Guyana times daily december 13, 2017

At Mackenzie

Police E Division P14 headquarters being rebuilt into modern facility Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Issue No. 3421

PRICE

Drama continues

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE: Removal from Seafield, Berbice farmlands

CJ rules President’s revocation of leases P12 unlawful, void …AG to pay out $900,000 in court costs

Edghill arrested, barred from entering Parliament

…legal action to follow – Nandlall

Jordan, Trotman should be jailed – Dr Ramsaroop ...over stashing ‘signing bonus’ from public

Page 3

Opposition Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill being escorted by Police ranks to the Brickdam Police Station on Tuesday. A few of the MP’s colleagues, one of whom is his attorney, Anil Nandlall, accompanied him to the Police Station (Carl Croker photo)

Opposition vows to continue scrutinising budget estimates

Boyfriend, 4 others remain in custody …for BV teen’s murder

P8

Page 7

…expresses displeasure over Edghill’s suspension

Right to scrutinise budget should not be hijacked – PSC Page 5

National Assembly hears

Page 5

Patterson still employed at Legal Affairs Ministry – despite appointment as GECOM Chairman

Police stats for this year

99 murders committed up to end of November – serious crime plunges by 10%

P13

Fugitive P14 Lethem businessman rearrested …prime suspect in illegal aircraft, airstrip probe

2 news

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Opposition vows to continue scrutinising budget estimates …expresses displeasure over Edghill’s suspension

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he parliamentary Opposition has expressed grave disappointment with the move to have Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill suspended for the remainder of the examination of the estimates and expenditure of the 2018 Budget which ends on Friday.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo voiced his concern during a press conference on Tuesday, after members of the Opposition walked out of the Parliament Chambers over the reluctance of the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland to allow for more time to scrutinise the estimates for several key sectors.

Jagdeo accused the Government of having serious reluctance at being scrutinised and said this was the main reason for the chaos that ensued on Monday.

He said Government’s behaviour is being blatantly displayed in spite of all of its

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, flanked by PPP/C Members of Parliament, addressing the media on Tuesday

protestation that it is the one championing transparency in public life.

He also accused Government of showing disdain for the rule of law.

“These were touted objectives before the elections, but every single day that passes in Guyana we have seen now, new evidence of this Government’s corruption and reluctance to be transparent with the people of Guyana. What we witnessed today, I think, has a lot to

do with what happen last week in this country,” he explained.

For a while now, the whole question of whether the Government received a bonus from ExxonMobil had been talked about. However, the Opposition Leader feels that the issue was not intensely pushed because the Government has been extremely dismissive of any such suggestions from everyone.

“First of all, they want-

ed to fixate the issue, they didn’t want to address it and we were confronted with an outright denial of the receipt of the signing bonus,” he told the media.

Making reference to the incident that involved Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill on Monday, Jagdeo said even if he was in breach of the Standing Orders of Parliament, there are other ways of sanctioning the member other than causing

the matter to escalate. “…there have been several breaches of the Standing Order in the past and if he felt he could have suspended the sitting then he should have invited in the Chief Whips from both sides to address the matter,” Jagdeo opined.

The Opposition Leader also believes that the action taken against Edghill was based on the fact that he is one of the most aggressive questioners on the Opposition benches, someone who has vast experience on financial matters. “…because he has quite a bit of knowledge coming as a former Minister of Finance, knowing about the estimates.

We saw how he decimated the Public Infrastructure Minister in his presentation and it was this kind of aggressive kind of questioning that they wanted to avoid,” Jagdeo argued.

The Opposition Leader also stated that all Opposition MPs will continue to take part in the remainder of the consideration of Budget Estimates as it seeks to ensure there is scrutiny of Government spending.

“If we walk out from here they will get precisely what they want. That is why we decide to continue working while we fight the injustices against Bishop Edghill,” he added.

In referring to the incident where Edghill was arrested by the Police but later released on his own recognisance, Jagdeo said the MP’s Attorney had informed him that the instruction to make the arrest was given by the Speaker of the National

Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland.

“But the Speaker’s jurisdiction does not extend beyond this Parliament.

Juan Edghill is a Member of Parliament and as a citizen of Guyana he enjoys freedom of movement. The Police were directed by the Speaker and half of the Police (ranks present) seem to be directed

by Members of Parliament,” he added.

Jagdeo feels that the Government has succeeded to shield Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman from any questioning by the Speaker’s ruling. “They have descended into a plutocracy…they are all ‘hussling’ and I believe they are doing this because they see the writing on the wall. So everyone is hussling to fill their own pockets. That is what is happening now.”

Edghill was asked to leave the Parliament Chambers on Monday after he questioned the Speaker on the time allotted to discuss the Budget Estimates but decided not to follow that order.

This move created chaos in the hallowed chambers as the Police were later called in to have the MP physically removed but the ranks failed in their attempts after a human barricade was formed by his colleagues to prevent them from getting to him.

Parliament was later suspended and the MP and his colleagues remained in the Chambers until 22:00h.

During this time, the electricity was purposely cut from the chambers so there were no lights, air conditioning or Wi-Fi available to anyone sitting in the Chambers.

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

Drama continues

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

Wednesday, December 13 – a night-time retraction of 01:00h and a daytime retraction of 14:00h-15:30h and Thursday, December 14 – a night-time retraction of 02:00h and a daytime retraction of 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, December 13 – 13:25h-14:55h and Thursday, December 14 – 14:15h-15:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Edghill arrested, barred from entering Parliament …legal action to follow – Nandlall

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy showers can be expected throughout the day, with partly cloudy skies and light rain showers in the evening. Temperatures should range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 00:44h and 12:11h reaching maximum heights of 2.25 metres and 2.34 metres respectively.

A

cting on instructions from the Speaker of the National Assembly, Police on Tuesday barred Opposition parliamentarian Bishop Juan Edghill from entering the Public Building and he was subsequently arrested.

This move comes in light of Edghill’s refusal to remove from the parliamentary chambers after he was ordered to by House Speaker,

flawed 2018 budget.

“Scrutiny is what the Government wants to avoid and even though I am being victimised in this manner, I will ask my colleagues, as far as is possible, to continue to scrutinise the Budget and to expose the corruption, slush funds and all the monies they (Government) plan to steal for political purposes stashed in that budget,” he charged.

“That budget is lumped with sums for political pur-

MP Juan Edghill at the Brickdam Police Station

Low Tide: 06:40h and 19:12h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metre and 0.88 metre respectively.

Bishop Juan Edghill making his way to the Brickdam Police Station along with his attorney, Anil Nandlall

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Dr Barton Scotland, who on Monday accused the Member of Parliament of being out of order.

The drama started when Edghill arrived at the entrance of Brickdam and High Street where he was informed by a traffic rank that he was not allowed to enter. This move was a wellplanned one, since there was a heightened Police presence outside the Parliament Building. All vehicles entering the compound were stopped and checked by the Police prior to gaining approval to enter.

Following the refusal of entry, Edghill persistently questioned the Police ranks as to the reason for the denial and queried if he was being arrested. Senior Superintendent Azore informed him that it was the instruction of the Speaker to deny him entry and to arrest him.

During the fracas, approximately 20 Police Officers prevented him from moving forward, surrounding Edghill while Government supporters hurled insults at the parliamentarian. The ordeal lasted close to 45 minutes and resulted in the MP being arrested and escorted to the Brickdam Police Station.

He opted to walk the few blocks from High Street to the Station where he and his attorney, fellow People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) MP, Anil Nandlall engaged the media.

Edghill said that by ordering his arrest, the Government is seeking to avoid the scrutiny of the

poses and we will not run away from our task. I would hope that the budget gets the scrutiny it deserves, because the plan of the Government is to pass the budget without scrutiny and we will not give into that game plan,” Edghill added.

He was subsequently released approximately two hours after his arrest. Before Edghill was released on his

own recognisance, Nandlall noted that Edghill was confronted with an allegation that he assaulted a peace officer outside Parliament while he was being arrested.

Referring to the media, Nandlall said: “Now, all of you were there and you would have seen and recorded what transpired, so we had to deal with that, because that never occurred; that was simply a concoction put there to justify the unlawful arrest and detention of the Bishop. We refused to sign that and he was re-

leased on his own recognisance.”

Unlawful arrest

Meanwhile, Nandlall constantly told the Officers that they were executing an unlawful arrest since they had no grounds for arresting the parliamentarian. He noted that the Speaker has no authority over the conduct of the Guyana Police Force and, as such, he was overstepping when he instructed the officers to arrest the MP. turn to page 11

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, december 13, 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

Govt’s unabated hypocrisy

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one can argue that proceedings in the National Assembly reached its lowest on December 11, 2017, when uniformed Police entered the hallowed halls to effect the removal of a sitting Member of Parliament. It is unprecedented and maybe unimaginable, and has not only set a dangerous precedent, but represents a manifestation of very ominous signs. The Speaker has since denied that he summoned the Police.

From all reports, the chaos began when the allotted time for questions pertaining to the estimates of the Ministry of the Presidency expired even though examination of all the programmes was not exhausted. As a matter of fact, there was no time left for any question regarding the capital expenditure of that entity. That would naturally evoked questions about the adequacy of the time allotment, and it did.

Any rational person would agree that in keeping with the expectation of transparency, the Opposition must be allowed to question every aspect of the budgetary estimates within reasonable and mutually agreed time frames. Compounding the situation were two issues: the Opposition’s claim of not being allowed an input into the allocation of time for questioning and the addition of four new programmes under the Ministry of the Presidency with no increase in time allowed from last year’s.

In addition, a question regarding the allocation of some $68 million to a reported unknown agency raised eyebrows and unavoidable suspicion especially when the subject Minister could, reportedly, not provide an answer. This can only be deemed as utterly unacceptable. The managers of the nation’s financial resources must be aware of who will benefit more so especially when such a huge chunk of taxpayers’ money is being doled out in what is suspected to be an act of cronyism.

Clearly, these suspicions are profound and would obviously create unnecessary unease in an already tense climate. While one may want to debate the accusation of disrespect on the part of People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament, Bishop Juan Edghill, the context of the prelude cannot be dismissed. That is deeply rooted in the premise of the Government proclaiming itself as the bastion of transparency, accountability and democracy even when it was the Opposition. However, its own actions since taking office have fuelled suspicions and accusations of corruption, ineptitude, and hypocrisy.

Topping the list would be the unravelling of its falsehood of not receiving millions of US dollars in a signing bonus from ExxonMobil, the Sussex Street drug bond scandal, and rewarding party financiers and friends with mammoth contracts and tax write-offs. These, along with blatant nepotism, allegations of discrimination and witch-hunts, have eroded confidence and goodwill even of some of its own supporters. These, which have all occurred within 30 months of being in government, expose the unbridled hypocrisy.

In the face of such overwhelming suspicion, it is only natural that the $68 million allocation and the lack of adequate time to question the estimates could reach a tipping point. The obvious question is: why would a government, which is a self-proclaimed bastion of openness, not want to entertain questions on how taxpayers’ monies will be spent? More so, why would the said Government be oblivious of its own budgetary allocations and not enthused to defend the document it crafted?

In this circumstance, the expected tendency for one who professes to be covered in the garb of transparency is to be at the ready to offer answers and explanations regardless of time allotment. What played out in the National Assembly on December 11 is the sacrifice of honesty at the altar of expediency where the Honourable Speaker performed the duties of the High Priest. The glaring hypocrisy is, therefore, not only unprecedented but a callous hoodwinking of Guyanese and woefully disrespectful of their intelligence.

The deceit to the nation unleashed following the exposure of the US$18 million signing bonus may not have only been the proverbial straw that crushed the camel’s back on credibility, but a manifestation of a frightening continuance of disregard for accountability, transparency, and democracy. The laughable excuse of not being asked a direct question, offered by the Honourable Minister of Finance, who previously reportedly denied the payment of such a bonus, makes a mockery of the citizenry.

With that as a backdrop, could the shutting down of the Opposition from questioning allocated expenditures after just having probed the allocation of the $68 million on December 11, be an orchestrated sinister move to try and prevent other unwanted exposures? Is the deliberate barring and unnecessary arrest of Bishop Edghill part of that plan to silence those who question the Government?

If these questions were to be answered in the affirmative, then not only has the red-flag of authoritarianism now been further hoisted by the disregard shown, but it is also not unrealistic to ask; what else is being hidden with a wanton desire to remain so? That is the 68-million-dollar question.

Auto storage tower A car is retrieved from a storage tower at the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg, Germany. The plant makes upwards of 800,000 cars each year (Photograph by S Kim Seong, National Geographic Your Shot)

Cleansing of the ‘Temple of Democracy’ Dear Editor, Allow me to express my disappointment at the politicians who have proved that they are no worthier to be called leaders of the people of Guyana. They have further caused a rift among themselves when they are supposed to build bridges between people and work for unity and love. It is disheartening to see how power and money can cause the downfall of any leadership.

However, one thing is obvious that people are now aware and are tired of political gimmicks to achieve politicians’ own goals of power and money. People of

Guyana have given up discussing politics, because it is always divisive and not helpful for the nation. If it is not helpful, it must be trampled underfoot because salt has lost its taste. Mind you, I am not pointing to any political party.

Allow me to speak about my Leader Jesus Christ.

For Jesus, the Temple of Jerusalem was the sacred space for every people of the nations. When it was defiled by the evil doers, Jesus makes a whip out of some cord and drives out every sort of evil from the temple.

Hence, he allows its purpose to be fulfilled, and its pur-

pose is to allow the space for everyone to have an encounter with God. We believe that the Parliament is the Temple of Democracy and a temple of the nation where every people of this nation is represented. Do we believe in this? If we believe in this, why our Temple of Democracy has been defiled?

If it is defiled, who will be able to cleanse it? Certainly, we need someone like Jesus who can make a whip and cleanse it so that its sole purpose is fulfilled. I would like the politicians to do a ‘retrospect’ because each of you is the servant of the people and not bosses of the peo-

ple. I would like you to enter that Temple of Democracy with people at the heart of your discussion. Do remember that if you keep people’s interest before your own, you will be the best leaders a nation can dream. Please do not defile our Temple of the nation. Treat it with respect and dignity. If you respect the Parliament, you would respect the people for it is people who elected and sent you to this temple so that you decide and dedicate your life to the people of the nation.

Sincerely, Kevin Williams

A calculated act to suppress the voice of the people Dear Editor, The issue of the consideration of the 2018 Budget Estimates and the way the Parliament is managed is one for the ELECTED parliamentarians, the SELECTED Speaker and the other APPOINTED officers of the Guyana Parliament to act upon as instructed by the Constitution of Guyana.

There is no place in that legislative arrangement for the Police in the Chambers.

More importantly, there is no place for Police brutality in any square inch of Guyana, especially in the hallowed hall of Parliament.

The Granger Government is responsible for the safety and well-being of all parliamentarians and for that matter all citizens.

But more importantly, the

delivery of this sacred duty is expected especially when the House is in session.

I am disturbed by the reports I have seen, read and listened to over the last few hours which outlined a calculated act to suppress the voice of the people. It is expected that all Guyanese will be treated humanely irrespective of their politics and it is unfortunate that the Speaker of the House has misled the Parliament for so many months, exposing publicly his unfitness for the post. It is clear as day this is another case of another glorified pension for another unfit pensioner.

But what is worse is how an “eggball” operations out of the Office of the Prime Minister, called the

DPI, mishandled the truth and attempted to massage its message into nothing else but ‘fake news’. I must commend the independent media for standing their ground and for playing their important and legitimate role as the Fourth Estate by ensuring that the truth surfaced. It is important that the truth overcomes the “rubberstamp news” coming out of the Office of the Prime Minister of Guyana.

The ordinary Guyanese people have by and large conducted themselves with decorum over the years and they expect nothing less from their parliamentarians and other high officials. This act of the Speaker of the National Assembly to attempt to violate the people’s constitutional right to

speech, expression, and assembly by denying their elected representative a chance to interrogate the 2018 Budget, must be condemned by all since it illustrates clear signs of a dictatorial mind in the Speaker’s chair and a burgeoning dictatorship in Guyana under the direction of none other than a most unfit President – David Granger.

I urge all sides in the House to return to the tables of dialogue and allow this 2018 Budget to be properly interrogated so that the Guyanese people can be better informed on how their taxpaying dollars are being spent. Nothing less should be expected.

Regards, Sase Singh

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WEDNesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

National Assembly hears

Patterson still employed at Legal Affairs Ministry – despite appointment as GECOM Chairman

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ven as retired Justice James Patterson officiates at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as its Chairman – a post which by law requires the appointee to be impartial, Government has made no decision as it relates to his continued employment at the Legal Affairs Ministry.

This was brought to the attention of the National Assembly during consideration of the budget estimates for that Ministry.

Under interrogation by his predecessor, Anil Nandlall, Attorney General Basil Williams identified his team of Ministerial Advisers as the recipients of sums under a line item titled ‘other’.

Williams was then asked

by Nandlall whether retired Justice Patterson, whose appointment to GECOM chairmanship touched off national and international outcry, was still serving as Chairman of the Council of Legal Advisors.

“Having embarked on his office as GECOM Chair,

GECOM Chairman, retired Justice James Patterson

I doubt whether he’ll have the time for that particular arrangement,” Williams replied. “So, we haven’t addressed our minds to it yet.

So, I expect the Chairman won’t have time to function within that group.”

The Council of Legal Advisors was made up of former Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) Judge, Justice Duke Pollard; former High Court Judge, Justice Patterson; former

Appeal Court Judge, Justice Claudette Singh; Professor Harold Lutchman; and Professor Harold James. At the time the team was appointed, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon had disclosed that the functions of the Council would include providing legal analysis and advice on the development of the local justice sector, Government’s legislative agenda and litigation matters, providing input into legal policy design and engaging stakeholders with interest in the justice sector where appropriate.

In addition to this assistance which the Attorney General would be getting to perform his duties, Harmon went on to say that the Council would be assisted in the execution of its mandate by support staff from the Legal Affairs Ministry. Patterson was still a Ministerial adviser when three lists of nominees for the post of GECOM Chairman were rejected by President David Granger.

According to Article 161

(2), (Amendment) of the Constitution of Guyana, “The Chairman of the Elections Commission shall be a person who holds, or who has held, office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth, or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge, or any other fit and proper person, to be appointed by the President from a list of six persons not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after meaningful consultation with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly.

“Provided that the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as a judge of a court having unlimited jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters in some part of the Commonwealth,

Let the people speak Dear Editor, The media has reported that the Speaker of the National Assembly denied calling in the Police to remove members of the Opposition from the National Assembly. The media also reported that the Speaker does not favour an

investigation to identify who called in the Police, because he sees it simply as a matter of following House rules.

One has to respectfully disagree with the Speaker.

Superior to the House rules is a right to speak in the House itself. Inherent in this right is ample time to

speak. To expel MPs for asking to speak is to destroy the House itself. The Speaker wants to save the rules by destroying the House.

Therefore, it makes sense to have an investigation, not because the Speaker demonstrates little control inside the House, but to prevent

the Police in the future from being a show of force against certain people’s right to speak in Parliament. Let the people speak. This is much more than about House rules.

Sincerely, Rakesh Rampertab

Govt to be blamed for ‘bungling’ the signing bonus Dear Editor, My initial thinking is that the coalition Government’s handling, if not bungling, of the signing bonus with ExxonMobil resulted from inexperience, if not incompetence, rather than a desire to be corrupt. Time may perhaps tell. However, no one can be blamed, other than the Government itself, for the widespread perception that corruption was the intent.

That having been said, I am of the view, as has been evidenced by several letters and articles which I have previously written, that no stone should be left unturned in ensuring that Venezuela’s claim to our geographic space, including our maritime boundaries, is finally and permanently settled in Guyana’s favour. I therefore have absolutely no difficulty with the Government’s decision to negotiate and use a signing bonus from ExxonMobil for the purpose of payment of legal fees and funding of heightened diplomatic ac-

tivity in preparation for mounting our arguments before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

I am also well aware that there are certain arrangements -- especially those with a complex international architecture -- that for a host of reasons require a certain amount of secrecy, at least for a period of time, until public disclosure would have limited negative impact. I want to believe that this signing bonus arrangement is one such case. But here is where I have a problem with the approach of the coalition Government, and where its inexperience is exposed.

If corruption is not the intent, and I repeat that I don’t think it is, I am of the view that the President should have invited the Leader of the Opposition, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Auditor General, the Chair of the Guyana Council of Churches, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and the Chair of the Private Sector Commission

to a meeting at which he would have informed them of the impending possibility of the matter of the Venezuela claim going to the ICJ, and the need for Guyana to have readily available, in an unencumbered manner, financial resources to meet its bills. His Excellency could then have informed them -having laid out a convincing case of the need for these resources to be used to protect and maintain our territorial integrity and our natural resources -- of the negotiation of, and intent to use, a signing bonus from ExxonMobil for the purpose of meeting our expenses.

He could also have advised them that because of the complex international architecture of the arrangement, including Exxon’s own problems with Venezuela, the arrangement had to remain secret for the time being, and that he was counting on their support on this issue.

Then the President could have gone on to explain to this select group that

the funds would be initially deposited in an interestbearing account through the Central Bank (Bank of Guyana), and not deposited into the Consolidated Fund; and presented the arguments in support of this.

Further, he could have invited the select group to meet with him every quarter for an update on how the funds were being spent, a report that would have been delivered to the group by the Governor of the Bank of Guyana.

Now, according to Christopher Ram, some laws may have been broken with this approach, and the Constitution may even have been violated. If the approach I have suggested had been used, then I have no problem with breaking laws and violating the Constitution in defence of our territorial integrity and the preservation of the vast natural resources therein.

Just my take.

Regards, Wesley Kirton

or a court having jurisdiction in appeals from any such court, or who is qualified to be appointed as any such judge.”

Impartiality is also critical, since the Chairman is

tasked with mediating between two political sides; in this case the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU/AFC).

Right to scrutinise Budget should not be hijacked – PSC …says Monday’s chaos in Parliament should never reoccur

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he Private Sector Commission (PSC) has noted “with great concern” the events which took place on Monday, December 11, in the National Assembly.

Noting that the objective of Parliament is to allow deliberation on questions of interest to the nation, and to arrive at the will of the Assembly in a civilised manner, the PSC says it firmly believes that Parliament is the forum where members must be free to challenge each other, including the Honourable Speaker, as they pursue the relentless representation of the people of Guyana.

The PSC alluded to the fact that the procedures to be followed by Members of Parliament in the conduct of their deliberations were clearly set out and the methods for dealing with dissenters were also established.

“Members enjoy certain privileges when seated in Parliament and, if these are abused, are subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Speaker in consultation with the Privileges

Committee. The involvement of law enforcement, apart from being an unacceptable overreaction, is an unfortunate occurrence. It does not augur well for our democracy. Any such display of lawlessness should never reoccur,” the PSC said in a statement.

“The damage has already been done, but the Commission expects that all involved will critically review the events of Monday.

It is a time to analyse and reflect on the negative impact these have had on our nation’s image internationally,” the PSC urged.

The Commission also stated that in the interest of the nation, parliamentarians have a right to seek clarification and a full understanding of the Budget as approved by Parliament.

“The debate should not be hijacked. The Budget affects the life of each and every Guyanese and discussions around it are necessary,” it posited.

There should be patience and understanding on both sides of the floor, the PSC added.

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wednesDAY, DECember 13, 2017

Page

By Vanessa LoBue, PhD

W

ith the holiday season in full swing, the toy industry is bustling with moms, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends buying gifts for their littlest loved ones.

Toy buying used to be simple: A nice doll for girls, and a matchbox car for boys. But these days, shopping for kids’ toys can be utterly overwhelming. There are hundreds of products that line the aisles of most toy stores, many of which have flashing lights, play music, and some even talk to you as you walk by.

Some products even boast their utility in teaching children new words, musical skills, and even Maths. It’s enough to make your head spin. With all the options out there and pressure to find the perfect gift, which toys should we choose for our kids?

Perhaps research can help.

One of the first things most people do when they go shopping for a child is to think about the child’s gender. It’s hard not to, as a lot of the stores we typically visit for children’s clothes, toys, and other items are sectioned off by whether we are shopping for a girl or a boy.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but research suggests that when we shop for girls versus boys, we usually end up buying toys that are highly gender stereotyped like nurturing toys for girls (dolls, dollhouses, and housewares) and active or competitive toys for boys (like trucks, battle games, and sports equipment) (Ruble, Martin, and Berenbaum, 2006). This might sound like no big deal but research has shown that gender-stereotyped toys can actually bring out genderstereotyped behaviours. For example, when you give fouryear-olds both boy and girl toys, they all play more actively with the boy toys, regardless of their gender (Maccoby, 1988).

Other research suggests that gendered toys can also affect how children feel about

Foundation

themselves. For example, one study showed that five-yearold girls who looked at pictures of Barbie dolls (US size 2) felt worse about their bodies and expressed a stronger desire to be thin than girls who looked at pictures of an Emme doll (US size 16) or pictures of no dolls at all (Dittmar, Halliwell, and Ive, 2006). Similarly, girls as young as three-and-a-half associate thin dolls with positive personality

are more representative of the average female body type. The Lammily doll, for example, looks like Barbie but has more realistic body proportions. There are also a lot of new dolls that portray women as scientists, explorers, doctors, or superheroes, and Lego has a female scientist collection, which is a nice departure from their femalemarketed Lego Friends sets that are all saturated in pink

traits like “smart”, “happy” ,and “has a best friend,” while they associate heavy dolls with negative traits like “sad” ,“tired”, and “has no friends,” (Worobey and Worobey, 2014). This isn’t just true for girls; teenage boys who handle impossibly muscular action figures also feel worse about their bodies than boys who handle action figures that have more average body types (Barlett, Harris, Smith, and Bonds-Raacke, 2005).

Although these effects may not necessarily be long-term (Worobey, 2000) and having a Barbie doll or a beefy Batman figurine probably isn’t going to damage your kids for life, with all the countless options we have these days in the toy store, it isn’t a bad idea to take advantage of newer toys that project a healthier message to children about gender. For example, toy companies recently started producing dolls that

and purple. Even Mattel has introduced a new Barbie that comes in three different body shapes (tall, curvy and petite) and a variety of skin tones, eye colours, and hairstyles.

Although the take-home message here so far seems to be to forgo old-school gender stereotypes when it comes to toys, there are some areas where sticking to old school toys is a good idea. Although it might be tempting to choose one of those new and flashy electronic toys that make fun sounds and is named after some famous genius like Mozart or Einstein, recent research suggests that if your goal is to encourage learning, old-school toys might provide the best bang for your buck, especially for babies. For example, one study looked at how parents talk to their 10- to 16-month-olds while playing with different kinds of toys, and reported that the amount

of language parents use and the quality of their language is generally lower when they play with electronic toys like a baby cell phone, laptop, or talking farm, than when they play with traditional toys like a shape sorter, a wooden puzzle, or blocks (Sosa, 2016). This is important, as children whose parents talk to them more have a distinct advantage in school over children of parents who spend less time speaking aloud (Hart and Risley, 1995). Flashy new electronic toys seem to keep parents from doing just that – since these toys do all the talking themselves, parents don’t have to, which isn’t the best thing for learning. The same could be said for using apps on a tablet or phone to encourage word learning as opposed to good old-fashioned reading to children from storybooks.

Indeed, children learn more by exploring themselves than by watching someone (or some device) do something for them (Bonawitz, Shafto, Gweon, Goodman, Spelke, and Schulz, 2011), and they explore more when they don’t get explicit instructions about how to use a new toy (Sobel and Sommerville, 2010), so this is an area where old-school toys might win out.

As a whole, the research I presented here doesn’t suggest that we should stop giving our girls dolls altogether, or that we should stay away from the newest most exciting toys on the market; instead, it suggests that with all the countless options that we have, we can probably afford to be more selective about the kinds of toys we give our kids this holiday season.

With so many possibilities, it’s easier than it was 20 years ago to steer clear of toys that carry negative gender stereotypes, and to keep in mind that both boys and girls can get a lot out of active toys that inspire them to engage in behaviours like building, sharing, exploring, or playing actively. (psychologytoday.com)

guyanatimesgy.com

X-mas E

very year around Christmas, you can be certain of a few things: there will be Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells at every corner; there will be the age-old Radio’s Needy Children Fund ad playing, and there will be people upset about the destruction of the sanctity of the holiday –- from Starbucks cups to Ashley Anthony the use of “X-mas”.

I’m sure by now everyone reading this article has come across some variation of “Keep Christ in Christmas”, but is the phrase “X-mas” removing Christ? The letter X used in the phrase actually stands for Jesus. This, however, is not common knowledge, and it is easy for someone to assume that its placement is with the intent of removing “Christ”.

How does this letter stand for Christ? In Greek, which is the language of the New Testament, the word Christos begins with the letter X, (pronounced chi). However, the usage of X to represent Christ did not become popular until fourthcentury Roman Emperor, Constantine the Great ordered his military banner to bear the first two letters of Christ; chi (X) and rho (P). This abbreviation was then used by Anglo-Saxon scribes to conserve on expensive parchment paper in 1021, and eventually the phrase XPmas eventually dwindled down to Xmas.

Yet while all of this is true, does it mean that if someone tells you to stop taking the Christ out of Christmas, you should throw this knowledge in his or her face as if it is some trump card? The way I see it, as a person who is not Christian but enjoys Christmas, I should be respectful of the community that allows me to partake in its festivities.

I understand that Christmas has blossomed into much more than just a religious holiday, becoming incredibly commercialised, and I can understand why some devout Christians feel as though their religion is being taken lightly.

That being said, using the phrase Christmas over the phrase Xmas really doesn’t hurt me, (Except for the lack of space on my cards, but thankfully parchment is much cheaper nowadays), and by doing so, I can put someone at ease.

If they really do mean the same thing, I don’t see why I should resist spelling out “Christ” if it will make someone else happy.

F i n a l l y, people tend to “hate” on Christians who make their concerns known. While it is easy for some of us to laugh at them for being so fixated on small details, we shouldn’t discourage them for speaking their minds. They have a right to express their qualms, even if we, the greater public, find these concerns miniscule. Instead of laughing or dismissing them, we should try to get to the root of the problem. Let not things such as “Xmas” or red Starbucks cups pave the way for the creation of dichotomies and divides, but rather, let them provide an avenue for us to civilly discuss the changing of the religious landscape.

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo provides clarity on CGX support to Guyana – says ExxonMobil matter entirely different

By Samuel Sukhnandan

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he parliamentary Opposition claims the issue in relation to Canadian oil company CGX assisting Guyana in trying to settle the border dispute with neighbouring Suriname, is totally different from the one which involved Government receiving millions of dollars from US oil giant ExxonMobil in a signing bonus which was hidden in a secret bank account and not placed into the Consolidated Fund.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said on Tuesday that no money was paid to Government from that company (CGX). He was making reference to earlier statements made by Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman who, in his attempt to defend the reason behind hiding the Exxon oil bonus, said Guyana had secured funds from CGX to settle the border dispute with Suriname.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon, at the end of November, had denied that the ExxonMobil funds were going to be used as part of legal measures to settle the border controversy with Venezuela.

But last week in the National Assembly, Trotman told the House, “We did what we did to preserve the safety and

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo addressing the media on Tuesday

well-being of Guyana and to preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.”

But Jagdeo said, “The situation was very different. At that time, the CGX had a rig offshore; Surinamese gunboats came and removed the rig, so CGX was directly involved in the conflict. It was an aggrieved party. In this case, it is very different. CGX had to defend its rights too because that’s a publicly traded company. So its recruitment and hiring of lawyers and lobbyist was important to its own concern there.”

Jagdeo explained further that during that time, CGX had paid attorneys to represent not only its interest, but by extension, the interest of

the country for which it was engaged in oil exploration activity. He said the difference with that situation and the one involving ExxonMobil is where the Government received a signing bonus and secretly deposited it in to a private account at the central bank.

“And what would be interesting is whether this contract provided for this signing bonus too. Because if it is not in the contract and this was paid into an account that was not recorded in our public revenue that is even more problematic because it will confirm our suspicions that they intended to steal the money,” Jagdeo opined while urging the Government to release the contract now.

Harmon recently announced that the oil contract between Government and ExxonMobil will be released to the public by the end of December. Giving a reason for this move, the Minister said Government has heeded the cries of the people. Cabinet, he said, had a “fulsome discussion” on the matter, and it was agreed that the ExxonMobil contract will be made public as well as all its terms and conditions.

Referring back to the issue of CGX, Jagdeo said, “I think

when Trotman threw this in, this was a red-herring to say… but it isn’t comparable. It is about the money. Did the money come to us or not? And in this case, they claiming that this money came to them for that purpose but that is not so. It was a signing bonus.”

Jagdeo told the media to also seek clarity from ExxonMobil and CGX on these matters.

Following a leaked document , reported by this publication, which showed that Government had indeed receive a signing bonus, ExxonMobil confirmed the details stating that US$18 million was deposited into a Government account at the Bank of Guyana last year.

The company also called for such transactions with all other companies to be made public in the future. However, the company did not confirm with statements made by Trotman that the bonus was to be used towards the border controversy with Venezuela.

The coalition Government has been tight-lipped on its dealings with ExxonMobil amidst calls for more transparency regarding the oil and gas sector. Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had also been tight-lipped with regard to receipt of this bonus.

The allegation about Government receiving this bonus was first made by Chartered Accountant and Attorney Christopher Ram. Ram had said that this payment may be one of the reasons why Government was not disclosing the new contract between itself and the US oil giant.

ExxonMobil, whose affiliate, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited, holds an interest and is the operator in the Stabroek, Canje and Kaieteur Blocks, offshore Guyana, recently announced that it made a fifth new oil discovery after drilling the Turbot-1 well offshore Guyana.

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Boyfriend, 4 others remain in custody …for BV teen’s murder

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s investigations continue into the ghastly murder of 18-year-old Qualfon receptionist Raynelle Benfield, the five suspects, including her boyfriend, remain in custody. This was confirmed by Police in C Division (East Coast Demerara) late Tuesday who indicated that all avenues were being pursued even as the suspects were still being held.

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 on Monday questioned by investigators about her social life and acquaintances which prompted ranks to visit the homes of several young men in the area. According

Dead: Raynelle Benfield

to reports reaching Guyana Times, the boyfriend, a suspected gang member, had dated a female relative of Benfield in the recent past and a falling out had occurred over this issue.

Benfield, of Lot

99 Canterbury Walk, Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara, was discovered in a nearby Muslim cemetery around 07:00h Monday with her face completely disfigured.

It is believed that Benfield was sexually assaulted as her hands were resting on her chest while the pair of jeans she was wearing was pulled to her knees.

This newspaper was told that the teen left home on Saturday morning for work and after she did not return home that evening, her relatives were under the impression that she was working overtime.

They, however, received a call informing them that her body was found in the cemetery. Her colleagues stated that they last saw her around 18:00h on Saturday.

The death of the young

woman follows a recent string of homicides of young females.

Earlier this month, a guard confessed to killing 23-yearold waitress Marrisa Fraser, whose partially nude body was discovered a short distance from a pool of blood, in a canal at Number Five Village, West Coast Berbice.

Additionally, 47-yearold taxi driver Matthew Munroe was arraigned this month for allegedly killing Richard Ishmael school teacher Kescia Branche, who was discovered in an unconscious state on the morning of November 5 in the vicinity of Princes Street and Louisa Row, Georgetown. A post-mortem conducted showed that Branche died of haemorrhaging due to blunt trauma to the head. (Shemuel Fanfair)

Descent…

“T

…into Anarchy urning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.”

Yeats wrote those lines just after WWI, when the victorious British were turning to Ireland to “pacify” its peoples. Your Eyewitness was reminded of the poem when he saw Policemen enter Parliament Chamber to arrest a (literally) sitting Member of Parliament.

It’s clear the Speaker was willing to dash centuries of tradition overboard to allow the law of the jungle to overcome the “rule of law”. That rule is epitomised by the observation that even the King has to bow to the force of the law. And interestingly, that’s no hyperbole, but arose out of an actual event that the Speaker – if he has any claim to occupying his position, should be familiar with.

Back in 1642, King Charles I peremptorily entered the House of Commons – our parliamentary model – with his men to arrest five MPs who had already decamped.

The King demanded he be told the whereabouts of the missing MPs and the Speaker of the House uttered his immortal response: “May it please Your Majesty, I have neither eyes to see, nor tongue to speak in this place, but as the House is pleased to direct me, whose servant I am here, and I humbly beg Your Majesty’s pardon that I cannot give any other answer than this to what Your Majesty is pleased to demand of me.”

The King, as the head of what would become the “Executive” in the developing British democracy, departed and since that time – almost 500 years later – no King has entered the Assembly of the People – much less his Policemen!! So, if there were any need to make graphic Guyana’s descent into anarchy and totalitarianism under the onslaught be the PNC/APNU/ AFC, the barbarism on display in Parliament on Monday provided it.

Of course, the rule is the ruling of the Speaker must be upheld. But behind that rule is the Principle that the Speaker represents ALL the members of the House. This Speaker has abused that rule time and again against the Opposition MPs and once he did that, he broke the contract between them.

Equity demands that an MP must question Executive spending – and the Speaker has the authority to bend Procrustean to give life to the Principle. He refused.

It is clear the centre cannot hold – and Guyana is plunged into anarchy.

…into habitual lying The coarseness of the PNC’s minions in aping the forms of civilisation while engaging in the most despicable behaviour was also illustrated recently by Basil Williams – who has to be the most inept AG in the history of Guyana. It began with Williams promising Guyana a law school, the JOF Haynes Law School, as a Public-Private Partnership between the Government of Guyana and some entities no one has ever heard about – the Law School of the Americas (LCA) and the University College of the Caribbean (UCC).

That was the tell-tale sign of a hustle in progress because as late as three weeks ago, Williams kept assuring the school would materialise in 2018 even though the “feasibility study” hadn’t been done!! But there was an even greater obstacle: the Caricom Council For Legal Education had never given the necessary permission for the school.

When this was revealed last week, Williams claimed his bete noirs “Carl and Anil did him in”!! The former Chancellor Carl Singh comprehensively rubbished this claim.

Poor Williams…he still “too fraid a Carl”!! …into open thiefin’ Poor Trotman. How could he possibly think he’d get away with “Bonusgate”? Was it because he fell for his own rhetoric about the PPP stealing “billions and billions” and figured he’d do the same?

Shows how dumb he is on both counts!!

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

9 Jordan, Trotman should be jailed over stashing ‘signing bonus’ from public – Dr Ramsaroop News

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader, Dr Peter Ramsaroop

T

he buck stops at the head and the revelation that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Administration secretly accepted and stashed billions in a private account, unknown to the Guyanese public, is “downright criminal, immoral and unethical” – a matter that requires the attention and full-fledged investigation by the Guyana Police Force.

Economic Advisor to the Opposition Leader, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, laid the damning charges on Tuesday during an interview with Guyana Times, suggesting that the only way for Head of State David Granger to regain even a minutia of credibility, is to immediately fire the Ministers of Finance and Natural Resources, Winston Jordan and Raphael Trotman.

He told this publication that both Ministers should be placed before the courts over the flagrant violation of Guyana’s supreme law, the Constitution.

The financial analyst pointed to Article 216 of the Guyana Constitution which dictates that all public revenue be placed in the

Consolidated Fund with the exception being where a specific law allows for the money to be placed in a special account.

“None of this happened, there is no law as yet for the receipt of monies from Guyana’s oil revenues, we keep hearing of Sovereign Wealth Fund but we are yet to see any legislative instruments to give effect…this is all downright criminal,” according to Dr Ramsaroop.

He said “the growing list of scandals and downright corrupt practices of this PNC-led Government is enough for the people of this country to stand up and demand their removal from office even before 2020.”

According to Dr Ramsaroop, democratic norms dictate that “we await general elections in 2020 but with this Government’s machinations at the Guyana Elections Commission along with its penchant for spending taxpayers’ dollars in se-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

“All the Opposition wanted was more time to scrutinise the spending by the most bloated Ministry in Government, the Ministry of the Presidency,” he posited.

According to Dr Ramsaroop, the ruckus that was created and fuelled further by the Speaker’s intransigence was just anoth-

“…imagine we haven’t even started to produce oil as yet but this Government has already begun hiding from the Guyanese people, revenues it has begun receiving for the national patrimony” cret, one need not leave to the imagination their intentions for revenues to be had from Guyana’s oil and gas sector.”

The economic advisor suggested that this could very well be the motivation behind the Speaker of the National Assembly’s biased and most revealing ruling in the House thus far.

Dr Ramsaroop was at the time drawing reference to the expulsion of People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament Juan Edghill.

According to the advisor, while the Speaker is within his right to suspend any member of the House, his reasons are suspect.

er attempt to “pull wool over the eyes of the Guyanese people.”

The economic advisor to the Opposition Leader maintains that “the only reason the Speaker gave instructions which implied calling in the Police was meant to serve as a distraction.”

He told this publication “this Government is fully aware that a great many Guyanese can be easily distracted by sensational news.” Dr Ramsaroop told this publication it is no coincidence that the ruckus created in Parliament on Monday occurred as the Opposition was preparing to scrutinise the money it has in its allocations for 2018

and the fact that it received $3.6 billion would have no doubt been under intense probity.

“They did not want this… had that information never been leaked, this country would have been none the wiser and the apologists instead of confronting the issue and at the very least call on Government to apologise to this nation have instead resorted to distractions.”

The economic advisor told this publication that he will be pushing the PPP to file private criminal charges against Ministers Jordan and Trotman.

“The Speaker is supposed to protect the interest of all elected representatives especially those that form the minority in a National Assembly but in this case we have a Speaker who is openly biased against the PPP and has in fact clearly demonstrated that he will use his office to further the agenda of the PNC-led Granger Government.”

According to Dr Ramsaroop, “we will have to go to the courts but even there we have some reservations as a result of the slothfulness of the system and the fact that Judges are now being handpicked.”

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

The economic advisor told Guyana Times that “the future of this country is literally at stake here.”

Drawing reference to the Guyanese adage “you don’t put cat to watch milk”, Dr Ramsaroop said it is time a mostly docile population come to the realisation that the country is at a turning point in its history – a turning point that will require competent and honest leadership.

“Guyanese people are not fools,” he said and pointed to the fact that several Government spokespersons in recent years have

repeatedly accused the PPP Administration of corrupt practices but after audit after audit costing taxpayers’ millions of dollars the Administration is yet to have one allegation of corrupt PPP officials being successfully prosecuted.”

He noted that in contrast, the David Granger Administration has been racking up scandal after scandal – scandals that the supporters of the APNU/ AFC are now openly complaining over.

“These people have already demonstrated an authoritarian approach in its management of this country and the fact that they have now begun secretly accessing money from Guyana’s oil reserve should serve to wake up Guyanese people.”

He concluded his scathing criticism of the coalition Administration’s handling of the signing bonus saying, “imagine we haven’t even started to produce oil as yet but this Government has already begun hiding from the Guyanese people, revenues it has begun receiving for the national patrimony.”

Dr Ramsaroop was adamant “this Government cannot be trusted to steer us into an oil economy.”

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pegasus taxi driver’s murder

Police investigator cross-examined ...defence counsel receives caution from Judge

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s the Lorenzo Forde murder trial continues at the High Court in Georgetown, Police Sergeant Jomo Williams was on Tuesday cross-examined by defence counsel Hewley Griffith who sought to dispute many aspects of the witnesses’ testimony that he gave in his evidence-in-chief.

Forde is accused of murdering Pegasus Hotel taxi driver Rubranauth Jeebo whose motionless body was found in a heap of garbage at Caneview Avenue, South

Murder accused Lorenzo Forde

Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

December 27 and 28, 2013, during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

Sergeant Williams was the principal investigator during the murder investigation. He informed the court that he had observed both the man’s body and later, the motorcar which was checked for fingerprint evidence.

At Tuesday’s proceedings, Williams admitted that he never took fingerprints from the accused because he was not asked to. The Police wit-

ness further stated that he could not recall if any other evidence was taken from the car besides fingerprints which were ‘lifted’ from the vehicle.

The set of responses prompted counsel to remark that Williams’ answer was “very convenient” – a comment for which Griffith was reprimanded. Justice Reynolds interjected, telling Forde’s lawyer to “stay away from such comments” as members of the jury were present. As Griffith complied, Sergeant Williams observed that to his knowledge, none of the prints found had matched that of the accused.

The Police witness, however, pointed out that some of the prints matched another accused, whose name was called out in court.

As Williams continued his testimony, he could not say whether or not the strand of hair that was found in the car matched the hair of the accused. The Police witness further stated that he had contacted the then 17-year-old accused around 11:00h at the Sparendaam Police Station and escorted him to the Police station at Golden Grove. Williams said Forde was interviewed in the presence of his aunt and maintained that at no time was the accused cuffed or kicked. Forde is represented by Attorneys Hewley Griffith and Rachael Bakker, while State counsels Lisa Cave, Shawnette Austin and Tiffini Lyken are presenting the prosecution’s case.

Wonder Women

S

atiricus was seething. He knew he was going to take a lot of stick from the fellas at the Back Street Bar. Where were his leaders when pandemonium and chaos broke out in Parliament? Nagga Man was supposed to be the leader of government business and Rum Jhaat was in charge of the Police. Yet they were nowhere to be seen when they could have shown some leadership. He came up with a plan.

“Eh! Eh Sato! Me see Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat bin a hide behind dem desk, when all de action bin a guh aan in Parliament!” snickered Bungi. “Wha’a guh aan?”

“They weren’t hiding,” said Satiricus firmly as he downed a beer. “They were just supporting women’s lib.”

“What?” exclaimed Hari. “Have you been smoking some of that Mahaica Grass, Sato?”

“Naah! Just the medicinal grass the Health Minister gave out in Parliament!!” laughed Satiricus. “But my leaders allowed the women MPs to deal with the situation!”

“Suh dem hide behind de woman MP skirt?” laughed Cappo.

“No Cappo, they could’ve taken charge at any moment,” said Satiricus earnestly. “But that would have undercut the women who formed an Amazon Guard around Edge Hill.”

“Haul yuh ass, Sato!” exclaimed Bungi. “Me know de Feral Gyaal tu’n Wanda Woman dat day. But wha’ mek Rum Jhaat na stap ‘e policeman fram cuffin’ she?”

“I’ll tell you why!” interjected Hari. “Rum Jhaat knew if a Berbice traffic cop didn’t listen about driving carefully, the Georgetown ones would just laugh in his face!”

“Y’all still missing the point,” protested Satiricus desperately, as he saw his plan being ripped to shreds.

“The female MPs did succeed in protecting their MP. And Nagga Man and Rum Jhaat must be given credit for not intervening.”

“So why they had to duck and hide behind their desks?” asked Hari impatiently.

“They weren’t hiding,” said Satiricus stoutly. “They were tying their shoelaces!”

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Edghill banned from next 4 sittings …move dubbed as an attempt to muzzle Opposition

I

n what was described as an attempt to muzzle Opposition parliamentarian Juan Edghill, Government’s Chief Whip Amna Ally on the advice of the Speaker, Dr Barton Scotland moved a motion in the National Assembly to have Edghill suspended for the next four sittings.

The motion came in light of Edghill’s failure to comply with the Speaker’s orders to remove from the chamber for disorderly conduct on Monday.

“Mr Speaker, following the gross disorderly conduct of Honourable Member Juan Edghill on the 79th Sitting of Parliament, I wish to refer this National Assembly to Standing Order 47(3). I wish to move that this member be suspended from the service of the Assembly for the next four sittings of this Assembly, which is December 15, 2017.

I thank you,” Ally said.

Standing Order 47(3) states, “Whenever a Member has been named by the Speaker or the Chairperson, then if the offence has been committed in the Assembly, the Speaker shall call upon a Minister to move “That Cde / the Hon Member Mr /Ms… be suspended from the service of the Assembly.” The Speaker shall put the question on such motion forthwith, no seconder being required and amendment, adjournment or debate being allowed. If the offence has been committed in Committee, the Chairperson shall forthwith suspend the proceed-

Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland

ings of the Committee and as soon as the Assembly has resumed, shall report the circumstances, whereupon the procedure provided for in the proceeding sub-paragraph shall be followed; and if any such motion be carried, and a Member be suspended, his or her suspension on the first occasion shall continue until the expiration of the fifth day, and on the second occasion shall continue until the expiration of the tenth day on which the Assembly sits after the day on which he or she was suspended, and on the third or any subsequent occasion until the Assembly resolves that such suspension be terminated.”

Prior to the passage of the motion, Dr Scotland said that the four sittings’ suspension was as lenient as it got, referencing Edghill’s actions, which resulted in the Committee of Supply being forced to suspend consideration of the 2018 estimates

Edghill arrested, barred...

from page 3

“If the Bishop enters the Assembly, he has the authority I suppose to stop him from participating, but he can’t stop him from entering into the Public Building and arrest him on the road.

Where did he get that authority from?” Nandlall questioned. “…and then last night you heard, the Speaker said to the press that he did not instruct these arrests and he did not call in the Police; so whose instructions is the Police acting on?” Nandlall further questioned.

“Now this matter has gone way outside of Parliament and we are now dealing with the laws of the country outside of Parliament and in the laws of the country outside of the Parliament, Bishop Edghill has not committed any wrong. Forget what happened in the Parliament, we are not in the Parliament anymore so why is he being arrested? This matter definitely will have to engage the attention of the courts,” Nandlall added.

He noted that the Speaker and the Clerk of the National Assembly, in addition to every other person involved in the unlawful arrest, would have to answer to the courts, both in their personal and official capacities.

Time to sue

Edghill’s parliamentary colleague and attorney noted that these persons responsible for the “unlawful” arrest and detention would be sued, both in their personal and official capacities.

“We were told that instructions came from the Parliament; we were told that instructions came from superior officers within the Police Force; we were told that ministerial directions were also given, so on every one of those, the arrest and detention would have been unlawful,” he contended.

Nandlall maintained that the Speaker has no authority outside the National Assembly and this client and colleague committed no civil or criminal wrong.

He noted that there were Standing Orders governing the workings of the National Assembly and if those were violated, there were procedures to deal with them.

“We have to sue every single person who we believe are implicated in this unlawful travesty and that includes suing them in their personal, as well as in their official capacity,” he stressed.

He mentioned that such action was necessary so as to prevent similar actions from reoccurring in the future.

Edghill remains suspended until Friday, December 15.

on Monday.

“I draw to your attention that Honourable Member Juan Edghill behaved in an extraordinarily unacceptable manner, disregard the directions of the Speaker and making it clear that he will follow his own determinants other than the Speaker’s direction.

The consequence of that conduct meant that no work took place yesterday (Monday) afternoon; the result is that all the hours of work still remain to be tended to. The conduct of Honourable Member Juan Edghill is unprecedented…,” the Speaker said.

“Honourable Member Juan Edghill remains sus-

pended. That Standing Order for which reference is made is a Standing Order, which authorises penalty that goes to the end of the session. So grave is that conduct so that allowing the person the benefit of four additional days’ suspension is the most lenient that it can be treated,” Dr Scotland added.

However, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo rose on a point of order to voice his dissatisfaction with the motion, but was refused the opportunity to do so by the Speaker.

“We just heard a motion. I just wish to record significant dissatisfaction with what you

Ranks of the Guyana Police Force stand guard outside Parliament on Tuesday

just said in this House. You spoke about the unprecedented behaviour of Juan Edghill, but you did not speak about the unprecedented presence of Police in this House who assaulted people that you yourself said that you did not invite into this House. We be-

lieve that this is an attempt to muzzle, to muzzle Juan Edghill because of the nature of his questioning,” Jagdeo said while being told to take his seat.

Edghill remains suspended until December 15.

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Removal from Seafield, Berbice farmlands

CJ rules President’s revocation of leases unlawful, void …AG to pay out $900,000 in court costs

The farmers: Phillip Johnson, Rupert Blackman and Rawle Miller along with their attorney, Anil Nandlall

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cting Chief Justice Roxane George, SC, has ruled that President David Granger’s revocation of Seafield, West Coast Berbice (WCB) farmers’ leases for lands was unlawful. This comes two years

after the affected farmers initially filed action in the court.

The applicants – Phillip Johnson, Rupert Blackman and Rawle Miller – had first moved to the High Court in 2015, challenging the Mahaica Mahaicony Abary/ Agricultural Development Authority’s (MMA/ADA’s) cancellation of State Land Leases in Rear of Seafield, West Coast Berbice. Retired Chief Justice Ian Chang had quashed the cancellation of the leases in favour of the farmers in 2016 but they moved to the court once again in April 2016 after President David Granger cancelled the leases in March of that year.

The acting Chief Justice handed down decisions in three constitutional challenges on Monday. Declaring the President’s revocation of these leases unconstitutional, the Judge awarded $300,000 in costs against the Attorney General in each of the cases filed by the farmers. According to Attorney for the plaintiffs, Anil Nandlall, acting Chief Justice George granted several reliefs which supported their Notice of Motion.

The court agreed that under Article 142 of the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, the President’s cancellation of the lease was “contrary to and in violation” of the article, further determining the Head of State’s decision was “unlawful, null, void and of no effect”. Additionally, it was determined that the cancellation of their leases was “compulsorily acquisition” of the Applicant’s leasehold interest without prompt payment or compensation.

The plaintiffs also secured a conservatory order which prohibits the MMMADA, its officers or any other State official from entering upon, remaining, occupying or interfering with the Applicant’s quiet and peaceful possession, occupation and enjoyment of lease of State land for agriculture purpose as issued under the relevant laws.

Johnson, Blackman and Miller had claimed that previous President Donald Ramotar granted them

their leases in 2014. After the retired acting Chief Justice had ruled in their favour, they saw a notice in a newspaper which had stated: “Notice is hereby given that His Excellency, the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has cancelled all State land leases as described in the Schedules.”

At that time, the three farmers observed that their leases were among those published in the two schedules. They were subsequently removed from their rice lands. The matter was before the former acting Chief Justice, Yonette CummingsEdwards who was earlier this year transferred to serve in the post of acting Chancellor of the Judiciary.

As the matter was stalled, the farmers had complained about how much time had passed before a decision was handed down.

One of the affected farmers, Rawle Miller, told Guyana Times in August that he and the other rice farmers were anticipating the court’s decision.

“About a year now, [the Judge] hasn’t given [us] any decision and other farmers come after we and get their decision this month and we still awaiting,” the farmer had pointed out.

Miller added then that financial loses had befallen him and his family as he was only able to plant two acres, as opposed to the four acres he had utilised when he had access to the MMA lands which had been repossessed.

It was in August that six other West Coast Berbice (WCB) rice farmers had mounted a successful legal challenge against the revocation of their leases for lands at Seafield and Number 40 Village which are under MMA-ADA’s control. Acting Chief Justice George, in her ruling on that matter, observed that those farmers’ leases constituted property under Article 142 of the Constitution, and that the President’s revocation of those leases amounts to depriving the applicants of property without compensating them, as noted in Article 142 of the Constitution.

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police stats for this year

99 murders committed up to end of November – serious crime plunges by 10%

A

s 2017 comes to an end, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has revealed that 99 murders were committed up to the end of November compared to 135 during the same period in 2016, a 27 per cent decrease.

Of the 99 murders, 48 were deemed disorderly while 16 were as a result of domestic issues; 14 stemmed from robberies; seven were execution style and 12 were as a result of unknown reasons. Two, however, the Police stated were categorised as ‘others’.

A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara) topped the list with a whopping 35 murders followed by 24 in B Division

glary and a 16 per cent decrease in break and enter and larceny.

With respect to gun seizures, the Force has confiscated 115 illegal firearms when compared to 97 for the corresponding period last year. Of these, 66 were pistols, 19 were revolvers, 18 were shotguns and 12 were rifles.

Again, A Division topped the list with 51 seizures; there were 28 guns seized in F Division; 13 in B Division, 10 in C Division and eight from D Division. Only five guns were seized from E Division.

Meanwhile, the Police revealed that up to the end of November 2017, 97 persons have lost their lives owing

(Berbice) and 20 in F Division (Lethem and Other Interior Locations). Ten of the 99 murders were committed in C Division (East Coast Demerara); seven in D Division (West DemeraraEast Bank Essequibo); two in E Division (LindenKwakwani) and one in G Division (Essequibo CoastIslands).

However, the Police in their recent statistics revealed that they have recorded a 10 per cent reduction in serious crimes at the end of November 2017 when compared to the same period last year.

In addition to the 27 per cent decrease in murder, there was an 11 per cent increase in robberies where no instruments were used; a 16 per cent decrease in robbery under arms where firearms were used and a five per cent decrease in robbery under arms where instruments other than firearms were used.

In addition, the Police stated that robbery with violence dropped by 43 per cent, but there was an increase in robbery with aggravation by 47 per cent and an 11 per cent increase in larceny from the person.

Finally, the Police stated that there has been a six per cent decrease in rape; a 3 per cent decrease in bur-

to accidents when compared to 115 for the corresponding period last year, a 16 per cent decrease. Of the 97 fatalities, only two were children. October was listed as the most deadly month on Guyana’s roadways.

Speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol along with inattentiveness were the three main causes of the fatal accidents, followed by failure to confirm to signs and pedestrians crossing in the path of approaching vehicles.

Over the past 11 months, the Police have charged a total of 69,976 persons for various offences. Twenty-three thousand, six hundred and sixteen cases were made out for speeding; 3297 for breach of conditions of road service licence/music, 1751 for driving under the influence of alcohol, 1051 for using cell phone while driving, 1062 for breach of traffic light signal, 1543 for tinted motor vehicles, 701 for unlicensed drivers, 1880 for failing to wear seat belt, 1050 for dangerous driving, 1105 for careless driving, 739 for failing to wear safety helmet, 1979 for overloaded minibuses, 1519 for obstruction of traffic, 1834 for failing to confirm to sign, 1660 for crossing double yellow line sand 25, 189 for other traffic-related offences.

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

$23.5M allocated DNA testing at Forensic Lab to be a reality soon P for major national events

Minister within the Social Cohesion Ministry, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton

A

t the 79th sitting of the 11th Parliament on Monday, the Committee of Supply approved $390 million in current expenditure of the Social Cohesion Ministry in its 2018 budget.

The Opposition questioned several areas of the expenditure which included National and Other Events, Contracted Employees and Buildings.

Following a bombardment of questions from the Opposition, on the increase in the amount of money allocated to national and other

events, Minister within the Social Cohesion Ministry, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr George Norton explained the $23.5 million allocated catered for several major national events in the country throughout the year.

“This (the amount) caters for Mashramani, Independence, Phagwah, Diwali, Youman Nabi, Easter, Emancipation and other national events, also the Ministry’s Mashramani activity entails a float parade and the production of the Ministry’s band, etc, and is catered for in the line item,” Dr Norton said.

He added that an overview of the itinerary would be provided to the Opposition for additional clarifications.

The Minister then highlighted that the added sum of $15 million would go towards repairing and upgrading the Ministry’s Main and Quamina Streets Head Office. He was asked by Opposition Member Juan Edghill whether the Cohesion Ministry was still housed under the Ministry of the Presidency, and he explained his Ministry has taken up office in the Main and Quamina Streets location since September.

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has revealed that the procurement process to acquire equipment for the Forensic Laboratory has been approved. The Minister disclosed that the equipment costs fell within the vicinity of US$1 million and was provided for by the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) of the Public Security Ministry.

Ramjattan also disclosed that over the next six to seven months, the Laboratory,

located at Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, would have its security upgraded to safeguard the integrity of the exhibits. Ventilation work would also be completed and staff who would be conducting various forensic tests certified.

“The American experts, through their Ambassador, indicated that we haven’t as yet reached the stage for that quality of DNA testing.

And we had to wait until we get all the other things fixed – the infrastructural work,

the integrity system and the ventilation system, because these exhibits have to be maintained at a certain temperature and also the design of that original lab wasn’t there yet.”

The Public Security Minister said it was disappointing that DNA testing was not yet achieved. He, however, emphasised that the “accreditation and the certification, will come when we get it 100 per cent fixed.”

The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory (GFSL) is

a Government initiative with the long-term goal of providing quality laboratory service to support forensic and non-forensic investigations.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), the GFSL offers forensic analysis on samples related to criminal investigations in the areas of toxicology, document analysis, trace evidence, and chemical analysis and non-forensic laboratory testing relating to matters not associated with criminal investigations.

At Mackenzie

Police E Division headquarters being rebuilt into modern facility

By Utamu Belle

T

he Mackenzie Police Station at Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is presently being reconstructed into a more modern policing facility.

This was made possible through an Inter- American Development Bank (IDB) loan to the Government, to completely rebuild the Police Station referred to as E Division (LindenKwakwani) headquarters.

Demolition work on the former structure commenced about two weeks ago and the debris has since been removed. The project is now at

Demolition of the old Police Station at Mackenzie, Linden

the foundation stage.

According to E Division Commander Fazil Karimbaksh, the project is expected to take up to five months to be completed. He said a larger two-storey facility is being constructed measuring 135 feet by 45 feet.

“So, within the next five to six months, we should be relocated in a spanking new, modern Police facility in E Division ...It will be a modern Police Station with all modern amenities”, the Commander beamed.

While he could not provide the exact financial figure at the time, Karimbaksh

said approximately $80 million was allocated towards the project. The Police Commander further stated that the modern facility, when completed, would bring about an ease in the state of affairs at the station, since the previous one was inadequate in terms of space. He pointed out that as a result, various departments were not established at the Police Station. Karimbaksh noted, however, that this issue was expected to be solved when the new building came on stream.

“It will greatly assist us, because the previous building – we were cramped for

space and a lot of our departments we had to decentralise them to other stations. We’re very appreciative of this new building that’s going to come on stream and it will house all our departments, so the people of Region 10 in particular will have better service and we will be operating at our full capacity in terms of our departments. It will be more comfortable too,” Karimbaksh said.

Presently, the Police Division is operating out of makeshift offices within the compound, in an effort to facilitate the reconstruction process.

News

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wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Hand en Veldt residents to

APNU/AFC is desperate …having been caught with their hands in the bag

O

n Tuesday, October 12, Bishop Juan Edghill, a senior People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament (MP), was arrested when he appeared at the Parliament and female PPP MPs were body-searched on orders by the Speaker. For those who are in disbelief and who wanted to give the Dr Leslie Ramsammy benefit of the doubt to the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC), Guyana is fully a dictatorship. The voice of the people is being silenced.

I will not sugar-coat what happened in Guyana’s Parliament on Monday, October 11 and continued on Tuesday, December 12. It was a nasty, ugly, all-out assault on Guyana’s Parliament, MPs, the Opposition, and Guyana’s democracy. Adding to the disgrace and egregiousness of the attack is the intent – to stop transparency and accountability. Budget 2018 hides billions for ulterior motives and APNU/AFC wants to avoid scrutiny. Their gambit, having been exposed, they want to avoid any further exposure. Above all they are desperately avoiding any further scrutiny into the US$18 million Exxon pay-off.

One day after the world observed International Human Rights Day, the Speaker of the National Assembly called in Police to arrest Bishop Juan Edghill, all because the MP wanted to question the Minister about the large increases in the finances allocated to the Office of the Presidency.

For example, there was an amount for $68 million that the Minister could not explain. The Speaker now denies that he called in the Police. Who then did? The Police must say who instructed them. The Chamber is sacrosanct and Police cannot enter at their whims and fancies, unless a crime is being committed or they have been called in by the Speaker.

With the Speaker’s denial, the situation now compounds itself because someone abrogated the authority of the Speaker.

The President in less than three years has appointed more Commissions of Inquiry (CoI) than all the President of Guyana together since Independence. Will he now appoint a CoI? No other person had the authority to instruct the Police to enter the Parliament to arrest anyone, unless a crime was occurring. Other than the Speaker, who might the Police have responded to? They might have responded to their Public Security Minister, Khemraj Ramjattan. Maybe they would have responded to Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo or to the Minister of State, Joseph Harmon or the Attorney General or the Minister of Natural Resources; none of whom had the authority to instruct the Police in this circumstance.

The entry of the Police constitutes an illegal invasion of the Parliament. Now as it stands, a crime was committed – the Police entry was illegal and they and the person or persons who instructed them to enter are guilty of desecrating the hallowed proceedings of the Parliament. In the process, they physically assaulted senior MPs, such as Priya Manickchand.

Not only did they try to muzzle the Opposition MPs, they also tried to muzzle the media. The Speaker tried to ban the media from covering the events of Monday. He instructed the Clerk to clear the Parliament Building of all media personnel. Some of the media personnel refused to be moved. In addition, as part of the muzzling, they took off all the lights and the Internet service, shutting down the Wi-Fi in Parliament. The intention was clear – prevent the shame from being broadcast around Guyana and the world. In this they failed because the whole world was watching in real time, not only because of some brave media personnel, but by the MPs themselves. The smartphone outsmarted the dictators.

Inquiring minds want to know why during that time, Digicel’s data service conveniently went off.

The APNU/AFC can run and hide, they can try diversion all they want, they cannot avoid scrutiny, particularly since they have been caught with their hands in the bag, AGAIN. No matter what they say, the US$18 million paid as a signing bonus by Exxon was hidden away for ulterior motives. Their desperation is obvious because they have been caught in a conspiracy to commit a crime. But whether they answer in Parliament or outside, the Guyanese people want to know why the APNU/AFC hid away US$18 million in a secret bank account for more than 18 months. The Guyanese people want to know of the billions hidden away for alleged corrupt purposes in Budget 2018. If they have nothing to hide, why are they so desperate to avoid scrutiny?

receive access to potable water for Christmas – after a decade of being without

R

esidents of the Hand en Veldt community in Mahaica, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), have been promised access to potable water by Christmas this year, after 10 years of being without such.

This promise was made as Guyana Water Inc (GWI) Managing Director, Dr Richard Van West-Charles and technical staff visited the community on Monday to meet with the residents.

The residents had written a letter to the newspapers, complaining about their lack of access to potable water.

They had recently reached out to GWI’s regional office where they received support, and works

had commenced shortly thereafter to ensure that they receive access to potable water.

There were, however, some technical challenges along the way, which delayed the installation of the service connections to customers.

The GWI Managing Director explained to the residents that he asked that the company’s technical staff examine the situation, and despite the challenges, the water company would seek eve r y means

possible to remedy the situation by Christmas.

D r Van West-

Charles took the opportunity to encourage the residents to firstly register with the regional office as customers, following which they would pay a minimal service connection fee.

He also related to res-

idents that the company would regularly test the water they would receive and the results would be accessible for all to view.

Meanwhile, GWI Executive Director of Operations, Dwayne Shako, told residents that the company would commence the installation of service connections during this week.

Residents also took the opportunity to raise other issues, including leakages and the build-up of rust in the pipe at the end of the water network.

The GWI, in a statement, said it would install a flush-out mechanism to address the latter issue, and would look in to having the other issues resolved.

Fugitive Lethem businessman rearrested …prime suspect in illegal aircraft, airstrip probe

Flashback: The abandoned Beechcraft on the 5400-foot illegal airstrip at Lethem

T

he businessman from Tabatinga, Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) who is the prime suspect in the discovery of an illegal aircraft and airstrip at Lethem in August this year, was nabbed by Police after he allegedly fled the jurisdiction.

According to the Guyana Police Force, the businessman is currently in the custody of a team of detectives led by a senior officer who travelled to Lethem three days ago. Police said the suspect will be brought to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Georgetown for further questioning.

The businessman was previously detained by Police and questioned in connection with the discovery of the illegal aircraft and airstrip, but was later released on bail, after which he is believed to have fled the jurisdiction and went into hiding.

It was previously reported that the businessman was released on $100,000 bail after being detained for 72 hours as the Police failed to garner sufficient evidence against him.

He was however ordered to report to the Lethem Police Station weekly but after two of his employees – Nathan Hamilton, 21, of Lot 107 Beverley Hills Drive,

Lethem; and Wazim King, 37, also of Lethem were brought before the court and charged for the incident, he failed to make his weekly reports and attempts made by the Police to contact him proved futile.

The airstrip along with a chainsaw and a few fuel drums were discovered five kilometers West of Santa

The interior of the abandoned aircraft

Fe, near Lethem by ranks.

Additionally, 12 abandoned camps, an axe and a quarter drum of aviation fuel were also found.

While conducting a surveillance exercise, ranks of the Guyana Defence Force

were able to intercept a Beechcraft twin-engine plane which landed on the airstrip.

The airstrip is believed to be used for illegal activities. (Kizzy Coleman)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017

Regional

US and Venezuela spar over ban on opposition parties

V

enezuelan and US officials have been trading barbs after Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro said that some Opposition parties would be banned from next year’s presidential election.

The US State Department said it was “an extreme measure” designed to consolidate President Maduro’s power. Elected in 2013, Maduro is expected to run for a second term in 2018.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza

President Nicolás Maduro made the controversial announcement after Sunday’s municipal elections

called the US statement “ridiculous”.

The spat between the two countries, which have

been at loggerheads for years, was triggered by the announcement on Sunday

by President Maduro.

Speaking after he had cast his vote in municipal elections on Sunday, Maduro said that the parties which had boycotted those polls would be banned from the presidential election next year. “They cannot take part. They will disappear from the political map,” he said. The Opposition parties affected by the move are

Justice First, Popular Will and A New Era, all three of which boycotted the municipal polls because they said they would be neither free nor fair.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert was scathing in her reaction to Maduro’s announcement. In turn, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza, tweeted that the US statement was indicative of the Trump Administration’s

“powerlessness”.

Arreaza also pointed to the overwhelming win by President Maduro’s governing socialist PSUV party in the mayoral elections as evidence of its enduring popularity.

President Maduro said on Monday evening that candidates from the governing coalition had won in 305 out of 335 municipalities and also in the re-run of the election in the state of Zulia.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Honduras Army moves in to C’bean leaders launch plan to create quell post-election protests world’s 1st ‘climate-smart zone’

C

aribbean Community (Caricom) leaders have launched an ambitious plan to create the world’s first “climate smart zone” after two Category 5 hurricanes caused widespread devastation and death in the Lesser Antilles in September.

The Caribbean ClimateSmart Coalition aims to find a way to break through the systemic obstacles that stop finance flowing to climate-smart investments.

The leaders are of the opinion that with the right domestic and international reforms, the world can step

up – and help unleash the means to catalyse an ambitious eight billion US dollar investment plan to bring greater energy and infrastructure resilience to 3.2 million Caribbean households.

They said this would help Caribbean islands to eliminate their costly dependency on fossil fuels so that they can meet close to 100 per cent of their energy needs from renewable sources, and to embed resilience into communities and livelihoods to realise the bold ambitions of all Caribbean people.

The announcement of

the new initiative was made at the One Planet Summit being hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron to review progress made on the Paris Agreement adopted by global governments two years ago.

Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell, who is also the Chairman of the 15-member Caribbean Community grouping, said “Caribbean leaders have come together as a powerful collective to build a better future for the people of the Caribbean. (Excerpt from Caribbean

News Now)

S

Protesters burned tyres and debris as the situation remained tense two weeks after the election

ecurity forces in Honduras attempted to clear the streets of barricades erected by supporters of presidential candidate Salvador Nasralla on Monday.

More than two weeks after the election, no official winner has been declared although the electoral authorities say the incumbent, Juan Orlando Hernández, has the most votes.

Nasralla wants the election to be annulled on grounds of fraud. The disputed result has triggered protests, some of which turned violent. The securi-

ty forces cleared the streets of burning tyres and other debris on Monday after Nasralla called on his supporters to keep up their protests.

Nasralla had earlier dismissed a partial recount of ballot boxes after it failed to change the official result. The official result gives President Hernández a 1.6 percentage point lead over Nasralla.

But the Organisation of American States has said the vote was “marred by irregularities”. Nasralla has been suspicious about the result ever since his ini-

tial lead of five percentage points faded away as more votes were counted and he was overtaken by President Hernández.

The electoral tribunal has until December 26 to announce the official winner.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets in rival demonstrations since the election on November 26.

Human rights group Amnesty International says 14 people died in days of clashes but there has been no official confirmation of the number of dead. (Excerpt from BBC News)

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Federal authorities file terrorism Macron: World is charges against New York bombing losing battle against suspect, say he taunted Trump first climate change

Authorities are calling an explosion in an underground passageway in the area of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York an attempted terrorist attack

F

ederal prosecutors filed terrorism charges Tuesday against the suspected New York City subway bomber, Akayed Ullah, saying he posted a taunt online aimed at President Trump before the attack in a tunnel beneath Times Square and then proclaimed “I did it for the Islamic State.’’

A criminal complaint

filed in federal court in Manhattan charges Ullah with providing material support to a terrorist group, using a weapon of mass destruction, bombing a public place, destruction of property by means of fire or explosive, and use of a destructive device during a crime of violence.

The 27-year-old is an immigrant from Bangladesh

who came to the United States in 2011, fuelling the Trump Administration’s argument that Monday’s attack is proof the country is too lax in how it allows immigrants to enter. According to the criminal complaint, Ullah’s radicalisation began in at least 2014, as he viewed Islamic State propaganda, including a video urging followers to carry out

attacks close to home if they were unable to go overseas.

Police say Ullah detonated a pipe bomb affixed to his clothes while walking down a crowded commuter tunnel in Times Square during the Monday morning rush hour.

On Monday morning, Ullah was on his way to carry out the attack when he opened Facebook and posted a message for the president, federal authorities alleged.

“Trump you failed to protect your nation,” Ullah wrote, according to the complaint.

Police officials in Bangladesh said Ullah is married to a woman who lives in Dhaka with their child. Saiful Islam, a counterterrorism official in Bangladesh, said Ullah’s wife and in-laws were questioned and later released Tuesday. (Excerpt from The Washington Post)

"We are one": Palestinian Christians and Muslims unite against Trump’s Jerusalem call

L

ess than an hour after U.S. President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, Palestinians protested by turning off the lights on the Christmas tree outside Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

It was a timely reminder that while headlines focused on Islamist calls for uprisings and Trump’s references to Jewish historical ties, the president’s words also stirred deep feelings among

the Palestinians’ small Christian community.

Coming out of the Sunday service in his Assyrian Catholic church in Jerusalem, Fredrick Hazo accused Trump of “dragging all the world into trouble”, and called on the US leader to reverse his decision.

“We are united – Christians, Muslims, we are one,” said the 59-yearold Palestinian musician, standing in an alley in the heart of the Old City, surrounded by shops selling re-

ligious trinkets.

He was frustrated by the politics, but confident the delicate balance the three faiths kept in the holy city would prevail. “In this sacred place, God is protecting us all. We are guarded by his angels in Jerusalem,” Hazo added.

Christians make up around just one per cent of the Palestinian population in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem – though they punch above their weight in local and national

Austria gas plant burns after deadly explosion

A huge fire ensued – Police now say a technical fault was to blame

A

big blast has rocked a major natural gas hub in Austria, killing one person and injuring at least 18, Police say.

A fire followed the blast which happened around 08:45 (07:45 GMT) at the Baumgarten site, just east of the capital Vienna, near the Slovak border.

On Twitter, Austrian Police said the situation was under control and a technical fault had caused the blast. The flow of Russian gas to Europe has dropped, triggering price hikes. Italy declared a state of emergency.

Baumgarten is a key hub for imported Russian gas, which is sent on to a number of European countries.

The facility receives about 40bn cubic metres of gas per year. Police have cordoned off the area. Some victims suffering burns have been airlifted out by helicopter, Austrian ORF news reports. One unconfirmed report spoke of 60 hurt.

Gas Connect said the incident should have no effect on gas deliveries to Austria but those to Italy and Croatia might be reduced. Meanwhile, Russia’s Gazprom Export company

said it was working to redirect gas flows.

It said it was “doing everything possible to secure uninterrupted gas supplies” to customers in the region.

Ukraine’S Ukrtransgaz firm said that “due to the emergency situation in the EU there will be a temporary fall in the volume of natural gas transit across Ukraine in the Slovak direction”. Ukraine is a major transporter of Russian gas into the EU. Spot prices rose sharply across Europe after the incident. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

politics.

Back in July, Hazo protested alongside Muslims against Israel’s installation of security scanners at the nearby al-Aqsa mosque – Islam’s third holiest site – after two Arab-Israeli gunmen shot dead two Israeli Police Officers at the site.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Emmanuel Macron co-hosted the One Planet summit along with the UN and World Bank

F

rench President Emmanuel Macron delivered a stark warning on climate change at a meeting in Paris, urging political and business leaders to launch an urgent new phase in the fight against global warming.

“We are losing the battle,” Macron said at Tuesday’s “One Planet” summit. “We must all act because we will all be held to account.” The meeting was held on the second anniversary of the Paris Agreement, a pact ratified by 170 nations to cut Earthwarming greenhouse gas emissions.

US President Donald Trump, however, has since announced plans to withdraw from the accord, a move Macron described as “bad news”. “We are here in such great numbers because so many of us have decided not to accept the US Government decision

to leave the agreement,” he said.

Macron did not invite Trump to the summit. Several prominent American figures – including Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Gates, and Elon Musk – were in attendance.

Al Jazeera’s Natacha Butler, reporting from Paris, said the US pullout has left “an enourmous shortfall in the funding for the battle against climate change”.

Trump, who has called climate change a “hoax”, said he would withhold US$2 billion pledged to the Green Climate Fund, set up to help poorer countries tackle the effects of climate change.

Antonio Guterres, the UN chief, said the Green Climate Fund was indispensable, adding it was “only justice” that developed countries help poorer countries fight climate change.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017

ARCHIE

Make a point to get along with your peers or chat with (March 21people who can influence your April 19) future. Taking business trips or making arrangements to visit friends or relatives is favoured.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Partnerships look inviting. Whether it’s a personal or professional alliance, your efforts to develop opportunity and bolster your future look promising.

Someone will tempt you by GEMINI using emotional tactics or mak(May 21- ing unexpected, too-good-toJune 20) be-true offers. Be suspicious if something sounds too easy or unrealistic. Stick to what you know and the people you can trust.

Attending social or networking events will be in (June 21- your best interest. If you have July 22) your ideas ready to present, you will spark the interest of someone intrigued by what you have to offer.

CANCER

Peanuts

Tension will mount at LEO home or when dealing with (July 23- partners if you aren’t careAug. 22) ful. Look for alternative ways to please the people you love without going broke.

Taking short trips, shopVIRGO ping for bargains or getting to(Aug. 23- gether with friends or relatives Sept. 22) will be productive. Your insight

Calvin and Hobbes

and common sense will help you overcome a growing problem.

Personal improvements will bring high rewards.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You’ll have some great ideas that will be sure to please someone you love.

Gather information that will help you make a personal change leading to greater stability.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

You can get things done quickly if you are secretive.

Home improvement projects look promising. A surprise you have for someone should be handled with care. Hard work will pay off.

Get involved in something SAGITTARIUS that is not only fun, but will (Nov. 23- also bring you in contact with Dec. 21) people who can help you head in the direction you want to pursue.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Show compassion and lend a helping hand if it will bring about positive change.

Your gesture will make a difference. Channel your emotional energy into something worthwhile.

Stick to what you know AQUARIUS and do well. Offer help, but (Jan. 20- don’t make promises that Feb. 19) will be hard to deliver. Don’t be tempted by someone making unreasonable offers.

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)

Be honest about your likes and dislikes. Don’t settle for less when you deserve more. Look for alternative ways to get what you want.

Stick up for your rights.

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017

19

Bangladesh Premier League…

Gayle storm blows away Dynamites ...hits record 146* from 69 balls

Chris Gayle smashed his fifth BPL century and first T20 century in a final to take Riders to a comfortable win

C

hris Gayle hoisted Rangpur Riders to their maiden BPL title, his unbeaten 146 leading them to a 57-run win in the final against Dhaka

Dynamites. Dhaka, the defending champions and favourites ahead of the final, were brought down to earth by relentless six-hitting from Rangpur's batsmen, 21

in all, in front of a packed Mirpur crowd.

Gayle's innings ticked what was possibly the only remaining blank box in his T20 checklist - a century in a tournament final. He broke two of his own records, smashing 18 sixes to go past the mark of 17 he set during the 2013 IPL, and going past his 126 not out from the first qualifier, played four days ago, to make the highest score in the BPL, 146 not out. He also became the first batsman to score five BPL hundreds.

The final as a contest was over in the fourth over of Dhaka's reply when Mashrafe Mortaza, playing his fourth BPL final, ran 25 yards towards the long-on boundary to complete the catch that sent back Evin Lewis. The rest of the game was, frankly, just a wait for Rangpur to start the party, and for their owners to shower gifts on their players.

Gayle and Brendon McCullum, the pair billed as the biggest attraction in this

New Era, Mohamed’s Enterprise Futsal enters quarterfinal stage

W

ith $500,000 up for grabs, the Mohamed’s Enterprise/New Era Futsal tournament continues on Thursday evening with quarterfinal action at the McKenzie Sports Club (MSC) hard court.

The first quarterfinal will kick off at 18:30h and will pit Customs FC against Silver Bullets for one of the four semifinal spots. NK Ballers will clash with Nutman Allstars in the second game, while Hard Knocks take on Good Fellas in the third quarterfinal.

Swag Entertainment and Spaniards will do battle for the final semifinal spot in the feature game on Thursday night for a chance to go one step closer to the grand finale that will be contested on Boxing Night (December 26th).

In the final round of group stage matches last Saturday at the same venue, NK Ballers got past Plantain

Action at the MSC Hardcourt last Saturday night

All-Stars 4-1. Deon George scored two goals for the winners, while Joel Mackinnon and Paul Gittens provided back up with a goal each.

Toyo Lewis scored the lone goal for the All-Stars.

In the second match, Colwyn Drakes bagged a brace that allowed Swag Entertainment to edge Team Red Line 2-1 in their match.

Shemar Savoury netted the solitary goal for Red Line.

The penultimate game proved to be the most exciting game of the night as fans witnessed seven goals being netted in a devastating one-sided match up that

saw Spaniards steamroll Royal Warriors 7-0. In that game, Raphael Edwards and national midfielder Curtez Kellman netted a brace each, while Kenneth Opara, Daren Benjamin and David Chanda both scored a goal apiece. The final game on Saturday was a perfect climax as Young Kingz clipped Customs FC in a cliffhanger of a match that eventually finished 3-2. On the scoresheet for Kingz were Rondell Arthur, Denzil Pryce and Marvin Sullivan and in reply for Customs FC, were Frank Gordon and Stephen Roberts.

year's BPL, picked the perfect moment for their combined onslaught. They put on an unbroken 201 for the second wicket, the biggest partnership in the BPL.

Shakib frustrates Charles

Shakib Al Hasan began brilliantly for Dhaka, keeping Johnson Charles, who was fresh from scoring his maiden T20 century, quiet in the second over. After four dot balls, three of which Charles tried to hit out of the park, Charles popped one meekly back to the bowler off the leading edge. Dhaka had drawn first blood with only five runs on the board.

Shakib hands Gayle a life

The second-wicket pair initially took things slowly before Gayle hit Mosaddek Hossain for three sixes in the sixth over. After the first one, though, Dhaka could have dismissed Gayle when he drilled one straight to Shakib at cover. He spilled the chance, though. Gayle was on 22 at that point. It did not take too long for Shakib to realise he had made a grave error.

Rude awakening for young Khaled

Gayle and McCullum was always going to go after Khaled Ahmed, the young uncapped pace bowler. In his first over, the 11th of the innings, Gayle top-edged him over the point boundary before connecting cleanly with a swipe over midwicket. Two successive sixes, and from a decent 63 for 1 after 10 overs, Rangpur had begun speeding away from Dhaka.

Gayle crunches into crucial spells

Dhaka's spin attack was always going to test Rangpur, and with Shahid Afridi and Sunil Narine bowling well in their first few overs, there was some hope that they could pull things back. No chance.

Gayle lifted Afridi's googly over long-on in the 12th over and then hit him for two more sixes in the 14th over. In between, he slogswept Narine over midwicket, one of the hits that he really connected.

Hider drops McCullum, his head drops too

In

the

15th

over,

McCullum skied Abu Hider over the square-leg region.

Despite the wicketkeeper and another fielder approaching, Hider sprinted hard, calling for the catch and telling the others to back off. Having done that, he failed to even touch the ball, despite diving towards it. Gayle added salt to his wounds, blazing sixes off his next two balls.

Mayhem all the way

Gayle went into overdrive in the last five overs, which produced 75 runs.

This despite Narine only conceding two off the 17th over, in which Gayle brought up his hundred. Kieron Pollard went for 24 in the 18th over, with McCullum depositing his slower one

Gayle’s unbeaten 146 came off just 69 balls in the BPL final

SCOREBOARD

Rangpur Riders Innings (20 overs maximum) J Charles c & b Shakib Al Hasan 3 CH Gayle not out 146 BB McCullum not out 51 Extras (lb-4, w-2) 6 Total (For 1 wicket, 20 Overs) 206 Did not bat: RS Bopara, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Nahidul Islam, Rubel Hossain, Mohammad Mithun †, Nazmul Islam, I Udana, Sohag Gazi Fall of wickets: 1-5 (J Charles, 1.5 ov) Bowling Mosaddek Hossain 3-032-0, Shakib Al Hasan 3-1-261, SP Narine 4-0-18-0, Shahid Afridi4-0-28-0, Abu Hider 2-026-0 (w-1), Khaled Ahmed 2-039-0, Pollard 2-0-33-0 (w-1) Dhaka Dynamites Innings (target: 207 runs from 20 overs) Mehedi Maruf lbw b Mashrafe Mortaza 0 E Lewis c Mashrafe Mortaza b Sohag Gazi 15 JL Denly c Nahidul Islam b Sohag Gazi 0

over wide long-on and Gayle smiting him over midwicket and long-on. Gayle hit two straight sixes in the 19th over, in which Khaled conceded 21. In the last over, McCullum took a single off the first ball and let Gayle take over against Shakib, who was bowling only his third over. Gayle declined a single off the second ball, an understandable move given how he was hitting the ball, and promptly hit three of the next four balls for six.

The long-on and deep midwicket fielders simply stood still as the ball flew high over their heads.

Shakib Al Hasan* b Nazmul Islam 26 KA Pollard c Gayle b Rubel Hossain 5 Jahurul Islam† b Udana 50 Mosaddek Hossain b Bopara 1 Shahid Afridi c Rubel Hossain b Nazmul Islam 8 SP Narine b Udana 14 Abu Hider not out 9 Khaled Ahmed not out 8 Extras (b-1, lb-7, w-5) 13 Total (For 9 wickets, 20 Overs) 149 Fall of wickets: 1-0 (Mehedi Maruf, 0.3 ov), 2-1 (JL Denly, 1.2 ov), 3-19 (E Lewis, 3.2 ov), 4-29 (KA Pollard, 4.4 ov), 5-71 (Shakib Al Hasan, 8.2 ov), 6-74 (Mosaddek Hossain, 9.2 ov), 7-87 (Shahid Afridi, 10.3 ov), 8-129 (SP Narine, 16.2 ov), 9-132 (Jahurul Islam, 16.5 ov) Bowling Mashrafe Mortaza 4-1-25-1 (w-1), Sohag Gazi 3-1-32-2, Rubel Hossain 4-028-1 (w-2), Bopara 2-0-21-1, Udana 4-0-25-2 (w-2), Nazmul Islam 2-0-8-2, Gayle 1-0-2-0

Dhaka offer no fight

Dhaka's reply became of academic interest once Shakib's dismissal for 26 left them five down inside the ninth over. Mehedi Maruf had fallen in the first over, lbw to Mashrafe, and Joe Denly and Lewis followed soon after. Rubel had Pollard offering a catch to Gayle at short fine-leg, before Shakib and Jahurul added 42 runs for the fifth wicket. Jahurul reached his sixth fifty, the only bright note in Dhaka's innings. (ESPN Cricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017

Football the winner, says Mendonca T

– Camptown cart off Turbo Energy spoils

he Petra Organisation in collaboration with the Guyana Beverage Inc (GBI) through the Turbo energy drink brand on Tuesday handed over the trophies and cash prizes to the various winners of the inaugural Turbo Knockout Football tournament.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony held in the conference room of GBI at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca pointed out that the tournament was a resounding success especially following up from the Corona Invitational tournament earlier this year.

“In the end football won, we had a great response from the fans, the players and the clubs” he explained.

Mendonca also noted that the tournament revealed that sub associations outside of Georgetown have well organized teams as it also showed on the field. He also pointed out that since there was

Camptown FC Captain Lezhan Lord receives the winning trophy along with the $500,000 cash prize from GBI’s Commercial Manager, Samuel Arjune as some of his teammates and other officials look on

an ongoing league (Elite League) the knockout cup creates an environment of competitiveness which helps add to the value of the teams as they would up their quality of

football.

In his closing statement he revealed that the point at which the tournament started to where it ended was remarkable. Mendonca

promised to work on improving the tournament in the future. He also commended GBI on coming on board and lending a helping hand in contributing to football in the

country.

Meanwhile, GBI Commercial Manager Samuel Arjune thanked the players and Petra for “coordinating and pulling off a well-organized tournament.”

Arjune went on to express his and his company’s belief in the holistic development of sport in Guyana stating; “We at GBI stand ready to support sport development in Guyana.”

Camptown FC stunned Police FC in the final to cart off the winner’s trophy and $500,000 just a couple of weeks ago while Pouderoyen trumped Grove Hitech to take home top honours over Grove Hi-Tech as well as the $125,000 up for grabs. Grove Hitech had to settle for the fourth place trophy and $75,000.

Camptown’s goalie Richie Richards snared the tournament’s MVP accolade for his outstanding performances between the uprights.

BWF is Peace & Sport’s "Federation of the Year"

B

adminton World Federation (BWF) won the ‘Federation of the Year’ honours at the prestigious Peace and Sport Awards in Monaco on Thursday 7 December.

The Awards, instituted by Peace and Sport, an international organization that works on using sporting initiatives to promote peace, recognize accomplishments

in nine categories. BWF won the award in the ‘Federation of the Year’ category for its Shuttle Time Connect programme. The other nominees for the award were FIVB (Federation Internationale de Volleyball) and WAKO (World Association of Kickboxing Organizations).

Shuttle Time Connect – part of BWF’s schools programme Shuttle Time – is

BFA/ GT Beer, Candy Boss Invitational 8-a-side Tournament

Hopetown rough up Berbice Police 4-0 H

opetown sent Berbice Police out of the Berbice Football Association (BFA), GT Beer, Candy Boss and Antics Promotion Invitational Inter Club 8-A -Side Football Tournament with a 4-nil win over the peace officers at the All Saints School Ground on Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam, Berbice on Sunday night.

It was the feature match of a double-header and the timely defeat thwarted any plans the youthful Police team had of making it into the next round.

Hometown was given its first goal in the 23 minute when a defender pushed the ball back to goalkeeper who was attempting to hold it but then realizes that if he

The winning Beacon FC did it would be considered a hand-ball so attempted to stop it with his foot but by then the ball had already rolled pass the goal line.

Ten minutes later Keysean Walters made 2-nil

with a well-directed header and then Justin Williams put the lawmen to stand at attention scoring g a double by netting in the 36 and 50+1 minutes of play.

In the first game of

the doubleheader Beacon DC registered a 6-0 win over Republican (New Amsterdam Prisons).

The tournament continues on Friday at the same venue.

BWF Chairman, Koen Ridder (centre) poses with the prestigious award

a sporting, educational and cultural exchange between Nepal and Australia using badminton to promote lasting connections between students, teachers and schools.

Shuttle Time Connect engaged seven schools each in Nepal and Australia through their respective national associations. Seven students and two teachers from Kathmandu joined the Shuttle Time Connect exchange visit to the Gold Coast in conjunction with the TOTAL BWF Sudirman Cup in May this year.

Over 1200 students and 20 primary school teachers in Nepal and Australia are engaged in the programme through classroom-to-classroom connections between the participating schools through the shared experience of Shuttle Time.

BWF was represented at the Peace and Sport International Forum Gala

by Council member and Athletes’ Commission Chair Koen Ridder, who received

the award from IOC member Ivo Ferriani, President of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation.

Thanking Peace and Sport for the honour, Ridder said: “We work hard to express peace throughout our community. Through our Shuttle Time Connect, you can see that badminton connects schools from various regions and makes a difference in the lives of school children. I would like to thank our partners – the Australian government, Badminton Australia, Badminton Asia, and Nepal Badminton Association for the participation of schools and kids in Kathmandu.

BWF is proud to partner the global effort to connect sport and youth in different communities.” The Peace and Sport awards were instituted in 2008 to recognize individuals and organizations who have made an outstanding contribution to peace, dialogue and social stability in the world through sport.

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017 | www.guyanatimesgy.com

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Jagdeo elected UCCA President

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21

(Back row) Right to left: President Hamant Jagdeo, VP Chaitram Persaud; front row: right to left: Assistant Secretary Lakram Lathman, Treasurer Mahesh Dharry and Secretary V Sugrim

A

fter some four years without an election, Clubs of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA) on December 7 elected former Berbice player Hamant Jagdeo as President of the association.

Held at the # 73 Cricket Club's Pavilion, the newly appointed members will serve the Executives of the UCCA, which last held its elections back in 2012. The

Clubs; # 48 Challengers, Yakasari Caribs, # 43, # 64, # 68, # 69, # 70 MYO, # 70 CC, # 72 All Star, # 72 Cut & Load, # 73, # 77, Bomb Squad, Guns & Roses, among others have requested elections to form a body who will fill the vacant posts of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer; which have been unoccupied since 2014.

The newly elected

Executives are; Former UCCA and Berbice Cricketer Hamant Jagdeo who was elected President, Chaitram Persaud-Vice President, V. SugrimSecretary, Mahesh Dharry- Treasurer and Captain of the Upper Corentyne's Senior Team Lakram Lathman will serve as Assistant Secretary / Treasurer.

The association’s representatives to the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) have

been named as Jagdeo, Persaud, Sugrim and Lathman. Meanwhile, the newly elected President of the association extended an invitation to all Clubs in the Upper Corentyne area to support future endeavors, since there is a lot of work to be done.

According to Jagdeo, the state of cricket in the area has been dormant for a while now and the only

games that are given priority are short versions such as 5/5, and 10/10 which are played on a gambling basis.

These games he said have not served in the best interest of the Association, since cricketers who are interested in a career in cricket should consider the longer versions.

Another huge concern in that players from the UCCA have not reached the required standard to fit into the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB) franchise games and he promises to work on ensuring that the players and clubs are equal to the task next season.

Focus will also be on Junior Cricket at Under 13, 15, 17 and 19 levels, while the BCB thru its President, Dhieranidranauth Somwaru, has expressed satisfaction, at the initiative taken by the members of the Association in addressing the issues that have plagued the Association BCB will work with the UCCA in order to develop the game of cricket in the area.

Secretary of the Upper Corentyne Association Mr. V. Sugrim has informed that the Association will hold a meeting on Friday December 15 at the # 73 CC Ground to appoint the Committee Members who will serve the Association.

Devon Smith & Volcanoes Burnett pours in

GABF/National Basketball Club Championships, Road to Mecca IV…

41

team fined in Kobras’ big win

C

ricket West Indies confirmed today that Devon Smith was fined for an individual breach of the Code of Conduct, and he and the rest of his Windward Islands Volcanoes teammates were penalised for an over-rate violation during the sixth round of matches which ended on Sunday in the Digicel 4-Day Championship.

Smith and Volcanoes captain Tyron Theophile admitted to the respective offences, and accepted the imposition of the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for formal hearings.

Smith was reported by on-field umpires Shannon Crawford and Christopher Taylor, along with reserve umpire Ryan Banwarie, for a Level 1 breach of the Code of Conduct during the match between Volcanoes and Guyana Jaguars which ended in an historic tie at the National Cricket

Stadium in Guyana.

Match referee Colin Stuart imposed a fine of 30 per cent of Smith’s match fee, after the veteran Volcanoes left-handed opener breached paragraph 1.2 of the Code of Conduct by showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse, when he questioned umpire Crawford about adjudging Miles Bascombe lbw in the 21st over of the Volcanoes’ second innings.

Match referee Stuart also fined the Volcanoes for an over-rate violation during the contest, having ended two overs short after all time allowances were taken into consideration.

As per the Code of Conduct, Theophile has been fined 20 per cent of his match fee, while the rest of the Volcanoes’ players have been fined 10 per cent.

The charge was levelled by umpires Crawford, Taylor and Banwarie.

K

Darcel Harris

obras and Retrieve Raiders progressed to the final stages of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) “Road to Mecca IV” after recording wins last weekend at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Thanks to a whopping 41 points from point guard Travis Burnett the most in the tournament thus far, Kobras disposed of Pacesetters 84-64 as ad-

vance further in the club championships.

Pacesetters lost their first game of the competition when their former son, Burnett, dominated the court and his old mates to help the Kobras keep their momentum moving forward. Pacesetters scoring were led by Nathan Saul whose 11 points was the most among his mates, while seasoned shooter Stephan Gillis finished with eight points.

Retrieve Raiders managed to sneak past the Plaisance Guardians, beating the East Coast based team 59-52 in their elimination match. Ravens, who were behind versus the Half Mile Bulls made a dramatic comeback to win by a point in their thriller which went down 76-75.

The pendulum swung both ways in this game as the Linden team led 22-14 at the end of the first quar-

Travis Burnett

ter. By the third quarter the action had already gotten underway as both parties found the nets consistently to end the third quarter 60-56, in favor of the Bulls. The last quarter were the Raiders bullying the court with Darcell Harris the man who lifted his team to a win after bettering the Bulls 20-15, in the final quarter.

The action continues on Wednesday evening.

22

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Windies succumb to New Zealand quickies

– Black Caps take series 2-0 Raymon Reifer showed tremendous resolve during the course of his defiance

T

rent Boult and Tim Southee shot out the top order, Neil Wagner bruised the batsmen in the middle, and Mitchell Santner cleaned up the tail, as New Zealand cruised to a 240-run victory at Seddon Park. West Indies' second innings featured only one brave stand - a 78-run association for the sixth wicket between Roston Chase and Raymon Riefer. Only on the first day of this Test can the visitors be said to have been in the hunt for victory. Avoiding defeat was always going to be difficult after giving up a first-innings lead of 152, but West Indies would perhaps be disappointed with the speed of their demise.

New Zealand, meanwhile, made a strong start to their home summer, as their quicks bowled themselves into a rhythm, and key batsmen ran into form. The only downside for the hosts is that having played no Tests since March, they now have no long-format matches scheduled until March next year.

It was Wagner and his hostili-

ty that made the greatest impression on the final day, and set New Zealand on track for a day-four finish. Combative and intense as ever, and aided by a Seddon Park track receptive to his mode of operation, he sent a torrent of deliveries at the batsmen's ribs, and regularly threatened their throats, clearly taking pleasure in their discomfort. The bodyline barrage began in his first over of the day. Immediately after being

claimed two more victims. He got a ball to rear up off a back-of-alength and struck Sunil Ambris painfully on the forearm - a blow that required the attention of a physiotherapist, and would turn out to have caused a fracture.

Ambris initially stayed in the middle after receiving the blow, but one more ball from Wagner in the following over - this one at the ribs - was enough to convince him to head for the safety of the dressing

Dowrich sent a sharp catch to short leg, who claimed the chance to his right. Having also struck Chase on the upper body, Wagner would be the man to break that sixth-wicket partnership, prompting another mis-hit hook, which was again gobbled up by an advancing long leg.

While Wagner had his victims caught on the legside, Boult and Southee went the more conventional route: having them caught behind the wicket on the offside. Kraigg Brathwaite was the first batsman to be dismissed on Tuesday, slapping a Boult delivery to Williamson, who took the sharp chance at head height. Williamson would see more action in that position later on. Riefer, who ground

SCOREBOARD

Trent Boult struck early in the day to celebrate his 200th Test wicket

cover-driven for four by Shai Hope, he struck the batsman flush on an unprotected forearm. The follow up: another bouncer - up near the neck this time. Hope could not control his hook, which finished up in the hands of long leg.

In his next two overs, Wagner

room. He did not return to bat.

Shane Dowrich, the man who replaced Ambris at the crease, was one of the few West Indies batsmen to avoid being struck by Wagner, but that is because he only lasted two balls. In fending off a another uncomfortable rib-high delivery,

New Zealand 1st Innings 373 West Indies 1st Innings 221 New Zealand 2nd Innings 291-8 decl.

West Indies 2nd Innings (target: 444 runs; overnight 30-2) KC Brathwaite* c Williamson b Boult 20 KOA Powell c Southee b Boult 0 SO Hetmyer c Wagner b Southee 15 SD Hope c de Grandhomme b Wagner 23 RL Chase c de Grandhomme b Wagner 64 SW Ambris retired hurt 5 SO Dowrich† c Nicholls b Wagner 0 RA Reifer c Williamson b

All-round Rose Hall whip Iman Bacchus by 67 runs A

Kevlon Anderson

his way to a 109-ball 29 - sent a low catch in that direction, and Williamson made an incredibly difficult chance seem simple, taking the catch at shin height with his left hand.

Chase was positive through the course of his 64 off 98 balls, but it was his ability to resist hooking Wagner that allowed him to survive so long. He scored his runs through the offside instead - particularly backward of point. When he was dismissed, New Zealand were on the home stretch. Kemar Roach opened his shoulders during a 44-ball 32, but Santner struck in successive deliveries to end that salvo, and the match. (EPN Cricinfo)

collective performance by the Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets 1st Division team help set up an easy 67-run win over Iman Bacchus Sports Club in their invitational T20 match played Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex Ground.

Overnight and early morning rains forced a start time of 11:00h with the visitors bowling first. The home team was kept to 145 in their allotted 20 overs with National U19 batsman Kevlon Anderson hitting three fours and a six in his top knock of 40. Bowling for the visitors was led by Lallbachan Narine with 2-4, Parmesh Parsotam 2-18 and Rodwyn Gordon 2-27.

Needing 146, the Iman Bacchus Sports Club fumbled and folded in their chase, being restricted to 78-8 when their 20 overs had expired. Their miserable batting performance was headlined by a paltry 13 from batsman Yougeshwar Lall, as Under-19 left arm spinner Keith Simpson grabbed 2-5, Royston Crandon 2-7 while off-spinner Eon Hooper, Keon Sinclair and skipper Shawn Pereira ended with a wicket each.

After taking first strike Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets first lost National Under-17 player Junior Sinclair who was run out for duck without facing a ball in the first over. His brothers Jason Sinclair (03) and Kevin Sinclair (00) also went cheaply as Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets slid to 8-3 in the 4th over.

Anderson and pacer Clinton Pestano then repaired the early damage by adding 65 for the 4th wicket in seven overs before Pestano for 30. Crandon, the former West Indies one day player joined Anderson as the pair added 40 runs before the former was removed for 26.

Following the match Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster praised both teams for their performances. Director of Iman Bacchus Business Enterprise, Aadil Baksh expressed gratitude to the Berbice board for being great host and extended an official invitation for the 2016 Guyana Cricket Club Awardee to visit Essequibo next year. The Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club also handed over a quantity of Youth Information, posters to the visitors while trophies were presented to Lall and Narine for being the best Essequibo batsman and bowler during the match. The match was organized by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS under the Club’s highly successful Say No Say Yes Programme.

Southee 29 KAJ Roach b Santner 32 ML Cummins c Boult b Santner 9 ST Gabriel not out 0 Extras (lb-5, w-1) 6 Total (All out, 63.5 Overs) 203 Fall of wickets: 1-4 (KOA Powell, 1.3 ov), 2-27 (SO Hetmyer, 6.3 ov), 3-43 (KC Brathwaite, 13.1 ov), 4-68 (SD Hope, 19.6 ov), 4-80 (SW Ambris), 5-80 (SO Dowrich, 23.3 ov), 6-158 (RL Chase, 51.1 ov), 7-166 (RA Reifer, 56.1 ov), 8-203 (ML Cummins, 63.4 ov), 9-203 (KAJ Roach, 63.5 ov) Bowling Southee 19-3-71-2, Boult 16-1-52-2, Wagner 155-42-3 (w-1), de Grandhomme 9-5-20-0, MJ Santner4.5-0-13-2

Exciting Publik Steel Challenge is December 16

Flashback!!!! GSSF members pose following a successful Steel Challenge

T

he Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF) in partnership with Publik Restaurant will be staging a Tier 1 Steel Challenge Match set for December 16 at the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) Yarrowcabra Ranges.

With a history of attracting some of the country’s best pistol shooters, the upcoming Steel Challenge which will feature three rigorous stages. The first of three stages Steel Challenge (SC) 102 will be the Showdown, followed by SC-103 the Smoke and Hope with SC 108 the Roundabout, being the final stage.

A mandatory ruling of 75 rounds minimum will further see marksmen exercis-

ing their skills in the recognized Limited and Wildcat divisions, while the GSSF confirmed that Armscor ammunition will be available on the range.

The top three shooters of each category will receive prizes while Sport Shooting range rules and safety regulations which include the wearing of ear and eye protection will be in full effect for the Challenge.

Meanwhile, interested shooters can pre-register for the competition online with the deadline being Friday December 15 13:30h, when the first shot is expected to be fired. Registration fees are $2,500 while late registration fees are $3,500.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, december 13, 2017

23

Georgetown Zone Guinness "Greatest of the Streets"

Defending champions Sparta

Boss set for 3 peat

I

– heartbreak for Leopold Street

n the second semi-final of the Georgetown Zone Guinness “Greatest of the Streets”, played between defending Champions Sparta Boss and Leopold Street, it was heartbreak for the latter and relief for the former after 48 minutes of intense futsal action.

Played at the Burnham Court at the corners of Carmichael and Middle Street, Sparta Boss was besieged by the vibrant Leopold Street outfit led by their tenacious captain Okanie Fraser. However Sparta held their nerve and even counter attacked their opposition only to be repelled repeatedly as veteran striker Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson cut a frustrated figure for most of the match.

After normal time failed to produce any goals, it was down to extra time with two halves of four minutes each.

It was here that Leopold Street held Sparta at ransom peppering their goal with shots every moment they had possession of the ball.

Sparta Boss showed why they are the most decorated

futsal team in the country as they held their nerve and

Part of the action on Tuesday night

Sparta’s Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson battles for the ball

defended to the end.

It came to penalty kicks and Sparta had first go with two tries from the spot.

The first was a strike clean and pure to the relief of the Sparta fans but the seconds went just wide.

Up next it was Leopold Street’s turn and to the dismay of teammates and fans alike, the first kick missed.

The trend continued as Okanie Fraser sent his pen-

alty wide to his disbelief as his side suffered heartbreak.

Speaking after his team’s victory, Richardson noted that all good teams go through “bad patches” and for Sparta it was no different, however he pointed out that his team will head into the final full of confidence and he’ll do his talking on the field.

The two times defend-

ing champions Sparta will now face a resurgent Gold is Money in the final at Demerara Park on Saturday (December 16) while Leopold Street will face Bent Street in the third place play-off. The winning team of the Georgetown Zone will cart off $500,000 and book an automatic berth in the National Playoffs of the competition.

(Michelangelo Jacobus)

“We are proud of our guys” – Everest CC President P

resident of the Everest Cricket Club (ECC), Rajesh Singh has expressed his satisfaction at the success of the Guyana Jaguars in the ongoing Digicel Regional Four-Day Tournament and the input from his club mates to date.

“As a club, we the executives and members are happy with the contribution of our guys [Everest players] and the overall progress of the Guyana franchise,” Singh told Guyana Times Sport.

The club which is based in Georgetown, has produced six players to the national team this season a feat that the entire membership is extremely proud of, according to the longstanding executive. “At the start of the season we had young Bhaskar [Yadram] and Test opener, [Rajendra] Chandrika who missed out in the later rounds but the four we have now have been putting their hands up which is very important to the team,” Singh stated.

Of the players in the current squad, Chandrapaul Hemraj who began the season in the middle order is now partnering his Everest club mate, Tagenarine

Chanderpaul to open the batting.

After six matches, Hemraj has so far scored 328 runs with three scores over 50 with his best knock of 79 coming against the Barbados Pride at Providence in round five.

He is the third highest run scorer for the defending champions behind Vishaul Singh (458) and Leon Johnson (367) while Tagenarine is just behind him on 312 runs also from six matches. The younger Chanderpaul also has three half centuries with his best knock of 84 coming against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in round four.

The other player who is also making a heavy impact is Shivnarine Chanderpaul who is one of four centurions for the Jaguars this season. The experienced left-hander who is sixth on the runs chart with 216 runs from four matches saved the three-time defending champions from defeat against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes with a second innings century, 109 at Warner Park in round three. In the last match against the Windward Islands Volcanoes, when all of the oth-

er batsmen fell cheaply, the 43-year compiled a fighting 56 to give

East Coast of Demerara, Chandrika was dropped after scoring 67 matches from two

From left: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Akshaya Persaud

the Jaguars a lead on first innings which turned out to be crucial in the match that ended in a dramatic tie.

The fourth player in the squad is Akshaya Persaud who is yet to make his debut.

Seventeen-year-old Bhaskar Yadram recently flew out to St. Kitts where he is part of the West Indies Under 19 squad preparing for their title defence in Youth World Cup in January in New Zealand while his compatriot from Enterprise village on the

matches.

The Guyana Jaguars next assignment is their return match against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes beginning in Thursday at Providence.

WEDNESDAY, december 13, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Georgetown Zone Guinness "Greatest of the Streets"

Defending champions

Pg 23

Sparta Boss set for

3 peat

– heartbreak for Leopold Street A Sparta Boss player (blue) is marked closely by Leopold Street’s Okanie Fraser during their semi-final match-up on Tuesday night at the Burnham Court

Windies succumb to New Zealand quickies

Pg 22

– Black Caps take series 2-0 New Zealand wrapped up the game shortly after the scheduled tea interval on the fourth day to complete a 2-0 sweep (Getty Image)

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