Guyana times daily december 12, 2017

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Police storm Parliament

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Issue No. 3420

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

“Don’t place all attention on oil” – British High Commissioner P2 warns

Receptionist's body found in BV cemetery

P8

…female Opposition MPs assaulted

…Juan Edghill prevented from asking questions, suspended

by Speaker

See stories on pages 3&7

“None of us wants chaos in Parliament” – Trotman

…it’s a matter of legality – Harmon

...Speaker denies calling Police

Not guilty: P8 Kwame McCoy freed

…1 jailed for throwing faeces at Freddie Kissoon

Businessman shot by bandit remanded for illegal gun P8 possession

3rd victim in Mahaicony accident P10 succumbs

2 news

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Don’t place all attention on oil” – British High Commissioner warns A s Guyana continues to count the days until oil production, slated for 2020,

British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn has issued a warning that the country should not direct all its at-

tention solely towards the petroleum industry.

Invited to speak at a private sector event on Friday

British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn

last, the foreign official addressed a number of key concerns relative to the nation’s future and the development of the relationship shared between Guyana and the UK. In his presentation, Quinn alluded to the country’s anticipation of the endless possibilities which are expected to materialize once the oil and gas operations are up and running.

In so doing, he emphasised, “It is important that all of Guyana’s attention is not placed on oil and gas alone. There is much else to be done to assist Guyanese businesses and the Guyanese economy.”

The diplomat called for attention to be placed on the existing sectors, particularly agriculture and manufacturing, so as to maintain diversity and ensure a thriving economy.

However, even as he cautioned against placing all of the nation’s resources into one proverbial basket, the British official is calling for the necessary preparations to be put in place, ahead of 2020.

“It’s good to see that there are moves afoot to put in place appropriate legislation, be that on the creation of a Petroleum Commission or on the Sovereign Wealth Fund.

But time is short, so it is important that such legislation is put in place as soon as possible,” he noted.

He then underscored the importance of appropriate consultation with all interested parties throughout this process, be it the private sector, civil society, or members of the public.

“The UK Government has been working with appropriate agencies in

the country here to help provide the information needed for Guyana to be able to apply for Marine Stewardship Council Certification (MSCC). That certification would allow Guyanese fishermen and seafood processing companies easier access to global markets,” Quinn relayed.

The British High Commissioner went on to say that alongside such certification is the need to ensure proper food safety legislation is in place. This, he said, provides the necessary assurance that food will be produced, stored, processed and so on in a way which protects the health of consumers.

He referred to the Food Safety Bill which is currently in the making, saying that this legislation would be of great benefit to the country.

Quinn believes this will place Guyana on the international playing field, competing alongside well-established nations in marketing its local produce.

“All of this work is designed to protect all of Guyana’s resources, to ensure that Government funds are spent for the benefit of all, and to ensure property regulatory oversight,” he outlined.

That way, the British diplomat highlighted, the oil industry would supplement the already existing sectors, which would inherently result in sustainable growth across the country.

news

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, December 12 – 13:30h-15:00h and Wednesday, December 13 – a night-time retraction of 01:00h and a daytime retraction of 14:00h-15:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, December 12 – 12:45h-14:15h and Wednesday, December 13 – 13:25h-14:55h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery showers can be expected throughout the day, with heavy rain showers in the afternoon.

Thundery showers are expected to return in the evening. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging between Easterly and East North Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 12:15h reaching a maximum height of 2.27 metres.

Low Tide: 05:40h and 18:16h reaching minimum heights of 0.97 metre and 0.96 metre respectively.

saturDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2017

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Police storm Parliament …Juan Edghill prevented from asking questions …female Opposition MPs assaulted

By Samuel Sukhnandan

J

ust before Parliament was scheduled to go to recess at noon on Monday, chaos erupted in the hallowed chambers after Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill refused to follow the instruction of the Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland, to stop asking questions and to leave the chambers.

Edghill, who speaks on financial matters, rose to ask the Speaker why no extension was given to scrutinise the estimates and expenditure for the 2018 budget, particularly as it relates to subject matter that was before the House. The Speaker said a time frame was agreed to earlier on, and refused to entertain any more questions.

The speaker reminded the MP that two hours which were allotted had ended, but he allowed additional time.

However, when that had ended, he then said it was time to move on, and proceeded to put the question to Parliament to move the passage of the estimates.

At that point, Edghill kept pressing the Speaker to give a better explanation as to his reason for not allowing more time. The Opposition MP was asked to remain seated and allow the House to move on with its work in the Committee of Supplies’ examination of the budget estimates.

However, Edghill refused to adhere to the instruction, and the Speaker later asked for him to be removed from the House. He called for the assistance of the Sergeant of Arms after Edghill again refused to take his leave. When that didn’t work, the Police were called in and the sitting was suspended.

At first, senior police ranks dressed in khaki uniform arrived and proceeded to Edghill. In an effort to stop the Police from removing Edghill, his colleagues in the Opposition surrounded him, forming a barricade; but despite these efforts, a few police constables attempted to force their way in.

Assault on MPs

It was during this attempt to physically remove Edghill that the Police and the Opposition MPs came into direct contact with each other, and a few of those MPs, including former Education and Human Services Minister Priya Manickchand, claiming to have been punched and roughed up by the male police ranks.

There were screams from many of the Opposition MPs, including Manickchand, who had just arrived in Parliament to show solidarity with her party.

Manickchand was heard screaming, “You’re hurting me!” and “You’re hurting me!

You’re hurting me! Please

leave me!!!”

A few minutes later, the Parliament staff attempted to have the local press corps removed from the House, but the media practitioners did not budge. In fact, they stayed throughout the chaos.

Following that episode, a literally shaken Manickchand spoke with the press. In tears, she claimed that she was punched in her stomach and her chest by the male Police constables who were attempting to push their way through the barricade formed by her colleagues around Edghill.

“The Police are supposed to protect us, and if the Police are making an arrest or attempting to make an arrest of someone who has done (nothing wrong) and who is not threatening or is any harm to anybody, then that should not include punching me in my chest and in my belly, and it should not include pushing us into chairs and tables in an attempt to do that. This is the same Police who were unable to determine who Santa was…or who can’t yet hold the Santa or the minister in this House,” a tearful Manickchand said.

Other female MPs

claimed that they too were physically assaulted by the male Police ranks that were brought in to remove Edghill.

One of the female backbenchers said she was grabbed and shoved into a table edge by one of the Police ranks, and in that process she was physically hurt.

Amidst all of this chaos, Edghill -- who was still seat-

ed -- told the media that he will not be moved, and he will not be muzzled in Parliament for representing the people of Guyana. The Opposition MP contended that the Police officers were acting on “political instructions,” and that it was against the law to arrest someone from the Chambers.

His colleagues also shouted in support of his statement.

“I am being harassed as an elected member of the National Assembly! I stood up to ask a question and I was shut down by the Speaker…I commend my female colleagues for their resilience, steadfastness and tenacity, and solidarity that resisted the illegality that was about to take place in this House! Thumbs up to all the male and female PPP MPs for their support!” the MP stated.

Turn to page 9

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017

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, sales@guyanatimesgy.com

Road carnage continues

Y

et again, Guyana experienced another deadly weekend, with the country’s roads claiming at least five fatalities. Five persons, all of whom could have been working and assisting their families and perhaps helping in the development of their communities and country as a whole, are now dead. This is in addition to the dozens of persons who lost their lives during the course of the year due to some form of recklessness by drivers, or, in some cases, carelessness by pedestrians themselves.

We are indeed convinced that the efforts being made by law enforcement and other authorities to reduce the alarming rate of road accidents are not achieving the desired results. The year 2017 will go down as yet another year when Guyana experienced some of the most horrific road accidents resulting in the loss of lives and injuries to countless others.

We are very much concerned about the number of persons losing their lives on our roadways. Too many families have been broken as a result of losing a loved one due to road accidents, most of which could have been avoided.

The reasons for the high rates of road accidents are well known, and there is no need to rehash them here except to say that while there are various factors which impact on road safety, there is little doubt that the single most important in a general sense is enforcement of the traffic laws. The Government has enacted the relevant legislation in relation to driving under the influence, loud music in vehicles, overloading, speeding, etc, but if the laws are not adequately implemented, they become useless. It would be interesting to find out how many of the drivers/ conductors who are stopped for breaking a traffic law/s are actually charged and brought before the courts. It should also be mentioned here that in some cases, Police Officers themselves are engaged in breaking the traffic rules; eg, by speeding or driving under the influence and, hence, are the source of some of the accidents we currently experience.

While it is not our intention to paint the entire Police Force with the same brush, as there are many professional and honest officers within the Force, we are convinced that unless what is perceived as the endemic corruption in the organisation, and the traffic section in particular, is addressed in a systematic way, we will not achieve the desired results.

Further, in addition to enforcement of the traffic laws, there are several actions which could be taken immediately to reduce the number of road accidents here. To begin with, the authorities should start fixing all the potholes on our streets and highways which, no doubt, pose a serious threat to people’s lives.

Additionally, the authorities should immediately start clearing the parapets and roadways of all encumbrances such as old, abandoned vehicles, tractor trailers, carts, etc, as these have been known to contribute to accidents. At the same time, tougher action should be taken against persons who are bent on encumbering the roadways.

We had also made the point before that Guyanese need to move away from the culture of disregard and irresponsibility in relation to using the roadways. The Education Ministry and other relevant stakeholders should examine the possibility of strengthening the school’s curriculum with the aim of increasing knowledge, skills, and understanding among children and young people about the responsible use of our roadways. Similar efforts should also be made targeting the adult population as they too are sometimes found to be irresponsible when using our roadways.

There seems to be no effective leadership, both from a political as well as an administrative/technical standpoint, to confront the challenge. We believe the time has come for all stakeholders to return to the drawing board and reexamine their approach to road accidents, since what currently obtains has failed the nation.

For a small country such as ours, we cannot afford to continue along this path. The number of deaths and disabilities as a result of road accidents is indeed very worrying, and something must be done urgently to bring a halt to the level of irresponsibility and recklessness on our roadways.

Cricketer Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma got married at a private ceremony in Italy on Monday. The wedding was attended by close family and a few friends as they wished their wedding to be a very private affair. The wedding was performed as per Hindu rituals. The newlywed couple will travel to South Africa where Virat will start prepping for the upcoming series and Anushka will spend New Year’s Eve with him and return in the first week of January to begin the next schedule of Anand L Rai’s film with Shah Rukh Khan in Mumbai (Times of India photo) See story on page 20

A day of disgrace on our democracy Dear Editor, The use of force by the police on the opposition Members of Parliament during a Parliamentary session and the attempt by the police to forcefully remove the elected Member of Parliament for the opposition, Bishop Edghill, because he refused to comply with the Speaker’s order to leave the chamber of Parliament as he was merely seeking more time to question the government’s budget estimates will forever be remembered as a day of disgrace on our democracy and yet another example of authoritarianism by the APNU-AFC government.

As a former Member of Parliament, I condemn in the strongest terms the actions of the Speaker of the National Assembly and the police who followed blindly orders to use such force. I am yet to see such excessive force ordered on Members of Parliament for the government whose behaviour on occasions have been far worse.

I take this opportunity to remind everyone that this is merely a continuation of what happened shortly after the APNU-AFC took office when two years ago GDF officers attempted to unlawfully detain my wife and her brother and then chased them in a high-speed car chase which resulted in three persons dead and none other than the President Granger is quoted immediately thereafter as saying “it was a legitimate state operation” and “there was no need for a probe”. Almost exactly two years have passed and the government has swept the event under the rug of their diabolical secrets.

Finally, permit me also to take this opportunity to explain to all Guyanese the magnitude of these events through the use of the history: In a democracy, the use of the armed forces by an authoritarian government against opposition Parliamentarians is where the police state and civilian

repression begin. History has shown that authoritarian governments from all around the world loathe dissent, scrutiny, and voiced opposition. In a democracy, the vehicle of dissent, scrutiny, and voice opposition takes the form of the Members of Parliament in the opposition in Parliament. Once authoritarian governments succeed in silencing those Members of Parliament form the opposition by whatever means (political prosecution, electing and directing a partisan Speaker of Parliament, stacking the courts with compliant Judges, the use of force, the use of tax authorities, assassinations, etc.) the authoritarian government turns its intolerable attention to any form of dissent, scrutiny, or voiced opposition which then comes from civilians. So, today it may be Bishop Edghill or other opposition MPs but tomorrow or next week it may be ordinary Guyanese and/ or their families. Unless we

stand against such state action then all civilian freedoms and protections will be eroded away bit by bit and such action almost always is purported to be justified in the name of “the protection of the state”. A clear example of this already occurring is the acknowledgment

by Granger of the violation of the Constitution when an unlawful directive was sent to the Police Service Commission by his minister of the Presidency to cease promotions of the police but explained it was necessary to protect the state based on the information they obtained.

All Guyanese who want better for Guyana must take a stand now against an authoritarian government or sit subjugated and repressed for a very long time.

Sincerely, Charles S Ramson Attorney at Law Former Member of Parliament

The buck stops with Granger Dear Editor, Let me be very clear: Ministers Raphael Trotman and Winston Jordan are beings of President David Granger. They cannot collect three billion, seven hundred and eighty million dollars (G$3,780,000,000) -- the equivalent of US$18 million -from a private sector investor that has a track record that is not perfect with respect to relations with Third World governments. It is unacceptable that team Granger and Exxon tried for a year to not declare these funds; but what is worse is that Article 216 of the Guyana Constitution was trampled upon by none other

than the President. After all, these funds belong to the people of Guyana, thus he does not have a legal transport over these funds. So why is he operating in such a manner?

This is not his private business, this is public business, and must be declared.

So while I want to blame Mr Trotman, he cannot be exclusively blamed for this one, since he was acting under instructions from the Ministry of the Presidency. So let us be clear, this is Granger. The buck stops there!

That is why I am committed to the establishment of a Sovereign Wealth Fund that would be independently man-

aged by a professional team. tremely disappointed with It is time for the inde- the silence of the Institute pendent thinkers to raise of Chartered Accountants of their voices to save Guyana. Guyana on this point of pubWhere are the voices of lic accountability. I am done the Bishops of Guyana - with this Granger regime, the the Catholic Church, the sensible strategy now for all Anglican Church, the Guyana right-thinking and rational Pandits Council, the Guyana Guyanese would be to expose, Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the oppose, and finally depose.

Central Islamic Organization Borrowing from Ricky Singh’s of Guyana, and so on? narrative, “it is time to light Where are the voices of civ- a candle....” for the Guyanese il society groups such as the people and the forces of opPrivate Sector Commission, pression, theft and corruption the Guyana Human Rights visiting their country once Association, the Guyana Bar again.

Association, and the Guyana Women Lawyers Association?

Regards But as a certified charSase Singh tered accountant, I am ex-

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Erroneous to suggest oil bonus money It’s time to get it right, Guyana! would be available for ‘legal fees’ Dear Editor, Much has been said about the almost US$20 million signing bonus plus the 2% Royalty Fee extracted from ExxonMobil by the APNU+AFC Government of President David Granger in renegotiating a new contract for Guyana’s oil resources.

Who actually believes that ExxonMobil would forego US$20 million plus a 2%

Royalty Fee as a goodwill gesture without some form of financial compensation?

With regard to the US$20 million signing bonus, there was a directive to the Bank of Guyana to invest the money in “secured interest bearing securities” (meaning US Government Bonds). When you buy bonds, you do so over a period of time. It is not a short-term investment. When

you sell bonds before the maturity date, you do not tend to get back your initial investment. So to suggest that the money would be available for ‘legal fees’ is erroneous and misleading, as the money would have been invested in secured interest bearing securities.

Yours faithfully, Sean Ori

Is it a precursor of authoritarianism?

Dear Editor, Thanks to the media for keeping us abreast of developments (ruckus) inside the hollowed chamber of the Parliament, where issues affecting our lives are supposed to be debated.

The current debate is on the budget, in which the political opposition has an absolute right to question the Government on proposed spending over the next year.

However, based on reports making the rounds in the media, it seems that an effort is being made to silence the Opposition.

It places the Government in bad light. Guyanese I spoke with are disappointed in, and have condemned, this action.

Public attention is directed towards the ruling of the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland, against Opposition Member Juan Edghill and others.

Guyanese I spoke with in New York condemn the high-handed action by the Government side. Guyanese Americans say that instead of taking measures to suppress the political Opposition and intimidate critics when they question “the budget” and the secretive Exxon bonus, the Government should

fess up to the truth. They feel the Government should honestly and fully answer questions from the public, the media and the Opposition.

The Government is not doing itself any good by bullying parliamentary members of the Opposition or calling in the Police or the Sergeant of Arms to intimidate and silence them. The action taken besmirches the reputation of the Speaker and management of the Parliament. It shames our Parliament.

Many people within and outside of Guyana feel there has been a culture of bias against the Opposition ever since a change in Government. This latest act worsens that perception.

People put their faith and trust in the Speaker, who controls the Parliament chamber. The imperative of neutrality and the perception of neutrality by the Speaker are indispensable to the public and to the Opposition. In the public’s eyes, that has been missing. Any public official who carries the mantle of being Parliament’s chief officer must act responsibly, and don’t favour any side.

Neutrality has been seriously compromised.

The Opposition has a

Differences in dates on Hindu calendar resolved Dear Editor, I am pleased to inform that the issue of Hindus celebrating religious holidays on different dates has now been resolved.

According to Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Calendar for 2018, it will be celebrating Holi, Diwali, Janma Ashtami and other religious occasions on the same dates as other Hindu organi-

sations in Guyana, Trinidad, Suriname and North America.

Come 2018, all Hindus will be celebrating on the same dates.

Yours truly, Pt R Balbadar President, Sanatan Vaidic Dharma Pandits’ Sabha, Region 3

right to ask questions – that is the essence of a functioning parliament, especially when the budget is being debated.

There is no issue more important that the budget. The public interest is at stake to know where their money is going. And there is no higher interest to be served than the public interest. The Speaker must act neutrally and allow the Opposition to do its job by querying the line ministers about their allocation.

So far, that has been missing on December 11, after a week of very good debates, some of which I personally witnessed.

The Speaker must address the complaint with fairness. That, the public and the Opposition say, seems to have avoided his stewardship. And the public and the media need to be worried at what took place in Parliament on December 11 by voicing their concerns locally and internationally. Democracy-loving people must condemn the abusive action taken in Parliament.

The action should worry all of us. Is it a precursor of authoritarianism?

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, As I write this letter I am looking at photos of Opposition Members of Parliament being removed from the chambers

by Police. I was hoping for a while that these were photo-shopped, but that was not to be. These are not fake photos. These are real and true photographic images of what took place on Monday in the hallowed Chambers of the Guyana Parliament.

Shameful! What an image to emerge from our Parliament Chambers.

Member of Parliament Juan Edghilll was out of order. Parliamentarians the world over are often out of order. But to summon the Police into the Chambers of Parliament was an unnecessary step and an overreaction.

I have the greatest respect for the Speaker. He is my dear friend and one from whom I learnt a lot during my sojourn in the Foreign Ministry and at the United Nations.

My impression of Dr Scotland was heightened many years ago when Gus Lee, then Chairman of the Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (GPC), handed over a button with Burnham’s photo requesting that Scotland wear it during the opening ceremony of a heads-of-mission meeting.

He refused the button and we, the younger and junior members of the Foreign Service, were impressed with his lack of cowardice.

On this occasion, however, I am ineluctably constrained to express my disappointment with the decision of the Speaker. I know it started with the Opposition’s disruption of the President’s address to Parliament, continued with a carefully orchestrated breach of security with the entrance of Santa Claus and now Bishop Edghill’s wanton disrespect for the ruling of the Speaker that he takes his seat

as well as the procedures governing the conduct of members of the honourable House.

The Speaker’s patience must be wearing thin. But this could hardly be the justification for calling in the Police. He could have simply adjourned the sitting. There must have been other mechanisms at his disposal for sanctioning Bishop Edghill, including suspension from future sittings.

The House is under the Speaker’s control. It seems that the honourable Speaker followed the advice given in a recent newspaper interview by former Speaker Sase Narain who told one of the dailies that he would have called in the Police if he were presiding when President Granger was interrupted during his address to Parliament recently. I doubt whether President Granger would have sanctioned that. I don’t recall the Police ever being summoned into the Chambers of Parliament even though it is alleged that Desmond Hoyte once threw an ashtray in the direction of Mackie Hamid and Dr Jagan once upturned a table. Sase Narain was a lackey of sorts as a Speaker and no way would he have called in the Police without Burnham’s approval. And believe it or leave it, but I am sure Burnham, nor Dr Jagan, would never have sanctioned the Police being summoned to remove Members

of Parliament from the chambers.

The argument about this being different times in support of the Speaker’s decision does not hold water. If the argument about these being different times is to hold water, it would be in support of the need to avoid the negative portrayal of Guyana’s international image in this age of social media – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. We look here like a “wild banana republic”. Even in some of the “wild banana republics”, the Police aren’t called in.

Instead, there are parliamentary “bouncers” dressed neatly in civilian attire that remove members. And in more civilised societies, there is parliamentary privilege which provides against law enforcement removing and arresting members in the chamber, but mechanisms for sanctioning them when they abuse these privileges.

Any suggestion that Speaker Scotland resign or be removed as has been advanced on some Facebook posts is nothing but sheer nonsense. But he has got to meet with the leadership of the two sides, in camera, and work out a blueprint as to what will be tolerated, and what will not.

It’s time to get it right, Guyana!

Regards, Wesley Kirton

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By Susan Krauss Whitbourne, PhD

R

ecent research supports the value of a version of a micro-affirmation in which people are encouraged to engage in self-affirmations by identifying their own strengths and positive selfworth. University of Manchester’s (UK) Christopher Armitage and University of Sheffield’s Richard Rowe (2017) believed that such self-affirmations could reduce relational aggression in teens. In these highly-charged early years of people's lives, there is a common tendency to be mean and exclusive to people who don't "fit in." Could this process be reversed or halted with self-affirmations?

More specifically, based on the work of Stanford University’s Claude Steele (1988), a self-affirmation reduces the individual’s tendency to lash out at others in ways that are hurtful and destructive.

The theory proposes that “people are motivated to preserve a positive, moral, and adaptive self-image and to maintain self-integrity… self-affirming in one domain should reduce the need to be defensive in another domain” (p. 490). In other words, one way that people might be nicer to each other might be by helping them to be nicer to themselves.

Using a sample of 503 teens between the ages of 11 and 16, the British researchers invoked a self-affirmation manipulation by asking one group of participants to recall and give examples of their own past acts of kindness. Some of the questions included in the self-affirmation questionnaire included “Have you ever forgiven another person when they have hurt you?,” “Have you ever been concerned with the happiness of another person?,” and “Have you ever felt satisfied when you have helped another person?” If participants replied “yes” to any of these questions, they

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Foundation

were then asked to provide specific examples. In the control condition, participants were asked a series of questions with neutral meanings about topics such as the weather and their favourite trees.

Participants also read an anti-relational aggression message that emphasised the destructive nature of hurting or being “mean” to their classmates. The researchers measured the impact of reading this message on attitudes toward harming others in the kindness and

non-kindness manipulation conditions.

One month after this initial experiment, participants also reported on the frequency of their committing aggressive acts. As predicted, those who received the kindness intervention reported fewer of such acts. Furthermore, reading the informational message alone about the negative consequences of being hurtful to others was not enough to produce behaviour change. This manipulation had to be coupled with the self-affirmation exercise in order for it to be effective. Returning to the question of how micro-affirmations might operate, these findings suggest that by being active-

ly kind toward others you’re engaging in your own in vivo self-affirmation exercise. In the moment, you know you’re being helpful. This makes you feel that you’re a better person and, therefore, you become less defensive about your self-worth. In turn, when you’re the recipient of a kind act, this can also trigger your own self-esteem boosting mechanisms. “If someone is nice to me, it must mean that I’m a good person,” you might conclude, whether consciously or not. A microaffirmation thus becomes a self-affirmation in both directions During a stressful period of history, when people’s sensitivity to their differences are brought up on a daily basis by those who would give unduly preferential treatment to some, it seems particularly important to engage your microaffirmation machinery. In late 2017, the atmosphere seems more highly charged than ever as the daily news provides example after example of new and unheard of indiscretions by celebrities, political figures, and leaders in the arts and sciences. Although those who come forth with their allegations about past abuses can feel a sense of relief at finally being heard, conversations involving these touchy subjects can generate a lot of ill will between people whose interpretation of these events divides along party, gender, or other sociocultural lines.

Because bridging such gaps presents what some might regard as insurmountable challenges, it might be more reasonable to propose that individuals start with these tiny acts of kindness. One by one, you can help to affirm both your own humanity and that of others with small gestures whose impact can grow over time. As you do, your fulfilment can grow as you build your connections with the many people whose lives intersect, perhaps only briefly, with yours. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

Continued from Saturday

By Rick Hanson, PhD

Take steps together

Talk about values Be supportive of each other Try not to polarise roles so that one parent is the disciplinarian while the other gets to be more nurturing or playful Use a tie-breaker

Establish clear facts

The place to begin is to establish what the facts are.

Agreements may already be in place about how the load is shared, but commonly one partner feels that he or she is doing more than the other partner is aware of, which sparks recurring quarrels.

Each partner could simply list his or her part with the kids or household that day. If even that would be overwhelming – make a list for an hour or for a specific part of the day, such as the morning or evening.

At night, compare notes, and see if agreements can be made about the basic facts of that day without nit-picking whether something took five minutes or ten. At the end of the period, try to agree on what the facts are, plus or minus 10 percent.

Establish clear principles

Even with clear facts, parents can disagree about what they mean. Cultural factors influence our expectations about the proper sharing of roles after children arrive.

In gentle ways, you can support your partner's involvement by shining light on what a difference it makes to your children.

Establish clear agreements

Once you come together on basic principles, agreements about actions are pretty straightforward, especially when you use the negotiation skills you've already learnt. Here are some practical solutions that have helped many families, including those in which the parents are already sharing the load fairly and the real issue is only how to work together even better.

Coordinate with each other Keep things in perspective Try to be flexible and creative for the greater good Look for ways to both be involved with the children Work out housework issues Tackle high-stress situations together Balance the total stress load more or less evenly Address the impact of work on your family (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Speaker denies calling Police into Parliament

S

peaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, on Monday evening denied that he called in Members of the Guyana Police Force to remove Opposition Parliamentarian Juan Edghill from the National Assembly.

During a press conference, the Speaker said Edghill was suspended from the day’s proceedings in accordance with Standing Order 47 (2), which states: “The Speaker or the Chairperson shall order any Member whose conduct is grossly disorderly to withdraw immediately from the Assembly during the remainder of that day’s sitting, and may direct such steps to be taken as are required to enforce this or-

der. But if, on any occasion, the Speaker or the Chairperson considers that his or her powers under the previous provision of this Standing Order are inadequate, the Speaker or Chairperson may name such Member for disregarding the authority of the Chair under this Standing Order, in which event the procedure prescribed in the next paragraph should be followed.”

Scotland said he did not instruct members of the Guyana Police Force to remove the Opposition MP from the Parliament chamber. The Speaker said he is unaware of who took the action in this regard.

He noted that the Opposition MP was disallowed from continu-

Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland

ing, since the procedures on time were discussed and agreed to during a meeting from which the Opposition absconded.

Dr. Scotland reminded that the parliamentary procedures have been in existence for a number of years, and MPs have agreed to, and should abide by, them.

The Speaker said Edghill’s refusal to leave the House is a first-time occurrence in the history of the Parliament of Guyana.

According to the Speaker, he will continue to act “correctly and fairly,” noting, “If I have to question you, if I have to upbraid you, I will do it.”In response to a question posed by the media, Scotland said that, even in hindsight, he does not see a better way of resolving

the issue other than by suspending MP Edghill for the day. He indicated that the rules of the House must be respected and abided by at all times, even if a member is uncomfortable with such an order. During the late Monday night press conference, the Speaker also denied that he had ordered the media out of the Parliament chambers, claiming that he merely questioned the continued presence of media operatives after the sitting was suspended.

He also said there is no need for an investigation, since it is simply a matter of respecting the rules of the House. However, he did not address the issue of who had instructed the Police to enter the Parliament chambers.

“None of us wants chaos in Parliament” – Trotman

…it’s a matter of legality – Harmon

I

n light of the unprecedented chaos created in Parliament during Monday’s sitting of the National Assembly, the Government side of the House feels that the Opposition displayed grave disrespect for the Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland.

Natural Resources Minister and Leader of the Alliance for Change (AFC), Raphael Trotman said he has never witnessed such behaviour in the Parliament before and regardless of the differences the Speaker has always been shown respect. “Whenever a Speaker has invited a member to sit, be quiet or refrain or withdraw; that has always been complied with. We have set a new precedent today and some may say we have descended to a new low,” Trotman said while providing his views on the situation. Trotman, who served as Speaker of the National Assembly in the previous Parliament, said that from all indications the Speaker took the correct procedural steps.

He noted that it was left up to the Clerk of the National Assembly in this case,

Sherlock Isaacs, to decide if he believes that the Sergeantat-Arms is incapable of enforcing the Speaker’s ruling to invite the Police in.

“I would also like to say that none of us would like to see chaos erupting further in the House, and I think we have enough of it. At the end of the day, the parliamentary style we practice is one where the Speaker is the presiding officer and that presiding officer must be shown respect and the dignity of the House has to be maintained,” Trotman told media practitioners in the halls of Parliament.

Meanwhile, in providing a comment on the issue, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said it was a matter of the legality regarding the instruction given by the Speaker and the MP’s refusal to act on that instruction.

“It’s a question of the rule of law. The Speaker is the person who controls the business of this House and he cannot, Mr Edghill or no other member of the House, decide that they will violate these rules of the House by refusing to take action when the Speaker tells them to do so,” he stated.

The Minister claims that no one shows respect for the Speaker’s rulings anymore, and he believes that the Speaker is entitled to do what he wishes to keep the House in order and the MPs in line.

Business Minister Dominic Gaskin also had his views to share. He described the situation as “obnoxious behaviour” from the Opposition during a sitting and claimed that it was the second time that it has happened in the Parliament.

Sit-in

No compromise was achieved when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo and Dr Scotland met. However, the Opposition MPs continued their sit-in and collectively decided that they would stay until 22:00h, the time at which Parliament’s business was scheduled to be completed. Jagdeo later told the media that he raised the concern that the matter went beyond just the Speaker ruling to have Edghill removed from the chambers.

“Subsequent actions of agents of the Parliament have led to Police coming here and

the assault on many of our MPs, so it’s not a straightforward issue of a breach of the standing order any longer. It has several dimensions and the only thing we can do to defuse this situation is to ad-

journ for the day,” he stated.

An attempt to supply the MPs with lamps was prevented as the Police and security at the Parliament seized the lamps purchased

by Opposition MP Gillian

Burton-Persaud. The decision to purchase these lamps was taken after the electricity, wifi and air conditioning in the chambers were turned off as the MPs continued their silent protest.

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Receptionist’s body found in BV cemetery …face disfigured; 5 in custody

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olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the ghastly murder of 18-yearold Qualfon receptionist Raynelle Benfield.

Benfield, of Lot 99 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD), was discovered dead in a cemetery in her home village, with her face completely disfigured. Residents made the discovery after 07:00h on Monday.

Her hands were resting on her chest while the pair of jeans she was wearing was pulled to her knees.

Guyana Times was told that the teen left home on

Murdered: Raynelle Benfield

Saturday morning for work and after she did not return home that evening, her relatives were under the impression that she was working overtime. However, much to their dismay, they

received a call informing them that her body was found in the cemetery.

Investigators are working on the theory that the teen might have been sexually assaulted before her face was bashed in with a heavy object, believed to be a stone. The teen’s relatives were questioned by investigators about her social life and acquaintances. Police later in the day visited the homes of several young men in the area who are believed to be members of a gang.

However, as relatives attempted to speak to the media about the incident, they were cautioned against this by the Police.

This newspaper could not have confirmed if the teen used the company’s transportation or public transport to go home.

However, Police later confirmed that a total of five persons were currently in custody, including Benfield’s boyfriend.

Reports reaching this publication indicated that the boyfriend, a suspected gang member, dated a female relative of Benfield sometime in the recent past and a fallout occurred over this issue.

Investigations into the brutal murder are ongoing as Police continue to gather more information.

Not guilty: Kwame Businessman shot by bandit remanded for McCoy freed … 1 jailed for throwing faeces at Freddie Kissoon

J

ason Abdulla, one of the men charged for throwing faeces at Freddie Kissoon, was on Monday jailed for six months.

Abdulla was found guilty by Magistrate Judy Latchman. The accused, along with People’s Progressive Party’s Public Relations Officer Kwame McCoy and Sean Hinds, was charged in February 2016 for allegedly throwing faeces on Kissoon in May of 2010.

Reports are that Kissoon had just left Nigel’s Supermarket, at the corner of Robb and Light Streets, Georgetown and was making his way into his vehicle when the faeces were thrown on him.

Jason Abdulla

On Monday also, Magistrate Latchman dismissed the case against McCoy and Hinds.

illegal gun possession

A

Kitty, Georgetown businessman was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged with the illegal possession of a firearm.

Paul Chow, of Railway Line, Kitty, denied the allegation against him when Magistrate Judy Latchman read the charge.

It is alleged that on November 9, 2017, at Avocado Square, East Ruimveldt, Chow had a .32 pistol in his possession while not being a licensed firearm holder.

A second charge read to him stated that on the same day at the same location, he had 13 live rounds of .32 ammunition in his

Paul Chow

possession while not being a licensed firearm holder.

Attorney Glen Hanoman told the Court that his client was shot during a robbery.

He further revealed to the Court that Chow was at the time standing outside his place of business when he was cornered by a lone gunman, who ordered him to hand over his jewellery.

However, Chow refused to comply and attempted to retaliate by whipping out his own weapon, which reportedly fell to the ground.

The gunman then shot Chow to his abdomen before making good his escape.

Chow was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he was treated.

Police who reported to the crime scene picked up Chow’s pistol, which was found to be unlicensed. As such, the present charges were laid.

Chow was remanded to prison to return on December 18, 2017.

Arrogance…

S

…and ignorance ome folks might’ve thought your humble Eyewitness has been a tad too tough on Raphael Trotman, Minister of Natural Resources, ever since he went to represent us at COP 21 in Paris, back in Dec 2015. His performance there was so inept one could be forgiven for assuming he was actually there to sabotage the efforts made over the past decade by Bharrat Jagdeo on the issue of Climate Change and Global Warming!

With the benefit of hindsight, some are excusing his bumbling, claiming he was distracted because he was actually grooming one of his assistants in “Gay Paree”!

But not your Eyewitness. Trotman was just not ready for the big leagues - but you wouldn’t have guessed from his bombastic utterances. It is said that “pride cometh before a fall” so your Eyewitness always figured Trotman would topple. But because of the position into which he was parachuted because of “Nassau”, sadly, he’s also brought Guyana into disrepute.

Back in the day when Trotman announced he was going to “renegotiate” the 1999 contract with Exxon, your Eyewitness pointed out the arrogance of the man thinking he could play poker with one of the best legal teams in the world. One which had just faced down the US Justice Department. To those fellas, Trotman was lower on the pecking order than a hick lawyer from Kalamazoo!

And so said, so done! From the revelations of the US$18 million bonus, it’s clear the Texas lawyers made Trotman drop his pants when HE was supposed to be in the driver’s seat. Trotman didn’t know his ass from his elbow on the oil business, but like most big fishes in small ponds, refused to accept he was out of his depth. Signing bonuses come AFTER the oil is found, and it’s basically a way to get monies up front rather than extracting higher royalties and profit-splits later on production.

With a measly US$18 million bonus on a 3 billionbarrel field, 2% royalty and 50% profits - which includes paying the 35% taxes for Exxon on its profits! - Trotman made us lose corn and husk. This from a man who had initiated the conversation on getting revenues up front from Exxon!! But the question remains as to how exactly Exxon’s Texan lawyers were able to get Trotman to drop his pants and give away OUR store. …and the Constitution Some are surprised that Trotman and Jordan (and God knows who else in the Government!) broke the constitutional directive of Article 216, that all monies collected on behalf of the Government MUST be placed in the Consolidated Fund. It’s clear there are still some so blind they would not see - or are too naïve for their own good.

Since when has the Constitution been a barrier to this government doing whatever the heck it wants to do? Didn’t you hear President Granger’s Doctrine of constitutional interpretation, Dear Reader? His PERCEPTION is as good as the COURTS!! Remember the directive to the PSC? The unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chair? The riposte to the National Trust on the Soylent greening of State House…etc…etc…

Dictatorships don’t spring up overnight like Jumbie Umbrellas: they are constructed, violation by violation of the rule of law, in full view of a citizenry who are too partisan or apathetic to protest.

Every day we witness the edifice of the dictatorship rising! …on money laundering Your Eyewitness is waiting for some expert in the AML/CFT Act to say why the secreting of the US$18 million bonus wasn’t money laundering.

And whether SOCU, which seized some used computers from the Enmore NDC, shouldn’t chase after Trotman!

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

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

PM delivers lip service to Chinese health delegation meets with sugar industry – GAWU

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

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rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is now being accused of delivering lip service, and changing like a “chameleon” when it comes to addressing the concerns of the sugar workers.

General Secretary of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), Seepaul Narine, has said, “While he (the PM) justifies unashamedly the cutting down of the sugar industry and the laying off of thousands, Mr Nagamootoo himself and his party have been saying that he is…a friend of the sugar workers’ union. ‘We are a friend of the sugar workers and we are there to strength-

en your backbone’. What a friend indeed!” Narine said on Monday.

Narine called on Nagamootoo to get off his high horse, go into the villages, and interact with the workers who have lost their jobs, and tell them of the plan for the future.

He was at the time responding to the PM’s December 03, column titled ‘Different strategy in changing times.’

He noted that the Government’s callous move has resulted in the breadwinner for most families having been left without a job, resulting in the families being pushed further into poverty.

“Documents shared by the Government on Old Year’s Day last year pointed out that the industry’s real indebtedness stood at about $17 billion at the end of October 2016, far from the number quoted by the PM. The $85 billion debt flag waved at every possible chance by the PM and his cohorts is nothing more than a diversionary tactic to scare a section of the Guyanese public into supporting the very unsound plans it has for the industry. Such course, we

Police storm...

Distract attention

Minutes after the Police had left the chambers, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo arrived and enquired as to what exactly had taken place. Jagdeo was not present for the beginning of the estimates. However, he said Dr Scotland must be held responsible for the turmoil that took place in the National Assembly.

He also called on the Speaker to apologise to the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) parliamentarians, and he called for President David Granger to hold a Commission of Inquiry into this unprecedented event.

“This is not going to go down easy in this country.

This is unprecedented, and I think that it is designed to distract attention from the $20 million (ExxonMobil signing bonus) that they tried to steal. This is all carefully worked out. I have seen more grievous breaches in this chamber from the other side that he (the Speaker) refused to act on; and this issue, suddenly the Police are called in,” Jagdeo observed.

No electricity, Wi-Fi, air-conditioning

However, the chaos did not end there. During the media’s interview with Jagdeo, the electricity, air-conditioning and the Wi-Fi in the chambers were turned off.

The Opposition Leader also called for President David Granger to hold a Commission of Inquiry into this unprecedented event.

Despite these moves, however, MP Juan Edghill re-

mained in his seat, and so did his colleagues, who all chanted and sang songs of unity while several members of the Government looked on.

Commander of ‘A’ Division, Marlon Chapman, was also called in, and was seen having a discussion with the former Home Affairs Minister, Opposition MP Clement Rohee, to determine what had transpired and under whose authority he had been empowered to carry out an arrest of an MP within the chambers.

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall was seen having a discussion with the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs, over the Standing Orders and why he (Isaacs) had felt the issued instruction was appropriate.

Nandlall also gave a comment to the media, saying he strongly believes the course of action taken by the Speaker was excessive, given that Edghill was not guilty of gross disorderly conduct. He noted, too, that at no point was the MP violent. The former AG stressed that his colleague, Edghill, was modestly expressing a concern with the limited time allowed to scrunitse the budget estimates.

Late Monday evening, the PPP issued a detailed statement expressing its disappointment with the action taken by the Speaker.

That statement said, “Parliamentary democracy descended to its lowest ebb in Guyana.”

The PPP is of the opinion that this is all in an effort to avoid the scrutiny of the

GAWU General Secretary Seepaul Narine

repeat, will see thousands of workers as victims”.

He is urging the Prime Minister to check the facts before he pens another column.

Narine related that the Government has taken the sugar industry from the road to recovery and has reduced it to an industry now on life support. He further stated that, in the short time the APNU/AFC Administration have been in power, the production of GuySuCo has fallen by 35 per cent, and workers’ morale is at its lowest point. He referred to the more than 1,500 workers who have now lost their jobs pending the closure of the

East Demerara Estate, and added that over 1,500 workers from East Demerara Estate are “being shown the gate, and cannot be told by the PM or his Government what workable plans they have for them.

“While touting the possibilities of self-employment for sugar workers, can the PM point to any concrete initiative implemented by his Government in this regard?

Wales was shut down almost a year ago, and at this point in time, not one single success story is known, but we well know the misery and hopelessness that stalks the villages,” the statement read.

“While the PM speaks about State support to the industry, he forgets that it is the largest employer in the nation, and its operations touch so many lives across our country. Furthermore, he forgets, maybe conveniently, the industry’s huge contributions, financial and otherwise, to the progress of our country and welfare of the people,” the statement added.

Narine also noted that the Union would continue to fight for the rights of the workers.

From page 3

National Estimates, in which billions of dollars have been stashed and slush funds concealed.

“The Speaker, in a characteristic conspiracy with the Government, unlawfully shut down Member of Parliament Bishop Edghill from asking questions in relation to billions of dollars hidden in the Ministry of the Presidency’s budget… It is a travesty that the assault and beatings of Opposition Parliamentarians (occurred) in order to prevent scrutiny of the National Estimates, as elected representatives of the people of Guyana,

just one day after the world celebrated Human Rights Day and 16 days of activism for the elimination of violence against women,” a statement from the party detailed.

The Party also added that it will not yield to any form of physical threat of physical violence, and commits to the people of Guyana that its members will do whatever it takes to ensure there is transparency and accountability in Government; and will continue to vigorously expose “widespread corruption”, which it claims is rampant in this Government.

Minister Lawrence

Mayor of the Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China, Yuanzheng Huang hands over a token to Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

M

ayor of the Jiangsu Province of the People’s Republic of China, Yuanzheng Huang paid a courtesy visit on Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence on Monday.

Minister Lawrence and Mayor Yuanzheng exchanged views on their respective public health sectors and discussed ways of advancing health care locally. The Minister also took the opportunity to seek ways of developing the use of traditional medicine in Guyana.

“We are looking forward to building cooperation with the People’s Republic of China to have a research lab here, where we can share in the research of various plants and animals within the Amazon Basin here in Guyana, so, we can better serve not only the People’s Republic of China and Guyana but the world at large,” the Minister is quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Minister Lawrence noted there was considerable interest in traditional medicine and alluded to its significant contribution to the delivery of health services in China.

“We here in Guyana, we have a lot of traditional medicine around and we have not been able to capture that in the medical services within the Government structure, and perhaps that is one of

the areas of cooperation going forward.”

Noting that China has been the trailblazer in advancing medicine and health care internationally, the Minister said this opportunity to strengthen ties between the two countries would foster “new methods, new methodologies and new medicines in how we treat with diseases” in Guyana.

Meanwhile, Mayor Yuanzheng said that he was made aware of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) that Guyana would embark on and stated that China would be playing a role in this regard.

He further stated that as mayor for the Jiangsu province, he oversees the improvement of people’s livelihoods and social security.

This shows the level of commitment of the Chinese Government to its people.

This has since filtered down to countries such as Guyana which have benefited tremendously from contributions.

Mayor Yuanzheng was accompanied by a delegation of Chinese medical officials, including the Presidents of the First and Second Hospital of the Jiangsu Province and representatives of the Chinese medical brigade in Guyana.

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Drinking spree 3rd victim succumbs, another loses eye ends in murder Mahaicony accident

T

T

hirty-seven-year-old Kuru Kururu, LindenSoesdyke Highway miner David Gaskin was taken into Police custody on Monday over allegations that he murdered Owen John, a boat captain of San Martin, Venezuela following an altercation between the two at Eteringbang Landing.

Guyana Times understands that the men were imbibing at Maria Da Silva’s shop when the two started arguing over money.

Police disclosed that from preliminary investigations, Gaskin asked John to borrow money, but the boat captain refused. Reports

suggested that after John refused, Gaskin dealt him one punch to his nose which caused the boat captain to fall to the ground. It was stated that the suspect then dealt John several kicks to his head and body during which he became motionless.

Police said that when they arrived on the scene, the boat captain’s body was lying on the ground with blood oozing from the nostrils. This publication understands that the man’s body was awaiting transportation to Georgetown where a post-mortem examination will be performed.

he horrific accident at Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, over the weekend has claimed its third victim as Aresh Harris succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Guyana Times has also learnt on Monday that the condition of the surviving passenger, Dominique Ally of Melanie, has stabilised.

The others who died were Stephen Phillips, called “Peter Mal” of Buxton, ECD, and Abbenna Hubbard, 21, of Melanie, ECD, who were killed at the scene.

Police on Monday also confirmed that Ally was responding to doctors and relatives. This publication was told both of her legs were broken as well as her arm and she lost an eye.

Reports are the trio, along with Ally, travelled

Deceased: Abbenna Hubbard

from Mahaicony after attending a pool party. In the vicinity of Perseverance, Mahaicony, the driver of the car, Stephen Phillips, reportedly fell asleep and lost control of the vehicle which crashed into a tree.

Hubbard’s stepfather

was the late crime journalist, Dale Andrews, who died in June 2016. Her mother, Michelle Meredith, a policewoman, told media operatives that she was still coming to grips with losing two loved ones in just over a year.

“I tried to console myself and on arrival (to the hospital), we met the nurse and I told her I’m the mother and she was shaking her head and I said ‘don’t tell me that my daughter dead’ and that was it,” Meredith recalled.

The grieving woman added that she had encouraged her daughter to remain at home, but the 21-year-old Hubbard went out at the insistence of her friends. The mother feels that her daughter could have been alive if she had taken her advice. She noted that all of her Christmas plans have drastically

Dominique Ally’s condition has stabilised

changed, and observed that her daughter was excited for the holidays because of the renovation work being done in the home.

Attempts to contact relatives of the two men proved futile.

Battered body found at Schoonord P olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the

death of an unidentified male of East Indian descent whose battered body was discovered at Schoonord Public Road, West Bank Demerara on Saturday evening.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, the body was discovered along the roadway just before 20:00h. There are inju-

ries to the forehead, shoulder and knee, all of which are consistent with injuries sustained in an accident.

Divisional Commander Leslie James told this publication that the dead man appears to be in his 20s.

The unidentified body was taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home to await a post mortem examination.

Body found at BV

In another incident, the body of a teenage female resident of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara was discovered in a cemetery with indications that she had been brutally murdered.

Altogether, these incidents bring the number of reported fatalities over the past weekend to a total of eight.

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Budget does not address students’ mental health issues – MP …stresses need for counsellors in every school

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pposition Parliamentarian Dr Vindhya Persaud told the National Assembly during her 2018Budget presentation that students are not safe in the school system. She backed up her assertion by referring to the recent allegation of sexual grooming and abuse of female students at the Bishops’ High School by a male teacher.

BHS Economics teacher Coen Jackson is being accused of abusing his position of trust as a teacher when he began grooming female students for sexual activities after they would have attained the age of 16 -- the legal age of consent.

Jackson has vehemently denied the accusations, but did admit to having sexual relations with two former students who are both in their early 20s.

He was arrested by the Police and questioned about sexual grooming, sexual assault, and rape committed on a former student. He

has been placed on $100,000 station bail, and has been made to surrender his passport after denying the allegations. He is yet to be arraigned on the charges.

Dr Persaud, in her Budget presentation, has said that even for women and girls preparing to enter the working world, the school system is not safe. “We have been reading in the papers recently of young women who are being preyed upon in schools; and there are predators in the school system who are preying on (our) daughters, young women who are preparing for life after school. Has the Ministry of Social Protection addressed this? The answer is ‘No’!” she said.

She added that, having examined the budget, she is yet to see consideration for the expansion

of services such as counselling in school.

“Placing children first by putting counsellors in schools, I have not seen any provisions for this in the

budget. Mr Speaker, these are safety nets for our children and our women,” she added.

The Opposition

Parliamentarian said nothing has been put in place to address the issues, and she urged collaboration from her fellow Parliamentarians to address the issues, since the health and wellbeing of the younger generation is no partisan issue.

She noted that a good step was taken in 2010 with the introduction of the Sexual Offences Act, but questioned what happened to the National Taskforce for the Prevention of Sexual Violence.

“We need counsellors.

We have less than 100 counsellors in this country, (and they) are placed everywhere. When we think about the burden placed on these few counsellors, these few social workers, when it comes to women and children, I really feel sorry for them. Especially when I know that they have to take monies out of their pockets for simple

things like transportation, and they are required sometimes to cover more than one region in this country,” she said.

“We need to have more counselling hubs, human resource capacity-building; more movement with us dealing with post stress traumatic disorder. There is no collaboration to address these issues. We have seen the consistent increase in deaths when it comes to domestic violence, but do we see any mention being made of measures to address this?” she asked as she added that the system stinks of “inefficiency and incompetence.”

She urged the Government side to ensure that the various units that they are establishing are equipped with the needed staffing, policies and programmes to ensure functionality at its best.

She also questioned the Government’s inability to constitute the Teaching Services Commission.

Works to commence on Mazaruni, Georgetown prisons …Ramjattan claims budget allocations will never be enough

W

ith approximately $1.5 billion dedicated specially towards expansion and rehabilitation of the prison infrastructure, works are expected to commence in 2018 to expand the Mazaruni Prisons and rebuild the de-

stroyed Georgetown Prisons.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Saturday told reporters that while he would have liked to have been allotted a larger sum for the ministry, he is nevertheless happy with the amount which is going to be

directed into upgrading major prison infrastructure.

The entire Security Sector received a total of $30.7 billion from Budget

“I did indicate to the (Finance) Minister that I would need lots more (money) because, as I said, we need lots more rehabilita-

An artist’s impression of the new Mazaruni Prison

The remains of the Camp Street Prison shortly after the July 9th fire had razed the facility

2018, of which $1.8 billion has been provided to cater for the Prison Service‘s operational costs -- a 4.6 per cent increase over Budget 2017.

However, the Public Security Minister explained that while no minister would ever be satisfied with what has been allocated their ministry, every minister has to be cognisant of the finances available to Government.

tion; lots more brand new buildings; lots more assets; and indeed, you’re never satisfied… “(But) we have to understand the Finance Minister’s position, (which) is that this is the amount of money he has, and we have to be collegial in understanding his predicament too. As a matter of fact, he has jumped it up higher than last year, in

view of the demands; but we are not going to get exactly what we want, because the revenue stream is not there,” Ramjattan explained.

In his 2018 Budget presentation, made two weeks ago, Finance Minister Winston Jordan posited that

Government has risen to the task of addressing the longterm needs of the security sector, particularly as those needs relate to the prison services following the massive Camp Street Prison fire and subsequent jailbreaks. turn to page 13

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TuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Scenes from Parliament on Monday

Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand tells of her experience after she was assaulted by Police Officers Police Officers force their way into Parliament

Opposition MP Frank Anthony tries to break free from a Policeman

Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman discussing the way forward during Monday’s chaos

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo speaks to the media after Police storm the chambers

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo along with Raphael Trotman

PPP/C Members of Parliament speaking with Police in an effort to calm the violent situation

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon speaks to the media after Police entered the chambers

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo discusses with his MPs the situation which occurred on Monday

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Primary health care workers trained for user friendly manual

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rimary health care providers, of 28 health facilities across Region Six, were involved in a fourday training programme which would equip them with the requisite knowledge for the development of a user-friendly manual.

The new manual, when completed, will outline the management of health facilities, office procedures and standards, which must be adhered to. It will eliminate all existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), that contradict or come into conflict with the proper delivery of health care.

Instead of having each health centre or health post in the region, operating under varying SOPs, the user-friendly manual will provide universal guidelines to all facilities.

As such, persons would be able to visit any of the region’s health facilities and access the same standard of healthcare.

A simple graduation ceremony was held at the Japanese Hall, St Francis Developers, Rose Hall, Corentyne, Region Six. Guest speaker, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence urged the grad-

Health Minister Volda Lawrence along with PAHO/WHO Country Representative, Dr William AduKrow pose with the graduates of User Friendly Manual Development training programme

Quinn urges swift enactment of food safety legislation

U

nited Kingdom High Commissioner to Guyana, Greg Quinn has called for the speedy enactment of the food safety regulations even as the Bill gained the attention of a Parliamentary Select Committee. Quinn made these comments when he addressed the dinner and awards ceremony hosted by the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association Ltd over the weekend.

One year has passed since the Food Safety Bill 2016 was first read in the National Assembly.

It was after fierce debate on both sides of the House in February 2017, that the Bill was placed before a select committee.

Ambassador Quinn, however, maintained that enactment of such legislation was key in protecting the health of citizens and to ensure that regulations were duly monitored.

“There is a need to ensure proper food safety legislation is in place. This provides the necessary assurance that food will be produced, processed and stored in a way which protects the health of consumers. There is work afoot for a food safety bill, and I would encourage the conclusion of such legislation as soon as possible,” Quinn told the GMSA gathering last week.

He added that his country’s advocacy for such legislation was to ensure that all of Guyana’s resources were for the benefit of all and to ensure that Government spent in a way that would benefit all citizens and to ensure proper regulatory oversight.

When Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman addressed the Bill in February, he stated that it looked to prevent the spread of foodborne diseases through the control of the production, preparation, han-

dling, storage and the transportation of food and provide for connected matters. Trotman added then that the Bill would consolidate the functions of agencies like the Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GAFDD).

The Bill also speaks to: requirements for registra-

tion; licensing of food business; power to charge fees and suspend and revoke licence; return of licence; Permit to engage in street food vending: requirement for health certificate; application for permit; granting or refusing of permits; and cancellation of permits. Provisions for permits for food handlers and obligations of operators of food-handling establishments are also included in the Bill. The Bill addresses the liability of food inspectors, who will not be liable when acting in good faith, according to specific provisions.

The establishment of a Food Safety Authority and other matters related to food safety are addressed in the Food Safety Bill 2016.

The Authority will have the power to seize food and issue notification of unsafe food.

Provision for a “general offence and penalty” is provided for in the Bill, which means that for any general offence, there will be a fine of $20,000 and imprisonment of six months. The political Opposition had called for the Bill to be sent to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee to which Agriculture Minister Noel Holder had agreed.

Works to commence...

“This wanton act of violence and mayhem threatened our national security.

It is an experience that has illuminated the state of dysfunction and disarray into which our security services had fallen over the past two decades…This catastrophe has forced us, therefore, to undertake a comprehensive examination of the security sector. It has resulted, also, in the diversion of scarce resources to address both the immediate security and management concerns, as well as the judicial and other related systems,” the Finance Minister had said in his Budget speech.

Following the July 9th events, Government revealed plans to expand the Mazaruni

Prison – a project that would cost some $2 billion, but which would streamline the local prison system as well as reduce the overpopulation.

Jordan had stated that $1.5 billion had been allocated to the prison sector specifically for works to be on the critical prison infrastructure.

These works, he noted, would include the expansion of the Mazaruni Prison to accommodate 400 inmates, or 61 per cent more than its current capacity; as well as commencing the rehabilitation of the Georgetown Prisons in the New Year.

In addition, the Finance Minister noted that over $150 million have also been allocated to purchase surveillance equipment, body scan-

from page 11

ners, and beds, among other items; while provisions have been made for the strengthening of the Prison Service‘s capacity for case management, as well as rehabilitation and reintegration.

He revealed that, in 2018, a study would be conducted on appropriate treatments for substance abuse as a health issue within the criminal justice system. The findings from this research will inform interactions with the Judiciary, as Government assists in developing policies to reduce over-reliance on imprisonment.

Probation services would also be strengthened to support this paradigm shift, Jordan had stated.

uates to be cognisant of the magnitude of the manual which is to be compiled.

The minister described Region Six as leaders for having realised a programme that will serve as a pilot for the improvement of primary health care in all other regions. “You are pacesetters and I want to say this to you. Don’t believe that you just do this and then you re-

turn to your health centre and that’s it. You may be called upon to go to Region Five and help a health centre to put theirs (manual) together or go to Region Eight or Three because you are the core group”.

According to the minister, the administration’s plan to implement this system, is another shrewd move by the Public Health Ministry to

bridge the gaps of inequality of healthcare among the ten administrative regions.

“You have begun that race. The race that will see us having that unique and uniformed service throughout the various facilities and as we start with the clinics, then we will have to take it to the hospitals,” Minister Lawrence explained. She added that crafting of such a manual means that health service throughout the region and by later extension, the country, must reflect quality.

The ministry’s Focal Point Coordinator in Region Six, Alex Foster said that following his appointment, he along with Region Six health representatives realised the necessity for this tool after conducting visits to health posts and centres throughout the region.

Another major feature of the manual is the detailing of an emergency evacuation plan that caters to the particular needs of each facility.

Power producers must fulfil grid code requirements – GPL’s CEO

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he Guyana Power and Light Incorporated (GPL) is clarifying claims of its refusal to accept offers of electricity from local companies.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Acting Chief Executive Officer, Renford Homer said that potential Independent Power Producers (IPPs) seeking to supply power to GPL, must fulfil the requirements outlined in the National Grid Code (NGC).

The Guyana Power and Light’s main power station on the coast, the Kingston power station.

Homer explained that the GPL is guided by the NGC which was established in 2016 by consultant firm, Siemens.

The Acting CEO pointed out that the NGC outlines all the requisite requirements, and is, inclusive of an interconnection policy and a standardised power purchase agreement (PPA) for IPPs to interconnect and integrate into the national grid.

“As a company, we have to look at our own generation and expansion plans before we commit to anything, we’re also guided by our recently developed national grid code that sets the guidelines for any interaction with an unsolicited offer or one that GPL puts out for an expression of interest. The expectation is

Guyana Power and Light’s main power station on the coast, the Kingston Power Station

that any individual or company that’s interested in establishing an agreement with GPL, would want to comply with those requirements”, Homer stated.

The agreement, Homer added, informs what would be the potential of developing a power purchase agreement and it speaks to what would be the agreed cost to GPL per kilowatt of energy.

According to him, in 2016 the Giftland Mall signalled its wish to sell electricity to the power company. As recent as last month the company restated its interest noting that the offer to “press Giftland’s 2×2.5 megawatt MAM Engines into service to provide 3.5 megawatts of power by day and 5 megawatts by night remains unchanged. Also, the company is prepared to sell the power to the state-run company at the same price that it is

available from Wartsila.’

Currently, the only IPP the power company currently receives electricity supply from is the Skeldon Cogeneration Plant.

The 2017 Draft National Energy Policy of Guyana report stated that GPL will be encouraged to consider gridscale wind energy, thermal power plans fuel with light fuel oil (LFO) and Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), grid-scale solar photovoltaics, and a midscale plant using wood residues.

It also states that the goal is to work towards the achievement of 100 percent renewable energy penetration in the electric sector by 2025. This is by developing a licensing procedure aimed at IPPs to produce bulk power from renewable energy and feed into the national electric grid.

Correction Greenwich Park stabbing 3 committed to High Court for trial

With reference to the article titled “3 committed to High Court for trial”, published in Guyana Times on December 6, 2017, this publication inadvertently stated that the sister of the deceased, Dewaun Baksh, shared a relationship with one of his killers.

However, the two did not share a relationship, but rather had an old grievance. As such, Guyana Times apologises for any embarrassment/inconvenience this error may have caused.

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say about

I SAY...

Repainting of State House

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he coalition Government is currently in the process of repainting the State House from white to green without consulting the National Trust as per the law. As such, the Guyana Times asked persons their thoughts on the President’s decision, especially regarding such a significant national monument. Here are the views of the public:

Kalesh Loakman “The National Trust Act vests in the National Trust, and no one else unless authorised by them, the responsibility of preserving buildings which belong to the State. Even though the President claims

that the State House was in need of maintenance, this does not justify his move to have the building repainted.

Being guided by section 17 of the Act, the repainting works may very well be considered an act which amounts to defacing or interfering with a national monument. While some may move to question the proactivity of the National Trust in preserving national monuments, the Government should by no means use their authority to carry out functions that are not within their ambit to carry out. Traditionally, the State House has always been white. As such, adherence to the laws which exist to be duly followed cannot be excused.”

Stanley Collins “I don’t really know the National Trust Authority in getting these things changed and all these things, but I would believe that the Government in office, they have the right to change things as they see it. Notifying the Opposition, whether they say ‘yes’ or ‘no’, it will still happen, because they changed the name of the airport to Cheddi Jagan International Airport and I didn’t really like it; the public didn’t like it but you got to go with it. So, I feel if the APNU/AFC Government in office and they feel that the colour should be removed, they should remove it.”

Frederick Minty “Taking it too far – that’s what repainting of the State House is. I honestly think that it was not a wise move by the Government. Repainting is one thing, but the choice of colour is very inappropriate, I mean we are not America, but you don’t see them changing the colour of the White House into any other colour. As a monument, the colour of the building should be neutral.

And for the President to say that he hasn’t committed a crime, last time I checked it is illegal to deface a monument.

I understand that it’s a change, but that is not the change that should be.”

Montana Clenkian “As a youth of this country, I would like to air my concern about repainting of the State House. I think the State House should remain in the same colour, because it is a national monument. The party elected to Government must govern in the interest of all and recognise that State properties are not theirs but belong to all the people of Guyana. The State House doesn’t belong to any party and shouldn’t be repainted in any party colour.”

Vickiola Aaron “First off, they should have abided with the law and consulted with the National Trust…the state house is a historic building and by handling things as they see fit without proper consultation, they are setting a bad precedent. What kind of example are they setting for the Guyanese people?”

Nicky Edwin “I thought greening Guyana meant a greener economy, a better future for our youths, creation of jobs, etc. Not green buildings or arches! Why are monies being expended on such unnecessities while the working class continues to suffer? The Government while making such expenditures is in the same breath crying out insufficient funds to allocate to annual bonus for public servants and only a meagre $500 to our elderly people.”

Tiffany Halley “I think they shouldn’t change the colour. It’s something historical – for years, it has been so, regardless of who’s ever in power; they should leave it white because some people would be offended by the different colours. The [Ministry of the Presidency] fence already change so why they change the [State House] colour, they should just leave it neutral.”

Nikita Hintzen “I think it’s a waste of resources, and these people need to increase minimum wages. The house should have stayed white.”

Gordon Callender “What is so significant about the State House being repainted in some colour?

I want to find out from the whole Government and the Opposition, the National Trust, is there anything enshrined in that Constitution stating that Government buildings must be painted with one particular colour? That is my contingent.”

Exxon to provide details on climate change impact to its business

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xxon Mobil Corp on Monday said it would publish new details about how climate change could affect its business in a move aimed at appeasing critics and forestalling another proxy fight next year.

The largest US oil and gas producer said in a filing to US securities regulators that its board agreed to provide shareholders with information on “energy demand sensitivities, implications of two degree Celsius scenarios, and positioning for a lower-carbon future.”

Scientists have warned that world temperatures are likely to rise by more than 2 degrees Celsius (35.6°F) this century, surpassing a “tipping point” that a global climate deal aims to avert.

Exxon’s statement,

which came three days before the deadline for its 2018 annual meeting resolution submissions, said additional information would be released in the near future, but did not provide details.

The company’s board originally opposed providing shareholders with a report outlining the potential impact of global warming on Exxon’s long-term outlook.

Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York state’s comptroller, heads one the two lead sponsors of a shareholder resolution calling for Exxon to issue a climate-impact report. He called Monday’s decision “a win for shareholders and for the company’s ability to manage risk.”

However, another sponsor noted the lack of specificity in the company’s

statement. “This is giving no detail,” said Tim Smith, who leads shareholder engagement efforts at Walden Asset Management, a co-filer of last spring’s resolution. He said Exxon’s statement “needs to be expanded to assure shareowners that

they’re responsive to last year’s request.”

An Exxon spokesman declined to comment beyond the filing.

Some 50 shareholder and climate activists earlier this year demanded the company produce an annual report on

the risks to its business from extreme climate and government policies seeking to reduce carbon emissions. The resolution was backed by 62 percent of shares voted in Exxon’s May annual meeting.

Other energy companies already have begun detailing their view of climate-related risks to their businesses. Refiner Marathon Petroleum Corp recently published a report, “Perspectives on ClimateRelated Scenarios,” meant partly to address suggestions from the global Financial Stability Board about how to measure and respond to such risks.

Members of the shareholder group had said they were considering refiling had Exxon not agreed to a

detailed plan. Big investors including BlackRock Inc and Vanguard Group backed the May resolution and have made climate change a priority in their governance efforts.

BlackRock and Vanguard representatives last week declined to comment on their outreach to Exxon.

The report will carry weight beyond the company’s next shareholder meeting. Exxon faces investigations by the Massachusetts and New York attorneys general into whether it has misled the public and investors by soft-pedaling climate change risks. Exxon has described the probes as politically motivated and intended to force it and others to change their positions on climate change. (Reuters)

News

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tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Acting appointments

PNC withheld confirmation of CJ, Chancellor – former AG …Jagdeo, Ramotar were willing to confirm incumbents

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

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he debate continues surrounding office holders of top judicial posts being forced to remain in an acting role throughout their tenure. Lending his voice to the debate, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall claimed that it was then Opposition Leaders Robert Corbin and David Granger who withheld confirmation.

According to Nandlall, in a missive he penned on the issue, there were several meetings with then President Bharrat Jagdeo and then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin to seek an agreement on the appointments of the Chancellor of the Judiciary and the Chief Justice. At the time, Justice Carl Singh and Justice Ian Chang acted in these positions.

“I recall that for a greater part of those engagements, President Jagdeo’s position was a prepared-

ness to confirm the incumbents in office. These propositions failed to meet with the agreement of the then Leader of the Opposition.”

“As far as I am aware, during that period and indeed until they both departed the Bench, neither their competence nor suitability to hold those offices were ever publicly questioned.

Yet, an agreement to appoint them, substantively, proved elusive.”

He said that when Donald Ramotar and David Granger assumed office as President and Opposition Leader, respectively, the engagements continued; with Ramotar continuing to adopt the position of his predecessor to confirm the incumbents.

“Like his predecessor, Mr Granger withheld his agreement. As Attorney General, I had the privilege of being present at most of those engagements. I recall, through the President, requesting of the then Leader of the Opposition, to assemble in writing, the reasons for his objections to the President’s position, since it was agreed by both sides that the incumbents, at that time, had both demonstrated their competence and, indeed, had accumulated a track record of success, as actors in those positions.”

Nandlall noted that unfortunately, no such reasons were ever presented

by Granger. He further noted that when they were replaced, now President David

Flashback: President David Granger takes a photo with Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George and Chancellor (ag) Yonette Cummings-Edwards

Granger did not attempt to secure the agreement of the Leader of the Opposition before making those two appointments.

“Rather, he chose to invoke Article 127 (2) of the Constitution as a first option, thereby ignoring Article 127 (1). Why the President would not want to seek agreement to confirm the current holders in office, I would leave open to your own inferences. To date, no such attempt has been made,” Nandlall revealed.

Just recently, Caribbean

Court of Justice (CCJ) President, Sir Dennis Byron zeroed in on the trend of persons being appointed to top positions in Guyana’s judiciary, but being forced to act for years while their confirmation remains in limbo.

In a recent address to the Guyana Bar Association, he condemned the fact that since former Chancellor Desiree Bernard demitted office, an agreement has not been reached for the substantive appointment of a Chancellor.

“This has brought us to

the situation today where the number one and number two officials of the Guyana judiciary have not been substantively appointed. This is a most unfortunate state of affairs,” the legal luminary stated.

“This situation has moved well beyond what ought to be acceptable in a modern democracy where respect for the rule of law is maintained. The Constitution envisages the judiciary of Guyana to be headed by officials who are substantively appointed and enjoy all the legal and institutional mechanisms to secure their tenure,” he continued.

Referring to Article 122 A (1); which states that “all courts and all persons presiding over the courts shall exercise their functions independently of the control and direction of any person or authority; and shall be free and independent from political, executive and other form of discretion and control”, Byron bluntly stated that the delay was a breach of the spirit and intent of the Constitution.

Article 127 (2) of the Constitution states, “If the office of Chancellor is vacant … then until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of such office…the functions shall be performed by such other of the judges as shall be appointed by the President after meaningful consultation with the leader of the opposition.”

Commenting on this,

Byron noted that the language of the Act suggests that the appointment was to be a short-term one, before a substantive appointment.

He noted that even from a subjective analysis, the Constitution never intended for the years it has taken to fill the substantive positions to pass.

Byron noted that the delay in complying with Section 127(1) of the Constitution has long breached a level of justifiability and the most appropriate authority for resolving this situation is the court system.

“Section 127 (1) ascribes an obligation to the President and the Leader of the Opposition that is mandatory in nature and not discretionary (to appoint Chancellor and Chief Justice). Any failure in fulfilling this obligation must, therefore, be regarded as a breach of the Constitution,” Byron also said.

Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonette Cummings-Edwards was appointed by President Granger in May of this year. Prior to that, she acted as the Chief Justice from December 2015. She was never confirmed to the substantive position.

Edwards replaced Justice Carl Singh, who retired after acting as Chancellor since 2005. The current Acting Chief Justice, Justice Roxane George was also appointed to her position on the same day as Edwards.

Updated property register will create greater self-sufficiency – Bulkan ...capital allocations increased for all administrative regions for 2018

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s part of plans to expand the participation of all local organs in decision making to enable the regions to be effective in keeping with the policy of decentralisation, the Government has moved to increase capital allocations for all the administrative regions by some eight per cent in 2018.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan recently revealed that the proposed capital allocations in 2018 for the regions have been increased, with the highest allocation of $544 million, which will go to the East Berbice-Corentyne Region and the lowest of $226 million to the Potaro-Siparuni Region.

Bulkan said all hinterland regions have enjoyed a 10 per cent or more increase in allocations. In addition to that, the proposed recurrent allocations stand at $33.8 billion, an increase of more than $2 billion.

He noted that in 2017 the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) had received Government funding of approximately $35.5 billion; recurrent appropriations – $31.6 billion and

capital investments – $3.9 billion.

Meanwhile, to address the question of sluggish implementation of the Public Sector Investment Programmes (PSIP), in the latter half of 2017, the regions have been strengthened with the addition of Planning Units and a Planning Deputy Regional Executive Officer (DREO), to support this critical area.

These capital investments are expected to fund: investment in regional economic projects, regional social services, and in democratic governance.

“The backbone of the local Government system is our towns and villages or the municipalities and [Neighbourhood Democratic Councils] NDCs that have responsibility for managing and developing their respective areas. The democratic renewal though a prerequisite is not sufficient for the restoration of functionality within these organs.

For that, the need for institutional strengthening, capacity building and their revenue base need to be addressed,” he added.

Bulkan said in 2017, the

work remains a priority of Government. “It is a constitutional prescription that local Government areas be economically viable and have an adequate resource base for the management and development of their area as per Article 72,” he added.

Updated register

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

Ministry produced an important training manual or handbook for Councillors.

This document extracts the key sections of the two pieces of principal legislation, namely Chapter 28:01 and 28:02, and presents them in a user friendly manner to inform and guide Councillors on their authority, role and responsibilities. It has been distributed to each of the approximately 1170 councillors.

Aside from this, Bulkan said the transformation and modernisation of the property assessment frame-

The Minister said an updated property register was, therefore, key to Councils’ empowerment to be effective in the discharge of their functions and ensure financial autonomy and viability.

In addition to that, accurate and current property valuations are a prerequisite for informed decision-making

by Councils.

“This is not an exercise in taxation, as was erroneously referred to by the other side. This is an exercise in empowerment; this is an exercise in making resources available in the various communities, to elected representatives to do the work required, thereby insulating them from the whims and fancies of politicians and agencies fixated with control,” he further added.

In some NDCs, this subvention reliance meant that Central Government represented over two-thirds of their actual expenditures. In municipalities, the Government subvention represents close to one- third of actual expenditure.

“It is the Government’s wish to have our Councils liberated of such central political control, to be guided by established norms and good governance practice; to be accountable to relevant institutions and their constituencies,” he asserted.

In 2018, work will be advanced to realise the long-overdue update of property registers in municipalities and NDCs. New local councils in 2019 should have an updated register to make equitable decisions on the rate percentages they want to utilise.

“Higher rates will result in higher local investment and delivery of services.

Lower rates may mean more money in the constituent’s pockets, but may result in a lower overall quality of service. Ultimately, this will be a decision for individual Councils to make.

Our responsibility is to pro-

vide them with accurate information to allow for equity and responsibility in decision-making. It is called good governance and responsible government,” Bulkan explained.

The Minister said the Budget recognised the importance of building such self-sufficiency of the local government system, both in addressing the outdated land values and in the institutional strengthening activities that must surround such an action. This will be a significant step in equipping these institutions.

The National Regional Development Consultative Committee (NRDCC), he reminded, the Opposition boycotted and declared that “this time we do not expect a repeat of the boycott and we look forward to engaging the regional leadership in issues critical to the development of their respective regions”.

Regarding the Local Government Commission (LGC) and the Guyana Association of Municipalities (GAM), Minister Bulkan indicated that Budget 2018 provides $110 million and $10 million respectively.

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guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017

Regional

of Mexicans Venezuela: Opposition banned Two-thirds reject amnesty for from running in 2018 election gang members – poll

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enezuela’s President, Nicolás Maduro, says the country’s main Opposition parties are banned from taking part in next year’s presidential election.

He said only parties which took part in Sunday’s mayoral polls would be able to contest the presidency.

Leaders from the Justice First, Popular Will and Democratic Action parties boycotted the vote because they said the electoral system was biased.

President Maduro insists the Venezuelan system is entirely trustworthy.

In a speech on Sunday, he said the Opposition parties had “disappeared from the political map”.

“A party that has not participated today and has called for the boycott of the elections can’t participate anymore,” he said.

In October, the three main Opposition parties announced they would be boycotting Sunday’s vote, saying it only served what they called President Maduro’s dictatorship.

President Maduro says his party won more than 300 of the 335 mayoral races being contested. The election board put turnout at 47 per cent.

Venezuela has been mired in a

T

Venezuelans look for their names on electoral rolls before voting in Sunday’s mayoral polls

worsening economic crisis characterised by shortages of basic goods and soaring inflation.

Maduro’s pronouncement is designed to provoke the Opposition.

Especially since he justified the move saying it was a condition set out by the National Constituent Assembly – a body that the Opposition refuses to recognise because they say it is undemocratic.

Maduro said he was following the criteria set by the National Constituent Assembly in banning Opposition parties from contesting next year’s election.

But the Assembly, which came into force in August and has the ability to rewrite the Constitution, is made up exclusively of Government loyalists.

Opposition parties see it as a way for the President to cling to power. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

wo-thirds of Mexicans reject offering an amnesty to members of criminal gangs as a way of reducing violence in the country, a poll showed on Monday, days after a top leftist presidential candidate floated the idea of exploring the step.

At the start of December, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told supporters in the violence-wracked state of Guerrero, he was prepared to analyse all the options, including an amnesty, to bring peace to Mexico after years of violence between gangs.

“You can’t fight fire with fire,” he said.

Asked by a reporter whether his amnesty could include drug cartel bosses, Lopez Obrador his campaign would “consider it” in a recording published by newspaper El Universal.

A telephone survey by polling firm Buendia & Laredo for El Universal

showed only 23 per cent of the respondents agreed somewhat or strongly with the idea of brokering an amnesty with the gangs in exchange for pledges to reduce violence.

Some 66 per cent took the opposite view, while eight per cent said they had no opinion either way. The rest gave no answer.

Violence between drug cartels and security forces has been blamed for well over 100,000 deaths in the past decade, and Mexico is on track to register its highest murder total this year since it began keeping regular monthly tallies in 1997.

Lopez Obrador, who has led most of the early polls for the July 2018 election, did not provide details about the potential scope of the amnesty, and aides to the 64-year-old consulted by Reuters have so far declined to flesh out how one might work. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bartlett named “Caribbean Post-hurricane curfew in Dominica now completely lifted Tourism Minister of the Year”

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D

ominicans are now free to go about their daily business anywhere in the country without having to worry about rushing home to meet the curfew.

That’s because the final curfew that remained after Hurricane Maria devastated the Eastern Caribbean nation on September 18 has been lifted.

The first island-wide curfew was imposed shortly after the storm as Police sought to prevent looting, but the hours were subsequently shortened. Then, in October, the curfew was lifted for most of the island.

Only the capital Roseau and its environs were still under curfew.

However, a brief statement from the Ministry of Justice, Immigration and National Security indicated last Friday that curfew had been lifted with immediate effect, based on the advice of the Chief of Police.

The curfew had been imposed as Police tried to clamp down on looting after Hurricane Maria tore through the island

“The City of Roseau is returning to a state of normalcy with electricity being restored in a number of areas and, therefore, there is a need to create an environment that encourages economic activity bearing in mind that we are in the Christmas season,” it said.

After Category 5

Hurricane Maria ripped through the island, killing at least 28 people, there had been several instances of looting and disorder, which prompted authorities to introduce the curfew.

Scores of arrest were subsequently made, including of people who violated the curfew. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

2 killed as gunmen open fire at funeral in Jamaica

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wo people were killed and seven others injured when gunmen opened fire on mourners at a funeral service in Jamaica Sunday afternoon.

Reports indicate that three armed men were transported to Kings Chapel Seventh-day Adventist Church in east

Kingston and launched a surprise attack on mourners in the churchyard just after 15:00h.

Local media houses also reported that amidst the mayhem that ensued, one of the attackers was held by some people attending the service and was beaten.

He was subsequently

rescued by Police and taken to hospital.

The incident took place at the funeral of 30-yearold Romaine White who was stabbed in downtown Kingston last month.

Jamaica has recorded more than 1500 murders so far this year. (Caribbean360)

amaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has been named the Caribbean Tourism Minister of the Year according to the Caribbean Travel Awards 2017, carried out by the Caribbean Journal editorial team.

“Being an effective tourism official in the Caribbean isn’t just about management and ideas. It’s about being an ambassador. And that’s exactly what Jamaica’s Edmund Bartlett has done so well in this, his most recent term as Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism.

“Bartlett, who spearheaded Jamaica’s hosting of the UNWTO Conference in Montego Bay last month,

Jamaican Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett

has become an exceptionally effective ambassador for the Caribbean tourism brand and Jamaica’s national brand. And, that work is

joined by Jamaica’s significant recent success in attracting new hotel investment, new airlift, and, most importantly, new visitors,” the Caribbean Journal editorial team said.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Ministry congratulated Round Hill Hotel and Villas for receiving the Caribbean Hotel of the Year award and the newly-opened spa at the Jewel Grand Montego Bay Resort and Spa for receiving the Caribbean Spa of the Year award.

Caribbean Journal is the largest website covering the Caribbean, with original content and video focusing on travel and tourism across the entire Caribbean Basin.

(Jamaica Observer)

Barbados joins other Caribbean islands in signing ILO initiative regarding child labour

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he International Labour Organisation (ILO) says Barbados has become the ninth Caribbean Community (Caricom) country to join the Regional Initiative, Latin America and the Caribbean Free of Child Labour.

It said that the island’s Labour Minister, Esther Byer Suckoo handed over the signed agreement to ILO Regional Director of the Americas and Caribbean, José Manuel Salazar-Xirinachs, in the margins of the Organisation of American States (OAS) XX Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labour held earlier this month in Barbados.

It said as a result of Barbados signing the agreement, it now brings the total number of participating countries in the Region to 28, all aligned in pursuit of a common objective: to accelerate the rate of reduction of child labour in the Region and by 2025, to eliminate all forms of child labour.

“The adhesion of Barbados reflects the commitment and importance attributed by the Caribbean countries to the tripartite collaboration and partnership among Governments and employers and workers organisations, as the Region works towards achieving Target 8.7 of the

2030 Agenda,” the ILO added.

According to the ILO, Barbados has ratified the commitments set forth in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and has also ratified ILO Conventions 138 on the minimum age for admission to employment and 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

It noted that in Barbados, the minimum age established for employment is 16 years; however, according to estimates done in 2014, the incidence of child labour in the country was 3.5 per cent between five and 14 years of age. (Excerpt from CMC)

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

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Around the World

Explosion rocks New York commuter hub, suspect in custody

Akayed Ullah, a Bangladeshi man, attempted to detonate a homemade bomb strapped to his body at a New York commuter hub during morning rush hour

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Bangladeshi man with a homemade bomb strapped to his body set off an explosion at a New York commuter hub during rush hour on Monday, wounding himself

and three others in what New York Mayor Bill de Blasio called an attempted terrorist attack.

The suspect in the incident at the Port Authority Bus Terminal, a block from

Times Square, was identified as Akayed Ullah, the New York Police Department Commissioner said. The suspect had burns and lacerations while three other people, including a police officer, sustained minor injuries.

Ullah is from the Bangladeshi city of Chittagong and is a US resident, said the country’s Police Chief. He had no criminal record there and last visited Bangladesh on September 8, the Chief said.

Ullah had a black cab/ limousine driver’s licence from 2012 to 2015, after which it expired, the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission said.

The weapon was based on a pipe bomb and attached to the suspect, Police said.

Police Officers stand guard outside the Port Authority Bus Terminal

New York state Governor Andrew Cuomo, speaking at a news conference near the site, described the device as “amateur-level”.

De Blasio told the same news conference that the incident, which happened at

the start of the city’s rush hour, was “an attempted terrorist attack”.

“As New Yorkers our lives revolve around the subways. When we hear of an attack in the subways, it

is incredibly unsettling,” de Blasio said.

“When you hear about a bomb in the subway station, which is in many ways one of our worst nightmares, the reality turns out better than the initial expectation and fear,” Cuomo told reporters. Later on CNN, he said the attacker apparently used the Internet to obtain information on how to make a bomb.

The incident was captured on security video, Police said. Video posted on NYPost.com showed smoke and a man lying in the tunnel that connects sections of the Times Square subway station and the bus station.

A photograph showed a man lying facedown, with tattered clothes and burns on his torso. (Excerpt from Reuters)

EU rebuffs Netanyahu on Putin orders beginning Jerusalem of withdrawal from Syria

T

he EU’s foreign policy chief says there is “full EU unity” in support of Jerusalem becoming the capital of both Israel and a future Palestinian state.

Federica Mogherini said the bloc’s member states would not recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital before a final status peace agreement.

She spoke after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wants the EU to follow the US in doing so.

President Donald Trump’s move prompted widespread international criticism.

Mogherini, who was speaking at a news conference in Brussels alongside Netanyahu, said the EU would continue to recognise the “international consensus” on Jerusalem.

“I have to say that PM Netanyahu realised, I think, from the Ministers themselves that there is full EU unity on this, that the only realistic solution to the con-

flict between Israel and Palestine is based on two states with Jerusalem as the capital of both the state of Israel and the state of Palestine.

“The EU and member states will continue to respect the international consensus on Jerusalem until the final status of the holy city is resolved, through direct negotiations between the parties.”

But Netanyahu said the US decision was a recognition of “reality”. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

Snow in Europe triggers transport chaos off from one de-iced runway. But Brussels Airlines scrapped all its flights.

In the UK, dozens of flights were cancelled at Heathrow and road conditions were described as treacherous in many areas.

R

ussian President Vladimir Putin has made a surprise visit to a Russian base in Syria and ordered his troops to start withdrawing from the war-torn country.

Syrian State TV reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad met with Putin at Khmeimim Air Base, southeast of Latakia, on Monday morning.

Russia’s State news agency Novosti cited Putin as saying that “in general, the combat work in this territory is completed by the complete eradication of terrorists”.

Putin made the stop in Syria on his way to Egypt, where he met with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi later on Monday.

As the Syrian Government’s main ally in the war, Russia started its intervention in September 2015, after an official request by the Syrian Government for military help against

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Russian President Vladimir Putin made an unannounced visit to Syria and ordered a partial withdrawal of Russian troops [Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik via Reuters]

rebel groups.

Since then, Russia mainly conducted air strikes against groups opposed to the Government, including the Syrian National Coalition, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), al-Nusra Front, and others.

In addition, Russian military advisors and special

operations forces are stationed in Syria. Prior to the intervention, Russian involvement in the war had mainly consisted of supplying the Syrian army.

In November, Assad thanked Putin for “saving” his country and for Russia’s support in Syria. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Tanzanian President pardons child rapists A traffic jam near Mülheim – one of many in snow-bound Germany

H

eavy snow blanketing northern Europe has caused many flight cancellations and delays at Schiphol airport in the Netherlands and Brussels airport.

About 400 flights were cancelled at Schiphol – one of Europe’s biggest airports – and about 200 in Brussels.

Travellers have been advised to check flight updates at home, rather than set off for the airport in bad weather.

In Germany, the heavy snow has caused many car crashes and traffic jams, as well as train delays.

More than 300 flights were cancelled on Sunday at Frankfurt airport, the busiest in Germany.

The Dutch airport at Eindhoven was temporarily closed because of the snow, and many Dutch schools remained shut on Monday.

Conditions improved later at Brussels airport, where planes were able to take

C

hildren’s rights activists have condemned the pardon of two child rapists by the Tanzanian President.

Kate McAlpine, Director of the Arusha-based Community for Children Rights, told the BBC she was “horrified but unsur-

prised”.

John Magufuli made the pardon in his Independence Day speech on Saturday.

Singer Nguza Viking, known as Babu Seya, and his son Johnson Nguza, known as Papii Kocha, were pardoned for raping 10 primary schoolgirls.

The President selected a group of prisoners to be released, who he said had corrected their behaviour.

McAlpine said the pardon illustrated Magufuli showed a “lack of understanding about violence against children”.

She linked this lat-

est speech to his June announcement where he banned pregnant schoolgirls from returning to school.

“He has a blind spot when it comes to recognising children as victims. Pregnant schoolgirls are pregnant because they are victims of violence.” (Excerpt from BBC News)

Chinese rooftop climber dies in 62-storey fall

A

well-known Chinese climber has died while performing one of his trademark daredevil skyscraper stunts.

Wu Yongning had amassed thousands of followers on the social net-

work Weibo for his dramatic short videos showing him perched atop tall buildings without the use of safety equipment.

Concern grew among his fans when he stopped posting updates in November.

It has now emerged that he died after falling from a 62-storey building in the city of Changsha.

Chinese media report that he was participating in a challenge to win a substantial amount of prize

money.

The 26-year-old died on November 8, but his death was only confirmed by his girlfriend in a post on Chinese social media a month later. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017

ARCHIE

Make a change that will improve your standard of liv(March 21ing and ease your everyday April 19) stress. Better life choices will give you more time for romance.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Take care of personal finances, health issues and any pending settlements before it’s too late. Let go of the past and accept the inevitable.

You’ll face opposition if GEMINI you try to make changes that (May 21someone doesn’t want. Expect June 20)

a rival to use tactics that can undermine you and your plans. Have alternative possibilities in place.

Don’t let your emotions take the reins. Avoid getting (June 21- into a spat with anyone at July 22) work or home. Keeping the peace is in your best interest.

Be ready and willing to compromise.

CANCER

Peanuts

Fix up your place. Add LEO to your home entertainment (July 23- system or do something with Aug. 22) the youngsters in your family that will get them excited about upcoming events.

Use your intelligence and VIRGO insight to get others to see (Aug. 23things your way. Manipulative Sept. 22) or forceful tactics are not recommended; persuasion is the way to go.

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Taking a day trip or doing something to help your community will be enlightening.

If you share your thoughts with a friend or sibling, together you can make someone’s dream come true.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Money matters should be addressed. You may want to make some changes to your personal finances or documents before the year’s end. Look for alternative ways to live that will be more cost-effective.

You’ll thrive on being SAGITTARIUS challenged. Your ability to (Nov. 23- take whatever is thrown at Dec. 21) you and turn it into something great will put you in a leadership category.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Choose your words wisely and use common sense, not brute force, to get what you want. Trying to pressure or manipulate others will result in a stalemate.

Offer positive suggestions.

Intellect, desire and a AQUARIUS plan that will help you stick (Jan. 20- to a strict budget while still Feb. 19) enjoying the interests and pastimes that make you happy will help you succeed.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You’ll have to use common sense when dealing with partners, colleagues and matters that could influence your position, status or reputation. Honesty is in your best interest.

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017

19

Bangladesh Premier League…

Charles' 105 sets up Riders, Dynamites final C Real Madrid face PSG, Chelsea drawn with Barcelona hris Gayle only managed three but his opening partner, Johnson Charles slammed an unbeaten 105 to send the Rangpur Riders made it to their first Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) final after completing a 36-run win over group-stage lead-

Exciting softball action planned for Ogle CC

T

his Saturday December 17, at the East Coast Appreciation Celebration at the Ogle Community Centre there will be three categories of softball cricket to mark the occasion.

Organizers; Best Family Entertainment, Yamo and Gerald have extended invitations to Male All-Star teams, Male Over-40 Years old and Female All-Stars for the afternoon of intense battles on the field.

The 10 overs-per-side matches will see 10 male All-Star teams, eight Over-40 teams and four female teams playing for supremacy and lots of cash incentives from 10:00h.

For registration and more information, interested teams must call Trevor Wharton on 6734378 or Seeraj Bhimsain on 647-2840 before Saturday.

In addition to cricket, there will be a 12team grand domino tournament from 13:00h with over $200,000 in cash and prizes at stake. Interested domino teams must register by contacting Lyall Gittens on 697-2929.

Entrance fee is $10,000 per team.

The one-day event has attracted the support of Modern Grafix, Trophy Stall, Silvies Variety Store, Vion Investment Fabrication and welding, Star Party Rental, Yamo air-conditioning repairs, BM Soat, Buckie’s Collision Repairs and Bacchus Drug Store.

P

Johnson Charles’ hundred came from just 63 balls

ers Comilla Victorians in the match that spanned two days.

The innings helped the Riders to 192-3 against the Comilla Victorians, who could only manage 156 in their reply, giving the finalists a 36-run victory.

Charles, 105 not out, partnered with former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum to hammer 151 from 14.5 overs before McCullum fell to Hasan Ali for 78 from just 46 deliveries. Charles was savage, slamming nine fours and seven sixes on his way to the century, which came from 63 deliveries.

Chasing the 193 the Riders had set was never going to be an easy task, and though Tamim Iqbal (36) and Liton Das (39) gave them reasonable starts they

were always behind.

Marlon Samuels was not up for the game and fell for 27 from 30 deliveries having hit just two fours and a six.

Only Jos Butler, 26 from 16, put up any kind of fight outside of that, as Rubel Hossain, 3-34, Isuru Udana, 2-24, and Ravi Bopara, 2-17, kept them behind the eight ball. Sohag Gazi, 1-15, Mashrafe Mortaza, a little expensive at 1-40, and Nazmul Islam, 1-25, also supported well.

It will be the fourth time in the final for Mashrafe Mortaza, who led Dhaka Gladiators and Comilla to BPL titles in 2012, 2013 and 2015. He finished the game off with a superb running catch off the last ball, underlining his contribution as more than just that of team captain.

SCOREBOARD

Rangpur Riders Innings (20 overs maximum) J Charles not out 105 CH Gayle c Shoaib Malik b Mahedi Hasan 3 BB McCullum b Hasan Ali 78 RS Bopara c Shoaib Malik b Mohammad Saifuddin 0 Mashrafe Mortaza* not out 0 Extras (lb-3, w-3) 6 Total (For 3 wickets, 20 Overs) 192 Did not bat: Nahidul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Mithun †, Nazmul Islam, I Udana, Sohag Gazi Fall of wickets: 1-27 (CH Gayle, 4.1 ov), 2-178 (BB McCullum, 18.6 ov), 3-184 (RS Bopara, 19.3 ov) Bowling Mahedi Hasan 4-044-1, Hasan Ali 4-0-23-1 (w1), Shoaib Malik 1-0-4-0, Mohammad Saifuddin 4-0-38-1 (w-2), Al-Amin Hossain4-0-42-0, Cremer 3-0-38-0 Comilla Victorians Innings (target: 193 runs from 20 overs) Tamim Iqbal* c Sohag Gazi b Mashrafe Mortaza 36 Liton Das† c †Mohammad Mithun b Udana 39 Imrul Kayes st †Mohammad

Mithun b Sohag Gazi 0 Shoaib Malik c Rubel Hossain b Nazmul Islam 10 MN Samuels c Charles b Bopara 27 JC Buttler c Nazmul Islam b Bopara 26 Hasan Ali c McCullum b Rubel Hossain 6 Mohammad Saifuddin c Nahidul Islam b Udana 0 AG Cremer not out 1 Mahedi Hasan c sub (A Lyth) b Rubel Hossain 0 Al-Amin Hossain c Mashrafe Mortaza b Rubel Hossain 0 Extras (lb-1, nb-1, w-9) 11 Total (All out, 20 Overs) 156 Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Tamim Iqbal, 4.5 ov), 2-56 (Imrul Kayes, 5.4 ov), 3-75 (Shoaib Malik, 9.2 ov), 4-96 (Liton Das, 12.1 ov), 5-137 (JC Buttler, 17.1 ov), 6-147 (MN Samuels, 17.6 ov), 7-154 (Mohammad Saifuddin, 18.4 ov), 8-155 (Hasan Ali, 19.1 ov), 9-155 (Mahedi Hasan, 19.3 ov), 10156 (Al-Amin Hossain, 19.6 ov) Bowling Sohag Gazi 2-0-151, Mashrafe Mortaza 4-0-40-1 (w-2), Rubel Hossain 4-0-34-3 (w-2, nb-1), Udana 4-0-24-2 (w-5), Bopara 2-017-2, Nazmul Islam 4-0-25-1

aris Saint-Germain will have to depose defending champions Real Madrid if they are to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Two-time defending champions Real Madrid will face big-spending Paris Saint-Germain in the standout tie of the Champions League last 16.

Madrid were a daunting prospect in Monday's draw after finishing second in Group H behind Tottenham, and it is PSG who have pulled the short straw.

The two-legged ties will see Neymar renew his rivalry with Real Madrid, the former Barcelona striker having scored three times against them during his time in LaLiga.

Neymar will also be keen to get the better of Cristiano Ronaldo as he looks to show he has the ability to challenge for future Ballon d'Or honours.

Worringly for Unai Emery – who has never won in his 10 matches at Santiago Bernabeu – PSG have failed to win any of their previous three meetings with Los Blancos, failing to score in the past two ties.

Another key tie will see Chelsea and Barcelona lock horns once again, the two sides have played each other 10 times in the knockout stages – a record only eclipsed by Bayern Munich and Real Madrid (16).

For the first time in European competition Juventus will meet Tottenham, while there will be a battle of recent Europa League winners when Sevilla take on current champions Manchester United.

Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City face Basel over two legs, while Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool were drawn with Porto.

A Bayern Munich side reinvigorated under Jupp Heynckes will have to overcome a tricky test against Besiktas, and the final tie sees Shakhtar Donetsk meet Roma.(Sportsmax)

Defending champions Real Madrid will face a stern test in PSG

Carmichael flattens Upper Corentyne CA P

ort Mourant Cricket Club defeated the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) by 5 wickets in the Berbice Cricket Board's Senior 50 Over cricket competition held at the Port Mourant community Center on December 11, 2017.

Batting first in a match which was reduced to 25 overs per-side due to morning rain, UCCA were bowled out for 98 runs in 19.3 overs. Tameshwar Persaud top scored with 25 and D, Chatterpaul scored 22. All the other batsmen failed to make significant contributions to the final score.

Bowling for Port Mourant, Kellon Carmichael continued his outstanding form and discipline with figures of 5-20 in his five-over spell. Pacer Demetri Cameron took 2-29 in his quota of five overs while off Spinner Arrif chan snared two wickets for one run in his 2.2 overs.

Replying to the total of 98 runs set by the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association's batsmen, opener Joshua Ramsammy top scored with a belligerent 44 decorated with five fours. He received valuable support from Parmeshwar Chatterpaul 18, and Amir Khan 11 not out. Port Mourant scored 102 in 18 overs.

The competition is still in its preliminary stage with teams in two zones competing for qualification to the next round. Zone A comprises Western Berbice Cricket Association, Blairmont CC, Bushlot United, Young Warriors, Tucber Park and Rose Hall Community Center. ZOne B; Upper Corentyne Cricket Association, Skeldon Community Center, Port Mourant Community Center Cricket Club, Albion CC, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, and Police CC. Two Teams from each zone will qualify to the next round of the competition.

20

A

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017

– couple ties the knot in Italy

ctress Anushka Sharma and cricketer Virat Kohli on Monday night tweeted pictures of their wedding, thereby confirming long-standing reports of the ceremony.

The Indian cricket captain tweeted, “Today we have promised each other to be bound in love for ever. We are truly blessed to share the news with you. This beautiful day will be made more special with the love and support of our family of fans & well-wishers. Thank you for being such an important part of our journey.”

While the identical tweet appeared on Anushka’s official twitter page.

Meanwhile, the family released an official to the media which announced the wedding; “We are very happy to announce that Ms. Anushka Sharma and Mr. Virat Kohli got married at

a private ceremony in Italy, today. The wedding was attended by close family and a few friends as they wished their wedding to be a very private affair. The wedding

was performed as per Hindu rituals. Top fashion designer Sabyasachi Mukherjee has designed the wedding ensemble for both the bride and the groom. Virat and

Anushka will now start inviting all industry friends and colleagues for the celebrations that are set to happen in Mumbai.

Virat and Anushka tweeted scenes of their memorable day in Italy

The couple will be hosting a reception in New Delhi for their relatives on 21st December which will be followed by a reception for industry friends and cricketers in Mumbai on 26th December.

The newlywed couple will travel to South Africa where Virat will start prepping for the upcoming series and Anushka will spend New Year's Eve with him and return in the first week of January to begin the next schedule of Anand L Rai's film with Shah Rukh Khan in Mumbai. She will also start prepping for Sui Dhaaga as the shooting for the same starts in February 2018 with Varun Dhawan.

Anushka will also be busy with the marketing and pro-

motions of Pari which is releasing on 9th February.

Virat, on the other hand, will be playing the series in South Africa for 2 months which includes three Tests, six One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches.

Post their wedding the newlywed couple will be shifting to their new residence in Worli, Mumbai in December once they return from Delhi.

Their spokesperson said, "We are extremely grateful to the media for their support and understanding in making this special occasion a memorable one and thank them for their continued love and support."

Afghanistan Consistent ready for Test debut, John

Team Coco’s Jamaul John is tipped to carry away the top prize at this weekend’s GCN awards ceremony

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India set to host

tipped for highest GCN award

his weekend, the Guyana Cycling News (GCN) will host their third annual awards ceremony at Bunkers 81 on Hadfield street for the crème de la crème of local cyclists who turned in exceptional performances throughout the 2017 season.

Among the top performers for the 2017 season include Team Coco’s Jamaul John in the open category who notched up an incredible total of 10 wins at the National Park and on the road during the season. John racked up 217 points in the GCN’s points standing while Team Evolution’s Paul DeNobrega is second with 188 points while Team Alanis’ Alonzo Ambrose follows in third.

In the Junior category, Team United We Stand leads the way with Curtis Dey (Trojan) and Nigel Dugid (Team Evolution) following in that order.

In the veteran’s category, Junior Niles (Team Coco’s) is top of the list of awardees with Ian `Dumb Boy’ Jackson following in

second, while Lear Nunes is next in line.

Thus far a number of local businesses and individuals have made valuable contributions to the activity which, apart from the awards ceremony will see an after party.

Among the sponsors on board who have all pledged various sums of money are: former national cyclist Robin Persaud and his wife Juliet of Regent Multiplex Mall Money Gram and LBI Money Gram; veteran cyclist Shameder Baksh, General Manager of Universal Auto and General Supplies situated at Hope Front, Enmore, East Coast Demerara; Damian Persaud of LBI Super Bet shop; and Kurt Bumbury of Kurt and Carol Grocery, Plaisance Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

The organisers of the awards ceremony are appealing to the business community and private individuals to come on board and support the worthy cause.

Afghanistan will be the fourth team to play their maiden Test against India

A

fghanistan will play their inaugural Test match against India in 2018. Rahul Johri, the BCCI chief executive officer, confirmed that India would host Afghanistan, and that the two boards would work out the venue and the dates shortly.

Since being inducted as an ICC Full Member in June, alongside Ireland, Afghanistan have been looking for an opponent to play their maiden Test match against.

Ireland have already confirmed that they will play their first Test against Pakistan in May 2018.

Initially, Zimbabwe were scheduled to play Afghanistan in the UAE before travelling to Bangladesh early next year. However, Zimbabwe Cricket informed the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) that it wanted to focus on the World Cup Qualfiers in March and therefore not increase its players' workload.

This October the ACB, led by its chairman Atif Mashal and CEO Shafiqullah Stanikzai, met Johri in Mumbai, requesting India to consider playing against Afghanistan.

"The ACB requested us to play their first Test match,"

Johri said, after attending the BCCI's special general meeting in Delhi on Monday.

"The BCCI has agreed."

It is understood that both boards will meet in a week's time in Dubai to finalise the schedule. With India travelling overseas for most of 2018, the Afghanistan Test is likely to be scheduled ahead of India's trip to Australia in late 2018.

For the moment, the ACB is excited. "It will be a historic Test match," Stanikzai said. "We would like to thank the BCCI for granting this opportunity to us and accepting our request." (ESPN Cricinfo)

sports

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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bouts of fistic fury

the Beausejour Indoor Facility here on Wednesday December 13, 2017.

According to one of the organisers, Cathy HarperHall, there is expected to be a total of 90 bouts by the time the championship is ended. Seven of them are expected to be female bouts with 10 female boxers being entered. They comprise five from Barbados, two from Trinidad and Tobago, and one each from Aruba, Grenada and hosts Saint Lucia.

"The standard of Boxing is going to be very good. Apart from the best boxers in the region, we will be having the top judges and referees and the renowned James Beckles as supervisor.

An amazing 90 bouts over four days and four nights," she said.

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Two-storey concrete, 4-bedroom, one self-contained, two bathrooms, toilet. 2320 Tuschen, E.B.E. $20M, price negotiable. Phone 664-9310 or 626-8190.

21

boxing Association, David Christopher pleaded with the Saint Lucian population to come out and support the tournament as if it was their own due to the fact that the local Association was bearing the full cost of the event. He singled out the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee Incorporated, the Department of Youth Department and sports, and some local business interests for making a substantial intervention after funds from the International Boxing Federation (AIBA) were not forthcoming.

Past President Joseph "Reds" Perreira says his interest is to get as many Saint Lucians as possible to come out and support the local team and the Championship in general as it was an event of great significance to Saint Lucia and the Caribbean.

"We want to see all seats filled. The admission is not

Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Georgetown Zone…

Gold is Money secure final spot – Leopold Street, Sparta Boss face off tonight

O

n Saturday night at the Albouystown tarmac, Gold is Money showed their credentials to book a spot in the Georgetown Zone Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” final while Sparta Boss versus Leopold Street’s semi-final was canceled.

When the semi-final stage of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets were played it was the Gold is Money outfit who were left celebrating after pipping Bent Street to book a spot in the final.

It was a closely contested match that needed penalty kicks to decide the winner after full time saw the two teams drawing 1-1.

Randolph Wagner got Gold is Money off to a flyer netting the opener after just three minutes had elapsed in the game, however Bent Street quickly regained composure and defended well. They even went close to equalizing on a few occasions and were eventually rewarded for their persistence when Travis Lyken stuck one home in the 16th minute.

The score remained deadlocked and the resulting penalty kicks saw Gold is Money holding their nerve

really a charge but should be seen as a contribution towards the effort to bring such a huge event to Saint Lucia. This is the third event that the local association has been staging this year and we want persons to come out and support in a much more practical way, " he said.

The 14 countries expected to send boxers to the championships include Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominica, French Guyana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Martinique, Saint Maarten, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and hosts Saint Lucia.

The championship days will be held in two segments. There will be initial action in the ring starting at 15:30h, followed by a break before the evening bouts recommence from 20:00h.

Dover assists football development in Monkey Mountain

T

Tonight’s semi-final will pit defending champions Sparta Boss against Leopold Street at the National Cultural Centre tarmac

to win 2-1 from the spot.

They will have to wait until tonight to know their opponents after the second semi-final between Sparta Boss and Leopold Street was canceled after an attempted robbery on a patron resulted in the fans dispersing.

The match will be played today at the National Cultural Center tarmac at 17:00h.

Earlier before the disruption, the semi-finals of the plate section were contested and saw two lop sided affairs.

First Kingston dispatched of Upsetters by six

goals to two with a blitz of late goals.

The Upsetters drew first blood through Orin Yarde in the 16th minute before Kingston’s Colin Clarke equalized in the 20th, just a minute later Joash Figueira restored Upsetters’ advantage. That would be the end of the latter though as Nigel Denny grabbed two Guinness Goals to make it 6-2 Kingston In the other Plate semi-final North East La Penitence had a comfortable 3-1 victory over GTI Ballers. Kelvin Moore bagged a hatrick in

the 10th, 20th and 25th minutes to resign GTI to defeat.

GTI’s lone goal came from the boot of Trevon Calendar in the 16th minute.

The final of the completion is slated for December 16 at Demerara Park.

Winner of the overall event will walk-away with $500,000 and the championship trophy along with automatic qualification for the National Playoffs.

The runner-up, third and fourth placed finishers will receive $250,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.

he Guyana F o o t b a l l Federation (GFF), on invitation from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, participated in the 2017 North Pakaraima Exposition being held in Monkey Mountain, Region 8.

The two-day event, which opened on December 8, saw the participation of Wayne Dover, Head Coach of the Senior Men's National Team who accompanied the Minister Within The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs and Patron of Women's Football, Valarie Garrido-Lowe While there, Dover presented a pair of football boots and GoalKeeper gloves to the President of the Monkey Mountain Women's FC The festivities saw a number of sporting activities including football games taking place. (GFF)

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017

Windies staering down the barrel – Taylor strokes 17th century

Mitchell Santner examines his helmet after being hit by a Miguel Cummins bouncer

N

ew Zealand's stranglehold on the Hamilton Test grew tighter on day three, as they piled on the runs to set West Indies 444 to chase, and claimed two wickets before stumps to begin the victory push.

Ross Taylor's 107 not out was instrumental to strengthening New Zealand's position - the hundred taking him equal with Kane Williamson and Martin Crowe, who hold the New Zealand record, with 17 Test centuries.

Williamson himself struck a lively fifty to steady the innings after West Indies had struck early blows, and Trent Boult was impressive again with the ball, taking wickets off successive deliveries in the morning, before making the first incision of the fourth innings as the day waned.

It was not as if West Indies were substantially outperformed on the day just that they had ceded so much ground already that they required a near-miraculous effort to reimpose themselves on the match. Their quicks were good in patches - Miguel Cummins and Shannon Gabriel running hot at various points through the day. In one especially hostile spell, Cummins bowled

Williamson with a searing yorker from outside the off stump, had Henry Nicholls nicking off to a well-directed short ball, and would also have had the wicket of Mitchell Santner had wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich managed to hold a difficult overhead chance off Santner's top edge.

Gabriel, meanwhile, prospered with fast length balls aimed at the stumps.

He claimed two wickets, one of which was an lbw of Colin de Grandhomme - a decision that was overturned in New Zealand's favour only after a confused third-umpire's review.

Taylor's, meanwhile, was an innings of moderation. Sixty balls he took to hit his first boundary, having kept out some excellent deliveries from Cummins and Gabriel in that time. At no stage during his knock was he hurried; he was content usually to push the ball into gaps, keeping that brutal cut and those bludgeoned drives in check. Of his first fifty runs, 38 came from singles and twos.

The only bowler who troubled him consistently was Gabriel, who beat him for pace repeatedly, and had even drawn and outside edge when Taylor was on 35, only for the gully fielder to grass the low chance.

After tea, Taylor's pace quickened - the singles coming more frequently than before, and Cummins even suffering two disdainful pulls for four in front of square. Having got out on 93 at the Basin Reserve, Taylor didn't dally long in the nineties, taking only nine deliveries to move to triple figures. In addition to having equaled the New Zealand record, this is a special ton for Taylor: his longtime friend and mentor Martin Crowe had said Taylor would reach and surpass his own tally of 17 centuries.

Earlier, West Indies had had a brief opportunity to spark a New Zealand collapse, when they dismissed the openers with 42 on the board, but Williamson's energetic innings sucked the worst of the venom out of their bowling. Having arrived at 11 for 1, Williamson began to leave the ball judiciously, and defend with assurance. He batted out 26 balls before the expansive strokes began to appear. His two first boundaries were made possible by fielding errors at point and deep square leg, but then the 33 balls he faced before lunch yielded 42 runs. His fifty was brought up via a leg glance to the fine leg boundary immedi-

ately after he had socked Shannon Gabriel past midoff. It was an important score for Williamson, for he had gone five international innings without a fifty - a significant stretch for such a consistent batsman.

Elsewhere in the New Zealand innings, batsmen got starts and were undone when more substantial scores beckoned. Tom Latham, Mitchell Santner and Colin de Grandhomme all made it past 20 before being dismissed, generally by very good West Indies bowling. None of the dismissals seemed to dent New Zealand much, so secure were they already in the game. When Williamson declared, New Zealand had made 291 for 8 in the second dig.

As had been the case at the Basin Reserve, West Indies' first-innings indiscretions meant that they began the second innings with only a miniscule chance of avoiding defeat.

That chance would become worse before stumps.

Kieran Powell was out for his second duck of the match - squared up by a short delivery from Boult that took his edge and flew low to third slip. Shimron Hetmyer sparkled briefly again, playing a dismissive pull and a searing on-drive for four, but he was out cheaply again, just lofting a full Tim Southee delivery into the hands of mid-off.

West Indies must take heart from their successful pursuit of 322 at Headingly earlier this year. The target in front of them now, however, will take even more grit and resilience the likes of which they are yet to show for an extended period, on this tour. (ESPN

Cricinfo)

Ross Taylor celebrates his 17th Test century in familiar fashion

SCOREBOARD New Zealand 1st Innings 373 West Indies 1st Innings (Overnight 215-8) KC Brathwaite* c Southee b de Grandhomme 66 KOA Powell c †Blundell b Southee 0 SO Hetmyer c & b Boult 28 SD Hope c Taylor b Southee 15 RL Chase b de Grandhomme 12 SW Ambris hit wicket b Boult 2 SO Dowrich† c & b Wagner 35 RA Reifer not out 23 KAJ Roach c Boult b Wagner 17 ML Cummins b Boult 15 ST Gabriel b Boult 0 Extras (b-1, w-7) 8 Total (All out, 66.5 Overs) 221 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (KOA Powell, 0.6 ov), 2-46 (SO Hetmyer, 13.3 ov), 3-90 (SD Hope, 23.4 ov), 4-112 (RL Chase, 30.4 ov), 5-117 (SW Ambris, 33.5 ov), 6-135 (KC Brathwaite, 40.1 ov), 7-169 (SO Dowrich, 50.1 ov), 8-204 (KAJ Roach, 59.3 ov), 9-221 (ML Cummins. 66.4), 10-221 (ST Gabriel. 66.5) Bowling Southee 19-9-34-2 (w-1), Boult 20.5-5-73-4 (w2), de Grandhomme 12-140-2, Wagner 15-2-73-2 New Zealand 2nd Innings JA Raval c & b Cummins 4 TWM Latham lbw b Reifer 22 KS Williamson* b Cummins 54 LRPL Taylor not out 107 HM Nicholls c †Dowrich b Cummins 5 MJ Santner c Ambris b Chase 26 C de Grandhomme lbw b Gabriel 22

TA Blundell† c Powell b Gabriel 1 N Wagner c Hope b Chase 8 TG Southee not out 22 Extras (b-4, lb-2, nb-12, w-2) 20 Total (For 8 wickets declared, 77.4 Overs) 291 Did not bat: TA Boult Fall of wickets: 1-11 (JA Raval, 7.1 ov), 2-42 (TWM Latham, 15.6 ov), 3-100 (KS Williamson, 28.1 ov), 4-111 (HM Nicholls, 30.6 ov), 5-161 (MJ Santner, 45.2 ov), 6-212 (C de Grandhomme, 56.4 ov), 7-235 (TA Blundell, 60.3 ov), 8-257 (N Wagner, 69.6 ov) Bowling Gabriel 15-0-52-2 (nb-8), Roach 6-1-280 (nb-1), Cummins 17-1-69-3 (w-1, nb-2), Reifer 13-1-52-1 (w-1, nb-1), Brathwaite 9-0-330, Chase 17.4-1-51-2 West Indies 2nd Innings (target: 444 runs) KC Brathwaite* not out 13 KOA Powell c Southee b Boult 0 SO Hetmyer c Wagner b Southee 15 SD Hope not out 1 Extras (lb-1) 1 Total (For 2 wickets, 8 Overs) 30 Yet to bat: RL Chase, SW Ambris, SO Dowrich †, RA Reifer, KAJ Roach, ML Cummins, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-4 (KOA Powell, 1.3 ov), 2-27 (SO Hetmyer, 6.3 ov) Bowling Southee 4-018-1, Boult 4-0-11-1 Position: West Indies require another 414 runs with 8 wickets remaining

Berbice to meet T&T U-13 at Port Mourant

…Ramnauth hits warm-up ton

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he Berbice Cricket Board of Control in conjunction with its parent body, The Guyana Cricket Board, will host the national Under 13 team from the twin island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago in a 40 Overs match at the Port Mourant Community Center Ground on Saturday December 16, 2017 starting at 10:00h.

President of the Berbice Cricket Board in a comment said that this is a giant step towards youth cricket development for Berbicians,

since a junior game of this caliber will act as an impetus for those youths who are contemplating a career in cricket. He further stated that his administration intends to explore all avenues to develop cricket at all levels in the county; this initiative is just one of many.

He is encouraging all Clubs in Berbice, and Guyana as a whole to invest in Junior cricket, since the future lies in the hands of the youths.

The Berbice Cricket Board is extremely pleased to participate in this game and

will be continuing intensive youth and senior programs in the months ahead. He expressed his gratitude, on behalf of his Executives, to the Guyana Cricket Board for their herculean role in the development of cricket in Guyana.

Chairman of Selectors, Leslie Solomon, has identified 32 youths from Clubs around Berbice and has involved them in training for the past two weeks, in preparation for this feature game. Physical fitness drills, game scenarios, batting and fielding drills are the key elements of the

camp, and the youths have been showing steady progress. He expressed confidence that the Berbice team will be a force to reckon with.

A trial match was held at the Jai Hind Ground in Albion last Saturday to test the skills of the youths. Opening batsman Rampertab Ramnauth of the Port Mourant Cricket Club was magnificent as he scored a brilliant 107 in his innings while Christopher De Roop took three wickets.

Matthew Pottaya, Rudra Goberdhan, Niquan Samuels and Lakhraj

Rampertab Ramnauth

Boodram took one wicket each. Tameshwar Mangal scored 43 in his innings.

The shortlisted players for the Berbice squad are: Rampertab Ramnauth, Altaf Balman, Veer Fathad, Ryan France, Avishkar Persaud, Tameshwar Mangal, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Matthew Pottaya, Rudra Goderdhan, Damian Cecil, Niquan Samuels, Isia Thorne, Dwayne Williams, Lakraj Boodram, Christopher DeRoop, Abdul Munroe, Latchman Danan, Tomani Ceasar, Mark Ramalho and Darius Joseph.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, december 12, 2017

AAG reveals

By Michelangelo Jacobus

“Grand Prix”

T

he Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) has revealed that they have scheduled six “Grand Prix” track and field meets for 2018 as they aim to keep the country’s senior athletes in tip top shape as well as to provide more competition while keeping the athletes motivated.

In an exclusive interview with <<Guyana Times Sport>>, AAG President Aubrey Hutson noted; “The senior grand prix meets that we plan for next year is truly to have a better going programme for our senior athletes. We’ve had a successful youth and junior year in 2017, most of these athletes, particularly Compton Caesar is going over to the senior rank now. We need to now start stepping up the competition.”

The AAG boss pointed out that lately there has only been the National Seniors’ Championships and explained that the “Grand Prix” meets will allow ath-

23

AAG President Aubrey Hutson

letes to compete in their respective events and distances.

“There will be monetary rewards for every meet and then there is an overall reward for the Grand Prix winners at the end of the five meets.”

The respective meets will not be limited to local competitors only as Hutson maintained that the AAG is planning to send out invitations to various countries

across South America and the Caribbean in a bid to up the quality of competition so that Guyana’s athletes can be exposed to such quality all year round heading into 2019 and 2020 with the ultimate aim of preparing them for the Olympics in 2020.

The likes of Compton Caesar, Rupert Perry, Cleveland Forde, Winston Missigher and Leslyn Baird will all benefit from the respective meets as Hutson pledged that the AAG is focused on “sharpening the athletes for other events on the international stage.”

Aside from “honing” the skills of the athletes, the AAG boss said that his association is also looking at the meets as a means of “putting money in the athletes’ pockets” and keeping them interested in the sport beyond the age of 20.

While the South American Grand Prix meet (Aliann Pompey Invitational) will be held and funded by the IAAF (International Athletics Association Federation) as

plans for 2018

per norm Hutson revealed that the AAG is in talks with at least two mainstream sponsors for the five meets and maintained confidence

will all be branded by a key sponsor; this will not only be about track and field but about fun. We are in discussions with sponsors and

The various meets are all planned to be about two to three hours in duration and will target sprint events in one meet while the middle

Compton Caesar crosses the line at Leonora in the Senior Championships earlier in 2017

in producing quality products in 2018.

“The various track meets

I’m very confident about the quality of the product that we will produce.”

distance and longer distances will all have their respective meets.

UDFA/GT Beer Christmas Tournament…

On-field fights end Eagles, Hi Stars contest …Topp XX beat Kwakwani 3-0

Topp XX marksmen: from left Andre Meyers, Travis Waterton, and Ryan Noel

O

n field scuffles with about five minutes to game brought about a sudden ending with Eagles United ahead 1-0 over Hi Stars and three second half goals hurried up a Topp XX 3-0 win over Kwakwani Strikers, as the opening day of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) organised 5th annual GT

Beer Christmas tournament began on Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

After a tough first half battle between Topp XX and Kwakwani, the second half play was already marred by a controversial call in the 50th minute after Eagles’ Kellon Primo, who was tagged by a Kwakwani

defender, benefitted from a call for a soft foul, as the opposing players it seemed shouldered deep inside right and on entering the box, the assistant referee waved her flag indicating a foul was committed.

Referee Shavin Green promptly pointed to the penalty spot and the spot kick from 10 yards out, taken by

Trenton Lashley, unlocked a tightly marked encounter which had seen flashes of scuffles in the first half also. That would later in the game develop and cause hysteria between agitated players who would get involved in other scuffles forcing the game officials to call it off.

Guyana’s Head of the Refereeing Council Stanley Lancaster said that based on the report to be submitted by referee Shavin Green, then is when a decision would be taken of the game’s final outcome.

In the first game Topp XX after returning to the domestic play after a year’s absence found the going a bit tough against Kwakani Strikers after initially looking to create more chances earlier in the first half.

However, after that nil all first half Topp XX upped their game and four minutes after play resumed they would gain their first goal.

The ball sent inside the goal area saw Andre Meyers cross being eluding the goal-

Stanley Lancaster

keeper and it went through his legs for the 1-0 lead in the 49th minute.

With this advantage Topp XX became more adventurous and they were rewarded ion the 63rd minute through Duquan Hercules who was on the left wing and his chip in the top of the 18-yard box was latched on to by the veteran Travis Waterton who executed a first time low flat right foot shot that veered into the left Vee to score as Topp XX were up 2-0.

Kwakwani would try desperately to reduce that lead but could not find the back of the net as Topp XX were vigilant and on the look-out for more goals. They also maintained the pressure and when Hercules bravely went past tackles from two defenders, a third knocked him to the ground and this play was punished with a penalty, which was taken

by Ryan Noel in the 78th minute. The conversion allowed the Topp XX to now hold firm to their 3-0 cushion and they played it safely to earn early points in this their group of three.

They now face reigning champions Silver Shattas in the second game on Wednesday at 21.00h, needing another win to push them into the quarterfinals of this year’s championship which has attracted nine clubs.

In the other game of Wednesday’s double header, Blueberry Hill will take on Amelia’s Ward Panthers in the first game at 19.00h.

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

TUESDAY, december 12, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Windies staering down the barrel Pg 22

– Taylor strokes 17th century

AAG reveals “Grand Prix” plans for 2018 Pg 23

The proposed “Grand Prix” meets will target the development and sustenance of athletes such as Compton Caesar among others

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