Guyana Times, Monday - February 10, 2020

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PPP will complete fixedspan 4-lane concrete DHB planned since 2013 guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4192

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Page 9

PRICE

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WHAT'S INSIDE: Cyclist Jude Bentley’s death

DUI PNCR P14 executive &15 hospitalised for “trauma” …hundreds pay tribute to dead cyclist

Integrity Commission

Jagdeo, Ali to sue Guyana P15 Chronicle, editor …after newspaper falsely publishes that they failed to declare assets

…as Irfaan Ali assures sugar workers will return to work

Mark Phillips Granger’s highlights boasting of PPP/C presidential powers plans for safer communities undemocratic

P15 Bandit escapes with businessman’s car

Revoking dual citizenship

Page 16

…assures of better equipped Police Force

– Jagdeo

Coalition confident of Linden's “traditional” support – Granger Page 7

See story on page 3

Gunmen rob customers at Grove shop P13 UK investors show more interest in P13 Guyana – High Commissioner

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, February 10 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Tuesday, February 11 – 05:00h -06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Revoking dual citizenship

Granger’s boasting of presidential powers undemocratic – Jagdeo

Monday, February 10 – 05:20h – 06:50h and Tuesday, February 11 – 06:00h – 07:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine is expected throughout the day. There will be clear skies and partly cloudy conditions at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 17:43h reaching a maximum height of 2.88 metres.

Low Tide: 11:16h and 23:42h reaching minimum heights of 0.45 metre and 0.34 metre.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

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FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

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LUCKY 3

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Afternoon Draw

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DRAW DE LINE

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21 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2020

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

$54.93/barrel $245.16/ton $428.10/ton

Live Spot Gold Bid/Ask Low/High Change

$1570.00 $1560.90 0.00

Change % -0.64 +0.70 0.00

USD Per Ounce $1571.00 $1574.90 0.00%

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo has stated that President David Granger’s recent boasting of presidential powers to revoke the dual citizenships of Guyanese highlights the undemocratic nature of the coalition Administration.

During a dedication ceremony in honour of the late former Indigenous Member of Parliament, Stephen Campbell, on Thursday, the Head of State said that the Constitution of Guyana empowers him to quash the citizenship of any Guyanese who also benefits from citizenship in another country.

But according to Jagdeo, who is a former President himself, this has never been enforced by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Government in its more than 20 years in office.

“That power was always in the Constitution but you ever hear Cheddi Jagan or Janet Jagan or Samuel Hinds or Jagdeo or [Donald] Ramotar ever threatened to do that? In fact all the years in office, we’ve never done that. It just shows the undemocratic nature of this Government,” Jagdeo posited during a massive PPP/C rally at Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, on Sunday.

Article 46 (1) of the Constitution states: “If the President of Guyana is satisfied that any citizen of Guyana has at any time after 25th May 1966, acquired by registration, naturalisation or any other voluntary act (other than by marriage) the citizenship of any other country other than Guyana, the President may by order deprive that person of his or her citizenship.”

As such, President Granger said last Thursday that “The Constitution empowers the President with the authority to deprive a dual citizen of his or her Guyanese citizenship…”

He went on to note that while Citizenship entitles every Guyanese to a share in the country’s patrimony and obligates the State to protect its citizens, both at home and abroad, it “...is not a symbol. It is a qualification which ascribes rights, benefits and entitlements”.

The issue of dual citizenship came to the fore in 2018, when the Government, having been defeated by an Oppositiontabled No-Confidence Motion, attempted to nullify the motion.

They argued that former coalition Member of Parliament, Charrandas Persaud, who had crossed the floor and voted in favour of the Opposition’s NCM, was a dual citizen and as such, could not have legally been sitting in Parliament.

However, the matter reached the Caribbean Court of Justice which threw out

Government’s arguments and ruled that the December 21, 2018 passage of the NCM was indeed valid. But the Court did note that “…a person holding Guyanese nationality is not qualified to be elected a member of the National Assembly, if that person is also, voluntarily, a citizen of another State”.

The issue was again highlighted at last month’s Nomination Day, when a number of dual citizens enlisted their names on political parties’ list of candidates. Those persons had to subsequently relinquish their foreign citizenship before they were eligible to contest.

Meanwhile, during Sunday’s massive rally, Jagdeo, who is also the General Secretary of the PPP, also drew attention to remarks by the Head of State who had indicated an intention to remove the No-Confidence Motion provisions from the Constitution.

“India has a no-confidence vote and they have one billion voters – the Government can fall on one single vote. In the United Kingdom, you can fall on a single vote. But King Granger here doesn’t need that in our Constitution. King Granger is offended that the Parliament could vote against him,” Jagdeo

A section of the massive crowd at PPP/C’s rally on Sunday at Stewartville

stated.

The PPP General Secretary further pointed out that Granger has broken the tradition of most democratic countries in the world and allowed Parliament to function for over a year with no oversight. “…very few countries in the world can match that in terms of undemocratic rule. He has refused to accept the Constitution, he has refused to accept rulings of the Court,” the Opposition Leader noted.

To this end, he told thousands of supporters that Guyana needs an Executive President, one who knows what’s going on and can chart the way forward. According to him, PPP/C Presidential Candidate Dr

Irfaan Ali is that person.

“He grew up in this party.

He was one of the most efficient Ministers. He delivered on large scale tasks. He is young, he is bright and he has energy. That is what we need in a president today. We need a President who can sympathise with people; who will listen to the farmers, and the fishermen and the sugar workers – talk to each one of them, stop and listen to them.

So not an aloof President like Granger,” Jagdeo stated.

According to the Opposition Leader, while Ali has been around the country connecting with citizens, the APNU Leader seems to be untouchable even to his supporters.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

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

Infrastructure and jobs

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ne of the signal failures of the PNC-led coalition Government since 2015 has been its callous cop-out statement to the people of this country, foundering in the highest employment rate in the region, that “governments do not create jobs”. Granger has declared that he is focusing on “education” and “infrastructure”, so we can expect more of the same stagnation in the job sector if he is to be reelected.

But after the PPP, in 1992, inherited the disaster that was bequeathed after 28 years of PNC ministrations, they were able to create jobs as well as improve the delivery of education, besides building infrastructure.

The PNC has created a false dichotomy between jobs and infrastructure. Schools, roads, bridges, hospitals are all good; but of what use are schools if the graduates cannot find jobs with their “education? Of what use are roads if the ordinary citizens cannot afford the price of gasoline, much less the price of a car to get from here to there because, at best, they are stuck at subsistence wages if they’re lucky enough to have a job?

When a person has a job that can provide the basic needs of his family – food, shelter, clothing, and perchance transportation – then this is the beginning of a life of respect and dignity. Handouts such as providing “boats, bicycles and breakfasts” to children, can never accomplish this. Even if citizens do not have all of the infrastructure, once there are jobs, the infrastructure will come. Jobs mean businesses and enterprises and these mean taxes – both personal and corporate - for all levels of government. People with jobs will assert themselves and demand that the Government use those taxes to provide the amenities of infrastructure. The people may even create the infrastructure for themselves. It is quite a virtuous circle.

Even though it has failed, the PNC are lazily following the neo-liberal model of economic development that was foisted on them by the IMF/World Bank combine. They insisted that if we liberalized our economy, privatized the state corporations, and kept a tight rein on our macro-economic fundamentals, investments would pour in to generate jobs. Well, it has not worked out this way for the simple reason that it has not succeeded in transforming any poor country.

Countries in our situation cannot stand on dogmas, but must tailor their policies to suit their own circumstances.

Even the IMF/World Bank had grudgingly conceded this after the 2008 global economic crash. Our circumstance – whether due to political instability or other factors – is that even though the commercial banks are awash in cash, the latter is not being intermediated into investments that deliver highpaying jobs. The countries that have succeeded in pulling themselves out of poverty – the Far Eastern Flying Geese and most recently China - all have governments that were much more engaged with custom-tailored, job generating industrial policies.

These governments adopted a catalytic role for development; set strategic goals, and then did whatever was necessary to back into them. For instance, Korea, Singapore and now China followed the Japanese example and explicitly tied assistance to selected private industries based on their commitment and ability to export. This strategic decision had two significant and faithful results that differed from the old “import substitution strategy”.

Firstly, the assisted firms were subjected to the market discipline of the competition of international trade. This was the most intense competition, and ensured that efficiencies and productivities had to be raised to the highest levels. These firms not only could not afford to be fat and lazy, but had to become world class – and they have remained world class.

The second benefit, of course, was that the exports brought in foreign exchange, and there was no need to ban anything to save foreign exchange.

We know that, under our present mentality, there will be much griping when certain firms will be selected for governmental backing. But once the criteria are set and applied objectively, the selection can be defended, especially when jobs are created.

Members of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha performed a scene from “Zindagi Express” at Naya Zamana at the National Cultural Centre on Saturday evening (Amanda Richards photo)

Granger, Trotman, APNU/AFC got swindled, sold Guyana out Dear Editor, If ever a Commission of Inquiry is needed, the 2016 Production Agreement with Exxon demands one. For the March 2020 election, all political parties must commit to this. That we were bamboozled and swindled is not debatable. The question now is if anyone personally gained. Global Witness is one of several international NGOs calling for an inquiry. More than three dozen local NGOs have demanded an inquiry. The majority of Guyanese want an inquiry.

When Global Witness tells Guyana we have a bad oil deal, that someone or some people signed away, at least, US$55 billion, they said nothing new.

For several years now, the PPP and other independent voices have been saying Guyana has a bad oil deal. While the amount is debatable, the conclusion it was a bad deal and that Guyana will lose big has been known long before Global Witness published its report.

As Bharrat Jagdeo stated, it could be a little less than US$55 billion, but it could be much more, in excess of US$70 billion. Incidentally, under pressure some months ago, unable to offer a proper defence, Raphael Trotman himself conceded that, in retrospect, it was a bad deal. Guyana Times, Kaieteur News and Stabroek News have been relentless in exposing the giveaway.

Guyanese are smart people. The most ardent supporters of David Granger, Raphael Trotman, and the rest of APNU/AFC concede Guyana was swindled. Some generously insist Guyana was bamboozled because the Grangerled APNU/AFC negotiating team was inexperienced, while others insist the team was just simply stupid. But most Guyanese feel sinister motives resulted in a bad deal. Who can blame people for thinking those tasked with protecting Guyana’s interests were bought out?

Independent, experienced observers and industry experts agree Guyana got one of the worst deals in the history of the oil and gas industry, if not the worst oil deal ever. Global Witness, an independent, British-based NGO, concluded the team that negotiated the deal in 2016 was swindled and did not represent the interests of Guyana. We know that during the negotiation of the deal, Exxon wined and dined the Chief Negotiator, Raphael Trotman, in Texas, at the Exxon Headquarters, firstclass air tickets, limousine rides, top-rated hotels and restaurants. Each of us can judge the meaning of these facts.

The 1999 Janet Jagan Exxon Exploration licence had expired in early 2016. That exploration contract merely allowed Exxon to prospect for oil. That license paved the way for the discovery of oil by May 2015. By May 2015, the circumstances had dramatically changed. No longer was Guyana begging anyone to explore, Guyana was a sought-after oil destination. By the time 2016 came, Guyana was acclaimed one of the biggest new oil reserves in the world.

Guyana had all the advantages on her side.

There were no provisions for an automatic extension of the 1999 exploration licence and Exxon was due to return 75 per cent of the license prospecting territory. Exxon was in a weak negotiating position; Guyana had all the cards in her hands. Instead, the Granger-led APNU/AFC, through Trotman, not only hastily extended the 1999 terms, he renewed it with terms and conditions more favourable to big oil than when Guyana was begging for big oil to come. Trotman and APNU/ AFC used an illegal “bridging deed”, allowing Exxon to automatically have a new exploration licence and to move into a production licence. We were either swindled or bought out

or maybe both swindled and bought out. Each of us can decide which of these possibilities happened. Without an investigation, we can only surmise and guess.

There was a reason the PPP signed only an exploration licence with big oil, with an expiry date. The PPP wanted to ensure that any generous terms and conditions intended to entice big oil to Guyana for exploration did not automatically extend into the production phase, should that ever materialise. The use of the secret “bridging deed” by APNU/ AFC, through Trotman, was the first wrong. The generous conditions after that not only compounded the wrong, but transformed the wrong into something unholy. The US$18 million signing bonus is an insult. For much less, Brazil got US$726 million and Suriname for even much less got US$100 million as a signing bonus.

We were royally swindled. Or were we bought out?

The production agreement giving Guyana 2 per cent royalty, when industry standards exceeded 7 per cent and reached as much as 30 per cent, not only amplified the swindle but seriously raises worrying questions beyond stupidity and incompetence. Is it unreasonable for the average Guyanese to suspect people were bought out? It is beyond reason to think Guyana’s negotiators were that stupid.

It was APNU/AFC that boasted Trotman was the most suitable person to lead the negotiation, given he was a senior lawyer and had a month-long negotiation course at Harvard.

Trotman does belong to arguably the most incompetent Cabinet in Guyana’s history.

But to accept 2 per cent royalty when hundreds of such agreements reveal royalties of greater than 7 per cent appears beyond incompetence and stupidity.

Guyana has racked up pre-production cost of more

than US$11 billion, a sum Guyana must refund to Exxon.

This money will have to be taken out upfront from total revenues before any profit can be assigned to Guyana. Trotman agreed that Exxon could pay itself back from the first 75 per cent of total annual revenues. This means that Guyana can expect no more than 12.5 per cent of the profits for several years to come. But then, incomprehensively, Guyana agreed to pay all income taxes and corporate taxes on behalf of Exxon from Guyana’s profits. Guyana’s expenses for monitoring operations also will come from our profits. In addition, Guyana is responsible for environmental control and clean-up, from our profits.

This reduces our maximum profits to far less than 12.5 per cent in the first few years.

Truly this is a brazen swindle.

Far from exposing APNU/ AFC, Global Witness merely affirmed what the PPP, other independent voices and the three daily newspapers have been saying for several years.

The dishonesty of APNU/AFC is that they knew any credible investigation would discover the unholy swindle. Long before Global Witness had completed its study, the Guyana Government knew what the results would be. They spent taxpayers’ money to hire another global company, since September 2019, to prepare a report to spin the Global Witness results they expected. The expensive spin doctors have not been able to soften the blow because a swindle is a swindle. Trotman and APNU/ AFC betrayed the Guyanese people. What is left for us to prove is whether the swindle was a result of incompetence or that someone or some people were bought out. An independent Commission of Inquiry is imperative.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

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Oil and gas giveaway by APNU/ Wife, son of Jude Bentley AFC and Trotman, one of the must be compensated many aides to Granger, in the APNU/AFC monumental sell-out

Dear Editor, It is ridiculous to believe that “Trotman’s hurried negotiation would place him solely at fault for failure to capitalise on Guyana’s strong bargaining position” as Kaieteur News asserted in their article dated February 9, 2020, and captioned “ Announcement of Liza2 find, one day after contract signing, shows ExxonMobil’s dishonesty – Chris Ram”.

The repeated overkilling and unreasonable focus on Trotman is a distraction from the clear reality that it was President David Granger and his key aides including Minister Raphael Trotman that led to this most corrupt Petroleum Agreement - that stole the assets and generations of prosperity from the Guyanese people.

Limousine rides, five-star hotels and other special treatment are not unusual for global companies such as Exxon to use in dealing with their clients. Anyone who knows Raphael, as I have since we were kids, would know that Raphael Trotman grew up in an upper-class environment and was not unaccustomed to living in comfort and even luxuriously by Guyana’s standard and he has enjoyed economic, academic and political suc-

cess as an adult. Limousine rides and accommodation at five-star hotels were factors of no significance to the indefensible, disadvantageous and grossly unfair Petroleum Agreement.

Stabroek News article dated February 6, 2020; carrying the headline “Exxon pressured Govt for speedy signing of 2016 pact- Cabinet-sanctioned report” included the following odious revelation “On 19 May 2015, the law firm said, it understands that ExxonMobil sent a proposed “Escrow Process” flowchart, setting out the various steps and timeline for the execution of a new petroleum agreement. This was accepted and is now the current contract.”

We could have no more damning evidence than the above-referenced escrow letter from Exxon resulting in the current terms of the Petroleum Agreement that allowed 10s of billions of United States dollars to be extorted from the Guyanese people.

The enormity of the sell-out by the APNU/AFC Government would have been sufficient to pay each Guyanese aged 18 years and above, $100,000 per month for thirty years starting in 2020. This does not account for the trillions of cubic feet of

natural gas already partially disclosed to the Government of Guyana but untransparent to the Guyanese people.

The unprecedented scale of deceit and dishonesty in Guyana’s politics reverberate around the Exxon Petroleum Agreement, with leaders of APNU/AFC and all the vocal and silent enablers against renegotiation of this most exploitative and extortionary contract that condemns masses of Guyanese to be hewers of wood and water fetchers is a total betrayal and sell-out of Guyanese.

Embarrassing, shameful, corrupt and disgraceful are the words that frame my thoughts in relation to the absurd Petroleum Agreement/ Arrangement between the Government of Guyana and their so-called partners led by Exxon. With the APNU/AFC inner clique led by President Granger allowing principle and integrity in public office to be thrown overboard and be replaced by greed for maintenance of power and the lust for power, with absolutely no regards for the economic and social needs of the Guyanese people.

Sincerely, Nigel Hinds

Dear Editor, I didn’t know Jude Bentley personally. Just like anyone else into cycling or who uses a bicycle regularly. I remember when his dad started their cycle shop about a decade or more ago, competing with another cycle shop on the same block which had been in business for more than three decades. I remember Jude in his earlier years getting into cycling, passing him and his colleagues occasionally on the East Coast and Carifesta Avenue when I myself was out riding, in which I had been involved since the eighties.

I remember him becoming popular on the national scene as his dedication to training paid off. Jude was a most unassuming, successful person who those of us who respected cycling came to admire. He was a good son who assisted his dad much with his business. On the occasions we encountered during visits to his cycle store, he always impressed me as someone who had developed an immense sense of awareness, which was sharpened by his competitive spirit, and as with many other Guyanese, I wondered what he could have become had he pursued tertiary studies.

Jude Bentley is dead.

The victim of another reckless drunken adult who had all the age and experience to know better than to drink and

Time to end the curse of Third World nations Dear Editor, This question has been on the lips of all of us since the dawn of time, and that is, why are Third World countries so rich in natural resources but yet still they grovel in abject poverty? The answer comes back in clear clarion tones because they have “corrupt Governments.” In fact, the situation is so severe when you realise that some of these countries have been burdened by these repressive regimes that keep suppressing the people year after year with no end in sight. This has been the curse of the Third World ever since.

Now, Guyana is no different from the rest of the Third World, in that, they too have been blessed with an abundance of these natural resources, but up to the present time, we are still talking and behaving like mendicants, with the very same curse factor reasons being the root cause, corrupt Governments or governance thereof, who believes that they have no responsibility to the people who put them there. This is the true story of the present Granger Administration from its inception.

Well, I must pause here to temper my statements with the following corrections, Guyana did see prosperity under the PPP/C regime during the period 1992-2015, when this country saw massive transformation and development.

Guyana was dragged out of abject poverty and brought right up to a status position of Developing

Third World country. It was a herculean task that the Government of the day took upon itself and quite frankly, I must say, admirably addressed. They brought Guyana from a highly indebted poor country (HIPC) to one of a middle-income status.

Some may want to dispute this analysis on the grounds that it was narco-wealth and development which buoyedup a select few from the racial divide while the majority suffered. But if we are to accept that as facts, the reality on the ground tells a totally different story because thousands of the lower end of the scale benefited from the wealth that flowed as a result of good transparent and accountable Government. Guyana became a place where the poor were lifted out of poverty. Even the international community bear record of those achievements, reports which show a cost of living that remained low while the standard of living shored to all-time highs in fact, the best since freedom from colonial rule.

However, some are still not yet convinced of the development I am talking about and are of the opinion that if the PPP/C were so transparent and successful then why are they in the Opposition?

Well, I will address that forthwith to say that it was the present Government who made those remarks about corruption which somehow took root in the minds of the populace to vote them out but here’s the question, was the present Government honest

and truthful in their assessment of the PPP/C and were those allegations ever proven? For starters, the PNCled coalition took the former Government officials to court through the State apparatus SOCU and SARA and grilled them bare, and may I ask what were the results? The answer, they were all vindicated.

Now, some are still not convinced of this shocking fact, so I must then ask the question must we go on unsubstantiated rumours or on verified facts? The truth of the matter is we must go on facts and that settles the argument.

Then it behoves me to pen the next question – can this PNC-led coalition withstand the acid test like the PPP/C did? The answer is no, because from the present scheme of things, the situation seems glum, in fact, Guyana is saddled with scandal after scandal and bare-faced thievery at every governmental level.

The facts are there to show that we have a Government who has, as it were, “institutionalised corruption” as its mantra. Someone rightly said we have returned to the 28 years of the retrograde PNC. And with good reason, that statement was made because everything has seen a turn for the worse in Guyana today. With the coming of sovereign oil wealth, we are no closer to coming out of poverty as the situation gets worse; the Government gets more entrenched in their acts of corruption.

And this has been our experience with this party ever since the days of the PNC. Take for example, Burnham brought the oil exploration company Home Oil to our shores, no one knew what transpired during that oil deal until the company left. We are nowhere close to knowing what happened during those years and will never know. This has been the curse of our shameful existence as Third World nations, secret underhand transactions with billions of dollars siphoned off into private accounts with no accountability to the people of that country whatsoever. It is a situation where you have the cats watching the pigeons for Government.

In this scenario, no good can come to those economies, no sovereign wealth and development will flow to the greater masses out there. This is what we have been talking about for ages now, corrupt public officials, corrupt Governments and to think of it, these are the ones who shout about corruption when they are the fountain from which such activities flow.

I must close here by saying, we have had four years (2011-2015) of negative activity of a backward combined Opposition, followed by a further 5 years more (2015-2020) of that very same coalition, it is high time we get rid of them. March 2 is the time for us to put an end to this retrogression. I rest my case.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

drive. Accidents involving injuries and loss of lives, etc are so much harder to bear when we reflect that drunken driving is a tested topic in our national driving test, and on our own national sorry attitude of absolute disregard for Government-sponsored public advertisements across the media spectrum, inclusive of billboards around the country warning against driving under the influence of alcohol.

This makes it so much more unforgivable when accidents and deaths like Jude’s occur, as we have no other emotion but intense anger when they do.

As with every other accident involving drunk driving, Jude’s death cannot be allowed to be a victim of our oftentimes seemingly influenced court system. Jude was a major player in his family’s business, and contributed much to its growth and success. This death has torn a wound in the hearts of his family, friends and the national cycling arena, including many aspiring young children and adults. Most importantly, however, Jude has left a young wife with a son to take care of through to adulthood.

Jude meant a lot to his wife, his son, and they must be compensated.

During my time, I’ve observed a number of early-morning accidents which very likely involved driving under the influence. These include another early-morning fatal accident involving another cyclist and a bus driver just around Liliendaal a few decades ago, vehicles mashing into the same post just before the gas station on Camp Street (twice), a pickup running under what used to be the Plaza Cinema, and a host of other accidents on the

Camp and Lamaha and Camp and Church Streets intersections through the years. The absolute irrationality behind these accidents, many involving death, injury and much financial cost and lost time, was unbelievable and continues even in spite of increased public awareness efforts.

On the score of our current national attitude of disregard for warnings and penalties for driving under the influence, we are brutally reminded once again of the costs and personal tragedies of drunk driving with Jude’s death, and I personally add my voice to those already on record, do not drink and drive! I understand many drivers are mistakenly under the impression that driving under the influence is the supreme driving test, and they are ‘man’ enough to drive unfazed by alcohol, but we are too often reminded that our senses are undoubtedly impaired.

Be rational. Alcohol has been known to alter reality and impair motor responses, and regardless of how we feel, just for a moment, consider that we could well be responsible for the next fatality if we drink and drive. Let us make a national effort to be more responsible and save a life. If you drink, don’t drive. Sleep over, take a taxi, or have a friend or someone give you a drop.

Further, if you know you’re going out to have a good time, call a taxi, and have friends do likewise. Lack of sleep also causes accidents. Just think about it and do the right thing. It takes around twenty-four hours for the effects of alcohol to wear off. Be responsible. If you drink, don’t drive!

Yours faithfully, Craig Sylvester

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

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What is social phobia?

t’s natural to feel self-conscious, nervous, or shy in front of others at times. Most people get through these moments when they need to. But for some, the anxiety that goes with feeling shy or self-conscious can be extreme.

When people feel so self-conscious and anxious that it prevents them from speaking up or socialising most of the time, it’s probably more than shyness. It may be an anxiety condition called social phobia (also called social anxiety).

What happens when someone has social phobia?

Extreme feelings of shyness and selfconsciousness build into a powerful fear.

As a result, a person feels uncomfortable participating in everyday social situations.

People with social phobia can usually interact easily with family and a few close friends. But meeting new

Foundation

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people, talking in a group, or speaking in public can cause their extreme shyness to kick in.

With social phobia, a person’s extreme shyness, self-consciousness, and fear of embarrassment get in the way of life.

Instead of enjoying social activities, people with social phobia might dread them — and avoid some of them altogether.

What causes social phobia?

Like most other phobias, social phobia is a fear reaction to something that isn’t actually dangerous — although the body and mind react as if the danger is real. This means that someone feels physical sensations of fear, like a faster heartbeat and breathing. These are part of the body’s fight–flight response.

They’re caused by a rush of adrenaline and other chemicals that prepare the body to either fight or make a quick getaway.

This biological mechanism kicks in when we feel afraid. It’s a built-in nervous system response that alerts us to danger so we can protect ourselves. With social phobia, this response gets activated too often, too strongly, and in situations where it’s out of place. Because the physical sensations that go with the response are real – and sometimes quite strong – the danger seems real too. So, the person will react by freezing up, and will feel unable to interact.

As the body experiences these physical

sensations, the mind goes through emotions like feeling afraid or nervous.

People with social phobia tend to interpret these sensations and emotions in a way that leads them to avoid the situation (“Uh-oh, my heart’s pounding, this must be dangerous — I’d better not do it!”). Someone else might interpret the same physical sensations of nervousness a different way (“OK, that’s just my heart beating fast. It’s me getting nervous because it’s almost my turn to speak. It happens every time. No big deal.”).

What fears are involved?

With social phobia, a person’s fears and concerns are focused on their social performance — whether it’s a major class presentation or small talk at the lockers.

People with social phobia tend to feel self-conscious and uncomfortable about being noticed or judged by others.

They’re more sensitive to fears that they’ll be embarrassed, look foolish, make a mistake, or be criticised or laughed at. No one wants to go through these things. But most people don’t really spend much time worrying about it. The fear and anxiety are out of proportion to the situation. .

(Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

ith social phobia, thoughts and fears about what others think get exaggerated in someone's mind. The person starts to focus on the embarrassing things that could happen, instead of the good things. This makes a situation seem much worse than it is, and influences a person to avoid it.

Some of the ways social phobia can affect someone's life include: Feeling lonely or disappointed over missed opportunities for friendship and fun. Social phobia might prevent someone from chatting with friends in the lunchroom, joining an after-school club, going to a party, or asking someone on a date.

Not getting the most out of school. Social phobia might keep a person from volunteering an answer in class, reading aloud, or giving a presentation. Someone with social phobia might feel too nervous to ask a question in class or go to a teacher for help.

Missing a chance to share their talents and learn new skills.

Social phobia might prevent someone from auditioning for the school play, being in the talent show, trying out for a team, or joining in a service project. Social phobia not only prevents people from trying new things. It also prevents them from making the normal, everyday mistakes that help people improve their skills still further.

What is selective mutism?

Some kids and teens are so extremely shy and so fearful about talking to others, that they don't speak at all to some people (such as a teacher or students they don't know) or in certain places (like at someone else's house). This form of social phobia is sometimes called selective mutism.

People with selective mutism can talk. They have completely normal conversations with the people they're comfortable with or in certain places. But other situations cause them such extreme anxiety that they may not be able to bring themselves to talk at all.

Some people might mistake their silence for a stuck-up attitude or rudeness. But with selective mutism and social phobia, silence stems from feeling uncomfortable and afraid, not from being uncooperative, disrespectful, or rude.

Why do some people develop social phobia?

Kids, teens, and adults can have social phobia. Most of the time, it starts when a person is young. Like other anxiety-based problems, social phobia develops because of a combination of three factors: A person's biological makeup: Social phobia could be partly due to the genes and temperament a person inherits. Inherited genetic traits from parents and other relatives can influence how the brain senses and regulates anxiety, shyness, nervousness, and stress reactions. Likewise, some people are born with a shy temperament and tend to be cautious and sensitive in new situations and prefer what's familiar. Most people who develop social phobia have always had a shy temperament.

Not everyone with a shy temperament develops social phobia (in fact, most don't). It's the same with genes. But people who inherit these traits do have an increased chance of developing social phobia.

Behaviours learned from role models (especially parents): A person's naturally shy temperament can be influenced by what he or she learns from role models. If parents or others react by overprotecting a child who is shy, the child won't have a chance to get used to new situations and new people. Over time, shyness can build into social phobia.

Shy parents might also unintentionally set an example by avoiding certain social interactions. A shy child who watches this learns that socialising is uncomfortable, distressing, and something to avoid.

Life events and experiences: If people born with a cautious nature have stressful experiences, it can make them even more cautious and shy. Feeling pressured to interact in ways they don't feel ready for, being criticised or humiliated, or having other fears and worries can make it more likely for a shy or fearful person to develop social anxiety.

People who constantly receive critical or disapproving reactions may grow to expect that others will judge them negatively. Being teased or bullied will make people who are already shy likely to retreat into their shells even more. They'll be scared of making a mistake or disappointing someone, and will be more sensitive to criticism.

The good news is that the effect of these negative experiences can be turned around with some focused slow-but-steady effort.

Fear can be learnt. And it can also be unlearned, too. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Coalition confident of Linden's “traditional” support – Granger

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resident David Granger on Sunday said he is counting on the “traditional” support of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), to secure the re-election of the incumbent APNU/AFC coalition for another term in office.

He was at the time addressing supporters at a rally in the mining town.

“I’ve come tonight to Linden with confidence – confidence in your common sense, confident in your tradition of support for the party which come out and work for Linden and Region 10… I know that on 2nd of March, you will go out there and vote for the coalition that you love, vote for [a] leader that you know will support Region 10,” the APNU Leader posited.

The President noted that Region 10 is powerful and has mineral potential, tim-

signature project, the Five Bs Initiative (Boats, Bicycle, Buses, Books and Breakfast).

Moreover, he reiterated plans to establish technical institutes in all 10 regions of Guyana.

Already, the APNU Leader stated, the coalition has plugged some $155 million into the establishment of the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN).

APNU/AFC Leader David Granger at Sunday’s rally in Linden

ber potential, agricultural potential but most importantly, human potential.

It was against this background, he pointed out that the Burnham Education Scholarship Trust was established and has seen over 80 students from the region benefiting to date.

Granger went on to talk of the benefits of his

Admits

Shifting his attention to job creation, the APNU Leader recognised that many young people are without employment.

“We will provide a safety net to make sure they don’t hit the ground, they don’t have to lime at street corners. We will make sure that those young people receive employment. During this Decade of Development, we will provide employment

facilities for young people,” he asserted.

On this note, President Granger pointed out that Region 10 can expand its activities. For example, from mining to jewellery making, wood cutting to furniture making and even into agriculture.

“Young people can go into manufacturing and we will help these micro-enterprises so that Guyana starts [to] export the goods that it produces – agro-processing.

There is no reason, Linden, why people must bring vegetables from Parika to sell in Linden… You can produce it yourself and you can use your manufacturing skills and expertise to package stuff,” he stressed.

According to the Head of State, he has already seen this starting to happen at the Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibition that was held in Linden.

APNU/AFC supporters at the rally in Linden

Turning his attention to infrastructural development, President Granger said he envisions roads connecting the entire country so that citizens can drive from Kwakwani across the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo Rivers to Karasabai.

Granger pointed out that development has been moving apace over the last five years under the coalition party, adding that this will continue when it secures

a victory at the upcoming polls.

Meanwhile, his running mate, Khemraj Ramjattan in his remarks said much has been accomplished under the coalition with much being spent in Linden in the areas of security and infrastructural works.

“Coalition politics is here to stay...and it shall seal national unity which will make this country the greatest country in the Caribbean,” Ramjattan said.

Cyclist Jude Bentley’s death

DUI PNCR executive hospitalised for “trauma”

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ne day after being involved in the fatal accident that claimed the life of former national cyclist, Jude Bentley, Retired Rear Admiral of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Gary Best has been hospitalised.

Best, who was behind the wheel of the vehicle that was involved in the collision with Bentley, is said to be “traumatised”. Bentley was hit and his body dragged a short distance before the vehicle, driven by Best, slammed into a post and came to a halt.

Speaking with this publication on Sunday, Police Commander of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas said that Best is not on bail for the accident but

Ret’d Rear Admiral Gary Best

rather is under guard at a medical facility.

However, he did not sustain any physical injuries as a result of the accident.

Best is also a former pres-

idential advisor to President David Granger, a current candidate on the APNU/AFC list and an executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform.

Based on information received, the accident occurred at about 05:00h in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy, Kitty, Georgetown.

At that time, Bentley was reportedly proceeding to Sheriff Street to meet a group of cyclists when the black Land Cruiser came into contact with the cycle. Upon impact, he fell to the ground while the right side of the vehicle was badly damaged.

Traffic Chief Linden Isles confirmed that Best failed two breathalyser tests. He said that both tests revealed that Best was above the legal limit for alcohol con-

Jude Bentley's family standing near the spot where he died

sumption when operating any vehicle.

Bentley’s reputed wife, Akesia Hodge told this publication that he left home sometime around 04:23h on Saturday. She said that about an hour later, she received the dreadful news that Bentley was involved in

an accident and immediately rushed over to the scene.

She added that when she arrived, his body was still lying on the roadway.

While there were claims by the driver that the cyclist was not wearing any reflective gears and his bike was not equipped with lights, she

Dead: Jude Bentley

dispelled these allegations saying that Bentley would always follow protocols.

Reflecting on the former national athlete, she added that he was a helpful person. He leaves to mourn seven children and other family members.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Inquest into murdered Triumph teen commences

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n inquest has begun into the death of 18-year-old Rainella Benfield whose lifeless body was found in a cemetery at Triumph, East Coast Demerara, on December 11, 2017.

At the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court on Friday last, relatives and friends of the dead teen were summoned to testify.

During the proceedings, four persons gave evidence as the matter was heard before Magistrate Alicia George.

The matter will be called again on March 12 when it is expected that more persons will take the stand.

The body of Benfield, who resided at Lot 99 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was discovered with her hands resting on her chest while the pair of jeans she was

It is suspected that she was killed one week prior to the discovery. Following the discovery, persons recounted hearing screams in the vicinity of the cemetery but did not pay heed.

A male friend of the dead girl had said that she had planned to spend the night out with a group of friends at Mahaicony but it never materialised since the friend had to work late.

Trial into Rubis accountant’s murder aborted

Rainella Benfield

wearing was pulled to her knees.

It was reported that the teen left home for work and after she did not return home in the evening, her relatives were under the impression that she was working overtime. However, on December 11, 2017, she was found dead in the Triumph cemetery.

T

he trial into the murder of Rubis accountant, 27-year-old Jason Cort, has been aborted for the second time in one month.

Clifton Gibson, Linton Eastman and Stancey Rodney are currently on remand for the murder.

When the matter was called before Judge Brassington Reynolds on Friday at the High Court, it was reported to him that a relative of one of the accused

The campaign…

T Jason Cort

is known to the jury forewoman.

Further, it was disclosed that before the commencement of the proceedings, the relative was seen waving her hand to the forewoman.

As a result, Justice Reynolds ruled that it was best to abort the trial.

The three murder accused were scheduled to go on trial from January 15, 2020. However, that morning, the Judge and lawyers were locked away in the Judge’s chambers for more than an hour.

When the parties emerged, the Judge disclosed that he was forced to conduct an inquiry into a report made by a witness in the matter. The Judge said that the witness made a complaint about overhearing a conversation at the courthouse on Monday, January 13, 2020.

Upon examining the nature of the conversation, Justice Reynolds said that there is a possibility that it could lead to the trial having a prejudicial outcome.

In the interest of justice and fairness to the prosecution and defence, the Judge informed the court that he would discontinue/abort the trial. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the three murder accused have been further remanded to prison. It is unclear when they will be brought to court for trial.

Jason Cort, a senior employee attached to Rubis Guyana Inc, was gunned down in July of last year, at his Lot 262 Jamoon Drive, Meadowbrook home.

Cort was fatally shot to the chest shortly after entering his premises with fiancé, Shauna Garraway. He was rushed to Dr Balwant Singh Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.

Several persons had related that upon hearing the loud explosion and looking outside, they observed persons scaling the fence of Cort’s home and making good their escape up the road.

Following the shooting, the three men were arrested and charged for the offence.

…and the real PNC his elections campaign hasn’t been kind to the PNC – it just intensified the deconstruction that’s been ongoing over the past five years! The PNC, of course, had NEVER won an election on its own over the sixty-plus years it has been around!! Losers!! While most folks have blamed “race” politics, for this shameful state of affairs, it’s more a symptom of their fundamental fatal flaw: a despotic drive to suck up all power like a black hole!!

Their carefully crafted facade to camouflage themselves with strategically placed “coalition” partners to hide their sins might’ve worked for the 2015 elections. But it fell immediately apart because of the nature of the beast!!

Granger, you see, Dear Reader, wasn’t socialised in the party-wing of the PNC’s triumvirate power institutions – where he might’ve picked up the art of pretending to share power. He came up through the army route, where to be questioned in a decision was to commit treason!! And be shot in a firing line!!

Problem is, discussion, debate and compromise are the essence of coalition government – which Granger insists he created to solve our divisive politics! “All for one and one for all,” he shouted on the campaign trail!! What his erstwhile partners soon found out was that what Granger actually meant was that PNC was the “one”. As in, “All for the PNC and the PNC is all”!!

Interestingly, it was the one-man WPA party – which had provided the initial cover for the PNC – that complained Granger wasn’t listening, much less consulting, nobody!

The WPA was pissed because they’d been the chief cook and bottle washer in getting Corbin to step aside and install the (politically) unknown Granger to head the “old wine” in the “new bottle” called APNU. And now Brigadier Granger had the chutzpah to treat them like…erm…privates!!

The AFC, after one desultory resolution to “demand” their rights under the Cummingsburg Accord, folded their tent when Nagamootoo not only accepted the Larwah Granger handed him, but showed all signs of wanting more!! They became the PNC’s footstool! And so now that the PNC has had to claim once again on the campaign trail that it is really working with a coalition, their pretences have been laid bare!! Emperor Granger has no real coalition PARTNERS – merely facilitators of his rule!!

Granger surprised some when he blurted out he can CONSTITUTIONALLY strip any dual citizen of their Guyanese citizenship. Harold Lutchman, the head of the APNU+AFC list in 2015, just reminded us that Granger can also CONSTITUTIONALLY name anyone he wishes as the PM if he were to get back into office.

A hint to Beneba mek Quashie tek notice.

Reject the anti-democratic Granger come March 2!!

…of blame Unable to point to any significant achievement after five years in office, the PNC’s resorted to blaming their failures on the PPP!! After running the most productive bauxite operations into the ground following Burnham’s nationalisation frenzy, the PNC’s blaming the PPP for bringing in RUSAL to run the Berbice operations!! Imagine that – when it was the PNC under Hoyte who couldn’t find a buyer and threw up their hands!!

But if it’s OK to blame the PPP for bringing in RUSAL to Berbice, shouldn’t they be praised for bringing in Bosai to Linden?? What gives?? And then they’re blaming the PPP for squandering our oil patrimony because Janet Jagan signed a generous EXPLORATION contract in 1999!! Never mind that a) Guyana was a real frontier oil state in 1999; b) Trotman signed a PRODUCTION contract in 2016 AFTER oil had been struck and c) even the exploration contract was about to expire!!

But who’ll they blame for the filthy state into which Georgetown had reverted??

The PPP isn’t the central govt!! …of absurdity In playing the blame game, the PNC’s taken it to bizarre levels when they blame the PPP for the killing fields of 2000-2008.

So, the PPP created the Resistance Fighters of Buxton that launched the mayhem??

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

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PPP will complete fixed-span 4-lane concrete DHB planned since 2013 …as Irfaan Ali assures sugar workers will return to work

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

I

t was an electrifying atmosphere on Sunday as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) leaders exhorted the over 20,000 supporters on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) to remember the travails of the fired sugar workers when they go out and vote on March 2.

When PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali took the stage at Stewartville, WCD, he opened his presentation by noting the travails of commuters from West Demerara who have to cross the old, expired floating DHB daily to work or do business in Georgetown and on East Bank. An average of 10,000 vehicles traverse the crossing daily. Ali noted the thousands of man-hours lost to the national economy, not to mention the mental turmoil inflicted when those commuters have to waste an average of four hours daily to cross.

He committed to fulfilling the plans of the PPP Government since 2013 when a four-lane fixed-span modern concrete bridge, with clover leaf exits and entries was designed by local engineers and staff of the DHB. There were 21 expressions of interest from Chinese and Indian firms to complete the

structure on a Private Public Partnership (PPP) basis.

These plans were shelved by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) regime after 2015 when it solesourced a $150 million design that had to be discarded since it would have to be retracted.

He then spoke directly to the sugar workers and their families, who have been impacted by the APNU/AFC decision to close sugar estates.

Ali made it clear that should the PPP win power in the upcoming General and Regional Elections, sugar workers would return to work and families in need would receive governmental assistance to get them back on their feet.

“To my brothers and sisters from Wales, march with the PPP as we bring transitional support for the families who have suffered in the closure of Wales. March with the PPP as we reverse those 200 taxes and put back money in your pockets. March with the PPP, rice farmers, as we support you and explore the possibility of implementing a rice stabilisation fund.

“March with the PPP as we provide concessions for large-scale livestock farm-

A section of the thousands of supporters at Stewartville, WCD on Sunday

ing. March with the PPP for a renewal of the housing programme. March with the PPP for the creation of 50,000 jobs.”

Ali, who hails from Leonora in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), said that he recognised the economic troubles facing the region. He noted that not only would the PPP use various strategies to create jobs for the general population, investments would also be made in job creation for single mothers.

“We cannot forget the sawmills and those brothers and sisters who are working in the forestry sector. Today, sawmills that were once vibrant are closing down.

Forestry operations that were expanding are closing down. Businesses in Parika are closing down. Businesses in Vreed-en-Hoop have seen reduced sales and are curtailing their expansion.

“Why is this so? This is so because we have an incompetent government that has taken away your ability to spend. Billions they have extracted from your pockets in taxes. After March 2, with the reversal of those taxes, we will be putting back $91 billion in your pockets to spend

in the economy.”

Hospital, call centre

When it comes to health, Ali also proclaimed that the PPP will invest in a stateof-the-art hospital in Region Three, as well as investments into the diagnostic centres all across the country. He noted that they would make massive investments into pharmaceuticals.

Moreover, Ali spoke of investments in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector; investments which would provide high-speed Internet and would be linked with further job creation.

He reminded the enthusiastic crowd that the construction of the call centre in Tuschen was halted and committed to not only finishing the call centre but also pro-

viding incentives for more call centres to be built.

Other commitments made to the people of Region Three include the completion of the Del Conte road link from Parika to Bartica along the East Bank of Essequibo. He also spoke of building a ‘superhighway’.

Ever since the Wales Sugar Estate closed – leaving thousands of workers without jobs, many of their children were forced to find odd jobs around the community to offset expenses for their schooling.

During a visit to the village last year, parents who were sent home from the sugar industry indicated that it was very difficult to send their children to school, owing to transportation expenses and other supplementary spending for textbooks and

studying materials.

In 2017, the workers were promised by the APNU/AFC coalition Government that lands from the Estate would be given to them to engage in farming and other agricultural activities to earn a living.

This publication had reported in November of last year that after two years, these lands had not been distributed to the former sugar workers and hundreds of acres had been leased to private persons, including recently, 700 acres for coconut cultivation and processing.

The Wales Estate on the West Bank of Demerara was one of four – Enmore Estate in Demerara, and Rose Hall and Skeldon in Berbice being the others — which were closed under the current Administration, leaving thousands jobless.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

UK committed to security sector reform in Guyana B

ritish High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn has stressed his country’s commitment to ensuring reforms in the local security sector.

In fact, he told Guyana Times on Saturday that this is an area of collaboration that his Government will continue to pursue.

“We want to continue to work in doing security sec-

tor reforms and that will be something that we will come back to after the elections,” High Commissioner Quinn stated.

The British Government had funded a Security Sector Reform report which focused primarily on reforms within the Guyana Police Force.

During a meeting with then British Prime Minister David Cameron

British High Commissioner Greg Quinn

back in 2016, President David Granger had requested that the multimillion-dollar security sector programme be revived after it was initially scrapped in 2009.

As such, British security expert, Colonel Russel Combe was brought in to conduct an assessment of the local security sector and compiled the report with steps to be taken to improve services.

In addition to reforms within the Police Force, the report also contained measures to address issues plaguing the Prisons and Fire Services as well as the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF’s) Coast Guard.

At the handing over of

the report in January 2018, Combe had said the presentation of the report is not just the beginning or end of efforts to reform the local security sector.

“The report is dynamic; it’s not to represent just the beginning. Activities supported by the United Kingdom have already commenced: the training of [Police’s] Strategic Planning Unit last year and then in November there was consultancy on the marine capability of the Police Force and indeed engaged with the Coast Guards as well… So this is not the beginning, nor is it the end,” he had noted.

The UK expert had further stated that his Government does not want to see the report sitting on the shelf, gathering dust.

In fact, he noted that the report was compiled in such a way that it can be broken up and separated into parts to be dealt with by different groupings.

Colonel Combe was retained to oversee the implementation of his recommendations until March 2019 when his tenure came to end.

While the report is yet to be made public, the Police Force has already taken steps to implement some of those recommendations.

Police Commissioner Leslie James

In fact, the Force’s Annual Officers’ Conference was held last month under theme “Maintaining the Security Sector Reform Implementation to Enhance Public Trust, Security and Capacity Building”.

It was noted that the report created the formation of a National Policing Plan 2019 with five priority areas: Operations, Training, Partnership, Performance and Infrastructure. It also sets out eight national objectives namely: crime reduction, restore confidence, efficiency and effectiveness, professionalism and legitimacy, engagements and outreaches, performance assessments, human resource management and

structural improvement to police abilities.

A Strategic Planning Unit has since been put in place to coordinate the execution of the five strategic areas. This is coupled with a host of other measures such as the Police Reform Change Board to implement the Security Sector Reforms.

“The Force continues to implement strategies and systems from our threeyear Strategic Management Plan, of which the first year is now completed. That Plan will conclude in 2021.

We continue to forge ahead for greater efficiency and maximum development,” Police Commissioner Leslie James had stated.

Meanwhile, President David Granger at the same time had emphasised that Security Sector Reform remains a high priority of the coalition Government’s public security policy.

“It involves measures to promote greater probity in the work of the police and to ensure greater integrity among its members. It is strengthening professional competence, social responsibility and administrative oversight and improving the officers’ performance so as to allow it to become a more capable law-enforcement agency,” the Head of State posited.

NEWS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Gunmen rob customers UK investors show more interest in Guyana at Grove shop

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ction Invest Caribbean in collaboration with the British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn on Saturday evening launched the second edition of the “Who’s Who in Guyana” business directory.

During the launch, which was held at the British High Commissioner’s Bel Air residence, the British High Commissioner stated that more investors from the United Kingdom have indicated their interest in coming to Guyana.

“I am happy to say that a large number of UK businesses continue to want to do business here In Guyana.

Whenever I first arrived here in Guyana five years ago, I would get maybe one British business coming and talking to me every week.

Now I get one or two British businesses talking to me every day,” Quinn stated.

The diplomat further stated that they are elated to see such interest towards Guyana since it will benefit not only Guyana but the UK. “It is important to say that it is not just about oil, and it's not just about gas, these are all sorts of businesses be their retail, be their services, be their infrastructures. In my view that shows that they are many different opportunities in many different areas here in Guyana,” she stated.

Quinn posited that there will always be oil and gas related work, and oil is very important, but all businesses are not about oil and gas.

“Oil will provide the money and the funds to build the infrastructure, to build the skills of people, to build the education, to build the health facilities, and build social services that will benefit every member of the society. It is important for all of us to remember that oil and gas provide the money for everything else…

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

A

Copies of the Who’s Who directory

all business is not about oil and gas”, he said.

Nevertheless, he said that the directory will show foreign investors what Guyana needs.

Executive Chairman of Action Invest Caribbean, Vishnu Doerga said that the directory came at an op-

portune time. He said that it features key insights from industry-related leaders and economic reviews.

These reviews, local and international, focus on the benefits of investing and provides insight into how to make the best investment decisions in Guyana.

man and a woman that were purchasing items inside of a shop late on Saturday night are left traumatised after two armed bandits held them at gunpoint and robbed them.

The two customers were at a shop located on Third Street, North East, Grove Village, East Bank Demerara (EBD), consuming beverages when the incident took place.

Reports are that on the night in question, the two customers were seated in separate chairs at the entrance of the shop when two men exited a motor car bearing a hire car registration.

The driver of the vehicle remained inside and parked the car a short distance away from the shop.

The two men entered the shop and ordered two alcoholic beverages which they

quickly consumed while standing at the counter.

According to the shop owner, who was operating as the cashier at that time, one of the men paid her with a $5000 bill and upon collecting his change, he slowly walked past the couple at the door.

However, he quickly whipped out a large knife from his waist and pushed it against the female customer’s neck while his accomplice drew a gun and held the male customer.

She explained that at this point, she was frozen in fear while her two customers were held hostage by the armed duo.

The men then demanded that the male and female customers hand over their cash, jewellery and other valuables.

Guyana Times understands that the men managed to relieve the customers of an undisclosed amount of money, at least one cellular phone, and other items.

They then rushed into the waiting car which immediately sped through the streets of the village, ensuring their escape.

The female shop owner told Police that she had noticed the car driving through the street prior to the robbery. At that time, there were several men consuming alcoholic beverages at the shop hence she believes that might have deterred them from committing the robbery earlier.

The house is surrounded by CCTV cameras and as such, the footage is being reviewed by the police as they continue their investigations.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

$130M Green Enterprise 10 advance to Chutney final Centre commissioned

R

The $130 million Green Enterprise Centre

R

esidents of North Rupununi will soon benefit from their first-ever technical institute which was commissioned on Friday last.

The $130 million Hinterland Green Enterprise Centre is located in the same compound as the Bina Hill Youth Learning Centre in Annai, and boasts eight classrooms; a modern computer and science laboratory; a large auditorium; and a lecture room.

The facility can accom-

modate as many as 120 students at once.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo said in his opening remarks that the institute will address the high demand for skills training in the hinterland, whilst simultaneously promoting training that aligns along a path of sustainable development.

“This centre is gonna learn from the Amerindians traditional education and will foster education among the Indigenous children.”

Minister of Indigenous

Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock, who also attended the ceremony, is one of the pioneers of the technical institute.

He stated the institute represents the actualisation of a collective dream of the Indigenous people.

“The Ministry remains committed to supporting the access to education for young persons. It is the hope that the green centre much like the Bina Hill Institution will serve as a beacon and pilot,” said Allicock.

esidents of the Upper Corentyne district came out in their numbers to witness electrifying performances from sixteen artistes competing in the Chutney Monarch 2020.

The semi-final was held at the Skeldon Heritage Resort in Corriverton on Saturday evening before a packed audience.

At the end of the night, nine contestants joined reigning monarch Stephen Ramphal to compete in the finals for the coveted crown and over $1.5 million in cash on February 22 at the Better Hope Ground in Region Four.

The finalists who will be vying for the Chutney crown

Bill Rogers – “A Tribute to Chutney”, Tony Cutt – “Neighbour Roti”, Christopher Ramphal – “Sweet Bai Talk”, Bunty

Bunty Singh, backed by his dancers delivers an energetic performance of “She Want Me Be She Raja”

Those advancing are Arjit Singh with “Sangeet Bhagee”, Pooran Seeraj – “Roti and Dhall”, Young

Singh – “She want me be she Raja”, AW Lyrical – “Seven Curry”, Vicadi Singh – “Mousee and She Tassa”

and the lone female Vanita Willie – “A Mother’s Love”.

Given the intensity and mesmerising performances by the artistes, the judges will have their hands full in deciding the winner in the finals.

Reigning Chutney Monarch Stephen Ramphal’s energetic performance gave the other contestants a taste of what to expect in their bid to take the crown from him. He belted out several of his hits including his single “Rang Ke Bhare” which promotes love and unity.

The Chutney Monarch competition has become a regular staple during the Mashramani activities.

Throughout the competition, the crowd was kept on their feet, cheering for their favourite artiste.

NEWS

15

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bandit escapes with Scores of cyclists pay tribute to Jude businessman’s car Bentley

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A

38-year-old businessman woke up to find the front door to his house open and his motor car (PVV 902) missing from the parking spot.

Reports are that on Monday last, the man had returned home in the evening and parked his vehicle in the usual parking spot. He then secured his house and retired to bed.

When he woke up the following morning, around 06:00h, he noticed that the front door to his house was wide open and his cellular phone which had been plugged into an electrical outlet was missing.

The man told Guyana Times on Sunday that he believes the bandit(s) used a chemical which was sprayed in the air to ensure that he was sound asleep.

“The grillwork for the door was open, my house keys were missing, my car keys were missing, these keys are all on the same bunch together. Even the charger that is used to

ational cyclist Jude Bentley, who was killed in a vehicular accident, will be remembered as a “committed and helpful” individual who has never shied away from a challenge.

Hundreds of cyclists and friends paying homage to Jude Bentley

held a minute of silence in his honour.

Police stated that Bentley was struck and killed while riding on the Rupert Craig Highway, East Coast Demerara, by a motor

Stolen: Blue Toyota Premio (PVV 902)

charge my cellphone is gone.

When I looked outside, I realised that my car was stolen, they drove it away from where it was parked.”

He stated that he immediately reported the matter to the Turkeyen Police Station but to date, he has not received any positive feedback as to the location of his vehicle.

“I have been in touch regularly with the detective who is investigating but they have not heard anything. I really would appreciate it if anyone who sees the car or know where it is to make

contact with me or the police.

As the days go by and I am not able to find my vehicle it makes me lose hope,” the man said.

According to the businessman, his blue Toyota Premio (PVV 902) was parked in the vicinity of Dennis Street, Sophia, near Beepat’s bond.

He is offering a reward for anyone with information that will lead to the recovery of his vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to contact him on 686-6020 or make contact with the nearest police station.

Integrity Commission

influence of alcohol.

Bentley was reportedly proceeding to Sheriff Street to meet a group of his friends when the black Land Cruiser came into contact with his cycle. Upon impact,

Dead: Jude Bentley

Bentley was killed while on a training ride about 04:30h on Clive Lloyd Drive, Rupert Craig Highway, in the vicinity of the Russian Embassy on Saturday morning.

However, on Sunday, scores of cyclists assembled at the spot where Bentley was killed to reflect on his life and his contributions to the sport.

They were seen circling the area where the accident occurred after which they

Jude Bentley’s reputed wife, Akesia Hodge being consoled as she falls to her knees in grief at the spot where he died

jeep driven by Retired Rear Admiral Gary Best, who was later found to be under the

the cyclist fell to the ground where he sustained injuries.

He subsequently died.

we would observe the child at doing different activities… we would make a video as well. This information, the questionnaire, along with the video as well will be forwarded to the therapist in the United States…”.

Director of the Academy, Elizabeth Albert said that the feedback they are receiving from parents is phenomenal. She posited that parents are pleased to know that there is a facility that is offering to prescreen free of cost.

“We noticed that there are challenges, there are certain behavioural challenges

that all of them have. Since we did the prescreening, the videos, and the questionnaires that were filled out, now we just send it over to the doctors and this is now where we are waiting to get the final diagnosis.

Meanwhile, parents who have children with disabilities are asked to take full advantage of the free screening that is been offered at the MET Pride Academy throughout the month of February.

Those who might be interested in the screening are asked to contact the academy on 2272013.

Jagdeo, Ali to sue Guyana Free screening for persons with Chronicle, editor disabilities at Met Pride Academy

…after newspaper falsely publishes that they failed to declare assets

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo

Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

Attorney-at-Law Anil Nandlall

eneral Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali of the People’s Progressive Party will be instituting legal proceedings against the Guyana National Newspaper Limited, the publisher of the Guyana Chronicle and its Editor-in-Chief, Nigel Williams, in his personal capacity for libel.

Jagdeo and Ali are suing the Guyana Chronicle for an article that was published in its February 9, 2020, edition under the headline “Do the right thing and resign….

Jagdeo, Ali, among public officials who fail to file 2018 asset declarations”.

Attorney for Jagdeo and Ali, Anil Nandlall on Sunday said that the publication was designed to defame and damage his clients’ reputation and tarnish their character.

“The said publications are blatant and gross untruths intended to tarnish the character and reputation of my clients and to cause their status to be low-

ered in the estimation of right-thinking members of society,” Nandlall said.

According to the attorney, the malicious political publicity “gimmick is clearly intended to detract attention from a long list of Government’s Ministers and officials, including the Attorney General, for committing the criminal act of failing to file the relevant declarations with the Integrity Commission, in accordance with the Integrity Commissions Act.” According to the attorney, the legal proceedings which will be filed will certainly be pursued to the end “even after APNU/AFC loses the Government at the coming elections.”

Earlier in the month, the Integrity Commission published a list of a number of public officials who failed to declare their assets last year and among those are a number of Ministers and former Government parliamentarians.

According to the gazetted list, as of January 2020, a to-

tal of eight Ministers failed to declare their assets between July 2018 and June 2019.

These included Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan, and Culture Minister, George Norton.

Other Ministers include Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings, and Public Service Minister Tabitha Sarabo-Halley as well as Junior Minister of Agriculture Valarie AdamsYearwood and Minister Simona Broomes.

Additionally, a number of former Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Government’s side were also included on the list.

Additionally, staff of the National Assembly were also not spared, as both Speaker of the House Dr Barton Scotland and Clerk, Sherlock Issacs, were flagged.

Permanent Secretaries and technical officials from a number of State agencies and Ministries were also among the delinquents.

G

C

hildren with disabilities will now benefit from free screening

by Met Pride Academy located at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, Georgetown.

The school, which was established in March 2017, caters for persons with disabilities such as autism, dyslexia, and down syndrome, and helps parents to understand their condition.

Martel Alert, Principal of the Academy, stated, “We do what persons may call a prescreening whereby the child will come into the school, there is a questionnaire the parents would full out and

16 NEWS Mark Phillips highlights PPP/C plans for safer communities MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…assures of better equipped Police Force

P

eople’s Progressive Party (PPP) Prime Ministerial Candidate Mark Phillips is a retired Brigadier General, who once headed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Small wonder, then, that on Sunday Phillips spoke about some of his party’s plans for the security sector if elected.

Phillips was at the time speaking at a PPP rally in Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

While noting that the party will return the end of year bonus to the Disciplined Services that was halted by the coalition Government, Phillips made it clear that he would put his security background to use formulating crime prevention strategies.

“We have a plan. And the plan does not involve a 2:00 AM curfew. We’re not dealing with children. You could stay out how long you want, but our plan will create saf-

er communities, reduce crime, re-equip the Police Force, re-professionalise the Police Force,” Phillips informed the large crowd.

“Our plan will let you work with the Police Force, to help them create your community a safer community through the police community group. We have a coalition and they boast that they have about six Generals and retired commissioner of Police. But crime is still high and the police capacity is still low.

But this one General, working with Irfaan Ali and his Cabinet, will create a safer environment.”

Phillips noted that an important part of crime-fighting is ensuring that the Disciplined Services are adequately equipped. He noted that under the PPP, large sums were invested into doing just that and a next PPP Government would continue that legacy.

“You check our records.

The PPP/C is the only par-

ty that spent substantially on the recapitalisation and re-professionalism of our Disciplined Services.

Anything we buy for the Disciplined Services is brand new and serviceable.

Because we believe that we have to secure your communities. [And] we have to have a sovereign Guyana safe from invaders.”

Phillips also lambasted the Government for campaigning on a platform where it proclaimed itself to be honest and decent. Phillips pointed to the Government's disregard for the court rulings and the withdrawal of the “Because we care” grant from the school children.

He also said that for the past five years, the Government has made no progress, but rather has been "marking time”, that is marching in one place.

Taking it further, PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo described the coalition Government as a

Government going backwards rather than forward or static.

Despite being led by a retired Brigadier General in the form of President David Granger, the Government has come in for much criticism for its handling of crime in Guyana. It has gotten to the point where the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) called out the Government on the issue last year.

The Union, in a statement to the media a few months back, said that in recent times, pronouncements from officialdom have sought to communicate and indicate that criminal activity was on the decline.

According to FITUG, Guyanese are genuinely and sincerely concerned and very worried that they can be the next unwitting victim and the present situation has caused persons to feel insecure to be home alone or to venture out for social ac-

PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, Retired Brigadier General Mark Phillips

tivities.

“Certainly, our people ought not to be confined to living in perpetual fear of being attacked, this is not the way people should live as it has serious implications for their well-being and psyche. Undoubtedly, there is a critical need for the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to proactively address what is clearly a frightening situation. The need for regular patrols, intelligence gathering, proactive Police action, among other things cannot

be underscored, these initiatives, among others, could be helpful to bring the situation under control,” the Union said.

It noted that the rising crime rate also could not be delinked from what is taking place elsewhere in society, adding that the most recent Labour Force Survey, prepared by the Bureau of Statistics, indicated that the unemployment rate increased from 12.2 per cent at the end of 2017 to 13.8 per cent at the end of 2018.

Brazilians evacuated from China Jamaica: Fears spread Central Sorting Office amid coronavirus outbreak land at over packages from China

T

he 34 Brazilians evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, landed in Brazil on Sunday, where they will begin 18 days of quarantine.

The Brazilian military plane carrying the evacuees touched down at a base in Anápolis, in the state of Goias, early on Sunday. In a statement, Brazil’s Defence Ministry said all the passengers arrived without any

Brazilian citizens from China's coronavirus-struck Wuhan, arrive at the Air Force base of Anapolis, State of Goias, Brazil, February 9, 2020

signs of infection by the coronavirus, which has killed 811 in China and surpassed the number killed globally by the SARS epidemic.

According to the Health Ministry data released on Friday, Brazil has no confirmed cases of the coronavirus.

Four Poles and one Chinese person, who disembarked in Poland, were also evacuated along with the Brazilians, the Brazilian air force said. (Reuters)

Brazil's Amazon: Deforestation high in January despite rainy season

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eforestation in Brazil's Amazon rainforest doubled in January compared with a year ago, reaching a five-year record for the month, officials say.

Destruction at this time of the year tends to slow down as the rainy season makes access to areas more difficult.

But instead of falling to the same low levels as in the past, deforestation remained high, official data showed.

Critics say far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's policies and rhetoric encourage illegal activities.

Deforestation in the Amazon – a vital carbon store that slows down the pace of global warming – soared last year, the first of President

Bolsonaro’s term.

His environmental policies have been widely condemned, but he has rejected the criticism, saying Brazil remains an example for conservation.

More than 280 square kilometres (108 square miles) were cleared in January, an increase of 108 per cent on January of last year, according to the space research agency Inpe – a record for the month since data started being collected in 2016.

One square kilometre roughly equals 200 football pitches.

Climatologist Carlos Nobre, a scientist and researcher at São Paulo University (USP), said there was a risk that deforesta-

A

Port-au-Prince, between the commune of Léogâne and Carrefour and 5.6 km northwest of La Salle.

The earthquake was noticeable in the metropolitan areas of Port-auPrince, Kenscoff and Pétionville. The regional office

tined to China and Hong Kong as our airline partners have suspended their services to those countries.”

The release further stated that customers may still utilise the Fast-Track service to export packages worldwide, except to Wuhan, China.

The Jamaica Observer has received reports, however, that workers at the CSO are growing wary of having to handle inbound parcels from China.

“Outbound parcels are not the problem; the problem is the inbound packages that are coming in from China. Last week some of the workers dem decide say dem nah cut [open] nuh more bags coming from China,” a source told the Sunday Observer. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Trinidad: Off-duty cop kills gunman during domestic row A deforested plot of the Amazon near the city of Porto Velho in September

tion this year could surpass the level recorded in 2019.

At the peak of the dry season last year – between July and September –- destruction was above 1000 sq km per month.

"It's very worrying the increase in January 2020. It suggests that the factors that

caused the increase in deforestation in 2019 are still very active. It's time for an effective and comprehensive action to control and contain illegalities in the Amazon," he told G1 website (in Portuguese).

(Excerpt from BBC News) The officer tried to stop the man from beating a woman with a gun

Haiti rocked by minor earthquake n earthquake with a magnitude of 3.4 on the Richter scale was recorded in Haiti on Saturday.

The Bureau of Mines and Energy (BME) says the epicentre of the quake was located 20 kilometres west of

A

s the coronavirus continues to spread worldwide, anxiety is building among staff at the Central Sorting Office (CSO) of the Post and Telecommunications Department (PTD) in Kingston, about the handling of parcels originating in China that are still crossing Jamaica's borders.

This comes on the heel of a public advisory that was issued by the PTD last week to the effect that all outbound packages to China, with the exception of FastTrack shipments, would be suspended effective today, Monday, February 10, until further notice.

In the release, it was explained that: “the Department has been left with no choice but to cease accepting mail items des-

of the Directorate of Civil Protection did not report any damage or loss of life.

According to the January 2020 seismic bulletin, based on the registration of national and seismological networks, 24 earthquakes between 1.4 and 3.5 were re-

corded across the country.

The faults affected by the tremors were found mainly in the north and west of the country and occurred mainly in the sea at depths varying between 8 and 96 km.

(CMC)

A

n off-duty Police Officer shot and killed a 36-year-old man on Saturday after the officer tried to stop the man from beating a woman with a gun.

Police said Renrick Phillip, a construction worker, of Auguste Trace, Mamoral #2, Caparo reportedly pointed the weapon at

the officer, identified only as PC Burgess, and was shot at least three times.

The shooting took place at Frank Avenue, Longdenville around 15:45h, Police said.

PC Burgess is currently on vacation leave.

Officers of the Central Division are continuing investigations. (newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS OPEC+ cuts fail to boost oil prices A

fter deliberations, Russia appears set to support Saudi Arabia in the push for deeper production cuts.

Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Joint Technical Committee met on Tuesday, and it was only supposed to be a two-day affair. The expectation was that the JTC would conclude that the oil market was oversupplied and that OPEC+ should cut more. But Russia was unconvinced and asked for more time. The talks stretched on, and the prospect of the negotiations ending with no result sent oil prices down towards the end of the week.

But Russia’s top diplomat ended the week by voicing support for more production cuts. The leading idea is another 600,000 bpd in cuts, which come a little more than a month after OPEC+ introduced the last round of cuts following the December meeting in Vienna.

The problem that some analysts have raised is that while the demand hit from the coronavirus is really deep, but it may only be temporary. China’s oil consumption, by some estimates, is off by a massive 3 million barrels per day (mb/d). That’s a huge hole in the market that, on its face, almost certainly would force OPEC+ to act. But if the virus is contained, demand could return quickly. By the time OPEC+’s new cuts are phased in, China could be back to normal.

Still, with Brent down below US$55 in recent days, OPEC+ (and especially Saudi Arabia) feels that they need to take action. In a worrying sign for the market, Russia’s support for more cuts did little for crude prices on Friday.

The longer-than-expected deliberations in Vienna may delay the ministerial meeting that would finalise the reductions. Prior to the JTC meeting, the rumour was that the full forum would convene as early as this week. At the time of this writing, nothing had been scheduled yet.

The coronavirus is still raging (although the rate of spreading is showing signs of slowing), and global oil demand has taken a significant hit. But the severity and duration of the slowdown is incredibly unclear.

There is “a wide range of outcomes on different timescales still possible,” JBC Energy wrote in a note. “The difference for OPEC+ is that its supply taken as a block is arguably significantly less responsive than refiners and their purchasing behaviour over a period of days to weeks, meaning there is more of a risk of over-cutting (or under-cutting, though less likely as far as we see it) what the market will actually end up needing, at least for short periods of time.”

The firm said that as of now, it sees demand growing by 750,000 bpd in 2020, which is about the same as what occurred last year. “So, again pretty weak,” JBC wrote.

Meanwhile, Libya still has 800,000 bpd offline, “which continues to be largely under-reported/underappreciated in the oil sphere,” JBC concluded.

Energy markets are in turmoil, even as broader equities are moving on. “While the (Western) stock markets appear to have already overcome the ‘coronavirus crisis’ again and in some cases have achieved new all-time highs, the concerns on the oil market are likely to persist for some time yet,” Commerzbank wrote. “This is because China and its imports are simply too important in terms of the global oil market for the massive decline in demand and possible medium-term consequences (eg continuing transport restrictions and reduced new car registrations) to be ignored, even if the coronavirus epidemic can be contained effectively.”

That helps explain the muted reaction to the news that OPEC+ would be cutting deeper. The cuts are “hardly likely to be enough to drive prices up,” Commerzbank said.

The drop in Chinese demand, after all, “is considerably higher” than what OPEC+ is proposing.

Oil closed out the fifth consecutive week of losses on Friday. (Excerpt from Oilprice.com)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

17

Around the World

“Enemy of mankind”: Coronavirus deaths top SARS as China returns to work

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hina raised the death toll from its coronavirus outbreak to 811 on Sunday, passing the number killed globally by the SARS epidemic, as authorities made plans for millions of people returning to work after an extended Lunar New Year break.

Many of China’s usually teeming cities have almost become ghost towns during the past two weeks as Communist Party rulers ordered virtual lockdowns, cancelled flights, closed factories and shut schools.

The scale of the potential hit to an economy that has been the engine of global growth in recent years has taken a toll on financial markets, as shares slumped and investors switched into safe-havens such as gold,

A man wearing a face mask walks past the Oriental Pearl Tower lit with messages reading “Stay strong China”, during the Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus in the country, in Shanghai, China, February 8, 2020

bonds and the Japanese yen.

China’s ambassador to Britain described the newly identified virus as “the en-

emy of mankind” in a BBC interview on Sunday, but added it “is controllable, is preventable, is curable”.

China’s Cabinet said it would coordinate with transport authorities to ensure the smooth return to work of employees in key industries such as food and medicines.

China’s National Health Commission recorded another 89 deaths on Saturday, pushing the total well above the 774 who died from SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002/2003.

Total confirmed coronavirus cases in China stood at 37,198, commission data showed. New infections recorded the first drop since Feb 1, falling back below 3000 to 2656 cases. Of those, 2147 cases were in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Storm Ciara: Floods and travel disruption as UK hit by severe gales

H

eavy rain and gusts of wind reaching more than 90mph have brought widespread flooding and travel disruption as Storm Ciara hit the UK. Trees were toppled, buildings were damaged and some homes had to be evacuated as rivers burst their banks.

Thousands of people are without electricity and sporting events have been cancelled due to the weather.

Airlines have also cancelled hundreds of flights, while several rail firms have urged passengers not to travel.

Ferry passengers also

Homes were flooded in Mytholmroyd, West Yorkshire when the River Calder burst its banks

face delays and cancellations, and drivers have been warned to take extra care.

Large parts of the UK are covered by an amber warning for very strong winds, with the Met Office advising that large waves in coastal

areas and flying debris could cause injuries.

Sporting events called off because of the adverse weather included Manchester City’s Premier League match against West Ham.

Western Power Distribution said 12,779 of its customers in the East and West Midlands, the SouthWest and South Wales do not have any electricity.

In the UK as a whole, about 118,000 people were without power as of 16:00 GMT. Energy companies said they had reconnected 421,000 customers since the storm hit and work is continuing to restore electricity to the remaining homes.

One journey was made easier by Storm Ciara, however: a British Airways flight made the fastest subsonic New York to London flight as it rode a jet stream accelerated by the storm.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

“Silencing the guns”: Iran shows missile, AU leaders seek end launches satellite which to regional conflicts fails to reach orbit

H

eads of State and Government officials from across Africa have gathered in Ethiopia’s capital for talks primarily focused on ways to end to regional violence, including the conflicts in South Sudan and Libya.

The 33rd African Union (AU) summit, which opened on Sunday in Addis Ababa, is being held under the theme “Silencing the Guns: Creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development”.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is taking over from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi as AU chair, announced on Sunday that he planned to host two summits in May: one focused on conflict resolution and the other on implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

On Saturday night, Ramaphosa met separately South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel

leader Riek Machar, in an effort to jumpstart mediation efforts to form a Power-Sharing Government in South Sudan, which descended in a ruinous civil war in 2003 that has killed hundreds of thousands of people.

The two men face a February 22 deadline to form a Government, but they have already missed two previous designated dates to settle their differences.

The AU summit also comes amid a dispute between Egypt and Sudan on one side and Ethiopia on the other over a dam built by the latter on the Blue Nile, which Cairo fears will reduce its supply of water.

After several meetings hosted by Washington, the three states said a final agreement will be signed in late February.

The AU has announced that the Democratic Republic of the Congo would replace South Africa as AU chair in 2021.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

I

n the space of a few hours on Sunday, Iran unveiled a new ballistic missile and launched a domestically-built satellite which failed, however, to reach orbit.

The launch of the satellite happened at 7:15 pm local time at Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Iran’s Semnan province, some 230km (145 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran. State television said, however, that a Simorgh rocket could not put the Zafar 1 communications satellite into orbit due to a low speed.

“Stage-1 and stage-2 motors of the carrier functioned properly and the satellite was successfully detached from its carrier, but at the end of its path it did not reach the required speed for being put in the orbit,” Ahmad Hosseini, spokesman for the Defence Ministry’s space programme, told state

TV. The satellite, which Iran said was to be used for scientific observation, is part of a programme that the United States has previously described as a “provocation”.

I r a n ’ s Telecommunications Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi admitted in a Twitter post that “failure happened”, adding: “But We’re UNSTOPPABLE! We have more Upcoming Great Iranian Satellites!”

Since the US withdrawal and the reimposition of crippling sanctions, Iran has responded by progressively rolling back its commitments to the nuclear deal.

Iran maintains it has no intention of acquiring nuclear weapons and said its aerospace activities are peaceful and comply with a UN Security Council resolution. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Finish what you start.

Leave no room for error or criticism, keep your emotions in check, don’t argue a moot point and focus on your appearance, love and romance.

Push to get things done your way. Be willing to put in the time, offer incentives and forgo any useless situation. Discipline and hard work will pay off.

A little finagling will go a long way. If you use your intellect and charisma, you will entice others to pitch in and help. Plan something special for a loved one.

Take control, speak up and follow through with your plans. A passionate presentation will make it difficult for anyone to turn you down. A positive change is heading your way.

Put your health, appearance and personal goals first. Refuse to let others’ actions slow you down. Tunnel vision and discipline will help you excel.

What you do for others will be recognised. The difference you make will speak volumes about what you are capable of doing. If you make a personal change, the compliments you receive will boost your ego.

Take your time, wait and see what everyone else is going to do and make your move with precision and foresight.

Haste will lead to a regrettable mistake. Make personal growth your priority.

Be ready to embrace change. Discuss your options, see who is heading in the same direction and form a coalition with the people who can help you the most.

Don’t take someone’s SAGITTARIUS word, as verification will (Nov. 23be necessary if you want to Dec. 21) avoid making a mistake. Put your energy into something gratifying. Physical activity will ease stress.

SATURDAY’S WORD

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Make new plans. Discuss your options and desires.

Sharing with a loved one will bring you closer together and will help you reach your goal, to boot.

AQUARIUS

Refuse to get tangled up in someone else’s affairs. Put more emphasis on personal improvement, relaxation and quality time with loved ones.

Exercise is encouraged.

SOLUTION FOR SATURDAY’S PUZZLE

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Do something novel.

Experience is the spice of life, and doing something unique will spark your imagination and encourage you to make positive changes.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

19

NBA round-up: New-look Wolves stomp Clippers Los Angeles Lakers 125 Golden State Warriors 120

T

he new-look Minnesota Timberwolves were a puzzle too difficult to solve Saturday, getting 24 points from Jordan McLaughlin and 23 from Malik Beasley to earn a resounding 142-115 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers and end a 13-game losing streak.

Three players were making their debut for a Timberwolves team that was busy in advance of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. One player who did not suit up was D’Angelo Russell, who was one of the biggest acquisitions on the final trading day.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 22 points with 13 rebounds and nine assists.

Beasley made a career-best seven 3-pointers in his Wolves debut. McLaughlin’s point total was a career high.

James Johnson added 15 points, also in his Minnesota debut. McLaughlin had 11 assists, and Beasley had 10 rebounds. The Timberwolves set a franchise record with 26 3-pointers and shot 59.1 percent from long distance.

Kawhi Leonard scored 29 points and Paul George added 21 for the Clippers, who looked slow to react to Minnesota’s long-shooting strategy and did not have enough firepower to compete with it.

Milwaukee Bucks 111 -Orlando Magic 95

Brook Lopez highlighted a 23-point performance with five 3-pointers as visiting Milwaukee completed a four-game season sweep of Orlando.

Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 18 points, 18 rebounds and nine assists for the Bucks, who have won 13 of their last 14 games overall and seven of their last eight versus Orlando. Khris Middleton recorded 21 points and 13 rebounds, and Eric Bledsoe (18) and Wesley Matthews (12) also scored in double digits for Milwaukee.

Nikola Vucevic collected 21 points and 14 rebounds for his team-leading 26th double-double for the Magic, who have lost three in a row and eight of their last nine games.

Anthony Davis capped a big night at the foul line with three late free throws, helping the visiting Los Angeles hold new-look Golden State.

Davis shot nine of 13 at the line en route to a teamhigh 27 points to complement 10 rebounds. Avery Bradley sank five 3-pointers to account for a majority of his 21 points, and LeBron James chipped in with 22 points, eight rebounds and a teamhigh 11 assists for the Lakers, who won for the ninth time in their last 11 road games.

Andrew Wiggins, one of four players making their debut with the Warriors, had 24 points. Marquese Chriss went for a season-high 26 for the Warriors, who lost at home for the eighth time in their last nine games.

Denver Nuggets 117Phoenix Suns 108

Jamal Murray scored 36 points, Nikola Jokic added 23 and visiting Denver completed a season sweep of Phoenix.

Murray shot a blistering 14 of 17 from the floor, including 6 of 8 from 3-point range. He added five rebounds and five assists, while Jokic chipped in nine rebounds and six assists for the Nuggets.

Deandre Ayton had

Charlotte, which lost its fifth straight.

Curry came off the bench and shot 10-for-14 from the field, making 6 of 8 3-point attempts. Willie CauleyStein added 15 points and 10 rebounds, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 14 points, and Dorian Finney-Smith and Jalen Brunson both had 13 points for the Mavericks. Boban Marjanovic provided 11 points.

Toronto Raptors 119Brooklyn Nets 118

Fred VanVleet scored 29 points — 10 in the fourth quarter — and Toronto held on to defeat visiting Brooklyn to extend its franchise-best winning streak to 14 games.

Pascal Siakam made the winning free throw with 22.9 seconds to play and finished with 20 points for the Raptors, who have won 18 of their past 19 games against the Nets, including 10 straight at home.

Toronto has won the first three meetings between the teams this season.

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie (20) drives to the basket as LA Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) defends (USA TODAY Sports)

28 points and 19 rebounds for the Suns. Kelly Oubre Jr. cooled off from a season-high 39 points on Friday to score 20.

Dallas Mavericks 116Charlotte Hornets 100

Seth Curry returned to his hometown and poured in 26 points as Dallas ripped host

Devonte’ Graham’s 26 points led the Hornets, while Miles Bridges had 20 points, Malik Monk pumped in 19 points and Terry Rozier had

15.

New Orleans Pelicans 124Indiana Pacers 117

Jrue Holiday scored 17 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter as visiting New Orleans defeated Indiana.

Holiday, who missed most of the second quarter while getting five stitches to close a cut above his right eye, added 10 assists to get his first double-double since Dec. 13.

JJ Redick scored 23 points, Derrick Favors had 15 points and 11 rebounds and Lonzo Ball scored 15.

Jeremy Lamb scored 26 points, T.J. Warren, returning from a three-game absence due to a concussion, added 22 points, Malcolm Brogdon scored 17, Domantas Sabonis had 16 and Myles Turner 10 to lead the Pacers, who lost their fifth consecutive game and fourth straight at home.

Sacramento Kings 122San Antonio Spurs 102

Buddy Hield hit nine of 10 from 3-point range while scoring 31 points off the bench as Sacramento notched a victory over visiting San Antonio.

Harrison Barnes recorded 25 points and seven rebounds as the Kings won for the sixth time in the past

eight games. Kent Bazemore and Nemanja Bjelica added 15 points apiece. De’Aaron Fox scored 13 points, and Harry Giles III collected a career-best 12 rebounds.

DeMar DeRozan scored 14 points in 30 minutes before being ejected midway through the fourth quarter, as the Spurs dropped to 0-4 on their eight-game, “Rodeo Road Trip.”

New York Knicks 95Detroit Pistons 92

Julius Randle and Wayne Ellington had 17 points apiece, and visiting New York extended its season-best winning streak to four games.

Taj Gibson and Bobby Portis scored 11 points apiece, and Elfrid Payton had 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Knicks.

New York outrebounded Detroit 47-28, including a 16-3 advantage in offensive rebounds.

Reggie Jackson led the Pistons with 20 points and nine assists. Christian Wood had 17 points and 11 rebounds, while Tony Snell and John Henson contributed 12 points apiece. Henson was making his Detroit debut after being acquired from Cleveland on Thursday.

(Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

Bangladesh clinch their maiden Under-19 World Cup ther. Slowly, but surely, they played out Bishnoi, Tyagi and by the time the rains actually came down hard enough to stop play, were comfortably ahead on the DLS method by 16 runs.

Play did begin, Mishra resumed with six to defend, and Rakibul killed it with one final slice through point.

You know it’s a special

rivalry when you end up with thriller after thriller after thriller. And this rivalry doesn’t discriminate, whether it’s with the senior men’s side, the under-19s or even women’s cricket for that matter; try all you want, a non-thriller just won’t come. But unlike many of the past results, the Colts today bucked the trend, and how! (Cricbuzz)

SCOREBOARD

I

t was always meant to be Bangladesh’s.

This day was always theirs. They had no business getting it this close.

But Bangladesh being Bangladesh, stayed true to their character and the reputation that comes with it, making sure everybody, every soul at the ground, and every soul watching went through an entire spectrum of emotions.

And hence, with their near choke, they’ve made every ball, every second a spectacle.

178 really shouldn’t have been much of a challenge, especially after having bagged the momentum towards the end of the Indian innings, having skittled out the last seven wickets for just 21 runs. Again, 178 shouldn’t have been a challenge, having gotten to 50 for no loss inside the ninth over, with the Indian quicks looking totally lost for answers after getting

spanked all around.

But India had a certain Ravi Bishnoi, having already gained a reputation of being a havoc wrecker. He set it up with the loop for Tanzid Hasan to miscue his slog to longon. The hero from the last match, Mahmudul Joy, ended up chopping on a googly, that was too close to be doing that to. The mystery had begun, the tables had turned mentally. Parvez Hossain Emon, picked up a hamstring injury, retired hurt, and made Bishnoi’s running-through all the more easier. Towhid Hridoy played all around a pretty straightforward googly. Shahadat Hossain fell to some keeping brilliance, with Dhruv Jurel doing MS Dhoni proud, inflicting a stumping out of nowhere.

So all of a sudden, just like that, in the span of a loo break, Bangladesh had collapsed stunningly, all to Bishnoi, losing four wick-

ets for 15 runs. And then further found a way to give

Sushant Mishra - someone who looked totally out of sorts having bowled beamers and just not finding any rhythm - a couple of charity wickets.

At 102 for six, it looked like the wait for the maiden cup might get longer.

But skipper Akbar Ali, on the back of a torrid run with the bat in the middle, couldn’t have found a better moment for re-

demption. Emon returned.

And together, normalcy returned, with plain singles, no-risk shots and some quiet overs to turn the tables back to equilibrium. It did help that Priyam Garg’s trump card - Bishnoi - had only three overs left under his belt and was forced to use his off-colour pacers, but maturity was the biggest hallmark of this 41-run stand. They survived appeals, half-catches and the chirping close-in fielders.

Garg decided to gamble, brought on Jaiswal, the part-time leggie, and it turned to gold, getting Emon to lose his concentration with a rare stray shot.

But the damage was done, with the dark clouds closing in and the DLS target comfortably overhauled even after the wicket fell.

But Akbar ensured he stayed clinical, refused to do anything silly and made sure the new batsman, Rakibul Hasan, didn’t ei-

India Under-19s Innings (50 overs maximum) YBK Jaiswal c Hasan b Islam 88 DA Saxena c Hasan Joy b Das 2 NT Tilak Varma c Islam b Sakib 38 PK Garg (c) c Hasan b Hasan 7 DC Jurel † run out (Hossain/†Akbar Ali) 22 SA Veer lbw b Islam 0 AV Ankolekar b Das 3 Ravi Bishnoi run out (Islam) 2 SS Mishra c Islam b Sakib 3 Kartik Tyagi c † Ali b Avishek Das 0 Akash Singh not out 1 Extras (lb 1, w 10) 11 TOTAL (47.2 Overs, RR: 3.73) 177 all out Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Saxena, 6.4 ov), 2-103 (Varma, 28.6 ov), 3-114 (Garg, 31.3 ov), 4-156 (Jaiswal, 39.5 ov), 5-156 (Veer, 39.6 ov), 6-168 (Jurel, 42.2 ov), 7-170 (Bishnoi, 43.5 ov), 8-170 (Ankolekar, 44.1 ov), 9-172 (Tyagi, 44.6 ov), 10-177 (Mishra, 47.2 ov) BOWLING S Islam (10-1-31-2) T Sakib (8.2-2-28-2) A Das (9-0-40-3) S Hossain (6-0-36-0) R Hasan (10-1-29-1) T Hridoy (4-0-12-0)

Bangladesh Under-19s Innings (target: 178 runs from 50 overs) P Emon retired hurt 25 T Hasan c Tyagi b Bishnoi 17 M Joy b Bishnoi 8 T Hridoy lbw b Bishnoi 0 S Hossain st †Jurel b Bishnoi 1 Akbar Ali (c) † not out 43 Shamim Hossain c Jaiswal b Mishra 7 A Das c Tyagi b Mishra 5 R Hasan not out 9 Extras (b 8, lb 4, nb 2, w 19) 33 TOTAL (42.1 Overs, RR: 4.03) 170-7 Yet to bat: Sakib, Islam Fall of wickets: 1-50 (Hasan, 8.5 ov), 2-62 (Hasan Joy, 12.5 ov), 2-62* (Emon, retired not out ), 3-62 (Hridoy, 14.1 ov), 4-65 (Hossain, 16.1 ov), 5-85 (Shamim Hossain, 20.1 ov), 6-102 (Das, 22.6 ov), 7-143 (Emon, 31.6 ov) BOWLING K Tyagi (10-2-33-0) SS Mishra (7-0-25-2) A Singh (8-1-33-0) R Bishnoi (10-3-30-4) AV Ankolekar (4.1-0-22-0) YBK Jaiswal (3-0-15-1)

Hope shows off his ICC ODI Team-of-the-Year 2019 Cap

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he West Indies wicket-keeper/ batsman received his “hat” as a member of the ICC ODI Team-ofthe-Year for 2019.

Last year he was our leading man in that format with 1,303 in 25 innings – which included four centuries and eight half-centuries.

His top score was 170 against Ireland in Dublin in May and the most memorable was probably the match-winning 102 not out against

India in Chennai in December.

The stylish opener went past 3,000 runs in ODIs during his 42 off 50 balls in Cuttack – and became the fastest West Indies batsman to get to the milestone in the 50-over format of the game.

This weekend he’s off to Sri Lanka as we prepare to f a c e the

hosts in the three-match series, which starts on February 22.

(CWI)

Shai Hope received his cap as a member of the ICC ODI Team-of-the-Year for 2019

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

21

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Semi-finalists stake claim

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ent Street, Leopold Street, Rio AllStars and Kingston remain contenders in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship following quarterfinal wins on Saturday at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

Former champions Bent Street dismantled Sophia 7-2, with Sheldon Holder fashioning a hattrick in the 12th, 14th and 15th minutes, while Colin Nelson smashed a double in the 2nd and 26th minutes. Adding goals were Daniel Wilson and Jermaine Beckles in the 20th and 29th minutes re-

spectively.

For Sophia, Dwayne Lowe scored in the 14th and 28th minutes.

Bent Street will next meet the now-respected underdogs Kingston on February 15th in the final-four aspect of the competition. Kingston have demonstrated their giant killer proclivities in an impressive showing wherein they disarmed Spartacus 3 goals to 1.

Following his recent hat-trick against Sparta Boss, Stephon Reynolds recorded another three-goal blitz, with conversions in the 19th, 21st and 24th minutes to seal the win for Kingston. For the losing

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Leopold Street will come up against Rio All-Stars in the other semi-final fixture.

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UFC 247: Jones edges out Reyes to set new title fights record

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Dominick Reyes (left) started smartly, but Jon Jones got the verdict at UFC 247 (Getty Images)

J

on 'Bones' Jones beat Dominick Reyes to retain his light heavyweight crown and set a new record for the most wins in UFC title fights.

His 14th title fight win came via a unanimous decision over previously undefeated challenger Reyes in the main event of UFC 247 in Houston, Texas.

When the scores were announced, the arena was filled with a mixture of boos and cheers.

Jones, 32, was awarded the decision 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46.

"To break a record, to be a part of UFC history in this way, I wouldn't want it easy," said Jones.

"If this stuff was easy, ev-

erybody out there in the audience would be doing it. It's an incredibly hard thing that I did tonight.

"Dominick is tall, he's big, he's strong, he was well coached. He's a lot better than I thought he was. He knocked out everybody else he's fought, pretty much. He was definitely a worthy opponent."

Reyes, 30, started the title fight at a furious pace as he put the champion under pressure in the opening rounds.

The challenger pushed forward and found a home for his strikes as he forced Jones onto the back foot for long spells in the first half of the fight.

But Jones' five-round experience started to show in

the second half as the champion poured on the pressure in the championship rounds.

"Dominick did a tremendous job," Jones added after the verdict.

"Dominick, you have totally earned my respect, man.

That was a great fight.

"I think the difference in the fight was takedowns. I couldn't keep him down for too long, but I was taking him down. It was close in the kickboxing exchanges, he landed some tough shots, but I believe my takedowns gave me the edge.

"I knew it was a really close fight, and I turned it up in the fifth round. That fifth round won me the fight.

Those takedowns won me the fight."

Reyes, meanwhile, was philosophical after losing out on the scorecards in a fight he firmly believed he had won.

"I thought I won [rounds] one through three," he said.

"He was on me four and five, he's a champion. He got those takedowns at the end, but I popped right back up. I didn't think they'd be a factor at the end.

Valentina Shevchenko (right) stopped Katlyn Chookagian in the third round in Houston (Getty Images)

"But I had him one through three. I was all over him. It is what it is. I'll get better. This just proves that I'm the real deal."

Shevchenko dominates again

In the night's co-main event, UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko cemented her dominance with a clinical third-round TKO victory over number one contender Katlyn Chookagian.

Shevchenko, 31, controlled the range against Chookagian's stick-and-move striking style and punished the American every time she moved within the Kyrgyzstan world champion's striking range.

And a hat-trick of takedowns, one in each round, proved crucial, with the third effort early in round three setting up the finish as she locked up the crucifix position and finished the fight with a salvo of ground strikes to force the stoppage at the 1:03 mark.

After her victory, Shevchenko said she "expected a ground KO" finish, and added that she is ready to take on whoever the UFC puts in front of her.

"I feel there's a lot of talented, very good girls in the 125 (lbs) division, and I feel I have to fight them," she said.

"I'm open for anything, I'm open for any fight that happens in the future." (BBC Sport)

22

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guinness "Greatest of the Streets" Linden Championship…

Swag Entertainment seal title in penalty shootout

Action between Quiet Storm and Swag Entertainment in the final of the Guinness "Greatest of the Streets" Linden Zone at the Christianburg Hardcourt

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ournament favourites Swag Entertainment have ascended to the throne of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship by

edging out Quiet Storm 2-1 on sudden death penalty kicks on Saturday.

The Christianburg Hardcourt provided the setting for Swag

Entertainment’s coronation, which occurred after a tense and emotional penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 score at the end of full time.

Marley Major recorded

CWI PCL 4-Day Championships…

The Scorpions prevail! ...Jaguars did not bat well on a tough pitch – Shiv Chanderpaul

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By Brandon Corlette

he match between 5-time defending champions of the CWI PCL 4-Day Championship tournament, Guyana Jaguars, and the lightly esteemed Jamaica Scorpions ended yesterday with the Scorpions prevailing by seven runs to hand the Jaguars their second loss in this edition of the tournament.

The pitch at Providence was allegedly not of the highest standard, and the scores in this fourth-round match between these two teams are supposed to be evidence of this.

After the match, Guyana Jaguars Assistant Coach/ Manager, the legendary Shivnarine Chanderpaul, reflecting on the Jaguars’ effort, disclosed that batsmen needed to register better batting efforts.

"Obviously we did not bat well, we needed to bat a bit better. It was probably a difficult pitch to bat on, the wicket was not that easy. You look at the scores and (see that) no team reached 200; so, it's definitely difficult to play on a wicket like that,” Chanderpaul declared.

“In saying that, both teams had the same opportunity to play on the wicket.

Jamaica played better, and we came out on the back end of it," Chanderpaul explained.

In this match, Anthony Bramble's 36 was the highest individual score by a Jaguars batsman in an innings. Asked if that is an area of concern, Chanderpaul told media operatives at Providence: "It's not an easy wicket, but they got starts and they never carried on in this game. Some of the guys got decent starts in the season, we have a lot of half-centuries in the team, but no hundred as yet. This

Veerasammy Permaul scored 63 runs across both innings

is some of the plans/goals we Chanderpaul (3 half-centuhave in place (batsmen scor- ries) has an aggregate of 264 runs at an average of 44. ing hundreds).

Chandrapaul Hemraj (2 “(It is) still early in the tournament, and, hopefully in half-centuries) has an aggrethe next couple of games, we gate of 247 runs at an average of 35.28. With the fifth round can start hitting them."

The 45-year-old quickly approaching, these Chanderpaul was, neverthe- batsmen will be eager to have less, pleased with the effort a century breakthrough.

In the Jaguars’ bowling displayed by Veerasammy Permaul and Keon Joseph, department, Permaul has who added 44 runs together taken 26 wickets at a stunning average of 11.57, while for the final wicket.

"It shows that we have Nial Smith has snared 18 great fight! It does not mat- scalps and Joseph has taken ter if we are down to the last 11 wickets. Raymon Reifer guy or not, this shows that follows with seven wickets.

The bowling has thus far we are a good team that will always play hard. Thinking been up to the mark, but the batting has raised quesabout international teams tion marks. Will the like Australia, they will nevJaguars batsmen er give up; they fight all the produce perforway to the end," he said. mances capaAfter four rounds ble of breaking in this 2020 season, the triple-figure Jaguars’ batsmen have barrier this searecorded 10 half-centuson? Only time ries, with the highest inwill tell. dividual score being 91, made by Bramble.

Leading the batting charts for Jaguars this season is Christopher Barnwell (2 half-centuries), who has an aggregate of 265 runs at an average of Guyana Jaguars Assistant Coach/Manager 37.85; while Shivnarine Chanderpaul (Brandon Corlette photo) Tagenarine

Bridesmaids no more! The newly crowned Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Champion Swag Entertainment, posing with their spoils in the presence of Guinness Brand Executive Lee Baptiste [1st from right] and Banks representative Romaine Adonis [3rd from left]

the decisive strike to seal the title for the home side in what was only their second appearance in the final.

Prior to the penalty shootout, the deadlock in the match was finally broken in the 35th minute of play when Romell Matthews recorded a ‘Guinness Goal’ (a goal scored in the final three minutes of the clash counts as two) for Quiet Storm.

With Swag Entertainment being reduced to three players for all of three minutes following a yellow card being shown Clive Nobrega, Matthews successfully blasted his effort into the roof of the net

from the centre of the field.

However, that lead proved to be short-lived, as Deon Charter equalized two minutes later, when he blasted his strike into the roof of the net after latching on to a left side cross from Kendolph Lewis.

That goal was the first conceded by the Quiet Storm backline in their entire campaign.

For their effort, Swag not only walked away with $400,000 and the championship trophy, but also earned an automatic berth to the national championship.

Quiet Storm, meanwhile, pocketed $150,000 and the

runners-up trophy.

In the third-place playoff, Silver Bullets riddled Amelia’s Ward Russians 9-2 to walk away with $100,000 and the respective trophy.

The Russians received the consolation of $75,000 and a trophy.

In the Plate Section, High Rollers defeated Capital Storm 1-0 on penalty kicks after the final ended 1-1. With the result, High Rollers walked away with $60,000.

The other major sponsors of the event are Colours Boutique, the official kit providers for the entire season.

BCB/Lewison General Store U-15 Tournament…

Albion, Tucber Park, Port Mourant register wins

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Kevin Kisten scored 70 for Tucber Park

lbion, Port Mourant and Tucber Park recorded wins in their Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Lewison General Store U-15 matches played on Saturday last.

At the Rose Hall Canje Community Centre Groud, Port Mourant won by nine

wickets while Albion defeated Paradise by ten wickets. Tucber Park also won by nine wickets in their match-up against Blairmont.

Albion Permaul Trading & Distribution defeated Paradise to advance to the semi-final.

Paradise, winning the toss and batting first, were shot out for 31 in 15 overs.

Off-spinner Afraz Kadir was the main destroyer with 6 for 7, and was well supported by pacer Shiv Harripersaud with 2 for 9.

Albion then raced to 33 in 4.1 overs, with Tameshwar Manual and Travis Kadir unbeaten on 13 and 9 respectively.

Meanwhile, Tucber Park (TPCC) defeated Blairmont in a match played at the Blairmont Ground. Blairmont batted first and were bowled out for 108 in 33.2 overs.

Lyndon Simon was the pick of the bowlers with 3-12. He had good support from Delon Hendore (2-16) and Abdulla Azad (2-15).

In reply, TPCC reached 109-1, with skipper Kevin Kisten making a wellplayed 70. Fredericks was unbeaten on 28 not out, sharing in a 108-run partnership with Kisten for the second wicket.

More scores will be published in a subsequent report.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

CWI PCL 4-Day Championships…

23

Scorpions break Jaguars’ hearts Story and Photos By Brandon Corlette loud appeal from the Scorpions’ Derval Green went up against Guyana Jaguars’ batsman Veerasammy Permaul on Sunday as he batted on the fourth and final day of the fourthround match in the CWI PCL 4-Day Championship tournament being played between these two teams at the National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The umpire’s decision went the visitors’ way, determining that Permaul was out leg-before and bringing the match to a painstaking close for the

but said the team knew that it takes only one good delivery to get the win.

Sharing his assessment of the pitch at Providence, Salmon said it was not the ideal surface, but both teams had to bat and bowl thereon.

He noted that this win against defending champions the Jaguars would be a confidence-booster, and said the Scorpions would be aiming to take this mo-

A

host team.

It was the seventh decision of its kind during Guyana’s second innings.

That was the moment w h e n Guyana Jaguars lost the match to the Jamaica Scorpions by the incredible margin of seven runs, after havPete Salmon had impressive figures on debut

mentum with them in the tournament.

Having now lost two of their four matches played this season, fivetime defending champions the Guyana Jaguars will now have to regroup and return to their winning ways as they meet the Windward Islands Volcanoes from February 13-16 at the Grenada National Stadium.

SCOREBOARD Team Scorpions

ing secured a slim threerun lead in the first innings.

It probably took some time before diehard fans glued to their radios came to the realization that Guyana Jaguars had suffered a 7-run defeat at the hands of the Jamaica Scorpions in the fourth round of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Professional Cricket League (PCL) Regional 4-Day Championships.

The Jaguars’ chances of securing a victory had always hung on a proverbial thread. Requiring 27 runs on the final day of play, with only one wicket in hand, the Jaguars’ knight in shining armour, Veerasammy Permaul -who had taken 10 wickets in the match and had scored 63 runs in two innings -- resumed the day on 20, while his fellow Berbician Keon Joseph was on five.

With the entire

Jaguars team on the edges of their seats, praying that the duo would bring home the proverbial bacon, Permaul and Joseph toyed with the Scorpions in the morning session, both picking up and refusing singles as Permaul shielded Joseph to perfection; but Jaguars’ hearts were broken as soon as the Scorpions introduced pace into the attack.

The right-arm speedster Derval Green trapped Permaul in front to close out the Guyana innings at 174 and end a 44-run game-changing partnership. As the umpire raised that dreaded finger, the Scorpions jumped for joy, screaming, “Heartbreak!” for the Jaguars.

Salmon reflects on his 7 The Scorpions’ victory was set up by player-of-the-match Pete Salmon, who ended with figures of 7-57 in 25 overs that included seven bril-

liant maidens. After the match, this debutant said the turning point of the match was the big scalp of Raymon Reifer.

Reflecting on his dream match, Salmon had this to say: "Well, it was a low-scoring game, so we had to be on the money right away; so, we kept it as tight as possible. It's a wonderful feeling getting seven wickets on debut.

(I did) not (have) the ideal start with the bat, but I played my part with the ball.”

He disclosed that the last-wicket partnership was a bit nerve-racking,

Scorpions 1st Innings 187 all out Jaguars 1st Innings 190 all out Scorpions 2nd Innings 184 all out Jaguars 2nd Innings 174 all out Tagenarine Chanderpaul lbw b Salmon 12 Chandrapaul Hemraj c Blackwood b Salmon 13 Leon Johnson lbw b Merchant 19 Vishaul Singh lbw b Salmon 0 Christopher Barnwell lbw b Salmon 12 Raymon Reifer b Salmon 13 Anthony Bramble lbw b Harty 36 Kevin Sinclair c Smith b Salmon 13 Veerasammy Permaul lbw Green 28 Nial Smith lbw b Salmon 0 Keon Joseph not out 11

Total (10 wickets, 59.4) (17 extras) 174 FOW: 16/1 (4.3) Chandrapaul Hemraj 49/2 (14.5) Tagenarine Chanderpaul 49/3 (15.1) Leon Johnson 51/4 (16.5) Vishaul Singh 62/5 Christopher Barnwell 109/6 (31.5) Anthony Bramble 119/7 (34.3) Raymon Reifer 130/8 (38.3) Kevin Sinclair 130/9 (38.4) Nial Smith 174/10 (59.4) Permaul Bowling Pete Salmon (25-5-57-7) Nicholson Gordon (3.1-0-18-0) Derval Green (5.4-0-19-1) Jamie Merchant 10-2-24-1) Patrick Harty (14-1-37-1) Nkrumah Bonner (2-0-5-0)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CWI PCL 4-Day Championships…

Page 23

Scorpions break Jaguars’ hearts Bangladesh clinch their maiden Under-19 World Cup

Page 20

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