About 60 worshippers

were at a Yom Kippur service at the time of the attack.

German Police have faced criticism from the nation’s most prominent Jewish community group, which accused the force of “negligence” in its handling of the attack.

The head of the Central Council of Jews said it was “scandalous” that Police were not protecting the synagogue on the Jewish Yom Kippur holiday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, OCTOber 11, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

Have an open mind, be willing to learn and make choices based on facts.

Getting upset won’t help you get ahead, but taking action and getting things done will.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

A day trip or meeting will spark your interest in something that can help you advance. Learn to diversify and to engage in projects that can lead to exciting partnerships.

(March 21April 19)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Personal improvements can be made. An unusual project will intrigue you, and the people involved will add to the temptation.

Partnerships are favored, and romance is encouraged.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Don’t be fooled by what you encounter, see or are told. Explore possibilities, but verify information before you decide to get involved in something that could be costly.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A change will help you see things differently. Visit a place you haven’t been for a long time or get together with people who have always offered valuable insight and support.

LIBRA

Look at the possibilities.

Taking a different path and using your skills in an innovative fashion will lead to enhanced stability and financial prosperity. A change of heart is apparent.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

Don’t be fooled by what others want you to believe or think. Talk is cheap; action and taking responsibility are what count. Take care of business and do your own thing.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Get involved in family matters, travel plans or educational pursuits that will affect your lifestyle or encourage personal growth.

Take the road less traveled and start a new adventure.

Handle emotional matters cautiously. Don’t make a move based on assumptions or hearsay. Take a wait-and-see attitude and make decisions after you’ve verified the facts. Simplify your life.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

A change will help you see your personal situation clearly. Once you distance yourself from a problem, it will be easier to see what to do.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Make up your mind and follow your heart. It’s up to you to make a move, so don’t wait for someone to make choices for you. Do what’s best for you.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Use your intelligence, fortitude and insight to help you make wise decisions.

Moderation should be a priority. Think carefully about your long-term goals.

friday, october 11, 2019

19

Mayank Agarwal hits 108 as India run rampant M

ayank Agarwal came back to the site of his first-class resurgence to score a second successive Test hundred that sent India into a position of strength once again. Cheteshwar Pujara supported him with his second successive half-century, and Virat Kohli loomed large with an unbeaten 63 of his own.

South Africa will be disappointed they took just the three wickets on surface that didn't completely eliminate their fast bowlers. It was a pitch on which Kagiso Rabada managed to take three wickets with a mode of attack straight out of South Africa: bowling in a channel outside off, getting outside edges that carried.

Remember the wry smile of resignation when Faf du Plessis lost the toss in Visakhapatnam?

This time Virat Kohli smiled in slight embarrassment after he had won yet another toss.

This time du Plessis wasn't as deflated because there was some moisture in the surface from the rains in the lead-up to the Test. Pune is also a pitch known for its bounce, so South Africa had something to work with.

Agarwal went through that tough period, not without some fortune but nothing that might count as undue luck

for an opening batsman. He and Pujara added 138 for the second wicket after the early fall of Rohit Sharma before Kohli took over with a winters' afternoon stroll of a halfcentury.

The first hour was full of frustration for South Africa with edges eluding fielders, mistimed hooks falling short of fielders, an umpire's call going Agarwal's way on an lbw shout, and quite a few plays and misses. India were in control of fewer than 75% of the deliveries they faced in the first 15 overs. A touring side can't ask for more help in away conditions in this age of cricket. And yet, they had only Rohit's wicket - off a length ball that held its line - to show.

Apart from some ordinary luck, South Africa's lengths were either too full or too short. A ball after debutant Anrich Nortje, playing ahead of the extra spinner, clocked him on the head, Agarwal was good enough to cover-drive a full ball for four. As Nortje went fuller searching for assistance, Agarwal drove him for three fours in another over.

Pujara didn't even provide South Africa a look-in despite taking 13 balls to get off the mark. He kept skipping down to spin, and kept finding the

gaps. His stumbling block in the last Test was his failure to cover the seam movement away from him in both the innings. So it was natural South Africa attacked his stumps trying to take the ball away. It wasn't clear if his front foot strode further but he did seem to cover the movement better. A delivery that looked like an action replay - again from Vernon Philnader - of his second-innings lbw was comfortable worked away for a single to leg.

Agarwal's bursts of scoring continued as the lone specialist spinner Keshav Maharaj kept providing India the loose balls. Two fours off Maharaj in the 28th over took him into the 40s, another square cut brought up a fifty. This was during a period that he had to face a short-ball barrage from Nortje, which momentarily b r o u g h t

the run rate under three but couldn't cause further damage.

It was instructive that Rabada was now able to achieve the rarest of feats: get Pujara out nicking after he had brought up a fifty on a home pitch. Not only did the pitch have the movement to allow him to do so, it also had the bounce to make sure it carried to Faf du Plessis at slip.

And yet, South Africa failed to capitalise on yet another dismissal. Agarwal and Kohli were kept honest but Agarwal broke the shackles with two sixes in one over off Maharaj.

The second of those took him into the 90s, and in the next over he got a thick outside edge, fine of the only catcher behind the wicket, a gully.

Pune is the ground where he was on the verge of being dropped from the Ranji side, but he scored a triple given that extra chance. That was the beginning of his 1000runs month, which sent him to Australia, after which he has made the opening slot his own.

Rabada again

SCOREBOARD

India 1st Innings MA Agarwal c du Plessis b Rabada RG Sharma c †de Kock b Rabada CA Pujara c du Plessis b Rabada V Kohli (c) not out AM Rahane not out Extras (lb 6, nb 6) 12 TOTAL (85.1 Overs, RR: 3.2) 273-3 Yet to bat: WP Saha †, RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, I Sharma,

108 14 58 63 18

drew an outside edge with a 61-over-old ball, which tells you what a missed opportunity it was for South Africa. In India, where the home side has been beaten only once in the last seven years, you don't get many windows once you lose the toss. That is just the sheer quality of their Test team. Here they had that window, but sometimes they lacked the quality and sometimes it was the depth.

Kohli cashed in on a lack of depth. Maharaj seemed to be in his best rhythm when Kohli just walked out.

He turned a couple past his outside edge. Nortje bowled a seriously quick spell. Kohli began watchfully, respecting

Mohammed Shami, UT Yadav Fall of wickets: 1-25 (Rohit Sharma, 9.6 ov), 2-163 (Cheteshwar Pujara, 50.6 ov), 3-198 (Mayank Agarwal, 60.6 ov) BOWLING VD Philander (17-5-37-0) K Rabada (18.1-2-48-3) A Nortje (13-3-60-0) KA Maharaj (29-8-89-0) S Muthusamy (6-1-22-0) D Elgar (2-0-11-0)

Nortje's pace and playing Maharaj watchfully. He was fortunate that an attempted pull brushed the glove and flew wide of Quinton de Kock.

Ajinkya Rahane at the other end seemed less comfortable.

So, in fading light, Kohli batted with utmost care. Until South Africa went to Dean Elgar and Senuram Muthusamy as they waited for the second new ball.You wouldn't even have noticed but after scoring 27 off the first 73 balls he faced, Kohli plundered 26 in the next 19 balls without one shot in anger. Then he has back to respecting the second new ball when the umpires called the play off early because of bad light. (Cricinfo)

Osaka giving up U.S. citizenship to Welterweight world champion play for Japan in 2020 Olympics in intensive care after car crash

T

ennis star Naomi Osaka has taken steps to give up her U.S. citizenship to play for Japan in the 2020 Olympics, Japanese media said on Thursday.

The 21-year-old, born in Japan to a Haitian father and Japanese mother but raised in the United States, told NHK it will be special for her to represent host Japan at the Tokyo Games, the public broadcaster said.

Osaka, who will turn 22 on Wednesday, faced that deadline to relinquish one nationality because neither Japan nor the United States permits dual citizenship for adults.

The Japanese Olympic Committee and a U.S.-based agent for Osaka in the United States could not immediately be reached outside business hours.

Japan, which has long prided itself on being homogeneous, is becoming more ethnically diverse. But prejudice remains against “haafu”, or half-Japanese, including cases of bullying against mixed-race children.

And while Japan has largely embraced Osaka, she still faces some indignities.

Two weeks ago, Osaka laughed off comments by a Japanese comedy duo who said she was “too sunburned” and “needed some bleach”, and turned the tables with a plug for Japanese cosmetic giant Shiseido, one of her sponsors.

In January, Japanese noodle company Nissin removed a commercial in which a cartoon character depicting Osaka was shown with pale skin and light brown hair, after it prompted an outcry. (Reuters) Naomi Osaka

B

Spence Jr holds two of the four welterweight world titles

oxing world champion Errol Spence Jr has been involved in a serious car crash in Dallas, Texas.

A 29-year-old man was ejected from a Ferrari he was driving at high speed, when it veered over the centre of the road and flipped multiple times, Dallas Police said.

He is in intensive care and "expected to live".

Spence Jr's injuries are "not life threatening", said Tim Smith of promoter Premier Boxing Champions.

The cause of Thursday's crash at 2:53am local time on 500 S Riverfront Blvd is undetermined.

The white Ferrari was travelling north-

bound, and crossed over the centre median on to the southbound lanes.

Police said the driver, the only person in the car, had not been wearing a seatbelt.

American welterweight Spence Jr beat Shawn Porter on a split decision to unify the IBF and WBC world titles on 29 September, leaving the Texan unbeaten after 26 fights.

Messages of support have been sent on social media by Porter, Terence Crawford who holds the WBO welterweight title, and Manny Pacquiao who holds the division's WBA belt.

Britain's Kell Brook, who lost the IBF title to Spence Jr in 2017, and WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman also tweeted their support. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friday, october 11, 2019

Iran football: Women attend first match in decades I

ranian women have attended a World Cup qualifier in Tehran after being freely allowed to enter a stadium for a men’s match for the first time in decades.

Women have effectively been banned from stadiums when men are playing since just after the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The change followed the death of a fan who had set herself alight after being arrested for trying to attend a match.

But Amnesty International described the move on Thursday as a “cynical publicity stunt”.

The non-governmental organisation said there were only a “token number” of tickets for female fans as it called for all restrictions on female attendance to be lifted.

More than 3,500 women

bought tickets to Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Cambodia, where they were

granted access to a special women’s-only section of the Azadi Stadium. The stadi-

2019 /Stag Beer 50-Over 1st Division Tournament

RHT defeat Albion to reach final ꟷ Tucber Park, Upper Corentyne in lone semi

V

eteran middle-order batsman Delbert Hicks continues to enjoy a remarkable comeback to Berbice First-Division cricket after a year’s absence.

Hicks struck a crucial 60 to spearhead his team Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour to a three-wicket victory over arch-rivals Albion in the quarterfinals of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-Stag Beer 50-Over FirstDivision Tournament at the Area H Ground.

RHT Namilco Thunderbolt now await the winners of Upper Corentyne versus Tucber Park in the lone semi-final match.

Upper Corentyne continued their remarkable progress in the tournament by defeating Blairmont by one wicket at the No 69 Ground while Tucber Park got past arch-rivals Young Warriors by three wickets at the Cumberland Ground in Canje.

The three matches attracted sizeable crowds as the packed 2019 BCB season continues with numerous cricket tournaments.

The Stag Beer 50-over tournament, which has been sponsored by ANSA McAL started with 11 teams divided into three zones.

The top two teams from each zone advanced to the second round, which was played on Sunday.

At the Area H Ground, Albion led by national player Gudakesh Motie won the toss and elected to bat.

Openers Ritesh Umroa and Jetindra Outar added 25 for the first wicket before off-spinner Kevin Sinclair had Umroa caught by Keith Simpson for 12.

Former national pacer Sylus Tyndall then dismissed Sarwan Chaitnarine (00) and Motie (01) to leave Albion reeling at 29 for 3 in the seventh over.

An impressive-looking Ramesh Kasinauth then stroked an attractive 78, including six boundaries and three maximums, and received support from Outar (27); Anthonio February (19) and Beesham Surujnarine (12) as Albion recovered to reach 204 all out in 46.1 overs under very hot weather.

Off-spinner Junior Sinclair took 3 for 40 from 10 overs; Keith Simpson, 3 for 40 from 9.1 overs and Sylus Tyndall, 2 for 36 from seven overs. RHT Namilco Thunderbolt Flour lost Kevin Sinclair (03); Kevin Sewraj (00) and Jason Sinclair (01) to be 36 for 3 in the seventh over, but Hicks and Junior Sinclair added 60 crucial runs before Sinclair fell for a mature 49.

West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevlon Anderson joined Hicks for a crucial 54-run fifth-wicket stand before Hicks was caught at cover off the bowling of Motie for a well-played 60, including four boundaries and three max-

imums.

Anderson (39) and the talented Jonathan Rampersaud then featured in a run-a-ball 45run partnership.

Rampersaud (20) not out and Skipper Shawn Pereira (07 not out) were at the crease when victory was achieved in the 47th over.

Motie took 3 for 20 from 10 tight overs while Gourav Ramesh took 1 for 46, and Kandasammy Surujnarine and Kevin Umroa took a wicket apiece.

Upper Corentyne squeezed past Blairmont by one wicket as Skipper Viendra Gooniah defied an injured leg to bat over three overs to score the required five runs with the last pair at the crease. Blairmont won the toss and batted first on a pitch with some level of uneven bounce at the No 69 Ground.

Blairmont were bowled out for 113 in 31.2 overs with national player Nigel Deodat (27); Zaheer Nazir (24); Seon Glasgow (14) and Kevin Jawahir (18) being the main scorers.

Off-spinner Devindra Budhoo (4 for 12 from 5 overs); Gooniah (2 for 14) and Lakeram Latchman (2 for 14) were Upper Corentyne’s best bowlers.

The home team in response achieved victory at 115 for 9 in 30.5 overs. The hard-hitting Amardeo Hemchand (27); Naeem Yacoob (23) and Latchman Roopchand (15) batted well as Blairmont employed an all-spin bowling attack. Nigel Deodat returned with the ball to take 2 for 21 (10 overs); Shabeer Baksh 2 for 18 and left-arm spinner Waquar Hassan 4 for 20.

Tucber Park CC defeated Young Warriors CC at the Cumberland Ground. YWCC rattled up 180 for 9 from 50 overs with Seon Hetmyer (66); Alex Algoo (35); Kassim Khan (24) and Vishal Mohabir (19) being the principal scorers. Left-arm spinner Damion Van Tull with 3 for 43 from 10 overs and Nial Smith with 4 for 19 from 9 overs were the wreckers for the New Amsterdam-based team, who are coached by Level Three Coach Julian Moore.

Tucber Park were led by Devon Clements (40); Clifton Lindee (28) and Leon Swammy (30 not out) to achieve victory at 186 for7 from 47.2 overs. Left-arm spinners Kassim Khan and Trevon Stanislaus took 3 for 30 from 10 overs and 2 for 30 respectively in a losing cause. The lone semi-final between Upper Corentyne and Tucber Park will be played on Saturday, October 12 at the Tucber Park venue.

BCB President Hilbert Foster has indicated that First-Division teams will also be involved in a two-day, 40-over and 20/20 tournament for the remainder of 2019.

A section of ladies who attended an Iran match for the first time in decades

um has a capacity of about 78,000.

The tickets for women reportedly sold out within minutes.

Photos from inside the stadium showed female football fans excitedly waiving Iranian flags and cheering on their team. They were elated to see Iran win the match 14-0.

Women were previously allowed into the Azadi Stadium to watch a screening of their team playing Spain in the 2018 World Cup. but Thursday was the first time in decades that they had been allowed

to watch a game on Tehran’s pitch.

The issue of gender discrimination in Iranian football c a m e to global promi n e n c e last month when Sahar Khodayari, known as “blue girl” because of the team she supported, set fire to herself outside court while awaiting trial for trying to attend a match disguised as a man.

The 29-year-old died a week later.

Football’s governing body Fifa responded by stepping up pressure on Tehran

to meet its commitments to allowing women to attend World Cup qualifiers.

It said this week that it would “stand firm” in ensuring that women had access to all football matches in Iran.

“It’s not just about one match. We’re not going to turn our eyes away from this,” Fifa’s head of education and social responsibility, Joyce Cook, told BBC Sport.

“We are firm and committed that all fans have an equal right, including women, to attend matches.”

Saudi Arabia last year allowed women for the first time to attend a football match as part of an easing of strict rules on gender separation by the ultra-conservative Muslim country. (BBC Sport)

Sunshine Snacks Presents Grand Prize to Trinidad for CPL Finals

Sunshine Snacks Country Manager Jeranzee Marques hands over the winning prize to Savitri Basdeo

S

unshine Snacks, the official snack of The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), launched its CPL promotion on the August 26, 2019.

Customers who purchased Peanuts had a chance to win cricket bats, hampers and tickets to the matches at the Providence stadium. However, the grand prize up for grabs was an all-expenses paid trip for 2 to Trinidad for the finals.

The lucky winner of the grand prize, Savitri Basdeo, expressed her excitement about going to Trinidad to watch the Guyana Amazon Warriors compete in the finals this Saturday 12th October.

“I saw the promotion on social media and decided to look for the Peanuts with the CPL logo when I was shopping in the supermarket one afternoon. When I got home, after unpacking my grocery I sat my bed with my

phone looking for the code to enter on the site. I thought that was that.”

Basdeo stated she initially missed the call but received a second call and the representative from Sunshine Snacks in Trinidad announced to her she had won the grand prize, which she thought was a prank.

She said she was not expecting to win the grand prize but was ‘extra excited and very appreciative’ because it has always been a wish of hers, as a cricket fan, to go and experience the finals in Trinidad.

It is even more special for her because she never traveled to Trinidad.

Jeranzee Marques, country manager of Sunshine Snacks, who handed over the prize to the winner, stated he would like to thank all the participants and he was extremely happy Sunshine Snack was able to make a long wish possible for someone.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, october 11, 2019

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GFF-NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League – East Bank FA

Unbeaten Grove Hi Tech are 2019 champions G

rove Hi Tech are the new East Bank Football AssociationGuyana Football Federation ( G F F ) - N A M I L C O Thunderbolt Flour Power 50th Anniversary U-17 Intra-Association League champions, playing unbeaten throughout the second edition of the competition, which will end on Sunday at the GFF National Training Facility, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

In romping to the title and bragging rights for the next year as well as earning the right to be the EBFA’s representative team in the clash of the Regional Member Associations’ champions, Grove Hi Tech stormed to back-to-back wins last weekend. They hammered Timehri Panthers B 4-0 on the back of a Rasheed Evans hat-trick on Sunday while on Saturday, the Hi Tech boys got past Mocha Champs 5-3 after a 1-1 half time score.

Evans hit the back of the nets in the 13th, 43rd and 51st minute against the Panthers B side; the other goal came off the boot of Vincent Chin in the 31st minute. In the Mocha clash, Grove got their goals from Evans, Kurwayne Lyte, Samuel Garnett and Devon Padmore, who netted a double. Scoring for Mocha Champs were Yohance

Porter, T Price and Genesis Lewis.

Grove’s performance was commanding as they crafted win after win; blasting a total of 60 goals (six per game) while only conceding eight, less than one per match to end with a perfect 30 points.

Former champions Timehri Panthers, which won the inaugural NAMILCO competition and represented the EBFA in the national play-offs, had to settle for the runner-up position this time around, ending with nine wins and a single defeat.

In their final match on Sunday, they defeated Agricola Red Triangle 2-0, goals coming from Tyrell Khan and Junior Adams, either side of play.

Swan Football Club did no wrong in their two matches which yielded positive results, defeating Diamond United 3-0 on Saturday while triumphing over Friendship All Stars 5-2 on Sunday.

Mocha Champs trounced Samatta Point/Kaneville 5-1 on Sunday while the other match on Saturday involving Samatta Point/Kaneville

The 2019 champions, Grove Hi Tech Football Club

and Herstelling Raiders saw the Raiders winning the match 6-2.

The league will conclude on Sunday at the GFF National Training Centre with the final three matches.

Soesdyke Falcons v Herstelling Raiders – 10:00h.

Timehri Panthers B v Swan FC – 12:00h.

Agricola Red Triangle vs Diamond United – 14:00h.

Pee Wee Round of 16 commences on Saturday

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China basketball fans wave national flags at arena in row over HK tweet

H

undreds of Chinese basketball fans waved national flags in a Shanghai arena on Thursday ahead of an NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets amid a huge backlash against a tweet backing anti-China protests in Hong Kong.

Roads near the stadium were blocked off and those attending the exhibition game had to go through two rounds of security checks. Tickets sold for as high as 18,888 yuan ($2,650).

Several street vendors were selling Chinese national flags outside the arena and some people had called online on those going to the game to carry flags in a show of force.

The now-deleted tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting anti-government protests in Chinese-ruled Hong Kong has sparked a furore in China?with a fan event canceled and Chinese partners cutting ties with the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Some people protested outside the stadium against Morey and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who has spoken out in support of Morey.

One such protester, who declined to be named, was holding up a small sign with expletives directed at Morey and Silver.

There are no Lakers or Nets fans tonight. We are all Chinese basketball fans,” the protester said.

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21

A glimpse of the action in the 2019 edition of the tournament

S

aturday last marked the end of play in the round-robin stages of the Under-12 Pee Wee football tournament.

The games were held at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue, and were riveting encounters as the teams battled to advance.

Heading into the Round of 16, the first set of matches will commence at 13:00h and will see Redeemer taking on St Agnes and Genesis duking it out with Maes.

At 13:50h, Timehri will see off St Stephens while Craig will attempt to topple Soesdyke. In the third round of matches, St Pius and Uitvlugt will lock horns at 14:40h and Enterprise will take on West Ruimveldt at the same time.

The final matches of the day will witness Marian Academy attempting to overthrow Tucville and North Georgetown battling St Ambrose.

The 24 teams that commenced the tournament were: Ann’s Grove, Beterverwagting,

Craig, Enterprise, FE Pollard, Genesis, JE Burnham, Marian Academy, Mocha, Maes, North Georgetown, Redeemer, St Agnes, St Ambrose, St Margaret, St Pius, St Stephen’s, Smith Memorial, Soesdyke, South Ruimveldt, Timehri, Tucville, Uitvlugt and West Ruimveldt Primary Schools.

This grassroots’ tournament, now in its eighth year, affords the opportunity to primary school players to begin to develop their skills. With stakeholders such as Courts Guyana, and Banks DIH under its Rainforest Waters and Malta Supreme brands, over $4 million has been invested in the tournament, which is expected to run for about seven weeks.

Teams have been placed in six groups, with the top two and four best third-place group finishers advancing to the Round of 16. From there, no more teams will be eliminated, but rather play for positions, one to 16 until the finale on November 2.

Houston Rockets sneakers and other merchandise were pulled from several Nike (NKE.N) and NBA stores in major Chinese cities, with the franchise’s direct association with Morey making it a central target of the furore. Managers at some of the Nike stores said they had been instructed to remove the goods via an internal memo from management.

A specialist NBA store at a major shopping center in Shanghai removed all Rockets merchandise, as did the basketball-themed NBA Playzone family entertainment centres in Beijing and Shanghai.

“Rockets products were hot before and when you stepped into the store, it was full of red. Now, it is mostly yellow and blue,” the colours of the Golden State Warriors, said a manager at the Shanghai Playzone, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Nike and the NBA did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Other major Chinese retailers, including Alibaba (BABA.N) and JD.com (JD.O), also pulled Rockets merchandise off their various platforms. Alibaba and JD.com declined to comment.

Chinese state and party-backed media continued to publish items critical of the NBA. The official English China Daily published an editorial cartoon on Thursday playing on the NBA’s official logo of an athlete dribbling a basketball. The cartoon instead put a bomb labeled “politics” in the athlete’s hand, leaving the basketball fallen by the wayside.

U.S. sports broadcaster ESPN was also criticized for its coverage of the row after using a map that appeared to endorse Beijing’s claims to both self-ruled Taiwan and disputed territories in the South China Sea. (Reuters)

22

friday, october 11, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Organiser pleased with Limacol Football Tournament thus far …final pushed back to October 20

By Jemima Holmes

W

ith the days counting down until the 2019 Limacol football final goes down, CoDirector of the organising body, Troy Mendonca spoke with Guyana Times Sport about the tournament and his expectations for the final.

After weeks of riveting 11-a-side rivalry, the competition has boiled down to just two teams, who will both be looking to pocket the $400,000 grand prize.

While the final between Fruta Conquerors FC and Santos FC Under 20 is still three days away, Co -Director Mendonca shared his thoughts on the fourth edition of the NEW GPCsponsored tournament.

“First of all, I think what we have seen was really refreshing to see 11-a-side football take its rightful place. Those two teams being in the finals is an illustration of what is happening,” Mendonca told this publication.

When probed about the final two teams left standing in the tournament, Mendonca explained that it

is a testament to the level of football that is being played at the Under-20 stage.

“The Under-20 is a reflection of the next generation of football in this country. I think if you look at most of the youngsters, especially those two Under-20 teams, which is Fruta Conquerors and Santos, they always look very organised and they’re a set of youngsters who adhere to instructions.

They want to play football,” Mendonca explained.

As such, the Petra CoDirector is encouraging football fanatics to come out to the Ministry of Education Ground on Sunday evening to witness what he claims is an exhilarating rivalry.

“The finalists and the fi-

n a l is a

reflection of who is playing football and the most well-prepared teams.

I think we anticipate a very good final because it’s a replay of the KFC Georgetown Under-20 football tournament and so we’re in for a treat, come Sunday the 20th of October,” the Petra CoDirector stated.

Aside from the action that is on the horizon, Mendonca was also quizzed about one of the objectives of the tournament –revitalising football in Georgetown, which was expressed at the tournament’s launch.

H e r e ’ s what he had to say:

Troy Mendonca

Guyana successful at Republic Bank Invitational Golf Tournament

Semi-final action between Pele and Santos

“I think football generally needs help, especially in Georgetown. When we set out we realised that. You would be surprised to know the kind of enthusiasm that the teams showed, they were there early, they want to play, they would call you, so I think the turnout and support during the tournament will show that people want to play football,” he ex-

plained.

The curtains will come down on the fourth edition of the Limacol football tournament on Sunday, October 20 when Pele FC take on Riddim Squad in the thirdplace playoff and Santos FC and Fruta Conquerors battle for the top spot. The final was initially scheduled for Sunday, October 13, but was postponed for logistical

reasons.

The tournament is sponsored by NEW GPC under its Limacol brand and is supported by WJ Enterprise, who are the sole distributors of Croxley Papers. The eventual winner will walk away with $400,000, while second places pocket $200,000.

Third and fourth place will receive $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

GBTI/BCB Inter-Secondary School Cricket Tournament…

JC Chandisingh Secondary advance to finals

T

he JC Chandisingh Secondary School Cricket team has advanced to the finals of the GBTI/ BCB Inter-Secondary School Cricket Tournament after thrashing BEI in the semi-finals on Wednesday last.

At the spin of the toss, BEI won and opted to bat and posted a meagre total of 94 in 18.5 overs. BEI chose to bat first, because they knew if they were able to set a mammoth total, they stood a chance of defeating their

tively. Bowling for JC Chandisingh were Jonathan Rampersaud (3-16 off 4 overs); Shamar Seechun (2-6 off 2 overs) and Lucas Arthur (2-18 off 4 overs).

Needing a simple target of 95 for victory, JC Chandisingh in reply posted 98-6 in 16.5 overs to storm into the final despite a mini-collapse. Surendra Ramcharitar led with a brilliant 30 at the top of the order; he was supported by Jonathan Rampersaud (14) and Jermey Sandia (12) to take them over the

Some members of the team from Guyana: Avinash Persaud, Rakesh, Eureka Giddings, Dr Philbert London, Shanella London, Lakram Ramsundar, LGC President Aleem Hussain, a representative of sponsor, and Avinda Kishore

T

he local contingent of Avinash Persaud, Rakesh Harry and Lakram Ramsundar made tremendous strides on Day 2 of the annual international Republic Bank Invitational Golf Tournament held at Golf Club Paramaribo, Indira Gandhiweg, Paramaribo, Suriname.

Newcomer Rakesh Harry, playing in the B Flight, emerged as the undisputed B Flight champion at the end of Day 2, and in the process, producing the Best Net Score in the tournament and thus winning the Male Tournament Champion honours for Guyana.

Current nine-time Guyana Open Champion Avinash Persaud showed his class as he romped home in the final day to win Best Gross overall honours, narrowly missing the A Flight Net Title when he went out-of-bounds on the last hole.

“Panko” Ramsundar shocked his rivals by storming back from a dismal first day to emerge Best Gross Champion in the B Flight and third Best Net in the B Flight.

In the A Flight, Avinash Persaud advanced from eighth place in Day 1 to second place overall at the end of Day 2. A similar feat was performed by Panko Ramsundar

in the B Flight, where he moved from ninth place in Day 1 to third place overall at the end of Day 2.

Avinash Persaud won the Tournament Overall Best Gross, and Shanella London won the Longest Drive in the Ladies category for both Days 1 and 2, while Avinda Kishore won the Longest Drive in the Male category on Day 2 The Suriname Invitational, played under the Stableford Format, is essentially a net performance tournament so Guyana came home with great positions in the categories.

Other golfers from Guyana did well as in the B Flight; Dr London and George Bulkan also brought home prizes for their fourth and sixth place finish respectively.

Troy Cadogan and Shanella London placed third in their slights with great performances, while Eureka Giddings’ eighthplace performance in her first appearance in an international tournament was commendable. Defending 2018 Ladies Champion Dr Joaan Deo fell short of her bid to repeat and vowed to focus her efforts on the Guyana Open scheduled for October 26-27.

Jonathan Rampersad bagged 3-16

Ramcharitar top-scored with 30 to take his side over the line

opponents. From inception of the match, BEI suffered a mini-collapse, losing vital wickets at key moments and failing to hold partnerships together. Dilshan McDonald was the only batsman to surpass 30 as he played a resilient knock in an attempt to save his team; however, he was dismissed for 35. From there, it was pretty much the end of the innings as Revaldo Simons and Ricardo Ramdeholl were only able to accumulate scores of 20 and 12 runs respec-

line. Despite great bowling from Sanjay Algoo (2-18 off 3 overs), Ricardo Ramdeholl (1-13 off 4 overs) and Dilshan Mc Donald (1-34 off 4 overs), luck remained on the JC Chandisingh side.

The JC Chandisingh Secondary cricket team are one of the most dominant school teams in Guyana. The support of cricket enthusiasts and sponsors for the team is most welcome.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, october 11, 2019

23

2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League - Match Report 33

Tridents demolish TKR to meet Warriors in CPL final

B

arbados Tridents 160/6 (Charles 35, Nurse 24*, Reifer 24*, Hope 23, Pierre 2/25, Ali Khan 2/36, Jordan 2/40) beat Trinbago Knight Riders 148 (Prasanna 51, Pollard 23, Ramdin 21, Reifer 2/13, Nurse 2/14, Walsh Jr 2/33) by 12 runs Ashley Nurse and Raymon Reifer starred with both bat and ball as Barbados Tridents knocked out defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders to set up a 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final against the all-conquering Guyana Amazon Warriors.

Nurse’s intervention was crucial in both innings, first when blasting an unbeaten 24 from nine balls to propel a stuttering Tridents innings up to 160/6 and then taking two key wickets to help strangle the Knight Riders’ run-chase.

Having been put into bat, the Tridents looked set to make an under-par total for the majority of their innings until Nurse and Raymon Reifer – who later also played his part with the ball, bowling a nerveless final over that included the vital wicket of Seekkuge Prasanna for a 27-ball 51 and the matchclinching one of Khary Pierre – plundered an unbroken 48 runs for the seventh wicket from the final 14 balls.

With the Knight Riders ultimately coming up 12 runs short, the final two overs when the Tridents Ashley Nurse was adjudged man of the match for his all round performance

Kieron Pollard is run out by some excellent glove work which shifted the tide of the match

batted were the difference between going to Saturday’s final and going home.

Johnson Charles could have been dismissed twice early in his 35, dropped by Denesh Ramdin in the first over of the night and then seeing a skied shot land safe after Lendl Simmons and Chris Jordan left it for each other.

While never quite at his fluent best, Charles’ effort was crucial in holding things together during a fraught first half of the Tridents innings in which Hales and Shakib fell to Pierre and JP Duminy was forced to hobble off retired hurt after injuring his leg while hitting a six.

The Tridents will be desperate to have him available on Saturday.

C h a r l e s followed Duminy straight off the f i e l d , skying Ali Khan to Jordan at midoff to leave the Tridents in bother at 74/3 – effectively

four down – in the 12th over.

Things got worse for them two overs later when Jonathan Carter was spectacularly caught and bowled by Jordan, who flung himself to his left in his follow-through to pluck the ball from the air inches above the grass.

When Jason Holder picked out Colin Munro at deep midwicket in the same over, the Tridents were 92/5 with time running out and the innings in real danger of falling away completely.

That didn’t happen. Shai Hope played nicely for his 23 from 18 with two fours and a six, before Reifer and Nurse gave the innings its all-important explosive finish.

Both men finished 24 not out, with five Hero Maximums between them.

Even then, 160/6 was no more than a par score in tricky conditions for bowlers coping with a wet ball.

Sunil Narine got the TKR innings off to a flying start with four boundaries from Shakib’s opening over and, although he and Lendl Simmons both fell in the powerplay, the Knight Riders were well on course at 50/2 after six overs.

Enter the 2019 Hero CPL leading wicket-taker to change the momentum once again.

Hayden Walsh Jr picked up his 20th wicket of the tournament when Colin Munro reverseswept straight to that man Nurse at short third-man.

When Nurse then removed Darren Bravo caught behind for just 2, the Knight Riders had lost two wickets for just 12 runs in 3.3 overs since the powerplay.

Denesh Ramdin holed out to long-on to hand Nurse a second wicket in a four-over spell that also gave up just 14 runs.

The game lurched back TKR’s way when Prasanna started smacking everyone to and over the ropes, but he was also at fault in the mix-up that led to the run out of Knight Riders skipper Kieron Pollard for 23. On a night full of crucial moments, here was another.

Prasanna was undeterred, though, and powered to a 22ball half-century with back-toback sixes – his third and fourth in all – off Walsh Jr. When 20 were needed from the last 15 balls, it looked like the Knight Riders’ game to lose.

Walsh Jr ended his spell of 2/31 with three dot balls, though, and Harry Gurney

delivered at the death once again with a superb 19th over that gave up just six runs and brought the wicket of Jordan.

That left Prasanna and the Knight Riders needing 14 from the final over with two wickets in hand. When Reifer pinned Prasanna with a

millimetre-perfect yorker to start that final over, a topsyturvy game finally looked settled. Pierre was caught by Hales at long-on two balls later to confirm it.

Upcoming Fixture: Saturday 12 October – Final: Guyana Amazon Warriors v Barbados Tridents (5pm), Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

SCOREBOARD Barbados Tridents Innings (20 overs maximum) J Charles c Jordan b Ali Khan 35 AD Hales b Pierre 10 S Al Hasan c & b Pierre 18 JP Duminy retired hurt 10 SD Hope † c Pollard b Ali Khan 23 JL Carter c & b Jordan 4 JO Holder (c) c Munro b Jordan 1 RA Reifer not out 24 AR Nurse not out 24 Extras (b 4, lb 3, nb 3, w 1) 11 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 8.0) 160-6 Did not bat: HR Walsh, HF Gurney Fall of wickets: 1-27 (Alex Hales, 4.5 ov), 2-51 (Shakib Al Hasan, 8.6 ov), 2-74* (JeanPaul Duminy, retired not out ), 3-74 (Johnson Charles, 11.3 ov), 4-90 (Jonathan Carter, 14.1 ov), 5-92 (Jason Holder, 14.5 ov), 6-112 (Shai Hope, 17.4 ov) BOWLING JPR ScantleburySearles (2-0-16-0) Ali Khan (4-0-36-2) SP Narine (4-0-19-0) K Pierre (4-0-25-2) S Prasanna (1-0-5-0) CJ Jordan (4-0-40-2) C Munro (1-0-12-0)

Trinbago Knight Riders Innings (target: 161 runs from 20 overs) SP Narine c †Hope b Gurney 17 LMP Simmons c Reifer b Holder 1 C Munro c Nurse b Walsh 16 D Ramdin † c Holder b Nurse 21 DM Bravo c †Hope b Nurse 2 KA Pollard (c) run out (Walsh/†Hope) 23 S Prasanna lbw b Reifer 51 JPR Scantlebury-Searles c Holder b Walsh 1 CJ Jordan c Hales b Gurney 5 K Pierre c Hales b Reifer 0 Ali Khan not out 1 Extras (lb 6, w 4) 10 TOTAL (19.3 Overs, RR: 7.58) 148 Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Lendl Simmons, 1.6 ov), 2-19 (Sunil Narine, 2.1 ov), 3-54 (Colin Munro, 6.6 ov), 4-62 (Darren Bravo, 9.3 ov), 5-81 (Denesh Ramdin, 11.3 ov), 6-120 (Kieron Pollard, 15.5 ov), 7-129 (Javon Searles, 17.1 ov), 8-147 (Chris Jordan, 18.6 ov), 9-147 (Seekkuge Prasanna, 19.1 ov), 10-148 (Khary Pierre, 19.3 ov) BOWLING Shakib Al Hasan (2-0-27-0) JO Holder (4-0-24-1) HF Gurney (4-0-31-2) HR Walsh (4-0-33-2) AR Nurse (4-0-14-2) RA Reifer (1.3-0-13-2)

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2019…

Women put on big show on CPL stage ꟷ Taylor seals easy win for Revellers

H

ero Caribbean P r e m i e r League (CPL) broke another barrier with the introduction of women’s cricket to the marque tournament when the inaugural National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) Women’s T10 Challenge was played on Thursday, October 10 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago.

West Indies Women’s Captain Stafanie Taylor, who was also the captain of the NLCB Revellers, won the toss after a rain delay and opted to bowl in cool afternoon conditions on the big outfield against Courts Gladiators.

Hayley Matthew of Courts Gladiators hits four during her unbeaten innings of 46

The game was played on the same pitch that was later used by Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Tridents in the men’s second qualifier and proved to be a good strip for batting.

The Gladiators were off to a bad start when Sheneta Grimmond was clean bowled by seamer Caneisha Isaac at the end of the second over for a duck at 7-1. Opener Hayley Matthews was then joined by Kycia Knight for the partnership of the match. The Barbadian pair put on 54 for the second wicket before left-hander Knight was caught low down by Britany Cooper at long on for 24 (20 balls; 1 x4; 1 x6) in the ninth over with the score at 61-2.

Matthews, who hit seven boundaries from 33 balls, carried her bat for a game-high 46 not out as the Gladiators ended on 74 for 2 from their 10 overs with Quiana Joseph not out on one at the end. Right-arm medium pacers, Isaac (1-13) and Chinelle Henry (1-13) were the successful bowlers while off-spinners Taylor (0-11), Anisa Mohammed (0-13) and Karishma Ramharack (0-9) and left-arm seamer Stacy-Ann King (0-15) were wicketless.

In reply, the Revellers raced to 28-1 halfway through the fourth over before King was adjudged lbw to Gladiators skipper Afy Fletcher for 15 (12 balls; 3x4s). Taylor, who was having a good day at the office, then went to work and blasted an 18-ball 36 (6x4’s) to hasten the run chase which ended at 78 for 2 in 9.2 overs. With opener Britany Cooper, Taylor put on 46 from 31 balls before she was taken at backward point by Akeira Peters off Matthews in the ninth over at 74-2 when scores were levelled.

Cooper then easily dispatched medium pacer Shakiba Gajnabi for a four back over her head to end the game on 22 not out from 25 balls. It was victory for the Revellers by eight wickets with four balls to spare, but women’s cricket is the bigger winner having made its debut on the CPL stage.

Off-spinner Matthews (5-1) and leg-spinner Fletcher (26-1) were the wicket-takers for the Gladiators, who will have another opportunity to level the series on Saturday when the teams meet again ahead of the men’s final.

At the end of the match, Taylor welcomed women’s cricket at CPL while Fletcher is op-

timistic that young girls and more spectators will come out and support their game.

Four of the five Guyanese players –

Grimmond, Erva Giddings, Gajnabi, Kaysia Shultz made their debut while CherryAnn Fraser will look to break in to the team on Saturday.

Saturday’s game is dubbed Courts Invitational and will bowl off at 12:30h at the same venue.

(John Ramsingh) Player-of-the-match Stafanie Taylor goes through the onside

friday, october 11, 2019

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

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2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League ꟷ Match Report 33 Page 23

Tridents demolish TKR to meet Warriors in CPL final Sunshine Snacks presents Organiser pleased Grand Prize to Trinidad for CPL Finals

Page 20

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with Limacol Football Tournament thus far …final pushed back to October 20

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