Guyana Times Monday December 9, 2019

Children, parents wowed at Enchanted Christmas Village

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

Issue No. 4132

THE BEACON OF TRUTH monday, december 9, 2019

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

GPHC probes allegations of mistreatment of nurse P8

4 Berbice crab catchers Missing: Anand Deoharry

Missing: Yogeshwar Mangal

Missing: Nelson Dejonge

Missing: Ramdat Goonraj

See story on page 3

reportedly missing in Suriname

– boat with over 4000 crabs, clothes & other items found

GGMC sets strict requirements for lottery of 100 mining blocks Page 11

Parents call P2 for removal from school of children who sodomised 6-year-old Promoting local businesses through Marketplace UncappeD P13

Skeletal remains of human found in Marudi P3 backdam

Miss World Guyana Joylyn Anita Conway (red gown) poses with some of the other delegates competing in the Miss World Pageant ahead of the grand finale, which is set for Saturday, December 14, 2019 at the ExCeL London in London, United Kingdom (Miss World photo)

Page 9

Improvised weapons, other contraband – Moblissa farmer arrested found in prisons for ganja found in home

Page 10,000 10 ganja plants destroyed in Ituni

Motorcyclist loses life after colliding with P2 car

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MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Motorcyclist loses life after colliding with car at Ituni

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motorcyclist who was travelling along the Ituni Trail, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), is now the country’s latest road fatality after his motorcycle collided with a car on Saturday evening.

The dead man has been identified as 47-year-old Godfrey Willis of Goat Farm, Ituni.

Based on reports received, at about 19:00h, a mechanic of Kwakwani Park, Berbice River, Upper Demerara, was driving his motorcar (PPP 651) proceeding East on the Northern side of the Ituni Trail while Willis was riding motorcycle CG 8386 in the opposite direction.

However, Willis’ motorcycle, which did not have its headlamps on at the time,

The car that was involved in the accident

nounced dead on arrival by the doctor on duty.

According to the police, both of the vehicles involved in the fatal accident were lodged at the Ituni Police Station, and the driver of the car is presently in Police custody assisting with the investigation.

The motorcycle that Willis was riding at the time of his demise

slammed into the front side of the car and as a result, the motorcyclist fell onto the road where he received several injuries about his body.

He was taken to the Ituni Health Centre but was pro-

Willis is the third person and second motorcyclist to lose his life on the roadways in Guyana for the month of December.

Just six days ago, on Tuesday, December 3,

18-year-old cyclist, Deshon Morris lost his life while his pillion rider was injured after the motorcycle that they were riding collided with a truck at Industrial Estate, Ruimveldt, Greater Georgetown.

Morris, of Lot 4 East La Penitence, Georgetown, was pronounced dead on the spot while Keon Granville, 27, of Phase 2 Lot 1 East Ruimveldt, was treated and sent away.

Based on information received, the accident occurred at about 20:00h and involved motorcycle CJ 6021 and motor lorry bearing registration number GTT 2073 with trailer number TEE 6391 owned

by Muneshwers Limited.

Police preliminary reports stated that the motorcycle was proceeding north and as the truck approached the intersection near the National Hardware store, the driver failed to stop.

As such, the vehicle ended up in the path of the motorcycle. As a result of the collision, both Morris and Granville fell onto the road-

way and received injuries about their bodies. Morris was subsequently pronounced dead.

On Sunday, December 1, a pedestrian identified as 39-year-old Romel Carter of D Field South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, was killed after being hit by a truck that was allegedly speeding along the Leonora Public Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Guyana Times understands that the truck driver reportedly picked up Carter and took him to the hospital for treatment but upon realising that the pedestrian was dead; the driver attempted to flee the cops by jumping into his truck and driving away.

However, according to Police Commander of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Assistant Commissioner of Police, Simon McBean, the truck driver had two passengers inside of his truck at the time of the accident who made contact with law enforcement officials to notify them that the man was guilty of the crime.

Additionally, an ex-police officer who had been passing the area when the fatal accident took place, gave the police enough information that led to the truck driver’s arrest.

Meanwhile, in the month of November, 15 accidents resulted in the deaths of 21 persons inclusive of three children. In total for this year, to date, nine children were killed in fatal accidents.

Parents call for removal from school of children who sodomised 6-year-old

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n light of reports that a 6-year-old pupil of an East Coast Demerara Primary School was sodomised by older boys in the school’s washroom, the parents have come out in solidarity and called for the removal of the perpetrators.

The parents turned up in

Child Care and Protection Agency Director Ann Greene

their numbers in front of the school’s premises and voiced their concerns by expressing fear for their children attending the school, where the alleged attack occurred.

One parent stated that her child was cut with a razor on the hand by another student last Monday but she

was not informed of the incident until Friday.

Another parent claimed that her daughter was bullied in the school’s washroom earlier in the week and complaining to the Head Teacher did not bear any fruit.

The parents are contenting that they were disappointed by the manner in which the school’s teachers and Head Teacher handled serious incidents which occur in the school on a regular basis.

Just a few days ago, Social Protection Ministry’s Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) Director, Ann Greene, confirmed that three primary school students have been implicated in the alleged sodomy of the six-year-old boy, who complained to his parents that he was sexually assaulted in the washroom.

Greene told Guyana Times on Friday that the traumatised child is receiving the necessary care he requires. continued on page 8

news

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monday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Monday, December 9 03:00h – 04:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Tuesday, December 10 – 04:00h – 05:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Berbice crab catchers reportedly missing in Suriname – boat with over 4000 crabs, clothes & other items found

Monday, December 9 – 14:15h – 15:45h and Tuesday, December 10 – 14:55h – 16:25h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Light rains and thundery showers are expected throughout the day.

There will be cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 14:40h maximum height of

reaching a 2.53 metres.

Low Tide: 08:14h and 20:39h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 0.66 metre.

saturday, DECember 7, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

10 11 15

24 25 28

FREE TICKET

03 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

12 15 16 20 26 LUCKY 3

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8

3

Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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16 20

PAY DAY

21 SUPER PAY DAY FRIDAY, DECember 7, 2019

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

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Missing: Anand Deoharry

Missing: Yogeshwar Mangal

Missing: Ramdat Goonraj

Missing: Nelson Dejonge

he hunt is on for four young Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) men reportedly missing in neighbouring Suriname after leaving home more than a week ago on a crab-catching expedition.

The missing men have been identified as: Yogeshwar Mangal, also called “Bouyo”, of Number Two Village, East Canje; Nelson Dejonge, 22, of Fort Ordinance Housing Scheme; Ramdat Goonraj, 23, also called “Azad”, of Rose Hall Town, and Anand Deoharry of Cumberland, East Canje.

Guyana Times understands that the men’s boat with their belongings was found washed up on a remote beach in Nickerie, Suriname on Saturday.

The men reportedly left home on December 1, 2019 for Nickerie and were expected back the following day.

After not hearing from the crab catchers for more than one week, family members formed a search party and went to the Dutchspeaking country in search of the missing men.

This newspaper was told that a five-member search party went across the Corentyne River in a small boat and was able to locate the crab catchers’ boat that was found abandoned along with the engine, gasoline, and the catch of thousands of crabs.

According to Milton Persaud, a relative of one of the missing men, at the time of the discovery of the boat, it was stuck on the bank of a river. Persaud could not name the river, but said from all indications, the missing men had removed their clothes and might have left on foot to get help.

“When we see the boat, we feel nice that we find them and we say that we gon anchor the boat and bring them over and then go back for the crab; but when we reach the boat – nobody inside,” he explained.

Initial investigations seem to suggest that the boat might have got grounded on the river bank as a result of the tide, so the crab catchers probably abandoned it and went inland.

This publication was told, however, that it could take the men days before they find any residential

area.

“We don't know how near people living, but we just suggesting that it might take them two days to meet people and that is if they don't get lost ... If they had walked on the beach, we would have seen them,” Persaud related.

Relatives believe that the young men only left to get help on Saturday.

According to Persaud,

this is based on the fact that many dead crabs were seen around the boat.

“It look like they throw out all the dead crab Saturday and leave the rest there in the boat and then go away,” he said.

Persaud disclosed that the search party examined the area extensively, but found nothing other than evidence the four crab catchers and their “good clothes”

were missing.

Meanwhile, the matter has been reported to the Police at Springlands.

However, Persaud has expressed concern that the Police seemed to be more interested in getting the height of the missing men rather than getting assistance to go in search of the crab catchers, who are out in the elements and at risk of becoming dehydrated.

Skeletal remains of human found in Marudi backdam

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he skeletal remains of a human being were discovered in a shallow grave at Marudi mining area in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) on Sunday.

Based on reports received, the remains were stumbled upon by a group of miners who were excavating the area.

Upon the discovery, the Police were summoned to the area. The remains are expected to be transported out of the area as Police continue their investigations.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, DECEMBER 9, 2019

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

Scapegoating sugar

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ecause of its ethnicised workforce due to historical circumstances, the sugar industry has been used by the People’s National Congress (PNC) as a trope for accusing the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) of making decisions based on political or racial considerations, to favour its traditional base. The decision to embark on the Skeldon Modernisation Project, which included a new factory, has been severely criticised by the PNC when in Opposition, conveniently ignoring that the project was approved by all stakeholders including the World Bank (as a lender) and the European Union (as the major purchaser of our sugar).

The background is succinctly summarised by Booker Tate, which managed GuySuCo, and had been brought in by the PNC in 1990: “Background The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) approached Booker Tate in 2000 to assist them in developing their sugar industry with the intention of increasing sugar production, lowering operating costs and thereby improving profitability.

Booker Tate carried out a viability and expansion study which recommended developing sugar production in the east of the country where agricultural conditions were more favourable than in the west. This resulted in GuySuCo deciding to construct a new cane sugar factory at the Skeldon Sugar Estate, in the Berbice region of Guyana and the Skeldon Sugar Modernisation Project was realised.

Project Scope: The overall scope of the project included the construction of an 8400 tonne cane/day sugar factory as well as the development of around 5000 ha of surrounding land to provide a consistent supply of high-quality cane. Technical: One of Booker Tate’s roles as the Client’s Representative was to provide a comprehensive and detailed factory specification which incorporated latest designs and technologies. The overall factory design was undertaken by a Chinese design institute and approved by Booker Tate…Included in the factory design is a cogeneration plant which allows the factory to generate 10 MW of electricity into the national grid, and provide a much-needed stable power supply for the region.

Booker Tate’s role included the monitoring of construction progress and ensuring quality standards of workmanship were maintained.”

The factory was commissioned in 2008, but never performed to specifications and Booker Tate was let go. No one excepting the PNC has questioned the rationale for the Skeldon Expansion Project.

The PNC is now once again using the sugar trope to question the motives of the PPP when it announced that it would be reopening the four shuttered sugar estates after it returned to office next March. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo explained that the PNC was using only a financial analysis of GuySuCo’s balance sheet, which was in the red, to justify its closure, but instead should have used an “economic” analysis.

But, the PNC Government had ignored its CoI – including its appointed Chair, Clive Thomas – which used those same financial criteria to recommend that the subsidies continue for another three years, during which the Corporation would embark on a stipulated consolidation plan, and be brought to a point of sale. Unlike what the PNC Government has been insisting, it would not have been “pouring money into a black hole”.

The economic analysis proposed by the Opposition is a standard tool used by Governments in making decisions even in this era of “market fundamentalism”, which preaches that the market should be used to make decisions such as those posed by GuySuCo. “In general, the focus of economics is more “big-picture” in nature, such as how a country, region, or market is performing. Economics also focuses on public policy, while the focus of finance is more company- or industry-specific.”

In the case of sugar, the Government would look at the externalities provided by GuySuCo, such as drainage for the coast; foreign currencies brought in; taxes paid; spending by employees in the communities and its multiplier effect, etc.

The US Government used these economic rather than financial criteria in 2008-2009 to inject more than US$1 billion, when it declared that its banks and auto makers were “too big to fail”. They were all turned around, as will the entire GuySuCo.

A group of talented young musicians performs at the 15th Recital Anniversary and Award Ceremony of the Clemsville Music Conservatory’s at the National Cultural Centre on Sunday evening (Shaconeil Photo)

Real intention of APNU/AFC is to kill the sugar industry Dear Editor, For some time now, the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has been a popular whipping boy for the APNU/AFC coalition. The assault on GuySuCo by APNU/AFC is not a new phenomenon but may be traced back to as early as 2013 when Carl Greenidge and Keith Scott referred to this critical corporation as a “black hole” (see “Budget ignores jobless, poor, Greenidge says,” Stabroek News, April 3, 2013).

Even after promising Guyanese that they will rescue the sugar industry, the APNU/AFC continued to batter GuySuCo but with more dangerous intentions since assuming office in 2015. Indeed, the APNU/AFC ramped up its attack on the corporation by closing four estates and swiftly moving to dismantle and liquidate the assets of the corporation (see “Govt to set up Committee to oversee sale of GuySuCo’s lands,” Guyana Times, June 1, 2019). As if this was not enough, the APNU/AFC Government secured a $30 billion syndicated bond under the pretext of revamping the remaining estates (see “GuySuCo secures $30B in bond financing,” Stabroek News, March 29, 2018).

However, to date, we do not know how and for what purpose these funds were deployed, except that we have paid $132 million in interest by May 24, 2019 (see “$132M interest paid to banks on $30B GuySuCo bond”, May 29, 2019). By

saddling GuySuCo with such a heavy debt burden while simultaneously impairing its ability to generate revenue, one can only conclude that the APNU/ AFC Government intends to kill the industry.

The slow death of the corporation is visible from the continuous decline in the production and export of bulk sugar. After showing some recovery from 2010 to 2015, the production of sugar trended downwards from 231,145 tonnes in 2015 to reach 104,642 tonnes by 2018, a 54.7 per cent decline. Export revenue from sugar slipped by 65.4 per cent from US$78.4 million in 2015 to US$27.1 million during 2018. The export revenue from ‘King Sugar,’ which once competed with gold, bauxite, and rice for prominence, for the first time, recorded export revenue below timber export, which is struggling. The devastation to the industry needs no expert analysis. It is visible to the naked eyes of every Guyanese, even those with minimal knowledge of the sugar industry.

The question, therefore, is why the APNU/AFC would be so devoted to killing the corporation? It definitely cannot be due to the relevance of the industry.

Everyone, including APNU/ AFC, knows that GuySuCo is one of the largest employers in the agriculture sector, which contributes significantly to the Gross Domestic Product, furnishes the foreign exchange market with foreign currency required to pay for im-

ports, pays significant taxes, contributes significantly to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS), and maintains the drainage and irrigation system that supports the farming communities located on the sugar belt.

Indeed, in his presentation during the 2013 budget debate, Carl Greenidge highlighted the importance of GuySuCo. As Opposition Leader, Mr David Granger also boldly told the nation that GuySuCo was too big to fail and promised to not put a halt to the sugar industry if voted into office (see “We are not going to dissolve the sugar industry,” iNews, March 18, 2015). To demonstrate that they were serious about saving GuySuCo, the APNU/AFC even went as far as outlining a slew of measures in the manifesto they presented to the nation during the 2015 elections.

The measures included: bringing an International mission to help revise the sugar action plan, establishing a programme to make the entity more efficient and cost-effective, changing agronomical practices to boost yield, incentivising the supply of high-quality cane from farmers, providing funding for research and extension services to increase the core competencies within the sugar industry, accelerating the development of a sugar refinery, and enhancing the quality of life of sugar workers.

Based on my research, the APNU/AFC is yet to implement any of these measures.

Could the unwavering commitment by the APNU/ AFC to close the industry be attributed to its desire to protect the treasury from being continuously drained since the financial viability of GuySuCo cannot be restored at all? If we were to use the report from the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), the answer to this question would be a resounding “no”.

The report is by far the most comprehensive data-driven study that proposed a menu of measures to save the industry.

Indeed, the study showed that the co-generation plant could supply 17MW of power and yield profit as much as $1.6 billion annually.

The CoI also reported that the corporation could produce more than $1 billion annually from the packaging plant, while land sales can make approximately $55.6 billion between 2016 and 2020. Together these initiatives were projected to yield more than $13 billion annually between 2019 and 2020.

Further, the CoI recommended the monetisation of drainage and irrigation activities of GuySuCo but did not provide any projection on the earnings from this source. However, if we were to use the last supplementary approval granted by the National Assembly in October 2018 to GuySuCo and NDIA for drainage and irrigation works, the corporation could earn a few hundred million dollars annually.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, DECEMBER 9, 2019

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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

Caricom needs to come clean Mr Granger failed to focus on human development on the Guyana situation

Dear Editor, It is a body or organisation that is supposed to represent the “Caribbean Community,” that is, every last member in its jurisdiction, however, to date, this organisation has remained the most partisan and racially biased in the Caribbean. I make those bold remarks after reviewing their actions as it regards the political situation in Guyana.

Up until this time, Caricom has been reticent on matters of urgent attention and maybe intervention, but they remain deaf and undisturbed to the goings-on here. Their reaction in the present circumstances betrays their previous stance on things in Guyana especially when the PPP/C party was in Government.

In those circumstances, they asked for respect and for the PPP/C to abide by the Constitution, but now is strangely silent in the face of gross constitutional violations by the Granger Government.

So, where have their voice gone, have they suddenly gone to sleep or deaf altogether? The answer is they are neither of the two, the only thing this time around is that they have become more duplicitous and deeply involved in their deceit. They act totally obliv-

ious to the political situation in Guyana because they have to speak to “one of their own” now and they are not prepared to do that.

They are called to discipline or at least reprimand an errant Government, but they would not say a word.

Had it been the PPP/C caught up in such atrocities, the movers and shakers at Caricom would have sprung into action to get rid of them, they would have done all that is necessary to force that Administration to conform. However, this time it is, as it were, “one of their own” so act as if you are amnesiac, pretend as if nothing serious has happened.

Granger has broken every law there is in the Constitution yet Caricom remains silent.

He has turned up his nose on every directive given by the courts to the point where his Government is an illegal entity at the present moment.

He continues to act in defiance of the Constitution and in addition, is spending millions of our tax dollars on campaign pursuits while the entire populace lays waste.

This brings us to the question, is Caricom interested in democracy or the rule of law in our country?

And the answer comes back with a resounding no! As far as Guyana is concerned,

Real intention of...

Diversifying the revenue stream for GuySuCo can quickly reverse the financial fortunes of the corporation, as shown in the CoI. The claim that the corporation is beyond redemption and will be a drain on the treasury is, therefore, without merit.

So why would the APNU-AFC want to destroy the industry? The answer to this question is contained in public statements made by two prominent members of APNU/ AFC. During the 2013 budget debate, apart from referring to GuySuCo as a black hole, Carl Greenidge said that GuySuCo is the ‘PPP/C Government problem.’

In his presentation during December 2018, Khemraj Ramjattan, without a hint of shyness, told the nation that the PPP/C sustained the industry because it wanted to employ its people since the party received strong support from the sugar estates (see https://dpi.gov.gy/minister-ramjattan-calls-out-oppositions-scaremongering/).

By their utterances, prominent members of APNU/AFC have disclosed the real reason for its relentless assault on the industry by their party. The party is interested in destroying the support base of the PPP/C,

an act that could be rightfully described as ‘economic genocide.’ The APNU/AFC is ‘unbothered’ that the closure of GuySuCo would have harmful effects on the economy and well-being of the citizens, especially the rural poor.

For the APNU/AFC, the political benefits compensate for the adverse social, economic, and environmental consequences associated with the closure of the estates. The party and its supporters should, therefore, stop the pretence that the decision is based on sound economic reasons.

The bitter truth is that the closure of the estates provides the avenue for the APNU/AFC to weaken the PPP/C by destroying its support base. The reason to close the estate has nothing to do with the viability of the corporation or its importance to the domestic economy.

It cannot be that APNU/ AFC is doing this because they are fiscally responsible.

The out of court settlements, tax waivers granted to some of the oil companies and one of its detractor (Robert Badal, who has now joined the group which relentlessly attacks GuySuCo), the wasteful spending on travel and dietary, losses from mis-

for all intents and purposes, the democratic process is dead. We are not talking about a Caricom Body that is some distance away from Guyana, we are talking about an organisation that is right here in our midst, a Caribbean homegrown organisation that is acting aloof to our democratic process. It is most despicable - and if I may add - racist to say the least that this foolishness should exist.

But, exist it does and flourishes all under the direct auspices of the Caribbean Community.

Well, I would not mince words with what I am about to say, but suffice it to say was I the next president of Guyana I would kindly ask Caricom to relocate to someplace else that is more conducive to that sort of deceitful behaviour. And don’t you dare call me draconian because my position would not have been a unique occurrence in the Caribbean, as history would have proven that when another regional organisation, The WICBC became inimical to the interest of the Bajans they kicked them out of Barbados.

So, my advice to Caricom is to come clean with the Guyana situation or get out.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

FROM PAGE 4

procurement, 50 per cent increase salary hardly support the claim that the APNU/ AFC is a fiscally responsible and prudent Government.

The harsh reality is that the APNU/AFC believes that if they support the sugar industry, they will be indirectly supporting sympathisers of the PPP/C and by extension, the PPP/C. As such, they are desirous of killing the industry to harm the PPP and its supporters.

Regards, Concerned citizen

Dear Editor, We need big structural changes in Guyana that create new value and we need a grassroots movement to get it done. This is what Team Granger does not understand – they are economically destructive rather than value creative. What Team Granger did to the sugar belt was a failure to do three vital things: improve operations; effectively tap the potential value of the human beings in the industry, and finally, unleash the potential of the assets.

The sugar industry in Guyana is a “country within a country” and cannot be treated as if it is some standalone company. So when the bean counters rush forward using the cash flows as a means to analyse an outcome, it highlighted clearly how they have missed the entire point. Financial feasibility is not the same as economic feasibility. Mr Bharrat Jagdeo seems to be one of the few that get it; Guysuco is not financially profitable in local currency but is economically viable from a human development perspective and a key source of foreign exchange inflows into the Central Bank. This and only this is the crux of the matter.

There is more to GuySuCo than quantitative metrics. There is a bigger economic issue as to what GuySuCo does for rural Demerara and rural Berbice. Regional areas like the East Coast of Demerara and Corentyne were devastated after Mr Granger and his team closed four (4) sugar estates in a most uncompassionate manner.

The facts will show that the West Bank of Demerara went into an economic tailspin and is now a social and economic mess, so much so that places like Wales and Patentia are depressed communities these days when they once were thriving economic hubs where people lived in dignity and had jobs. Jobs matter!

What Mr Granger failed

to do was to focus on human development. Rather, he fell for the trap set by his bean counters and got mesmerised by the cash flows, clearly unaware of the fact that cash in fungible when it comes to running a nation. Mr Granger clearly is not someone who understands the big picture of human empowerment and how it is tied to national development.

What was done on the sugar belt was the following: Team Granger failed to treat the fired employees with dignity, fairness, and respect. Today there are massive levels of human mental illness across these former estates, which culminate in the expansion of social ills, poverty, and human inefficiency. Many of these people have lost their purpose in life and are struggling to reinvent themselves.

So if Dr Ali and the PPP/C can immediately reopen two (2) of the factories it will add value immediately to the nation, unlike the wasted resources lost on the failed billion-dollar projects like the D’Urban Park Parade Ground and the two (2) GDF aircraft that remain unserviceable.

Guyana has failed to honour its commitment to the sugar workers who kept the country economically alive during the turbulent 1970s and 1980s. No one is reflecting on the sugar levy that was drained from the workers to feed the nation.

That is why the comments from Mr Robert Badal is uninformed and disappointing.

Mr Badal is happy to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in tax holidays for his

personal business but is unprepared to offer the same sort of comparable and equitable financial benefits to thousands of ordinary sugar workers.

Until Mr Badal can put himself in the shoes of the fired sugar workers, he has placed himself in the unenviable position of being unfit to speak of their plight of the sugar industry. The manner in which this sugar industry was closed lost more value for the nation than it gained and this is reflected in the head office cost, which moved from 20 per cent of the operating cost before the closures to approximately 35 per cent today. That is not progress, Mr Badal.

In the final analysis, Dr Mohammed Irfan Ali and the PPP/C have placed their focus on human development. The focus of the PPP/C and Dr Ali, as I am reading in the “summary version” of their manifesto, is to ensure that the tangible and intangible assets of the industry can be best leveraged.

As a turnaround specialist who did this for a living as a former banker in the UK, the loss of value created by the decisions from Team Granger may never ever be recovered but re-opening at least Enmore and Rose Hall on Day One of the PPP/C taking office will roll back some of the lost value and half of a bread is certainly better than no bread at all.

Think about this. Can some of the Wales Estate sugar workers be relocated to Canje to power the Rose Hall factory?

Sincerely, Sase Singh

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monday, DECEMBER 9, 2019

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Foundation Although you’re probably proud of your sibling or siblings, it’s normal to be a little jealous, too. It may make you feel better to focus more on doing your own personal best, rather than comparing yourself with a brother or sister.

All kids want attention from their parents, but sometimes you need to take turns. If you’re feeling ignored or like your sibling is always in the spotlight, talk to your mom or dad. If a parent knows you’re feeling left out, together you can figure out ways to help you feel better again.

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n a house with more than one kid, there are bound to be some problems. Brothers and sisters borrow stuff, and don’t always return it in top condition. Younger kids sometimes feel like the older kids get to do whatever they want. Older brothers and sisters think that the baby of the family gets more attention. These are typical problems found throughout the ages, everywhere in the world.

When brothers and sisters don’t get along, it’s called sibling rivalry (say: SIH-bling RYE-vul-ree). A sibling is a brother or sister and rivalry means competition. It’s normal, but too much competition can make for an unhappy home life.

Let’s talk about getting along with brothers and sisters.

They’re not so bad, are they?

What is sibling rivalry?

A little competition isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes it can keep you working hard — like when you and your brother

spend time shooting hoops. If he’s good at it, it may make you want to improve, too. But some sibling rivalry involves arguing, like when you think your brother is hogging the ball. People who love each other might argue sometimes, but too much fighting is unpleasant for everyone.

Have you ever heard of the green-eyed monster called jealousy? Sometimes brothers and sisters are jealous of one another. For instance, if your sister always does well at school, it may be frustrating for you, especially if your grades are lower.

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here’s nothing we don’t love about Christmas! The food, the tree, the songs, the films – there are so many great traditions that we all take part in, but our favourite ones are the ones that just our family does.

Whether it’s pyjamas under the tree on Christmas Eve or a homemade tour bus to go and see the lights, we’ve tracked down some adorable new family Christmas traditions for you and the kids to make memories with this year, and every year after that.

With these adorable and unique Christmas traditions, a little homemade snow and a sprinkle of creativity, it’ll be your merriest, most magical Christmas yet!

Don’t lose your cool

Sometimes when you’re jealous and frustrated, it’s easy to lose your temper. Try to follow these tips to avoid getting into a fight with your brother or sister: Take a deep breath and think a bit. Try to figure out if you are angry with the person or just frustrated with the situation.

Remind yourself that you have special talents. Your sister may have won an art contest, but you might be better at basketball, or Maths, or singing. Eight-year-old Marisa says her brother “always wins running races, but I always get gold stars for good homework grades and that makes me feel better”.

Try to congratulate your siblings on their achievements and share their happiness. If you do this for them, they’ll be more likely to do it for you.

Hopefully, these tips will work. But if the situation gets out of control and you and your brother or sister start fighting a lot, you may need to talk to someone. Mean words can lead to hitting and physical fighting. If this is going on with you and your sibling, talk to a parent or another trusted adult.

Future friends

It may be hard to believe now, but your brother or sister may turn out to be your best friend someday. Many brothers and sisters fight and compete with each other while growing up but become very close when they get older. As you grow up, your friends might change, but your family is your family forever. (kidshealth.org)

Matching family pyjamas

Matching family pyjamas are the perfect pre-big day treat to get the excitement started early. Leave the PJs under the tree on Christmas Eve and let the kids unwrap them just before they go to bed – all whilst patiently nodding ‘yes it was lovely of Santa to come early…’ The entire family will look adorable in their festive jammies – plus it’ll make for a super cute photo-op in the morning!

Reverse advent calendar

Everyone loves advent calendars, but have you tried making a reverse advent calendar with your children?

Instead of opening their calendar and getting something every day, with the reverse they have to put something in instead.

You can do it items of food or clothing that can then be taken to a food bank or charity, and donated to help those less fortunate that are struggling at Christmas time.

Christmas Eve Box

Treat your little ones to an extra gift at Christmas and make them up a special box especially for the 24th of December filled with Christmas themed gifts. The idea is that these extra presents in their Christmas Eve Box will get them even more excited for Christmas Day with things like an extra bauble for the tree, some festive pyjamas to wear on Christmas morning and a Christmas film.

Tic-Tac candy cane plants

This. Is. Genius. Plant mint (green) Tic-Tacs in a tub of sugar, and get the kids to “water” them with glitter every day. Then, when their attention is diverted , replace them with candy canes, which have magically “grown” from the teeny minty seed. The look on their face is absolutely priceless – especially when you tell them they can eat the candy cane afterwards!

Homemade cards

There’s no Christmas card more special than a homemade Christmas card, and it’s a project that the whole family can get involved in too. Set out some stencils, glitter, coloured paper and stickers, and make an afternoon of it – your family will love receiving a handmade creation from the kids, and they’ll have great fun making them too! (goodtoknow.co.uk)

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MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Young people will be front and centre in PPP Govt – Jagdeo

– points to party’s track record of promoting young talent

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ontrary to the coalition Government, which is dominated by senior citizens at the top of the hierarchy, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is assuring that his party, if elected into Government, will propel youths into positions that will allow their dynamism to bring about real change.

Jagdeo was at the time being interviewed on the radio show “Hot Seat” by radio host Curtis Armstrong, popularly known as “DJ Casual” when it was pointed out that the majority of the voting population are youths.

“We have always kept

our promise to young people. I started off in the PPP as a Minister in my 20s. I became President at 35 years old. I’m still in the party. When I was President, over 60 per cent of my Cabinet was in their 20s, 30s and 40s. You had young Permanent Secretaries. You had young people representing us everywhere.”

“It’s the same with the party leadership now. If you look at it, it’s a combination of young people and older people. Look at our representation in Parliament.

And most importantly, we chose a Presidential Candidate who is now 39 years old. And he came into

“He [Irfaan Ali] has experience, unlike President Granger himself. He [David Granger] didn’t have governmental experience when he came into office. And so this is why they are lost, visionless, floundering at sea. So to us, young people are important, not just for sports or culture,” Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

Government when he was in his 20s. He has experience.”

In fact, Jagdeo noted that the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, has more experience in Government than President Granger himself. And he pointed to the fact that the older generation even dominates the narrative being spun by the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

“He [Irfaan Ali] has experience, unlike President Granger himself. He [David Granger] didn’t have governmental experience when he came into office. And so

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

this is why they are lost, visionless, floundering at sea. So to us, young people are important, not just for sports or culture,” he said.

“You cannot be burdened by the past generation.

Every time you open the papers, it's Lincoln Lewis, people who are in their 60s, 70s already, trying to define our future. Where are the young people? We want to get past all this stuff. The young people of this country want to move forward.”

Jagdeo noted that under the coalition Government, housing has slowed and jobs have dried up. These things, he said, are issues that youths care about. It

President David Granger’s original Cabinet

was earlier this year that Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton had revealed that youth unemployment was at 40 per cent.

In April of this year, hundreds of young people who were unemployed had crowded the National Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, where the Department of Youth held its first job fair to address the scourge of unemployment.

Senior Research, Planning and Development Officer within the Department, Adeti De Jesus told Guyana Times that the unemployed youths turned up to the Sports Hall before 07:00h to be interviewed.

According to her, when the officials arrived to open the doors, youths were already lined up outside. In fact, youths who had become desperate for employment after being at home for a number of years took the opportunity to apply online for the job fair prior to Friday’s event.

Some 701 online applications were received, De Jesus said, while other youths showed up to the event without being registered. Those persons were referred to the Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency where they were interviewed for future employment.

BoG targets 2020 for National Payment System roll-out

– to reduce prevalence of cash transactions; promote more electronic payments

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lmost 17 months after the passage of the National Payment System (NPS) Act, which seeks, among other things, to reduce the use of paper money in transactions, the Bank of Guyana is targeting the full rollout of the project by next year.

This was revealed by Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga, during an interview with this publication. According to Ganga, the full rollout of the project will, of course, depend on a number of factors. But if all goes well, the groundwork should be completely laid by 2020.

“So we’re in the process of procuring those through various consultants and providers. And that will make the payment system more efficient… let’s put it this way. Hopefully, sometime next year, depending on a

Bank of Guyana

“We have been modernising our payment system. And that modernisation comes with a number of

pieces. We have the legislation. That comes first. Then the infrastructure, the hardware and the software.”

number of other factors. But we’re looking at next year,” he said.

A National Payment System (NPS) is a system that provides the economy with information communication technology (ICT) options

for processing payments resulting from the many different types of economic transactions that take place daily.

In other words, this includes e-payments, credit cards, and wire transfers.

Turn to page 12

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MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPHC probes allegations of mistreatment of nurse

The Georgetown Public Hospital

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n light of a recent post on social media that senior officials at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) were mistreating staff, with the most recent being a nurse who had been undergoing her monthly cycle while on duty, the health facility has launched an investigation into the allegations.

The GPHC in a release on its Facebook page explained that the recent allegations on social media of mistreatment are being investigated and the appropriate actions will be taken.

According to the statement, “The Board and Administration of the

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) note the recent circulation on social media of posts by members of staff relating to allegations of mistreatment by their supervisors”.

“The GPHC has established mechanisms accessible to all staff for making complaints, conducting investigations and providing appropriate redress.

“At approximately 4:30 PM on Thursday, December 5, 2019, a matter allegedly involving [a] nursing assistant and some senior nursing personnel was brought to the attention of the Administration, and an investigation was instant-

ly initiated,” the statement said.

“The general public is hereby assured that the allegations are being investigated and the appropriate action(s) will be taken in a timely manner.”

In closing, the statement stated that “The GPHC wishes to guarantee the public that it condemns all forms of misconduct and misuse of authority, and the Corporation remains committed to maintaining a healthy and productive work environment for all staff”.

Since the recent revelation, more nurses from the said hospital have been publicising other horrible expe-

riences.

However, in the post the nurse claimed that after working a night shift, she was instructed to attend an early morning meeting with the male Director, however, she requested to go home and attend to herself first, since she was menstruating.

According to the nurse, the request was refused in the presence of other supervisors in a room where the meeting was supposedly taking place and the Director then insisted that sanitary napkins be brought to her to tidy up at work.

To make matters worse, the nurse claimed that the sanitary napkins were brought to her and she was then instructed to go to the washroom in the presence of a female supervisor and have the inspection done.

According to the post, as the nurse was about to change into the napkins, the senior nurse pulled her underwear and inspected to ensure she was indeed menstruating.

The nurse stated that she was humiliated, since her entire pride was striped at that moment. She further alleged that after visiting higher authorities at the Corporation, she is disappointed because the matter is not being taken seriously.

Parents call for... from page 2

According to Greene, the CCPA, which is spearheading the probe, is in receipt of information that three other students were involved.

It was revealed that the matter is still under investigation and that the six-yearold child will be subjected to a forensic interview today.

This interview will be conducted in the presence of relevant authorities and video recorded so that the boy would not have to repeat the story and endure more emotional and/or mental fatigue, she added.

Police Commander of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Subdivision C (East Coast Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor also confirmed that investigators are currently probing the incident, which was reported to law enforcement authorities earlier this week.

The Commander explained that in matters relating to child abuse in any form or manner, there are channels which have to be followed and that the first step is to ensure that the child (victim) receives the medical attention and counselling he/she may need before the police take a statement.

He added that at this juncture, the most important part is that the child is taken care of and receives the care he needs in order to recover as soon as possible.

Running…

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…from its “record” ubrey Norton is vintage PNC: steeped in bluff and bluster but always ready to bludgeon opponents in the sordid tradition of Hamilton Green and Chippy Graham of X-13 fame. And if you young’uns don’t know about the PNC’s X-13 plan from the 1960s, think of the Police getting their hands on the Buxton 5 Gang’s plans – just after they shot their way out of Camp Street Jail in 2002!

You’ll glean an insight into the fella’s character when you remember that Desmond Hoyte – the man who launched his “slow fyaah; mo fyaah” strategy which unleashed what Granger called “the troubles” in Guyana – threw him out of the Chairmanship of the PNC. Because his activities were “giving the PNC a bad name”!! Imagine that…if you can!!

Anyhow, this same Norton, working out of the Ministry of the Presidency, was tasked since 2015 to recruit and train youths in his image – for Election Day duties! He was trotted out during that time when the PNC wanted to show that its “kinder and gentler” image was just that – an image!! Like claiming on TV that he had “evidence” of Charrandas being bribed in some hotel room in TT!! The Police should haul him in since they assured the nation they’re still on Charrandas’s trail!!

Anyhow, now that the PNC realises it’s behind the eight ball with the March elections, expect to see more of Norton. Over the weekend, he surfaced to advise the PPP “not to run from their record”. Now you know he wasn’t talking about the PPP’s record to remove the US$2.1 billion debt the PNC left in 1992; or reducing the poverty rate from 43 per cent; or the most consistent growth rate in the Caribbean; or reviving the educational system, etc, etc. Nah…being Norton, he talked about 12 “scams” during the PPP’s 23 years. Some “milk scam”, “gold scam”, “law books scam”, etc.

But he should talk about scams he’s directly connected to – like the one Corbin and Granger pulled in 2011 to make the latter the PNC leader. Which most of the party felt should’ve gone to Carl Greenidge – from the political wing of the PNC regime and not the military. Didn’t he and his troops from Linden exit the Congress in a huff after showing how the vote had been rigged for Granger??

Or about the gunman caught on tape ready to shoot the dissenters?

But, of course, Norton wouldn’t mention that greatest scam of all pulled on the Guyanese people. Unlike DR Faith Harding who quit, he took the bribe of a sinecure, leaving his backers from Linden, Sharma Solomon and Vanessa swinging in the wind!!!!

He’s just singing for his supper!! …from economics The PNC will never be able to run the Guyanese economy – even with the oil funds they keep harping on. Consider their reaction to the Opposition Leader’s distinction that their decision to shutter four sugar estates and fire 7000 workers was “financially but not economically sound”. All they can do is make cheap political points about the PPP “protecting its base” with subsidies!!

Sure the sugar industry was losing money … but hadn’t its own CoI advise the Govt to extend subsidies for another three years with a turnaround plan and then privatise?? Were the CoI members – including Chairman Clive Thomas – protecting the “PPP base”? So, Granger closed the estates on “financial grounds”. But is this the way the most capitalistic nation on earth did it when in 2008 its banks and the auto industry were bleeding worse than GuySuCo? No, making an economic not financial decision, the US Govt declared they were “too big to fail”, considering the effect on the workers and economy. They were up with almost US$1 TRILLION with suggested reforms!!

The “economic” rather than “financial” decision saved the day!! …scared You can tell Granger’s running scared. After a single press conference in three years, he’s appearing on every radio show around, pleading for another chance!!

Too late shall be the cry!!

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

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MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Improvised weapons, other contraband found in Guyana prisons

– hacksaw, bottles of ‘homemade’ wine, cellphones and accessories among find

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anks of both the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) unearthed a large quantity of prohibited items, inclusive of improvised weapons, inside the walls of the five prisons in Guyana on Saturday.

The searches were executed simultaneously at the Camp Street, Georgetown; Lusignan (East Coast Demerara); Timehri (East Bank Demerara); New Amsterdam (Berbice); and Mazaruni (Region SevenCuyuni Mazaruni) prisons.

Some of the homemade wine, scissors and pieces of rope and wires unearthed by law enforcement officials during their search at the prisons on Saturday

Several improvised weapons and cigarette lighters among other prohibited items found in the lock-ups

During the extensive operation that lasted hours at each location, Prison Officers along with ranks of the GPF discovered, in total, 48 improvised weapons, scores of razor blades, four pairs of scissors, a hacksaw blade, 13 pieces of wires, five pieces of rope and constructions nails.

There were 51 cigarette lighters, a quantity of cigarettes, 11 cellular phones, 12 cellular phone chargers, seven cellular phone batteries, nine SIM cards, 19 smoking utensils, a memory card, eight USB cables, a quantity of “triple A” batteries, 14 metal spoons, steel wool, sandpaper, and nail clips found.

Additionally, the GPS and GPF ranks seized a quantity of cannabis, a small quantity of ecstasy powder, five bottles and two five-

gallon bottles of homemade wine from the lock-ups.

In the first quarter of this year, a joint operation by law enforcement agencies led to the discovery of a large quantity of contraband items among the various prisons.

These include cellular phones, phone chargers, cigarette lighters, a quantity of cannabis, cellphone batteries, a quantity of razor blades, metal spoons and forks, nails clips, construction nails, smoking utensils, improvised weapons, playing cards, sandpaper, broken mirrors, copper wires, scissors, tobacco leaves and earpieces.

The searches were conducted by in excess of 200 ranks inclusive of senior officers of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Prison Service.

According to the Police

Some of the cellular phones and other contraband items discovered by ranks of the GPF and GPS during their sweep of the prisons in Guyana

Force, there were no incidents during these exercises.

Contraband smuggling has long been a perennial problem within the

prison system and this is compounded by the fact that both Prison and Police Officers are facilitating the illegal trade, which is said to be a “big business”.

10 NEWS

MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

10,000 ganja plants destroyed in Ituni – Moblissa farmer arrested for ganja found in home

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five-acre ganja cultivation with close to 10,000 plants was destroyed by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) in close proximity to 18 Miles, Ituni, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

The plants, measuring from six (6) to eight (8) feet in height, were estimated to weigh 560 kilograms (kgs).

Reports are that between 11:30h on Friday night and 12:00h on Saturday morning, policemen, who were acting on information, conducted a “drugs eradication exercise”.

About four miles off of the road, the cannabis cultivation was discovered along with a ‘makeshift’ camp that had five (5) kgs of dry cannabis.

According to the police, the dry cannabis along with the camp and the cannabis

Some of the 1113 grams of cannabis that Police ranks unearthed while executing a search of the house of a farmer from Moblissa, Region 10

farm were all destroyed by fire. However, no arrest has been made up to press time in relation to this exercise.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, a 53-year-old farmer of Moblissa Linden-Soesdyke Highway was arrested by Police after a quantity of ganja was found in his home.

According to reports received, Police swooped down at the man’s residence and conducted a search, which led to the discovery of 1113

grams of cannabis. He is presently in Police custody and being processed for court.

Region 10 has been identified as one of the top two locations in Guyana where several major cannabis busts and fields with cultivated marijuana were unearthed since the start of the year but much work is being done to curb the phenomenon.

In the month of May,

10,000 ganga plants were destroyed during separate eradication exercises in Linden.

Police had destroyed almost 7000 cannabis plants, ranging from two (2) to six (6) feet in height, at a seven 7-acre marijuana farm.

These plants were estimated to weigh about 485 kilograms.

Several ranks had conducted a raid at 11 Miles, off of the Ituni Main Road, Upper Demerara, where the discovery was made.

At the time of the discovery, there was also a makeshift camp along with a quantity of kitchen utensils and foodstuff at that location. However, when the police arrived at that location, there was no one in sight.

The farm was subsequently destroyed by fire.

One day prior to this eradication exercise, ranks also made a similar discovery at

The five-acre cannabis farm with close to 10,000 plants that was destroyed by fire during a Police eradication exercise at 18 Miles, Ituni, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice)

the back of the Wisroc village, Wismar, Linden.

Police acting on information ventured to that location where the one-anda-half-acre marijuana farm was found. It is averaged that there were close 25003000 cannabis plants cultivated there ranging from one foot to six and a half feet.

The police said that there was also a makeshift tent at that location comprising one hammock, a quantity of utensils, as well as green and dried suspected cannabis on the farm. The cannabis plants had an estimated weight of 250 kilograms and were also destroyed by fire.

In both cases, each location was marked and samples were taken. No arrests

were made.

Earlier this year, former Head of the Police Narcotics Branch, Senior Superintendent Kurleigh Simon, who was promoted to the post of Police Commander, had told Guyana Times that the leading regions for cannabis cultivation since the commencement of 2019 have been identified as Linden in Region 10 and the Berbice River locations in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Simon said that in the first quarter of the year, the Police Narcotics Branch had already completed in excess of 15 eradication exercises in Berbice, and these were done in more than 30 fields where marijuana was being cultivated and harvested.

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MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GGMC sets strict requirements for lottery of 100 mining blocks – participants must be residents of Mahdia; cannot own other mining blocks ing districts and small-scale miners were allowed to partake in a lottery process to obtain a plot.

Through the Natural Resources Ministry with assistance from the Closed Area Committee (CAC), stakeholders were tasked with selecting a district of their preference and choosing a random number which

T

Participants at a previous Guyana Geology and Mines lottery

he Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) will be putting up some 100 mining blocks for a lottery in Mahdia, with stringent requirements that applicants must be residents of Mahdia and must not be holders of any other mining properties.

According to the notice announcing the move, the lottery will be hosted

consult the relevant maps which are on display at the GGMC head office and at the Mahdia mining station for information on the blocks available for allocation. Lottery maps are also available at a cost of $3000 per sheet,” the notice had specified.

“Participants shall not be the holders of any mining properties. Only one application is permissible

on December 11, 2019, and will give persons a chance to vie for 100 prospecting permits. Registration involves a non-refundable fee of $5000.

Registration has to be done on Tuesday, December 10, 2019, at the GGMC’s office on Brickdam, between 08:00h to 10:00h. The lottery itself will be held from 11:00h and will be open only to Guyanese.

“Interested persons may

from an individual or entity. Allottees will be required to file an application for the awarded block by February 14, 2020. Applications not filed will result in the award being considered abandoned,” they said, adding that participants found to be non-residents of Mahdia will be disqualified.

The Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) has opened some 319 blocks of land within the six min-

would determine the plot of land to be given.

After submitting relevant information, the Commission would then proceed towards allocating the said land. With no guarantee that their plot would prove wealthy in natural resources, many entered the lottery and selected within the six districts –

Mazaruni, Berbice, Potaro, Cuyuni, North West and the Rupununi.

Speaking at the activity, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had stated that this initiative surfaced after complaints from miners about the absence of lands to carry out mining activities.

As such, he had expressed

his belief that the lottery would remedy the issue significantly.

In the lottery, recipients must submit proof of identity through a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificate, address and other relevant documents by a given date or forfeit their opportunity to gain access to the lands.

12 NEWS

MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Children, parents wowed at Security firm accused of mistreating employees in Linden Enchanted Christmas Village

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omplaints by employees of the Kalibur Security Services in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), have led to Labour officials being called in to address and investigate the Service’s divisional management.

Employees contracted through the office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) have aired numerous concerns over alleged on-the-job ill-treatment by the management of the security service including the indiscriminate firing of employees.

The issues received more attention when an employee was allegedly fired for “being pregnant”.

The aggrieved woman told Guyana Times that she was fired from the job after she confirmed her pregnancy. The 20-yearold mother of one has since been reinstated following the meeting with Labour officials at the RDC in Linden.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian explained at a meeting of the Council that he summoned the Labour officials after receiving several complaints about the style of management of the security firm.

Additionally, this publication spoke to several em-

ployees who voiced their concerns. One of those employees alleged that the Linden management does not grant employees sick leave, and they are not even allowed to call in sick.

There are also allegations that the management is not making payments to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) on behalf of employees. Additionally, employees are asked to undergo drill training without pay.

The employees said they have reported the issues to the local labour officer in Linden and the office of the RDC. M e a n w h i l e , Municipal Councillor Lennox Gasper has called for the employees to be treated fairly, as he noted that he has also received numerous complaints.

The Councillor, the constituency representative of the area where the female security guard was raped, said the alleged treatment of workers is “unacceptable”, and called for massive intervention.

“Several reports would have reached me with regards to the indiscriminate firing of persons for frivolous things…ever since the issue of the rape, everyone has to wear pants, regardless of religious standings,

Regional Morian

Chairman

Renis

and failure to do so, they’re fired. It’s as if they’re using this whole firing thing as a yardstick to whip the people…I think it’s very unfair”, the Councillor said.

He added that such treatment of employees will not be tolerated by the local administration, and called on the security service to provide radio sets to employees and to look after their interests, including the right to be part of a workers union. “It’s disrespectful! It’s inhuman!

And this practice must stop,” the Councillor iterated.

Santa, Mrs Claus, and their elves at Banks DIH’s Enchanted Village

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hipping in the Christmas spirit, Banks DIH on Saturday opened its fourth edition of its “Santa’s Enchanted Christmas Village” at Demerara Park, Georgetown.

The two-day event saw a variety of games and entertainment for children including spin the wheel, trampolines and others.

Children, accompanied by their parents, flooded the park to get a glimpse of Santa Claus, Mrs Claus and their helpers.

Apart from meeting and greeting Santa and Mrs Claus, the children were also

The scene from Banks’ Enchanted Village

allowed to visit the Grinch’s living room to take photos.

This section was created, according to Banks, as a place where naughty boys and girls can have their photos taken.

Meanwhile, there were cartoon characters such as Elsa from the popular Disney movie Frozen, and Frosty, which is a mascot in-

troduced by Banks DIH for the children, among others.

Throughout the event, appropriate children’s soundtracks were played while children got their faces painted and took their photos with Santa. There was also storytelling, which added to the magical evening.

BoG targets 2020...

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from page 7

he Bank of Guyana (BoG) was tasked with leading the development and implementing a strategic approach to advancing the development of Guyana’s NPS by establishing the parameters to guide policy and set priorities.

An important bill in principle, much contention nevertheless attended the National Payment System Bill when it was passed last year. Criticism had included concerns over the Bank of Guyana’s role as a regulator, and whether it had too much power.

For instance, former Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Juan Edghill had expressed concern over parts of the bill that allowed the regulator to enter the premises of someone suspected of operating without a license and carry out searches. Edghill had urged the inclusion of stipulations that such searches can be carried out only after a warrant has been obtained.

His successor in Government, Minister Jaipaul Sharma, had defended the bill in his presentation. For instance, Sharma noted that the Central Bank cannot revoke licences in

a “willy-nilly” manner, but persons with grievances would instead be given time to defend their licences.

Besides urging that the general public be educated about the new system, none of the Opposition entreaties found sympathetic ears on the Government side. The bill was eventually passed without any amendment.

The Act describes electronic money as something representing cash that is “stored electronically, including magnetically or in any other tangible or intangible device such as a SIM card or a software; issued on receipt of funds of an amount not less in value than the monetary value issued for the purpose of making payment transactions; and accepted as a means of payment by persons other than the issuer”.

Already, most of the major supermarkets allow customers to use ICT options when making payments, such as a customer using their debit card to conduct Point of Sale (POS) transactions. This is the case in several stores. The majority of stores, however, do not have this feature, considered a norm in developed countries.

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MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Promoting local businesses through Marketplace UncappeD

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he Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) held its fourth annual Marketplace Uncapped exhibition on Sunday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

The agro-processing event saw participation from over 75 businesses. The expo was aimed at providing businesses with the opportunity to toss out their new or already launched products, and also to introduce any new sector or technologies they may have.

Sandra Craig of SS Natural Fruit Flavours

A scene from Uncapped

Speaking with Guyana Times, a few of the local manufacturers vocalised that the expo is a great initiative since it is a networking ground for them to interact with the public. For them, it also generates new customers, which serves as a way to foster the growth of their businesses.

Sandra Craig of SS Natural Fruit Flavors uses various local fruits to make tasty barbeque sauces. Some of those fruits include passion fruit, soursop, tamarind, golden apple, and pineapple. For her, uncapped is a very good initiative since it is going to promote her business in a significant way.

“This is my fourth year, and it is benefiting me a great way. Uncapped has helped me to be able to showcase my business to the people [of] Guyana, not only the people of Guyana but international. It's like when people see the product the come asking for me.

It has given me a lot of promotion”, she said.

Badass Gobin from Gobin’s Farming Kitchen told <<<Guyana Times>>> that his business was established since 2012 after his farm had experienced pineapple wastage. He said that after the wastage, they would have persevered with the fruit and marketed them. However, he said this is their second time at Uncapped, while noting that it has been a great experience thus far.

“A lot of persons visit-

ed us and said they remembered us and they have visited our shops and purchased the products. I think it has been a good opportunity to showcase our product to a wide range of persons”, he explained.

Ronella Prince, a representative of Ventriz Flavoured Plantain Chips, said that “Uncapped is helping us to take our business beyond Linden because right now it is in Linden… because of the promotion, we will get to take it to Georgetown, the West Bank, all over Guyana”.

For some of the attend-

Gobin Farm’s products

ees, uncapped is an opportunity for them to discover products they never knew existed in Guyana.

“I seriously didn’t know some of these things exist in Guyana. I have been spending money on products overseas and didn’t know that they are right here in my country. It is just a matter of discovering these things.

I am happy that uncapped is here so that Guyanese will know”, Lisa Ramdatt stated.

Meanwhile, the Owner of Jah Works Natures Mystic, a craft business, said that since we are close to first oil, people will visit the country, and it is time that we showcase what Guyana has to offer.

“We are getting oil and gas so you know we have

to start looking at what we have because people are coming and liking what we have here, we have to know what we [Guyana] have,” she said.

Nevertheless, the activity was recently held at the` Sophia Exhibition Centre and the Stadium, providing a platform for local stakeholders to showcase their

products to the Guyanese community.

Neatly labelled sauces, packaged dried goods along with craft items were all available at the event.

Guyanese are encouraged to try the local products which are of good quality and made from ingredients that are produced right in Guyana.

14 NEWS

MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

102 successfully complete job readiness skills training

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total of 102 young people from various parts of the country now possess basic tools and skills needed to effectively and confidently seek employment throughout Guyana and further afield.

This is due to a successful three-week Job Readiness Skills Training programme spearheaded by the Department of Youth in partnership with SSYDR Incorporated - Specialists in Sustained Youth Development and Research.

The training was conducted with young people living in Regions Three, Four, Six and 10.

During a simple graduation ceremony held on Monday last at the Police Training Centre in Georgetown, the Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton said that the objec-

Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton and Assistant Director of Youth, Leslyn Boyce (seated centre) pose with trainers (seated) and participants of the Job Readiness Skills Training Programme

said that he was proud that so many young people opted to be part of the training which will enable them to effectively mitigate the ten-

emphasised the importance of education and the need for young people to keep updating their skills, so as to remain relevant and competitive, especially as Guyana prepares itself for “an oil-rich future”.

“Time is precious and you only have now to prepare yourself for a bright,

Minister Norton noted.

After collecting their certificates, participants of the programme expressed gratitude to Minister Norton and the Department of Youth for executing a timely and effective training programme.

Assistant Director of Youth, Leslyn Boyce not-

Some of the facilitators/trainers of the programme

tive of the training was to build the capacity of young adults to enhance marketability within the job market.

The sessions focused on a number of areas such as cover letter and cv writing, interview techniques and career coaching, etc.

Delivering the feature address, Minister Norton

sion and nerves that come from applying for a job, including attending an interview.

“These skills are transferable and are relevant in all aspects of your professional life; both as an employer and an employee.”

Dr Norton, who also holds responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport,

The participants from Region Six performing an item about job readiness

booming tomorrow. Guyana is on the trajectory of economic development. Ensure you are equipped to benefit from the opportunities which will be presented,”

ed that the Department of Youth is committed to ensuring the Job Readiness Skills Training reaches even more young people in all parts of Guyana.

Eastville Nursery spreads Christmas cheer to senior citizens

Head Teacher of the school poses with senior citizens after the hamper distribution

S

tudents of Eastville Nursery, Annandale, East Coast Demerara, last week distributed hampers to about 80 senior citizens from the community of Buxton.

The pupils, aided by teachers and parents, undertook their annual charitable project spearheaded by Head Teacher of the school, Ronda Isaacs.

She said that since assuming the role of Head Teacher, the school, in 2017, with the support of parents and teachers, sought to assist the less fortunate.

“We have been teaching our students through this project that caring is sharing and it's very important to give. Since the commencement of this project, the response has been heartening as the parents have been very supportive and they understand that teaching their children to give is worthwhile and very important,” she said.

The Head Mistress explained that this year, they sought to provide hampers

to some 80 seniors who turn up at the Buxton Post Office to uplift their pensions.

“When we thought about this year’s project, we wanted to be very impactful and decided that with a number of seniors turning out to receive their pension, it was an ideal moment to provide the hamper to them,” she said.

“We are cognisant that we must continue to recognise our seniors as they would have made meaningful contributions in their respective way to our society so as the Christmas season dawns upon us we must continue to realise that giving is sharing and, therefore, our seniors will continue to be respected and admired by our children,” she stressed.

The hampers contained rice, sugar, flour and other food items.

The Head Teacher expressed thanks and gratitude to their social partners in continuing to support the yearly initiative and looks forward for their support in 2010.

news

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MONday, DECEMBER 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Several injured in 2-vehicle collision

Brazil scraps envoy’s trip to Fernandez ceremony as spat worsens

B A

t least three persons were rushed to the Diamond hospital after two motor cars collided head-on at Coverden, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Sunday evening.

Based on reports received, the accident occurred

about 21:30h in the vicinity of National Hardware at Coverden and involved motor cars PJJ 8859 and PRR 3055.

The motor car bearing registration number PRR 3055 was heading South with the driver as the lone

occupant while motor car PJJ 8859 was heading North with three occupants, including the driver.

While information remains sketchy, it is believed that one of the vehicles was trying to overtake another vehicle and proceeded

into the path of the other.

Guyana Times understands that none of the injured persons are viewed as being seriously hurt, but all were taken to the medical facility to be examined.

An investigation has been launched into the accident.

Brexit versus public services: Rival British leaders make final campaign push

P

rime Minister Boris Johnson will travel to the heartlands of Brexit Britain in a final campaign blitz ahead of Thursday’s election, as he seeks to secure the parliamentary majority he needs to take the country out of the European Union.

“We have just three days to make that a reality, three days to break the deadlock and avoid a hung parliament ... three days to get Brexit done,” he was scheduled to say today during a visit to Sunderland in the northeast of England.

The city was one of the first places to declare its residents had voted for Brexit after a referendum in 2016.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson and main Opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn

While Johnson has made the December 12 election chiefly about ending the tortuous path to divorce from the bloc, his main rival, the Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn, has focused

on promises of sweeping economic steps to benefit struggling Britons.

Labour will pledge today to begin delivering its plans to end public spending cuts and begin nationalising in-

dustries within 100 days of taking office.

Johnson is ahead in opinion polls and forecast to win the 320 or so parliamentary seats he needs to finalise the EU divorce by January 31.

But, with many areas expected to be very tight contests, even a small change in public opinion could cost him an outright majority.

That would lead to a hung Parliament that many expect to result in a temporary government led by Corbyn.

This would mean the Labour leader had limited powers to enact his economic reforms, but would see smaller parties coalesce behind holding a second Brexit referendum.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Lebanon's Hariri re-emerges as PM candidate as Khatib withdraws

L

ebanon's leading Sunni Muslim politician, Saad Hariri, has re-emerged as a candidate for Prime Minister as businessman Samir Khatib withdrew his candidacy to lead a government that must tackle an acute economic crisis.

President Michel Aoun responded by postponing until December 16 consultations with legislators that had been expected to result in Khatib being named Prime Minister. The delay was requested by most parties in Parliament, the presidency said on Sunday.

Hariri quit as Prime Minister on October 29, prompted by mass protests against an entire political class blamed for State corruption and steering Lebanon into the worst economic crisis since the 197590 civil war.

Under the country's pow-

er-sharing system, the Prime Minister must be a Sunni Muslim. Hariri has continued to govern in a caretaker capacity until a new prime minister is named.

After Hariri quit, talks to agree a new Cabinet became mired in divisions between Hariri, who is aligned with Western and Gulf Arab states, and adversaries including the Lebanese Shia group Hezbollah.

Last month, Hariri officially withdrew his candidacy to be Prime Minister.

A consensus on Khatib appeared to form last week among the main parties, including Hariri. But Khatib failed to win enough backing from the Sunni Muslim establishment for the position.

Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, Lebanon's most senior Sunni leader, told Khatib during a meeting on Sunday that he backed Hariri, Khatib said

Protesters chant slogans after Saad Hariri re-emerged as a candidate for Prime Minister [Bilal Hussein/ AP Photo]

after the meeting.

"I learned ... that as a result of meetings and consultations and contacts with the sons of the (Sunni) Islamic sect, agreement was reached on nominating Saad al-Hariri to form the coming government," Khatib said.

There was no immediate statement from Hariri.

Protesters gathered outside Parliament after the announcement for scheduled rallies to protest the

way the government is being formed and the delays in choosing a candidate amid the downward spiral of the economy.

They were quick to denounce Hariri's possible return as a contender for the job.

"We want an independent head of government," said Layal Siblani, one of hundreds of protesters gathered outside Parliament.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

razil’s Government scrapped plans to send a delegate to Alberto Fernandez’s inauguration ceremony in Argentina, representing an escalation in tensions between South America’s top economies.

President Jair Bolsonaro has opted not to send anyone to the December 10 swearing-in ceremony in Buenos Aires, according to a Brazilian official with direct knowledge of the matter. The move comes after he decided that Citizenship Minister Osmar Terra will no longer represent Brazil at the event.

Relations between Brazil and Argentina, which are traditionally political and trade allies, have worsened in recent weeks amid an ideological clash between Fernandez’s left-wing movement and Bolsonaro’s hardright administration. The spat has also raised prospects that Latin America’s largest economy may pull out of the Mercosur customs union – which counts Brazil and Argentina as its two largest members – if differences persist.

The press office for Brazil’s presidency didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment via

President Jair Bolsonaro

email.

Hours after his election victory, Fernandez set the stage for the first diplomatic tiff between the two countries by calling for the release of Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a leftist icon and Bolsonaro adversary. Bolsonaro later said he wouldn’t call Fernandez to congratulate him and wouldn’t attend the Argentine presidential inauguration, marking the first time in recent history for a Brazilian Head of State.

Newspaper Clarin reported earlier that Bolsonaro made his decision after he was annoyed by a Brazilian delegation led by Lower House Speaker Rodrigo Maia, which met Fernandez in Argentina last week. Bolsonaro was aware of the delegation’s travel plans, Clarin reported Maia as saying. (Excerpt from Bloomberg)

Giant rally marks 6 months of Hong Kong's democracy protests

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raving an unseasonal chill, protesters returned to Hong Kong's central park on Sunday in their hundreds of thousands as the anti-government movement hit the half-year mark.

A sea of demonstrators, mostly clad in signature black attire, plodded peacefully along the six-lane main road from Victoria Park to the downtown business district.

Many chanted slogans and held posters denouncing the Police.

Organisers estimated the turnout at 800,000, a sign that people power was still going strong after six months in the city of 7.4 million. However, Police told local media that 183,000 people attended.

Two marches that each attracted about a million people in June forced Chief Executive Carrie Lam to shelve a controversial extradition bill that had initially sparked the protests, which have since evolved into a wide-scale movement for greater democracy in the

semi-autonomous territory.

"We must remind Carrie Lam these still are a lot of people. We urge her to look squarely at this and seriously consider our demand for an independent commission," said Jimmy Sham, one of the march organisers from the Civil Human Rights Front.

Although the extradition bill was formally withdrawn in October, public anger remains intense, driven

by Lam's refusal to address protesters' demands – an independent inquiry into alleged police brutality; amnesty for the nearly 1000 people charged with offences stemming from the protests; a retraction of the Police assertion that protesters are guilty of rioting; and universal suffrage to elect the full legislature and chief executive.

Lately, Lam has promised to establish an independent review committee to examine the root causes of the unrest, but protesters have insisted Police tactics in suppressing the unrest ought to be the main focus. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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monday, december 9, 2019

Regional

Dominica's Opposition Leader Trinidad: Govt owes Unipet refuses to accept election results TT$134M in VAT, subsidies

U

nited Workers Party Opposition Leader Lennox Linton has charged that the December 6 election was stolen from the people of Dominica and he has no intention of recognising the results. In fact, he is calling for fresh elections as he described the election results as illegitimate, along with the Government.

In an address to the nation on Saturday night, Linton claimed that of the 23,300 people who voted for the Dominica Labour Party (DLP), 13,000 were brought in from overseas to vote in the elections.

He alleged persons were bribed with ferry and airline tickets, which all came from the sale of the passports of

the people of Dominica.

Linton said: “The election was decided by those Dominicans living overseas who were bribed to come home to vote for the DLP.” “On the same day of the votes, they leave via their charters and go back to their overseas locations. There can be nothing fair about this, the election was not free.”

The Dominican Opposition Leader is not prepared to accept the results, as he claims the election was rigged and should not be recognised.

Linton also expressed disappointment with the preliminary assessments given by the observer missions, which indicated the

T

United Workers Party Leader Lennox Linton

elections reflected the will of the people who voted.

(Loopnewsbarbados.com)

Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation defends Annie Palmer costume

T

he Miss Universe Jamaica Organisation has defended the 'Annie Palmer' theme choice for this year's national costume at the Miss Universe pageant, saying it was intended to lead to “teachable moments” for young people.

The organisation's response comes after social media users on Saturday criticised the 'Annie PalmerLegend of Rose Hall' costume, which was used to represent the country during the national costume competition of the Miss Universe pageant.

Social media users argued that the costume was in bad taste as it glorified a negative aspect of the country's history.

However, in a statement published on social media on Sunday, the organisation said this was not its intention.

“With this year's costume, we never sought to glorify slavery, nor promote witchcraft or any of the folk tales Annie Palmer has been accused of, instead, what we sought to do, as have the pantomimes, books and articles

he Trinidad Government owes Unipet more than TT$100 million in unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT) refunds and gas subsidies.

Guardian Media learnt on Saturday that the Government's outstanding bill is the crux of Unipet's legal case currently building against the State.

According to information received by a senior Unipet executive, the Government owes the private company TT$74.4 million in gas subsidies and another TT$59.2 million in VAT refunds—a total of TT$133.6 million.

Guardian Media could not confirm in what period the Government racked up that debt.

It was this debt that kept the "good faith" agreement and continued delivery of fuel going between Paria and Unipet for such a long time.

Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Limited Chairman Newman George

Under the Government subsidies, Paria sells to NP and Unipet fuel at a price.

Let’s for simplicity sake say that cost is $100—NP and Unipet can only sell to customers for $80 because of price control on fuel. The Government then pays Unipet and NP the differ-

ence of $20 which is called the subsidy. Because of the line of credit, it is assumed that by the time NP and Unipet are required to pay their bills they would have gotten their subsidy to pay the full $100 which would comprise the $80 they got from the gas stations and the $20 from the Government.

Therefore, the subsidy is really for Unipet to pass on to Paria since in effect it is only responsible for the $80 it got for selling the fuel.

It means if the Government is late in paying the $20 to Unipet and NP, it can be short on paying Paria.

Last week, during the impasse between Paria and Unipet, Finance Minister Colm Imbert revealed that Unipet had racked up a massive bill with the fuel trading company. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Failed plot to fix Venezuela without Maduro or Guaidó revealed – newspaper

T Jamaica's Iana Tickle Garcia took the stage in the 2019 Miss Universe pageant's national costume competition, yesterday.

written about her, was to just tell the story of another part of Jamaican history without endorsing, glorifying or celebrating her deeds or the atrocities of slavery,” the statement read.

The organisation said it was meant to inspire conversations which would lead to teachable moments for some young people, “especially those who have no interest in

history taught the traditional way”.

“Obviously, we have succeeded in this mission, as more people are now talking about this aspect of Jamaican history and we hope they will now be motivated to engage in further research in the topic to have a greater understanding of our past,” the statement continued. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

he standoff in Venezuela briefly took a new twist, according to a report from the Spanish newspaper ABC. People close to both President Nicolás Maduro and his rival Juan Guaidó plotted to push both men aside and end the nation’s crisis with the rule of a temporary junta, the newspaper reported without citing where it got the information.

The article didn’t cite sources by name, nor was it completely clear how deeply embedded the plan was before it was discovered and fell apart. But the story suggests a strong desire within the camps of both men to end the standoff be-

tween Maduro and Guaidó almost a year old. Guaidó, the National Assembly president, has been recognised by more than 50 countries, including the US, as Venezuela’s leader.

The ABC story suggested a third way, which the paper reported was born out of talks between emissaries of high-ranking Venezuelan officials with Opposition Leaders, in four countries between April and October this year, after huge rallies demanding Maduro’s exit.

The key figure appears to be Humberto Calderon Berti, then the designated Ambassador to Colombia who Guaidó dismissed last month. He was the main Guaidó negotiator in the

talks with the emissaries for Venezuelan officials who defied Maduro.

At some point in the talks, the paper said, Calderon Berti was approached to head a “transitional junta” – a small group of powerful men who would lead the nation for 18 months. The paper said that an agreement was drafted

by August, with the document outlining the political changes to oust Maduro, sideline Guaidó and install the junta sent around to the key players.

The paper says that Maduro’s regime discovered the talks, which then came to an end.

(Excerpt from Bloomberg)

Judge calls on CJ Archie World Food Programme says over court mail fail Caribbean 'a laboratory for climate action' A

High Court Judge in Trinidad is asking for an urgent meeting with the Chief Justice to discuss issues relating to the Judiciary’s “court mail” system. Asking for the meeting is Justice Frank Seepersad who said there was no consultation with Judges in relation to the system.

He also referred to the Judiciary’s statement on CourtMail in response to a letter of complaint sent to the Registrar of the Supreme Court by attorney Gerald Ramdeen, who referred to the system as “court fail” since orders of the court were not being dispatched to litigants in a

timely fashion.

The Judiciary, in its statement, said Ramdeen clearly misunderstood the role and function of the system, and denied it was a failure. It also explained how the system worked, adding that CourtMail was an electronic mailing facility used to sign and dispatch communication from court to Attorneys and receive same from Attorneys.

It added, “It cannot dispatch something which has not yet been drafted and finalised.”

However, Seepersad said before the introduction of CourtMail, his judicial team would prepare orders as soon as they were granted

and approved by him, and lawyers were promptly notified by e-mail. “This worked well, was efficient and ensured that as the docketed judge, I retained full control over my matters.”

In an email to other Judges calling for the meeting with the CJ, Seepersad said now, when an order is made, his team has to inform the dispatch unit who will send a notification to the Registrar who was assigned the file and who will settle the order which will then be emailed to Attorneys. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

T

he United Nation's World Food Programme (WFP) has described Latin America and the Caribbean as “a laboratory for climate action,” as world leaders gather in Madrid, Spain for the 25th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 25).

“From hurricanes pounding islands to drought destroying crops across Central America, and erratic rain patterns affecting the livelihoods of Indigenous communities living on Andean slopes, climate-re-

lated challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean are as diverse as are the Region's landscapes,” said the UN agency in a statement.

“Climate change is exacerbating many of these, with higher temperatures, delayed rainy seasons, rainfall irregularity, and increasingly frequent and extreme weather events,” it added.

But it is not just about problems, according to Kathryn Milliken, WFP's Climate Change Advisor.

“The Latin American

and Caribbean region offers exciting opportunities to test and scale up a wide range of solutions to address climate-related issues,” she said.

“With many countries having middle-income status and greater public-private capacities than in most of the places where we work, this region can be a laboratory for a new way for WFP and partners to work.”

WFP said one such way is promoting the integration of climate-risk financing into governments' social-protection systems. (CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONday, december 9, 2019

17

Around the World

Flooding in western Trump says Kim Jong Un risks losing kills more ‘‘everything’’ after North Korea claims major test Uganda than a dozen

U

S President Donald Trump said on Sunday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un risks losing “everything” if he resumes hostility and his country must denuclearise, after the North said it had carried out a “successful test of great significance.”

North Korea’s state media KCNA reported earlier on Sunday that it had carried out a “very important” test at its Sohae satellite

launch site, a rocket-testing ground that US officials once said North Korea had promised to close.

The reported test comes ahead of a year-end deadline North Korea has imposed for the United States to drop its insistence on unilateral denuclearisation.

Pyongyang has warned it could take a “new path” amid the stalled talks with the United States.

The KCNA report called

it a “successful test of great significance” but did not specify what was tested.

Missile experts said it appeared likely the North Koreans had conducted a static test of a rocket engine, rather than a missile launch.

On Saturday North Korea’s Ambassador to the United Nations said denuclearisation was now off the negotiating table with the United States and lengthy

talks with Washington are not needed.

Asked in a CBS “Face the Nation” interview if North Korea might be preparing to resume nuclear tests, US National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien said that “would be a mistake on the part of North Korea.”

Pyongyang’s last nuclear test, its sixth and most powerful, took place in September 2017. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Delhi factory fire: More than 40 dead in India blaze

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large fire has swept through a bag factory in the Indian capital Delhi, killing 43 workers, officials said.

The blaze broke out at the four-storey building in the city's congested old quarter early on Sunday morning.

At least 100 people were sleeping inside the factory, which mainly makes school bags, when the fire started.

More than 60 have been rescued.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the fire "horrific" and sent his condolences.

A local fire chief told BBC Hindi the building did not have a proper fire licence and was operating illegally as a factory.

Local media reported that the owner of the factory, named as Rehan, had been arrested.

Delhi's firefighters received the first call about the fire at 05:22 local time on Sunday (23:52 GMT Saturday).

The fire began on the lower storeys, spreading rapidly to the third floor where workers were sleeping.

The area where the facto-

Large crowds gathered nearby after the fire broke out

ry is located - Azad Market - is a web of narrow alleyways, which made it difficult to reach the blaze.

Rescuers had to carry out victims on their shoulders one-by-one with firefighters cutting away window grills to access the building.

It is not clear what caused the blaze but an investigation has been ordered.

An initial probe and eyewitnesses suggested a short circuit may have been to blame. (Excerpt from BBC News)

China exports fall again as US trade war continues

C

hina's exports fell in November as shipments to the US slowed sharply, adding to concerns about the effects of the two nations' trade war.

November exports from the world's second-largest economy fell 1.1 per cent from a year earlier, the fourth straight fall.

Exports to the US were down 23 per cent, the worst such result since February

and the twelfth monthly decline in a row.

Another round of US tariffs on Chinese goods is due next Sunday, as part of the ongoing trade dispute.

Beijing and Washington are negotiating a potential deal aimed at de-escalating their trade dispute but so far have failed to agree on details.

Economists say that even if negotiations aimed at avoiding the new

American duties are successful, many US buyers will have already found alternative suppliers.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that trade talks are "moving right along".

But China said existing tariffs must be scrapped as part of any interim deal.

The 17-month-long trade war has increased the risks of a global recession. China's policymakers

may seek more stimulus measures after growth in the economy cooled to near 30-year lows.

Meanwhile, China's imports unexpectedly rose 0.3 per cent in November from a year earlier, marking the first year-on-year growth since April.

China's trade surplus with the rest of the world fell, but was still more than $38 billion for the month.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Previously, Saudi Arabia required all restaurants to have one entrance for families and women, and another for men on their own [Reuters]

es if owners choose to do so, he said.

There was no announcement of changes to other public establishments, such as schools and hospitals, which appear likely to remain segregated for now.

Growing social openness in Saudi Arabia has been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent that has seen the arrests of dozens of religious leaders, intellectuals and activists, including women who had campaigned for some of the freedoms that have lately been granted.

It has also raised concerns about a possible backlash by conservatives, though there has so far been little concrete pushback.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Saudi Arabia ends gender-segregated entrances for restaurants

R

estaurants in Saudi Arabia will no longer need to maintain entrances segregated by sex, authorities have said, in a move upending a major hallmark of conservative restrictions that had been in place for decades.

Previously, Saudi Arabia required all restaurants to have one entrance for families and women, and another for men on their own.

Unrelated men and women have for decades been barred from mixing in public places in the country.

The Ministry of Municipalities and Rural Affairs announced on Twitter on Sunday this would no longer be mandatory.

Crown Prince

Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has eased other restrictions in recent months, including bans on women driving and public entertainment.

Segregation in restaurants has quietly eased over the past year or so, as eateries, cafes, conference centres and concert halls

stopped strictly enforcing it.

A spokesman for the Ministry contacted by the Reuters News Agency did not specify whether segregated seating areas inside restaurants would also be eliminated. The new rules are not compulsory, meaning restaurants could still maintain separate entranc-

Uganda is undergoing its second rainy season, which has reached its peak in most parts of the country [Red Cross]

A

t least 16 bodies have been recovered after torrential rain caused landslides in western Uganda, the Red Cross has said.

An aid team has been deployed to search and recover bodies in Bundibugyo district, which was affected by the landslides after days of heavy rainfall.

The East African nation is undergoing its second rainy season, which has reached its peak in most parts of the country. The Uganda National Meteorological Authority has predicted heavy rainfall will continue throughout December.

The heavy rains have caused destructive flooding in several low-lying parts of the country and landslides in the mountainous regions.

More than 20 people have been killed as a result of floods and mudslides in the last week in Uganda.

The eastern parts of the country have also been suffering floods and landslides

around the Mount Elgon region.

The Government has now released more than $5.4 million for emergency procurement.

These include inflatable boats, tarpaulins, blankets, relief food, drugs for water-borne diseases and culverts for fixing washed away bridges.

The extreme weather has been blamed on the Indian Ocean Dipole - a climate system defined by the difference in sea surface temperature between western and eastern areas of the ocean.

At the moment, the ocean around East Africa is far warmer than usual, resulting in higher evaporation and moist air flowing inwards over the continent as rain: the hallmarks of a "positive" dipole.

Scientists warn that as ocean temperatures rise because of climate change, Indian Ocean dipoles will become more frequent and severe. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

France willing to delay pension reform timing as strikes continue

T

he French Government said it would see through planned pension reforms but tried to assuage union anger with promises of a gradual introduction of the new system that has sparked nationwide strikes.

Transport systems were paralysed for a fourth day on Sunday as unions at state railway SNCF and Paris public transport system RATP extended their strike against the changes.

On Wednesday, Philippe will present a detailed outline of the reform, which aims to end special regimes under which some workers can retire in their early fifties and replace them with a unified system with equal rights for everyone.

Ahead of a meeting of Ministers on Sunday afternoon, several Cabinet members offered to soften the reforms.

Discussion is focusing on which age groups will be impacted by the reform. In July, a report by pensions tsar Jean-Paul Delevoye

said it would affect people born in 1963 or later.

In recent days, French media have reported that this could be pushed back several years.

Deputy Environment Minister Emmanuelle Wargon told France Info radio the Government would be flexible.

Hardline CGT union leader Philippe Martinez said it would fight until the Government completely dropped the plan.

France has one of the most generous pension systems among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) industrialised nations, but the system has major budget shortfalls and Macron’s 2017 election platform included a pledge for thorough reform.

Unions plan a second demonstration on Tuesday, after Thursday’s first protest attracted 65,000 people in Paris and 806,000 nationwide, according to Police figures. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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monday, december 9, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

dilbert

(April 20May 20)

Peanuts

Observe what others do and say, but don’t offer your thoughts or opinions. You should be secretive until you figure out what everyone else is planning to do.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Strive to make a difference in your community.

Be innovative in how you approach a challenge, and take a leadership position.

Romance is on the rise.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Put more significant thought and action into how you can please the ones you love without going into debt.

You can’t buy love, but you can earn it.

VIRGO

Your knowledge and experience will pay off.

Everyone will want to work alongside you to help you reach your goal. Don’t hesitate to step into the spotlight. Be a leader.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Count on your ability to get things done. If you want to change, be the one to make it happen. Say less and do more. Full speed ahead!

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Take on additional work and make extra cash to help pay for end-of-year expenses. Your enthusiasm will impress your boss or a new client and will prove profitable as well.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Keep your life simple, make sure your bank account is in the black and don’t let your secrets out.

Don’t fold under pressure or give in to demands or someone’s manipulative tactics.

If you mix business with pleasure, it will lead to an exciting revelation. Engage in activities and show your peers how dynamic and surprising you can be.

Aggressive and passionate action will pay off.

You’ll be acknowledged SAGITTARIUS for your talent and hard (Nov. 23work. The rewards will fuel Dec. 21) your fire, pushing you to strive for higher accolades.

Do your thing, do it well and enjoy the glory.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You’ve got a clear path to turn your dream into reality. Don’t fear change; make your move and make it count. Romance is in the stars, and a commitment can be made.

Don’t share personal information, secrets or anything that could hurt your reputation. You don’t have to make an abrupt move or decision just because someone else does.

Carefully choose with whom you associate. Someone will use your generosity and kindness to take advantage of you. Focus on personal improvement and advancement, not on helping others get ahead.

MONday, DECember 9, 2019

19

round-up:

Knicks lose to Pacers in interim coach’s debut

J

ulius Randle missed a gametying free-throw attempt with one-tenth of a second remaining, and Indiana handed host New York its ninth straight loss in the debut of Knicks’ interim coach Mike Miller.

A day after David Fizdale was fired, the Knicks had numerous chances to get their first win, but they went cold down the stretch, missing 13 of their final 14 shots. The Pacers went scoreless for the final 5:17 and missed their final seven shots.

The Knicks’ last miss was when Myles Turner blocked Mitchell Robinson at the rim with two seconds left. Randle grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Aaron Holiday. Randle made the first free throw, but his second free-throw attempt was long, and the game ended with New York dropping to 4-19.

T.J. Warren scored 25 points for the Pacers, who won for the eighth time in 10 games.

Domantas Sabonis collected 19 points and 15 rebounds for his eighth straight doubledouble. Marcus Morris scored 25 points for the Knicks. Randle contributed 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Orleans remained cold in the Mavericks’ 130-84 victory.

Boban Marjanovic added 15 points and 16 rebounds, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jalen Brunson scored 14 points each, Kristaps Porzingis had 13 and Seth Curry 11 as Dallas won for the 10th time in 11 games and New Orleans lost its eighth consecutive game.

Doncic had nine assists and six rebounds and played just 26 minutes in the lopsided game. JJ Redick led the reeling Pelicans with 15 points, Jrue Holiday and Brandon Ingram scored 14 each and rookie Jaxson Hayes had 11.

Utah Jazz Guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the hoop against Memphis Grizzlies centre Jonas Valanciunas (USA Today Sports)

Houston Rockets 115 – Phoenix Suns 109 James Harden singlehandedly outscored Phoenix 17-10 over a key stretch of the fourth quarter, sending host Houston to its 12th straight win over its Western Conference rival.

Harden lost his personal duel with Devin Booker, one that

featured a technical foul on each, 35-34 but came through down the stretch for the Rockets, who rallied from an early 11-point deficit and later blew a pair of 13-point leads before outlasting the guests.

Russell Westbrook contributed 24 points, a gamehigh 14 rebounds and 11 assists for the Rockets, while Clint

Capela added 12 points and 10 rebounds. Ricky Rubio (10 points, game-high 13 assists) and Dario Saric (13 points, 12 rebounds) registered doubledoubles for the Suns.

Dallas Mavericks 130 – New Orleans Pelicans 84 Luka Doncic scored 26 points as Dallas stayed hot while New

Philadelphia 76ers 141 – Cleveland Cavaliers 94 Ben Simmons scored 26 of his career-high 34 points in the first half as Philadelphia remained undefeated at home in 11 games by trouncing Cleveland, which lost for the sixth straight time and the 12th in 13 games.

Simmons made 12 of 14 shots from the floor, and Trey Burke and Mike Scott each chipped in 21 points for the 76ers, who beat the Cavaliers for the third time this season. Scott scored 16 of his points in the

first half while playing in place of All-Star center Joel Embiid, who reported discomfort in his hip following Philadelphia’s 119-13 loss to the Washington Wizards on Thursday.

Darius Garland finished with a team-high 17 points, Tristan Thompson added 12, and Kevin Love returned from a one-game absence due to illness to finish with six points for Cleveland.

Utah Jazz 126 – Memphis Grizzlies 112 Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points, and Utah notched a season-best 32 assists en route to victory over Memphis in Salt Lake City.

Bojan Bogdanovic, Rudy Gobert and Jeff Green scored 19 points apiece as the Jazz won for just the second time in the past seven games.

Royce O’Neale scored 14 points, Joe Ingles had 12 points, 10 assists and four steals, and Emmanuel Mudiay added 11 points and seven assists for the Jazz. Gobert was 8-of-9 shooting and contributed 11 rebounds and five assists for Utah, which shot 56.2 percent from the field, including 19 of 34 from 3-point range. (Reuters)

Simmons revels in victory as Blake to quit track in 2 years, hopes to play in IPL Kohli laments fielding woes

Y

ohan Blake, the second-fastest man in history, could be set to play T20 cricket for the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), once he hangs up his spikes.

Blake, a self-confessed fan of cricket, said in a recent interview that he would love to play in the IPL once his athletics career is over. However, him playing for the RCB franchise might come down to a different kind of speed.

Blake expressed his desire to play T20 cricket, and specifically, for the RCB franchise in a recent interview with media in India, where he has been promoting the Road Safety World Series.

“I have two more years left in track

and field and then its cricket for me,” Blake said.

“I would love to feature in franchise cricket; I would even love to own a franchise in India. And most importantly, play for either Kolkata Knight Riders or the Royal Challengers Bangalore.”

The RCB franchise, having seen Blake’s quote tweeted a reply.

“We heard you’re interested @YohanBlake.

If you bowl as fast as you run you already have a place reserved in our team.”

It is left to be seen if Blake takes up RCB on their offer.

The 2012 double Olympic silver medalist is currently preparing for what is expected to be his final Olympic Games appearance in Tokyo, Japan next summer. (Sportsmax)

Yohan Blake with Indian actor Anil Kapoor and Jacqueline Fernandez. The Olympic medalist is in India promoting the Road Safety World Series

L

endl Simmons revealed his “old-school” approach had been pivotal to his matchwinning knock in West Indies’ Twenty20 victory over India in Thiruvananthapuram.

Simmons’ unbeaten 67 from 45 balls helped the Windies to an eight-wicket triumph, ensuring the series will go to a decider as he capitalised on being dropped with just six runs to his name in one of several fielding errors to irk India captain Virat Kohli.

“I like playing against India, it’s a good challenge,” he said, having been ably assisted

by Evin Lewis (40), Nicholas Pooran (38 not out) and Shimron Hetmyer (23).

“I haven’t played international cricket for a while, so I’m enjoying it. I didn’t start how I wanted to.

My partners can go from ball one, but I am a bit o l d school.

“With experience, you know your game, and I understand my role. It was easier to bat after the powerplay, getting the odd boundary.

“Pooran and Hetmyer were getting boundaries easily so I played the different role.”

A frustrated Kohli conceded his side had

come up short with their total of 170-7 but felt their complacency in the field had been telling.

“I think we were good for 16 overs while batting, but then in the last four overs we got only 30. We need to focus on that,” he said.

“But if we field so poorly, no amount of runs will be enough. We were poor in the field in the last two games.

“We dropped two catches in one over.

Imagine if they lost two wickets in the same over.

“Everyone saw we need to be braver with our fielding. Do or die game coming up in Mumbai [on Wednesday].” (Sportsmax)

Virat Kholi took a stunning catch to dismiss Shimron Hetmyer (BBCI)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

MONday, DECember 9, 2019

Joshua takes revenge on Ruiz in Saudi Arabia rematch

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ritain’s Anthony Joshua beat Andy Ruiz Jr on a unanimous points decision in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to seize back the heavyweight world championship belts he lost to his Mexican-American opponent in a shock upset last June.

The ‘Clash on the Dunes’ in Diriyah was for the IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO titles and Joshua set the pace from the start with a measured masterclass that showed he had learned from the nightmare of New York.

The judges scored the fight 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109 to the 30-year-old Briton.

“It was his night, man,” said Ruiz as his six-month reign ended in the 15,000-seat arena on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh.

The decision to take the fight to Saudi Arabia had been criticized by human rights campaigners but Joshua complimented the hosts and welcomed Ruiz’s suggestion that there should be a third encounter.

“If you heard, we’re going to do it a third,” said the champion.

Ruiz had stopped the previously undefeated Briton in the seventh round at Madison Square Garden but there was to be no second bolt of lightning from the man in the golden gloves a n d shorts.

He suffered a nasty g a s h

over his left eye early on, with Joshua also bloodied on the brow in the second round to keep the cornermen busy to the end.

As the fight went into the second half, Ruiz was looking frustrated and was warned for illegal blows.

The eighth was more promising, with Joshua momentarily appearing vulnerable, but the Briton took back con-

nice, I had to do it twice,” he told the crowd.

“I’m used to knocking guys out but last time I realized ‘hang on a minute, I hurt the man and I got caught coming in’. I gave the man his c r e d it. I said to myself I’m going to correct myself and come

trol and by round 11 had a spring in his step, looking fresh and nimble on his feet while using his height advantage to good effect.

Ruiz knew he needed a knockout but it never came.

Joshua, now with a record of 23 wins and one defeat, had described that June defeat — to a flabby-looking opponent drafted in as a late replacement — as no more than a “minor setback”.

While he made light of it again in victory, he was clearly relieved.

“Man, the first time was so

again.”

Another loss in the early hours of Sunday would have put the 2012 Olympic super-heavyweight champion’s career on the line, with some saying after the last fight that he was finished.

Too much weight

Joshua had shown with his preparations, however, that he meant business — stepping into the ring lighter than ever and more than three stones less than Ruiz who had weighed in considerably heavier than in their first showdown.

The contrast between the two men was a talking point before the fight, with one British boxing writer noting that while Joshua sported a six-pack, his opponent appeared to have consumed one.

Ruiz, embraced by Joshua afterwards, said he would do it differently next time.

“I think I didn’t prepare it how I should have. I gained too much weight but I don’t want to give no excuses. He won, he boxed me around,” he said.

“If we do the third, I’m going to get in the best shape of my life.” (Reuters)

Anthony Joshua lands a punch against Andy Ruiz Jr during their heavyweight bout for the IBF, WBA, WBO & IBO World Heavyweight Titles (Reuters)

Leicester beat Villa for record 8th win in a row J

amie Vardy scored twice as Leicester City thrashed Aston Villa to make it a club-record eight Premier League wins in a row and keep alive their hopes of catching leaders Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers’ side reduced the deficit on top spot to eight points once more with a clinical display at Villa Park, in which former England striker Vardy netted for the eighth successive match.

Vardy linked up with Kelechi Iheanacho to open the scoring after 20 minutes, skipping round Villa keeper Tom Heaton and finishing at the second attempt.

Iheanacho added the Foxes’ second from close range as the visitors looked to have taken control before the break, only for Villa captain Jack Grealish to whip an effort into the bottom corner on the stroke of half-time.

The hosts’ comeback was short lived, however, with Jonny Evans heading in from a corner shortly after the interval.

Vardy then dashed clear with 15 minutes remaining to slide an effort beyond Heaton and put the game out of Villa’s reach.

Leicester remain second in the top flight, but now have a six-point advantage over Manchester City after Pep Guardiola’s side were beaten by Manchester United on Saturday.

Premier League games and leave Norwich City still four points adrift of safety.

George Baldock provided the

Sheffield storms past Norwich

cross for Enda Stevens’ equaliser and then turned to fire in what proved to be the winner in a vastly

Sheffield United came from behind to earn their first win in five

improved second-half performance from the Blades.

In doing so, the visitors maintained their record of going un-

As United moved eighth, two points behind fifth-placed Manchester United, Norwich, in 19th, missed the chance to

Jamie Vardy is just the second player in Premier League history to score in eight successive games on two separate occasions, after Ruud van Nistelrooy in January 2002 and August 2003 (Getty Images)

They deservedly led at the break after Alexander Tettey capitalised on confusion in the United box to lace in a skimming shot.

But the Canaries’ defence buckled in the face of Blades pressure and paid the price for being both timid and static.

They might have seen a way back into the game when Chris Basham was shown a straight red card for a lunging challenge on Kenny McLean, only for VAR to downgrade the dismissal to a yellow for the first time in the Premier League.

Newcastle snatches victory

beaten away from home in the top flight this season, a feat matched only by league leaders Liverpool.

close the gap on Aston Villa and Southampton, who were both beaten.

Newcastle defender Federico Fernandez scored a late winner as his side came from behind to beat Southampton at St James’ Park.

Fernandez fired in a rebound from close range after Sean Longstaff’s shot was parried by keeper Alex McCarthy.

His 87th-minute winner came after Jonjo Shelvey had cancelled out Danny Ings’ opener with a second-half header.

Newcastle have not lost at home in the Premier League since the opening weekend.

Ings, scoring in his fifth successive match for Southampton, latched on to a long ball which Newcastle had failed to clear and slotted it past Martin Dubravka.

Defeat leaves Southampton in the relegation zone - level on points with Aston Villa - while Newcastle break into the top 10. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONday, DECember 9, 2019

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BCB/Banks Beer 1st Division 2-Day tournament…

Tanner’s 5-49 gains Tucber Park first innings points

– Deodat grabs 6-38 for Blairmont

T

ucber Park’s right-arm seam- ball talk”; and he got the big wicket er Orlando Tanner figurative- of former Guyana Under-19 Player ly “made the ball talk” on the Javid Karim, the left-hander having second and final day of the Berbice struck two crisp fours and one six in Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Banks Beer his brief innings of 15 before being 2-Day First Division match between caught behind by Malcolm Mickle.

Kevin Jawahir and Guyana his team and the Blairmont Under-19 Player Seon team at Cotton Tree, West Coast Berbice.

Glasgow then came together Tanner’s 5-49 with the Blairmont score on 82-4, and added 42 runs before wrapped up Blairmont’s Glasgow was dismissed for 21, when his furniture was defirst innings stroyed by off-spinner Kwesi on 170 all out replying to Mickle. He had struck three Tucber Park’s fours and one six.

Jawahir weathered the 274. The teams storm to produce a topsettled for a score of 33, which was draw when decorated with five fours Tucber Park ended the day and one six. He departon 134-7 after ed with the score at 130-6.

Jawahir had deposited Leon 35 overs.

Swamy over long-off for a Resuming the secsix, but Swamy got ond day on 37-1, after Tucber Park had postthe last laugh ed 274 all out, Blairmont when he proceeded with caution to caused reach the lunch interval Jawahir to hold on 64-3 in 27 overs. out to In the morning sesthe imsion, when the day began at 11:00h due to some pressive light showers, Tanner reTanner. moved National Youth The final four Player Nigel Deodat for Blairmont 18, trapping him in front. wickets fell Even when the lunch period arrived, Tanner for 38 runs. was still moving the S h a b e e r Baksh scored ball around; and he a fighting 11, was rewarded with while Chris the wicket of Altaf Harry scored Balman, who had Garfield Benjamin played a surviving 10. In the scored 30 in the 1st knock of 10. process, innings and remained Tanner, After the lunch unbeaten on 22 in break, Tanner conwho took the 2nd innings tinued to “make the the fi-

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Chad Melville

nal wicket of the innings, ended with his maiden five-wicket haul for Tucber Park. He had figures of 5-49 in 13.4 overs, while Mickle had 3-44 in 14 overs. Blairmont ended their first innings on 170 all out in 47.4 overs, with a deficit of 104.

H a v i n g gained first innings’ points, the visiting Tucber Park team opted to bat f o r a second time. They lost first innings half-cent u r i o n Brandon Corlette for

two, trapped in front by Deodat with an arm-ball when the score was on 22-1.

Gevon Schultz, promoted to number three, was then bowled by Deodat for six; and Malcolm Mickle, who played some delightful strokes, became Deodat’s third wicket after scoring a pol-

Nigel Deodat, bowling during his 6-for

ished three The Clifton the crease some in-

25, which included boundaries. aggressive Lindie came to and showed tent, but played one shot too many, and d e parted for 33, which was laced with four boundaries.

Bowling with great control, Blairmont’s left-arm spinner Deodat continued to chip away at the Tucber Park wickets, and was rewarded with 6-38 in 15 top overs as Tucber Park ended on 134-7 in 35 overs. Benjamin remained not out on 22, and Tanner not out on five.

Tucber Park have now registered two first innings’ victories in as many matches in this tournament.

Orlando Tanner

GuyanaNRA 2019 Pistol Championships…

Melville is overall winner

– Hopkinson takes Practical Pistol title

C

had Melville emerged as the Overall winner of the Guyana National Rifle Association’s (GuyanaNRA’s) Smallbore Section 2019 Pistol Championships, in which some 20 members had contested the .22 and Practical Pistol competitions on November 23rd and December 1st respectively.

Melville, who respectively placed 2nd and 3rd in the Practical and .22 competitions, ran away with the Overall Trophy when both points were tallied. He accumulated 475 points, well ahead of 2nd placed Mike Tang, who had 448. Tang placed 4th and 2nd in the two competitions.

Third overall was Joshua Ramlakan, with 423 points. He was the top shot in the .22 competition. Fourth was Azzad Hassan, with 408 points; and comprising the fifth position were the following persons: Surajbali Persaud (379), Ms. Rawatee Shiwdin (349), Satya Dayaram (346), Murtland Smith (327), Kelsey Andrews (324) and Yonell De Abreu (271), to close out the top ten (10) Overall positions.

Rawatee Shiwdin emerged as top markswoman, ahead of Yonell De Abreu.

The top shot in the Practical Pistol competition was 64-year-old Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson, with 175 points.

He was not in the jurisdiction, and did not compete in the .22 Pistol competition. Chad Melville, with 161 points,

ended on 2nd, ahead of Smallbore Vice Captain Gordon Richards (152), Mike Tang (131) and Azaad Hassan (114), who comprised the top five.

The top five shots in the .22 Pistol competition were won as follows: first place winner was Joshua Ramlakan, with a total of 327 points and 9Vs; his total in the Practical Pistol competition was 96 points. Second place went to Mike Tang (317 points 3Vs); third went to Chad Melville (314 points, 9Vs); fourth went to Azaad Hassan (294 points, 8Vs); and fifth went to Rawatee Shiwdin (294 points, 5Vs).

Smallbore Captain Dale Hing -- who chaired the presentation ceremony held at Guyana Olympic Association headquarters at Block XXX Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, and handed over the prizes -complimented all the participants for making each competition a resounding success.

He was high in praise for the two female shooters, Shiwdin and new comer Ms. Yonell De Abreu. The Overall champion, Chad Melville, was unavoidably absent.

Meanwhile, the New Year promises to be a hectic one for the Smallbore shooters, with the first international event set to be the Secure Innovations & Concepts’ Amazon Shoot, an annual event held in Suriname and sponsored by Guyanese businessman Harold ‘Top Gun’ Hopkinson.

About 15 shooters, led by Hopkinson, are so far slated to be in the Guyanese contingent attending this event.

22

MONday, DECember 9, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Guyana cap Goodwill Conquerors trounce Lady Panthers Series with 2nd win F GFF-Always Championship Cup 2019…

– Santos claim walkover victory over Police

I

Part of the action on night two of the series

n another memorable night’s play, Guyana trounced Grenada 97-75 in the Goodwill Basketball Series to claim the second match in the three-match series, when play continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) on Saturday evening.

The Guyana side again showed great combination of skill and tactics to prevail in the encounter, Terron Welch registering a game-high 28 points, while Ray Victor was again in the mix of things to produce a valuable 16 points.

For Grenada, Jonathan Williams top scored with 26 points in a losing effort. He was ably assisted by James Andrew, who

scored 15 points.

By this win, Guyana have clinched the series, and would likely be aiming for a clean sweep thereof when they play their final match; while Grenada have a chance to register a consolation win in that final.

Guyana prevailed 90-73 in match one, thanks to the 39 points’ efforts of Victor, while Welch and Travis Belgrave chipped in with 19 and 18 points respectively.

This friendly series is a precursor to the 2020 CBC Championships, wherein Guyana will be defending the title they won last year in Suriname.

Rio Indoor Streetball Championships…

ruta Conquerors romped to their third win in as many matches played in the GFF-Always Championship Cup 2019 football tournament. In the process, they handed Lady Panthers their first loss in the tournament, yesterday at the GFF National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

In another successful day, the Fruta ladies emerged 5-0 winners, led by a brace each from Tiandi Smith and Abiosi Heywood.

Yesterday’s other match saw Santos Football Club taking full points from the Guyana Police Force (GPF) via the walkover route. These were the first points scored by Santos in this tournament, but the loss was the GPF’s fourth successive one.

A keen affair was anticipated between the two best teams in the competition, but Conquerors stormed out of the blocks from the opening whistle to score on the first rundown in the first minute of the game, Lakeisha Pearson netting the fastest goal of the league so far.

Thereafter, an unrelenting Conquerors team took full advantage of the absence of Lady Panthers’ leading player Shavey Reuben, currently pursuing studies at UG. Before the end of the first 30-minute half, Conquerors were already up 4-0.

Tiandi Smith netted the first of her brace in the 8th minute, and Abiosi Heywood superintended proceedings

with strikes in the 13th and 22nd minutes.

The second half saw Lady Panthers putting in a steadier performance, to the extent that Conquerors could find the back of their net only once -- when Smith completed her double in the 40th minute.

Lady Panthers did produce a few chances of their own, but were unable to crack the airtight Fruta Conquerors’ backline, which to date have not conceded a goal in their three matches, whilst scoring a total of 23 goals of their own.

Smith is the league’s leading scorer with eight (8) goals, a helmet-trick and two doubles.

Matches will continue this weekend at the same venue.

Fruta Conquerors’ goalscorers: Abiosi Heywood, Lakeisha Pearson and Tiandi Smith

UDFA under pressure to stage year-end football extravaganza

Bent Street, Rio All Stars, Sparta Boss, Gold is Money into semis

S

parta Boss and Gold is Money -- two heavyweight proponents of streetball football --both survived bruising quarterfinal encounters to advance to the semi-final round of the inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championships when play continued on Saturday night at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.

An official release from this tournament’s coordinators details as follows: “The quarterfinal matches did not disappoint, as the large crowd which descended on the venue (was) treated to thrilling action. The four remaining teams are the best in the event, and the semi-finals are expected to be an exhilarating affair.

Traditional sides Sparta Boss, Gold is Money and Bent Street are once again in the final four, while Rio AllStars, the new kids on the block, have officially earned the status of heavyweights following their clinical performance over a perennial contender.”

Playing before indisputably the biggest turnout to date, Sparta Boss had to secure a come-frombehind victory in their clash against a determined BV unit in order to make the last four. I t took a brace from talisman Deon Alfred for them to secure victory, while the experience Eusi Phillips also supported with a double in the win.

Omari Glasgow and Jemar Harrigon were simply on target for BV. In the game that followed, Gold is Money edged

Leopold Street 3-2 to set up a mouthwatering clash against nemesis Sparta Boss for a final berth come Saturday. The lanky striker Solomon Austin fired in a brace, while equally impressive young player Keifer Brandt added the other.

Tyrese Ford and Omallo Williams were the players on target for Leopold Street.

The night’s most impressive performance came from Rio All Stars, who crushed Future Stars 6-1 to install themselves as legitimate contenders for the title.

Former national player Job Caesar was in irresistible form, hammering in a treble to lead the Rio charge to victory. Jermin Junor, Kelsey Benjamin and Andrew Murray Jnr added solitary strikes to complete their team’s tally.

Daniel Ross was the lone marksman for Future Stars.

In the final quarter-final matchup, Bent Street, a team loaded with national players, silenced the highly touted Back Circle with a comfortable 3-1 triumph. Captain Daniel Wilson, Pernell Schultz and Clive Nobrega each netted a goal, while Stephon McLean made the lone response for Back Circle.

Next Saturday’s semi-final matchups are blockbuster affairs, with Sparta Boss and Gold is Money squaring off in the feature semi-final, and Rio All Stars going headto-head with Bent Street in the prelude to that shocker.

Up for grabs is $1million fo r the winning team; while second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, along with trophies. The semifinals and final will be played on the same night.

Eagles FC, posing with their spoils after defeating Net-Rockers in the grand finale of the UDFA ‘GT-Beer’ Football Championships at the MSC ground in Linden on New Year’s Day 2019

T

he big question is whether this “tradition” will be broken; and the tradition at reference is in regard to Linden having its GT Beer Year-End Football Tournament.

Efforts are underway to “put measures in place” to upkeep this annual extravaganza, which at one stage had seen executives being banned for daring to stage the event against the wishes of some in the higher echelons of authority in the administration of this game; and that was not so long ago.

The battle had been won then, a few years ago, and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) have since continued to stage their yearly GT Beer Football Tournament, with domestic clubs pursuing honours therein to the great delight of the big football fan base in the sports-loving township of Linden.

This year, however, acquiring the necessary sponsorship to stage this extravaganza is seemingly a serious challenge. The UDFA have come in for some harsh criticism from their affiliates, and even clubs, in regard to this year-end event being staged, because of its importance to the community.

The Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) has also been engaged, to have dates available and to ensure the venue is ready; and while all this is happening, interests seemingly from other quarters have begun to emerge.

One high-ranking official has stated that the Change Guyana political party, through Nigel Hinds

and Robert Badal, has offered to be part-sponsors of the event, along with the Guy-Construct Company; but confirmation has yet to come.

The UDFA are hoping that, through approaches made to the ministries of Social Cohesion and the Presidency, Government support would be forthcoming.

This is even as the event’s main sponsors, Banks DIH Ltd, have not decided what level of sponsorship they would be furnishing, after years of being its main sponsors.

With the staging of this event being plagued by uncertainty, the UDFA have been seeking to obtain from some source, or sources, watertight assurances of assistance in regard to its staging, and they are looking to other Linden businesses for help and support.

The UDFA are reportedly pinning their hopes on Banks DIH, as the tournament’s main sponsors, making them an offer they cannot refuse during the course of the week.

Banks DIH had committed to being this tournament’s annual sponsors, and it was through this year-end tournament that the beverage giants had launched their GT Beer brand in Linden a few years ago.

Clubs had been enquiring about an early start to this tournament, but the starting date that would have allowed these eight-day championships to conclude on January 1 as usual has already passed without certainty that these championships would be held.

MONday, DECember 9, 2019

Simmons half-century

guyanatimesgy.com

23

flattens India, levels series

Kesrick Williams added another chapter to the saga when he dismissed Virat Kohli (BCCI)

Nicholas Pooran and Lendl Simmons are congratulated by India Captain Virat Kohli after the match (BCCI)

W

est Indies managed to slow India down enough in the second half of their innings to set up an eventually easy chase in the dew. On a slow surface, it might have appeared India had done well to reach 170, but the dew had a significant say with the ball beginning to skid on in the night. Lendl Simmons saw the chase through with 67* off 45 but not without powerful assists from three left-hand batsmen who negated India’s spinners: Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer and Nicholas Pooran.

Between them, the three left-hand batsmen made 101 off 57 balls.

Like West Indies were with the wides in the first game, India were profligate in the field. Both Simmons and Lewis were dropped before they got going, and ground fielders also let more than a couple of balls slip through their hands in dewy conditions.

Signs of slow pitch

Sheldon Cottrell got off to an ordinary start with six runs off wides in the first over, but signs were there that this was a slow pitch not conducive for power hitting. Khary Pierre and Cottrell built the pressure with two tight overs, and that resulted in a slog from KL Rahul. India 24 for 1 after 3.1 overs.

Dube walks out

For the first time in official cricket, Shivam Dube walked out to bat at No. 3, possibly to try to hit out on a difficult pitch without risking a more accomplished batsman such as Virat Kohli. Sure enough Dube made the kind of start Kohli made in Hyderabad, strug-

gling for timing as West Indies looked to bowl into the pitch and use changes of pace. The struggle was not exclusive to Dube, though: Rohit Sharma didn’t like the slowness of the pitch either and got out for 15 off 18 trying to play a ramp off Jason Holder.

Pollard gets greedy?

It was a funky piece of captaincy when Kieron Pollard brought himself on in the seventh over.

Data would tell you to bowl Hayden Walsh’s legspin against Rohit Sharma. On this pitch, though, Pollard’s cutters into the pitch worked, and he conceded just three. Then he gave himself another over, and Dube had by now got used to the pace of the pitch. He hit three sixes in Pollard’s over, but there was a byplay involved. After being hooked for a six, Pollard switched to bowling wide outside Dube’s reach. A harsh second wide call meant Pollard changed his plans, and Dube made full use of it.

Did Pollard get greedy or was he protecting his spinners against the left-hand hitter?

In the next over, Dube brought up his maiden international 50. India 93 for 2 after 10.

Walsh and Williams turn it around

Brought on belatedly, Walsh made an immediate impact with the wicket of Dube third ball.

Kesrick Williams had his own back on Kohli after the notebook came

flying at him in the first match. He saw Kohli run down the wicket, ran his fingers on the ball, and had him caught at short third man. This time he used his finger to shush everyone up.

Rishabh Pant found a way to score 33* off 22 on this slow pitch, but around him West Indies managed to apply the choke on. Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar all fell trying to f o r c e t h e p a c e .

Between t h e m Williams and Walsh conceded 58 in eight o v e r s for four wicke t s .

Only 26 came off the last

Shivam Dube (BCCI)

four, 77 off the last 10.

Spillage

The chase got off to a tense start with the new ball sitting in the surface. Even Washington managed to turn the new ball. It is never a good sign when y o u a r e chasing, but the dew was the wildcard here. Even before the wildcard could be drawn, the openers felt the pressure to try low-percentage shots. They were 23 after four overs.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing for a World Cup spot, charged in. His knuckle ball drew the mis-hit from Simmons, but Washington dropped the skier at midoff. Two balls later, Pant reprieved Lewis.

This was a difficult chance because the batsman had backed away, the bowler had followed him, and the keeper had to be heading down the leg side. But Pant did get both hands to it, and failed to cushion it as he came down, with the ball spilling out. Kohli, fielding at the boundary, was seen telling the crowd off for their reaction to yet another wicketkeeping error from Pant.

Floodgates open

That was just the luck West Indies needed.

Starting next over, the bats kept swinging and connecting sweetly. All but one of the next 14 overs produced at least one boundary. That one over was when Washington finally got the better of Lewis, building dots and then getting the eventual stumping.

This was the 10th over, and India had yet to use Jadeja on a surface that was likely to help him. The reason for it was the presence of Lewis. So they took the cue, and dropped Brandon King down the order, letting the left-hand batsmen play havoc.

Hetmyer took five balls to hit his first six, Pooran took three. Neither

Yuzvendra Chahal nor Jadeja was effective on what had now become a skiddy surface thanks to the dew. And the ball travelled off the bat. West Indies continued to bat smartly. Simmons did hit one six off Chahal, but other than that he was happy to let the left-hand batsmen take strike against bowlers who turn the ball away from right-hand batsmen. Against offspin and pace, Simmons was brutal.

By the time India went back to pace, West Indies needed 44 off the last five overs. Pooran took apart Bhuvneshwar’s comeback over, settling the chase then and there. Finishing touches were applied smoothly.

(ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD India Innings (20 overs maximum)

RG Sharma b Holder . . . . . . 15 KL Rahul c Hetmyer b Pierre . 11 S Dube c Hetmyer b Walsh . . 54 V Kohli (c) c Simmons b Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 RR Pant † not out . . . . . . . 33 SS Iyer c King b Walsh . . . . . 10 RA Jadeja b Williams . . . . . 9 W Sundar c & b Cottrell . . . . 0 DL Chahar not out . . . . . . . 1 Extras (lb 3, nb 2, w 13) . . . . 18 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 8.5) 170/7 Did not bat: B Kumar, YS Chahal Fall of wickets: 1-24 (KL Rahul, 3.1 ov), 2-56 (Rohit Sharma, 7.4 ov), 3-97 (Shivam Dube, 10.3 ov), 4-120 (Virat Kohli, 13.2 ov), 5-144 (Shreyas Iyer, 16.2 ov), 6-164 (Ravindra Jadeja, 18.6 ov), 7-167 (Washington Sundar, 19.4 ov) BOWLING SS Cottrell (4-0-27-1) K Pierre (2-0-11-1) JO Holder (4-0-42-1) KOK Williams (4-0-30-2)

KA Pollard (2-0-29-0) HR Walsh (4-0-28-2)

West Indies Innings (target: 171 runs from 20 overs)

LMP Simmons not out . . . . . 67 E Lewis st †Pant b Washington Sundar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SO Hetmyer c Kohli b Jadeja . 23 N Pooran † not out . . . . . . 38 Extras (nb 1, w 4) . . . . . . . 5 TOTAL (18.3 Overs, RR: 9.35) 173/2 Did not bat: BA King, KA Pollard (c), JO Holder, K Pierre, KOK Williams, SS Cottrell, HR Walsh Fall of wickets: 1-73 (Evin Lewis, 9.5 ov), 2-112 (Shimron Hetmyer, 13.4 ov) BOWLING DL Chahar (3.3-0-35-0) B Kumar (4-0-36-0) W Sundar (4-0-26-1) YS Chahal (3-0-36-0) S Dube (2-0-18-0) RA Jadeja (2-0-22-1)

MONday, DECember 9, 2019

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

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Page 23

Simmons half-century flattens India, levels series GuyanaNRA 2019 Pistol Championships…

Melville is overall winner – Hopkinson takes Practical Pistol title

Guyana cap Goodwill Series with 2nd win Page 22

Page 21 GuyanaNRA Smallbore Captain Dale Hing (left) poses with the recipients of prizes for the.22 Pistol and Practical Pistol Shoot 2019 Championships

Terron Welch (left) and Ray Victor were instrumental in Guyana’s win

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