Guyana Times Monday February 3, 2020

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P14 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4185

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

APNU/AFC used parliamentary majority since 2011 to stifle development – Jagdeo See story on page 3

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

ExxonMobil employee killed in hit and run P11

P13 Police monitoring CCTV cameras for traffic offences

Botanical Gardens P15 motorcycle bandit struck down by car

Failure to declare assets

Integrity Commission to discuss prosecution of Ministers, public officials See story on page 7

…another list of defaulters to be published

Labourer knifed Govt will not bring home Guyanese to death by studying in China drinking buddy – Minister Coronavirus outbreak

See story on page 14

See story on page 9

APNU takes election campaign to burial ground See story on page 2

Prominent rice miller arrested for issuing bounced $10M P11 cheque

Police shoot ‘wanted man’ P2 in leg at Parika Stelling No 63 Beach double murder

Self-confessed killer for court this week P2

2 NEWS APNU takes election campaign to burial ground MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

T

he incumbent A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/ AFC) coalition has taken its political campaigning to one of the most sombre occasions – a funeral.

A video was trending on social media showing Minister within the Communities Ministry, Annette Ferguson, speaking at a burial service somewhere in the PomeroonSupenaam Region.

While the video has caused outrage on social media, it also became the source of comedic jabs since

– not once but twice.

“As I came in this afternoon, I was informed of the many developments that this Government would have made since taking office. So, once Brother James (she was then corrected it was in fact Raymond not James) …Once Raymond was alive, I know that come March 2, 2020, he would have been voting solidly for the A Partnership for

Minister Annette Ferguson speaking at the funeral

the Minister, who has responsibility over the hous-

ing sector, had to be corrected after she called the deceased by the wrong name

National Unity/Alliance For Change.”

In wrapping up her brief message, Ferguson went on to tell mourners at the burial ground that they have seen the many changes in not only their lives and communities but by extension, the entire nation.

“So, once again, I want to say to each and every one of you, who will be voting on the 2nd of March, 2020 to

vote for A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change.

Brother Raymond (as she had to be reminded about one minute later) may your soul rest in peace and may you raise in glory.”

It is unclear how the Minister got to be at the man’s funeral and efforts to contact her on Sunday for clarity and a comment were futile.

No 63 Beach double murder

Self-confessed killer for Police shoot ‘wanted man’ court this week in leg at Parika Stelling

– suspect jumped overboard, fired shots at cops

A

26-year-old robbery suspect is now nursing a gunshot wound to his leg after he was shot

by Police ranks while attempting to evade them.

He remains a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital under guard.

The man, who hails from both Adventure, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), and Parika, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), is wanted by the police in Essequibo for a series of robberies committed over the past few months.

He had been evading Police for almost two months but on Friday last, investigators received a tip-off.

Ranks went in pursuit of the suspect who quickly made his way to the Supenaam ferry stelling

and boarded a boat destined for Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Left with no choice but to board another vessel, the ranks followed him, with the main aim of apprehending him at Parika.

However, with the police close on his heels, the man disembarked the boat at Parika and jumped into the water. The police reportedly went after him.

The suspect reportedly swam underneath the stelling and attempted to escape on the other side of the wooden structure.

As he emerged from the water, he whipped out a gun and discharged several shots in the direction of the lawmen.

In retaliation, a rank then drew his service revolv-

er and returned fire, hitting the suspect once to his leg.

The injured man fell to the ground and was then arrested by the police.

Police Commander of Region Two, Superintendent Crystal Robinson stated that the suspect was slapped with 17 counts of armed robbery but when the matters were called, the victims were reluctant to pursue the course of justice.

It is believed that the victims were fearful that the man or his relatives would retaliate.

Meanwhile, the man was fingered in a recent robbery on the Essequibo Coast. As such, the police had commenced their manhunt for him but were unable to locate the man at his address in Adventure, Essequibo.

– Police still on hunt for accomplice

T

he No 65 Village, Corentyne Berbice resident who confessed that he along with a named accomplice tortured and killed the owner of Sun Splash Beach Resort and his handyman is expected to make his first court appearance early in this week.

A source close to the investigation told Guyana Times on Sunday that the second suspect in the men’s murder is still on the run as Police continue to hunt for him.

The confession was made over last weekend when the self-confessed killer had been further detained by investigators are the police were able to get an extension period approval from the High Court.

On December 27, 2019, the badly decomposed bodies of 59-year-old Harry Prashad, a handy-

Murdered: Prashad

Harry

Persaud

man of Number 65 Village, Corentyne, and 68-year-old Vivekanand Brijbassi were discovered in the balcony of Sun Splash Beach Resort located on the Number 63 Beach.

Brijbassi was found lying on the back with two toes severed – one was next to his body and the other was not located.

Prashad was found about fifteen feet away with both hands tied to a post on the balcony, one foot was also tied to the post and was severed at the ankle. Both bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition with maggots feasting.

The self-confessed murderer allegedly told the cops that he and his accomplice attacked and beat Brijbassi in the lower flat of the resort. He detailed that the in-

Murdered: Brijbassi

Vivekanand

jured man was taken to the balcony where Prasad was sitting.

Once there, both men were tortured and left to die.

The source also stated that they are following all major leads with respect to the double murder and more so, they are on the hunt for the accomplice who is also from No 65 Village.

It was reported that there was a high level of violence with the dismembering of some parts of the body.

Previously, Police Commander of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Senior Superintendent Calvin Brutus had stated that the police were made aware that there is an ongoing dispute for the property between the deceased and other family members.

NEWS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Monday, February 3 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Tuesday, February 4 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 12:30h – 14:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, February 3 – 10:35h – 12:05h and Tuesday, February 4 – 11:45h – 13:15h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine is expected throughout the day.

There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly to North-Easterly between 0.89 metre and 4.02 metres.

APNU/AFC used parliamentary majority since 2011 to stifle development – Jagdeo

A

s elections loom, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on Sunday took its rally to Mabaruma in Region One (Barima-Waini), where General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo urged the residents vote PPP/C into power.

In listing reasons to vote for the party, Jagdeo advised persons to reflect on the development under the previous PPP/C Administration as compared to the current A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition.

In fact, he said the APNU/ AFC should be judged based on their performance from 2011, when they controlled

painted green – the colour associated with the APNU. Among these buildings even include State House – a heritage building which falls under the National Trust.

Granger, when he was asked by media operatives about painting State House green, had declared “Guyana is going green!”

Jagdeo, a former President, compared this to his flagship Low Cardon Development Strategy (LCDS) that earned some US$200 million.

Another aspect he urged residents to consider is the treatment of the village leaders and Toshaos.

“When the Toshaos come

High Tide: 11:14h and 23:58h reaching maximum heights of 2.22 metres and 2.15 metres.

Low Tide: 17:23h reaching a minimum height of 0.99 metre.

PPP General Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo addressing supporters at Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini)

to sit with them for two days, as President, I would sit two full days with the Toshaos and the Ministers.

“Now they come to Georgetown and they are treated with disregard.

Granger comes, he makes a speech and then disappears,” Jagdeo outlined.

Economy

A section of supporters at the meeting

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the National Assembly with a one-seat majority.

“They won the Parliament and used they used that majority in Parliament from 2011 to 2015 to cut $90 billion from the budget. Money for Amerindian development, money for hinterland airstrips, money for scholarships, etc.”

“So, they’ve been controlling the Parliament from 2011 to 2020…so we have to judge them over a longer period,” Jagdeo reasoned.

One area which he called to focus was the strides made by each Administration to advance efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“He [President David Granger] talks about a Green State Economy and his Green State Economy is painting buildings green.”

Under the Granger-led Administration, a number of public buildings have been

to Georgetown, they will be respected. Like how we used

Regarding the economy, the PPP/C General Secretary flayed the APNU/ AFC Administration for the tax burdens on the communities in Region One. He reflected on the days under the PPP/C

Administration when the region was exempted from paying tax on fuel, and reminded the residents that this measure was reversed by the current Government.

“We never collected taxes here, we gave an instruction to the GRA [Guyana Revenue Authority] that life is hard in these communities, if you collect taxes on goods coming in here, it would increase the cost of living. And after March 2, once again, you are going to enjoy that tax-free status in this region,” Jagdeo declared.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 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

Integrity deficit

T

he Integrity Commission finally revealed some names of those persons in government and public office who have failed to submit a declaration of their assets and liabilities, as is required by law. According to the Integrity Commission Act, “Every person who is a person in public life, not being a member of the Commission, is required to file a declaration every year on or before 30th June, and in cases where such persons cease to be a person in public life, within 30 days from the date on which the person ceases to be a person in public life.

“A declaration under subsection (I) or (2) shall give full, true and complete particulars of the assets and liabilities as on the relevant date, and the income during a period of twelve months immediately prior to the relevant date, of the person filling the declaration (whether the assets were held by that person in his own name or in the name of any other person) and of the spouse and children of such person to the extent to which such person has knowledge of the same.”

After a hiatus of more than a decade, during which the Commission was without a Chair and members due to the refusal of the PNC to submit their nominees, after they had strenuously objected to the Chairmanship of Anglican Bishop Randolph George, the body was reconstituted two years ago. However, the members of the coalition Government continued to obdurately refuse to file returns.

A month ago, it was revealed that President David Granger was one of the recalcitrant transgressors, which included 23 Government MPs and 3 Opposition MPs. The full list was not released, however, because the Commission claimed it did not have the necessary funds to have the names published. This newspaper and another volunteered to print the list of defaulters, but the offer was refused. With the names now Gazetted, it is not known whether the Commission’s funding woes have been addressed.

Based on what has transpired in the two years the Integrity Commission was resuscitated, it is not surprising to discover that of the 20 MPs who have refused to file, all are from the Government benches; the three Opposition MPs have obviously complied.

Among the offending MPs are several ministers of the Government, prominent among them being the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams, who was recently conferred with the honour of “Senior Counsel”. Other ministers, in what has to be a list of shame, are Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr George Norton; Minister of the Public Service, Tabitha Sarabo-Halley; Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings; Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Simona Broomes; and Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, with responsibility for Rural Affairs, Valerie Adams-Yearwood.

There were 74 Government officials listed.

What is very hypocritical of the members of the Government is that they vowed to conduct their affairs, upon assuming office, with the utmost integrity. However, in the subsequent five years, the administration has been dogged with one accusation after another of corruption and misuse of public funds.

The filing of their assets and liabilities could have been used as a baseline to gauge whether the accusations had any basis in fact, and whether some of them could be charged with misfeasance, or worse.

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, with responsibility for Housing, Annette Ferguson, for instance, has been accused of receiving more than one house lot, and if she had made her filing, this could have been scrutinised.

In their present campaign, the APNU/AFC coalition have made “honesty and integrity” their slogan. But we wonder how they would be able to face the electorate when so many of their candidates have been recalcitrant in their legal duty to submit their declarations of assets and liabilities.

What are they hiding? The electorate wants to know.

The Heritage Mash Band was officially launched on Sunday evening at the seawall bandstand by fashion designer Nelsion Nurse. The concept of the band is “I am 592”, which celebrates everything Guyanese. As we celebrate our 50th Republic Jubilee, Guyanese from all walks of life come together to enjoy the festivities and participate in a truly unique beautiful event like no other (Shaconeil Burnett photo)

The oil mess ꟷmore Granger-led APNU/AFC indecency, dishonesty and lack of integrity Dear Editor, At a time when the leading global NGO monitoring the honesty and decency of big oil in the world has concluded that the David Granger-led APNU/AFC signed one of the worst oil deals in the history of the world, a deal that will cost Guyana more than US$55 billion, Mr Granger has had many opportunities speaking directly, face to face, with Guyanese citizens across Guyana to come clean and account to the nation about the US$18 million bonus, the first-ever money Guyana earned from oil.

Guyana received that money as a signing bonus in 2016. APNU/AFC, first denied there was any US$18 million bonus, unequivocally insisting it was a figment of our imagination. But under pressure, they confessed in 2017 to receiving the money. It is now four years with various fanciful stories, yet the Guyanese people are still in the dark.

Mr Granger, once and for all, himself, the big boss, has an obligation to address this matter during one of his rally speeches. Mr Granger must tell the nation if, like Jordan, he too believed it was a gift and, if he believed the gift was for them or for the people of Guyana.

Honesty, decency and integrity demand an unequivocal statement. There is absolutely nothing decent and honest in Guyanese being jerked around, for four years, without a clearly honest answer. Mr Granger must go on record, give a clear and full account of where the money is and what, if anything, it has been used for.

While he is at it, he

should tell Guyanese under what circumstances his Government settled for just US$18 million when Brazil contemporaneously got more than US$726 million and Suriname got US$100 million for reserves that are much less than Guyana’s.

The decent, honest thing is to come clean, address these concerns that the Guyanese people have.

Mr Granger must tell the nation who ordered Raphael Trotman to sign the outrageous contract, since Trotman recently confessed it was a bad contract, but he was ordered to sign it. Who had the authority to order Trotman, other than Granger?

Instead of cursing out Global Witness for insisting Guyana was significantly short-changed, Granger and APNU/AFC must maturely address the concerns raised by Global Witness.

Maybe Global Witness’s conclusion was based on limited information. To erase any doubt, Granger must release all relevant documents so that Guyanese can judge for themselves. The Grangerled APNU/AFC is contemptuous of the Guyanese people by thinking Guyanese cannot decipher the truth for themselves.

Even as these disturbing facts make a nation uneasy and people are seriously questioning the integrity of the Granger-led APNU/ AFC, more disturbing exposure of the oil agreements is shocking people everywhere.

The 1999 exploration contract signed by Janet Jagan, at a time when Guyana was still struggling to attract big oil, expired in 2016.

Raphael Trotman negoti-

ated a production deal, at a time when it was confirmed Guyana was a major player in new oil reserves. He ignored Guyana’s upper hand, instead, allowing big oil to wield the upper hand, and then the Government proceeded to hide the agreement. The bridging deed, allowing them to keep and extend the blocks from the 1999 agreement, is now being exposed, with several persons seemingly in possession of a copy. Yet the Government adamantly refuses to make public the bridging deed, a property belonging to the Guyanese people. Mr Granger needs to tell Guyanese what law permitted Trotman to sign away our patrimony through an illegal bridging deed. Granger must tell Guyanese why he must not be held responsible for the fiasco.

There, also, is the matter of the gas resource, possibly as valuable as the oil. In this agreement, Guyana made no demands on big oil for the management of the gas resource. At the moment, the oil company is flaring the gas, that is allowing it to dissipate into the air, into the environment. What is honest and decent about Guyana being swindled of a resource as valuable as oil?

What is honest and decent in boasting about a green state and then allowing the air above us to be polluted?

These are important matters that the Granger-led APNU/AFC must address and their reluctance and adamant objection to doing so expose their total lack of integrity.

At this very moment, the Energy Department has announced that Guyana’s first

1 million barrel haul will be shipped out. But who is managing the sale for Guyana?

Is it Shell-Barbados? Not so long ago, in a questionable process, we were told that Shell-Barbados has been contracted to sell Guyana’s oil from the despicable 2 per cent royalty agreement. At the time, we were told the agreement, including the financial implications, will be published for Guyanese to see. Releasing the details of the agreement is not merely because of a promise, it is an obligation. Hiding the details of the agreement is indecent, dishonest and a total lack of integrity.

The truth is that Guyana’s mostly secret oil deal gives away our patrimony for virtually nothing, while the Granger-led APNU/AFC desperately tries shrouding itself with a false coat of decency, honesty and integrity. Everything they do with oil has been dishonest, indecent and totally lacks integrity. Granger must spend less time preoccupied with Bharrat Jagdeo during his stump rally speeches and address the genuine concerns of the people.

He owes citizens this simple courtesy, otherwise, his fake cloak of decency, honesty and integrity is fully exposed. The decent thing for Granger at this moment is hosting a media conference to comprehensively deal with these concerns, otherwise, his decency, honesty and integrity tag line is nothing but a shameless sham.

With regards, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 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

When will APNU/AFC launch manifesto?

Dear Editor, According to Professor Palmer in his academic paper “Elections and Political Development, The South Asian Experience” (Oxford University Press-1975), elections are considered as a bridge between the voters and the political elites, between the polity and the society…” While the main vehicle for their message is by way of the platform, TV programmes and social media, the serious political parties leave a longer-term planning document with the voters called a “manifesto” (action plan). The manifesto outlines their list of policy measures that they plan to implement if elected.

Let us be clear, in the

Guyanese context, only the PPP/C’s and APNU’s manifesto really matter in 2020 since only these two parties have the mass base at this time to win an election in a theoretical sense. As a voter and a citizen of Guyana, I plan to read both of these manifestos. However, I can only find a document from the PPP/C. So, I am asking Mr David Granger, where is the APNU manifesto?

The manifesto is one of the most important tools of an election campaign. It is a tool that explores the agenda of the parties, but most importantly, it outlines their successes while they were in Government.

Only a political party that takes the voters for grant-

ed will choose to not release this document to the people less than (1) month before the elections day. Such action sends the signal to the people that you do not care about them. Only the most ignorant of voters will endorse such political recklessness and laziness.

The APNU, unfortunately, comes across as politically reckless and lazy by not producing their manifesto and sharing it with the people.

Why does the APNU think that the Guyanese voters are “ignars”? This is a major miscalculation on their part because the voters that I have met so far, as I walk this land of ours, are very aware of the state

of their personal wellbeing and they are not happy with Mr Granger’s performance over the last 4 years and 6 months. Is this why Mr Granger is shying away from producing and distributing the APNU’s manifesto? Does he not have a record to showcase? Is his entire election campaign sloganeering and personality assassination?

But he is misled since the voters do not want to engage in empty sloganeering like the “good life”. Worse yet, the voters do not want to hear a message around Jagdeo, Jagdeo and yes, more Jagdeo. They want to read the manifestos to see how this “good life” that Mr Granger promised will

be delivered. They want to see what Mr Granger has done for them over the last 4 years and 6 months. But looking around Guyana, I am convinced in my conviction that there is not much that Mr Granger can talk about policy-wise and thus his inability to produce his manifesto in a timely manner.

In the case of the PPP/C, since November 2019, the voters were able to read their plans for prosperity over the period 2020-2025.

I have read that document and I am more aware of the plans of the PPP/C around major issues like what they will do about job creation, education, the elderly, the children, rescuing the pro-

ductive sector, what are their plans for the emerging sectors like ICT, securing the oil and gas sector for all Guyanese, building a stock of public infrastructure to secure Guyana’s future and so on. But there is total radio silence from team Granger on these matters.

This is the second time the APNU has done this.

In 2015 they released their manifesto days to the elections. Are we seeing the same disrespect again today? Is this an indication that the APNU does not have planners and thinkers to pull together such a document promptly?

With regards, Sasenarine Singh

GECOM must be ready to deliver fair elections in one month!

Dear Editor, The Official List of Electors (OLE) is out, and political parties are very busy scrutinising its published composition in every division. Thousands of party activists are comparing the OLE along with the previously released Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) as well as the Revised List of Electors (RLE).

Obviously, the purpose is not limited to ensuring that they are in a position to advise supporting voters, but to flag any flagrant errors and omissions. In the circumstance, it is evident that the public will use all legal lens and media in maintaining keen scrutiny on the operations of a fledging GECOM, where the amplification of transparent performance levels is greatly needed.

Clearly, there have been some grey areas in arriving at the OLE and many observers have indicated that GECOM should have done much more to be transparent while providing answers to the many legitimate questions asked.

Notwithstanding, political campaigning has been concurrent, bitter in some instances, and vigorous.

To the external observer, it seems as though the PPP/C has largely gained the wider confidence of the majority of citizens, while internally, representatives seem strongly confident that the party will win by a very big majority, and stress readiness for March 2, 2020.

Information received indicates that GECOM is also ready with the ballot papers.

This time around, however, all eyes must be on the lookout for the ‘Fake Statement of Polls.’ Despite GECOM giving assurance that the

issued documents would have identifiable security features to prevent counterfeiting. It is, however, very clear those Returning Officers and other persons who are identified to deal with the completed forms would have the access to the final documentation up to the point of final inputting of the captured data into GECOM computer systems.

The previous situation suggests the existence of a flawed internal mechanism and absence of the necessary counterchecks within GECOM itself, which the organisation must demonstrate that it has taken the necessary steps to remedy. The necessary counter checking mechanism to the satisfaction of the Chairman and the Commission is required to be in place to prevent a repeat of the 2015 scenario when the Chief Elections Officer reported the discovery of 33 fake Statements of Polls.

One expects that the nation and other interested stakeholders will be looking at the performance of GECOM staff on election days.

Particularly, assigned party representatives must give strict focus on the related operations from the time the ballot papers and all the other elections material leaves Canada. The allowed scrutiny by all political parties’ representatives must involve overseeing the preparation of the Elections on ‘D-Day’ when the Disciplined Services will be voting, and the assortments of the relevant election day ballot papers along with other documents to be used.

GECOM staff performance has been highly questionable and all eyes must be looking for

a much-improved implementation of their functions on March 2, 2020.

Another matter of much interest is the long waiting on the issuance of ID cards for new registrants.

In this respect, it is time that GECOM clear up the burdensome duress under which they hold thousands of registered persons.

Chair of GECOM Madam Claudette Singh after several months should be fully aware of Commissioner Alexander’s irrelevant role as the creator of distractions that often result in inconvenient or selective activities, followed by withdrawals and apologies. It is, therefore, not surprising that he is now saying that the Official List of Electors is bloated. The evidence shows that only recently, the same Commissioner Alexander argued in favour of all the names from the truncated House-toHouse Registration to be included in the Revised List of Electors. He even advocated for those persons who GECOM or the party scrutineers could

not verify at the addresses listed, to be included.

The distraction in and out of GECOM would no longer work for the Granger cabal who have become strangers to the promises they made to Guyanese citizens. Thanks to Leader of the Opposition Dr Jagdeo and the PPP/C for exposing their flagrant, fraudulent and violent constitutional abuses, they now attempt to present themselves promising gifts. “Old people seh beware of strangers bearing gifts.”

It is a fact that Mr Granger and the APNU/ AFC’s desperation has clearly become the greatest threat to our nation’s future and civility. Their increasing use of thugs to disrupt PPP/C meetings and destroy Opposition campaign materials are instructive to anarchical intolerable behaviours.

Linden or any other part of Guyana is not owned by APNU/AFC or the PNC, and they do not own persons of a particular ethnic dispensation. At the same time, the Guyana Police

Force will have to do much better in maintaining law and order at public meetings.

This column, therefore, condemns in the strongest possible way the attack on a PPP/C meeting held at One Mile, Wismar, where persons dressed in APNU apparel reportedly discharged a firearm as former President and Prime Minister Hon, Samuel Hinds were attempting to address the persons present. While the activists reported the matter to the Linden Police, it is known that APNU/AFC Member

of Parliament Mr Figueria arrived on the scene and attempted to quell what seemed like a deliberate orchestrated disruptive and wicked plot.

As the nation and observers watch, we reiterate that GECOM and international observers should take note, and adhere to the call of the US Sean Mariano to ensure that the March 2, General and Regional Elections are free, fair, transparent and credible.

With regards, Neil Kumar

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

Page

E

xams are inevitable for students, but they don’t have to be painful. These tips can help you get ready for and get through your exams. They can also help you prepare for tests and class presentations, and tackle in-class assignments.

Find out about the exam

Know your enemy – find out as much as you can about the exam. Questions to ask include: How much is the exam worth to your overall mark in the subject?

What type of exam is it (for example, multiple choice, essay, open book, takehome)?

Will there be a choice of questions or tasks?

How much will each question or task be worth?

Ask for help

Don’t feel bad if you need to ask for help. People you can talk to about exams include: teachers lecturers family members friends and fellow students.

If you’re feeling really stressed you might also find it helpful to speak to a counsellor.

Sort out your subject material

Before starting to review a subject, it helps to: check you have all of the handouts put your notes in order read over any course outline or subject guide write your own summaries of each textbook chapter or section of the subject guide.

Foundation

Getting all your gear together makes it easier to find what you need while you’re studying.

Review past exam papers

Get your hands on any old exam papers from the subject and familiarise yourself with the structure and format.

Places you can get past exam papers from include: your teacher or lecturer your school or university library the newspapers When reviewing, practise answering the questions within the specified time limits.

what you’ve already studied and get an early night. That way you’ll be as refreshed as you can be on the day of your exam.

If you want to do some preparation the night before, keep it simple: Get all your materials together.

Read over your notes.

Test yourself on key concepts.

Set your alarm.

Keep your cool

Fronting up to an exam can be nerve-wracking, but

Know where to go

Make sure you know where and when the exam is happening. You don’t want to miss your exam! Here’s how to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.

Check your exam timetable for time and place details.

Do a practice run to find out how long it takes to get there.

Make a list of everything you need to take with you (for example, calculator, pencil, ruler).

Do some study at the same time as your exams (for example, if you have an early morning exam, practise getting up and studying earlier in the day).

‘ Don’t cram

Staying up all night to cram will only stress you out. It’s better to just review

reading time can really help you make the most of your exam time. Here are some ways to use your reading time well: Read all of the instructions very carefully.

Scan the whole exam paper.

Check how many pages there are.

Check how much each question is worth (it helps to spend more time on heavier weighted questions).

Plan which questions to answer first (consider starting with questions you’re confident about).

Plan how much time you’ll spend on each answer or section.

Start thinking about your answers.

Review your answers (if you can)

If you finish the exam before the time is up it’s a good idea to go back over everything, even answers you’re confident you got right. Try to: review as many answers as you can start with the questions you’re least confident about make sure you’ve answered every question make sure you’ve answered every part of every question (some questions might have multiple parts).

Come up with your own strategies

Remember – these tips are only some of the things that you can do to get the most out of your exams. There might be other things that work even better for you.

Ask around – find out what your friends do for their exams – maybe some of their tricks will work for you as well! Maybe your teachers have some good recommendations too. (youthcentral.vic.gov.au)

Break the questions down

here are some tips for staying calm: Don’t talk too much to other students before the exam.

Try to get there with time to spare so you don’t arrive all rushed.

Make sure you have a decent breakfast.

Listen to some inspiring music on the way to the exam.

Wear your lucky shirt or bring a lucky charm (if you have one).

Use your reading time

The way you use your

A great tip for any exam is to break the questions down to make sure you really understand what you’re being asked.

Look for the key parts of the question. These can give you clues on how to answer it.

For example, for the question, “Explain the difference between study and revision”, you could split this question into four parts: Explain – Give reasons to show how or why something is the way it is.

The difference – What are the distinguishing factors between study and revision?

Study – What is study?

Revision – What is revision?

M

ost people think of yoga as poses and exercises that make the body more flexible and stronger. But what many don’t know is that meditation and breathing are important parts of yoga.

Want to manage your anger so you don’t feel you’re always on the verge of blowing up? Want to feel less stressed and juggle all the things going on in your life? Need to focus better in class or while you do your homework? Yoga poses can help. But meditation and breathing really round out those benefits.

Meditation and visualisation

Meditation is a way to get quiet, calm, and focused. It trains your mind to slow down, relax, and stay positive. Meditating for just a few minutes a day can help you feel centred, balanced, and more in control — even during the times when you’re not actually meditating.

Making meditation one of your daily routines (like brushing your teeth) can help you feel more grounded when it seems like you’re being pulled in a million directions.

Here are some meditation exercises to try: Focus on the breath Try this as soon as you get home from school: Close your door, set a timer for 3-5 minutes, and find a comfortable place to sit.

Close your eyes and focus on your breathing.

As you inhale, think about your lungs inflating, your ribs expanding, and the breath moving through your nasal passages.

As you exhale, think about your lungs deflating and the breath rushing out of your nasal passages.

If your mind starts to wander, calmly say to yourself “thinking” and then turn your attention back to your breath.

Visualise success

This is a great thing to do when you feel stressed about something that’s coming up like a big test, sports game, or performance: Set a timer for 3-5 minutes. Find a comfortable place to sit.

Close your eyes and picture things going well.

Visualise yourself feeling prepared and in control as you sit down for your test, or kicking the winning goal in soccer, or landing the lead role at your drama audition.

Visualisation doesn’t take the place of actual preparation.

But it can help you feel confident and manage the negative thinking that sometimes goes with stress. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org) TO BE CONTINUED

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Failure to declare assets…

Integrity Commission to discuss prosecution of Ministers, public officials …another list of defaulters to be published

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ublic officials including ministers and former parliamentarians, who failed to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission, are likely to face prosecution.

Chairman Kumar Doraisami, in an exclusive interview with the Guyana Times on Sunday, said the Commission will be discussing the likelihood of prosecuting of these individuals at its next meeting scheduled for February 12.

“We’re having a meeting to decide on that…because the next step is supposed to be prosecution,” Doraisami stated.

Among the list of defaulters are Attorney General Basil Williams, Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings, Public Service Minister Tabitha SaraboHalley, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan,

Defaulter: Attorney General Basil Williams

Integrity Commission Chairperson Kumar Doraisami

Social Cohesion Minister Dr George Norton, Junior Minister of Agriculture Valerie Adams-Yearwood, and Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency, Simona Broomes.

Other defaulters include Speaker of the House Dr Barton Scotland and Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Issacs.

These persons, including other public officials, failed

to declare their assets to the Integrity Commission, as is required by law.

As such, their names were recently published via the official gazette.

However, there is another list of defaulters to be published, Doraisami explained. This list will include persons who would have declared their assets but failed to fortify their particulars.

APNU/AFC used...

The PPP/C has outlined a number of initiatives it plans to embark upon once it assumes office after the upcoming polls. These are all included in the party’s manifesto, which it continues to urge persons to peruse.

Among these initiatives are the reversal and removal of a wide range of taxes, and, the reinstation of the cash grant for students and subsidies for the elderly.

Moreover, Jagdeo posited that the PPP/C will keep in touch with the people and continue to listen to their needs.

“The week after the Government changes, you

will see us back in the villages working to change the lives of the people,” he assured.

In fact, he pointed out that the party has always been true to its word and that it has the relevant knowledge and competence

FROM PAGE 3

to govern a country.

“We believe we have to run our country for all of our people, regardless of their race and their religion and that is why we lasted so long in office,” Jagdeo said, referring to the party’s 23 years in Government.

“The defaulters, there are many more than that [the published list] from both sides of the political divide whereby request for further particulars of those declarations that were filed, those particulars were not fortified by most of the declarants,” the Chairperson explained.

This additional group of defaulters will be up for discussion at the Commission’s next meeting.

Doraisami says the list of defaulters will, likewise, be made public.

While the law provides for these defaulting individuals to be liable on summary conviction, the Integrity Commission is significantly challenged owing to a lack of resources.

“We don’t have the wherewith right now to do that, we don’t have the re-

sources…So we have to wait until the next meeting to decide how we are going to get the resources to do that,” Doraisami pointed out, expressing hope that the next administration would provide the Integrity Commission with the necessary finances so it could properly execute its work.

The Integrity Commission Act states that those in default “shall be liable, on summary conviction to a fine of $25,000 and to imprisonment for a term not less than six months nor more than one year”.

According to the Chairman, the first order of business would be to publish the names of the defaulters, “then we’ll go ahead and think about prosecution.”

But he explained that prosecution should be the last resort, as the

Commission’s duty is “to get them to comply”.

“If they don’t, we will have to enforce the law,” Doraisami said.

In enforcing the law, the Integrity Commission will have to engage with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall has already called on the Commission to ensure that this level of “lawlessness” does not go unpunished.

Other defaulters include former government parliamentarians: Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, Mervyn Williams, Jennifer Wade, Rajcoomarie Bancroft, John Adams, Richard Allen, Michael Carrington, Jermaine Figueira, Barbara Patricia Pilgrim, Donna Moothoo, Reynard Ward, and Audwin Rutherford.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Coalition Govt disrespects Indigenous peoples – Ali reminds Mabaruma residents ...called them “avaricious” for demanding their land rights

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eople’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) P r e s i d e n t i a l Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali has stated that the incumbent APNU/AFC coalition does not deserve the respect of Guyana’s Indigenous people since they disrespected them on many occasions.

Ali was at the time addressing residents of Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini) during a public meeting on Sunday.

He pointed out that the first thing that the party has to do if it wants to bring development to the people of

hand from them what their problems are and what can be done to address them.

This was done during the many outreaches Ali embarked on throughout Guyana over the past year after being elected as the party’s Presidential Candidate in January 2019.

“Coming to these communities, I’ve appreciated the difficulties you have. I have a better understanding of your specific needs and it is with that understanding that we together in the People’s Progressive Party, and with the inclusion of

PPP/C PM Candidate, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips

Guyana is respect them.

“Any leader who cannot respect you do not deserve your respect. [President David] Granger allowed his Ministers to disrespect you with one of the most priceless things to you and that is your land, and you must not respect them for the way they disrespected you.

On March 2, you will show them that you will not respect them a day beyond that by electing the People’s Progressive Party/Civic into Government,” Ali declared.

Ali was at the time referring to statements made

by Junior Social Protection Minister Keith Scott back in June 2017 when he said in the National Assembly that Amerindians were “avaricious” since they had too much land and threatened that they would not benefit from the oil revenues.

Despite public outrages, especially from the Indigenous community, Scott has refused to apologise for his statement.

Ali went on to say that the PPP/C has always been a party that brings Guyanese together and works in the interest of all Guyanese – something which it will continue to do if it wins the upcoming March 2 General and Regional Elections.

In this vein, he outlined that it was imperative that the party’s leaders meet with residents and leaders of the various village leaders so they can hear first-

views of yourselves from those community meetings, have drafted a manifesto that reflects the needs, aspirations and will of you the people,” he stated.

Reinstate

According to Ali, come March 2 Guyanese will be voting to see the fruition of the many programmes that they have asked to be reinstated after they were cancelled by the Government.

This includes the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) initiative and the solar panel programme. Ali said that the PPP/C will ensure that every community, every village, every house, every family benefits from those and the many other programmes that it has outlined.

Another initiative that will be returned under the PPP/C, the presidential hopeful highlighted, is scholarships. He reminded that hundreds of Amerindians got their first chance at secondary and university education. But this time around, the party will go further and ensure that all Guyanese children in every community across the country have access to secondary and university education.

“That is why in the next five years, we will deliver 20,000 new scholarships in every part, every community in our country so that your sons and daughters will fulfil their dreams of becoming doctors, engineers,

Call…

Y

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali addressing supporters in Mabaruma on Sunday

pilots, teachers or whatever they want. But your Government must support them in [the] realisation of their dreams and their ambitions and that is what you’re voting for on March 2,” he assured.

Continuing along this line, Ali noted that the School Feeding Programme, which started under the PPP Administration, will not only continue but be linked to agricultural development which in the end will boost village economies.

“We have to use as far as possible, the produce from the farmers to supply the School Feeding Programme, to supply the hostels, to supply the hospitals so that we can create demand and ensure that there is market and fair price for the farmers all the time,” he added.

The PPP/C Presidential Candidate also spoke about reinstating the $10,000 grant per child initiative

Neglect of critical services

Meanwhile, Ali’s running mate at the upcoming elections, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips also spoke about the neglect of critical services to the Indigenous people including healthcare.

Phillips, a former Army Chief, recalled that Mabaruma and Matthews Ridge were his first postings after completing his training in 1982 and so Region One is dear to his heart.

“Many of you weren’t even born then but since then I’ve been defending this region. This is my region, this is our region and we will win all the seats for this region come the 2nd of March,” he posited.

According to the PPP/C Prime Ministerial Candidate, the incumbent coalition promised Guyanese a “good life” in 2015 but gave the people a “good lie” instead. He noted

Residents of Mabaruma at PPP/C’s public meeting on Sunday

which was cancelled by the coalition. He noted that village leaders complained that 90 per cent of the children do not have access to the transportation that was put in place by the incumbent Administration as a replacement for the school grant.

According to Ali, not only will the PPP/C restore the ‘Because We Care’ grant and increase it to $50,000 but they will also ensure that it is not done discriminately and that all Guyanese students become beneficiaries.

that the PPP/C has a track record of making promises and delivering on them.

“We have the track record and we will deliver the good life… I want you to be focused… Don’t fight the green and yellow, we have [the] most important thing and that is, voting… The heaviest weapon you can use is your votes so come 2nd of March, armed with your weapon, go into the polling station and put your x next to the cup,” Phillips urged the people of Mabaruma.

…to arms ou gotta hand it to PNC Chairwoman Volda Lawrence.

She doesn’t mince words when it comes to staking out ground for the PNC. With an unemployment rate that keeps heading north, who’s gonna get jobs in the public sector – the biggest employer in the land?? Well, duh!! “The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC”!!! And, of course, there’s her latest candid call for a “nightshift” of strong young men to come out on election night to “protect the ballot boxes”!!

At least folks know where they stand with Lawrence – which is much better than the two-faced, two-tongued, double-crossing language favoured by PNC Leader David Granger and his ilk!! But the latter dominate the party and they’ve had to go into overdrive to put their spin on Lawrence’s plain talk to convince the masses they’re for “everyone”!! And this is where things can get really comical – if it wasn’t for exposing the dark underside of the human psyches of some of the apologists.

Take long-time WPA and ACDA activist Tacuma Ogunseye, who “argued” that Lawrence’s call for “protecting ballot boxes” was in no way different from Jagan’s call in 1973 for citizens to do the same! Ahhh…where would we be without that small matter of “context” – which Ogunseye has disingenuously ignored!! The PNC had flagrantly rigged the 1968 elections – primarily through “overseas votes” in which horses in England voted! In the 1973 elections, when Burnham announced the GDF would be collecting the ballot boxes – for “protection”! – everyone and even their moron uncle knew another rigging was unfolding. Hence Cheddi’s call.

But presently, when all the logistics of ballot transport have been arranged – by the Police – AFTER the ballots had already been counted at the polling station – unlike in 1973 – what’s the need to “protect” ballot boxes?? Ogunseye claims Lawrence was referring to “PPP strongholds” when she called for her “nightshift”! In these areas, the PPP would hijack the ballot boxes and stuff them with pre-marked ballots?? When has that ever occurred? In 2015, the claim was made in Sophia and even though PNC leaders confirmed nothing untoward had been done to ballot boxes by PPP supporters, one house was torched…and a riot narrowly averted.

On the other hand, in “PNC strongholds”, there have been instances of polling stations rushed by mobs of PNC supporters claiming “disenfranchisement”, etc … and chasing out non-PNC polling agents and demanding to vote even though their names weren’t on the OLE!!

Ogunseye, however, ignores the fact that International Observers in our elections have institutional memory of PNC shenanigans.

Lawrence’s “nightshift” call just forewarned them of what to expect! …for more taxes There’s the old cautionary story of killing the goose that laid the golden egg. But maybe the GRA big ones, who once again boasted that they’ve collected more taxes than ever before – up another 13.8 per cent this year! – might appreciate a more pointed bit of advice. This is from an old French statesman: “the great aim of all the governments of the earth is obedience and money. The object is, as the saying goes, to pluck the goose without making it squeal!!”

The GRA big ones would know, of course, what happened to the French ruler who ignored the squealing of his geese!!

In Guyana, the goose – the long-suffering taxpayers – have all been crying out that their discretionary income has been whittled away by taxes to such an extent that they’ve been thrown into the ranks of the “precariat”: the working poor whose insecure lives have become akin to running on a treadmill that moving so fast they keep slip slidin’ away!!

They should remember that the Ides of March is considered a very unlucky time of the year!! …to the dead??

Your Eyewitness saw a most disgusting scene circulating on social media. Here it was a Minister of the Government launched into a campaign spiel literally over a dead body that had been lowered into his grave!!

O tempora!! O mores!!

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

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Coronavirus…

Govt will not bring home Guyanese studying in China

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ith some 40 Guyanese students currently studying in China – where more than 300 people have died from the coronavirus outbreak – the Guyana Government said it will not attempt to bring anyone home, noting that it may be safer for them to stay at their respective hostels.

This was communicated to the parents of these students on Saturday at a meeting with Government officials at the Training Division of the Department of Public Service at the Ministry of the Presidency.

“Government is not putting plans in place to bring students home,” Public Service Minister Tabitha Sarabo-Halley is quoted as saying at a press release on Sunday.

“After listening and hearing what’s happening in China and examining our own situation in Guyana we decided it’s best for them to remain there because the more movement, the more the possibility of exposure to the virus.

Staying put in the hostel significantly reduces the likelihood of contracting the virus,” she explained.

According to the records of the Department of Public Service, there are 50 Guyanese students undergoing studies in China; ten of whom are currently not in China.

Minister Sarabo-Halley told the parents that the decision to let the students remain in China was not made unilaterally.

She explained that the decision was made following a meeting on Thursday among Ministers of State, Public Health, Foreign Affairs, and Citizenship as well as senior technical officers.

“The decision took into consideration advice received from the Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, local and regional medical practitioners,” Sarabo-Halley posited.

“They have everything; they know what to do if the virus is contracted and so that is the best place for them at the current stage because once they start moving we don’t know what will happen.”

She further explained that “for them to move from one province to the other to get out is a 14-day wait. Fourteen-day quarantine period and that could happen for a while before they actually get out. So, it’s not that the Government doesn’t care about the students. We have taken that into consideration.”

Parents’ concerns

During the engagement, parents and other representatives of the students raised a number of concerns.

According to the Ministry’s press release, the guardians were concerned about the lack of adequate supplies for the students who would be restricted to their place of residence.

Moreover, they expressed worry over the sparsity of information.

“To these, Minister SaraboHalley committed that herself and other members of the team of Government representatives will endeavour to collect and disseminate accurate information on the situation as it pertains to each student currently in China on Government of Guyana/ Government of China scholarships,” the statement noted.

Meanwhile, Fariz Khan, an obstetrician who has been working in the local health sector for the last decade, also attempted to allay the con-

A team of Government officials meeting with parents and guardians of students currently studying in China

cerns of the parents.

Khan, whose sister is currently furthering her studies in China, reinforced to the parents why it is better for the students to remain in that country during this period of the outbreak.

“As far as I’m concern we should give a hand to China.

They are doing a very good response to this thing... quarantining people, putting hospitals in place etc.

“My take is what I want for my sister is for her to remain exactly where she is. I think she is getting the best health care right now…. I don’t want her to move because the moment she moves … any travelling, bus, aeroplane… I’m talking just about to get out of the country… every country she moves to she’s is going to get quarantine. If she comes home to Guyana, her home she’s going to get quarantined. That is not politics. It

is medicine,” he posited.

Measures

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has already announced that persons travelling to Guyana from China will most likely be denied entry in light of the coronavirus being declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud, who was also at the meeting with the parents, explained that those

who died after being infected with the virus were already of poor health.

“The virus is not an aggressive one like Ebola … most of the persons who succumbed who get very sick and die are older persons and what they have also noted all of them are above 55-yearsold and most of these people who also have poor morbidity, or underlying conditions.

“They are diabetics; they have kidney problems; they have lung problems; they

have noted that a lot, about 33 per cent of them already had smokers’ complications in their lung. So, most of these people already had a high risk and most of them even if they get the regular flu virus some of them will sometimes succumb too,” Dr Persaud explained.

Latest reports reveal that at least 304 people in China have died following the outbreak of the coronavirus, which has already spread to 22 other countries including the United States.

As such, Dr Persaud noted that Guyana has already put surveillance systems at its various ports of entry. He noted that suspected victims will be quarantined in keeping with internationally recognised standards.

“What we have at the two airports, Moleson Creek, and the various ports is, if we identify someone that is coughing, we put a mask on that person to prevent them from dropping the droplets around the environment.

“Once we get the person into isolation, so far, we have two sites that we have developed: one at Georgetown Hospital and we have a small area at Diamond. Last night we were also told both Ogle and Timehri will have a separate room … to conduct our examinations.”

10 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Miner remanded for attempting to burglarise Mahdia Post Office

A

miner was remanded to prison on Friday

by Magistrate Faith

McGusty when he appeared before her at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on

Friday for attempting to break into the Mahdia Post Office, Region Eight (Potaro-

Mahdia Post Office

Siparuni).

Fifty-two-year-old Linden Flavius of Pepper Hill, 111 Miles, Mahdia, pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on January 30, 2020, at 111 Miles, Mahdia, Essequibo Magisterial District, he attempted to break and enter

the Mahdia Post Office and Living Quarters with the intention of committing a felony.

Police Prosecutor Delon Sullivan objected to bail being granted to the defendant, citing the prevalence of the offence in society.

The prosecutor also told

the court that the suspect was apprehended at the location in question.

The Magistrate, after listening to both sides, remanded Flavius to prison until February 3, 2020, when he will appear before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Former GRDB accountant to know fate on February 11

C

hief Magistrate Ann McLennan announced that she will be giving her judgement in one of the matters involving former accountant of Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Peter Ramcharran.

This was disclosed at the Georgetown Magistrates’

Peter Ramcharran

Courts when the matter was called on Friday.

The Chief Magistrate stated that the ruling will be handed down on February 11, 2020.

Presently, the Chief Magistrate is handling 22 of the cases filed against the accused while Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus is presiding over the other 17 charges.

Particulars of the first five charges allege that between the years 2011 and 2015, Ramcharran, while being the accountant of GRDB, failed to enter some $414 million in the GRDB’s ledger.

Ramcharran was slapped with 17 other charges which allege that he, along with former General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), Jagnarine

Singh and his deputy, Madanlall Ramraj, omitted entries into the company’s ledger.

The charges allege that Ramcharran failed to enter true entries of over $4.2 million into the company’s ledger, knowing that it was contrary to standard operating procedures between 2011 and 2012, at the company’s Lot 16-17 Cowan Street, Kingston head office.

The other charges allege that Ramcharran along with Singh and Ramraj fraudulently took $5.1 million or used the sum for their own use and benefit, or any use and purpose other than that of the GRDB. The court heard that an arrest warrant was issued for Ramcharran since 2017 after he was contacted on June 5, 2017, via Facebook and WhatsApp. Head of SOCU, Sydney James had testified that he had contacted Ramcharran and disclosed that he told him that he was fearful to return to Guyana.

An arrest warrant was then issued but Ramcharran sought legal counsel and attempted to fight his extradition. He was unsuccessful when a Canadian court had denied an application.

The matters are being prosecuted by Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) Prosecutor Patrice Henry.

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Prominent rice miller arrested for issuing bounced $10M cheque ꟷ reportedly has history of crediting paddy, paying with bounced cheques

A

prominent rice miller of Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) has found himself in hot water after he allegedly issued a cheque valued over $10 million to another prominent rice miller in his region knowing that he was committing a crime.

Reports are that the man owed the other rice miller, identified

as Roopan Ramotar aka “Fowlcock” almost $31 million for 4.64 tonnes of rice that the man had credited to him.

After some time, the rice miller made no attempts to pay Ramotar for the large quantity of rice, thus resulting in Ramotar having to constantly contact and pressure him into making payments.

As such, the rice miller

ExxonMobil employee killed in hit-and-run

A

Everton Bradford Charles

n employee attached to ExxonMobil Guyana lost his life on Saturday evening after he was struck down by a truck at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara.

Dead is 29-year-old Everton Bradford Charles of Lot 282 Earls Avenue Subryanville, Georgetown.

At the time of the accident, the young man was riding along the Providence, EBD Highway, when a sand truck struck him down and continued on its journey.

The injured man was left in an unconscious state but was subsequently picked up and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he succumbed to his injuries.

Superintendent of Police, Kurleigh Simon when contacted told Guyana Times that the accident occurred at about 19:30h.

He added that the now dead man was riding motorcycle CJ 5283, and both he and the truck driver were proceeding in the same direction when the accident took place.

Further commenting on the accident, the Superintendent said that the driver of the truck, who drove off the scene, was arrested on Sunday morning and is assisting with investigations.

At the home of the dead man on Sunday afternoon, his mother was reluctant to give a comment and requested some privacy especially at this time.

Charles’ body is currently at a funeral parlour awaiting a post-mortem.

handed Ramotar a cheque for the sum of $10 million as part of the payment to the outstanding sum.

However, Ramotar, upon arriving at a commercial bank to change the cheque, was told that the account had insufficient funds to cater for the large payment.

The man then made several attempts to contact the rice miller to notify him that the cheque rebounded but was unsuccessful in reaching him.

This prompted Ramotar to visit the Anna Regina Police Station where he produced the bounced

cheque to investigators and lodged a formal report.

Police Commander

of Region Two, Superintendent Crystal Robinson explained that

the rice miller was subsequently arrested and is currently in Police custody pending investigations.

Meanwhile, several other rice farmers have suffered the same fate in the hands of the businessman.

He reportedly is in the habit of failing to pay the rice farmers but in the past, the farmers never lodged a report.

A few years ago, the rice miller was hauled in by the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) over linkages to questionable payments relating to the Venezuela rice-oil deal.

12 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

6 weeks later

Teen beaten, tortured by cops unable to work

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een kidnapped, beaten by cops unable to work It has been six weeks since 17-year-old Ashkay

Budhairam was severely beaten after being kidnapped by two constables attached to the Guyana Police Force (GPF). Presently, his

mother is decrying their economic hardship after he has been unable to return to work.

Budhairam would have

turned up to work recently but opted to return home, owing to the excruciating pain to his abdomen.

Speaking with Guyana Times on Saturday, his mother, Seetadai Luj, explained that the young lad was employed in the construction field and would provide an income to support his siblings’ schooling and other needs. However, they have been experiencing grave economic difficulty after this unfortunate event since he has not been able to work.

“My son cannot work.

He went to work a day and had to return back home. He does work with a contractor to do whatever work they have. Since then, his chest hurting and he can’t really do anything. It’s affecting we because he does assist me and I have other little ones to go to school. Their father went away so he does help out,” she shared.

His relatives are especially worried about the permanent injuries which may have occurred.

Budhairam, of Westminster, West Bank Demerara (WBD), believed he managed to save his own life, after enduring six hours of torture and then jumping

Injured: Ashkay Budhairam

out of a moving car to escape his captors. Two law enforcement officers were taken into custody for the alleged beating and torturing of the 17-year-old.

Shortly after the incident, he recalled being in the company of a few friends in nearby village Schoonord, when eight unknown men showed up with weapons in two cars. They proceeded to attack his friends until he was snatched and put in the trunk of one of the vehicles in an unconscious state.

After driving for some distance, the young man had told this publication, he was taken to a house in the same vicinity. The two constables,

who are brothers and occupy the said residence, alleged that Budhairam had stolen some items from their house. He was handcuffed to a bed and questioned about the missing items, to which he denied any involvement.

After that, he noted, a few of them proceeded to visit his house to search for the articles while the beating continued. But the teenager claimed that nothing was found at his residence.

Water was then heated and thrown on the lad to which he started screaming.

He was doused for a second time with the hot substance. The injured teen told this publication that the men were fearful that neighbours might hear his screams and opted to put him back into the trunk.

“Them carry me to a house, reverse the car in the yard and carry me in the house. They handcuff me down to a bed frame and start beating me, beating me and asking how far them things deh. I tell them I didn’t know anything. Them go and hot some water in a electric kettle and start throwing it on me. I started hollering and making noise.”

He said that the car was moving for approximately 20 minutes and somehow, he managed to open the trunk and leapt out.

Last month, Isaiah and Daniel Bernard, both of 38th Street La Parfaite Harmonie, appeared at the Leonora Magistrate’s Court and were charged with abduction and wounding. On April 23, the matter will resume in court.

NEWS

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

5 in custody for Corentyne Police to monitor CCTV rice farmer's murder cameras for traffic offences

T

raffic Chief Linden Isles has revealed that officers are monitoring CCTV cameras across the country for various traffic offences.

In fact, a number of persons have already been arrested and are likely to be soon charged, he told a civil society-organised public forum on road safety.

“We brought them in, showed them the video and showed them the vehicle and then we put them on bail to go to court,” the Traffic Chief outlined during the activity on Wednesday last.

In addition to the CCTV cameras, he disclosed that officers have been monitoring social media pages for civilian videos of road users operating recklessly.

To date, many persons captured on video operating in a manner dangerous to the public have been tracked down and charged.

Isles said these are all measures being undertaken by the Traffic Department of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to ensure the roadways become safer.

“If we find that persons are posting these videos and we are taking action, it means that at some point in time we will have a reduction in persons using our roads in the manner that they are doing,” the Traffic Chief explained.

In 2019, there were 108

Traffic Chief Linden Isles

fatal accidents from which 129 persons lost their lives.

This is an increase from 2018, where there were 105 fatal accidents from which 119 persons died.

The underlying reason behind this constant increase in road fatalities remain speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol, police statistics show.

In fact, this alarming increase in road fatalities triggered Wednesday’s public forum which was organised by a group of concerned citizens.

Among the participants were representatives of civil society as well as the minibus unions.

Rawle Small, who gave a presentation at the begin-

ning of the event, highlighted that one of the issues to be addressed to make the roads safer is that of congestion.

He made reference to the stretch of road at Grove on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD).

“On that particular stretch of road, you have a number of businesses just on the roadside, you have trucks, you have minibuses, you have bicycles, you have pedestrians, you have motorcycles using that narrow strip of road and having to navigate that,” Small explained, noting that there are also animals roaming the highway.

Another issue, he said, is the seeming carelessness of some drivers.

“I have observed on a number of occasions persons just driving wildly around a blind spot. You aren’t able to see what’s coming from the other lane, there could be a truck in front of you but you just come out fast and drive into that,” he pointed out, arguing that “we have to change the norm of violent driving.”

He lamented that, many times, vehicular users do not even stop for pedestrians who are waiting to cross at a pedestrian crossing.

Members from the audience, in giving their feedback, suggested that there be stiffer penalties for errant road users.

D

ays after forty-yearold Parmanand Lakeram, a rice farmer, was riddled with bullets at his Corentyne, Berbice farm, the police have confirmed that five persons were arrested and are assisting with the probe.

This was according to Regional Commander of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Calvin Brutus, who also confirmed that the deceased’s stolen motorcycle was retrieved at a ranch house at Number 64 Village.

Two of the men were arrested on Saturday while the other two were arrested on Sunday.

The motorcycle was believed to have been the same one used in the shooting. “The motorcycle was recovered and it is usually parked with its key in,” Brutus added.

The incident reportedly took place on Thursday evening on the man’s farm at Number 68 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

Family members told Guyana Times that the now dead man left home to go into the backdam to check on his tractor which was pumping water into his rice field while the police claim that he was

Dead: Parmanand Lakeram

in the backdam to collect stolen cows.

According to reports, Lakeram and two men were in his vehicle travelling into the backdam when they saw a light approaching. As such, the farmer stopped his vehicle and disembarked to make inquiries but instead, he was

shot in the process.

Police stated that the now dead man instructed his two friends to hide as he approached the oncoming motorbike.

After the incident, the friends told Police that they heard Lakeram screaming to them, ‘’run boy run Chunic just shoot me.’’

At that point, the men left their hiding places and went in different directions but as they ran for their lives, they heard other gunshots.

The two men quickly informed the relatives of the dead man of what transpired and without hesitation, they went to the scene in the company of the dead man’s brother. There they saw Lakeram sitting in a pool of blood next to his vehicle.

From all indications, the body bore about eight gunshot wounds to the hand, two to his head and two to his abdomen. Both of the man’s friends had their hands tested for gunshot residue but none was found.

However, “Chunic” reportedly turned himself in at the Springlands Police Station after he learnt that he was wanted by the police.

14 NEWS

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Banks DIH Linden Branch records $91M increase in sales for 2019 – Citizens Bank subsidiaries for Bartica, Mandela Avenue

T

he Linden Branch of beverage giant Banks DIH Limited continues to record significant increase in sales, as was reported at the 64th Annual General Meeting for shareholders hosted at the Linden location in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Friday.

The Branch’s new Manager, Devon Warwick in the delivery of the Branch’s performance during the financial year ending September 30, 2019, announced that the Branch saw sales moving from $1.1 billion in 2018 to $1.2 billion in 2019, which reflects a sale increase of $91 million or a 2.8 per cent sales increase when compared to 2018.

“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to extend compliments to the hardworking staff; the support from our shareholders, dealers, customers and friends for contributing towards the success of this Branch.

I, therefore, look forward to your continued support during this period in helping our company to achieve its objectives and targets”, Warwick stated in the presence of stakeholders and company and regional executives who were present at the event.

Chairman of Banks DIH, Clifford Reis also noted that the company’s Linden Branch of Citizens Bank also recorded an improved performance during the specified period. Reis noted that the Branch recorded a profit

Chairman of the giant, Clifford Reis

beverage

of $18.2 million as compared to $0.6 million ($600,000) in 2018, which signals an increase of $17.6 million.

He continued that during the financial year ending September 30, 2019, total revenue of the Linden Branch of the bank increased by $23.9 million or 23.4 per cent to $125.8 million, while customers’ deposits at the Branch increased by $434.0 million or 41.8 per cent to $1.5 billion.

Meanwhile, Reis reported that loans and advances at the Branch increased by $179.8 million or 22.9 per cent to $1.0 billion. He said an additional $180 million in loans was given out to clients in the Linden area during the year, which is a 23 per cent increase.

Reis added that despite the competitive environment in which the overall company conducts its busi-

ness, management continues to focus on developing and innovating new business initiatives that would produce long-term growth.

He related that Banks DIH will continue to develop its manufacturing, wholesale and retail services even amidst challenges.

“Let us be prepared to respond to those challenges by continuing to build and secure a foundation that already exists with our bridge to the future”, he noted.

Pointing to challenges, he explained that approximately $1 million is lost per day during the hosting of Parliament at the main location in Georgetown as he pointed to a recommendation for Parliament to be conducted at nights around 19:00h.

Reis said even though the company was challenged to adjust to the impact of rising fuel prices, it continues to rise. He highlighted that the Trisco products modernisation project, for example, continued with the installation of new packaging equipment to produce newer and exciting packages for biscuits. Additionally, he said the company’s security system was enhanced with the installation of new cameras as it also continues with the production of high-quality products.

In this light, Reis announced that Banks DIH will be establishing a new Guinness product in a short while (within the next quarter). Pointing to achieve-

ments over the specified period, he said the company had felt a sense of accomplishment in being ranked second place in the Americas and 17th place worldwide for the quality of products and packaging.

Reis cited that the revenue generated by the company over the period ending September 30, 2019, was $29.6 billion as compared to $27.5 billion in the previous year, which signals an 8 per cent increase. The company’s profit before tax was $6.2 billion as compared to $6 billion the previous year.

The company’s Chairman said working relationships within the communities in which it operates continue to be beneficial as it continues with the sponsorship of Brand Ambassadors, sports activities, bursary awards, apprenticeships, work-study programmes and academic scholarships.

He also pointed to plans to build new Citizens Bank subsidiaries at Bartica and at Mandela Avenue in Georgetown, noting that the company will also be looking at the possibility of a bank

Linden’s Branch Devon Warwick

Manager,

at Essequibo. In keeping up with Guyana’s most recent development as an oil-producing nation, Reis said the company is ready for ‘first oil’ and has been preparing for about six to eight years.

Noting that there is still room to grow, he urged support for local products, citing that a significant number of products are imported. Reis opined that there are too many importers of products more than manufacturers of goods in Guyana. He urged

citizens to utilise their inner creativity, noting that the company has a rich history of innovation with the ability to create meaningful impacts.

In response to a shareholder’s concern on the quality of whole-wheat bread distributed in the Linden community, Reis acknowledged that the company has to re-design the distribution of the product in an effort to preserve its quality. He also stressed that the company has to educate its staff on temperature controls for various products as well as develop new standards of regulations.

As is customary each year, two schools from the community were awarded monetary donations by the company. This year’s recipients were the Children’s Garden Nursery and the Mackenzie Primary School.

The company also awarded District 10 (Upper Demerara-Kwakwani) athletics team with the champions trophy for its fifth consecutive win at the National Athletics Championships.

Body of unidentified man found on Railway Embankment

T

he body of an unidentified male who appears to be in his 60s was found on the Good Hope Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), early Sunday morning by passersby.

Reports are that around 06:00h, persons traversing the area noticed a “bulk” on the roadway and upon getting closer to the area, they realised that it was a man’s body.

However, some assumed the man was intoxicated and passed out but upon further investigation, they noticed that he appeared to be dead.

The police were immediately contacted and arrived promptly on the scene.

Speaking with Guyana Times Police Commander of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Subdivision C (East Coast Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Royston Andries-Junor noted that it is unclear as to what may

The body at the scene on Sunday morning

have led to the man’s demise but the matter is being investigated.

However, the Commander pointed out that there were tire tracks close to the now dead man’s body which seems to tell that he might have been a victim of a hit-and-run. The

deceased is said to be of East Indian descent.

He explained that the body has been taken to the Lyken Funeral Home and ranks at all police stations in his Subdivision are on alert for a “missing person” report which may lead to the man’s identity.

Labourer knifed to death by drinking buddy

A

labourer was in the wee hours of Sunday morning stabbed to death during an argument with a drinking buddy along the Soesdyke Public Road, East Bank Demerara.

Dead is 44-year-old Winford Jacob, of Bonking Sand Road, Soesdyke, EBD, and of Blueberry Hill, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Based on reports received,

on the day in question, Jacob had been consuming alcoholic beverages with a male friend and the mother of his child and at about 02:30h, they left the drinking bar and were walking along the Soesdyke Public Road, EBD, when an argument broke out.

This quickly escalated into a physical altercation. It is alleged that Jacob attacked the suspect with a broken bot-

tle and he retaliated by whipping out a knife that he was carrying and stabbed Jacobs twice to his body.

The injured man collapsed on the roadway. He was later picked up and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect was arrested and is being grilled in relation to the murder.

NEWS

15

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Botanical Gardens motorcycle bandit struck down by car

A

suspected motorcycle bandit is now under guard at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was struck down by a motor car minutes after he allegedly committed a robbery.

The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon in front of the Botanical Gardens, Georgetown.

Reports are that the 27-year-old motorcyclist of GuyHoc Park, Georgetown, rode into the Botanical Gardens and committed the robbery.

He then reportedly rode off through the gates and into the path of a motor car.

While lying on the roadway, the victim positively identified him as the perpetrator. The police were sum-

moned and he was arrested.

According to Police Commander of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas, investigators are currently trying to ascertain whether the licence plate number on the motorcycle is an accurate registration.

He noted that his ranks received additional information that another suspect had been on the motorcycle when the alleged robbery took place.

Commander Thomas noted that investigations into the incident are presently ongoing and that the police are waiting for the robbery victim to come forward and officially make a report.

Linden teacher robbed at knifepoint

T

hirty-seven-year-old Arlet Pitt, a teacher, was reportedly robbed of her iPhone 6S mobile device on Friday evening as she was heading to her Blueberry Hill Back Road, Wismar, Linden home.

According to the victim, she was heading home from a nearby shop in the vicinity of Blueberry Hill Back Road when an unidentified male walked up behind her and choked her.

He then placed a long, silver knife at her neck. The victim explained that during the ordeal, she held on to the knife which resulted in injuries to her right index finger.

The perpetrator then demanded that she hand over her cellphone to which she

complied as she was fearful for her life. The suspect then ran away through a nearby street, making good his escape. The perpetrator at the time had a black jersey wrapped around his face. He was also clad in a black jersey, black short pants and wore a black pair of leather slippers. He was approximately 6 feet in height.

Police later visited the scene of the crime and scanned for CCTV footage but their efforts proved futile. The victim was transported to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) where she received medical attention.

Police have since launched an investigation into the incident.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

Regional

Caricom Health Ministers to hold Politician calls for emergency meeting on deadly coronavirus greater development

H

ealth Ministers from across the Region will hold an emergency meeting today to discuss issues related to the coronavirus which the World Health Organisation (WHO) has now classified as a public health emergency of international concern.

The meeting of the Caricom Council for Human and Social Development that will also be attended by other senior health and security officials will provide updates on regional plans.

According to the WHO, the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus worldwide is now 14,557, most of which are in China – and the death toll has risen to at least 304.

On Saturday, a 44-yearold man in the Philippines died of the virus – making

him the first reported death outside of China.

The coronavirus outbreak which originated in Wahun City, Hubei Province, China, started in December 2019.

The Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) says while there has been no confirmed cases of the virus, it is monitoring developments and working closely with its international health partners to respond to this health threat.

CARPHA said in the event that there was a suspected imported case in the Region, it has already made arrangements with partner public health agencies for testing “within the next three weeks, while we await delivery of necessary supplies”. (CMC)

Mexico reports no infections, after 1 person with new coronavirus visits country

M

exico’s Health Ministry said one person carrying the new coronavirus had visited Mexico City, but since left the country, and nobody identified as having been in

contact with them has so far shown symptoms.

In a statement issued late on Saturday, the authority said it had activated health protocols and informed guests at a hotel and

users of an urban transport company about having been potentially exposed 10 days ago.

“An epidemiological investigation is being carried out with the objective

of identifying potential contacts that could have been spread,” it said, adding that of those potentially exposed “none has developed symptoms of the disease”.

(Reuters)

Ecuador’s President says women “only report harassment from ugly men”

E

cuadorian President Lenin Moreno has apologised for saying women only report harassment "when it comes from an ugly person".

His comments at a conference in the city of Guayaquil on Friday sparked an uproar online.

At the same event, Moreno also said that men faced the constant threat of being falsely accused of harassment by women.

As the backlash mounted, he tweeted that he "did not intend to minimise an issue as serious as violence or abuse".

"I apologise if it was understood that way," he added. "I reject violence against

President Lenin Moreno made the comments at an investors' conference on Friday

women in all its forms!"

Addressing the conference in Guayaquil, President Moreno had said that men were "permanently subjected to the danger of being accused of harassment".

"Women often report ha-

rassment, it is true, and it is good that they do so," he went on, before claiming that women often "get angry with ugly people" in harassment cases.

"That is to say, it is 'harassment' when it comes

from an ugly person," he said. "But if the person is good looking... they usually do not think it is harassment."

After footage of the speech was shared online, the President's comments attracted widespread criticism.

One Twitter user wrote: "According to Lenin Moreno women only report harassment when the perpetrator is 'ugly'. Now it makes sense why they cut $876,000 for the prevention of gender violence: for this lot our lives are worthless."

Another added: "We are governed by a misogynist!"

(BBC News)

T&T Commissioner warns criminals: Your days are numbered

P

olice Commissioner Gary Griffith believes that the criminal justice system and politicians who continue to give criminal gangs State contracts are contributing to the country’s growing murder rate and it must stop.

Speaking to Guardian Media on Saturday as the first month of 2020 ended with a murder count of 45, Griffith lamented that “it is impossible to win the war

on crime when the criminals have the scales of justice tilted towards them”.

Griffith said the Police continued to do their job: “We are trying to police a war zone and we are apprehending the enemies of the State and then being told they must get bail.”

According to Griffith, 323 persons were arrested in the last three years by the Police for possession of illegal weapons and they were

given bail on the first hearing and hundreds of others were given bail after.

“Our reports are that there are more than 800 shooters. Shooters are those gang members who contribute to the vast majority of the homicides in this country. We have been able to successfully apprehend half of the persons who have been instrumental in committing the majority of homicides. It means if our

criminal justice system was effective, half of the homicides could have been cut, just like that,” Griffith said.

He is of the view that “had we put these individuals where they belong, the one point three million plus law-abiding citizens would have had a better way of life. The needs of the many has to outweigh the needs of the few criminal elements,” Griffith insisted. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

of Reggae

P

eople's National Party (PNP) Shadow Minister of Entertainment Dwayne Vaz says that issues affecting the Reggae music industry must be settled so that those investing in festivals and other events can operate within the framework of the law.

In a statement, Vaz said greater investment needed to be made by the Private Sector and the Government through worthwhile partnerships.

“The continued development of Reggae music demands exposure through our school curriculum; making our music and arts programmes key components in the education of our children,” Vaz said.

He said on the heels of Reggae artist Koffee's historic Grammy win for her debut EP “Rapture”, Reggae

Month has been given a tremendous boost.

“Our celebration must take into account the impact that Reggae music has had, not only on our development locally, but also in placing Jamaica on the map internationally.”

He applauded the expansion of this year's festivities to other parishes outside of Kingston, but noted that more needs to be done to honour the island's legends including the Crown Prince of Reggae Dennis Brown, and the King of Reggae Robert Nesta Marley.

“We also need to ensure that with the creation of entertainment zones, that they not only cater to larger events but that we provide opportunities for smaller promoters and events to benefit as well,” the shadow minister said. (Jamaica Observer)

12 St Lucy residents the 1st to receive Pride of Barbados Awards

Pride of Barbados awardees

T

he parish of St Lucy recently honoured 12 of its residents at the first-ever Pride of Barbados Awards ceremony.

These individuals were recognised for their sterling contributions to community life, both socially and economically. The presentation took place in the auditorium of the Daryll Jordan Secondary School last Wednesday evening.

Acting on behalf of Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley, Minister of Housing, Lands and Rural Development, George Payne was on hand to present the awards.

In a brief address, he lauded the Prime Minister for her vision in conceptualising the We Gatherin’ initiative. Additionally, he commended both the awardees and the representative for the parish, Peter Philips for placing St Lucy “on the map of excellence”.

Minister Payne praised

Minister Phillips and his team in the execution of the events for the parish’s month of activities, which set the tone for the year. “What St. Lucy has done is that it has now set the barometer, and we know now what we have to do and I think it is to the credit of Peter [Phillips] and his team,” he stated.

Minister in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Maintenance Phillips also offered his commendations to the recipients of the awards.

"Your distinguished service to your community and country is well deserving. I congratulate you and urge you to keep making this selfless contribution. I urge others looking on to follow in your footsteps for there is none more honourable than to serve one’s country, one’s community,” he said.

(Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

17

Around the World

Police shoot man China seeks to boost economy as 1st ‘terror-related’ virus death reported outside its borders after stabbing in London

T

he first death from the coronavirus outside of China was reported on Sunday and the Beijing Government took steps to shore up an economy hit by travel curbs and business shut-downs because of the epidemic.

A 44-year-old Chinese man from the city of Wuhan in Hubei province, the epicentre of the epidemic, travelled to the Philippines and died there on Saturday, the Philippines’ Department of Health said.

A total of 304 people have died in China, the National Health Commission said on Sunday. Infections in China jumped to 14,380 as of Saturday, it said.

At least another 171 cases have been reported in more than two dozen oth-

Members of a neighbourhood committee register a local and ask about his travel history in Jiujiang, Jiangxi province, China, as the country is hit by an outbreak of novel coronavirus, February 2, 2020

er countries and regions, including the United States, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Britain.

Beijing is facing mounting isolation as countries in-

troduce travel restrictions, airlines suspend flights and Governments evacuate their citizens, risking worsening a slowdown in the world’s second-largest economy.

China’s central bank said it would inject a hefty 1.2 trillion yuan (US$173.8 billion) worth of liquidity into the markets via reverse repo operations today as the country prepares to reopen its stock markets after an extended Lunar New Year holiday.

The Government also said it would help firms that produce vital goods resume work as soon as possible, state broadcaster CCTV reported, citing a meeting chaired by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan said the risk of further contraction in the region’s economy, which was buffeted by anti-Government protests last year, has increased due to the epidemic. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Somalia declares emergency over locust swarms

S

omalia has declared a national emergency as large swarms of locusts spread across east Africa.

The country’s Ministry of Agriculture said the insects, which consume large amounts of vegetation, posed “a major threat to Somalia’s fragile food security situation”.

There are fears that the situation may not be brought under control before the har-

vest begins in April.

The UN said the swarms are the largest in Somalia and Ethiopia in 25 years.

Meanwhile, neighbouring Kenya has not seen a locust threat as severe in 70 years, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

However, Somalia is the first country in the region to declare an emergency over the infestation.

Somalia’s unstable se-

curity situation means that planes cannot be used to spray insecticide from the air.

In January, the FAO called for international help in fighting the swarms in the Horn of Africa, warning that locust numbers across the region could grow 500 times by June.

The swarms spread into east Africa from Yemen across the Red Sea, after heavy rainfall in late 2019

created ideal conditions for the insects to flourish.

Locusts can travel up to 150km (93 miles) in a day.

Each adult insect can eat its own weight in food daily.

In December, a locust swarm forced a passenger plane off course in Ethiopia.

Insects smashed into the engines, windshield and nose, but the aircraft was able to land safely in the capital, Addis Ababa. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Church service stampede kills at least 20 in Tanzania’s Moshi

A

t least 20 people have been killed in a stampede during a church service in the northern Tanzanian town of Moshi, according to officials.

The tragedy happened on Saturday while hundreds of worshippers were attending a prayer ceremony led

by Boniface Mwamposa, a popular preacher who heads the Arise and Shine Ministry Tanzania.

The stampede occurred when Mwamposa, who calls himself the “Apostle”, poured what he said was holy oil on the ground and the crowd surged forward to touch, hoping to be cured of sickness, according to witnesses and officials.

“Twenty people died and 16 others were injured in the incident,” Kippi Warioba, Moshi district commissioner, told Reuters news agency by telephone. Five of those killed were children, he said.

“The stampede occurred when the worshippers were rushing to get anointed with blessed oil,” Warioba added.

Authorities said they were still assessing the situation amid fears the death toll could rise.

Peter Kilewo, a witness, described the scene as “horrible”.

“People trampled on mercilessly, jostling each other with elbows,” he told AFP news agency. “It was like the preacher had thrown bundles

H

testers in Baghdad, Najaf and Nasiriya rejected the choice of Allawi, who they accuse of belonging to the same political establishment that has failed them.

“For sure he is rejected,” a student protester in the capital, Baghdad, told Al Jazeera on Sunday. “For 16 years we haven’t seen anything from them, just destruction.”

P

olice have shot dead a man wearing a “hoax” explosive device after a stabbing attack in south London that left three people wounded and was described by Police as a “terrorism-related incident”.

The London ambulance service said three people had been taken to hospital after the attack on Sunday in Streatham, a residential district south of the River Thames.

Police said one of the wounded was in a life-threatening condition and that the scene of the incident was fully contained.

“A device was found strapped to the body of the suspect and specialist officers attended. Cordons were put in place and it was quickly established that this was a hoax device,” said Lucy D’Orsi, Deputy Assistant Commissioner in the Metropolitan Police.

Some witnesses said the attacker had been armed

with a machete and one described him as wearing silver canisters on his chest.

Reporting from the scene, Al Jazeera’s Catherine Stancl said the area remained cordoned off on Sunday evening.

Officers responded quickly to the stabbings because of a “proactive counter-terrorism operation” that was underway, Police said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked the emergency services for their response. “My thoughts are with the injured and all those affected,” he said.

The last such incident in London took place in November, when Police shot dead a man wearing a fake explosive vest who stabbed two people to death and wounded three more before being wrestled to the ground by bystanders.

Authorities had called it a “terrorist attack”. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Sovereignty comes 1st: Britain lays out tough stance for EU trade talks Moshi resident in Kilimanjaro region grieve at Mawenzi hospital after the death of her granddaughter who was killed in the stampede

of dollars about ... and there were all these deaths!”

Tanzania has seen an increase in the number of “prosperity gospel” pastors in recent years, who promise to lift people out of poverty and perform what they call miracle cures.

Thousands of people in the nation of 55 million flock to Pentecostal churches, whose main source of income is the “tithe”, the 10 per cent or so of their income that worshippers are asked to contribute. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Iraqi students rally against PM-designate Mohammed Allawi

undreds of students have marched in cities across Iraq to denounce the nomination of Mohammed Allawi as the country’s next Prime Minister despite calls from influential Shia leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, for his supporters to clear roads and resume “day-to-day life”.

Anti-Government pro-

A Police Officer near a site where a man was shot by armed officers in Streatham, south London [Simon Dawson/Reuters]

Mass anti-Government protests erupted in Iraq on October 1, when thousands of people took to the streets in Baghdad and the predominately Shiadominated provinces in southern Iraq to decry rampant Government corruption, poor services and a lack of employment opportunities.

The protesters demand-

ed the removal of the political elite and a complete overhaul of the country’s political system introduced after the US invasion of 2003.

At least 500 people have been killed amid a crackdown on demonstrations, with rights groups condemning security forces’ use of live fire. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

B

ritain laid out a tough opening stance for future talks with the European Union on Sunday, saying it would set its own agenda rather than meeting the bloc’s rules to ensure frictionless trade.

After officially leaving the EU on Friday, Britain now must negotiate future trade relations with the bloc, to take effect when a standstill transition period expires at the end of the year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Government has been quick to send Brussels a message before trade talks begin in March: Brexit, for him, means sovereignty trumps the economy.

The EU has repeatedly told Britain the level of access to its lucrative single market will depend on how far London agrees to adhere to a “level playing field” — shorthand for rules on environmental standards, labour regulations and state aid.

Johnson, according to sources close to him, has taken last year’s election, which handed him a large majority in Parliament, as approval for his policy of putting Britain’s right to set its own rules above the demands of businesses. He will outline that approach in a speech today.

After more than three years of often tortuous talks, Johnson wants to draw a line under what has been an angry debate that has deepened divides across the country. His aim is a trade deal allowing for tariff- and quota-free trade in goods, similar to the terms the bloc now has in place with Canada.

Late on Saturday, a Government source said if the EU would not offer a Canada-style trade deal, London would instead pursue a looser trade agreement, similar to the bloc’s ties with Australia. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 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)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

The help you offer others will lead someone to make a suggestion that could result in a refreshing vocational change. Share your good fortune with someone special.

Overreacting will not be the way to go. Take a step back and put your emotional energy into something constructive. A creative endeavor will help ease stress and get you back on track.

Be careful. Delays or problems while traveling are likely, along with misunderstandings and injury if you are impulsive or careless. Slow down, don’t believe everything you hear and take better care of yourself.

Don’t lend or borrow money or possessions. Offer suggestions if someone tries to enlist your help. What you do emotionally and physically for someone will be of greater value than financial assistance.

Home improvement projects will cost more than anticipated. Try to stay within budget and stick to the facts and figures when dealing with contractors or workers.

Enjoy the company of people who share your beliefs or interests. Taking business trips, engaging in interviews or reconnecting with a former co-worker will be informative.

Live within your means.

Extravagance will get you in trouble with someone who shares your expenses. If you discuss plans openly, sound advice will be forthcoming.

Romance is encouraged.

Take the path that intrigues you the most. Don’t settle for something that doesn’t live up to your standards. Listen to someone who supports your lifestyle and plans.

Take better care of your SAGITTARIUS emotional and physical (Nov. 23well-being. Listen to what Dec. 21) others have to say, but don’t make a move without getting the facts firsthand.

SATURDAY’S

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Do not lend or borrow money or possessions. Walk away from situations that annoy you. Offer assistance to people you know are willing to work as hard as you

AQUARIUS

Domestic problems will try your patience. Excessive behavior will make matters worse. An unexpected turn of events regarding your position or workplace will help you make a positive change.

SOLUTION FOR SATURDAY’S PUZZLE

(Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

get into an argument with someone who threatens your principles. Everyone has a right to his or her own opinion.

Agree to disagree. Spend your time spreading love and peace.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

19

NBA round-up: Lakers rebound to dominate Kings A

nthony Davis had a team-high 21 points, LeBron James ran up a triple-double and the Los Angeles Lakers used a 44-point first quarter Saturday night to power a front-running 129-113 victory over the host Sacramento Kings.

Avery Bradley poured 16 of his 19 points into the first 12 minutes for the Lakers, who were coming off a 127-119 home loss that followed a tribute to the late Kobe Bryant on Friday night.

The Lakers improved to 7-0 on the second night of back-to-backs, riding Bradley’s four early 3-pointers to lead by as many as 24 in the first 12 minutes.

James’ finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists for his 11th triple-double of the season, one off Luka Doncic’s league lead, and the 92nd of his career. Only Oscar Robertson (181), Russell Westbrook (146), Magic Johnson (138) and Jason Kidd (107) have more career triple-doubles.

De’Aaron Fox scored a game-high 24 points, and Buddy Hield had 22 for the Kings, who had won three of their last four.

Portland Trail Blazers 124Utah Jazz 107 Damian Lillard continued his torrid roll with 51 points on 17-of-29 shooting from the field, and he added 12 assists to lead host Portland past Utah.

Lillard also made all eight of his free throws en route to his third 50-point effort over the past six games and fourth of the season. He is averaging 48.8 points during the six-game stretch.

Hassan Whiteside added 17 points, 21 rebounds and three blocked shots as the Trail Blazers won their fourth straight game and fifth in their last six.

Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points, and Bojan Bogdanovic and Mike Conley added 22 apiece but couldn’t prevent the Jazz from losing their season-worst fourth straight game.

Boston Celtics 116-Philadelphia 76ers 95 Jaylen Brown scored 32 points, Jayson Tatum added 25 and Boston avoided a season sweep at the hands of visiting Philadelphia.

500th win with the team. In 12 seasons leading the Mavericks, Carlisle is 500435, a winning percentage of 53.5.

Brunson, starting for injured NBA All-Star Luka Doncic, was 12-for-22 from the floor, two of them 3-pointers, with eight assists in his ninth start of the season. The Mavericks were also without Kristaps Porzingis for the second half in the back-to-back game.

Atlanta was led by John Collins with 26 points and 11 rebounds — his 12th double-double in 24 games — and 20 points from Kevin Huerter, who made six 3-pointers. Trae Young was limited to 12 points and left early with a sprained ankle.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots the ball past Sacramento Kings guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (USA TODAY Sports)

Marcus Smart had 16 points, Brad Wanamaker chipped in 15 and the Celtics won for the sixth time in their last seven games. Boston played without leading scorer Kemba Walker, sidelined by a sore left knee.

Ben Simmons led the 76ers with 23 points, and Joel Embiid was held to 11 on 1-of-11 shooting. Philadelphia shot 36.9 percent (31 of 84) for the contest and 21.2 percent (7 of 33) from 3-point range in losing its second straight.

The 76ers had beaten the Celtics in their first three meetings this season, including Dec. 12 at TD Garden.

Los Angeles Clippers 118-Minnesota Timberwolves 106 Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points in 24 minutes, his ninth straight game of scoring at least 30 points, as host Los Angeles defeated Minnesota.

Paul George, playing in his second contest after missing nine due to a left hamstring strain, had 21 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes.

Lou Williams added 17 points, and Montrezl Harrell contributed 16 points and six rebounds.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who lost their 11th straight game.

Andrew Wiggins, limited with foul trouble in the first half, had only 13 points on 4-of-11 shooting. Josh Okogie had 13 points, while Robert Covington chipped in 12 points.

Miami Heat 102-Orlando Magic 89 Jimmy Butler scored 24 points, and Tyler Herro added 23 as Miami handed host Orlando its season-worst fifth straight defeat.

Aaron Gordon led the Magic with 24 points, and Nikola Vucevic added 21.

Evan Fournier, who entered the game as Orlando’s leading scorer at 18.8 points, was held to 12 points, including five in the first three quarters. Playing with a sore back, he shot just 3-for-13 from the floor.

Butler and teammate Bam Adebayo played their first game since being named All-Stars on Thursday. Adebayo had a poor shooting night, going 1-for8 with four points, but he grabbed 14 rebounds, had five assists and blocked a season-high four shots.

Dallas Mavericks 123-Atlanta Hawks 100 Jalen Brunson scored a season-high 27 points to help host Dallas defeat Atlanta and secure coach Rick Carlisle’s

Washington Wizards 113-Brooklyn Nets 107 Bradley Beal scored 15 of his gamehigh 34 points in the fourth quarter as host Washington rallied late and defeated Brooklyn, which lost Kyrie Irving to a knee sprain in the fourth quarter.

All of Beal’s fourth-quarter points came in the final 7:02, as he scored 15 of the team’s last 21 during the comeback after the Nets had led most of the game. Thomas Bryant pitched in for the Wizards with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Irving finished with 11 points.

ESPN reported he will undergo an MRI Sunday. Spencer Dinwiddie led Brooklyn with 26 points, and Garrett Temple added 17, all in the first half.

San Antonio Spurs 114-Charlotte Hornets 90 DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points, and Jakob Poeltl added a season-best 17 on 7-for-8 shooting as San Antonio dominated the second half on the way to an easy home win against Charlotte.

The Spurs trailed by 13 points at the half but stormed back in the third quarter. After trailing 70-51 at the 9:22 mark, San Antonio ripped off runs of 13-2 and 15-2 to jump back in front at 79-74. Poeltl and DeRozan each had eight points in the pivotal stretch, which set the table for a 35-point fourth quarter.

Miles Bridges led all scorers with 25 points for Charlotte, with Cody Zeller

Djokovic puts down Thiem coup to win 8th Australian crown N ovak Djokovic endured a fierce challenge to his Melbourne Park reign before overhauling Dominic Thiem 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 in a thriller on Sunday to clinch an eighth Australian Open crown and reclaim the world number one ranking.

Under siege for much of a riveting fourhour slog, the defending champion found himself behind after three sets for the first time in eight finals at Rod Laver Arena.

But as he so often does, the steely-eyed Serb found a way to win, defying a crowd that was shamelessly behind the underdog Austrian.

He captured the decisive break in the third game of the final set, then locked down the match to secure his 17th Grand Slam title as a tiring Thiem bowed out with guns blazing.

“This is definitely my favorite court, my favorite stadium in the world and I am blessed to hold this trophy again,” said Djokovic after

being handed the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup by 2005 winner Marat Safin.

Claiming the win when the fifth seed fired wide, Djokovic dropped his racket, spread his arms wide and walked to the net in a subdued celebration.

It had easily been his toughest battle in a Melbourne decider since the near six-hour epic against Rafa Nadal in 2012.

“I was on the brink of losing the match,” he told reporters. “Could have gone a different way.”

The Serb’s triumph meant tennis’ Big Three of Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer have now shared the last 13 majors between them - dating back to the Swiss’s 2017 Melbourne win.

Thiem was consigned to his third defeat in a Grand Slam final following losses in the last two French Open deciders to Nadal. (Reuters)

adding 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Malik Monk totaled 11 points, and Willy Hernangomez and Terry Rozier scored 10 each for the Hornets, who have lost two straight games and 16 of their past 19.

New York Knicks 92-Indiana Pacers 85 Marcus Morris Sr. scored 12 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, and his jumper with 5:50 left gave New York Knicks a lead it would not relinquish in an upset of host Indiana.

Julius Randle had 16 points and a season-high 18 rebounds for the Knicks, who entered Saturday tied for the worst record in the Eastern Conference but rode dominant defensive efforts in the first and fourth quarters to win for just the fourth time in the last 16 games. Taj Gibson added 10 points.

Domantas Sabonis had 25 points and eight rebounds for the Pacers, who lost for only the third time in 11 games. Indiana scored only 11 points in the first quarter — its lowest output in a quarter all season — before being outscored 20-14 in the fourth. Myles Turner had 12 points, while Malcolm Brogdon finished with eight points and 12 assists.

Golden State Warriors 131-Cleveland Cavaliers 112 Draymond Green matched his career high with 16 assists, including eight during a 44-point third-quarter explosion that propelled Golden State to a romp at Cleveland.

The Warriors shot 10-for-14 on 3-pointers in their third-quarter blitz, which began with a two-point halftime lead and ended with a commanding 105-78 advantage. Glenn Robinson III added 22 points for the Warriors, while D’Angelo Russell contributed 19 points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

Collin Sexton had a game-high 23 points to pace the Cavaliers, who dropped their 10th in a row at home and 10th in 11 games overall. Kevin Love recorded a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double for the Cleveland, which fell to 0-3 on a four-game homestand.

(Reuters)

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic and Austria’s Dominic Thiem pose with their trophies (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

S

teven Bergwijn marked his debut with a superb volley as Tottenham won a bad-tempered Premier League affair with 10-man Manchester City to boost their top-four hopes.

The result lifts Spurs to fifth, four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, while City remain second, 22 points behind leaders Liverpool who can win the title on 21 March when they play Crystal Palace.

The 22-year-old’s goal came with Spurs’ first shot on target, after Oleksandr Zinchenko had been dismissed for a second yellow card and City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan had seen a first-half penalty saved by Hugo Lloris.

Son Heung-min’s effort, which deflected off Fernandinho as it flew past City goalkeeper Ederson into the bottom left corner confirmed a valuable victory for the hosts.

Pep Guardiola’s City side had arrived in London chas-

Superb Bergwijn helps Spurs win against Man City ing their fifth league win in Raheem Sterling as both six games and dominated pursued the rebound. possession but failed to conTottenham’s Toby vert a glut of glorious chanc- Alderweireld and Zinchenko es. w e r e L l o r i s r to 50th playe brilliantijn is the 2 w ut, rg b e e B d n e agu Steve ly flicked Premier Le ages) Im ty ore on his et sc (G an a Sergio th Dutchm and the 13 Aguero effort on to the post and the Argentine was then at the centre of a chaotic few minutes towards the end of the first half, winning a penalty awarded by VAR following Serge Aurier’s clumsy challenge.

Gundogan however, saw his spot-kick - which took four minutes to be given - saved booked as

by Spurs keeper Lloris, both sets of players conwith VAR then asked to rule fronted each other in the afon whether the France goal- termath, while Spurs boss keeper had fouled City’s Jose Mourinho appeared

angered at the referee’s failure to book Sterling for diving when a second penal-

the ankle and lower shin of Spurs midfielder Dele Alli.

City though were reduced to 10 men after the break, with Ukrainian Zinchenko receiving his marching orders for a foul on Harry Winks.

That allowed Spurs to gain a foothold in the game, with Bergwijn firing Lucas Moura’s clever cross into the bottom right corner from 15 yards to set them on their way.

Burnley hold Arsenal

ty was not awarded.

Sterling had earlier appeared fortunate to escape with only a 12th-minute booking, after replays showed his studs landing on

Burnley wasted the chance to punish Arsenal, who escaped from Turf Moor with a point from a goalless draw.

The Clarets at least ended a run that had seen them beaten in their previous 11 games against the Gunners, but the home side should have had more.

After riding some early pressure from the visitors, Burnley gradually asserted themselves to bombard the

Arsenal goal with headed efforts.

Jeff Hendrick and James Tarkowski were most culpable of missing with headers, both failing to hit the target from close range, while Jay Rodriguez volleyed against the underside of the bar when he should have scored.

Arsenal extend their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions, as well as being unbeaten in seven successive Premier League away games.

In truth, though, they were uninspired for long periods of this game, failing to gain a boost from the return of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang after a threematch ban.

It was Aubameyang who had their best chances, miscuing when put through by David Luiz and later heading wide.

The draw sees both teams make marginal gains up the table, Arsenal to 10th and Burnley 11th, both on 31 points. (BBC Sport)

Tamim Iqbal: Never thought I China race called off amid would score a triple hundred coronavirus outbreak T

amim Iqbal wrote his name in history books with Bangladesh’s highest indi-

vidu a l score after scoring an unbeaten 334 in a Bangladesh Cricket League (BCL) game at the Sher-eBangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Cricket Board praised the effort of the left-hander at the end of the third day’s play, who stayed at the crease for 585 minutes for his triple ton and remained unbeaten after having faced 426 balls.

“I was very determined,” Tamim said on Sunday (February 2). “The wicket was playing good and the wicket was not spinning or doing that much and so I kept it very simple. After scoring three hundred, I took some chances. And in the whole innings I don’t think I had to do anything special.

I just kept on batting, playing cricketing shots.

And I was

looking for boundary options rather than hitting over boundaries.”

Tamim said that this innings will remain close to his heart as a special one but added that he did not think about it until he reached 280 runs. “Till I had already made 260-270, I was not thinking about it [triple century]. When I touched 280, then I started thinking about it. If I had kept on thinking about it more, then it would have hampered my chances. So I tried to keep it very simple. That actually worked for me, which was good. Obviously it is a special feeling. Scoring 300... I never thought that I would score a triple hundred. Everyone dreams definitely but I never

thought it would come in this match.

The most important thing for me was how I batted, more than how much runs I made. The most pleasing thing was how I batted. Happy but I hope that I can continue the same form,” he added.

With the triple century, he became only the second batsman from Bangladesh - after Raqibul Hasan - to score a triple hundred and when he moved to 314 runs, he registered his name as the highest individual scorer for his country. (Cricbuzz)

T

he all-electric Formula E Championship has called off next month’s race in China amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The sixth race of the 2019-20 season was due to be held in Sanya - around 1,000 miles from the centre of the outbreak in Wuhan on 21 March.

Series organisers acted after the World Health Organisation declared coronavirus a global emergency.

Formula E said it was looking at the viability of postponing the event until a later date.

More than 300 people have died in the outbreak so far and more than 14,000 have been infected.

“Formula E has taken the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of its travelling staff, championship participants and spectators, which remains of paramount importance,” a statement read.

“We are working closely with our regional partner and the local authorities in Hainan Province and Sanya Municipal Government, to continue monitoring the situation as it develops. All parties will take the appropriate amount of time to study the viability of potential alternative dates should the situation improve.”

The move raises further questions about the Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix, due to be held on 17-19 April in Shanghai, which is 500 miles from Wuhan.

Motorsport’s governing body the FIA has previously admitted the Chinese GP

- the fourth scheduled race of this year’s World Championship - is at risk and says it is “closely monitoring the evolving situation with relevant authorities”.

F1 has a tendency to wait as long as possible before making decisions to call off a race, but the sport’s hand may be forced by the global situation in this case.

Last week, the British Foreign Office changed its travel advice to warn against all non-essential travel to China, and British Airways cancelled all its flights to the country’s mainland.

Countries have begun closing their borders to arrivals from China as officials work to control the spread of the virus.

The US and Australia are the latest countries to say they would deny entry to all foreign visitors who had recently been in China, after similar moves from Russia, Japan, Pakistan and Italy.

A number of sporting events have already been affected by the outbreak.

The World Indoor Athletics Championships and snooker’s Chinese Open have been postponed, World Cup skiing events and Olympic boxing qualifying events have been cancelled, and the women’s Olympic basketball qualifying event has been moved from China t o S e r b i a .

(BBC Sport)

Frenchman Jean-Eric Vergne won the 2019 Sanya E-Prix in China

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21

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

Canada eliminate Reggae Girlz from Women’s Olympic qualifiers J

amaica’s Reggae Girlz were eliminated in the first round of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Games qualifiers Saturday night (Feb 1), as they lost 9-0 to Canada at HEB Park in Edinburgh, Texas in the US. Jordyn Huitema and Janine Beckie led the Canadians with five and three goals respectively.

Huitema found the back of the net in the 10th, 55th, 61st, 81st and two minutes into second-half added time, with Beckie scoring in the 44th, 51st and 65th minutes. Deanne Rose got Canada’s other goal in the 16th minute.

Canada lead Group B on goal difference over Mexico as both will advance to the semi-finals. Both have six points with one set of matches to be played and the other teams in the group, Jamaica and St Kitts and Nevis, yet to earn a point. Canada, with a goal

decide the minor placing in the group.

Mexico thrash St Kitts and Nevis

Mexico celebrate during their match with St Kitts and Nevis

difference of 20, will face Mexico, with a goal difference of seven, on Tuesday

to decide the winner of the group. Canada need a draw to top the group.

Jamaica and St Kitts and Nevis will also play on Tuesday, but it will be to

Mexico scored three goals within the first 10 minutes and went on to a 6-0 victory over Saint Kitts and Nevis in a groupstage match Saturday at the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying tournament.

With Canada’s 9-0 victory over Jamaica in Saturday’s late game, Mexico earned a spot in the semifinals of the eightteam tournament that determines the region’s two berths in the Tokyo Olympics.

Mexico did not qualify for the Brazil Games.

Mexico faces Canada on Tuesday in the final group match. The winner of that match will likely avoid the top-ranked U.S. national team in the semis. (AP)

Lara onboard bushfire Umar Akmal facing punishment relief fundraising match after misbehaving at fitness test

F

ormer West Indies skipper Brian Lara will be participating in the upcoming bushfire relief fundraising match on February 8.

Now, Lara will be joining the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Wasim Akram on the playing roster, while the legendary Australian opening partnership of Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden is also set to be reunited, cricket.com.au reported.

The 50-year-old Lara holds the record for scoring the highest score in Tests a n d f i r s t-

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Brian Lara

class scores of 400 not out and 501 not out respectively.

All match profits from Bushfire Cricket Bash will go to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

Luke Hodge, Phoebe Litchfield, Australian Women’s Team internationals Elyse Villani and Grace Harris, former Australian stars Mike Hussey, Brad Haddin and Andrew Symonds, Matthew Hayden and NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler are the other new names announced

by Cricket Australia for Bushfire Cricket Bash.

Shane Warne and Ricky Ponting will lead the teams for the Bushfire Cricket Bash. Former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies bowler Courtney Walsh will coach the Ponting XI and Warne XI, respectively.

Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns will join Steve Waugh and Mel Jones in a nonplaying capacity.

Current playing squad for the Bushfire Cricket Bash: Shane Warne (c), Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist, Alex Blackwell, Andrew Symonds, Brad Fittler, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Elyse Villani, Grace Harris, Justin Langer, Luke Hodge, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Phoebe Litchfield, S h a n e Watson, Wasim Akram, Yuvraj Singh. (ANI)

U

mar Akmal is likely to find himself in hot water with the PCB once more after he is said to have misbehaved with staff during a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). The junior Akmal is believed to have exposed himself in frustration during one test, and now finds himself facing the prospect of being kicked out of the next domestic tournament.

Akmal's elder brother Kamran is also expected to land in trouble after both brothers failed their fitness tests by significant margins. Salman Butt, too, could be in trouble with the authorities, after he stormed out of a fitness test when his request to have it rescheduled was denied.

The shortcomings of the Akmal brothers around their fitness regimes has been a talking point for several years now, with Umar last falling foul of the PCB management on this count under former head coach Mickey Arthur; he was sent home on the eve of the Champions Trophy in 2017 after a failed fitness test. Kamran, meanwhile, has not played for Pakistan since 2017, with his lack of athleticism in the outfield a major reason for his prolonged exclusion.

The perception that the Akmal brothers have never quite bought into the importance of maintaining rigorous fitness standards hasn't helped their chances, and for all the changes that Misbah-ul-Haq has sought to bring since taking over from Arthur, the management's commitment to high fitness standards remains undiluted. Misbah has sought to impose the same high standards in domestic cricket, with each provincial side required to regulate fitness tests on a quarterly basis.

ESPNcricinfo understands Umar's behavior fell short of the mark during the skinfold test, when he exposed himself completely in front of the trainer and is said to have asked him "Where is the fat?" According to Kamran, Umar did it in mischief and said it was simply a "misunderstanding". The PCB confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that they were fully aware of the matter, and looking at potential punishments in the context of bringing the game into disrepute. Umar could potentially be axed from the upcoming domestic one-day cup.

Kamran, meanwhile, skipped two fitness tests, before ending up failing in nearly all departments when he finally did take one. Central Punjab's squad was called up at the NCA in batches, with Kamran scheduled to appear for his test on January 11.

He skipped that test, purportedly because he had a photoshoot with Peshawar Zalmi.

His test was then pushed back to January 20, only for him to opt out, informing the management he was suffering from a bout of fever. He would undertake his test on January 28, alongside his brother, with both falling well short of the required benchmarks.

Misbah has been repeatedly asked about Kamran's absence from the national side, most recently for the Test squad to face Bangladesh in the first Test at Rawalpindi Stadium on Saturday.

"Both of our openers have scored runs, and obviously you only recall a player when there is a place for him," Misbah had responded. "Certain players are performing so you have to wait."

Both Akmal brothers and Butt have not signed any contracts with their provincial teams, nor with the PCB, and were playing domestic cricket without any contractual obligation.

(ESPNcricinfo) Umar Akmal

22

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Let’s Bet Sports 100 Ball Finals…

Kevin Sinclair steals the show to power RHT to zone win

By Brandon Corlette in Berbice

I

n the zone finals of the Let’s Bet Sports’ 100 Balls tournament, a battle between Lower Corentyne giants Rose Hall Town (RHT) Bakewell and Albion was decided by one man’s brilliance: Guyana Jaguars’ player Kevin Sinclair, who hit a blistering 82 to ens u r e his R H T t e a m win the match by 36 runs.

Kevin Sinclair swinging for the hills during his brilliant innings

W h e n this match was played at Albion Community Centre Ground yesterday, the throng of spectators included the likes of Albion’s Jonathan Foo and Gudakesh Motie on the sidelines.

Sinclair’s masterful unbeaten innings took RHT to 145-6 when their 100 balls had expired.

In reply,

Albion’s opening batsman Adrian Sukwah, who again looked in control, contributed 46, but this proved insufficient, as Albion ended on 110-7 when their 100 balls had expired.

Kevin Sinclair in beast mode

Kevin Sinclair made himself the centre of attention in this matchup, and had the crowd questioning his participation in the proceedings.

This 20-year-old right-handed Jaguars’ player faced only 47 balls to produce his match winning knock of 82. The hard-hitting batsman that he is, Kevin sent the Albion bowlers on a frequent chase of the ball to the boundary as he slammed eight fours and two thunderous sixes on the dry surface of a fairly large Albion outfield.

He, however, was dropped once, when in his 60s, by the Albion captain Sharaz Ramcharran at long-on.

Kevin’s efforts on behalf of his team were supported by his ever-classy cousin and fellow opener Junior Sinclair, who made 29.

Besides the Sinclairs, Brandon Prashad chipped in with 12.

For Albion, c a p t a i n

Gold! RHT celebrate the big wicket of Ramcharran

Ramcharran bagged 3-16 in 3.2 tight overs of off-spin, while Joshua Harrichand had 1-24 in three overs, and Karran Arjpaul had 1-19 in two overs.

Sukwah’s effort in vain

Albion’s right-handed opener Adrian Sukwah extended his form shown in the Raffik Construction 100 balls final with an attractive 46 off 32 balls, which included three huge sixes. He and opening partner Ritesh Umroa added 25 runs before the game’s man-of-thematch, Kevin Sinclair, destroyed Umroa’s stumps for 16.

Sukwah made Kevin Sinclair switch fielding positions frequently, as he rotated the strike and powered the ball to the favoured leg-side. He took Junior Sinclair to the cleaners in a 19-run over wherein he slammed two huge maximums into the stands at mid-wicket.

In addition to Sukwah’s 46 and Umroa’s 16, Mahendra Poornauth made 13 in an ordinary batting effort.

The RHT bowlers did a fair job, with veteran left-arm spinner Ravi Narine claiming 2-12 in 2.2 overs, including the big catch

of Sukwah’s wicket. Right-arm speedster Sylus Tyndall took 1-12 in three overs of steaming pace, while Kevin and Junior Sinclair each took one wicket.

RHT have now joined three other teams that have won their respective zones.

Let’s Bet Sports representatives were in evidence at the match to witness some high-quality cricket. RHT took home the cash prize and first place trophy, while Albion received the runners-up trophy.

The final of the overall Let’s Bet Sports tournament will be played within three w e e k s ’ t i m e at the Number 69 Ground.

Adrian Sukwah unleashed at Albion (Brandon Corlette photos)

Magnum Mash Cup Futsal Championship…

Group stage wraps up tomorrow T

he final night of group action in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Championship is tomorrow, and the action takes place at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown.

However, several teams are yet to seal their respective berths to the knockout round. In tomorrow night’s action, Kingston will pit their skills against Island AllStars from 19:00hrs in the opening match, while Belfield Warriors would tackle Stabroek Ballers from 19:30hrs, and Showstoppers would oppose Avocado Ballers from 20:00hrs.

In the fourth encounter, Sparta Boss would battle Bad-a-Yard from 20:30hrs, while Future Stars would tackle Alexander Village from 21:00hrs and Broad Street would take aim at Sophia from 21:30hrs.

In the final two matches, Gold is Money would lock horns with Albouystown from 22:00hrs, and Bent Street would lock horns with North East La Penitence from 22:30hrs.

Gold is Money, Sophia, Broad Street, Ansa McAl, Spartacus and Mocha have sealed their berths to the next round. Gold is Money

Action between Leopold Street and Rio All-Stars in the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Tournament being staged at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue

mauled Belfield Warriors 8-0, with Michael Pedro fashioning a hat trick in the ninth, 18th and 19th minutes, while Andrew Murray bagged a double in the second and

14th minutes.

Jamal Pedro, Phillip Rowley and Randolph Wagner added goals in the 12th, 16th and 17th minutes respectively.

Sophia, also, edged Kingston 2-1, with Dwayne Lowe netting in the eighth and 18th minutes, while Stephon Reynolds scored for the losers in the ninth minute.

Broad Street crushed Island All-Stars 4-0. Tiquan Taylor scored three times in the 10th, 11th and 17th minute while Brad Evans netted in the 20th minute.

Similarly, Ansa McAl dismissed Back Circle 2-0, with Reon Hopkinson and Akin Curry scoring in the 18th and 19th minutes; while Spartacus defeated Melanie 3-1, with Simeon Moore, Shamar Kowlen and Derwin Bourne scoring in the second, fourth and seventh minutes respectively. For the loser, Tyreek Cummings netted in the 12th minute.

Mocha crushed Spot-7 by a 3-0 score. Dellon John scored in the 11th and 14th minutes, while Teon Jones netted in the 12th minute.

In other results, Albouystown defeated Stabroek Ballers 3-1, while Leopold Street and Rio AllStars battled to a 0-0 affair.

The winners of this tournament would pocket $600,000 and the championship trophy, while the second-placed side would collect $400,000 and the respective accolade.

The third and fourth-placed units would receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, and the corresponding trophy.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

National Seniors Table Tennis Championships…

23

Brilliance of Van Lange, John highlights 2nd night’s play

Brandon Belle defeated Kaysan Ninvalle in the B Open category

By Timothy Jaikarran

N

ight two of the National Seniors Table Tennis Championships being contested at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall saw matches being contested in the U-21 Singles Men, “C” Class Open, “B” Class Open, and the first stage of the 21-years-and-under women’s matches.

U-21 Men

In this category, the top two from each group had advanced to the next round. Hence, in the quarter-finals, the first matchup saw Elishaba John defeating Terrence Rausch 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-8); before Isaiah Layne made light work of Krystian Sahadeo, whom he de-

feated 3-0 (11-5, 11-4, 11-4). Then, despite losing one match 11-6, Jonathan Van Lange bounced back to defeat Jamal Nicholas 3-1. He won their contest 11-6, 11-8, 11-4.

In the final game, Colin Wong dominated Kaysan Ninvalle 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-8) to book his spot alongside his teammates in the semifinals.

The semis saw Van Lange and John each booking their spot in the finale. Van Lange then defeated Wong 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-2); while John, although struggling against Layne, managed to come out on top 3-2 (11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 11-12, 11-8).

U-21 Female

In copping the U-21 female ti-

Part of the group stage action

tle, Jasmine Billingy made light work of U18 and U15 junior champions Crystal Melville and Thuraia Thomas.

Dominant in the group stages all the way through to the finale, the 9-year-old Billingy defeated Thomas 3-1 (11-7, 11-9, 10-12, 11-8), before brushing aside Melville 3-0 (1311, 11-7, 11-5). She also got past Samara Sukhai 3-1 (11-8, 7-11, 114, 11-7).

“C” Class Open

In the first match, Billingy brushed aside Junior Novice Champion Yuteshwar Persaud 3-1 (13-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6).

In the second match, Troy

“B” Class Open

The big guns came out to battle here. Some progressed to the semifinals, while some were unable to

qualify.

In the round-of-eight, John defeated Jamal Nicholas 3-2 (1412, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8) after a hard-fought battle. In game two, Sahadeo lost to Isaiah Layne 3-2 (11-5, 9-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5) after a close game that seemed to weigh in favour of Sahadeo.

With two games being taken to the death, Van Lange and Brandon Belle shattered all expectations when they each won their games 3-1. Van Lange won his game against Colin Wong (11-4, 7-11, 14-12, 11-6), while Belle defeated Ninvalle 11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6) to culminate the evening of play.

Fraser ecstatic about Windies Women’s T20 WC call-up

By Brandon Corlette

A

Cherry-Ann Fraser in action during West Indies net session

McRae won 3-1 over Abdool Aleem Rahim (11-6, 12-10, 5-11, 11-7).

In the third game, Kyle Chung made light work of Peter Persaud 3-0 (11-6, 11-7, 11-6), while game four saw Narren Persaud brush aside Gerendra Mookram 3-1 (1311, 6-11, 11-8, 14-12).

Heading into the semifinals, McRae booked his spot in the final after a hard-fought match against Billingy 3-2 (11-7, 12-10, 3-11, 6-11, 13-11), and Chung booked his spot after he swept Narren 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-7).

West Indies call-up is always special, but a call to feature in a global showpiece such as the Women’s T20 World Cup is beyond special.

Promising Guyana female cricketer Cherry-Ann Fraser, in an interview with Guyana Times Sport, has described her call-up to the West Indies Women’s World T20 squad as ecstatic.

“I am ecstatic to know that this is my first official callup to the West Indies squad, and for it to be the World Cup is something definitely special”, Fraser disclosed.

This right-arm fast bowler, who has shown signs of her all-round capability for both Guyana senior and junior female teams, had featured in the West Indies squad against India Women in the Caribbean, but was unfortunate not to play a match. However, she had featured in West Indies Women’s training camps, where she took her game to a higher level.

Asked how helpful those training camps were, Fraser had this to say: “The experience was good. It was all hard work, that I was willing to put in, and I was always learning and trying new things there.”

Having departed the Caribbean in the past week, West Indies Women will begin their World Cup campaign on February 22, and will be hoping to play good cricket in order to feature in the March 8 final at Melbourne Cricket

Ground.

Fraser, who will celebrate her 21st birthday in July, has said she would be aiming to take things one step at a time, and play good cricket.

“I will be looking to do my best, and make the most of any opportunity given,” she has revealed.

Cherry-Ann Fraser has expressed gratitude to all those (friends and family members) who played a role in her successful journey thus far.

“I must thank the Almighty for blessing me with the strength and patience to get up every day to do what I have to do. I want to also thank coach Orin Bailey; he’s been working with me for a while now, and has always been encouraging me: pushing me to my limits, and always trying to get the best out of me”.

Head of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s and Girls’ Selection Panel, Ann Browne-John, explained that the introduction of this young fast bowler Fraser is ideal for the Australian pitches, which are generally fast, with some bounce.

Given that she has got an opportunity this time around, Fraser will be aiming to capitalize on the Australian conditions.

Cherry-Ann Fraser (Brandon Corlette photos)

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Super Bowl 54 See story in Tuesday’s edition

Chiefs produce sensational comeback to beat 49ers 31-20 National Seniors Table Tennis Championships…

Let’s Bet Sports 100 Ball Finals…

Brilliance of Van Lange, John highlights 2nd night’s play The winning RHT Bakewell team, along with management, pose with Let’s Bet Sports representatives

Kevin Sinclair steals the show to power RHT to zone win Page 22

Page 23

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