Guyana Times Monday February 24, 2020

P15

Caricom reaffirms support for Guyana on upcoming ICJ case Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

PPP/C expresses concern over GECOM using tents as polling stations cites security concerns; says tents unconducive for Election Day work guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4206

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

See stories on pages 3 & 16

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ꟷ Commissioners blast GECOM for reducing polling places

Ali details development for EBD corridor See story on page 9

Major political parties amplify Mashramani 2020

Page 10

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Lifeless body of Mahaica man found in trench P7

Skeletal remains found at No 37 Village foreshore P7

Family of dead motorcyclist slams Police for slothful P15 investigation

Duo arrested after more than 27kg of cocaine found stashed in boat P7

One of the many floats that wowed the crowd at D’Urban Park, Georgetown on Sunday as they gathered to get a glimpse of the creative and well-put-together pieces

Tuschen teen Soldier dies found hanging one day after after publicity wave explosion See story on page 8

...after accusing religious figure of “inappropriate touching of hands”

Page 7

at Ruimveldt

P9 Guyana’s history not welldocumented – UG Chancellor

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, February 24 – 05:30h – 07:00h and Tuesday, February 25 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, February 24 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Tuesday, February 25 – 05:20h – 06:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Expect light rain during the early morning hours.

There will be sunny intervals for the rest of the day. There will be partly cloudy skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 17:21h reaching a maximum height of 2.65 metres.

Low Tide: 10:56h and 23:15h reaching minimum heights of 0.63 metre and 0.58 metre.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

02

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21

28

FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01

13

07

22

25

LUCKY 3

3

4

4

3

Afternoon Draw

1

4

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01

05

10

15

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PAY DAY

07

08

09

10

20 SUPER PAY DAY

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020

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

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

$58.50/barrel $241.20ton $423.00/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change % -1.38 -0.26 0.00

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask $1643.00 $1644.00 Low/High $1625.30 $1650.10 Change 0.00 0.00%

PPP/C expresses concern over GECOM using tents as polling stations

– cites security concerns; says tents unconducive for Election Day work

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n the heels of the alarm caused by the drastic reduction in polling places, more concern is being expressed about the logistics of the Guyana Elections Commission using tents as temporary polling places for General and Regional Elections.

This was communicated by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Chief Scrutineer Zulfikar Mustapha, in an interview with Guyana Times. Chief among Mustapha’s concerns was how unsecure tents are for protecting sensitive information such as ballots.

“There are areas of concern where some of these polling places are earmarked for. I am not satisfied with GECOM using tents. Tents are very unsecure. You can put those on open lots and they are not secured properly. There are no fences; people can compromise the process there. Tents will not provide enough security for these polling places.

“There are a number of tents that GECOM has proposed to be polling stations. GECOM will bring the tents there. And it’s not just security. When the sun hot and there’s tarpaulin in an open area, imagine how uncomfortable those polling agents will be, including our agents. To sit under a tent from 05:00h until almost 09:00h. Tents are not secure.”

According to Mustapha, GECOM’s decision to slash the use of private residences as polling stations is already one that has potential to cause complications. He noted that GECOM communicated its intention to use tents on the list of polling stations it supplied.

“For example, places like Foulis, they have earmarked some of those areas for tents.

In some compounds, like the Eccles Health Centre I had my people check today, they said the Health Centre can’t accommodate six polling stations. As a result of that, they will have to do tents in the compound.

“Then there’s another area in Perseverance. They told me they went today and the place is like a pasture. So, these things are not secure. I am very dissatisfied. Right now, we want GECOM to put back those stations they reduced,” he said.

Concern has also been expressed that GECOM’s decision to reduce private polling places will dispro-

PPP/C Chief Scrutineer Zulficar Mustapha

portionately affect perceived PPP/C strongholds while perceived coalition support bases will remain unaffected.

In Mon Repos, there are approximately 10,000 voters registered, yet only two Places of Poll – Mon Repos

Nursery School and Mon Repos Primary School – have now been designated to facilitate them.

Mon Repos comprises several sections – Mon Repos North, Mon Repos Housing Scheme, Mon Repos Market Square, Mon Repos Squatting Area, Mon Repos Richardsville, Marthasville Block CC and Block 8 – which are widely dispersed.

From the data provided, approximately 7000 voters will now be funnelled into Mon Repos Primary School to cast their ballots. This is a recipe for chaos since, based on our history of past elections, most of these voters will be arriving at the Place of Poll in the early hours of the morning or in the evening. In the last elections, Mon Repos had 19 polling places, which allowed a very orderly flow of voters and the voting was incident-free.

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, in a social media post on Monday evening, had also been critical of GECOM’s decision. This decision, he said, must be reviewed owing to the potential for confusion on Election Day.

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

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

Partisanship and anger

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ne of the characteristics of representative democratic politics is that, by definition, it is oppositional. It works by dividing the populace into camps that are supposed to coalesce around common stances on issues that matter to them. The politicians who are vying to represent “the people” in government have an incentive to exploit those divisions when they seek to agglomerate votes by claiming to be willing to articulate the interests of the particular camps. Inevitably, then, democratic politicians represent “part” of the electorate; hence the term “party” to describe their vehicle of representation.

This origin also gave us the word “partisan” to describe the stances of both those who represent and are represented in politics. In the development of our politics, it soon became a chicken-and- egg question as to whether partisanship was an effect or affect of democracy. The dangers of partisanship become obvious when the positions of the various camps are severely dichotomised and the camps begin to see politics as a zero-sum proposition and opponents become “enemies”. Politics become a “no holds barred” affair that can extend literally into civil wars.

In Guyana, it has been our unfortunate experience to have inherited a political landscape in which our camps are divided along ascriptive lines, such as race and ethnicity – which happen to coincide here. In the 1960s, our politics – albeit with external prompting – did almost descend into a violent ethnic civil war, leaving memories and wounds that are never too far from the surface. It is this critical difference that makes our politics more volatile than those of two of our neighbours that have populations and political systems that are otherwise very similar to ours.

Between 1998 and 2008 - just over a decade ago – our politics once again erupted into debilitating partisanship, accompanied with violence. We definitely have not recovered, especially when some of the figures that openly called for violence as a “solution” to our political challenges have been given national awards in the last five years by the PNC-led government. What has been very troubling is the encouragement by the latter organisation of a dominant narrative of the Opposition PPP being responsible for the deaths of hundreds of individuals from their camp in the preceding decade, and as such “should not be allowed” to accede to office, even via democratic elections.

The deliberate use of the word “allow” signals that they are in a position to resort to extraconstitutional means to keep their promise. And this, over the last few months, has led to a deepening of partisanship that is visible in increasingly strident rhetoric, both on the campaign platforms and even more so in the private meetings. The level of anger in the ordinary supporters in the two major camps is rising against each other, and the leaders have to take cognisance of this development and lower the temperature of their rhetoric.

For instance, to the charge that the PPP was responsible for the deaths of hundreds comes the counter-charge that the origin of the violence that is being decried is ignored, particularly it its ethnically directed nature and egregiousness. What is being forgotten is the rationale for the exhortation that we should not forget the past; that we must do whatever it takes to ensure we do not repeat it.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has made one intervention to call for a reduction of rhetoric that can lead to frayed tempers. Based on our own history, we have seen how the anger generated by such rhetoric can lead to a callusing of the moral fibres of our two camps, and how, in the words of the poet Langston Hughes, they can “explode like a sore”.

Save that, in our case, the pus from the sore can rend our society apart once again. This is particularly ironic, since, at long last, we are on the cusp of acquiring the wherewithal to guarantee that we can move from a zero-sum politics to a win-win one for all the peoples in all our camps.

This float which depicts Guyana flora and fauna was one of many which took to the streets on Sunday for Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary celebration. This float led the Agriculture Ministry’s delegation (Shaconeil Burnette Photo)

I am as fearful in 2020 as I was hopeful in 2015 Dear Editor, That I supported David Granger and the APNU/AFC coalition in the 2015 elections is a matter of public knowledge. Neither conscience nor logic nor reason allows me to do so again.

As a leader with a nought point one three per cent, and a one-seat majority in a hugely bifurcated society, instead of fostering national healing and reconciliation, Granger has been more divisive than disappointing. Instead of policies and strategies to bring the communities closer, he, his Government and several high-level appointees have shown, at best, an insensitivity to ethnic concerns and at worst, a tendency towards narrow ethnocentric policies.

For a still poor country, the pattern of public spending during the period and accentuated in this campaign season, is nothing short of reckless. Where competence is required, he has preferred loyalty. While laying claim to integrity and decency, he has shown that he is as willing to engage in cheap posturing and politics as the most opportunistic politician around.

Most of all, Granger has shown contempt for and continues to display arrogance and superiority for the country’s Constitution and the rule of law.

His grand vision has been breakfast, bicycles, boats and buses, the sort of things you leave to local authorities, or a reasonably funded charity. He has no problem with his picture on flags financed by unaccounted and possibly tainted money, taking up public space, abuse of State resources to campaign for re-election on a platform of integrity, taking the bully’s position when the courts rule against him, and breaking written promises and pledges.

His Administration has retained all the Afro Guyanese Permanent Secretaries inherited from its predecessor

while removing almost all the rest. The result is that IndoGuyanese are barely represented among PS’s and in the public service as a whole. Of the scores of senior positions in the State sector, less than ten per cent of the most senior positions represent the other community. Granger personally relieved two prominent active persons - Cecil Kennard and Prem Persaud - because of age while unconstitutionally/unlawfully appointing two individuals - James Patterson and Professor Clive Thomas – with even more pronounced characteristics. The professional and business class of Guyana can fend for themselves but the treatment of sugar workers has been nothing short of cruel and inhumane.

Taking advantage of the media’s softness and silence, Granger’s Government has shown a stubborn refusal to disclose the full details of a number of projects including the D’Urban Park project, the Sussex Street drug storage facility, the Mazaruni Prison reconstruction, contracts without proper approval and money for politicians, their family, friends and supporters.

For all the taxes his Administration has raised and tons of money spent, Granger’s five years in power has revealed a man of poor judgment, weak leadership and low achievement. He did show cunning on his belittling of the AFC whose greed for power guaranteed that nothing could cause them raising off their knees. And in his appeasing of the WPA, which, for years, grumbled about bad faith and breach of trust.

Having broken the promise of free collective bargaining in the public service, stood aloof of the struggle between an oppressive foreign employer and its employees, and ignored the labour movement as a whole, he has managed to have the President of the TUC on his

party list – unprecedented in Guyana.

Mr Granger now singlehandedly appeals to the same electorate to ignore his grave violations of the law and several broken promises because this time his promises represent a sacred contract.

Having failed them in the past, he seeks to entice them in the present. Granger now talks up the agriculture and gold-mining sectors as shining stars while not too long ago, he listed them among curses.

Having thrown thousands of sugar workers to the ranks of the unemployed and the desperate, his Administration scurries to distribute sugar lands to his friends for peanuts. He and his party now fly to visit the hinterland appealing for votes from the Indigenous people who were described by his party functionaries as “greedy”.

Mr Granger shares a special relationship with Raphael Trotman, the man directly responsible for the biggest giveaway this country has ever seen and who is now CoChairman of Granger’s re-election campaign. He appointed the largest Government in the history of this country which just happens to be the most incompetent. Think of former Attorneys General such as Burnham himself, Ramsahoye, Ramphal, Shahabudeen, Fred Wills and Keith Massiah and the contrast with the incumbent is clear. As Ministers of Finance, think of Peter D’Aguiar, Ptolemy Reid, Frank Hope, Desmond Hoyte, Bharrat Jagdeo and Ashni Singh: again the contrast is striking. Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has been largely a sinecure and warrants no comparison while Khemraj Ramjattan, whose portfolio has been halved, has performed several times as bad as even his more ordinary counterparts, let alone Fenton Ramsahoye, Ptolemy Reid, Desmond Hoyte and Stanley

Moore.

Granger cannot be blamed for the incompetence of others. But he cannot escape responsibility for appointing and retaining what is at best mediocrity. A measure of the low rating which Granger places on the national interest is his appointment of a single unsuitably qualified person to head the petroleum sector instead of pursuing the Petroleum Commission which his Government tabled and then allowed to die with the dissolution of Parliament.

But Granger’s greatest danger is his contempt for the Constitution and our laws, with threats of more to come.

There has been no Judicial Services Commission or fully constituted Procurement Commission for some time, while many of other constitutional bodies were appointed inordinately late. He unconstitutionally appointed James Patterson to head GECOM and never relented until the CCJ forced him to; he defied the National Assembly’s NoConfidence Motion – not because he believed that the majority of 65 is 34 but because as he told his supporters “they elected him for five years and he would be President for five years”. And now he threatens to remove the National Assembly’s power to have a motion of no-confidence, and warns people of his constitutional power to strip them of their citizenship.

The recitation of all the above, which is only part of the story, leaves one to wonder whether he as President will ensure free and fair elections, elections that are free from fear and intimidation, and whether he will obey the will of the electorate. There is no evidence for me to have those same fears about the other parties contesting these elections. I am as fearful in 2020 as I was hopeful in 2015.

Sincerely, Christopher Ram

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

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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

GECOM arrangements display a heightened lack of probity Dear Editor, As the elections fever gets hotter, a determined Guyanese electorate is bracing to be a part of the inexorable collision of forces, which will lead the corrupt Grangerled coalition dictatorship to a massive defeat at the March 02, 2020 polls. Observably, the role of key players at GECOM on this collision course has proven to be biased, nontransparent and elusive to expected fair practices that they have deliberately kept below minimum acceptability.

Fresh in the memory of all Guyanese is GECOM joining the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) cases, in an attempt to defend Mr Granger’s illegal machinations of the organisation. Although the CCJ ruled against the illegally appointed and biased Chairman, the appointment of a new Chairman did elim-

inate the realised James Patterson negative effects. In fact, current Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield unilaterally attempted to carry out his House-to-House in defiance of the Constitution, and Justice Claudette Singh had to halt those actions.

The Secretariat under Keith Lowenfield has recently rolled out another ninth hour set of glaring clandestine manoeuvres, particularly, relating to the reduction of polling places in PPP/C strongholds.

The negative influences of these and many other unclarified positions smack the highest clandestine suspicions and display a heightened lack of probity regarding GECOM. Lowenfield’s pretence of minimising the number of previously utilised residences as polling places has been selective as there is much public evidence to show the hypocrit-

ical nature of the approach to create confusion.

As an example, the APNU coalition’s traditional stronghold areas in North and South Ruimveldt after Lowenfield’s choices remain imbued with Polling Places that are residences. Meanwhile, many of the new public building published are unsuited to the activities. Such is the case of the Eccles Health Centre, which could only conveniently accommodate voters using tents in the yard of the compound. Further, the use of an increasing number of tents around the country will realise situations affecting the users such as bad weather, mosquitoes and other insects, while lighting will become a critical factor after six o’clock when voting ceases. GECOM must, therefore, state what measures they plan to put in place to counter these possi-

ble anomalies.

For the wider population, there is a measure of insurance against GECOM’s conundrums, as election agents of the parties and observers would be present to witness the votes of electors counted in the polling places. Although Lowenfield is combining to make it harder for some perceived PPP/C strongholds, such actions will only serve as an incentive for the persons affected to make a more determined effort to get to the place of polls.

Otherwise, the PPP/C will get them there and the massive defeats at the 2016 and 2018 Local Government Elections will continue, as the APNU/ AFC is doom to be humiliated.

GECOM is on trial to conduct free and fair elections and their administrators have created a stony thornfilled path towards evalua-

Why does Granger cabal need all these electronic and telecoms data?

Dear Editor, I note a letter to the press from Lt Comdr (ret) Floyd Levi in response to a letter from me titled “Increased spending

by Granger Administration questionable” published on page 7 of Stabroek News on February 19, 2020. Firstly, I want to sincerely thank Officer Levi for his response.

But it would be remiss of me to let this particularly glaring recent example of how to deflect from the core issues go unremarked upon.

Where in my letter did I remark upon the genesis or history of the NDMA? While it is good information, it is irrelevant to the core issue and this history does not aid to serve as a credible rebuttal to the arguments advanced by me.

In this regard, I put the following questions to the nation and invite Officer Levi to answer them in order to dispel any doubt the nation may have in its mind: 1. Were 107 new em-

ployees hired by the NDMA in 2018? What were these people hired to do? Was intelligence gathering one of their tasks?

2. To date, you have not told this nation what is the latest with the $113 million that the NDMA spent on a fibre optic cable in 2018. Is it working? Was the project completed?

3. To date, you have not reported to a select committee of the national Parliament on your activities concerning the data centre that was constructed at Liliandaal.

What is the nature of the data this data centre is collecting? Does it collect information on private citizens without their permission?

4. The Auditor General in his 2018 Audit Report stated that the 2015 financial statements of the NDMA lacks “key disclosures and are not in compliance with the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)”.

Yet the Granger cabal sought to put several billions of dol-

lars into the hands of such an agency that does not understand basic accounting and internal controls.

5. Why was the last audited report from the NDMA completed only for 2015?

Where are the completed 2016, 2017, and 2018 audits?

6. Why have 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 audit reports of the NDMA not been presented to the national Parliament?

7. Why was the financial information for 2018 not submitted to the Office of the Auditor General as yet? What are you administering here, Officer Levi; a rum shop?

8. Do you know, Officer Levi, that your actions as the Accounting Officer of the NDMA are in clear violation of Section 80 of the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act? Therefore, what is the primary functions of this agency and can you account for its deliverables since 2016? What has the NDMA done for

the people of Guyana? Why the secrecy and the lack of proper reporting from the NDMA? What is the nation supposed to conclude from this situation?

But now that Mr Levi has stepped up, I hope with the same level of swiftness he will answer these pertinent questions on his governance of the NDMA. With the kind courtesy of your pages, please permit me now to respectfully invite Officer Levi to make publicly available his action plan to bring his agency into the realm of good governance, transparency, and accountability. But more importantly, I hope he just answers these few small questions.

Into whose hands is all the information gathered and processed by the NDMA released? And why does the Granger cabal need all these electronic and telecoms data?

Yours sincerely, Sasenarine Singh

Please help us thwart this direct assault on our democratic right Dear Editor, There is no wishing away this one or just simply trying to gloss over it, I am talking about this last-minute decision by GECOM to change or arbitrarily reduce the number of Polling Stations for this upcoming elections. If this is not a direct assault on our democratic right, then what is? They have drastically reduced the number of polling places with a bias towards strongholds of the Opposition PPP/C, which represents the most spiteful, lowdown, undemocratic move by an election body never before seen in our country. And I hasten to say this foolishness has to stop now, because come election day there will be chaos and confusion galore and possibly mass disenfranchisement of many voters!

This is preposterous, to say the least, coming at this late hour that an Election Commission can so arbitrarily reduce polling areas, it clear-

ly shows that the GECOM Chairperson is being controlled by Granger’s bullyism.

I first call on the contesting political parties to voice their disapproval of this move as well as the international community to immediately seek a reversal of this direct assault on our electoral process.

To think of it, those Polling Stations served us well in all of these elections, the 2015 elections that the PNC-led coalition won was served by those very same Polling Stations, you are also talking about the 2016 and 2018 Local Government Elections, where these very same Polling Stations were used, so how come they are a problem now? The answer is they have suddenly become a glaring problem and a huge stumbling-block for the PNC because polling places, I say, more polling places means that the democratic process would run smoothly and for which we will see a

sure end to an undemocratic Government. In this regard, the incumbent is very fearful making a last-ditch do or die effort to avoid the inevitable.

The point is, human beings are creatures of habit and persons will turn up at their usual places of poll to exercise their democratic right. Now, think about someone turning up at the place of poll only to find that you are not registered to vote there, what confusing situation that presents? Fancy the situation where you are an elderly person, having no internet and lacking the capability to check and see that your place of poll has changed then you can understand how chaotic and confusing that situation will be.

Reports are that some polling areas are under makeshift tents positioned in open fields, this also poses other significant problems, for example, the weather conditions changing and there is a sudden downpour that day, or if

it pours all day, then are you telling me that would be the voters’ lot to endure the torture of standing in the pouring rain to cast their ballot?

Think about the elderly and physically handicapped persons in such circumstances, is this the experience GECOM wants us to countenance in this crucial an election?

Finally, I will say all we ask is for that small window of opportunity to cast our votes, at our usual locations, unfettered, unhindered and in a calm and incident-free environment. We ask for no special favours, all we are asking is that on March 2 we are afforded that small luxury, if you can call it that, to conduct our affairs. In this regard, I call on the international community to step in to aid us to have a free, fair and impartial process and may the people’s rights be preserved.

Respectfully submitted, Neil Adams

tion. Actors in GECOM have stretched the nations’ tolerance to its breaking point and attempts by any person to interfere with the electoral process will have dire consequences. The passivity of a peaceful PPP/C competitor, however, must not be underestimated and the Election Day staff must perform in a professional way. While the polling agents are well trained and the observers will be on the alert for any skulduggery. All eyes will be on GECOM and they are under serious scrutiny.

GECOM’s action has put political activists of parties outside the Granger coalition cabal to the sword, as they had to do thorough House-toHouse work on four different occasions. However, that has incensed a steely determination and made them more intimately connected with the masses. As such, the PPP/C’s polling agents are fully aware of all the names in the respected Divisions. This will make it possible for the operational flow in the community and the smooth motivation for all the voters to go out and vote early.

GECOM has continued selection of staff. Polling day staff continues in a partisan manner, but let it be clear that no planted Presiding Officer or Poll Clerks will be allowed to do any mischief. Given the GECOM Secretariat’s now confusing approach, the PPP/C is putting systems

in place to ensure that they guide voters to their respective Polling Stations even if it means fetching them, to counter the newly created one or two-miles displacement.

One hopes there are no further problems in knowing the polling places given the published positions, and particularly, the Polling Booth where each person will be voting.

While the national ID card continues to be an issue, GECOM must find the way forward for the free flow for voting on Elections Day, which must be provided to the contesting parties. I am advocating for the advanced release of the folio of photographic details of voters for individual polling places, as this would help to alleviate some of the emerging problems related to the non-issuing of ID cards. The world is looking at Guyana and our democracy is on trial. We cannot be moving from democracy to the dictatorship of a Granger Administration under scrutiny for corruption, dishonesty, and cronyism.

The world is looking and we know the international community is evaluating and monitoring the situation leading up to elections. In the meanwhile, the PPP/C continues to be vigilant with the people to do all that is necessary for a resounding victory on March 3, 2020.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

The burning question Dear Editor, The clarification by NIS on pension increases has once again failed to explain the burning question as to why persons in receipt of NIS old age pension above the minimum pension, were not awarded an increase

(“NIS clarifies recent pensions increases” SN Feb 22).

No increase for 2019 and now 2020. This needs to be explained.

Sincerely, Shamshun Mohamed

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

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f you’re going to have a new brother or sister, you’ll want to know some baby facts. Answer this question – A new baby is: smelly funny annoying great all of the above The answer is #5, of course!

Babies are wonderful, but they can also wake you up at night. They dribble, spit, and make lots and lots of dirty diapers. They can’t talk, walk, or go to the bathroom like you do! Because they need so much care, your mom and dad will be busy making sure the baby gets the rest, food, clean diapers, and love he or she needs.

But just because your parents are busy with the baby doesn’t mean they love you any less – they just love the baby too!

It can be a lot of fun to have a new baby in the house, but it can be tiring, too. You might love the baby right from the start. But it’s also OK if you miss the way things were before the baby came. If you feel left out or need some attention, tell your mom or dad. Also be sure to tell a parent if you’re having trouble getting your homework done or you’re not getting enough sleep.

Before the baby arrives

A baby takes nine months to grow big enough to be born.

Before the baby comes, ask your parents any questions that you have. Where will the baby sleep? Who will take

Foundation care of you while everyone is at the hospital? Some hospitals offer classes for kids who are about to be big sisters or big brothers. These classes help kids learn about babies so they know what to expect.

You also can learn about babies by getting books out

first born, babies are too little to play with toys or play peeka-boo with you. They’re just getting adjusted to the world.

In time, your baby sister or brother will be able to smile at you, laugh, and play. But for now, babies mostly want to sleep, snuggle, and eat.

The baby comes home

So, what can you do at home with the baby?

of the library. But the best way is to spend time with a real, live baby. Maybe your mom or dad can arrange for you to visit a friend who has a young baby. Then you’ll get to see how a baby looks, smells, and sounds!

Who is this little person?

When it is time for the baby to be born, your mom will probably spend a few nights at the hospital. After the baby arrives, you can visit her in the maternity ward where the babies are delivered. There you can get your first look at the newest member of your family.

Expect your brother or sister to be small, squirmy, and sleepy. When they’re

Early on, you can be a wonderful help to your mom and dad. If you’re old enough, you may be able to hold or feed the baby. Your mom and dad can show you the right way to care for your brother or sister. You’ll have to learn the rules for what you’re allowed to do on your own and what you need to have a grown-up help you with. For instance, only grown-ups can give the baby a bath. But you might be able to do some important jobs, like put on the baby’s little socks!

Kids also can help in many other ways, like being

a personal assistant to your mom or dad. What does a personal assistant do? You run all over the house getting the stuff your mom or dad needs for the baby. Diaper? You got it! Pacifier? You got it! Paper towel because the baby just spit up again? You got that, too!

Kids also can fold baby clothes, answer the phone, or get their dear, sweet mothers a drink from the kitchen.

That is so helpful, especially if she feels busy and tired. And if the baby is cranky, you can work your magic by smiling at the baby and trying to cheer him or her up.

You could even read the baby a book.

The baby won’t know what you’re talking about, but will like hearing the sound of your voice. Maybe the story will help the baby drift off to sleep. When that happens, everyone can relax a little. And it might be a good time to ask your mom or dad to spend a little time together – just the two of you.

When a new baby joins the family, you’re in for some changes. But so many of them are good ones. Not only do you have this cute little bundle around the house, before you know it, that little bundle will sit up, crawl, walk, run, and even play hide-and-seek with you. In other words, this baby just might grow up to be a lifetime pal! (kidshealth. org)

Simple ways to spread happiness and kindness around you

“A

single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” – Amelia Earhart A very simple way to spread more happiness in your own little world is through kindness. It’s often an easy and quick thing you can do as you move through your daily life.

But we sometimes forget about it. Or don’t remember how it can help us all.

Three things to keep in mind are these: You get what you give. Yep, some people will be ungrateful, miserable and not reciprocating no matter what you may do. But most people will over time treat you as you treat them.

By being kinder to others you are more likely to be kinder to yourself. When you are kinder towards others, your self-esteem goes up.

It creates a happier place to live in. Being kinder simply makes the world a nicer and happier place to live in.

So how can you start spreading kindness and happiness in your daily life?

Here are some simple ways to do it.

Start using them today.

Express your gratitude

Think about what you can be grateful for about someone in your life.

Maybe that he is a good listener, that he often is quick to help out or that he always adds great songs to a Spotify playlist. Or simply that he held up the door for you.

Then express that gratitude in a simple “thank you!” or in a sincere sentence or two.

Replace the judgments

No one likes to be judged. And the more you judge other people, the more you tend to judge yourself.

So, despite the temporary benefit of deriving pleasure from the judgments, it is not a good or smart long-term habit.

When you feel the urge to judge, ask yourself: what is one kind thing I can think or do in this situation instead?

Replace the unconstructive criticism

Try encouragement instead of excessive criticism. It helps people to both raise their self-esteem and to do a better job.

And it will make things more fun and more light-hearted in the long run.

Put yourself in the other person’s shoes

It is quite easy to resort to unkindness when you see things just from your perspective.

Two questions that help me to see and to better understand other viewpoints are: How would I think and feel it if I were in his or her shoes?

What parts of this person can I see in myself?

Recall how people’s kindness made you feel

Just sit down for a few minutes and try to recall one time or a few times when other people’s kindness really touched you and helped you out.

Then think about how you can do those very same things for someone in your life. (positivityblog.com)

7 Soldier dies one day after explosion at Ruimveldt NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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hirty-one-year-old Corporal Seon Rose of Friendship, East Coast Demerara, who sustained third-degree burns about his body following an explosion aback the Guyana Defence Force’s Coast Guard location at Ruimveldt, Georgetown, has succumbed to his injuries.

He reportedly died while receiving medical attention in the Burns Unit of the Georgetown Public Hospital on Sunday morning.

Also injured in the explosion are Terrence Neils, Gordon Cornette, Isiah Gordon, Trevon Joseph, Andrew Garnette, Victor Low, Atto Cort and Delroy Baird.

Neil, Gordon and Garnette are said to be in a critical state while the others are listed as stable.

However, due to the explosion, the fireworks dis-

play that was scheduled for Saturday evening in observance of Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary was cancelled.

Following the news of the rank’s death, President David Granger expressed condolences to the wife and relatives of the now dead army Corporal.

“Corporal Rose along with several other ranks of the 21 Artillery Company were preparing for Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary fireworks display yesterday (Saturday), when there was spontaneous combustion at approximately 13:30h aback the Force’s Coast Guard location at Ruimveldt…

President Granger wishes to thank the staff of the GPHC for their tireless efforts to save Corporal Rose’s life and for their continued treatment of the other injured ranks.”

Dead: Seon Rose

Corporal Rose was enlisted in the GDF on September 7, 2008, and joined the 21 Artillery Company on November 14, 2008.

On the day in question, persons in close proximity reportedly heard the loud explosion but thought it was

Duo arrested after more than 27kg of cocaine found stashed in boat – CANU on the hunt for 3rd suspect who threatened ranks

Wanted: Ryan Pemberton, commonly referred to as “Sancho” of Alberttown, Georgetown

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wo men are now in hot water after ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) swooped down on a vessel and discovered over 27 kilograms of cocaine concealed in the boat’s bow.

The suspects have been identified as 35-year-old Latchman Sankar, aka “Jack”, and 49-year-old Muneshwar Dusrajh, aka “Bonny’.

Meanwhile, CANU is on the hunt for a third man, Ryan Pemberton, commonly referred to as “Sancho” of Alberttown, Georgetown. He

Arrested: Muneshwar “Bonny”

49-year-old Dusrajh, aka

Arrested: 35-year-old Latchman Sankar, aka “Jack”

The parcels of cocaine weighing 27.866 kilograms that were discovered and seized by ranks of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) on Saturday

reportedly threatened to kill the CANU ranks after the bust on Saturday.

Persons who may have

The darkly-painted vessel in which the 25 parcels of cocaine were stashed inside of the bow at the Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE)

information regarding the whereabouts of Pemberton are being asked to make contact with CANU on 2260431.

Based on information deceived, the CANU ranks intercepted the cocaine in a fibre glass vessel at the Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Sankar and Dusrajh were immediately arrested following a search on the vessel - “Go-fast”.

The duo is presently in the custody of the drug enforcement agency.

According to a press release from the agency on Sunday, the 25 parcels were weighed and totalled 27.866 kilograms of cocaine.

Investigations into the matter are currently underway.

an electrical issue.

This sound was followed by screams from within the Coast Guard Base which prompted persons to rush out. It was then that they saw several injured ranks in the water and others were being placed into vehicles.

One woman related that she noticed a solider, whose entire arm and upper body appeared to be burnt being rushed into an ambulance.

Fisherfolk in the area told this publication that they were on the “landing” when they heard a loud noise and saw smoke emitting from a truck that was on the GDF’s barge.

“Then when I look I see that the man from the Army get pitched from the top there into the water and end up next to our boats. But then he get out the water and rush back to his Base.

He jumped over things to get back in there to help his friends even though he was burn up too,” one fisherman said.

Board of Inquiry

At the hospital on Saturday afternoon, Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West told the media that rehearsal for the scheduled fireworks display was conducted on Friday evening at

about 22:00h without any hiccups.

"It [the rehearsal] was well done and we were satisfied at the end of the rehearsals last evening [Friday evening] that we could have done the display today [Saturday]. As they were preparing for the display today [Saturday], they encountered some challenges and there was some form of spontaneous, we believe to have caused the detonations to have occurred resulting in injuries. I have ordered a Board of Inquiry to be conducted to get to the bottom of it."

Lifeless body of Mahaica man found in trench

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he family of 38-year-old Dextroy Barker of Lot 24 Second Street Jonestown, Mahaica, is now in grief after the man’s lifeless body was found in a trench at Belmont Mahaica, East Coast Demerara.

Reports are the discovery was made at approximately 08:45h on Sunday morning.

According to the man’s family, he was last seen alive on Saturday evening around 21:00h and it is believed that he might have suffered a seizure which

led to his demise.

Based on reports received, relatives told Police that he usually suffered from frequent seizures which started some three years ago.

It was revealed by a source that Barker was seen playing dominoes on Saturday evening at a shop in the community with his friends.

He later left with his bicycle, telling friends he was heading home, but he never did.

After time had elapsed and there were no signs of

the man, his mother visited the Mahaica Police Station and filed a missing person’s report.

However, on Sunday morning, a construction worker made the discovery. He was found lying in a trench clad in a white T-shirt and a pair of blue jeans.

At the time of the discovery, the now dead man was wearing two gold finger rings and had cash in his pocket. There were no marks of violence.

Investigations are ongoing.

Skeletal remains found at No 37 seashore

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nvestigators are working to ascertain the identity of skeletal remains found at the Number 37 Village, West Coast Berbice seashore.

Regional Commander of Region Five (Mahaica Berbice), Yonette Stephens confirmed that the bones were found and that a post-mortem examination will have to be conducted. She further noted that a DNA test on the remains will also have to be done.

She added that on the day in question, a cattle farmer, who was in the area tending to his cattle, stumbled upon a skull – a further search revealed additional bones scattered in close proximity.

The discovery was reported to the police who visited the scene and retrieved the bones.

“At this point, we don’t know who it is, we have made contact with Region Six and informed them to see if there are any fishermen missing. But we would have to do some test and wait because the body could have washed up there from anywhere” Stephens added.

On October 5, 2019, four fishermen left a wharf at Number 65 Village for sea aboard “Sara 1” – a fishing vessel owned by Sharanand

The remains that were found at Number 37 Village, West Coast Berbice

Rabindranauth of Number 68 Village, Corentyne. They were attacked, robbed and dumped overboard by other fishermen.

Dead is Kawal Kissoon also called “Ajai”, and Otto Lemar Petrie, while Marvin Tamesar also called “Buddy”

or “Bin Laden”, along with Vishnu Seeram, also called “Kevin” are still missing.

Three men confessed to the police that they murdered the fishermen.

Investigations are ongoing.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Tuschen teen found hanging after publicity wave ...after accusing religious figure of “inappropriate touching of hands”

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he body of a 13-yearold female was found hanging from a rope inside her bedroom by her father in their Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank

Essequibo (EBE) home early Saturday morning.

Reports are that the now distraught father went in search of his teenage daughter after she failed to

answer repeated calls from family members.

Upon entering the girl’s bedroom, he noticed her hanging and rushed to cut the rope.

Cop flung off ATV regains consciousness

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he police constable who underwent surgery after suffering severe head injuries after he was thrown off an AllTerrain Vehicle (ATV) has regained consciousness.

This is according to Commander of Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Senior Superintendent Linden Lord, who told Guyana Times that the rank has been transferred from the High Dependency Unit (HDU) at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) to a “recovery” room.

He noted that at present, Constable Harris, who is at-

tached to the Bartica Police Station, has been prevented from having any visitors except medical staff aiding in his treatment.

On Monday the Constable underwent emergency surgery to aid in reducing the swelling of his brain.

It was reported that on February 12, the now injured policeman along with another Police Constable were pillion riders on an AllTerrain Vehicle (ATV) driven by a Detective Corporal and were responding to a shooting incident.

However, as the vehicle was proceeding along the

Takatu Trail, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), at a fast rate of speed, the driver swerved to avoid a ‘pothole’ thus causing Harris to fall off the vehicle and land on the ground.

He would have received injuries about his body and was taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital in an unconscious state.

Upon examination of the injured cop, the doctor immediately admitted the man at the hospital for emergency treatment, but hours later he had to be transferred to the GPHC for advanced medical care. He is expected to be discharged shortly.

He immediately raised an alarm. The motionless teenager was rushed to the nearest health facility, but it was too late.

Based on reports received, five days prior to the teen’s unfortunate demise, on February 17, her father lodged a complaint against a religious leader who “inappropriately touched” her hands.

The alleged sexual assault(s) took place between October 2019 and February 2020.

Police Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Simon McBean when contacted by Guyana Times on Sunday stated that the now deceased and her father made a report about the matter on Monday last (February 17).

The suspect was asked to report to the Leonora Police Station three days later where he was informed of the allegations which he denied, and was placed on $150,000 station bail and released.

The Social Protection Ministry’s Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) was notified of the allegation and commenced its investigations.

“We did take a statement from her, and we were also told that the suspect would visit the home frequently, even going there when her father is not around. This was on February 17, when the investigation began.

However, now, investigations are ongoing into her death also, but we don’t believe at this time that the two matters are correlated,” Assistant Commissioner Mc Bean stated.

This newspaper was informed that immediately after the allegations against the religious leader, who is also a People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) candidate, was made on February 17, the local A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) representative Suraj Singh visited the child’s home, along with APNU/ AFC Regional Rep Ganesh Mahipal, Amna Ally, and other officials.

The allegations were posted on Mahipal’s Facebook account and that of APNU activist and Ministry of the Presidency employee Malcolm Harripaul.

In the latter instance, a picture of the accused individual was included even though this would likely circumstantially reveal the identity of the alleged victim, who was a minor and which, therefore, violated the proscriptions of the Sexual Offences Act. The child took her life after these visits and publicity.

The day…

W

…for the Disciplined Forces ell, your Eyewitness wasn’t surprised at how smoothly the voting by the Disciplined Forces went – after all they’re the DISCPLINED Forces, aren’t they?? If THEY couldn’t get their act together for a simple act of dropping a piece of paper into a box, then what are we spending all those billions of dollars every year for?? But what he was surprised about was that so many of them showed up to vote – 82%!! That figure’s certainly gonna better the civilian population’s showing come March 2!!

Maybe it was because they were voting so close to Republic Day and their patriotic fervour was aroused? Or was it because word of Annette Ferguson’s promise to dole out houses and house lots if they voted for the PNC was transmitted far and wide via their communications channels?? You’d think with all these Observers around, the PNC would be a tad more circumspect with their illegal campaigning at voting sites, wouldn’t you?? But this is the PNC in action! Granger set the tone for them when he donned his PNC Green Shirt to “view” the voting at Camp Ayanganna, coyly claiming he wasn’t campaigning but just “had a lot of green shirts”!! Of course, this wasn’t illegal – but it signalled to the rest of his campaigners that these were desperate times for them and it demanded desperate measures!!

The Disciplined Forces had always tended to give their votes to the PNC…so Granger’s gambit and Ferguson’s finagling betrayed their concerns that after the PPP’s stellar support for them and their annual bonuses, with the appointment of Brigadier Mark Phillips that equation might’ve drastically shifted!! While it might seem to be a small gesture, that picture of a GDF rank according Phillips a ramrod-straight crisp salute when he showed up shows that he’s a living presence for the soldiers while Granger is an antediluvian figure from the history books!!

Your Eyewitness was looking forward to the Fireworks Display that was promised by the GDF and is saddened at the explosion that cancelled the event but moreso that those ranks suffered one fatality and seven injured. This unit is highly trained – as befits fighting men who’re always ready to defend our country through constant honing of their offensive and defensive military skills – and have demonstrated their Pyrotechnic Skills for years to the delight of their audiences.

But seriously folks, on this 50th Anniversary of our Republican status, it is hoped that our Disciplined Forces will not succumb to the blandishments of the PNC, which are based on what former PNC leader Desmond Hoyte called “kith and kin ties”. Even though David Granger described their shooting of civilians guarding ballot boxes in 1973 as “admirable”, they have since proven their professionalism.

We should salute them for their fortitude!! …when freedom was won Of great regret to your Eyewitness has been the role the PNC played since 1970 – when the Republic was declared – to destroy the feeling of pride in Republicanism in our people. After complaining of British Colonial exploitation for hundreds of years, surely you couldn’t blame the citizenry for expecting their lots would be improved after removing the British yoke??

But as we know, there wasn’t a sphere of national activity the PNC left unsullied by Burnham’s “Midas Touch” – as Walter Rodney sarcastically described it. Politically, we became a despised dictatorship; economically, we became a basket case looking for hand-outs; socially, our divisions deepened and became chasms; culturally, we became exemplars of the “picaresque” people described by VS Naipaul – low class and roguish, living by our wits.

It’s no wonder by the time they were ousted in 1992, many wondered whether we wouldn’t have been better off under the British!!

Their ouster demands repetition come March 2!! …on wining and grinding You, Dear Reader, would know by now your Eyewitness isn’t enamoured of the evolution of our commemoration of our Republic Day. While countries parade their achievement literally with their Disciplined Forces, we “wind and grind”.

Go figure!!

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

NEWS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ali details development for EBD corridor

The PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali addressing the gathering at a rally held in Diamond

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali told a massive crown at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, that his party has great plans for the East Bank of Demerara corridor.

He noted that once elect-

ed at the upcoming polls, his Government will invest heavily in infrastructure especially to complete the Diamond, Ogle and Timehri bypass roads. He noted that this will relieve traffic congestion along the East Bank and East Coast of Demerara.

The securement of funds for this project was initiated under the Donald Ramotarled Administration at a tune of $10.5 billion but during the budget presentation in 2019, the project was listed at a cost of $25.1 billion.

The project reportedly has three distinctive stages; Stage One – Detailed Project Report Preparation; Stage Two – Construction Supervision, and Stage Three – Post Construction/ Defects Liability Period, which the incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) coalition has been moving slowly to solve

A section of the gathering at the rally in Diamond

the daily woes faced by commuters.

However, Ali said that “we are going to fix it, I am assuring you that before the end of the first year in office, we will complete and put in that road so that you will have a secondary access all the way to Mandela.”

He further lamented the slothfulness of the coalition

Guyana’s history not welldocumented – UG Chancellor

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ow that Guyana is at the cusp of transformation, its unique history must be well preserved. This was according to Chancellor of the University of Guyana Edward Green, who added that documentation of the country’s history is carelessly recorded.

Greene said that it is important that Guyana’s education system is well-grounded in an authentic archive that will expose persons to the country’s culture.

He said: “The National Archives is seriously underfunded, the archives that we go to find out what happened in the past. To tell you, I went to the archives to make sure that they had recordings that I was one time

Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Edward Green

a pannist and I couldn’t find a record, it doesn’t exist”.

The former Caricom Deputy Secretary General elucidated that those working at the National Archives should be more careful with how to take care of the country’s records.

“But more importantly,

the records don’t exist because of carelessness as a part of those who keep the records. For example, recordings of former artists… the people who keep those records are recording things over the records; so, you don’t have a record of what existed”, he explained.

The former WHO/PAHO adviser on Health and Human Development suggested that history be a compulsory course at every institution so that students will be knowledgeable about Guyana’s history.

Meanwhile, the National Archives of Guyana is a repository of official State records and local publications, including newspaper publications from Guyana.

in getting the project off the ground given the fact that the money is there to execute the project.

“This is not rocket science, this was a simple plan that connected all the communities on the East Bank and we left the money. It was our Government that negotiated the loan with the Indian Government and we left the money for the new highway from Diamond all the way to Ogle and guess what? They sat on the money and they did nothing.

“We will get that project going and build that new superhighway connecting not only Diamond but connecting our airport with the new superhighway all the way to the East Coast of Demerara,” Ali stated.

The PPP/C Presidential Candidate noted that these are holistic plans that would transform the East

Bank corridor since it is a strategic location for major development which will see jobs skyrocketing.

“Our development for the East Bank is a holistic plan, the East Bank for us must be a new development frontier, a new development frontier that would sustain the creation of thousands of new jobs, thousands of new high paying sustainable jobs for you here on the East Bank,” Ali underscored.

He further stated that the PPP/C has a plan that will reduce the cost of living for residents, and put more money in the pockets of Guyanese.

“There is a plan, there is a vision for Diamond, Grove and the East Bank and that plan will see greater money in your pocket.”

Ali committed to ensuring that the East Bank corridor becomes a business

hub, with residents being able to build and expand businesses.

“The new infrastructure lands landscape would see the opening up of many opportunities, commercial opportunities, opportunities for gas stations, supermarkets like I said manufacturing and commercial development.”

Currently, the East Bank Highway is the only exit route available to residents who occupy Georgetown, the East Coast of Demerara and the East Bank of Demerara.

The new road link will serve as a corridor for communities on the East Bank, including Perseverance, Mocha, Providence, Eccles, and Peters Hall. It will also provide a bypass from the city, where most traffic flows daily, resulting in massive congestion and major delays. (Shemar Alleyne)

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Major political parties amplify Mashramani 2020 C hief political parties contesting the upcoming March polls turned up in their showstopping manifestation to celebrate Mashramani throughout the streets of Georgetown, as the golden jubilee anniversary was rejoiced with grandeur and excitement.

On Sunday, the Republic Day celebration embodied the true Guyanese culture, with the Golden Arrowhead flying in its glory throughout the entire parade.

Masqueraders, revellers and patrons all unified as they made their way throughout the Mash route, accompanied by inviting Soca music blasting from afar.

This year, one of the contesting parties, the People’s

This reveller was spotted flaunting her kaleidoscopic costume

yellow and black colours.

The band, comprised mainly of youths, encompassed some of their plans for Guyana as elections near, with just one week remaining.

Members of APNU/AFC float

Progressive Party/Civic turned up in their numbers, sporting the expected red,

Atop the structure portrayed the leadership of their Presidential Candidate,

Irfaan Ali; Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo and Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mark Phillips.

Senior officials were seen interacting with citizens as they passed through the route.

The A Partnership For National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition also mobilised their supporters, as they also traversed through the streets with drums and other items indigenous to Guyana.

Guyana Times would have visited the centre of attraction at Vlissengen Road, where scores of patrons turned up with their families in the early morning hours, setting up their spot for the day and eagerly awaiting the time when the first float would come.

However, spirits were

soon dampened by light showers of rain, which soon drifted away, reviving the celebrations once more. There, children stood on the sidewalks with their parents, peering to get a glimpse of the spectacular scenes which awaited them.

Finally, after the midday hour, the Social Cohesion Ministry’s band kickstarted the excitement of a traditional Mashramani parade, with revellers perfectly dancing to popular patriotic tunes. As Soca music filled the air as well, they caroused their bodies to the beats of the melodies.

Speaking with this publication, Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton stated that the enthusiasm was exactly as he anticipated, and also indicated that he was enjoying the festivities.

All decked out in a traditional Indigenous headdress, he said, “What I can certainly say is that I am en-

One of the larger breathtaking floats

also placed on extending the reach of its services to the hinterland communities.

Public Relations Officer, Leanna Bradshaw indicated, “Our main float is depicting equity between the hinterland and coastland. The coastland have access to water running through their taps and we’re trying to do the same thing on the hinterland.”

lours and the nice floats and thing.”

Sheena Carter was also among the hundreds of spectators and she expressed, “It’s nice. We’re enjoying it so far. The floats are nice and unique this year.”

Overall, this year saw a sprinkle of tourists, embracing the multiculturism that we call Guyana.

Coming all the way from

The PPP/C float making its way along the route

joying myself and the vibes that we’re actually getting from the people, the spectators are actually enjoying themselves. And of course, the music is there to suit.”

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Melissa Tucker detailed that their band was a whopping 250 strong and is circled around the idea of building new relationships. It was indicated that culture, youth and sports are ‘vessels’ for social cohesion.

This year, the creativity was beyond expectations, with towering floats being drawn by energetic revellers and well-decorated costumes which personified patriotism. Coupled with their individual moving bands, the vibes of Mashramani was once again relived.

The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) was one of the bigger floats on board the procession, educating the public on the disadvantages of littering the waterways. Special emphasis was

Jermain Lewis, a reveller from the GWI band stated that it was his first time at the parade and also shared, “So far, so good. I’m enjoying myself.”

Along the parade route, many patrons took the liberty of adorning themselves with the colours of the national flag, insisting that the golden jubilee was an important milestone for the country. Others chose to join in the dances while some opted to capture all the happenings with their cameras.

At strategic locations, vendors also took the opportunity of capitalising on sales, with the availability of authentic Guyanese cuisine on sale.

Georgiana Williams took in the festivities from the sidelines and told this publication that she never misses the parade.

“It’s very nice. I came out with the whole family, everybody, my two grandsons.

Every year, we never miss it…I look forward to the co-

New York, Alencia Ogle said she was intrigued by the costumes and is waiting to return to her country to gush about all the experiences.

“I’m loving it so far. It’s like nice vibes out here and it’s a bunch of people getting together and I really like it.

This is actually my first experience at Mashramani.

I like everyone coming out and supporting each other and being one. I’m telling everyone at school when I get back,” she said.

Republic Day, commonly referred to as Mashramani, marks the date when Guyana gained its Republic status from which the Constitution of Guyana came into effect shortly after.

On August 29, 1969, the resolution was passed in Parliament that Guyana would become a Cooperative Republic on February 23, 1970. The theme for Mash 2020 is “Guyana Together; Reflect, Celebrate and Transform”

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Caricom reaffirms support for Guyana on upcoming ICJ case – Guyana to form part of prime ministerial review sub-committee

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he 31st Inter-Sessional meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in the Caribbean Community (Caricom), concluded on Wednesday last in Bridgetown, Barbados, with several decisions pertaining to Guyana being taken at the meeting.

One of the most important ones was the decision for Caricom to reaffirm its support for Guyana and its recourse to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to resolve its border controversy with Venezuela.

“Heads of Government noted that the International Court of Justice has scheduled a hearing for the week of 23 March 2020, at which Guyana will submit its oral pleadings as to why the Court was properly vested with jurisdiction by the United Nations Secretary General for a final resolution to the controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.”

“Heads of Government reiterated their full support for the judicial process that is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the long-standing controversy between the two countries.

Participants at the 31st Inter-Sessional meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of Caricom

Heads of Government further reiterated their firm and unswerving support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana,” a communique issued after the meeting states.

In a recent notice, the Hague, Netherlands-based ICJ informed the parties of the schedules for the upcoming public hearings to determine whether the Court has jurisdiction to preside over the matter. The first round of oral arguments will be held on March 23, 2020, and Guyana will be presenting

its pleadings on that day.

The following day is awarded to Venezuela.

Hearings on both days will commence at 10:00h and run until 13:00h (Netherlands time).

Meanwhile, the second round of arguments is slated for March 25 when Guyana will be presenting from 16:30 to 18:00h. Venezuela will then present on March 27 from 10:00h to 11:30h. The sessions will be streamed live on the Court’s website.

Guyana filed its case with the World Court on March 29, 2018, seeking a final and binding judgment that

Family of dead motorcyclist slams Police for slothful investigation

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ore than one week after 28-year-old Calwin Nichols lost his life in a vehicular accident, the Police are yet to institute charges against the errant driver and as such, the family members of the deceased man are calling for swift action.

Randy Nichols, brother of the deceased motorcyclist

Nichols lost his life on February 16 when the motorcycle he was riding slammed into a parked car along the main access road at Diamond New Housing Scheme, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

According to the driver of the motor car, the biker was speeding and while in the vicinity of a popular snackette, he lost control of the motorcycle.

But the deceased man’s brother, Randy Nichols is contending that his brother “[doesn’t] ride fast”, and that the information the Police provided was inaccurate.

He noted that based on the account provided by the pillion rider, it was the car that slammed into the motorcycle.

The grieving brother noted that the Police had confirmed that the driver of the motor car was in custody, but

was subsequently released.

He noted that the slothfulness of the Police investigations into the fatal accident was worrying.

“When we reach at the station, there was not man or nobody there or no car there, so I really want to know what is going on and how they say they have this man in custody, but nobody is in custody, so we got to do something about it. The Police have to look further into this investigation to find out what really going on,” Randy stated.

“Is a set of young police at Golden Grove. Is some money paying or they pay off a thing? They ain’t even get a statement from the pillion rider and they supposed to get a statement from she before they put up anything,” he alleged.

He is also claiming that on the night of the accident, his brother was robbed of his cash and other valuables.

“When we looking for his

Dead: Calwin Nichols

chain and phone and money, we cannot find it, but everybody looking on and videoing instead of helping my brother,” Randy lamented.

A post-mortem examination conducted on Calwin revealed that he died from multiple injuries. The pillion rider is devasted and declined to speak with the media. An attempt to get a comment from the Police Commander proved futile.

the 1899 Arbitral Award, which established the location of the land boundary between the then-British Guiana and Venezuela, remains valid and binding, and that Guyana’s Essequibo region belongs to Guyana, and not Venezuela as is being claimed by the Spanishspeaking country.

The case was filed following a decision by Secretary General of the United Nations, António Guterres, in January 2018, that the

controversy between Guyana and Venezuela should be decided by the ICJ. The Secretary General made the decision by exercising the power vested in him in the 1966 Geneva Agreement between Guyana, Venezuela and the United Kingdom to decide how the controversy should be settled.

However, Venezuela has claimed, in a letter to the World Court, that the Secretary General exceed-

ed his authority under the Geneva Agreement, and therefore, the Court lacks jurisdiction to adjudicate the lawsuit filed by Guyana.

Meanwhile, another decision was made for a prime ministerial sub-committee that will review the work of previous inter-sessional meetings and the implementation and financing for previous decisions.

Guyana, according to the communique, will form part of this sub-committee which will be led by the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines. In addition to Guyana, the Heads of Government of Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago will also be included.

It was further explained that recommendations will be submitted by the sub-committee during the meeting of the conference in July.

Guyana was represented at the inter-sessional meeting

by Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings.

16 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

PPP/C Commissioners blast GECOM for reducing polling places

ꟷ say such was only done in PPP strongholds

I

n light of the reduction of polling places by the Guyana Elections Commission, the Opposition Commissioners on the Commission, Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn have rejected the unilateral changes made by the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and his Secretariat.

See full statement by the three Commissioners below: In late January 2020, we received from the CEO of GECOM, Mr Keith Lowenfield, in soft and hard copy, a list of Polling Stations countrywide together with extractions listing private residence and other buildings to be used as Polling Stations for the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

We shared this information with the PPP/C for scrutiny and comments.

That list was acceptable so we asked for no changes to be made.

Lo and behold, two weeks ago, when GECOM put the information online for electors to check for their names and Polling Stations, and we received by e-mail on February 20, 2020, a list of Polling Stations which reflects the online information, there were no longer any polling places located in private residences anywhere on the East Coast Demerara. The same does not apply for other areas in Georgetown where the private residences are retained as per the January 2020 lists.

In an area like Foulis

where in January 2020, 9 (nine) private residences were listed together with one (1) public place, there are now no private residences! All those Polling Stations are now to be located in tents on the Line Top and a Playfield!

In Mon Repos, a huge housing community, had listed on the January list, 7 private and 7 public places for polling. There is now only 2 polling places, Mon Repos Nursery and Primary Schools, both in the same location.

Good Hope, another large housing area had on the January list, 3 private and 2 public places; it now has provision for 2 tents and 1 public place, that being a nursery school which is a relatively small flat building.

It is apposite to note that most of the affected communities are predominantly PPP/C areas, and that political party is not unreasonably protesting the unilateral changes which were made without any consultation with us.

This decision was made by the CEO in his own deliberate judgement, and for him to now claim that it was the Commission’s deci-

sion not to use any private residences, is totally false.

No such decision was made by the Commission between the date we received the January 2020 list and the publication of the lists in February 2020.

This is reminiscent of the same CEO unilaterally issuing on Order under the hand of the Chairman, changing a decision of the Commission with re-

spect to the duration of the Claims and Objections period from 35 to first 49 and then 42 days which was adopted by the Commission despite our objections.

We reject the unilateral changes made by the CEO and his Secretariat, to the Lists of Polling Places and demand that the January 2020 Listings be used countrywide. Nothing less will do.

GPHC to embark on National Month of Kidney activities

A&E Dept was being overburdened by cases – GPHC CEO

…says steps have been taken to reduce waiting time

W

hile many have complained of the waiting time at the Georgetown Public Hospital over the year, the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) believes that much of this was because the emergency department was being overburdened by cases.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) CEO, Retired Brigadier George Lewis opined that a number of patients were going to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department for cases that should have been dealt with by the outpatient department.

“I think the biggest thing about the waiting time is Accident and Emergency. People were going to the Accident and Emergency Department who had no business going there: they were going there for a nail bore….

“Now obviously if you are there at six o’clock and at eight o’clock, someone come in with a respiratory injury or some accident victim, the person will get seen before you. Those persons use to complain and say, ‘oh’ they were there before’.”

According to Lewis, they have, nevertheless, been able to reduce the waiting time of patients.

He noted that this was achieved through a more collaborative approach between the staff of different departments.

“Now, with the reintroduction of the medical outpatient being open until 08:00, more people are channelled there away from Accident and Emergency. Many times, if you go to medical outpatient at 16:00 and 17:00 in the afternoon, it’s a walk in and walk out,” Lewis noted.

It was announced previously that the GPHC would be moving towards an electronic medical records system – the Government Health Information System (GHIS), in a bid to improve service at the institution.

Besides incorrect referrals, the GPHC has also had to contend with cases of older persons being taken to the hospital for medical treatment by their families and being abandoned at the institution.

It was noted late last year that from the statistics released by the hospital, those numbers increase at the end of each

year.

Lewis had told the media last year that such situations usually occur in the months of November and December annually.

He noted that elderly persons are taken to the hospital to be treated for minor illnesses and when they are ready to be discharged, their relatives disappear and cannot be located.

“Or they bring them to the Accident and Emergency Department and by the time they are treated, they are no longer there and when you check the information that they delivered to the clerks who recorded the vitals for the persons, it is that the information is incorrect. You cannot make contact with the persons. That is a challenge for us,” the CEO told the media.

He had stated that in order to remedy such situations, very soon, the GPHC would be introducing the electronic medical records system. One of the requirements with the introduction of this system will be that persons bringing patients to the GPHC for any treatment would have to produce pictorial identification.

Jamaica: Woman charged for stabbing common-law husband in face

A

team of officers assigned to the Kingston Central Police Division arrested and charged a woman with wounding with intent on Friday, February 21.

She is 38-year-old Yanique Jackson of Braeton, Portmore in St

Catherine.

According to the Police, about 10:30h on Monday, January 13, Jackson, who had a common-law relationship with the complainant, had a dispute at the Pearnel Charles Arcade in downtown Kingston, when she used

a knife to stab the complainant in his face.

The Police were alerted, an investigation launched, and Jackson was arrested and charged.

Her court date has not been finalised. (Jamaica Observer)

T

he Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is all geared to join the rest of the world in observing National Kidney Month by initiating several activities which kick off in March.

Some of the activities include televised health, a youth discussion on kidney failure and transplant, and a kidney failure awareness walk that will be held on March 15.

Also, three medical outreaches are slated to happen on March 8, 22, and 29 that will take place in Linden, Berbice, and Essequibo.

General practitioner of the GPHC Transplant Department, Dr Keon Tracey said that the aim is to educate Guyanese on how they can detect, treat, and prevent kidney failures.

“Generally, stage one to three don’t present any symptoms, so you can pretty much have kidney failure and be at home and not know; so that is why it is important to get tested and make sure that you are aware of the possibility of you getting it,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Corporation encourages survivors of kidney failure to

support their kidney failure awareness walk on March 15.

“We are asking persons if you have a relative who passed or relative who is still alive you can still support the march…it’s at 6 am starting from Parade Ground to the blood bank entrance at the Georgetown Hospital”, said Dr Josmond David-Semple, Social Worker at GPHC Transplant Department.

This year’s theme for National Kidney Month is “Kidney health for everyone, everywhere, for prevention to detection and equitable access to care”.

Shots fired in Haitian Police Carnival protest

S

hots and tear gas were fired near the presidential palace in the Haitian capital Port-auPrince on Sunday during a protest organised by Police demanding better pay and conditions, two Reuters witnesses said.

It was not immediately clear who fired the shots or the gas during the protest that clashed with the celebrations for Carnival. A stage built by the Defence Ministry and guarded by the Army was also set on fire, a Reuters witness said.

The protest is one of several Police have organised since the end of last year and takes place as the impoverished Caribbean island nation struggles with a prolonged economic and political crisis.

Some protesters wore cream and blue Police uniforms and carried guns, but had their faces covered, when they marched from the upscale Delmas

The protest is one of several Police have organised since the end of last year

neighbourhood toward the large Champ de Mars public square, the main site for Carnival.

There, a marching band was playing while spectators and performers were getting ready for a much-anticipated colourful celebration. Police timed the protest for the first day of Carnival to criticise the Government’s spending priorities.

Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise has been ruling by

decree since January, after the mandates of Lower House Deputies and most Senators formally expired without successors in October after the country failed to hold elections.

The political situation has cut Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, off from some international funding. This has further hindered its ability to respond to the worsening economic crisis, including food shortages. (Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

OILNEWS As Teck oil sands mine hopes for okay from Canada’s Trudeau, 20 other projects on hold

A

s Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau considers whether to approve Teck Resources’ Frontier oil sands project, roughly 20 others sit on the shelf as companies delay investment decisions hoping for new pipelines and higher prices.

These projects could bring a wave of some 2 million barrels per day (bpd) onto a market many view as already oversupplied. They also largely have approvals, underlining that Teck’s Frontier is far from the only expansion path for Canada’s oil sands.

Trudeau’s Cabinet is expected to meet on Tuesday and decide on Frontier this week. Should Ottawa reject the project, Teck said on Friday it would write down Frontier by C$1.13 billion.

Others are edging forward. A Government rejection of Frontier would increase risk to future applications, and could also boost the value of projects that have been approved, Eight Capital analyst Phil Skolnick wrote.

On Wednesday, Alberta approved Suncor Energy’s 40,000 bpd Meadow Creek West project. The company has not decided whether to proceed.

Cenovus Energy may make final investment decisions later this year on adding 40,000 bpd to its Foster Creek site and 65,000 bpd to Christina Lake.

Delayed pipeline expansions have already left Canada’s main oil-producing province of Alberta with more crude than it can move. Lately, those plans have progressed.

“We need to see these proposed pipelines advance to a stage that it is absolutely clear that we can count on them,” Cenovus Chief Executive Alex Pourbaix said in an interview.

Opposition by Indigenous groups and environmental activists have held up several pipeline projects.

“Welding up a couple joints of pipe in a right-of-way doesn’t meet that standard,” Pourbaix said. “But seeing these projects break the back of the opposition and move to a point where they are clearly going to proceed, that’s what I’m looking for.”

Alberta estimates the oil sands emit 67-68 megatonnes (MT) of greenhouse gases, although Ottawa uses a higher figure. The former Alberta Government legislated a 100 MT cap but never implemented it. (Reuters)

Oil short-selling triples since the start of 2020

H

edge funds are bracing for more trouble in the oil market, even after crude rebounded for a second week on hopes the coronavirus outbreak’s threat to economic growth is waning.

Bets against West Texas Intermediate crude increased by 11 per cent to the highest in four months during the week ended Feb 18, data released Friday showed. That puts oil short-selling at more than triple the level at the start of the year.

“Everyone is still trying to figure out what’s going to happen with the coronavirus,” said Mark Waggoner, President of Commodities Brokerage Excel Futures. “Under normal circumstances, they would be buying but there’s fears the virus could expand.”

News of the epidemic that began in China, the world’s largest energy buyer, sent oil prices in New York on a nosedive below US$50 a barrel this month from more than US$65 in early January. Crude has since risen to around US$53 but concerns are lingering and futures stumbled anew on Friday.

Shifting infection tallies in China are eroding public trust in official numbers, and virus cases are spreading in Japan, South Korea and the Middle East. In the US, a key gauge of business activity dropped to the lowest since October 2013 as the outbreak hits supply chains and makes firms hesitant to place orders.

Money managers’ WTI net-long position, or the difference between bullish and bearish bets, dropped 22 per cent to 95,536 contracts, the lowest since October, according to data released Friday by the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Long-only wagers fell 6.7 per cent. (Excerpt from World Oil)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

17

Around the World

Earthquake in Turkey-Iran border region kills 9, injures more than 100

N

ine people were killed and buildings collapsed across southeastern Turkey on Sunday when a magnitude 5.7 earthquake struck near the border with Iran, injuring more than a hundred in villages and towns in both countries, Government officials said.

In Turkey, three of the dead were children, and 50 people were injured, including nine critically, the Health Ministry said.

The shallow tremor caused more than 1000 buildings to collapse in Turkey, prompting a brief rescue effort to find those trapped under rubble.

The quake damaged buildings some 90 km (56 miles) to the west in the Turkish city of Van, and to the east in dozens of villages in Iran, where state TV said 75 people were injured including six in hospital.

There were several af-

tershocks including a larger tremor measuring 6.0 magnitude that stuck nearby 10 hours later. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties from that quake, which was also fairly shallow and potentially dangerous.

Crisscrossed by major fault lines, Iran and Turkey are among the most earthquake-prone countries in the world.

Broadcasters and Government officials said

dozens of villages were rattled in Turkey. Nearly 150 tents were sent to shelter families in the region, where several schools in the districts of Baskale, Saray and Gurpinar sustained minor damage.

An earthquake last month in eastern Turkey killed more than 40 people while another in Iran did structural damage to homes without causing any fatalities. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Gandhi’s former home gets facelift ahead of Trump’s 1st India visit

I

ndia deployed more than 10,000 police and gave a facelift to the former home of independence hero Mahatma Gandhi on Sunday on the eve of a visit by US President Donald Trump, whose two-day trip aims to repair bilateral relations after a trade spat.

Trump lands in the western city of Ahmedabad today, where he will address a rally of more than 100,000 in a newly-built cricket stadium, before a visit to Agra’s renowned Taj Mahal and a summit with Indian officials and business leaders in New Delhi.

In Ahmedabad, a wall at least six feet high in places will block a slum from Trump’s view.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made grand visits to his home state of Gujarat a signature of his time in power, with the leaders of Japan and China both taking similar trips to Ahmedabad, the state’s largest city.

On Sunday, more than ten thousand police - some mounted on camels - fanned out across the city. At the Sabarmati Ashram, the former home of India’s independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, labourers watered lawns and painted walls.

The modest complex is a possible 15-minute stop today for Trump, whose New York penthouse is decorated in gold in the style of French king

A worker mops the floor inside Gandhi Ashram, where US President Donald Trump is expected to visit, in Ahmedabad, India, February 22, 2020

Louis XIV. Sarabhai said that should Trump visit, he is likely to be given a charkha, a tradi-

tional spinning wheel used

by Gandhi, as well as a copy of his autobiography. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Iran conservatives prevail in polls marked by low turnout

I

ran’s conservatives will dominate the country’s new Parliament following an election marked by the lowest voter turnout in decades, according to state media.

Two days after the polls closed, an Al Jazeera tally based on Interior Ministry results published on Sunday by state media said conservative candidates had secured at least 219 seats in the 290-strong Parliament, also known as the Majlis.

With 11 seats set to be contested in a second round in April, the new Parliament will also comprise of at least 20 reformists and 35 independents. Five seats are guaranteed for the country’s religious minorities: Zoroastrians, Jews, Assyrians, Chaldean Christians and Armenian Christians.

In the capital, Tehran, conservatives won all 30 seats, with former Mayor and Commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard

Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, topping the list.

Before the election, Ghalibaf’s conservative bloc formed a joint list with the ultra-conservative Paydari Front, or the Front of Islamic Revolution Stability. The Front is led by Morteza Agha Tehrani, a scholar and ultra-conservative politician who tends to advocate the principles that led to Iran’s 1979 revolution while Ghalibaf has a reputation of

being an ambitious technocrat.

On Sunday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the country’s enemies had tried to “discourage” people from voting by exaggerating the threat of a new coronavirus but added that participation had been good. The disease has so far claimed the lives of at least eight people in Iran, while more than 40 cases have been confirmed in the country.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Coronavirus: Venice Carnival closes as Italy imposes lockdown

I

talian officials have cut short the Venice Carnival as they try to control what is now the worst outbreak of the coronavirus in Europe.

Authorities in the Veneto region said the event would end later on Sunday, two days earlier than scheduled.

Italy has by far the highest number of coronavirus cases in Europe, with 152. Three people have died.

Italy has imposed strict quarantine restrictions in two northern “hotspot” regions close to Milan and Venice.

About 50,000 people cannot enter or leave several towns in Veneto and Lombardy for the next two weeks without special permission. Even outside the zone, many businesses and schools

have suspended activities, and sporting events have been cancelled including several top-flight football matches.

In neighbouring Austria, authorities denied entry to a train travelling from Italy after it emerged that two passengers had fever symptoms.

The train was on its way from Venice to Munich, but is currently being held on the Italian side of the Brenner Pass.

Elsewhere, authorities in South Korea and Iran are battling to control rising numbers of infections. South Korea has raised its coronavirus alert to the “highest level”.

The new strain of coronavirus, which originated last year in Hubei province in China, causes a respiratory

The colourful Venice Carnival draws thousands of visitors to the city every year

disease called Covid-19. China has seen more than 76,000 infections and 2442 deaths. The virus has since spread to at least 11 other countries.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced on Saturday that “extraordinary mea-

sures” would come into force to try to stem the rising number of coronavirus cases.

Italian officials say they are still trying to trace the source of the outbreak.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

If you jump into something without doing your homework first, you’ll end up in a vulnerable position.

Be moderate and mindful. Choose love over chaos.

Think things through.

Adjust whatever needs to be tweaked and keep moving forward. Your insight and sensitivity toward others will guide you down a path filled with promise.

Take better care of yourself mentally, emotionally and physically. Listen carefully and refuse to follow someone’s impulsive action. Say no to indulgence and temptation. Be kind to yourself.

Live in the moment, enjoy what life has to offer and prioritize happiness. You have more control than you realize. Set a precedent in order to gain popularity and support.

Use charm to your advantage. Don’t jump to conclusions or make a fuss when a kind word or hug is all it takes to get what you want.

Take the plunge and do something that matters.

If you stand up for the underdog, you will make a difference and feel good about what you accomplish.

Take care of responsibilities and get on with your day. Don’t linger too long in any one place, or you will leave yourself open for criticism. Treat yourself to something beautiful.

Fix what needs to be fixed and enjoy what you accomplish. Use your creativity to bring greater joy to yourself and your loved ones. An unexpected opportunity looks promising.

Take a moment to rejuSAGITTARIUS venate.

Refuse to let what (Nov. 23others do or say influence Dec. 21) your actions. Focus on what brings you joy, even if it’s something that you do all by yourself.

SATURDAY’S WORD

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

An unusual path will lead to a learning experience that will benefit you for years to come. Give your all, and you’ll get what you want. It’s OK to be different.

AQUARIUS

Look inward, make a change that pleases you and take better care of yourself.

Exercise, diet and rest will help clear your mind. If you feel good, you will do good.

Look, observe, evaluate and find a way to help others. Your input will make a difference and will push you to make life-improving adjustments.

SOLUTION FOR SATURDAY’S PUZZLE (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

19

NBA round-up:

Heat honour Wade, crush Cavs H

ot-shooting Miami produced its best half in franchise history and romped over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers 124-105 on a Saturday night when the Heat retired the jersey of iconic guard Dwyane Wade.

Playing without top scorer Jimmy Butler (personal reasons), the Heat made 14 of their first 17 shots and raced out to their best half ever by leading 82-52 at the break. Kendrick Nunn tallied 24 points and eight assists to lead seven Miami players who scored in double figures.

The Cavaliers were paced

by Cedi Osman’s 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, while Collin Sexton added 17 points and Tristan Thompson scored 16.

At halftime, the Heat honored Wade — their 13-time All-Star — whose No. 3 jersey was retired and raised to the rafters at AmericanAirlines Arena. Wade, 38, helped Miami to three NBA championships and is the organization’s all-time leader in games, points, assists and steals.

Houston Rockets 120Utah Jazz 110

James Harden scored 38 points, Russell Westbrook added 34 and Houston beat Utah on the road for the second time in four weeks.

Harden added five rebounds and seven assists, and it was his sixth 3-pointer with 2:13 remaining that silenced the Jazz once and for all. Eric Gordon and Ben McLemore scored 12 points apiece off the bench for the Rockets, who finished 20 of 48 from behind the arc.

Donovan Mitchell paced the Jazz with 31 points while Jordan Clarkson added 22 off the bench. Utah posted a whopping 64 paint points, but that wasn’t enough to offset the Rockets’ shooting.

Atlanta Hawks 111Dallas Mavericks 107

John Collins tied his career high with 35 points and Trae Young scored 13 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to help host Atlanta overcome an 11-point deficit in the period to defeat short-handed Dallas.

Dallas opted to rest Luca Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis on the second end of a back-to-back. The Mavericks also lost Jalen

Brunson, who started in place of Doncic, with a right shoulder sprain early in the first quarter.

The Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway matched his season high with 33 points, including six 3-pointers. Seth Curry scored 22 points and made four 3s. Collins was 13-for-18 from the floor, including 3-for-3 on 3-pointers, and added 17 rebounds. Cam Reddish scored 20 for the Hawks, who won their second straight.

Milwaukee Bucks 119Philadelphia 76ers 98

Giannis Antetokounmpo collected 31 points, 17 rebounds and eight assists to lift host Milwaukee to a wire-to-wire win over Philadelphia.

Antetokounmpo shot 12 of 17 from the field for the Bucks, who have won 21 of 24 games since dropping a 121-109 decision to Philadelphia on Christmas Day. Khris Middleton added 25 points and nine rebounds as the Bucks sent road-challenged Philadelphia to its sixth straight loss away from home.

To make matters worse for Philadelphia was the early departure of All-Star Ben Simmons, who aggravated a back injury on a layup midway into the first quarter.

He promptly retreated to the locker room and did not return, scoring just five points in five minutes.

He will undergo an MRI on his lower back on Sunday.

Brooklyn Nets 115Charlotte Hornets 86

Reserve Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot’s 21 points and Caris LeVert’s 17 points led eight players in double-figure scoring as Brooklyn dominated host Charlotte en route to a victory.

Garrett Temple (15 points), Taurean Prince (14), Joe Harris (12), Jarrett Allen (12), DeAndre Jordan (12) and Spencer Dinwiddie (10) also reached double digits.

PJ Washington posted 16 points, Malik Monk had 15 points, Cody Zeller had 14 with nine rebounds and Miles Bridges added 13

points for Charlotte. Terry Rozier had 10 points.

Sacramento Kings 112Los Angeles Clippers 103

Kent Bazemore scored a season-high 23 points off the bench, while De’Aaron Fox and Bogdan Bogdanovic added 20 points each as Sacramento defeated host Los Angeles.

Harry Giles III had 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Harrison Barnes chipped in 13 points for Sacramento.

Nemanja Bjelica contributed 10 points and seven rebounds.

Fox had a team-high eight assists for the Kings, who have won five of their last seven.

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Clippers, who lost their third in a row. Lou Williams finished with 24 points and Montrezl Harrell had 16 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for Los Angeles.

Phoenix Suns 112Chicago Bulls 104

Behind 28 points and 19 rebounds from Deandre Ayton, visiting Phoenix rallied from down 10 points at halftime to beat Chicago.

Miami Heat forward Solomon Hill (44) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers forward Cedi Osman (USA TODAY Sports)

The Bulls led by as many as 17 points in the second quarter. Coby White came off the bench to set the pace, finishing with a career-high 33 points. But the Suns chipped away before halftime, then

set the tone for the second half by scoring the third quarter’s first 13 points.

A 10-point deficit became a three-point lead in less than four minutes. Phoenix took its first lead since the first

quarter when Devin Booker knocked down a 3-pointer, one of the five he made on the night en route to a team-high 29 points. Booker also collected five rebounds and five assists. (Reuters)

Indiscipline cost West Indies in thriller – Pollard W est Indies captain Kieron Pollard believes there were a number of missteps that led to his side’s one-wicket loss to Sri Lanka in Colombo on Saturday.

The West Indies, thanks to a century from Shai Hope at the top of the order, scored 2897 before going from losing positions to winning positions and back again, as Sri Lanka got to 290-9 with five balls to spare.

According to Pollard, after leaving a few runs with the bat, the West Indies were also not at their very best with the ball and coughed up too many presents for the Sri Lankans.

But Pollard did enjoy the game, saying it was well contested by both teams.

“Good game of cricket came down to the last over with the crowd on its feet,” he said.

“Normally guys like me and Pooran finish it off but it couldn't happen today. Couple of soft dismissals in the middle really set us back,” said Pollard.

“I think we bowled too many bad balls in the start, gave them too many freebies, that's where we lost the game. Our discipline was not there,” he said.

Sri Lanka started well with a 111-run first-wicket partnership between Avishka Fernando (50) and captain Dimuth Karunaratne (52).

The Windies fought back brilliantly but Thisara Perera played an important innings, slamming a 22-ball 32. When Perera was caught off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph, the match was very much in the balance with Sri Lanka on 253-7.

However, Hasaranga (42 off 39) produced a performance that belied his ODI average of 14.37 to get Sri Lanka over the finish line.

Hasaranga's ability to find the rope – he struck a quartet of fours and one maximum – and inaccurate death bowling from the Windies left the scores level going into the final over.

A direct-hit run out from Sunil Ambris to remove Lakshan Sandakan frayed the nerves a little, but the one run Sri Lanka needed came from a Keemo Paul noball off the next delivery as if to highlight the way little mistakes had cost the Caribbean side. (Sportsmax)

20

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

Linden’s Jermine & Family Mash Cup…

Topp XX needle Coomacka to capture title T

opp XX forward Keon Hall banged a stunning shot at the Coomacka goal after four minutes of injury and stoppage time in the second half of the final game being contested by these two teams for the championship spoils in the Jermine & Family Mash Cup tournament.

The ball rushed past the flailing hands of Coomacka goalkeeper Kellon ‘Clean Sheet’ Major to break a nilall deadlock and give Topp XX a one-goal advantage, and eventually the win of the ‘finals’.

That 1-nil victory gave Top XX the top prize of $600,000 plus the Winners’ Trophy and the Jermine & Family Linden Mash Cup title.

This match was played on Saturday evening at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground in front of a crowd which favoured the Coomacka team for the win, but the eventual result would, for a second successive time, see Coomacka being defeated by the same opponents, following the Upper Demerara Football Association’s Christmas Championship finale on New Year’s Night.

The opening salvoes were

sent by the Coomacka side, and one such caused the man in the Topp XX citadel, Gregory Hinds, to bring off a good save, even as another collided with the crossbar.

Coomacka’s defense player Michael Sheckia eventually lost his temper in the 25th minute as things heated up, and he apparently reacted by uttering abusive language after being called for a foul. This resulted in Referee Sherwin Johnson swiftly producing the red card and giving him marching orders.

Crowd reaction was unkind, and as debris rained on the playing area, the game was disrupted for 15 minutes as the substitute benches switched positions.

However, enough though the experienced Topp XX team were now playing a 10-man opposition, multiple close shaves kept the game in the balance.

In the second half, Coomacka goalkeeper Kellon Major was called into play to make a save, and Major’s opposite number, Gregory Hinds, had to do likewise, as both teams looked to better their chances.

Topp XX could have gained the advantage after Tony ‘Spirit’ Adams was

Businessman Jermine Allicock hands over the cash prize to Topp XX’s Ryan Noel as his teammates celebrate

fouled in the box in the 52nd minute; but, to the disappointment of his teammates, Topp XX’s reliable spot kicker Travis Waterton sent the ball low and wide of its intended mark.

Topp XX had another lapse, in that they failed to take advantage of an opportunity that came in the 72nd minute.

As time was closing in on

regulation play, Coomacka, not to be outdone, created a couple of chances before Topp XX’s Sawn ‘Dash’ Daniels sent a good shot that hit the hand of Major before banging on to the crossbar.

In added time, however, Topp XX scored the lone goal of the encounter through a buildup in the middle that saw Ryan Noel squaring a ball to the approaching winger Keon Hall. However, Daniels was the one who fin-

ished to gain the lead for his side in the closing moments of injury and stoppage time.

Seconds later, the match was blown off and Topp XX were officially champions.

Earlier in the evening, Botafago hammered Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection 6-1 to take third place.

Goals were recorded for Botafago by Jamal Haynes in the 17th minute, his brother Shane Haynes in

the 20th minute, Jashawn Moore in the 69th minute; and by Antwoine Gill through a double scored in the 66th and 71st minutes respectively.

The lone goal for Winners Connection came off the boot of Akeem Caesar in the 49th minute.

That win was a repeat of the third-place game between the two teams in the UDFA’s year-end championship, which had ended 5-1.

Aleem Hussain steps Sanasie hints at GCB down as LGC President annual hosting of

A

Aleem Hussain

leem Hussain on Saturday stepped down from the presidency of the Lusignan Golf Club, after serving in that capacity for two years.

In a release which followed his decision, Hussain declared that even though he has stepped down from that position, he would still be pursing greater goals for the sport.

Hussain’s media release

Hussain’s release to the media read as follows: “There will be many exciting developments that will raise the bar for the sport of golf in Guyana even higher to be announced in the coming days, and I wish at this time to express heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors, media personnel, and

Lusignan Golf Club members for allowing me the opportunity to partner with you and serve you over the past two years.

“I am confident that the efforts made to date will contribute in some way to growing the sport of golf as we continue to build together for the future.

“Having dedicated two years of personal time, resources and money towards developing the Club and boosting public awareness of the sport (the results of which are visible to all), I am stepping down as President of the LGC to focus on projects and programs that are designed to have a wider impact on the sport.

“Looking back at the achievements over the past few years will alw a y s p r o v i d e m e with a sense of pride and accomplishment; but without the full support of friends, sponsors, and the media, none would have been accomplished.

“My special thanks for sponsor-

ships and other tangible contributions go to: Ansa Mcal, Assuria, Banks DIH, Continental Group, Copa Airlines, Crown Mining, Ganesh Parts, Global Auto Sales, Kissoon’s Furniture, Macorp, Marriott Hotel, New Trend Auto, Trophy Stall, and many others - too numerous to mention.

“And most importantly, thanks go out to all the Media Agencies who have been more than ordinary partners over these years, and without whose help golf could not have gained the national attention it has achieved.

This partnership of Sponsors and the Media is the accomplishment of the first of many steps of development by which means together we delivered a great product of golf awareness and involvement nationwide in a very short time and in a manner that exceeded expectations!

“Thank you all again, and as the development of the sport continues, I look forward to your continued extraordinary support for the game of golf.”

Republic T20 Bash

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Anand Sanasie

t the post-match presentation ceremony of the Golden Republic T20 Bash, held at the Guyana National Stadium on Friday last, Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Secretary Anand Sanasie indicated that this cricketing activity may become an annual affair.

“I was in conversation with the Minister (George Norton), and this (activity), as a starter, will be a good opportunity to have this (T20 Bash held) as a calendar event when the Republic anniversary comes around,” Sanasie posited.

The GCB Secretary also thanked the supporters for their involvement in making this event a success. He declared that although the GCB had not had sufficient time to prepare for this event, its staging was a good start.

Further, he thanked the Trinidad

National players Rayad Emrit and current West Indies T20 opener Lendl Simmons for having quickly indicated their willingness to participate in the match.

Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton, who has portfolio responsibility for culture, youth and sports, also expressed positive sentiments about the event. He declared that cricket is certainly a means of achieving social cohesion, and that despite the stands not having been filled to capacity, he still is pleased with the support received for its staging and the willingness of players to participate therein.

“We are happy to see Hetmyer (Shimron Hetmyer) who, as anyone else, was fit on the field, and we look forward once again for him to join the West Indies team”, Dr Norton explained.

In the softball match that preceded the main event, Regal All Stars beat Ariel Speedboat by 14 runs, after the efforts of veteran Berbician Keith Fraser and those of Seewchand Budhu who hit 55 took the Regal score to 186-3 in 20 overs, although Richard Latiff had taken 2-25.

Batting in response, Speedboat made 172-9 in their 20 overs. Wazir Hussain topscored with 39 and Greg Singh made 36.

Fazad Rayak and Roy Persaud had each taken two wickets.

The star-studded Regal All-Stars team collected $200,000 for this win, while the Rutherford Renegades collected a cash prize of $1 million and a trophy after defeating the Hetmyer Hurricanes by eight wickets.

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21

Premier League: Man Utd, Wolves, Arsenal win with 3s

runo Fernandes' first Manchester United goal set his new club on their way to a comfortable home win against relegation-threatened Watford and into fifth in the Premier League.

Fernandes, a £47m January signing from Sporting Lisbon, converted a 42nd-minute penalty after he had been taken out by Watford keeper Ben Foster.

The goal ended a 236-minute wait for a United home goal in the Premier League after they had failed to score against Burnley and Wolves.

Anthony Martial scored an excellent second on Sunday after Watford's Troy Deeney had a goal ruled out by VAR for handball in the build-up. Mason Greenwood, 18, lashed home his 11th of the season 15 minutes from time to complete United's scoring.

Fernandes told the BBC it was a dream to score at Old Trafford. "This is the day every player wants to have. I feel lucky to score," the Portuguese midfielder said.

"Everyone knows we want to get into the Champions League places.

I am here to help the team conquer this place and keep winning games, it's what I want to do, it's what I need to do."

After beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday, it was only the third time this season that United had won successive

Premier League games.

While Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men have now moved into the top five, Watford remain second from bottom.

Wolves put 3 past Norwich

Diogo Jota made it five goals in two games as Wolves reignited their chase for a Champions League spot with victory against basement side Norwich.

The Portuguese forward was at his lethal best in recording a hat-trick in the 4-0 Europa League victory over Espanyol on Thursday and he took just 19 minutes to add to his tally for the season.

Initially it seemed Matt Doherty's assist would be ruled out for handball but replays showed that the ball bounced against his stomach. When the chance was presented to Jota he turned in one movement and struck a low shot through the legs of Tim Krul.

Jota's second was also reviewed by VAR. The striker was offside when the ball was initially played into the area but drifted back onside to tap in Romain Saiss' volleyed cross.

He came close to a second successive hat-trick as Wolves made it 3-0 soon after the break. His low strike thundered off the post but the loose ball was turned in

by Raul Jimenez.

However, of more concern was how the side lost their shape so soon after Wolves scored their opener.

The most Premier League goals since Aubameyang's debut in the competition ꟷ Aubameyang (49), Mohamed Salah (49) (Getty Images)

They remain seven points adrift of safety with only 11 games remaining.

Wolves, on the other hand, are now two points shy of fifth - which could potentially become a Champions League spot and five behind fourth-place Chelsea.

Arsenal defend their 3

Mikel Arteta's encouraging rebuilding job at Arsenal continued with a thrilling victory over a resolute Everton, a result that could have a big say in the race for European football next season.

The Spaniard had PierreEmerick Aubameyang largely to thank for the outcome after the striker scored twice, including the winner - taking his personal goals tally to 19 for the season and an impressive 60 in

95 games for the Gunners.

The see-saw game could not have got off to a worse start for Arteta's side, though, as their shambolic defending allowed Dominic Calvert-Lewin to overhead kick Everton into the lead following a Gylfi Sigurdsson free-kick after just 49 seconds.

But the Gunners slowly wrestled control of the game away from the visitors, with Eddie Nketiah side-footing a volley home to draw them level from early substitute Bukayo Saka's superb left-wing cross, before Aubameyang slotted them into the lead. Their progress was again checked when Richarlison capitalised on yet more defensive frailty to poke Everton level just before half-time, but Aubameyang headed the home side back ahead 26

seconds after the break.

The win means Arsenal remain unbeaten in 2020 and gives them back-to-back league victories for the first time since the opening two matches of the campaign.

Should Manchester City's Champions League ban be upheld, eighth place in the Premier League could be enough to qualify for the Europa League, and the top five could be good enough for Europe's premier club competition. The Gunners are now just two points off Wolves in eighth and four points behind fifth-placed Manchester United.

Everton, who have European aspirations of their own following a run of five games unbeaten prior to this, are 11th but still in the mix, a point worse off than the Gunners. (The Guardian)

Sensational Fury stops Wilder to win WBC Heavyweight title T yson Fury produced the most destructive performance of his boxing life to end Deontay Wilder's five-year reign as WBC heavyweight world champion in seven thrilling rounds of their Las Vegas rematch.

The Briton, 31, pummelled his rival in a way few could have imagined following their 2018 draw, flooring him in the third and fifth rounds while constantly backing up the most-feared puncher in the division in a way no-one has done before.

A jab and right hand - the combination with which Wilder has wiped men out repeatedly - sent the American down in the third, stunning the MGM Grand Arena.

Wilder, making his 11th defence, fell again before the round was out - this time a slip - and looked rag-

ged under the pressure, before a left hand to the body sent the 34-year-old down in the fifth.

Fury delivered everything he had promised, transitioning from his hitand-move style to overpower, outwork and bully his previously undefeated rival until the towel came in during the seventh round.

This was more than a world title win, it was a statement - and as Fury was held aloft by his corner after victory was sealed, the days of depression, weight gain and despair that cost him the belts he claimed in 2015 seemed a lifetime away.

Wilder was taken to hospital after the fight and didn't appear at the news conference (Getty Images)

22

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

22nd Annual Courts 50-miler...

Keiler cruises to emphatic win in Courts cycling Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

T

eam Cocos cyclist Marcus Keiler stopped the clock at two hours, nine minutes and 45 seconds in the Courts 50-miler yesterday in Berbice to claim the title.

With this race being open to cyclists countrywide, Keiler cruised to a smooth victory while Berbician Andre 'Padlock' Green, completed a tight finish in second position ahead of Romello Crawford (third), Paul DeNobrega (fourth) and Balram Narine (fifth).

The race commenced from Courts New Amsterdam unto Nand Persaud Number 36 Village and returned to the point of origin for the finish. A small incident had occurred at the inception with cyclists colliding. That did not stop the Berbice fans from witnessing some high-profile cycling action.

In addition to the top five finishers in the open, Marlon 'Fishy' Williams came in sixth followed by Linden's Michael Anthony seventh and Team Evolution's, Christopher Griffith.

Keiler, riding in only his second race of the year, bagged five sprint prizes while Deeraj Gharbaran claimed two.

Griffith accounted for one sprint prize. Proceeding to the turning point, Keiler maintained a spot in the leading bunch.

Andre "Padlock" Green sprinted his heart out for second

GFF conducts coaches’ education workshop in Region 1

Upon the turning point and the race for the finish, Keiler broke away from the bunch in the Port Mourant area and took a comfortable lead to finish in first position. Green and Crawford were the centre of attention in the leading bunch.

At the Canje bridge, the pack turned up the tempo but Green in a tense battle with the other cyclists came in second, while Crawford and followed inches behind.

Meanwhile, the veteran category was another heated battle. Topping that category was Alexis Mendes followed

by Paul Choo-wee-nam. In the junior category, Jeremiah Joseph came in first position while David Hicks and Steve Bhimsen were the other finishers, in that order. After the race, Keiler stated that this win was a real improvement in his game.

Reflecting on how the race unfolded, Keiler had this to say, “first it was me and four other guys that broke away, after that I thought the race was finished then but the other cyclist came back and mid-way through the race I decided to pedal away."

With the two-stage Burnham race set for today Monday (February 24), Keiler disclosed that he is planning on recording a win but he is keen on assessing his body condition on the given day. His goal for the 2020 cycling season is to win as much races as possible and to claim the senior championships in Guyana.

Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship…

Bent Street reign supreme!

Participants of the coaches’ education session held at Port Kaituma, Region One took a photo opportunity prior to its commencement

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) recently conducted a twoday introductory training programme that targeted 11 coaches and prospective coaches hailing from the

session in planning and delivery of session; and principles of the game.

These capacity-building sessions constituted part of the GFF’s Hinterland Development Strategy, which focuses on

“awaken sports tourism in Port Kaituma” as well as showcase/ develop the skills of the youths.

She pledged that the PKTA would collaborate with other stakeholders to develop tourism in the region.

Part of the action in the final between Bent Street and Rio All Stars

N Participants were engaged in physical and theoretical training sessions during the workshop

Matarkai sub-Region of Administrative Region One (Barima-Waini).

Training sessions were held for these five females and six males at the Port Kaituma Community Centre on February 17 and 18, in a collaborative effort with the Matarkai SubRegion of the Region One Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sports, and the Port Kaituma Tourism Association.

Among the areas covered by GFF Education Officer Lyndon France and Youth Development Officer Bryan Joseph, who conducted these training sessions, were: introduction to coaching; principles of coaching; role of coach’s

providing training in coaches’ education and administration, besides providing equipment to hinterland regions.

Following the training, participant Orlando Cupido said he has learned a lot, and is especially thankful for the ‘session planning’ topic covered by the facilitators.

Before the training session officially commenced, a small opening ceremony was held and remarks were made by Celene Johnny, Chairperson of the Port Kaituma Tourism Association (PKTA), besides others.

Johnny said this is the first time the PKTA was partnering with the GFF, and that the initiative was being held to

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Administration, Assistant Regional Executive Officer Enoch Benjamin said he saw the training as an opportunity for the youths of Region One, and he urged the participants to make maximum use of the knowledge shared during the training.

“I hope you use this opportunity to its maximum.

See how much you can benefit from the two-day workshop,” he expressed, adding that there are many talented youths in the region who would benefit from the training, and that he is confident the participants would not only learn but also take the knowledge to their respective clubs and teams.

ational heavyweight Bent Street walked away with the 3rd annual Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship, dismantling Rio All-Stars 5-1 on Saturday at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

It was an exhibition of clinical finishing from the traditional giant in front of a massive crowd, as they romped their way to the prestigious title following five unanswered goals.

The opening goal from Rio All-Stars Kelsey Benjamin in the seventh minute proved to be nothing more than a consolation conversion, as the experienced Bent Street side took complete control led by Colin Nelson, the eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the event.

Nelson smashed a hat-trick in the 20th, 29th and 35th minute, following earlier conversions from Daniel Wilson and William Europe in the 10th and 16th minute respectively.

Esan Griffith, San Sports Director and Coordinator of the tournament stated, “The tournament culminated in grand fashion with a powerful display from Bent Street as they claimed their second title in three years. Rio All-Stars displayed the quality to make the finale and must be commended for their effort but the experience of Bent Street came to the forefront in the championship match.”

He further said, “Once again I would like

to thank all the players, fans and sponsors who maintained their unwavering support for the event. Without the input of this vital trio, the overall success and continued development of the event would not be possible.”

It was the second consecutive tournament win for Bent Street following their capture of the inaugural Dragon Stout Championship. They pocketed $600,000 and the championship trophy.

Individually, Nelson collected the MVP trophy and a Samsung Galaxy cellphone compliments of Nigel Hinds Financial Services. On the other hand, the loser and first-time finalist copped $400,000 compliments of Nigel Hinds Financial Services and the respective accolade.

Meanwhile, in the third-place playoff, Leopold Street downed Kingston by a 6-4 score. Omallo Williams recorded a hat trick in the fourth, 16th and 19th minute, while Benjamin Opara, Daren Benjamin and Eon Alleyne scored in the fifth, ninth and 25th minute each.

For the loser, Simon Emmanuel bagged a double in the 14th and 26th minute while Stephon Reynolds added a brace in the 27th and 33rd minute.

For their effort, Leopold Street walked away with $200,000 compliments of MVP Sports and a trophy. Kingston pocketed $100,000 and the corresponding accolade.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020

Sports is no longer our game, i sports t’s our business

guyanatimesgy.com

22nd Annual Courts 50-miler...

Keiler cruises to emphatic win in Courts cycling Page 22

Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship…

Sanasie hints at GCB annual hosting of Republic T20 Bash Page 20

Page 22

Bent Street reign supreme!

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