Guyana times november 24 ,2017

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Friday, November 24, 2017

Issue No. 3402

$150M spent annually to feed prisoners – Ramjattan

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Former P14 Minister Alli Baksh dies

Page 17

…says prisoners on remand costing the nation a fortune

2 Policemen charged for “Saga” murder Page 9

23 head of stolen cattle found on P16 Corentyne ranch …ranch owner flees from Police

Underage juror forces Stafrei Alexander P10 retrial

…for attempted murder

“Mango Man” murder P8 Pending

Constitutional Court ruling further delays start of trial

The two Policemen (inset); former Best Cop Derwin Eastman (left) and Police Constable Jamison Williams as they were being escorted to prison

Prisoner places call Page 7 to 911

…allegedly threatens to assassinate President

AFC nominates former MP to replace Jones at GECOM Page 10

P8 Mocha businessman charged for death of elderly pedestrian

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CH&PA commences electrification programme

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, November 24 – 08:30h-10:00h and Saturday, November 25 – 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Friday, November 24 – 07:20h-08:50h and Saturday, November 25 – 08:10h-09:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Thundery showers are expected in the early morning hours, with heavy to light rain showers in the afternoon and clear skies followed by thundery showers in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to East North-easterly between 4.02 metres and 5.36 metres.

High Tide: 07:49h and 20:03h reaching maximum heights of 2.30 metres and 2.34 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 13:36h reaching a minimum height of 0.96 metre.

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Conductors (cables), property of the Central Housing and Planning Authority, stored at the Laparkan Wharf

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ulfilling its promise to the people of Guyana, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has commenced its approximately $745 million electrification project to some sixteen Government-led communities across the country.

The CH&PA last week commenced the first phase of the project - planting poles in the communities of Farm and Barnwell on the East Bank of Demerara, and Hope/ Experiment/Baltyrock on the West Coast of Berbice.

CH&PA’s Electrical Engineer Davendra Ramnarine on Thursday said most of the materials have arrived in the country. It is hoped that work in both the Farm and Barnwell communities would be completed by the end of this year.

“So far, our line materials are here; whereas the transformers are stored at Fix It depot and the cables are being stored at the Laparkan bond,” Ramnarine was quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information.

The schemes targeted under the CH&PA’s electrification programme are Onderneeming in Region Two; Zeelugt and Lust-enRust in Region Three; Hope/ Experiment and Baltyrock in Region Five; Kilcoy/Chesney in Region Six; Bartica in

Central Housing and Planning Authority’s electrical engineer Davendra Ramnarine

Some of the transformers to be used in the electrification project, stored at the Fix It bond, Main Street, Georgetown

Region Seven; and Peters Hall, Farm, Covent Garden, Diamond, Eccles, Barnwell, Paradise and Enmore in Region Four.

“Work has commenced in terms of pole planting.

That is our first phase, and (the) second phase will be the stringing of the conductors. We expect to start that phase sometime next week, and work will continue with a planned date of achieving some, if not all, of those areas by the end of 2017 December,” he said.

According to Ramnarine, the project is a four-month contract which was signed last week. He is optimis-

tic that all 16 communities would be fully served by the end of March 2018.

Back in September of 2016, Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams PattersonYearwood, had allocat-

ed some $900 million for the electrification project in housing communities for 2017. Altogether, some 38,000 homes are expected to benefit from the service of the Government housing unit.

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

Government initiative needed

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rom time to time over the years, there have been talks of developing new agricultural industries. The media, and in particular the Government-owned media, have carried reports, sometimes with photographs, conveying the impression that such industries would be income-earners within months. For example, there was talk of the massive production of white potatoes quickly replacing imports, or of the production of turmeric and other spices. Unfortunately, the optimistic hopes propagated to the public have never materialized.

The various agricultural industries talked of were quite feasible to be developed, but the State never went far enough to accord effective incentives to prospective producers.

The coconut industry is one which could be a moneyspinner for the country. Coconut could be an industry which could produce scores of by-products for which there is an export as well as a local demand. Coconut and its by-products are now in growing demand world-wide.

Coconut oil, which once used to be wrongly labelled as highly cholesterol, is now regarded as among the best cooking oils, many consumers preferring it to olive and canola oils. It was therefore no surprise there was a recent report that a British investor was coming into the Industry.

Most of the old coconut-growing families who had large estates have gone out of business. In the Pomeroon area, for instance, there is only one big producer left.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Lands and Surveys Commission should be able to locate good coconutgrowing lands and advertise for suitable takers.

The economic advantages of the industry should be widely disseminated in both the print and electronic media. The numerous profitable by-products which could easily be produced should be made known to the public, as well as the available markets should also be made known to producers. NAREI has the capacity to offer some of the best technical advice to the industry, ranking among the best in the Caribbean and South America.

The coconut industry seemed to have contracted over the last two decades: Coconut oil has been largely replaced by foreign imports. Dried coconuts are still exported, but in much less quantities than formerly.

Coconut fibre was widely used in upholstery, and fibre mattresses were once the preferred type. Now fibre mattresses are never used. Today a great part of coconut production is used to provide coconut water. One producer exports it to Trinidad for canning. The cans carry no reference to its Guyanese origin.

Guyana has the ability and the capacity to produce all the spices used on the local market and the world market, but yet the country imports almost all of its spices. NAREI has long had an Indian expert helping in this field, and most of the spices demanded on the world market could be successfully and economically produced in Guyana.

Once there is the demand, NAREI could produce adequate planting material to satisfy all needs.

As in the coconut industry, Government should take the initiative of freely giving out long-term leases, with guarantees of later freehold ownership once the crop designated is efficiently and profitably cultivated.

The knowledge of the use of many of these spices has to be resuscitated. For example, turmeric is used as a pain-killer and a preventative of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, and this quality of the spice is widely recognized.

An infrastructure of international packing standards already exists in Guyana. There is, for instance, the Beharry Group which has put on the local and export markets a number of spices with world class packing.

Both the coconut and spice industries could become highly profitable within the next three or four years, but this could be achieved only if the Government makes available suitable land to prospective farmers, and offer intense agricultural extension services, soft loans and marketing exploration. Government should take the initiative in this instance, and not depend on the private sector.

National Geographic’s Your Shot photographer, Mac So, took this portrait of a sheep’s eye at the Sapporo Maruyama Zoo in Japan.

Sheep have horizontal pupils, and eyes on the sides of their heads. This combination allows them a greater range of vision, to tell when a predator may be sneaking up

GECOM is dead with respect to functional transparency (Part 2) Dear Editor, There are still serious allegations involving the spending of more than one hundred million dollars in the purchasing of materials that were not used in the 2015 and 2016 Elections. Many serious pending issues include: * Several senior staff members are still at the GECOM Office ‘liming’ and collecting ‘fat’ salaries. * The fact that inside confidential sources are calling on the Auditor General’s Office to expose the millions of dollars that were paid out to phantom workers. * That not only are there reports of discriminated employment of persons to work at GECOM, but the ‘pay sheets’ are heavily padded with names of families and

friends.

The public is calling on the GECOM Commissioners to get rid of those at the Secretariat including Chief Election Officer Keith Lowenfield; the Manager of Administration and Support Services, Michelle Ward; and Chief Accountant Joseph Eastman, who were allegedly involved in the financial and procurement irregularities at the election management body.

For the 2018 fiscal year, Parliament has approved $192.8 million on Capital Works, and it is hoped that the money would be properly utilized. Overall, $2 billion were approved for GECOM, and the administration is also expected to explain what it would do with the millions of

dollars unspent for 2017.

It is of note that allocations include $21 million for the upgrade of the IT Office, and a further $7.2million for the purchase of 40 desktop computers to replace the current system in Region #4. Inside sources are questioning the purchase of these computers and the development of the IT Office, which did not function during the 2015 General and Regional Elections and 2016 Local Government Elections.

Much more will be written of GECOM spending and pilfering. Guyanese at home and in the diaspora have recognized and are already condemning ‘rigged elections’ approaches touted and implied by Granger’s attitude. The mere actions of this Government are synony-

mous with deep-seated fraudulent intent for the upcoming 2020 Elections. All must be alerted to guard against any of the beckoning dirty signals. Further, institutional arrangements must be put in place, and the many local and international organizations must be fully alerted and be ready to overlook in ensuring free and fair elections in Guyana.

It is very clear that the litigation process was deliberately orchestrated by the APNU/AFC so as to create confusion and frustrate the work of GECOM. Guyanese must prepare to stand up and fight against ‘rigged elections’.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

Guyanese thankful for being in America

Dear Editor, Guyanese and other Caribbean diaspora are most thankful for being in America, which has been kind to them.

They are thankful for escaping issues and problems in the home country. They join others in celebrating the annual Thanksgiving Day holiday with family reunions, banquets, and charitable offerings.

America has been kind and receptive to most immigrants, who in turn give thanks by sharing their earnings with the poorer sections of the society and with relatives back in the home countries. Each generation of immigrants and each ethnic group add their own distinct flavour to the festival as they celebrate at home and/or in their communi-

ties. And as they do with all Over forty million Americans other festivals, including are expected to travel a minChristmas or Independence imum of 100 miles to be with Day, Guyanese and other im- their relatives during the fesmigrant Americans celebrate tival. Stores are jam-packed the Thanksgiving festival in the days before and after their own unique way.

Thanksgiving. Many also orThanksgiving Day is a der meals for the celebrahistorical celebration in the tions, with Guyanese restauUS since the early settle- rants being busy during the ment of North America by period with orders for roti Europeans. It is a nation- and other food items. And al holiday, a kind of a spiri- Guyanese prepare elaborate tual day (without denomi- dishes. nation) observed on the last Guyanese view Thursday of every November Thanksgiving as an occasion with businesses and schools for family reunion and big closed for an extended four- dinners. Relatives normalday weekend – giving thanks ly take turns hosting dinners for overcoming adversity. over the four-day period from The festival sets up a frame Thursday to Sunday. Dinner of mind for the Christmas normally includes the tradiholiday that is a month lat- tional American turkey super. It is the busiest shopping plemented with traditional period, as well as the busi- Guyanese dishes, including est travel week in the year. dhal puri, pachounie, phu-

lourie, bara, fried rice, chowmein, fried channa, etc; and favourite drinks like mauby and sorrel for the children, and rum for the adults. For dessert, there is Black cake, pumpkin pie, etc. with some throwing in rasmalai, gulab jamoon, etc. And it is not unusual for them to substitute the turkey with curried duck, chicken, mutton, and goat, etc.

Giving to the less fortunate is part of the Guyanese culture. Giving back to society is considered part of their duty, because the community has so much to be thankful for: being healthy and alive, and escaping impoverishment. And people donate food to shelters, and some host dinners for the less fortunate.

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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

The basis for improving the Report card on performance administration of justice exists of Georgetown Mayor Dear Editor, Economists have pointed out over and over that there is a positive correlation between social and economic development and an independent, efficient and competent judiciary. It was therefore refreshing when I read the report of Sir Dennis Byron’s speech at the 37th annual dinner, which was held at the Pegasus Hotel on November 11, 2017. In it he touched on many issues affecting the judiciary and impeding the dispensation of justice.

The speech itself raised several issues which should be commented on; for example, the situation of having the top two positions in the judiciary with persons acting and not appointed for many years. However, that will be the subject of a future article.

In this piece, I would like to focus on the points raised

by Sir Dennis Byron as they relate to the efficiency and the timely writing up of decisions by judges.

He made the point that the integrity of the judiciary is primarily a matter for regulation by the judiciary itself. He went on to say that it should not be necessary for the executive or the legislature to intervene.

However, he is quoted to have said, “I observe that such interventions did occur in Guyana, where, due to a perception of persistent and systemic delay in judgment delivery, the legislature passed legislation regulating the time that judges must make and deliver judgments…”

I must say that Sir Dennis Byron was right in his observation. It is more than a perception through; it is indeed a fact that many cases have been completed, some after a long while, but yet judgments are not written up to complete the process. Many persons languish in jail awaiting trial due to the sloth in the administration of justice.

That piece of legislation was passed in the National Assembly by the PPP/C Administration because of the recognition that such delays have on the economy.

Businesses suffer huge losses as a consequence of such long periods to conclude matters.

Not only big and small businesses suffer, but ordinary workers and farmers, people with families with modest incomes are forced to put their lives on hold. This causes great suffering.

Indeed, it is because the great lag in time is so prevalent that some unscrupulous people use the courts as a delaying mechanism to perpetuate wrongs and advantages in the society. Even this regime, I believe, is guilty of this practice.

The law that was passed was never intended to be a means for the executive to administrate the judiciary. It was for the judiciary itself to have the tools to ensure that these practices are put to an end, so that justice could be delivered in a timely fashion.

Unfortunately, that is still not happening. The judiciary, it appears, is still largely not delivering timely decisions. As a result, it is having an impact on our economy.

Take, for instance, the case of the sixty farmers at Seafield, West Coast Berbice. Their land leases were revoked by this Government by force, and the farmers were evicted from the fields. This was a most unlawful and vindictive act on the part of the regime.

They went to court and the matter took a long time.

Indeed, two sets of farmers were affected in identical ways, and the cases were heard by two different judges.

One judge ruled eventually in their favour; the other judge is still to give a ruling.

In the meantime, the Government has appealed the one case where a decision was made, most likely to delay and to punish the farmers. That appeal is yet to be heard.

Meanwhile, the lands are idle. Farmers and their families are suffering serious loss of income. The country is suffering due to fall in income, purchasing power, and loss of tax revenues. Production is therefore down.

Sir Byron made several suggestions to assist in some of these cases. He spoke about the use of technology to surmount these issues.

Of course he did not know of the efforts of the PPP/C Administration in this area.

In one project, this was proposed and was being funded. Equipment was bought to record and transcribe texts. In that period it did not come into effect, because the judicial administration felt that it could not be sustained.

Much time was lost.

It was revisited during the 2011 to 2015 period. This time, more equipment was brought for three courts, to be used as a pilot project. The Government trained twenty persons to operate and maintain the equipment.

The idea here was to have evidence recorded and transcribed in less than twenty-four hours. That would have ended the practice of judges having to write verbatim evidence taken in court. It would have saved much time and money of poor people. Unfortunately, disagreements arose as to who should employ the staff.

One view was the Judicial Service Commission wanted that role. The Public Service Commission (PSC) objected, pointing out that the rest of the staff were PSC appointments.

At the same time, the Administration was focused on trying to overcome the resistance to the attacks of the APNU and AFC opposition to the Anti-money Laundering Bill, and the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, among other things.

As a result, the matter was not resolved in time.

Sir Byron also spoke about the need for e-filing; I am surprised at that.

I am aware that the PPP/C

Administration had employ for consultants to design such a system. Equipment was procured and set up to allow that to function.

The idea here was to stop the practice where files and documents were disappearing and cases were being affected by that. A lot of injustice took place due to that practice.

If the e-filing system is not operating now, then that should be investigated and corrected.

I am not a lawyer and I confess that I do not know the detailed day-to-day operations of the courts. However, I am aware of two notable exceptions as far as writing decisions is concerned. Former Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang and former Appeal Court judge Charles Ramson distinguished themselves in this area. They were prompt in writing up their decisions.

That saved the state, the persons involved, and the courts’ money and time.

There may have been more such judges doing likewise, but I am not aware of them. I therefore stand to be corrected here.

I have also noticed that the present Chief Justice (ag) Ms Roxanne George is also prompt in giving her decisions in writing. This is a positive sign, and I hope she would continue doing so.

In conclusion, I would say that the foundation for dealing with the issues raised by Sir Dennis Byron exists. Successive PPP/C Administrations have laid a solid foundation that should be developed and built upon. The situation must not be allowed to retrogress, as is happening in the economy.

On the contrary, it should be improved. This is very vital for social and economic progress of our country.

Donald Ramotar Former President

Dear Editor, With election for the Mayor of Georgetown looming large, I feel compelled to issue a report card on the current mayor’s performance for the last two years, based on feedback I gathered from many quarters of the capital city.

Ability to travel very frequently in luxury and style, with large entourages to the most exotic and distant places in the world off of the backs of the ratepayers. Grade A+ (Has shown a considerable knack for wasting the city’s scarce financial resources: wining and dining at posh restaurants, flying first class, staying at five star hotels whilst on useless trips to the farthest reaches of the globe, which have reaped nothing for the city.)

Adherence to the Child Protection Laws of Guyana and the protection of ‘whistleblowers’ within City Hall from persecution, discrimination and injustice. Grade F (In collaboration with her sidekick the ‘King,’ she has not only protected the alleged assaulter time and again, but has ensured that whistleblowing at the Council is deterred) Implementation of the most draconian taxation on the citizenry, including unreasonable increases in property taxes.

Implementation of an inflated compliance fee on persons wishing to sell their properties; implementation of a fine on shipping containers coming into the city; steep increases on all licences issued by the Council, adding more financial burden on the citizens.

Grade A (Is effective in wringing the citizens and businesses

Guyanese thankful...

Others offer services like giving out food to the poor.

To give thanks, some bake turkeys and cakes and donated these to homeless shelters. Their charitable gifts help to ease hunger, poverty, and homelessness in the city. Guyanese also volunteer time at churches that host dinners for the poor and homeless. Many also use the occasion to give generously to the charities of their choice, including the Red Cross and the American Cancer Institute, in addition to their local mandirs, masjids and churches. Others send money to friends and relatives in the home countries.

Thanksgiving Day is usually celebrated with the largest parade in the nation -- on Fifth Avenue, featuring all kinds of magnificent floats and balloons of cartoon characters and a host of Hollywood celebrities and

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sports stars. Most people were glued to the television sets that carried live broadcasts of the parade.

By observing the festival, Guyanese are participating in a mainstream American celebration in the same manner that they celebrate their own traditional festivals such as Phagwah, Deepavalli, Eid, Qurbani, Christmas, Guyana Day, etc.

They want to give thanks for the progress they have made in America, the land that has given them the opportunity to realize their dreams. And it is noted that they are contributing in helping to make America a better place to live, and are sharing their wealth and giving back to the society to which they owe their success.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

dry of all of their finances and savings, whilst providing little or no service) Maintenance of heritage buildings and other municipal properties in the city, such as City Hall, the Kitty Market, the Municipal Abattoir, the City Police Training School, etc.

Grade F (Has done very little maintenance work on municipal properties for years, leaving them to fall into rot and ruin; preferring instead to visit other countries and admire their well-maintained heritage buildings) Endearment of new businesses into the city, including dog food vendors, plantain chip sellers, bottled water itinerant vendors, roadside cook-up rice vendors, and ‘touts’ at the minibus parks.

Grade A+ (Whilst other mayors from around the world are wooing large companies to set up their headquarters in their cities to have international conferences, award ceremonies and mega sport

events held there, our city is happy to encourage more illegal vending) Financial management of City Hall.

Grade F (Is responsible for carrying up the Council’s overdraft with its bankers to the highest ever with innumerable foreign trips, and with the doling out of contracts allegedly with no adherence to tender or procurement procedures, and hiring of almost 200 friends and family members to super-salaried jobs) Creation of the largest group of junkies, vagrants, beggars and other social rejects in the city, with some of them even bathing nightly on the pavement in front of the Bourda Cemetery Grade A+ (Has ensured that the citizens continuously face economic and financial challenges by over-taxation and the implementation of no social programmes)

With thanks, Riley Matthews

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arents want to protect their children from everything, which is virtually impossible, of course. But can you prevent your child from getting diabetes?

About diabetes Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body uses glucose, the main type of sugar in the blood. Glucose, which comes from the foods we eat, is the major source of energy needed to fuel the body’s functions. To use glucose, the body needs the hormone insulin. But in people with diabetes, the body either can’t make insulin or the insulin doesn’t work in the body like it should.

The two major types of diabetes are: Type 1 diabetes, in which the immune system attacks the pancreas and destroys the cells that make insulin Type 2 diabetes, in which the pancreas can still make insulin, but the body doesn’t respond to it properly In both types of diabetes, glucose can’t get into the cells normally. This causes a rise in blood sugar levels, which can make someone sick if not treated.

Can type 1 diabetes be prevented?

Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented. Doctors can’t even tell who will get it and who won’t.

No one knows for sure what causes type 1 diabetes, but scientists think it has something to do with genes. But just getting the genes for diabetes isn’t usually enough.

In most cases, a child has to be exposed to something else – like a virus – to get type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes isn’t contagious, so children and teens can’t catch it from another person or pass it along to friends or family members. And eating too much sugar doesn’t cause type 1 diabetes, either.

While type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, some

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research suggests that breastfeeding, avoiding early introduction of solid foods, and other factors might play a role in lowering the risk of developing the disease. There’s no reliable way to predict who will get type 1 diabetes, but blood tests can detect early signs of it. These tests aren’t done routinely, however, because doctors don’t have any way to stop a child from developing the disease, even if the tests are positive.

Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?

Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented. Excessive weight gain, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle are all factors that put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes.

In the past, type 2 diabetes almost exclusively affected adults, usually those who were overweight. Doctors even referred to type 2 diabetes as adult-onset diabetes. But now, more children and teens are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, which experts say is related to the rapidly increasing number of overweight children.

Although children and teens may be able to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes by managing t h e i r weight and

increasing physical activity, other risk factors for type 2 diabetes can’t be changed. Children with one or more family members with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing the disease.

Also, certain ethnic and racial groups tend to be more prone to developing it, including those of Native American, African, Hispanic/Latino, or Asian/Pacific Island descent.

Taking steps to prevent type 2 diabetes These simple strategies can help reduce your children’ risk for developing type 2 diabetes and other associated health problems: Make sure children eat a healthy diet.

Encouraging your children to eat low-fat, nutrient-rich foods – like whole-grain cereals and breads, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and lean proteins – can help prevent excessive weight gain, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Limit sugary foods and beverages.

Consuming lots of sugar-filled foods and beverages – like sodas, juices, and iced teas – also can lead to excessive weight gain.

Encourage increased physical activity.

Staying active and decreasing the amount of time spent in sedentary activities – like watching TV or playing video or computer games – can also reduce the risk of weight gain and help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Being active can be as simple as walking the dog or mowing the lawn. Try to do something that gets you and your children moving every day.

If you think your child may be overweight and, therefore, at increased risk of type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor or a registered dietician. They can help you determine what your child’s weight goals should be and how to reach them.

It’s important for growing children to get enough calories and nutrients for normal growth and development, while preventing the excessive weight gain that can set the stage for type 2 diabetes and other health problems.

(Kidshealth.org)

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f your child has been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may feel shocked, sad, or even angry or guilty at first – feelings that are perfectly normal.

But the more you learn about diabetes, the better prepared you’ll be to talk about it with your child.

Getting started

Be sure to talk to your child in an age-appropriate way and to always tell the truth. And don’t be put off by your child’s questions – answering them can help you learn more about diabetes, too.

Children who’ve been diagnosed with diabetes may feel that they’ve done something to have caused the disease. It’s important for parents to make it clear (especially to younger children) that this isn’t so.

Make sure your child knows that diabetes is not going away, and that it’s OK to feel sad or upset about having it. Encourage your

child to talk about it openly. Also discuss the diabetes diagnosis with your other children, who might be jealous of the extra attention their sibling is getting or concerned about developing diabetes themselves.

Sending the right message

The words you use can send a powerful message about diabetes — and your child’s role in managing it. Be positive.

Emphasise that together you can get diabetes under control.

Avoid using terms like “cheating” and “being bad” if your child veers from the diabetes management plan. Instead, help your child understand how eating and exercise affect blood sugar levels.

Children look to their parents for guidance, so how you deal with diabetes can affect how your child talks with you about it. If you overreact about a high blood sugar level, for example, your child might be less than honest with you about future blood sugar readings.

It’s also hard to expect children with diabetes to limit sugary treats or get regular exercise if siblings and parents don’t do the same.

Have a family discussion about why living a healthy lifestyle is important for everyone – not just people with diabetes. Include all family members in meal planning and other activities so your child won’t feel alone in diabetes management.

Diabetes talks by age

Here are some tips for diabetes discussions suited to a child’s age:

Infants and toddlers don’t understand why they need to have shots or get their fingers poked. To help, try to make blood sugar testing and giving insulin part of your child’s daily routine, like diaper changes or going down for a nap. Perform diabetes care quickly and gently, in a soothing manner, and reassure your child with calming words afterward.

Preschoolers still rely on parents for their diabetes care.

Explain diabetes-related tasks in simple terms. Parents can also help them feel some sense of control by letting children tell them where they’d prefer to have their insulin injection and which finger to use for a blood glucose test.

Children in grade school through middle school should be learning how to take on some of their diabetes care, but still need parental involvement. Be supportive, but don’t push as your child gradually takes on self-

care responsibilities. Your doctor or diabetes health care team can guide you on which tasks are appropriate at each stage.

As children grow, they become more interested in doing things independently and more sensitive about seeming different from their peers. Offer praise whenever your child assumes a new self-care responsibility, but be understanding of temporary setbacks – which can be especially common when children feel stressed. Avoid being overprotective, and reinforce the expectation that children with diabetes can do anything that children without diabetes can do.

Also discuss how having your child take responsibility for diabetes can make it easier to go to fun events like parties and sleepovers.

Teens may make poor decisions regarding their diabetes care because of peer pressure, the fear of being different from their friends, and a feeling of invincibility. It’s important to talk about drugs, alcohol, sexuality, and other issues with your teen and how they could affect their diabetes and overall health. There is a fine line between offering support and lecturing, so express your concerns in a caring manner.

For children of any age, finding a support group can help them connect with other children with diabetes so they’ll feel less different.

Honest, open communication is key when talking to children and teens about diabetes. The more you talk with and involve your child in diabetes care, the better prepared you’ll both be when you’re apart. (Kidshealth.org)

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friDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Prisoner places call to 911 ‌allegedly threatens to assassinate President

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anks of the Guyana Police Force are investigating a call that was allegedly placed at the Emergency 911 system by an inmate of the Lusignan Prison who has allegedly threatened to assassinate President David Granger.

This was confirmed by Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, who further stated that the prisoner is being questioned by police.

Contacted earlier today, Samuels explained that the police are still to ascertain if the caller had used the prison’s phone or a mobile phone.

The prisoner, identified as Alim Ally, reportedly made the call and told the person at the other end of the line that he would kill the President when he gets out of prison.

Ally was convicted for assault, and is serving a twoyear sentence.

However, Samuels noted that the mat-

to assassinate the Guyanese Head of State.

He had accused popular Grove, East Bank Demerara businessman Nizam Khan of

President David Granger

ter would be investigated thoroughly.

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine told media operatives that Police ranks had made significant progress in the investigation, but he re-

fused to divulge any further details. He nevertheless stated that the police are continuing to investigate the matter.

Earlier in the year, Andriff Gillard had alleged that he was offered $7 million

being the mastermind. After Gillard’s appearance on a television newscast, an investigation was launched.

After weeks of continuous probe, the President himself requested that a Commission of Inquiry be launched into

the merits of the accusation.

Almost two months after, the findings were presented to the President with several recommendations.

However, the inquiry found that the story told by Gillard was not corroborated.

8 NEWS

FRIDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Mocha businessman charged for death of elderly pedestrian Political (dirty)

F

ifty-year-old Cleveland Softleigh, a grocery store owner of Mocha, East Bank Demerara, was on Thursday released on one million dollars bail when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

Softleigh, who was represented by Attorney-atlaw Leslie Sobers, denied the allegation, which detailed that on July 29, 2017, at Herstelling Eastern Carriageway Public Road, EBD, he drove motor car PKK 3251 in a manner dangerous to the public, thereby causing the death of Ingrid James.

In a bail application for his client, Sobers related

that the accused, who is a small business owner and father of four, is the sole breadwinner of his family, and has every intention of appearing in court pending the outcome of trial.

Moreover, the lawyer indicated that his client strongly denies any guilt or fault on his part.

Meanwhile, Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves did not object to bail being granted. According to the prosecution’s case, on the day in question, around 20:20 hours, the vehicle driven by Softleigh was proceeding south along the eastern carriageway of the East Bank Public Road when it collided with the deceased, who was in the process of crossing the road from the western side to the eastern.

Charged: Cleveland Softleigh

The victim’s body, pitched some distance away, was taken in an unconscious state by the accused to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital, where she died.

The driver of the implicated motor car was then arrested and taken into police custody, where he was charged with the present offence.

Guyana Times was reliably informed that at the time of her death, the sixtyfour-year-old deceased was resident at Lot 1294 Section “C” Block “Y” Golden Grove, EBD. At Thursday’s court hearing, Softleigh through his lawyer communicated his inability to pay the hefty bail imposed by the court in a request for reduction - a petition which was nonetheless denied by the presiding magistrate.

The accused will appear before the court of Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on December 5, 2017.

“Mango Man” murder

Pending Constitutional Court ruling further delays start of trial

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

lthough 10 years have passed since businessman Kumar “Mango Man” Singh was

shot and killed during an invasion of his Cove and John, East Coast Demerara home, the trial of two men implicated for his murder could not proceed at the High

Court.

Mark Royden Williams, called “Smallie”, along with another accused, Sherwin Nero, also known as “Catty”, made their second ap-

Businessman Kumar “Mango Man” Singh was shot dead 10 years ago during an invasion at his home

pearance before Justice Brassington Reynolds on Thursday, but the State was once again prevented from laying the murder indictment against the duo.

The continued judicial delay is as a result of a pending matter that is before acting Chief Justice Roxane George, which was brought on by defence counsel Nigel Hughes on behalf of Nero, which, among other things, contends that nine years waiting for a trial violates Article 144 of Guyana’s Constitution.

Section I of the Article states: “If any person is charged with a criminal offence, then, unless the charge is withdrawn, the case shall be afforded a fair hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial court established by law.”

At Thursday’s court appearance, Hughes said that the acting Chief Justice’s ruling on the matter could be handed down by year-end or early next year. turn to page 17

linen…

I

…exposed

f it’s another day in Guyana, it appears there has to be another scandal exploding!! Just when your Eyewitness thought the details of the sick teacher and the perversion of his noble profession to groom and sexually abuse his students would hog the headlines, up come some more titillating e-mails from the AFC ‘leaker’ to show perversion of ideals isn’t confined to the teaching profession.

The latest leaks came from the same disaffected AFC Canadian group member - and for the same reason. The foreign chapters had played a big role in the success of the party, and it’s clear that when the Canadian Chapter broke links, the perversion of the ideals the top leadership had assured them would guide the party was the straw that broke their backs.

The fella concluded his assessment of the AFC: “Those who voiced their opinions, against President Granger’s unilateral appointment of GECOM chairman have been silenced. Dictators promise freedom and the good life. But they will not honour their promise because they are liars.

They are only interested in freeing themselves by enslaving others’ minds. Their cleverness has made them cold and unfeeling.” Ouch!!!

But the e-mails condemning Nagamootoo, Ramjattan and Trotman for giving the carte blanche to Prezzie in his GECOM unilateralism didn’t come just from Canada, but from the head honcho of US Chapter - reputedly one of the big moneybags. And - surprise…surprise!!! - some sitting AFC Ministers in the Government! The US Chair’s opinion echoed what most in Guyana already concluded: “This position makes the AFC look weak and impotent.

You are seen by the common man as being treated as a step child or a poodle in the coalition”!!!

But just as importantly, the fella echoed your Eyewitness’s conclusion about the AFC being “dead meat” -- now rotting and putrid -- after their GECOM endorsement: “Given the worsening racial polarization in Guyana, this unilateral appointment by the Executive PNC President of an Afro-Guyanese GECOM Chairman, whether right or wrong, rips open the scars of (the) PNC rigging election(s). You have just thrown red meat to the notion of “PNC rigging election” which, in my view, will cause the AFC to forever lose Indo-Guyanese support at the polls.”

Senior Minister of Telecommunications, Cathy Hughes, also didn’t pull any punches in HER communication on the effect of her AFC leaders’ support of PNC unilateralism on their Indian ethnic support - which is their claim to fame - and office.

Dead meat just won’t keep!!

…and principles

Everyone knows Ramjattan’s trying to mamaguy us about “AFC democracy being at work” with the release of the damning e-mails. Why else would he blame “rogue elements”? If he believed in “democratic debate”, shouldn’t he compliment the leaker!! Anyhow, your Eyewitness must confess he was very PLEASANTLY surprised at the stand taken

by Minister of Infrastructure, David Patterson.

Stating clearly and unequivocally that he disagreed with Prezzie’s unilateralism - he also was man enough to tell Trotman and Ramjattan they’d betrayed the principles the two of them had taught him the AFC was all about. He clearly spoke for so many of the supporters who’ve now parted ways with the AFC - inside Guyana and outside.

“Colleagues, my concerns are not to do with the Chairman or his appointment, but in the fear that we are no longer the party I love and will go down fighting to keep alive.”

That’s as good a eulogy for the AFC as any. RIP!!

…in the paedophile scandal

If there’s any silver lining on the paedophile scandal in THE BHS, it’s to show that the illness isn’t confined to just “sick persons”.

It’s a systemic problem that needs root and branch intervention. Is Guyana ready?

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

News

9

friDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

2 Policemen charged for “Saga” murder killing, but subsequent intelligence reaching the Police implicated the former Best Cop and his colleague in the purportedly calculated murder.

According to Bob, Eastman is the alleged mastermind of the killing: hiring the hitman and even providing the firearm used to execute the offence. Eastman reportedly had everything planned out, assuring the hitman that a lady would deliver the target to the spot as he directed the killing to be executed in such a way to appear a robbery.

Notwithstanding the asActing Crime Chief Paul Williams

Former Best Cop Derwin Eastman and Police Constable Jamison Williams making their court appearance on Thursday

Deceased: Godfrey Scipio aka “Saga”

By Paula Gomes

A

s the Guyana Police Force (GPF) slowly unravels the web of several notorious murders and robberies following recently-acquired intelligence, former Best Cop Derwin Eastman and Jamison Williams who were implicated in the murder

of businessman Godfrey Scipio, called “Saga”, were on Thursday hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where they were jointly arraigned on the capital offence of murder.

It was a mixed atmosphere at the courts as relatives of both the accused and the victim, coupled with media operatives and even prisoners in the lockups, anxiously awaited the arrival of Eastman and Williams.

The accused cops were not required to plead to the indictable charge read by presiding Magistrate Judy Latchman, to the effect that on October 12, 2017 at Stanley Place, David Street, Kitty, they murdered Scipio,

during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

Defence lawyers Nigel Hughes and Dexter Todd raised concerns about the safety of their clients given that the men are both involved in investigations of numerous persons on remand; therefore, imprisonment would only place their lives in jeopardy.

Responding to the Magistrate’s inquiry on the issue of safety, Police Prosecutor Steven Telford cited the nature of the charge while indicating that the issue of safety now lay in the hands of prison authorities. However, he reassured the court that these concerns would be communicated to

the relevant authorities.

Hereafter, Magistrate Latchman declared the men remanded to prison and adjourned the case to December 5, 2017 before the court of the Chief Magistrate.

On the fateful day of October 12, 2017, Scipio, the 58-year-old proprietor of a D’Urban Street restaurant, was robbed of a quantity of gold jewellery and shot dead shortly after leaving a Kitty hotel.

Aubrey Bob, a 26-yearold resident of Kitty, was recently charged for the brutal

surance of protection given

by Eastman, reality struck when Bob returned home the next day to find his “employer” in the company of other Police ranks, ready to arrest him.

The accused was reportedly forced to make a false confession as he was intimidated by Eastman’s presence at every step of the interrogation process. However, when Bob became aware of William’s arrest, he grasped the opportunity to relate what he alleged was the true version of the story. turn to page 9

10 News

friDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

AFC nominates former MP Underage juror forces Stafrei Alexander retrial to replace Jones at GECOM …for attempted murder

Former AFC spokesperson Beverly Alert

A

lliance For Change (AFC) Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan has confirmed reports that the party has nominated one of its members, former Member of Parliament, Trevor Williams for the post of Commissioner at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Ramjattan said following the death of Sandra Jones, President David Granger had requested that the party present a name to fill this va-

cant post. He said Williams was suggested and the party agreed on having his name submitted which it did.

He noted that the AFC, as a third party, has always pressed to have one of its members sit on the body.

He said this was mainly on account of the fact that the party had representation in Parliament where at one time it held five seats and another time it had seven seats.

Williams has been active in politics since 2006 and at one time headed the youth arm of the AFC. He was suggested to be Director of Youth, but was never appointed to that position.

Ramjattan said should the President for some reason not find favour with Williams, there is Beverley Alert, a former spokesperson for the party, who will be the alternative nominee.

Alert was appointed the head of the then Government Information Agency (GINA)

A

Former AFC MP Trevor Williams

now the Department of Public Information (DPI).

However, following certain alleged financial irregularities she was seconded to another role at the National Communications Network (NCN).

The GECOM post would be a key one for the party. The Commission comprises three members from the Opposition and three from the Government. The Chairman is the seventh person.

s prison escapee Stafrei Alexander turned up at the High Court on Thursday for his sentencing -after a jury found him guilty of the attempted murder of Curtis Thom last month -- presiding judge Justice Brassington Reynolds announced that the accused would have to undergo another trial.

Prior to deliberations on October 30, it was discovered that one of the jurors was below the age of 18. That juror was duly discharged, and the remaining 11 deliberated and found Alexander guilty by a 9-2 proportion for the March 23, 2015 attempted murder of Curtis Thom.

However, Justice Reynolds conceded on Thursday that he had “erroneously” formed the opinion that a verdict of such proportion could be accepted by the court.

His new contention was guided by his review of the Criminal Law (Procedure) Act, Chapter 10:01, Laws of Guyana.

It was observed that a 10-1 verdict would have been acceptable.

After the revelations,

Alexander’s attorney Stanley Moore, SC, stated that the jury should be discharged, and Prosecutor Tiffini Lyken concurred, further observing that the State shares the opinion that the verdict was improper and/or invalid. Justice Reynolds thereafter discharged the 11 remaining jury members, and ruled that Alexander’s case ended in a hung jury, as the court could not properly receive a 9-2 verdict.

Stafrei Alexander is an inmate who had fled lawful custody multiple times, and he was accused of the attempted murder of fellow Laing Avenue, Georgetown resident Curtis Thom by way of discharging a loaded firearm I his direction.

Thom was shot hours after his daughter’s christening.

The court had heard that based on his beliefs, Thom proceeded to walk into his home backwards after the christening, when Alexander mumbled remarks and pointed a gun at him. Thom was shot twice, and was hospitalised for seven weeks, during which he obtained surgery to correct his injuries.

Based on the account of an expert witness, a .38 revolver was the firearm of choice on the night in question, but the prosecution disclosed that the weapon used was not found.

Stafrei Alexander

Alexander, who is also known as Stafrei Hopkinson Alexander was apprehended in late July after a special operation in Berbice. This came weeks after he had fled the Camp Street Penitentiary during an inferno around the same time when several prisoners, including death row inmate and Bartica mass killer Mark Royden “Smallie” Williams and now dead former Policeman and prisoner Uree Varswyck had fled. Prison officer Odinga Wickham was killed during that ordeal, which flattened the century-old sections of the jail.

At the time of his arrest, Alexander was said to have been receiving medical attention for an existing wound. Alexander had previously fled lawful custody for six months before finally being recaptured at Kurupukari Crossing in the Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper Takutu/ Upper Essequibo) in May 2016.

S RAIGHT DNA of the same old PNC wolves in sheep’s clothing

T

oday we continue to see financial lawlessness on a grand scale that undermines the rule of law itself, as the political rulers engage in nefarious financial indulgences on a very un-level playing field. All the chips today are stacked against the poor and the working class, and funnily enough, it has always been this way for most of our independent half-century.

Teachers cannot get the increases they deserve, but this Granger Administration has set aside just under G$1 billion in the 2017 Budget for executive travel and overseas accommodation for the ruling elites. Sugar workers by the thousands will be sent on the breadline soon, but an army of presidential advisors opportunistically introduced into the public sector payroll will burn some G$400 million per year from the Treasury.

To add salt to the wounds in this ANIMAL FARM mentality, we read in the 2016 Auditor General Report that some $696.3 million were granted from the Contingency Fund to meet routine expenses, in total violation of the spirit and intentions of the law. Only a certified dunce or a dictator will want to test our Constitution this much.

Today we see President Granger testing the Constitution in all forms. It is like he has an obsession with allowing all and sundry to trample upon the laws of Guyana in his name. The latest example is the exposure by the courts of their interference with the work of the Police Services Commission.

Though I must not blame Mr. Granger singularly for the financial skullduggery of the Minister of Finance, he ought to know that every act is done in his name, because everyone in the cabinet room is his creature. They are his Frankensteins!

Parliament in 2003 passed the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMAA), which sets out in detail the authority and principle governing when the Contingency Fund is tapped.

Section 41 of the FMAA gives effect to the Guyana Constitution by illustrating that the circumstances under which the Minister can access the Contingency Fund are severely limited. The overriding test is threefold: the expenditure must be urgent, unavoidable and unforeseen. Further, he can use this fund only where delay would cause injury to the public interest. He cannot use the Contingency Fund to spend G$456 million for payments on the Durban Park Parade Ground, because clearly it was not unavoidable, it was not urgent, and it was not unforeseen. But this is exactly what he did in 2016.

Think about it: no money to pay the severance of the Wales Sugar Estate workers, but Mr. Granger got G$456 million to fund a Parade Ground. This is how bad habits are formed. These were the same people thumping their desks with their ashtrays in the previous Parliament when Dr. Ashni Singh was accused of the same abuse. Isn’t this the attitude of “intellectually bankrupt hypocrites”?

Such bad financial attitudes were expected from the PNC Ministers immediately after they granted themselves the 50 percent increase in salaries. This is the DNA of the same old PNC “wolves in sheep clothing”, who historically have proven themselves as masters at starving the poor to feed the Congress Place boys and girls. But what was shocking to me was how the AFC and WPA representatives in Parliament have behaved since June 2015? After all, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, as Presidential Candidate in 2011, said in his message to the nation that the AFC is the key to unlocking the nation from “…..the corruption that engulfs us, from the oppressive taxes we are forced to pay, from the deadly crime that haunts and traumatizes us, from the economic decline, and from the hopelessness that we breathe daily.”

But, after some 30 months in office, we still have widespread corruption engulfing the nation, with reports now surfacing of not one, but three Ministers in this Granger Administration pouring cement foundation on new mansions that will outsize the average house in Pradoville. Where did this money fall from in just 30 months?

But Mr. Ramjattan got the brass to talk about the oppressive tax when, in Budget 2017, his Government imposed the mother of all tax oppression. And let us not talk about deadly crime, since Mr. Ramjattan has earned himself an “F minus” grade on the crime fight front, making him a complete failure as a Minister.

So, in the final analysis, it is Mr. Ramjattan and Mr. Granger’s government that imported massive economic stagnation and now widespread hopelessness across the length and breadth of the country since May 2015 by subverting the law. The only option left for the people of Guyana between now and 2020 is to band their belly for the incoming economic meltdown, as the ruling elite plunder the Treasury and pocket whatever economic juices are in the pot. Ultimately, such an attack on the Constitution and the Rule of Law by Team Granger will take an unimaginative economic toll on the nation.

Please share your thoughts at sasesin1@yahoo.com.

11

friDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

12

friday, november 24, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

New Miss Universe to be crowned on Sunday I

n a matter of hours, a new Miss Universe will be crowned, and without a doubt, Guyana’s representative, Rafeiya Husain has her eyes set on the shimmery coronet.

The crown is one of the most prestigious in the world, but it will take one courageous, beautiful, talented and welldisciplined young woman to walk away with it.

This year, the competition is among 94 delegates from around the world who are all well-polished, poised and ready to take up the title of Miss Universe 2017. The pageant is set for Sunday evening in Las Vegas, and it will be televised live around the world.

However, leading up to coronation night, the delegates competed in the National Costume Competition on Saturday last when Guyana sported a golden costume depicting the world’s largest one-drop waterfall – the Kaieteur Falls. Reviews of that segment were encouraging for Guyana.

On Monday evening, the delegates were faced with other preliminary competitions, including introduction, swimwear and evening gown. Again, Miss Guyana received fabulous reviews, but the spotlight of the evening went to Miss Indonesia and Miss Philippines.

In fact, one of the biggest pageant critics and followers, Global Beauties, has identified its top 16 for coronation night. Leading the race, according to the blog, is Miss South Africa

t h Cor Aliya

Aultiia English

followed by the delegates from the USA, Thailand, Russia and

Indonesia.

Rounding off the top 16 are the delegates from Peru, Venezuela, Israel, Colombia, Philippines, Mexico, Spain, France, India, Guyana and Jamaica. Also in the running are Miss Canada, Miss Great Britain and Miss Chile. Nevertheless, the Guyana beauty is confident that her country will be called in the top 16.

Online voting continues until November 25 which allows persons to vote for their favourite contestants. In a recent interview with Guyana Times Entertainment, our beauty ambassador said she was going to put her best foot forward and would do Guyana proud.

The pageant will be televised live on TVG-28 beginning at 20:00h.

Carlissa Boyce

Emily Nurs e

Janeil Cumerbatch

Latifa Phil lip

s

ALL SET FOR

I

n less than 48 hours, one of six delegates will be crowned Miss East Bank Demerara when the pageant is held at the Soesdyke Ball Field on Saturday evening.

The delegates competing for the crown are Emily Nurse, Aultiia English, Aliyah Cort, Carlissa Boyce, Latifa Phillips and

SHOWDOWN

Janeil Cumberbatch.

On pageant night, the delegates will be competing in the introductory, swimwear, talent, evening gown and intelligence segments. The contestants are adding those final touches to their outfits and talent pieces.

It is expected to be a night of stiff com-

petition since all the delegates will be bringing their A Game.

The aim of the pageant is to give young girls on the East Bank of Demerara a chance to boost their self-esteem and more so, to showcase their various communities.

It will also be used as a catalyst to empower young women to deal with various

social issues such as domestic violence, teenage pregnancy, child abuse, and sexual abuse.

The audience will be entertained by Jory Hector and the deejays from the Silver Star, Blackstone and Hardball Squad sound systems. Admission to the event costs $1000.

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, november 24, 2017

S

even years ago a group of secondary schoolboys came together and formed a dance group then called “Skeldon High Boys”— a group that had limited exposure but still managed to compete and win several accolades for their school at the Annual Mashramani Dance competitions.

The group members at that time included Kitron Moore, Shane Charles, Trevon Hope, Akeem Jackson, Andrew Cambridge, Shaquile McPherson, Wayid Martin and Malando Welch, but with the lack of exposure and gigs, the group fell apart.

Most of the dancers who were versed in several dance routines left, but three dedicated members stayed. Today, the trio rebranded the group and it is now called “Unity Boyz” – one that has created quite a stir at the recently-held “I Am A Big

Deal” Pageant at the Albion Sports Complex.

Shane Charles, Trevon Hope and Kitron Moore crossed all hurdles, stayed focused and did what they love the best – dance.

They have since recruited several members and even though, the group’s spirit has been daunted once again by the lack of exposure in the Ancient

County, they are now seeking to spread their wings and hope to one day land themselves in an atmosphere where opportunities are endless.

Presently, the group is operating out of an apartment at Skeldon Day Care with eight energetic, talented and charismatic young men. The group meets on a weekly basis

Soca artiste 5 Star Akil and former Carib Soca Monarch Kwasi “Ace” Edmondson.

Music will be provided by DJ Ryan, DJ Energy, DJ Countri Boi and Shizzle. In addition, there will be several surprise performers.

Revellers are urged to get ready for the fete of a lifetime with GTT and Pulse Entertainment.

Tickets for Saturday’s band launch cost $2000 in advance and $3000 at the gate. Stage-front tickets cost $6000 The event is powered by GTT Do More, Pulse Entertainment, XM Rum and Ticket Master Travel Agency.

uyanese fashion icon Sonia Noel will be launching her first book, titled “Living with intention”, on November 24 on Amazon Kindle.

“Living with Intention” offers readers a glimpse into that world that makes every day a masterpiece, even with life’s challenges – the struggle, strength, survival and endurance, but also commemorates beauty, honour, love, compassion and forgiveness.

This book takes you to the core of survival, to the importance of knowing how to love yourself and why we should celebrate.

“I have no problem telling my story, because it is who I am and I am authentic. I share some content when I was at my lowest and when I was soaring to great heights. I started to love Sonia more when I became intentional about my growth, because I had to know me better to grow me better,” the author related.

The people who worked behind the scenes to make this project a success were people in Noel’s front row.

The cover photo was taken

G

A

ll roads will lead to the Giftland parking lot on Saturday for the launch of Pulse Entertainment 2018 Mash Band. At the event, the Band’s theme will be unveiled along with the various designs and designers to advise perspective revellers on deals for Mash 2018.

At the moment, the entertainment group is working around the clock to derive the most affordable packages for those who want to be part of the Band.

On Saturday, the event will be graced with performances by reigning International Chutney Soca Monarch Ravi B, Trinidadian

to rehearse their dance pieces in case they are called upon to perform.

The group performs several routines when called upon including “dubstep” and “tutting”, but could dance to several genres of music such as Chutney, Soca and Culture and if you insist, an R&B special would just put the icing on the cake.

Since their rebranding, Unity Boyz has performed at the “Nothing to Laugh About” show in Berbice and for the annual flag-raising ceremony in Corriverton.

However, while performing on stage, it is evitable that mistakes would be made, but due to their closely-knitted relationship, they quickly improvise and without anyone knowing, a new dance move is created with the same energy.

This, the group believes, is one of their strong points.

When contacted to perform at the pageant, the members jumped upon the opportunity without any hesitation and thought that they had to do their best to impress since they were well aware that there would have been influential people at the event.

Now that they have performed exceptionally, they are confident that in five years, the

13

group will not only be one of the most successful in Skeldon but will be well known throughout the country. They also aspire to be role models to the younger generation through dance.

In meeting that goal, financial support is much needed and as such, lack of resources such as dance attire and equipment remain a challenge. On the other hand, membership is somewhat limited since persons are often screened before acceptance.

The members look upon each other as an inspiration and with love for dance, they can conquer all challenges.

It is their belief that life is full of trials and tribulations and sometimes there is no one to turn to, but this does not dampen their spirits but rather motivates them to work harder.

In the same breath, they agreed that all humans make mistakes, but these must be used a learning process to success.

by Sean Duncan and the talented Shiv Dindyal designed the cover.

Meleesa Payne was the make-up artist that created the flawless look. Richard Young did the editing, and Apostle Claude Brooks wrote the forward.

“Living with Intention” will appeal to a wide cross-section of people since life’s every experience is about living challenges. The readers will undoubtedly learn how to better deal with some of these challenges and strengthen their faith.

The book will be available in December online, in Guyana, the Caribbean and USA. Join the FB page for constant updates and to win prizes at https://www. facebook.com/livingintentionGY/ Persons can also click on the link to win gifts: https://www.amazon.com/ Living-Intention-CommitContribute-Celebrateebook/dp/B0783QGRC5/ ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1511379493&sr=8-11&keywords=living+with+intention

14 news

friDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former Minister Alli Baksh dies F

ormer Minister within the Agriculture Ministry and Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) Chairman, Alli Baksh passed away on Thursday around 13:00h at his Cotton Field, Essequibo home after losing a year-long battle to illness.

Alli had undergone heart bypass surgery several years ago.

At the time of his death, Baksh was 70 years old, and was surrounded by his wife and children.

According to one of his daughters, after he was diagnosed about a year ago, his children had been making extra efforts to ensure that sufficient time was spent with him.

“That’s one thing we will be grateful for – that we were able to spend a lot of time with him before his death,” the grieving daughter told Guyana Times on Thursday.

The father of four became the Chairman of Region Two in 1992 – a po-

Former Minister Alli Baksh died on Thursday

sition he held until the end of 2011 and during his tenure, achieved many things for the Region. Under his stewardship, Baksh managed to open a branch of the Guyana School of Agriculture in the Region, establish the Essequibo

Technical Institute (ETI) as well as provide a place for Amerindians, whenever they visit the Essequibo Coast.

Baksh also served as an executive member of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) as well as a Member of Parliament and a Junior Minister under the former administration.

Baksh had said, in repeated interviews, that one of his greatest achievements was to see young agriculturists being trained within Region Two. He had always advocated for changes and his favourite quote was, "You only live once and only once you are given the same feature and outlook, as such you should use same to do good for others."

Other relatives who spoke with this newspaper said that Baksh always had the country’s welfare at heart and would stay updated with current events.

They noted that he was a true believer in Islam and as such, used the teach-

ings to serve others.

His brother-in-law, Shankar Persaud, described Baksh as a very understanding and courageous individual. Several PPP supporters from different districts along the Essequibo Coast also extended condolences to relatives. Many of them still remember some of his teachings and said memories of him will forever live on.

Meanwhile, reflecting on Baksh’s life achievements, former President Donald Ramotar, under whose administration the stalwart served as Minister, told Guyana Times that he was saddened by the death of not only a colleague but a comrade and a very dear, personal friend.

“Alli’s whole adult life was dedicated to fighting for the downtrodden people of our country.

From a very young age, he caught the vision of Cheddi Jagan and has fought to end colonial-

ism in the latter stage. He was also a staunch fighter for the return of democracy to our society and rose through the ranks of the party to serve in top leadership positions,” Ramotar recalled fondly.

He noted that during Baksh’s 20-year tenure as Regional Chairman, he managed to distinguish himself as not only an able political leader but as a good administrator, adding that during his leadership, Essequibo was transformed from being ‘Cinderella in rags’ to ‘Cinderella: the princess’.

The former President also highlighted that as Junior Agriculture

Minister, Baksh focused a lot of energy on developing the farming industry in Guyana. “His work stood out wherever he was assigned and today, they remain a monument of his life achievements.

Alli Baksh will always be remembered as a determined political fighter who dedicated his energies towards uplifting the lives of the poor and oppressed,” Ramotar stated.

Baksh, who was also a Justice of Peace and counsellor, is survived by his wife, four children, grandchildren and other relatives and friends. His funeral has been set for Saturday.

Car owner wanted in teacher killing probe to be questioned

A

s investigations into the killing of Kescia Branche continue, Acting Crime Chief Paul Williams has stated that the owner of the car that is allegedly linked to her death will be questioned by the police.

According to reports, Matthew Munroe who was reportedly in the United States has returned home.

Munroe had reportedly left the country the day Branche’s body was found.

“We are pursuing all leads and evidence that we have, and also to the effect that the person for the car has returned. It is someone who will have to be interviewed, because the investigation is still open,” Williams stated.

The Crime Chief has said the matter needs to be handled carefully because of the sensitive nature of the case. He also recommitted to having the matter resolved, but said it may take some time.

“I made a promise that we are going to solve that matter, and that would just be a matter of time. I am confident that it will be solved, and I’m appealing to the public (not to be) misled by the information that (they) are receiving (from) social media and some media houses,” he stated.

Williams expressed unease by the countless discussions that continue to take place in the public domain. He has said that persons need to “wait for the final nail or hammer,” and until someone is criminally charged and appears before the court, people should refrain from casting judgment.

He also said that persons should continue to trust in, and support, the Guyana Police Force, something he claimed that is always needed. “Don’t be misled by social media, be-

Dead: Kescia Branche

cause there are more wicked people out there than supportive ones,” the acting Crime Chief added.

Branche, a mother of one and a teacher at the Richard Ishmael Secondary School, was on November 5 found next to a coconut tree along Cemetery Road from Louisa Row, Georgetown, obliquely opposite the cemetery office. Two days after, she succumbed to her injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The 22-year-old woman had sustained head injuries and a broken foot. It has also been reported that relatives of the deceased woman were told by doctors that the head injuries appeared to be consistent with blows to the head. A post-mortem examination later confirmed that.

Three suspects who were being questioned regarding the death of Branche were released.

The father of Branche’s son was released on station bail along with the two police constables. The two policemen were placed under open arrest, and will be working out of the Tactical Services Unit (TSU).

Investigators are of the opinion that the driver may have been the last person to see the teacher alive.

News

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friDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

FCPF engages North Pakaraimas communities in REDD+ talks

T

he Project Execution Unit (PEU) of the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) Project is engaging more indigenous and forest-dependent communities in the dialogue on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+).

The PEU ended a fourday outreach in the North Pakaraimas District on Wednesday, November 22, 2017, at Kato Village, Region Eight. It involved Toshaos and councillors of 19 villages of the North Pakaraimas District Council (NPDC) and regional officials.

Discussions were translated into the native Patamona language to build understanding and knowledge, in order to ensure active audience participation in the discussions.

The PEU team, which included members of the FCPF Project Steering Committee (PSC), explained that REDD+ aims to conserve forest carbon stock, support the sustain-

Indigenous and forest-dependent communities were engaged in the dialogue on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+)

able management of tropical forests, enhance forest carbon stocks, and build communities’ resilience to climate change. Gender issues were discussed to promote women’s participation in REDD+.

Toshaos asked about indigenous peoples’ role in REDD+ and benefits for

their communities. The PEU emphasised the involvement of indigenous peoples in crafting REDD+ implementation strategy, policy and activities. They were assured that REDD+ consultations will capture the indigenous peoples’ views and recommendations. The materials and

information will be disseminated in the native languages.

The first consultancies expected to start under the FCPF project are for consultations and stakeholders’ engagement on REDD+ and development of a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).

Others target the development of a REDD+ Strategy and Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) and a national survey on the perception of REDD+. There is also a specific consultancy for institutional strengthening and capacity building of the National Toshaos

Council (NTC) and indigenous and forest-dependent communities’ non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Similar FCPF engagements were previously held with communities in the North Rupununi District and the Kanuku Mountains of Region Nine.

16 news

friDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

23 head of stolen cattle found on Corentyne ranch …ranch owner flees from Police

A

cattle farmer who owns a ranch in the backlands of Bloomfield Village, Corentyne, Region 6 fled with his employees on

Sunday last (November 19) upon seeing a party of Police approaching; but one of his workers, a 27-year-old labourer of Tain Settlement, Corentyne, has been appre-

hended by the Police and is currently in custody assisting with investigations.

The police say they had gone to the Bloomfield ranch after cattle farm-

er Nandkishore Tagram of Number 62 Village, Corentyne, Berbice had gone to the Number 62 Police Outpost on Friday last (November 17) and lodged a report that forty (40) head of his cattle,

including calves branded with his registered brand -- DON14 – had gone missing after they were left to graze outside of his ranch at Number 62 Village Backlands.

Acting on information received, Police then proceeded to the Bloomfield ranch in the company of Tagram, but the ranch’s owner prevented the police party from gaining entry to the ranch to check if the animals were there.

As such, on the following day, a larger party of police ranks returned

to the Bloomfield ranch, owned by a resident of the neighbouring village of Letter Kenny, Corentyne; and on seeing the officers, the owner and some workers fled.

According to the police in a statement, “twenty-three (23) of the missing cows, including three (3) calves, eighteen (18) of which bore the victim’s brand number, were recovered at the ranch.”

The owner of the Bloomfield ranch is currently being sought by the police.

2 Policemen charged for... from page 9

The indictable charge against Eastman and Williams was laid mere days after the former turned himself in to Police authorities at the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) Headquarters at Eve Leary, Georgetown after contacting the media and proclaiming his innocence.

However, acting Crime Chief Paul Williams had seemed oblivious of the development as he cautioned members of the public to be aware of information being spread about the murder of “Saga” while Police seek information to nail the now deceased man’s killer, mere hours prior to the men’s arraignment before the courts.

Williams was speaking against the backdrop of reports that four Police Constables were allegedly linked to the murder of Scipio, who was gunned down in front of a city’s hotel on the night of October 12. The acting Crime Chief believes that the release of premature information led to the current rumours.

“I’m telling you while it is being prematurely released, they are being insensitive also and this could compromise the investigation and that in itself is going to put us in an uncompromising position,” Williams told the media on Thursday when asked to comment on the investigations.

He was also quick to point out that under his watch, “there is no way any type of investigation or any type of evidence will be fabricated to support or satisfy what is being released in the public domain. I haven’t released them and whoever did, sorry, but I’m not going to make that happen.”

However, he told members of the media that if after checking on these matters and in the end there was no evidence to substantiate any criminal charge, but it became a departmental matter, then this would bring embarrassment to the

Police Force and as a result, if anyone is found guilty ‘departmentally’, persons would be dismissed.

“We are investigating the matter, but we need the public to understand that there is a man who has made a confession when this crime was perpetrated. In his confession, there is no way he implicated any policeman or even to the effect that any person whether a member of the security or the Joint Services would have been involved. Then a few months after, there is a revelation that yes, these are the persons who plotted with him to commit the crime. We cannot just take that statement for what it is and just run with that.

We will have to look for corroborative evidence to the effect that there would have been a time, a place of meeting, a place of discussion and everything else and so forth. And whatever is the corroborative evidence that can support that meeting, we will have to check it out.

If there is any communication via telephone, we will have to check those records.

Now we have to understand very seriously that these are Policemen out there fighting crimes. There are a lot of persons they would have put behind bars and if we hastily charge these Policemen and put them behind bars and their lives are jeopardised, that is a grave mistake on our part,” he said.

Moreover, the acting Crime Chief deemed recent media reports about the possibility of Scipio’s murder being linked to the recapture of prison escapee Royden “Smallie” Williams as “totally wicked and misinformed information fed to the public”.

According to him, Williams’ recapture came from intelligence-led “posture” between both the Police and the Joint Services, and Scipio had at no time provided any information.

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News

friDAY, november 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

$150M spent annually to feed prisoners – Ramjattan …says prisoners on remand costing the nation a fortune

P

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has said that reducing the amount of detainees among the general inmate population requires effective functioning of the criminal justice system.

The Minister was speaking against the backdrop of a study on alternatives to incarceration of pretrail detainees, conducted through the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme.

The study was commissioned by the Public Security Ministry, and looked at recommendations for this issue, among other things.

The draft final report was discussed at a workshop on Thursday.

Ramjattan has said that while the study has stressed the alternative to pre-trial, methods must be utilised to resolve this problem. He said the local law provides for this, but the laws are not being used. He also pointed to another issue highlighted in the report, which is the

Pending Constitutional Court ... from page 8

After this disclosure was made, Justice Reynolds, in acknowledging receipt of the prosecution’s response to Hughes’ submissions, further noted that his court “ought to await the pronouncement by the constitutional court”. As such, the Judge deferred the matter to be heard in another session of the Demerara Assizes. Amid heavy security, the duo was led off and escorted to prison where they will remain until the matter is called up in court again.

However, “Smallie” will still remain incarcerated whether or not he is absolved of the killing of “Mango Man”, since he was sentenced to death by hanging in February 2017 for his involvement in the 2008 Bartica Massacre whereby 12 persons, including three Policemen, were slaughtered.

Williams’ brushes with the law did not end with his death sentence as he escaped prison in July 2017.

During his escape, prison officer Odinga Wickham was killed, and the Camp Street Prison was reduced to ashes.

Williams was recaptured on October 9, 2017 on his way to Suriname. He was a passenger in a minibus, which was intercepted at Weldaad, West Coast Berbice.

The “Mango Man” murder case came up for High Court trial in June 2014 before another Judge, but was prevented from continuing owing to an objection by one of the accused. On August 30, 2007, four gunmen stormed Singh’s home where he was shot dead. In July 2008, the two suspects were initially charged for the capital offence.

granting of bail in deserving cases.

The Minister, an attorney by profession, pointed to his experience in private practice, saying he is aware of situations where prosecutors, for sometimes no good reason, do not want to recommend bail.

Speaking about the slow pace of the criminal justice system, Ramjattan said this often results in the incarceration of persons awaiting trial for long periods.

Another issue is insufficient community-based sanctions, and the need for criminal law reform.

“We’re somewhat hesitant in doing major criminal law reform, although I must say that we have started the process by having a number of pieces of legislation brought by the Ministry of Legal Affairs and Attorney General and myself (Juvenile Justice Bill) being one that will soon be debated,” he stated.

Further, the Minister spoke about the heavy price that Government has to pay to support those on pre-trail detention. He noted that it is costing Government way too much even just to feed them.

“The current remand population of our prison facilities accounts for 35 percent of all inmates, and the cost of providing meals alone for the remand population is estimated at $150 million annually.”

The Minister has said that given this high percentage of remand prisoners, members of the judiciary should be more encouraged and willing to capitalise on the opportunities to utilise alternatives to pre-trial detention.

“The current high ratio of remand-to-prison population makes a strong case for stakeholders along the criminal justice chain to seek ways to eliminate inappropriate use of pretrial deten-

tion,” he asserted.

Addressing prison officials also was consultant for the programme, Peter Pursglove, who noted that one of the major issues found during his assessment of the system is unreliable information.

He said that with the lack of reliable information, it will be difficult to reliably develop alternative systems.

“We found that we had prisoners with different names but the same facts; different dates of births from the judiciary and the Prison Service; different sentences, and different

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

times that they were committed. Overall. We found that their statistics could not be accurately used because they were unreliable,”

Pursglove said. The consultant therefore recommended the establishment of a modern data collection system.

“There has to be a proper prisoner database if there is going to be any development of sentencing reforms. You have got to know who is in your prison and why he’s is there,” he added.

According to Pursglove, this information is important so as to allow Prison officials to constantly monitor those in the system to make sure they are going through their stages at the right time.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, november 24, 2017

ARCHIE

A business trip or meeting will be educational. Don’t (March 21reveal your initial feelings. If April 19) you take time to think matters through, you will discover a way to benefit from what’s being suggested.

ARIES

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Don’t let a problem within important relationships dictate how your day unfolds. Do your best to meet someone halfway to complete what needs to be accomplished.

Keep life simple, get reGEMINI (May 21- sponsibilities out of the way June 20) and have some fun with the people you enjoy being with most. An unexpected encounter will give you something to think about.

You’ll be tempted to take on too much or overspend on (June 21- something you don’t need.

July 22) Stretch your dollars and pursue realistic changes.

Romance is highlighted.

CANCER

Peanuts

A change will do you good.

LEO Taking a short trip, visiting a (July 23- place you haven’t been for a Aug. 22) long time or just hanging out with someone new will lead to interesting conversations and encounters.

Stay calm, no matter VIRGO how demanding someone be(Aug. 23comes. You’ll stand a better Sept. 22) chance of getting your way if you use persuasive charm to turn the tables.

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t spend what you don’t have or try to impress someone with exaggerated stories. Stick to the truth and be who you are; you’ll be appreciated for your honesty.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

A sensitive issue involving a friend or relative is best handled quietly. If you are too aggressive or telling in the way you air your concerns, the outcome will not favour you.

Clear up unfinished busiSAGITTARIUS ness so that you can enjoy (Nov. 23- downtime with family and Dec. 21) friends. A change you want to make at home will require your undivided attention and plenty of energy.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

Consider the consequences before you let your emotions take the reins. It’s best to ease into any situation that could influence your position or reputation.

Romance is encouraged.

You’ll tend to overreact AQUARIUS if you get into conversations (Jan. 20- with people who don’t share Feb. 19) your opinions. Walk away from anyone who is a poor influence or who indulges in bad habits.

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Don’t share your financial PISCES (Feb. 20- information or anything inMarch 20) volving your health, a legal settlement or contract. An unusual opportunity will be worth a second look.

friDAY, november 24, 2017

19

Jaguars 50-over league

T

he Jaguars Franchise League 50 over tournament continued its second round on Thursday with two washed out games along with a couple of wins.

Over at the Enterprise Ground, East Coast was beaten by six runs at the hands of West Berbice in a low-scoring encounter.

Batting first, the Berbice franchise were bowled out for 145 in 37.2 overs with Raffel Estrado top-scoring with 32.

The damage for East Coast was done by spinner Amir Khan who grabbed 4-33 while the Yadram brothers Bhaskar and Kamesh ended

West Berbice, Lower Corentyne in winners’ row

Veerasammy Permaul

with two wickets apiece.

In reply, East Coast were rattled for 140 in 45.1 overs despite knocks from; Chandrapaul Hemraj 35, Kamesh Yadram 29 and Khan 30 as national pacer Keon Joseph bagged 3-17 but it was Stephen Harris with 4-15 who was the real star for West Berbice.

Over at Albion, East Bank set out to bat and crumbled at 99 in 31.1 overs with Sherfane Rutherford top scoring with 22;Steven Jacobs, Sachin Singh as well as Sagar Hathiranmi were out cheaply for 20,17 and 16 runs, in that or-

Chandrapaul Hemraj

“I'd knock Wilder out with one punch” – Joshua

T

yson Fury would be a "real breakdown job" for Anthony Joshua, who believes he could knock Deontay Wilder out with one punch.

A n t h o n y Joshua believes Tyson Fury is the opponent who could cause him the most problems and has claimed he could knock

Deontay Wilder out with one shot.

With WBC heavyweight champion Wilder, WBO belt holder Joseph Parker and former champion Fury all keen to fight him, the stage is set for a blockbuster 2018 for WBA and IBF king Joshua.

All four men are undefeated but, while bouts with Wilder and Parker may soon be in the offing, the path to a fight with Fury is more difficult.

Fury has not fought since dethroning Wladimir Klitschko for the WBA, IBF and WBO belts back in November 2015. He does not have a boxing licence and is still awaiting the resumption of a UK AntiDoping hearing after allegations were made against him.

Joshua's fellow Briton has also struggled to stay in shape in his absence, but the 28-yearold still feels Fury has the skillset and the mindset to trouble him more than Wilder and Parker.

Asked who would be the most difficult opponent of the three, Joshua, speaking courtesy of Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts/Sports Tonight, said: "Fury. He’s just awkward, tall and I think he's a bit of a nutjob to be honest with you.

I think he's just got a bit of a screw loose. Any man with a screw loose... they just have a little something that you can't put your finger on.

So with Fury it would be tricky to figure him out.

"I think I know what I have to do with Wilder. Parker, I don't disregard him but... I'd smack Parker around the ring, no problem.

"Wilder, I'd knock Wilder out. It would take a bit of time but I'd definitely knock him out. Parker would take a bit more of a pasting but I'd get to him. Wilder, I'd knock him out with one shot. Not like I'd go in there and bang but when I catch Wilder, I'd definitely knock him out.

"And Fury would be a real breakdown job, a real gruesome type fight.

Kind of like that Klitschko fight – I'll go to hellfire and back to get the win."

Joshua was knocked down in his 11th-round win over Klitschko back in April, while Fury emerged relatively unscathed from his unanimous decision triumph against the now-retired Ukrainian.

However, Joshua said of Fury's performance: "Boxed 12 rounds and ran. I don't respect that.

"If I'm the King of Dubai in the olden days and a different empire comes to take my territory, you don't come and steal my treasure – that's what Fury done I think. He stole the boxing from Klitschko in the sense that he just boxed and moved - I know it's the art of boxing, but...

"I always said that you come to slay the King. You look him in his face and you take what's his. And that's what I think me and Klitschko done. We came together man to man and just went to war. And I think that's relit the division as well”.

(Sportsmax)

der. Lower Corentyne’s duo Sharaz Ramcharran and Veerasammy Permaul were the highlights of the day sweeping up the East Bank batting line up with Ramcharran collecting 4 wickets for 20 runs while Permaul chipped in with 3 wickets for 17 runs.

Lower Corentyne was undeniably in charge at this point as they went in to defend their performance and whipped up an unbeaten 102 for 2 in just 22.4 overs comfortably crushing East Bank by 8 wickets. The Star boys for the day were Kevlon Anderson who top

scored with 40 runs while Gajanand Singh helped with 37.

Meanwhile, the games at Everest and Tuschen were abandoned without a ball being bowled due to unfavourable weather conditions which left the outfield in a state not suitable for play.

Round 3 will take place on Saturday from 09:00 hours with East Coast doing battle with Georgetown at Enterprise, Essequibo taking on East Bank at Imam Bacchus;Lower Corentyne versus Upper Corentyne while West Berbice faces West Demerara at Bush Lot.

ICC Women T20 World Cup to advance Windies cricket landscape – Nero

W

ith less than a year to go before the 2018 ICC Women’s World T20 Championship, Cricket West Indies (CWI) hosted a venue summit with the territorial boards who have indicated interest in hosting matches.

Tournament Director, Jennifer Nero along with the team from CWI used the opportunity to brief the participants from all six regions, on the expectations for the event.

Nero explained that “the hosting of this event, comes at an important time in the socio-economic development of the region. Therefore, it is CWI’s vision to bring the unique Caribbean flamboyance by successfully hosting the first ever stand-alone Women’s World T20 championship.”

The Tournament Director also noted, that “as defending World T20 Champions, CWI aims to use this Championship for the advancement of our cricketing landscape, the advancement of women in sport, attract business and other partners, while maintaining the positive global momentum around women’s cricket.”

Additionally, Nero emphasized the role CWI will play as they use this event to achieve objectives articulated in its strategic plans, initially, over the next five years. Those plans include

Jennifer Nero

promoting gender equality in the region through cricket, growing participation in women’s and girls’ cricket in the West Indies, and unearthing future players for the Windies Women.

CWI also wants to establish cricket as a genuine career option for young women, provide a legacy for women and girls’ cricket throughout the region and perhaps most importantly, re-engage with WINDIES fans.

This stand-alone ICC Women’s World T20 will be managed by a Project Team from CWI, as well as a Regional Committee and the various Local Organizing Committees (LOCs) of the venues chosen.

The two-day summit was held November 21 and 22 in Antigua at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. (Sportsmax)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, november 24, 2017

Australia rally to restrict England in Ashes opener A

ustralia fought back with two late wickets to restrict England to 196 for four and leave the Ashes series-opener delicately poised on Thursday after the tourists’ unheralded batsmen threatened to dominate an intriguing first day. Ashes debutantes Mark Stoneman and James Vince had frustrated Australia’s vaunted pace attack with a 125-run partnership on a surprisingly slow Gabba wicket but seamer Pat Cummins hauled the home side back into the game.

The young paceman broke the stand by bowling Stoneman for 53 in the last over before tea, then returned to capture England captain Joe Root lbw for 15 in the final session.

In between, off-spinner Nathan Lyon denied Vince a potentially career-defining century with a brilliant piece of fielding, running him out for 83 after the batsman had put in nearly

four hours of pain-staking graft.

Rookie batsman Dawid Malan did well to negotiate a nervy finish and was 28 not out at stumps, with all-rounder Moeen Ali unbeaten on 13 at the other end.

“I think it’s pretty evenly poised,” Cummins, who took 2-59 on his first day of test cricket on home soil, told reporters.

“Obviously they batted the whole day but didn’t really get away from us.”

Having won the toss, England would have been buoyed by the performance of rookies Vince and Stoneman but tempered by the disappointment that neither could go on to post bigger scores.

Stoneman was bowled four balls short of the relief of tea, while Vince was out making a needless dash for a single.

Vince’s wicket seemed like a turning point and though Root dug in for 50 balls, he was out lbw by a scorching delivery from Cummins, the wicket awarded after home captain Steve Smith demanded a review of Marais Erasmus’s not out decision.

Australia lost a review

said he, too, would have batted first as his fast men laboured to extract pace and movement for much of the day.

The exception was a peach of a delivery from Starc in the morning which removed Alastair Cook for two, kissing the outside edge on the way to Handscomb in the slips.Smith earlier confirmed opener David Warner and Shaun Marsh would play after they suffered neck and back strains in recent days. (Reuters)

SCOREBOARD Tim Paine put down a chance off Nathan Lyon as James Vince got a reprieve on 68

in the final over trying to remove Malan lbw off paceman Mitchell Starc before play was halted due to poor light.

Dropped catch

Vince, England’s surprise selection at number three, brought up his maiden 50 in his eighth test, having never before surpassed 42 in his previous seven matches.

“The first hour tomorrow will dictate how the rest of the day goes and if we can get through that without

too much damage and Mo (Moeen) can score quickly, Jonny (Bairstow) has to come in,” Vince told reporters.

“The more overs their bowlers bowl then the easier the scoring will become.”

Stoneman raised his half-century with a streaky edge off Cummins, the ball falling short of second slip before racing off for two, leaving fielder Peter Handscomb pounding the turf in frustration.

Worse was to come for

the hosts in the following over as recalled wicketkeeper Tim Paine, in his first test for seven years, dropped Vince when he nicked Lyon behind on 68.

Not even the first-choice keeper for his home state Tasmania, Paine had taken state team mate Matthew Wade’s place in the test squad in a controversial selection, and the miss saw his captain fling his head back in exasperation.

While the pitch started with a green tinge, Smith

England 1st innings A. Cook c Handscomb b Starc 2 M. Stoneman b Cummins 53 J. Vince run out (, Lyon) 83 J. Root lbw b Cummins 15 D. Malan not out 28 M. Ali not out 13 Extras (b-1 nb-1)2 Total (for 4 wickets, 80.3 overs) 196 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-127, 3-145,4-163 To bat: J. Bairstow, C. Woakes, S. Broad, J. Ball, J. Anderson Bowling: Starc 19.3 - 4 45 – 1, Hazlewood 18 - 4 51 – 0, Cummins19 - 6 - 59 – 2, Lyon 24 - 9 - 40 - 0

Robinho given 9-year sentence for rape in Italy

A

n Italian court sentenced former AC Milan and Brazil forward Robinho in absentia to nine years in prison on Thursday after convicting him of taking part in a

gang rape of an Albanian woman in 2013.

A Milan court ruled that Robinho and five other Brazilians assaulted the woman, who was 22 at the time, after plying

her with alcohol in a discotheque. The whereabouts of Robinho’s five companions is not known, so their trial has been put on hold.

Robinho, 33, who currently plays with Atletico

Mineiro in Brazil, pleaded not guilty via his lawyer and never appeared at any of the court hearings in northern Italy.

“We would like to clarify that he has already de-

Bolt impresses in Porsche Carrera Cup test run

I

t would appear world’s fastest man Usain Bolt has gotten over a terrifying ride with Formula 1 king Lewis Hamilton after performing well in a test run with a Porsche primed for next season’s Carrera Cup in Australia.

According to reports, the eight-time Olympic gold medalist completed several laps at the Winton Motor Raceway in Victoria, Australia, recently, where he joined up with 23Red Racing.

The newly-formed team is expected to make its debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup, next season, with a car that will be driven by former Australian Olympic athlete John Steffensen who is a friend of Bolt.

Usain Bolt about to go on the test drive

The 31-year-old Bolt, who retired from the sport of athletics in August, took the opportunity to take a spin around the track in a car raced by new 23Red Racing boss Cameron McConville.

Steffensen, was left impressed by the sprinter’s aptitude behind the wheel.

“He did good I think everybody was impressed. It was meant to be a secret but as you know it is hard to keep a secret,” Steffensen told Speedcafe.com.

“He (Usain) did really well in the Carrera Cup car and he had fun out there. It is cool when you are a retired

athlete and you find another love and passion.

“Usain loves motorsport and cars and we recently saw him at the Formula 1 race in Austin.

“I think it is running through his veins and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him next year in a Cup car in Australia.

“To learn a slick tyre, different tyre, braking and driving the track it is not easy and he did really well.

I didn’t expect anything less from him to be honest.”

Last month Bolt joined newly crown F1 champion Hamilton for a speedy lap around the track in a Mercedes at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. (Sportsmax)

fended himself against the accusations, affirming that he did not participate in the episode,” said a statement posted on Robinho’s Instagram feed. “All legal measures are being taken.”

Robinho has a right to two appeals and Italy would only seek extradition once this legal process is exhausted, a legal source said. However, Brazil does not allow for the extradition of its own citizens, meaning he would only risk arrest and deportation if he was stopped in a third country.

The Milan court ordered the victim receive 60,000 euros (£53,431.02) as compensation for her suffering.

Robinho has won 100 caps for Brazil, scoring 28 goals.

He began his career at Santos, where he starred in a side that won the league in 2002

and 2004. His dazzling performances won him a move to Real Madrid in 2005 but he stayed only three years at the Spanish giants before spending almost a decade bouncing between clubs in England, Italy, China and Brazil. (Reuters)

Robinho

sports

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21

BCB 2nd Division tournament

Rose Hall Tigers hammer RHTY&SC

R

ose Hall Tiger, Tain Block 4 and Skeldon Titans recorded wins this past weekend as the ongoing Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Second Division 40 Overs tourney continued across venues in the Ancient County.

At the Port Mourant Community Center, the newly formed Rose Hall Tigers destroyed their rival Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club by 7 wickets. Electing to bat first, the latter managed 162 with Junior Sinclair top scoring 41 while national youth player Kevlon Anderson made 21 and Keith Simpson 19. Bowling for Rose Hall Tigers was led by Lloydel

lewis who grabbed 3-18 as T. Jagdeo, and Steven Latcha claimed a wicket each. In reply, the Rose Hall Tigers reached their target in 34 overs with 7 wickets in hand compliments of Lewis who followed up his 3-fer with 44, supporting top-scorer Brentnol Woolford who made 53.

Over at the Vikings Ground on the Corentyne Coast, hosts # 77 were defeated by the Skeldon Titans in their match which was reduced to 35 overs. Batting first, Skeldon Titans were kept to 154 all out in 33 overs with Errol Byas ending on 47 not out and Christopher Jaundoo 24.

Bowling for # 77, A. Singh

GT Beer Berbice football

Orealla A hoping for

Kevlon Anderson

took 2-21, V. Narine 2-25, G. Ramnarine 2-23 and T. Ramdass 2-32 bowled well but their team was bowled sadly bowled out for 120 due to disciplined bowling from Jermaine Reid 3-33, Victor Pedro 2-28 and Byas 3-35 which handed their team a 34-run win.

Junior Sinclair

Lloydel Lewis

Playing at home, Tain Block 4 defeated Kildonan by whopping 215 runs. After they amassed 362 runs after Madan Kumar Boodram smashed 129 with support coming from Ian Nunes 41, Daniel Balkarran 32, Mahendra Mangal 22 and

Doodnauth Pataram 23.

Clifford McKenzie managed to bowl well amongst the carnage, claiming 4-51 for Kildonan who was shot out for 147; courtesy of Daniel Balkarran who starred with figures of 7-48 from 7 overs.

“Sons of Champions”

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Beacon strike men (L-R) Delon Cadogan, Christian Galloway, Kimba Braitwaite and Shevas Lyken

A

ction in the GT Beer/ Berbice Football Association competition continues this evening at the All Saints School Ground on Princess Elizabeth Road, New Amsterdam, with two matches.

Orealla 'A' will hope for a change in fortunes as they battle Mahaica Determinators FC. Mahaica will be making their first appearance in the tournament while Orealla will be looking to rebound from their 4- loss in the opening game of the tournament. The game is expected to be a high scoring encounter.

The final match will see Orealla 'B' (Siporuta) taking on Berbice Police. Orealla played to a draw in their lone game in the competition so far white Berbice Georgetown Police is leading the group after a win and a draw. A win for the law men will ensure them a place in the know out round.

Meanwhile, on Sunday

last Beacon FC disposed of Arsenal 4-1 with Delon Cadogan, Christian Galloway, Kimba Braitwaite and Shevas Lyken hitting the back of the net while Keen Williams netted the lone goal for Arsenal.

The night also saw Georgetown Police chalking up their second win as a Kester Douglas in the 45 minute was all that was needed to get pass Mahaicony FC 1-0.

Young Strikers of Manchester prevented Edinburgh Gunners from scoring and inflicted a 3-0 whipping them. The gunners had won their two previous games but had no answers Ester Collins who scored in the 15 minute, Marcello Reis 29 minute goal and Sherwin Nicholas who scored in the 45 minute. Young Strikers are on 3 points from two games. Action in the first match starts at 19:00h.

(Andrew Carmichael)

L-R: GBA President Steve Ninvalle, Bris Promotions’ Seon Bristol and Boxer Alex Murray

A

fter a decade, Guyanese will see the staging of a Boxing Day card courtesy of Bris Promotions in collaboration with the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA).

The “Sons of Champions” 10-fight card was announced on Thursday morning at a press conference hosted by GBA boss Steve Ninvalle and Bris Promotions’ Seon Bristol.

Speaking at the press conference, Ninvalle disclosed “It is a collaboration between Bris Promotions and the Guyana Boxing Association. It was traditional that on Boxing Day, it would have boxing cards held in Guyana but over the years we have seen that decrease. Mr (Seon) Bristol would have proposed last year to host a tournament but we had to shelve that idea due to the fact that the professional board had said they were holding a similar card on Boxing Day. That did not come through thus he has partnered with us again.”

The card was named as it is because many sons of former Guyanese boxers who were champions nationally and internationally will be competing.

Meanwhile, Bristol in his remarks pointed out that it has been many years since the last Boxing Day card was staged and not-

ed that he “is here” to follow through on his promise of bring back such a card.

The promoter also went down memory lane saying “in my younger days I used to look forward to Boxing Day cards thus I wanted to rejuvenate that tradition.”

Also present was Alex Murray, son of the late Andrew Murray who was a Guyanese professional welter/light middle/middleweight boxer of the 1990s and 2000s who won the World Boxing Council (WBC) FECARBOX welterweight title, World Boxing Association (WBA) Fedelatin welterweight title, Commonwealth welterweight title, and was a challenger for the World Boxing Association (WBA) World welterweight title against Ike Quartey.

Murray expressed gratitude to the GBA and Bris Promotions for affording him the chance to come out and compete after a six month hiatus.

On December 26, the 10-fight card will begin at 19:00h at the National Gymnasium with local boxers rearing to go. The GBA and Bris Promotions are in talks with boxers from St Lucia and Jamaica over the possibility of competing at the “Sons of Champions” card. (Michelangelo Jacobus)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friDAY, november 24, 2017

ANSA McAL, GDA

Synthetic Track ready for "Nationals" test – Williams

B

... footwear issue being addressed

partner for million-dollar Mackeson Domino tournament everage giants ANSA McAL through its Mackeson brand and the Guyana Domino Association (GDA), on Thursday launched their million dollar competition dubbed “Mackeson King of the Dominoes”, set to commence from November 25.

According to GDA President Faye Joseph and GDA Vice-President Rodwell Phillips, the nationwide event will played every weekend at venues across the country, starting in the Essequibo/ Bartica areas before coming to Georgetown.

Joseph during the press conference said she was excited about the upcoming event, which is set to host the best dominoes teams and players alike. She thanked the company for

From left: GDA Vice President Rodwell Phillips, GDA Secretary Barbra Marshall, Mackeson Brand Manager Sean Able and GDA President Faye Joseph

their support of the tournament which is expected to be the biggest of its kind, adding that she was grateful for the Mackeson brand signaling their intentions to support the event for the future.

Vice-President of the GDA Rodwell Phillips also backed the expectations of

his President, saying that he’s hopeful for a massive turnout from the local domino community who will be doing battle for the million dollar purse. Phillips further believed that a competition of such magnitude will help to shape the future landscape of the sport.

Meanwhile, ANSA

McAL Executive and Mackeson Brand Manager Sean Abel confirmed that the association can rely on their support for future events while adding that this current tournament is a great way for his company to show their interest by making it a special occasion.

Registration fee for the tournament is $10,000 per team with each team receiving a free case of Mackeson upon entering.

The competition will be played every weekend at designated areas and venues.

With the winning purse being listed at one-million dollars, second and third place will receive $250,000 and $100,000 respectfully.

By Michelangelo Jacobus

T

he 57th National Schools’ Cycling, Swimming and Track & Field Championships, commonly known as “Nationals” looms large as it is just a matter of 72 hours away from its historic move to the National Track and Field Facility (NTFF) at Leonora, West Coast Demerara.

Guyana Times Sport spoke with Operations Manager of the facility, Trevor Williams recently and discussed the readiness of the facility in hosting some 1500 student-athletes over the next week.

Turbo Energy Drink Football

Intense battle for final spots ensues tonight

Tried and tested

Williams pointed out that over the past year, the NTFF has played host to several international sport events, none more prestigious than the South American Junior Championships in May earlier this year. As such Williams posited; “We are ready; in terms of the level of activities on the (synthetic) track, we’ve had three international meets as well as heavy local competitions which demonstrate that the facility is on par with what is required for an event of such magnitude.”

He further pointed out that the only foreseeable problem would be the ability of the officials at “Nationals” to successfully marshal the events in a timely manner, however, he revealed that in the buildup to next week’s event, the organisers “seem to have everything under control”.

Nevertheless, Williams and his team at Leonora will be on the lookout for any mishap as they seek to ensure that the “Nationals” are a resounding success.

Footgear

Police will now face their sternest test, the question is can they overcome it?

F

our teams remain and they will be locked in an intense battle for a place in the final of the inaugural Turbo Energy Drink Football Tournament when the semi-finals are played this evening at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.

The city side of Camptown will meet West Demerara’s Pouderoyen after which the colossal clash of Police and Grove Hi Tech will take the field.

Camptown’s passage to this stage would have come after sneaking what seemed to be an unlikely victory against Linden’s Silver Shattas, winning 7-6 on sudden death penalty kicks after Wayne Sharpells found the equaliser.

For Pourderyon, they are likely to start as favourites, given their experience and towering defenders.

Once again Neil Lynton is most likely the man to lead to the offensive plots.

For the next match, it would seem it is too close to call given that both sides would have played the tournament’s best football to date.

With the likes of star

striker Domini Garnett, Grove has pressed ahead with a decent attacking flair given the support of Joel Dick and Lloyd Mathews would offer. However, the East Bank unit has shown some signs of weakness at the back but their power in front keeps them ahead of the score line.

Police on the other hand are undoubtedly the power houses with a group of seasoned campaigners which has brought them immense success in the city.

Though without the services of regular captain Dwain Jacobs, who is on national duty in Indonesia, the lawmen still have a powerful firing squad with likes of Quincy Holder, Rawl Haynes, Junior Gordon and Kester Dundas.

The first semi-final is expected to kick-off at 18:30 hrs with the second commencing at 21:00 hrs..

The winning purse of the December 3 final is listed as $500,000. The runners-up will receive $250,000. The third place team will receive $125,000 and fourth place finisher will have to settle for $75,000.

It has been a niggling issue to some while others view it with mixed thoughts and feelings; that issue is whether or not the athletes who will not have the necessary foot gear needed for the synthetic track will be at a disadvantage.

Williams put paid to this as he noted that it was something that was discussed for years prior to the “Nationals” move to Leonora; this he noted would not be a disadvantage as in the years gone by schools in the area have continually used the synthetic track to run off Inter-house and Inter-school meets without any injury or issue where footwear is concerned.

While some regions have bought footwear for their athletes, not all of them will be equipped and Williams pointed out that some of the athletes are more comfortable running without footwear even if they are provided for.

Business end

The Championships commence with an opening ceremony on Sunday at the NTFF. The following day the cycling championships will be held at the National Park in Georgetown followed and the Swimming leg of the event on the same day at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal. The highlight of the premier Schools’ Sports Event, the Track and Field, will be held at the NTFF from November 28 to December 1. The defending Champions of the “Nationals” is the Upper Demerara/Kwakwani District.

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, november 24, 2017

23

13th Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival

GCC clubs off to flying start on opening day

T

he 13th edition of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival got off to a flyer at Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Wednesday evening with five local matchups.

The ladies division had an exciting start with the defending silver medalists, the Woodpecker Hikers taking on the Old Fort Shooting Stars. The game was a one-sided affair as the Hikers striker Kenisha Wills slammed home two field goals in the first eight minutes of play. There was no reply from the Shooting Stars and the game subsequently ended at 2-0.

The other ladies matchup of the evening saw six-time Festival champions, the Pizza Hut GCC pulverize their junior rivals the Bingo Spartans by 10 goals to one.

The Pizza Hut ladies got proceedings underway just two minutes into play through national striker Kerensa Fernandes.

Fernandes would score thrice more while Trisha Woodroffe scored three with Talia Fiedtkou and Sandy Roopnarine adding

Striker Gabriella Xavier of Pizza Hut GCC

one apiece for GCC. Sarah Klautky managed a consolation goal for the Spartans off of a penalty corner just before halftime.

The men’s competition saw Bounty GCC predictably get the better of Saints as they racked

up eight goals to Saints’ one.

Eric Hing and Mark Sargeant netted respective braces of the match while Kareem McKenzie, Peter DeGroot, Dwayne Scott and Meshach Sargeant each scored one goal each for GCC. Shakeem Fausette managed Saints only

goal in the final moments of the game.

The PEPSI Hikers and Old Fort produced the most exciting match of the evening as Old Fort seemed the more threatening of the two sides in the opening minutes. The Hikers soon found

their rhythm however and 2016 MVP Aroydy Branford produced a few moments of brilliance in the 7th and 16th minute to push Hikers ahead by 2-0. The second half saw national midfielder Jael Gaskin producing several skilful runs through the middle of the Hikers defence including one such move where he evaded three defenders before sliding his shot past goalkeeper Jason Hoyte. As Gaskin and the Old Fort side pressed for the equalizer in the dying minutes, the Hikers would seal the win over their opposition with a counterattacking finish from Branford to Devin Munroe.

The lone Carib veterans division clash of the evening saw GCC Vintage outwit Old Old Fort by 3-1 with the GCC goals being scored by Alan Fernandes with two and Patrick Edghill a single. Dwight Sullivan scored the lone goal for Old Old Fort.

Matches will continue throughout the week and weekend with the finals being played from 17:00 hrs on Sunday.

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

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

13th Diamond Mineral Water Hockey Festival

GCC clubs off to flying start on opening day Pg 23

Bounty GCC’s Eric Hing in control against Saints

Synthetic Track ready for "Nationals" test – Williams Pg 22

Some student-athletes during a recent training session at the National Track and Field Facility

...footwear issue being addressed

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