Guyana Times, Thursday December 5, 2019.

Visually-impaired students gifted laptops P13 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4128

thursday, december 5 , 2019

Former SOCU Head being probed for missing confiscated gold, cash …following recommendations by DPP Page 3

Chief Education Officer sent packing Page 7

…pre-retirement leave ꟷ Minister claims …sources point to major fallout

Lamaha Springs residents frustrated by road woes

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Education P12 Ministry bans schools' Christmas parties Attempted execution accused released on P11 bail

Anna Regina P11 Mayor re-elected …says financial challenges a major hindrance

Page 9

Excavated drain at Festival City blocks roadway P12

This composite photo shows a section of the road in Lamaha Springs which was bulldozed and left in a deplorable state over a month and a half ago. Also inset are photographs of potholes in the community

Fingerprint crossmatching update likely by weekend ꟷ GECOM Commissioner …int’l tech company still processing C&O data See story on page 7

Sugar workers' protest

Police suppressing Page sugar 2 workers' right of expression – GAWU

Berbice women charged for P10 assaulting cops

2 NEWS

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sugar workers’ protest

Police suppressing sugar workers’ right of expression – GAWU

T

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has raised serious concerns about ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for suppressing the cries from sugar workers who were picketing outside of the Ministry of the Presidency on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Union said that several restrictions were imposed on the picketing workers, and in their view, it was intended to stymie their right to freedom of expression.

GAWU detailed that during the commencement of the exercise, protesters assembled on the western side of Vlissengen Road, Georgetown in front of President David Granger’s office – a routine which the Union said had been practised for many years.

However, during Tuesday’s picket, they were told to remove from their position.

It was contended that no harm was posed by the sugar workers since it was a peaceful activity.

“Within minutes of our gathering up, a Police vehicle arrived on the scene and several officers required us to remove from the parapet in front of the President’s office. The officers shared that it was a security precaution though we posed no threat to life, limb or property and

not-so-thick skin of some in power. Their reaction, we believe, was manifested through the security forces…We must say we take the officers’ explanation with a pinch of salt. The situation has caused our Union to wonder whether we are now in a Police State where the rights and freedoms of citizens will be disregarded and the security apparatus will be used to quell dissenting voices and actions”.

Sugar workers protesting for better wages outside President David Granger’s office on Tuesday

were peacefully demonstrating. We had to wonder whether the Force responds to calls from citizens with such swiftness,” the Union said in a statement.

The workers were then forced onto the eastern side of Vlissengen Road, which came with several restrictions, the Union said, adding that one Police Officer also came in contact with one of the protesters and threatened to arrest him. Adding to that, this arrangement posed a challenge in monitoring the traffic.

“The officers demanded that we remain behind the eastern-most lane marker. As a result, the protesters were confined to the rain-soaked, muddied, narrow parapet in front of the trench that runs parallel

to the Castellani House. In fact, at one time, the Police grabbed a worker by his shirt and threatened to arrest him had he stepped beyond the lane marker.

At one time, a Police bus brought several policemen to the scene. Later, a truck carrying several metal barricades arrived, seemingly, with the intent to place further restriction,” the Union explained.

GAWU has shared the position that the restriction was organised to minimise the visibility of the protest.

Furthermore, questions were raised as to whether the freedom of citizens is “disregarded”.

“Obviously, the protest must have been seen as an embarrassment to some and must have gotten under the

A

Protests

crowd of workers from the remaining Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) estates staged a picketing exercise demanding better wages. They were last given a salary increase in 2014 and many expressed that the cost of living and other expenditures have significantly increased.

President of GAWU, Komal Chand stood on the protest lines as he declared that the Government ought not to ignore the plight of the workers who are employed by a State-owned enterprise.

He stated that the APNU/AFC coalition, since it took office in 2015, has done more harm than good to the thousands of persons employed in the sugar belt and that many persons continue to suffer as a result of “the administration’s ac-

Some protesters at the edge of a trench on Vlissengen Road, Georgetown

tions or lack of”.

Chand further stated that over two months ago, the Union sent a petition to President Granger and he promised to have that petition addressed by the GuySuCo first and then inform the GAWU afterwards as to decisions being made.

However, to date, the Union has not received any feedback from President Granger, other than an acknowledgement of his receipt of this petition and his commitment to respond to representatives of the Union.

While Government has claimed that GuySuCo is responsible for raising the wages of its workers,

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo shared different views during his weekly press conference last week.

The Opposition Leader said that much more could be done. He had also posited that this claim is misleading since the coalition administration has made far crucial decisions for the company in the past, one of which was to close three massive estates across the sugar belt. He had proposed the usage of the $30 billion bond to supplement a hike in wages for the workers.

GuySuCo has three remaining estates in operation - Blairmont and Albion in Berbice and Uitvlugt in Demerara.

news

3

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Thursday, December 5 – 12:30h – 14:00h and Friday, December 6 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 13:30h – 15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, December 5 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Friday, December 6 – 12:45h – 14:15h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine will prevail during the day. There will be partly skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to East South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 11:20h and 23:46h reaching maximum heights of 2.12 metres and 2.15 metres.

Low Tide: 04:42h and 17:17h reaching minimum heights of 1.06 metres and 1.12 metres.

Former SOCU Head being probed for missing confiscated gold, cash …following recommendations by DPP

E

mbattled Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James, the former Head of the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), is now under further Police investigation following instructions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers.

This was confirmed by acting Crime Chief Michael Kingston on Wednesday.

Kingston explained that the file pertaining to James had been sent to DPP Senior Counsel Shalimar Ali-Hack by the Police some time ago.

Kingston noted that the Police have, as a consequence, been asked to do some more investigations.

While Kingston was tightlipped on the details of the investigation, reports indicate that it may pertain to money and gold that were previously confiscated

Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Ali-Hack

to questioning over allegations of improper spending, as part of the investigation and audit which stemmed after the termination of the British adviser.

Sittlington, an Irish consultant and fraud expert who was contracted by the British High Commission to provide institutional support to SOCU, was fired in February after it was discov-

The Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU)

wednesday, DECEmber 4, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS D

5

11 16

19 24 28

FREE TICKET

12 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

6

13 20 23

8

LUCKY 3

2

1

8

7

Afternoon Draw

1

9

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

1

6

9

10

11 17

20

PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, november 29, 2019

3

7

13 14 15

1

5

15 18 20

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

and went missing while in SOCU’s possession.

The unit has been in the hot seat for some time with allegations being made against it by persons it would have investigated or had business dealings. In the case of investigations, last year, the High Court had ordered the entity to return millions of dollars’ worth of cash and jewellery to a gold dealer plus costs after the unit seized the items and failed to charge the individual.

SOCU officials had also faced accusations regarding falsified invoices which had borne forged signatures.

This was unearthed after a forensic audit was launched by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) into SOCU’s operations earlier this year.

Other irregularities that were unearthed had included falsified records and missing documents. According to reports, there was even a case of an official who alleged his signature was forged. In addition, there are reports of listed expenditure being concocted and receipts being backdated.

The probe into the operations of the white-collar crime-fighting Unit was triggered when the former British adviser to SOCU, Dr Sam Sittlington, made a number of startling allegations against the Unit.

Following the allegations, James was subjected

ered that he had established a local security company.

The move was considered a conflict of interest since the firm, dubbed the Fraud Company Limited, deals with much the same areas as SOCU. The fraud expert has long contended that he was

wrongfully fired.

The parliamentary, Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has meanwhile maintained that SOCU, which was set up to fight money-laundering and other white-collar crimes, had become a political Unit under the APNU/AFC regime.

The PPP had said that Sittlington was going beyond his advisory role and was taking on executive functions. It was pointed out that Sittlington was going on operations such as raids and arrests.

James was eventually sent on leave by the Government to facilitate investigations and an acting Head of SOCU, Althea Padmore, was appointed.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said publicly that with all that has happened, James will not be returning.

SOCU was established in 2014 on the recommendation of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and was intended to be a Police unit operating under the authority of the Police Commissioner but with a close relationship to the FIU. However, besides the

Former SOCU Head, Colonel Sydney James

fraud allegations, SOCU has failed to secure convictions in the cases it brought to court.

It was only in March of this year that contempt of court charges brought by SOCU against eight top executives of GBTI were thrown out by the Magistrates court.

The charges brought by SOCU against Guyana Rice Development Board officials were also thrown out.

That matter stemmed from October 2017, when SOCU charged the bank’s directors with contempt based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The contempt proceedings stemmed from the bank’s failure to comply with a production order made by acting Chief Justice Roxane George on August 29, 2017.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

THURSday, DECEMBER 5, 2019

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

Lack of care for sugar workers

O

nce again, sugar workers across the country are seemingly forced to take strike action to have an increase in wages and salaries be considered by the APNU/AFC Government.

Reportedly, they have not received an increase over the past five years and strongly believe that they are being discriminated against. This most recent strike began earlier this week and the outcome remains uncertain for this holiday period.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) stated that the strike action is aimed to persuade the Government to end the wage freeze on sugar workers. It should be noted that the Government is a major stakeholder in the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). As such, it must be aware of the ongoing plight the workers faced from not having an increase over the past five years. During that time, the cost of living would have drastically increased.

While GuySuCo has its challenges, the callous manner in which the Government treats the sugar workers is very noticeable. Shortly after its tenure began in May 2015, the APNU/AFC Government closed a few estates without considering alternative employment for the workers. More so, its decision to close the estates glaringly ignored a report it conducted.

In addition, many of the workers did not receive their entitled severance pay and were forced to take court action. In the meantime, the affected workers wallowed in uncertainty and despair. Many questions, therefore, abound as to why the APNU/AFC coalition government seemingly has no regard for the welfare of the country’s sugar workers.

Why would the APNU/AFC Government, which boasted of being caring, treat the sugar workers in the manner it continues to do? Why would the Government close those estates, make thousands jobless and then deny them their severance pay?

Why would the Government seemingly deliberately inflict such hardships on ordinary hardworking Guyanese?

Many alluded to political vendetta on the part of the APNU/ AFC coalition premised on sugar workers forming the primary support base for the People’s Progressive Party. The APNU/AFC Government, through its actions then and up to this point, would have done little to dispel the belief that vendetta may have been foremost in the actions meted out to the sugar workers.

Just recently, when the Government announced retroactive salary increases for public servants, the sugar workers were not considered. At no point during the announcement was there any utterance to end the wage freeze imposed on those sugar workers. They are humans and must feel a sense of discrimination when, over the last five years, other categories of workers are afforded deserved salary increases and they are side-lined.

It is also very demeaning for the sugar workers to be constantly ignored by the APNU/AFC Government and be forced to take strike action just to get the attention of officials. It appears that the Government is stuck with the particular mantra of nonavailability of funds when it comes to the sugar workers.

While doing so, it was able to find monies for the deserved increase to public servants to fund its ongoing and seemingly extravagant outreaches across the country and millions for five drones for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

There is no questioning that the GDF needs equipment to help boost its surveillance capacity; however, the $180-dollar+ price tag for five drones continues to raise eyebrows. Experts have stated that the said sum could have bought aircraft instead, thereby better equipping the army. Some have even posited that the price tag of some 36 million for one drone is ludicrous.

Such seemingly lavish spending suggests that there are financial resources available to the APNU/AFC Government for it to address the welfare of the sugar workers. The belief is, and again gauging from its own actions, the Government has different priorities. That in itself could suggest that the welfare of the sugar workers is not a priority. How else the manner in which those workers are being treated could be explained?

Despite the onerous work and despite the vital contributions they make towards sugar being a foreign exchange earner, sugar workers seem to be overlooked by the APNU/AFC Government.

This also seems evident from the lack of meaningful intervention on the part of the Government to mitigate the horrendous social impact the closure of the estates has inflicted upon the sugar workers and their families.

Many are reeling from this as humiliation continues to exacerbate having been made to depend on handouts. From what they have been made to endure, it appears that within the past five years, sugar workers have seemingly been reduced to a point of insignificance.

That may have exposed the duplicity of APNU/AFC’s promise of being caring towards Guyanese workers. Had care been demonstrated, more than likely, the strike action could have been unnecessary as the belief of being discriminated against.

GOING FOR A GOAL? These youngsters were spotted enjoying a good game of football in the Amerindian village of Wakapao, located in the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region

15 countries ban travel for Venezuela's Maduro and allies

…countries in the Americas agree to ban 29 Venezuelans as efforts increase to push him to step down

F

ifteen countries have banned 29 Venezuelans – including the country's President Nicolás Maduro and his close allies – from travelling within their borders as part of diplomatic efforts to push him to step down.

A meeting that took place on Tuesday in Colombia included representatives from Argentina, Brazil, the United States, Chile and Peru, all signatories of the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (TIAR), an accord that promises mutual defence among members of the Organisation of American States (OAS).

The group in September approved the identification, sanctioning and extradition of leading members of Venezuela's Government who it said were linked with activities related to money laundering, drug trafficking and terrorism.

The list of people banned from travelling to the 15 countries included top Maduro allies such as Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino, Vice President Delcy Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello, number two in the ruling Socialist Party (PSUV).

Maduro dismissed the move and called it a strategy to divert attention from other issues, including in Colombia under President Ivan Duque.

"The TIAR meeting has failed, nobody messes with Venezuela," Maduro said.

"Ivan Duque has an 80per cent disapproval rat-

Colombia's Foreign Minister Claudia Blum de Barberi speaks during the OAS meeting [AFP]

ing in Colombia and now he wants to divert attention from the immense political, economic, and social crisis that Colombians are experiencing," he added.

Cabello also rejected the accusations and asked the countries to stay away from Venezuela.

"I reject the imperialist attempt and the attempts of these North American allies to come and involve themselves in Venezuela's internal matters. Venezuela demands respect," Cabello said following a march in Caracas against the OAS meeting.

More sanctions

Some 500 people linked to Maduro have already been targeted by various sanctions, said Julio Borges, who attended the meeting as a representative of Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó.

Guaidó argues that Maduro's 2018 re-election was illegitimate and invoked the Constitution this year to declare himself the interim President of Venezuela. Most Western countries have backed him

as Head of State.

Maduro has said Guaidó is a puppet of the US. The countries at Tuesday's meeting discussed new measures to support the re-establishment of democracy and respect for human rights in Venezuela as part of a strategy to stem migration flowing from the country, said Colombia's Foreign Minister Claudia Blum.

"At this meeting, there are no unilateral decisions nor invitations to use force," Duque said. "There is only an open invitation to strengthen diplomatic pressure so that every time it is more effective."

Colombia is the principal destination for Venezuelan migrants fleeing widespread shortages of food and medicine. Nearly 1.5 million Venezuelans currently reside in the Andean nation.

(Al Jazeera)

Maduro foes balk at UNbacked Venezuela power crisis deal

A proposal to address Venezuela’s electricity crisis with the help of the United Nations is proving a political hot potato for Maduro’s

opponents.

On Tuesday, the Opposition-controlled national assembly at the last minute scratched a scheduled debate on a US$350 million credit from a regional development bank to supply emergency power to areas in Venezuela that have been in the dark from blackouts for months.

The project’s promoters accuse Opposition hardliners of playing politics with Venezuela’s humanitarian crisis while ignoring the plight of millions of Venezuelans who urgently demand solutions to everyday travails as the fight to remove Maduro drags on.

“We can’t condemn millions of Venezuelans to life without power while we wait for Maduro to give up power,” said Oscar Rondero, an Opposition lawmaker from Nueva Esparta state, one of the most impacted by the blackouts.

The proposed loan agreement with the Development Bank of Latin America, or CAF, enjoys the backing of Maduro, but still requires the national assembly’s approval.

(Excerpt from nbcsandiego.com)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019

5

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

Apache’s failure in Suriname sobering reminder for Guyana Dear Editor, On Monday, Apache Corporation’s share price plummeted after the company released a “vague” update on the results of its exploration well in Block 58 offshore Suriname. The American company’s investors and Surinamese alike had been watching for results like hawks, praying for success like that we have seen here in Guyana. Instead, they received an unenthusiastic commitment by Apache to continue drilling deeper in hopes of a find.

I hope that the silver lining of this failure is that it will serve as a wakeup call for Guyana. 16 discoveries on, it seems that many have lost sight of the fact that our successes are the exception rather than the rule.

On paper, Suriname’s pros-

pects for offshore discoveries should be just as good as ours. Their blocks are part of the same Guyana-Suriname Basin that is home to ours.

Apache’s Block 58 is next to our massively successful Stabroek block. An arbitrary border separates them but geologically, they are much the same. The failed well shows that exploration in the basin is not always a sure thing.

To pick up on President Granger’s earlier comments, these results should be sobering for “oil drunk” Guyanese.

There has been too little progress since the initial discovery nearly five years ago.

First oil is around the corner, yet, our Government and institutions are scrambling to put frameworks in place to manage the revenues. There is still no plan for how and

where we will reinvest the windfall to help combat the infamous resource curse.

Fortunately, there will be some delay between first oil and first revenues, giving us some time to improve matters.

Meanwhile, some aggressively call for Guyana to halt approvals for production, force oil companies to the bargaining table and reopen contracts. Now, let me say clearly that I have no doubt that Guyana should and could have negotiated better terms amid the euphoria of 2015 and 2016. But what is done it done, and any fool will realise renegotiating internationally recognised contracts will require significant leverage. Our success is indeed impressive but as news from Suriname shows, the basin is far from “de-risked”

and as of this moment, we are not due to produce oil in any meaningful quantity until the mid-2020s.

Moderation and temperance must rule the day.

There is a careful and difficult balance to be struck between maintaining our oil industry’s momentum and ensuring that we achieve maximum benefits for the Guyanese people. It is imperative that we make real progress on the Sovereign Wealth Fund and spending priorities, be it infrastructure, education or healthcare. Let us carefully examine political manifestos and pronouncements in coming months and ensure that our Government is up to the challenge.

Dear Editor, The December 4 article in another section of the media concerning the protest actions by sugar workers on December 3 referred to a conversation with an official of the sugar company. The article posits that GuySuCo’s Chief Industrial Relations Manager, Mr Deodat Sukhu, the leader of the Corporation’s negotiation team, had indicated to GAWU that the Corporation hadn’t “…the revenue or cash flow to pay workers…” to offset a pay rise. The newspaper indicated that

Mr Sukhu said this “…was made known to union representatives during meetings in October and November”.

We find the comments of the GuySuCo official to be a startling revelation. At no time has the Corporation officially indicated to us that it would not offer any pay rise this year. In fact, our discussions regarding pay rise have not even commenced as yet much less for us to get the Corporation’s response. At our last engagement on November 20 with the GuySuCo, the company’s CEO, Dr Harold Davis

Jr indicated to our Union that the Corporation recognised that workers deserved an increase. He shared with the GAWU that the company was engaging the Government and NICILSPU on the issue among other matters. He had expected then that in two weeks’ time, he would have a clear idea on the way forward. Mr Sukhu, during that engagement, was closer to Dr Davis than we were and would have heard, like us, what was communicated.

Clearly, Dr Davis’ sentiments are in stark con-

trast with that of Mr Sukhu.

Undoubtedly, if the GuySuCo was unclear of where it stood on the matter, it would be highly irregular to make any pronouncement. We did find it intriguing too that Mr Sukhu disclosed that even “[t]he board has recognised that workers need an increase…” Certainly, as we pointed out, that question of an increase to sugar workers is not an ‘if’ but a ‘must’.

Sincerely, Patrick Davis

Question of an increase to sugar workers is not an ‘if’ but a ‘must’

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Sins of vanity and hubris are laid bare for all to see

Dear Editor, Alarm bells began to ring with Michael Ten-Pow, Guyana’s Ambassador to the UN, voted against the United States of America’s resolution to amend the Rights of the Child Convention. In so doing, Ten-Pow was acting converse to Guyana’s existing laws on this issue and also inimical to Guyana’s geopolitical interests (18/11/2019).

Whispers were heard that Ten-Pow was actively seeking the Chair of the G77 and was willing to kowtow to Venezuelan demands (which included this vote) in furtherance of his (Ten-Pow’s) ambitions. Patriotic Guyanese throughout our Foreign Service began to warn the home office of the dangers inherent in Ten-Pow’s conduct. The Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry wrote to David Granger to apprise him of this seemingly rogue conduct. Mrs JardineWaddell must have been shocked at what happened next.

The caretaker president responded to the concerns of the patriots with alacrity but not in the manner they hoped/expected. David Granger ordered the removal of Mrs Jardine-Waddell from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the recall of all diplomats (senior and Junior) who expressed dissent with Ambassador Ten-Pow’s actions. The atall-costs campaign for the Chairmanship of the G77 has the full and unequivocal support of David Granger!

The Venezuelans have remained steadfast in their

objection to Ten-Pow, in their letter to HE Mr Riyad H Mansour, Ambassador, Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations. Chair, Group of the 77 on the 22nd November, Venezuela stated: “I address Your Excellency, in your capacity as Chair of the Group of the 77 (G77) for the year 2019, in the opportunity of referring to the ambassadorial-level meeting held earlier this afternoon to address the question of the Chairmanship of the G77 for 2020…In this regard, I am obliged to, at the very outset, categorically reject your unilateral ruling on the ‘endorsement’ of the candidature of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to the Chairmanship of the G77 for 2020”. The betrayal of our nation’s values and willingness to concede on aspects of the Border dispute have(thankfully) been in vain thus far.

Editor, the signs that titles, medals, awards, and ceremony are of utmost importance to David Granger have always been there; Granger’s willingness to kowtow to Venezuelan demands in furtherance of the Chairmanship of a UN Group (77) is a descent into depravity. We have betrayed our children on the Rights of the Child Amendment and our ally, the United States of America, in favour of an aggressive neighbour. The sins of vanity and hubris are laid bare for all to see.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

6

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019

Page Foundation Tips for taking Can acne care of your skin scars be S removed? ometimes it may seem like your skin is impossible to manage, especially when you wake up and find a huge zit on your nose or a cold sore at the corner of your mouth.

The good news is that there are ways to prevent and treat common skin problems — read on for some tips, especially since Christmas is around the corner.

Acne

A pimple starts when the pores in the skin become clogged with a type of oil called sebum, which normally lubricates the skin and hair. Acne is common during puberty when hormones go into overdrive, causing the skin to overproduce sebum. Because many oil-producing glands are on the forehead, nose, and chin, this area – the T-zone – is where a person is most prone to pimples.

Here are some tips to help prevent breakouts and

clear them up as fast as possible: Wash your face twice a day (no more) with warm water and a mild soap made

for people with acne. Gently massage your face with circular motions. Don’t scrub.

Overwashing and scrubbing can cause skin to become irritated. After cleansing, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends applying an over-thecounter (no prescription needed) lotion containing benzoyl peroxide.

Don’t pop pimples. It’s tempting, but here’s why you shouldn’t: Popping pimples can push infected ma-

terial further into the skin, leading to more swelling and redness, and even scarring. If you notice a pimple coming before a big event,

like the prom, a dermatologist can often treat it for you with less risk of scarring or infection.

Avoid touching your face with your fingers or leaning your face on objects that collect sebum and skin residue like your

phone. Touching your face can spread the bacteria that cause pores to become in-

flamed and irritated. To keep bacteria at bay, wash your hands before applying anything to your face, such as treatment creams

or makeup.

If you wear glasses or sunglasses, make sure you clean them frequently to keep oil from clogging the pores around your eyes and nose.

If you get acne on your body, try not to wear tight clothes They don’t allow skin to breathe and may cause irritation. Scarves, headbands, and caps can collect dirt and oil, too.

Remove your makeup before you go to sleep. When buying makeup, make sure you choose brands that say “noncomedogenic” or “nonacnegenic” on the label. Throw away old makeup that smells or looks different from when you first bought it.

Keep hair clean and out of your face to prevent additional dirt and oil from clogging your pores.

Protect your skin from the sun. It may seem like a tan masks acne, but it’s only temporary. A tan may worsen your acne, not improve it. Tanning also causes damage to skin that will eventually lead to wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.

If you’re concerned about acne, talk to a dermatologist. Dermatologists offer a range of treatments that help to prevent and acne scars. A dermatologist can help you find the treatment method that’s best for you and can also give you lots of useful tips for dealing with acne and caring for your skin type. Some salons and spas have trained skin specialists, called estheticians, who can offer advice and skin care treatments.

(Excerpt from kidshealth. org) To be continued

Different types of acne

Scars from acne can seem like double punishment – first you had to deal with the pimples, now you have marks as a reminder.

Acne lesions (pimples) happen when the hair follicles (or “pores”) on the skin become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.

A plugged follicle is the perfect place for bacteria to grow and create the red bumps and pus-filled red bumps known as pimples.

Acne comes in different forms: mild acne: this causes the whiteheads or blackheads that most of us get at some point moderate acne: this can cause red, inflamed pimples (called papules) and red pimples with white centres (called pustules) severe acne: this causes painful, pus-filled cysts or lumps (called nodules) under the skin Most serious scarring is caused by the more severe forms of acne, with nodules more likely to leave permanent scars than other types of acne.

The best approach is to get treatment for acne soon after it appears to prevent further severe acne and more scarring. If you have nodules, see your doctor or dermatologist for treatment.

Treating acne scars

Most of the time, those reddish or brownish acne marks that are left behind after pimples clear up will fade with no need for treatment. Picking or squeezing acne can increase the risk for scarring, though.

Acne scars take two forms: scars with a gradual dip or depression (sometimes called “rolling” scars) scars that are deep and narrow A person’s acne needs to be under control before scars can be treated.

Mild vs severe scarring

Treatments depend on how severe the scars are. In some cases, a doctor or dermatologist may suggest a chemical peel or microdermabrasion to help improve the appearance of scarred areas. These milder treatments can be done right in the office.

For serious scarring from previous bouts with acne, several types of treatment can help: Laser resurfacing. This procedure can be done in the doctor’s or dermatologist’s office. The laser removes the damaged top layer of skin and tightens the middle layer, leaving skin smoother.

It can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour. The doctor will try to lessen any pain by first numbing the skin with local anaesthesia. It usually takes between 3 and 10 days for the skin to heal completely.

Dermabrasion. This treatment uses a rotating wire brush or spinning diamond instrument to wear down the surface of the skin. As the skin heals, a new, smoother layer replaces the abraded skin. It may take a bit longer for skin to heal using dermabrasion — usually between 10 days and 3 weeks.

Fractional laser therapy. This type of treatment works at a deeper level than laser resurfacing or dermabrasion, Because fractional laser therapy doesn’t wound the top layer of tissue, healing time is shorter. Someone who has had this type of treatment may just look a bit sunburned for a couple of days.

For “rolling” scars, doctors sometimes inject material under the scar to raise it to the level of normal skin. Finally, i n some cases, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove deeply indented scars.

One thing you shouldn’t do to deal with acne scars is load up your face with masks or fancy lotions – these won’t help and may irritate your skin further, making the scars red and even more noticeable.

If you have a red or brownish mark on your face that you got from a bad zit, it should eventually fade. However, it may take 12 months or longer. If you’re upset about acne marks, talk to your doctor, who might have advice on what you can do. (kidshealth.org)

NEWS

7

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Chief Education Officer sent packing …pre-retirement leave – Minister claims …sources point to major fallout

E

ven as the public is still absorbing the recent removal of a senior functionary at the Foreign Affairs Ministry due to a fallout, it has been revealed that Chief Education Officer (CEO), Dr Marcel Hutson has

been sent packing by the Education Ministry.

Reports differ as to the reason behind the decision.

Well-placed sources within the Ministry have indicated that Hutson has, in fact, been at odds with Education Minister Nicolette Henry

over the handling of various policy matters and that this precipitated the move to send him off.

On the other hand, Henry in a statement said that Hutson is approaching his statutory retirement age. The CEO is statu-

torily expected to retire on September 1, 2020, the Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“By which time, he would have attained the requisite statutory age of retirement in accordance with the Public Service Rules.

Fingerprint cross-matching update likely by weekend— GECOM Commissioner …int’l tech company still processing C&O data

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

T

he Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) has still not reached a decision on whether it will merge data from the House-to-House (H2H) with the national database; however, it is likely that the Commission will be in a better position to determine the way forward by this weekend.

This was revealed at the conclusion of the Commission’s weekly statutory meeting on Tuesday.

Asked when issues relating to fingerprint cross-matching will be ironed out, Commissioner Sase Gunraj said that they would get an update on this by this weekend from Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield.

“We are still awaiting the report from the fingerprint cross-matching ser-

vice provider to determine what, if anything, will be done with the House-toHouse data. As we speak, that has not been received,” Gunraj said. He further explained that they are still waiting for a report from international service provider Gemalto on the Claims and Objections (C&O) exercise that ran from October 1 to November 11, 2019.

“We have also not received any data in relation to the cross-matching exercise from Claims and Objections. So that has basically hamstrung us in relation to the production of lists and related decisions,” Gunraj explained.

Previously, GECOM had said that a Revised List of Electors (RLE) was likely to be completed by early in January. This will then be used to create the Official List of Electors, which will allow persons to vote on March 2, 2020.

But there have been weeks of uncertainty as to what will be done with the data collected from Houseto-House Registration.

While the Government Commissioners have been pushing for the merging of the House-to-House data with the National Register of Registrants (NRR), this is hotly contested at the commission level by the

It is understood that International software company Gemalto is still processing data from the Claims and Objections exercise

Opposition.

They have argued that this data will result in the whole database being corrupted. When H2H started this year, it was without the input of the Opposition.

In fact, the only party that scrutinised the enumerators during the exercise was the ruling party, as the PPP was not invited to participate.

This, together with the nature in which the exercise started under the backdated order of the former Chairman James Patterson and the fact that many people boycotted the exercise, has not helped arguments for the data to be merged with the National Register of Registrants.

In fact, the parliamentary Opposition has long contended that merging the

data would corrupt the entire database, citing the manner in which the data was collected. On the other hand, the Governmentnominated Commissioners at GECOM have advocated for the inclusion of the data.

A decision was taken recently by GECOM to post the House-to-House data at its registration office for persons to inspect and then use as a reference to make changes to the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE). At the time, the Opposition was opposed to this decision since the H2H data was likely to be inaccurate.

CEO Marcel Hutson

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

The CEO initiated his retirement process in August of this year, as he would have applied for and also received partial gratuity benefits to which he is entitled,” the statement said.

According to the Ministry, the CEO has standing to his credit 230 days annualised leave and as such, the CEO is required to proceed on pre-retirement leave in 2020 to enjoy all his outstanding leave and benefits.

Hutson’s departure comes only a few days after the announcement that Director General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Audrey Jardine-Waddell was removed from her post.

It was also announced that the Ministry would be recalling certain Ambassadors.

For the year, Granger has reshuffled and even created new positions for a number of persons.

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge was himself reappointed as Foreign Secretary at the Foreign Affairs Ministry with responsibility for the Department of Frontiers and Territorial Integrity and the Department of Trade and Economic Cooperation.

The position of Foreign Affairs Minister was taken up by Dr Karen Cummings,

who previously served as junior Public Health Minister.

The position of DirectorGeneral of the Ministry of the Presidency was created for Joseph Harmon, who previously served as Minister of State. The Minister of State is presently Dawn Hastings-Williams, who previously served as Minister of Public Affairs.

Former Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin was replaced by Member of Parliament Haimraj Rajkumar. The position of Director of Manufacturing and Marketing within the Business Ministry with responsibility for the enforcement of standards, providing assistance to small producers and access to markets, particularly Eastern Caribbean markets, was created for Gaskin.

Former Minister of Public Service, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine was replaced

by Tabitha Sarabo-Halley while Dr Roopnaraine was appointed as Director of Public Service Training within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for training standards at the Bertram Collins College of the Public Service, the Guyana Defence Force Staff College and the Guyana Police Force Staff College – a position which did not previously exist.

8 NEWS Man charged for killing vagrants A thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

24-year-old labourer who allegedly killed two vagrants on Regent Street, Georgetown was hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.

Devon Johnson, also known as “Spongie”, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

It is alleged that on November 11, 2019 at Regent Street, Georgetown, he murdered Raymond Samaroo, and that same day, at Regent and Light Streets, Georgetown, he murdered Andrew

Benjamin.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers told the court that about 21:30h on November 11, 2019, Samaroo was standing on the southern pavement of Regent Street in the vicinity of Household Plus Store when Johnson, who was armed with a knife, approached him and dealt him several stabs about his body and made good his escape. With respect to the second charge, the Prosecutor stated that about 03:00h, Benjamin and another person were asleep at Regent and Light Streets when

Johnson approached them and dealt Benjamin several chops about his body before making good his escape.

Following an investigation, Police ranks obtained Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, which allegedly showed the accused stabbing the men.

The court further heard that the accused was subjected to a medical evaluation and found to be unfit to be charged for the offences. However, based on advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) he was charged.

Devon Johnson

The case will continue on December 18, 2019.

Taking action… …or pot shots?

Henry Jeffrey is one of the founders of ANUG – one of the new parties on the block. But for some reason – which your Eyewitness has been unable to pin down – Jeffrey doesn’t seem to have any position in the surviving ANUG executive. (Several other worthies have since decamped). Was he struck by the mysterious illness that had brought down Raphael Trotman back in 2011, when Khemraj Ramjattan was slotted to be the AFC’s presidential candidate?? Is it possible that he too may have a miraculous recovery and show up after the elections, when appointed to a slot in the new administration??

Anyhow, Jeffrey’s been given to issuing some ponderous articles in the SN supporting his insistence that constitutional change mandating “shared governance” is the silver bullet that’ll destroy the dark ethnic, political forces sucking the blood out of our country. What has struck your Eyewitness with fellas like Jeffrey and their quick fixes is how they gloss over the elephant in the room. To wit, exactly how will they get the two political biggies to go along with their proposal to turn their political swords into cooperative ploughshares?

This was brought out by Jeffrey’s rather caustic riposte to PPP’s presidential candidate Irfaan Ali – who, like Jeffrey has a PhD – because the latter insisted before Guyana can have shared governance, there has to be “trust” engendered between the PNC and PPP. More precisely, Ali said, “We cannot have political trust and we cannot build political trust and we cannot have inclusion if we do not, first and foremost, respect this document that speaks to this which is the Constitution of our country.”

Jeffrey dismissed this concern as “harping upon the old PPP/C mantra of the need to build trust and abide by/ uphold the Constitution.”

Now why would Jeffrey be dismissive of the PPP’s position?

Is it an irrational one? As the co-author of a book on the Burnhamite PNC regime – and as a lecturer in their ideological school – has he forgotten that it’s in the institutional DNA of the PNC that they’d never SHARE real power with any other entity??

But we don’t have to go back to Burnham’s rejection of Jagan’s offer on PS back in the 1970s, do we??

Hasn’t he analysed and counted the ways in which Granger’s PNC flouted their “Accord” with the AFC to share power? Hasn’t he bemoaned the PNC’s refusal to PRACTICE power sharing when they cut the leg from under their AFC “partner” by unilaterally shuttering four sugar estates and firing 7000 workers – from where the latter had garnered strategic support??

Why should Ali and the PP trust the PNC to treat them differently?? …finally on sugar GAWU massed its sugar workers at the Ministry of the Presidency to agitate for wage increases. They finally seemed to’ve realised the insightful wisdom of Fredrick Douglass – the great anti-slavery fighter: “If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favour freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without ploughing up the ground; they want rain without thunder and lightning.

They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.

This struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both.”

A word to Beneba…! …to cut Guyana’s nose On the Tacuba Lodge bloodletting seems that the sacked professional Director General had informed Granger about Minister Cummings and our UN Rep lobbying for the latter to chair the moribund “Group of 77”.

Granger agrees it’s worth US$1 million to boost the latter’s ego!

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

NEWS

9

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Lamaha Springs residents frustrated by road woes

R

esidents of Lamaha Springs, Georgetown are furious over the deplorable condition of their roads which they said are

Potholes in Lamaha Springs

area on Wednesday. One resident said that about a month and a half ago, workers – they presumed were from the Public

The Lamaha Springs road before Government started works

becoming more appalling each day.

On request of residents, this publication visited the

Infrastructure Ministry – showed up with bulldozers and started to dig the roads but subsequently

left, leaving their vehicles parked in the area.

“Just so you see a morning they came and they start with this bulldozer digging,” the resident said.

Another resident told this newspaper that the roads were in a better condition prior to the commencing works. They also said that the roads have now become smaller by some four feet in width since the mud that was placed along the edge of residents’ parapets have encroached on the roadway.

“If we had ten potholes, we had nuff,” the resident stated.

Residents also expressed concerns about their safety and the damages caused to their vehicles from traversing the area which

has been filled with “big bricks” by the residents to facilitate proper passage for vehicles.

A resident further stated that persons living in the area have found this project by the Ministry to be extremely frustrating and inconvenient as they now have to find alternative routes to drive.

Guyana Times was told that when they expressed concerns to the workers onsite, they were unable to get any information but are rather told to call the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

In July, the residents

A section of the road in Lamaha Springs which was bulldozed and left in a deplorable state

badly damaged as a result of heavy-duty trucks traversing frequently at the time. However, the issue

The bulldozers which have been parked and left in Lamaha Springs for over a month and a half

raised concerns about the condition of the roads which they stated were

has worsened in the span of a few months.

Guyana Times

understands that most of the persons living in the community, including top officials from the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Police Force and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, are fearful of being victimised so they prefer to remain silent on the issue: “The position they’re in they don’t want to be victimised, is the same thing with me”.

The residents mentioned that the project started by the APNU/AFC Government has instead destroyed their roads completely and had proper maintenance been conducted the current issues would not have been experienced.

10 NEWS

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Berbice women charged for assaulting cop T

wo Berbice sisters, who assaulted cops at the Rose Hall Police Outpost, will face the courts of law today.

The two women were Yasminie Ramsook, 22, and Mona Singh,30, both of Lot 3 Number 36 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

Yasminie, also known as “Tina”, was charged for dangerous driving and damage to property, while together, the two sisters were also charged for disorderly behaviour— assaulting and resisting a peace officer.

A video of the two sisters in the station was shared on social media on Wednesday.

In the video, the women can be heard uttering expletives along with racial

Confrontation with a Police Officer at Rose Hall Police Outpost

remarks at Police Officers.

One of the sisters allegedly pushed a Policewoman who

was warning her about her conduct.

Police on Wednesday

said that the incident occurred on December 2 and the women were released on bail. They are required to appear at the Number 51 Magistrate’s Court today. According to Police, legal advice is to be obtained in respect of “certain utterances/remarks” against the ranks as expressed in videos.

Police also stated that shortly before the incident at the Outpost, Ramsook was driving motorcar PTT 5628 and reportedly struck a parked vehicle on the Rose Hall Public Road and drove away. Police said that the vehicle with the women was intercepted at Port Mourant by a Police patrol shortly after and directed them to the Rose Hall Outpost.

Sisters Yasminie Ramsook and Mona Singh

Ex-cop, 2 others charged for firing shots at Police

…also for illegal gun, ammo possession

T

he three occupants of a car that Police ranks recently gave chase and caught at Houston, Greater Georgetown, when excop Teon Allen, known as “Spoil child”, was shot after pointing a gun to Police, were jointly charged on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Twenty-six-year old Jason Gonsalves of Kitty, Georgetown and 24-year-old Shaquille Grant of Sophia, Greater Georgetown appeared before Magistrate Faith

Ex-cop Teon Allen, known as “Spoil child”

McGusty and denied the joint charges. Allen,

who was charged in absentia, is a patient at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he is being treated for a gunshot wound.

The prosecution is contending that on November 26, 2019, at Houston, the three men had a 9MM pistol along with 16 matching rounds and seven .45 ammunition in their possession when they are not holders of firearm licences.

Another charge stated that the trio discharged a loaded firearm at Police

Inspector Mohan Khan.

Gonsalves and Grant were represented by Attorney-at-Law Ronald Daniels, who told the court during a successful bail application that his clients were mere occupants in the taxi that was driven by Allen.

He further stressed that his clients were taken into custody since November 26 and have been cooperating with the investigation.

Police Prosecutor Ceon Blackman told the court that on the day in question, the Police were

Jason Gonsalves Shaquille Grant

and

conducting a roadblock exercise after receiving certain information.

The court heard that Allen allegedly drove his

car through the roadblock, which resulted in the Police giving chase.

Realising that the Police were in pursuit, shots were fired in the direction of the ranks.

The Prosecutor stated that the Police then returned fire and Allen was shot during the exchange. The car then sped off the road and ended up crashing into a nearby trench.

The ranks then approached the vehicle and Allen allegedly had the firearm in his hands. Hence, the men were arrested and taken into custody. The two men were released on $240,000 bail each and the case will continue on January 8, 2020.

Police approaching the car in which the three men were travelling

news

11

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Anna Regina Mayor re-elected Miner charged for killing …says financial challenges a major hindrance

M

ayor of the town of Anna Regina, Rajendra Prabhulall, was re-elected on Wednesday in the boardroom of the Anna Regina Town Council, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam). The Deputy Mayor, Rudolph Williams, was also re-elected.

Prabhulall said that he is very much thankful to the councillors for having the confidence in him and giving him a second term as Mayor of the township.

The Mayor said that his first term in office was very challenging. He said that there are many issues and plans that have to be addressed but financial constraints have posed as his biggest challenge since his

another over raw gold

A

Re-elected Anna Regina Mayor Rajendra Prabhulall taking his oath of office

election.

At present, the Council is cash-strapped and employees have not been paid their November salaries.

The Mayor said that the Council has millions of dollars outstanding in rates

and taxes but persons are not paying. During brief remarks following his re-election, he called on defaulters to pay up their taxes.

This, he said, will enable the Council to provide reliable service to its people.

2019, at Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown, he broke and entered the dwelling home of Maryann Moore. The prosecution is contending that at about 20:55h, the Virtual Complainant was in bed when she saw someone’s hand in her house. She sprang up and confronted the man who then jumped onto the veranda and made

good his escape. The Police Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence of the offence and penalty it attracts. It was highlighted that the defendant was previously convicted.

The Magistrate, nevertheless, released him on $50,000 bail and the case will continue on December 18.

n 18-year-old was on Wednesday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to face a murder charge.

Nelson Cambridge, a miner of Number 40 Village, West Coast Berbice, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The charge stated that between November 29 and November 30, 2019 at George Creek, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), he murdered Romel Roberts.

Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers stated that on November 29, 2019, the two men were “washing down”

Nelson Cambridge

the production of the dredge when they found 4.5 pennyweight of raw gold, which they split equally.

The court heard that

the men subsequently began imbibing and a short while after Roberts accused Cambridge of stealing his gold. A scuffle subsequently ensued and the accused allegedly took out a knife from his waistband and stabbed the victim several times about the body before making good his escape.

The injured man was picked up and rushed to the Mackenzie Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The Magistrate remanded Cambridge to prison and the case was scheduled to continue on December 11,2019.

Attempted execution B&E lands man in court accused released on bail

E

ric Abrico, of Lot 145 Nonpareil, East Coast Demerara, was slapped with an attempted felony and appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday.

The 35-year-old man appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty and denied the charge which stated that on November 16,

La Penitence man jailed for fraud

A

Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown man was on Wednesday jailed for two years after he was found guilty of fraud.

Compton Beckles, 58, of Lot 166 Middle Road, La Penitence, was jointly charged with Julianne Faulcher, a 36-year-old nurse of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

However, Faulcher was found not guilty of the charge when the trial was completed at Georgetown Magistrates’

fraud Courts.

When they were initially charged, the duo both denied the allegation that on November 22, 2018, at Georgetown, with intent to

defraud, they obtained from Shaheed Ali $2.3 million by pretending that they were in a position to sell him a BMW motor vehicle, knowing same to be false.

T

he duo who attempted to execute ex-cop Teon Allen, called “Spoil Child”, at East La Penitence, Georgetown were granted bail on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Renard Caesar, 23, and Lashawn Lewis, 22, both of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) were jointly charged and appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

It was alleged that on October 5, 2019 at La Penitence Market, Georgetown in the company of others and with intent to commit murder, they discharged rounds from loaded firearms towards Allen.

When the matter was called on Wednesday, the duo were released on $500,000 bail each and the case was adjourned to December 19, 2019.

Renard Caesar and Lashawn Lewis

The prosecution is contending that Allen was at the East La Penitence Market purchasing vegetables when Caesar and two others exited a car and opened fire at him. The matter was reported to the Police and following an investigation, a

wanted bulletin was issued by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for Caesar, who later turned himself in at the Mackenzie Police Station.

Reports at the time were that Allen returned fire and shot one of the men attacking him.

12 NEWS

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Excavated drain at Festival City blocks roadway

I

t has been six weeks since a section of the main entrance of Festival City, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown was cordoned off and a drain, measuring some six feet in depth, was excavated to channel water from the nearby trench.

Now, residents are calling on the Public Infrastructure Ministry and other authorities to look into the matter, since they cannot traverse the roadway. They also informed that contractors have been moving at a slothful pace, much to their discomfort.

One resident, Joseph Godfrey informed Guyana Times on Wednesday that the situation was distressing. He had believed that the road would have been accessible in a short time, but realised that this was not the case after waiting for over one month. The road was split completely to allow water from the trench to flow to the other side. This was followed by other works to fix the drainage system.

“The issue is that the main road into Festival City has been cut and a drain is now across the road. That

Education Ministry bans schools’ Christmas parties

T

he Education Ministry has put an end to the annual Christmas party at public schools for students, and further introduced a new model of celebration in the form of a luncheon.

In a notice sent out to educators and teachers, the Ministry said an observation showed that the party was an opportunity for stu-

complaints by teachers about the music played from loud music sets and the type of clothing worn by the children. For this reason, a Christmas luncheon will be organised instead.

The new rule stated that all students are to be dressed in their uniforms and the luncheon is to be organised by the class teacher and conducted per class. Only

The Festival City entry road remains blocked owing to the unfinished drainage works

road has stayed like that for the past six weeks. Cars can’t pass. They got to drive around. They were trying to drain the trench from one side of the road to the one on the other side. It can’t happen, because I live not too far away and this has been going for weeks. I didn’t really want to report it, but now nothing happening,” he stated.

For vehicles to enter the community, drivers are tasked with using another street, which is supposed to be the exit route. This publication made a subsequent visit to the area, where the road was cordoned off and inaccessible to motorists.

Debris from the excavation work was piled along

the side of the road and the drain was almost filled with sand.

Meanwhile, other persons in the community lamented that with these drainage works in place, they were still facing constant flooding after heavy rainfall.

After the first quarter of 2019, over $163 million in drainage works were announced throughout the capital city. The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) had confirmed that contracts were approved for the cleaning of the city’s drainage channels, with manual cleaning operations totalling $71.9 million and mechanical cleaning operations totalling $91.6 million.

dents to behave inappropriately. Generally, this activity is held in the last week of the term before students go on their Christmas break.

The document further stated that there have been

Christmas carols should be played during this time.

Further, “optimum” supervision from the teachers is required at all times and the Head Teacher must be aware of all ongoing activi-

Education Minister Nicolette Henry

ties. This event should conclude by 14:30h. Those who do not wish to participate must also be placed under supervision.

Meanwhile, the Ministry has ordered for checks to be made for weapons, alcohol, and illegal drugs.

“Supervision must be optimum. Class teachers must be with their students during the activity and Head Teachers must be aware of all class activities. Students from classes who are not taking part in the activity must be fully supervised. Checks should be made by teachers of students’ bags,” the notice outlined.

One teacher told Guyana Times that many have already indicated that they would not be partaking in the new luncheon activities.

Meanwhile, former Education Minister Priya Manickchand condemned this move on social media, stating that it implied that the Ministry was incapable of managing the schools in a manner which promoted social development.

“It seems that the Ministry is conceding that it is unable to manage schools in a way that gives children wide and varied experiences that allow them to learn and socialise, even as they are taught to do so in a responsible manner,” her post indicated.

NEWS

13

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Logos Hope arrives in Guyana

Students at Logos Hope's bookfair

L

ogos Hope, the world’s largest floating bookfair, has touched the shores of Guyana. The ship has docked at the National Shipping Corporation wharf in La Penitence, Georgetown, and is now officially open to the public.

The ship will be in Guyana for 11 days.

With a fee of $200 for adults and children under the age of 12 and senior citizens will be admitted for free, Guyanese will be able to experience over 5000 different genres of books in

a total of half a million of books in the Logos Hope ship.

Media Relations Officer of Logos Hope Nicolas Suarez told Guyana Times that they are elated to show Guyanese again what they have to offer after visiting the country for about three years.

“The bookfair is like the heart of the ship, we are proud to show this and to share with the community about different types of books and as we would normally say, to bring help,

Logos Hope Media Relations Officer Nicolas Suarez

knowledge and hope to this community. So basically, the knowledge through the books we share with you guys”.

Suarez further added that the ship has other events besides the bookfair and they are very excited to share these events with the public.

“Our main event is about Narnia, so we are very excited to share this event because it’s the first time again we are sharing it in English, so our crewmembers are really enjoy-

ing this time and practising about this drama again because it is in English,” he explained.

The ship’s representative said that apart from onboard events, there are also onshore events. He said on onshore events they share in schools, prisons, and different places as a means of showing love to communities.

“We really enjoy it here and we are looking forward to giving the best to this community and to this country,” he said.

Persons buying books at the Logos Hope bookfair

Just recently, in a press conference by the Logos Hope team, representatives announced that they will be visiting various organisations to make charitable contributions.

Some of the places that will be visited, according to Logos Hope representative Samuel Scheer, are the Georgetown prisons, where inmates will be given reading glasses to improve their literacy; hospitals, where encouragement and hope will be spread, and to several schools in Bartica,

Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Meanwhile, the ship has a welcome area where persons are being introduced to the ship and an international café, which has ice cream, popcorn and other snacks on sale.

MV Logos Hope is operated by GBA Ships eV, an international non-profit organisation registered in Germany. Since 1970, the organisation has welcomed more than 47 million visitors in over 160 countries and territories worldwide.

Visually-impaired students gifted laptops noted.

Meanwhile, President of the Society for the Blind, Cecil Morris and Chairman for GCOPD highlighted that these efforts are to ensure its members and other persons can gain access to education and further job opportunities.

“One of the things that we want to do is make certain that persons with disability are equipped

The students share a photo with GCOPD members at the presentation

E

leven students from schools across the country, who are either partially visually impaired or completely blind, on Tuesday benefitted from a donation of laptops by the Guyana Society for the Blind through sponsors in observance of International Day for Persons with Disabilities.

The simple presentation was made to the students at the society’s High Street, Werken-Rust, Georgetown, Headquarters.

In opening remarks, Ganesh Singh, a longstanding disability advocate and member of the Guyana Council of Organizations for Persons with Disability (GCOPD) and Society for the Blind, explained that this project was conceived to help children advance in school. This, he noted, was birthed after partnering with Shelly Singh, a visually-impaired person who

reached out to have the business community donate computers.

“This project was conceptualised a very long time ago to give children who are blind and visually impaired laptops to children who are in the school system but because of the lack of resources from the Guyana Council, we were not able to execute…She was able to raise twelve laptops that will be given to children from Region Two, Four, Three and Ten,” he explained.

While reflecting on how he benefitted from a computer during his university years, Singh emphasised that the importance of assisting these students with disability to have full access to education.

“So we are hoping that with this, the children can have a much better opportunity for a meaningful education because I can explain to you how important a computer is to

someone who is blind… so without that computer, I would be lost even with the work I do on a daily basis, and that’s been at the forefront of advocating for children who are blind and visually impaired to have computers,” Singh

to access the educational programmes in Guyana and because of this, we are vigorously trying to get person with disabilities to understand that it’s important that you have a good background of education so that you can be equipped for the workforce of Guyana”.

This, according to him, can prove that persons with disabilities can contribute just as much to

Guyana.

This year’s observance is held under the theme “Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership, taking action on the 2030 development agenda”.

Some of the sponsors for the devices are Edward B Beharry, R Sookraj Cambio and Hand in Hand Insurance Company.

14 NEWS

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Linden women fined for threatening behaviour EBD man charged with conspiracy T

wo Linden women, who appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Wanda Fortune, were fined for threatening behaviour committed against another woman.

The court heard that Sharon Moffat, 47, and Nastacia Layne,27, on August 10, 2019, approached the Virtual Complainant

F

D E IN

(VC), Chansha Richmond, and threatened to beat her while pointing their hands in her face. The incident occurred at Canvas City Wismar, Linden.

A report was later made to the Police by the VC and the duo was later charged in connection with the incident.

They were fined $20,000 and 30,000 respectively by the presiding Magistrate.

Jamaica awarded world's leading family destination

J

amaica took home several awards at the 26th World Travel Awards' Grand Final Gala Ceremony held in Muscat, Oman recently including World's Leading Family Destination and World's Leading Cruise Destination.

According to the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), this is the first time that Jamaica is being awarded the World's Leading Family Destination facing tough competi-

tion from Australia, Italy, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Turkey and the United States.

“We are honoured to once again be recognised as the World's Leading Cruise Destination as well as the World's Leading Family Destination,” Jamaica's Director of Tourism, Donovan White, was quoted as saying.

“These awards are a testament to our hard work

and commitment to growing Jamaica's tourism. As a destination, we are continuously striving to enhance the visitor experience by diversifying our offering and attracting worldclass brands such as Hard Rock, Margaritaville and Nickelodeon by Karisma Hotels & Resorts, and Panama Jack by Playa Hotels & Resorts,” White added.

JTB noted that Jamaica

has been awarded the World's Leading Cruise Destination every year since 2006.

Earlier in the year, the JTB was celebrated as the Caribbean's Leading Tourist Board, Caribbean's Leading Cruise Destination and Caribbean's Leading Destination at the Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony for the World Travel Awards.

(Jamaica Observer)

C

urwin Estwick, also known as Timothy Estwick, was on Tuesday granted bail in the sum of $300,000 by Magistrate Wanda Fortune in connection with a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony in the torching of ex-cop Teon Allen’s— also known as “Spoil Child”— car.

It is alleged that Estwick, of Lot 57 Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD), on September 10, 2019, conspired along with other unknown persons to unlawfully and maliciously damage the ex- cop’s car, PXX4598 at Amelia’s Ward,

Mackenzie, Linden. The car is valued at a cost of $2.4 million.

As a condition for bail, the 25-year-old defendant has to report to the subordinate Police Officer in charge of the Mackenzie Police Station Criminal Investigations Department (CID) every Friday until the conclusion of the trail.

He was also ordered to lodge his passport, which he indicated was already lodged at Police Headquarters.

The case will continue on January 8, 2020, for report.

Nato summit: Trump calls Trudeau 'two-faced' over video Quality of Mash floats,

U

S President Donald Trump has called Justin Trudeau "two-faced" over a video in which the Canadian leader appears to mock him at a meeting of Nato leaders.

Footage showed Trudeau, UK PM Boris Johnson and French leader Emmanuel Macron discussing an impromptu press conference held by Trump.

Nato leaders agreed a statement of unity but the 70th anniversary meeting held near London also saw several rows.

Trump cancelled a press conference planned for after the summit.

He told reporters: "We'll go directly back. I think we've done plenty of news conferences."

The brief video posted on Twitter by Canada's public broadcaster, CBC, showed Mr Trudeau chatting with a group of leaders, including Johnson, Macron, Dutch

US President Donald Trump has called Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and Queen Elizabeth's daughter Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace.

At the start of the footage, Johnson asked Macron: "Is that why you were late?"

Trudeau then interjects: "He was late because he takes a 40-minute press conference off the top."

Macron then appears to tell an anecdote, but

his words are drowned out by background noise. An amused Trudeau then replies: "Oh yeah, yeah, he announced... [inaudible]. You just watched his team's jaw drop to the floor."

None of them appeared to realise they were being recorded. In response, Trump said of Trudeau: "He's twofaced... I find him to be a nice guy, but the truth is I

Bill provisions include criminalising “tip-offs” which Al-Rawi said was giving an advantage to criminal empires.

He said prisoners’ use of high-level technology was presenting “significant difficulties” in jails. He said he’ll also be bringing law to introduce a unique ID number and a bio-metric system like the United States Social Services system. He said this would eliminate fraud.

Al-Rawi said he’d consulted the Director of Public Prosecutions on possible law to prevent police from framing people. Al-Rawi said during Bail bill debate

- when “frameup” concerns arose - the Prime Minister instructed him to examine such law. But he said the DPP urged him against having a statutory offence of framing and advised reliance on common law: misbehaviour in public office, perverting the course of justice and wasteful employment of police time.

Also yesterday, UNC senator Taharqa Obika apologised to the Senate for his behaviour there last week.

The outburst got him evicted. Obika had sparred loudly with National Security Stuart Young during the debate, with each making accusations against the other. Senate Vice President Nigel Freitas ordered se-

called him out on the fact that he's not paying 2% [of national GDP towards defence] and I guess he's not very happy about it.

"He's not paying 2% and he should be paying 2%.

Canada - they have money.

Look, I'm representing the US and he should be paying more than he's paying, he understands it... I can imagine he's not that happy but that's the way it is."

Asked about the video, Mr Johnson told reporters: "It's complete nonsense.

I don't know where that's come from."

Trudeau later told reporters that they hadn't been laughing about Trump's press conference, but about the location of the next G7 summit - Camp David, the US presidential country retreat.

"I have a very good relationship with Trump," he added. (BBC)

T&T AG: Law coming to stop prisoners’ use of internet in jail

P

risoners in local jails are communicating on the Internet using 4G and LTE technology, prompting the Government to amend the Interception of Communication law soon to deal with this.

That’s according to Attorney General Faris AlRawi Al-Rawi revealed this in yesterday’s Senate debate on a Miscellaneous provision bill concerning measures to protect security sector workers - from police, prisons and immigration to Customs officials - as well as halt activities by, and weed out corrupt officers.

curity to remove Obika.

Senate President Christine Kangaloo later declared Obika had brought the Senate into disrepute and ruled he must apologise.

Yesterday, Obika told Senators, “When it comes to my action in question, to all who have been offended including Madame President, Mr Vice President, all members of the Senate and the people of my beloved nation, I offer an unreserved and sincere apology and a commitment to uphold the sanctity that is the Senate in adherence to my oath.”

His apology was greeted with desk-thumping approval from Independent and Opposition senators. (T&T Guardian)

costumes to be advanced for coming years

…as Mashramani design workshop underway

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton poses with a locallydesigned costume

T

he festival of arts costume design workshop kick-started on Monday at the National Racquet Ball Centre, Georgetown and will conclude on December 6.

The initiative was conceptualised with the aim to improve the design and display of costumes and decorated floats for Mashramani in 2020 and the coming years after it was found that there were persistent challenges facing the celebration. This includes funding, innovations in costume and floats design, presentation of creativity and judging.

This joint effort between the Social Cohesion Ministry and the Guyana Cultural Organization of New York (GCONY) is also aiming to make Guyana the world centre for innovation in the festival.

According to President

of the GCONY and workshop coordinator, Dr Vibert Cambridge, the project was the result of a conversation between overseas-based Guyanese designers and provided grounds on identify issues in the celebration that need to be addressed.

He added that this exercise seeks to make the design of floats and costumes more innovative, especially with the implementation of STEM elements, which participants will be given an insight on by STEM-Guyana.

Meanwhile, Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for culture youth and sport, George Norton highlighted that the sessions are in preparation for Guyana’s 50th Republic Day celebration.

Facilitators of the event include Antonio Butts, a Trinidad-based Guyanese designer along with Clair Goring and Alan Vaughan.

news

15

thursday, DECEMBER 5, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Canada says it’s now easier France braces for severe for Caribbean nationals to disruption amid strike apply for resident status

F

B

uilding on a government commitment made earlier this year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says it is now easier for foreign nationals, including Caribbean immigrants to apply for temporary and permanent resident status within Canada.

On Tuesday, the immigration agency said foreign nationals applying from within Canada for temporary or permanent residence, or to extend or renew their visitor visa or work or study permit, will need to have their fingerprints and photo taken and can do so at any of the 58 designated Service Canada locations across the country.

“This means individuals will now save time and money by being able to give their biometrics within Canada,” it said in a statement.

It said Canada has collected biometrics (fingerprints and photos) on most foreign nationals applying for temporary or permanent residence since December 31, 2018.

“Having biometrics helps immigration officers verify people’s identity, which makes process-

ing applications easier and simplifies entry for legitimate travellers,” IRCC said. “It also makes it easier for officers to stop individuals who pose a risk to the safety and security of Canadians.”

IRCC said people can apply online or by paper as they have always done.

Applicants who receive a biometrics instruction letter will be able to give their fingerprints and photo at designated Service Canada locations across the country by appointment.

IRCC said the appointment must be made in advance through an easy online booking tool at canada.ca/biometrics.

It said applicants, including those in Canada

who will be travelling outside the country, can also give their biometrics at a visa application centre (VAC) in any country that they are legally allowed to enter.

IRCC said Canada has one of the most extensive networks of VACs worldwide, with 160 locations in 108 countries.

“Fingerprints and photo collection are recognised as one of the most reliable ways to identify people and are used by more than 70 countries worldwide. We will enhance the efficiency and integrity of the immigration system in Canada,” said Marco E L Mendicino, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

(CMC)

Dozens dead as migrant boat sinks off Mauritania coast– UN

A

t least 58 people, including women and children, were killed after a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized in the Atlantic Ocean off the West African nation of Mauritania, the United Nations’ migration agency said on Wednesday.

The perilous sea passage from West Africa to Europe was once a major route for migrants seeking jobs and prosperity. The sinking is one of the deadliest incidents since the mid-2000s when Spain stepped up patrols and fewer boats attempted the journey.

The boat carrying at least 150 people was low on fuel while approaching Mauritania, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said in a statement.

It said 83 people swam to shore. The survivors were being helped by Mauritanian authorities in the northern city of Nouadhibou, the IOM said.

Survivors said the boat, with women and children on board, had left the Gambia on November 27.

An unknown number of injured were taken to hospital in Nouadhibou.

“The Mauritanian authorities are very efficiently coordinating the response with the agencies current-

rance is preparing for severe disruption as millions of workers go on strike in protest at being forced to retire later or face reduced pensions.

School and transport workers will join police, lawyers and hospital and airport staff in a general walkout.

France’s largest nationwide strike in years was agreed by unions unhappy with President Emmanuel Macron’s plans for a universal points-based pension system.

Authorities have been trying to put in place plans to mediate the disruption.

The industrial action is expected to last beyond Thursday and some trade union leaders have warned they will continue their industrial action until Macron abandons his campaign promise to overhaul the retirement system.

One opinion poll put public support for the strikes at 69%, with backing strongest among 1834 year-olds.

The Macron administration will hope to avoid a repeat of the country’s general strike over pension reforms in 1995, which crippled the transport system for three weeks and drew massive popular support, forcing a government reversal.

President Emmanuel Macron

Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on the eve of the strike he expected almost 250 demonstrations nationwide, some of which he said could turn violent.

“We know there will be lots of people in these protests and we know the risks. I have requested that systematically when there is rioting or violence we make arrests immediately,” he said.

A number of yellow-vest protesters known as “gilets jaunes” said they plan to join the demonstrations.

While many will not turn up for work, those who plan to do so will face a difficult commute.

Unions representing employees in the transport sector, such as bus operators and train staff, have all agreed to strike from Thursday.

Only 10% of intercity and high-speed TGV trains will run throughout the day on Thursday, according to France’s SNCF rail operator. Some regional services will not even run at all. International services such as Eurostar and Thalys will be affected, and Eurostar has announced a reduced timetable until 10 December.

In Paris, metro rail operator RATP warned commuters to expect serious disruption throughout the day, with a limited service being provided during peak times.

Of the city’s 16 metro lines, just five will be running.

During a metro strike against planned pension reforms in September, people used bikes and scooter networks to get around the capital. (BBC)

Pakistan tycoon hands over $248M to settle UK corruption probe

M

ly present in Nouadhibou,” said Laura Lungarotti, chief of mission in Mauritania with the migration agency.

There was no immediate statement from authorities in the Gambia, a small West African nation from which many migrants set off in hopes of reaching Europe.

Although home to some of the continent’s fastest-growing economies, West Africa is struggling to generate enough jobs for its growing population of young people.

Despite the Gambia’s small size, more than 35,000 Gambian migrants arrived in Europe between 2014 and 2018, according to the IOM. The 22-year long oppressive rule by then-President Yahya Jammeh severely affected the country’s economy, especially for the Gambia’s young people, prompting some to look to migrating.

Since Jammeh was voted out of office in 2016 and fled

into exile in January 2017, European countries have been pushing to return asylum seekers, but the country’s economy has still to recover.

The coastal nation, a popular tourist destination, was shaken earlier this year by the collapse of British travel company Thomas Cook.

At the time, the Gambia’s tourism minister said the government convened an emergency meeting on the collapse, while some Gambians said the shutdown could have a devastating impact on tourism, which contributes more than 30 percent of the country’s GDP. (Al Jazeera) Although home to some of the continent’s fastest-growing economies, West Africa is struggling to generate enough jobs for its mushrooming young population, forcing many to take the perilous journey to Europe [File: Luc Gnago/Reuters]

alik Riaz Hussain, a Pakistani real estate tycoon, has agreed to hand over 190 million pounds (approximately $248m) held in the United Kingdom to settle a corruption investigation.

Hussain, one of Pakistan’s richest and most powerful businessmen and one of the country’s biggest private employers, built upmarket housing complexes.

He is accused of fraud and corruption.

Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said it has agreed to a settlement in which Hussain would hand over his 1 Hyde Park Place property, valued at 50 million pounds (approximately $65m), and cash frozen in the British bank accounts.

The NCA had previously secured nine freezing orders covering 140 million pounds (approximately $182m) in the accounts on the grounds that the money may have been acquired illegally.

The agency said the assets would be passed to the government of Pakistan, which has been spearheading an anti-corruption cam-

Pakistani real estate tycoon, Malik Riaz Hussain

paign since Prime Minister Imran Khan came to power last year.

The NCA, however, said that the settlement with Hussain was “a civil matter, and does not represent a finding of guilt”.

Hussain, who also supports charitable causes in the South Asian nation of 200 million, quoted this line in a tweet, which also included the NCA statement.

“Some habituals are twisting the NCA report 180 degrees to throw mud at me,” he posted.

The settlement will help Khan’s anti-corruption drive, which has so far failed to bring back the billions of dollars that his government accuses the

opposition politicians of stashing abroad.

Pakistani journalist and commentator Zarrar Khuhro said it was a “monumental moment” for Pakistan government’s anti-corruption drive.

“However, it was a little odd that the government has not, as yet, claimed credit for this or shouted it from the rooftops as one would expect them to do,” he told Al Jazeera.

According to the Financial Times newspaper, UK Land Registry records show the Hyde Park property was purchased for £42.5m (approximately $55m) in 2016 from the son of former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. (Al Jazeera)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

thurSday, december 5, 2019

Regional

Brazil could lose its UN vote due to debt

B

razil is in danger of losing its vote at the cash-strapped United Nations if it does not pay some of the $400 million it owes by the end of the year, UN and Brazilian officials said.

Of Brazil’s $415.8 million bill, $143 million is owed for 2019, they said.

Under UN rules, if a country is in arrears in an amount that equals or exceeds the contributions due for the previous two years, it can lose its General Assembly vote unless the country can show its inability to pay is beyond its control.

“There is considerable risk that Brazil, for the first time ever, will lose its right to vote at the U.N. as of January 1, 2020,” the Economy Ministry’s secretary for international relations Erivaldo Gomes said in a report seen by Reuters.

Brazil is the second-largest UN debtor after the United States and must pay at least $126.6 million by the end of the year to avoid losing its vote, Gomes wrote in the report.

The Economy Ministry said in an email to Reuters that it asked Congress on Tuesday to approve 549 million reais ($130 million) in supplementary funding to cover Brazil’s UN dues.

Currently Comoros, Sao

Tome and Principe, and Somalia are subject to this rule but the 193-member General Assembly voted in October to allow them to continue to vote.

The United Nations said in October that total arrears were $1.385 billion, of which $860 million is for the $2.85 billion regular budget for 2019, which pays for work including political, humanitarian, disarmament, economic and

social affairs and communications.

UN officials said then that seven countries made up 97% of $1.385 billion owed - the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Iran, Israel and Venezuela - while 58 states made up the rest.

Washington is responsible for 22% of the regular budget and in October owed some $381 million for prior regular budgets and $674 million for the 2019 regular budget.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday that the United States had since paid some $500 million to the world body and now owed about $491 million.

Dujarric said 138 of the 193 UN member states had now paid their regular budget dues, but that some $772 million was still owed for 2019. (Reuters)

“Two issues that must be discussed are the introduction of arms and dollars, and of course drugs,” Lopez Obrador said during his regular morning news conference. “There must be cooperation on those issues.”

Barr is due to visit Mexico to discuss cooperation on security. US President Donald

Trump’s pledge to label drug gangs as terrorist groups has stirred concern in Mexico that Washington could try to take unilateral action to crush the cartels.

Lopez Obrador added that Mexico would not permit another operation like the US Government’s “Fast and Furious” gun-running

sting. The bungled investigation of the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) embarrassed the Obama administration and strained relations with Mexico.

“It was a flagrant violation of our sovereignty,” Lopez Obrador said.

(Reuters)

Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro

Mexico to seek cooperation on arms flows with US Attorney General

M

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Wednesday his government will seek to strengthen cooperation with the United States to control the flow of “arms and dollars” during meetings this week with US Attorney General William Barr.

Marches begin to mark Colombia's third national strike

Members of a drums band perform during a protest as a national strike continues in Bogota, Colombia

C

olombian unions and student groups are holding a third national strike on Wednesday amid fraught talks between protest leaders and the government over President Ivan Duque’s social and economic policies.

The strike is the latest demonstration in two weeks of protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of marchers and put pressure on Duque’s proposed tax reform, which lowers duties on businesses.

The protests prompted him to announce a “great national dialogue” on social issues, but government efforts to stop new demonstrations have failed as the union-led National Strike Committee has stuck firmly to demands for one-on-one talks and refused to call off protests.

The demonstrations, while largely peaceful, re-

sulted in damage to dozens of public transport stations and curfews in the cities of Cali and Bogota.

Protesters have wide-ranging demands - including that the government to do more to stop the murder of human rights activists, offer more support for former leftist rebels who demobilized under a peace deal and dissolve the ESMAD riot police, whom marchers accuse of excessive force.

Protesters in the capital Bogota were beginning to make their way to central Bolivar Plaza late on Wednesday morning.

“We’re continuing to march to send a message to the president and to Congress - don’t play with the people,” said student Diana Rodriguez, 23, as she made her way toward the plaza. (Excerpt from Reuters)

LIAT denies rumours of flight cancellations to and out of Dominica In Haiti, protests wane,

A

ccording to Dominica News Online, LIAT officials have dismissed the recent rumours surrounding its operations in Dominica.

An unofficial advisory had been circulated – indicating that there would be flight disruptions in Dominica due to the political environment.

The advisory further stated that LIAT announced the cancellation of all flights to and out of Dominica, with immediate effect.

However, officials from the airline have dismissed

these reports as false.

Chief Executive Officer Julie Reifer-Jones confirmed that flights to Dominica have NOT been cancelled.

She stated that while they have issued a travel advisory and were continuing to monitor the situation in the country, talks of flight cancellations were inaccurate.

C o r p o r a t e Communications Manager of LIAT, Shavar Maloney, also confirmed that the rumours were false and that LIAT would make a public announcement on any such major decision.

some schools open but crisis far from over

A

LIAT Airlines

Another executive employee within LIAT also suggested that there may be individuals or groups exploiting the political tensions in Dominica to achieve certain nefarious motives.

LIAT has made a public announcement denouncing the circulated reports.

The airline is advising passengers to check in on time for their flights.

(Antigua Observer)

Coral dredging: “It's going to cause irreversible damage”

C

ampaigners in the Cayman Islands say they are fighting a "David and Goliath" battle against the world's biggest cruise lines that want to redevelop the country's port to accommodate huge ships.

"I fear that it's going to cause some irreversible damage that we can't ever change, take back or fix in the future," says Michelle Lockwood, one of those opposed to the coral

dredging that will be needed to enlarge the port.

It's just gone 9am in Grand Cayman and the Royal Watler Cruise Terminal is already crowded. Hundreds of tourists are disembarking from a fleet of small tenders from two enormous ships anchored just off George Town harbour that looks like giant white whales.

As the visitors step onto the dock, some of them pose

for a photograph with workers dressed as pirates. This is the Caribbean after all. But away from the holiday-makers heading for the island's famous Seven Mile Beach, tension is in the air.

The cruise ships and the coral reef beneath them are at the heart of a dispute that has pitted local scientists, conservationists and small businesses against the world's largest cruise com-

panies - Royal Caribbean and Carnival - with a combined market value of $55bn (£42bn).

The cruise lines are leading a consortium - Verdant Isle - to build a $250M new jetty and berthing facility on Grand Cayman. They say their new liners, which will carry almost 9000 people, won't use the tenders to ferry passengers ashore. (Excerpt from BBC News)

nti-Government protests in Haiti are waning, with schools and businesses trying to reopen in the face of political gridlock and heightened violence in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country.

Demonstrations began in September against President Jovenel Moise over allegations of corruption and mismanagement, paralyzing the Caribbean island nation of 11 million.

Protesters have barricaded roads and the electrical grid has broken down, plunging much of the island into darkness. Gangs have profited from the chaos to expand their territory.

Haitians have wearied of disruptions, and crowds at recent protests are down to the hundreds from tens of thousands at the height of the crisis. The political opposition insists that the government has lost control of the country.

Yet many question whether the opposition can dislodge the president.

Washington has pledged Haiti more aid, and US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale is expected to arrive on Friday.

Attempts to return to normalcy have been tentative and precarious.

Hawkers are returning to sell wares on town sidewalks. Schools are re-starting some classes, mostly at reduced hours. With the sound of gunfire still common, pupils have been urged not to wear uniforms that would aggravate protesters.

“We are afraid of reprisals,” said Rosette Romelus, director at a primary and secondary school in Portau-Prince. “Parents are stressed as well as the pupils ... When parents heard shots this morning they left with their children.”

A nearby high-school for girls re-opened only for two classes studying for exams. The mood was tense, as shots were heard in the distance. (Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, december 5, 2019

17

Around the World

Legal experts summoned by Democrats call Trump’s actions impeachable

P

resident Donald Trump’s actions to prod Ukraine to pursue investigations that could benefit him politically represent impeachable offences, constitutional law experts called by Democrats testified to the US Congress on Wednesday as lawmakers laid the groundwork for formal charges against Trump.

At a House of Representatives Judiciary Committee hearing featuring political theatrics, three law professors chosen by the Democrats made clear that they believed Trump’s actions constituted impeachable offences including abuse of power, bribery, obstruction of Congress and obstruction of justice.

A law professor selected by Trump’s fellow Republicans disagreed, saying the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry was “slipshod” and “rushed” and lacked testimony from people with direct knowledge of the relevant events, adding

that current evidence does not show Trump committed “a clear criminal act.”

As Trump headed toward possible impeachment in the Democraticcontrolled House within weeks, Republican lawmakers repeatedly tried to interrupt the hearing by raising objections and points of order.

The impeachment inquiry, launched in September, focuses on Trump’s request on Ukraine to conduct investigations that could harm Democratic political rival, Joe Biden. Collins said the impeachment drive – or as he called it a “railroad job” – was motivated by the deep-seated hatred Democrats feel toward Trump since he won the 2016 election.

The hearing was the committee’s first to examine whether Trump’s actions qualify as “high crimes and misdemeanours” punishable by impeachment under the US Constitution. The pan-

Jonathan Turley, Professor of Law at George Washington University Law School, testifies during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the impeachment inquiry into US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, US

el would draft any articles of impeachment – formal charges – against Trump.

If the House approves such charges, the Senate then would hold a trial on whether to remove Trump from office.

Trump has denied wrongdoing.

In London for a NATO meeting, Trump called a re-

port by House Democrats released on Tuesday that laid out possible grounds for impeachment a “joke” and appeared to question the patriotism of the Democrats, asking, “Do they, in fact, love our country?”

The inquiry’s focus is a July 25 telephone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President

chained up in the northern town of Ndiagne.

All the defendants told the court that the parents had asked for their children to be chained up after they were caught skipping classes.

Sending children to Koranic schools is common in Senegal, but Human Rights Watch has highlighted "alarming rates" of abuse including rape, forced begging and imprisonment in some institutions.

Supporters of the teach-

er welcomed the suspended terms.

His brother, Mor Gueye, said he was "very happy" with the verdict.

"Cheikhouna is a good Muslim," he said. "He works only for the Koran".

Senegal has strong domestic laws banning child abuse, but human rights groups say that limited action has been taken to protect vulnerable children and prosecute their abusers. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter Biden and into a discredited theory promoted by Trump’s allies that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 US election.

Hunter Biden had joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was US Vice President. Trump has accused the Bidens of corruption without offering evidence. They have denied wrongdoing.

Harvard University law professor Noah Feldman, called by the Democrats, testified that Trump’s conduct embodies the concern expressed by the Constitution’s 18th-century authors “that a sitting President would corruptly abuse the powers of office to distort the outcome of a presidential election in his favour.”

“If we cannot impeach a President who abuses his office for personal advantage,

we no longer live in a democracy. We live in a monarchy or we live under a dictatorship,” Feldman added.

Stanford University law school professor Pamela Karlan said Trump abused his power by demanding foreign involvement in a US election, adding that his actions “struck at the very heart of what makes this country the republic to which we pledge allegiance.”

“While the President can name his son Barron, he can’t make him a baron,” Karlan added, prompting a Twitter post by White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham calling the professor “classless” for using the president’s son as a “punchline.”

Karlan said Trump’s actions constitute bribery as understood by the Constitution’s framers.

Asked whether Trump’s demands on Ukraine established the high crime of bribery, Karlan said, “Yes they do.” (Excerpt from Reuters)

Senegal chaining: Headteacher China warning on US Uighur bill casts more receives suspended sentence

A

court in Senegal has handed down a twoyear suspended prison sentence to the head of a Koranic school for chaining up children.

Four parents and the metalworker who made the chains also received suspended sentences.

They were all arrested last month after a photo shared on social media showed several students with chains around their feet.

But the case has split

opinion in the Muslimmajority nation.

Many thousands of children attend Koranic schools, and some parents have said they didn't know chaining a child was illegal.

The verdict is something of a victory for the head, Serigne Khadim Gueye, BBC West Africa correspondent Louise Dewast reports.

The six were arrested after the photo was widely shared of the children

doubt over trade deal

North Korea warns UN Security Council C against discussing country's human rights

N

orth Korea told the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday that it would consider any discussion of the country’s human rights situation a “serious provocation” and Pyongyang would “respond strongly.”

North Korea’s UN Ambassador Kim Song delivered the warning in a letter, which was seen by Reuters. Diplomats said several members of the 15-member council planned to request a meeting this month on human rights abuses in North Korea.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump have met three times since June last year in a bid to broker a deal that Washington hopes will lead to North Korea dismantling

North Korean Ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song speaks during a news conference in New York, US

its nuclear and missile programs. But no progress had been made and Pyongyang has carried out a series of short-range ballistic missile tests.

The United States is President of the Security Council for December.

Kim Song wrote that any

meeting on human rights would be an “act of conniving at and siding with the US’ hostile policy, which will lead to undermining rather than helping reduction of tensions on the Korean Peninsula and resolution of the nuclear issue.”

A minimum of nine coun-

cil members need to support a request for the meeting in order to defeat any attempt to block it. Between 2014 and 2017 China failed to stop the annual discussion.

Last year the United States dropped a push for the council to meet on human rights because it did not have enough support, diplomats said. They could have tried again in January when five new members rotated onto the council, but they did not.

North Korea has repeatedly rejected accusations of human rights abuses and blames sanctions for a dire humanitarian situation. It demands they be removed. Pyongyang has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its ballistic missiles and nuclear programs.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

hina warned on Wednesday that United States legislation calling for a tougher response to Beijing's treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority will affect bilateral cooperation, further clouding the prospects of the world's two largest economies striking a deal to end their ongoing trade war.

Expectations of a quick, near-term pact to de-escalate tensions had already been dealt a blow after US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he "likes" the idea of waiting to make a deal, and signalled it could wait until after the 2020 presidential election next year.

Approval by the US House of Representatives of the Uighur Act of 2019, which still requires passage by the Republicancontrolled Senate before being sent to Trump, has angered Beijing and further strained an already testy relationship.

Several sources familiar with Beijing's stance told

Reuters News Agency that the bill could jeopardise the so-called "phase one" trade deal that is already fraught with disagreements and complications.

With a new round of US tariffs on Chinese goods scheduled to take effect in less than two weeks, the possibility of another breakdown is growing.

"Do you think if America takes actions to hurt China's interests we won't take any action," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters when asked whether the Uighur bill would affect the trade negotiations. "I think any wrong words and deeds must pay the due price."

Negotiators have continued to work on the trade deal. But sources familiar with the talks say the two sides are still wrangling over the details including whether existing US tariffs on Chinese goods will be removed and how much in additional US agricultural products China will buy.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, december 5, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

dilbert

(April 20May 20)

Peanuts

Be reserved around people whom you suspect of harboring ulterior motives.

Do what’s expected of you and move along. The more you get done, the better you will feel. Avoid disputes.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Choose to have fun. A positive attitude will lead to popularity and plans with someone special. An unexpected opportunity will help you reach a higher goal than anticipated.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

You can make changes at home, but don’t go overbudget. An innovative plan will lower your overhead or give you the space you need to explore a new project.

VIRGO

You will be offered valuable information that will help you get ahead. Make arrangements to celebrate with a loved one. Personal gains and romance will liven up your day.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Let your memories lead you back in time to old friends, loved ones or pastimes you used to enjoy. It’s never too late to go back.

Love and romance will give you a big boost.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Listen, observe and gather facts. Diplomacy will be required if you don’t want to face a backlash and blame for something you didn’t do.

Keep the peace.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Take care of your responsibilities. You will damage your reputation if you fall short or let someone else take control. Live up to the promises you make.

Do what makes you happy. Talks will lead to healthy choices that will improve your livelihood, relationships and future. Make personal growth and romance priorities.

Don’t accommodate someSAGITTARIUS one who is using emotional (Nov. 23tactics to pressure you into Dec. 21) something. Stick to what’s practical instead of trying to do the impossible to avoid an emotional or financial loss

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOr LAST PUBLISHED puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Make plans with family, friends or someone you want to collaborate with. A concept you come up with can be presented and initiated.

Recognition is heading your way.

Remember an incident and the people involved to find insight into how best to move forward now. An old goal may be revived, giving you a new perspective.

Say what’s on your mind and clear the air. Once you have answers, you will know precisely what you must do.

Use your imagination and take action. Romance is on the rise.

Thursday, DECember 5, 2019

19

round-up:

Spurs edge Rockets in 2OT Clarkson each added their own 10 points for Cleveland.

Magic 127, Wizards 120

Evan Fournier led six players in double figures with 31 points and Orlando used a balanced attack to overcome a 42-point performance by Bradley Beal to beat hosts Washington.

DJ Augustin (24 points); Markelle Fultz (20); Aaron Gordon (18); Terrence Ross (14) and Jonathan Isaac (11) also scored in double figures for the Magic, who set a season high in points in winning their second straight and their third in their last four.

Davis Bertans had 21 points, Isaiah Thomas 20 and Rui Hachimura 15 to back Beal for the Wizards, who lost their third straight.

Mavericks 118, Pelicans 97

Miami Heat forward Jimmy Buttler (22) dribbles the ball past Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet

D

e M a r D e R o z a n scored 23 points, including the game-winning free throws with 3.3 seconds to play in the second overtime, as the San Antonio Spurs came back from 16 points down in the fourth quarter to beat the visiting Houston Anthony Rockets 135-133 on Davis Tuesday.

Lonnie Walker IV scored a career-high 28 points, 19 of them in the fourth quarter, to pace the Spurs. Bryn Forbes added 25, Rudy Gay had 14 points, Derrick White scored 12 and Jakob Poeltl pulled down a career-high 15 rebounds.

James Harden poured in 50 points, making all 24 of his free throws, to pace Houston.

Clint Capela scored 22 points and grabbed 21 rebounds for the Rockets while Russell Westbrook contributed 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Austin Rivers added 19 points, Ben McLemore scored 11 and PJ Tucker had 10.

Heat 121, Raptors 110 (OT)

Jimmy Butler scored the first eight points of overtime and finished with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists as Miami rallied for a win at Toronto.

Duncan Robinson added 22 points for the Heat, who have won three in a row and ended the Raptors’ seven-game winning streak. It was also the Raptors’ first home loss of the season in 10 games. Bam Adebayo had 18 points for Miami, Justise Winslow added 17 points and nine rebounds, and Kelly Olynyk had 16 points.

Norman Powell scored 23 points off the bench to lead the Raptors, who were held to two points in overtime. Fred VanVleet added 19 points, and Pascal Siakam had 15 points and 12 rebounds. Kyle Lowry, who missed the previous 11 games with a fractured thumb, scored 12 points and had 11 assists.

Clippers 117, Trail Blazers 97

Montrezl Harrell had 26 points and nine rebounds and Paul George scored 25 as hosts Los Angeles won for the ninth time in 10 games while snapping Portland’s three-game winning streak.

Patrick Patterson added 19 points off the bench for the Clippers. He connected on five of seven 3-pointers and 6 of 10 from the floor. George converted 9 of 14 shots and 6 of 7 3-pointers. Kawhi Leonard and Patrick Beverley each added 11 points.

CJ McCollum led the Blazers with 20 points. Hassan Whiteside scored 18 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Damian Lillard finished with 16, but managed just two points in the second half – a pair of free throws in the third quarter.

Pistons 127, Cavaliers 94

Blake Griffin scored 24 points in 24 minutes and visiting Detroit won consecutive games for the first time this season by clobbering Cleveland.

Andre Drummond racked up 17 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, five steals and four blocks for Detroit, which defeated San Antonio 132-98 on Sunday. It’s the first time in franchise history the Pistons have recorded back-to-back victories of 30 or more points.

Collin Sexton’s 22 points led the Cavaliers, who lost for the 10th time in 11 games. Kevin Porter Jr had 12 points, and Tristan Thompson supplied 10 points and 14 rebounds. Cedi Osman and Jordan

Luka Doncic had 33 points and 18 rebounds in three quarters as visiting Dallas rolled past New Orleans.

Doncic fell five assists short of adding to his league-leading seven triple-doubles in just 28 minutes as the red-hot Mavericks, fresh off a 114-100 road victory that end-

ed the Lakers’ 10-game winning streak, overcame a cold-shooting first quarter to win for the eighth time in their last nine games.

Seth Curry came off the bench to score 19, Tim Hardaway Jr and Maxi Kleber added 12 each and Dallas made 19 of 45 3-pointers. Brandon Ingram scored 24, Jrue Holiday had 18, JJ Redick added 12, and Josh Hart 11 to lead the Pelicans, who lost their sixth consecutive game.

Lakers 105, Nuggets 96

Anthony Davis had 25 points and 10 rebounds while battling an illness, and LeBron James had 25 points, nine assists and six rebounds for visiting Los Angeles.

Dwight Howard scored 13 points and Rajon Rondo had 11 for the Lakers, who won the match-up of the top two teams in the Western Conference. Los Angeles rebounded from having its 10-game winning streak stopped with a home loss to Dallas on Sunday.Jamal Murray scored 22 points, Paul Millsap had 21, and Nikola Jokic was held to 13 points for the Nuggets. Denver have lost two straight following a six-game winning streak. (Reuters)

Windies great Lara wanted Warner to “have a go” at his 400 record

B

rian Lara would have loved Australia to have given David Warner a greater opportunity to break his record for the most runs scored in a Test innings.

Warner struck a sublime unbeaten 335 in the second Test hammering of Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval last week, with only Matthew Hayden (380) above him in the list of highest scores by an Australian.

However, Warner did not get the chance to beat the legendary Lara's overall benchmark of 400 not out achieved against England in April 2004 after Captain Tim Paine declared, not wanting to risk the potential for adverse weather scuppering the team's chances of victory.

Lara un-

derstands Paine's thought process behind the decision, but he was disappointed Warner was not afforded more time to have a go at his record.

"Well, I was hoping that they would give him an opportunity to at least go for it," he told Omnisport.

"I know Australia, first and foremost, want to put themselves in the best possible position to win the game.

"But looking at the end of it, in hindsight, y o u ' r e winning with a day to spare. It would have

been nice to see someone have a go at it.

"It is always tricky; you never know what is going to happen when you start approaching a total such as that. I remember doing it the first time in 1994 [375 not out against England], how nervous you can get.

"But so be it, they won the Test which is the most important thing.

He batted well, put his team in a great position.

"What I like about him is he's an attacking player, which is great. You want an attacking player to be on or around such a record." (Sportsmax)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursday, DECember 5, 2019

Harper impressed with Bravo’s consistency in Super50 S

electors Roger Harper and Miles Bascombe have congratulated the West Indies Emerging Players on winning the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 tournament and cited areas of encouragement and improvement for domestic players.

Harper was present in Trinidad throughout the competition. He combined those duties with recent international squad selection as the first squad selected by the reshaped Cricket West Indies (CWI) selection panel, aided the senior team in registering their first 50-over series triumph since 2014. He addressed the benefits to the selection panel in having development teams involved in the flagship domestic 50-over competition.

“What the West Indies Emerging Players team does is provide players, who may have just missed out on selection for their national teams, an opportunity to play. He continued: “Considering the way these guys have performed; it shows that they are very skilled.

They have played as a team from the start and were highly motivated, since many of them probably felt they should have made their respective home sides.

“It augurs well to see a team like this, so that you can see that extra bit of talent.

Special credit must go [to] Coach Floyd Reifer

and the rest of the management team for the magnificent job they did with these young players,” Harper noted.

“What has been striking is the way batsmen have put runs on the board. Seventeen centuries were scored, plus 12 90s and seven 80s, so it’s been heartening to observe.

He continued: “Rovman and Kieran Powell scoring two centuries each plus seeing Darren Bravo scoring consistently has been particularly good to note.

“We had four five-wicket hauls and 25 four-wicket hauls. So, the bowlers also showed they can take wickets.”

“The pitches (in Trinidad) started off a bit slow, but it got a little better which meant the batsmen had to get in and apply themselves to score runs. The teams that adapted best got to the semi-finals and final.

“With the batsmen, [we’re looking for] more intensity from the end of 10th over to beginning of 40th over. Also, more aggressive running between the wickets to test boundary fielders and generally just picking the gaps a little better,” said Harper.

“I would still like to see a greater effort to eliminate dot balls during middle overs and greater value placed on scoring twos either by more aggressive running between the wickets

or better placement or both,” said Bascombe.

Harper on improvements for regional bowlers:

“While guys have taken wickets, the bowling in the death overs hasn’t been as focused as it could be. The bowlers didn’t seem clear on where and how they should bowl; we didn’t see execution of many yorkers and runs were generally given away on both sides of the wicket.

“So we definitely need to be more organised in this area. Also, the fielding needs to be a bit sharper and, of course, holding a higher percentage of those catches.”

The 56-year-old former West Indies Test and ODI off-spinner concluded by highlighting how the men’s selection panel intended to use Super50 performances for West Indies team selection: “There is a lot of 50-over cricket to be played, both regionally and for the West Indies team, so guys have a lot of opportunities to showcase their skills and stake a claim for the World Cup squad. “ So there is time for us to get to the point where we will be 100 per cent clear on what team will take us to the next 50 overs World Cup and have them playing together as a group leading into that tournament.” (CWI)

Roger Harper

Kohli back at No 1 in Tests; big “Do they fear losing?”: jumps for Warner, Labuschagne Rapinoe urges Messi

T

he baton of number one Test batsman in the world has changed hands between Virat Kohli and Steven Smith again, with Kohli surpassing Smith following a century in his team’s inaugural daynight Test against Bangladesh in Kolkata, India. While Kohli led the Indian batting effort, Smith failed to go past 36 in Australia’s home Tests against Pakistan, resulting in the swap at the top.

T h e good news for Australia, though, is

that David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne, who were in red-hot form against Pakistan, moved up to number five and number eight respectively. Warner compiled the second highest individual score for Australia in Test cricket, going past the 334-run mark of Donald Bradman and Mark Taylor in Adelaide, finishing on 335 not out as Australia declared their only innings.

Only fellow opener Matthew Hayden has a higher mark for Australia: 380, against Zimbabwe in 2003. Warner’s mammoth innings followed a knock of 154 in the first Test of the series, in Brisbane, resulting in him jumping 12 places up the rankings overall.

Labuschagne, meanwhile, was ranked as low as 110 at the start of 2019. His year took a dramatic turn when he became Test cricket’s first concussion sub during the Lord’s Test of the Ashes series, slotting into the game in place of Smith – who had taken a blow to the helmet from Jofra Archer – and going on to score a match-saving, last-day 59.

That won him a place in the XI even when Smith returned, and he produced scores of 74, 80, 67, 11, 48 and 14 through the rest of the Ashes. His best was yet to come, though.

In the home Tests against Pakistan, both innings victories, Labuschagne scored 185 and 162, completing a sensational charge into Test cricket’s top 10 batsmen list.

The Smith v Kohli race to number one has been in overdrive ever since the former returned from his ball-tampering ban in mid-2019 and went on to have a stunning Ashes campaign.

Smith had toppled Kohli during that series, in September, before Kohli scored a double-hundred against South Africa to return to within one rating point of Smith. Now, as things stand, Kohli is five rating points clear of Smith. Smith will have the chance to overtake him once again when Australia take on New Zealand at home from December 12. India do not play Test cricket again till they tour New Zealand early next year. Among others to gain in the latest updates was Babar Azam, the Pakistan batsman who hit 97 in the first innings of the Adelaide Test to move up two places to number 13 while England Captain Joe Root returned to the top ten after a week outside it following his innings of 226. That helped him move up from number 11 to number seven.

(ESPNcricinfo)

and Ronaldo to speak out on injustice

Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe pose with their trophies at Fifa’s The Best awards earlier this year

M

egan Rapinoe has called on a collection of the most famous male footballers in the world to join her in the fight against injustice.

Rapinoe won the Ballon d’Or, recognising her as the best women’s player in the year, earlier this week. Messi won the men’s award for a record sixth time. As well as her achievements on the field – she won her second World Cup with the US this summer – Rapinoe is a powerful voice away from football. She has spoken out against racism, sexism, and homophobia. She was also the first white professional athlete to kneel for the US national anthem, joining Colin Kaepernick’s protest against racial and social injustice in the United States.

“I want to shout: ‘Cristiano [Ronaldo], Lionel [Messi], Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], help me!’” she told France Football, the organisers of the Ballon d’Or. “These big stars do not engage in anything when there are so many problems in men’s football. Do they fear losing everything? They believe that, but it is not true. Who will erase Messi or Ronaldo from world football history for a statement against racism or sexism?”

After Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly suf-

fered racist abuse during a game against Internazionale last season, Ronaldo posted a message on Instagram saying “No to racism and any offense & discrimination”, while Ibrahimovic, whose father is Muslim, has said he has been a victim of Islamophobia.

Messi is notoriously reluctant to say anything to the media beyond events on the field.

None of the three can be compared to Rapinoe in terms of activism. Indeed, Ibrahimovic sparked controversy in 2013 when he spoke about Sweden’s women’s team. “With all respect for what the ladies have done, and they’ve done it fantastically well, you can’t compare men’s and women’s football,” he said. “Give it up, it’s not even funny.”

Rapinoe acknowledged that her reward may have partly been a recognition of her work as a voice for change. “This Ballon d’Or rewards both,” she said. “On the one hand, I am a good player. On the other, my activity away from the pitch brings me support as people understand I am acting to find solutions to our society’s problems. The idea is to empower others to speak louder.” (The Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, DECember 5, 2019

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE For sale as is, 2006 Nissan Bluebird Sylphy, $1.2M call 651-9620.

LAND FOR SALE TRANSPORTED HOUSELOTS SARAH JOANNA EAST BANK DEMERARA # 673-9231 / 216-4063/ 685-5476

property for sale Property for Sale: 2 Huge Land by Street Corner/ Public Road in Grove EBD. 2 Story Building on 1 Land and Bond on the other land, 100 x 99 or 9,940 Square Feet. Ideal for Supermarket/ Hardware Store etc.

For further info, Call: 694-6606.

MYO/Trophy Stall Inter-Jamaat 10-Over Softball Cricket Competition…

MYO, New Amsterdam chalk up wins T

he Muslim Youth Organisation of Guyana/Trophy Stall InterJamaat 10-Over Softball Cricket Competition 2019 continued last Sunday, December 1 at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands. Notable wins were recorded by MYO and New Amsterdam to highlight the day of play.

In the first game between MYO and New Mosque, MYO won the toss and decided to bat first. MYO had made 103 for the loss of six wickets when their overs expired. Openers Zamal Khan and number three batsman Timore Mohamed were the main contributors scoring 15 runs (1x6, 1x4) and 60 runs (5x6,5x4) respectively. Leading the bowling for New Mosque with three wickets was Rahim Ali, supported by Imran Ally with two wickets, New Mosque in their turn at the crease found it very difficult to clear the boundary as only two sixes were scored in their innings. New Mosque eventually gave up the run chase and had made 80 runs for the loss of six wickets when their overs expired. Rohit Samaroo scored 23 runs (1x6, 1x4) and Raheem Ali, 19 (1x6, 1x4). They were the main scorers.

Fazal Nazeem picked up three wickets and Timore Mohamed two wickets for MYO. In the second game between New Amsterdam Masjid and New

Mosque, New Mosque won the toss and elected to field. New Amsterdam Masjid were elated to be sent in to bat as they scored 123 for the loss of two wickets in their allotment of 10 overs. Martin Singh scored 24 runs (1x6, 2x4); Carl Gilgeous 27 runs (3x4); Wahab Edoo 28 not out (2x6, 3x4) and Raymond Mohamed 26 not out (5x4). Azad Ally and Fizul Nazeem picked up one wicket each for New Mosque.

The total proved too much for New Mosque once again as they were bowled out for 71 runs in 9.4 overs. Altaf Samaroo and Amil Ally scored 22 and 21 runs respectively for New Mosque. A hat-trick in the seventh over by Bashir Kellawan was the final nail in New Mosque’s innings as they never recovered. Safraz Kassim also picked up two wickets for the New Amsterdam Masjid.

I n t h e t h i r d game between New Amsterdam Masjid and MYO, MYO won the toss and batted first, making a massive score of 135 for the loss of three wickets. Openers Safraz Essau and Shaheed Gittens add-

Crawford Memorial Turf Club marks 6 years …since passing of founder and horseracing stalwart Marcel Crawford, SC

T

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

NOT RECEIVING YOUR DAILY & SUNDAY

COPIES OF THE

GUYANA TIMES

in your area?

Contact our

Circulation Department on

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55

21

he Alness race track, now renamed the Crawford Memorial Turf Club and Sport Facility, was founded in 1975; Christmas Day will make six years since the passing of sports enthusiast and horsing-racing stalwart Senior Counsel Marcel Crawford.

The Crawford Memorial Turf Club, over the years, has continued to impress as it hosts some of the most highly-anticipated horse-racing meets in Guyana, which features some of Guyana’s top horses.

The second of seven children, Crawford was born on October 13, 1936 at Salton Village (Little Alness) on the Corentyne.

Six years after his passing, Crawford’s name continues to be a household one in the Ancient County of Berbice as he is remembered for being a successful lawyer, a most generous person, a former cycling champion and a horse-racing aficionado. Crawford was always a high-flyer; some of his achievements were attaining the position of Senior Counsel, he was also one of the top performers in his school not only academically but athletically as he set out for a career in cycling in 1956; in 1960, he was selected to represent Guyana in Rome at the Olympics but his dreams were cut short as there were no financial measures set in place for him to realise them.

Following the disappointment, he moved abroad to England to study medicine, but was introduced to law by former Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Cecil Kennard. From there on, his career as a lawyer began to take shape. He was also involved in horse racing in Guyana, as the Crawford family has been racing horses for the past 94 years, and when he went

ed 59 for the opening partnership before Gittens was bowled by Bashir Kellawan for 37 runs (3x6, 2x4). In came Richard Latiff and the pair batted very sensibly and kept finding the boundary at ease. Safraz Essau then went bowled by Akram Yassin for 25 runs (2x6, 1x4). Latiff eventually followed, caught off the bowling of Safraz Kassim for a well-played 43 (4x6, 1x4) and Timore Mohamed remained not out on 16 (2x4).

New Amsterdam Masjid were looking good to overcome that total, but fell short in the end by 12 runs, making 123 runs for the loss of three wickets. Opener Martin Singh was sent packing for five runs as he was bowled off Timore Mohamed's first over. In came Wahab Edoo, who took a liking to the bowling, scoring maximums at ease. Opener Raymond Mohamed retired hurt for 31 runs (2x6) as Edoo kept scoring to keep

New Amsterdam in the hunt. With New Amsterdam scoring at ease and looking to overcome the target, Timore Mohamed came back for his final over and this proved a wise decision for MYO as he bowled Edoo for 45 runs (6x6). Timore Mohamed finished with two wickets for nine runs for the winners.

The final game between Diamond New Scheme Masjid and MYO saw the former winning the toss and batting, scoring 85 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Opener Shafeek Ismail was the only batsman to score double figures with 45 runs (3x6, 5x4). Bowling for MYO with two wickets each were Timore Mohamed, Shaheed Gittens and Richard Latiff.

This total proved too little to trouble the hard-hitting batsmen of MYO as they made their target of 86 in 7.1 overs for the loss of two wickets. Opener Shaheed Gittens was unbeaten on 43 (3x6, 4x4); Safraz Essau made 18 (2x6) and Richard Latiff 15 (2x4).

Support continues to pour in for BCB special projects

U Marcel Crawford

abroad, he continued that interest.

The many successes Crawford Memorial Turf Club is reaping currently stem from this.

Marcel Crawford’s dream continues to live on in his son Marcel Crawford Jr (fourth generation), who is the current President of the Crawford Memorial Turf Club.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, the Club President thanked all his sponsors for their continued support namely, Banks DIH, who has been the premier sponsor since 1975; Kanhai’s Electrical on Regent Street, Curtains and Drapery Designs, Jumbo Jet Auto Sales, Candy Corner, Attorneyat-Law Poonai, Poonai Pharmacy of Rose Hall, Guyana Times for its constant support among others, who have all continued to support his father’s vision throughout the years.

He also extended his gratitude to Club Secretary Compton Sancho for his unwavering support in the last six years.

Even though Crawford has seen the lack of participation of big horses at his track, the Turf Club has rallied through to become one of the many top clubs in the country.

S-based Guyanese Raj Mathura joins the list of sponsors for the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)"Special Projects Fund".

This is the second time that the Board has embarked on such an initiative following the "Balls for Second-Division Teams in Berbice Project" in 2018.

On a recent visit to Guyana, Mathura said that he was pleased to be part of this initiative and would continue to help cricket development in the Ancient County.

The first project was very successful raising $830,000 through contributions from Brian Chunilall, Noreen Seubaran-Gaskin, Yasin Mohamed, Two Friends of BCB, Ryan and Ian Bhagwandin, Derick and Renick Beharry, Kalvin Somrah, Raj "Rebels" Mathura, Faizal Jaffarally, Bobby and Pamela Kewlachand, Mukesh Matai, Danny Somai, Yadram Bhoj, Sharmila Muneshwar, Javed Raffik, Nazim Hussain, Allan Mangru, Owen Humphrey, Sean Devers, Vijai Dass, Bhim George, Surendra Hiralall, Jack Beharry, Latcho Mohabir, Chetram Seooppersaud and Jeffrey Samaroo. Every cricket club in the county received cricket balls while young and promising cricketers such as West Indies Under-15 pacer Isiah Thorne and National Under-19 opener Alex Algoo benefited.

Raj Mathura

In terms of donations, $185,000 has already been raised from Tyler and Mia, Kalvin Somrah, Renick Beharry and Raj Mathura. They all contributed towards the first project. Funds from this project will assist cricket clubs with balls, assist young promising cricketers, and help the BCB to acquire cricket pitch covers so that key matches, including semi-finals and finals, can be played without any rain interruption as the Board strives to spread the game across the length and breadth of the Ancient County.

In addition, the Board will consider other requests as it sees fit. Former Minister, Dr Leslie Ramsammy assisted the Board with US$2000 worth of cricket balls to supplement this project.

Anyone who wishes to contribute towards this project can make contact with Angela Haniff on 333-2375 and Hilbert Foster on 337-4443 or 337-4562.

22

thursday, DECember 5, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

T20 party animals West Indies dance into India’s dungeons

Team India

Team West Indies

By Brandon Corlette

W

earing the label “the party animals”, the two-time defending T20 champions, West Indies are known for setting T20 matches on fire. But of recent, especially against India, they have thrown up at this party called T20 International cricket.

On Friday, December 6, the men in maroon will walk into the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, India to meet the hosts in the first of three T20Is from 09:30h local time. India have enjoyed an unbeaten run against West Indies in their last six matches home and away, and without a doubt, the y have proven to be the

better team on both occasions.

Despite having a host of T20 stars in their line-up, West Indies’ win percentage in T20s since June 2016 is 30.77, which is only above Zimbabwe at second to last. The misery continues for West Indies, who won only one of their last five T20 bilateral series.

That win came against Bangladesh, 2-1, in a home series.

Since those disastrous outings, the Caribbean team have some fresh recruits and some big names returning. Captain Kieron Pollard is the most notable return.

In their most recent T20 series, against Afghanistan, they lost 2-1. The selectors have shown faith in the same bunch of guys to face an uphill task in the T20s against

Rubis lends a hand in sport development

India.

West Indies would want to forget their last visit in India, especially their T20 series. They were whitewashed 3-0 at the hands of Rohit Sharma and company. In that three-match series, Darren Bravo’s 71 runs and Nicholas Pooran’s half-century were the mini-positives in the batting department. Pooran will be not eligible for selection until the second T20 when his ban expires.

For India, Sharma, who led the team in that series, scored a brilliant 111*, which was the highlight of the series with the bat.

The Caribbean team failed to make amends in their T20 series in the USA and Guyana against India. It was a similar 3-0 result in August, but that series was a mini-resurgence for new Captain Pollard. The big Trinidadian, who enjoys a fruitful year with the bat in T20 matches in 2019, scored 115 runs, the most across both teams in that series.

In 2019, Pollard scored 1299 runs across all T20 matches played around the globe at a strike-rate of 146.94 and an average of 35 in 56 outings. West Indies’ success in T20s has been the opposite of Pollard. The men in maroon hold the worst balls per dismissal (14.4) and the worst balls per wicket (15.10) rate among teams in the world.

To cap off the ordinary performance by West Indies in T20s against India, they have struggled against wrist spin. In 109 overs of wrist spin, West Indies have lost 48 wickets. Cometh the wrist spin threat, cometh Kuldeep Yadav and his partner in crime, Yuzvendra Chahal. The latter needs three wickets to become the leading wicket-taker for Indians in T20Is. West Indies will have to turn the tide and rekindle their fire in T20s, having last tasted a win against India in the shorter format in 2017. Undoubtedly, West Indies have some good players who can crash Team India’s party in the three-match T20 series, commencing from Friday.

West Indies T20 Squad: Kieron Pollard (Captain); Fabian Allen; Sheldon Cottrell; Shimron Hetmyer; Jason Holder; Keemo Paul; Brandon King; Evin Lewis; Khary Pierre; Nicholas Pooran; Denesh Ramdin; Sherfane Rutherford; Lendl Simmons; Kesrick Williams and Hayden Walsh Jr. India T20 Squad: Virat Kohli (Captain); Rohit Sharma (Vice Captain); Shikhar Dhawan; KL Rahul; Shreyas Iyer; Manish Pandey; Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper); Shivam Dube; Washington Sundar; Ravindra Jadeja; Yuzvendra Chahal; Kuldeep Yadav; Deepak Chahar; Mohammed Shami; and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

KMTC gears up for Boxing Day Meet

C

The track is currently being refurbished

Members of Team Rubis pose with officials from the Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) with the trophies and medals that Rubis donated to the event

T

he Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) Upper Cluster Branch East Bank Demerara (EBD) and Rubis Guyana Inc have formed a fairly new partnership, which gave students the opportunity to get involved in sport activities.

The sponsorship agreement saw the energy company providing numerous trophies and polo shirts for all the participants in GTU’s annual sports day, which was hosted at Farm, East Bank Demerara.

The event attracted more than 200 children who participated in various sporting events.

Rubis Accounts Executive Rhonda Johnson explained that the GTU had shared its desire to enhance the event and further motivate the participants with the

company.

“Once the organisers met with us and shared their challenges and vision, our team was on board,” Johnson added.

“In the long run, the presentation of prizes at events such as these promotes the building of a strong citizenry for themselves and for Guyana.”

GTU Upper Cluster Branch Sport Chairman Shannon Vickerie expressed his gratitude on behalf of his team to Rubis Guyana Inc for its support of the young athletes.

“It is important that we encourage and motivate our young people in positive pursuits,” he stated.

Rubis also presented the event’s officials with tokens of appreciation.

ome December 26, 2019, horse racing fanatics will flock the Kennard Memorial Turf Club for its annual Boxing Day Horse Meet at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

The event is expected to have at least 60 horses participating, with the majority of them being from big-name stables such as Jumbo Jet Racing Stables, Fazal Habbibulla Stables, Chris Jagdeo Stables, Lenny Singh Stables, and Nand Persaud Stables. It is also expected that the starting line-ups will feature horses such as Don’t Over Look, Jus Call Me Bass, Vera’s Finally, Storm Bird, Lucky Star, TNT, Golden Blue Ecko, Not This Time, Justify the Heat, and the newly-imported Santa Cruz Lady and Golden Dancer.

In the 2018 edition of the meet, Lucky Star won the feature event and the handsome purse of $1,000,000. The feature seven furlongs’ race saw Jockey Winston Appadhu in the saddle; the animal broke early and was among the front-runners. The racehorse was never challenged as Jockey Appadhu timed his sprint home perfectly to win easily and take the $1 million first prize and the Metro trophy up for grabs. Settling

Star of the Sheriff Stable settled for second while Isn’t She Charming came in third and Chamaylee fourth. Jockey Appadhu will be keen to defend his title as he will be gunning to repeat this feat again.

These races will be conducted under the rules of the Guyana Horse Racing Authority, and interested owners/trainers and handlers can call the following persons for more information: Ivan Dipnarine (3310316); Justice Kennard (623-7609 or 2354818); Fazal Habbibulla (657-7010); Dennis DeRoop (640-6396) or Compton Sancho (602-1567).

Some of the main sponsors on board are Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Torginal Paint Inc, Dalip Trading Limited, Republic Bank, P & P Insurance Brokers, TSM Inc, Movie Town, Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hand-In-Hand, New Building Society, Silvie’s General Store, C Gobin Agri Sales of Essequibo, Chatterpaul Deo, Nand Persaud and Company, Poonai Pharmacy of Rose Hall Town, Rohan Auto Spares, Rohan Oudit, Kissoon Dyal Rice Mill, and Demerara Distillers Limited among others.

Entries close on December 16, 2019. No late entries will be accepted.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, DECember 5, 2019

Colonial Medical Insurance Regional

23

review…

Fortune favoured the brave WIEP in successful Super50

By Brandon Corlette

W

ho would have had their money on the West Indies Emerging Players (WIEP) to win the 2019 Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup? Not a lot of people.

After 43 matches between

Darren Bravo

November 6 and December 1, WIEP conquered the Caribbean to clinch a well-deserved Super50 title.

For most of these guys, the winning feeling has not yet sunk in. Call them discarded or exiled players who did not make their regional teams, this young group displayed self-belief and bravery which brought them success.

The road to success

The WIEP finished their group stages with four wins and three defeats, and gained qualification to the semis after another team’s fate went in their favour. That team were Guyana Jaguars, who had to simply defeat the USA to book a spot in the semis. It was not the case, Jaguars lost and the semi-final slot went to the brave WIEP. Fortune favoured them.

Rewinding the clock, WIEP lost by two wickets to Jaguars in their opening match, which was a final-ball thriller.

The WIEP bounced back with a six-wicket win against the USA and further enjoyed a four-match winning streak, including wins against regional giants Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and Guyana Jaguars.

WIEP lost to the USA in their return fixture followed by an abandoned match and a humiliating 10-wicket defeat to Red Force in their final Group game. The WIEP made the most of their opportunity in the semis, defeating favourites Barbados Pride by three wickets and

championship in 15 years, kept things tight but they exploded in the business games. Nedd starred in the semis with 4-29, a Playerof-the-Match performance against Pride. The West Indies Under-19 player took his tally to 11 wickets in six matches, averaging 10.27 with an excellent economy rate of 3.27.

Sinclair, on the other hand, not only had the best celebration in the Super50, he had the best economy rate. The R o s e H a l l T o w n Youth a n d Sports C l u b all-rounder bagged 13 wickets at 14.69 runs apiece with a top-economy rate of 2.87.

He saved his best bowling performance Kieran Powell for the final where he bagged 4-20.

completing their successful season with a 205-run win over Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

In the process, WIEP had some standout players: the Guyanese duo of Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd were among them. Joshua Da Silva, Keon Harding, and Justin Greaves were the other stand-out performers. Da Silva scored 310 runs at an average of 44.28 for WIEP, including a brilliant 103 against the Volcanoes.

Harding, the paceman, had 18 wickets while Greaves scored 295 runs with three half-centuries. The local boys, Nedd and Sinclair, who were the first Guyanese to hold the Super50

Powell, Bravo prove point with bat

Exiled West Indies Test opener Kieran Powell, like most discarded players, made their bats talk in the Super50. The lefthander, who last played a match for West Indies in December 2018, finished as the leading scorer with 524 runs, includ-

ing two of the 17 centuries scored in the tournament.

Darren Bravo, who is a class act, looked above this level, scoring 481 runs averaging 96. Rovman Powell scored 412 runs with two blazing centuries while Devon Thomas scored 368 runs. Andre McCarthy’s 363 runs sealed the top five leading batsmen in the Super50.

Berridge leads the pack

Leeward Islands had the leading runscorer and the leading wicket-taker.

Fastbowler Sheo Berridge bagged 23 wickets, leading the Hurricanes’ pack in finesse. The right-arm seamer had an economy of 4.95 and an average of 18.52 with three four-wicket hauls. Out-of-favour West Indies white-ball bowler Ashley Nurse had 19 wickets, Harding had 18 wickets while Oshane Thomas bagged 17 scalps.

Imran Khan had 17 wickets to close off the top five bowlers.

In the modern era where 300 runs per team in an innings is regulation, teams struggled to score this amount consistently. With only three instances of 300+ totals, questions of the pitch-

es may be raised. Jamaica scored 331-9 and 330-8 in 50 overs while Barbados Pride scored 305-8. Batsmen have failed to convert fifties into centuries despite 17 centuries being scored across the season.

The Super50 has now become an unpredictable tournament: Combined Campus and Colleges (CCC) Marooners won in 2018 while WIEP continued the trend where the underdog teams upset the big boys.

Sheno Berridge

GBBFF hoping to host 2022 CAC Championships T

he Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation (GBBFF) has a clear plan that looks four years into the future: it would entail Guyana being the hosts of the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Bodybuilding championships.

That plan was detailed and presented to Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, who received body-building officials during a courtesy call at the subject Minister’s office on Main Street on Wednesday afternoon.

Representing the body-building fraternity were GBBFF President Keavon Bess and decorated body-builder Kerwin Clarke.

In disclosing the Federation’s brilliant intentions to the Assistant Director of Sport, Bess explained that the Federation had intended to host the 2021 CAC Championships, but could not make it to the bidding process in front of the general assembly in the Dominican Republic earlier this year, owing to financial issues. Nevertheless, the GBBFF remained positive, and was now

GBBFF President Keavon Bess

looking to raise the requisite funds in order to send a three-member team to Colombia in 2020, to bid for the 2022 championships.

That team will include Bess, along with current Tourism Director General and former GBBFF President Donald Sinclair and bodybuilding’s Chief Judge, Frank Tucker.

To this end, Bess told media operatives

on Wednesday that he was 98 per cent sure that when Guyana presented their bid, it would be accepted by the general assembly.

When asked why he was so certain, Bess had this to say: “Because in 2004, we did such a good job at hosting, I believe, that our reputation speaks for itself and for the past 15 years we’ve been sending athletes to CAC and they’ve been returning with hardware. So we’re a stakeholder at CAC and there’s no reason for us not to be granted permission to host in 2022.”

The GBBFF boss was then probed about the issues that may pose a challenge to the Federation if it was to host the event, which may attract athletes from some 35 countries.

Like many other sport disciplines, the elephant in the room was money.

“Finances. Because I think the infrastructure is there, starting at accommodation, host venue, weighing venue, we have all of that covered. At this point, it’s only to have the logistics covered and that would call for

finances,” Bess explained.

On the other hand, the Assistant Director of Sport assured the Federation, and by extension Guyana’s other sporting associations, that once their proposals and books were in order, they would have no trouble receiving the necessary funds from Government.

“The commitment has already been made at the highest office that investment will grow and continue as we progress. So, I have every expectation and confidence that this competition be supported. And other Federations who have their ducks in a row and their books in order, who seek support will get it,” Dow-Richardson stated.

Acclaimed bodybuilder Clarke told media operatives that it would be a dream come true if he can compete at the CAC level right here at home.

“It would be a great accomplishment for me and for Guyana if we’re successful. In my humble opinion, I would set aside myself with outstanding performances to come out on top,” the bodybuilder shared.

Thursday, DECember 5, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 22

T20 party animals West Indies dance into India’s dungeons

GBBFF hoping to host 2022 CAC Championships Page 23

Assistant Director of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson, GBBFF President Keavon Bess, and bodybuilder Kerwin Clarke

Colonial Medical Insurance Regional

review…

Page 23

Fortune favoured the brave WIEP in successful Super50 For request and renewal of Guyana Times newspaper subscription, call 231-0544 | ext 26 or 55 GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.