Guyana times, Wednesday October 09, 2019.

P14

MoPH hosts 1-day health fair at Palms Geriatric Home Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4071

THE BEACON OF TRUTH wednesday, OCTOber 9, 2019

PRICE

GECOM now attempting to fill vacancies

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Media barred from attending Region 2 RDC P9 meeting

Page 3

…over 2100 transactions in C&O so far – Commissioner

Geologist dies in Region 7 mining pit accident Page 2

Guyanese P9 indicted in multimilliondollar medical fraud arrested in US

Teen arraigned for murder of NDC P8 Clerk

US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch visited Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and met with officials from the Regional Democratic Council, Regional Police, Mayor’s office, and the regional hospital. Ambassador Lynch engaged stakeholders on discussions about the infrastructure, security, green economy, and social services of Cuyuni-Mazaruni. Noting the appeal for tourists in the region, Ambassador Lynch remarked, “It is great to see Bartica playing its part in the preservation of Guyana’s natural wealth and beauty in pursuing sustainable tourism. It’s my first visit to Bartica and I’m sure it won’t be my last.” The Ambassador’s visit is part of the US Embassy’s commitment to help build capacity in remote areas [US Embassy photo]

GAWU complains to int’l union about burdens of working class in Guyana

$8M upgrade for Albouystown P14 Market

Page 11

Bandit nabbed after robbing ...prevention, detection and response crucial to dealing with issue – GA-FDD EBD resident Substandard, falsified medicines continue to flood Guyanese market Page 7

Page 12

World Sight Day 2019

GPHC to offer free eye tests

P13

2 NEWS

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Geologist dies in Region 7 mining pit accident A

geologist attached to the Troy Resources mining operations at Karouni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) was on Tuesday morning killed after the mining pit in which he was working collapsed.

Dead is 33-year-old Ryan Taylor of Lot 85 Lamaha Street, Alberttown, Georgetown.

Based on reports received, Taylor and three others were working on the construction of a “bench” in a mining pit, when there was a slippage, which allegedly resulted in him falling and being covered.

Guyana Times understands that it took some time to get Taylor from under the rubble and by the time he was pulled, it was too late.

His body was transported to the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a Post-Mortem.

Troy Resources has since confirmed that the accident occurred around 02:25h on the night shift, where a geologist was standing above an excavated working face when the 3m embankment he was standing on collapsed and he suffered fatal injuries as a consequence.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic news and our

heartfelt and sincerest condolences go to the family, friends and colleagues of our employee. We always make every effort to ensure the wellbeing of all of our people and this incident brings home the need for upmost vigilance in safety at all times. The company is in close contact with the family of the employee and is providing full support to their family at this time of loss”, Troy Managing Director Ken Nilsson stated.

Nilsson further stated that mining operations at Karouni, Cuyuni have currently been temporarily suspended.

“The company intends to bring a grief counsellor to help our employees cope with this tragic loss. There will be a full investigation by the company and the relevant authorities,” a release from the company stated.

However, in light of the incident, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman has since instructed the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) to begin making the necessary preparations for the thorough investigation of the matter.

A report is expected to be compiled and submitted

Dead: Ryan Taylor

upon completion. In the interim, all work in the area of construction has been ordered ceased, pending the investigation.

Nevertheless, the Natural Resources Ministry urges miners and companies to exercise extreme care when carrying out these operations.

The Ministry further urges all involved in the sector to always be in compliance, to evade any risks and fatalities as the above.

Meanwhile, Trotman and staff of the Natural Resources Ministry express sincerest condolences to the relatives and friends of

Taylor.

“May the soul of Ryan Taylor rest in peace and may his relatives and friends be comforted by the memories he has left”, the Ministry stated in a release. Over the years, several persons have lost their lives in mining pit accidents.

In light of the tragic death of the young man, the People’s United and General Workers Union (PU&GWU) believes the incident is one too many and is pursuing immediate action from all quarters to investigate the circumstances causing this death— with a view to instituting preventative measures that would protect workers in similar circumstances.

“Ryan Taylor was not a member of the union; however, as a worker subjected to the same conditions of labour as all others, his death highlights the importance of health and safety in the workplace. He has left to mourn three minor children, ages five, nine and 12,” the Union in a release stated.

It further stated that this industrial death has robbed Taylor’s children the opportunity of growing into adulthood with him being there to father them.

“His home circle has lost a breadwinner. Accidents do not happen, they are caused; therefore, they are preventable. The worst impact is loss of life”.

As such, PU&GWU has called for an inquest consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health Act. “This industrial death is even more impacting, given the fact that last year, the Union expressed concerns via engagement with the Occupation Health and Safety Department in the Ministry of Social Protection and the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission about correcting perceived unsafe practices”.

In addition, the Union calls for an investigation into the mining operations.

It stated that management responded to the Union’s representation by refusing to engage with the Union over a considerable period of time.

“This relationship remains strained unto today.

The company has since then even denied the Union visitation rights to its plant and mines”.

PU&GWU extends its deepest condolences to the family, loved ones and colleagues of Taylor.

news

3

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, October 9 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Thursday, October 10 – 03:00h04:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, October 9 – 14:00h– 15:30h and Thursday, October 10 – 14:35h – 16:05h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine with intervals of light rain showers are expected during the day. Light showers are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 01:21h and 13:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.15 metres and 2.21 metres.

Low Tide: 07:25h and 19:51h reaching minimum heights of 0.99 metre and 1.01 metres.

GECOM now attempting to fill key vacancies

…over 2100 transactions in C&O so far – Commissioner

A

lmost one year after the passage of the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against the coalition government, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is only now scrambling to full a number of key posts, with only five months remaining before next year’s March 2 polling day.

This is according to Government-nominated Commissioner at GECOM, Vincent Alexander.

He told reporters, following Tuesday’s three-hour statutory meeting, that they have advanced certain aspects of the Commission’s work.

This, he noted, includes reactivating the work of the admin committee to look at a number of vacancies that have not been filled. These are: a logistics manager, an Assistant Chief Elections Officer, a research person, and someone responsible for voters’ education.

“Obviously, those vacancies have been affecting the capacity of the Secretariat to do its work. The admin committee is scheduled now to meet on Tuesday so we can advance the process of filling those vacancies,” he posited.

From the December 2018 passage of the NCM— which triggered early elections within three months— GECOM has come under heavy criticism for its failure to be in a state of read-

Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

In fact, in its ruling on the consolidated NCM cases, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) said that all constitutional actors, including GECOM, must abide by the provisions of the Constitution.

“The Court must assume that these bodies and personages will exercise their responsibilities with integrity and in keeping with the unambiguous provisions of the Constitution, bearing in mind that the No-Confidence Motion was validly passed as long ago as 21 December 2018,” the Trinidad-based regional court had stated.

According to Article 106, Cabinet including the President shall resign and call elections within three months of the successful passage of a No-Confidence Motion. This meant elections were due since March 21, 2019. But while the court noted that timeline was on pause as a result of the legal

saturday, october 5, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

02 05 07

08 20 26

FREE TICKET

03 Bonus Ball

iness to hold General and Regional Elections.

tuesday, october 8, 2019 DAILY MILLIONS

01 05 18 20 24 LUCKY 3

9

8

4

2

Afternoon Draw

6

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

03

06

07

08

PAY DAY

02 03 07 11 17

Government-nominated GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander

09 14

20 SUPER PAY DAY

05 06 07 08 09

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

proceedings, its June 18 ruling validating the passage

had re-triggered the elections deadline.

However, Alexander explained that the Elections Commission could not have

held up when we did not have a Chairman,” Commissioner Alexander contended.

Meanwhile, he went on to say that the Operations Committee is continuing with its work and will be meeting again on Friday to look at issues relating to the data from the scrapped House-to-House (H2H) Registration.

He said that the encoding process of that data is ongoing with all transactions having gone passed the first stage.

With regards to the Claims & Objections (C&O) exercise which commenced on October 1, Alexander not-

GECOM

done any work to fill these vacancies since it was without a Chairman for several weeks. However, these vacancies were present since last year and GECOM was only without a Chair for about one month in July.

The CCJ had also ruled in June that the 2017 appointment of then GECOM Chair Retired Justice James Patterson was unconstitutional. This resulted in Justice Patterson’s resignation late June. After several weeks of meetings between President David Granger and Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and their representatives, current Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, was appointed on July 26.

“These vacancies have been there since last year.

Work on the vacancies were

ed that there has been an “average response” to it.

However, Oppositionnominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj told reporters after the meeting that Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield updated them that more than 2100 transactions have been recorded thus far during the C&O exercise. turn to page 7

4

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, october 9, 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

D

Unbothered

uring the protests against President David Granger on September 19, 2019, at the Pegasus Hotel, he was visibly shaken up when some concerned Guyanese inside the hall called out his government’s illegality after the constitutional timeline for elections expired the day before.

While the protesters voiced their concerns within the hall and the Police intervened, Mr Granger posed with feet crossed, one hand akimbo and the other on the rostrum to wait out the period until they left.

That pose has since gone viral and his supporters labelled it as him being unbothered by the proceedings. Others saw it as him being clearly shell-shocked by the incident. Whatever the view, the label of being unbothered seems apt for various reasons.

At a recent rally in Linden, he re-enacted the pose, and from all reports, it sent his supporters into a frenzy. That seems to demonstrate their love for his unbothered disposition. He, himself, appears to latch on to it. It suggests, among other things, him being unbothered by the fact that the Government became unconstitutional after September 18.

The day after, leading members of the international community issued an official statement alluding to that unconstitutionality.

Subsequently, other international bodies did likewise. That’s aside from the Opposition and civil society organisations here in Guyana.

All were common in their calls: an unconstitutional Government and the need for an election date to be named.

With pressure brought to bear, he eventually, after the first attempt to not be definitive, named the election date. Subsequently, and again only after mountain pressure, he followed up with the requisite proclamation.

From his actions since December 21, 2018, it appears he is totally unbothered by the expiration of the constitutional election timeline and its unavoidable consequences to both the country and people. Guyana is now with an unconstitutional Government.

This situation may have its genesis in Mr Granger’s interpretation of the law; seemingly in a manner that conflicts with the Constitution. He seems unbothered by accusations of him deliberately misinterpreting the Constitution to drive a believed agenda.

That snowballed and created situations where the Constitution and an order from the country’s highest court of arbitration were fragrantly disregarded, seemingly to extend his government’s stay in office. That’s clearly demonstrative of an open defiance of the rule of law to which Mr Granger appears to be— again, by his actions and the marketing of his pose— unbothered.

Him being unbothered has caused much bother for Guyanese as they are faced with a situation in which the President and his Government, having taken an oath to uphold the Constitution, openly disrespect it.

In reflecting on APNU/AFC’s tenure in office, unmistakably, it would reveal many other things Mr Granger and his administration seemed unbothered about. Giving his Ministers a 50% pay hike while claiming a lack of funds to increase salaries for public servants, the firing of hundreds of Indigenous Guyanese, forcing thousands of sugar workers out of their jobs by closing estates without exploring alternative employment and then withholding their severance pay, were just a few cases he and APNU/AFC seemed unbothered about.

The closing of the estates has created devastating and humiliating social impacts on thousands of families. Mr Granger’s government’s implementation of some two hundred new tax measures has brought untold sufferings on the backs of ordinary Guyanese. His seeming uninspiring economic policies have led to a drastic slowing down of a once vibrant and growing economy.

That economic slowdown has led to the closure of a number of businesses, forcing many workers into unemployment. There is now increasing frequency of power outages— an average of eight per day as stated by the electricity company. The disruption to production and productivity and the unbearable inconvenience it foists upon Guyanese, is inconceivable, as is the constant disruption to traffic resulting from City streets being barricaded to insulate Mr Granger from any semblance of protest action.

Recently, spring tides and overtopping caused numerous communities along the coast to flood. The heavy loss to residents and farmers is still being determined. Almost immediately, the Leader of the Opposition and other members of his party were seen present in many of those communities in an effort to assess, comfort, and assist those affected.

To date, the President is yet to visit any of those areas. With unrelenting crime that leads to fatalities in some instances, Guyanese live in constant fear. These scenarios show clearly who is unbothered and who really cares.

It’s very possible that Mr Granger will re-enact his unbothered pose to energise his base during this election period. In doing so, since he hasn’t distanced himself from his supporters’ take on the pose, he stands to further confirm the growing belief of him, and his now unconstitutional government, being unbothered by the concerns of the citizens.

Unfortunately, he is not alone, for Caricom, up to this point, appears similarly unbothered by the situation here. Their silence speaks volumes as Mr Granger’s pose.

A Hindu woman reacts as ‘Sindhur’, or vermillion powder, is applied to her face after worshipping Goddess Durga on the last day of the Durga Puja festival in Chandigarh, India (Reuters/Ajay Verma)

No ‘Third Farce’ again!

Dear Editor, The Alliance for Change has once again embarked on a journey of lies and deceit since election is once again in the air. We must recall that during the Local Government Elections campaign they spun their web of deceit and lies as they did in 2015, but this time the masses are ready since many have awoken from their self-inflicted slumber.

The AFC was given a sound thrashing at the LGE polls after Granger wilfully threw them to face the gauntlet. Guyanese have now become wary of these political mercenaries!

The lure for power and pecuniary gains will always rule paramount for third parties, which was evidenced in 1964 and again in 2015 by both the UF and the AFC. The pretenders and the pretensions of these third parties are well documented.

In fact, those in the AFC have squandered the opportunity to be patriots who can bring about the necessary changes to propel this country towards socio-economic growth. Where have the progressives gone? Without an iota of doubt, they have been utterly consumed by the PNC because of their greed and lust for power. Another third party just dissipated!

However, it is now evidenced also that the AFC leaders’ main thrust and objective were to “get rid of the PPP”. The subversive tactics they used in Parliament bear testimony. It was never about putting Guyana first but rather to get rid of their arch enemy and loot the Treasury.

At no point in time was the AFC honest about tackling the socio-economic prob-

lems facing this country.

They made the country ungovernable which led to a vote of no-confidence tabled

by Nagamootoo, the dissolution of Parliament and the calling of an early election in 2015.

It must also be recalled that at its formation, the founding leaders had vowed never to coalesce with either the PPP or the PNC since they claimed that both had destroyed this country. They had vowed to remain independent but the grand entry of the genuine pretender, Moses Nagamootoo, just before the 2011 elections, changed all of that with his guile and innate ability to manipulate and achieve his selfish objectives.

Now after nearly a year of the successful NoConfidence Motion against the coalition and the CCJ’s emphatic pronouncements, we have seen that the political mercenaries are hovering to plunder what opportunities are available due to the Herculean efforts of Jagdeo and the PPP. Like the hyenas who cannot hunt their own preys, they are willing to dine on the leftovers, even if it means being subservient like the AFC! There are political parties all over and one has the make great efforts to remember their names or hilarious acronyms. One even echoed the mental state of Guyanese with regards to political parties – FEDUP. A new political party took a premature birth even though it may have been conceived a long time ago.

Some said that it was birthed three and a half years ago but due to its feebleness, it was nurtured in an incubator awaiting an opportunity to be piggy-

backed into the Guyanese political arena. It could not have ventured on its own, it had to ride on the success of the No-Confidence Motion.

This party, A New United Guyana, founded by Ralph, suddenly emerged in the arena spewing similar rhetoric like the now-defunct AFC. But where were these ‘saviours’ over three and a half years ago when the APNU/AFC coalition was wreaking havoc in our country? Mr Ramkarran hid behind his “conversation tree” with articles which failed to directly confront the plethora of ills and wrongdoings meted out to the Guyanese people. What did these ‘saviors’ say or do about the massive corruption, the gross mismanagement of the economy, the callous closures of the sugar estates and the vindictive dismissal of over 7000 sugar workers and thousands of others, the endless stream of wastage and extravagance, the cronyism, the debilitating burden of increased taxation and worsening standard of living, the catapulting of numerous communities into poverty, the completely visionless annual budgets, the destruction of all the productive sectors, the increasingly huge deficits of the public enterprises, the voracious appetite for borrowing , and the ignoring of the old, the young and the vulnerable groups?

Yet now these fledgeling parties like ANUG, FED-UP and the Liberty and Justice Party are seeing these atrocities for the first time! The Rip Van Winkles of politics! Where were these “true progressives and patriots”, who will now stand for what is right, even in the face of

death? Where was the FEDUP leader? Where was the LJP leadership? These pretenders and hypocrites have shamelessly come out not to save Guyana but to fulfil their own political ambitions.

The pertinent question is: Where will we find a third party which possesses “that higher purpose which resonates with the Guyanese people?” That has now become a myth.

Third parties have proven themselves to be the means by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of Government.

Third parties have only made lives for Guyanese increasingly worse as is evidenced by the “dead meat” AFC and the long-dead United Force. Third parties have become synonymous with dictatorship in this country. These third parties are willing to sacrifice their principles in order to make a short cut into Government and plunder the nation.

The only unwavering and unflinching constant in the political arena is the People’s Progressive Party and it is this party that has fought ceaselessly to bring not only democracy but socio-economic development to this nation from bankruptcy and it is this party which has once again risen up to tirelessly and successfully fight another PNC dictatorship under Granger in its bid to restore progress. Guyanese cannot be fooled again! No ‘third farce’ again!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, october 9, 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

Govt needs to provide greater security after public events

Dear Editor, I agree with Mr Nazar Mohammed (Guyana Times Oct 8) that it was indeed great CPL 20/20 cricket last week at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Congrats to our Amazon Warriors and the management and owner of the team. The GAW made the nation feel proud even though not all players were Guyanese. The matches and the team’s performance brought Guyanese of all ethnicities together.

However, there are some minor non-cricketing issues that need attention.

Nazar made some poignant observations and offered valid suggestions on improving the surrounding areas of the Providence Stadium whenever cricket, or entertainment, or expos are staged. Like him, I too observed issues per-

taining to cleanliness (pollution) and security that need to be improved. All stakeholders – the management of the stadium, and the Government -- need to come together to address public concerns of safety and garbage collection (to maintain a clean environment).

Mr Mohammed is right about garbage being strewn around or in the vicinity of the stands including in the VIP and VVIP areas. This makes our country look bad in the eyes of the international community.

Cleanliness and a green environment should be a concern of all. Matches are broadcasted live and many visitors fly into Guyana to take in the entertainment. We don’t want the world to get an impression of Guyana as an unkempt place.

Like Mr Nazar, I too witnessed people being robbed and molested on the roads post-event. The large presence of people on the roads did not deter bandits determined to pillage and rob. Even people inside minibuses were targeted, held up (robbed).

Bandits (thugs) grabbed peoples’ phones and ran away. Girls received unwanted touches. In the late evening, some were stranded without transportation and placed under threat.

Police were not to be found. They were inside the stand and/or directing traffic coming out of the stadium or sent off duty or gone elsewhere. A larger police presence is needed at these events. And armed units need to be spread out on the East Bank at least a mile from the stadium particularly going towards

town. This will serve as a deterrent to those aiming or planning to prowl on unsuspecting victims.

Government earns a lot of revenues when these events are staged at providence. Government needs to place greater attention on post events security. Government or management needs to do more on cleaning the stand area – inside and outside.

Government needs to provide ample security postevent. Government should revisit the requisite tools and guidelines to improve security for fans and so instruct ranks. Everyone should feel safe after an event. There should be Police presence until every fan has left the area unless they choose to remain.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

High prevalence of It’s a comedy of errors adult conduct disorder Dear Editor, As a scientist, my observations have afforded me to conclude that there is a high prevalence of adult conduct disorder (sociopaths and psychopaths) in our population.

Conduct disorder is a childhood problem which decreases by adolescence.

However, Guyana is an abnormal place and the incidence of this disorder among the adult population is staggering.

The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for mental disorders (DSM-5), categorises this mental illness as antisocial personality disorder.

So, what behavioural markers or symptoms characterise antisocial personality disorder?

Well, individuals with this disorder deviate from the norms of society and they often act without a conscience. They are also deprived of empathy and shame. It is very difficult to live among such people.

They humiliate decent human beings. Their minds are moulded by poor values. They often hold criminal records, kill, steal, set fires, break rules, disrespect others, show disregard for anything that is right and use charm to manipulate and exploit others.

Sociopaths and psychopaths have caused life to be unbearable in Guyana.

For example, Guyanese saw how they riot and burn in Agricola.

Guyanese saw how they disobey the laws like members of the APNU/

PNC/AFC Government.

Guyanese have also witnessed how they fudge documents in professional settings like the GECOM Secretariat.

They even invade homes and murder innocent citizens on a daily basis. These people have no conscience. They need help.

So, what factors are responsible for producing such abnormal people? Are biological factors such as genes, neurochemical imbalances and brain deficits responsible?

Or environmental factors such as poor parenting, poor values and poorly developed superegos are responsible? Or is a combination of the two responsible? Science has carved a role for both biology and environment in producing anti-social personality disorder.

So, what can be done to help these people?

Well, a combination of behavioural therapy and drug therapy can be effective treatment. However, Guyana lacks these resources, largely because the APNU/PNC/AFC Government is severely affected by this disorder. And this has caused Government to immorally ride taxpayers to retain power illegally.

Editor, antisocial personality disorder is a huge problem for Guyana, as such, immediate attention needs to be given to this disorder or else it will spiral further out of control.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram, PhD

Dear Editor, The PNC-led coalition is in desperation mode right now and practically anything they can lay hold of at this time to gain the voters’ attention they would try.

I am talking about the latest “comedy of errors” in the two actors Carl Greenidge and Joseph Harmon. These two are on stage trumpeting a longlost chord “I am renouncing my citizenship”. Like the mosquito fresh out of a Guyanese swamp, hum buzzing in your ear, these two guys are again mouthing something they should have done over a year ago, that is, revoking their citizenship.

If these guys were in any way serious about their dual citizenship, they would have done exactly that. The point is you can’t keep humming that you are denouncing your citizenship without any sensible action behind those words.

If they were serious or decent men, then they would have done the decent thing and “just do it”.

How many times must we hear those empty words “I am about denouncing my citizenship; I would like to denounce my dual citizenship status; I am awaiting

the response from the authorities on my renunciation of citizenship,” empty words with no action behind it, which really annoys the potential voter.

Like their leader Granger, these two gentlemen epitomise the deceptive politics of the PNC, and I will refresh your memory with that bold and assertive statement “the good life is here”. You will remember that mission statement, however, the result of that was a horrible and most wretched life, something that exists to this very day.

Right now, Guyanese are hoping and trusting on an electoral system to get us out of at the earliest possible time. So, pandering to the voter with this empty promise that I will revoke my citizenship is a farce and should be treated with the contempt it rightly deserves.

The PNC should not trumpet that “good life talk” again and I urge Messrs Harmon and Greenidge to do the same with that revocation of citizenship gaff. Gentlemen stop bluffing the people, we are not so easily bluffed.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

GuySuCo needs to improve management team Dear Editor, After reading the recent article on GuySuco’s poor performance, it is becoming very evident that the company needs to improve the management team. Four facilities are all they need to maintain and to think that the operators’ input is also being neglected in such a small and what should be a close-knit team is quite eye-opening.

When I was with my former company, we had 64 facilities to manage globally and every quarter myself and my peers on the executive team would visit each region to review performance and we would ensure we took the time to visit the facilities and walk the floor, ensuring the local team had an opportunity to show us what was happening at their location. This helps one know how the facility is being managed.

GuySuco has in the past struggled with only seven to eight facilities and now they are having trouble managing only 4. There is definitely an organisation capability issue and the management team needs to be held accountable for the neglect that is resulting in poor performance.

It is unacceptable that not one of the estates can hit

their target. I hope the bonus structure reflects pay for performance.

As for NICIL, the same holds true. It should be run by a team that has more general management experience that can structure financial instruments correctly at the best rates.

Also, teamwork with other entities should not be an issue if they are astute in carrying out their business. If the CJIA project is an example of what to expect then we are awaiting a disappointment. CJIA has failed on all three key project measures. It is late, with major issues that have caused a shutdown to key aspects of its functionality. It has also been over budget even with a reduced scope of work.

Those we choose to reward for performance need to demonstrate that they are effective in their current responsibilities. In many circles, people are of the opinion that nepotism is destroying key areas of our economy and as a result the lives of the common man. Only good management practices will be able to reverse this perception.

Best regards, Jamil Changlee

6

wednesday, OCTOber 9, 2019

Page

Foundation

Coping with stressful situations

S

Momentary vs lasting stress

ometimes a stressful situation just lasts a moment – like getting through a school play audition or making the foul shot that could win the game.

ful situation depends a lot on us. How we deal with stressful situations makes all the difference.

Here are some steps you can take to cope with a stressful situation.

feelings, too.

For example: I feel lonely and sad because of missing old friends and my old school. I’m mad that we had to move, especially now. I’m worried about keeping up in math and so-

This might include reading about it, talking to others, or finding out what others in your situation have done and what to expect.

Learning helps you feel more confident and prepared — plus it reminds you that you’re not the only one who has gone through this.

Commit to a positive attitude

But life also can bring situations that might keep us stressed for a few days, weeks, or months. Even if we’re not always thinking about this stress, it can be like a background soundtrack playing in our lives.

If you’re like most people, you’ve faced these kinds of lasting stressful situations. Feeling unprepared or unhappy about the situation increases the stress. Stressful situations can wear us down over time. Finding ways to deal with them can help us grow strong.

Build good coping skills

How well – or how poorly – we get through a stress-

Understand the situation

Take some time to think about the situation you’re facing. Try to describe your situation in a sentence or two. What’s stressful about this situation for you right now? It can help to write down your thoughts.

For example: My family just moved, so I switched to a new school in the middle of the year. The stressful parts are not knowing anyone, missing my old friends, and dealing with all new schoolwork.

Notice and name the feelings you have about the situation. Accept your feelings— it’s understandable to feel the way you feel, given your situation. It can help to write down your

cial studies. I feel left out because I’m the new kid.

I guess anyone would feel this way if they were in my situation.

Learn more. Learn all you can about the situation you’re dealing with.

A positive attitude helps stop you from being dragged down by unhappy feelings. A positive attitude also boosts the problem solving that a stressful situation requires.

A positive attitude helps us see the possibilities within a situation, while negative thinking narrows our view.

Don’t dwell on the negative. Don’t get stuck dwelling on negative feelings – or focusing on the bad aspects of your situation for too long. Your power lies in how you react to – and cope with – the situation you’re facing. Be aware of any

negative thoughts (like “I can’t do this”), and replace them with more encouraging words. This is the time to believe in yourself.

For example: Others have switched schools before and come through it. I know I can manage this.

Notice and appreciate life’s good stuff. Be sure to notice some positive things in your life, too. Yes, even now.

Each day, think of three things you’re grateful for.

Gratitude helps fuel a positive attitude and keeps problems – even the big ones – in perspective.

Take action

Decide what you can do. Pinpoint which parts of the situation you have the power to change or influence for the better. Think of actions you can take to improve any part of your stressful situation.

For example: I can talk to the guy who sits next to me in social studies class.

I’ll ask if he’ll share notes and study with me. That could help me make a new friend — plus catch up in social studies.

Get support. Find someone to talk to about your situation. Ask for help or advice. Be with people who believe in you, make

you laugh, and help you feel good about yourself.

Sometimes just a listening ear helps a lot. It helps you know that someone understands and cares about what you’re going through.

Care for yourself. Take especially good care of yourself when stress in your life is high. Be sure to e a t n u tritious foods a n d minimise junk food. Get daily exercise and sleep. Do something every day that helps you relax – whether it’s yoga, a soothing bath, cooking, playing with your pet, taking a walk, listening to music, or playing your guitar.

Stressful situations can test our strength, for sure.

Whatever you’re facing, it can help to think through the situation, accept the emotions you feel, and keep a positive attitude. Focus your efforts on what you can influence, get support, and care for yourself. All these things can help you cope with your situation, lessen the stress, and help you come through feeling strong and confident. (kidshealth.org)

Can stress affect my weight?

How does stress relate to gaining weight? - Erin

F

or many people, there’s a direct connection between stress and weight gain: When they feel stressed, they turn to food for comfort. That’s bad enough, but it gets worse: When we’re stressed out, we tend to choose junk food over healthy food. So the calories can add up quickly.

Over time, these extra calories can lead to weight gain. Being overweight makes it more likely people will have health problems

like high cholesterol and diabetes.

So instead of grabbing the chocolate ice cream the next time you feel anxious or stressed, reach for an apple, a handful of almonds, or a small bowl of light popcorn. Try an alternative stress reliever, like exercising (which will also help burn calories), talking with a friend, meditating, or listening to some comforting music to help you decrease stress. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. (kidshealth.org)

news

7

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Substandard, falsified medicines continue to flood Guyanese market

– prevention, detection and response crucial to dealing with this issue – GA-FDD

S

ubstandard drugs and other medicines not registered by authorities in Guyana continue to be sold to the populace and the Government AnalystFood and Drug Department (GA-FDD), despite progress made in curbing this trend, will be upping the ante to deal with this situation.

Prevention, detection and response are key steps to dealing with substandard and falsified medicines, and a recent study done globally has revealed that one in every 10 drugs released in the market, is a substandard drug.

Director of the GA-FDD, Marlon Cole on Tuesday stated that the prevalence of substandard medicines being sold continues to be

a thorn in the side for relevant authorities.

“Globally, there is a study out and it was mentioned that 10 per cent of medications that are being released are substandard. If you have a market of almost 300 billion persons in both low and middle-income countries, if 10 per cent of the medication is substandard, then about 30 billion annually from low and middle-income countries now have to fork out of their pockets directly because of substandard medication and sometimes this is not extrapolated into the deaths that is caused.”

He explained that recently, drug samples were sent to the Medicine Quality Control Surveillance Department, a drug testing

Director of the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD), Marlon Cole

laboratory in the Caribbean that was relaunched and accredited by the Jamaica

GECOM now attempting...

“I understand from the CEO that there were 2127 transactions for Claims and two Objections so far,” Gunraj disclosed.

He further related that they are still trying to get more details on other aspects such as the H2H data, as well as the overseas fingerprint cross-matching, before any decisions are taken.

According to the Opposition-nominated Commissioner, the encoding (entering data into GECOM’s database) of the H2H data is schedule to finish on the October 15.

Last week, Governmentnominated Commissioner Charles Corbin had told reporters that the encoded data will be available for scrutiny before the C&O exercise concludes in November.

“What we can tell you is

that it will be for 21 days [for scrutiny]. So we’re assured that all of the [H2H] data will be available 21 days before the end of the C&O processing period for public scrutiny,” he had said.

GECOM was forced to bring the controversial H2H Registration to a premature end on August 31, by which time it had obtained in excess of 370,000 registrants. It was then decided that the new data obtained will be merged with the existing National Register of Registrants (NRR) Database – something which the Opposition People Progressive Party (PPP) has been against.

In fact, fellow Opposition Commissioner Bibi Shaddick on Friday said they are trying to clarify what aspect of 370,000+ new registrants gathered

from page 3

during the H2H is going to be put up for public scrutiny.

According to Shaddick, while they believe that only the data on first-time registrants should be used, the Elections Secretariat cannot disaggregate that information because they are still in the process of encoding the H2H data.

In the meantime, the Elections Secretariat has sent some 180,000 registrants overseas for cross-matching of fingerprints. This was done to ensure that there is no duplication of the data obtained from the H2H exercise and those already in the NRR database.

The results from that first set is expect to be back soon and the second and final set of data to be crossmatched by fingerprint experts will be sent.

Accreditation Board this year, to ensure safe reliable medicines as part of preserving a healthy Caribbean.

“And the results of the analysis from drugs that we would have submitted that we procured in our national health care delivery system which are there in our public health care delivery system, the results are not encouraging…10 out of several other results of anal-

ysis there is that phrase – does not meet the standard.

So, these are drugs that we would have taken off our local market and submitted to the drug-testing lab in Jamaica and these are the results, not from our lab, this is from the lab in the region.”

Cole reminded that the first line of defence against this issue is the proper and careful registration of drugs and that this is one of the main focuses of his Department for this year.

The GA-FDD Director opined that falsified and substandard drugs are a burden to the healthcare delivery system and this is why it is imperative that healthcare agencies be more vigilant and detect them.

A few months ago, Cole had noted that the best method in handling situations with such type of medications would be to develop systems that can detect when medicinal drugs are either falsified or substandard.

He had pointed out that there is a global surveillance

monitoring system which allows users to access information in real-time.

“We can enter and send information if we discover a substandard item in Guyana…We can load it and the entire globe will know the specific name of the medication, who is the trader and which factory it came from,” said the GAFDD Director had earlier told the media.

This system was launched in 2013 and by 2017, some four years later, had received 2000 reports of substandard drugs worldwide.

It should be noted that the reporting was not limited to any specific drug, but predominance was among “lifestyle medications” such as those persons would use for weight loss.

Cole added that Guyana has also signed on to the Caribbean Drug Registration Systems (CDRS) that determines which drugs are sold in Canada, the United States of America, Australia and the United Kingdom (UK).

8 news

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS

Teen arraigned for murder of NDC Clerk

N

ineteen-year-old Rollan Abrams, of Melanie, East Coast Demerara, was on Tuesday arraigned for the murder of David Gentle, whose body was found lying motionless in a pool of blood near his bicycle at Haslington, ECD. Abrams was not required to plead to the indictable charge when he appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court.

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

He was remanded to prison by presiding Magistrate Fabayo Azore and was

Murder accused: Rollan Abrams

scheduled to make his next court appearance on October 22, 2019.

It was reported that Gentle, of Lot 42 Golden Grove, ECD, was a Clerk at-

tached to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) at the time of his demise.

Police investigations revealed that on the day in question, Gentle, a father of four, was last seen at a karaoke in Nabaclis North, ECD. Upon the discovery of his body, relatives dismissed robbery as a motive, since it was found with his jewellery and his cellular phone.

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

Wooing…

T Dead: David Gentle

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

After a thorough investigation, Abrams was arrested and charged.

Superintendent blunders while testifying in Maryann Daby’s case

T

he testimony of Police Superintendent Errol Watts slowly fell apart on Tuesday when he took to the stands for cross-examination by Attorney-at-Law Mark Waldron in relation to statements he had submitted in the Maryann Daby case.

When the matter was called before Magistrate Leron Daly, the Superintendent gave his testimony and upon com-

pletion, he was cross-examined by Daby’s Lawyer.

The Superintendent, under cross-examination, agreed that some of the evidence he gave during his testimony was not detailed in his written statement.

The lawyer then informed the witness that on two occasions, he recorded the wrong serial number for the firearm and while giving evidence into the matter, he gave a different serial number.

Maryann Daby

Watts, after listening to the statement the lawyer read, responded by saying that the reason for his inaccuracies is because he is not a robot and that he has a lot of work to do— including protecting the lives of the citizens.

Upon completion of the Superintendent’s testimony, the Magistrate adjourned the matter for October 24, 2019, where more witnesses are expected to take the stand.

Twenty-five-year old Daby of Lot 127 D’Aguiar Park, Houston, Georgetown, was charged for discharging a loaded firearm on May 13, 2018 with the intent to commit murder.

She was also charged for having .32 pistol and six live rounds of ammunition in her possession when she was not the holder of a firearm licence. She denied the latter two charges after they were read to her.

According to reports, on the day in question, Daby and her friends were at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club when Constable Kissoon, who was off-duty, heard what appeared to be gunshots going off.

After investigating the source of the gunfire, he allegedly saw Daby firing rounds into the air and as such, he confronted her.

It was during the confrontation Daby allegedly became annoyed and pointed a firearm to his head and pulled the trigger; however, there were no more rounds in the gun.

…the Indigenous voter hey say “wha’ rain na full, dew cyaan full”. But it looks like the PNC’s testing that bit of folk wisdom as it gears up for the elections – whenever that might be!! They’ve been in office for what?...four+ years?? But before the NCM pulled the rug out from under their feet, you’d think the Indigenous peoples didn’t exist. The PNC didn’t just not court them, they went out of their way to insult them on the issue most dear to them – land.

Really strange for an electoral outfit that insists it’s for ALL Guyanese, when the Amerindians are a key demographic – not only in absolute numbers but geographical distribution. The significance of land is completely different for non-Indigenous peoples and Indigenous People – it’s not just an “economic thing”….a “factor of production”. It’s sacred and plays a pivotal role in identity and self-determination.

As part of the instruments of Independence, (“Annex C”) Amerindians were guaranteed full ownership of land they occupied. The PNC tacitly accepted this but did nothing under the Amerindian Act they passed to confer legal title to the actual villages. It took the PPP after 1992 to do that and by the time they demitted office in 2015, over 14% of Guyana had been passed over to them. This obviously irked the PNC, because as soon as they took office, they fired the Land Titling Team, even though millions were unspent.

The reason soon surfaced. They established an “Ancestral Land CoI” in which they subsumed the Amerindian Land Rights along with African Guyanese claims to “Ancestral Lands”. As we saw, Indigenous peoples’ right to land was totally unconnected to “ancestral” rights African Guyanese were invoking. After the National Toshaos Council objected to the lumping together, one Government Minister Keith Scott exclaimed: “In objecting to the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on land matters, the Toshaos Council had ‘manifested an attitude of avarice which should not be condoned’”.

Pulled up for his comment, Scott was adamant: “I had pointed out that 14% of Guyana was given to Amerindians, but all these years, blacks, who have done so much for this country, from slavery to now, have gotten nothing…

I am certain too that many of us didn’t know that there were moves to get an additional 10% of Guyana”. Eric Philips, from the Reparations Commission, also waded in and insisted that Africans preceded some Amerindians in Guyana and, “‘The Government should immediately freeze the granting of land leases … until the reparatory land issue is addressed”.

But with elections on the radar, Granger and the PNC now shamelessly insist Amerindians must vote for them because of “hinterland development”.

They must think Indigenous Peoples are “schupit”!! …deja vu Just when you thought we were safely out of the courts and on the way to elections on March 2, 2020, and you’re getting ready to throwback, your Eyewitness is sorry to burst your bubble! You must’ve forgotten that Basil Williams appealed Justice George’s ruling that GECOM can’t take off names from the NRR excepting (by Art 159) – if you’re dead or mad. So what’ll happen if Basil wins, since the Government has some friends in the Appellate Court?

Will ALL the names on the H2H list now become the official NRR to create a new PLE? If so, will it be subject to C&O? And how do we deal with the names not captured in the truncated exercise?? Will the new Chair now truncate the C&O on the old PLE? But if all these questions aren’t enough, your Eyewitness heard (through the grapevine, of course –no assets embedded!!) the PNC’s prepping a “citizen” to challenge the legality of Granger’s elections’ proclamation!

It isn’t valid, they’ll claim, since when it was issues Granger’s regime had expired!! Stay tuned!! …the fans?

TKR’s Captain Pollard miffed Providence fans gave him the raspberry in the Patriots game. Says he got no respect as WI Captain.

Doesn’t he realise franchise cricket suspends that identity?

He’s TKR and we’re Warriors!!

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

news

9

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyanese indicted in multimilliondollar medical fraud arrested in US

O

ne week after the US authorities had issued a wanted bulletin for Shamiza Ali, also called Shamiza Bacchus, a Guyanese who has been indicted in a multimillion-dollar Medicaid fraud in New York, she was arrested on Monday evening at the John F Kennedy International Airport.

The woman was taken into custody by law enforcement moments after stepping off a flight from Guyana. The Guyanese woman and two others were indicted for falsifying information and ripping off the medical scheme of close to US$20 million.

It was reported that the woman, along with her

Alleged fraudster: Shamiza Ali

co-accused, fled to Guyana when an investigation was launched into the matter.

It was alleged that between September 2017 and May 2019, Purpleheart Transportation Service sub-

Media barred from attending Region 2 RDC meeting

Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam)

R

eporters, who turned up on Tuesday to cover the Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) Regional Democratic Council’s (RDC) monthly statutory meeting were barred from entering the Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast building.

This newspaper was informed by a security officer at the main gate of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) building that he was given direct instructions by the Regional Executive Officer (REO), Dennis Jaikarran, not to allow the media into the compound.

Asked to meet with the REO, the security again refused the request.

This newspaper was told that at the scheduled statutory meeting, there were a number of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) supporters waiting inside the boardroom of the RDC waiting to protest the Regional Chairman, Vice Chairperson and People’s Progressive Party Councillors when they arrived. While the protestors were allowed into the RDC compound, the media was barred.

However, the Regional Chairman, Vice Chairman and PPP Councillors boycotted the meeting. When contracted, a PPP Councillor said that they made the de-

cision to stay away from the meeting since, of recent, the meetings are being disrupted by protest action or walkouts by the REO. At the last sitting in September when the Regional Chairman called the meeting to order, the REO took his seat and invited APNU supporters, who were inside the boardroom, to picket the sitting.

Reports are Vice Chair, Nandranie Coonjah had closed the main door to the RDC office when the REO and protesters left the boardroom.

However, the REO reportedly returned to the boardroom “annoyed”, according to the Vice Chairperson.

Coonjah said that the REO accused her of slamming the door as he and the protesters exited.

She alleged that it was then that the REO hit her on the shoulder, in the presence of the Regional Chairman, Davanand Ramdatt, and other Councillors.

As a result, a police report was made and the REO, Dennis Jaikarran, was questioned by Police over an assault report filed against him. Since the incident, Police on the Essequibo Coast said that advice was being sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions on the way forward.

mitted claims to and collected from Medicaid over US$29 million for allegedly providing transportation services to Medicaid patients in and around New York City.

However, Prosecutors found and allege that over US$19 million of that amount was for unmatched services — services for which there was no corresponding bill for medical treatment for the patients who purportedly received the transportation services.

In court documents, the New York Prosecutors outlined a scheme whereby the defendants, together using a number of different techniques, billed Medicaid for transportation services that never occurred under their company, “Purpleheart Transportation Service”.

Medicaid reimburses transportation providers for transporting Medicaid patients to and from covered medical services.

10

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

11

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GAWU complains to int’l union about burdens of working class in Guyana

T

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) has informed international trade unions of what is described as “heavy burdens” being endured by the working class in Guyana.

Assistant General Secretary Aslim Singh recently participated in a twoday meeting of the Latin American and Caribbean Trade Unions affiliated to the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU).

At the meeting held in Argentina, Singh informed trade unionists of the situation in Guyana.

“Our Union pointed out that, in recent times, the workers and their families have been confronted by heavy increases in the cost-of-living occasioned by the imposition of new taxes, hiking of existing taxes and the withdrawal of subsidies to workers and pensioners,” GAWU highlighted in a press statement.

“Apart from that, the Union’s Assistant General Secretary told the meeting that our country’s democratic culture and rule of law are being undermined following the failure of the Government to abide by the consequences of a successful No-Confidence Motion in the National Assembly. The Union pointed out that the democratic and other forces in our country were now engaged in a new struggle to restore constitutional rule through free and fair elections and rollback the hardships imposed on the working class.”

The meeting brought together some 50 trade unionists from Argentina, Guyana, Uraguay, Paraguay, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic, Brazil, Cuba, Nicaragua, among other countries in the region. Also attending the meeting was WFTU General Secretary, George Mavrikos, who is based at the body’s headquarters in Athens, Greece.

Participants from the various countries also in-

Some of the participants of the WFTU meeting held in Argentina

formed the meeting of what is taking place in their respective nations.

GAWU said, “the story was all too familiar as the meeting learnt that workers are confronted by every conceivable mean/s to rollback their gains and undermine their victories”.

According to GAWU, the meeting also heard from a delegation from Venezuela which provided an update of the circumstances in that country whose Government is facing attacks from several quarters.

Fight for a better world

General Secretary of the WFTU, George Mavrikos in his address, noted that workers and their organisations need to continue to raise aloft the banner of struggle and unity. He reminded that the path the working class has travelled is paved with immense and intense struggles.

The WFTU General Secretary urged those present to continue to fight for a better world for this and the next generations.

On the last day of the meeting which coincides with the establishment of the WFTU, participants observed the International Day of Action. The theme of this year’s Action Day was “Struggle against xenophobia, racism and fascism”.

The organisation has pointed out that xenophobia and racism are intentionally raised so as to divide. The WFTU said in many places wars and conflicts have created millions

of refugees who fall victims

of hatred and racist dis-

criminations. In too many countries, it noted, fascist and fascist-like parties are entering into Government and imposing many hardships and difficulties on workers. Since its establishment, the WFTU has placed at the forefront of its demands the struggle for peace and equality, fighting against Apartheid in South Africa, against racial and all types of discrimination.

The meeting was most successful and similar activities will be organised in the coming months as the WFTU will celebrate its

75th anniversary in 2020.

At this time, the WFTU has an affiliated membership of some 96 million workers in 138 countries worldwide.

It has set itself by the end of 2020 to have 100 million workers in its fold.

The GAWU has been an affiliate of the WFTU for many years and has received solidarity and support during its previous struggles. In more recent times, the organisation was critical of the Government’s decision to close the sugar estates and put thousands of workers on the breadline.

12 news

WEDNesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bandit nabbed after 1 dead, 2 critical after robbing EBD resident suicide attempt in BBP O

A

suspected bandit was on Tuesday morning nabbed by public-spirited citizens after he and an accomplice robbed a Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident.

Based on reports received, the 28-year-old victim was standing in front of his Diamond Access Road, EBD residence when he was attacked and relieved of a gold-coloured chain he was wearing at the time by the two men.

However, upon realising that the young man was being robbed, several members of the public went in pursuit of the two men. One was apprehended; however, the other made good his escape.

Upon the apprehension of the man, the chain that was stolen from victim was found his possession. In ad-

The gun and ammunition that were recovered by the Police after the robbery

dition, an unlicensed revolver with six live rounds of marching ammunition were found close by.

The suspect is being processed for court while Police continue their hunt for the second person.

ne person has been confirmed dead and two others critical after they reportedly consumed a poisonous substance on Tuesday.

While details are sketchy, it has been confirmed that the three persons were rushed to the Mibicuri Hospital after consuming a poisonous substance.

The woman, who is yet to be identified, resided at First Street Mibicuri and would have succumbed while receiving medical attention.

She was reportedly married and had two children.

Meanwhile, reports are that a farmer, also of Station Street, Mibicuri, forced his wife to consume the poisonous substance.

According to reports, the woman was reluctant and fought him off. However, he succeeded in getting his wife to consume a portion of the

The Mibicuri Hospital

poison. The man reportedly drank what was left in the bottle.

The family was reportedly having marital problems, which resulted in the woman moving out of her marital home. She stayed with a male friend at Johanna.

Reports are that her husband went to the house and demanded that his wife re-

turn home but the woman refused. It was then that he collected the poison and forced the woman to drink it.

Guyana Times understands that he was transported to the Port Mourant Hospital in a critical condition while his wife remains at the Mibicuri Hospital also in a serious state.

News

13

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

World Sight Day 2019

GPHC to offer free eye tests T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) will be offering a number of services to the public, free of cost, in observance of World Sight Day 2019.

On October 10, 2019, Guyana will observe World Sight Day – an international day of awareness observed annually on the second Thursday of October to focus attention on the global

issue of eye health.

This year, the theme is “Vision First” – a call to nations to ensure that everyone has access to affordable eye care.

For the past six years, the GPHC Department of Ophthalmology has been spearheading World Sight Day activities in Guyana with various activities being

done over the years to promote vision health education and awareness.

There will be free eye testing at the GPHC’s Eye Clinic on October 10, 2019 from 10:00h to 14:00h.

Patients will have free access to the clinic and can walk into the clinic to have their eyes tested for glaucoma, cataract, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases.

The Diabetic Retinopathy Centre will also be open on that day. Through collaboration with the World Diabetes Foundation and Orbis International, the Diabetic Eye Centre was established to allow persons with diabetes to undergo free screening tests to detect early diabetic eye disease (diabetic retinopathy) before it proceeds

to cause permanent blindness.

The screening on World Sight Day will be done by the staff of the Department of Ophthalmology including Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, doctors, and nurses of the GPHC Eye Clinic. Screening will also be done at the Vision Centre, located in the GPHC compound.

Additionally, the GPHC will be hosting a free eye testing activity at the Mattai’s Supermarket on Water Street, Georgetown from 10:00h to 14:00h on the same day.

A booth and screening area will be set up at the entrance of the supermarket where members of the public will have free access to have their eyes tested for glaucoma, cataract, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy and other eye diseases. Staff from the GPHC will be present to do vision testing and eye pressure testing Furthermore, the GPHC will also be hosting a World Sight Day Ophthalmic CME Session in commemoration of World Sight Day for eye care professionals and physicians. This is an educational session where lectures are given on various eye diseases to update physicians in practice. This year, the GPHC is collaborating with Da Silva’s Optical, Modern

Optical Service, Optique Vision Care and Orbis International to sponsor this event.

This will be held on World Sight Day from 18:00h to 20:00h at Duke Lodge, Kingston, Georgetown.

Moreover, the GPHC administration is working on constructing a billboard to encourage persons with diabetes to check their eyes for diabetic retinopathy. Early

screening prevents blindness from diabetes. Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy is now available free of charge at the GPHC and patients can prevent blindness by undergoing early screening.

Local optometrists and optical shops are also expected to be involved in eye screening activities at various locations in Georgetown.

The GPHC is also planning

to collaborate with the Lions Club in conducting a free vision screening exercise. The University of Guyana School of Optometry also conducts various commemorative activities on campus.

World Sight Day is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

World Sight Day became an official IAPB event in the year 2000, and has been marked in many different ways in countries around the world each year since then. It is a focal advocacy and PR event for IAPB and its members and partners each year, highlighting the fact that 75 per cent of blindness is avoidable (ie preventable and/or treatable) – three out of four people have avoidable visual impairment. World Sight Day provides a platform for organisations to encourage Governments, corporations, institutions and individuals to actively support global blindness prevention efforts.

14 news

wednesday, october 9, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

MoPH hosts 1-day health fair at Palms Geriatric Home

I

n observance of the month of the elderly, the Public Health Ministry hosted a health fair which saw the elderly benefitting from a number of services at the Palms Geriatric Home in Brickdam, Georgetown.

sionals at each booth had varying skill sets with respect to ailments experienced by the older citizens.

“Inclusive of food and nutrition preparation, we are having blood pressure checking and blood sugar,

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

Folks attending the health fair at the Palms Geriatric Home, Brickdam, observing officials displaying how to cook a healthy meal with vegetables

Coordinator of Elderly Health at the Public Health Ministry, Dr Melissa Dehaarte told this publication that the health profes-

general screening. We have dental, physical rehabilitation and just to interact with the public specifically hoping that we get mostly

older persons to make them aware of the services available for them and to guide them through the process of what can happen”, Dr Dehaarte said.

She stated that there is an open clinic where older persons can be screened for a variety of health issues free of cost at the Palms.

According to her, there are also elderly health clubs in every region established to provide support to the

Ministry’s primary healthcare network; some of these are soon to be launched as “elderly-friendly” centres.

“On October 9 (today), we will be going to Linden which we have the One Mile Health Centre which will be branded as one of our elderly-friendly health centre because there we [have] our New Dawn Club which is one of our most active club in the region…on the 14th we will be going to Region Two where they have another elderly club there that would be branding as elderly-friendly in Supenaam.

And finally, in Region Five, we have one of our more active clubs there that will be branded as elderly-friendly.”

Additionally, the New Dawn Clubs throughout the

A doctor at the health fair attending to an elderly patient who complained about ailments affecting her daily

country will be conducting various and multiple activities for the remainder of the month, all aimed at providing quality care for the elderly.

The United Nation’s

General Assembly designated October 1 as the International Day of Older Persons; Guyana has selected the entire month to celebrate and recognise the elderly.

$8M upgrade for Albouystown Market

A

newly-constructed Revenue Office and renovated City Constabulary outpost are among the upgrades to the Albouystown Market that will cost more than $8 million.

On Tuesday, a team from the Georgetown Municipality visited the market to assess the ongoing works.

Constituency 10 Councillor David Allicock stated works on the market commenced six weeks ago and is 95% complete. “Presently, the City Constabulary Division,

Works being carried out on the sanitary block at the Albouystown Market

Councillor Eston Bostwick further explained that the construction has been divided into two phases, with phase one expected to be completed by

City Councillors David Allicock and Eston Bostwick, along with M&CC City Engineer Rashid Kellman carrying out inspections on the rehabilitated office to house the City Constabulary in the Albouystown Market

Revenue Office and a sanitary block have been renovated… there is fixed ventilation, new steps, ceiling and flooring as well,” he stated.

next week. Plans are already being streamlined for the commencement of phase two in 2020.

“For phase two, we rec-

ognised that 90% of the roof will have to be done over…

It is mostly the northern, eastern and southern sides that need total re-sheeting of the roof,” he noted.

According to the city engineer attached to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC), Rashid Kellman, the newly-renovated revenue office will provide much relief to the vendors when paying their rates and taxes. He also noted that with the newly-renovated division office for City Constabulary, security will be improved.

According to a Department of Public Information report, the project was made possible after funds were allotted to carry out major rehabilitation works at other markets in Georgetown, after a tendering process by the Georgetown Mayor and City Council.

15

news Registration, procurement of medicines high on agenda for health officials

wednesday, october 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations PPP’s targeted cash transfer programme is radically different from WPA’s proposal

O

ne local news outfit proclaimed last week that Bharrat Jagdeo endorsed the unconditional cash transfer proposal of the WPA. This was preposterous fake news. The PPP’s targeted cash transfer programme is very different from the WPA’s proposal. The WPA, with leaders such as David Hinds and Clive Thomas, has proposed that the main use of resources from oil and gas should be the unconditional cash transfers to every household in Guyana, rich and poor, receiving the exact amount. In the WPA’s proposal, the cost will be in excess of $US1B annually, although Guyana is likely to receive less than that amount in the first few years.

The PPP’s targeted and conditional cash transfer Dr Leslie Ramsammy programme is radically different from the WPA’s proposal. While the PPP wants every Guyanese to benefit from resources generated from oil and gas, the PPP also wants funds from oil and gas to target the poor and vulnerable. The WPA’s proposal is unconditional, giving a basic income to everyone, an equal amount to the richest and the poorest. In the WPA’s proposal, a family with several vehicles, a big house, a big bank account, will receive the same benefit as a family with no home, with starvation income. Granger and a street-side vendor will receive the same amount. The PPP thinks this is unfair, grossly inequitable and only increases the financial gap between rich and poor.

The PPP has always governed with a significant cash-transfer policy targeting the poor since it became the Government in 1992. For more than twenty years, the PPP utilised a sizable part of its budget in either direct or indirect targeted cash-transfer programmes. The PPP, therefore, is not proposing to introduce a cash-transfer programme, it is proposing to expand the cashtransfer programme it already had in place, much of which APNU/AFC, including the WPA, dismantled.

In 1992, when Cheddi Jagan became President, the old-age pension programme only benefitted a small group of Guyanese.

At the time, the old-age pension was limited to only one member of a family and each family had to become eligible through a “means test”. For example, a family with a home or with a bank account was not eligible. The PPP abolished the means test. Every citizen 65-years or older became eligible for old-age pension. In 1992, the old-age pension was about $200 ($US1) per month for the few who received it. By 2015, it was about $17,000 (about $US90) per month for more than 44,000 Guyanese senior citizens, amounting to almost $10B annually. The PPP has proposed that with oil and gas revenues, senior citizens would benefit from vastly more generous monthly payments.

In 2014, the PPP introduced a direct cash-transfer programme called the “Because We Care” Education Grant. The programme transferred $10,000 annually to every child in school. More than 100,000 children benefitted. The programme distributed more than $1B in 2014 and the PPP explained that the education subsidy would be increased as Government’s resources improved. Had the programme continued (it was terminated by APNU/AFC), it would have risen to $50,000 per child by 2020.

With oil and gas revenues, it is likely that families would benefit significantly more through direct child subsidies. The PPP has also announced that soon after they return to Government, they will ensure that education from nursery to university will be free.

Between 2005 and 2014, the PPP introduced a nutrition subsidy programme. The programme provided a direct cash voucher of about $1000 per month for women with children 6 months to 24 months old. This is the transition period for children as they moved from breast milk feeding to regular food. The food that could be purchased included a rigid list of food rich in nutrients and that would ensure balanced-diet for each child. The vouchers were used in certified shops located in the communities where those families lived. In addition, every girl and woman of reproductive age received monthly supplies of nutritional supplements from the health centres. The supplements included vitamins and essential minerals to ensure girls and women had no nutritional deficiencies. The family also received nutritional supplements for all children aged 6 months to 24 months. These cash-transfer programmes (more than $500M annually) were designed to support healthy nutrition in families and specifically targeted children and women of reproductive age. The PPP has proposed to reintroduce and expand this programme with oil and gas revenues.

In the PPP Government, there were several other examples of cash transfers, including waivers for water and electricity bills for senior citizens, a $1M allowance for medical bills for surgery and treatment not available in the public sector, free school books, subsidies for school uniforms, free meals for all hinterland schools, free transportation for hinterland residents for medical services in Georgetown, mortgage subsidies, grants for difficult circumstances and many others. Many of them were closed by APNU/AFC. With oil and gas revenues, the PPP would have the opportunity to improve and introduce several others. These targeted cash-transfer programmes, under the PPP, would focus attention on the poor and the vulnerable in our country.

– PAHO/WHO, Govt and stakeholders meet to discuss policies

A

n integrated approach is what is needed to improve availability and access to quality medicines.

This was the main focus at a two-day stakeholders’ meeting which commenced on Tuesday at Pegasus Hotel, Kingston.

The Pan American Health

in key regulatory modules including legal and organisational framework, market authorisation, licensing of establishments, pharmacovigilance and post-market surveillance with the Government of Guyana and other key development systems stakeholders…The sessions will include various topics and discussions including to build up progress and further refine approaches.”

He further noted that the

discussions will also be based upon good distribution practices, and specific topic areas including cold-chain requirements as well as the development of an Action Plan for PAHO Guyana Cooperation on Regulation Systems Strengthening in 2020.

“PAHO/WHO will continue to provide technical cooperation to improve access to safe, effective and quality assured medicines…” he added.

(Kristen Macklingam)

Washington’s PAHO adviser, Dr Charles Preston on Regulatory System Strengthening in Medicines

Cop caught with over 50lbs ganja in car under “close arrest” at Eve Leary

PAHO/WHO Resident Representative in Guyana, Dr William Adu-Krow

Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) along with Guyana’s Public Health Ministry and the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAFDD) will be placing emphasis on the regulation systems which will guarantee the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines.

Washington’s PAHO adviser on Regulatory System Strengthening in Medicines, Dr Charles Preston, at the opening ceremony noted that the main focus would be on the Regulatory System Strengthening in Guyana, a country which has been highlighted as a leader in the Caribbean region, for utilising and implementing sound practices in this regard.

“We have registered medicines through the Caribbean regulatory system here in Guyana and also Guyana is also participating in the regional system for pharmacovigilance and post-market surveillance. So PAHO’s approach to countries in the Caribbean and small countries in general is to advocate that if they can to try to work together through these kind of more regional and collective approaches….one of the things that PAHO likes to try to focus on with smaller countries is that they can do a couple of key regulatory functions.”

According to Dr Preston, one crucial element is the marketing authorisation of medicines, to ensure that medicines entering a country are safe, quality and effective.

“What kind of systems do you need to put in place?

The other thing we like to focus on is how do you monitor the medicines when they are in the market, what are the kinds of processes and procedures that need to be put in place. What happens if somebody identifies a substandard or falsified medicine, how does that get reported and the other thing we like to focus on is licensing and establishment.”

Meanwhile, PAHO/WHO Resident Representative in Guyana, Dr William AduKrow noted that his organisation continues to support the Regulatory System Strengthening in Guyana as all stakeholders celebrate Guyana’s national regulatory authority as a leader on these issues in the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

“The session will include in building on prior progress

– accomplice said to be a “known drug dealer” from Berbice

T

he Police Corporal who was busted on Monday afternoon with over 50 pounds of marijuana in the car he was driving in South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, is presently under “close arrest” at the Tactical Services Unit (TSU), Eve Leary, while his accomplice is in the lock-ups at a Police station in the city.

According to a senior Police source, based on a tipoff, ranks of the Criminal Investigations Unit (CID), Eve Leary swooped down on the vehicle that the allegedly rogue cop and his friend had been in.

During a search of the vehicle, several packets wrapped in black plastic had been found stashed in the trunk of the motorcar, and upon further investigation in the presence of the duo, it was revealed that cannabis (mari-

juana) was neatly wrapped in each bag.

The cop, along with his friend, who is said to hail from the Rose Hall village, Berbice (Region Six), were immediately arrested and transported to the CID where they were further interrogated about the illegal substance.

Meanwhile, according

to another Police source attached to a Police station in Region Six, the man who has been arrested along with the cop is a known “drug dealer”.

Reports are that on Monday around 15:00h in the vicinity of Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, the Corporal, who is attached to a Police station in Berbice, was in his motorcar with the other man when several cops swooped down on his vehicle.

It is believed the men travelled to Georgetown with the illegal substance with the aim of distributing/ selling to customers here. Berbice has been identified as one of the two leading areas in Guyana where marijuana is cultivated on a large scale and then sold to various locations throughout the country.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, october 9, 2019

Regional

US-Mexico border apprehensions fall again in Sept but remain high

T

he Trump administration on Tuesday said arrests at the US-Mexico border fell in September for the fourth month in the row, and credited cooperation from Mexico and Central American countries in cracking down on migrants.

But due to record high

numbers of crossings this Spring, nearly 1 million migrants were arrested and deemed inadmissible for entry to the United States in the 2019 fiscal year, which began in October 2017 and ends in September, Mark Morgan acting commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), said at a

press conference.

Morgan said there were just over 52,000 migrants either apprehended or encountered at the southwest border in September, down almost 65% from a peak in May of 144,000.

That monthly total is still the highest September level since at least 2014, according to CBP statistics.

The bulk of arriving migrants are from Central America, many of them families, fleeing situations of violence and poverty at home and often seeking asylum in the United States.

Immigration has been a central issue for President Donald Trump who is gearing up to push it in

his 2020 re-election campaign. His administration has taken a series of escalating measures to curb access to asylum and limit legal immigration. Many have drawn legal challenges.

In September, the US Supreme Court allowed a controversial new rule to take effect, one that could

curtail most asylum applications at the border while the court battle over its merits continues.

Morgan said the rule will be implemented this week. It requires most immigrants to seek safe haven in a third country they traveled through before they can apply for asylum in the United States. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Guatemala court halts inquiry of Canada issues warning to nationals UN-backed anti-corruption body as protests continue in Haiti

C

G

uatemala’s highest court ordered an immediate halt on Monday to a controversial commission of inquiry into the work of a United Nations-backed anti-corruption body.

During its 12 years’ operating in the country, the UN-backed International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) worked alongside Guatemalan prosecutors to pursue high-profile corruption cases, including bringing down a sitting President in 2015.

CICIG retained the support of 70 per cent of the population, according to polls, but the Government shut it down on September 3 after two years of backlash over its investigations into president Jimmy Morales, his party, relatives and political allies.

The backlash continued even after CICIG shut down. Guatemalan politicians presented and passed

An activist holds a sign that reads in Spanish ‘Thanks CICIG’ at the United Nations International Commission Against Impunity headquarters in Guatemala City [Photo by: Moises Castillo]

a decree September 24 to investigate CICIG’s work and personnel.

The decree established a special commission of five legislators known for their anti-CICIG stances to probe “the existence of the commission of illegal or arbitrary acts” and potentially recommend legal action.

The legislators began their inquiry last week, but the Constitutional Court on Monday ordered an injunction and stopped them in

their tracks. The Attorney General, a private lawyer, and a civil society group had filed for injunctions based on various arguments, including that Congress was usurping the functions of the Attorney General’s Office.

The court issued the provisional injunction based on discrepancies between the text of the decree and the arguments Congress presented to the court, the Constitutional Court said in a statement Monday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Trinidad: Visas for Venezuelans stopped

T

he interruption in the delivery of visas for Venezuelans who want to go to Trinidad and Tobago is generating uncertainty between applicants and their refugee relatives already in the country and there is still no official statement certifying suspension of the process.

On June 17, two days after the registration of work for Venezuelans was closed, the Government began to make effective at its ports and airports the visa requirement for people from the South American country.

For the past month, there have been numerous complaints that the issuance of the visa has been stopped at the Trinidad embassy in Caracas.

There was word in Caracas that on September 17, the T&T Embassy announced that the process of delivery of the said entry permit to Venezuelans wanting to go to T&T, was suspended. This could not be officially confirmed.

“It is presumed that more visas will be delivered until January, that is what they tell us now at the embassy,” said María Rodríguez, a Venezuelan who got her travel permit formally, yet when she arrived at the port in Cedros, she was ordered back to her homeland without explanation.

“I did all the paperwork,

The halting of visas services has created confusion among applicants and their refugee relatives

I obtained my visa but in Cedros, the immigration officials ordered me to return to Venezuela without giving me reasons. When I returned to Caracas, I went to the Trinidad Embassy to make the request again and the workers there informed me that the process was stopped,” Rodríguez said via a telephone interview from Caracas.

She visited Trinidad to visit her husband who has asylum status. “At the embassy in Caracas they asked a lot of questions about the travel, but especially about the economic income that the Venezuelan person has”.

She said Venezuelans are treated well at the embassy in Caracas but that changes if there are problems with the documents. (Excerpt

from T&T Newsday)

anada has warned its nationals to stay away from Haiti, where opposition forces are continuing street protests to force the President of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom), Jovenel Moise out of office.

Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, has condemned “all forms of violence in Haiti”, and Ottawa in updating its information on the protests, said the country is experiencing water, food and fuel shortages. “Many businesses and banks are closed, making it difficult to access cash and commodities of all kinds. Burning barricades are disrupting traffic in the main streets

of Port-au-Prince. Clashes between protestors and security forces have occurred. Police have used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds,” it said, adding that additional protests are expected over the next few days.

“Acts of violence could happen without notice.

Avoid all unnecessary travel to Haiti,” Canada told its citizens, informing them also that “if you are in the country, limit your movements, avoid crossing road blockades, even if they appear unattended (and) plan to have adequate water, food and fuel supplies.

“Please note that even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any

time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place, follow the instructions of local authorities (and) monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations,” it added.

Opposition forces have been staging street demonstrations in a bid to remove Moise from office amid allegations of corruption and Opposition spokesman, André Michel, said they have launched operation “Poze Sele” (Seal) where supporters would descend on state institutions that collect government revenue crippling their operations. (Excerpt from CMC)

Protest-hit Ecuador seeks foreign mediation, relocates Govt

E

c u a d o r ’ s Government sought mediation from the United Nations or Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday after six days of anti-austerity protests that have pushed President Lenin Moreno’s Government out of Quito and brought hundreds of arrests.

Thousands of Indigenous demonstrators have flooded the highland capital, camping in a park and surging around the National Assembly during the afternoon.

Masked and stick-wielding protesters on Tuesday again hurled stones and battled with security forces, who responded with tear gas.

Facing the biggest challenge yet to his 2-1/2year rule, President Lenin Moreno has declared a state of emergency here and relocated government operations to the coastal city of Guayaquil where there has been less trou-

Demonstrators clash with Police officers during a protest against Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno’s austerity measures in Quito, Ecuador [Photo by: REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado]

ble.

“The only response is dialogue and firmness at the same time,” said presidency secretary Juan Roldan, inviting the UN, Catholic Church or university rectors to help start talks.

Protests erupted last Thursday when the Government cut fuel subsidies here as part of a package of economic reforms, in keeping with a $4.2 billion International Monetary

Fund (IMF) loan.

Indigenous groups and others have been barricading roads with burning tires, rocks and branches, while police have deployed armored vehicles and water cannon.

Nearly 600 people have been arrested, authorities say, including a legislator who supports Moreno’s predecessor Rafael Correa.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

7 LatAm nations suggest Maduro behind unrest in Ecuador, back Moreno

S

even Latin American countries reject any attempt by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to destabilize democracies in the region and back Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno as he tries to calm unrest,

Peru’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday, speaking on behalf of the group.

A statement from the Peru’s Foreign Ministry said that it as well as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Paraguay

all expressed their “firm backing for actions taken by President Lenin Moreno” and “reject any action aimed at destabilising our democracies by the regime of Nicolas Maduro.”(Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, october 9, 2019

17

Around the World

India to lift travel advisory on Kashmir two months after crackdown

I

ndia will lift an advisory asking tourists and pilgrims to leave Jammu and Kashmir today, further rolling back steps taken during a crackdown launched before the Government scrapped the special status of the Muslim majority State two months ago.

But underlining the continued security risks after the state Government issued its advisory late on Monday, Police said on Tuesday that

two militants belonging to Pakistan-based Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) had been killed.

A military official told Reuters the militants were caught in a firefight in Pulwama district, some 25 kilometres (16 miles) south of Srinagar, the State’s summer capital, and in the same area where in February a suicide bomber rammed a car into a bus carrying Indian paramilitary police.

A police official, who declined to be named, said the

two deaths meant six militants had been killed since the crackdown began in August.

Thousands of Indian tourists, pilgrims and workers fled Jammu and Kashmir in early August after authorities issued a security alert over possible militant attacks by Pakistan-backed groups, assertions rejected

by Islamabad.

Telephone and internet services were suspended and public movements

restricted in some areas to prevent protests hours before India announced it had revoked the region’s special status.

Some curbs have since been lifted. On Sunday, some 15 members of the main National Conference party were allowed to meet two senior leaders detained in the crackdown.

However, mobile and internet services are largely An aerial view shows Dal Lake, one of Kashmir’s main tourist still blocked in the Kashmir valley. (Excerpt from Reuters) attractions, in Srinagar, September 20, 2019

Nigerian President offers record Super Typhoon Hagibis heads towards Japan US$34B budget for 2020

N

i

g

e

r

i

a

S

n

President Muhammadu Buhari presented a record 10.33 trillion-naira (US$33.8 billion) budget for 2020 to lawmakers on Tuesday as he aims to spur growth in Africa’s largest economy at the start of his second term in office.

The plan for Africa’s top oil exporter assumes crude production of 2.18 million barrels a day and an oil price of US$57 per barrel, although an analyst said the budget implementation may “deviate dramatically” from the figures unveiled.

Nigeria emerged from its first recession in 25 years in 2017. Growth is still sluggish, although higher oil prices and recent debt sales have helped the country to accrue billions of dollars in foreign reserves.

Buhari told lawmakers at a joint session of the Upper and Lower Chambers of Parliament that the “eco-

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari told lawmakers at a joint session of the Upper and Lower Chambers of Parliament that the “economic environment remains challenging” but that the budget was expected to increase the pace of growth [Nigeria Presidency/Handout via Reuters]

nomic environment remains challenging” but said the budget was expected to increase the pace of growth.

The President has repeatedly stated his desire to boost non-oil sources of revenue since crude oil sales make up around 90 per cent of foreign exchange. Low prices were the main reason for the economy’s slide into recession in 2016.

Economic growth slowed

to an annual rate of 1.94 per cent in the three months to the end of June, the second quarter in a row of decline.

The spending plan, which includes a value-added tax increase from five per cent to 7.5 per cent, is up from the 8.83 trillion-naira budget for 2019 and tops the previous record spending plan which was the 9.12 trillion-naira budget for 2018.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Brexit: Deal essentially impossible, No 10 source says after PM-Merkel call

A

No 10 source has said a Brexit deal is “essentially impossible” after a call between the PM and Angela Merkel.

Boris Johnson and the German Chancellor spoke earlier about the proposals he put forward to the EU - but the source said she made clear a deal based on them was “overwhelmingly unlikely”.

And the EU’s top official warned the UK against a “stupid blame game”.

With efforts to get a deal by the end of the month on an apparent knife edge, Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Leo Varadkar have said they hope to meet later in the week.

But following talks in Downing Street, the President of the European Parliament said there had been “no progress” and MEPs would not agree to a compromise deal “at any price”.

Amid frantic diplomatic

uper Typhoon Hagibis has developed quickly in the western Pacific, strengthening from a tropical storm to a super typhoon in just 24 hours.

This makes Hagibis the 20th storm in the region this season, among the most explosive rapid intensifications of any tropical cyclone on record.

Between 12:00 GMT on Sunday to the same time on Monday, the system’s winds went from 100 kilometres per hour to 250km/h as its centre neared the northern Mariana island of Anatahan.

Super Typhoon Hagibis

is now located approximately 380km northwest of Guam. It has sustained winds of 250km/h and gusts of nearly 305km/h.

It is already equivalent to a strong Category 5 Atlantic hurricane and is expected to strengthen over the next 24 hours with winds touching 260km/h.

The storm is expected to continue northward before veering off to the northeast.

Hagibis will be weakening as it nears Japan because of the increasingly unfavourable upper-level winds. That said, it should still be a strong and danger-

ous typhoon.

Honshu is likely to be the worst-hit. The latest projections take the eye of the storm right over Tokyo at about 18:00 GMT on Saturday, which looks like a dreadful day for much of Honshu.

The storm could still be equivalent to a Category 2 hurricane by then with winds at approximately 160km/h, gusting to 200km/h.

Along with the damaging winds and torrential rain, large waves and storm surges are likely to cause life-threatening floods and possibly mudslides leading to widespread disruption.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UN Chief warns may not have enough money to pay staff next month

T

he United Nations may not have enough money for staff salaries next month if member states don’t pay what they owe, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Tuesday.

He told the 193-member UN General Assembly’s budget committee that if he had not worked since January to cut spending then “we would not have had the liquidity to support” the annual gathering of world leaders last month.

The United States is the largest contributor - responsible for 22 per cent of the more than $3.3 billion reg-

ular budget for 2019, which pays for work including political, humanitarian, disarmament, economic and social affairs and communications.

Washington owes some $381 million for prior regular budgets and $674 million for the 2019 regular budget.

US President Donald Trump has said Washington is shouldering an unfair burden of the cost of the United Nations and has pushed for reforms of the world body.

Guterres has been working to improve UN operations and cut costs.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said so

far 129 countries had paid their dues for 2019, which amounted to almost $2 billion.

UN peacekeeping missions are funded by a separate budget, which was $6.7 billion peacekeeping budget for the year to June 30, 2019, and $6.51 billion for the year to June 30, 2020.

The United States is responsible for nearly 28 per cent of the peacekeeping budget but has pledged to pay only 25 per cent as required by US law.

Washington currently owes some $2.4 billion for peacekeeping missions. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Italy reduces size of Parliament ‘to save €1B in a decade’

Angela Merkel and Boris Johnson spoke on the phone on Tuesday morning

manoeuvring in European capitals, details of a call earlier on Tuesday between the UK and German leaders have reignited tensions across the continent.

The No 10 source suggested Merkel told her counterpart the only way to break the deadlock was for Northern Ireland to stay in the customs union and for it to permanently accept EU single market rules on trade in goods.

This, the source said, marked a shift in

Germany’s approach and made a negotiated deal “essentially impossible”.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the conversation had been “frank” but denied the negotiations were all but over.

The BBC’s Europe editor Katya Adler said it was “no secret” Berlin found the UK’s proposed new customs solution for Northern Ireland problematic. (Excerpt from BBC News)

I

taly’s Parliament has voted to cut the number of representatives in both Houses by more than a third.

The Lower House approved a law to reduce the number of MPs from 630 to 400 and senators from 315 to 200.

The reform was a manifesto promise of the populist Five Star Movement, the main party in Italy’s governing coalition.

They say it will streamline Parliament and save hundreds of millions of euros in salaries and expenses.

However, critics say the

move will weaken democracy and increase the influence of lobbyists. The new law is potentially subject to a confirmatory referendum as it makes changes to the Italian Constitution.

In a post on Twitter, Five Star said the bill - which was supported by almost all parties - would save the country €1 billion (£897 million) over 10 years.

“It’s the day we’ve been awaiting forever,” Cabinet Secretary Riccardo Fraccaro said, according to Ansa.

The news agency AGI (in Italian) calculated that

as an MP costs €230,000 per year and a senator €249,600, the cuts in the Lower House would save €52.9 million annually and those in the senate €28.7 million.

The new law should come into effect after the next elections which are due in 2023.

A governing coalition between Five Star and the farright League party broke down in August. Last month Five Star entered into a new coalition with the centre-left PD and made the new law a condition of its alliance. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, OCTOber 9, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

Be careful whom you spar with today. You’ll tend to bite off more than you can chew, leaving you in a poor position. Take care of your responsibilities and lie low.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

The barter system will benefit you. Learning to give and take will provide you with a better understanding of what you can gain as well as what you can offer.

Romance is encouraged.

(March 21April 19)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Expect emotional manipulation if you get into a debate. Focus on getting things done, not on talking about what you want to do.

Participate in events that will help you further your goals. A partnership proposal will be worth checking out.

An interesting take on how you can use your skills more effectively will be offered.

Keep moving forward.

Learn all you can and establish what you want. Don’t let the changes others make distract you from focusing on your objective.

Speak up, get things done and make a difference. Use your experience to make sensible conclusions and choices that will further your interests. Romance is encouraged.

Consider what it will take to stabilize situations that could disrupt your life.

Someone will put demands on you that could wreak havoc on your personal life.

Proceed with caution.

The personal touch will be necessary when dealing with sensitive situations. Words matter, and the way you articulate what you want to see happen will make a difference.

Listen to what others say. If you don’t agree, go about your business. If you force your opinion on others, you will waste time and damage your reputation.

Make changes at home or work that will align you with the people you need behind you. A positive change is heading your way.

Spend more time making sure everything is up to date. Look over personal documents, bill payments and contracts. Adjustments you make will save you a bundle. Don’t settle for less.

The help you offer others will benefit you as well.

Someone you encounter will give you something to think about. Love and romance are in the stars, and a commitment can be made.

WEDNesday, october 9, 2019

19

BCB-Berbice River Cricket 20/20 Cricket Tournament…

Sand Hills Friendship defeat Ebini T

he Area H Ground in Guyana’s smallest township came alive Sunday last when dozens of residents from communities based in the Berbice River turned up to witness the final of the second annual Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)/Berbice River Area 20/20 Cricket Tournament.

Last year’s runners-up Sand Hills Friendship easily defeated Ebini by 75 runs to lift the 2019 trophy.

Sand Hills won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 148-8 from their allotted 20 overs after recovering from a shaky position of 33-3 in the fifth over. They quickly lost Byron Lindee (6); Michael Caple (19) and Daniel Leacock (1) as medium pacer Vijai Totoram produced a penetrating opening spell of 4-1-23-3.

The eventual champions’ middle order batted well with Glendon Fedricks (28); Joshua Leacock (22); Brian King (21 not out) and W Caplie (23) chipping in well. Daniel Leacock and King added a crucial 43 for the fifth wicket. The best bowlers for Ebini were Peter Grant (3 for 20); Totoram (3 for 23) and M Leacock (2 for 26).

Requiring 149 off 120 balls to lift the BCB title, Ebini were never allowed to score freely as Sand Hills Friendship bowled a tight line and fielded superbly.

Opening fast bowler Jason Leacock and B King bowled well to restrict the score to 33 for 2 in the 11th over. Ebini were eventually dismissed for73 in 17.3 overs.

D Leacock (17); Skipper Ian Lyte

– BCB makes donation to clubs

The winning Sand Hills Friendship team

(20) and Totoram (13) were the only batsmen to reach double figures. B King (2 for 14); Ryan DeNobrega (2 for 12); J Leacock (2 for 17) and Daniel Leacock (2 for 10) were the champions’ best bowlers. Joshua Leacock was named Man of the Finals and received a trophy and small water pitcher.

BCB President Hilbert Foster praised the positive atmosphere that the finals were played in and stated that he was very impressed with the high level of talent on display. The BCB boss

brought the entire delegation of players, club officials, and supporters from the riverine communities up to date on the current state of Berbice cricket, as well as plans for the future and areas of assistance that clubs have benefited from the BCB. He expressed disappointment that a club in the area did not play in the tournament on the alleged advice of a cricket official who has a history of not supporting his administration. Foster told the visitors that he has no interest in cricket politics, but rather in the overall development of

the game and in making sure that every cricketing talent is given the opportunity to develop.

Representatives of the clubs stated their displeasure with persons who have no linkage to their area representing them at the BCB levels and vowed to stop the situation.

The winning team and runners-up both received a financial prize and trophies. The Cricket Board donated a five-gallon water pitcher, a three-gallon pitcher and a box of balls each to the two teams. Foster also handed over anti-suicide posters, youth information booklets, exercise books and a large quantity of educational materials including pens, pencils, and sharpeners to the clubs on behalf of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS. The BCB would host both teams on November 23 in a special match at the Albion Ground as part of its effort to assist in the development of the game in the riverine area. The tournament was sponsored by a West Berbice businessman who has several businesses in the Berbice River area.

The completion of the tournament fulfils the commitment of the active BCB to host cricket in all five sub-associations in Berbice – Berbice River, Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, West Berbice and New AmsterdamCanje.

China TV drops NBA exhibition games, Federer cruises past RamosVinolas in Shanghai league defends free speech

C

hinese state television said on Tuesday it would not air NBA exhibition games played in the country this week, heaping pressure on the U.S. basketball league after a tweet by a Houston Rockets executive backing protests in Hong Kong.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey apologised on Monday for any hurt caused by the tweet, which he quickly deleted over the weekend.

But China’s government, fans and the team’s partners were not mollified, resulting in loss of sponsors and broadcasts in the world’s second-largest economy and an important National Basketball Association (NBA) market.

However, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver spoke up for freedom of speech saying it was not up to the NBA to regulate what players, employees and team owners said, nor to adjudicate differences between people around the world.

CCTV state television said it strongly opposed Silver’s support of Morey.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver

China’s ANTA sports to immediately halt contract renewal negotiations China’s ANTA Sports Products Ltd said on Tuesday it will halt contract renewal negotiations with the National Basketball Association (NBA), adding to the list of Chinese firms cutting ties with the league.

Chinese sponsors have been severing ties with U.S.

basketball league following a tweet by Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey supporting the protesters in Hong Kong, which he quickly deleted over the weekend.

Anta said in a statement on social media platform Weibo the company opposes any action that harms China’s interests and was dissatisfied with the comments by the Houston Rockets and NBA executives. The company did not provide details on the nature of the contract that was being negotiated.

Anta has endorsement contracts with several NBA athletes including as Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson and Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward.

Vivo bows out Chinese smartphone maker Vivo said on Tuesday it will suspend all cooperation with the National Basketball Association (NBA), joining a series of Chinese firms cutting ties with the league following a tweet by a Houston Rockets executive supporting Hong Kong’s protesters. (Reuters)

R

oger Federer eased past Albert Ramos-Vinolas 6-2 7-6(5) to reach the last-16 of the Shanghai Masters on Tuesday, avenging a defeat to the Spaniard in their last meeting at the same stage of the tournament in 2015.

Second seed Federer, who received a first-round bye, broke RamosVinolas twice in the opening set and sailed through his service games without facing a break point in the match.

Ramos-Vinolas, who upset Federer four years ago to snap a 15-match losing streak against top-10 players, recovered well to force a second-set tiebreak but his Swiss opponent came back from 4-1 down to seal victory.

“I focused, because when you travel around the globe, you’re missing a bit of energy. Those first few games or matches can be sometimes a bit tricky,” Federer said.

“Serve was solid. I was hitting my spots and really was never in trouble there. But of course all of a sudden, being in a breaker, calls out for different play sometimes and different momentum.

“He had his chances, but it was a nice comeback for me, and overall.”

Federer, a twice Shanghai champion, will next meet Belgium’s David Goffin or Kazakh Mikhail Kukushkin for a place in the quarter-finals.

Former world number one Andy Murray showed some more positive signs in his injury comeback but eventually went down in a bruising battle with Italy’s Fabio Fognini.

Murray twice served for the match in the deciding set, but Fognini dug deep to force a tiebreak and secure a 7-6(4) 2-6 7-6(2) win in just over three hours.

“There is a lot of things that I need to get better at, and I can do much better,” said Murray, who underwent a career-saving hip resurfacing procedure in January.

“I will go away and I’ll work on those things and be in a better position next time I play against him.” (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

WEDNesday, october 9, 2019

Santos FC, Fruta Conquerors FC positive about Limacol finale

By Jemima Holmes

Fruta Conquerors Under-20 Captain Ryan Hackett

W

hen the lights come up at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue on Sunday evening, two Under-20 teams will take to the playing field, making history in the fourth edition of the Limacol Football Tournament.

The two teams, Santos FC and Fruta Conquerors FC, were the only two Under-20 teams in a pool of ‘senior teams’, but the youngsters were not intimidated by the experience and skills of their older counterparts. After winning five games each and remaining unbeaten up until this stage, the two will now meet in the final, after which someone’s record will be blemished.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport after their semi-final encounters, the Captains of the finalist teams detailed their strong points and faults, explaining what they thought needed to be improved in order for their respective teams to bring home the $400,000 grand prize.

For Santos Captain Marcus Wilson, getting the ball into the goal is the only issue that he thinks the team need to work on.

“We want to work on correcting our finishing; the forwards have to finish, because if we don’t finish well, we won’t get goals,” Wilson explained to this publication.

While this was the only trouble the team seemed to have in their penalty affair with Pele FC, the Captain also shared some of the positives that the team would be taking into the final.

“We defended as a team and we didn’t give up; we keep the fight. Even after the Coach talked to us, we kept on as a team,” he stated.

On the other hand, Ryan Hackett, Fruta Conquerors’ stand-in captain cited his teammate, Nicholas Mc Arthur’s injury as the only factor that heavily impacted the team’s performance in the semi-final against Riddim Squad. As such, Hackett admitted that as long as the injury lingered, it would be a hindrance, but he was glad at the opportunity for the other players to step up.

“Yeah, Mc Arthur is an excellent player, so the guys will miss him, because he’s a very good player; in terms of finishing the ball and I’m going to think that the other guys can do

it. We can’t say without him we can’t do it, we need to give the others guys courage to do it too,” Hackett noted.

He went on to identify some players w h o would be critical in the final’s team.

“We have guys like Rayvon, Jackman, Jermaine Garrett, and also our goalkeeper. And I’m looking forward for all of them to step up and give their A game,” he said.

With a smile and a positive demeanour, Hackett expressed hope that his team could go all the way, this time around.

“I’m looking for us to come out victorious in the finals.”

Santos FC’s Captain Marcus Wilson

“Best Boxer” Halley grateful for support

N

ineteen-year-old Shemar Halley has been dominant in the intermediate boxing circles for the past few years. This year, at the Lennox Blackmore National Intermediates, the youngster showed why he was one of the best young prospects in boxing.

Having won the best boxer accolade at the tournament last year, which was hosted by the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GBA), Halley knew that all eyes would be on him as he entered the ring for his lightweight bout.

Even with expectations mounted against him, Halley was confident in his abilities. He breezed past his preliminary opponents in the earlier bouts, but the real challenge came when he met with Guyana Defence Force’s Jeremiah Jackman in the lightweight final.

Jackman almost had Halley, as he pressured the youngster to fight harder in the first round with a series of rapid shots. However, the youth bounced back to put on a blistering show in the final round.

Speaking about his victory, Halley was oozing gratitude for those who supported him on the journey.

“I’d like to thank God for this victory, because without God I could not have achieved this goal. Secondly, I’d like to thank my sponsor and F&P Sports,” he stated.

The extremely humble teenager commended his op-

Simone Biles

Biles wins record 21st World Gymnastics Championships medal

S This year’s best elite boxer, Shemar Halley

ponent for his efforts while praising the likes of Keevin Allicock for guiding him through the bout.

“He was a good competitor, but I had two good individuals in my corner – which is Keevin Allicock and Sebert Blake, my coach.

He fought well; I can say it’s one of the hardest fights I ever had,” the youngster noted.

Halley explained how he had to ‘dig deep’ to make a comeback in the final round.

“Well, the third round was very important ‘cause during the first round, I took a lot of shots and I had to adjust. And because I did that, it abled my comeback so that I could be the victor in this match,” the eventual best boxer went on to explain.

In copping the lightweight title, Halley was adjudged the best elite boxer for the second year running.

(Jemima Holmes)

imone Biles broke the record for World Gymnastics Championships medals won by a woman with her 21st medal as the USA took their fifth straight team title.

The Americans’ total of 172.33 was almost six full marks ahead of Russia in second, with Italy beating China to a surprise bronze in Stuttgart.

Great Britain finished sixth in Germany, with Olympic qualification for Tokyo 2020 already confirmed.

Biles finished with a personal total of 59.733 in winning her 15th world title.

The 22-year-old was the outstanding performer in a team that included Jade Carey, 19, and 16-year-olds Sunisa Lee, Kara Eaker and Grace McCallum.

“I never think of records - I just go out there and do what I came to do,” said Biles.

“Every year it feels better and better, just because we’re adding to the legacy.”

Victory sees her overtake Russia’s Svetlana Khorkina as the most decorated woman in the competition’s history.

Biles has three silvers and three bronzes in addition to her 15 golds while Khorkina managed nine golds, eight silvers and three

bronzes.

Biles is again competing in all six finals, having become the first women since 1987 to win a medal in all six events at the last year’s Worlds in Doha.

The Texan now has the chance to become the gymnast with the most medals overall in World Championships history.

She needs three more this week to overtake Vitaly Scherbo’s tally of 23, which he won for the Soviet Union, the Commonwealth of Independent States and Belarus in the 1990s.

The British women’s round was mixed, although they still improved on their qualifying position in the final.

Becky Downie was the star turn with a superb 14.9 score on uneven bars.

“That’s a really good result for us - we came into it with nothing to lose,” she told BBC Sport.

“We didn’t make the team final last year so just to be in this was a huge step forward for us.”

Downie, younger sister Ellie (vault) and Alice Kinsella (all around) will appear in finals again over the coming week. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, october 9, 2019

CLASSIFIED ADS FOR SALE Left Hand Drive Toyota Corolla $380,000 neg. 680-3863

LAND FOR SALE TRANSPORTED HOUSELOTS SARAH JOANNA EAST BANK DEMERARA # 673-9231 / 216-4063/ 685-5476 Transported Land: 11.6 Acres. Lot 15 Public Road.No. 2 Village, West Coast Berbice, 5mins away from Berbice River Bridge.contact no.

648-7109.

House and Land Lot 294 Dartmout, Essequibo. Contact No. : 664-5972, 690-9659.

spirituality & ASTROLOGY Are you having trouble with Health, Money/Love Life and Domestic Problems. Removal of Obstacles of any kind. Then I can help. Call / WhatsApp : 671-8919.

TO LET 1 House to Rent at lot 5 Best Road, Best village. Contact number: 668-6755 (Nevile) FOR RENT BY OWNER. 8000 sq ft of warehouse/office space on the BV (Beterverwagting) Public Rd, East Coast Demerara.

Multiple air-conditioned offices. USD $4500 NEGOTIABLE. Call or Whatsapp 592-610-6580

VACANCIES Female live in Domestic wanted to work in Trinidad.Must be single between the ages of 25-38.Meals and Accommodation is provided.

WhatsApp or call for more info.tel:1 868 386 5302,1 868 386 4621.

Office Assistant: Proficient in Excel, Minimum of 2 years’ experience, Knowledge of NIS/PAYE/PAYROLL, 5 subjects C.X.C, Good Oral and Written communication skills. Must be willing to assist in other areas.

Apply to MIMA Decor, 8 Sheriff Street Subryanville / mimadecor2@ gmail.com/ 226-0176.

Handyman to assist with yard work, etc. $3,000 per day - 680-3863 Pump Attendant - 680-3863 Store Helper - 624-0033

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

Hero Caribbean MotoCorp supports Cancer Institute via CPL promotion A

s part of its second anniversary in Guyana, Hero Caribbean MotoCorp on Monday made a monetary contribution to the Cancer Institute of Guyana.

At a simple but significant ceremony at the Cancer Institute of Guyana on Lamaha Street, Hero Country Manager Deon Williams presented a cheque valued US$1500 to Medical Director of the Institute, Dr Sayan Chakraborty in the presence of Coordinator Monette Harry and Accountant Kamla Mohan.

The funds were garnered from a raffle that was on sale during the Guyana leg of the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2019. Williams said the overwhelming support and generosity of Guyanese allowed Hero to contribute to a worthy cause.

“We know and we’re confident this (donation) will be put to good use,” Williams said.

Dr Chakraborty noted,

Raffle winner Mohamed Shahab Rasool (left) collects the keys to his Hero Hunk from Deon Williams

“We will definitely make good use of this because we find there is a huge number of people who need screening and investigation and are unable to do those because of financial constraints. This donation and generosity to the Cancer Institute will help to save a lot more lives.”

Meanwhile, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed globally in October, the Cancer Institute has planned a number of activities to raise awareness and edify the public on the epidemic.

Coordinator Harry, in expressing gratitude to Hero, highlighted that an Awareness Walk in partnership with Digicel and Oasis Water on October 20 in Georgetown, a vigil on October 25 in collaboration with Giving Hope Foundation at the Square of the Revolution and a screening exercise at Hard Rock Café at MovieTowne on October 26 are among the

major events planned for the month.

At the raffle drawing, which took place live during the first Play-off game of CPL 2019 on Sunday last, Mohamed Shahab Rasool of the West Demerara village of Malgre Tout, emerged winner of a spanking new Hero Hunk motorcycle.

Although he’s elated to win, Rasool said his primary intention when he bought the ticket in early September was to support Hero and the Cancer Institute’s fight against the disease.

“It feels great to win, but I didn’t expect to win. First time I ever win something,” Rasool said. “I wasn’t too sure (when I got the call) because there’s lots of prank calls, and it take a while before I believe, and then my wife overheard it on the television also.”

The raffle was held in partnership with Rose Ramdehol Auto Sales, the local dealer for Hero MotoCorp.

BCB-Stag Beer 50 Overs 1st Division…

Tucber Park book semifinal spot after defeating Young Warriors

N

ew Amsterdam-Canje giants Tucber Park defeated Young Warriors by three wickets to advance to the semi-finals of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-Stag Beer 50-Over First-Division tournament on Saturday last.

In the match played at Cumberland, East Canje, Young Warriors were restricted to 180-9 in 50 overs.

Nial Smith continued his dominance with the ball; the paceman grabbed 4-20 while the consistent spinner, Damion Vantul had 3-47. Seon Hetmyer, the older brother of Guyana Amazon Warriors batsman, Shimron Hetmyer was the mainstay for Young Warriors.

The solid right-handed Hetmyer scored 66, but it was the brilliance of Smith who put an end to the batting masterclass. Alex Algoo, batting at number four, scored 35 for Young Warriors.

In reply, Tucber Park were tasked to work hard to achieve the target.

Eventually, Tucber Park scored 186-7 in 48.2 overs. Veteran batsman Devon Clements top-scored with 40 while Guyana Under-19 all-rounder Leon Swamy smashed 30, and Clifton Lindie contributed 28.

Meanwhile, on Saturday last, Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour team booked their spot in the final after defeating Albion by three wickets at Area H Ground. Albion were bundled out for 204 in 46.1 overs while Delbert Hicks held things together to take Rose Hall Town to 205-7 in 46 overs. Hicks, who had earlier scored a century, scored 60 for the Rose Hall lads.

Nial Smith bagged four wickets while Damion Vantul had three wickets for Tucber Park

Dragon Stout Community Cup competitors confirmed T

he final 16 teams who will participate in the inaugural Dragon Stout ‘Community Cup’ street-ball tournament have been finalised.

This was disclosed in an official press release from Dragon Stout Brand Coordinator Jamal Baird.

The participants, who will be competing for over $500,000 in prizes, are North East La Penitence, Albouystown, Leopold St, Broad St, Sophia, LA Ballers, Bent St, Gold is Money, Back Circle, Sparta Boss, Alexander Village, Future Stars, Tiger Bay, Melanie B, ANSA McAL All-Stars and Showstoppers.

According to Baird, “The teams have been selected from various environs and several regions which provides a national flavour and true representation of the growing street-ball culture.”

He further added, “The event is the start of an exciting project, which has the capacity to become a staple

of the local street-ball and community landscape and attract a mass following.”

November 15 is the date scheduled for the commencement of the elimination tournament.

The other playing nights are November 22 and 29, with December 6 pencilled as the grand finale. All matches will be hosted at the National Gymnasium.

Baird affirmed, “It’s an exciting opportunity for the brand to establish and foster a relationship with the respective communities through the common denominator of sport.”

He related, “Presently, systems and structures are being created and fine-tuned to ensure a memorable event that will leave a lasting impression in the minds of the spectators and more importantly, the players.”

“There is a buzz within the respective communities about the tournament, which bodes well for its success as players are excited to compete,” Baird declared.

22

WEDNesday, october 9, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

GOA outfits GuyanaNRA Team for WIBFSC C/ships

– corporate assistance still needed

T

he Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) on Monday received a timely donation from the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA).

GOA President KA JumanYassin responded to the request from the GuyanaNRA for assistance and outfitted the National Rifle Team members with jerseys and track suits ahead of the 2019 edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships to be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago.

Vice Captain of the national team, Dylan Fields, accepted the donation in the presence of two other team members. Fields expressed the Association’s gratitude to the GOA for the donation and stated that they were looking forward to future collaborations with the GOA. Fields stated that this donation would further add to the professional outfit of the team, “as we will be well-uniformed as ambas-

sadors of our country”.

On team preparations for the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council’s Individual, Long and Short Range Championships, Fields said that the shooters have been training hard each Sunday for the past few months and were beginning to peak.

This Sunday will be the last team training before departure on October 19 for Trinidad and Tobago, where Guyana will be facing the host nation, Barbados, Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda in what is anticipated to be another fierce battle across the various ranges.

In offering brief comments, Juman-Yassin said he was happy that the GOA was able to outfit the rifle team which has been doing Guyana proud over the years and he was equally happy to hear that Captain Mahendra Persaud would be joining the team this year as Coach in the twin-island republic.

r one hands ove ond right) ce of c n e e (s s re in s p s uman-Ya lds in the J ie A F K n luck t d la n o y e o id ore VC D nsford G GOA Pres its to Fullb son (right) and Ra u s k c a tr Samp of the bers Ryan team mem

Persaud, who has been at the helm

BCB-New York Business Group Under-19 50-Over Tournament…

of Guyana’s dominance of the sport for over a decade, is still recovering from his

illness.

Meanwhile, GuyanaNRA Hon Secretary Ryan Sampson added that while the team were able to secure their airfare through their BBQ fundraiser, they were still seeking corporate assistance to offset the accommodation and entrance fees.

He stated that letters were sent out, but responses have been slow, the GuyanaNRA receiving a mixture of positive and negative replies. “The national team is, therefore, appealing to corporate Guyana to assist us to once again fly the Golden Arrowhead with pride at the Caribbean level.”

Guyana has been the most dominant nation in short- and long-range shooting among its Caribbean rivals, with its marksmen making up more than half of the West Indies team at international events.

BCB/Shimron Hetmyer 2019 Intermediate Tournament…

Archrivals Rose Hall Town Pepsi Rose Hall Town, Albion to clash for championship honours and Albion march into final R

ose Hall Town Pepsi and Albion have Kevlon Anderson were the main destroyers advanced to the final of the Berbice for RHT Pepsi, who advanced to their third Cricket Board (BCB)-organised New successive Under-19 final.

York Business Group Under-19 tournaAt the Albion Ground, powerhouse Albion were coasting at 139 for 3, chasing ment.

Defending champions Rose Hall Town 141 for victory, when they lost four wickets Pepsi easily defeated Rose Hall Canje for no runs in a dramatic collapse.

They eventually reached 144 for 7, with Community Centre by 168 runs at the Canje Ground while Albion held their nerve to de- Anthonio February (38 with 5 boundaries); feat a determined Tucber Park Cricket Club Reyad Karim (30); Jetendra Outar (16); and Sarwan by three wickets after losing four wickets for Kevin Umroa (14) no runs when Chaitnarine (17) the prinjust two runs cipal scorers. were required for victory.

February and At the Karim added 80 crucial Rose Hall runs for the Community fourth wickCentre Ground et after comin Canje, the two-time deing togethfending chamer at 59 for 3. Pacers D pions Rose Mc Donald Hall Town and Leon Pepsi were surprisingly asked Swammy to bat first by took 2 wickRose Hall Canje ets for 19 after rain had and 33 respectively. reduced play Earlier, to 35 overs per n (ball in rso de An side. The visT u cber n vlo Ke n’s Rose Hall Tow Umroa will battle vin Ke itors amassed Park were ’s ion Alb d an ) hand andon Corlette photo) 253 for 7 in their made to against each other (Br allotted overs work hard with West Indies for the 140 all out they made in Under-19 selectee Kevlon Anderson strok- 48 overs by the home team’s all-spin bowling an attractive 80 while former national ing attack. Anthony Williams top-scored Under-15 player Mahendra Gopilall scored with 35 while Gevon Shultz (22); Zeynul 50.

Ramsammy (16) and Garfield Benjamin Other useful contributions came from (15) offered solid support. Left-arm spinners Tyrese Sealey (26); Chanderpaul Govindhan Inzam Shazam (3 for 26 in 8 overs); Kevin (19); Junior Sinclair (19) and Lucas Arthur Umroa (3 for 36 in 10 overs) and off-spinner (17). Under-15 legspinner Sanjay Algoo took Beesham Surujnarine (2 for 22 in 9 overs) 3 for 33 from seven impressive overs while were Albion’s leading bowlers.

West Indies Under-15 fast bowler Isiah The final would be played at the No 69 Thorne took 2 for 28 from seven pacy overs. Ground at the request of the sponsors, who Rose Hall Canje, in response, were are overseas-based Guyanese businessmen bowled out for 84 in 26 overs with Metain living in the New York area. The tournaMentore and Bharrat Gopaul, top-scoring ment is organised by the BCB while the with 10 runs each. financial aspect is handed by the Albion Off-spinner Junior Sinclair – 4 for 26 Community Centre. runs in seven overs – and medium pacer

T

Albion CC will be looking to dethrone Rose Hall Town (Brandon Corlette photo)

he two-decade-old rivalry between two of Berbice’s strongest cricket clubs will continue on Saturday, October 13, with arch-rivals Albion and Rose Hall Town Pepsi battling it out for championship honours in the final of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB)-organised Shimron Hetmyer 2019 Intermediate Cricket Tournament.

The 40-over final will be played at the Port Mourant Ground from 11:00h.

Intermediate is the second highest level of cricket in the Ancient County and serves as a bridge between First and Second Division Cricket. Hetmyer, a West Indies middle-order batsman, readily agreed to sponsor the tournament after having been approached

by BCB President Hilbert Foster earlier this year.

Rose Hall Town Pepsi, the defending Berbice Intermediate champi-

ons, will be led by former Guyana Under-19 Captain Shawn Pereira, who over the years has led his club to more than 25 major championships. He will be supported by former national junior player Kevin Sinclair, who has been enjoying a productive 2019 season; national junior players Sylus Tyndall and Junior Sinclair; West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevlon Anderson; Jonathan Rampersaud and Mahendra Gopilall.

Talented players like Kevin Sewraj, Doorasammy Mahadeo, Keith Simpson, Chanderpaul Govindhan, and Surendra Kissoonlall would also offer good support. With the likes of Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair and Anderson the defending champions have a strong batting line-up while Anderson and Tyndall will share the new ball.

Off-spinners Junior Sinclair, Kevin Sinclair,

Rampersaud, left-arm spinner Jeremy Sandia and legspinner Dorasammy Mahadeo along with Skipper Pereira offer a lot of variety.

Albion will be led by the experienced Kandasammy Surujnarine and he will be supported in a strong batting line-up by Jetendra Outar, Anthonio February, Reyad Karim, Ritesh Umroa, and Sarwan Chaitnarine.

Albion’s all-spin attack should enjoy the Port Mourant pitch, which usually favours spin. West Indies Under-19 Selectee Kevin Umroa would lead the attack with support from Gourav Ramesh, Beesham Surujnarine, Sarwan Chaitnarine, and Devindra Latchman.

The BCB President and executives of the Board along with members of the Hetmyer family are expected to be present at the closing ceremony.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, october 9, 2019

Caribbean players dominating Hero CPL charts

By Brandon Corlette

T

he 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) has had a ground-breaking season for the Caribbean players who have stepped up to the plate.

With the T20 World Cup set for October next year, and more importantly, Afghanistan and Ireland series are looming, the calypso boys will be aiming to make the cut for

West Indies selection.

Brandon King and Hayden Walsh Jr are the names that come to mind; the duo lead the respective Hero CPL charts.

King, who recorded the highest individual score in CPL history, has 453 runs in 11 matches. With a high score of 132*, the clean striker of the ball has an astonishing average of 56.62 and a strike rate of 151.

In the bowling department, Walsh sits at the summit with 19 wickets with the only five-wicket haul this season. Capturing a career best 5-19, the Tridents leg-spinner, who played only seven matches, has a superb bowling average of 11.73 and a stunning strike rate of 8.7 with an economy rate of 8.

Reflecting on the

2018 CPL, Colin Munro and Glenn Phillips, who have been among the runs for successive seasons, topped the batting charts last season. Munro ended CPL 2018 with 567 runs and Phillips scored 457. Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) batting sensation Shimron Hetmyer had scored 440 runs in 2018.

This season, more Caribbean batsmen have been among the runs. After King’s 453

Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) batsman has five half-centuries, averaging 42.9 with a high score of 90.

O t h e r Caribbean batsmen dominating the batting charts are

Hayden Walsh Jr leads the bowling charts with 19 wickets

Jason Holder gets his 13th wicket this season! Shimron Hetmyer has 215 runs in CPL 2019 after scoring 440 runs in the 2018 competition Lendl Simmons has grabbed his opportunity with both hands

runs this season, the veteran Lendl Simmons has 429 runs in 10 innings. The reliable

Johnson Charles (341) and Kieron Pollard (326). The youngsters have also been

in peak form: Chandrapaul Hemraj has 298 runs, Evin Lewis had s c o r e d 265 and Rahkeem Cornwall had scored 254 for St Lucia Zouks.

Hetmyer and Munro who dominated the 2 0 1 8 season have 2 1 5

r u n s this 2019 season.

Other impressive innings came from West Indies batting sensation Nicholas Pooran, who once more displayed the art of hitting clean sixes.

His Guyana Amazon Warriors teammate, Sherfane Rutherford has also been timing the ball cleanly when given the opportunity.

23

Brandon King leads the CPL charts with 453 runs (CPL/Getty Images)

GAW spin kings, Imran Tahir (15) and Chris Green (13) are behind Walsh in terms of wickets.

Jason Holder leads the fast-bowling charts with 13 wickets while the ever-consistent Romario Shepherd has 12 wickets. Sheldon Cottrell, Kesrick Williams and Rayad Emrit have 12 wickets each this season. In contrast, in the 2018 season, leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed, who represented TKR, bagged 22 wickets and Oshane Thomas was the leading Caribbean bowler with 18 wickets.

With the West Indies returning to the international stage from November 5 against Afghanistan, some of these outstanding players should make the cut. The West Indies will play Afghanistan in India; the Romario tour will feaShepherd has ture three 12 wickets T 2 0

Internationals and three OneDay Internationals.

It will conclude with the lone Test match commencing from November 27, 2019.

Roger Harper returns as Windies selector

F

Roger Harper

ormer West Indies off-spinner and coach Roger Harper is among four men chosen by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to be on the senior selection panel for the regional team.

Harper, a Guyanese, will be joined by the former Windward Islands batsman and selector Lockhart Sebastien, who was removed earlier this year before the new selection guidelines were being put in place.

Sebastien re-applied and was chosen as on the new panel.

He was part of the Courtney Browne-led panel that included Eldine Baptiste and Travis Dowlin.

Also making the grade as a senior selector are

former Windwards batsman Miles Bascombe and Hendy Wallace, who served as chairman of the Barbados senior selection panel. The new panel will get to work very soon in choosing the West Indies team to tour India for the twin series against Afghanistan and India which gets going in November.

Harper’s international career lasted 13 years, from 1983 to 1996, and he distinguished himself as a brilliant fielder. His Test bowling average of 28.06 is superior to that of Lance Gibbs, giving him the leading average among all West Indian spinners with at least 25 Test wickets.

After his playing career he became a coach, taking over the West Indies team between 2000 and 2003 and also managing of the West Indies Youth team in 2005. However, he was approached by

Cricket Kenya in late December 2005 with an offer to take over stewardship of the Kenya team. After this, he went on to coach the West Indies team.

Bascombe is a Vincentian cricketer who played a single Twenty20 international for the West Indies in 2011. In West Indian domestic cricket, he has played for the Windward Islands and the Combined Campuses and Colleges. Sebastien, who is Dominican, was a West Indies cricketer who played for the Combined Islands and the Windward Islands in the 1970s and 1980s. He is the father of current Windward Islands cricketer Liam Sebastien.

Wallace has been a long-standing member of the selection set-up in Barbados and has worked a lot with young cricketers on the island in addition to being a regional commentator. (T&T Guardian)

WEDNesday, october 9, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Caribbean players dominating Hero CPL charts

Page 23

Hero Caribbean MotoCorp supports Cancer Institute via CPL promotion Page 21

Roger Harper

returns as Windies selector Page 23

Dr Sayan Chakraborty (left) receives the donation from Deon Williams (right) in the presence of Monette Harry (second left) and Kamla Mohan

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.