Guyana times november 4 ,2017

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Private Sector signs MoU with India, Cuba Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 3382

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, November 4, 2017

PRICE

AG report finds

Consolidated Fund in a state of heavy overdraft

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

P2 GNBA reissues radio licences to compliant broadcasters

…but Finance Ministry Page 3 GECOM saga maintains it broke no law Govt

Govt racks up $175M in expenses on CoIs

Page 7

Protest in Parliament

PM under fire for dubbing Opposition’s protest as “domestic terrorism”

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defends Patterson’s CV inflation

Page 9

Aurora Secondary School teachers, students in unhygienic environment Page 2 Teachers and students are forced to dwell in unhygienic conditions at the Aurora Secondary School in Region Two. In photo, sewage can be seen in the drain in the school's compound

911 emergency system commissioned Page 8

…operators urged to execute duties diligently

$632M "emergency" drugs scandal

GPHC found in breach of Procurement Act Page 9

UG seeking to establish food and nutrition institute P16

Govt steps in to settle debt with garbage P12 collectors NA Town Council P12 handcuff, chains church door

2 news

saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GNBA reissues radio licences to compliant broadcasters

T

he Guyana National Broadcasting Authority (GNBA) on Friday distributed licences to radio broadcasters who are in full compliance as of December 31, 2016. Operators had to undergo a re-evaluation process as part of efforts by the Authority to reorganise the local broadcasting landscape.

Among those entities present to uplift their licences for the period 2014 to 2016 were Radio Guyana Inc (RGI); National Television Network (NTN) Radio Inc; iRadio Inc (renamed Mix FM); Wireless Connections; and National Communications Network (NCN).

Speaking at the simple ceremony, Chairman of GNBA Board of Directors, Leslie Sobers, explained that licences for 2017 are yet to be issued and the Authority is approaching this with a “little care”.

This is so, he noted, because the amendments to the Broadcasting Act were assented to and became law only in September and contains new provisions including the reconstruction of broadcasting fees.

“We are doing up to 2016 because (the new amend-

GNBA Chairman Leslie Sobers with representatives from the five broadcasting agencies that received radio licences on Friday (DPI photo)

ments) would determine also, how we do the licencing for 2017 with the Act having coming into force in September. So, are we going to prorate from January to September under the (2011) Act, and then from September under the new Act; or we just used one fee for 2017 and we start fresh from 2018. Those are the two considerations before the Board, which we will decide upon at our next Board meeting. We have been discussing it, we will continue to discuss it and come to a final position and then move towards licencing for 2017, once we’ve agreed on that,” the Chairman said on Friday.

The 2017 licences will

be in accordance with the amended Broadcasting Act, which was done earlier this year.

Last year, the GNBA announced plans of a new commercial zoning system, which attracts separate fees based on the zones for both television and radio broadcasting.

This new system was provided for in the amendments to the Act. The primary zone includes Georgetown, and the areas encompassed in 30 miles of such, at a fee of 2.5 million per annum for radio.

The secondary zone inclusive of Berbice, Bartica and Essequibo, will seek to incorporate a fee of $1.25 million per annum for radio licences.

Meanwhile, the ter-

tiary zoning licence inclusive of Linden, Lethem and Mabaruma will go at a fee of $625,000 for radio licences per annum.

According to Sobers, this change was necessary since there were unfair and unreasonable treatment of small and large broadcasters who had to pay the same fees despite operating in different zones.

He noted for example, those broadcasters in Georgetown, who could have transmitted all the way in Berbice and the Essequibo Coast while the small operators in Essequibo and Berbice could only send signals to their region, had to all pay the same base fee.

“So that was a bit un-

fair and the amendment to the Act sought to correct that and the zones now, we believe, level the playing field… Now, we believe (the new fees) are fair, given the geographic location and the population,” the Chairman posited.

Sobers further asserted that re-issuance of these licences would allay some of the fears previous expressed by broadcasters with the regards to the new Act. “As long as you have reapplied and are in compliance, you will be getting the same frequencies as were operating before,” he added.

On this note, the GNBA Head cautioned that they will now be zeroing in on those entities that are in violation of the Act and fail to comply with same.

There are some broadcasters/agencies that have indicated by virtue of their applications, a disinterest in

some frequencies, the GNBA Chairman further revealed.

He said those frequencies will be retrieved and the National Frequency Management Unit (NFMU) is currently overseeing this process.

“There are others who have not used their frequencies in two years and they have indicated the willingness to give them up. NFMU is dealing with that,” he added.

According to Sobers, these works are reflective of the fact that the Authority has been working towards ensuring the rights of Guyanese.

While the Authority only distributed radio licences on Friday, it is expected to do the same with regards to television and cable licences in the coming week. Those licences will also be issued to compliant operators up to the end of 2016.

Aurora Secondary School teachers, students in unhygienic environment

Incarcerating women should be last resort – Prison CoI

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he Commission of Inquiry into the Camp Street Prison disturbances and resultant deaths of March 2016 recommended that incarcerating women should be done as a last resort; rather halfway houses should be established so that “they can get their lives together.”

President David Granger commissioned the inquiry to probe the disturbances and resultant deaths of 18 prisoners at the Camp Street Prison in Georgetown on the morning of March 3, 2016.

The Commission was tasked with inquiring into all circumstances surrounding the death of 18 prisoners from the Camp Street Prison, report the findings and conclusions to the Public Security Ministry, and make recommendations on any action that should be taken to avoid a recurrence.

The Commission was headed by retired Justice, and now Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, James Patterson and was tasked with examining and making findings and recommendations to improve physical infrastructure of the prison; the existing security arrangements in respect of the custody, management and control of prisoners; outlining the appropriate treatment of prisoners in compliance with legal and other

Flashback: Commissioners at the CoI

requirements and to recommend measures to prevent a recurrence of any such disturbance.

Justice Patterson and the other Commissioners – former Director of Prisons, Dale Erskine and Merle Mendonca handed over the report to President David Granger in June of 2016.

“A women’s remand prison should be established in Demerara within the Lusignan Prison environment. A halfway house for non-violent women offenders must be established. A halfway house should provide rehabilitation in the form of a process of reestablishing self-confidence and problem-solving skills with regular access to their children. Judges and Magistrates must respect incarceration of women as a last resort measure,” the report recommended.

The report also recommended the decriminalis-

ing of possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use and also for alternative sentencing for low-level drug offences, while establishing and expanding alternatives to incarceration for those charged with low-level drug offences.

It also called for the distinction between drug trafficking and other types of crime; low, medium and high-level drug offences; rank or position of the accused in drug trafficking networks and violent and non-violent offences.

It was also recommended that the Law Revision Commission should be resuscitated since it has the mandate to look at legislations and tailor it for the future.

“Judges and Magistrates must be trained in application of sentencing guidelines. Visits to prisons by the Judges and Magistrates

must be viewed as a constitutive and obligatory aspect of their duties. Minimum numbers of visits per year should be established, implemented and monitored by the Chancellor and Chief Justice,” the report recommended.

In addition, the report suggests that there should be a limit for the time on remand should be considered.

The CoI recommends the creation of a high-level committee representing all of the agencies with responsibilities to the prison system with the purpose of creating and overseeing implementation of a coordinated strategy for reducing and sustaining the prison population to levels compatible with the UN Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Offenders.

Additionally, the report recommends an effective intelligence system must be created within the GPS.

T

Sewage in the drains of the school

eachers and students of the Aurora Secondary School in Region Two are forced to use broken washrooms that pose a major threat to their lives.

According to information reaching Guyana Times, students and teachers have to operate in an unhygienic environment due to a major spillage of the school's septic tanks.

Information revealed that several reports were made to the Department of Education but, to date, nothing has been done to rectify the situation. Information received revealed that the teachers’ toilet septic tanks were dug out from underground, since it was filled. It is now exposed, and although the washrooms are inoperable, teachers are still forced to use them, since they have no other alternative.

"The septic tanks are exposed, the waste and toilet paper (is) running in the drains. It's unbearable!

Whenever a teacher uses the toilet and flushes it, everything goes in the drain," a staff member related to this publication.

In addition to that, a pipe in the children's toilet is broken and has caused a built up of waste. Classes that were accommodated in the western wing of the school had to be relocated elsewhere due to the high stench emanating from the toilet facilities. Teachers and students are concerned about their health, since the entire school is said to be infected with bacteria. An appeal is therefore being made to the Department of Education to remedy the situation before an outbreak of some disease starts.

news

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saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

AG report finds

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, November 4 – a night retraction at 05:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, November 5 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, November 4 – 16:10h-17:40h and Sunday, November 5 – 16:30h-18:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

Consolidated Fund in a state of heavy overdraft …but Finance Ministry maintains it broke no law

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with light cloud cover in the late afternoon and evening hours. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metre and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 04:19h and 16:34h reaching maximum heights of 2.83 metres and 2.94 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 10:09h and 22:34h reaching minimum heights of 0.40 metre and 0.24 metre respectively.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

By Jarryl Bryan

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

he 2016 Auditor General Report has red flagged the fact that the Consolidated Fund of Guyana is in the throes of a heavy overdraft showing that at the ending of last year, the fund reflected an overdraft of $67.5 billion and the cash book, $86 billion.

The state of the new Consolidated Fund is, in fact, worse than in 2015.

At the ending of 2015, the Consolidated Fund was overdrawn by $42.6 billion. According to Auditor General Deodat Sharma, the difference of $18.5 billion between the bank and the cash book was due to a deposit of $6.7 billion not being debited to the cash book. There was also some $22.7 billion in un-presented cheques.

It was also revealed that deposits totalling $5.3 billion were not credited to the bank account, while debit advances of $1.6 billion were not credited to the cash book. Sharma revealed that after examining the reconciliation of the Consolidated Fund account, he noticed that 7150 cheques total-

Finance Ministry

ling $9.4 billion were processed and printed during the month of January 2017.

However, in response, the Finance Ministry affirmed that Finance Minister Winston Jordan granted Heads of Budget Agencies has the right to draw down for expenditures up to the end of December 2016.

It was noted that the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act 2003 makes provisions for the account to be overdrawn in order to make up for cash shortfalls while implementing the budget.

“The Ministry of Finance also ensured that no further expenditures were being affected against the appropriation allotments after December 31, 2016,

by activating the controls within IFMAS (Integrated Financial Management System),” the report stated.

Defending the printing of cheques into January, the Ministry noted that a centralised system in the Account General’s Department has always had control of this. It noted that as it was unable to complete the printing of cheques that were approved last year, the exercise was continued into 2017.

Article 216 of the Constitution of Guyana states, “All revenues or other (sums of) money raised or received by Guyana (not being revenues or other sums of money payable by or under an Act of Parliament into some other fund established for any specific purpose; or that may, by or under such an Act, be retained by the authority that received them for the purpose of defraying the expenses of that authority) shall be paid into and from one consolidated fund.”

Article 217 stipulates that money cannot be withdrawn from the Consolidated Fund except: “(a) to meet expenditure that is charged upon the fund by this Constitution or by any Act of Parliament; or (b) where the issue of those (sums of) money has been authorised by an Appropriation Act; or (c) where the issue of those (sums of) money has been authorised under Article 219.”

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saturDAY, november 4, 2017

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

Protecting our children

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new report released by UNICEF earlier this week states that, across the world, staggering numbers of children – some as young as 12 months old – are experiencing violence, often by those entrusted to take care of them. The report, titled ‘A Familiar Face: Violence in the lives of children and adolescents’, uses the very latest data to show that children experience violence across all stages of childhood, and in all settings.

The statistics presented in the report are indeed shocking, and warrant urgent action by all stakeholders to end violence and other forms of abuse against children. For example, in relation to violence against young children in their homes, the report states that three-quarters of the world’s 2- to 4-yearold children – around 300 million – experience psychological aggression and/or physical punishment by their caregivers at home; about 6 in 10 one-year-olds in 30 countries with available data are subjected to violent discipline on a regular basis; nearly a quarter of one-year-olds are physically shaken as punishment, and nearly 1 in 10 are hit or slapped on the face, head or ears.

The report adds that, worldwide, 1 in 4 children under age five – 176 million – are living with a mother who is a victim of intimate partner violence.

In relation to sexual violence against girls and boys, the report notes that, worldwide, around 15 million adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 have experienced forced sexual intercourse or other forced sexual acts in their lifetime. Further, in the 28 countries with data, 90 per cent of adolescent girls who had experienced forced sex, on average, said the perpetrator of the first incident was known to them.

As it relates to violent deaths among adolescents, the report states that, globally, every 7 minutes, an adolescent is killed by an act of violence. Latin America and the Caribbean was listed as the only region where adolescent homicide rates have increased; nearly half of all homicides among adolescents globally occurred in this region in 2015.

As stated by UNICEF’s Chief of Child Protection, Cornelius Williams, the harm inflicted on children around the world does tremendous damage: “Babies slapped in the face; girls and boys forced into sexual acts; adolescents murdered in their communities – violence against children knows no boundaries.”

Here, in Guyana, there is a high incidence of physical and sexual abuse of children. The Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) recently reported that, for the year thus far, there have been 424 cases of child sexual abuse reported; with reports indicating the figure might not represent the complete extent of the problem, since the crime is a hidden one which goes unreported in many instances.

While girls are predominately the victims of sexual abuse, there are several cases of boys being sexually and physically abused as well. Just a few weeks ago, a 13-year-old boy was brutally raped and murdered in Berbice. The death of the teen sent shock waves throughout Guyana because of the heinous nature of the crime, and had stirred up discussions at the local and national levels about families’ and communities’ roles in protecting children.

To end violence against children, UNICEF has once more issued quite a few recommendations, which, if taken seriously, could go a far way in protecting our children. Among the recommendations are (1): Adopting well-coordinated national action plans to end violence against children – incorporating education, social welfare, justice and health systems as well as communities and children themselves. (2): Changing behaviours of adults, and addressing factors that contribute to violence against children; including economic and social inequities, social and cultural norms that condone violence, inadequate policies and legislation, insufficient services for victims, and limited investments in effective systems to prevent and respond to violence. (3): Focusing national policies on minimizing violent behaviours, reducing inequalities, and limiting access to firearms and other weapons. (4): Building social service systems and training social workers to provide referrals, counselling and therapeutic services for children who have experienced violence. (5): Educating children, parents, teachers, and community members to recognise violence in all its many forms, and empowering them to speak out and report violence safely.

(6): Collecting better disaggregated data on violence against children, and tracking progress through robust monitoring and evaluation.

Children, irrespective of their ethnic, religious, cultural or social backgrounds, deserve to grow up in an environment in which they feel safe and are part of loving and nurturing families.

Ushers throw their hats in the air in Tiananmen Square before the start of the closing session of the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, China (Reuters photo)

People looking for concrete action, not empty rhetoric (Pt 2)

Dear Editor, Recently, Winston Jordan and Moses Nagamootoo and others from APNU/AFC have hinted that Budget 2018 will rescind VAT on education.

VAT on education is a social justice issue. The PPP moved a motion for rescinding the education VAT, but the Speaker did not allow the motion to proceed. The 2018 Budget must remove VAT on education, but it will not remove the stain on APNU/AFC. Government must return to the people the money it collected on the education VAT. Moreover, APNU+AFC and Jordan must restore the $10,000 per child in school “Because We Care” subsidy.

While not technically a tax, its removal is like taxing every child.

This was a programme introduced by the PPP, and was supposed to be increased annually. The PPP had promised that, by 2020, the annual subsidy

would have been increased to about $50,000 per child.

These are meaningful proposals, not merely empty words.

Then there is the VAT on electricity and water.

Electricity and water are public good services and part of the social justice agenda that the 2015, 2016 and 2017 budgets changed to punish people. Not only must Government remove these VAT charges, they must restore the subsidies that provided relief for Guyana’s senior population.

In addition, people have not paid any attention to the financial relief the PPP government implemented throughout the period 1993 to 2015, when it reduced electricity rates based on fuel cost for GPL. In fact, for sugar estates which have been closed, the 2018 budget must cater for a special electricity and water subsidy for families similar to what has been provided for Region 10 for decades now.

After criticising the PPP for almost two decades for not increasing the tax threshold enough, APNU+AFC have become ultra-conservative in managing tax thresholds. In a remarkable turnaround, the PPP embarked on significant increases of the low tax threshold (about $6,000 in 1993) it inherited from the PNC after it assumed office in October 1992. By 2015, the tax threshold was increased to over $50,000 per month. In the 2012 Budget, APNU and AFC demanded the threshold be increased to over $100,000 per month.

This demand was made previously also and in the 2013 and 2014 budgets.

In fact, the APNU/AFC promised that in their first 100 days in government, they would revolutionise the tax threshold. This will be their 4th budget since assuming office. The 100 days’ promise has been jettisoned by greed, and they betrayed the working class.

The working class of Guyana expects to see a tax threshold of $100,000 per month and nothing less, because a promise is a promise.

Jordan, Nagamootoo and APNU/AFC have made a big deal about consultations, and have been critical of the PPP not attending consultations. We know the history.

The supposed consultations have been a charade. We must commend the PPP for taking the practical and transparent approach of introducing a Parliamentary motion with their proposals for Budget 2018. APNU+AFC have blocked this motion from moving forward. Now they must consider the proposals and include them in Budget 2018. The people are looking for concrete action, not empty rhetoric.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Tragedy that could have been avoided

Dear Editor, The recent drowning of 50-year-old Gavin Moses and his 13-year-old niece Yasha Prince, who died as a result of drowning while swimming at the Rockstone Fish Festival at approximately 16:30hrs on Sunday, October 29, was a real tragedy that could have been avoided.

The media reported that Moses along with other relatives hired a private boat to transport them to the Golden Beach. It was during this time that the teenager and two cousins experi-

enced difficulty in navigating through the deep waters.

It’s unfortunate that this teen’s uncle hired a private boat to take them to the Golden Beach for swimming, where they died. This teen parents, I will assume, went ahead of them, or stayed behind.

This uncle who died was very ignorant of the depths of the water, and he himself was not a proper swimmer, so why did he put these kids to swim in an unknown river or creek of tremendous depth? It’s very sad to learn of all these untimely deaths

of very young people in our country by accidents and suicides and drowning.

I am calling on parents to avoid sending their children out on picnics with uncles, aunts, or family friends, unless they are present there.

Then I see lots of accidents by speeding and drunk driving; parents buy vehicles for their children to kill them before their time.

I also believe all these resorts, and even bathing pools, should be well equipped with life guards on ground and with boats patrolling the waters with sur-

veillance cameras linked to an office where life guards can see a danger, or we will have more drowning of this nature.

I went to a few of these places, and discovered the bottoms of these creeks have sand that can wear away into constant depths, or trap your feet like a ‘soak sand’ below. It’s very dangerous for children and adults to swim there. It gets scary when the water level rises.

I am calling on parents to be more protective of their children. continued on page 5

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Guyanese Americans oppose Bigger picture at GECOM unilateral appointment of GECOM chair Dear Editor, The large majority of Guyanese Americans I communicated with on the ground (in the New York area) and on the phone oppose (condemn) President Granger’s decision to unilaterally appoint the Chairman of GECOM. They are outraged at the President's unilateral action in choosing the GECOM Chair without any opposition input. They feel the President should have chosen someone from the final list of nominees provided by Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, since all of them are considered to be fit and proper. But, as in Guyana, Guyanese have shown a division by race and party affiliation in their views on the issue. PNC supporters back Granger and their party while PPP and AFC supporters back Jagdeo and the PPP on this matter, which should not have involved

any controversy. Almost everyone said the President's action will further divide the fragile nation.

Almost every Guyanese had expected that the President would have chosen Ret’d Major General Joe Singh as GECOM Chair, since he previously served in that position with unanimous support from all the parties. He is highly respected in the diaspora. Some even say he would have been an ideal Presidential candidate for any political or civic-minded party.

Guyanese Americans are shocked and disappointed that the President and his coalition government have found Joe Singh not fit and proper for the GECOM Chair position, especially since he previously did an outstanding job and was praised by observer missions for his professionalism, integrity and neutral-

ity.

Yes, AFCites in the US are not supportive of Granger's action, and the party leadership’s position of endorsing Granger's decision on the issue.

Guyanese praise Joe Singh for tending his resignation from all Government positions in light of the Government regarding him not being fit and proper for the GECOM Chair. They describe him as a man of principles.

Accountant and lawyer Chris Ram also came in for praise for following suit by resigning from all Government appointments, since the Government had also regarded him as not being fit and proper for the GECOM position in spite of his support for the Grangerled coalition.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor, The news has been rightly dominated in the last weeks with the President’s unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman. It is a matter which has evoked a lot of concern; and persons and organisations have expressed, in a most passionate manner, their strongest disagreement with the President’s decision.

While the Administration’s apologists have sought to create a smokescreen, and call attention to a number of red herrings, the President’s act, for all intents and purposes, remains unconstitutional and plainly wrong.

But this act by the President, Editor, must be seen in the context of the bigger picture. The GECOM Chairman selection/appointment is part of a wider plan executed with military precision to usurp democracy, contain dissent, and control all arms of the State. It mimics the modus operandi of many military/security-based Governments the world over.

We have seen that efforts are being made to tarnish and undermine political opposition

through the widely perceived politically-controlled SARA and SOCU. Flimsy, trumpedup charges are instituted to intimidate and harass many considered as opponents. At the same time, longstanding norms and practices have been disregarded and replaced by a top-down approach to address and deal with issues.

Alongside those developments, we have seen former military men and women who are no doubt supportive of the Administration placed in almost every facet of the state apparatus to obviously assure control. Note should be taken also of the recent amendments to the broadcasting legislation which established man-

Make youths a priority Dear Editor, As a youth group and a group that is seeking avenues to encourage youth empowerment, we believe that youths in Guyana are undervalued, underestimated and taken for granted. As a country we need to come to the realisation that the future of Guyana lies in the hands of our youths and if ample opportunities are not provided for them to grow and become empowered, then truly we are heading in the wrong direction. Families invest a lot financially, amongst other things, to ensure their child/ children get/s a proper education. But what's the current situation? After graduating, what opportunities are there? If we are to do an analysis of this then we will find that little to no op-

portunities are available for youths.

Take a look at what is happening of recent – graduates are out of jobs while retirees are being rehired/ appointed to fill vacancies.

This is absurdity at its highest and clearly we are turning a blind eye at the repercussions this is having on our nation – brain drain and crime being the two most prevalent which are having damaging effects on our society. Monies will have to then be channelled towards cleaning up the effects of these issues when it can actually be used in ensuring sufficient opportunities are available for our youths which will in turn have a positive effect on our country. It's like putting the cart before the horse.

Tragedy that could... from page 4

I see little kids ride big bicycles to go buy goods at shops, and many of them die by accident.

There are too many irresponsible parents in our nation today; they care less about their children.

Today’s youths are tomorrow’s leaders, so we must protect them from dangers.

Our teachers, too, and church leaders must be actively involved in protecting our children from dangers such as drinking, smoking, drugs, suicide, depression and low self-esteem.

Young people like adventure; many would not even know how dangerous a simple lake or creek can

be. Even climbing trees or biking can be dangerous.

Youths are the backbone of this nation.

They can change the future of the society with their wellbeing and academic achievements. I am calling on all parents, guardians and those responsible to protect our youths. Gandhi said, “We must become the change we want to see.’’

Let’s work together to transform the lives of our youths by watching over them daily, and by inculcating in them moral and spiritual values to be better citizens of our nation.

Yours truly, Rev Gideon Cecil

It is our suggestion that more emphasis be placed on developing our youths through country-wide programmes; engage them more in developmental discussions where they are able to share their ideas and contributions. We further call on revising the employment process to allow for qualified graduates to gain employment while retirees stay retired.

As a youth group we call on society to join us and speak out. Let your voice be heard. Let's join hands in ensuring our youths are given the recognition and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Sincerely, The Climbers Humanitarian Youth Group Region Two

datory programming for the Administration on privately-owned television and radio stations.

It is still not too late to nip these developments.

Such actions require the people to stand up staunchly and strongly oppose such developments. Dictatorship in the past put our country at the brink, aggravated poverty, chased away our needed and required skills for development and advancement, and took away our dignity and pride. At this time, I call on all fellow Guyanese to not allow those days to return.

Yours sincerely, Patricia Persaud

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Difficult to discipline I’m not sure if I am on the right path; I’m not even sure where to begin. I am having trouble with my 10-year-old son. He is becoming more difficult to discipline. I have tried grounding him and talking to him. Nothing his father or I say to him fazes him. All their lives, both of my children have had everything they have ever wanted, and I am trying to make them understand that there is value to having things.

However, my son does not appreciate anything and thinks

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arenting is a tough job, and we sometimes recognise that we have done things along the way that lead to even more difficulty as our children grow and develop.

It is counterproductive to look back and blame ourselves. It is productive to look back and learn from our mistakes and make changes in our own behaviours.

Children who are given everything without having to earn it often feel as though things are owed to them. They appreciate very few things, and they appreciate the people who provide these things even less. It sounds as though you have reached a point of realisation that things must change.

If you can, sit down and establish clear expectations for behaviours. This includes us-

ing social skills as well as chores around the house.

Also, plan in advance what can be earned when the child meets expectations and what the consequences are when he fails to meet the expectations.

Start by teaching him some basic social skills: Follow instructions

Look at the person who is speaking to him Say OK to show understanding Perform the task immediately and let the other person know when the task is finished

that he can do and get whatever he wants at any time.

He also has a social problem at school, and I have tried seeking guidance from the school, but they were no help. He is about to enter middle school, and I don’t know what to do.

Today, when I told him he had to earn something he wants, he said he thinks it’s OK to take it from his sister and he shows no remorse. What can I do? I am very afraid of where this is leading. – Concerned parent Accept consequences

Accept a “no” answer Ask permission Describe these skills step by step to the child, and give him good reasons for performing the tasks the way you are describing. Then, have the child practise.

Let your children know that things must change and it may be uncomfortable for a while, but you are going to stick to it. When your son is grounded make sure there are no privileges available to him that he enjoys, such as telephone, TV, DVD, iPod, computer, etc...

During the time he is grounded make sure he has things to do, extra chores, learning and practising social skills, helping his parents. He will have to complete these assignments to re-gain his privileges.

Do not let your son talk you out of sticking to your plan and your consequences. In the situation you described, he

didn’t accept consequences, and he took other’s property without permission.

These are both negative behaviours and should be confronted by teaching him more acceptable alternatives and negative consequences for engaging in them.

Boys Town has a parenting program called Common Sense Parenting that teaches the very techniques described above, and more.

Parenting education can offer additional strategies and techniques when what you are doing isn’t working. A book by the same name can be purchased at local bookstores or at www.boystownpress.org.

If you feel your son has gotten to the point that he needs to be assessed by a counsellor or therapist, then find one in your area. It is good that you are recognizing that his behaviours are getting in the way of his success in the social settings that life will present him with. Time is of the essence.

(parenting.org)

By Alison B irnbaum

A

15-yearold girl adds “very sexy” to her Facebook profile and includes provocative photos of herself and a friend in her bedroom.

At a party, a 14-yearold boy takes prescription pills from the family medicine cabinet and chugs a few beers. A partygoer records the action and resulting embarrassing behaviour and posts the video on YouTube. His friends all link to the video from their Facebook pages, encouraging even more people to watch and spread the footage.

A 13-year-old girl hacks into a “friend’s” e-mail account and sends a “meangirl” style email to her “friend’s” acquaintances.

The victimised girl feels she has no way to fight back In each of these examples, a teen is trying something he or she has witnessed in the broader youth culture. It is normal for teens to experiment with being a part of their culture and testing authoritative boundaries. So what can we parents do to help shape our children’s values and encourage them to assert independence from the collective pop culture?

How can we communicate our values without lecturing, harassing, or infuriating our children?

1. Discuss (don’t lecture!) values in your own life. Clarify the values you live by, how you have chosen those values, and examples of how the values have been in sync or out of sync with the larger culture. Then, ask good questions and open your ears. For example: “Do you think we would have expected you to act differently than that character

on ‘Pretty L i t t l e Liars?”

2.

Make rules about media use in your household. Use of social media, smart phones, and e-mails is a parenting decision.

Many parents make the rule that since Facebook and Instagram are public forums (strengthened by the fact that employers also use these sites for information about future hires), they will be treated as public forums at home as well. Parents can tell their children that being online will include a routine check to avert spying and conflict. For many families, another tactic is to keep the computer in a public space in the home.

It is far easier to supervise use when you are nearby.

3. Make rules about not using technology to bully or harass others.

Because computers and gadgets allow children to be detached (you can’t see the hurt in the face of the other person, and you can’t hear the injury in his/her voice), teens need reinforcement about what defines cruel and injurious behaviour.

4. Teach your teen to have healthy scepticism. Help your child detach from the larger culture enough to see its strengths and weaknesses. Teens hate feeling that they are being manipulated. They don’t want to feel that they are being told what to do – or think – by their parents…but they also don’t want to be told what to do –or think – by the media. As parents, we want to encourage our children to think more critically about the world, to question ideas or actions promoted on the Internet, in music, or on TV, and to reinforce healthy behaviour rooted in personal values. (drugfreekidscanada.org)

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saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Protest in Parliament

PM under fire for dubbing Opposition’s protest as “domestic terrorism”

P

rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is under fire for utterances made in the state media criticising the parliamentary Opposition’s protest at the President’s address to the 71st sitting of Parliament, in which the label of “domestic terrorism” was attached to the party.

Dismissing the comments as “nonsensical”, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall upped the heat on the PM and insisted that everyone, including his party, has a constitutional right to protest. According to Nandlall, his party especially had this duty in light of the widespread discontent over the President’s unilateral appointment of a Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Chairman.

“A constitutional wrong took place in the country, committed by the President; and we have an obligation (to protest). The country is outraged. Every important stakeholder organisation in this country has expressed their condemnation of what the President did: the Bar Association of Guyana, the Berbice Bar, the Private Sector, the Berbice and Georgetown Chambers of Commerce, the human rights organisation, the labour movements, and a host of other individuals have condemned what the President did. If you walk on the ground, (it) is the same type of reaction,” Nandlall said.

Nandlall pointed out that the party was betrayed by the President, who was not only bound by the Constitution, but had also committed publicly to working with the parliamentary Opposition to appoint a GECOM Chairman.

“We sat with the President for hours and he provided a criterion which we tried to follow even though we felt they were in violation of the Constitution.

A citizen of the country went to court to get a judgement to assist the President and the President threw all that out the window and unilaterally named a person of his own choosing,” Nandlall explained.

He added that the PPP has a duty to its constituencies and the people of Guyana to convey their frustration and disappointment to the Government.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

“And those placards and chants in the National Assembly were expressive of the feelings of the Guyanese people. We expressed our dissent to the Government and the President, as we are entitled to do,” he said.

In a report carried in the state media, Nagamootoo said, “I believe it was awful, disgraceful; it was disgusting. You see the Leader of the Opposition hiding behind a placard, reducing himself to the level of a placard-bearer, a picketer in the National Assembly.”

Nagamootoo, paraphrased describing the protest in Parliament as an effort “to turn the National Assembly into an arena of

domestic terrorism”, went on to label the Opposition’s actions as guerrilla tactics.

Even the Government’s appointee to the GECOM post, retired Justice James Patterson, had noted that it was not unusual for legislators to get rowdy. He noted that politics is an area one does not go into if one is timid.

“I don’t know if this is the norm that goes on. Worse than this has (happened) in the British Parliament. I’ve seen members take off their shoes and bang the desk and all of that. But I’m hoping that some degree of civility emerges,” the retired Justice Patterson said, when approached after the sitting.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Thursday noted that the party opted for an active protest in Parliament over walking out, in order to better highlight its grievances to representatives of the international community sitting in the gallery.

In a press statement, the parliamentary Opposition went even further in slamming the President.

According to the party, the President paid “lip service” to the rule of law in his speech in wake of the GECOM appointment.

“As usual, the President’s speech consisted of his usu-

The placard-bearing Opposition contingent during the President’s speech

al platitudes and patronising sentiments. It did not address the real issues about which the Guyanese people are genuinely concerned at this point in time”, the

Opposition statement said.

“For example, the unconstitutional appointment of a Chairman of GECOM; job creation, heavy taxation, the lack of investment, the clo-

sure of the Sugar industry, the neglect of our farmers and miners, the spiralling crime wave, and other pressing issues of public importance”, the statement said.

8 NEWS 911 emergency system commissioned saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

…operators urged to execute duties diligently

T

he Public Security Ministry, in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, on Friday commissioned the new state-of-the-art 911 emergency system at the Brickdam Police Station in Georgetown.

The new system would be taken to 52 other locations, to promote better Police response while en-

instead of calling, and the operators can render assistance. The system is being reintroduced, with the assistance of local telephone companies GTT and Digicel, after several years of non-operation.

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine said it is monumental now that the service is commissioned. He

911 operators at the Brickdam Police Station, Georgetown during the relaunch of the emergency system

hancing crime-fighting efforts.

Some 46 officers of the GPF have been trained to operate the newly commissioned 911 system, which has been commissioned to respond to calls from citizens across Guyana and to elicit prompt Police response.

In addition, citizens can send text messages to 911

said that ranks of the GPF have been trained to handle the system, and urged them to put their training to use to uplift the dwindling image of the Force.

“Now, while my happiness is true, I am deeply concerned to the extent that while we have provided sufficient and adequate training for you, the operators of this system -- you

who would be handling the units; you who would be listening to the phone calls -- I want to urge you with great pains and concern to remind you of the type of courtesy, of the type of quality of service that is required and expected of you. I have made statements proper to this occasion about the quality of our services, and we need to improve it,” Ramnarine said.

He noted that while the GPF physical infrastructure is improving at a rapid pace, there is sadly a large gap in regard to ranks’ attitude and behaviour towards work, colleagues and the public.

“So I can only urge those of you who will be engaged in ensuring that the 911 system is functional that we are all here thinking that it will (be) something useful, not something mirroring the challenges of the past,” he added.

Meanwhile, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan said it was a huge development, and should not be downplayed in any aspect. He also expressed gratitude to GTT and Digicel for their technical support and collaboration on the project.

The minister an-

T

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine

nounced that in order to ensure the Police have the necessary response tools, the Government will soon hand over several pickups, buses and all-terrain vehicles to the GPF. These vehicles were donated to Guyana by the Government of China.

He also urged the public to scrutinise the actions of the Police Force to ensure transparency and accountability, and assured that a holistic approach was being taken towards ensuring that the new 911 emergency system is not a repeat of the poor service that was provided in the past.

Crying man jailed for narco- trafficking

L

oud wails could be heard emanating from Court 11 of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after City Magistrate Annette Singh handed down on 20-yearold Micheal Aaron of Albouystown, Georgetown a three-year jail sentence and a fine of $30,000 for possession of narcotics.

Order...

The charge Aaron faced stated that on May 31, 2017 at James and Hunter Streets, Albouystown, he was found in possession of 47 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the Prosecution’s case, ranks on patrol duty observed Aaron sitting at a shop acting suspiciously. As the Policemen approached him, he reportedly attempted to hide a black plastic bag in the chair in which he was sitting. The ranks found the bag, and upon examination, the narcotic was found. The defendant was then told of the offence, and was arrested and charged.

Defence attorney Glasford Brenden pleaded that the drug was never found on the person of his client, but Police Prosecutor Gillian Simmons was able to prove that the drug indeed belonged to Aaron.

In handing down sentence, Magistrate Singh noted that the evidence presented by the Prosecution was sufficient to prove that Aaron was guilty as charged.

Aaron’s mother also was very dismayed at the verdict, and burst into tears, wailing as her son was being led out of the courtroom.

…and disorder in the House he PPP outfoxed the PNC once again in the National Assembly – which had become “Parliament” with the presence of Prezzie – by using the classic manoeuvre of “misdirection”. They signalled they were going to launch a campaign of “non-cooperation” against the PNC-led coalition Government on account of Prezzie’s unilateral appointment of (acting Chief?) Justice Patterson as the Chair of GECOM. In the past, Jagdeo and his MPs would normally exit Parliament when Prezzie gave his “throne speech” – and the PNC obviously though this was going to be the pattern once again. But this time the PPP, led by Jagdeo, stayed in their seats, and as soon as Prezzie began his peroration of his Government’s “achievements”, the PPP MPs whipped out placards they’d secreted. Accompanied by chants and desk thumping, the PPP drowned out Prezzie’s entire speech with verbal illustrations of their signage.

The main charge, of course, was “RIGGING” – referring to the rather transparent move by the PNC, led by Prezzie, to rig the 2020 elections so they could have another 28 years at the helm, as they’d done in 1968. Key to the exercise – in which horses and various farm animals in England voted, had been the appointment of a pliant and compliant GECOM Chair. Then it was Justice Donald Jackman, and later Justice Bollers; and now it is Justice James Patterson.

Far from being the paragons of “impartiality, integrity, honesty, faithfulness, and diligence” which Prezzie had insisted Jagdeo’s nominees should possess, the first two Justices (REAL Chief Justices to boot!!) had proven to be so morally deficient it’s not surprising alarm bells went off in the PPP when Prezzie INSISTED on a Justice this time around, and then went and arbitrarily plucked an 84-yearold one out of retirement!!

What do the old people say? “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!” So what would the PPP tell the world if they allowed the PNC to fool them THRICE??!!

Anyhow, even though Prezzie cast some cold glances at Speaker Scotland, he didn’t use his prerogative and call the session to a halt, or throw out the PPP MPs. He realised that if he did either, the PPP would’ve scored an even more telling victory in the battle for Constitutional government in Guyana.

To halt the proceedings would also mean Prezzie couldn’t speak – an indication the PPP put a spoke in his wheel; and if the PPP MPs were ejected, they could claim their right to free speech was violated.

In, of all places, Parliament, where MPs can say anything unless slanderous!! In front of Prezzie, who was boasting of “democracy”!! …and acting The funny thing was: Justice Patterson was in the gallery while all the above drama was going on (down?), and when all the noise about his nomination was being made, but it didn’t seem to faze him. He at least cleared up the controversy that had been created by his own unilateral declaration on his CV – that he’d been the Chief Justice of Grenada. He now admitted he’d been just “acting” for a “short time” – but he couldn’t remember exactly when!!

Now, as we know from our (bitter) experience in Guyana, there’s a WORLD of difference between an “acting” Chief Justice and a Chief Justice. But even in an “acting” appointment – like when Prezzie made Justice George our present Acting CJ – it’s not just something casual; it calls for a swearing-in ceremony, and most of all, it brings AN INCREASE IN SALARY! And all of this Patterson FORGOT??!!

He claimed it was a “Lapsus calami” – “a slip of the pen”.

But that’s what worries the PPP. He might “slip his pen” when counting votes!! …and glass houses The Muckraker pointedly pointed out some of the PPP placards, had “misspelt words”. But that’s because some low-level grunge didn’t pay attention.

What about in the same report, the Muckraker writing: “when the heckling had subdued…”.

That’s “subsided”, wanker!!

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

News

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saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt racks up $175M in expenses on CoIs T

he numerous Commissions of Inquiries (CoIs) launched by President David Granger have come at a hefty price of $175 million. Since 2015, Government has spent the sum on CoIs, including costs associated with paying members and Chairmen.

This was revealed as a result of questions brought to the National Assembly by the political Opposition.

In his written responses to Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, Minister of State Joseph Harmon provided the costs for 11 CoIs. In the case of the 2015 CoI into the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), it was disclosed that $51.8 million was expended. This included a payment of $1.9

Chairman of the Education CoI, Ed Caesar, pocketed $4.8 million

million to the Chairman and $2.4 million to all members except Professor Clive Thomas.

The CoI into the public service cost taxpayers $40.1 million, with the Chairman and member being paid approximately $500,000 each.

The 2016 CoI into the education sector cost $26.7 million, with the Chairman receiving $4.8 million and members receiving $2.4 million.

The CoI into the 2016 prison disturbances cost $12.2 million, with Chairman James Patterson being paid $500,000. The other members were paid $350,000. The

Newly appointed GECOM Chairman, James Patterson was paid $500,000 as Chairman of the CoI into the prison disturbances

CoI into last year’s fire at the Drop-in Centre cost $1.3 million, with the Chairman being paid $350,000. Inquiries into conditions of veterans and the discovery of a foreign aircraft at Yapukari cost $14.8 million and $8.3 million respectively; while the Chairman of the former pocketed $750,000, and no individual payment for the second.

The inquiry into allegations made against the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unity by Barry Dataram cost $1 million, with $500,000 being paid to the Chairman.

Harmon also detailed in his response that the CoI into the October 2016 collapse of a mining pit that killed Keon Wilson cost $5.1 million. The Chairman was paid $750,000.

In the case of the inquiry into the release of a private vessel in Guyana’s waters, a total of $8.2 million was spent. The Chairman was paid $550,000, while the members were paid $500,000.

Harmon also revealed that $5.4 million was spent on the CoI into the presidential assassination plot, with the Chairman pocketing $500,000.

Value for money

Government has for some time faced accusations that

it ignored recommendations made in some of these very CoIs; such as the inquiry into the state of GuySuCo. Among other things, this CoI had produced recommendations that no estate be closed. Government has in fact already stated it will forge ahead with closing all estates except Blairmont, Uitvlugt and Albion, thus rendering this piece of advice redundant.

In the CoI into the 2016 prison disturbances, which saw 17 inmates losing their lives in a fire, it was found that the combination of overcrowding, uncomfortable and unhygienic confinement were all ideal conditions for epidemics for gangs to prosper and to propagate discontent.

the report had been specific in explaining what needed to be done. For one, it had recommended Government move to abolish mandatory minimum sentences and decriminalise possession of minimum amounts of marijuana for personal use.

There were also recommendations for avoiding remand in the case of low-level, non-violent offenders; for the Judiciary to employ non-custodial sentences in all cases of possession – such as treatment, educational opportunities or community service – that are available to those involved in other types of of-

$632M "emergency" drugs scandal

GPHC found in breach of Procurement Act

A

Retired Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe, pocketed $500,000 to chair the CoI into the assassination plot against President Granger

Moreover, the CoI found that reducing numbers in prison to manageable levels is the single most important priority for establishing safe, humane and purposeful prisons.

It was further noted that repeat offenders have increased by over 100 per cent, “indicating not only a waste of taxpayers’ dollars but also the need for a more comprehensive and structured partnership within the wider justice system.”

In order to effect a reduction in the prison population,

Chairman of the GuySuCo CoI, Vibert Parvatan, was paid $1.9 million

fences. But despite the emphasis in the CoI report on reducing numbers, it was revealed at the time of the disastrous fire earlier this year – which gutted the prison – that over 1000 prisoners were being housed at the prison, with a contingent out on labour duty. The Camp Street Prison was originally built to house half that number. When Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels was asked about the progress made in implementing the recommendations from last year, he said money just was not there to implement the major recommendations.

n investigation into the purchase of $632 million worth of drugs by the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has found that the institution was in breach of the Procurement Act on several counts, something the Parliamentary Opposition had suspected before the conclusion of the probe.

The Public Procurement Commission (PPC) Report on the investigation into the procurement of emergency drugs by GPHC found that the hospital breached Sections 17(1) and 25(2) of the Procurement Act. Breaches were also made in Section 26 (1) of the Act, which speaks to tender procedures.

The probe found that the decision taken by former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GPHC, Allan Johnson, to write suppliers informing them of awards made for them to supply pharmaceuticals to the value of $631 million without obtaining the requisite review of the National Procurement and Tender Administration

Board (NPTAB) and no objection by Cabinet was in breach of the law.

The report, seen by this newspaper, also states that the CEO was aware that he had breached the Act, because he subsequently sought to obtain retroactive approval for his actions even as the GPHC started receiving the supplies of drugs that were ordered as a form of emergency.

“The decision to annul the emergency tender scheduled to be opened on February 14 demonstrated that the GPHC team did not fully examine all options available to achieve the objective of “fast tracking” the emergency drugs. It also found that the plan approved by the CEO and Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence demonstrated a lack of knowledge of procurement and the regulations.

The 67-page report also noted that the request made by the minister to “fast track” the emergency drugs could have been addressed using a supplement to the emergency tender that was al-

ready launched on February 2, 2017.

In fact, the PPC said the GPHC could have identified the emergency drugs needed, and should have been able to extract from the list of drugs already identified for the tender.

While recognising that the assignment of a clinical pharmacist at GPHC assisted with this process, the probe found that the GPHC still went ahead and annul the emergency tender in its entirety, and sole-sourced the full number and quantity of drugs on the list compromising emergency tender. While the former CEO had written the Chairman of NPTAB informing him of the annulment of the emergency tender and his intention to sole-source the drugs, the PPC said, the hospital should not have annulled the emergency tender, which was for a six-month supply of drugs. Taking another appropriate route would have resulted in significantly reduced expenditure, the report stated. continued on page 11

10 News

saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Private Sector signs Govt defends Patterson’s CV inflation MoU with India, Cuba GECOM saga

GECOM Chairman, Justice James Patterson

H

aving admitted that he was not appointed substantive Chief Justice in Grenada but merely acted in the position, Minister of State Joseph Harmon sought to defend Justice James Patterson’s curricula vitae (CV), saying it should pose no problem in him carrying out his duties as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

“The issue of his CV and whether he is substantive or whether he is acting, I don’t know it is something which you should give all of that problems to,” Minister Harmon said in response to questions posed about the matter at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday.

According to Patterson’s CV, he served as Chief Justice of Grenada in 1987 after joining the Judiciary in that country four years prior. However, the new GECOM Chairman told reporters on Thursday that he merely had two hours to gather his documents before his swearing in ceremony and as such, mistakenly omitted the “acting” in this

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

Chief Justice title.

“I said before that I’ve been appointed acting Chief Justice and they had me acting for a number of years, I didn’t remember… I had a few hours to forge my CV and the ‘ag’ was left out. We call it a slip of the pen – lapsus calami,” the retired Judge told Guyana Times on Thursday.

In defence of Justice Patterson, Minister Harmon nevertheless pointed out that the new GECOM Chairman merely acting as Chief Justice does not take away from the fact that he did provide services as Chief Justice in Grenada.

In fact, the Minister of State posited that many of the top judicial posts in Guyana have had officers acting but their title was never an issue.

“The Chancellor of the Judiciary who just retired was acting at the time when he was retired; we won’t say that he was not the Chancellor of the Judiciary. The current Chancellor is acting, the current Chief Justice is act-

ing so this question about whether you are ‘acting’ and if you can say, you are that or that you have to be confirmed as substantive before you can use the title, I think that it’s something, in my view, that is neither here nor there. The question is that the person has performed in those capacities and he has performed creditably,” the Minister of State noted.

Moreover, Harmon went on to say the notion that Patterson’s appointment will affect the Carter Formula, is nothing but ‘utter nonsense’. He further addressed concerns of elections rigging, saying that the Carter Formula provides for three Commissioners from each political side to be appointed as representatives at GECOM. “You have three Commissioners sitting there, and you mean to tell me that you will sit there and see this Chairman acting on his own and don’t start to make noise.

Why are we talking now about rigging the elections that are so far away from now. We have so many things that are to be done between now and then, that the world will be looking, you have your Commissioners who will be there; what kind of argument is this… I think it’s really blowing hot air and crying wolf, wolf, wolf, wolf before the actual wolf come and there is no wolf that is going to come,” Harmon posited.

The People’s Progressive Party Opposition believes that the unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson as GECOM Chairman, who they claim is aligned to the People’s National Congress, is paving the way for the rigging of upcoming elections.

However, Justice Patterson denied having any affiliation with the political party but noted that he was friends with its former leader, Desmond Hoyte.

President of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Ganesh Kumar Gupta, and GCCI President Deodat Indar display a copy of the MoU

G

e o r g e t o w n Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Chamber of Commerce in Cuba recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the Havana Internal Fair (FIHAV) 35 in Havana, Cuba.

It means the two business support organizations will expand and deepen trade relations between the two countries.

Under the agreement, the GCCI and the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba have vowed to exchange information regarding existing business opportunities,

expertise, and training as it relates to Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector, health, retail and the information and communications technology (ICT) sectors, among others.

The MoU will see both organisations promoting and facilitating participation in trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, and other similar events that are aimed at the expansion of trade.

President of the GCCI, Deodat Indar, signed on behalf of the local chamber, while head of the Cuba entity, Orlando Hernández Guillén, signed on behalf of his chamber. turn to page 12

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saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Local Language Institute critical to preserving traditional knowledge – Minister Allicock

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he revitalisation of a local Language Institute at the University of Guyana (UG) is critical to the preservation of Guyana’s traditional knowledge, Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock has said.

Allicock was speaking at the opening of the 2017 Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) Traditional Knowledge Meeting on Thursday, at the Princess Ramada Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

“Any discussion on Indigenous knowledge must include language retention,” the Minister is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

Minister Allicock explained that language has a direct

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

link to knowledge and the survival of our culture, hence the need for such an institution, specifically targeting youths.

He also believes that there is need to establish a Hinterland Green Enterprise

Development Centre to prepare young minds for the anticipated development. “I see the need for a sense of urgency in that regard,” he pointed out.

“In this way, Guyana can offer leadership in some of the areas, I have identified.

Indigenous peoples have a role to play in national unity and development.

There are many richness, knowledge, and research that contributes to the development of medications, cosmetics, agriculture, tourism among others found in our environment,” Minister Allicock explained.

He further added, “In the context of Guyana, it is a well-known fact that traditional knowledge has contributed in immeasurable ways to the success of countless in-

Venezuelan fined for illegal entry

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Venezuelan man was fined $15,000 when he appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan charged for entering Guyana illegally.

Raphael Vogas, 23, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and accepted the charge against him.

He admitted to entering Guyana by sea on October 25,

2017, at Eteringbang, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and disembarked without presenting himself to an immigration officer.

The prosecution revealed that a Police raid was being carried out in the community of Eteringbang when Vogas was found.

Investigations carried out showed the defendant entered

Guyana illegally, and as such, he was arrested and charged.

In plea of mitigation, Vogas revealed to the court and provided documents, which proved that he is married to a Guyanese woman.

As such, the Chief Magistrate did not deport him but rather fined him. Failure to pay the fine will result in serving three weeks imprisonment.

GPHC found in breach of... from page 9

The PPC also noted that two other suppliers -- IPA and New GPC Inc -- contended that they could have supplied the same pharmaceuticals at much lower prices, saving the GPHC in excess of $200 million.

The report also zoomed in on the extent of involvement of Minister Lawrence in the procurement of the emergency drugs by GPHC. It stated that while the Minister instructed the GPHC to “fast track” the process, it should not have been interpreted as ‘bypass’ the NPTAB.

Recommendations

While the report has

made several recommendations, one of the most important ones listed was that the GPHC is an independent agency and it should therefore not be subjected to direction and control from persons who are external to the organisation, referring specifically to the Minister. The PPC reminded that the Minister is responsible for policy-related matters, and not administrative issues.

The PPC also noted that the GPHC should take appropriate steps to separate procurement from finance, and procurement staff should be appropriately qualified and regularly

trained in current procurement procedures.

The pharmacy staff should also be responsible for forecasting the needs of the GPHC, and should provide the Procurement Department with accurate and timely information.

The report said, too, that NPTAB should ensure that the evaluation process for tenders is conducted in accordance with the Act. It noted that the GPHC is operating an agency tender board without the approval or input of NPTAB, and this should be addressed urgently to avoid further breaches.

ternational researchers who have read for their PhD degrees having been guided by our local Indigenous peoples,” Minister Allicock noted.

He added that research has turned out to be no different from the extractive industry. “They came, they learned and they left. The information of traditional knowledge which was extracted, benefits the researchers band their principles and associates and our villages see little or no benefits.”

In this regard, the Ministry is currently working with other organisations on a project entitled ‘Integrated Traditional Knowledge into National Policy and Practice in Guyana’ to craft an ‘Action Plan’.

“There is also an urgent need to also find ways to

arouse our youths. We must find ways to make and keep the young among us interested in their culture, history, customs, and practices. In this regard, Guyana had proposed the establishment of an Indigenous Youth Forum of ACTO. The draft concept note has since been prepared and dispatched”, Minister Allicock further explained.

The Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO) regional conference is being held under the theme ‘Regional Technical Exchange: Community Protocols and Access and Benefit-sharing related to Traditional Knowledge of Indigenous Peoples’. Its member states include Guyana, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, and Suriname.

“Fishy” on $1M bail for B&E charge

F

orty-three-year-old Fitzroy Hollington, called “Fishy”, of Zorg Village, Essequibo Coast, was on Friday arraigned before Suddie Magistrate Ester Sam on a charge of break-and-enter and larceny committed on Anna Regina vendor Pullandar Lall on October 28 last.

It is alleged that Hollington stole from Lall, on the day in question, a quantity of local and foreign currencies, along with gold jewellery valued $5 million.

He denied the charge, and was placed on $1 million bail, although he gave the court two different addresses.

His case will continue on November 27.

12 NEWS

saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

N/A Town Council handcuffs, UG seeking to establish food and nutrition institute chains church door …says place of worship cannot operate in business zone

Universal Church, Pitt Street, New Amsterdam, with worshippers locked out

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chain and handcuffs were used by the New Amsterdam Town Council to lock the doors of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God situated in Pitt Street, the busiest street in downtown New Amsterdam, and thus prevent service from taking place there.

The council’s action was informed by a century-old law which prohibits the establishment of a church on Pitt Street, in the commercial zone of the town.

Members of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) turned up to the place of worship to find that chains and a padlock had been placed on the church door, and a pair of handcuffs preventing access to the building.

“I asked them if they have any paper or document giving them the power to do what they were trying to do, to lock the church,” Pastor Reece explained. He said that since the church was opened in Pitt Street, no document was ever shown to him or to any of the other pastors; nor was any member of the church ever shown such a document.

“It is embarrassing!” the pastor exclaimed, stating that handcuffs, used for criminals, were seen on the doors of the church. Maintaining that the purpose of the church is to win souls for the Kingdom of God, he expressed disappointment

“I didn’t expect the Town Hall to do us this; we are no harm to no one,” – church sister over the treatment meted out to his congregation, and the UCKG organisation at large, dubbing it downright embarrassing.

The pastor mentioned that the church is registered in Guyana, and has never engaged in any malpractice. He added that the services kept in the building for the past two months have never encroached on the regular activities of businesses through the main street of New Amsterdam.

However, the Council has said the area should be used only for business purposes.

The building previously housed a nightclub. The church subsequently rented the building, paying US$1000 monthly after the plan showed a design was for an auditorium.

According to Reece, the building is soundproof, negating any issue of noise nuisance, and members do not park their vehicles in that street, to add to the already limited parking space issue.

Shirley Crawford, a member of the UCKG for the past five years, related that the ac-

tion taken by the Municipality is disgusting.

“I didn’t expect the Town Hall to do us this, we are no harm to (any) one,” she related as she shook the tightly locked handcuff on the grill.

Rajwattie Mohan, another member worshipping at the church for over eight years, shared similar sentiments.

She described the actions of the New Amsterdam Town Council as ‘a disgrace’.

According to her, there are within the town more pressing situations to which the council should pay attention, one being the timely distribution of solid waste.

Meanwhile, on Thursday afternoon, the Mayor held a press conference to address the issue. According to Mayor Winifred Haywood, the Council does not have an issue with the church, but the building is in violation of the Council’s by-laws, which make specific mention of Pitt Street, saying that it should be reserved for business only.

Deputy Mayor George Tucker also endorsed that position, saying the church’s operation is a violation of the 1923 by-law. Tucker noted that if the church is allowed to be established there, persons in the business community would have to desist from certain activities in close proximity to its operation. (Andrew Carmichael)

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A section of those in attendance at the consultation

s Guyana continues to place emphasis on food and nutrition security, the Agriculture Ministry and the University of Guyana is seeking to establish a food and nutrition security institute.

At the consultation exercise, which was recently held at the Marriott Hotel, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder stated that much emphasis is being placed on strengthening food and nutrition security in the Caribbean and Government continues to plug an immense number of resources into strategies aimed at strengthening such areas.

“With an investment of over US$60 million in agriculture over the past decade, Guyana has been addressing all areas of food security from the reorganisation of the support systems, legislative upgrades, stimulation of production, implementation of new standards such as Good Agricultural Practices

(GAP), to the introduction of Good Manufacturing Practices and HACCP in the Agro-processing industry,” Minister Holder said.

With international statistics depicting the high prevalence of malnutrition, Minister Holder also echoed the call for new strategies and ideas to be developed, adding that revisiting old ideas and the development of new technologies to increase productivity is essential to combat this phenomenon.

“New systems to combat post-harvest losses, new ways of thinking to develop Food Safety Systems to not only to protect consumers’ health but to reduce spoilage and increase the shelf life and storage of foodstuff must also be developed.” Holder noted The meeting focused on highlighting pressing food and nutrition insecurity challenges, which include poverty, uneven eco-

nomic growth, unhealthy diets leading to increasing prevalence of nutrition-related chronic diseases and stability issues possibly related to climate change.

Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Ivelaw Griffith said agriculture should not be forgotten since areas like oil and gas are mainly being focused on.

“As the nation pursues energy and gas, we must not neglect agriculture. The pull to oil and gas usually results in push away from agriculture. I hope we do not fall victim to this push and pull factor. As a university, we must ask ourselves – are we doing what we need to do to address the clear and present dangers of food and nutrition insecurity?

Universities have the responsibility and are obligated to deal with these issues,” Griffith stated.

Private sector signs MoU...

Guillén noted during the signing that the MoU would open more avenues for business partnerships between the two countries. He add-

ed that the MoU provides an official structure for unofficial trade between Cuba and Guyana.

Meanwhile, a MoU was

from page 10

also signed between the GCCI and the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO). With the signing of the MoU, both organisations have agreed to promote the development of projects and trade in sectors of mutual interest, such as renewable energy, pharmaceutical, tourism, construction, the agro-processing industry, ICT, oil and gas, as well as the film industries.

President of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, Ganesh Kumar Gupta, expressed willingness to work closely with the GCCI to explore synergies and linkages that would be mutually beneficial to the growth and development of both countries.

This MoU opens the avenue to Guyana benefiting from India’s formidable expertise in the oil and gas industry, having one of the largest oil refineries in the world.

The Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Suresh Prabhu, was pleased with this new development. The Indian High Commissioner to Cuba, Tsewang Namgyal, also expressed his appreciation for the signing of the MoU between the Private Sector of India and Guyana.

news

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saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Assassination claim CoI

Commission found “deliberate” poor investigation …as Ramjattan disagrees with some of Slowe’s findings

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Friday said he has fundamental differences of opinion in relation to the findings of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the alleged plot to assassinate President David Granger.

The Minister said although the report was tabled in the National Assembly, it is yet to be examined by members of Cabinet.

On March 29, 2017, Andriff Gillard reported to the Police that his friend and neighbour, Nizam Khan, of-

Nizam Khan is accused of offering his neighbour $7 million to assassinate the Head of State

fered him $7 million to assassinate the President.

Gillard said the offer was made during a conversation between Khan and himself after he approached Khan to borrow $6 million to purchase a property. Following the allegation, President Granger ordered the CoI to investigate the Police investigation into the allegation and to also make recommendations for flaws.

Retired Assistant Police

President David Granger

Commissioner, Paul Slowe, conducted the CoI and handed the report to President Granger at the end of August.

“I have some fundamental differences of opinion on it (the recommendations and findings). That’s the Commissioner’s perspective; I have some differences… it did bring out a number of things as happening in our Police Force…,” Ramjattan said in an invited comment.

“That (the recommendations and findings) was only recommendatory. It is up to the President to go on and do what has to be done but I am certain that the President is going to ask people, like myself, what I think and I will tell him what I think,” he added.

Meanwhile, at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday, Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters Government has taken the recommendations made by the Commission seriously, and President Granger is in the contemplation stage.

“Certainly we have to take into consideration the recommendations that have been made… But as I said to you earlier, the CoI makes recommendations, but these

are issues and we have to look at ways in which the entire Force is going to be affected by these recommendations. And so you have the recommendations of the CoI and then you also have recommendations from the person who is looking at the Security Sector Reform Programme. So (we) will fit all of these things into place and the recommendations will fit into those, and the actions which will be taken will be based on the recommendations of the CoI and also of the Security Sector Reform Programme,” Harmon said.

Retired Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Slowe

Make Seelall resign The Paul Slowe-led Commission found that a proper investigation was not conducted into the allegation made by Gillard, due to the interference of substantive Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud. Slowe reported that the response by the Police was conditioned by the fact that Imran Khan – brother of Nizam Khan – has a close relationship with Persaud and other senior ranks of the Guyana Police Force. In addition,

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

the Commission found that Imran Khan had considerable influence in the decisions Police Commissioner Persaud made in relation to promotions and transfers which ultimately resulted in the investigative ranks being apprehensive.

The report stated that Persaud acted improperly when he contacted Imran Khan, after he was arrested at the Criminal Investigative Department (CID) Headquarters on the night of March 29, 2017.

It was noted that his actions caused the ranks to become fearful since Imran called Persaud while in

custody at the CID HQ. In addition, Persaud called Detective Inspector Prem Narine instructing that Imran Khan be placed on self-bail for disorderly behaviour. The Commission also found that it was “reckless to grant bail at that time” since little progress was made at that point, in the investigation.

“The Commission recommends that Commissioner Seelall Persaud be made to resign his position as the Commissioner of Police for the Guyana Police Force, under such terms and conditions that His Excellency considers appropriate.

Failing which, proceedings should be initiated in accordance with Article 225 on the Constitution of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to have him removed from the office for misbehaviour,” the report recommended.

Perjury It was also recommended that Persaud be investigated for perjury since he told the CoI that he first knew about the allegation after 16:00h on March 29, 2017, despite Assistant Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken testifying that he informed Persaud of the allegation at around 10:00h that morn-

Police Commissioner Seelall Persaud

ing.

Additionally, Slowe recommended that Hicken be investigated for perjury since he testified that he had reported the plot allegation to Commissioner Persaud at around 10:00h on March 29, when the allegation was first made. The Commission also recommended that Hicken be disciplined for not reporting the allegation to Ramnarine, who was acting as Police Commissioner, and also for his failure to interview Gillard and record it in the relevant station records.

The Police investigation into the allegation is still ongoing.

N/A Town Council proposes $176M budget

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he New Amsterdam Municipality has presented a proposed $176 million budget for 2018, making it the largest budget of the Council. The budget is $11million more than the 2017 municipal budget. The additional funds are proposed to come from subvention, which will move from $2 million in 2017 to $16 million next year, and mar-

ket revenue, which will move from $22million to $31million.

Municipal Treasurer Kerryann Edwards, who presented the budget proposal on Friday in the Town Hall, explained that the Council anticipates receiving $94 million in property taxes in 2018, as against $33 million which had been anticipated in 2017. The Parks and Playfield Committee is expect-

ed to net $140,000.

Next year it is budgeted that the Council will receive $277,000 from investments, whereas the projection for 2017 was $250,000.

Despite the 2018 budget being $11.5 million more than what obtained in 2017, there is no proposal to increase the revenue the Town Council receives in property tax.

Over 150 participants to US base nonprofit to host local attend CFATF conference medical outreach O P

ver 150 participants from 26-member countries are expected here for the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) conference slated for November 12-16, 2017 at the Marriott Hotel, Kingston.

The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) is a regional body of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which was established in May 1990.

The member states of the CFATF jointly implement measures aimed at combating money laundering and terrorism financing. The supreme body of the CFATF is the Council, which is composed of one representative from each member state (the Minister or official of equal

rank). The Council is headed by the Chairman.

Plenary sessions are held at least twice a year.

The meetings are attended by one representative from each member state.

The conference is being held here, as Guyana has made significant progress in improving its Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regime.

In November 2016, the CFATF Plenary agreed that Guyana be removed from the CFATF /International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG) process. This means that the country is no longer subject to monitoring by CFATF/ICRG, as the country has been removed from the blacklisted status.

robeldad Wellness and Welfare Association will be hosting its annual Guyana medical mission next week. The six-day medical outreach is expected to provide medical and dental care to members of several community health centres.

According to President of the Association, James Melville, the outreach mission is conducted annually and encompasses a team of medical doctors, surgeons, nurses, and health-care professionals who collaborate to provide medical clinics, surgeries, health education and workshops to those in need.

“In collaboration with our sister charitable organisation which operates un-

der the umbrella of Guyana Medical Mission, our aim is to improve the health and wellbeing of the underserved residents the Belladrum community and to expand to the neighbouring communities of Plantation profit and Rising Sun”. A total of 2817 persons benefited from this outreach last year.

Some of the communities to benefit from this year’s outreach include Fyrish Health Centre on November 5; Manchester Health Centre on November 6; Belladrum Health Centre on November 7; Beterverwagting and Mahaica community health centres on November 8, Buxton on November 9 and East La Penitence on November 10.

14 news Govt steps in to settle debt with garbage collectors T saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

he Communities Ministry is currently reviewing proposals submitted by Cevons Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal for the payment of outstanding monies owed to them for garbage collection services across the city.

This was revealed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday.

“They have actually made proposals for these outstanding sums and I can say to you that it is engaging the attention of the Ministry of the Communities right now and after that, it will come to Cabinet for Cabinet to deliberate on it,” Harmon said.

He went on to outline

Puran Brothers Disposal

“So I want to give that assurance to the service providers that Government is not unmindful of the fact that they have provided a service and that they have not been paid.”

According to the Minister

Cevons Waste Management

that it is Government’s position that those who have done work and provided services to the State should be paid.

Harmon, the matter was initially to be settled between the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (M&CC) and the two companies but central government saw the

need to step in, and did so.

“We recongise, now, that there is a problem and it makes no sense for us to just operate as if there is no problem… So we are looking at it, and see how we can bring relief.”

Harmon further noted that this situation has also impacted workers employed by the two garbage collectors.

“There are a lot of employees who would have been laid off and so on as a result of (the companies) not being paid, and so we are looking at that very carefully to bring relief to the two companies,” the Minister of State assured.

The garbage collectors on June 7, 2017, had pulled their services from Georgetown over the M&CC’s failure to pay them more than $300 million owed since 2015. However following talks with City Mayor Patricia Chase Green, they resumed gar-

bage collection services over a month later.

At a press briefing back in July, Mayor Chase Green had stated that the M&CC was still in negotiations with both Cevons Waste Management and Puran Brothers Disposal towards working out a strategy for settling that outstanding debts.

She also said that the Council was taking steps to avoid having a similar disruption of garbage service in the future.

The Council will be seeking to boost its capacity to better deliver the service itself, the Mayor said. “A team has been set up to look at all the details of our new plan into having our own garbage trucks, even if we start with one or two come 2018, so we can move forward in that direction,” she had explained.

However, the Mayor noted that several things would have to be in place before this could happen. Some of those things include the M&CC having their own workshop and employees to maintain their vehicles.

Residents of Melanie Damishana benefit from ICT Hub

Some of the residents making use of the services provided at the Melanie Damishana E-Government Hub

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esidents of Melanie D a m i s h a n a are benefitting from an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Hub. The Telecommunications Ministry on Thursday launched the fourth hub on the East Coast of Demerara at the Vigalstra Housing Co-op Society Building in Melanie Damishana.

Director of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Phillip Walcott on Thursday evening officially declared the centre open and highlighted the importance of E-government hub for villages.

“The reason is that we are looking to provide in each community greater access to Government services.

That is the ultimate purpose. All of this is about giving you access to government services,” Walcott is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

He added, “A community hub is not about children.

A community hub is about every single person because even the elderly will have to

deal with their pensions online.”

Chairman of the Buxton Foulis National Democratic Council, Deon Abrams encouraged villagers to care the equipment and make full use of the services.

He noted that despite the reservations about the rapid spread of technology, it has become a necessity for all.

“We cannot move forward in the world without knowledge of the internet and being up to date with technology that is provided. For every aspect of life that we deal with now some form of use of the computer and the internet is critical”, Abrams stated.

The hub is equipped with 15 computers, printers, and two air conditioners. Another hub is expected to be commissioned at Plaisance, next week. Four others are scheduled to be opened on the East Coast before the end of the year.

Within Regions One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Nine and Ten, there are 51 fully operational ICT hubs in various communities.

Heavy monsoon rain sparks fear for India's Chennai

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eavy monsoon rains in the southern Indian city of Chennai (Madras) have led to fears of serious floods like those which paralysed the city and killed more than 100 people in 2015.

Schools and colleges have been shut.

Waterlogged roads have led to traffic snarls across the city and flights have been delayed.

Coastal towns in the state of Tamil Nadu are also affected by the downpour. A depression in the Bay of Bengal has triggered rains since Monday.

Some areas of the city have already flooded, and there are fears it could get worse.

BBC Weather tweeted that Chennai will see increased rainfall in the next few days.

The weather office has warned of intermittent showers, but the city’s municipal com-

missioner D Karthikeyan said there was no need for panic.

He told the NDTV news channel that the water would soon recede, avoiding a repeat of 2015 when the city reportedly received its heaviest rainfall in more than a century.

India’s Army and air force were deployed in 2015 to rescue thousands of stranded people after two days of heavy rain in Chennai.

In many areas, the power supply was halted to prevent incidents of electrocution as roads resembled rivers and pedestrian subways began filling up with water.

An official enquiry into the cause of the 2015 floods concluded that “encroachment of lakes and riverbeds played a major role in causing massive floods in Chennai”. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T&T prison officers seek asylum in Canada

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eclaring that they have little or no faith in the Government, prison officers and their families gathered outside the Canadian High Commission in Port of Spain on Thursday in a bid to seek asylum in that country.

They claim their move was sparked by the Government’s inaction over their calls for special legislation to deal with attacks against prison officers in the wake of the murders of two of their colleagues last month.

Prison Officers Association (POA) President Ceron Richards said a letter was

delivered to the High Commission seeking information on asylum in that country.

“We are going to pursue this, which we believe is the only life-saving step at this point in time,” Richards said.

Richards said for too long prison officers’ pleas have fallen on deaf ears and members are fed up of the seeing the lives of colleagues being snuffed out. As such, he said the POA had no choice but to look at alternatives for protection. Asked whether this move could result in unmanned prisons, Richards said that was a question for Government to answer. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

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saturDAY, november 4, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Donald Trump embarks Xi instructs Army to on marathon tour of Asia improve combat readiness

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S President Donald Trump has embarked on an 11-day trip to Asia during which he will visit Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.

It will be the longest tour of Asia by a US president in 25 years.

The trip comes at a time of heightened tensions with North Korea over its nuclear programme and missile tests.

Trump is expected to show a united front with South Korea and Japan while pressing China to take a stronger line with Pyongyang.

President Trump flew first to the US state of Hawaii where he took part in a briefing at the US Pacific Command. He will also visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor - the scene of the 1941 Japanese attack that drew the US into World War Two. Trump has previously

Hawaii was the first stop for President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump

exchanged some fiery rhetoric with North Korea over its ballistic missile tests but aides said earlier this week that he would not go to the heavily fortified demilitarized zone (DMZ) on the border between the South and North.

He is, however, to visit Camp Humphreys, a US military complex south of the capital, Seoul.

In Vietnam, Trump will attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation sum-

mit in Danang and make a state visit to Hanoi.

His final engagement will be a summit of SouthEast Asian nations in the Philippine capital, Manila.

The last time a US president made such a marathon trip to Asia was when George HW Bush visited the region in late 1991 and early 1992.

While in Japan on that trip, Bush fainted and vomited during a banquet. (BBC)

hinese President Xi Jinping on Friday instructed the armed forces to improve their combat capability and readiness for war.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), made the remarks while inspecting the CMC joint battle command center as its commander in chief.

“The CMC should lead the armed forces to be ready to fight and win wars, and to undertake the missions and tasks of the new era entrusted to them by the Party and the people,” said Xi, in military uniform.

The capability to win is strategically important in safeguarding national security, and strengthening that capability and combat readiness in the new era would provide strategic support to the realization of the

Chinese President Xi Jinping

Chinese dream of national rejuvenation, according to Xi. Xi called on the military to closely follow the situation of national security and to ensure military preparedness in all directions and all fields.

Innovation should be made in studying and planning for combat to adapt to the trend of military evolution, said Xi. Xi demanded progress in joint operation command

systems, especially in efficiency at regional theater command level.

Troops were ordered to conduct training under combat conditions.

During the inspection, Xi had video chats with troops at frontier posts and a newly established support base in Djibouti.

Xi encouraged those stationed in Djibouti to help promote international and regional peace and stability.

(Xinhua News)

Mexico fuel theft boss killed during plastic surgery A

gang leader in Mexico has been killed while undergoing plastic surgery to diguise his identity by changing his face and erasing his fingerprints.

Officials said gunmen burst into the clinic in the city of Puebla and killed Jesus Martin, known as El Kalimba, while he was on the operating table.

Police said the murder seemed to result from a dispute between rival gangs.

They said Martin had been running an operation illegally siphoning fuel from pipelines.

One feared Juarez drug cartel boss, Amado Carrillo, died from surgical complications in 1997.

The notorious Joaquim Guzmán, known as El

Jesus Martin was a gang leader for “Huachicoleros” who live from stealing fuel mostly from pipelines in Puebla state

The business has become Mexico’s second-biggest organised crime after drug trafficking.

Jesus Martin wasn’t the first crime boss in Mexico to use plastic surgery to avoid death or arrest.

Texas releases disabled migrant girl

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10-year-old undocumented Mexican migrant with cerebral palsy, detained last month after undergoing surgery in Texas, has been released to her family. The release of Rosa Maria Hernandez was confirmed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro.

Her detention, which came after border agents stopped the ambulance taking her to hospital, caused an outcry. Castro said it was still not clear if she faced deportation from the US.

Rosa Maria Hernandez

The ACLU had filed a lawsuit earlier this week seeking the child’s release.

“Rosa Maria is finally free,” said ACLU lawyer Michael Tan in a statement on Friday.

“We’re thrilled that she can go home to heal surrounded by her family’s love and support.” He added: “Despite our relief, Border Patrol’s decision to target a young girl at a children’s hospital remains unconscionable. No child should go through this trauma and we are working to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Argentine survivor of New York attack pleads for justice, love

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uillermo Banchini, an architect, and friends were cycling in New York during a 30-year high school reunion trip on Tuesday when a driver of a pickup truck plowed down a bike path.

“How could someone think of, plan and do something like

this? We cannot get our heads around it,” Banchini said at the Argentine consulate in New York. “Let there be justice. Let this not be repeated, not here nor anywhere in the world.”

Eight people, including a Belgian woman, a New Yorker and a New Jersey man, were

killed and 11 injured in lower Manhattan in the attack along the Hudson River. The suspect, 29-year-old Uzbek immigrant Sayfullo Saipov, was charged with acting on behalf of Islamic State, whose followers have carried out vehicle attacks in several cities, mostly in Europe. (Reuters)

Chapo, was captured in 2014 despite changing the shape of most of his features while on the run.

Jesus Martin was known as a “Huachicolero”

or a “chupaducto” (pipesucker). He had been running an operation that illegally tapped pipelines, stealing fuel for cheap resale. (BBC)

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, november 4, 2017

Regional

Suriname revokes Kosovo recognition on heels of Russia visit

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n the heels of the first visit by a Suriname Foreign Minister to Moscow, Yildiz Pollack-Beighle, informed her Serbian counterpart via the United Nations that her Government has withdrawn recognition of Kosovo, a breakaway territory in the former Yugoslavia.

The message was received in Belgrade with euphoria while PollackBeighle was in Moscow.

Russians and Serbians are both Slavic people and Moscow is Serbia’s staunchest ally and advocate.

This could have been a trade-off requested by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov as Suriname pivots towards Russia seeking a strong ally to combat the growing US “interference” in the internal affairs of other countries. The withdrawal of the recognition of Kosovo was conveyed in a

Venezuela Opposition coalition split ahead of new vote

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ne of Venezuela’s major opposition parties has decided to run in local elections next month despite a boycott by others, deepening a split in the Democratic Unity coalition to the glee of President Nicolás Maduro and his ruling Socialist Party.

Three of the four main groupings in the coalition have vowed not to participate in the December 10 balloting for 335 Mayors and one Governor because they believe the election system is rigged.

But the fourth party, A New Time, based in oil-rich western Zulia state where the governorship is up for grabs, argues Maduro must still be fought at the ballot box to avoid simply handing him more political space.

Manuel Rosales, a for-

mer Zulia governor who fled to Peru in 2009 after corruption charges leveled by the government of Maduro’s predecessor Hugo Chávez, said on Thursday he would be running again on behalf of A New Time.

“I‘m not going to leave Zulianos alone,” Rosales told supporters.

Rosales was jailed in 2015 on his return from exile. Authorities lifted a ban on him running for office just this week.

His party’s stance has infuriated many anti-Maduro activists.

Another opposition leader won the Zulia governorship in elections last month but was prohibited from taking office for refusing to bow to a pro-Maduro legislative superbody. (Excerpt from Reuters)

From left: Foreign Minister Yildiz Pollack-Beighle, President Desi Bouterse and the Moroccan Ambassador

letter penned to the Serbian Foreign Ministry on October 27, two days before PollackBeighle left for Russia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia, Ivica Dacic, on Tuesday acknowledged receipt of the letter and said that it came “after long-term work, and many conversations.” Serbia through the UN has forged strong ties with Suriname and Serbian diplomats have visited Paramaribo several

times.

There was no great take away from Pollack-Beighle’s mission to Moscow. From Russian media reports, it’s not clear that Russia and Suriname signed any bilateral agreements during the visit. Moscow did not commit to any business investment in Suriname. However, there was much talk about investments and foreign policy coordination between the two countries. (Excerpt from

Caribbean News Now)

Intense hailstorms trigger disruption in Bogota

Children play with the hail that fell the night before on a street of Bogota, Colombia, November 2, 2017. In many parts of the city, it looked more like snow than hail

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iolent thunderstorms have struck the Colombian capital, Bogota. The storms brought large amounts of hail, which blanketed the city and transformed it into a winter wonderland.

The hail was so deep that it looked like snow. Children buried themselves in it, formed snowballs and built

snowmen. However, the storms also triggered flooding and tore down trees and power lines.

A dangerous mixture of water and ice flowed down some roads to the north of the city, making them impassable and causing a major disruption to transport.

Numerous people lost power during the se-

vere weather. Christian Euscategui, head of the forecast and alert service Ideam, told El Colombiano that the storms were caused by the humid air of the Magdalena region to the north of Bogota, colliding with the humidity of the Orinoquia to the east.

Ice in Bogota is relatively rare. The city’s weather is described as “perpetu-

al spring”, where nights are cool, but not cold, and days are warm, but not hot. Frost is unknown.

This amount of hail is unlikely to be seen for a long time to come, but with November being a particularly wet month for Bogota, more thunderstorms are inevitable. (Al Jazeera)

US must ‘tell truth’ on alleged No more welfare state – fmr Cuba attacks – Foreign Minister Prime Minister tells nation

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez during a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC on November 2, 2017

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uba’s Foreign Minister on Thursday accused anyone claiming attacks took place against US diplomats in Havana of “deliberately lying,” echoing comments he made last week in an ongoing dispute.

“It is time the United States tells the truth or presents evidence,” Bruno Rodriguez insisted during a press conference in

Washington, referring to incidents which affected the health of at least 24 US embassy officials in Havana, according to the State Department.

“Those who state there have been attacks, deliberate acts or specific incidents causing damage to health are deliberately lying,” he said, adding that so far US authorities “have not presented an atom of evidence”

the alleged attacks happened.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson earlier described the incidents, which began last year, as “health attacks.” Several Canadian families were also affected.

Washington’s ties with Havana were only fully restored in 2015 after a half-century Cold War breakdown, but have been strained since President Donald Trump took office in January. Washington has not formally blamed Havana, but in mid-October Trump said that he holds Cuba responsible – and the White House has said it believes the country could bring the attacks to a halt.

“The so-called sonic attacks ... are totally false,” Rodriguez said last Saturday in a surprise appearance at a Washington meeting of Cubans living in the United States.

He called the allegations “political manipulation aimed at damaging bilateral relations.” (Excerpt from Jamaica

Observer)

F

ormer Prime Minister Owen Arthur sounded a stern warning to Barbadians that the era of the ‘welfare state’, in which citizens were guaranteed free social services and other entitlements “paid for by a plethora of taxes” was fast coming to an end.

In fact, while likening the Barbados economy to a speeding vehicle, he cautioned that it was fast approaching a dead end and therefore urgently needed to change course in order to avoid plunging into a calamitous “developmental trap”.

Without making direct reference to any of the current fiscal policies of the Freundel Stuart Administration or the recent promises by Opposition Leader Mia Mottley that if elected, the Barbados Labour Party will make tertiary education free again and will immediately repeal the dreaded National Social Responsibility Levy, Arthur cautioned that the heavy provision of welfare services by the state was no longer

Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur

sustainable.

It was in his Budget presentation on May 30 that Finance Minister Chris Sinckler unveiled a Bdn$542 million austerity package aimed at closing the island’s worrying deficit of Bdn$537 million.

The former Prime Minister, who in the past has called for the privatization of some state-owned en-

tities and abandonment of some welfare support programmes, stressed that Barbados simply could not afford to continue to “confer massive benefits on our citizens through entitlements without equally becoming technologically dynamic and changing our business culture as the basis on which we generate income. (Excerpt

from Barbados Today)

saturDAY, november 4, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

ICC Prosecutor seeks to After year of mourning, Thailand's investigate Afghan war 'floating basket' festival returns crimes allegations – and claims of US torture

At left, US troops prepare to board a helicopter North of Kandahar days after Afghanistan signed the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in May 2003. At right is Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor of the ICC, at the UN last year

T

he Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is seeking approval to investigate allegations of war crimes in Afghanistan, including possible torture by US forces and the CIA. If authorised, the investigation would also look at crimes allegedly committed by armed opposition groups, such as the Taliban, and Afghan government forces.

The ICC Chief Prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said in a report last year that the US military and the CIA may have committed war crimes by torturing detainees in Afghanistan between 2003

and 2014.

Her request comes after an unusually long preliminary process, which has dragged on for 10 years because of a lack of capacity at the court as well as lobbying from the Afghan Government, which tried to block it. The Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, met with Bensouda as late as September during the UN general assembly.

“For decades, the people of Afghanistan have endured the scourge of armed conflict,” Bensouda said.

“Following a meticulous preliminary examination of the situation, I have come to the

Catalonia crisis: Spain issues warrant for Puigdemont

A

Spanish judge has issued European Arrest Warrants (EAW) for sacked Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont and four of his allies who went to Belgium. The five failed to attend a high court hearing in Madrid on Thursday when nine other ex-members of the regional government were taken into custody.

One of those detained has been freed on bail of €50,000 (£44,000; US$58,000).

They all face charges of rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds for pursuing Catalan independence. Puigdemont has said he will not return to Spain unless he receives guarantees of a fair trial.

Belgium will "study" the warrant, a spokesman for the state prosecutor told AFP news agency.

The regional parliament in Catalonia voted to proclaim an independent republic a week ago, following an illegal referendum on independence organised by the Catalan government on October 1.

No other country recognised the move and the Spanish central government moved swiftly to impose con-

Puigdemont has called for his colleagues to be released

trol, using emergency powers under the constitution.

Puigdemont was the president of the autonomous region of Catalonia until the proclamation of independence and continues to regard himself as the president of the newly proclaimed "Republic of Catalonia".

Puigdemont and his colleagues travelled to Belgium to raise their case for statehood at the EU institutions and he insists he is not trying to evade "real justice".

He said in a Belgian TV interview aired earlier on Friday that he would cooperate with Belgian justice authorities. (Excerpt from BBC News)

conclusion that all legal criteria required under the [ICC’s] Rome statute to commence an investigation have been met.”

Crimes to be investigated include crimes against humanity and war crimes such as murder, imprisonment, targeting humanitarian workers, use of child soldiers and carrying out executions without sentencing from the formal legal system.

The ultimate focus, Bensouda said, would be “upon those most responsible for the most serious crimes”. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

People release floating lanterns during the Yee Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand, November 3, 2017

P

eople in Thailand celebrated the Loy Krathong or “floating basket” festival on Friday, following a year of mourning for late King Bhumibol Adulyadej that saw many celebrations muted or cancelled.

The mourning ended on Monday after a five-day funeral last week, and many citizens have returned to wearing coloured garments after having stuck to black for a year.

Participants in the festival pay respects to the water spirits, floating small, tradi-

tionally-hand crafted rafts carrying flowers, bamboo and candles on waterways in an ancient ritual.

The rafts are also thought to carry away bad luck and usher in good fortune during the festival, which is celebrated all over Thailand, but is particularly spectacular in the north.

Festivities will stay in a low key this year, out of respect for the late monarch, however, authorities in the capital said. The BMA urged celebrants to use rafts made from natural materials this year, after environment

groups flagged concerns about non-biodegradable components clogging rivers and drains.

Safety concerns have prompted national carrier Thai Airways International to cancel some roundtrip flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai on Friday and Saturday, it said in a statement, without elaborating.

The northern Thai city celebrates Loy Krathong alongside Yi Peng, a festival in which brightly lit lanterns are wafted into the sky. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Zimbabwe Police charge US citizen with anti-Govt plot

A

US citizen was charged on Friday with attempting to overthrow the Zimbabwean government, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years in jail, after Police earlier accused her of insulting 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe.

Martha O‘Donovan, who works for Magamba TV, which describes itself as Zimbabwe’s leading producer of political satire, was picked up in a dawn raid on her Harare home, her lawyer said.

O‘Donovan, who denies both charges, was expected in court on Saturday, lawyer Obey Shava said.

Police spokeswoman Charity Charamba could not be reached for comment on the

File photo: Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses a meeting of his ruling ZANU PF party's youth league in Harare, Zimbabwe, October 7, 2017

new, much more serious, charge.

O‘Donovan was first charged with insulting and undermining the president, according to a police charge

sheet, which accused her of last month calling Mugabe a “selfish and sick man” on Twitter, the first such arrest since the creation of a Ministry of Cyber Security

last month.

That charge carries a maximum sentence of one year in jail, her lawyer said.

The Police search warrant showed that central to its investigation was a post on O‘Donovan’s Twitter feed referring to a “Goblin” whose wife and step-sons had imported a Rolls-Royce, an apparent reference to Mugabe, though he was not named.

Shava said his client had refused to sign a new document known as a “warned and cautioned statement” with the fresh charge. The document sets out the Government’s case and signing it signals a suspect understands the charge. She had signed the statement on the lesser charge. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Australia cockatoos chew billion-dollar broadband

A

ustralia's multimillion dollar broadband network is under attack - from cockatoos.

The National Broadband Network (NBN) company said it has spent tens of thousands of dollars so far fixing cables chewed by the birds.

Australian broadband is already criticised for being slow. According to a re-

cent report it ranks 50th in the world for internet speed.

NBN estimates the bill will rise sharply as more damage is uncovered.

In an attempt to improve Australia's internet speed – currently lagging behind many developed countries at 11.1 megabits per second – a national telecommunications infrastructure project has

been instigated and is due for completion in 2021.

But engineers returning to sites have found spare cables chewed and frayed.

The culprits are cockatoos, a type of parrot which normally eats fruit, nuts, wood and bark. NBN has had to replace power and fibre cables at a cost of tens of thousands of dollars each time.

So far, they say, they have spent A$80,000 (US$61,500, £47,000).

Eating cables "would have to be an acquired taste," animal behaviourist Gisela Kaplan told Reuters. "It's not their usual style." She suggested the colour or the position of the cables could have attracted the birds. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, november 4, 2017

ARCHIE

Joint money matters should be discussed to pro(March 21vide a guideline that will April 19) prevent anyone from being treated unfairly. Size up the necessary contributions prior to agreeing.

ARIES

Look for the best ways to TAURUS make your personal life and (April 20- important relationships betMay 20) ter. Taking part in a retreat, group discussion or brief vacation will be rewarding.

dilbert

Think about what’s been GEMINI (May 21- going on at work or with June 20) the people you spend most of your day with. Be open to discussing situations before they get out of hand. Don’t take sides.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

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Speak for those who can’t do so for themselves. Your voice will help make a difference. Get involved in organizations that are doing good work in your community. Time spent with children will be enlightening.

Emotional outbursts can change your future. Contain your angst until you are in a better position to win. Work on being a better person, not on trying to change others.

Taking a day trip to visit VIRGO someone from your past will (Aug. 23spark an interest in things Sept. 22) you used to enjoy doing. A retreat, reunion or jaunt to old haunts will be enlightening.

Calvin and Hobbes

Personal money matters LIBRA (Sept. 23- and agreements should be Oct. 23) handled with care. A positive change to your income or financial position is within reach if you invest in something tangible.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

It’s OK to air your differSCORPIO ences, as long as you are will(Oct. 24ing to listen as well. Making Nov. 22) unique changes to your home or lifestyle will help you achieve happiness.

Sort out any differences SAGITTARIUS you have with someone you (Nov. 23- must deal with daily. It will Dec. 21) be easier to move forward if you are open about your feelings.

Host a reunion and CAPRICORN bring old friends together.

(Dec. 22- Memories will help to reinJan. 19) state some of the plans you had, but never managed to fit into your busy schedule.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle Too much talk and not AQUARIUS enough action will not (Jan. 20- help your situation. Follow Feb. 19) through with your promises and encourage others to do the same. Taking action is your best bet.

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

A discussion about your PISCES (Feb. 20- prospects will get you headMarch 20) ing in a new direction. Using your skills to maneuver into an industry that is better suited to your qualifications will be gratifying.

saturDAY, november 4, 2017

19

CWI/ Digicel Regional 4-Day Championship 2017-18, Rd 2…

Jaguars sniffing early victory

– Singh hits ton, Bramble 90 & Rutherford 51

A

t stumps on day 2, the Windward Islands Volcanoes batting a second time were 54 for 1 still trailing by 150 runs with lots of work to do to get back in the game against the Guyana Jaguars at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Beausejour St. Lucia on Friday.

In contrast to the opening day when 14 wickets tumbled, day two saw close to 300 runs being scored with just seven wickets going down including that of former West Indies opener, Devon Smith for an eight-ball duck.

When the Umpires called time, Kirk Edwards was on 12 while his captain, Tyrone Theophile, who opened the batting with Smith was on 34 with an uphill task of batting for two days to save the match ahead of them.

The day began with the defending champions fighting back after losing early wickets on 117 for 4 with Test batsman Vishaul Singh on 35 and wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble on 13. At that position, the Jaguars were still behind by 36 runs. The partnership up to that point was worth 27 after the Jaguars

were 88-4 late on the opening day.

The pair put their heads down and grafted a 174-run partnership that was ended just before tea when Bramble was dismissed. The Berbician hit 10 fours from the 168 deliveries he faced on his way to his highest First Class score.

It is his 40th match at this level and the seventh occasion that he passed 50 but he threw away the opportunity for a maiden century.

However, Vishail Singh who is just back from representing the West Indies “A” team against Sri Lanka in Jamaica was not going to be so unfortunate. The diminutive left hander crafted his way to his seventh First Class ton which he brought up just after Bramble was dismissed and moments before tea.

After the interval, the

Jaguars lost two additional wickets in relatively quick succession with Keemo Paul and Singh falling to Tyrone Theophile. Singh, the Windies “A” Vice-captain made a monumental 119 from 252 balls with 11 fours then it was the Sherfane Rutherford show.

Rutherford who picked up six wickets on the opening day to bowl out the home team then took the attack to the bowlers to bring up his maiden First Class half century.

In all, the left-hander hit six fours and four sixes in his 59ball stay at the crease to see the Jaguars past the 350-run mark and four batting bonus points in the bag.

With a lead of 204 on first innings, the Jaguars bowlers sent down 15 overs but Theophile and Edwards held firm. The deficit is reduced to 150 runs but a giant task

is ahead of the Volcanoes to

come back.

SCOREBOARD Stumps Day 2 Volcanoes 1st innings 153 Jaguars 1st Innings (Overnight 117/4) T Chanderpaul c McCoy b Lewis 1 R Chandrika c Jordan b Lewis 0 C Hemraj c Benjamin b Shillingford 48 L Johnson * c Benjamin b McCoy 7 V Singh c Hodge b Theophile 119 A Bramble+ c Kato b Jordan 90 K Paul c McCoy b Theophile 3 S Rutherford c Alexander b McCoy 51 R Shepherd lbw b Shillingford 7 V Permaul c Benjamin b McCoy 3 K Joseph not out 0 Extras (b-4, lb-8, w-10, nb-4) 26

Total (All out, 104 Overs) 357 FOW: 1-1, 2-6, 3-22, 4-89, 5-263, 6-284, 7-301, 8-318, 9-353, 10-357 Bowling Lewis 22-2-81-2, McCoy 15-2-56-3, Jordan 16-1-61-1, Shillingford 309-67-2, Alexander 11-0-320, Theophile 10-2-48-2 Volcanoes 2nd Innings D Smith c Rutherford b Joseph 0 T Theophile* not out 36 K Edwards not out 12 Extras (b-3, w-3) 6 Total (For 1 wicket, 15 overs) 54 FOW: 1-10 Bowling Joseph 4.5-2-15-1, Shepherd 4-1-19-0, 1.1-1-1-0, Paul 2-0-10-0, Permaul 3-2-6-0 Position: Volcanoes trail by 150 runs with 9 wickets in hand

GFSCA/ Guyana Softball Cup VII

Regal Masters rule opening day T

he seventh edition of the Guyana Floodlights Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) Guyana Softball Cup bowled off on Friday at various venues in and around Georgetown.

In the All Star category, dark horses – Boots All Stars, Farm XI and Corriverton won both of their preliminary round matches and are on solid ground for places in the semi-finals scheduled for this afternoon.

In the Masters category, Regal Masters, Mike’s Wellman and defending champions Floodlights have an unblemished record going into today’s third round of matches.

Eve Leary, Boots AllStars kicked up a storm by beating defending champions Speedboat by 17 runs.

Boots All Stars took first strike and scored 136-7 with Jonathan Fernandes making 31 and Brian Mangar 21; Mark Harold claimed 4-29 and Kishore Smith 2-20. Speedboat then stuttered to 111-9 with Anand Bharat making 38 and Greg Singh 37. Fernandes had 3-21, C. Ramdhanie 2-13 and Yodhanlall Sooklall 2-33.

Corriverton defeated Amazon by 115 runs.

Corriverton batted first and

Mark Harold posted 236 all out in 20 overs.

Eon Hooper struck 55, J. Diaram 47, A. Narine 42 and K. Sobhai 22; R. Narine took 2-7. Amazon were bowled out for 121 in 18.3 overs in reply.

Anthony Ifill made 32 and Ganesh Mangal 23. David Lukenauth snared 3-24 and Hooper 2-12.

In their second round match, Boots All Stars overcame Ontario SCL All Stars by 60 runs. Boots All Stars managed 104 all out in 15.4 overs, taking first strike.

Ejaz Mohamed made 24 and D. Williams 15; Amir Khan claimed 4-28, Amit Pooran 2-6 and Steve Ramdass 2-21.

Ontario SCL All Stars were sent packing for 44 in 15 overs in reply. Troy Gonsalves got 15 as Roy Persaud picked up 3-11, Yodhanlall Sooklall 2-4

and A. Sookdeo 2-10.

Farm XI got the better of Amazon by 129 runs. Farm XI batted first and posted 2039 with Ravindra Ramnauth scoring 54, Quazie Yusuf 29, Rajesh Reddy 24 and Sheldon Adams 23. Ganesh Mangal bagged 6-32. Amazon were bowled out for 74 in 13.5 overs in reply. Adams had 3-11.

At GDF Camp Ayangana ground, Corriverton beat NYSCL All Stars by 40 runs. Corriverton took first strike and scored 125 all out. Delbert Hicks and David Lukenauth made 35 and 22 respectively as J. Wessel and A. Singh captured three wickets each.

NYSCL All Stars made 85 all out in reply. A. Singh got 20 and Lukenauth grabbed 4-10 while A. Narine, Eon Hooper and K. Gangaram had two each.

NY Hustlers beat Tristate by nine wickets. Tristate batted first and got to 120 all out in 20 overs. R. Mathura made 20. NY Hustlers scored 124-1 in 19 overs in reply. Troy Lewis stroked 52 and Debo Sankar 46.Regal Masters defeated Parika Defenders by nine wickets.

Parika Defenders took first turn in the middle and were bowled out for 89 in 19 overs.

Lalchand Madhu led with 42

as Raymond Harper grabbed 3-8, Parsram Persaud 2-8 and Laurie Singh 2-23.

Regal Masters replied with 90-1 in 10.1 overs. Mahase Chunilall made 48 and Mahendra Hardyal 32.

Parika Defenders thumped Tristate by 137 runs. Parika Defenders piled up 2148, batting first. Oswald Chandler smashed 83. A. Deroop 52 and S. Mohamed 30. Tristate were skittled for 77 in 17 overs in reply. K. Baksh had 3-24.

At GCC, Wellman beat Savage by four runs.

Wellman took first strike and got to 156-4 with Lloyd Ruplall getting 74 and Wayne Jones 28. Savage were restricted to 152-6 in reply. Seemangal Yadram made 44, Seeraj Bhimsain 40 and Kennard Luke 24. Paul Premchand had 2-28 and Lester Thom 2-31.

Fisherman XI beat Orlando SCL Masters by 73 runs. Fisherman XI batted first and rattled up 2083. B. Persaud hammered 103, Robert Mohan 46 and S. Budhoo 32. Orlando SCL Masters were limited to 1359 in reply. W. Layne made 53; P. Singh had 3-13.

At DCC, Floodlights defeated Albion Masters by 80 runs. Floodlights scored 1915, taking first strike. Ramo

Mahendra Hardyal Malone 59, Ramesh Narine 45 and Unnis Yusuf 28 were the principal scorers. V. Moonsammy took two wickets. Albion managed 111-9 in reply. Jagdesh Bhoj made 39; Ravi Lutchman had 3-16 and Clive Canterbury 3-23.

Ontario Masters overcame NY President’s XI by 66 runs. Ontario Masters took first strike and mustered 181-7. Jaimini Singh got 41, Brijmohan Harritar 29 and Shazam Baksh 22; Eric Jeffrey, Peter Persaud and Rudy Myers had two wickets apiece.

NY President’s XI were bowled out for 115 in 16.5 overs in reply. Mohamed Rafeek got 25 and M. Babb 18 not out. Baksh claimed 3-18, M. Singh 3-25 and Rajendra Parsnauth 2-17.

NYSCL Masters trounced Marine Masters by 200 runs.

NYSCL Masters rattled up 260-4, batting first. Ronald Khan slammed 100 and Ravi Sahadeo made 57. Marine Masters were bowled out for 60 in 13.1 overs in reply. R. khan grabbed 4-2.

Floodlights beat NYSCL Masters by 28 runs.

Floodlights scored 187-3, taking first knock. Jagdesh Persaud 47, Ramesh Narine 45 and Ramo Malone 44 were the leading batsmen; Richmond Fraser had 2-44.

NYSCL Masters were restricted to 159-8 in response.

Ravi Sahadeo stroked 66 and Tony Fernandes 36; Jagdesh Persaud claimed 4-34, Narine 2-37 and Malone 2-39.

Albion Masters defeated Ontario Masters by 21 runs. Batting first, Albion Masters managed 169 all out in 19 overs. K. Samaroo made 67, Heeraj Harris 31 and Jagdesh Baksh 22.

Fazal Sahun had 3-36, Khemraj Budhai 2-9 and Terry Mathura 2-9. Ontario Masters got to 148-7 in reply.

Bobby Parsnauth made 34, Josh Parsnauth and Shayam Baksh 25 each. Imran Hussain grabbed 4-25. Regal Masters and Mike’s Wellman won their other fixtures played in the afternoon.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, november 4, 2017

u r suant to the recent collaboration between the two r e g i o n al entities, both of which are duly affiliated to the international governing body, World Archery Federation and World Archery Americas, World Archery Barbados made the necessary arrangements to provide Archery Guyana with the assistance of four coaches, intended to aid in the further development of local Archers.

Ronald Field, Thomas Field, Rebecca Wiltshire and Dwayne Grovesnor arrived on Friday to conduct coaching/training sessions with Archery Guyana this weekend.

President Richard Morris of World Archery Barbados noted that “As we

Barbados coaches arrive to assist Archery Guyana seek to strengthen relations between Federations, WAB takes this opportunity to wish Archery Guyana the best of luck with the training session, and looks forward to receiving some positive feedback from this, and future collaborations.”

President of Archery Guyana, Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, expressed delight to have the Coaches here in Guyana as she welcomed them to Guyana.

She noted that Dwayne Grovesnor also happens to be a Guyanese living in Barbados and she is happy to have him back home to help his country.

Persaud-McKinnon hope that in the near future our Guyanese Archers can travel regionally and internationally to participate in competitions.

Corporate community shows motor racing loyalty –Seaboard Marine, Ready-mix Concrete join sponsorship cast for Race of Champions

Lizanne London from the Department of Tourism presents a welcome bag to Rebecca Wiltshire of World Archery Barbados. Looking on from left is Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, Ronald Field, Thomas Field and Dwayne Grovesnor

Another successful collaboration was made with the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Business and Archery Guyana. It is envisioned that Guyana can host major regional competitions which is an area which will tremendously boost Guyana’s visibility and encourage sports tourism. Present also to greet the Coaches was Lizanne London, the Tourism Development Officer (Public Relations) of the Ministry of Business - Department of Tourism who presented the Coaches with a welcome bag.

Coaching sessions will be both Indoor starting this evening at the National Gymnasium from 17:00h to 20:00h and Outdoor Archery at the Carifesta Sports Complex on Sunday from 14:30h to 15:30h.

25 teams

to battle for $500,000 … in Linden’s annual year-end futsal tournament

ReadyMix Marketing Manager Kanhai Sewnarine (left photo) and Peter Peroune of Seaboard Marine present their company’s sponsorship to GMR&SC’s Saurica Singh Mohamed’s Enterprise proprietor Nazar Mohamed hands over the sponsorship cheque to a New Era Entertainment representative

R

eadyMix and Seaboard Marine are the latest companies to ink their support for the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s (GMR&SC) International Race of Champions which will run off on November 11 and 12 at the South Dakota Circuit, Timehri.

The corporate bodies presented sponsorship cheques to GMR&SC’s Saurica Singh at their respective offices signalling their elation to be on-board.

Seaboard Marine’s Peter Peroune presented the sponsorship on behalf of the shipping company while Marketing Manager of Ready Mix Concrete, Kanhai Sewnarine, did the hounours for her company.

The GMR&SC just recently unveiled a 27-race programme which will encompass racing on both days.

The club has confirmed the participation of two professional drift cars from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as, four SR-3 Radicals from Barbados, in addition to the Caribbean Motor Racing Championship(CMRC) competitors that are expected.

N

ew Era Entertainment will for the fourth year running host their Futsal Tournament at the Mackenzie Sports Club Hard Court in Linden, from November 24 to December 26.

The event was officially launched on Friday at Mohamed’s Enterprise on Lombard street and will feature 25 of the country’s top futsal teams.

Seven of those teams are Georgetown based. The 25 teams will compete in a ‘win or go home’ format with the champions carting off $500,000.

Mohamed’s Enterprise is the platinum sponsor of

the tournament and proprietor Nazar Mohamed speaking at the launch revealed that his entity will continue their sponsorship for as long as possible, since sports, more so in the Linden community, holds a very special place for him.

Mohamed noted that his involvement in football dates back to over 25 years, having been one of the primary sponsors of the famed Kashif and Shanghai football tournament.

He also urged potential sponsors to come on board to ensure the longevity of the event especially since Futsal is a growing sport and has an avid audience in Linden.

Cell Smart, another sponsor of the tournament, through their representative Linden Gomes, stated that they’re happy to once again be associated with the tournament, since it’s well-loved in the Linden community.

Acting President of the Guyana Futsal Association (GFA) Kenrick Noel, also pointed out that the most Futsal tournaments were played over the last 12 months and it is only fitting that the New Era Tournament bring the curtains down on a fruitful year for the sport.

Also present at the launch was Wayne Forde, president of the Guyana

Football Federation (GFF) who said that despite not having an indoor facility, the sport of Futsal is very much alive in Linden, while pledging his Federation’s continued support in making the game more popular and properly administered.

Futsal juggernauts Sparta Boss, Meadowbrook, Customs, Bent Street and West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ are among the city teams who will be participating in the event for the first time.

Apart from the lucrative first place prize, the second place team will pick up $150,000, while third place is set to receive $50,000.

sports

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cricket returns to Linden

Flashback! Female champions Mike’s Well Woman and sponsor Celena Ramdeholl

T

he fourth installment of the very popular Dave and Celena’s Softball cricket competition is set for a highly anticipated return to the mining town of Linden tonight.

With over $1,500,000 up for grabs, the tournament has already attracted over 25 teams for the six overs per side contest in both male and female categories from all three counties.

While the round robin stage is billed for six over a side, the quarter finals and finals will be 8-overa per side affairs.

Speaking to the organizer of the competition, Richie Ramdeholl pointed out that this format is based on the fact that there will be as much as 12 games per night.

To date, in the male division, teams such as Southstars, Spightland Challengers, Kairuni, Hillfoot Vipers, Hightimes Family, Bosai Inc., Bad Boys, Universal Soldiers, Speed Boat, Spartans out of Berbice, Farm, Herstelling, Boots All Stars and Rockaway while the female teams include Sunrise, Ituni, Araima warriors, Bayrock, Combine Warriors, Blazing Fire, defending champions, Mikes Well woman, Trophy Stall Angels and 4 R Lioness.

Ramdeholl expressed much gratitude to the title sponsors who have been with the tournament since the inception in 2014.

The tournament has attracted a huge turnout in the community with lots of fans getting to wit-

Sponsors, (from left) Davanand and Celena Ramdeholl with organizer Richie Ramdeholl

ness the intense competition the tournament is known to produce along with family fun such as face painting and live entertainment.

Last year, in the female final, city side Mike’s Well Woman displayed their dominance on the

field on their way to a 12-run victory over Aroaima Warriors.

Batting first, the Well Woman made 76 for three with Latoya Fraser making 26 while N. Rogers bagged 2/20 from her two overs.

In Reply, the Aroaima Warriors struggled to get out of the blocks and rallied to 64. Rogers came back to score 14 but her team fell 12 runs short. Haseena “Speedy” Mohamed picked up four wickets.

The crowd was stunned to see Aroaima go down without a fight as they were expecting a victory from the region 10 side. Well Woman carted off with the first prize of $250,000 while Aroaima pocketed $50,000.

However, in the male final drama broke out as the clash of the giants was reduced to just two overs being bowled before rain washed out the contest between Samira Warriors and South Stars with Warriors being sent in to bat and posting 30 without loss from two overs.

In the end, the match officials called time on the game which resulted in the teams being declared joint champions and splitting the $500,000.

However, both teams were fined $50,000 for indiscipline.

Admission is set at $300 at the gate and interested teams are urged to contact the organizers on 6907493

National teams focused on CAC as qualifiers begin

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he Guyana Hockey Board has selected 16 females and 17 males to participate in the upcoming qualifiers for the Central American & Caribbean Games 2018. The qualifiers are being held at the Mona Complex in Kingston from November 5 to 12 and will feature both male and female competitions simultaneously.

As a result of their absence from international outdoor competition recently, Guyana finds both its teams vying for the final two places in the CAC Games with those spots going to the top two finishers of the qualifiers. The men’s team last competed in international competition when they narrowly missed silver medals in the Pan Am Challenge held in Peru in 2015. In this qualifier, they will face challenges from hosts Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Guatemala and

Panama and Puerto Rico have also entered the competition.

The teams travelled to Jamaica via airline Fly Jamaica who offered support through a special discount package for the Guyanese contingent.

The teams are: Men’s: Manager – Hubert Forrester, Coach – Robert Fernandes

Jamarj Assanah controls the ball for Guyana against Puerto Rico (File photo)

Panama.

The women last competed in the CAC games of 2014 in Vera Cruz Mexico where they finished 6th of eight teams. Qualifier hosts Jamaica, will be looking to avenge their penalty shootout loss to Guyana at the last games while Bermuda, Guatemala,

Guyanese sweeper Ulrica Sutherland (centre) wins her duel with a Jamaican striker (File photo)

Players – Jamarj Assanah, Aroydy Branford, Rayon Branford, Hilton Chester, Marvin Dannett, Robert France, Jael Gaskin, Randy Hope, Kareem McKenzie, Mark Sargeant, Meshach Sargeant, Medroy Scotland, Dwayne Scott, Orland Semple, Andrew Stewart, David Williams, Steven Xavier Women’s Team: Manager – Latoya Fordyce, Coach – Philip Fernandes, Videographer – Dwayne Alleyne Players – Maria Munroe, Shebiki Baptiste, Latacia Chung, Minsodia Culpepper, Ashley DeGroot, Nicole Eastman, Kerensa Fernandes, Marisha Fernandes, Marzana Feidtkou, Tamala Glenn, Aliuyah Gordon, Briawna Gordon, Bushani Kaladeen, Ulrica Sutherland, Trisha Woodroffe, Gabriella Xavier

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, november 4, 2017

Courts/Malta Pee-Wee Schools Football Semi-finals

Sophia, West Ruimveldt clash too close to call – Marian start as favourites against Enterprise

strike power. Both sides are yet to lose a match which makes this do or die contest quite intriguing.

West Ruimveldt’s Ian Daniels with eight goals leads the scorers and will look to partner with his teammate Devon Chance (2 goals) to make early inroads.

For Sophia, their threat stems from their versatility as it certainly has not been a ‘one-man show’ for the team who are out to prove a point.

Leonard King leads their charts with goals but he is closely followed by the tal11/4/2017

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The hunt to the championship match is on today at Thirst Park

he seventh annual Courts/Malta Schools Pee-Wee Football Tournament has reached its semi-final stage but cherry

picking who may be in the final is a difficult task given the technical powers showcased by the teams who have reached this stage.

The Sophia and West Ruimveldt clash should be one which has all spectators biting their nails since it pits two sides with serious

11:00 hrs 11:00 hrs 11:45 hrs 11:45 hrs 12:30 hrs 12:30 hrs 13:15 hrs 14:00 hrs

Round 6 Semi Finals

Banks DIH Water Beverage Manager Clive Pellew hands over the sponsorship to AAG President Aubrey Hutson while other officials look on

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Thirst Park

Tucville Primary v/s Den Amstel Primary ST Ambrose v/s No Contest Parfiet Harmon v/s South Ruimveldt Primary Maes Primary v/s No Contest Reedeemer v/s Stella Marris Primary School of the Nations v/s St Agnes Primary Sophia Primary v/s West RVDLT Primary Enterprise Primary v/s Marian Academy

Banks DIH to refresh South American 10K athletes

anks DIH Limited has confirmed their position as the official beverage sponsor for Sunday’s 15th Edition of the South American 10Km Athletic Road Race which is expected to attract top athletes from South America and the Caribbean.

The local beverage giants presented the sponsorship cheque to the Athletic Association of Guyana (AAG) during a simple ceremony at the Banks DIH Limited Sports Club.

The race will be sponsored under Rain Forest Water and energy drink Powerade, a product of the Coca Cola Company.

Clive Pellew, Water Beverage Manager handed over the sponsorship cheque to Aubrey Hutson, AAG President who thanked Banks DIH Limited for their continued its support for athletics in Guyana.

Communications Manager of Banks DIH, Troy Peters said that his company continues to play its part in the development of sport and the Company remains committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility.

ented David Weeks (5 goals) and Ronaldo Wilson (4 goals). It shows that offensively, they have one of the stronger firing power.

In the other match, inaugural champions Marian Academy will meet an Enterprise Primary who have not set the tournament alight with their style of play but have done the most important thing, to win.

It shows too that only Shemar Richardson (2 goals) and Mark Eastman (one goal) have made conversions. It will need to

Also present during the presentation were Errol Nelson, Powerade Brand Manager and James Cole, LOC Secretariat Manager for the event.

The 15th Edition of the South American 10Km race is expected to attract athletes from Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina Chile Colombia, Grenada, Panama, Suriname, Uruguay, French Guiana, Trinidad and Tobago and host Guyana.

The race will start on Carifesta Avenue proceed to East Coast Highway before returning to the National Park for the finish.

The Guyanese trio of Cleveland Forde, Cleveland Thomas and Winston Missigher copped first to third places in that order last weekend in the first leg of the 10K Classic in Suriname. They will be looking to maintain that streak on Sunday but will face stiff opposition from their south American counter parts.

Forde is the defending Man’s champion.

change significantly since Marian are team who have showcased immense technical play. Michael Alphonso and Bradley Walton have combined to share six goals equally while Chad Henry (1) and Asher Adams (2) have showed promising signs.

In addition to the semi-finals there will be matches which will determine placements from five from to sixteen.

Kick off time is 11:00h at the Banks DIH Thirst Park ground.

Match # 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74

13 to 16 13 to 16 9 to 12 9 to 12 5 to 8 5 to 8 Semi Finals Semi Finals

Kowlessar's century flattens Clonbrook

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aniel Kowlessar hit a well-played century for Better Hope “B” in their encounter against Clonbrook at the Better Hope Community Centre as the East Coast Cricket Board/ Elizabeth Styles 40 overs cricket competition continues.

Better Hope “B” winning the toss and opted to bat and posted a mammoth total of 241 of their allotted overs. Opening the batting, Daniel Kowlessar showed good form with the bat, hitting 6x4’s and 6x6’s for a wellplayed 106, while Rasheed Rohoman provide good support with the bat, scoring 65, hitting with 3x4’s and 3x6’s.

Bowling for Clonbrook, Deon Ferrier and David Rajmangal picked up 3 for 33 and 3 for 42 respectively.

In reply, Clonbrook was skittled out for 179 in 35 overs.

Travis Gilbert score an even 50 while Martin Rajmangal made 47, were the only batsman that showed some resistance.

Bowling for Better Hope “B” Daniel Kowlessar returned with the ball to capture 2 for 20, and Ravi Sing 3 for 31 in the 62-run victory.

Daniel Kowlessar

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saturDAY, november 4, 2017

Guyana Cricket Board Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart and Simon Jelowitz (right) during the inspection of the operations section of the stadium

A

team from the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday conducted the inspection of the National Stadium, Providence ahead of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 to be staged in November 2018.

The team from the sport’s world governing body will inspect 11 venues in eight countries in 12 days and Guyana was their fourth stop.

Simon Jelowitz, ICC’s Senior Event Operations Manager, who is leading the delegation told Guyana Times Sport that they were impressed in some regards with the state of Providence which last hosted a World Cup in 2010.

“We are just semi-way through the tour and Cricket West Indies will make a recommendation to ICC on which venues they should use based on the objective we share.”

“The stadium has a great history here and so far what we have seen we have had a great welcome and we are taking our time to have a look at all facilities and will formulate a report with recommendation which we will share with Cricket West Indies and it will be up to them to ask ICC to ratify the recommendations.”

The Providence stadium which was built for the hosting of matches in the 2007 World Cup, has three major stands and a grass mound that can accommodate 4,000 people, giving an overall capacity of around 15,000.

The ICC Women’s World Twenty20 2018 will take place on the back of the ground-breaking ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 in the United Kingdom.”

Eight sides currently participating in the ICC Women’s Championship have qualified directly for the ICC Women’s World

23

ICC inspects National Stadium ahead of 2018 World Cup

The team of venue inspectors from the International Cricket Council (ICC) were busy with their respective tasks on Friday at Providence

Twenty20 2018.

The remaining two sides will progress from the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2018, which will

be staged next June in the Netherlands. Bangladesh, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Uganda and two Asia qual-

ifiers will vie for the two available places.

Windies Women will defend title next year, after Stafanie Taylor’s side won

the 2016 edition in April last year in the Indian city of Kolkata, where they beat Australia in the Final.

(Akeem Greene)

‘No holding back’

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efending Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) Super stock champion Matthew Vieira will be throwing down the gauntlet when the final leg of the champions speeds-off next Saturday at South Dakota Circuit.

Despite it being impossible to retain his title since Mohammed’s Enterprise Bryce Prince rode an unbeaten run through the other three legs ( in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago) and has already secured the crown. Vieira is still bringing his A-game on home turf.

“Expect no holding back. I will be pushing to see what results I can get and I am sure whichever result it is it would be the top,” the rider told Guyana Times Sport in an interview on Friday.

“My plans are to come out and give the fans a big show. The title is already gone but it was a pleasure being the champion and I hope to give everyone a great show and just ride my heart out.”

Added to the test he will get from local and Caribbean competitors, Vieira now has to battle three international riders in Prince, Matt Truelove and Josh Herrin, a challenge he is relishing.

for Matthew Vieira

Riding off with the chequered flag will be a difficult task but Vieira is ready for the challenge (Mikey Spice Photo)

“For us to see what the outside competition holds we can learn a lot. He [Mohammed’s Enterprise] brought the best riders and bikes and it is really hard to beat but I know I am confident to I give them a challenge.”

Last CMRC at South Dakota, it was Prince who stole the show via fantastic riding. So it begs the

question what can Matthew do different this year?

“Last year it didn’t go so well.

I fell in practice and everything was rushed afterwards. Added to that the bikes came back late from Barbados and I really didn’t get a lot of time to practice but this year I have focused really on preparing the bike better and I guess last

year I had the stress of the championship on my head but this meet I will do a lot better and challenge them.”

Regarding the changes, he has made he stated, “I want to keep it as a surprise but practice went well after recovering from the accident I had this year and Sunday [November 12] we will break out

and do what is needed”.

The son of ace driver Mark Vieira, the 20 year-old is elated to have his father’s unconditional support throughout his four years of professional racing along with corporate sponsors I-Cool, Cyril’s Taxi and Game Express.

Meanwhile, a 27-race programme was unveiled last week, which will encompass racing on both Saturday and Sunday.

The participation of two professional drift cars from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as four SR-3 Radicals from Barbados, in addition to the CMRC) competitors are expected.

Saturday, will be treated as just another race day, with adults being charged $1,000 per entry and children 12 to 18 being charged $500. On Sunday, adults will be charged $2,000 and children 12 to 18, $1,000.

Qualification will also be held on Saturday morning from 10:00h, with races beginning from 14:00h.

Scrutineering will take place on Thursday and Friday, and before the qualification on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the club is organising weekend passes for those patrons desirous of viewing both days of action while VIP passes are also be available. (Akeem Greene)

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

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017

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for Matthew Vieira Pg 23

Vieira is planning to bring his best performance yet to South Dakota (Rohindra Mahase Photo)

GFSCA/ Guyana Softball Cup VII‌

Regal Masters rule opening day

Regal Masters began their 2017 Guyana Softball Cup campaign in perfection fashion with victories over Parika Defenders and New York Hustlers. In opening round action on Friday morning at the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Ground at Camp Ayangana, Regal Masters bowler, Lauire Singh (right) bowls with great control to make things uncomfortable for the Parika Defenders batsman while (at left) Wasim Haslim of New York Softball Cricket League shows great respect to the bowling of Farm XI. A full report will be available in a subsequent edition of the Guyana Times (John Ramsingh photos)

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