Guyana times, monday, march 26, 2018

Bartica urged to lead Guyana’s ‘green’ development as P9 it observes Earth Hour

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

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, March 26, 2018

Issue No. 3515

PRICE

Coalition in crisis

PNC General Secretary not bothered by WPA’s …AFC distances self from warnings Hinds’ PNC critique

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

6 homeless as Mabaruma house goes P13 up in flames UG to boost post graduate programmes P9 this September

Page 3

Arson suspected after fire razes D'Urban Backlands house Page 7

Appeal filed by activist group against oil companies Page 11

– over alleged non-approval of environmental permits

Over 2M ounces of gold expected from Aurora’s underground mining operations

Page 12

Man apprehended after shooting Berbice resident …confessed to carrying out several robberies

US ban on catfish

IDB report warns of more protectionist measures

Drilling for Region 9 P14 wells to commence in October

Draft Green State Strategy almost P2 complete – Gaskin

...as company beefs up US$559M investment Page 11

Fisherman critical after being stabbed about his P3 body

Page 8

- urges Caribbean, Latin America to prepare economies

P12 Houston accident victim stable

2 news

monDAY, march 26, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Draft Green State Strategy almost complete – Gaskin

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usiness Minister Dominic Gaskin on Saturday indicated that the draft Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) was almost complete and would be finalised through consultations with various stakeholders before it was adopted.

“It is expected that once adopted, it will become a blueprint for national development. Its 2030 vision for a green, inclusive and prosperous Guyana is not something that you automatically achieve once you get to 2030. We have to follow a course of action to get there, and technology will be a major factor in getting us there,” Gaskin said.

The Minister made the comments while addressing the opening of GTT’s Innov8 Summit at the Georgetown Marriott Hotel.

Gaskin said technology was a great tool for green development, since it meant more efficient management of the factors contributing to global warming.

“It is through innovation and technology we will find greener ways to do things without compromising on the quality of life we have become accustomed to. Guyana is well positioned to roll out its Green State Development Strategy, because our small population, our rich resources and our capacity to feed ourselves as well as

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin

others will make this strategy affordable and sustainable,” Gaskin noted.

He said one of the major challenges Government would always face was bridging the gap between the coast and the hinterland, but noted that it was already working on that. He added that with the GSDS, that gap would be bridged further to promote the President’s vision of a green and prosperous Guyana.

“When we speak of an inclusive green and prosperous State, one of our major challenges will always be a disconnect between our coast and the vast hinterland, where Guyana’s

green assets really lie and where much of our natural resources really lie,” he noted.

The GSDS comprises seven thematic areas such as sustainable management of the environment, renewable energy, resilient infrastructure, human health and well-being, and governance. Although the GSDS is not adopted as yet, some aspects are already being implemented at the national level. One example is the installation of solar panels on Government buildings, by the Department of Environment and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) collaboratively.

“…real developments”

The Business Minister used the opportunity to reassure Guyanese that Government would “prudently save, spend and invest oil revenues within a framework that ensures sustainability and will bring great benefits”.

“A lot has already been said and the debate still rages on, but I can say in all sincerity that our Government will ensure that the Guyanese people become the beneficiaries of our country’s natural wealth and I want to urge you all to pay attention to the real developments that are taking place and not become distracted by that tiny vocal minority who

seem bent on killing the enthusiasm that we all need to energise us into making the right choices and preparing ourselves for what lies ahead,” Gaskin added.

The Minister’s comment

came after reports surfaced of an impending legal challenge against the current contract with ExxonMobil.

A group of Guyanese campaigners is raising international support as it

claims Government illegally granted offshore oil licences.

The group’s lawyers are expected to file action in the High Court some time in the coming week.

Workers’ wait for gratuity payment lengthened

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ggrieved workers who have been waiting on gratuity payments for in excess of five years will have to wait a little longer to receive their outstanding monies.

This is on account of the legal documents which are required for the release of their monies not being received by the Communities Minister as yet.

The workers who were attached to the DiamondGrove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), on the East Bank of Demerara, were laid-off from their jobs in 2013, because their services became redundant. After being laidoff, the workers were promised that they would be paid their gratuity. However, to date, they have not received those monies.

One of the affected workers, Edward Adolphus related to Guyana Times that the workers were given a “royal run-around” when they enquired about their monies.

The Diamond-Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council

After visiting the NDC and the Labour Department, the tractor operator learnt that the monies had been budgeted for and were waiting on Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan’s approval.

An overseer at the NDC confirmed this. “We cannot pay without the approval,” he told this publication.

Meanwhile, the Public

Relations Department of the Communities Ministry has disclosed that the relevant documents have not yet reached the Minister.

In fact, those documents are currently with the Attorney General’s office.

After which, they will supposedly be handed over to the Minister for his approval.

news

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monDAY, march 26, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, March 26 – a night retraction at 01:00h and a day retraction from 12:30h-14:00h and Tuesday, March 27 – a night retraction at 02:00h and a day retraction from 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, March 26 – 11:45h-13:15h and Tuesday, March 27 – 13:00h-14:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Weather: Cloudy skies are expected to prevail throughout the day and evening, with temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East North-easterly to Northeasterly between 1.34 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 12:17h reaching a maximum height of 2.26 metres.

Low Tide: 05:43h and 18:32h reaching minimum heights of 1.09 metres and 0.90 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS O

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24 26 27

21 Bonus Ball

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Afternoon Draw DRAW DE LINE

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

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PNC General Secretary not bothered by WPA’s warnings – AFC distances self from Hinds’ PNC critique

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eople's National Congress (PNC) General Secretary Amna Ally has dismissed concerns from the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) about her party, noting that the PNC still remains a strong and viable option.

In a brief interview with this publication on Sunday, Ally was insistent that the party remained unmoved by the statements being expressed

by Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Executive Dr. David Hinds.

Amidst growing concerns that the PNC continues to show disregard and disdain for the spirit and letter of agreements it signed with key coalition partners, Political Scientist Dr David Hinds had said the PNC must recognize that it cannot win a free and fair election on its own at this juncture in Guyana’s history, as its core support group is no longer emotionally attached to the party.

Speaking with this publication on Thursday during an exclusive interview, Hinds also said current political and electoral demographics are not in the PNC’s favour.

But Ally disagrees “I have just come back from four meetings in the field, campaigning for this coalition Government. I am confident that we are going to win the next elections,” Ally said.

“I don’t have time to discuss David Hinds and any trivial things...

“We have meetings and we discuss these issues. If that is Mr. Hinds’ feeling, so be it. I will answer that by saying that the PNC is very strong, and it has good leadership… I don’t care what Mr. Hinds says. I’m looking after my party, (let) Mr.

PNC General Secretary Amna Ally

Hinds look after his party,” Ally declared.

AFC Meanwhile, the Alliance for Change (AFC) took care to distance itself from Dr. Hinds’s critique of the PNC, and its behaviour in the coalition.

When contacted, AFC General Secretary Marlon Williams stressed that Hinds was entitled to his views, and that any issue can be worked out.

“That is his view. That is not my view; that is his view.

And in this beautiful democratic country, everyone has their own views, and a right to them, too! Everyone has their interpretations on what is best for Guyana in terms of the coalition.

“The coalition, like any relationship, will have its issues; but, at this junction, the coalition still remains the best option for Guyana. I strongly believe so.

“There are teething issues that need to be addressed, and that’s why the Alliance for Change has written the leader of the APNU. The AFC executive members who have

Fisherman critical after being stabbed about his body

DAILY MILLIONS 07 12 14 15 16 LUCKY 3 2 8 1

Coalition in crisis

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isherman Henry Santiago of Smith Creek, Barima River, Region One is now in critical condition at the Mabaruma Hospital after being stabbed about his body following an argument with 22-year-old Romel Marks, with whom he was said to be imbibing.

This incident occurred at about 23:30hrs on Saturday, when, according to reports, the two men were consuming

alcohol and Santiago took up a cutlass and chopped Marks on his right foot.

Marks retaliated by breaking a bottle and stabbing Santiago to his right abdomen and to his right hand several times.

Santiago was picked up and rushed to the Mabaruma hospital, while Marks has since been taken into Police custody.

been placed in Government are performing very well, as you can see. Our ministers in Government have been performing exceptionally well. So to paint everyone with a broad brush is not justified.

“We have issues -- don’t run away with the wrong idea -but it is good for itself,” Marlon Williams stressed.

Dr. Hinds’s comment comes on the heels of widespread suspicions that the PNC, which now has access to Executive power through the coalition arrangement, had no problem contesting the upcoming 2020 elections alone, hence the disregard and neglect shown to the concerns raised by other coalition partners about some of the decisions that have been made by the David Granger Administration without their consultation and consent in some instances.

"The PNC cannot win a free and fair election on its own at this historical juncture. The demographics are not in its favour. When you add to that the fact that a new generation of African Guyanese (has) no emotional attachment to the party and are more inclined to the APNU, that possibility becomes so remote. The PNC’s only chance of remaining in Government is via a partnership or coalition. In that regard, it needs the AFC and the WPA”, the Political Scientist had said.

He explained that it was important to note that the WPA and AFC bring votes to the Coalition, because they reassure voters that the historical baggage of the PNC would be contained.

“So every time the PNC faction behaves in ways that undermine the AFC and WPA,

AFC General Secretary Marlon Williams

they alienate not only Indian Guyanese, but the growing African Guyanese section of the society that (is) not wedded to party paramountcy and the notion of PNC invincibility,” he remarked.

Dr Hinds also expressed the strong conviction that “African Guyanese voters are not as monolithic in their political instincts as some PNC leaders would have us believe”; and he supported his argument by stating: “…that community has always accommodated a variety of influences. Whether it was Kwayana’s ASCRIA, Rodney’s WPA, Hamilton Green’s GGG, or Raphael Trotman’s AFC, African Guyanese have shown that they are prepared to be plural in their political behaviour.

“That’s why the notion of a Partnership and a Coalition appealed to them in 2011 and 2015, and I think it would again be a deciding factor in 2020. So those who are not worried about dissatisfaction within the coalition are making a serious miscalculation,” the WPA Executive said.

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MonDAY, march 26, 2018

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

Government, Culture and Violence

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arlier in the decade, a study conducted by the IDB “Antipodes of Violence” -- looked at crime in our societies from a new perspective. “Antipodes”, of course, refer to things that are direct opposites. The finding of the study, which was conducted in several Latin American cities, finds remarkable echoes in our own Guyanese experience. It bluntly concludes that any successful strategy to prevent violence should include measures to recognise and change behaviours prompted by beliefs, emotions, and cultural factors. What then are the cultural factors that are the ‘antipodes of violence”?

Unlike countries like the USA and Guyana, which stress Police action and incarceration, along with various ameliorative ‘social’ programmes, the study warns it is not enough to increase Police capacity, reduce socioeconomic inequalities, or amend laws to achieve deep changes in the safety of citizens. This ought to give pause to those in Guyana who insist “marginalisation” and “economic inequalities” (themselves disputed) lead to the higher rates of crime and violence.

Instead, we have to look at the variations of the cultural practices of the several communities, and find out which of those practices are more highly correlated with crimes/violence, and then look for causative mechanisms. Culture is defined as, rather broadly, cognitively and behaviourally, “the universe of social norms, attitudes, beliefs and habits shared by individuals in a social group. The premise is that violence is not normative and that the communities want to live in peace.”

One of the researchers pointed out: “Harmony or disharmony among law, morality, and culture often determines the attitudes of people before the law, and lies at the root of legal or illegal behaviours. When a society or social group approves illegal behaviour and disapproves of legal behaviour, the law naturally loses authority as a regulatory system, and the likelihood of committing illegal acts increases.” We see this operating every day in Guyana.

When he was Mayor of Georgetown, Hamilton Green was asked about the then incipient problem of street vending. He replied that the owners of the stores were greater violators of the law. In this way, rather than going after the store owners, if his allegation were true, the Mayor encouraged the vendors to continue with their illegal activities. By the time the problem inevitably metastasised into drug dealing, gambling, robberies-under-arms etc, the country did not have the resources to deal with the problem. The culture of ‘looking the other way’ towards law breaking had become endemic. Today, there is a whole section of the media and opposition elements that are bent on subverting and undermining law enforcement officials and officialdom on the whole. The result is a loss of faith in all institutions, and a culture of anarchy and nihilism.

Although some young people generally enter the world of crime because of economic problems or lack of opportunities, the study’s authors argue that the root cause is cultural. For instance, youths may feel the need for social recognition and to express machismo. Increasing penalties, therefore, would not attack the underlying problem, since punishing individuals who do not feel guilt or shame for their criminal actions may be useless in preventing recidivism, the study said.

However, it is possible to modify culturally instilled traits and collective beliefs that nurture violent behaviour.

Culturally ‘slack’ institutions must be curbed, and the ‘politically correct’ norm not to place responsibility on individuals for their beliefs and actions must be abandoned.

Since he acceded to office, with his “pardoning programme”, President Granger appears completely oblivious to the warning of a co-author of the study: “Harmony or disharmony among law, morality, and culture often determines the attitudes of people before the law, and lie at the root of legal or illegal behaviours. When a society or social group approves illegal behaviour and disapproves of legal behaviour, the law naturally loses authority as a regulatory system, and the likelihood of committing illegal acts increases.”

Superhero time: Two of the cosplay participants at GTT’s inaugural Innov8 Summit at the Guyana Marriott Hotel over the weekend (Carl Croker photo)

Another egregious act of authoritarianism Dear Editor, The Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) is a statutory body corporate. By law, it is managed by a Board of Directors, and possesses its own persona. It can attract liabilities, own assets, and hire its own employees.

It is not a department of the Government, but an agency of the state.

Indeed, historically, like the Inland Revenue Department (and many such entities), it was once a Government department.

Its character, structure and personality were transformed into the new status that it now enjoys, in order to imbue it with functional autonomy and to permit it to function independently of the Government. It is the same philosophy which informed the transformation of the Inland Revenue Department into the now Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).

In Tamlin v. Hannaford [1950] 1KB 18, Lord Denning, in describing an entity similar to the GPOC in England, stated thus: “In the eye of the law, the corporation is its own master, and is answerable as fully as any other person or corporation. It is not the Crown, and has none of the immunities or privileges of the Crown. Its servants are not civil servants, and its property is not Crown property. It is as much bound by the Acts of Parliament as any other subject of the King.

It is, of course, a public authority, and its purposes, no doubt, are public purposes, but it is not a government department, nor do its powers fall within the province of government.”

Some years ago, the

Trinidad and Tobago Post Office underwent a similar metamorphosis with the establishment of the Trinidad and Tobago Post Office Corporation. Prior to that, the postal services in that country were a department of Government, and its employees were public servants. The status of the Trinidad and Tobago Post Office Corporation and that of its employees came to the fore in the case of Perch v.

Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago [2003] 62WIR 461(PC), Lord Bingham, who delivered the opinion of the Judicial Committee, firmly rejected the notion that the new corporation remained a service operated by the Government. His Lordship said: “Those transferring were not regarded as remaining in the public service: hence the provision that the terms and conditions on transfer should be no less favourable than those enjoyed in the public service”.

After referring to the passage from Tamlin v.

Hannaford (supra) cited earlier, he concluded that, “The Board is of the clear opinion that employees of the new corporation are not holders of any public office, and are not employed in the service of the Government in a civil capacity within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Constitution.”

In Griffith v. Attorney General, [2006] CCJ 1 (AJ), the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) carried out a similar examination in respect of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and concluded thus: “This court is firmly of the view that the Revenue Authority is a new corporate entity distinct from the government, al-

though it is a public corporation. The employees of the Revenue Authority are not holders of any public office, nor are they employed in the service of the Government of Guyana in a civil capacity.

See also Chue and Hyman v Attorney General of Guyana (unreported, H.C.A. No. 6 of 1998) at pages 27 and 43 per Carl Singh J.”.

It must now be inexorably clear that the GPOC is not a Government department. It is not part of the Government.

Therefore, its policies and activities are not to be dictated by, or interfered with by the Government. Likewise, its employees are not employees of the Government.

They are not public servants.

Therefore, they are not subject to Government’s supervision or control. It must also be unequivocally clear that any attempt by the Government, including the President, to interfere with the day-to-day activities and operations of the GPOC and its staff would be unlawful, clear executive lawlessness and abuse of power.

It is against this background that the matter involving the issuance of the stamps in celebration of the centenary birth anniversary of Dr. Cheddi Jagan must be examined. The Cheddi Jagan Research Center Inc. (CJRCI) entered into a contract with the GPOC for the production and issuance of these stamps. The discussions lasted several months before it was consummated by CJRCI paying to the GPOC a 50% deposit upon request of the requisite monetary charges for the production and issuance of the agreed stamps. Although

it was absolutely unnecessary, I am informed that the transaction received the positive imprimatur of the subject Minister. Yet, on the day in question, the GPOC failed to deliver the stamps. They directed CJRCI to make contact with the Ministry of the Presidency. Based upon the legal authorities to which I have referred, the Ministry of the Presidency has absolutely no authority in this matter.

The Ministry of the Presidency, in a statement, essentially admitted that it had prohibited GPOC from issuing the stamps.

Clearly, the Ministry of the Presidency has acted ultra vires, and has unlawfully usurped the functional responsibility of an independent statutory body corporate. It has also exposed the GPOC to civil liabilities for breach of its contract with CJRCI. The Ministry of the Presidency is free to -- and indeed may consider itself duty-bound to -- commemorate the life and work of every former President.

However, it has no authority to monopolize such activities. Therefore, other organisations are free to do likewise.

The Ministry of the Presidency issued a statement. It is but merely a plea in mitigation. The phrase “national symbols” was invoked to describe the stamps. This is simply an adjectival verbiage employed to sanctify another egregious act of authoritarianism.

Sincerely, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, MP, Attorney-at-Law

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monDAY, march 26, 2018

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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

We must address these issues Continued attack on Jagdeo affecting Amerindians is a sign of desperation Dear Editor, On Saturday March 23rd, an article was carried in the Guyana Times under the headline: ’Toshaos Council accuses Govt of elections meddling”. It raised a number of issues of concern to the National Toshaos Council (NTC).

Firstly, they claim there are communities whose council members are summoned to meetings without the toshaos’ knowledge, and this undermines the legitimacy and credibility of the toshaos and village councils.

Secondly, they claim the Government is seeking to politicize the office of the toshaos, and that this is a threat to the Indigenous people.

Thirdly, they claim the Government is showing disregard for the budgetary needs of the NTC by allocating only $16 million to the council for the year. It is claimed that the $16 million sum will be spent on the four quarterly meetings of Council Executives, and, as such, nothing will be left for outreaches to promote good governance and to educate the Indigenous people.

They claimed that they represent the interest of 83,000 Amerindians and received only $16 million, while two small communities comprising 200 and 3000 residents received $20 million and $30 million respectively.

Fourthly, they claimed that there is no movement to have a revision of the Amerindian Act. Fifthly, they complained about the Government not sticking to the 2013 agreement with the UNDP: to use US$10.7million from Norway to issue titles to 16 communities and commit to not grant new leases in those areas that were proposed to be titled or extended.

The NTC noted that if the above stated issues are not addressed, then they will forever be begging for their rights to be respected. If the Government cannot commit to implementing change, they will be asking all the Indigenous people to gather in Georgetown for a mass protest.

With regard to the first issue, it demonstrates disunity in the council when a councillor runs off to visit the

Government officials without him or her informing the toshao or the entire council.

The Government officials are therefore not the main culprits in this issue, but the councillors themselves in the first instance, and then toshaos who are displaying poor management skills.

When such a situation should have risen, if that matter is brought to the rest of the community, the credibility of the toshaos and council cannot be diminished, unless they are acting contrary to the wishes of the community and would therefore be happy to have someone take up their cause with the Government officials.

On the second issue of politicising the office of the toshaos, it appears that the persons in the NTC do not know their history. The position of the toshaos has always been politicised. The Dutch kept the tribal leader close to them to facilitate trade with the rest of the tribes. The English gave gifts of food and implements to the tribal leaders and members of the tribes in an effort to keep them close to the missions, for easy mobilization in case the British needed their assistance in controlling the African slaves. The PNC Government politicised the village captains to gain dominance in the Amerindian communities during their quest to make the party paramount. The PPP/C continued the same policy of control and dominance by, among other things, instituting the annual Presidential Grant. The current Government will be doing the same. How the NTC handles it will determine if they intend to make a break with the past.

On the third issue of budgetary allocation for the NTC, what comes to mind is: why is this group of community leaders -- who do not want Government meddling in their affairs; who do not want the office of the toshao to be politicised -- so dependent on an annual Government subvention? If they had asked Martin Carter, our national poet, he surely would have referred them to these lines from his poem: “a mouth is always muzzled by the food it eats to live”.

Unless they raise their own in-

come from the grass root communities, they will always be dependent on the Government.

Furthermore, what tangible benefits are derived in the communities from the spending of $16million on four quarterly meetings of the executive committee? My guess is that the Hotel and restaurant owners would have been the greater beneficiaries.

On the fourth issue of the revision of the Amerindian Act, have they discussed with the communities the sections that need to be revised?

Or are they hoping that the Government will initiate a revision in isolation? They need to start a national debate among Amerindians and possible concerned non-Amerindians about the proposed changes needed. Then lobby for the change.

The fifth issue is somewhat more complex. It concerns land titling. Ever since Independence in 1966, the issue of land titling in Amerindian communities has been ongoing. After 52 years, the titling of land to 83,000 Amerindians is still incomplete. Based on the NTC statement, 67 communities are waiting for this exercise to be completed. I believe that this whole land titling has now become counterproductive to the development of the Amerindian people of this country. What happens when the Amerindian population increases? Would they just keep asking for extensions or new titles? Such an exercise could lead to racial conflicts, given the population size/acreage ratio.

Secondly, how beneficial has been the titled lands to the Amerindians who live there? Can they take that title to the bank and acquire a loan to build homes or to start business ventures? I honestly do not believe that this is happening or could happen. So the Amerindians on those titled lands are still outside of the mainstream of the Guyanese economy.

Some advocates of land titling would claim those lands are ancestral lands and there are spiritual and religious attachments. However, they are forgetting that, at the time of arrival of the Europeans, the tribes in Guyana were migratory; slowly moving from south-west to northeast; and, to date, there is no Amerindian religion in Guyana other that what the Europeans handed down.

It is time that the NTC encourage Amerindians to buy property, like other Guyanese citizens, and stop being huddled on reservations to perpetuate a lifestyle of hunting and fishing, and to go dancing in tibisiri skirts for Government officials and other dignitaries. The time for that is over. Every other race in Guyana and other nations have passed through that phase of human development. How many of them still dance with lap cloth? NTC wake up!!

Respectfully, Victro Kersting Sr

Dear Editor, Since leaving office in 2011 as the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, former president and present Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is being used by the APNU/ AFC Government to cover up their mismanagement, corruption, incompetence, and inability to create a better life for all Guyanese.

Jagdeo is the only person who could be compared with Dr Cheddi Jagan as a true patriot; as a person who is truly connected to the masses; as a person who walks the walk and talks the talk with the people; as a visionary leader, a person who fights for the rights of

the poor; and as the most popular political figure in Guyana and the Caribbean.

Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is recognised with high standing internationally. With these eminent qualities in mind, persons are very envious of this great personality, not only in the coalition camp, but others who are ambitious and wicked.

Let me compliment Sherwood Lowe for his letter that he has written concerning the CCJ ongoing case with the third term of presidential candidate. It is very factual and informative.

I am convinced that Bharrat Jagdeo will be the only person who would give the PPP a landslide victory

for the 2020 elections. With any other presidential candidate, the PPP will have to campaign real hard for a landslide victory.

I challenge the AFC/ APNU coalition Government that if Bharrat Jagdeo is not credible, then they don't need to campaign for the 2020 elections. I think desperation is stepping in the coalition camp, because Jagdeo as the presidential candidate is a sure win for the PPP/C in the 2020 elections.

A win for the Jagdeo/ PPP is a win for the people.

Sincerely, Zamal Hussain

The Education Ministry needs to intervene Dear Editor , It is amazing to see what difference a single person can make in a school, especially when that person is in the leadership position.

Case in point - at a particular Primary School along the East Bank , a competent and charismatic deputy head teacher and a dedicated staff worked towards completing various projects and activities during the early part of the just concluded Easter Term . Under the watchful eyes of the deputy head teacher , the staff planned, organized , raised funds and took control of the activities , cooperation and enthusiasm were at the highest. Every one was happy as pupils returned with trophies from the Regional and National Mash Competitions.

The atmosphere of the school changed significantly as the head teacher resumed duty, replaced the teachers’ plans with plans of her own , which as usual led to confusion .

The school internal Mash tramp was marred by undue delays , when the tramp eventually started after lunch , there was another delay as pupils stood in the sun and waited as the hired music set refused to play.

Then to the surprise of many teachers, it was learnt that a sum of thirty eight thousand dollars ( $38,000.) was paid for the substandard music set that played for about 30-40 minutes, as compared to forty thousand dollars ($40,000) paid for music at the Children’s Costume parade held in Georgetown.

Teachers were faced with more ignorance as they sought funds from the school to purchase materials for the Science Fair projects, they were boldly informed by the typist / treasurer that no cash is available and she will not be going to the bank, ( an auxiliary staff controlling the finances of the school in the presence of a graduate deputy head teacher ?)

Teachers used their im-

itative and their personal money to get the project completed. They worked until late in the evening using phone and car lights ,as there are no working lights in the classroom . With no access to the school’s internet or computer system , teachers paid for internet access at a nearby café, they worked throughout the weekend ( including Phagwah Day) to complete the Science Project, they visited the host school at 20:30 hrs to secure and mark off a spot, hoping to get an early start the following day. Early start you say? For reasons unknown the finished project , props and teacher sat and waited until 10:30 hrs when permission was eventually given to leave, totally unacceptable!

The term has come to an end and teachers were not reimbursed for :-

-taxi fares to collect test papers from the copy shop, the printing of Termly Schemes, money spent on the Science Fair project and money spent to clean a part of the school.

Isolated case you say?

No sir , this is the norm , be it Sports, Graduation or anything else. Imagining pulling off a Graduation Exercise and forgetting the child with the third highest score, or taking pupils to inter-school sports without lunch!

Any teacher who was mentored by Ms. Dianne Peters (retired head teacher of North Ruimveldt Secondary) would understand my disgust at a leader who operates in this manner and then has the audacity to treat teachers in a disdain manner .

Concerned Teacher (Name provided)

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Foundation

…how to make yours go well – and mistakes to avoid Tantrum tactics

Most important, keep your cool when responding to a tantrum. Don’t complicate the problem with your own frustration or anger. Remind yourself that your job is helping your child learn to calm down. So you need to be calm, too. Your actions set an example for your child. Hitting and spanking don’t help. And they send the message that using force and physical punishment is OK. That can result in more negative behaviours over the long run. Instead, have enough self-control for both of you.

Tantrums should be handled differently depending on why your child is upset.

Sometimes, you may need to provide comfort. Other times, it’s best to ignore an outburst and distract your child with a new activity. If your child is tired or hungry, it’s time for a nap or a snack. If a tantrum happens after your child is refused something, stay calm and don’t give a lot of explanations for why your child can’t have what he wants. Try to find something he can have.

Move on to another activity with your child.

Children who are in danger of hurting themselves or others during a tantrum should be taken to a quiet, safe place to calm down.

This also applies to tantrums in public places.

Preschoolers and older children are more likely to use tantrums to get their way if they’ve learned that this behaviour works.

Once children have started school, it’s ap-

propriate to send them to their rooms to cool off.

Rather than setting a specific time limit, tell your child to stay in the room until he or she regains control. This is empowering – children can affect the outcome by their own actions, and thus gain a sense of control that was lost during the tantrum. However, if the time-out is for negative behaviour (such as hitting) in addition to a tantrum, set a time limit.

After the storm

Do not reward your child’s tantrum by giving in. This will only prove to your little one that the tantrum was effective. Instead, verbally praise a child for regaining control.

Also, children may be especially vulnerable after a tantrum when they know they’ve been less than adorable. Now (when your child is calm) is the time for a hug and reassurance that your child is loved, no matter what.

Make sure your child is getting enough sleep. With too little sleep, children can become hyper, disagreeable, and have extremes in b e -

haviour. Getting enough sleep can dramatically reduce tantrums. Find out how much sleep is needed at your child’s age. Most children’ sleep needs fall within a set range of hours based on their age, but each child has his or her own distinct sleep needs.

When to call the doctor

Talk to your doctor if: You often feel angry or out of control when you respond to tantrums.

You keep giving in.

The tantrums cause a lot of bad feelings between you and your child. You have questions about what you’re doing or what your child is doing. The tantrums become more frequent, intense, or last longer.

Your child often hurts himself/herself or others.

Your child seems very disagreeable, argues a lot, and hardly ever cooperates.

Your doctor also can check for any health problems that may add to the tantrums, although this is not common.

Sometimes, hearing or vision problems, a chronic illness, language delays, or a learning disability can make children more likely to have tantrums.

Remember, tantrums usually aren’t cause for concern and generally stop on their own. As children mature, they gain self-control. They learn to cooperate, communicate, and cope with frustration.

Less frustration and more control mean fewer tantrums — and happier parents. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)(Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

By Thomas Lickona, PhD

I

n my previous article, I recommend 10 steps for a successful family meeting. Here I’ll give some examples of productive family meetings, as well as one that didn’t go well – and how that could have been avoided.

Family meetings can be scheduled or spontaneous, and vary in length. An effective “mini-meeting” can take as little as five minutes – an on-the-spot response to what’s right in front of you: “How can we get everybody off to school this morning without anybody getting upset?”

“How can we have a happy bedtime tonight?”

“How can we get the chores done by noon this Saturday so we have the rest of the day free for other things?”

If it’s been a really rough week, say that at the start – “I don’t know about you, but I’m glad this week is over!”

Then brainstorm how to work together to make the next

week a better one.

Whatever its focus, the family meeting can be a critically important tool for building a strong family culture on a continuing basis. It draws on the positive power of the group, something that’s often greatly underused in our individualistic culture.

Our first family meeting

A personal story: When we had our first family meeting, our older son Mark was seven and our younger guy, Matthew, only two. We sat on the living room carpet; Matthew played with a puzzle. My wife Judith, Mark, and I each had a 3 x 5” index card with two sentence starters: “One thing I like about our family is . . . ” “I would be happier in our family if . . . ” Mark’s completion of the first sentence was: “that everybody in our family loves each other.” That was nice to hear. My wife wrote, “I would be happier if Tom would spend more time with the boys.”

I totally understood her feeling about that. Despite my best intentions, unfinished work from the week was creeping more and more into the weekends and creating a background tension that never really went away. We spent part of the rest of the meeting talking about how I could protect more time to play with the kids, and that did improve.

On my index card, I wrote that I’d be happier if we could get Mark off to school – he walked – without a problem getting him up.

He proposed a solution: “When you wake me up, remind me of something that’s going to happen that day that I’m really looking forward to – like one of my favourite TV shows – and that will help me be in a better mood about getting up.” So, we made a list of something for every day that we’d remind him of, and that really did help.

One mom’s first family meeting

Let me share a mom’s account of her first family meeting – with her two children,

James (seven) and Elizabeth (five). (Dad got involved later.)

Her description nicely illustrates the three big parts of a family meeting aimed at solving a conflict: (1) achieving mutual understanding; (2) coming up with a solution everybody feels is fair; and (3) following through.

The problem:

James and Elizabeth are constantly fighting. I end up yelling at them, and that upsets the whole house.

In the mother’s step-bystep account, notice how important the listening is for creating the mutual understanding need to find a fair solution.

Achieve mutual understanding Step 1: State the goal of fairness Mother: James and Elizabeth, we’re having a problem with you two getting along. I’d like to talk with you about it and see if we can come up with a fair solution.

Step 2: State the goal of understanding Mother: First, I want you to understand how I feel about this situation, and then I want to find out how you each feel.

Step 3: State your feelings as a parent Mother: Kids, I get so irritated when I see the two of you fighting with each other. Then I start to yell at you, and everyone becomes upset.

I would like to see the two of you try a little harder to get along.

Step 4: Ask your kids to say how they feel about the problem Mother: I’ve told you how I feel. Now I’d like to hear your feelings.

James: Elizabeth always wants to do everything I do.

She wants to sit in the same seat that I do, and she wants to play with the same toys.

Sometimes she hits me Elizabeth: James punches me. He makes me cry.

He won’t play with me. And I don’t like it when you yell, Mommy (Excerpt from pyschologytoday.com) (To be continued)

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monDAY, march 26, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Arson suspected after fire razes D'Urban Backlands house

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fire suspected to be an act of arson completely destroyed a house at Lot 76 D'Urban Backlands in Georgetown on Sunday afternoon, consuming everything of value, including furnishings.

The fire reportedly started about 13:10h, and although firefighters arrived promptly on scene, they did not manage to stop the inferno.

When Guyana Times arrived on the scene, the house was already reduced to ashes, but the embers were still engaging the attention of the firefighters, as shocked neighbours stood watching.

The owner of the house, Kerwin Harris, 28, told this newspaper that he was in the backlands when he heard about the fire, and he rushed home to see what he could do, but was not able to save anything.

Harris, whose house was located at the side of his father’s, said he had two females who lived with him in the house a while back, and about three weeks ago, one of them had attempted to burn the house down.

The dumpsite worker said that on that occasion he had averted the

The ruins of the house destroyed by fire

fire when he realized that one of the two women had set a mattress ablaze in an attempt to burn down the house. That matter, according to him, was reported to the Police station in the area, and investigations thereof were still ongoing.

“Me and some girl (two) went out before. I don’t have anybody around me now. They light afire the house from the king size mattress that was on the right side of the house,” he explained.

Harris told Guyana Times he strongly believes the same women may be responsible for the fire, espe-

cially since the house was abandoned for some time, but contained furniture and equipment. He said the fire could not be electrical in origin as the house currently had no electricity.

“Look now, is start over I got to start over all again.

Is real pressure they put me in, budday. Coz you boy trying all the time, you boy is a hustler. It will be hard to start over, but I have to do what I could do,” he lamented while explaining that he worked hard to build his home.

The man’s father, Wilfred Dick, also spoke with this newspaper. He re-

counted that he was taking a nap when his teenage son woke him and informed him about the blaze. By the time he had gone to see what was taking place, the fire had already spread to most of the wooden structure.

He said, “All I could do was to wet my house until the firemen came.”

Dick also told this newspaper that about three weeks ago, two young la-

dies with whom his son is associated attempted to light the house afire, and nobody was living in the home, because it had been abandoned for a while now.

A neighbour who asked not to be named told this newspaper that Harris was living with his pregnant girlfriend a few houses away, and had abandoned his house. He allegedly had relationships with the two women who stayed at his house, and when his girlfriend found out, they had a huge fight.

According to the neighbour, the women attempted to beat Harris’s pregnant girlfriend, and in the process attempted to burn Harris’s house down.

Although he had managed to save it on the previous occasion, neighbours believe that the women may have found some way to get into the house and set it ablaze.

While the firefighters were preparing to leave, Harris’s pregnant girlfriend was shouting and cursing at

The owner of the house, Kerwin Harris

neighbours whom she might have suspected of also lighting the house on fire. The girlfriend (name unknown) ended up in a fist fight with a female neighbour who she also accused of setting the house on fire. The Police later intervened, arresting the two women and taking them to the Police station.

It is not clear if the women were charged.

The matter is now under full investigation by the Police and the Fire Service.

8 NEWS

monDAY, march 26, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

US ban on catfish

IDB report warns of more protectionist measures

– urges Caribbean, Latin America to prepare economies

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n the wake of the recent steps by the United States (US) Government to ban catfish imports from countries including Guyana, an Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) report is warning the Caribbean and Latin American region that more protectionist measures from the developed world could be in store.

According to the IDB’s 2018 Macro Economic report on the region, the global situation is a favourable one… for now. It therefore encouraged countries to make much-needed economic reforms while they still could.

“Several risks remain, including the potential for higher inflation and faster monetary normalization, with impacts on global asset prices as well as the possibility of the world turning more protectionist,” the report stated. “If these risks materialize, they could have serious impacts on the region.

“Igniting the domestic engines of growth can boost underlying potential growth and can be a hedge against these more negative scenarios, making the region’s economies stronger and more resilient”, the report said.

While the report projects growth rates of 3.9 per cent in the global economy, the Caribbean and Latin America is expected to grow by just 1.9 per cent for the year. This, the report noted, is due to a number of factors, including the Venezuela crisis.

In addition, the report

notes that lack of quality investments is hindering regional growth, and pointed to the importance of focusing on efficiency and providing enough resources to the productive sectors. that the Accusations Government has not done enough for the productive sectors have haunted the admin-

A Described as a protectionist measure, the US moved to ban the import of catfish species recently

The Inter-American Development Bank report

istration for quite some time.

Poor returns from the sectors last year did not help. And these accusations gained traction, especially after the closure of sugar estates and the

Hypocrisy…

sacking of workers.

Its effect on the economy is something even Government has acknowledged. Blaming missed production targets from sectors including sugar, Finance Minister Winston

Jordan had, earlier this year, announced an economic growth target revised downwards.

Jordan had said the economy was expected to grow by 2.9 per cent, failing to meet the revised growth projection of 3.1 per cent for 2017. The initial projected growth of the economy was 3.8 per cent, but this was revised by midyear to 3.1 per cent after the economy grew by only 2.2 per cent by July.

Sugar output in Guyana fell by nearly a quarter from last year, with close to 140,000 metric tonnes being produced in 2017. This is the lowest output in over two decades.

“Simply investing more will not necessarily raise productivity if resources are misallocated, rendering such an effort ineffective to sustain higher long-run growth. The relative importance of the underlying explanations varies country by country, and thus the appropriate policy agenda for each country should draw on rigorous evidence,” the IDB report states.

The ban

Describing the ban from the US export market as a protectionist measure, Veterinary Public Health Unit Director Dr Ozaye Dodson had said previously that the ban was just a temporary technical barrier to trade.

Dr Dodson said the move by the USDA was a “protectionist measure” by that country’s public health system, lobbied for by the catfish farmers.

The US Food Safety Inspection Services (FSIS) asked Guyana to provide the relevant documentation to verify this country’s inspection system equivalence to the US standards, or its equivalent public health system.

Dr Dodson claimed Guyana complied with the request. However, the country fell short of the US standards in three areas: firstly, on the issue of the presence of inspectors; secondly, there was insufficient documentation detailing verification of each step in the sanitation and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) process; and thirdly, there was insufficient documentation specifying how the industry manages adulterated catfish products.

When interviewed by this publication recently, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had indicated Government is trying to satisfy the requirements it had been warned it would be in default of.

…from Nagamootoo

fter facing death, some folks have intimations of mortality, and start to clean up their act in preparation for the hereafter. Not Moses Nagamootoo. After his triple by-pass in the US (seems he didn’t trust the surgeons of Georgetown Hospital!!), he’s back with his column in the Chronic, and it’s filled with the same ole, same ole invectives and hate-filled rants against Bharrat Jagdeo.

But seeing how Hinds and Lewis were booted, maybe he’s taking a hint?? Naah…he’d toed the line so faithfully after getting ‘larwah’ on the Cummingsburg promises, no one could doubt he’d been shorn of his cojones!! Anyhow, Nagamootoo heard all the way in the US about Joey flip-flopping on his prediction that the PPP will be back in office. People do hear what they want to hear!!

Nagamootoo didn’t hear the original tape of Joey making the prediction …but he heard the retraction and the cuss-out of the PPP because they released the tape and video!! Hell hath no fury like a faded politician fighting for a piece of the action! Joey jumped on the “corruption” bandwagon driven by Clive Thomas on the Pradoville II house lots acquired

by Jagdeo and some others – and Nagamootoo gleefully regurgitated the cuss down: “ a vulgar display of ostentatious, “Cadillac-style living” in… a “donkey-cart economy”.

But old people advise that folks in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones, and Nagamootoo should’ve paid heed. When the PNC-AFC coalition slid into office, he didn’t complain about being shafted out of chairing the Cabinet and being in charge of governance. No siree Bob!! He complained that the PM’s House on Main Street -- where Sam Hinds and family had lived for 23 years -- wasn’t “fit and proper” for his lifestyle!! He demanded the entire edifice be air-conditioned – making a Philistinic mockery of the grand colonial edifice with those graceful jalousies!

Your Eyewitness won’t even elaborate on his demand for a complete refurbishing after he claimed to find rats in the oven!! Ostentatious AND “never see…come fuh see”!!

But as a self-proclaimed guardian of Cheddi Jagan’s legacy, didn’t Nagamootoo get news of Granger yanking the commemorative stamps that Cathy Hughes’s GPOC had issued in honour of the great man?? Nah… as your Eyewitness said, folks like Nagamootoo hear what they want to hear and see what they want to see.

There are none so blind…!!

…from the Bench That this Constitutional Case before the CCJ has gotten the Government’s goat was obvious from the moment Ian Chang – acting CJ – rode the crest of cutting-edge constitutional law within his ambit of judicial review to declare that the ‘sovereignty of the people” clause sets limits to exactly how much they could delegate to their representatives. The legal minions of the Government only focused on the APPLICATION of the principle – not its legality – and then only on the limited part that may allow Bharrat Jagdeo to run another time!!

When the Appellate Court upheld the High Court’s decision, they started sh*tting bricks, and the legal big wigs who used to be on the Bench threw the principle of sub-judice to the winds! This, of course, bars them from commenting on cases that are in front of the Bench – as this one is now before the CCJ. They’re turning cartwheels to come up with reasons why the case should be reversed!!

They’re risking being cited for contempt, ‘cause they fear Jagdeo will derail their gravy train!! …on the “tiny vocal minority” Business Minister Gaskin dismisses the folks condemning Trotman’s giveaway contract as a “tiny vocal minority”. Weren’t they the same bunch they described as “patriots” when they condemned the PPP??

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

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monDAY, march 26, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

urged to lead UG to boost post-graduate Bartica Guyana’s ‘green’ development programmes this September as it observes Earth Hour

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egistrar of the University of Guyana (UG), Dr. Nigel Gravesande, has said the academic advancement of staff is critical in order for the institution to boost its post-graduate programmes, especially at the level of Master’s degrees.

He indicated this position in a recent interview with Guyana Times, wherein he disclosed that for the upcoming semester in September 2018, there will be additional programmes at the post-graduate level.

“We do have a PhD is Bio-diversity, and we have some Masters programmes in Business. We have just launched a Master’s degree programme in Social Work.

We are going to be rolling out, from September, a Master’s degree programme in Psychology, (and) there is on the books a Master’s degree programme in Biology,” the senior academic functionary highlighted.

According to information received, the Centre for Communication Studies (CCS) is also undertaking preparations to begin a Master’s programme in ‘Visual Communication.’

It was in early March that UG’s Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, noted that the country’s premiere institution was embarking on several measures to offer a better quality of service across the university’s campuses, faculties and departments. At that point, it was announced that the university currently has 113 programmes at various levels being offered, including certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s degrees and post-grad-

UG Registrar Dr Nigel Gravesande

uate diplomas. However, Guyana Times was told that only 12 of those programmes are for Master’s degrees.

While some are calling for UG to increase its number of post-graduate programmes, Dr. Gravesande has cautioned that the institution has to respond to the developmental needs in the formulation of such programmes.

“As the enabling environment and the economic needs intensify, divisions [will] roll out more Master’s degree programmmes,” Gravesande observed.

He, however, noted that for this to be realised, the university has to ensure that more members of its academic staff attain a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

“You have to ensure that there is an environment where you have credible professors at post-doctoral experience; and for those teaching in the Master’s degree programme, supervis-

ing thesis [should have] at least a PhD. So there has to be the simultaneous raising of the intellectual capital at the faculty level,” he noted.

“There are a number of faculty members and administrators who are taking up scholarships, who are going on sabbatical, undertaking research leading to terminal degrees; and the university’s administration had attempted vigorously and consciously to create an enabling environment whereby these opportunities can be made available to faculty members, and encourage them to take up (those opportunities),” he added.

The Registrar also said the magnitude of material for which students are going to research highlights the need for library resources to be “absolutely there”.

It was on March 1 that the University secured a Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)-funded project worth over $31 million (US$150,000) to complete the first phase of the brand new University of Guyana Library.

It was reported that the new library will be more spacious, will have enhanced features, and will be located over the canal that lies west of the current building. The CDB said the new facilities will be environmentally resilient and social inclusive as a place of study.

Professor Griffith observed that this latest improvement forms part of a grander infrastructural overhaul. (Shemuel Fanfair)

Barticians rush to initial a tribute to Bartica's first observance of Earth Hour. The sign represents the theme for this year's Earth Hour, “Connect2Earth”

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ead of the Office of Climate Change (OCC) of the Ministry of the Presidency, Janelle Christian on Saturday encouraged the residents of Bartica to be an example of conservation to the rest of Guyana.

Christian said this at the “A Night in the Park” event, which was organised to celebrate Bartica’s first observance of Earth Hour.

The event was held at the West Indian Green Park, Bartica, Region Seven, (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

Earth Hour is observed worldwide in order to raise awareness on the effects of climate change. For one hour on the last Saturday in March, commonly from 20:30h to 21:30h, homeowners, businesses, communities, and cities turn off non-essential electrical lights and appliances to save energy.

The theme for this year’s Earth Hour is “Connect2Earth”. Residents from the West Indian

Housing Scheme and surrounding neighbourhoods came out in their numbers to attend the event at the solar-powered park.

“Let us not, this Earth Hour, have a good time tonight and forget about it.

Particularly, it’s even more important for Bartica, given your designation because you are to be the model ‘green’ town for Guyana, to show the rest of the country… new concepts and innovations that we have to employ … to change the way we have been … pursuing our development over the years,” she said.

Bartica Mayor Gifford Marshall said that all citizens of Guyana have the responsibility to educate themselves on the effects of climate change. He noted that ignorance would only see Guyana fall behind as the rest of the world advanced.

“Our environment is a reflection of the way we think… We must take responsibility for our ac-

tions … Many of us would have heard about the [Green State Development Strategy] GSDS. We have to ensure that we acquaint ourselves with that document … with information and knowledge where ‘greening’ is concerned, so that we can take full responsibility to lead Guyana throughout our ‘green’ discourse. We cannot allow ourselves to continue to be ignorant of the basic facts and information that [are] out there. The world is moving apace and we ought to ensure that we keep up with that pace,” he said.

The event, which was planned by the Bartica Town Council, featured a number of cultural and musical performances.

Additional Earth Hour events were held in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne); Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), and Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

10 NEWS

monDAY, march 26, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice communities getting potable water

The ribbon-cutting ceremony that was held to commission the water network

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pproximately 45 households from Deutichem to Light Town on the East Bank of Berbice (EBB) in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) gained access to potable water, after the Guyana Water Inc (GWI) commissioned a new water network in the area.

On the occasion of World Water Day, which was celebrated on Thursday, the supply system was commissioned by the utility post at Highbury Indian Immigration Site.

Delivering the keynote address at the commissioning ceremony, Managing Director of GWI, Dr Richard Van West-Charles, stressed that access to potable water is a human right and this project was made a reality through collaborative efforts between the various communities and residents.

He also noted that the project was successfully completed on time.

The Managing Director also stressed on the fact that the water company is working diligently to ensure that clean and safe water is provided to the various communities which could not access such. In this regard, a collective approach has been taken to target the critical communities along the EBB. While indicating that the gap which exists is understandable, he stated that it is important for customers to pay their water dues.

Emphasis was also made on this year’s theme for World Water Day, “Nature for Water”, which, according to him, allows persons to focus beyond the supply of water, and shift their at-

tention towards its source.

It causes persons to be more cognisant of the importance of preserving such natural resources by adjusting their practices and behaviours.

Additionally, Engineer of the Ministry of Communities, Preston Prince, delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, stated that completion of this project is seen as a significant milestone, as it relates to the objectives set out by the current administration.

“Given the importance of water for preserving our health and supporting balanced economic development, this project contributes to our goal of sustainable development and equitable distribution of resources,” he said.

According to him, with access to potable water, residents of the various communities will have improvements in the overall quality of their lives.

Residents were indeed elated to finally have a stable water source.

A resident of Light Town, Carlos Chisholm, explained, “Now we know what pipe water is. All we knew was trench water, we know about pond. That is all we know about.”

During the month of February, GWI installed some 1600 lengths of pipe and new service connections in communities such as Deutichem, Light Town, Highbury and De Kinderen, at a cost of $30 million.

Residents have now been provided with water sourced from the Edinburgh Pump Station on a 24-hour basis.

NEWS

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monDAY, march 26, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Appeal filed by activist group against oil companies

– over alleged non-approval of environmental permits

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group of local activists have filed an appeal in the court challenging the legality of the Government in granting production licences to two major oil companies without first granting them an environmental permit to operate offshore Guyana.

Ramon Gaskin, one of the group’s members, in whose name the application was made against the Government and Natural Resources Minister, said the appeal is at the Guyana Court of Appeal, challenging a High Court judge’s decision not to grant a temporary order against oil companies Hess and Nexen.

Gaskin, an outspoken economist, told Guyana Times on Sunday that although the Government has since come out to state that it would defend the companies, the group has decided that filing the appeal would be most appropriate to get the Government to ensure the full protection of the environment.

The activist views the judge’s non-approval of the temporary order as an error in the law. He main-

Activist and Attorney, Melinda Janki

tained that the case must be taken seriously, as there are provisions within the Environmental Act and the application of the environmental law to ensure that permits are granted in full.

Gaskin, through his attorney, Melinda Janki, argued that Hess and Nexen are not covered by the environmental permits issued to ExxonMobil through its local subsidiary, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited. As such, he wants to see that these

Man apprehended after shooting Berbice resident …confessed to carrying out several robberies

Some of the items recovered by the Police

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hirty-six-year-old Ganesh Jagdeo, of High Reef Albion, Corentyne, Berbice, is now a patient at the New Amsterdam Hospital after being brutally attacked, robbed of three cellphones and other items, and shot by bandits.

Guyana Times understands that Jagdeo and a relative were sitting under their house when the suspects, armed with a gun and cutlasses, pounced on them, demanding valuables.

Jagdeo resisted his attackers, and the man with the gun discharged four rounds in his direction, causing Jagdeo to sustain injuries to his right hand and right side ribs. The bandits then relieved their victims of the stated booty before making good their escape.

The Police were called, and, acting on information,

swooped down on a location at Topoo in Albion, where a 22-year-old suspect was arrested. He was found to be in possession of a black shirt used to hide his face during the commission of the robbery.

He later led ranks to an area where a .32 revolver along with live rounds, two bicycles and a cutlass were found; and has since confessed to the crime and given the identities of his accomplices to the Police.

Investigators reveal that the man has also confessed to carrying out other robberies recently committed in the area.

Stringent efforts by the ranks have since led to the arrest of a salesman at Ankerville, Port Mourant, who had reportedly accepted some of the stolen goods.

The Police are continuing their investigations.

companies are issued separate permits to operate.

Janki said Government’s granting of licences to drill was illegal. Under local law, a licence to drill can be granted only if an environmental permit has been obtained by the company involved.

“It is very simple. If you want to extract oil in Guyana, you need an environmental permit in order to get a petroleum production licence… Only one of the three companies involved has an environmental permit. We are seeking an order to quash the decision by the minister to issue the licence, because we are saying he acted illegally,” the attorney told the UK Guardian recently.

Despite her comments, the Government has said that while it respects the right of every citizen to seek recourse in law in pursuit of interests it believes to be worthy, it feels confident

Activist and economist, Ramon Gaskin

that every action it (Govt) took with regard to the issuance of the petroleum production licence met all legal requirements.

The Ministry of Natural Resources has said that this sort of action is not unusual in emerging oil economies, particularly during the stage leading up to first

oil, at which Guyana currently is.

Since filing the appeal application, the group of activists, have launched a campaign through Crowd Justice, dubbed “A Fair Deal for Guyana - A Fair Deal for the Planet.” Gaskin said the objective of the campaign is to raise funding to ensure that Government and the oil companies obey the law, and to enable concerned citizens to protect the environment for present and future generations.

While the lawyers for the group have been offering pro bono work, it has been recognized that it’s a huge undertaking to challenge the Government and what they described as the powerful oil sector. The activists said Guyana has a strong legal regime for protecting the environment. As such, they intend to use these laws to safeguard biodiversity and protect the environment for present and future genera-

tions.

“We know it will require significant legal time and costs. Nevertheless, we believe that we must do everything legally possible to protect our common home, and to ensure that the Government and the oil companies obey the law. We owe this to our children and grandchildren,” the group said.

More importantly, however, the group said it recognizes that the seas surrounding Guyana are under threat by these big oil companies. It said it also believes that the Government is putting the natural world and the home of all Guyanese in danger, something that it is not prepared to allow to continue.

The group also noted that no one seems to be paying attention to the impact of oil production on global climate change, which, according to them, is the biggest threat to life on earth.

12 news

monDAY, march 26, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 2M ounces of gold expected from Aurora’s underground mining operations

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urora Gold Mines is earmarking an investment of US$120 million for underground mining over the next 15 years, and it is estimated that some two million ounces of gold could be produced therefrom.

This disclosure was made on Sunday during a media tour of the Canada-based company’s Aurora Gold Mines in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), where this new operation is planned to be conducted.

While giving media operatives a tour of Rory’s Knoll Pit, which is currently the largest on site, Mine Manager at Guyana Goldfields Inc., Clyde Gillespie, disclosed that drilling is expected to begin later this year.

According to him, the depth of the open pit is currently 80 metres below sea level. However, when drilling

Mine Manager at Guyana Goldfields Inc, Clyde Gillespie

a collapse of the tunnel leading to the underground gold deposit. It was explained to media operative that geotechnical engineers will help to determine how this could be achieved.

Gillespie said, “There are many different types of ground support we use, but it’s all engineered, and we test

107,000 ounces of gold.

Open pit mining at Rory’s Knoll is expected to continue for the next three and a half years, smaller pits to 2031, and underground mining would begin in 2018 and last until 2033.

President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guyana Goldfields Inc., Scott Caldwell, first announcement this major investment in early February. In revealing these plans, Caldwell said studies have already been completed, and a feasibility report would determine the commencement date.

Caldwell explained that the company had initially forecasted starting underground mining in four years’ time, but has decided to bring forward those plans. “Our previous (outlook) was four years from now, so it would have started in 2022… (But) this study

Guyana Goldfields Inc’s gold mining operation

begins for the underground mining, the depth of the pit could reach 1.2 kilometres below sea level.

The official noted that many Guyanese will have a chance to work in the underground mining. The idea, according to Gillespie, is to hire contractors who will, in turn, train the local workforce Meanwhile, the company has outlined a process by which it would work towards maintaining safety against

those roof bolts to determine how much stress or how much pressure they will take. So, in that, we will assure that our people can work safely underground.”

Another company official explained that workers would drill the underground tunnel from another pit dubbed Mad Kiss Pit, to access the ore deposit at Rory’s Knoll. While Rory’s Knoll Pit may contain more ounces of gold underground, another pit dubbed Mad Kiss could contain

is looking at starting sooner than that,” he disclosed.

Since commencing operations here, the Guyana Goldfields Inc, which operates the Aurora Gold Mines, has touted its intentions of starting underground mining.

According to him, starting the operations sooner than its initial forecasted date would allow for longer time to train and get the workforce up to speed.

Caldwell noted that a

higher quality of gold lies below the base of the Aurora Mines, but the company cannot expand the pit further because of the Cuyuni River, so the other option is to go underground. This method, he added, would result in less disturbance to the environment.

Moreover, Caldwell stated that in order to start driving tunnel underground, the company has already expended some US$4 million to conduct

studies, all of which found positive results about the operation. In fact, he noted that several million dollars have also been spent on risk analysis and drill testing, including hydrology testing, soil testing, rock mechanics, and so on.

In a feasibility study report released by Guyana Goldfields just over a year ago, it was stated that the development of the underground operation was scheduled to commence

in 2022, with first production expected in 2024 at the cost of US$129 million.

The study results show underground mining creates minimal surface subsidence, and indicate water inflows are manageable, as has been proven by existing open pit mining activities.

The company is looking to be the premiere underground mining not only in Guyana, but in all of South America.

Houston accident victim stable

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orty-eight-year-old Lona France of Independence B o u l e v a r d , Albouystown, Georgetown, who sustained a fractured left leg, fractured left hand, fractured left hip, and a punctured lung after being struck down on Friday evening as she attempted to cross the Houston Public Road, Greater Georgetown, is listed in stable condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

A senior Police source informed this newspaper on Sunday that the woman is recovering from her inju-

ries, and Guyana Times understands that, in the coming days, France will undergo a surgery to further alleviate her condition.

France was struck by a motorcar reportedly being driven

by Oswald Michael. This driver has been detained, and reports suggest that speeding was involved.

The woman was said to be proceeding along the Houston Public Road, and as she approached Meadow Bank, reportedly ended up in the path of the vehicle, causing her to fall to the roadway, where she

received injuries.

She was picked up in an unconscious state and taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where she was examined and admitted.

Police had, on Friday, stated that speeding, inattentiveness, and pedestrians crossing in the path of approaching vehicles were the main causes of fatal accidents.

In fact, for the year thus far, 2,935 cases have been made out by the Police Traffic Department for speeding, and 155 for careless driving.

6 homeless as Mabaruma house goes up in flames

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family of six has literally been left without a roof over their heads after a fire, which was reportedly started by a stove left unattended in the house, completely destroyed their two-storey wooden home on Saturday morning.

This home was situated in the Mabaruma Settlement at Barima Waini in the North West District, and the fire began at around 11:00hrs, when the family was not at home at

the time.

The Guyana Times was informed that the owner of the house, 51-year-old Rocky Campbell, had left to visit his farm, located some distance away from the house.

His wife, Elaine Sam, had reportedly cooked him a meal and had left the house to take the food to the farm. Before leaving, she had sent her four children to fetch water.

Upon the children’s return, they were confronted by

thick smoke emanating from the upper flat of the house, which was already engulfed in flames. An alarm was raised, and public-spirited persons formed a bucket brigade that managed to douse the flames.

However, the family estimates losses close to a million dollars.

The fire is suspected to have been started from a gas stove which was reportedly left on by Mrs Sam.

news

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monDAY, march 26, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese, Colombian Foreign Family to witness PM today Ministers hold bilateral talks Linden Hospital maternal death

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he family of 41-yearold Jennifer Gill, of Amelia's Ward, Linden, who died at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) last Monday evening following the delivery of a healthy baby boy, is expected to have a post-mortem examination done on her body today to determine the cause of death.

The family had failed to show up for the procedure which was expected to be conducted on the body of the deceased woman at the Hospital last Wednesday; however, the woman's niece confirmed that it was expected to be done today.

LHC officials noted last Wednesday that the family now would have to travel from Linden to Georgetown

to have the procedure done, since pathologists would not return to the Hospital to conduct the examination.

The family had refuted claims that Gill did not require a C-section delivery. The medical institution would have so far completed its investigation into the matter and an official report was prepared and sent to the relevant authorities, including the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and the Director of Regional Health Services.

The medical institution's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Farouk Riyasat noted last Wednesday that based on his medical knowledge and facts of the report, he believed that Gill died after suffering a blood disorder, referred to as

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC), which caused rapid blood loss and thinning, eventually leading to shock and kidney failure.

The CEO made the statement during a media briefing, which was also attended by the Hospital's CMO, Dr Romesa McDonald and Public Relations Officer Toshanna Alicock.

Dr Riyasat had also said that the family's failure to show up for the post-mortem examination had hampered the flow of information for the report.

Officials had also indicated that the family had been kept up to date on the now deceased woman's condition and that she was given the best possible care.

Political ‘guidebook’ focusing on corruption and integrity launched

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political handbook has recently been published in anticipation of a flood of general elections in the Caribbean region over the next few years. Interestingly, the book focuses on political and governance issues in the Caribbean, with special emphasis on corruption.

This piece of political literature, written by Cynthia Barrow-Giles, a lecturer at the University of the West Indies’ Cave Hill campus, is titled ‘The National Integrity System and Governance in the Commonwealth Caribbean.’

The manuscript examines the concept of the National Integrity System (NIS) which was developed by Transparency International, and covers some of the major issues of Integrity in Governance. It then applies these ideas to an analysis and

understanding of the function of National Integrity Systems (NIS) in the Commonwealth Caribbean. By doing this, the book discusses regional and global best practices and the deficiencies in integrity systems.

The book not only addresses government institutions, but the private sector, political parties, the media, and civil society as critical parties in poorly functioning national integrity and corruption systems.

Barrow-Giles’s Political Science colleague, Head of the Department of Government, Sociology and Social Work at UWI, Dr. Tenyson Joseph, praised the publication, and noted that it has made an important contribution to political science, public policy, governance, and constitutional development.

“Barrow-Giles closes in on a number of institutional and political-cultural features and systems which need to be addressed in resolving the persistent and widespread features of corruption in Caribbean public life,” Dr Joseph stated.

“Barrow-Giles not only highlights the existing challenges of corruption, but in doing so, provides useful alternatives for strengthening existing systems. This makes the book more than an academic study, but equally qualifies it as a guidebook for practitioners”, he elaborated.

He further explained that the book will be of great value to constitutional and legal reform, development agencies, students of Caribbean politics, civil society agencies interested in government, and citizens as a whole.

Stormy Daniels “told to leave Trump alone” over affair claims

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dult film actress Stormy Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford, says she was threatened to keep quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Donald Trump in 2006.

She told CBS News a man had approached her in a Las Vegas car park in 2011. The stranger allegedly said "leave Trump alone".

The US President strongly denies having had an affair with the actress.

His lawyers are seeking US$20 million in damages from her, saying she broke a non-disclosure deal signed before the 2016 presidential election. She says the claim is invalid.

Clifford said she had had sex with Trump just once, in a hotel room during a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, California, in July 2006. Trump married Melania Trump in 2005.

She told the 60 Minutes show, which aired on Sunday evening, that she had been approached by the man in the

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels, real name Stephanie Clifford

car park after having agreed to tell her story to a magazine.

"I was in a parking lot, going to a fitness class with my infant daughter," she said.

"A guy walked up on me and said to me, 'Leave Trump alone. Forget the story'. And then he leaned around and looked at my daughter and said, 'That's a beautiful little girl. It'd be a shame if something happened to her mom'.

And then he was gone."

President Trump has not

responded to the latest allegations.

Clifford told CBS that the encounter with Trump took place after he invited her to dinner in his hotel suite.

She said he had shown her a magazine with his picture on the cover and she had jokingly smacked his bottom with it.

"He turned around and pulled his pants down a little, you know [he] had underwear on and stuff, and I just gave him a couple swats," she said.

Clifford said that although she had not been attracted to Trump, she had had sex with him, adding: "I didn't say no.

I'm not a victim."

Trump, she added, had suggested she might appear in his TV game show, “The Apprentice”, and she thought of the encounter "as a business deal".

Clifford told CBS she had accepted "hush money" from Trump's personal lawyer, because she was concerned for the safety of her family. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge greets Colombian Foreign Affairs Minister María Ángela Holguín

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ice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge and his Colombian counterpart, María Ángela Holguín, engaged in bilateral talks on Sunday in Georgetown.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on December 18, 1970, Guyana

and Colombia have had strong ties.

The two countries have collaborated on a number of projects such as environmental and disaster management, curtailing international drug trafficking and organised crime, as well as nutrition and food security.

Additionally, Guyanese

public servants have benefited from a number of Spanish courses offered by the Government of Colombia under a cultural agreement signed by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the Government of the Republic of Colombia since 1970.

14 news

monDAY, march 26, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Region 2 dissatisfied Probation officers trained in with work done by new counselling techniques Infrastructure Ministry

Region 2 Chairman complaining farmers

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Devanand

aving received several complaints from Riverstown, Essequibo Coast residents about their frustration regarding the manner in which a project was designed and implemented by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure -- without any consultation with the Region or residents, Regional Chairman Devanand Ramdatt and Councillors of the Region Two Administration visited the area on Friday last and met with residents.

The team was shocked to see the destruction of many

Ramdatt

interacting

with

gal action.

Residents are also claiming that the project was done on private farm lands.

It was brought to the attention of the visiting team that no engineer or technical staff visited the construction site, and as such, substandard work is being done.

It was noted that neither the RDC, NDCs, nor residents were provided with project details and Bills of Quantities.

Residents felt they were being grossly disrespected, and therefore compelled

Some of the trees that were damaged by the ongoing construction works

bearing plantain suckers, they having been thrown to the ground.

According to a farmer, he lost more than one hundred bearing plantain suckers and is contemplating le-

the Regional Chairman and Councillors to make immediate contact with the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to get details about the construction project.

Drilling for Region 9 wells to commence in October - Brazilian Commander inspects ongoing reconnaissance work

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s the Government of Guyana, in collaboration with the Government of Brazil through its respective Armies prepare to wrap up a ten-day reconnaissance mission in Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo (Region Nine), which will pave the way for the drilling of eight wells in eight villages, the Commanding Officer of the 6th Construction Engineering Battalion of the Brazilian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Vandir Pereira Soares Junior and Director General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, today, wrapped up a three-day visit to the identified locations to finalise the preparations for October, 2018. The wells are intended to ensure water supply through cyclical dry seasons.

During the drilling phase, the Brazilian Army will be working closely with the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and this collaboration will see the drilling of artesian wells in the villages of Aishalton, Chukrikednau, Shea, Maruranawa, A w a r a w a u n a u , Karaudarnau, Achiwib and Bashraidrun. The reconnaissance mission commenced on March 19 and will run until March 29, 2018.

Already, on the ground testing has been completed for

more than half of the communities identified.

During the three-day visit to the communities, Colonel Vandir and his team along with the team from the CDC were able to visit the proposed locations and to meet with some of the village leaders and residents to identify any potential challenges with regard to access to the communities, particularly the remote villages.

In an invited comment, Colonel Craig said that the drilling of the wells is an important part of disaster response and preparedness, particularly during the El Nino season. Importantly too, Guyana is benefitting from the transfer of knowledge and technology with the beneficiaries being the main stakeholders, the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the GDF. “The well driving operation is a comprehensive disaster risk management approach to reduce the identified communities risk to the impact of drought.

These wells, which are being drilled to approximately 100 meters and the best identified locations would seek ensure that the communities have potable water during prolonged dry seasons and drought conditions. Further, the operation would seek to build the country’s well drilling ca-

pacity and ensure valuable knowledge is transfer to the national and local players, which is key for sustainability and drilling of other wells not only in Region Nine but in other vulnerable communities in Regions 1, 2, 7 and 8,” he said.

In an effort to stay within the stipulated 60-day project duration, the Brazilians will be bringing three drilling machines and two teams from both Armed Forces will be dispatched to work in conjunction.

Mr. Raymond Almando, Toshao of Bashraidrun, a border community with a population of 142, in an invited comment said that the wells will bring significant relief to the residents of the communities identified. Given its remote location, Mr. Almando said that he is pleased that the community has been included in the project.

This project follows President David Granger’s State visit to Brazil in December 2017, where the Complementary Agreement to the Basic Agreement on Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Guyana and the Federative Republic of Brazil for the Implementation of the Project Technologies to Reduce the Effects of the Drought in Region Nine of Guyana, was inked.

Probation Officers in the process of receiving training in new techniques to deal with evolving social issues

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he Ministry of Social Protection, through its Probation and Social Services Department, is facilitating sessions for probation officers to improve their ability to offer counselling.

The training is being held under the theme “Enhancing Our Counselling Skills for Effective Service Delivery”.

Facilitator of the workshop, Dr. Joy Wilson, noted that the sessions offered capacity-building training focusing on the area of counselling, with extensive focus on personal and professional competencies. She explained it was important for social workers to know themselves before engaging a client.

“When we go to work, we don’t leave ourselves at home.

The importance of having good mental health, emotional and other wellbeing is critical to your success. The most important asset is you,” she noted.

The ministry, in a release on Sunday, explained that probation officers were expected to be trained in batches to facilitate the training of every Probation and Social Service officer employed within the Ministry of Social Protection. The areas covered were theory and practice of counselling, ethical and legal issues, group counselling, record keeping, and leadership.

Senior Probation and Social Services Officer, the organizer of the training, Ms. Trenetta Elliot, was quoted as saying that Probation

and Social Services officers are not only court officers, but serve other functions, such as providing psychosocial support.

She added that the workshop targeted providing officers “with the tools to better enable service provision to the public in the execution of their duties”.

She further explained that the ministry aims to continue to expose its officers to best practices and modern trends.

It was pointed out that, apart from the most recent batch of trainees, further training sessions are scheduled for April 3-5, 2018, with the final training seminar scheduled for April 10-12, 2018. There are Probation Officers in every region across Guyana.

Caribbean Leadership Conference set for April 5

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he British High Commission, in collaboration with the Education Ministry, will be hosting a Caribbean Conference on Educational Leadership at the School of Nations on April 5 and 6.

The event will feature a number of international speakers from a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other institutions. Among those speakers are Director of Starfish NGO in Gambia, Yassin Saar; Head of Cambridge International Examinations for South America, Lucia Marquez; Director of Marefat High School in Afghanistan, Aziz Royesh; Administrative

Head of Low Resource Teacher Training, Emily Finnegan; Entrepreneurship Expert from Zambia, Frazin Rahmani; Professor of Developmental Disabilities at Ulster University in Northern Ireland, Roy Mc Conkey; Gordon Naylor and Dr Somava Stout.

Persons who are interested in attending the conference can also expect the launching of a book, titled ‘Educational Leadership: a Guyanese Experience’, composed by Dr Brian O’Toole.

It outlines 40 years of experience while working on developmental projects in Guyana.

In the afternoon, there will be a series of work-

shops on the experience of the ‘NGO Epic’ in working with youth and children; the Baha’i model of education; the Cambridge Certificate in Educational Leadership; the work of the 100 Million Healthier Lives programme; programmes on entrepreneurship in Africa, and their relevance in Guyana.

Those who are willing to attend can register at the School of Nations at a cost of $5000, which include lunch, snack and conference materials. Additionally, there will be an education fair on April 9 at the said institution, where various universities will be visiting to introduce their respective programmes.

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monDAY, march 26, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

I SAY...

What the people say

What are some of the measures that can be implemented by hospitals, more so medical personnel to reduce or prevent maternal deaths?

Radiante Frank “Improving prenatal care and not underestimating the patient's complaints as regular pregnancy symptoms.

For example, if the mother complains of abdominal pain or feeling more unwell than normal pregnancy symptoms, they shouldn't dismiss it, even if up to that point, everything appears normal. Doublechecking could save a life.”

Nevon Adonis “Give incentives to health providers to motivate them to do their job effectively. They can also implement evidencebased strategies to increase utilisation of maternal healthcare services. Remove/reduce user fees for maternal healthcare services and provide transportation services to maternal health centres – which alone can double the utilisation of the centres’ services.”

Denisia Liddell “I think they should find out more about their medical history before they decide what sort of delivery the patient will have. In that way, I think they would better know what to do.”

Frederick Minty “For one, they can start with maybe having some midwives

do home visits to check on mothers. Though mothers are supposed to join clinics, some do so very late or not at all.

Additionally, I think the maternity ward and all its equipment need to be upgraded.

Too often, the complications are realised during delivery and not before, and even the issues are sometimes found beforehand, the medical personnel is not proactive and take very long to act on it. Also, the level of professionalism needs to be enhanced.

Showana Spencer Educational sessions: if the population is made aware of the causes and preventative measures associated with maternal deaths, maternal mortality rates will be reduced.

Lester Glenn “Well, I am not in that field, but I would think to have an

updated record of the patient's medical history, have more than one professional present, use cameras to record what is taking place in that room during labour and after they can do an observation watch on the camera to make sure that everything went according to protocol. Just like how they have Police using body cams. And maybe a higher punishment for maternal deaths, I think nobody gets punished. The hospitals always know how to clear up things.”

Mark Benschop We need competent, well trained doctors and staff.

And lawsuits to compensate the victims’ families. This will eventually cause doctors and nurses to operate with care, especially those who have been reckless with the lives of others.

Deonarine Budhan “The medical personnel should be more aware of the patient beforehand and the hospitals should be more equipped to deal with any emergencies or difficult cases.”

Sherwin Ramoo “I’d say they’d have to get properly trained staff to work

in the maternity ward, not just any doctor or nurse, because it is the careless attitude that the hospital staff express that result in maternal deaths in most cases. They usually don’t take patients seriously in public hospitals and are more carefree than they should be. So, I’d say better qualified people and the implementation of seminars to deal with the behavioural overhaul of the people working there, so they’ll be more proactive in caring for patients and the maternal deaths can be reduced.”

Santa Rosa Toshao wants new trade Juvenile Bill can do much more school to reduce social ills

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– improved access to health care needed

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n light of the issues surrounding youth substance abuse in some sections of the North West District community of Santa Rosa, Toshao Sherwin Abrams has renewed calls for the establishment of a technical and vocational institute to equip young persons with life skills.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Toshao Abrams highlighted that the riverine nature of Santa Rosa and the satellite communities allowed for the easy transport of prohibited substances, mainly marijuana.

“We are trying to curb it and control it; we are currently forming a policing group to support the Police [who] is trying to suppress substance abuse,” he noted.

To this end, Abrams stated that the Council was also able to establish a social assistance board to supplement the Village Council in the Moruca region to do counselling, and outreaches to educate and sensitise the youths about sub-

stance abuse. According to the village leader, parents are encountering challenges with their children when they consume narcotic substances.

“Once they consume it, they feel they’re bigger than their parents; parents have no control, so it is a real issue with families,” he said.

Abrams highlighted that for the past three years, the Council has been advocating for Government to establish a technical centre, which can include school drop-outs and recovered substance abusers. He noted that the Council was requesting of the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry the establishment of the technical institute within the Moruca sub-region. This institution, according to Abrams, would cater for many trades not just carpentry, joinery, and plumbing.

lems with access to education and health services. He noted that because the communities were along the river, access for students living farthest away posed a problem. However, he stressed that despite these challenges, many students from the area have managed to garner excellent results which have made their communities proud. Abrams said that Santa Rosa has over 7000 residents.

“We have been facing problems with accessibility, because most of the communities are along the river and transportation is an issue, but in terms of the education standard, we are there, because we always produce a lot of students who attend Multi [Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary] and other schools in Georgetown,” he remarked.

Access to education, health-care delivery The Toshao also highlighted other issues affecting his community, including prob-

With regard to public health care, Abrams told this publication last week that most of the doctors and nurses at the district hospital in the Moruca

Accessibility to health services

Santa Rosa Toshao Sherwin Abrams

sub-region were from his village.

“It has been in existence for past 30 years, but today we are not receiving our delivery of health care. There is an x-ray department, but it’s not functioning. We have a lab, but it’s not functioning as well [to full capacity]; we do basic things like dengue and malaria,” he disclosed.

Toshao Abrams added that another of the major challenges in the area was teenage pregnancy and he hoped that the counselling services offered at Moruca would alleviate this problem.

ocial activist Nicole Cole has hailed the Juvenile Justice Bill as being revolutionary, but has stated that the bill can do much more for juvenile and children.

Speaking on the recently tabled bill, the Women and Gender Equality Commission representative stated that the bill, presented to the National Assembly

by Public Security Minister Kemraj Ramjattan, stipulates that children who are apprehended by Police must undergo a psychological evaluation.

“The question beckons: Do we have child psychologists? Do we have the relevant human resources to actually do the things that the bill is calling for?” Cole asked.

The activist disclosed that, prior to the presentation of the bill, several members of the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) had had a forum with legal practitioners. She noted that

those practitioners advised that this forum created a platform for the RCC to play a strategic role in advocating for the bill.

She explained the reasoning behind this, saying, “Because we are tabling a bill in Parliament, whereby we do not have all the necessary provisions as yet to actually complement that bill.”

Cole went on to divulge this is the point where both financial and human resources are needed.

“You have children who do not belong in an institution, and this is where the bill needs to actually work towards fixing some of those maladies,” she continued.

Cole, who sits as a member of the RCC, has, for a number of years, been advocating for the tabling of the bill, which will see elimination of trivial offences such as wandering, which has landed a shocking amount of the nation’s children at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC).

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, march 26, 2018

Regional

Former Central Bank Governor warns Barbados’ foreign reserves in free fall

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he Freundel Stuart Administration is in danger of losing control of the Bd$2 to US$1 exchange rate, warns former Central Bank Governor, Dr DeLisle Worrell.

He argues this is likely if Government continues to spend more than it earns, as it has been doing for much of the last decade.

“The Central Bank’s foreign reserves continue to be in free fall, with the failure of Government’s corrective strategy. The current costs of Government operations exceeded revenues by Bd$288 million between April and December last year, and Central Bank’s lending to the public sector increased

by Bd$372 million during the year. Unless this gap is closed, foreign reserves (forex) will be exhausted and Government will lose control of the exchange rate,” Worrell warned in his

Former Central Bank Governor, Dr Delisle Worrell

March Economic Letter.

Barbados’ economy needs an adequate amount of forex – 12 weeks of imports being the benchmark – to enhance confidence in the stability of Government’s monetary policies and to protect the exchange rate. Without

the benchmarked amount, the country would be unable to comfortably pay international debts, buy oil to power the country, food, essential medicines and equipment, and defend the BD$2 to US$1 currency peg.

Worrell, who was fired

last February by Finance Minister Chris Sinckler, said the accelerating loss of foreign reserves in 2017 is evidence of the failure of Government’s adjustment policies. Reserves, which fell Bd$246 million in 2016, declined by Bd$274 million in 2017. Since December 2012, the Central Bank has lost over Bd$1 billion of foreign exchange.

He contended that last May’s budget was intended to arrest the decline in forex which had driven the level below the critical minimum of 12 weeks of imports at December 2016.

The main adjustment tool was the National Social Responsibility Levy (NSRL), which was expected to provide Bd$218 million in tax receipts. In fact, between April and December 2017, the NSRL yielded Bd$97 million. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

European Union delegation to visit Antigua and Barbuda

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high-level delegation from the European Union (EU) is scheduled to visit Antigua and Barbuda this week as part of a visit to the region.

Headed by Director General for International Cooperation and Development Aid, Stefano Manservisi, the team also comprises Director for External Affairs for Latin America, Hugo Sobral as well as two representatives

based at the EU Delegation for the Eastern Caribbean based in Barbados.

This includes the EU’s ambassador to Barbados and the OECS, Daniela Tramacere, based in Bridgetown.

Shortly after arriving on Tuesday afternoon, the group will pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Gaston Browne, before traveling to Barbuda for a first-hand assessment of the situation

on the ground following the passage of Hurricane Irma.

The visit is likely to be the first for a foreign delegation since the Gaston Browne Administration was returned to office following the recent general elections.

In a statement, the EU said the delegation will use the opportunity to strengthen its relationship with the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda.

Following the devasta-

tion in the wake of Hurricane Irma last September, the EU has made available five million euros to finance home reconstruction on Barbuda.

The project covers repair/ construction of private homes using disaster resilient construction techniques and materials as well as a programme to educate residents of the island on more resilient construction techniques. (Excerpt from CMC)

IMF points to weaknesses in T&T’s tax administration

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he International Monetary Fund (IMF) has found several deficiencies and weaknesses in Trinidad and Tobago’s tax administration system.

That was revealed in the findings of an assessment carried out by the Washington-based lending agency using the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT).

The IMF said the Inland Revenue Division’s reform needs were substantial. Among the many deficiencies identified were: the unreliable state of the taxpayer registration database; delays in processing of accounting transactions; and weak compliance risk management methodologies that severely hamper the Division’s operations, limits its capacity to improve taxpayer compliance and generate additional tax revenues.

“While the assessment team observed strengths in the use of third party data to support audits, a well-structured tax dispute resolution process, and a relatively sound tax administration IT system, there

are substantial weaknesses that impact all outcome areas,” the TADAT performance assessment report stated.

Those weaknesses include: an inaccurate taxpayer registration database with uncertainty regarding the number of active taxpayers; inaccurate taxpayer accounts arising from delays in processing accounting transactions; under-developed compliance management methodology; inefficient business processes; and general shortage of technical staff.

“All these issues impact on the credibility, reliability and ready availability of tax administration data,” the report said.

Given the deficiencies identified, the IMF team said it was unable to assess the true performance situation in a number of areas.

In 18 of the 28 indicators, Trinidad and Tobago was graded ‘D’ – the lowest level of performance which denotes inadequate performance or insufficient information to determine and score the level of performance. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

José Abreu: Founder of world renowned El Sistema music project dies

Jamaica partners with the UN to launch campaign against human trafficking T T

José Abreu's work used music to lift children out of poverty

he Government of Jamaica has partnered with the United Nations to launch the Global Blue Heart campaign against human trafficking.

The campaign is an international awareness initiative by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to fight human trafficking and its impact on society. It seeks to encourage involvement and inspire action to help stop the crime.

Permanent Secretary in the Justice Ministry and Chair of the National Task Force against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), Carol Palmer said she was pleased that Jamaica was the first English-speaking Caribbean Country to partner with the UNODC. She noted that the strong global brand of the UN and the internationally recognised Brand Jamaica

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice and Chair of the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP), Carol Palmer speaking during a press briefing for the Jamaica/ United Nations, Blue Heart Campaign Against Human Trafficking on March 23, 2018 (Photo: JIS)

would make a compelling partnership in the fight against human trafficking.

“The combined resources of Governments everywhere are more than enough to secure an aggressive and

sustained agenda against human trafficking. These resources must be made available to law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies as well as the judiciary in an unprecedented onslaught

against this (crime),” she said.

The Permanent Secretary was speaking at a press briefing held at the Ministry’s Constant Spring Road offices on Friday.

The official launch of the campaign will take place on Wednesday, at Emancipation Park in Kingston.

It will be held concurrently at the St William Grant Park, Downtown Kingston and at the Rudolph Elder Park in St Thomas. A central feature of the launch is the simultaneous symbolic turning on of Blue lights at all three locations.

The locations were carefully chosen given their significance in the fight against slavery, bondage and oppression which are all negative features of human trafficking. (Excerpt from JIS)

ributes have been paid following the death of José Abreu, founder of a renowned music programme that changed the lives of thousands of children.

Abreu founded El Sistema (the system), providing free music education in Venezuela’s shantytowns and poor neighbourhoods.

The programme has inspired similar systems in other countries.

Venezuela announced three days of national mourning for “Maestro Abreu”, who died on Saturday aged 78.

He began the music project in 1975 and counted renowned Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel among his students.

“With devoted love and eternal gratitude to my mentor and father of El Sistema,” tweeted Dudamel, who is now director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Abreu was born in the Andean city of Valera on May 7, 1939. Music ran deep in his family – his grandfather had founded an orchestra in Italy and his grandmother was a passionate opera fan.

Abreu’s mother played piano, and his father the guitar.

He pursued music studies but later – to help support his family – he moved to Caracas to take a degree in economics.

He later worked as an economist for the government and was elected as a substitute Member of Parliament in the 1960s.

Abreu said he became frustrated that Venezuela had only one orchestra while other countries, such as Argentina, Brazil or Mexico, had achieved greater musical development.

“That’s when the idea was born to organise a system to have at least one great Venezuelan-born orchestra,” he recalled. (Excerpt from BBC News)

monDAY, march 26, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Russia fire: Dozens die in Former Catalan fugitive Kemerovo shopping mall blaze leader detained in Germany

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A

atalonia's ex-leader Carles Puigdemont has been detained by German Police acting on a European arrest warrant.

Puigdemont, who is wanted in Spain for sedition and rebellion, was held crossing from Denmark on the way to Belgium, his lawyer said.

Puigdemont will appear before a German judge today.

The ex-leader's supporters gathered in Barcelona to protest against his arrest. The charges he faces in Spain could result in 30

Smoke billows from the Russian shopping centre

t least 37 people are reported to have died in a fire that tore through a shopping mall in the Siberian city of Kemerovo.

Russian media say dozens more are missing, children believed to be among them.

The blaze started on the fourth floor of the Winter Cherry building, Russia's Sputnik news site reports.

Video posted on social

media showed smoke billowing from windows as fire crews worked to evacuate the property.

People were also seen jumping from windows to escape the flames on Sunday.

Initial reports said only five people had died.

The fire started in part of the building that contains an entertainment complex and a cinema, local media report, raising concerns that more children may have been

trapped.

In two of the halls that formed part of the cinema, the ceiling reportedly collapsed.

Eyewitnesses say the popular shopping centre also contained a zoo, with animals including guinea pigs, goats, hedgehogs and cats.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known but authorities have launched an investigation. (BBC News)

years in prison.

Puigdemont has been living in self-imposed exile in Belgium since Catalonia's Parliament unilaterally declared independence from Spain in October.

He was visiting Finland last week when the arrest warrant against him was reissued, and he slipped out of the country on Friday before Finnish authorities could arrest him.

He is spending the night in a prison in the north German town of Neumuenster.

His court appearance will be a formality to confirm his identity.

Afterwards a decision will be made about whether he will remain in custody while the extradition order is being processed.

German Police said that Puigdemont was detained by a highway patrol in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein, which borders Denmark.

After the news of his arrest broke on Sunday, thousands of demonstrators poured on to the streets of Barcelona. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Syria forces close to gaining full control of Eastern Ghouta

China air force drills again in South China Sea, Western Pacific

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hina’s air force has held another round of drills in the disputed South China Sea and the Western Pacific after passing though Japan’s southern islands, the air force said on Sunday, calling such exercises the best preparation for war.

China is in the midst of an ambitious military mod-

ernisation programme overseen by President Xi Jinping with a heavy focus on its air force and navy, from building stealth fighters to adding aircraft carriers.

China insists it has no hostile intent, but its sabre-rattling in the busy South China Sea waterway, and around Taiwan, has touched a nerve in the re-

gion and in Washington.

In a statement, the air force said H-6K bombers and Su-30 and Su-35 fighters, among other aircraft, carried out combat patrols over the South China Sea and exercises in the Western Pacific after passing over the Miyako Strait, which lies between two southern Japanese islands. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Nigeria Dapchi abductions: Schoolgirls finally home

Thousands more are expected to be evacuated from Eastern Ghouta in the coming days [Reuters file photo]

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housands of Eastern Ghouta residents are being evacuated from the besieged enclave on Sunday, Syrian state media reported, after large groups of residents already left towns in the Damascus suburb over the past days.

State news agency Sana reported that buses carrying about 500 residents and fighters were about to leave the Irbin corridor, with hundreds more expected to leave later on Sunday.

Two out of three rebel groups that had been controlling the enclave since 2013 have already surrendered, with thousands of fighters and their relatives departing for Oppositionheld areas in Idlib, a province in the country's north.

On Saturday, Opposition fighters and their families were evacuated as part of an evacuation deal that was reached between the Russian army and two main rebel groups in the area.

More than 900 residents of Eastern Ghouta started leaving towards Idlib province on Saturday night, an activist inside the city told Al Jazeera.

Residents have also been leaving from Harasta, which was previously controlled

by Ahrar al-Sham rebel group, on board 17 buses, and from Irbin, which, along with Zamalka and Jobar, had been controlled by the Faylaq ar-Rahman rebel group. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UNICEF asks for US$350M for starving Yemeni children

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The girls were flown to and from Abuja on a military plane

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ore than 100 Nigerian schoolgirls, most of those recently kidnapped by Boko Haram, have gone home to their families, four days after being freed.

The jihadist group abducted the girls from the town of Dapchi in February.

After their release from captivity and a brief emotional meeting with their

parents, the schoolgirls were flown to the capital to meet the President.

The girls – warned by Boko Haram not to return to school – were escorted back to Dapchi by Nigerian soldiers.

As well as meeting President Muhammadu Buhari, the newly-released girls underwent medical and security screenings.

The schoolgirls, who were kidnapped from their boarding school on February 19, were reportedly released by the side of a road almost five weeks later.

A total of 110 girls were originally kidnapped, but five did not survive the ordeal and one other – a Christian who refused to convert to Islam – is still being held. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he United Nations urgently needs US$350 million for hungry children in war-torn Yemen – a figure that is "peanuts" compared with what is being spent on deadly weapons in the conflict.

The comments by Geert Cappelaere, Middle East and North Africa Director at the UN children's fund UNICEF, on Sunday, appeared to mock US President Donald Trump, who last week described billions of dollars in Saudi arms purchases as "peanuts".

"UNICEF is asking for 2018 alone for its humanitarian programme close to $350 million. That is peanuts compared to the billions of dollars that are currently invested in fighting

Yemeni children attempt to receive food rations in April 2017 in Sanaa [Hani Mohammed/AP]

war. We are asking for peanuts," Cappelaere told reporters in Amman, Jordan.

Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House last Tuesday and said Saudi Arabia would be spend-

ing "peanuts" by purchasing US$12.5 billion worth of military hardware from the United States.

Saudi Arabia leads a military coalition in Yemen fighting Houthi rebels. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, March 26, 2018

ARCHIE

Put responsibilities you took on behind you and cover (March 21your back when dealing with April 19) a critical or negative person looking for an excuse to make you look bad.

ARIES

Take on only what you TAURUS can handle. If someone tries (April 20- to intervene or put too many May 20) demands on you, push back.

Learn from experience and say no to controlling individuals.

dilbert

Stay on top of technology GEMINI (May 21- and other breakthroughs that June 20) can help you advance. Make changes that will give you an edge and keep you ahead of any competition you encounter.

Keep tabs on personal records and documentation.

(June 21- Enforce updates before licensJuly 22) es or benefits have a chance to lapse. Staying on top of matters will be necessary.

CANCER

Peanuts

Take hold of any situation LEO you face and do your best to (July 23- make changes that will enAug. 22) courage success. A positive attitude and willingness to change will put you in a leadership position.

Calvin and Hobbes

Taking care of other peoVIRGO ple’s affairs can be taxing, but (Aug. 23if you do so out of love, you Sept. 22) will get something very special in return for your time and effort.

Charm and diplomacy LIBRA (Sept. 23- will help you deal with a difOct. 23) ficult individual who tends to use aggressive and demanding behaviour. Offer incentives, but don’t give in.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

You’ll own the moment SAGITTARIUS and stand out if you follow (Nov. 23through with your plans and Dec. 21) promises. Engage in talks that will generate positive changes. A personal or physical change is encouraged.

TODAY’S WORD — CHANCERY (CHANCERY: CHAN-suh-ree: A court of public record.)

Average mark 23 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 35 or more words in CHANCERY? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — REMITS rest rime rise rite emir emit merit

metis mire miser mist mister mite miter

item term tier time timer tire tries

trim semi sire site smite stem stir

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

An exaggerated version SCORPIO of what’s going on can be ex(Oct. 24pected.

Listen to what othNov. 22) ers have to say, and decide whether to use or pass along the information you receive.

solution for Puzzle

Emotional matters will CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- escalate, pushing you to Jan. 19) make a premature change or decision. Stop and consider the people involved or the consequences of your actions before moving forward.

An emotional leap of faith AQUARIUS can lead to trouble. Question (Jan. 20- what’s being asked of you Feb. 19) before you agree to get involved, or someone will take advantage of you.

A suggestion will grab PISCES (Feb. 20- your attention. Find out more March 20) before you sign up for something that sounds too good to be true. Don’t spend money you don’t have.

monDAY, march 26, 2018

19

ICC World Cup Qualifiers

Afghanistan

Mohammed Shahzad

complete come-frombehind title win

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fghanistan eased to a seven-wicket win over West Indies in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier competition in Zimbabwe, bringing to completion a comeback that must rank among the greatest in cricket's long history.

Virtually written off after their disastrous showing in the group stage, Afghanistan rode on their self-belief - and a little bit of luck - to claim the

trophy. Five days ago, Rashid Khan said "anything can happen", and this Afghanistan team has shown that to be true.

West Indies decided to bat first on a tacky, slow surface but their batting never got going, Rovman Powell top-scoring with 44. A Mohammad Shahzad special quickly brought the target within reach, while Rahmat Shah's fifty kept the middle or-

der steady, and Mohammad Nabi's trio of sixes brought an emphatic end to Afghanistan's time in Zimbabwe.

Shahzad cracked eleven fours and two sixes in his 84, and his fun with the bat began as early as the second over, when he top-edged a pull off Jason Holder to collect his first boundary. Seven more flowed off his bat in the Powerplay, including two sixes, as Shahzad seemed the

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel celebrates his win on the podium with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen

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ELBOURNE (Reuters) - Sebastian Vettel made full use of the virtual safety car to sneak in front of Lewis Hamilton and hold off the frustrated champion to win Formula One’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Mercedes engine’s infamous ‘party mode’ that delivered Hamilton a blistering pole lap on Saturday could do little once Ferrari’s Vettel nosed ahead when re-entering from pit-lane midway through the race at Albert Park.

Pole-sitter Hamilton had appeared set to coast to victory with a clear pace advantage but the race turned on its head with the safety car, which was called after Romain Grosjean’s Haas failed and rolled to a stop at turn two.

In another bonus for Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen finished third, fending off Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo and leaving the unlucky Australian still searching for a first podium in his home race.

Four-times world champion Vettel

claimed a 48th overall win and his third in Melbourne following his victories at Albert Park last year and in 2011.

“It was needless to say we got a bit lucky with the timing of the safety car,” the German, who had started from third place and inherited the lead when Hamilton and Raikkonen had pitted earlier in the race, told reporters.

“It’s not the easiest track to pass.”

For Hamilton, the result was a bitter pill to swallow and had echoes of last year’s race.

Vettel also managed to re-enter in front of him from pit-lane in 2017 before burning away to victory while the pole-sitting Briton was blocked by traffic.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said his team had miscalculated the margin between the cars during the safety car period.

“We thought we had enough margin,” he told the BBC. “It must have been a software bug in the system that caused us to get it wrong. We are digging deep now to understand where we had a problem.”

only batsman from either side to fully come to terms with the sluggish pitch. His scoring was anything but, and he brought up a 45-ball fifty in the 16th over.

All manner of shots were on display: the helicopter, the ramp, the hack, the hoick and the slash all made appearances. Shahzad was a little less comfortable against spin, and Ashley Nurse had a couple of close shouts turned down.

Eventually, it was the uncommon sight of Chris Gayle's off-spin that did in Shahzad.

Closing in on what would have been a memorable hundred, and with Gayle floating the ball up extravagantly, Shahzad lined up one big shot too many. Aiming for the straight boundary, he instead chipped a catch to Holder at mid-off.

But by then, his efforts had brought the runs required to just 56, at an asking rate of just 2.94.

He had one last bit of showmanship left. As he left the field, just before he stepped over the boundary, he stopped, looked up at his team-mates on the balcony, and unleashed a star-man pose.

Shahzad had added 90 with Rahmat Shah, whose efforts may have gone a little unnoticed in the kerfuffle that usually surrounds Shahzad on the field. While Shahzad looked to manufacture shots, Shah was happy to bat in accumulation mode and wait for the odd loose delivery to put away. He found the pull particularly effective, collecting his boundaries off short balls from Holder and Carlos Brathwaite.

He did all the hard work to reach a patient fifty in the 35th over, but then immediately give it away with an unnecessary charge at Gayle to be stumped for 51.

By then, however, the match was already as good as won. It was left to Mohammad Nabi to bring Afghanistan's stunning qualifier comeback to an emphatic end. He launched three consecutive sixes - two onto the roof beyond long-on, the third over long-off - to bring the tournament to a close.

Nabi had also been one of Afghanistan's four spinners who made best use of the con-

edge was safely

di-

tions to keep West Indies' big-hitting lineup quiet after Jason Holder decided to bat. Together, the spin attack bowled 34.5 overs, taking six wickets for 148 runs.

As usual, Mujeeb Ur Rahman took the new ball, and, as usual, his variations made life difficult for the batsmen early on. Once again, he also dealt with the Gayle threat. Swinging across the line at one that left him off the pitch, Gayle's top-

pouched at point in the sixth over.

With Gulbadin Naib's medium pace getting rid of Evin Lewis and Marlon Samuels, Rashid Khan then dismissed Shai Hope, lbw to a wrong 'un, in the 23rd over.

Though it was a slightly fortunate dismissal - the ball possibly spinning down the leg side - the wicket marked a major milestone for Rashid. It was his 100th in ODIs, coming in just his 44th match, making him the fastest - and youngest - player to reach the landmark.

From then, Afghanistan struck at regular intervals to peg West Indies back. Jason Holder was run out without facing a ball, Shimron Hetymer feathered a Sharafuddin Ashraf arm ball to the keeper, and Carlos Brathwaite spliced a simple catch to mid-off. Mujeeb, quietly consistent all tournament, then ran swiftly through the tail with three wickets in an over, as West Indies were bowled out in the 47th over.

SCOREBOARD West Indies Innings E Lewisc † Mohammad Shahzad b Gulbadin Naib 27 SD Hope † lbw b Rashid Khan 23 MN Samuelsc Rahmat Shah b Gulbadin Naib 17 SO Hetmyerc †Mohammad Shahzad b Sharafuddin Ashraf 38 JO Holder (c) run out (Rahmat Shah/Mohammad Nabi) 0 R Powell b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 44 CR Brathwaitec Asghar Stanikzai b Dawlat Zadran 14 AR Nurse not out 26 KMA Paul lbw b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 0 KAJ Roach b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 0 Extras 5 (lb 2, w 3) TOTAL 204 all out (46.5 Overs, RR: 4.35) Fall of wickets: 1-16 (CH Gayle, 5.1 ov), 2-50 (E Lewis, 10.6 ov), 3-73 (MN Samuels, 17.2 ov), 4-99 (SD Hope, 22.6 ov), 5-101 (JO Holder, 23.2 ov), 6-138 (SO Hetmyer, 32.5 ov), 7-163 (CR Brathwaite, 37.4 ov), 8-204 (R Powell, 46.2 ov), 9-204 (KMA Paul, 46.4 ov), 10-204 (KAJ Roach, 46.5 ov)

Bowling: Dawlat Zadran (7-0-261), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (9.5-043-4), Gulbadin Naib (5-0-282), Mohammad Nabi (9-1-37-0), Sharafuddin Ashraf (7-0-261), Rashid Khan (9-0-42-1) Afghanistan Innings Mohammad Shahzad † c Holder b Gayle 84 Gulbadin Naib c Gayle b Paul 14 Rahmat Shah st †Hope b Gayle 51 Samiullah Shenwari not out 20 Mohammad Nabi not out 27 Extras 10 (lb 2, w 8) TOTAL 206-3 (40.4 Overs, RR: 5.06) Yet to bat: Asghar Stanikzai (c), Najibullah Zadran, Rashid Khan, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Dawlat Zadran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-58 (Gulbadin Naib, 9.4 ov), 2-148 (Mohammad Shahzad, 30.4 ov), 3-170 (Rahmat Shah, 36.2 ov) Bowling: KAJ Roach (5-0-240), JO Holder (6-0-45-0), CR Brathwaite (6-0-37-0), KMA Paul (8-0-29-1), AR Nurse (1023-1-0), CH Gayle (5.4-0-38-2)

20

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monDAY, march 26, 2018

Despondent Australia crushed in a session Roger Federer and Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis after playing for the first time

R S

South African bowler Morne Morkel (R) celebrates the fall of a wicket

outh Africa might have won the Test, but the real winner was schadenfreude. After the ball-tampering events of Saturday, nobody outside of the Australian team - and possibly not even they - could have wished for any result other than a huge South African victory.

And so it came to pass, a 322-run win that even for the South Africans must have felt strange.

Australia were the losers in every way: they lost not only the Test, but their captain to suspension, and their credibility.

Normally after an outcome like this, the focus would be on yet another Australian batting collapse, all out for 107 in a chase of 430. But this Test will only ever be remembered for the ball-tampering scandal.

It is a shame, because Morne Morkel deserves recognition for collecting 5 for 23 to make match figures of 9 for 110, a career-best in what he has already announced is his last series. But in years to come, the defining image of this game will be Cameron Bancroft stuffing tape down his pants, not Morkel walking off with his head held high.

The day had started in somewhat stunned silence, and with Tim Paine captaining the Australians after Steven Smith and David Warner were stood down from the captaincy and vice-captaincy by Cricket Australia. From an Australian perspective the match suddenly seemed as pointless as a broken pencil, but South Africa had worked hard to gain the upper hand in this Test and they deserved to be re-

SCOREBOARD South Africa 311 & 373 Australia 1st Innings – 255 Australia 2nd Innings Batsmen CT Bancroft run out (du Plessis) 26 DA Warner c de Villiers b Rabada 32 UT Khawaja c de Villiers b Maharaj 1 SPD Smith (c) c Elgar b Morkel 7 SE Marsh c Markram b Maharaj 0 MR Marsh c de Villiers b Morkel 16 TD Paine † not out 9 PJ Cummins c Elgar b Morkel 0 MA Starc c Markram b Morkel 7 NM Lyon run out (Bavuma/†de Kock) 0 JR Hazlewood c Philander b Morkel 5 Extras 4 (b 4) TOTAL 107 all out (39.4 Overs, RR: 2.69, 187 minutes) Fall of wickets: 1-57 (CT Bancroft, 20.1 ov), 2-59 (DA Warner, 23.1 ov), 3-59 (UT Khawaja, 24.1 ov), 4-59 (SE Marsh, 24.2 ov), 5-75 (SPD Smith, 29.3 ov), 6-86 (MR Marsh, 33.1 ov), 7-86 (PJ Cummins, 33.2 ov), 8-94 (MA Starc, 35.6 ov), 9-94 (NM Lyon, 36.5 ov), 10-107 (JR Hazlewood, 39.4 ov) Bowling: K Rabada (12-631-1), VD Philander (6-2-170), M Morkel (9.4-3-23-5), KA Maharaj (12-2-32-2)

warded for that.

South Africa could do nothing but carry on trying to win, and that they did by adding 135 further runs to their total for the loss of their final five wickets. AB de Villiers was caught in the cordon for 63, but Quinton de Kock and Vernon Philander both posted half-centuries to ensure a total of 373.

Along the way Nathan Lyon took his 300th Test

wicket, but the celebration was as subdued as any seen in Australian cricket for a long time.

Australia were set 430 to win, but even had they pulled off that record chase it would have earned them no respect whatsoever. Not that they ever got close.

Bancroft's concentration is the stuff of legend in Australian domestic cricket, but even he must have had trouble focusing after the ball-tampering drama.

He and Warner gamely put on 57 for the opening wicket, but the stand was broken when Warner called Bancroft through for a suicidal single and the younger man was run out. It was a fitting metaphor for the events of the previous day.

Warner himself was soon caught at gully off Kagiso Rabada for 32, and the wickets tumbled. Usman Khawaja edged Keshav Maharaj to slip, Shaun Marsh was brilliantly caught by Aiden Markram diving at short leg next ball, Smith steered a catch to gully off Morkel for 7, Mitchell Marsh lobbed a catch off an attempted hook off Morkel, Pat Cummins was caught off the glove from a fierce Morkel bouncer the very next ball, Mitchell Starc fended a catch to short leg off Morkel, Nathan Lyon was run out by Temba Bavuma and Josh Hazlewood was the last man out, caught off Morkel to complete the five-wicket haul.

Paine remained not out on 9, the last man standing in an Australian lineup that had embarrassed itself again. Another fitting metaphor for the man who could soon become the country's 46th Test captain.

oger Federer will lose his world number one spot after defeat at the Miami Open - and has announced he will miss the clay court season, including the French Open.

The 36-year-old, who suffered a shock 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) loss to world number 175 Thanasi Kokkinakis in Miami, did not play on clay last season either.

Last year, he won Wimbledon after returning from his break. The Swiss will be replaced by Rafael Nadal at the top of the new rankings.

On losing his world number one position, Federer - the defending Miami champion said: "I deserve it after this match. I feel so bad."

After the defeat, he added: "I decided not to play the clay season."

Federer, who won his 20th Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January, began in typically assured style but was worn down

by Australian qualifier Kokkinakis, 21, who won in two hours 21 minutes.

It was Federer's second loss in six days he saw a 17-match unbeaten run come to an end in a gruelling match with Juan Martin del Potro in Indian Wells last weekend.

In Miami, he was up against another angular opponent in Kokkinakis, who used a vicious top-spin forehand to devastating effect.

"It felt like every time I had chances, something bad happened - wrong decision making by me, good decisions from him," he said.

"It's disappointing I don't know why I could never get to a level I was happy with."

Martin, bowlers crush Windies Women

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disciplined bowling performance from New Zealand's bowlers set up their seven-wicket win over West Indies with 3.4 overs to spare. The win helped New Zealand stay unbeaten and wrap up the series 4-0.

Chasing 140, New Zealand lost openers Natalie Dodd and Sophie Devine, and Maddy Green inside the first three overs to slump to 27 for 3. Katey Martin and Amy Satterthwaite then put on an unbeaten 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take the hosts home.

Martin finished with a 41ball 54, while Satterthwaite finished a run-a-ball 43.

West Indies had had a much better start after being put in to bat by New Zealand. Openers Hayley Matthews and captain StafanieTaylor put on 60 runs for the opening wicket in 7.2 overs before Leigh Kasperek struck to remove Matthews. Chedean Nation departed soon after when she was caught behind by Martin off Lea Tahuhu.

Then, Taylor and Deandra Dottin added a 33-run stand before Taylor was removed

by Devine. Dottin was the third-highest scorer for the team with a 31-ball 33, but even she couldn't ensure an end-over acceleration.

Thereafter, West Indies

Amy Satterhwaite

began their end-overs crawl as they managed only 35 runs in their last 33 balls despite losing only five wickets in all. Three of New Zealand's bowlers finished with an economy rate of less than seven. Kasperek finished with 2 for 19 from her four overs, while Tahuhu claimed 2 for 27 in her quota. Devine picked up 1 for 23 from three overs.

Seamer Shamilia Connell provided early hope for West Indies with three strikes, but that was the only high point for their bowlers as Martin and Satterthwaite took the game away from the visitors.

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efending champion Konta, ranked 14th in the world, secured a 6-2 6-1 victory over the Belgian world number 21 in 65 minutes.

The 11th seed will next face 37-year-old Venus Williams, the world number eight.

American Williams defeated 26-year-old Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens, saving three match points in a dramatic match.

Konta was helped in the first set by Mertens registering six double faults - including four in one game - and she played an almost perfect match as she swept into the last 16.

“I tried to take my game to her and managed to do that for big pockets of time, but it’s never easy to come through so I’m really happy,” Konta said.

“I definitely have a great relationship with this tournament, the biggest title of my career has come here.

Johanna Konta will next face Venus Williams or Kiki Bertens

Hopefully I can get to the end again.”

Williams came back in style against world number 29 Bertens, winning 5-7 6-3 7-5.Williams raced to 5-0 in the first set before losing the next seven games and the first set.

She then won the second set comfortably before an exciting third set that saw Bertens take a 4-1 lead.

Bertens was suffering from cramp in her right arm in the latter stages of the match and appeared to be in tears at one stage.

There were five breaks of serve in the final set before Williams completed her victory.

“I’m not sure how I did that,” Williams said. “I had a lot of chances, she had a lot of chances.

“It didn’t look good sometimes but that’s why you play to the last point. We were in a battle but I’m happy to be coming back tomorrow.”

Fourth seed Elina

Svitolina made her way through to the next round with a three-set victory over Daria Gavrilova 4-6 6-0 6-1, while sixth seed Jelena Ostapenko defeated Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2 7-6.

In the men’s event Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro made it through to the fourth round on Sunday with straight-sets victories.

Argentina’s fifth-seeded del Potro, chasing his second ATP Masters title in as many weeks, got past Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-2 6-2.

Second-seeded Cilic also reached the fourth round with a 7-5 7-6 (7/4) victory over Canadian Vasek Pospisil.

In the men’s doubles, Britain’s Jamie Murray and Brazilian partner Bruno Soares were knocked out in the last 16 by Andrey Rublev and Karen Khachanov.

The Russian pair go on to play Croat Mate Pavic and Austrian Oliver Marach in the quarter-finals.

BVA wraps up assessment

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he Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) wrapped up its assessment ahead of May’s Bolivia invitational; with a victory over the Demerara team this past weekend at the National Gymnasium.

Demerara, despite woes from their male team, found representation in the ladies who beat their Berbice counterparts to spare further blushes.

The return match was used as trials ahead of the assignment in Bolivia which spikes off May 26 with Guyana taking a

senior male and female team for the competition.

Following the trials which commenced last week, national coach Levi Nedd will now be tasked with selecting the players who will form the national teams to represent the country’s honor.

May’s tournament will further help to prep players for October’s Inter Guiana Games (IGG), where Guyana will look to defend their volleyball title against other countries.

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Joe Gomez has played 29 times for Liverpool in all competitions this season

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iverpool's Joe Gomez has withdrawn from the England squad and returned to his club for further assessment of the injury he suffered in Friday's 1-0 friendly win over the

Netherlands.

The 20-year-old defender sustained an ankle injury about 10 minutes into his third senior national appearance.

England have no plans

to call up a replacement for their next friendly - at home to Italy on Tuesday.

Gomez has played 29 times for Liverpool in all competitions this season.

odfrey Munroe continued his stint as President of the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) following Sunday’s 2018 elections.

Munroe will lead a team featuring: Senior Vice President, Andrew Daly, Junior VP, Gary Pratt, Treasurer, Diedre Edghill, Secretary, Linden Johnson, and PRO, Royston Alkins.

The new body will be tasked with continuing the good works Munroe did in the past. The GTTA recently concluded a few activities, including their Mash Cadet tourney.

GTTA President Godfrey Munroe

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, march 26, 2018

Toucan Distributors Junior Level Skill Squash

Wiltshire crowned ‘King of Tournament’

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here was a real buzz in the air as the Toucan Distributors Junior Skill level tournament came to a close on Saturday at the Georgetown Club on Camp Street.

The 42 players who took part in this year’s annual tournament fought hard and passionately for a spot in their category winners’line up, and in many of the groups it was

Scores and results: Category H Matthew Daby beat Maya Dean 11-5, 11-7 Jnae Singh beat Solomon Ince-Carvalhal 7-11, 11-4, 11-9 Category G Brenno DaSilva beat Tianna Gomes 11-3, 11-1 Leshaunte Berkley beat Thandi Dean 11-13, 11-9, 11-7 Category F Monisha Persaud beat Chtistiana Fernandes 11-8, 11-7 Keenan Naraine beat Demetri Lowe 11-7, 11-3 Kaden Pynaendy beat Malia Maikoo 16-14, 13-11 Category E Lajuan Munroe beat Rayad Boyce 11-4, 11-8 Arvin Seelall beat Angel

a close competition.

In Category H, the youngest contender, Matthew Daby, was triumphant after his win over Maya Dean 11-5, 11-7, which saw him unbeaten in this competition.

Serving his way to victory in Category G was the enthusiastic Brenno DaSilva. In his match against Tianna Gomes, he displayed

Rahim 8-11, 11-8, 11-8 Jared Saul beat Aram Chan 11-9, 11-6 Category C Jason Gomes beat Zachary Persaud 13-15, 7-11, 13-11, 119, 11-7 Kamir Khan beat Louis DaSilva 9-11, 7-11, 11-5, Da Silva retired at 5-7 Category B Abosadie Cadogan beat Kirsten Gomes 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 7-11 Ethan Jonas beat James Mekdeci 11-5, 6-11, 11-4, 11-6, Category A Michael Alphonso beat Gianni Carpenter 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 Shomari Wiltshire beat Samuel Ince-Carvalhal 11-3, 11, 1, 11-1

an array of powerful, almost untouchable serves, which led him to his 11-3, 11-1 win to secure his first place position.

Monisha Persaud took the top spot in Category F, while Lajaun Munroe earned himself not only the win in category E, but also the ‘Most Improved Boy’ of the tournament title.

Category A Winner Shomari Wiltshire 2nd - Samuel Ince-Carvalhal 3rd - Michael Alphonso Category B Winner Abosadie Cadogan 2nd - Demetrius DeAbreu 3rd - Ethan Jonas Fourth Kirsten Gomes Fifth Madison Fernandes Category C Winner Jason Gomes 2nd - Kamir Khan 3rd - Zachary Persuad Category D 1st - Chad DeAbreu 2nd - Osmond Mack 3rd - Teija Mack Category E 1st - Lajuan Munroe 2nd - Arvin Seelall 3rd - Rayad Boyce Fourth Angel Rahim

Shomari Wiltshire

Absent Chad DeAbreu, who had played out all his matches earlier in the week, remained unbeaten in his category, while Jason G o m e s fought a long and hard bat-

Category F 1st - Monisha Persaud 2nd - Keenan Narine 3rd - Christiana Fernandes 4th - Kayden Pynaendy 5th - Noah Rahaman Category G 1st - Brenno DaSilva 2nd - Safirah Summer 3rd - Tianna Gomes Category H 1st - Matthew Daby 2nd - Mya Dean 3rd - Jnae Singh Most Outstanding Boy - Lajuan Munroe Most Outstanding Girl - Abosaide Most Improved Boy James Mekdeci Most Improved Girl Christiana Fernandes

tle against Zachary Persuad to decide the winner of Category C. The match went to five games as both boys refused to let up, but Gomes's power shots proved too much for Persaud, and Gomes finished his final match with a 13-15, 7-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-7 win.

Category B provided the thriller of the night, when Abosaide Cadogan taking on Kirsten Gomes to defend her unbeaten record. Gomes had other ideas, as she stormed the court to match Cadogan’s brilliance and dominate the first game to win 11-7.

The battle continued as Cadogan executed breath-taking killer shots to inch past her opponent in an equaliser 11-9.

The ensuing three games held a captive audience who enjoyed a display of outstanding squash from the girls, who won another game each before Cadogan took the final game and match 11-7. Cadogan earned the well-deserved Most Outstanding Girl title.

Top seed Shomari Wiltshire was crowned King of the tournament after defeating Samuel Ince-Carvalhal in great style: 11-3, 11-1, 11-1 in the last match of the night.

Other special awards were given to James Mekdeci, who performed extremely well after being moved up into a higher category; and Christiana Fernandes was bestowed with Most Improved Girl for her development this year.

National Race of Champions Shaw wins President/ Shafura Hussain Memorial Dominant Vieira sweeps field Foundation’s Trophy

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(L-R) Bholawram Deo, Patrick Prashad, Aasrodeen Shaw, Mahesh Shivraj and Captain Chen Deo

asrodeen Shaw, Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) Treasurer, whipped a competitive field of golfers in last Saturday’s President/Shafura Hussain Memorial Foundation Tournament.

The great camaraderie that ensued despite the keen competition was refreshing, as some veterans in the game came to lay their stake on the President’s Trophy.

At end of the day, it was Shaw - 66/17; Lekhnaraine ‘Mahesh’ Shivraj – 67/18;

and Patrick Prashad - 70/9 who emerged 1st, 2nd, 3rd, respectively in the Net results. Other next 10 good performances came from Dr Philbert London 71/20; Brian Hackett 72/18; Lakeram Ramsundar 73/11; Shanella London 73/16.

Bholawram Deo 73/17; Esau Shamshudin 73/20; Papo Haniff 74/9; Roy Cummings 74/11; Gavin Todd 74/19 and Clifford Reis 74/23.

Skill prizes for Nearest to the Pin and Best Gross were

won by Bholawram Deo (8 feet) and Patrick Prashad (79) respectively.

So far this year, despite many attractive prizes for a hole-in-one, someone is yet to win that prize, hence the Charities prize for today is still to be won.

Captain Chatterpaul ‘Chen’ Deo expressed gratitude for the President’s initiative in sponsoring the Tournament, while veteran golfer Esau Shamshudin represented the President in the prize-giving ceremony.

F

Matthew Vieira showed he still has what it takes to be Caribbean champion (File Photo)

ormer Caribbean Champion Matthew Vieira produced a clean sweep in the super stock class of the races on Sunday at the National Race of Champions held at the South Dakota Circuit.

Vieira came under fire from Ravario Tucker in several races, but held his own, demoting Tucker to second on all three occasions.

In the Group Four, Andrew King continued his

podium form, picking up two wins in the class ahead of Mark Vieira, who picked up two seconds and a first.

In the Street Tuners, there were two wins for Raymond Seebarran and one for Narine Dasrat, as they battled through every race.

Seebaraan drove from the lead wonderfully, before he surrendered the lead midway through the third race to finish second.

In the Sport Tuner class, Mohamed Ahmad made a clean sweep, demoting Raymond Seebarran to second on three occasions.

Group two saw its first race being won by Chet Singh, with Ryan Rahman second and Adrian Fernandes third. Rahaman would turn the tables in the next two races, returning to the glory he once knew.

monDAY, march 26, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

Milo Schools Football 2018

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uxton Youth Development and Sir Leon’s Lessons will vie for the title in the sixth annual Milo Schools Football tournament, after comprehensively defeating their opponents on Sunday in the semi-finals at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The duo of Shemar Scott and Teshawn Gordon scored goals on either side of play to seal their place ahead of Annandale Secondary.

Scott scored in the 24th, while Gordon scored in the 54th, as the East Coast

Demerara unit made their first final in their inaugural years of the tournament.

The second match of the day, Sir Leon’s obliterated Lodge Secondary 4-1, with Lennox Young scoring s double with goals in the 80th and 88th. Zion Gray (29th) and Shamar Carrington (49th) had other goals, after Troyston Louisy gave the former champions the lead in the 6th.

Played under the theme “there is no excuse for violence”, due to the tournament’s partnership with the Ministry of Public Health,

the under-18 boys will be hoping to secure the first place prize of $500,000, which goes towards a school project on March 31.

Additionally, $300,000 for first runner up and $200,000 and $100,000 for third and fourth placed teams respectively, along with trophies and individual prizes for outstanding performances.

Caption: Lodge Secondary played a good match, but still were no match for Sir Leon’s Lessons (yellow bib) on Sunday at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue

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Teshawn Gordon (left) and Shamar Scott scored for Buxton Youth Development

Corona Futsal Tournament

Heartbreak for Tiger Bay in Bent Street thriller 5-4 after extra time. Jeremy Garrett’s hat-trick coupled with Sheldon Shepherd's brace accounted for the boss's victory.

Job Caesar was one of Bent Street’s most attacking players, despite him not reaching the back of the net

West Front Road placed road blocks but Leopold Street found ways through

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f you are a fainted-hearted person, well, avoiding the National Gymnasium on Saturday would have been your best option, since victory in the matches swayed from side to side, keeping all of the sizable crowd in attendance off of their seats.

The first match of the night saw Tiger Bay and title favourites Bent Street going goal for goal at each other, with the latter coming out victorious and securing their spot in the semi-finals.

Kelsey Benjamin scored two goals (16th & 18th) while

Captain Daniel Wilson had three, and arguably scored the goal of the tournament with a strike from half of the court, which entered the top left of the net with all persons unmoved.

Deon Alfred scored a hattrick, but it certainly was not enough to withstand the inexorable force.

The other match to bring the excitement was with Leopold Street, who found favour with the crowd and defeated West Front Road 3-1 in the second quarterfinal of the night. Darren Benjamin, Eon Alleyne and

Omallo Williams all scored once for the victors, while Hubert Pedro was the lone scorer for West Front Road.

Alpha Warriors, with top goalkeeper Richie Richardson between the sticks, defeated California Square 3-2 after penalty kicks, following a 2-all deadlock at full and extra time.

Lennox Cort and Vurlon Mills scored for Warriors, while Dillon Henry and David George netted for California after extra time.

In the feature quarterfinal match, Sparta Boss edged past Future Stars

Meanwhile, a double from Kareem Knights and solitary goals from Marvin Carter and Jamal Collier added to Future Stars' los-

ing tally.

The semi-finals are scheduled for Sunday at the aforementioned venue.

monDAY, march 26, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Milo Schools Football 2018

Buxton, Sir Leon’s to clash for championship honours

Pg 23

ICC World Cup Qualifiers

Afghanistan complete come-from-behind title win

Pg 19

Champions of the ICC 2018 World Cup Qualifiers Afghanistan celebrate after defeating the West Indies in the final

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