Guyana Times Friday April 12, 2019

GBTI, Emerge BPO spread Easter cheer with kite distribution P14

Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3892

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Friday, april 12, 2019

PRICE

Creation of 50,000 jobs conservative, more can be achieved – PPP Presidential Candidate

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Cold Cases P7 Unit probing 5 murder cases

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“Kick down the door bandits” invade Berbice couple’s home

Parika NDC fearful of P12 road danger created by private company

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P8 Vendor charged for attempting to kill child father’s girlfriend

Farmer remanded for rape of 9-year-old

Several businesses within Eccles Industrial Site, East Bank Demerara, were threatened on Thursday evening after a fire erupted in an empty lot filled with dry overgrowth. Guyana Fire Service managed to contained the flames

Father, son 2 bodies found guilty of found in killing Mahaica West Berbice accountant Critical section of GPHC shuts down after power outage Page 10

Page 15

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Prolonged closure at Harbour Bridge this weekend

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FRIday, april 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Critical section of GPHC shuts down after power outage

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ritical sections of the Georgetown Public Hospital were left in darkness following an internal electrical malfunction the medical institution experienced on Thursday morning, causing the Guyana Fire Service to respond after smoke was seen coming from a specific area.

The outage lasted for several hours but by Thursday afternoon electricity was restored. Guyana Times was told that the problem was triggered by the failure of a power breaker in the main power control room at the Hospital.

Public Relations Officer Mitsy Campbell told this publication that as a result

of the nature of the problem, the backup generator system could not kick in immediately. She added that this resulted in the A, C, D, the new Inpatient building and sections of the Accident and Emergency Unit being without power.

According to Campbell, measures were put in place in other sections of the medical facility for persons needing urgent medical care and lights were installed to offer some temporary aid to the A&E department.

Campbell further noted that no staff left their duties and were all working together to ensure the work was done.

“Nobody ran, the staff are all

The Georgetown Public Hospital

working as per normal,” she said.

The operating theatre and other important sections of

the hospital were not majorly affected and other services such as X-rays, ultrasound and CT scans were trans-

ferred to the Cancer Institute, while works were ongoing to fix the problem.

Several patients reported hearing an explosion.

A doctor working in the Accident and Emergency Unit told this publication that electricians had been working for four hours to fix the problem but to no avail. He said most

patients left the hospital since the medical practitioners were not able to attend to them without proper lighting and some waited for several hours before leaving.

He said some patients needing urgent care however remained and doctors and nurses were working tirelessly to ensure the situation remained under control with the limited resources available to them. “Some of the patients that received dates to do tests and so on were very agitated when we told them they would have to wait until the power comes on to do the tests and that was indefinite,” he said.

He added that other affected areas include the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, Accident and Emergency Department, the recovery department, specialist clinics and the pharmacy.

Prolonged closure at Harbour Bridge this weekend

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Demerara Harbour Bridge

he Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed for longer than usual this weekend, and in some instances, only one lane of traffic will be allowed.

This is to ensure maintenance works are conducted. The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed on Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 09:00h for a period of

three hours.

From midday, there will only be single-lane traffic at the eastern end of the bridge approach until 15:00h.

The Bridge will also be closed on Sunday, April 14, 2019 from 09:00h for a period of 90 minutes. There will be single-lane traffic at the western end of the bridge approach from 10:30h to 13:30h.

news

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FRIday, april 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Friday, April 12 – 09:30h-11:00h and Saturday, April 13 – 09:00h-12:00h (no marine traffic).

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, April 12 – 08:45h-10:15h and Saturday, April 13 – 10:10h-11:40h

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

WEATHER TODAY

Sunny intervals can be expected throughout the day, with sunny skies in the later afternoon.

Clear to partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly and Northeasterly between 2.23 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 09:25h and 22:22h reaching maximum heights of 2.33 metres and 2.18 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 02:54h and 15:41h reaching minimum heights of 1.01 metres and 0.88 metre respectively.

WEDNESday, april 10, 2019

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11 Bonus Ball

ThurSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019 DAILY MILLIONS

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

Creation of 50,000 jobs conservative, more can be achieved – PPP Presidential Candidate

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residential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Irfaan Ali believes the 50,000 jobs being promised to the Guyanese population should his party return to office is in fact a modest figure.

Ali hosted a press conference on Thursday; his first since being elected Presidential Candidate of the PPP/Civic.

He pointed out that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government has failed to deliver most of its manifesto promises to the Guyanese people in the more than four years the Administration has been in office.

According to Ali, Guyanese have to hold Government accountable for this failure, which has resulted in the hardships many citizens face, especially among the vulnerable

groups such as women, the elderly and youths.

He reminded of Government’s promise to stimulate job creation, especially for youths, but instead they have caused the country to face 37,000 job losses in various economy-driven sectors. He went on to revealed that under the APNU/AFC, Guyana has slipped four positions in the employment rate for the 2554 age group and seven positions for the age group 54 to 64 on the Global Human Capital Index. With regards to youths, he disclosed that the country declined nine positions in unemployment for the 15-24 age group.

To this end, Ali posited that unlike the coalition Administration, his party will not falter in its efforts to ensure that what is being promised to the populace is achieved.

Among the host of promises the PPP has mentioned that will be in its manifesto, is the creation of 50,000 new jobs and according to the party’s Presidential Candidate, even this figure is too conservative.

“There were some (criticisms) raised on the 50,000 job creation but let me say, this is a very, very conservative figure,” Ali stated.

He went on to outline some of the key sectors in which an Irfaan Ali-led PPP administration will provide an array of jobs

PPP Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali

for Guyanese. These include the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) sector with the establishment of call centres and the provision of critical services in sectors such as

education, health, financial and security.

Additionally, he mentioned eco-tourism, agriculture, mining, environmental services, forestry, and housing as key sectors that

can also churn out many employment opportunities if the right investments are made.

“Let me give you an example; if you create 10,000 house lots every year, because our target is 50,000, and let’s say you have an occupancy of only 20 per cent, the average figure nationally now is 30 per cent, so you have 1500 persons building and if a bare minimum of five persons are employed on each houses, then that this 7500 jobs created there and that is on housing alone…

So when you reserve the tax measures that have been inhibitive to various sectors, you would see the further strengthening and expansion of those sectors, thus creating jobs,” he added.

Furthermore, Ali noted that the impending oil and gas sector too can also be a great source of job creation

within the areas of training, shore-based facilitates, gas and energy development, enlightened local content and machine and engineering.

“So if you reorient the budgetary spending that is there now, you will be able to create all those jobs we’ve lost as a result of wasteful spending and mis-prioritised spending,” he added.

The PPP presidential candidate further stressed that “So this 50,000 is very conservative; then with the reopening of sugar and the linkages sugar had in other segment of the economy, you’re talking about 11,000 thousand jobs easily… so I know when we examined this at the committee level and when we are costing it, 50,000 is a very, very conservative estimate. It’s the bare minimum and I’m sure that we can achieve beyond this.”

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FRIday, april 12, 2019

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

Upgrading UG

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oday the University of Guyana (UG) will launch of The Jay and Sylvia Sobhraj Centre for Behavioural Sciences and Research and its master’s programme in psychology.

Over the years there have been calls for the University to advance into a better and more modern learning tertiary institution; one that would take its rightful place in terms of helping in nation-building and one that both students and lecturers and all others associated with it would be proud of.

There were several calls made before for drastic improvements at the University if the institution was to become a modern learning facility. The current administration at the University has shown that it has a good grasp of what needs to be done and to its credit, has taken some notable steps in this regard.

We believe UG could indeed become a well-recognised institution across the Caribbean region; one which will attract a large number of foreign students and serve as an authority on national, regional and international issues for governments, private individuals and businesses. But there is much restructuring and reforming (both in administrative and academic terms) that needs to be done before this could be achieved.

Problems of dysfunctional classrooms, shortage of lecturers, outdated curriculum, inadequate laboratory facilities, etc, are only part of the problem. It is well know that the issue of inadequate financing continues to plague the University. The University’s current financial constraints have not only limited capital development, but have adversely affected its ability to offer staff much deserving compensation and research facilities.

In addition to the work that needs to be done to enhance the infrastructure and other aesthetics at the University’s campuses, the University’s administration should seek to aggressively engage governments, international development partners, Private Sector organisations and civil society in an effort to garner support for the development of the University.

There is also need to continue to explore ways in which the current remuneration and benefits package for lecturers and staff could be improved since UG cannot at any point produce the “best of the best” students if it cannot retain the minds that are responsible for the moulding of those who seek higher learning.

The demands of the University are significant and everchanging, and to continuously meet them there must be a sustainable source of financing as Professor Compton Bourne had said; and this goes beyond the annual subvention the University receives from Government. Sustainable financing must be able to do more than just meet the basic expenses. Financing must be there to upgrade the University’s infrastructure in order to give it an appearance of a modern learning institution; provide students with the latest books, technologies and knowledge; provide modern research facilities that enable students to probe and test existing knowledge and to find new ones; and offer students more disciplines to choose from and that includes a wider variety of master’s and doctorate programmes.

On this basis, we agree that there is need to establish a platform where the public, the Private Sector, Government, and the University can form crucial partnerships to fund research, the delivery of technology, student services and other necessities.

For example, the state of the laboratories in the Science and Technology faculties remains a sore issue and needs to be brought up to standard with what obtains in other countries.

Further, with Guyana being an emerging oil and gas economy; UG should be at the forefront in providing the skills and knowledge needed to allow our policymakers to make the right decisions in moving the sector forward. On this basis, we are encouraged to see that the University is partnering with the University of the West Indies (UWI) to offer Master’s and Associate Degrees in Petroleum Engineering. These offerings must be widened to include other areas of expertise that would be needed to allow Guyana to develop into a modern developed country.

UG would seriously need to look beyond Central Government and to some extent donors for its finances; it would need to examine alternative ways in raising funds to sustain itself as other international learning institutions have been doing in order to remain competitive.

By now, many calls have been made for adequate financing to inject new life into the University of Guyana. We firmly believe that those calls need to be urgently fulfilled for the benefit of the country and its people.

Students of Eccles Nursery School showcasing their kites, which were gifted to them by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry on Thursday

World Bank preparing to become “deeply involved” in Venezuela

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ewly installed World Bank Group president David Malpass said on Thursday that the development lender is preparing to become “deeply involved” in Venezuela, “but the situation is still troublesome on the ground”.

Speaking at a press conference on the opening day of the joint World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) spring meetings, Malpass said that Venezuela is a “deep concern” for the World Bank, but that any decision to intervene in the country or recognise Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s President would be left to the World Bank’s stakeholders.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde also said Thursday during a press conference that it is up the fund’s members “to indicate which authority they are recognising diplomatically”.

Venezuela is in the throes of a prolonged and worsening economic crisis that has led to severe shortages of food, life-saving med-

icines and electricity. More than 50 nations including the United States have thrown their support behind the country’s self-proclaimed interim President, Juan Guaidó. Russia, China, Turkey and Cuba support President Nicolás Maduro, who has vowed to remain in power.

Focus on poverty, trade and inequality

Malpass, who took up his new post at the World Bank on Tuesday, used the opening day of the IMF and World Bank meetings to say that the global economic slowdown affecting developed and emerging economies could elevate the risks of vulnerable people slipping into poverty. He placed particular emphasis on Africa, noting that while extreme poverty is declining globally, the number of people living in extreme poverty is on the rise in sub-Saharan Africa.

The World Bank chief said climate change is one issue hitting the continent especially hard. Speaking

World Bank President David Malpass speaks at a news conference during the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, DC

after Malpass, IMF chief Christine Lagarde used the opening day of the joint meetings to debut her 2019 Global Policy Agenda (GPA), and emphasised the need for international cooperation to effectively tackle global economic challenges including slowing growth and rising debt.

“We spoke about ‘synchronised growth’ a year ago,” said Lagarde. “It is now a synchronised slow-

down.”

Billed as a “blueprint for multilateral action”, the GPA that Lagarde outlined has three pillars: building more resilient and inclusive economies, upgrading global cooperation and working together on broader challenges. “The concept of a new multilateralism hinges on three complementary and reinforcing areas of policy action,” she said.

Lagarde noted that while financial integration, technological progress and global trade have delivered enormous benefits, not all rewards have been distributed equally.

The IMF chief also continued to urge cooperation on trade. “The key is to avoid the wrong policies,” she said. “We need to better address fair-trade practices, including some [World Trade Organisation] WTO reform.” The World Trade Organisation has come under greater scrutiny amid the ongoing US-China trade dispute and US President Donald Trump’s rhetoric around global trade. (Al Jazeera)

Green light for Venezuelans in T&T

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abinet has agreed to open a two-week registration for Venezuelans in Trinidad and Tobago, to allow then an initial stay of six months in which they can also work in Trinidad and Tobago.

The decision is for Venezuelans who arrive here legally or illegally.

The two-week amnesty will begin on May 31 and run until June 14.

Government Minister Stuart Young told today’s post-Cabinet media conference that five registration centres will be set up with interpreters for the registration process.

The centres will be located in Port of Spain San Fernando, Arima, Cedros and Scarborough.

The Venezuelans will undergo

Venezuelans living in T&T held a peaceful walk at the Queens Park, Savannah

medical examinations and at the end of the six months, will have their situations evaluated before another six-month period becomes available to them.

The Minister said they will also be able to access emergency medical care as well as primary and public care, inclusive of treatment for heart attacks, strokes,

diabetic comas and so on.

However, the Minister says anything beyond that will have to be paid for.

He said the Cabinet also agreed that there will be no guarantees to a right of education or social services.

Minister Young said that the Government’s first priority for the provision of education is to Trinidad

and Tobago citizens but he notes that if there are extra spaces in schools, then Venezuelans could be accommodated.

They will not be required to pay NIS but if he says that if qualify to pay PAYE, then they will.

The registration cards will have photo identification and security features.

The minister said that when the process is complete, national security will revert to the normal applications of immigration laws.

He added that this is not a process to allow more Venezuelans to arrive here illegally. He said the Cabinet also agreed to review the situation with respect to other persons in the Immigration Detention Centre. (Trinidad Guardian)

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

Confusion reigns How more clean can Mr Ali come on academic qualifications? among GFC staff Dear Editor, The recent media burst that the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) would soon be undergoing a restructuring has sent shock waves among the staff of the Commission. A large majority of staff are in a state of panic in regard to the sudden turn of events of this plan. What is of more concern is that several board members, when approached by staff, have indicated they were not consulted or made aware of this restructuring plan.

Staff members are planning to protest, and take legal action should the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNRE), or persons identified to do the restructuring, proceed with such an acrimonious idea.

Staff members feel there is an ulterior motive behind this plan. Why is it that one of the most controversial board members was chosen to lead this process? Forestry has been in top performance when it comes to the Green Environment and Sustainable Forest Management. Over the years, there have been many international reviews of the GFC, and all have been very positive. Only last month, an international firm was doing an audit of GFC operations, and from all indications, there was very good compliance; so why the need for a restructuring exercise?

We were told that using

the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) to realign the GFC is just a ploy to make wholesale changes within the Commission. How can you use the GSDS when the staff have not seen this document?

Nobody consulted with the staff to draft this document, and now you want to change GFC to suite this document?

Read between the lines.

Staff were told that one major area that the coordinator is pushing is to merge the Forest Monitoring Division and the Forest Resources Division, as shown in this attachment. The current head of the FMD, whom sources claim is a close associate of the coordinator, is tip to head this merged unit. This would be an area of massive corruption, as the person controlling land allocation would be the same person in charge of checking and monitoring.

So who checks on whom? It is clear as day that the idea is to foster corruption and rid the Commission of technical and competent people.

Staff members are calling on the good and compassionate Chair for help, as we are already undergoing a lot of stress with late payment of salaries, and are unable to service our loans, utility bills, school fees, etc on a monthly basis. How much more can we take?

Sincerely, Concerned employees

Dear Editor, Please permit me to respond to an article entitled “‘Integrity on the line’ David Hinds urges Irfaan Ali to come clean on academic qualifications”, appearing in the Stabroek News’ April 08 edition.

The subject of the letter is self-explanatory, so I would go straight into my response.

First, Dr Hinds is an academic and a politician. Though he might be more of the former than the latter, his punches are all undoubtedly tendentious.

Allow me to expound. Mr Ali, ever since questions were raised about the authenticity of his certificate, was sincere enough to stand by his words, and furnished -- as promised -- the media with all his certificates. Such unprecedented gesture by any standing politician undoubtedly confirms his high level of uncompromised integrity. Hence I do find it quite preposterous for someone who is ostensibly cognisant of academic standings and procedures to stoop so low to deliver a low-blow by questioning the integrity of someone who, by all means, epitomises integrity.

Are we about to witness another “catch-65 absolute majority” scenario with the reinvention of the word “integrity”? Will we now go down the line citing various definitions proffered for the word “integrity”? Or is it simply a matter of obliviousness or deliberate ignorance, hence on this raft Dr Hinds is now seeking to boost his relevance in the political arena?

It is public knowledge that

The “rice pot” is getting smaller

Dear Editor, When one analyses what is currently taking place in Region Six, one cannot help but conclude that Berbicians are being totally neglected by this Coalition Government; and some would say it is intentional.

In 2016, the closure of the estates began; with Wales being the first to go, followed by Enmore, Rose Hall and Skeldon estates. When the death knell was sounded for Rose Hall and Skeldon estates, Berbicians knew that this region would never be the same again.

A sharp economic decline was the result, with nearly four thousand workers being proverbially thrown under the bus, an atrocity disguised as ‘resizing and restructuring’.

The ripple effect was devastating, with businesses following suit -- retrenching hundreds of workers, since they had to ‘resize and restructure’ as well.

The Region Six economy began to crumble, and this resulted in a multitude of unemployed and impoverished persons scavenging for menial work and being paid pittances by some unscrupulous businessmen, not to mention the personal abuse, expletives and disparaging statements meted out to them by employers who demanded long hours of work.

Our children became aware of what poverty is for the first time, since many could not have afforded to go to school, and those who went had to forego many things they had taken for granted under the previous PPP/C Government.

But alas! Just before this tsunami inundated Region 6, our President was making bold,

politicising statements across Berbice, such as, “You are the sugar bowl of the country, the rice pot of the country, the fish market of the country…we look to East Berbice-Corentyne to lead the economic recovery of the whole country…Berbice has the potential…”(February, 2016). It is now clear to all and sundry that he never meant those words he uttered; they were just empty rhetoric.

We have now seen that the ‘rice pot’ is getting smaller, and farmers are poised to make huge losses this crop due to paddy bugs’ infestation, a phenomenon which has had devastating effects over the past years, but which has been denied and masked due to the fact that rice farmers continue to produce at a high level. In 201718, the rice output was higher than expected, up 18 per cent when compared to 2016-17, but these statistics failed to reveal the losses sustained from damaged paddy crops. Many small rice farmers were thrown out of business, and many cannot service loans obtained from the financial institutions and from rice millers who advanced finances to them.

This group of sufferers is not highlighted, and the Government prefers to ignore their plight. They are expendables in the scheme of things!

Since this Coalition Government took office, no economic transformational projects were undertaken in Region 6. Can you imagine the entire Region 6 is transformed into ground zero with the sugar fallout, but nothing was done to alleviate the socio-economic plight of Berbicians? One en-

terprising entrepreneur, Mr Mohindra Persaud of Nand Persaud Group of Companies, took it upon himself to save the entire rice industry from suffering a fate similar to sugar. He experimented with aerial spraying and the productive gains were tremendous. He then applied for permission to build an airstrip to do crop dusting, and received favourable responses from the Government; however, after spending more than $25 million, he was given the ‘royal run around’ from one Ministry to the next, from one Government official to the next, and from one excuse to the next!

Can you imagine that all that was needed was some legal formality by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure? The Minister has the power to approve such an airstrip (Civil Aviation Act, Section 17), but we all know why businessmen are normally given the ‘royal run around’! Nand Persaud is not in the corruption business!

This one project would not have cost the Government a dollar, but the economic benefits would have been tremendous when a 25 per cent recovery from pest damage is brought into the equation.

However, the ‘Coalition circus’ is coming to Berbice, and I do hope the President can revisit his words and allow the Nand Persaud crop dusting airstrip to come to fruition. It is only then that the ‘rice pot’ would be bigger and overflow!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region Six

Mr. Ali submitted all his certificates as promised. Similarly, it is also well established within the public domain that he is soon to receive his PhD in Urban and Rural Planning from the University of the West Indies. Cynics who doubted his qualifications and took it upon themselves to investigate the authenticity of each are now shell-shocked and dead silent when confronted with the truth from the various academic institutions -- that indeed his certificates are authentic. It is a pity that self-consciousness and humiliation are now the deciding factors for not proffering

any public apology to him.

Underlying Motives Mr Ali is the presidential candidate of the PPP/C, a party that now represents -- based on last local government elections – 65 per cent of the populace; hence he is well within range of securing a landslide victory at the next regional and general elections. On the academic side, he is the holder of two masters’ degrees, and is soon to earn a PhD. Currently, he is on a countrywide visit to meet with the people to discuss contemporary and future concerns and challenges. In so doing, not

only will he strengthen his relationship with the people at the grass-roots level, but better understand their needs. Hence the calling out of Mr Ali on the principle of integrity is nothing more than an act of desperation by the Government, to divert attention from the ongoing corruption-fuelled media frenzy.

Any graduate would concur that it is a gross level of absurdity to publicise one’s personal academic transcript. No one has to see what grades you scored in your various courses.

Sincerely, Timothy Isaacs

Going backwards in order to go forward

Dear Editor, There is hardly a day which goes by in which newspapers do not report an incident of domestic violence (DV) or a matter pertaining to domestic violence. It has been decades since domestic violence has been classified as a type of gender-based violence (GBV).

Guyana has signed and ratified a host of international conventions which criminalise, bind and uphold states (current, former or to be) to prevent, protect against, and prosecute crimes of gender-based violence, including domestic violence. Guyana has made gains in this regard, so it was alarming to read of a perpetrator of a crime of domestic violence being told by the court that he has an anger management problem, and should get help for this.

I was not present in court, and am relying on print media reports. If these are incorrect, then my sincere apologies are proffered to the Judiciary.

The popular belief that DV occurs due to uncontrollable anger is incorrect, because it does not recognise or factor in the gendered nature of intimate partner domestic violence.

Physical, sexual, psychological or financial domestic violence, or a combination of some or all, is but the means to exert power and control over the other.

Many femicides occur when the abused woman leaves her abusive partner or husband and/ or starts/engages in another intimate partner relationship.

It is the abuser’s perception of the loss of power and control of that partner -- the right of ownership and entitlement to that abused person’s life and body -that leads to murder. ‘If I can’t have you, no one else can’.

I hope that continuous training of the Judiciary and Magistracy on gender-based violence, including TIP crimes, is happening, and that the Guyana Prison Service’s anger management training includes sessions on the dynamics of DV, so as to address root causes.

Partnerships for Peace, a best practice Caribbean/UN Women programme for DV offenders, utilises 12-17 training modules for achieving attitudinal and behavioural change.

There is no quick-fix.

Additionally, the discrepancy in sentencing for the crime of femicide (killing of female intimate) seems inconsistent.

While most people would agree that domestic violence is everybody’s business and everyone should play their part in its prevention, reduction and elimination, agencies such as the Police have a significant role in inves-

tigation and prosecution of domestic violence crimes. Over the past years, an average of about 2 women have died every year at the hands of their partners or husbands, and hundreds of women and some men have been subjected to domestic violence on a daily or regular basis.

No one in Guyana believes that domestic violence is on the decrease, most of us agree that it is on the increase. In this context, the comments of the Police Commissioner at the 6 weeks’ training course on Station Management -- advising Police against taking persons into custody for ‘behaving bad’ or abusing alcohol -- needs to be clarified.

Domestic violence is often described as ‘behaving bad’; this can range from threats of violence, physical assault, destruction of property, sexual assault, being put out of the house etc, to murder. On top of this, alcohol and drug abuse go hand in hand with domestic violence and increase the severity of the abuse, sometimes fatally. For the Police not to investigate such reports is disturbingly alarming.

The Guyana Police Force’s Domestic Violence Policy states that all reports of do-

mestic violence must be recorded and investigated. The Domestic Violence Act gives the Police wide powers to enter any home where they believe a DVA Protection Order is being breached, or any home or premises where they believe domestic abuse is taking place or has taken place. Police, under the DVA, also have the power to arrest persons without warrants, and are mandated to ensure victims receive medical attention for injuries and are moved to a place safe from harm.

In spite of laws, policies, training, projects, marches, billboards, a month dedicated by the UN to the elimination of violence against women, gender bureaus, dedicated Police units and national task force, not being convened, domestic violence continues unabated in Guyana. What is depressing is that when addressing DV & GBV, instead of building on gains, policies, knowledge, programmes, training and expert available Guyanese human resources, we seem to be in a continuous cycle of reinventing the wheel, going backwards in order to go forward.

Yours truly, Danuta Radzik

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Foundation

How to create quality time with your family as a busy mom or dad your day. Build an album you can look through together.

7. Connect daily. Even if you work outside of the home and see your child for only a few hours most days, quality time pays off as long as you’re consistent. Make it a habit of chatting for about 15 minutes when you arrive home or before you go to bed.

Use the quality time to build a positive relationship with your child and give them a solid foundation for becoming a happy and productive adult. Savour the moments you spend together and create memories you will both cherish. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

By Monica Foley, Med

Spending quality time with your child has more to do with ordinary daily life than what you might initially expect. It’s simple and meaningful interactions, such as bedtime stories and family dinners that are essential for your child’s development and future relationships.

As a parent, you’re preparing your kids for academic success and rewarding careers. You’re also helping to set the patterns for their adult friendships and romances.

Even if you feel like you’re short on time and juggling multiple responsibilities at home and/or the office, you may be surprised at how many opportunities there are to incorporate quality time into your daily routines. Start with these practical ideas.

Keep these things in mind when it comes to spending quality time with your child 1. Be authentic. Do you feel a little guilty when you see Facebook posts from parents who take their children on exotic vacations or treat them to expensive hobbies? Instead of making comparisons, it’s more constructive to focus on activities that suit your family budget and lifestyle. Kids enjoy and appreciate family activities that are simple and they don’t have to be extravagant.

2. Pay attention. Let your child know how much you care about them. Listen carefully to what they have to say. When you’re together, try to be fully present instead of looking at your phone or thinking about your to-do list. Those things will always be there, and watching your child grow up happens quickly.

3. Show appreciation. Give your child plenty of praise and positive reinforcement. Congratulate them when they raise their grades in a subject that has been particularly challenging for them. Thank your child for being patient with their younger siblings or for setting the table without being asked.

4. Discover your child’s interests. Find out what they like to do so that you can participate as well. You may both enjoy playing video games or listening to classic rock music, for instance. Be open to trying something new together that you just might find you both enjoy.

5. Make updates as needed Remember that your child’s needs will change over time. As they grow from a toddler into a teenager, they expect more independence, but they’ll probably still welcome an invitation to practice driving or watch a favourite sport together.

6. Remain available Quality time. can happen anywhere and

at any time. You’re bound to find promising opportunities as long as you make yourself approachable and accessible to your child.

Following are some practical examples of quality time: 1. Eat family meals. Dine together as often as possible. If you run into frequent conflicts with weekday dinners, try gathering for breakfast or catching up on weekends.

2. Share chores. Ask your children to join you, whether you’re shopping for groceries or organizing the garage. You’ll have a chance to talk, and they’ll learn valuable life skills along the way.

3. Schedule individual time. Arrange to spend some one-onone time with each of your children regularly. You’ll learn more about them and enjoy meaningful conversations that you may otherwise miss.

4. Travel together. Whether it’s a family vacation or driving to soccer practice, both provide time to talk while you’re on your way to your destination. Check in with each other and let the conversation flow naturally.

5. Volunteer as a family. Helping others can draw you closer to your children. Support a cause you both care about. Browse the internet with your child for a local volunteer agency where you can explore your options.

6. Take pictures. Face to face communications are the most significant but sharing pictures can help you stay in touch too.

Send each other funny or moving images you come across during

Set your child up for success by teaching healthy boundaries

By Monica Foley, Med

(Continued from Thursday)

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nother example is a two or three-year who throws a toy at their sibling. Again, tell your child that it’s okay to have and express angry feelings, but it’s not okay to throw a toy at others. During the episode, show no feelings. When you’re establishing boundaries, it’s time to be diplomatic. Be firm, but not frustrated or angry.

Simply state, “It’s not okay to throw a toy at your brother. When you throw a toy, you have to sit in a chair,” and say nothing more until the minutes have passed. Have your child sit in a chair for the number of minutes that matches their age (if they’re two years old, they sit for two minutes; three years old, three minutes).

After the time is up, thank your child for sitting in the chair and go on with your day. Hopefully, your child will not throw a toy again. Instead, he or she will see that you allowed them to have and show feelings without negative consequences, as long as they stayed within your boundary.

Expect your children to occasionally “test the limit,” or challenge your boundary–this is completely normal. When these testing behaviours occur, think of each situation as an opportunity to show your kids the consequences of crossing the line.

Sometimes, there will be situations when you find it prudent to explain some boundary situations or “rules” to your child. For example, telling your child that no one but a doctor when Mom or Dad is also present should touch your child where their bathing suit fits is an effective way to teach limits and boundaries related to his or her own body.

Modelling boundaries

Ultimately, the single best way to teach children healthy boundaries is for parents to have healthy boundaries themselves and to model them in the home.

Showing respect for each person in the house, ensuring everyone has rights to their feelings and appropriate expressions of them, as well as talking openly and honestly about any challenging issues demonstrate healthy boundaries for children.

From the time your children are born, you’re charged to teach them many things so they’ll grow up to make positive choices in life. Help create happier, healthier lives for your kids by teaching your children about limits and boundaries.

Parents who ensure their kids grow up learning about limits and boundaries provide a solid foundation for their children’s futures. Apply some of these methods in your home to teach your kids about having and maintaining healthy limits and boundaries, and your kids will thrive. (childdevelopmentinfo.com)

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FRIday, april 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“Kick down the door bandits” invade Berbice couple’s home …escape with cash, jewellery, phone cards

Injured: Kumarie Bhagwandin

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63-year-old Berbice woman is now traumatised after four armed men broke into her home and pushed her off of a roof-like structure while robbing her of jewellery, phone cards, and cash.

Reports are that at approximately 01:30h on Thursday, Rene Kumarie Bhagwandin of Bloomfield, Corentyne, Berbice was in her bedroom with her hus-

band when she heard a noise, followed by banging against the door at the entrance of her home.

The woman hopped out of bed to determine what was happening, and was confronted by four masked men, who by then had managed to kick down the door.

Her husband, who is ill and cannot move around easily, was still inside of the bedroom when the men confronted Bhagwandin.

Guyana Times was told that one of the men was armed with a handgun while the others each had a cutlass. This newspaper was told that the bandits robbed the woman of two gold rings, a sliver bangle, $63,000 in Digicel and GTT phone cards, as well as $23,000.

Commander of “B” Division, Paul Langevine, told this publication Bhagwandin informed the Police that while in the

The vitim’s daughter, Hemwattie Gamasar who lives next door

process of the robbery, she had climbed onto a shedlike structure that could be termed “a roof,” but was pushed off by one of the armed men.

Speaking with Guyana Times the injured woman said that she climbed through the window and onto the shed in her bid to make it to her daughter’s home next door.

The Bloomfield house from which Bhagwandin was pushed

“I couldn’t walk so two of them hold one-one of mi hand and drag me till I reach under the house by the step and the asking me fuh gold and money.”

The woman said she pleaded with the bandits not to further harm her

Cold Cases Unit probing 5 murder cases …technology leading to more cases being solved – Crime Chief

T

he Guyana Cold Cases Unit is currently probing five murder cases that have been pending for a number of years due to insufficient evidence collected when those crimes were committed.

This is according to the Crime Chief, Deputy Police Commissioner Lyndon Alves, who has responsibility for law enforcement in the Guyana Police Force.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Alves explained that these cases are being pursued by both the Cold Cases Unit and the Major Crimes Investigations Unit (MCIU).

“There are quite a few cases that are unsolved, so we are working to take care of these. For the first quarter of this year, we already solved two cold cases, where each had been unsolved for almost 10 years; and with those two out of the way, we are looking at five now, and they are very, very old. These are the current cases of interest to the MCIU and the Cold Cases Unit,” he explained.

According to Alves, the five cases could not have been further investigated, due to either lack of evidence at the time that each occurred or because the appropriate technology had not been available. However, those hindrances of the past will not prevent the Units from probing them this time around, he said.

“Due to the hard work and dedication of staff at the Cold Case Unit and the MCIU, coupled with technology, the systems put in place by both Units are working to help solve these murders.

Crime Chief Lyndon Alves

That’s what helped us close those two cold cases for this year. The additional information, staffing and equipment etc. I would not say we have reached where we wanted in terms of bolstering human resources and equipment, but we are definitely getting there,” the Deputy Police Commissioner further explained.

He said that while there are five cases being heavily focused on by the above-mentioned Units, this does not mean that other cold cases and unsolved murders are any less important. Those, too, will be probed again, sooner rather than later, Alves added.

The most recent cold case to be solved in Guyana is that of the murder of businessman Ramzan Alli, which occurred at Coldingen Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) between July 11 and 12, 2009.

His then wife, Milaimi Alli, has been nabbed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) recently for

the 2009 murder of the businessman. She appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday to answer a murder charge.

Milaimi Alli was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that while being in the company of another, she murdered her husband Ramzan Alli at Coldingen Railway Embankment Road, East Coast Demerara (ECD) between July 11 and 12, 2009.

The 49-year-old woman of Kissoon Housing Scheme, Good Hope, ECD was represented by Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva, who told the court that his client is a mother of five, and given that the murder happened 10 years ago, he would like to have an early date for the preliminary inquiry to commence.

The Police Prosecutor has told the court that the Police file is incomplete.

The woman was remanded to prison and the matter has been transferred to the Vigilance Magistrate’s Court for April 15.

The woman arrived in Guyana mere days after a wanted bulletin was issued for her arrest. Upon her arrival on a Caribbean Airlines flight from the United States of America, she was arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) headquarters, where she was grilled, after which the murder charge was instituted.

Investigators received new information that Alli paid her lover $7 million to kill her husband, which led them to reopen their investigation into the murder of the fuel dealer in March 2009.

Thirty-eight-year-old Zaheed Mitchell of Foulis, ECD was recently charged for his involvement in the murder of Alli.

while relating that her husband has been ill for the past 14-years.

Meanwhile, her daughter Hemwattie Gamasar, who lives next door related that she went to her window when her mother raised an alarm according to Gamasar, she was when her mother was pushed off of the roof.

“I couldn’t do nothing so I just lock the door and start to holla fuh thief,” she related.

She explained that she felt helpless since no one came to their assistance and she lives alone with her

two daughters.

Gamasar said she called the Police but when they arrived at 02:00h the bandits had already left.

However, before leaving one gun shot was fired by the bandits scaring off neighbors.

The men made good their escape.

Commander Langevine told this publication that law enforcement officers are pursuing a few leads, since they have information to suggest who the armed men are. He added that investigations are ongoing.

8 News

FRIday, april 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Vendor charged for attempting to kill child father’s girlfriend

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woman who allegedly chopped a Policewoman who is the new girlfriend of her child’s father was on Thursday remanded to prison.

Revelana Smith, known as “Ducky”, appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at that Georgetown Magistrate’s Court to face an allegation that on March 26, 2019 at Pike Street, Kitty, Georgetown, she wounded Reneta Bharrat with intent to commit murder.

The prosecution is contending that on March 26, the virtual complainant, who is a Policewoman, went to meet her boyfriend when the Lot 88 William Street, Kitty vendor quickly existed a taxi armed with a cutlass, and dealt the VC several chops about her body.

The VC was rushed by public-spirited persons to the Georgetown Public Hospital, while Smith made good her escape.

In court on Thursday, Police Prosecutor Neville Jeffers objected to the defendant being placed on jail on ground of the seriousness of the charge. He also informed the court that Smith had gone into hiding after committing the crime, but acting on information received, Police were able to apprehended Smith in Sophia,

Remanded: Revelana Smith, also known as “Ducky”

Greater Georgetown.

The prosecutor

also

pointed out that, based on the medical report, one of

the VC’s fingers was severed, and she received a chop to her hand and laceration to the head.

In a bail application, Smith’s lawyer, Adrian Thompson, informed the court that his client is not a flight risk and is willing to comply with any condition outlined by the court for her bail.

He contended that the VC received a wound only to her right arm, and that that wound is not life threatening. He also told the court he is surprised at the charge his client is facing, since it involved the father of her child.

However, Magistrate McLennan denied the bail application and remanded Smith to prison. The case will continue on April 24.

Alexander Village woman remanded for ganja trafficking

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woman of Alexander Village, Georgetown who was allegedly caught with 477 grams of cannabis appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Thursday and denied possession of the drugs.

Natasha John, 43, of Lot 131 Third Street, Alexander

Village, denied that on April 9 she had in her possession 477 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Her defence attorney George Thomas, in a bail application, told the court that his client lives with seven other family members at the Third Street, Alexander Village house, and four oth-

er occupants were at home when the narcotics were discovered in a general area of the home. He also stated that his client maintained her innocence during the investigation.

But Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield, objecting to the defendant being placed on bail, told the court that ranks from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Narcotics Branch had gone to the house and the defendant was the lone occupant at the time. The prosecutor said a search was conducted in her presence, and the narcotics were found in a cupboard in the upper flat of the building.

According to the prosecutor, upon being questioned, John allegedly informed the cops that she had purchased the cannabis for her son-inlaw, and had hidden it in the cupboard unknowingly to others.

The prosecutor said the woman was arrested and taken to the CID headquarters, where she gave a statement admitting ownership of the narcotics, and was charged.

John was remanded to prison, and the case will continue on April 30.

What’s next…

Y

…for the PNC ou could just hear the air being sucked out of the PNC camp when they realised that four of their Ministers would have to resign not only their office, but also their seats in the National Assembly! It was a case of “all smart flies does end up in cow’s backside”!! They were so desperate to reverse AFC’s Charrandas’ vote on the NCM that they ignored that the “dual citizen” limb would boomerang and bite them on their bamzies!! But bite it did…hence that whooshing sound from their collective gasp of consternation!!

Gaskin, who refused to cut his ties with Blighty, and Roopnaraine, who just did, are of no consequence – apart from not being PNC. Gaskin was always a beneficiary of nepotism, and was such a lightweight that he never threatened anyone.

Roopnaraine had reduced himself to such a doormat in the last couple of years that even his friends were happy he’s been offered a way out of his humiliation. Imagine, there was a time when this fella marched in step with Rodney!! But quality will always be tested in battle, and Roopnaraine was clearly found wanting.

What’s significant is the sucking out of air has created a vacuum in the PNC’s succession process for control of the PNC after 2020. This has been thrown for a loop. Greenidge had been a credible challenger to Granger for the PNC leadership up to 2015, and if the latter were to falter for any reason, there’s no question he would’ve liked to throw his hat in the presidential ring. He doesn’t just have years of explicit service in office for the PNC’s cause, but as a former Finance Minister and present Foreign Minister, he can claim just the precise skill set from their quarter for an economy just about to have an oil infusion!! He could’ve made a good case that the party would’ve gotten a “two-fer” - as top dog and as the finance maven.

Now that’s all gone for channa!! Even if he were to renounce his British citizenship, he can now be branded as tainted goods by his opponents, who’ll question his loyalty to the cause. Burnham, after all, set the bar for nationalism quite high – and with all that oil money in sight, all gloves will come off.

And that’s the same reason why Harmon’s line to the Presidency has been smudged. He already had the PNC traditional leadership corps riled since they’d been shunted aside by the Army types.

But the main standard bearers from that quarter, Lawrence (“only PNCites and friends need apply”) and Williams (terminal incompetence) have already shot themselves in the foot.

Expect some bloody infighting in the PNC camp!! …on constitutional reform Your Eyewitness is quite amused with all the talk about “constitutional reform” being spouted from all quarters – even by the diplomats. It’s just a lot of hot air that might just take our planet over the tipping point on this global warming threat!! It reminds him of those medieval scholastics debating about how many angels could dance on the tip of a needle!! It all amounted to naught!!

What these – probably well intentioned – folks don’t mention is exactly how they would get these reforms passed.

After the NCM, we’re all quite informed about what it takes to alter the Constitution. Generally, two-thirds of all the sitting MPs, or a vote of a majority followed by a referendum. And that, dear readers, means any changes will have to get the support of BOTH the PNC and the PPP. So have these worthies figured how they’d satisfy this threshold condition? Some third party “holding the balance of power” in the Assembly??

That still doesn’t muster up two-thirds with either of the two behemoths!! Hot air!!

…with Parliament convening The hitch here, of course, is to figure out who’ll fill the four seats that have to be vacated. It’s not that there aren’t names – they’re on the list.

But who to extract? We’ll see eventually. AFTER the bloodletting!!

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

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FRIday, april 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“I have the competency for the presidency” – Irfaan Ali …says he can deliver victory for PPP at next elections

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residential Candidate of the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C), Irfaan Ali maintains he is an honest candidate and has what it takes to carry the PPP/C to victory at the next elections.

“I am an honest candidate; secondly, I am very comfortable with my qualifications… I’m very comfortable with who I am, I’m very comfortable as the Presidential Candidate and my focus now is to take the PPP/Civic into victory, to create a better Guyana for all Guyanese, to create better opportunities for all of Guyana. That is where my focus, my energy and life is concentrated on,” Ali asserted during a press conference on Thursday.

Ali, who was elected the party’s Presidential Candidate earlier this year, is confident that he has the competency and experience to led Guyana into a brighter future under a PPP-regime.

“I believe I have the competency. I have managed large-scale projects.

I’ve been integral in policymaking. I’ve played an integral part in the transformation and building a number of economic policies (under the PPP Government).

I’ve shadowed the economic sector in Parliament and I’ve chaired the PAC (Public Accounts Committee in Parliament). I’ve worked in the housing sector. I’ve worked in project planning

and project development in the Caribbean Development Project Implementation Unit. So I think I possess a wide array of experience,” he contended.

Moreover, Ali noted that he is already gathering the support of a large new young demographic and together they will all work to transform Guyana over the coming years. These persons, according to the Presidential Candidate, are helping with the creation of the Party’s manifesto by sharing their ideas, their knowledge and experiences.

“Many of those persons who had believed in the failed and false promises of the [A Partnership for National Unity] APNU/ AFC, will be joining us on this journey for a better Guyana, for a Guyana that belongs to all of us; on this journey that would see the conditions that we live in improved. I want to assure all my Guyanese brothers and sisters, we are all in this together. We will work hard together, we will achieve together and we will build a Guyana where you will feel as if you have a stake and together we will see a better Guyana,” the PPP Presidential Candidate stressed.

However in order to achieve this, Ali added that he has surrounded himself with a skilled team that is focused on ensuring that the Party delivers improved

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali

conditions and the development of Guyana, as well as its people.

“I’m team-oriented. I think we will achieve everything through a great team

effort. I believe in inclusiveness. I believe in ensuring that we take the wider pool of skills and resources available in Guyana and put them to work for Guyana,

thus creating hope and opportunities for all Guyanese.

These are things that I believe in and these are things that will be integral as President of Guyana.

Back in January, Ali outshone his lone contender when he was elected Presidential Candidate through secret ballot with a majority 24 Central Committee votes.

Since becoming the party’s Presidential Candidate, Ali had been, and is still continuing, an outreach programme; visiting and interacting with residents across the country as well as Guyanese living overseas. Additionally, he along with the Party’s General Secretary and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, have been leading several engagements with various civil society groups and sections of society to get feedback as the Party puts together its manifesto.

Ali, age 38, attended Saints Stanislaus College and has been a member of the PPP for over 20 years, starting at the Party’s youth arm. He has also been a part of the leadership for 15 years, during which time he held the position of Finance Secretary for several years.

In his professional experience before he became a Minister, Ali worked as an economic planner, and also chaired a Project Steering Committee on the Low-Income Settlement Committee.

He also worked as the National Programme Coordinator of local Caribbean Development Bank funded programmes.

When he did become a Minister in 2009, he went on to serve in the Cabinet for seven years; holding the portfolios of Minister of Housing and Water and Minister of Tourism, Industry, and Commerce.

10 news

FRIday, april 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Father, son found guilty of killing Mahaica accountant

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12-member mixed jury on Thursday found 54-year-old Sukhdeo Dharamdat, called “Toney”, and his son, 25-year-old Eshwardat Dharamdat, called “Bruddow”, guilty of murder and manslaughter respectively in relation to the death of their neighbour Suresh Nandkishore, called “Ravo”, in 2015 over a land dispute.

The two men were on trial before Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court.

During the proceed-

Dead: Suresh Nandkishore

ings at Court on Wednesday, Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh took the stand to offer evidence pertaining to the post mortem examination that he had conducted.

During his testimony, Dr Singh informed the court that while performing Nandkishore’s post-mortem, he observed a laceration to his head measuring about eight centimetres.

He said the accountant died as a result of subgaleal or under-scalp haemorrhaging,

which is bleeding in the potential space between the skull, as a result of head trauma.

Meanwhile, the older Dharamdat (Sukhdeo), who led his defence by offering evidence, told the court that on February 3, 2015 he and his son (Eshwardat) were working when his younger son, Chaitram Dharamdat -who was killed in the Camp Street Prison fire back in 2016 -- informed him that the Nandkishores were repairing the fence on their plot of land.

He said that when he approached the victim to inquire about what they were doing, a heated argument ensued, and as a result, he and his younger son were attacked by the deceased brother, Parmanand Nandkishore, who was armed with a cutlass, which he used to inflict a chop to his face.

The accused claimed that Eshwardat was nowhere around at the time of the attack.

However, while under cross-examination by State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy, the accused admitted to picking up a piece of wood and throwing it in the direction of the deceased, as well as cuffing the dead man’s brother.

He, nevertheless, denied that he started the argument, and that his sons attacked the now dead man, his father and brother. The accused further stated that he did not say “we ga kill all them men before we go to jail,” as he explained that he tried to save Bhopaul Nandkishore (deceased father) who was injured unknowingly to him and had fallen into the trench.

On the other hand, the second accused, Eshwardat Dharamdat, had led his defence by an unsworn statement in which he stated that he had no involvement in the

Accused: Eshwardat Dharamdat (left) and his father Sukhdeo Dharamdat

attack, but only went to his father’s rescue after being alerted.

The trial into the 2015 murder commenced on Tuesday.

On February 6, 2015, the older Dharamdat and his two sons -- Eshwardat and Chaitram Dharamdat -- made their first court appearance at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court and were charged with the murder of Nandkishore.

The two accused were represented by attorneys Brandon De Santos and Alanna Lall.

The State’s case was led by Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy in association with Abigail Gibbs and Teriq Mohammed.

During the trial, the deceased brother, Parmanand Nandkishore, who is the prosecution’s star witness, told the court that at about 11:30h on February 3, 2015, his father Bhopaul Nandkishore and his now dead brother had asked him to assist them in repairing a fence on their plot of land in the backdam at Mahaica.

He told the jury that about 15 minutes after arriving at the land by boat, the older Dharamdat [Sukhdeo] approached his father, inquiring

about what they were doing, after which he left. He told the court that after another 15 minutes’ interval, the said accused along with his two sons returned, this time armed with cutlasses, shortly after which an argument ensued.

The court heard that when the three victims decided to leave the land, the older Dharamdat attacked the deceased, pushing him to the ground, where he dealt him a blow to the head using a piece of wood. The older Nandkishore went to his son’s rescue, but was also hit in the head by the younger Dharamdat [Eshwardat] and fell into a nearby trench.

Meanwhile, Parmanand, who witnessed the attack on his family members, was dealt several cuffs, chops and lashes about his body with a cutlass and a piece of wood by all three of the Dharamdats, during which he pretended to be dead so the attackers would leave.

The court was further informed that after the three attackers left, Parmanand left his father and brother behind as he managed to escape and seek help.

S RAIGHT The time is now to invest in the poor in Guyana

By: Sase Singh; MSc - Finance, ACCA

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lobally, the poor is one of the most discriminated groups, often shut out from the resources and opportunities necessary for a fair chance at economic elevation.

In Guyana, the situation is even worse -- a small, but wellconnected, Georgetown-based elite that is closely attached to ruling politicians usually grabs the majority of the nation’s resources, especially those doled out by the state.

While social class transcends race, gender, or sexual orientation, protection for those in society at the lowest rungs of the ladder is always lacking. These people at the bottom are always left carrying the heavy end of the stick; because, for years, the poor in Guyana were not given adequate protection. They faced severe inequity in treatment, and it has become a national norm.

Take as a case in point how people are treated by the magistracy system on the issue of being caught with a joint of weed. Christopher Gonsalves, a youth from Independence Boulevard in Albouystown, was remanded to prison in October 2018 for his joint of weed; but, on the other hand, five men from Parika were, in September 2018, granted bail for the trafficking of 100 pounds of cocaine. Same system, different outcomes, with the weaker crime securing the harsher penalty.

This is Guyana for you, where the poor and the powerless are indeed blatantly discriminated against by the state machinery, including the judiciary.

With close to 40 per cent of Guyana living in poverty and another 28 per cent living at the borders of poverty, from paycheck to paycheck, it is imperative that the next Government examine human development initiatives that would have a greater impact at protecting the most vulnerable in society. The expected outcome is national empowerment for all, so that all boats can rise as the tide rises.

Such attention to the very poor can unleash huge pockets of human potential that can feed the economic expansion necessary to transform the nation on the road to becoming the Singapore of the Caribbean. But such schemes require political commitment at the highest levels, unlike what we are observing today, as the most senior of persons occupying the Ministry of the Presidency continue to exhibit strong attitudes of aloofness and indifference to the economic plight of the poor, especially the youths.

For any new Government of Guyana to succeed, it must incubate schemes that pay more attention to ensure the most vulnerable stay in school for more years than they are doing now; have better access to good healthcare; are able to consume more nutritional foods more often; have greater access to the job market, and better access to finance as a means of including them in the decision-making process.

This means education must be community-driven, and education does not only mean passing CSECs; it means more of our poor emancipating themselves from mental poverty.

For example, a reduction in teenagers making babies (children making children). All boys and girls between 15 and 16 should be exposed to sex education classes, for which they should be paid a stipend to attend. Those who are “pregnant-free” between the ages of 15 and 19 and are in school should be given a further financial incentive – direct cash transfers. Studies have found those youths who did not have a child between the mentioned ages were more likely to succeed as adults than those who had a child between 15 and 19 years old.

Schools matter, and therefore more attention must be paid to the bottom 25 schools which are doing badly at CSEC. As an emergency programme, those schools must be exposed to a “forensic outcome audit” that would review the entire education process, beginning from the time students arrive to the time they leave in the afternoon, to ascertain the quality of education the students are exposed to, and to take policy actions to get things done. Is the material being taught good enough? And if it is, why are students not absorbing the material? As an addition, more testing should be done more often in those schools. But the big win will be that every child who is getting less than 60 per cent in their subjects will be exposed to a social assistance evaluation done by professional social workers, which means a review of their entire day. Are they safe at home? Are they being allowed to study in conditions suitable to mental growth?

Action should be taken to empower those students to be the best they can be. Each of these schools should be the beneficiary of an after-hours school library, which closes at a reasonable time (let us say 7 pm). Students who cannot study at home should have the right to use these facilities, and also benefit from a free dinner and a free bus ride home.

These things need investments, no doubt; but isn’t it better to spend money on our future rather than G$1.5 billion on a parade ground pageantry purposes?

Please shareforyour thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

NEWS

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FRIday, april 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

School gang members charged for stabbing 15-year-old M

ore than a month after a 15-yearold student of the Covent Garden Secondary School was stabbed on his way home, two boys will be charged for wounding him.

The duo, who are part of a school gang, will appear at the Providence Magistrate’s Court today to answer to the charge while two others remain on the run.

The arrest came weeks after the mother of the injured boy took to social media to complain about her dissatisfaction with the slothfulness of investigations by the Police and pleaded for justice for her son, Shemuel Pierre, who continues to receive death threats.

The incident occurred on February 28, 2019, at School Street, Covent Garden, East Bank Demerara, following an altercation between the teen and his classmates who were positively identified to the Police.

Injured teen: Shemuel Pierre

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, the injured teen’s mother, Melanie Pierre, said she is grateful that arrests were made and that the boys will be charged for the life threatening injuries they inflicted on her son.

She said she hopes the police apprehend the other two suspects and that jus-

tice will be served. Pierre said her son was attacked and stabbed in front of the school.

He was rushed to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted as a result of the severity of his injuries. He was stabbed to both sides of his chest,

puncturing his lungs.

According to the mother, her son spent five days in the hospital and after being discharged, he visited the Providence Police Station and provided the names of the suspects, who are known elements to Police, for robbing and threatening other students of the school.

The woman said she grew frustrated with the slow pace of the investigation and after several visits to the station, she was told that the boys cannot be arrested because they are minors.

“I want justice for my son, these boys are known for this type of behaviour and the Ministry should also launch an investigation. These boys are troublemakers; always robbing and making threats to other students,” she said.

The teen is still recovering at home and his mother said she will be forced to remove him from the school after his recovery.

Burnt remains of pensioner

Police awaiting advice from DPP yard by the perpetrator.

A large portion of the victim’s estate (land) was also discovered destroyed by fire.

Deonarain lived alone and the Police had to be called to the house to investigate since it was reported that at about 17:30h there were no lights on in the building; something the neighbours thought was extremely suspicious and un-

Murdered: Bhagwandai Deonarain, also known as “Deeda”

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olice are awaiting the return of a file that was sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine the way forward in the murder of the 73-yearold pensioner Bhagwandai Deonarain, also known as “Deeda”, of Lot 5 Plantation Hope, West Coast Berbice, whose burnt remains were discovered on March 31, 2019.

This is according to Commander of B Division (Berbice), Paul Langevine, who told Guyana Times that the file is expected to be returned soon.

He added that there was a suspect in custody but he was released.

The remains of Deonarain were discovered on the evening of March 31, burning in her backyard in a dried-out pond behind her premises at about 19:45h.

It was since suspected that the woman was murdered and set alight in her back-

usual.

Coconut branches and dried coconuts were used to fuel the fire, and with the prevailing dry weather conditions, the flames also spread to nearby vegetation but had been reduced to smoke by the time the Police arrived and ventured into the backyard.

Deonarain had been living at the residence since 1988 with her husband who

passed away in 2015.

A few years ago, she had a tenant living in the lower flat of her house. He reportedly broke into the upper flat and robbed the pensioner. She was also beaten during the robbery.

Deonarain gave evidence against him in court, causing him to be jailed. He was however released from prison last year.

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Parika NDC fearful of road danger Farmer remanded for rape of 9-year-old created by private company

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59-year-old farmer was on Thursday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on an allegation that he raped a nine-year-old girl.

Clarence Marques of Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini) was not required to plead to the indictable charge, which stated that during March 2018, at Port Kaituma, he engaged in sexual penetration of a child under the age of 16.

The prosecution is contending that the mother of the nine-yearold had sent the child to collect an item from the accused when the man allegedly offered her a cup of porridge, and while waiting for the porridge to cool, he reportedly took her into a fowl pen and placed his finger in her vagina.

Upon her return home, the child was dealt several lashes by her mother for taking long on the errand, and the child then ran away and went back to Marques’s house, where she spent the night.

The prosecution is contending that Marques placed the child on a bed, where he engaged in sexual penetration of her.

The following day, when the child returned home, she told her mother what had transpired. The matter was then reported to the Police station, an investigation

Clarence Marques

was carried out, and Marques was arrested for the offence.

In court on Thursday, the Prosecutor objected to Marques being placed on bail, citing the serious nature of the allegation and the fact that the child had trusted the defendant.

Marques was remanded to prison, and the case will continue on April 25.

t has been one month since the drainage works along the Parika Access Road on the East Bank of Essequibo (EBE) have caused a rupture at the side of the roadway. This rupture continues to expand, and until now, efforts have not been initiated to fix the mishap.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Thursday, Chairman of the ParikaMora Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Jaideo Sookhoo, explained that under the guidance of the Public Infrastructure Ministry, works were carried out by a private company to fix the main drainage system.

He noted that this road is the main access road to some communities, and while the roadway has not been obstructed, the crack can cause the road to collapse, due to the absence of a support mechanism.

Moreover, he said, the crack poses a danger to motor vehicles in the night, and can cause serious accidents.

This publication was told that the road was recently upgraded and paved with asphalt. However, the rupture expanded and wooden planks were used to alert drivers to the danger.

“A construction company was doing work at the main drain, and their machine (caused) the land to ‘pull’ and cause that. People are using the same road, but it is dangerous and can erode. They need to fix it, because it is dangerous. It is the only main access road for Parika Back, Naamryck and that area,” the

The damaged area along the roadway which has expanded and is now metres deep

Chairman stated.

Meanwhile, one individual related that she was driving on the street a few days ago when she almost lost control from driving onto the fissure.

At that time, the gap was just a few inches wide, but it has been expanding after several observations were made.

“This road will sink or break off if they don’t fill the space, because it’s a few feet deep. Apparently I didn’t see it at first, and then I drive over and the car just swerved, and then there’s no light,” she stated.

Guyana Times attempted to contact the Public Infrastructure Minister for a comment on the matter, but those calls went unanswered.

Meanwhile, this is not the first exercise in recent times which has affected NDCs. Just recently, the Tuschen-Uitvlugt NDC was affected by the excavation of the Boeraserie dam by persons who were using the excavated material to fill a playground. After intervention from the Regional Democratic Council, those operations were halted.

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FRIday, april 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GBTI, Emerge BPO spread Easter cheer during kite distribution

Kites being distributed to the second year students by GBTI staffers

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taffers of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on Thursday distributed over 200 kites to students of the Eccles Nursery School on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

Easter will be celebrated in just over one week, and GBTI kick-started the fes-

tivities with a kite distribution exercise that brought countless smiles to the faces of these children.

Senior Supervisor of the Providence Branch, Devendra Jaggernauth, was present during the exercise.

He noted that while it is the first activity, the bank is hoping to make it an annu-

al one.

“We’re basically distributing a few kites to the students of the school. It’s the first initiative for our branch, and we’re hoping for it to be something annually done. We have approximately 270 students along with 15 teachers and non-clerical staff. I know it’s some-

thing the kids would enjoy, and we’re just brightening their spirits for the Easter season,” Jaggernauth explained.

He was assisted by employees who gifted other items after students would have answered a few trivia questions.

Over the years, GBTI has been active in fulfilling its corporate responsibility through numerous initiatives. Teachers of the school thanked the banking institution for its gesture during this Easter season.

Meanwhile, over at the Sophia Care Centre, Emerge BPO distributed a number of kites which were made by their employees. Over 70 youths from age four to 18 reside at the Care Centre, and they were elated with the presentation of kites. Chief Executive Officer of Emerge BPO, Heidi Soloman, said all of the materials used to make these kites were environmentally friendly.

“Emerge is a Guyana-

CEO of Emerge BPO Heidi Soloman, with one of the caregivers of the Sophia Care Centre

founded organisation. We’ve been in business for about 10 years, and one of our primary focuses is wanting to give back to the community. This month, with is being the Easter season, we had our employees join together and come up with handmade

kites,” she explained.

The company provides a range of customer-care services, and currently employs some 600 persons.

Easter signifies the resurrection of the Christ, and will be celebrated on Monday April 22.

NDIA promises to desilt Demerara River at Coomacka

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he National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has announced a series of drainage- related operations pegged at some $47 million, which will be carried out over the course of 2019.

According to the Agriculture Ministry, the works include the “partial removal of sand from the Demerara River, construction of a reinforced laterite dam with overflow mechanisms to retain the migration of sand into the Demerara River, and the re-vegetation of a pilot area with grass.”

According to the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of NDIA, Dave Hicks, residents of Coomacka have been faced with constant flooding, which extends

The section of the Demerara River which will be desilted

to neighbouring areas. As such, it was mandatory for the Authority to address this issue by consulting professional and members of

the community on the reasons behind the inundation.

“An interagency task force was thus assembled to determine the root causes for

flooding in the community.

To this end, the interagency task force led community engagements with regional authorities and residents,

and conducted an engineering analysis to determine the factors that contribute to recurring flooding of Coomacka,” Hicks stated.

Coomacka is home to over 300 persons, and because of its location in a basin, the area is susceptible to flashfloods during intense rainfall and increased runoff from elevated lands which surround the community.

As a result of this, some two-thirds of the total width of the river has been blocked, not only affecting the eco-system, but navigation along the river. On most occasions, emergency interventions are required to restore normalcy to the community when it rains.

Only two days ago, Guyana Times published an article highlighting the calls

from villagers of Speightland and Kara Kara, communities in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), for sections of the creeks and the Demerara River area to be desilted. According to the residents, sections of the waterways in the communities are severely blocked due to bauxite overburden sediments caused by mining activities.

They noted that this is an issue which has been affecting them for a number of years, as farmers explained that many farmlands are under water.

Residents further explained to this publication that some sections of the river and creeks, which they utilise as modes of transportation, have been rendered impassible.

news

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2 bodies found in West Berbice T he bodies of two persons were discovered at their respective homes on the West Coast of Berbice on Thursday morning; one being in an advanced stage of decomposition.

Forty-year-old Krishna Persaud was discovered lying on a bed in his Lot 185 Fourth Street, Section A, Bushlot, Berbice home.

The discovery was made by the man’s daughter after neighbours had reported that a stench was coming from the building.

Neighbours told Guyana Times that for several days, a stench was in the air and had become unbearable by Thursday morning.

“We get the smell but we nah follow up the thing and last night, it get lil more heavy. We think all kinda

Dead: Panchawattie Manic

thing (about what the smell could be). We say was a dog or maybe the burial ground (nearby) get a tomb that break, you know, and the smell coming this way,” a neighbour related.

However, on Thursday morning, one of the im-

mediate neighbours complained that the stench was too high to tolerate and that they could not even sleep the night prior.

Suspicions then arouse among the neighbours after they realised the smell was coming from Persaud’s home.

Upon checking they saw that the door to Persaud’s home was locked from the inside, hence, residents became convinced that something may have happened to Persaud in his house.

“We didn’t fight up (to go in the house or anything), we just check around for he. Then me nah know who tell he daughter and the girl come and we go by the window and open the louvers and see the man inside,” Ramo (only name given) told Guyana Times.

G Division ranks continue to engage public

The house where the decomposed body of Krishna Persaud was found

At the time of the discovery, Persaud’s body was covered in maggots. Residents recalled last seeing him on Sunday but up to Thursday, had not realised he was missing.

The 40-year-old man lived alone ever since his father passed away about a decade ago. Police are waiting on the results of an autopsy before they go further with the investigation.

Meanwhile, a few villages away at Bath Settlement, the body of a 66-year-old woman was also found lying on her bed after neighbours broke into her Lot C 43 Pitt Street, Berbice home.

Neighbours said Panchawattie Manic, called “Memo”, usually gets up at 05:30h every morning.

However, when she was not seen by neighbours, they decided to break their way into

the house at about 07:30h.

According to neighbours, Manic was last seen at about 19:30h on Wednesday evening when she left a neighbour’s house.

Manic lived alone in the upper flat of the house, while her brother lived the in the lower flat. Police are also awaiting the results of an autopsy in this case before proceeding with the investigation.

Bureau of Standards to award businesses with excellent quality

G Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram

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rust between the community and Police officers is crucial in solving crimes…

When there is a lack of cooperation from community members, Police officers lack the basic information necessary to carry out the tailored crime-prevention and problem-solving strategies; therefore, community-based initiatives are necessary if we are to become successful in reducing crime.”

This is the view of ‘G’ Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram, whose unit has held three community-oriented meetings in recent times to strengthen the relationship between the Force and civilians.

The first engagement was held with hire car operators in early April, and several concerns were raised, including touts at the Supenaam stelling area, parking of private vehicles among hire cars, unprofessional behaviour of some Police officers, and hire car drivers not obeying the rules.

Commander Pareshram, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), promised the more than 40 hire

A Police Officer speaking with young girls from the Lima Sands Village

car drivers present at that meeting that their concerns would be addressed, and called on the drivers to cooperate with the law enforcement officers.

He noted that the engagement informed him on what was happening on the ground, and promised more engagements of this nature with the hire car drivers. The drivers, in return, promised their full cooperation.

The Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) had a similar engagement with the Commander and his team on April 4.

Several issues were raised at that meeting, including the need for increased security presence at key regional events; more roadblocks, especially during the nights; addressing the issue of stray animals on the road; the drying of paddy on the road; vehicles with LED and other bright lights, as well as tractors with bright lights at their rear.

The commander assured the team from the ECCI that his division would work closely with them in addressing the many concerns raised, and called on the body to play a greater role

in community engagement, especially by fulfilling their corporate responsibility.

Another meeting is slated for Tuesday, April 16, when a report is expected to be presented from both parties concerning the progress made thus far.

Officers of the division also visited the community of Lima Sands and engaged young people as it relates to good hygiene practices, safe use of the road, peer pressure, drugs, suicide and good discipline. The Force also registered 68 women who will attend free computer classes at the Richard Faikall Hall in the compound of the Suddie Police Station.

Transportation would be provided free of cost, and comes compliments of the ZARA Group of Companies and the Guyana Police Force.

Senior Superintendent Khali Pareshram noted that his community engagements have thus far positively impacted his management of the division, and thanked the residents of Region 2 and the Essequibo Islands for their trust in the Police Force.

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he Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has embarked on another round of its initiative to recognise businesses that demonstrate a commitment to best practices and quality standards.

GNBS has opened its National Quality Award Programme, which seeks to recognise local firms that are maintaining excellent standards, both in the production of goods and delivery of services.

After careful evaluation, the programme was strengthened to include additional emphasis on green initiatives. Therefore, businesses will compete in areas such as green initiatives, agro-processing, as well as in manufacturing, services, and small businesses categories.

The Quality Award Scheme will be the catalyst to boost the development of the winning businesses in the areas of Standards and Conformity Assessment. As such, GNBS is calling on businesses to apply.

Public Relations Officer Lloyd David noted that the awards are expected to attract more businesses than they did in 2017, as GNBS has placed more importance on the promotion aspect.

“There are many benefits that can be derived from being a part of the quality award, of course, because the awards provide a comprehensive assessment of businesses, so you get to know how you are doing as a company. It enhances the competitiveness of Guyanese products and services by implementing new practices by adjusting what you need to do. By being aware of your shortcomings as a company, you’re able to improve what you are doing and ultimately improve your products and services,” David explained.

The PRO noted that the award provides business with continuous improvement, which in previous years saw some businesses reaching an international standard.

“This award will help

them to improve in what they are doing. It is expected that it will foster greater consumer confidence and satisfaction in goods and services,” David speculated.

President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), Mitra Ramkumar, said quality is an integral part of business, and goes hand in hand with tourism.

According to him, the awards make for huge business sense in the prospective of opening new markets.

“You break into new markets as well when you have sustainable practices; and when you are operating with a standard in mind and your business operation is up to that standard, then you’ll find that you will have a lot more repeat businesses,” Ramkumar explained.

The National Quality Awards were launched on October 12, 2016, and are held every two years.

Businesses can apply via the NQA website, or through hardcopy by visiting GNBS.

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Regional

Jamaica Govt opening first IPO of Julian Assange: Wikileaks co-founder arrested in London a State entity in almost 3 decades

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ikileaks co-founder Julian Assange has been arrested at the Ecuadorian embassy in London. Assange took refuge in the embassy in 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over a sexual assault case that has since been dropped.

At Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday he was found guilty of failing to surrender to the court. He now faces US federal conspiracy charges related to one of the largest ever leaks of government secrets.

The UK will decide whether to extradite Assange, in response to allegations by the Department for Justice that he conspired with former US intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning to download classified databases.

He faces up to five years in US prison if convicted on the charges of conspiracy to commit computer intrusion.

Assange's lawyer Jennifer Robinson said they would be fighting the extradition request. She said it set a "dangerous precedent" where any journalist could face US charges for "publishing

Assange gave a thumbs up as he was taken to Westminster Magistrates' Courts in a Police van

truthful information about the United States".

She said she had visited Assange in the police cells where he thanked supporters and said: "I told you so."

Assange had predicted that he would face extradition to the US if he left the embassy.

After his arrest, the 47-year-old Australian national was initially taken to a central London Police station before appearing in court. Dressed in a black suit and black polo shirt,

he waved to the public gallery and gave a thumbs up.

He pleaded not guilty to the 2012 charge of failing to surrender to the court.

Finding him guilty of that charge, District Judge Michael Snow said Assange's behaviour was "the behaviour of a narcissist who cannot get beyond his own selfish interest".

He sent him to Southwark Crown Court for sentencing, where he faces up to 12 months in prison. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Prime Minister Andrew Holness addresses attendees at the launch of Wigton Windfarm Limited’s IPO. Listening (from left) are Executive Chairman of Mayberry Investments Limited, Christopher Berry; and Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Fayval Williams

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n less than a week, the Jamaica Government will open the first initial public offering (IPO) of a Stateowned company in almost 30 years. And it’s hoping to raise J$5.5 billion (US$42.4 million) from the sale of all the shares in the company which is the English-speaking Caribbean’s largest wind energy facility.

Eleven billion shares in Wigton Windfarm Limited, at a price of 50 cents each, are being offered to Jamaicans under the IPO which opens on April 17 and will close on May 1. Of that amount, 2.2 billion shares will be reserved for

public-sector workers.

Minister of Finance and the Public Service Dr Nigel Clarke said that in addition to being the first IPO of a Government-owned company in almost three decades, the sale is significant in another way.

“It is also significant because the Government is divesting, via the stock exchange, 100 per cent of Wigton. There is no precedent for that. Previous IPOs 30 years ago would have divested parts of Government-owned companies,” he explained, adding that the IPO is being

structured to ensure the widest possible distribution of the opportunity to Jamaicans.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the undertaking is intended to facilitate wealth creation for Jamaicans at all levels. “This is the best way of giving back to people of the country. This is the best way of achieving the goal of socialiSation of wealth,” he said at the launch of the IPO on Tuesday.

Holness said he has “great hopes” for Wigton in private ownership, in light of renewable energy being the “future of investments”. (Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Dozens of asylum seekers C’bean leaders attend inaugural disaster response ministerial in US returned to Mexico under

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he United States Department of State says senior leaders from 18 Caribbean countries are on Thursday attending the historic launching of the US-Caribbean Resilience Partnership Ministerial in Miami, Florida.

On Wednesday, the State Department said that Deputy Secretary of State John J Sullivan will host the launching of the two-day ministerial, “a new collaborative effort to build regional capacity to confront disaster response and promote resilience.”

“Leaders will discuss new opportunities for collaboration to enhance the region's preparedness and response efforts,” the State Department noted.

Caribbean countries represented at the meeting are:

Antigua and Barbuda; The Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Dominica; The Dominican Republic; Guyana; Grenada; Haiti; Jamaica; St Kitts and Nevis; St Lucia; St Vincent and the Grenadines; Suriname; Trinidad and Tobago; and the Dutch islands of Aruba, Curacao, and St Maarten.

The Caribbean Emergency Disaster Management Agency and the Regional Security System will also attend, the State Department said. Senior officials from several US departments, agencies and of-

fices will attend the event including the Miami-based US Southern Command; the US Agency for International Development; the Federal Emergency Management Agency , the Federal Aviation Administration and the US Geological Survey.

“Deputy Secretary Sullivan's engagement with our Caribbean neighbors, with the support of a broad coalition of the US government, will reaffirm the United States' strong commitment to the Caribbean,” the State Department said.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

The Bahamas, Haiti, The Dominican Republic and Jamaica are major illicit drug producing and transit countries – US report

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he 2018 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume One on Chemical and Drug Control, published by the US State Department, has listed The Bahamas, The Dominican Republic and Jamaica as “Major illicit drug producing and major drug-transit countries.” Also, on the list are the Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama along with regional neighbours Venezuela and Columbia.

Of all of the countries on the list, some 22 of them, US President Donald Trump has designated that Bolivia and Venezuela have “failed demonstrably” during the previous 12 months to adhere to their obligations under international counter-narcotics agreements.

The INCSR stated that Venezuela is one of the preferred trafficking routes for illegal drugs, predominantly cocaine, from South America to the Caribbean region, Central America, the United States, Western

Africa and Europe, due to its porous western border with Colombia, weak judicial system, sporadic international counter-narcotics cooperation, and permissive and corrupt environment.

Also that public corruption, particularly among senior government officials, was making efforts to curb international drug trafficking more difficult, considering that the Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, has within his Cabinet a member designated by the United States Government as

a narcotics “Kingpin.”

Progress against drug trafficking will significantly depend on efforts to combat corruption and strengthen the judicial system, so traffickers are held criminally accountable; and that new legislation to create an independent anticorruption investigation agency and USsupported programs to weed out corrupt officials may represent a step forward in this regard along with strengthening the Jamaican Major Organised Crime and Anticorruption Agency of 2018.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

Trump policy gain

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t least 60 Central American asylum seekers who were waiting in Mexico for their cases to be heard have been allowed to stay in the United States since Monday’s court ruling to halt a Trump administration policy of sending them back across the border.

The admissions occurred even though the US District Court ruling does not come into effect until Friday, and despite the fact the ruling does not clearly apply to the hundreds of people returned to Mexico.

The number and outcomes of the cases were confirmed by a migrant attorney and a Reuters reporter who have attended court proceedings in San Diego this week.

The administration has indicated it will appeal the

ruling, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to a request for comment on whether there has been a policy change.

But the stance of the DHS in the cases in a San Diego court shows the US Government is already allowing some migrants coming in from Mexico to stay in the United States as their individual cases come up.

A source at Mexico’s National Immigration Institute said on Thursday that around 1400 people have been returned to Mexico under the Migrant Protection Protocols policy (MPP) since January, most of them to the border town of Tijuana, where many said they feared dangerous conditions. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

British oil tanker engineer found dead in Barbados

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he body of a British engineer who was working on board a visiting oil tanker was taken out of the water near the jetty of the Berinda Cox Market in Oistins, Christ Church, on Wednesday.

Police reported that Benjamin Burgess, 23, was pulled from the water by Barbados Coast Guard personnel. He was a crew member of the oil tanker Lucy PG, which was moored nearby.

Inspector Carollyn

Blackman-Alleyne of the Oistins Police Station said they received the report around 09:12h. “Police responded and on arrival, there was a large crowd. The Coast Guard then recovered the body of a Caucasian male,” she said.

At around the same time, Blackman-Alleyne said they also received a missing person’s report from the Lucy PG. The captain of the vessel subsequently identified Burgess.

(Excerpt from Nation News)

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FRIday, april 12, 2019

17

Around the World

India election 2019: Voting kicks ‘3-person’ baby boy off in world’s largest election born in Greece

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This is the largest election the world has ever seen, with 900 million eligible voters across the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi (centre photo) has made national security a key election issue

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ens of millions of Indians have voted on the first day of a general election that is being seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Indians in 20 states and union territories cast their ballots in 91 constituencies.

The seven-phase vote to elect a new lower house of parliament will continue until May 19. Counting day is May 23. With 900 million eligible voters across the country, this is the largest election ever seen.

Some observers have billed the vote as the most important in decades and the tone of the campaign has been acrimonious. Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won a historic landslide in the last elections in 2014. He stakes his claim to lead India on a tough image and remains the governing BJP’s main vote-getter.

But critics say his promises of economic growth and job creation haven’t met expectations, and India has be-

come more religiously polarised under his leadership.

The BJP faces challenges from strong regional parties and a resurgent Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi.

Gandhi’s father, grandmother and great-grandfather were all Indian prime ministers. His sister, Priyanka Gandhi, formally launched her political career in January.

It is mind-bogglingly vast – about 900 million people above the age of 18 will be eligible to cast their ballots at

one million polling stations.

At the last election, voter turnout was about 66 per cent.

No voter is meant to have to travel more than 2km to reach a polling station.

Because of the enormous number of election officials and security personnel involved, voting is taking place in seven stages between April 11 and May 19.

More than 140 million people were eligible to vote in the first phase of the election on Thursday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

ertility doctors in Greece and Spain say they have produced a baby from three people in order to overcome a woman’s infertility. The baby boy was born weighing 2.9kg (six lbs) on Tuesday. The mother and child are said to be in good health.

The doctors say they are “making medical history” which could help infertile couples around the world.

But some experts in the UK say the procedure raises ethical questions and should not have taken place.

The experimental form of IVF uses an egg from the mother, sperm from the father, and another egg from a donor woman. It was developed to help families affected by deadly mitochondrial diseases which are passed down from mother to baby.

It has been tried in only one such case – a family from Jordan – and that pro-

voked much controversy.

But some fertility doctors believe the technology could increase the odds of IVF too.

This is all about mitochondria – they are the tiny compartments inside nearly every cell of the body that convert food into useable energy. They are defective in mitochondrial diseases so combining the mother’s DNA with a donor’s mitochondria could prevent disease.

But there is also speculation mitochondria may have a role in a successful pregnancy too. That claim has not been tested. The patient was a 32-year-old woman in Greece who had endured four unsuccessful cycles of IVF. She is now a mother, but her son has a tiny amount of his genetic makeup from the donor woman as mitochondria have their own DNA. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sudan’s Bashir ousted by military; protesters demand civilian government EU gives May till October for Brexit, seeking clarity P

resident Omar alBashir, who ruled Sudan in autocratic style for 30 years, was overthrown and arrested in a coup by the armed forces on Thursday, but protesters took to the streets demanding the military hand over power to civilians.

The ouster of Bashir, 75, followed months of demonstrations against his rule. In an address on state television, Defence Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, announced a two-year period of military rule to be followed by presidential elections.

He said Bashir was being detained in a “safe place” and a military council would now run the country. He did not say who would head it.

Ibn Auf announced a state of emergency, a nationwide ceasefire and the suspension of the constitution. Seated on a gold-upholstered armchair, he said Sudan’s airspace would be closed for 24 hours and border crossings shut until further notice.

The main organiser of protests against Bashir,

A military officer is carried by the crowd as demonstrators chant slogans and carry their national flags, after Sudan’s Defence Minister Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf said that President Omar alBashir had been detained “in a safe place” and that a military council would run the country for a two-year transitional period, outside Defence Ministry in Khartoum, Sudan April 11, 2019. At left is President President Omar al-Bashir

the Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA), rejected the Minister’s plans. It called on protesters to maintain a sit-in outside the Defence Ministry that began on Saturday.

Shortly afterwards, thousands of demonstrators packed the streets of central Khartoum, their mood turning from jubilation at Bashir’s expected departure to anger at the announcement of a military-led transition, a Reuters witness said.

“Fall, again!” many chanted, adapting an earlier

anti-Bashir slogan of “Fall, that’s all!”. Sudanese sources told Reuters that Bashir was at the presidential residence under “heavy guard”.

A son of Sadiq al-Mahdi, the head of the main opposition Umma Party, told al-Hadath TV that Bashir was being held with “a number of leaders of the terrorist Muslim Brotherhood group”.

Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court in The Hague and is facing an arrest warrant over allegations of genocide in Sudan’s

Darfur region during an insurgency that began in 2003 and led to death of an estimated 300,000 people.

Despite the arrest warrant Bashir defied the court by visiting several ICC member states. Diplomatic rows broke out when he went to South Africa in 2015 and Jordan in 2017 and both failed to arrest him.

The downfall of Bashir follows the toppling this month of Algerian strongman Abdelaziz Bouteflika, also following mass protests after two decades in power.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Louisiana officer’s son arrested over black church fires

T

he son of a Police deputy has been arrested as the suspect in three fires at black churches in southern Louisiana, officials say.

Holden Matthews, 21, was arrested on Wednesday and charged with three counts of arson on religious buildings.

The burnings did not result in deaths or injuries, but evoked painful memo-

ries of the civil rights era.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said the “evil acts” dredged up “a very dark past of intimidation and fear”.

The Democrat said the alleged arson was perpetrated by a “depraved individual”, adding: “Hate is not a Louisiana value.” Louisiana State Fire Marshal Butch Browning told reporters on Thursday

that each of the three counts against the suspect carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.

St Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said Matthews’ father, sheriff’s deputy Roy Matthews, “knew nothing about his son’s activity” and “broke down” when he was informed.

The deputy then helped facilitate his son’s arrest

by getting him to an area where Police could detain him “without incident”, Sheriff Guidroz said.

Officials said Matthews had complied with Police during the arrest.

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) called the church burnings incidents of “domestic terrorism” against people of colour. (Excerpt from BBC News)

British Prime Minister Theresa May holds a news conference following an extraordinary European Union leaders summit to discuss Brexit, in Brussels, Belgium April 11, 2019

E

uropean Union leaders gave Britain six more months to leave the bloc, more than Prime Minister Theresa May says she needs but less than many in the bloc wanted, thanks to fierce resistance from France.

The summit deal in Brussels in the early hours of Thursday meant Britain will not crash out on Friday without a treaty to smooth its passage. But it offers little clarity on when, how or even if Brexit will happen, as May struggles to build support in parliament for withdrawal terms agreed with the EU last year.

With German Chancellor Angela Merkel insisting that Britain would not be forced out and that a chaotic no-deal departure must be avoided if at all possible, there was never any real doubt that May would get an extension.

The drama was about its length and conditions. French President Emmanuel Macron, reprising a role he took last month when May got a first, twoweek delay, pushed leaders into hours of debate over

dinner as he fought a largely solo campaign to persuade them not to give the British up to another year.

Summit chair Donald Tusk and others argued that obliging May to accept a much longer deadline than the June 30 date she had sought could help swing pro-Brexit hardliners within her own Conservative party behind her deal, fearing a long delay could see the British public turning against a withdrawal altogether.

But Macron, while irritating some peers who saw his stance as Gallic grandstanding, insisted that letting Britain stay in the Union any longer risked undermining the project of European integration that is one of his main policy goals.

The result was a compromise on the date, with a deadline of October 31, for Britain to leave, deal or no deal – on condition that May holds an election on May 23 to return British members to a new European Parliament that convenes in July, and that it pledge not to disrupt key EU decision-making before it leaves. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, APRIL 12, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

You don’t have to take on other people’s responsibilities. Don’t leave yourself open to being taken for granted. Make it clear what you think and what you are willing to do.

CANCER

Spend more time on your own projects and strive to enhance your life. A reliable partnership will support the change you want to see happen.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Live and learn. What you learn through conversation or from travel will leave you open to suggestions and willing to make a change that will encourage new opportunities.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Changes at home will be difficult if you let too many people get involved in what’s going on. A secretive but focused approach to a move or personal change is favored.

Don’t set yourself up for disappointment. Walk away from anyone trying to coerce you into something you shouldn’t do. Put your energy into personal gains, not into helping others get ahead.

If you participate in events that have a purpose or meaning for you, you will meet someone who will have an impact on the way you think and which changes you want to make.

Be careful what you sign up for. Find out exactly what’s entailed before you get involved in someone else’s plans. Personal physical improvements and prioritizing a romantic relationship are encouraged.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Socialize more. Reach out to people who enrich your life.

Take the road less traveled and explore what’s available.

Spiritual and emotional encounters will lead to new beginnings.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Positive change will happen if you focus more on your needs and less on the demands that others are putting on you. An emotional and physical adjustment will do you good.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

If you get together with someone from your past, you will be offered information that will help you make positive changes. Starting something new will be rejuvenating.

Tidy up any unfinished business so that you can move on to new and exciting pastimes. Adjustments to your personal space will encourage self-improvement and a healthier lifestyle.

Set yourself up for stardom. Step into the spotlight and share your thoughts.

Good things will happen if you follow your heart and put your energy into something that counts.

friday, APRIL 12, 2019

19

Santner’s last-ball six seals dramatic win after Dhoni, Rayudu fifties

M

itchell Santner’s dramatic last-ball six capped Chennai Super Kings’ fourth successful chase of the season, and sixth win overall, as the visitors recovered from a massive hole at 24 for 4 in the Powerplay to pull off a chaotic four-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals.

Ben Stokes was tasked with 18 to defend off the final over but just as he had famously fallen short against Carlos Brathwaite in the final of the 2016 T20 World Cup, he was outdone again by a combination of Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni and Santner. Jadeja slapped an off-balance six off the first ball of the over before Stokes overstepped on the next ball to create a free hit for Dhoni.

Stokes bounced back with a slower ball for two before bowling Dhoni with a yorker on the third legal ball of the over.

Santner’s final-ball heroics wound up erasing a minor controversy that had started brewing on the fourth ball of the over. Standing umpire Ulhas Gandhe clearly signaled with his arm for a no-ball after Stokes delivered a full toss well over waist height but then rescinded his call, prompting Dhoni to charge onto the pitch to remonstrate with both Gandhe and leg umpire Bruce Oxenford but to no avail.

With four to get off the final ball, Stokes bowled one well outside off stump for a wide to give Santner a second crack with two to tie and three to win. On the redo, Stokes missed his length going for a yorker and Santner responded by heaving a full delivery over the bowler’s head to end the match and strengthen Super Kings’ position at the top of the table, now four points clear of a trio tied for second.

Royally mediocre

The home side scraped their way to 151 for 7 through a series of starts that were never converted. Eight of the nine batsmen who came to the crease reached double-digits, but none made more than the 28 from Stokes at No. 6 after they were sent in at the toss.

Royals had decent momentum at the start of their innings having reached 31 for 0 in the third over before Deepak Chahar convinced Dhoni to review a not out decision on field with Ajinkya Rahane on 14. The ball appeared to be angling down leg but Dhoni finally signaled to go for the review on the brink of the

3

SCOREBOARD

Rajasthan Royals Innings (20 overs maximum) AM Rahane (c) lbw b Chahar 14 JC Buttler † c Rayudu b Thakur 23 SV Samson c sub (DR Shorey) b Santner 6 SPD Smith c Rayudu b Jadeja 15 RA Tripathi c Jadhav b Jadeja 10 BA Stokes b Chahar 28 R Parag c †Dhoni b Thakur 16 JC Archer not out 13 S Gopal not out 19 Extras (lb 1, w 6) 7 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 7.55) 151-7 Did not bat: JD Unadkat, DS Kulkarni Fall of wickets: 1-31 (AM Rahane, 2.5 ov), 2-47 (JC Buttler, 3.4 ov), 3-53 (SV Samson, 5.2 ov), 4-69 (RA Tripathi, 8.5 ov), 5-78 (SPD Smith, 10.5 ov), 6-103 (R Parag, 14.6 ov), 7-126 (BA Stokes, 18.2 ov) BOWLING DL Chahar (4-0-33-2) MJ Santner (4-0-25-1) SN Thakur (4-0-44-2) RA Jadeja (4-0-20-2) Imran Tahir (4-0-28-0)

Chennai Super Kings Innings (target: 152 runs from 20 overs) SR Watson b Kulkarni 0 F du Plessis c Tripathi b Unadkat 7 SK Raina run out (Archer) 4 AT Rayudu c Gopal b Stokes 57 KM Jadhav c Stokes b Archer 1 MS Dhoni (c) † b Stokes 58 RA Jadeja not out 9 MJ Santner not out 10 Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 3) 9 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 7.75) Yet to bat: DL Chahar, SN Thakur, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-0 (SR Watson, 0.4 ov), 2-5 (SK Raina, 1.5 ov), 3-15 (F du Plessis, 3.6 ov), 4-24 (KM Jadhav, 5.5 ov), 5-119 (AT Rayudu, 17.4 ov), 6-144 (MS Dhoni, 19.3 ov) BOWLING DS Kulkarni (3-1-14-1) JD Unadkat (3-0-23-1) JC Archer (4-1-19-1) R Parag (3-0-24-0) S Gopal (4-0-31-0) BA Stokes (3-0-39-2)

15-second cutoff.

It proved to be a key moment as the replay showed the ball striking leg stump flush for the crucial third red to overturn the decision. It wound up ending the largest partnership of the innings. Only a late burst from Shreyas Gopal and 18 runs in the

final over took Royals to a competitive total past 150.

Yellow caution

Contrary to the hot start from the Royals, Super Kings got off to a miserable early reply. Shane Watson was bowled four balls into the chase with a beautiful delivery from Dhawal Kulkarni that held its line. Suresh Raina then committed a juvenile error loafing a single to fine leg as he watched Jofra Archer field, not expecting a throw to be sent to the non-striker’s end where Archer connected with Raina a foot short to make it 5 for 2 in the second.

Faf du Plessis picked out one of the two boundary riders in the Powerplay at deep midwicket to gift Jaydev Unadkat a wicket in the fourth. Stokes looked like he was making a bid for Man of the Match when he pulled off an early contender for catch of the tournament at backward point, flying to his left to knife Kedar Jadhav’s attempted cut off Archer to make it 24 for 4 with one ball to go in the Powerplay.

Don’t count MS out

But the Super Kings captain flipped the script by combining with Ambati Rayudu for a 95-run stand. Momentum truly started to shift in the 10th over when Dhoni charged Gopal to loft him over long-on for six. He slog swept debutant Riyan Parag in the following over to continue the counterattack before a third six off Gopal in the 13th.

Until that point, Rayudu had been milking singles and twos but gained confidence from Dhoni’s aggression and soon uncorked a sweetly driven six off Stokes in the 14th. Rayudu brought up a 41ball half-century before he fell in the 18th, brilliantly caught by Gopal at deep midwicket off a Stokes slower ball.

Dhoni fought off getting hit in the helmet by Archer in the 17th to eventually bring up his 50 off 39 balls with a two behind point off Archer in the 19th over, after which he started sucking wind heavily. Another two required an extended break with the physio coming on field while Dhoni caught his breath. A four flicked off his pads to end the 19th brought the equation down to 18 off the final frame to set up the thrilling finish. (ESPN cricinfo)

Haynes replaces Courtney Rugby Australia ‘intends’ to sack Folau Brown as Windies selector after social media post

R

ugby Australia and the New South Wales Rugby Union say they intend to terminate Israel Folau’s contract after a social media post by the full-back in which he said “hell awaits” gay people.

Folau, 30, has 73 caps and was expected to play at this year’s World Cup. “He does not speak for the game with his recent social media posts,” the governing bodies said.

“In the absence of compelling mitigating factors, it is our intention to terminate his contract.”

Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union, which is responsible for Super Rugby side NSW Waratahs, said they have made “repeated attempts” to contact Folau and he has failed to get in touch with either organisation.

“Israel has failed to understand that the expectation of him as a Rugby Australia and NSW Waratahs employee is that he cannot share material on social media that condemns, vilifies or discriminates against people on the basis of their sexuality,” the governing bodies said in a statement.

“As a code we have made it clear to Israel formally and repeatedly that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their

sexuality will result in disciplinary action.”

Australia’s sponsor Qantas, whose chief executive Alan Joyce is openly gay, said Folau’s post was “really disappointing”.

“These comments clearly don’t reflect the spirit of inclusion and diversity that we support,” the airline said.

Folau, who signed a four-year deal with the Waratahs in March and had a deal with Rugby Australia until 2022, escaped punishment for similar comments last year, with Rugby Australia saying it accepted - but did not support - his “position”.

New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern, for whose country’s netball team Falou’s wife Maria Falou is a star, said the posts were “damaging” from a player who is a “role model for many”.

“I totally disagree with what he’s said and the way he’s using his platform,” she added.

On Wednesday, he posted on Instagram that “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers, liars, fornicators, thieves, atheists and idolaters” should “repent” because “only Jesus saves”, and made similar remarks on Twitter.

He sent a tweet criticising the Tasmanian parliament, which has become the first Australian state to make it legally optional to list gender on birth certificates. (BBC Sport)

Robert Haynes

Courtney Browne

ormer Jamaica and West Indies leg-spinner Robert Haynes has been confirmed as the interim chairman of selectors for the West Indies senior men’s team, replacing Barbadian Courtney Browne.

The announcement was made on Thursday morning by recently-elected Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt at a press conference in Antigua.

Haynes who was recently named interim coach of the Jamaica Scorpions, heads a three member team including new interim head coach Floyd Reifer and team captain Jason Holder. The Barbadian Reifer who

was also confirmed as a replacement for Richard Pybus, recently coached the West Indies ‘A’ team on their tour of the United Kingdom.

The first task for the selection committee will be to pick a squad for the upcoming tri-nation series involving Ireland and Bangladesh. That squad is expected to be named on Friday.

President of Cricket West Indies Ricky Skeritt said Thursday morning’s announcements are in line with the vision of his administration to take cricket in the Caribbean back to its glory days. (RJRN)

F

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friday, APRIL 12, 2019

Statement by President Skerritt at media conference in Antigua

W

est Indies cricket at its best has always been a representation of the hopes and aspirations of the Caribbean, and an illustration of the heights of excellence that our West Indian people can attain when we work together as one. That is why West Indies cricket has been aptly described as a ‘public good’ that belongs to millions of West Indian people all across our region and the world.

When our cricket teams and gifted individuals showcase excellence on a world stage, we walk taller as a people, and we beam with pride as we look at our own young West Indians face up with confidence and God-given talent to the best competition from across our globe.

Our strategic decisions that we confirm publicly here today, are designed to bring back that sense of pride and aspiration to our West Indian senior men’s team that has been too often absent in recent times. In order to achieve a renewed sense of purpose and excellence, difficult choices and challenging decisions have been made.

The changes that we have triggered this week are therefore more than a simple change in personnel, or a shake up amongst the ranks. This is a calculated strategic move designed to reignite the passion for our culture - A west Indian culture where our cricket is being put back where it belongs, at the very center.

As I said during my recent election campaign -- no decision we make will be made for political reasons or to fulfil insular needs.

Review of our system of selection All of our decisions are guided by a ‘Cricket First’ mantra that was so readily welcomed by stakeholders everywhere, who told us to ensure that we could put the best available players on the field. In order to do so, we have found it necessary to immediately adjust our selection policy to become more open, inclusive, and player-centric. I am therefore pleased to confirm that we have terminated the old embedded selection policy which secretly, but actively, victimized some players and banished them from selection consideration.

And to ensure that our new all-inclusive policy could be implemented immediately and effectively, we have found it necessary to also make personnel adjustments. Today I have the pleasure to officially announce that the new Interim Chairman of selectors is Coach Robert Haynes, who is the most experienced and best suited for this responsibility at this time. We are confident that in Mr. Haynes we have found an interim Chairman who shares the philosophy of inclusiveness and therefore believes in our new selection policy. Because of his impressive track record of good relations with players and past players, we have no doubt

CWI President Ricky Skerritt

that My Haynes will engage with players everywhere, strictly in the interest of what is best for West Indian cricket.

I remind you that in our ten-point plan Dr Shallow and myself promised to re-evaluate the system of team selections. In that vein our Board of Directors have agreed to set up a task force to undertake a comprehensive review of the system of selection with the intention to identify the best possible practices that can lead to the best outcomes. We expect that this review will be carried out over the next three months.

ICC Cricket World Cup I also remind you this morning that one of the ten points in our ‘cricket first’ plan is the ‘utilization of regional expertise’. It was not by accident that this policy resonated so strongly during our election campaign. In the past days, culminating in our Board meeting on Tuesday, we have consulted with many on this subject and listened carefully to most. While we may have had some differences in opinion, we all could agree that the move to promote the best coaches of our region is of vital interest of West Indies cricket, and in particular the Men’s senior team and their preparations for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in England.

I can tell you first hand that participating in a World Cup is a career defining experience for West Indian players and coaching staff. We therefore believe it is strategically more beneficial for a

West Indian coach with the proven skill sets to have this exposure at CWI’s expense - rather than a foreign coach.

Our West Indian first policy is no disrespect to foreign coaches. On Tuesday our Board set a new standard of not less than 4 out of every 5 members of the coaching and support staff should be of West Indian origin. This enables us to continue to have international participants working for CWI in areas where there is no one of equal quality available regionally. But wherever there are foreign coaches in our system we will be undertaking a clear succession plan for a local replacement. Developing and exposing regional expertise in coaching is a high priority for the future of our cricket.

Our landmark decision to immediately introduce a well suited young West Indian professional as our men’s team coach is therefore a clear indicator of the seriousness of our West Indian first policy and represents our commitment to celebrate the best of what it means to be West Indian. This decision also underscores the need for fresh thinking, and an even more urgent need to embrace the new inclusive selection policy.

And in the midst of change, we have no doubt that our west Indian players, led expertly by Jason Holder, will be well prepared going to the World Cup. What we are now enforcing ahead of the upcoming World Cup is a new approach to strategic thinking while reviving authentic West Indian team spirit. Former West Indies Captain and award winning coach, Floyd Reifer, has therefore been chosen as the Interim Head Coach of the Men’s Senior Team because he has lived the same principles west Indian excellence that we now insist must prevail in our cricket.

Up to the end of 2018 Floyd Reifer had been identified as the outstanding emerging local coach. He displayed this by leading the West Indies A team successfully, including victories against the England Lions, and ended the past year by coaching the Senior men’s team to a T20 series win in Bangladesh. Mr Reifer’s his key coaching role in helping to set up the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) Marooners impressive win in the 2018 Regional Super 50 tournament is well documented.

Finally, our performance record overseas under international coaches has been dismal at best. All of our victories in ICC tournaments have been with the help of local coaches. That is also why we have decided to give the opportunity to a young but seasoned professional, who lives among us, and who has dedicated his life to developing our young people and teaching them our cricket culture. With a focused team that will be led by the new number one allrounder in the world, Jason Holder, and filled with a collection of our best possible available cricketers, I have no doubt that Coach Reifer is the right man at the right time. (CWI)

Tiger starts strong, one back of early Masters co-leaders Among the big names not due on the course until later on Thursday are threetimes champion Phil Mickelson, 2015 winner Jordan Spieth, world number one Justin Rose and No. 2 Dustin Johnson.

Thousands of eager golf fans lined up

before dawn outside the Augusta National gates with hopes of scoring a prime viewing area and to catch golfing greats Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus hit the ceremonial first tee shots. (Reuters)

Kings fire coach Joerger after 3 seasons

S

Tiger Woods

T

iger Woods made a solid start in his pursuit of a fifth Masters title with a quick birdie that left him one shot back of the early first-round leaders at Augusta National on Thursday.

Woods, who has not broken par in the opening round of the Masters since 2013, looked comfortable early on and was accurate off the tee at sunny Augusta National where an adoring crowd cheered his every step.

After a routine par at the opening hole where he smoked his tee shot, former world number one Woods picked up a birdie at the par-five second when he rolled in a four-foot putt after a great shot out of the front right greenside bunker.

Woods, who was solid with his driver, got up and down for another par at the par-four

third to sit one shot back of South Africans Justin Harding (through 10 holes), Louis Oosthuizen (4), China’s Li Haotong (3) and Aaron Wise (10).

Despite the warm and sunny conditions, the Augusta National layout was still soft from rain earlier in the week and not playing nearly as fast as organizers would have liked.

Rory McIlroy, who arrived at Augusta National as the hottest player on the planet and needing a win to become only the sixth player to complete golf’s career grand slam, was one over through two holes after a bogey at the first.

Patrick Reed, trying to become the fourth repeat champion at Augusta National and first since Woods in 2002, was one over after five holes.

acramento Kings coach Dave Joerger was fired Thursday after three seasons, the team announced.

“After evaluating the season, I determined that we need to move in a different direction in order to take us to the next level,” general manager Vlade Divac said. “On behalf of the entire Kings organization, I want to thank Dave for his contributions to our team and I wish him all the best.”

Joerger led the Kings to a 39-43 record this season, good for ninth place in the NBA’s Western Conference.

It was their best record since 2005-06 — the last time they qualified for the playoffs.

The Kings started this season at 30-26 and were in the playoff hunt until a 9-17 finish left them nine games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final spot.

Joerger, 45, has six years of NBA head coaching experience, the first three with Memphis (2013-16) and the next three in Sacramento.

Dave Joerger

His overall coaching record is 245-247 and 98-148 with the Kings.

His dismissal came on the same day that Divac and the Kings agreed to a fouryear contract through the 2022-23 season, according to The Athletic.

Divac, who became GM in early 2015, has built a nucleus of promising

young players that includes Marvin Bagley III, Buddy Hield, De’Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

Divac, 51, played 16 seasons in the NBA for the Kings, Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets.

He will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September. (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, APRIL 12, 2019

21

Everest Masters gain much experience from overseas tour

A

s part of their annual overseas trip, which lasted from March 21 to 27, the Everest Masters competed in three matches in St Lucia. In those three matches, the Masters suffered unfortunate results, losing the first two games, and having the final game, which they would have won, washed out by rain.

In game one, Everest Masters won the toss and batted first, scoring 179 for 7 from their 25 overs. Basil Persaud top scored with 49; Robin Bharat scored 22, while Hemraj Garbarran and Rakesh Gangaram chipped in with 26 each. John Eugene, Lorenso, and Mitchell picked up 2 wickets each for the St Lucian Cricket Association

The Everest Masters at Gros Islet Cricket Ground

Northern Masters.

In reply, Nothern Masters made 180 for 8 from their 25 overs, John Eugene scoring 77 and Stanslas Chorpe 39.

Bowling for Everest Masters, Saheed Mohamed picked up 3 wickets, while Ronald Jaisingh and Ucil Armstrong picked up 2 each.

In game two, Everest Masters won the toss and invited St Lucia Police to take first strike; and after 25 overs, they had scored 170

for 7, with Colin Stanslaus scoring 41 and Ian Mason 39.

Basil Persaud and Saheed Mohamed picked up 2 wickets each bowling for the Everest Masters.

Everest Masters in reply scored 149 all out, losing by 24 runs. Deodat Ramdeo scored 27, Imtiaz Sadik scored 26, and Saheed Mohamed scored 21. Colin Stanislaus picked up 4 wickets, while Dwight Palmer had 3, bowling for Police.

In the final match of the tour, the Prime Minister’s X1 won the toss and batted at the Darren Sammy Cricket Stadium, scoring 187 for 3 from their 25 overs. Stanslas Chorpe scored 80, and John Eugene 58. Rajesh Singh and Imtiaz Sadik picking up

a wicket each.

Everest Masters had raced to 83 without loss from 8 completed overs when the rain came and ended the match. Saheed Mohamed was on 61 and Imtiaz Sadik on 17.

After the matches were completed, a farewell cocktail was held in honour of the team. It was attended by the Hon. Prime Minister of St. Lucia, and the Hon. Minister of Sports.

The Everest Masters would like to thank the President of Everest Cricket Club, Mr. Manzoor Nadir, and the Government of St. Lucia for the experience. The club would also like to thank all those who contributed / donated towards the raffle.

WDCA/Beacons 50-Over Cricket…

Akshaya’s all-round brilliance leads CICC to victory

I

n a weekend packed with action, Cornelia Ida Cricket Club (CICC) defeated La Grange by 123 runs in the West Demerara Cricket Association’s (WDCA’s) Beacons 50-Over competition played at the Zeeburg Cricket Ground, East Bank Essequibo.

Upon winning the toss, CICC elected to bat first, as most of the teams batting first at the Zeeburg ground have gone on to win the match. CICC went about

their scoring in an aggressive manner, smacking the ball to all parts of the ground, and dealing in boundaries and maximums.

Along the way they began to lose wickets in succession, but that did not stop their aggression, as the balls still found the boundary. In the end, they were bowled out for 206 in 32 overs.

Vaickesh Dhaniram led with an aggressive 54 (3x4, 4x6), and was supported by Akshaya Persaud’s 32 (7x4) and Naveed

Akshaya Persaud scored 32 and bagged 4-8 to help CICC defeat La Grange

Alli’s 28 (2x4, 2x6). Bowling for La Grange, Paul Shiwram and Tyron Carrington took three wickets each.

Needing 207 for victory off 300 balls, it was up to La Grange to break the curse of the team batting second and take an easy victory. But things did not start off as they would have expected, and they lost key wickets at crucial points in the game to leave themselves in tatters.

Junior Ramroop came to the

crease and played a handy knock as he tried to stabilise the innings, but no other batsman could stay at the crease long enough to take La Grange over the line.

La Grange were bowled out for 163 in 35.1 overs. Top scoring were Jurmin Ramroop with 56 (7x4, 2x6), D Manwar with 26 (2x4, 3x6), and Greg Singh with 25 (2x4, 1x6). Muhammad Wazidali’s 5-31 and Akshaya Persaud 4-8 were just enough to take CICC over the line.

GCB situation riddled with uncertainty, Linden Town Week U-19 Basketball CLASSIFIED but CWI will ensure cricket – Skerritt tourney commences on Saturday ADS ARACARI

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D

espite the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) being deemed illegal, CWI President Ricky Skerritt and his board are willing to assist cricket in Guyana.

In the Cricket West Indies (CWI) media conference held in Antigua on Thursday last, CWI President Ricky Skerritt explained that the situation in Guyana is ‘troubling’.

Speaking on the situation from a CWI point-of-view, Skerritt made clear that the Cricket West Indies Board would continue to welcome Guyana teams to participate in the West Indies championships.

“We will do whatever we can to get the Guyana youth

cricket teams involved in our cricket. We

have the under-15 tournament in Antigua, and fortunately Guyana are one of those teams” Skerritt disclosed.

He said that as soon as CWI get more details on the actual legal judgment, they will continue to facilitate youth cricket. As they await clarity on the matter,

Skerritt said, CWI has set a deadline which is in the future, but CWI will ensure cricket is played.

“The situation in Guyana must sort itself out”, were the words of Skerritt.

The year 2019 has been a defining year for cricket in Guyana, and Cricket West Indies U-19 championship is scheduled in July, while the Indian team will play the West Indies and Guyana may host those matches.

Madam Justice Fidela Corbin ruled that the GCB has been deemed illegal, and the appointment of Cricket Ombudsman Stephen Lewis is also illegal. The confirmation of this ruling was made by attorney Arudranauth Gossai.

T

he Linden Town Week Under-19 Schools Basketball tournament will start on Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader at the Mackenzie High School basketball court in Retrieve, Mackenzie.

The tournament’s opening fixture pits Christianburg-Wismar Secondary and New Silvercity Secondary from 14.30hrs, while the second game, at 15.30hrs, will see Linden Foundation Secondary coming up against hosts Mackenzie High School.

New Silvercity Secondary’s Sports Club

hard court is not in use for the absence of a backboard, which was accidentally damaged last year and has not yet been replaced despite efforts to do so.

Christianburg-Wismar Secondary and Wisburg Secondary are in Group ‘A’, as is New Silvercity Secondary; while Group ‘B’ has Linden Foundation, Linden Technical Institute and Mackenzie High.

The Mackenzie High School basketball court has been chosen as the venue to stage the games since the Mackenzie Sports Club remains without a backboard being acquired as yet.

E-Networks tournament to serve off tonight

B

adminton players who are not often in the spotlight will tonight have a chance to show off their skills as the E-Networks B Division Easter Badminton tournament serves off.

The developmental tournament, slated for the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, is organised for all upcoming badminton players, giving them a platform to compete with other players on their skill levels, and giving them a chance to medal, which will help in their progressive goals.

All national players who

Some of the B Division players who recently participated in the International Sports Day for Development and Peace

have represented Guyana on the international stage and ‘A’ list players will be

excluded from competing in the tournament, so as to make the E-Networks com-

petition fair.

This ‘B’ Division tournament will have both

male and female categories. Additionally, there will be a consolation round in which players who are knocked out in the first round will get a chance to still compete in the tournament.

The action is expected to begin at 17.30hrs, and will run until 22.30hrs.

The Guyana Badminton Association hereby extend their heartfelt gratitude to E-Networks for coming on board, and the GBA look forward to continuous support from E-Networks towards the development of Guyana’s Badminton players.

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friday, APRIL 12, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Bartica Easter Regatta 2019 Sports

Byderabo Uprising cop female cricket title – Agatash claim men’s trophy

F

Agatash are in a jolly mood after collecting their trophy.

Sharing the moment are Mayor Gifford Marshall (centre), Deputy REO Holbert Knights (3rd left) and Sports Organiser Michael Dos Santos, at left

Captain of the Byderabo Uprising Female Team, Lera Carter, receiving the winning trophy from Deputy Mayor of Bartica, Arita Embleton, in the presence of her team

irst timers Byderabo Uprising, led by Ronella Bacchus, the Most Valuable Player of the Final and the Highest Run Scorer, waltzed their way to the championship trophy in the final of the Bartica Easter Regatta Female Cricket competi-

tion, which ended on Wednesday at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.

Playing for the first time as a unit, Byderabo Uprising defeated Kartabo Power Rangers Sports Club to take away the spoils in the seven-a-side/5-overs competition.

This has been the second year that Kartabo Power Rangers have ended second best.

Lera Carter, Captain of the winning team, which received a trophy and cash incentives, said

she was very proud of her charges’ performances, which propelled them to the title in their debut tournament.

The other members of her winning unit are Alexis Sutton, Keisha

Seenarine, Ronella Bacchus, Kristal Sutton, Maxidella Timberman and Teisha Kenswil.

In the male segment, Agatash, led by MVP of the Final, Andrew Simmons, who smashed 27, and Kurt Welcome who lashed 14, guided their team to a commanding 48-1 off their three overs; the quota of overs being reduced due to fading light.

A&L Mining, needing to score 49 to win, were restricted to 34-4 off their 3 overs; Navindra ‘Kero’ Conhaya leading with 19 and Earl Joseph with 14. The most runs in the competition were scored by A&L Mining’s Messiah Joseph, while the trophy for the most wickets was presented to Joseph’s teammate Wazid Husman.

Trophies were presented to the top two teams in both the male and female competitions. The top individual players also landed trophies. The sports programme has been organised by Michael Dos Santos.

Floyd Reifer named interim West Indies coach Archery Guyana now

L

ess than two months away from the 2019 World Cup, the recently-appointed Cricket West Indies president Ricky Skerritt has confirmed that head coach Richard Pybus has been replaced with former cricketer Floyd Reifer as an interim appointment. “[Reifer] has lived the same principles of West Indian excellence that we now insist must prevail in our cricket,” Skerritt said in press conference.

Reifer hails from Barbados, and has played six Tests, eight ODIs and one T20I for West Indies between 1997 and 2009. The first five of those six Tests came in the first two years of his career, while the final one came his way 10 and a half years later, when he had to lead a second-choice XI on the event of several players boycotting the

Floyd Reifer (r) alongside CCC’s Jahmar Hamilton

home Test series against Bangladesh owing to a dispute between the cricket board and players’ association.

Skerritt also spoke about the sweeping changes made to the selection policies and personnel, that could pave

the way for the return of some of the senior stars that haven’t been picked for the national side owing to a stand-off. Another former West Indies player - Robert Haynes - comes in as interim Chairman of the Board of Selectors, replacing the

controversial Courtney Browne, who took over the post in 2016 after joining the panel in 2013.

The board president also outlined the governing body’s ‘West Indies first’ mantra, and reiterated the desire to pick any player that makes himself available.

“We have found it necessary to immediately adjust our selection policy to become more open, inclusive and player-centric,” Skerritt said.

“The changes we have triggered this week are more than a change in personnel or a shake-up in the ranks,” said Skerritt. “This is a calculated strategic move designed to reignite the passion for a culture, where our cricket is being put back where it belongs at the very centre.”(cricbuzz)

an affiliate of GOA

T

Archery Guyana’s first council meeting at the Olympic House as an affiliate

he Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) has granted affiliation to Archery Guyana. According to a release from Archery Guyana, it was quite an achievement for archers and members of the association.

On Thursday, President of Archery Guyana, Mohamed Khan, and

Secretary-General Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon attended the first GOA Meeting, where the Council was brought up to date with their activities.

Archery Guyana disclosed that they look forward to working together with the Olympic Association to further promote the sport.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, APRIL 12, 2019

Milo Schools Football tournament…

23

Mendonca reflects, clears air on private schools’ exclusion

By Jemima Holmes

T

his Sunday, two teams will be competing to etch their school’s name next to ‘2019 Champions’ in the Milo Schools Football tournament.

While the action on the field is always exhilarating, work is also put in behind the scenes by the organizing committee, the Petra Organization, in order to ensure that the tournament is run smoothly.

Now nearing completion and awaiting what will definitely be the best match of the 2019 tournament, Co-Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca, took some time out to reflect with Guyana Times Sport.

Noting that this year’s

tournament saw high levels of determination and dedication, Mendonca especially pointed out the teams in this year’s final.

“I think the two teams in the final, they rightfully deserve to be there; and I think that they’re two teams that schools should model themselves after, and we expect a very, very good final game because these two teams have been consistent over the years in school football,” he declared.

It is no secret that the seventh edition of the Milo tournament was for one little reason different from what had obtained in years gone by -- the exclusion of private institutions. Looking back on that drastic decision made by the organisers, Mendonca sees it

A glimpse of the Milo action Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca

as a win/lose situation, but he is still of the opinion that it is what

Guyana U-15 wing out for regional tournament

All-rounder Zachary Jodah

A

fter a good showing in the just concluded intercounty tournament, the selected Guyana Under-15 team flew to Antigua on Thursday April 11, 2019 to participate in the West Indies U-15 championships.

Led by Zachary Jodah and his deputy Mavindra Dindyal,

50 over competition that will conclude on April 21, 2019.

Guyana, who finished in second position in 2018, have in their squad two of the most experienced players in Mavindra Dindyal and Isai Thorne, who have Regional experience. Dindyal, a gifted batsman, went on to represent West Indies U-16.

In the just concluded intercounty U-17 tournament, Dindyal played three matches and scored a brilliant century, while he struck a composed 67 against Demerara at the Everest Cricket Club. Tipped as one for the future, Dindyal will be aiming to take this form into the Regional tournament.

Thorne, a gifted fast bowler, will be hoping to dominate at the familiar Regional level, where he should generate more pace on the Antiguan pitches.

Apart from Dindyal and Thorne, skipper Zachary Jodah is seen as a complete package with his all-round ability.

Jodah, who played in the final match against Demerara in the under-17 inter-county, snared three wickets and displayed great control with his left-arm spin.

Tameshwar Mahadeo bats as Mavindra Dindyal looks on

the 14-member squad will play their first match on Saturday, April 13. Coached by Julian Moore, the well-balanced squad will play their Caribbean counterparts in defending champions Barbados, Windward Islands, Leeward Islands, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago in the round robin

The batting department of Guyana U-15 looks set, with Demerara’s stroke-maker Jadan Campbell and Berbice star batsmen Rampertab Ramnauth and Anthony Khan being the openers on tour.

Ramnauth is seen as the first choice opener, having scored the most runs in the

is best for the game.

“Well, definitely those schools had their following; but unfortunately, in keeping with our concept and model and what we want to do in schools, we choose to have Government schools,” Mendonca said.

He went on to explain that the exclusion did well for the exposure of public school teams, stating, “Because I think it can only augur well if we have a wider cross section of players and students being involved, and we would have seen the enthusiasm shown by these schools this year.

So it’s a win/lose situation, and I think basically our decision was football-related. But I think these teams that we have here are a reflection of what the school system should be.”

Despite this hurdle, the Milo tournament has seen a number of achievements. For instance, several players who are involved in this year’s tournament and in years gone by are now in training

camp for the National Under-17 team that will participate in the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship slated for May 1-16 at the IMG Academy in Florida, USA. Speaking to this fact, Mendonca emphasised on the importance of grassroots programmes, such as Milo and many other tournaments.

“In any local setup, once you have a proper grassroots system, especially in the schools system, it would aid and contribute definitely to the national programme,” he explained.

He went on to express hope that Guyana’s football programme can continue to grow, especially to the stage where it goes hand in hand with academic excellence.

“Hopefully, in years to come, we can reach to a stage where we tie in academics with the participation of players within the competition. If you look at sports internationally, most successful

systems have a backing with the academic and sport combined,” he explained.

Sunday’s seventh edition of the Milo final will feature Lodge Secondary and ChristianburgWismar Secondary facing off in a true Georgetown vs Linden encounter. To this end, Mendonca expects nothing but fireworks within those 90 minutes.

“I think Linden, over the years, has demonstrated a certain level of consistency; likewise Lodge. I think Linden is a more rounded team, but in any final, on the day in question, it’s about who wants it more. I’m not ruling out Lodge.

So we anticipate a very, very good finale, and also the third place playoff,” he said.

The finale is expected to be contested at 17:00hrs, while the third place playoff between Annandale Secondary and President’s College is slated for 15:00hrs on Sunday April, 14.

East Coast Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Tournament

Uprising could face tougher crowd

Isai Thorne (Brandon Corlette photos)

under-15 inter-county tourney and in the match earlier this week, when the left-hander carved out a brilliant 76 against a strong Demerara under-17 team.

The middle looks a balanced unit with Dindyal, Berbice’s Tameshwar Mahadeo, Alvin Mohabir, Zachary Jodah and wicket-keeper Ravishkar Sobhai.

The spin group consists of Jodah, Krsna Singh, Matthew Potaya, and Alvin Mohabir who is more than a useful off-spinner. Omari Lallbachan and Isai Thorne are the front line seamers, but Thaddeus Lovell, the capable all-rounder, will provide the extra seam bowling option.

The full 14-member squad reads: Jadan Campbelle, Rampertab Ramnauth, Anthony Khan, Mavindra Dindyal, Tameshwar Mahadeo, Alvin Mohabir, Ravishkar Sobhai, Jonathan Vanlange, Zachary Jodah, Krsna Singh, Matthew Potaya, Thaddeus Lovell, Isai Thorne and Omari Lalbachan. (Brandon Corlette)

W

ith the West Demerara and Berbice zones already completed, lovers of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ competition will now have the opportunity to place their focus on the East Coast zone, which opens this evening at the Haslington Market Tarmac.

Headlining the night’s round of matches will be defending champions Uprising, who made history by becoming the first qualifier to win the zone, while the host village will be represented

by Hypers.

The champs will face Non Pareil in the final of eight games scheduled for the evening, while the Hypers take on the usually tough Buxton Diamond in the penultimate game of the night.

Some of the other big name teams that

tournament kicks off.

The East Coast zone has enjoyed support from as far as West Berbice, and while fans from the outlying villages travel to East Berbice to witness their teams play, they tend to also make the pilgrimage down the East Coast to witness the high quality and rivalry that is usually on display.

The Uprising unit that won last year’s tournament was one laden with young, fearless players who were hungry for success, but now that may feel what it is like to be hunted, as teams have already signalled their intention to exact revenge this time around.

However, the champs vow to successfully defend their title, so immediately fans can anticipate three nights of exciting encounters

The fixtures are: Mahaica Determinators vs Liliendaal Hustlers-[A] Melanie-B vs GWI East Coast-[A] Belfield Warriors vs BV-B-[B] Paradise-A vs Victoria-[B] BV-A vs Plaisance-B-[A] Victoria Church Yard vs Melanie-A-[B] Buxton Diamond vs Haslington Hypers-[A] Uprising vs Non-Pariel-[B]

will appear on the night include Melanie ‘A’ and ‘B’, Victoria Church Yard, Plaisance ‘A’, and Beterverwagting ‘A’ and ‘B’.

This tournament, which has enjoyed overwhelming success over the past decade, has grown into what can safely be labelled the most popular competition in the shorter version. It has grown both in terms of community and crowd support, and these two indisputable features are anticipated to be on show once the

that could also see turnout surpass those of previous years.

The organisers have already indicated that fans and the community will be the real winners of this year’s competition, with giveaways planned for each night’s activity.

Play in the competition continues tomorrow evening at the same venue, with the final set for April 22.

friday, APRIL 12, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Milo Schools Football tournament…

Page 23

Mendonca reflects, clears air on private schools exclusion

Haynes replaces Courtney Brown as Windies selector

Floyd Reifer named interim West Indies coach

Page 19

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