Guyana times november 6,2017

Govt grants approval for Gafoors Townhouses scheme …in Cummings Lodge

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

Issue No. 3384

P9

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, November 6, 2017

PRICE

Forensic Lab

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt pays overseas contractor millions for undelivered supplies

22-year-old reportedly drowns P13

… during earlymorning swim in Atlantic

Page 3

Texas church shooting leaves at least 26 dead

Teacher on life support after night out turns tragic P13

The shooting happened at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs (pictured), where around 50 people usually attend service, according to local reports. Inset is the shooter Devin Patrick Kelley who walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, dressed in full combat gear, and began shooting, according to local law enforcement sources

– at least 24 others are being treated for injuries See stories on page 14 & 17

– including 10 years in jail for disclosing info about programme, witnesses

7 nabbed with illegal guns, ammo

Drop-in Centre CoI

Staff did P7 not follow required SOPs

Page 8

Guyana Times columnist still seeking justice after carjacking

Sophia murder update

Page 2

Witness P12 Protection Bill 2017 to feature stiff penalties

Mother arrested, suspect remains on the run Page 2

– compensation recommended for mother whose 2 sons died in fire

2 news

monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana Times columnist still Mother arrested, suspect seeking justice after carjacking remains on the run …lack of Police transport delayed investigations Sophia murder update

By Ashraf Dabie

W

ith the passing of more than 24 hours following the attack against Guyana Times columnist Ryhaan Shah, which saw three armed bandits carting off her Toyota Allion motor car, the cultural activist is still seeking justice, as Police are yet to narrow down possible suspects.

This is after ranks attached to the Alberttown Police Station were stalled in their investigations owing to the “lack of vehicles” at the outpost to transport the officers to and from the scene of the crime.

At approximately 13:20h on Saturday, the three gun-wielding men, said to be of African descent, pounced upon Shah just as she pulled up at her Irving Street, Georgetown residence.

The 66-year-old told this publication that while she was opening the gates to her home, the gunmen attacked and grabbed the keys to her silver-grey Toyota Allion motor car, bearing registration number PLL 1127, and immediately drove off in the said vehicle.

A neighbour who witnessed the incident quickly reported it via the newly-reinstalled 911 emergency call system. However, this was

Carjacking victim Ryhaan Shah

to no avail as ranks failed to show up at the scene of the crime.

It was only after the writer was taken to the Alberttown outpost that she discovered that the officers were not dispatched as there were no vehicles at the time. As such, the much-needed prompt response was delayed, allowing the carjackers to make good their escape.

Meanwhile, Shah is of the belief that given the swiftness of the carjacking, the three armed men staked out her home, whether as a preplanned robbery or as part of a scheme to attack the public figure, who was one of the nominees for chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

Adding to that, <<<Guyana Times>>>> understands that no efforts were

made to intercept the hijackers as they drove off in the stolen car. As such, Shah extends gratitude to the eyewitness who made attempts to rush to her rescue.

In fact, it was the very neighbour who assisted the traumatised woman in transporting the investigators to and from the scene of the crime.

This incident marks the second time Shah has been attacked at her residence, after her handbag was ripped away by bandits just last year. As

al being relieved of his motor car, a quantity of cash and a cell phone in the vicinity of the Kitty Seawall in Georgetown, by two men armed with a knife and a gun.

This is in light of a warning issued by the Guyana Police Force, as the frequency of vehicular hijacking cases continues to escalate in recent months. Reports reveal that bandits, most of whom are armed and masked, have gone on a rampage targeting vehicle owners, particularly those driving Toyota Allion

Stolen car owned by the Indian national

such, she is now left to question whether or not it was just a random robbery or if she is being targeted.

Meanwhile, this case coincides with another hijacking which saw an Indian nation-

and Toyota Premio motor cars. The most common cases are those where the perpetrators pretend to be passengers in order to lure taxi drivers into convenient locations to allow for them to cart off their cars.

Given the spike in such crimes, most of these cases have gone unresolved.

Similarly, Shah, as well as the Indian national, is still awaiting any information which may lead to the recovery of their vehicles.

…deceased on record as repeat convict

F

ollowing the shooting in C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown, on Friday evening, which resulted in the death of 24-year-old Jamal Munroe, the mother of the suspect, Deborah Caesar, has been arrested while her son, 19-year-old Mark Ferral, remains on the run.

This is as details into the incident emerge, including that Caesar allegedly provided the weapon that was used in the murder, in encouraging her son to seek revenge on the now dead man.

Guyana Times reported that around 22:45h on the evening in question, Ferral and Munroe clashed over the latter’s 32-year-old girlfriend while at the Black and White Bridge in C Field.

During the confrontation, the woman had also accused the 19-year-old of stealing a mobile phone, which escalated the matter.

The suspect retaliated by whipping out a handgun and discharging rounds in the direction of Monroe, hitting him several times.

He then fled the scene and went into hiding while his victim was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital in a semi-unconscious state.

Munroe sustained gunshot wounds to his legs, upper hand and lower back, and subsequently succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the medical institution.

However, this publication was later made to understand that there was an ongoing feud between the

Deceased: Jamal Munroe

young men, stemming from a two-month disagreement over a gambling board which dragged Munroe’s “gang” and Ferral’s family into the altercation.

It was just last week that the duo were said to be caught up in an incident which saw them chasing after each other while armed with cutlasses right in Sophia. Days later, Munroe was said to have stabbed Ferral which was reported to the Turkeyen Police Station, but to no avail. As such, when the two clashed once again on Friday evening, the outcome was fatal.

Police are still on the hunt for Ferral, who has not been seen since the incident. However, his mother, 44-year-old Caesar, who is a security guard, was taken into custody after initial probes into the incident revealed that she allegedly took home her service revolver for her teenage son to put an end to the matter with Munroe, once and for all. turn to page 8

news

Forensic Lab

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, November 6 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, November 7– 05:00h-06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, November 6 – 05:45h-07:15h and Tuesday, November 7– 06:35h-08:05h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Heavy rain showers will prevail throughout the day with light rain showers in the mid-afternoon. Partly cloudy skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East North-easterly to Easterly between 2.68 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 05:43h and 17:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.80 metres and 2.89 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 11:31h and 23:59h reaching minimum heights of 0.46 metre and 0.33 metre respectively.

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monDAY, november 6, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Govt pays overseas contractor millions for undelivered supplies …AG recommends legal action be taken for non-delivery of items

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he Public Security Ministry has been flagged by Auditor General (AG) Deodat Sharma in his 2016 report for not being in compliance with the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act (FMA) and the Procurement Act 2003.

According to the AG in his report, the Ministry went back on its own agreement when procuring goods and paid an unnamed overseas contractor, who was supplying the Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory, for goods it did not receive.

Detailing the transac-

items were delivered, inspected and certified by the relevant agency. A penalty clause also ensured that fees at a rate of 0.03 per week to a maximum of 10 per cent of the contract sum would be charged for late execution of the order.

But on June 27, 2017, the overseas supplier was paid $9.9 million when it delivered forensic laboratory materials worth just $3.1 million. The Auditor General noted that materials valued at $6.7 million were not delivered, at odds with the agreement the Ministry signed.

“In addition, the remaining three cheques in the sum of $11.9 million were still on hand at

The Guyana Forensic Science Laboratory

tion, it was noted that for 2016, amounts totalling $999.7 million was spent to procure goods and services.

This includes a sum of $145.6 million which went towards purchasing drugs, medical supplies and field material. There was also a $21.9 million agreement with the overseas supplier for forensic laboratory materials for the Laboratory, located at Turkeyen.

Zeroing in on the agreement, the Auditor General noted that it mandated 50 per cent of the advance payment be paid within seven days of the contract being signed, after the supplier provides a bond for the advance from a recognised financial institution.

The other half was supposed to be paid when the

the Ministry. It should be noted that two of these cheques totalling $10.9 million have since become stale dated while the other cheque in the sum of $994,457 was updated. This is in breach of the FMA Act and the Procurement Act 2003,” the Audit Office observed.

In its response to the audit findings, the head of the budget agency indicated that efforts would be made to contact the supplier in hopes of having the items delivered.

However, the Auditor General recommended that legal action be taken by the head of the budget agency for the items. It was also recommended that the cheques be updated and refunded to the Consolidated

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

Fund.

The law is very clear about the procedure for unspent monies in Government departments, once the monies came from the Consolidated Fund.

Section 43 of the FMA Act states: “Except as otherwise provided in this Act or in any other law, at the end of each fiscal year, any unexpended balance of public monies issued out of the Consolidated Fund shall be returned and surrendered to the Consolidated Fund.”

It is not the first time the Public Security Ministry has been flagged by the Audit Office for paying monies for goods not received. Earlier this year, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Daniella Mc Calmon was grilled by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) over questionable transactions dating back to 2014.

It was found that an American company, Tactical Supplier Inc, was sole sourced by the then

Home Affairs Ministry to provide an Industrial Washer and Dryer. Despite payment being made for the items, they were not delivered.

Government has, some time ago, pronounced that the Forensic Laboratory would be fully functional by next year, once it has the requisite staff and equipment. In several high-profile cases, samples from murder victims have had to be sent overseas by the Police for DNA testing.

According to previous pronouncements by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, the Lab is currently equipped to conduct testing including on currencies, forged documents and ballistics.

Under the second component of the Public Security Ministry’s Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP), there are provisions for improving the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Forensic Laboratory’s effectiveness towards preventing and conducting crime investigations.

This component is being funded at the cost of US$5.5 million through the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB). Apart from the procurement of equipment for the laboratory, the CSSP will facilitate local and overseas training, and training materials for laboratory staff and the Police Force in terms of crime investigation and evidence collection.

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

Multicultural practice

I

n the political crisis roiling Guyana presently, the ethnic divisions have become very stark. The need for a commitment to multicultural practices becomes imperative. A “multicultural practice” means there will be fair and equitable treatment of others by individuals, groups, and institutions.

Instead of racism and discrimination, there will be respectful and equal treatment of individuals and groups from any ethnic, racial, or immigrant background.

With the vast majority of Guyanese brought to Guyana in the last three hundred years, we do not have the tools to imagine a nation “looming out of an immemorial past”. But while we will have to accept the diversity we find ourselves with, we will also have to hone some kind of unity so that we may achieve what most modern states are expected to deliver to their citizens – at a minimum, civil peace.

The question of “national culture” has been the site of the contestation of power in civil society as well as the state.

It has therefore been a wider struggle than the political.

This is what multicultural practices address. The notion that some groups must reject or discard their cultural heritage to participate in the polity must be rejected. It arises from a barbaric past, when nations were forced to ‘assimilate’ by force. Even in these circumstances, ethnic bonds were never completely annihilated -- witness Catalan nationalism playing out today in Spain.

Modern communications facilitate the dissemination and forging of ethnic bonds. Modern international norms of ‘equality’ and ‘self-determinations’ of peoples militate against cultural hegemony being accepted by even tiny minorities. Rather than the ‘melting pot’ ideal of integration, the ‘salad bowl’ model should be encouraged. Let each group discover their roots and shape their cultural practices in their own “modernity”.

It is a fact about the world that there are many multicultural societies. Each member of such a society is also a member of a particular cultural group. And each member of a cultural group will have different experiences from another belonging to a different cultural group. This is because our culture shapes and gives meaning to our life-plans. And the mere participation of each member helps to change the culture itself. Out of this relationship between people and their cultures arises a sense of identity and belonging.

The question as to whether “unity” or “diversity” should be privileged is partially a semantic one, caused by the conflation of “state” and “nation”. But at the bottom, the dispute has to do with power, as it almost always does.

Political unity and cultural diversity do not have to be mutually exclusive. Each society, including Guyana, has to find the right balance between the demands of the two concepts that is appropriate for its own circumstances. We have shown that part of the problem was that the exigencies of the “state” were being conflated with those of the “nation”. We need political unity to guide the state, but that is not contradictory to “diversity” in terms of the “nation” – of diverse cultural expressions by the people of a given society.

We need to address the type of cultural integration that may be best for Guyana, in view of its evident cultural diversity. While the definitions of culture are legion, for our purposes, we have to see “culture” as, in the words of Ronald Dworkin, “a shared vocabulary of tradition and convention” by a group of people.

In the century and a half in which our plural society has been shaped, we are living a Guyanese culture that has given us at least an understanding of how easily we can tilt over the edge. Since each “shared understanding” may entail a different conception of the good life, compromise becomes the obvious imperative for the political viability of our culturally plural society.

And Guyana’s history has exemplified this. In each instance, the key aspect would be the position of the state on the policies it would execute vis a vis cultural practices.

The state must be even-handed.

On a rainy day in the rainforest of Agumbe, India, a green vine snake reacts to what it perceives to be a threat. “They are very hard to spot because they blend into their habitat, usually bushy vegetation,” says National Geographic ‘Your Shot’ photographer Vinod Nicholas. “When they feel threatened they puff up giving them a green white chequered appearance”

It took Patterson 2 weeks to admit he lied Dear Editor, Soon after President Granger announced that he had unilaterally appointed, outside of the constitutional arrangement, Justice James Patterson as the Chair of GECOM, I wrote a commentary protesting the appointment and deeming Justice Patterson not “fit and proper”.

Among the issues I highlighted in several commentaries since October 19 is Justice Patterson’s false claim that he was the Chief Justice of Grenada. None of my friends in Grenada know of Justice Patterson.

The Guyana Times was out front almost immediately after the announcement, reporting an inability to confirm this claim in Justice Patterson’s CV. In follow-up investigation in the days that followed, Times staffers were unable to find any evidence that Justice Patterson had served as Chief Justice. In their investigation, it appears that no one could even recall Justice Patterson serving in Grenada.

The PPP’s political machinery has been able to gather evidence in regard to all the Chief Justices in

Grenada from the 1970s to the present. The machinery gathered evidence to show that Justice Patterson was never the Chief Justice of Grenada.

Now we know why these meticulous efforts failed to turn up evidence to confirm Justice Patterson’s claim. Justice Patterson has himself solved the mystery - he confesses that he was never the Chief Justice of Grenada or anywhere else. He maintained, however, that he acted briefly as the Chief Justice of Grenada. But he cannot remember when he acted as Chief Justice of Grenada.

This has been an issue since the night he was sworn in as GECOM Chair. It has been an issue that has generated controversy in the news every single day since. One would have thought that he would have checked the records and provide the evidence of when he acted as the Chief Justice.

I acted as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Education on several occasions. I have never claimed that I was Minister of any of these important sectors. But acting in a particular ca-

pacity, even for a short period, might be important enough for some people to include as part of their credentials. I do not object, and I do think it is an acceptable practice. However, Justice Patterson has two problems.

First, he claimed he was the Chief Justice.

That was a bald-faced lie, it is not an innocent lie. It is not something that you can forget, and it is not something that a man who is a judge cannot discern is wrong.

The lie is even more egregious because, from the President down to the Attorney General and the Cabinet, no one did the vetting of the CV to ensure that the credentials of the person they were appointing are real. It took Justice Patterson two weeks to do the honourable thing and admit that he lied.

Second, if the fall-back position is that he meant he had acted in that position, why is it he cannot provide the date or dates?

That he cannot remember and that he cannot verify the dates from relevant records is a problem. Did he act for a day, a week or a month? Did he act

while the Chief Justice of Grenada left the country for a meeting? He must at least remember something about acting as the Chief Justice.

It is sheer arrogance to face the Guyanese people with a clear lie, and now try to be dismissive by saying he cannot recall the dates. He has had two weeks to check his dates and confirm when he did.

Now APNU+AFC is making it worse by decorating the lie with bombastic, dictatorial language. President Granger insists that Justice Patterson’s appointment was not based on his being the Chief Justice of Grenada. Minister Joe Harmon dismissed all concerns by pronouncing that the Chief Justice issue is “neither here nor there”, and it is irrelevant.

Actually, a lie is a lie, and adds to the heap of reasons why Justice Patterson is not “fit and proper”. It is clear that Justice Patterson is in a conspiracy with APNU+AFC. What conspiracy? We must be living on the moon if we do not know.

Regards, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

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Rohan Kanhai – An Appreciation

Dear Editor, Rohan Kanhai, one of my boyhood heroes, was undoubtedly the most extraordinary batsman the West Indies has ever produced. Blessed with such natural abilities, he could eviscerate any bowling attack in the world when he controlled the impetuosities that raged within him. There was beauty in his craft, so much different in his method of annihilation.

Whereas other batsmen could wear down an attack, Kanhai would dissect it with clinical precision. He was poetry rather than prose; ballet rather than dance; artistry rather than sheer power, although this never compromised the force with which he hit the ball. He glided in riveting stroke play, batting with the dexterity of a virtuoso, yet prone to Shakespearian tragedy at any time. Kanhai on the rampage was a mesmeric joy to behold.

He did not have the superlative statistics or the sheer all-round cricketing genius of Garfield Sobers;

the awesome power of Viv Richards, Clyde Walcott, Clive Lloyd or Gordon Greenidge; the classical poise of Sachin Tendulkar or Frank Worrell; or the steadfastness of George Headley or Steve Waugh.

Nor did he have the impregnable technique or patience of Geoff Boycott, Jack Hobbs or Sunil Gavaskar; the insatiable appetite for runs like Don Bradman; the grace of Greg Chappell or Zaheer Abbas; or the oriental calm of Majid Khan. Nor did his interaction with the game of cricket spawn changes to the socio-political structures of society and effect reforms of a radical nature as Learie Constantine’s and W.G. Grace’s did.

Nor did he assume superstar status like Brian Lara or Sachin Tendulkar.

Nor did he achieve batting statistics to propel him to the type of immortality attained by Sir Don Bradman, Lara or Tendulkar.

Yet, Kanhai possessed a combination of batting prowess, originality and

sportsmanship above and beyond the reach of all of these great players, to such an unparalleled degree that has never been seen in the game of cricket, and perhaps will never be equalled. His arrival at the wicket heralded both hush and expectancy.

Bars closed as all looked to the drama that was about to unfold before a Kanhai innings.

His creative genius surpassed any other batsman in the game, and his flamboyance was spellbinding.

There were times in his batting artistry when he touched heights of batsmanship beyond the reach of any batsman, such as in the execution of his unique “triumphant fall roti shot,” or falling hook shot, most times played off the eyebrows, the half-pull, halfsweep-style stroke, the flick off the toes which dissected the on-side field, the reverse sweep off the leg stump, or his majestic cover driving.

Cricketers like him invented and pioneered many innovations to the game, which have made it richer and dearer to spectators. As cricket scribes would say, “Many batsmen may enter the same cathedral of batsmanship with Kanhai, but will not be allowed to sit in the same pew.”

In Michael Manley’s book, “A History of West Indian cricket,” Kanhai is photographed sitting with George Headley and Everton Weekes, and that is how they may sit in the front pew of that proverbial cathedral, with Viv Richards, Brian Lara, Gary Sobers and Frank

Worrell.

In his book “Idols,” Sunil Gavaskar, whose gigantic batting feats have not only eulogized him in calypso, but also immortalized him in a manner second to none, said this of Kanhai: “Rohan Kanhai is quite simply the greatest batsman I have ever seen. What does one write about one’s hero, one’s

batsman, I thought Rohan Kanhai was just a little bit better.”

In his book “Living For Cricket,” the revered Clive Lloyd definitively said that he regarded Kanhai as “the finest batsman Guyana has produced.”

In his book, “Willow Patterns,” Richie Benaud, one of the most respected cricket gurus, confirmed

idol, one for whom there is so much admiration? To say that he is the greatest batsman I have ever seen so far is to put it mildly.

A controversial statement perhaps, considering that there have been so many outstanding batsmen, and some great batsmen that I have played with and against. But, having seen them all, there is no doubt in my mind that Rohan Kanhai was quite simply the best of them all.”

Gavaskar continues, “Sir Gary Sobers came quite close to being the best batsman, but he was the greatest cricketer ever, and could do just about anything. But as a

that he “thought that Kanhai was just a shade over Sobers.”

Kanhai’s greatness lies to a great degree with his connection to history and the way he overcame the social and political forces of British imperialism which subdued him in his time. A captivating player, he carried the hopes and aspirations of his countrymen during a period of political deprivation in their collective history, when his sweet successes or bitter failures mirrored theirs in the shackles of colonialism.

They celebrated when Kanhai shone, brooded when he failed. In my boyhood days, he inspired youngsters like myself that, like him, we too could one day reach international fame. With his showmanship and range of breathtaking strokes, few batsmen will ever attain the idolatry of Kanhai. He was a born favourite.

Although one never to chase after batting records, Kanhai neverthe-

Perjury is a very serious act Dear Editor, It is now public knowledge that Mr James Patterson lied to ‘The People’ of this country when he was sworn in by President of Guyana, David Granger. I used the word “lied” instead of euphemistic terms such as a “lapse” on his part or an “oversight” when preparing his curriculum vitae. Patterson lied!

Many believe this is a calculated act on the octogenarian’s part to deceive; and deception of this nature is called perjury, which is a reprehensible act under any circumstance.

Let us review the meaning of the word “perjury” or to “perjure oneself”. The meaning is “the offense of wilfully telling an untruth, or making a misrepresentation while under oath.”

Pay careful attention to the words used here: “wilfully” and “under oath.” This is strong, straightforward, unambiguous language. Mr Patterson wilfully gave us untruths while under oath.

Being under oath, one would be led to believe that he is speaking “the truth, and only the truth.” Hear me well: this gentleman swore to uphold the law; at one time he was the “guardian of the law.” This same gentleman, in his sworn deposition, lied unashamedly before this whole nation that he was the Chief Justice of Grenada, when he was not. This is what I would say once again is a serious offence.

From what I know of the law and the specifics, when dealing with matters of perjury, a person found

culpable is required to do some jail time. How could we gloss over such a serious offence? Should we let this matter slide, or should we punish Mr Patterson? I believe he ought to be punished for his ‘lies’, and that punishment should be to remove him forthwith!

We would not want to incarcerate an old man and have him spend the rest of his twilight years in jail.

However, Justice Patterson should be punished. He should just do the honourable thing and resign from the post of GECOM Chair.

Or the President should hurriedly remove him.

Even if we would want to overlook this breach or lapse in his memory, we cannot disregard the fact that he is getting on in years and might be an even

greater problem when the situation arises where he has to make important decisions in our already fractious and violent political system. Would he be able to do this? My answer is a resounding no!

We cannot rely on a man whose mental capacity is on the wane to hold such a high office. Let us not embarrass the gentleman any further, but simply ask him to vacate the post and choose one from the lists provided.

The critical issue here is: we cannot allow this man to function in this capacity, seeing he has lied to us.

He cannot be trusted to hold such an impartial position as an elections commission chairman.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

less achieved an impressive array of memorable milestones.

For example, although Tendulkar is the modern icon of batsmanship, he has never scored a test century in each innings of a test match, as Kanhai did against as worthy an opponent as Australia, at Adelaide in 1960-61. Nor did Tendulkar top the batting averages in an English season as Kanhai did in 1975 with an average of 82.53. Nor did Tendulkar share in such high wicket partnerships in First Class cricket as Kanhai did with J.A. Jameson -- 465*, Warwickshire v.

Gloucestershire, 1974, second wicket; and with K. Ibadulla -- 402, Warwickshire v. Notts, 1968, fourth wicket.

And who would not help but admire his One Day average of 55 runs per innings? Or, notwithstanding the fact that statistics were always the furthest thing from his mind, appreciate that he scored 83 first class centuries, and countless 90s each innings -- a spectator’s dream?

Rohan, with a lot of help from Basil Butcher and Joe Solomon, opened the doors for Clive Lloyd, Roy Fredericks, Alvin Kallicharran, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Carl Hooper, Roger Harper, Ramnaresh Sarwan and others to follow. Perhaps “opened” is a mild word; Kanhai blasted the door open for other Guyanese to follow.

After all, his book was aptly entitled “Blasting for Runs.” In fact, Gavaskar, Kallicharran and Bob Marley named their sons after Rohan Kanhai, a testimony to Kanhai’s greatness. Gavaskar also hoped that his son Rohan would be at least half as good as the original Rohan Babulal Kanhai, which he said would make him very proud indeed! We will never see his like again.

Sincerely, Albert Baldeo

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Foundation

Teaching teens why sexual harassment and assault are wrong …the critical need to address sexual harassment and assault in schools

By Azmaira H Maker, PhD

T

he rate of sexual assault and rape is alarming. According to the CDC, 42 per cent of women report being raped under the age of 18 years and 30 per cent of girls report being raped between the ages of 11 to 17 years.

Hence, it is imperative that we pay close attention to helping our youth in middle and high schools learn the definitions and behaviours of sexual harassment and assault, and how they are an abuse of power.

Navigating the terrain of sexual harassment and assault with minors is complex and painful, given the myriad of emotional, legal, social, and ethical issues. The possibilities of backlash, victim blaming, self-harm, expulsions, suicide, denial, and apathy create a high-risk landscape for young students and their families.

Schools, educational organisations, administrators, and teachers need to make a commitment to their students to develop and implement prevention and support models, thereby creating safe classrooms, playgrounds, and after-school environments for their students.

Although there may be disagreement on how to approach the crisis of sexual harassment and assault, here are some possibilities that could foster awareness, empowerment, and prevention amongst teenagers in

middle and high schools: Begin raising awareness early. Elementary and middle schoolers are overly exposed to sexual content and aggression, yet there is little discussion about inappropriate, unsafe, and abusive behaviours.

Define sexu a l

case studies, role modelling, and videos in supervised discussions, so that the students can internalise the positive messages and learn healthy sexual boundaries and respect for others.

Share

harassment, sexual assault, a n d rape to middle and high schoolers over and over again.

The statistics show that even our younger students are at high-risk, and raising their awareness and attention to sexual violence is necessary.

Definitions are not enough: explain the behaviours involved in sexual harassment and assault, so that the teens can understand and relate to the words. Provide training,

the message frequently. It is insufficient to simply provide an annual training day for this crisis. Frequently repeated information is far more likely to have an impact.

Outline and broadcast on campus how bullying includes sexual harassment and assault.

Have overt and clear structures, process,

rules, and consequences for how reports of sexual harassment and assault will be addressed by the school.

Engage in a zero-tolerance policy, as you do with bullying.

Provide safe, confidential, and appropriate resources for reporting that are made well known to students.

As we know from recent media cases, victims are often afraid to share and don’t have safe access to reporting harassment and assault.

Provide repeated and frequent training for school teachers, counsellors, social workers, nurses, and administrators.

These are our frontline professionals who can be safe and informed adults for students to turn to.

Role model healthy, safe, and respectful behaviours in all our interactions with others. Social learning theory has demonstrated how kids learn from watching and listening to adults; kids are likely to re-enact our behaviours with their peers. If we are kind, respectful, healthy, and appropriate in our daily interactions, we are likely to have more success with

our children role modelling similar behaviours and language.

Invite and join with parents to stop sexual harassment and assault in schools. Provide training, education, awareness, and support to parents so that they can protect their children and have appropriate conversations with their teens. Collaboration is key, as the more adults we have working on this issue, the better our children will fare.

Empower, Empower, Empower. As parents and

professionals, we are responsible for the safety of our children at schools, at camps, at friends’ homes, and on the playground. We must empower ourselves to fully understand and address this crisis if we are to make any significant change.

Be a part of the change and make a commitment to take the steps to teach our teens, in schools and homes, how and why sexual harassment and assault are wrong and an abuse of power. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

– ideas on how to guide students to the knowledge and experience they need to act responsibly online

By Vicki Davis

I

n my classroom, I use two essential approaches in the digital citizenship curriculum that I teach: proactive knowledge and experiential knowledge.

Proactive knowledge I want my students to know the “9 Key Ps” of digital citizenship. While I go into these Ps in detail in my book Reinventing Writing, here are the basics: Passwords: Do students know how to create a secure password? Do they know that email and online banking should have a higher level of security and never use the same passwords as other sites? Do they have a system like LastPass for managing passwords, or a secure app where they store this information?

Private information: Private information is information that can be used to identify a person. Do students know how to protect details like their address, email, and phone number? I recommend the Common Sense Media curriculum on this.

Personal information: While this information (like the number of brothers and sisters you have or your favourite food) can’t be used to identify you, you still need to choose who you will share it with.

Photographs: Are students aware that some private details (like licence plates or street signs) may show up in photographs, and that they may not want to post those pictures? Do they know how to turn off a geotagging feature?

Do they know that some facial recognition software can find them by inserting their latitude and longitude in the picture—

even if they aren’t tagged?

Property: Do students understand copyright, Creative Commons, and how to generate a licence for their own work?

Do they respect the property rights of those who create intellectual property? Some students will search Google Images and copy anything they see, assuming they have the rights. Sometimes they’ll even cite “Google Images” as the source. We have to teach them that Google Images compiles content from a variety of sources. Students have to go to the source, see if they have permission to use the graphic, and then cite that source.

Permission: Do students know how to get permission for work they use, and do they know how to cite it?

Protection: Do students understand what viruses, malware, phishing, ransomware, and identity theft are, and how these things work?

Professionalism: Do students understand the professionalism of academics versus decisions about how they will interact in their social lives? Do they know about netiquette and online grammar? Are they globally competent? Can they understand cultural taboos and recognise cultural disconnects when they happen, and do they have the skills to work problems out?

Personal brand: Have students decided about their voice and how they want to be perceived online? Do they realise they have a “digital tattoo” that is almost impossible to erase? Are they intentional about what they share? (Excerpt from edutopia.org) to be continued

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monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

President reviewing names for new Police Service Commission …Ramjattan says new Commission may come in time for Christmas promotions

President David Granger

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he three-year life span of the Police Service Commission (PSC) expired on September 4, 2017.

The offices of Chairman

and Commissioners became vacant automatically, and according to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan, President David Granger is currently in the process of finalising names for the reconstitution of the Commission.

“The President is working on the finalisation of some names for the reconstitution. I am not privy to the names, but I will certainly have an input (in the selection of Chairman and Commissioners). I am not sure if it will come on stream for December, but I suppose it can be done before December,” Ramjattan said.

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, in a letter dated July 27, wrote to the PSC informing them that the President directed that there be no consideration of promotion

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

for members of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) until further notice and should be implemented immediately.

President Granger is accused of disrespecting Article 226, Section (1) of the

Constitution, which states: “In the exercise of its functions under the Constitution, a Commission shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority”.

When asked about the impact of the President’s decision, former PSC Chairman Omesh Satyanand had said it was a blow for those hardworking Police ranks expecting to be rewarded for their services.

“When you’re working for a number of years, you expect to have an increase in wages and salary; you look forward for promotion because you are working hard and these are expectations of employees and it would affect any organisation from an employee-employer perspective,” he related.

The President’s ac-

Drop-in Centre CoI

Staff did not follow required SOPs – compensation recommended for mother whose 2 sons died in fire

By Samuel Sukhnandan

A

Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the fire that killed two young brothers at the Drop-in Centre at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, in 2016 has found that the conduct of staff on duty on the night of the tragic incident was not in conformity with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

In fact, the CoI revealed that there was an absence of understanding and rehearsals of the SOPs for the handling of crisis situations. The probe also found that these procedures were not applied during the fire, which re-

The Drop-in Centre following the devastating fire that claimed the lives of two brothers in July 2016

sulted in the ad hoc manner in which the children at the Centre were evacuated.

“The CoI found that this was a tragedy waiting to happen and that there was a col-

lective responsibility for the tragic event, which claimed the lives of Joshua and Antonio George. The system to protect the children failed and, therefore, all the players

are collectively responsible,” the CoI report stated.

The CoI, which was conducted by Guyana Defence Force (GDF) retired Colonel Windee Algernon found also that there was poor collaboration between the Centre and the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), as some staff on duty did not possess the necessary qualification or experience.

Turn to page 11

Former PSC Chairman Omesh Satyanand

tion was the result of a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that was launched into the effectiveness of the Police Force in investigating the alleged plot to assassinate the Head of State. Granger came in for heavy criticism after he issued the directive, with Satyanand saying that the promotion of the ranks did not have any direct impact on the work or recommendations of the CoI. The report of the CoI, along with recommendations, was presented to President Granger on August 31. It has been over two months, and the directive is yet to be lifted. President Granger had made it clear that his Government did not intend to trample on the constitutional rights of the PSC, but wanted that whatever was done presented a positive image of the Police Force. He had stated his office received a number of complaints from aggrieved senior Police Officers and had asked that those claims be in-

vestigated.

“There have been some doubts and we are investigating the complaints that have been made to us, and we have asked the PSC simply to delay so that we can answer those queries.”

He said as soon as those questions are answered, “we will proceed”.

The President had earlier stated that with the complaints, there was evidence that injustices might have been done. “We just need time to have the complaints from aggrieved Police Officers thoroughly investigated,” he said.

President Granger stressed that Government was not seeking to trample on the constitutional rights of the Police Commission, but noted that damage could be done by persons who were not “fit and proper” to make decisions and that could be injurious to public security.

Attorney Rajendra Jaigobin, from the Chambers of former Attorney General Anil Nandlall, filed court action challenging the directive, requesting that it be put on hold. The action was filed in the High Court in August.

Jaigobin said he has a vested interest in ensuring that Guyana’s Constitution was not violated and it was his national duty to ensure that those representatives who, and the democratic organs which, exercise the sovereignty of Guyana on his behalf act in due compliance with the said Constitution in the discharge of their public functions and constitutional duties.

8 NEWS 7 nabbed with illegal guns, ammo monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Disingenuous…

A The pistol and magazine recovered in Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara

The gun and ammunition recovered in Bourda, Georgetown

s the Guyana Police Force intensifies its search and recovery efforts for illegal weapons, seven men were arrested over the weekend for possession of unlicensed guns and ammunition.

This is as the Anti-Crime Unit, while on patrol around 23:30h on Saturday, appre-

they remain, assisting with the ongoing investigations.

Meanwhile, just hours later, ranks, acting on information received, conducted a search on a Bourda, Georgetown residence around 04:30h on Sunday.

During the operation, the officers recovered an unli-

A

hended six men at a shop at the junction of Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara (EBD), one of whom was carrying an illegal .32 pistol, complete with magazine.

The men, said to be between the ages of 18 and 39, were all arrested and taken into custody where

censed .32 pistol along with three matching rounds of ammunition.

According to Police reports, at the time of the raid, the 28-year-old suspect had the weapon hidden under his pillow. He was also taken into custody and was assisting Police ranks with their investigations.

Man on bail for Stabroek market robbery

A

twenty-one-yearold youth of Duncan Street Lamaha Park, Georgetown was on Friday brought before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court for allegedly robbing a shopper at the Stabroek Market Square.

The charge was read by the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan, to the effect that Anfernee Henry (the accused) on the 30th

day of October, 2017, at the said location robbed Virtual Complainant (VC) Tony Moore of a quantity of cash, an identification card and a wallet among other items, a total of $18,500.

Defense counsel for the accused, Attorney-at-law Keoma Griffith, contended that his client has a clean record with no previous brushes with the law in a submission for bail to be granted in

a reasonable sum.

The court heard that the accused who is presently unemployed, lives with his father at the given address and does not pose any flight risk.

Henry was reportedly in the process of securing a job when he was arrested by ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). However, the lawyer indicated that the defendant was able to afford

bail and willing to comply with any conditions imposed by the court.

Prosecutor Arvin Moore stated that the file was yet incomplete and the matter was not yet ready for hearing. He did not object to bail and Henry was released on $70,000 bail, pending the outcome of the trial. The Chief Magistrate adjourned the case to November 17, 2017.

Mother arrested, suspect remains...

As such, the woman remains in Police custody as investigations continue.

The now dead man had numerous run-ins with law enforcement, as he had been implicated in a number of offences, including

armed robberies.

Back in 2016, Munroe was shot by ranks in Berbice, as they attempted to arrest him for his involvement in a number of crimes, but he managed to escape. He later showed up

at the Georgetown Public Hospital in critical condition.

Adding to that, his brother, sacked prison officer Troybon Munroe, met with his demise in a similar manner after he

from page 2

was shot dead by a bodyguard while attempting to mug a businesswoman on the Liliendaal Railway Embankment road, in the vicinity of the Giftland Mall, just three months ago.

…excusing the GECOM Chair

s your Eyewitness has been saying, the one silver lining in this dark cloud of Prezzie’s unilateral appointment of (Chief?) Justice Patterson has been to suss out those who’ve been playing the one-love game, even as they pushed their agenda. Now, don’t get your Eyewitness wrong, he has absolutely no problem with any kind of agenda; his problem is with those who aren’t straight up about it -- and in the process, bend a lot of naïve minds!

Take Rear Admiral Gary Best, who everyone thought had gone PPP when it was discovered he’d gotten a lot (a whole lot!!) at Pradoville II. But there he was: hired along with his cohort of Armed Forces brass as an adviser to Prezzie, causing a LOT of heads to be scratched! Was it the special bonding of those long barrack nights, or was it political affinities long hidden?

Well, now we know, after the man (now armed with a law degree) finely parsed Art 161 (2) to claim Prezzie was in the right when he made the aforementioned, much protested appointment.

Best claimed Prezzie could do whatever he wanted “if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for…” Now, nothing wrong there…that’s what Art 161 (2) says. But Best interpreted the clause to say Presidential unilateralism kicks in, not if “the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list” -- as even Prezzie assumed when he accepted further lists from Jagdeo -- but if a “not unacceptable” list hadn’t been submitted!! He saw all of that in the ‘as provided for”!! Probably saw it from the REAR!! So, if we go by Best, the Opposition Leader has one shot at the cherry…and then it’s all Prezzie’s sole prerogative to reject the list and pick his Judge!

But if Best is a lawyer, he’d know that even if he were mechanistically interpreting the LETTER of the law in a strictly positivist sense, he was making a fool of the law. Is 1992 so far back that he’s forgotten the clear INTENT of the newly inserted Article 161 (2) -- to infuse wider legitimacy into the GECOM Chair? This isn’t even venturing into a normative perspective of the law - hell!...that was done when the legislators PASSED the law!!

But what was surprising was an African-rights activist calling the above positivist sophistry “brilliant”. So, is he accepting the Brits’ position that since slavery was allowed by the law before 1834, it was OK? So why are we claiming reparations for acts done legally?

Those who would push the intent of Art 161 (1) under the bus can’t have it both ways.

…and lame SOCU excuse

It took about a year after the infamous high-speed tailing from the NICIL HQ -- which turned deadly for a poor soldier boy ordered on a wild (paper) goose chase -- to ascertain that SOCU was a police unit, and so falls under Public Security Minister Ramjattan. That had to be clarified because he hadn’t the foggiest notion that SOCU was trailing NICIL files when its remit was summarised by its name - Special ORGANISED CRIME Unit!

Now your Eyewitness always thought “organised” crime was committed by gangs engaged in bootlegging, procuring (girls), drugs etc. So he wasn’t surprised SOCU’s case against New GMC’s head and his deputy was thrown out by the Judge. Is a manager and his assistant approving payments (even if it were true) ORGANISED CRIME? They’re a gang?

Now this occurred right after the DPP had stated that SOCU’s investigators were preparing piss-poor cases. But rather than Ramjattan explaining what happened, it was the Cabinet Secretary who claimed SOCU still doesn’t have enough investigators.

Maybe Ramjattan knows there’s no case?

…Police COI

After all that’s been going on, your Eyewitness believes the elaborate one-man Inquiry into the police handling of the so-called “assassination plot” was just a ploy.

Some army-type old men have already been selected to run the Force.

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

News

Govt grants approval for Gafoors Townhouses scheme

…in Cummingslodge

A

s Government continues its drive to clamp down on squatting, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan has given the seal of approval to the O&A Property Holdings Limited to construct condominiums in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown.

The company will construct the housing units in an area which will be known as “Gafoors Townhouses” scheme.

Condominiums or condos are housing units usually styled as apartments or flats, but the units are, however, owned by the buyer. In North American and European models, the condominiums are managed by an association of homeowners.

According to a document seen by Guyana Times, the O&A Property Holdings Limited “satisfied” the requirements for a condominium scheme to be constructed at the Lot ‘A’ portion of Block 1 which comprises areas ‘M’ and ‘N’ and a section of area ‘L’ at Plantation Cummings Lodge, Georgetown.

Minister Bulkan exercised his powers as guided by Section Five of the

Condominium (Regulation and Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1989. The subject Minister’s order of approval was made official on October 14.

During that same month, squatters occupying State reserves in Sophia, Greater Georgetown, picketed the Communities Ministry in light of moves by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to forc-

ibly remove them from their settlements. They demanded that alternative living arrangements be provided for them.

In the days that followed the removal and accompanying protests, writers posited the view that many occupants in such living ar-

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan

rangements were making “land grabbing” moves by occupying State reserves since many of them were already owners of land they had not yet occupied or had sold.

As the CH&PA continues to sort through its list of applicants, this publication discovered that Minister Bulkan granted approval for the Gafoors Townhouses scheme on September 26.

It was on October 12 that the CH&PA dismantled about two dozen structures on the Government reserves in Sophia, but the process was halted after much opposition and repeated pleas of the resident families who said they were not given official notice of the removal ex-

Trademarks notice in Guyana includes Detroit Pistons, All Stars cigarettes

T

Duplexes which were constructed at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara

By Shemuel Fanfair

9

monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

ercise.

Representatives of the Housing Authority stated that squatting was impeding progress in the community of Sophia and as such, a task force was set up to address the issue.

On October 23, the Housing Authority announced that some 266 notices were given to the reserve squatters that they must remove their structures by January 30, 2018.

Many problems have surrounded the relocations of squatters. During last month, residents of Mocha Arcadia vented their frustrations against Government’s plans to relocate more than 40 families from Broad Street, Georgetown to Barnwell, Mocha, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Government has long said that there was not enough space to fulfil the demand for housing and has moved to establish townhouses, duplexes, condominiums along with single units. At the “Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond” expo at Perseverance, EBD, Guyanese were introduced to 25 such housing units, which were constructed for the four-day exhibition.

he Detroit Pistons, a team of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the United States, has trademarked its products and services in Guyana.

The Pistons, through its New York office filed to trademark the logo under Chapter 90:01 of Trade Marks Act of Guyana and the notice was published in the Official Gazette dated November 4, 2017. Law associates Cameron and Shepard filed the application in Guyana on behalf of the American team.

Among the trademark items for the team include electronic game software in the field of basketball, audio recordings and video recordings featuring entertainment and information in the field of basketball, computer carrying cases, and protective sleeves for laptop and tablet computers.

The team also applied to trademark computer browser software for use in viewing and displaying data on computer game software; video game software, and cell phone covers. Additionally, the team filed to trademark downloadable catalogues provided over the Internet featuring an array of basketball-themed products; downloadable greeting cards provided over the Internet; and mouth guards for sports in International Class 9.

Based in Detroit, Michigan, the team won

Dennis Rodman

the NBA Championship three times – in 1989, 1990 and 2004. Basketball great Dennis Rodman began his professional career with the Detroit Pistons.

He joined the team in 1 9 8 6 and remained t h e r e u n t i l 1993.

There were several pharmaceutical products of the Johnson & Johnson Company that were recently trademarked. Another product in the November 4 notice was the “All Stars” brand of cigarettes which falls under the Potomac Tobacco Company Limited. In July 2017, the National Assembly passed the Tobacco Control Bill, which will see curbs and fines for public smoking. The law takes effect in September 2018, 12 months after the President signed the Bill into law. (Shemuel Fanfair)

10 News

monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

In wake of new political tension

‘Non-cooperation’ could affect oil and gas sector – Ramkarran

G

iven the new political tension created by President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of a chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), former Speaker of the National Assembly, prominent Attorneyat-Law Ralph Ramkarran, has predicted that non-cooperation from the Opposition could serve as an impediment to the effective management of the oil and gas sector.

In addressing the issue through his weekly column The Conversation Tree, Ramkarran noted that the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP’s) non-cooperation could be selective, and this could also affect the manner in which constitutional reform is addressed -- something he claims to have deep concern about. He said these are two very important issues that the nation cannot afford to be affected.

In relation to oil, he pointed out that the Petroleum Commission Bill has been published and is likely to be debated in the National Assembly in the near future. This Bill is of tremendous importance, and can be much improved in debate and discussion. A bill to create and

manage a sovereign wealth fund is under preparation. This also will require extensive examination, discussion and debate.

“Since oil will become Guyana’s largest income earner for the foreseeable future, and will shape the future of Guyana and all Guyanese, it is vitally necessary that the Opposition is fully engaged in fashioning oil legislation, which is intended to protect the people of Guyana. The PPP should not extend ‘non-cooperation’ to these Bills,” Ramkarran wrote in his column.

With ‘non-cooperation’ by the Opposition, the former Speaker feels that constitutional reform in terms of the APNU+AFC (A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change) manifesto has become doubtful. The manifesto spoke about separate presidential elections, second highest voted candidate becoming the prime minister and political parties being qualified for representation in Government.

Ramkarran explained that while the Opposition is awaiting an invitation from President David Granger, the governmental process appears to be stalled.

And with President Granger’s latest statement to the National

Former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran

Assembly on Thursday last, the prospect now looks remote.

“Winner-does-not-take-allpolitics” was a policy first accepted by the PPP as a reaction to the People’s National Congress’s (PNC’s) unlawful acquisition and retention of political power from 1968 onwards. The objective was for the two main political parties to share political power,” he recalled.

This move was aimed at bringing an end to ethnic domination through political power. The PNC’s ‘shared governance’ proposals, which came later, had the same objective. These two policies are reflected in the APNU+AFC manifesto promises on constitutional reform, he added.

However, the attorney said that for President Granger to now baptise the APNU+AFC coalition as an expression of “winner-does-not-take-all-politics,” thereby distorting the meaning of “winner-does-not-take-all,” is as wrong as the PPP’s distortion of the PPP-Civic in the same way.

“Winner-does-not-take-all” presupposes a coalition between the main political parties. If it doesn’t bring this about, it is not “winner-does-not-take-all.”

It is merely a coalition of convenience, whether PPP-Civic or APNU+AFC,” he further added, as he referred to the President’s recent statement.

Ramkarran said now that political parties believe that they will win the 2020 elections, the oil bonanza for their elites and ethnic domination rather than constitutional reform would now appear to be far more attractive propositions to each. “There is

the danger, unless public pressure continues to be brought on APNU+AFC to uphold its manifesto promise, that the issue of national (political) unity will be postponed to the third generation of Guyanese after 1950,” he opined.

Ramkarran believes that political tensions in Guyana took a turn for the worse over the past two weeks. This has to do mainly with the appointment of former Justice James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM. Rejecting the names of 18 persons that were submitted through three lists and utilising the constitutional proviso to appoint a judge or former judge or a person qualified to be a judge to the post also led to that.

The Opposition’s reaction of non-cooperation to the President’s unilateral appointment, according to him, is not surprising.

However, the attorney said it is not known exactly how far the policy of ‘non-cooperation’ will extend. From the Opposition’s general reaction, it could well be that considerations of non-cooperation will apply selectively; but, hopefully, it will not affect the work that needs to be done. (Samuel Sukhnandan)

Finance, health experts gather in Haiti for 3rd LAC forum on fighting HIV

T

he Third Latin American and Caribbean Forum on Sustainability of the HIV Response, “Road to Ending AIDS in LAC: Towards Sustainable Regional Fast Track Targets”, will be held in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, from 6 to 8 November, 2017.

The Caribbean will be represented by National AIDS programme managers, chief medical officers, key populations and regional partners.

Regional partners will include University of the West Indies, Caribbean Med Labs Foundation (CMLF) and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities Coalition (CVC). Civil Society Organisations will also be participating, in-

cluding the Caribbean Sex Work Coalition (CSWC), Caribbean Forum for Liberation and Acceptance of Genders and Sexualities (CariFLAGS), Caribbean Regional Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+), Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), The DMARCO Foundation and the Trinidad and Tobago Transgender Coalition.

According to a statement from the CARICOM Secretariat, key populations expected to attend include People Living with HIV (PLHIV) and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) representatives.

Through the ‘Political Declaration on HIV and AIDS: ‘On the Fast-Track

to Accelerating the Fight against HIV and to Ending the AIDS Epidemic by 2030’, the world has pledged within the Sustainable Development Goals to end the AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030.

Countries have committed to a “Fast-Track” approach from now until 2020, and reaffirm, in light of the Addis

Ababa Action Agenda, concrete policies and actions to close the global HIV and AIDS resource gap, and to fully fund the HIV and AIDS response with the target of ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

Following the successful experiences of the first and second Latin American and Caribbean Forums, the key objective of this third Forum is to develop and implement the rapid expansion of an efficient, effective, integrated and sustainable HIV response aligned with the

Sustainable Development Goals and the Latin America and the Caribbean regional Fast Track Agenda.

The Forum, which will gather finance and HIV experts from Latin America, the Caribbean, and from around the world, will provide a space for sharing information on national progress and preliminary results towards the achievement of the agreed “90-90-90”, and the prevention and zero discrimination targets, challenges and unmet needs from the 2015 Rio Call to Action.

It will also provide a space for sharing new scientific data to support the implementation of cost effective and efficient interventions across the continuum of HIV prevention, care and treatment. Finally, it will facilitate a discussion around strategies and mechanisms to transition into nationally sustainable

responses to end AIDS as a public health threat in Latin America and the Caribbean by 2030.

This forum is organised as a collaborative effort by the Government of Haiti, in coordination with the Horizontal Technical Cooperation Group (GCTH); the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP); the Minister of Health of Brazil; the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS); the Pan American Health Organization; the Global Fund Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR); AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF); the Latin American Network of People Living with HIV (REDLA+), and the Caribbean Network of People Living with HIV and AIDS (CRN+).

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monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former Minister accuses Govt of having “misplaced priorities” …says no Govt in a democracy can survive such track record of public neglect, unparalleled incompetence

By Samuel Sukhnandan

S

ince assuming office over two years ago, the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition Government still faces serious challenges on many fronts, including economic revitalisation, energy, reconciliation and socio-economic advancement.

Notwithstanding some of the achievements it has made, former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall says the failure of this Government to achieve most of its development goals is due to “misplaced priorities” and this could be seen in its everyday moves.

Nandlall has said that there was more than sufficient evidence and empirical data available for one to surmise that the desires of a Government were its priorities. He said it must also be noted that there was no desire by this Government to do that which was necessary to bring about economic progress.

He also accused the Government of doing very little, if anything at all, to forge ethnic and national unity, to promote democracy and constitutionality, or to improve the social and financial welfare of the people of this country – moreover, the poor and the powerless, from all regions of Guyana.

“Therefore, these are not matters that enjoy priority status on the

agenda of this Government. Indeed, what we have witnessed from the inception is a desire reflective in a plethora of policies directed at witch-hunting and persecuting political opponents,” Nandlall opined.

The former Minister claimed that there has also been widespread discriminatory practices against those whom the Administration perceive as supporters of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and blatant violations of democratic norms and practices at every level.

Further, Nandlall alleged that there have been violations and manipulations of the Constitution and an array of tax measures and governmental policies that have brought the economy to its knees, coupled with reckless neglect of the productive sectors with the cumulative effect of devastating consequences on the disposable income and, indeed, the welfare of Guyanese of every class.

He said, “Inherent in these policies and practices, one can cull the priorities of this Government.

Naturally, this approach has created a very poisoned political atmosphere, a depressing economic climate and a society where the population, including supporters of the Government, is quickly losing hope in the future of their country.

A situation that is now historically synonymous with the PNC [People’s

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

National Congress].”

Calls fallen on deaf ears

The Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) thinks that despite the dismal performance, Government is still proceeding along a self-destructive path and in so doing, it continues, at every turn, to ignore the calls of every major stakeholder organisation in the country.

These calls include advocacy for the reversal of more than 200 tax measures imposed; to reconsider the decision to close the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo); to

withdraw the State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) Bill; to stop the executive interference with independent constitutional bodies, including the Judiciary and the Service Commissions; to cease the widespread racial and political discrimination; to assist the rice farmers; and to reinstate the regime of incentives designed to attract foreign and local investments.

But the list does not stop there; Nandlall said too that the Government has not taken heed of the request to direct the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to its mandate of investigating suspi-

Staff did not follow required...

More alarmingly, the probe also found that the Drop-in Centre did not comply with all fire regulations, as there were no operational fire escapes, no smoke alarms, no marked fire exits and signs on the wall stating what to do in cases of a fire. However, there were fire extinguishers and fire blankets. But despite having these on both floors of the building, no child or staff member was trained to use them.

Further, the report also touched on the blameworthiness of individual staffers who were on duty on the night of the incident.

The CoI found that the Deputy Director of Policy and Development, who has overall responsibility for the administration of the three childcare facilities, should be held accountable for not ensuring adherence by the manager and supervisor to the SOPs governing protection from fire.

The manager for all centres was also blamed for failing to discharge her responsibilities in an efficient manner, which is to directly monitor staff performance, arrange staff training and ensuring that all buildings which house care centres are maintained and secured.

And the House Services Supervisor was also blamed for not calling out additional

staff on the night of the tragedy.

One of the mandates of the CoI was to look at the injuries sustained by the children who were killed in the fire. The CoI was able to determine that both brothers died as a result of smoke inhalation. Although the remaining 29 children and two staff did not suffer any physical injury, six children were left traumatised as a result of the tragedy and suffer constant flashbacks.

Based on all these clear failures, the CoI had recommended that the Centre hire more competent and qualified staff; put in place adequate supervisory and oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance; ensure regular fire inspections of the Centre; closely supervise the operations and staff at the Centre; conduct inhouse training for staff in crisis management; and ensure the release of funds in a timely manner to meet the needs of the Centre and the callout additional staff whenever needed.

While the report acknowledged that the CCPA was a relatively young organization, having been established through an Act of Parliament in 2009, it was found that given the increasing demand on child care protection officials to deliver, this has resulted in

the position no longer being attractive. It was also noted that low salaries and benefits attract a low level and quality of staff.

Red tape

Some of the more sound recommendations made by the CoI, however , concerned the need for the Social Protection Ministry to focus on overhauling child protection, cut red tape and improve the skills and knowledge of staff so that they could adequately protect children in the State’s care. It was also recommended that the Ministry arrange and conduct inspections at all similar facilities nationwide.

The CoI has also recommended the appointment of an Inspector of Homes – to be filled to ensure compliance while the Visiting Committee is reintroduced to also ensure compliance. It also recommend-

ed that emergency evacuation plans be developed and practised at all childcare facilities, to include safety protocols.

Another important recommendation from the CoI report is that childcare workers be given additional time away from the working environment to allow them to relax after a period of work or tension.

It also recommended that suitably qualified people be recruited to meet the demands of the job.

The Ministry is also being urged to remove the Drop-in-Centre from the current location to a more suitable environment to cater to the development needs of the children. Consideration should also be given to a name change for the institution.

“The CCPA and the NGOs must put aside perceived personal grievances, stop seeking self-promotion,

cious Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) transactions and to stop using it as a weapon against the political Opposition and businesses.

In addition to that, calls have been made to remove the burdensome impositions on small and medium-scale miners; to withdraw the Broadcasting (Amendment) Act; to stop the colossal wastage of taxpayers’ dollars on meaningless exercises like Commissions of inquiry (CoIs).

But more importantly the requests to launch stimuli packages to energise the slothful economy and to rescind the unilateral appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have not engaged the attention of Government. “All these calls have fallen on deaf ears. No Government in a democracy can survive with such a track record of public neglect, unparalleled incompetence, and diabolical levels of corruption.”

He continued: “In fact, instead of heeding the calls emanating from every corner of civil society and across the political spectrum, the Government seems to get more obstinate in its ways with each passing day…At the same time, Government continues to accord priority to ceremonies, celebrations, and the hosting of local and international conferences…”

work together and focus on the objective of providing quality care, service and

from page 7

protection to children in the care of the State,” the CoI report added.

12 NEWS

monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Witness Protection Bill 2017 to feature stiff penalties – including 10 years in jail for disclosing info about programme, witnesses

The proposed Witness Protection Bill 2017

By Jarryl Bryan

T

he upcoming Witness Protection Bill 2017 will contain a slew of new measures designed to deter the leaking of information that could compromise those the bill is intended to protect. New measures include stiff penalties, such as 10 years in jail for disclosures and bribery.

Part VI of the long awaited bill binds anyone, including participants or former participants, from disclosing information in relation to the programme upon the pain of a million-dollar fine and 10 years in prison.

According to Section 20 (1), this law applies to anyone who, without lawful authority, reveals information about the identity or location of someone who participated in the witness protection programme, which disclosure can compromise those persons’ safety.

Anyone who discloses information which compromises the integrity of the programme also commits an offence. In the case of participants, one does not even have to be part of the programme for the proviso to apply.

Section 20 (2) stipulates that someone who underwent assessment to be considered for inclusion into the programme is barred from revealing their participation. They also cannot provide information as to the modus operandi of the programme.

These participants are also barred from revealing information about any operatives working in the Administrative Centre that will coordinate many of these witness protection activities. Those subject to the stipulations cannot make unauthorized disclosures about the memorandum of understanding they have to sign to be admitted to the programme.

Lastly, Section 20 (3) of the proposed bill prohibits persons from bribing or of-

fering any inducements to persons employed with the programme in exchange for information which could put a participant in danger or compromise the programme’s integrity. Any employee who accepts such a bribe or inducement in exchange for information is also committing an offence.

According to Section 20 (4) of the Act, “A person who commits an offence (listed) under subsection (1), (2) or (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine of one million dollars and to imprisonment for ten years.”

The Witness Protection Bill makes provision for an administrative centre which would handle identity changes. The bill also allows for the centre to withdraw this protection and restore the identity of the former participant, in which case he or she is allowed 28 days to apply to the President of Guyana for a review of the centre’s decision.

The bill states that if protection is withdrawn, the former participant must return all documents which were provided for their new identity within seven days of being requested to do so.

Failure to do so is also an offence.

According to Section 20 (5) of the Act, “A person who, without reasonable doubt, fails to return the documents in accordance with (Section 17, 5), commits an offence, and is liable upon summary conviction to a fine of five hundred thousand dollars and imprisonment for five years.”

Lack of witnesses

For years, Police have complained about difficulties with certain crimes, owing to the lack of witnesses. Some have posited that crimes are recorded as unsolved, or remain a mystery possibly because witnesses are not brave enough to testify, or they are afraid to be held accountable for someone’s sentencing.

At a recent seminar,

Principal Parliamentary Counsel Joann Bond pointed out that the Witness Protection Programme is designed to protect persons involved in both civil and criminal matters.

“Persons may request protection in cases of murder, manslaughter, money laundering, sexual offences, anti-terrorism, and domestic violence. Once the bill becomes a law, the programme will be administered, and an administrative centre, an investigative agency, and a protective agency (will be established),” Bond explained.

The administrative centre, she continued, would then collaborate with the Head of State, the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), and the Commissioner of Police.

Furthermore, in an effort to promote transparency, that criteria would be placed as a gatekeeping

The Bill proposes hefty sentences for compromising participants of the programme

function for application, so as to prevent abuse of the programme.

“Persons may want to use the programme as an escape, as a way out, to finding a new life with a new identity. As such, the administrative centre will carefully review the importance of evidence and statements. If your evidence is not enough

to lead to a conviction, there may be no need for you applying for the programme,” the Principal Parliamentary Counsel posited.

The seminar provided a comprehensive overview on the Witness Protection Bill. Attending the seminar was Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt; Regional Executive

Officer Rupert Hopkinson, and Deputy Regional Chairperson Nandranie Coonjah, along with RDC councillors.

The bill currently sits on the Order Paper of the National Assembly. It is expected to be laid in the House along with the Protected Disclosures Bill after proceedings resume.

GECOM saga

PPP ups pressure for Patterson to resign or appointment revoked

– over admission that CV misrepresented the truth

W

hile newly appointed Guyana E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM) Chairman James Patterson has claimed ‘a slip of the pen’ was responsible for leaving out ‘acting’ on his curriculum vitae (CV), the parliamentary Opposition is not letting him off the hook, and has in fact upped the pressure and calls for him to resign or for his controversial appointment to be revoked.

Patterson, who was asked to be Chairman by President David Granger on October 19 and sworn in hours later after he accepted, presented a CV which stated that he had been the Chief Justice of Grenada.

After weeks of uncertainty, and after being exposed

by Opposition Leader Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, he has finally admitted he only ‘acted’ in the position, even though he cannot remember when exactly he acted.

Noting the distinction between acting and being appointed to a substantive position, Opposition Parliamentarian Priya Manickchand has noted that Patterson’s “lapsus calamis” cannot be defined as a mere mistake.

“For me, it’s not a mistake; it was a lie, and it’s amounting to a whole lie,” she related during a press conference on Saturday. “If it was a human error, you have two weeks to correct it, and that was one of my concerns I raised about the personality.

PPP/C Member of Parliament Priya Manickchand

“If you don’t believe you have a duty to be transparent, then you’re not suited for that job. That job is all about transparency. People are laughing at us. We have just appointed somebody who lied to us that he was Chief Justice of one of the countries, and never was,” she declared.

Weighing in on the controversy, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had also been sceptical of Patterson’s defence for leaving out “acting” on his CV. Nandlall said that because of this, Patterson should not hold the post.

“It confirms what I’ve said from the inception when I saw his curriculum vitae: that he has lied, to put it as bluntly as I can.

When people hold certain offices, they appreciate deeply the difference between ‘act-

ing’ and ‘substantive’. The gentleman was a judge. A judge, more than any other, would be able to appreciate the distinction between acting in an office and being appointed to that office. And therefore a Judge would know that when he says he was the Chief Justice of Grenada,”Nandlall said.

Patterson, currently a legal advisor in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, was sworn in a few hours after President David Granger met briefly with Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo. According to the Head of State, his decision to select a GECOM chairman was done in accordance with Article 161 of the Constitution, which deals with the appointment of a GECOM Chairman.

Granger said he informed Jagdeo during their meeting that he had found the third list of nominees, submitted on August 25, 2017 unacceptable within the meaning of the Constitution, and that he had also paid careful attention to the ruling of the Chief Justice (Acting), Roxanne George-Wiltshire.

In justifying his decision to handpick 84-year-old Justice Patterson for this position, the President said that Patterson has extensive experience as a former Chief Justice of Grenada. “He has long judicial service, and we feel that he is a fit and proper person. So it’s important, for the reason I mentioned, that we bring this to and end and continue with the business of Guyana,” President

GECOM Chairman James Patterson

Grange added.

A number of individuals and organisations spanning a wide cross-section of society have also soundly criticised and condemned the President’s decision to unilaterally appoint a chairman for GECOM. These include the Guyana Bar Association, the Berbice Bar Association, the Private Sector Commission, the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and even a section of the media.

Criticism has also come from the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) and members of the diaspora. In addition, the political Opposition has filed a legal challenge in the courts, seeking to revoke Patterson’s appointment.

news

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monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

22-year-old “I will stand for justice reportedly for my nephew” drowns – uncle affirms one year after death of Corentyne Bisram murder probe

… during early-morning swim in Atlantic

carpenter Fiyazz Narinedatt

A

One year on: Relatives and friends of murdered Corentyne carpenter Fiyazz Narinedatt stand outside the High Court in Georgetown.

His uncle, Abdool Rizan, is seen second from the left (Shemuel Fanfair photo)

By Shemuel Fanfair

L

ast week Wednesday marked exactly one year since the November 1, 2016 brutal killing of 27-yearold Corentyne carpenter Fiyazz Narinedatt, whose body was dumped on the Number 70 Village public road and then allegedly ‘run over’ by a vehicle to make his death seem the result of a hit-and-run accident.

Marcus Bisram, the high profile murder accused who is currently awaiting extradition from the United States, was said to have ordered the killing after the young father had reportedly rejected his sexual advances.

Narinedatt’s uncle, Abdool Rizan, spoke with Guyana Times following a High Court ruling striking out an appeal to withdraw Bisram’s murder charge and investigation last week. Rizan highlighted that many of his family members have been living in fear, tormented by the thought that they could be harmed at any moment because of the influence the New York-based businessman wields with money and power.

The still grieving man told this publication that even though they are poor people, they remain hopeful that justice would prevail in the end – a comment he made in light of the many controversies that surround the case, including allegations of bribery and witness tampering.

“We are getting jus-

Dead: Fiyazz Narinedatt

tice in this matter. Let the law take its course and we will get an answer. We are pleased so far...they are after my family, they sending people to talk to me to take bribe, but we don’t want no [money]. We are poor and we fighting it to the last,” Rizan expressed last week.

He indicated that he does have some concern for his family’s safety, but stressed -- and even called on the Head of State to ensure that mechanisms are in place to ensure that justice is fairly handed out.

“Nobody is no fool in this country… I call on the President to let the justice system be fair to people...I ain’t fear nobody; I fear the Almighty. Allah is with me!

I will stand for justice for my nephew. I will never leave a stone unturned until a decision comes out in my nephew’s case. We have to stand in this country and make sure that justice stands for all people – all

Murder accused: Marcus Bisram

Guyanese,” a very vociferous Rizan emphasised.

Last Tuesday, High Court Judge Gino Persaud ruled against the application to have the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) withdraw the case against Bisram, and ordered the applicant’s attorney, Sanjeev Datadin, to pay $250,000 in court costs.

Datadin had, on September 25, filed an application on behalf of Bisram’s mother, Sharmilla Inderjali, to quash the murder charge against Bisram on ground that one of the main witnesses for the Prosecution had recanted his statement. Datadin told Guyana Times that during the proceedings, the witness could not confirm what was in his statement, as neither he nor his mother could read.

“He said he didn’t know what was in his statement, he didn’t have any way

to verify it; and his mother was unfortunately unable to assist him because of the inability to read as well. So he recanted his story, [and] we filed an application to say that the DPP could not have a reasonable prospect of success any longer,” Datadin outlined on Tuesday last.

Justice Persaud had however observed that there was material non-disclosure in Datadin’s application, as he had not included in the affidavit that he had made an application in December 2016 to stop the DPP from advising the Police in Bisram’s murder probe.

Marcus Bisram was charged in absentia last year for the murder of 27-year-old carpenter Fiyazz Narinedatt, while five other men were also charged for the killing.

Those men are: Radesh Motie, 39; Diadatt Datt, 18; Harri Paul Parsram, 49; Orlando Dickie, and Niran Yacoob, 37.

Additionally, Bisram’s mother and sister were also charged and were remanded to prison, after they had allegedly offered bribes to Police ranks to “duck the case”. The mother, Inderjali, was also recently charged for witness tampering. Reports last year were that Narinedatt had not only rejected Bisram’s sexual advances, but had slapped him several times, and it was out of embarrassment that Bisram had allegedly instructed his associates to “get rid” of the father of two.

22-year-old is now dead after an early-morning swim in the Atlantic Ocean turned tragic for him and his three friends.

Dead is Andy (only name given) of De Willem on the West Coast of Demerara.

Details surrounding the circumstances of the young man’s death are sketchy, but Guyana Times was reliably informed that Andy and three of his friends ventured to the De Willem Koker around 04:00h Saturday morning for an early-morning swim.

However, the young man was swept away by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and despite several efforts by one of his friends to find him, his body never resurfaced until around 16:00h on Sunday at Zeelugt on the East Bank of Essequibo.

This newspaper understands that the friends panicked and did not inform the dead man’s parents until after his body

Drowned: Andy of De Willem

was recovered.

The Police have confirmed recovering the body and it is at the Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that two of the three friends are in custody at the Leonora Police Station assisting with the ongoing investigations.

Teacher on life support after night out turns tragic

K

escia Branche, a 22-year-old teacher of Richard Ishmael Secondary School, remains unconscious and on life support at the Georgetown Public Hospital after her battered body was picked up by an ambulance during the wee hours of Sunday at the junction of Princes Streets and Louisa Row, Georgetown.

Although efforts to contact Branche’s family proved futile, relatives had reported that they last saw Branche on Saturday evening when she left for a night out with her friends. The relatives reported that they were shocked after receiving a phone call on Sunday morning informing that Branche was in the hospital. The mother of one, who resides in Cummings Lodge, Greater Georgetown, was reportedly found lying unconscious around 05:45h on Sunday after which she was rushed to the medical facility.

Guyana Times understands that Branche suf-

Kescia Branche

fered a broken left leg and multiple head injuries.

However, it is yet unclear as to how she received those injuries. Police have since launched an investigation to find out what really happened the night Branche left her home in Cummings Lodge.

Any person with relevant information is asked to contact the Branche family on 592-677-8733.

14 news

monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Believed to have taught Bible studies

Texas church shooter was dishonourably discharged from US Air Force – at least 26 people were shot dead by gunman and at least 24 others are being treated for injuries

T

he mass shooter who opened fire during Mass inside a Texas church killing at least 26 – including a two-yearold child – has been identified as a 26-year-old former Bible study teacher who was dishonourably discharged from the US Air Force.

Devin Patrick Kelley walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, dressed in black, tactical gear with a ballistics belt and an assault rifle, and began shooting, according to local law enforcement sources.

The attack only stopped when Kelly was tackled by a heroic local man.

Kelley, 26, of New Braunfels, a suburb of San Antonio, fled in his SUV but crashed near state lines and was killed after a brief foot chase into Guadalupe County, according Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Robert Murphy.

It’s still unclear if the gunman shot himself or was taken down by a local resident.

San Antonio Police raided Kelley’s home on Sunday evening, with K9 and bomb squad units.

Kelley, who was reportedly married, had recently posted a photo of an AR-15 style gun on his Facebook page with the caption: ‘She’s a bad b***h.’

A LinkedIn account which appears to be Kelley’s states that he joined the US Air Force after graduating New Braunfels High School in 2009. He worked

Devin Patrick Kelley (pictured) walked into the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs, dressed in full combat gear, and began shooting, according to local law enforcement sources

in logistics and supply in the Air Force until he was dishonourably discharged in 2014 and was even court martialed in May 2014, CBS News reported.

He then volunteered as a teacher for Bible studies at Kingsville First Baptist Church, according to his LinkedIn which shows him posing which a young child. Police are now investigating the possibility that Kelley was in a local militia group.

Wilson County Commissioner Albert Gamez Jr told CNN that at least 27 people – including the shooter— have been killed in the shooting, but the death toll is expected to climb. The first responders on the scene were from local churches who began receiving texts from family and friends about the shooting.

The Connally Memorial Medical Centre said ‘multiple’ victims are being treated.

What is known, so far, about the shooter: * Named as Devin Patrick Kelley, 26-year-old white male, of New Braunfels, a suburb of San Antonio, * Was found dead in a crashed car after a brief chase following the shooting * Was dressed in all black, tactical gear with a ballistics belt and multiple weapons in his car * Fired outside the church, then went into the church and continued to fire * Resident near the church intervened, and knocked the gun out of Kelley’s hands, then chased him in his car * Kelley showed off an AR-15 rifle on Facebook recently * Served in the military in ‘cargo, demand and supply and distribution’ but was dishonourably discharged * Was married and believed to have taught a Bible studies at Kingsville First Baptist Church Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Director Freeman Martin said that Kelley was spotted at 11.20h at a Valero gas station, ‘dressed in all black, tactical gear, wearing a ballistics belt.’

‘He crossed the street to the church, exited his vehicle and began firing on the church. He moved to the right side of the church and continued to fire, and entered the church and continued to fire.’

Wilson County Commissioner Albert Gamez Jr said that at least 26 people have been killed in the shooting, but the death toll is expected to climb

But as he left the church, the unnamed local hero tackled him.

‘A local resident grabbed his rifle and engaged the

suspect,’ Martin said. ‘The suspect dropped his rifle, an assault-type rifle, and fled from the church. A local citizen pursued the subject at

that time.’

Martin said that law enforcement gave tracked down the suspect, who went off the road and crash. (Daily

Mail)

Installing solar panels on roof of Christ Church Secondary School

As the State purses its ‘Green Agenda’, workmen were seen on Sunday attaching solar panels to the roof of the historic building that houses the classes of the Christ Church Secondary School in Cummingsburg, Georgetown (Carl Croker photo)

SOCU’s capacity further strengthened – Ramjattan …maintains Govt’s non-interference in the agency

By Lakhram Bhagirat

P

ublic Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Friday told reporters that the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) now has tremendous capacities since it is equipped with financial analysts, qualified accountants and better investigative capabilities.

He made the comment while responding to questions about the investigative capacity of the agency.

“SOCU is a professional organisation and is an organisation that has tremendous capacities now with financial analysts and people who are qualified accountants. It is my view that they would look for guidance from the DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions) if she ask that they give some more statements or take some more documentary evidence,” he said.

When asked about possible interference by Government officials, Ramjattan maintained that the organisation was a professional one and the only

Director of Public Prosecution Shalimar Ali-Hack

Government agency that would issue directives to SOCU is the office of the DPP. “They obviously have to do that (seek advice from the DPP) and it should not be regarded as interference. That is when a lawyer is telling you something you have to do and so I don’t think they will take directions, but they will take the directions of the DPP because she (Shalimar

Ali-Hack) is the Director of Public Prosecutions,” Ramjattan said.

Just last month, DPP AliHack said that SOCU needed to focus on quality investigations. The statement came in the form of a Letter to the Editor to respond to an article in the Kaieteur News in relation to the Guyana Rice Development Board probe.

“SOCU needs to focus on doing quality investigations before sending files to these Chambers for legal advice because charges are based on evidence and not wild recommendations,” the letter from the DPP Chambers said.

The article in question in the newspaper suggested the DPP may be dragging her feet on the issue. ““The DPP is not facing any major dilemma in this matter. This file will be treated like all other files and advice will be given based on the evidence contained in the file and the relevant law thereto as is done in all files. The DPP has a constitutional mandate under which the work is done at the office,” the letter stated.

SOCU Head, Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James

Meanwhile, on Friday at his post-Cabinet press briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon defended SOCU’s work, saying that the coalition Government has given SOCU the capacity to tackle organised crime, with the allocation of the necessary resources, training, and exposure to international best practices and advice.

“We are improving the competence and capacity of

SOCU and in a lot of their investigations that are going on. It is not just that SOCU is not doing a good job, SOCU is gathering information and If ,in fact, the persons who have the legal eye to see what it is that would stand up in court, allow it to go through, how could you blame the investigators?” Harmon asked.

He said that the investigators were doing their work, which they were trained to do, that is, to provide information. However, he noted that it was the task of the legal luminaries, who also determine whether the matters should proceed to the courts or not, to identify the deficiencies and advise accordingly.

“SOCU has been complaining about it too that there are so many matters that they are finished investigating and it is not coming to the court as yet, but we have to be patient because a number of these things require careful investigation,” he added.

Harmon said that SOCU would be getting additional

international assistance to ensure that the cases could withstand cross-examination in the courts and allow the Judges or Magistrates to make judgments based on the evidence.

“As you know, the magistracy, the judiciary, they are independent. We do not tell them what judgement they should give, what we do is present the evidence in court and ask that they look at it impartially and neutrally,” Harmon stated.

SOCU was established in 2014 on the recommendation of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and was intended to be a Police unit operating under the authority of the Police Commissioner but with a close relationship to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Head of the Presidential Secretariat at the time, Dr Roger Luncheon, had disclosed that SOCU was tasked with investigating suspected financial transactions suggestive of money laundering and financing of terrorism.

15

monDAY, november 6, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

What the people say about

I SAY...

Improving Guyana’s tourism product N

ovember has been designated as Tourism Awareness Month in Guyana, during which a series of activities have been scheduled with the aim of promoting the country as a tourist destination. As Guyana celebrates Tourism Month 2017, Guyana Times asked persons for their recommendations on what the country – through the various stakeholders – can do to improve Guyana’s tourism product? Here are their views: Devon Scott

Nalisa Kench

“Guyana needs to do some fundamental things in order to improve its tourism product. One of the first things we need to work on is optics. We need to spend more time and effort to maintain and renovate popular sites and infrastructure, especially in Georgetown, such as monuments, the museum, buildings, parks, the zoo, and roadways. This is often the first thing I hear my relatives who visit from abroad complaining about and it can be a major eyesore for anyone visiting. Secondly, we need to work on better advertising. The Guyana brand is struggling, because a lot of people aren’t aware of what we have to offer. It seems like every ad that promotes Guyana only focuses on Kaieteur Falls.

Although Kaieteur might be a very good asset to tout, we need to start pushing other activities to the forefront that might interest tourists, especially in the capital city. As it is right now, there is hardly anything to do in Georgetown and this can lead to a very disappointing and boring experience for visitors.”

Javed Khan

“Local hotels can put together weekend deals.

Package deals should offer a hotel stay discount and include another attractive offer. For instance, a romantic getaway package for two could include a discounted one-night stay, a chilled bottle of champagne and flowers in the room, and a complimentary massage from a local spa for the couple. In that way, the country will see a high increase in visitors plus a lot of revenues will be coming into Guyana.”

“It is no secret that our country boasts tourist attractions like the Rupununi and Kaieteur Falls amongst many places, some of which are yet “undiscovered” so to speak. One of the more pressing issues is the availability of transportation. There should be readily available and RELIABLE transportation to those places.

Added to that, there is much to be done about the quality of accommodation and other services to match international standards if we are to compete with other countries on a global scale. Also, the issue of marketing is a pressing one as some local persons do not even know of tourist destinations available right here on our home soil. Ever so often when people hear “Guyana”, it is mistaken for “Ghana”. People have no clue where Guyana is and even if they do, negativity prevails over whatever positives we have to offer. Then, there is the spiralling crime rate, which is one of the highest and we were recently cited as one of the most dangerous countries in the world.”

Brentol Benn

Sparkle Khan

“Well, from my point of view, throughout the Corentyne Coast, most people are involved in farming, planting fruits, vegetables, etc. So rather than exporting these products, we could process them into different things, such as making sauce with hot pepper; juice from watermelon; packaged chips from plantain, etc, rather than importing it. In doing so, we could exhibit it in our local market, such as small businesses and more.”

“Guyana is a place that delivers pristine beauty, beauty that is appreciated by many throughout the world.

Most of this beauty is found in the interior regions of Guyana.

Bridging the coastland with the interior regions will help in improving our tourism products. Making the way to the interior more accessible in a sustainable way will make tourists feel more welcomed and more encouraged to visit our country. Guyana has much to offer and making the interior more accessible will encourage a more diverse group of tourists.”

Joel Simpson

“I think all key stakeholders in the industry recognise that Guyana’s niche in the tourism market is our eco-tourism products and services – not the typical Caribbean ‘sun, sand and sea’ offerings. Given Guyana’s oil and gas discoveries, tourism providers need to think about and advocate for stronger environmental protections as any adverse effects of the industry can have adverse impacts on our environment and eco-tourism products. Marketing is also key and I feel like we need to start with the Diaspora. Besides eco-tourism, sports and entertainment tourism is another avenue that holds some prospects. Also, now that we’ve had the 2am curfew (bars/nightclubs) in effect for more than a year or two, it’s time for an objective assessment about whether it has achieved the public security goals as intended vis-a-vis the impact on the entertainment and tourism business sectors. It might be difficult to market and sell Guyana as a destination for entertainment tourism with a standard 2am curfew in effect in the capital city at least.

Nicky Edwin

“We have so much potential for tourism in Guyana. However, I believe

not much is being done to promote our country as a tourist destination. I believe there has to be an effective marketing plan that allows one to plan a step-by-step method to success. In this age of technology, we should utilise online sites, social media or YouTube to market these destinations for what they truly are, including transportation services.

Internationally known faces or ambassadors can be negotiated with to help with advertisement. Moreover, if Guyana is to be promoted as a tourist destination, then the services will have to match that of the international criteria.

Transportation to Guyana and the destinations itself will have to be available.”

Fazam Ali

“I think that the tourism industry in Guyana can be developed by firstly developing your heritage and items that truly represent our country from the food, clothing, music, dance, folklore, cultural events and religion. Also, the Government should look at developing small businesses and develop the cottage industry.

Lowering the crime rate and dealing with security issues is something which is hard to deal with, but having more patrols can help. Two other areas one can look at in developing the tourism industry are the agriculture sector and the culinary industry.

Many persons usually travel or go around the place for food and the nature and agriculture and the culinary industries can satisfy both. Guyana has a rich diversity of flora and fauna and this can be capitalised on for increasing tourism by using the dense rich forests for hiking, tours, and bird watching just to name a few.”

Shazam Somwar

“Guyana can improve its tourism products in many ways. One of the major ways I think is by using Guyana’s own talent, Guyana’s beauty.

We have so many beautiful sights in Guyana, some even undiscovered; use these as ways to improve the tourism in Guyana. Use the talent of many Guyanese out there, whether they’re singers, artists, in whatever field it I, I am sure it can improve the tourism industry if these are used wisely.”

Tarawattie Bhagirat

“Guyana is rich in flora and fauna, but poor in marketing skills. What we need is more efforts to be focused on the

development of our product then the marketing. We need to make these tourist destinations are much more accessible and less expensive.

While we tend to mostly target tourists from overseas, we also need to make our tourism products affordable to our locals, so they in turn can help in the marketing of these destinations. I am glad that now we are placing some emphasis on eco-tourism. But how are we marketing it? Who is marketing it? I generally think we need to place more resources on the development and then look at marketing because if facilities are not there, then people would not recommend or want to come back.”

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, november 6, 2017

Regional

Venezuela Opposition Trinidad: South residents Leader seeks refuge in waiting for $$ from flood fund Chile Ambassador's home

One of Venezuela’s Opposition Leaders, Freddy Guevara attends a session of Venezuela’s Opposition-controlled National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, August 2, 2017

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rominent Venezuelan lawmaker Freddy Guevara has sought refuge in the Chilean Ambassador’s residence in Caracas amid fears he could be jailed, a development that leaves the ailing Opposition with even fewer leaders to take on leftist President Nicolás Maduro.

Authorities had sought to remove Guevara’s congressional immunity so that he could be tried for instigating violence.

The Opposition and local media said that Sebin intelligence agents had surrounded

Guevara’s house over the weekend.

Guevara, a 31-year-old who runs the hardline Popular Will party and is also the deputy leader of congress, entered the residence on Saturday and requested protection, the Chilean Government said in a statement. Guevara could become the highest-profile Venezuelan politician to seek exile in recent years.

A majority of Opposition Leaders are now unable to challenge unpopular Maduro, a 54-year-old former bus driver and Foreign Minister whom they blame for the oil-rich nation’s economic downfall.

Anti-Maduro politicians have been barred from holding office, like two-time presidential candidate Henrique Capriles; arrested or placed under house arrest, like Opposition Leader Leopoldo Lopez; or threatened with trial, like congress leader Julio Borges who could face treason charges for lobbying against Venezuela’s Government in global financial circles.

The Opposition coalition condemned the threats against Guevara as another sign that Maduro has turned the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) member into a dictatorship.

“This is an arbitrary and political decision that seeks to weaken a congress that has the full support of the people. Venezuela is hungry for food, but also freedom, justice and dignity,” said Borges at a news conference on Sunday. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Barbados wins bid to host 2018 Society of American Travel Writers Convention

R

ecently, the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) selected the island of Barbados as the host destination for its 2018 annual convention.

This is the first time that any Caribbean nation has been selected as the convention host destination. The announcement was made at the 2017 SATW Annual Convention held in Portland, Oregon, US. SATW is a professional association comprised of 1100 writers, photographers, editors, broadcast/video/film producers, bloggers, website owners, public relations experts and hospitality industry representatives from the United States and Canada. Founded in 1955, the society’s members represent some of the most influential content producers in the travel industry with work that can be seen throughout all print, digital and broadcast platforms.

“Barbados is a world-class

destination that is uniquely suited to host the conference in 2018. Despite the intense competition to host our organisation, Barbados’ reputation as a bastion of story ideas for travel editors – both those in the US and Canada – propelled its bid to the winning position. From its hotels to its unique attributes, we knew it was a place that would be interesting to our members,” said incoming SATW President, Barbara Orr. “Hosting this convention in October 2018 will allow us to stimulate immediate social media coverage of Barbados prior to the kick-off of the winter travel season,” noted Petra Roach, Director, US, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc (BTMI). “These delegates influence thousands of our target consumers via their social media platforms every day, and we are designing our conference to maximise social media conversations.” (Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

W

hile the Trinidad Government has approved a TT$30 million fund for assistance to flood victims, people in hard-hit areas in south Trinidad are still clamouring for assistance.

Some people who applied for grants in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Brett were still waiting on assistance when they were further flooded during excessive rains last month.

The fund is accessed by the Ministry of Social Development for direct grants, the Ministry of Works and Transport to fund work such as clearing of landslides, the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Last week, the Guardian spoke to Chairmen from regional corporations in south Trinidad who raised concerns about the Central Government’s response to flooding in their region.

The Chairmen, in separate interviews, said the situation was further compounded by confusion over assistance to victims

P

Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago around 11:00h, reports began flooding the University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre’s Facebook page from residents who felt the quake, particularly in those two Caribbean countries, for sev-

from the Ministry of Social Development because of a lack of communication with regional corporations.

The process being followed involves the disaster management unit of each corporation submitting a list to the Ministry, with no feedback being forwarded to the corporations.

Chairman of the Princes Town Regional Corporation Gowrie Roopnarine said there were more people from

his region affected during the period of excessive rainfall in October than during Tropical Storm Brett.

“This time there were more people affected and more homes flooded out.

We have confirmed, visited by the disaster unit, that 380 homes would have been damaged during the rainfall.

In June, that number was less than 300,” Roopnarine said. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

St Vincent envoy Fugitive Pinochet reports enhanced agent detained in visitor arrivals since Chile drugs raid opening of int'l airport

S

t Vincent and the Grenadines Ambassador to the United Nations, Rhonda King, says since the opening of the Argyle International Airport (AIA) earlier this year, “there has already been an increase in the number of visitors arriving by air”.

In her address to nationals in Winnipeg, Canada on Saturday, marking the 38th anniversary of St Vincent and the Grenadines political independence from Great Britain, King said, in July, “we received 7518 stay-over visitors; this year we had 8186 – an increase of 668 in the month of July.

“Let give thanks for AIA, for the vision and tenacity of our Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves and his Government,” King told the gala ceremony, organised by the St Vincent and the Grenadines Association of

Winnipeg, Inc, “let us give thanks for the rapidly increasing speed of accessibility to our shores. Let us give thanks for the new possibilities this accessibility will bring.

“Infrastructure and accessibility are critical components in our quest for more sustainable development,” she added. “They are not optional. Indeed, they are imperatives.”

On February 14, the Gonsalves Administration opened AIA, the country’s first international airport.

King described the airport as “a beautiful, stateof-the-art facility – arguably now the most beautiful in the Caribbean.”

The envoy noted that it was recently announced that both Sunwing and Air Canada Rouge will operate flights into AIA during this Christmas season. (Excerpt from

CMC)

5.7 magnitude earthquake shakes parts of Grenada, T&T, St Vincent

eople living in parts of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines reported strong shaking when a 5.7 magnitude earthquake struck Sunday morning.

Shortly after the tremor which occurred between

Some people who applied for grants in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Brett were still waiting on assistance when they were further flooded during excessive rains last month

eral seconds.

And the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) in St Vincent and the Grenadines also posted that the earthquake was felt in that country as well.

The Seismic Research

Centre said the earthquake occurred about 68 kilometres northwest of Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago; 118 km north northeast of Arima, Trinidad and Tobago; and 84 kilometres southeast of Grenada’s capital, St George’s. (Caribbean360.com)

Thousands were tortured and brutally killed in Chile in the Pinochet years

P

olice in southern Chile have arrested a former secret service agent sentenced to jail for human rights abuses during the military Government led by General Augusto Pinochet.

Reimer Kohlitz was detained during an anti-drugs operation near the border with Argentina.

He had been on the run since being convicted two years ago of the murders of two left-wing activists in 1984. Some 3000 dissidents were killed during General Pinochet's rule.

Many others were tortured by Chile's notorious secret Police under his rule in the 1970s and 80s.

Kohlitz was detained near the village of Curarrehue, some 800km (500 miles) south of the capital, Santiago.

Anti-drugs Police were carrying out an operation in the area, in Araucanía province, after being tipped off that a load of narcotics was

about to come through the Argentine border.

They made several arrests and identified Reimer Kohlitz among the gang members.

Kohlitz was first convicted in 2012 of the murders of Héctor Sobarzo Núñez and Enzo Muñoz Arévalo in 2012.

He alleged that the two militants were terrorists killed in a confrontation.

But his conviction and six-year prison sentence were upheld by Chile's Supreme Court in August 2015.

Human rights activists have celebrated the arrest of the fugitive agent and called for the authorities to carry on looking for other people convicted for torturing and killing dissidents in the 1970s and 80s.

After seizing power in a military coup in 1973, General Pinochet ordered many of the purges, which saw thousands killed. Many more were tortured and driven into exile. (BBC News)

monDAY, november 6, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

Texas church shooting leaves at least 26 dead

A

FBI agents joined local law enforcement at the scene

t least 26 people have been killed after a gunman opened fire at a church during Sunday services, officials say.

The attack happened at the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, a small town in Wilson County, Texas.

The gunman, who is reported to have been killed in the aftermath, entered the church and opened fire at around 11:30h local time (17:30 GMT).

Governor Greg Abbott confirmed the death toll and said it was the worst mass

shooting in the history of Texas.

“This will be a long, suffering mourning for those in pain,” he said at a news conference on Sunday.

Texas Department of Public Safety Regional Director Freeman Martin said the ages of the victims ranged from 5 to 72 years old. Authorities said at least 20 people were also injured and taken to hospital.

Martin described the suspect as a young white male in his early 20s, dressed in all black and wearing a ballistic vest as

Future Saudi King tightens grip on power with arrests

S

audi Arabia’s future king has tightened his grip on power through an anti-corruption purge by arresting royals, Ministers and investors, including billionaire Alwaleed bin Talal, who is one of the kingdom’s most prominent businessmen.

Prince Alwaleed, a nephew of the king and owner of investment firm Kingdom Holding 4280.SE, invests in firms such as Citigroup and Twitter. He was among 11 Princes, four Ministers and tens of former Ministers detained, three senior officials told Reuters on Sunday.

17

The purge against the kingdom’s political and business elite also targeted the head of the National Guard Prince Miteb bin Abdullah who was detained and replaced as Minister of the powerful National Guard by Prince Khaled bin Ayyaf.

News of the purge came early on Sunday after King Salman decreed the creation of an anti-corruption committee chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, his 32-yearold favourite son who has amassed power since rising from obscurity three years ago. (Excerpt from Reuters)

well as tactical-type gear. He was armed with an assault-style rifle.

He began shooting outside the church before he entered and opened fire, Martin said.

A local citizen “grabbed his rifle and began shooting” at the suspect, before the gunman fled in a vehicle.

The citizen pursued the suspect, who drove off the road and crashed his car at the Guadalupe County line. Police found the suspect dead in his car, but it is unclear if he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound or from returned fire from the citizen, Martin added.

The gunman has been identified as Devin P Kelley, 26, according to US media reports. Police have not confirmed the suspect’s identity.

The First Baptist Church’s Pastor, Frank Pomeroy, has told ABC News that his 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle, was killed in the shooting.

Pomeroy, who was out of town in Oklahoma at the time, described her as “one very beautiful, special child” in a phone call to the television outlet.

At least 10 victims, including four children, were being treated at the University Health System in nearby San Antonio, the hospital said in a tweet. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Vietnam: At least 27 killed

by Typhoon Damrey

People ride a motorcycle along a flooded road after Typhoon Damrey hits Vietnam [Reuters]

A

typhoon which battered southern and central Vietnam has left at least 27 people dead, and more than 20 missing.

Typhoon Damrey made landfall on Saturday, with winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour.

More than 40,000 homes have been damaged, people have been evacuated and there have been widespread power cuts.

The worst affected area was the city of Nha Trang – about 500km (310 miles) south of the coastal city of

Da Nang where world leaders will be attending an Apec summit later this week.

The South East Asian country often experiences severe storms, and sees a number of deaths every year from floods. More than 30,000 people, including foreign tourists, were evacuated from areas in the path of the storm.

Weather experts say it is the most destructive storm in decades to hit the southern coastal region – which usually escapes typhoons that in most years strike further north. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Sacked Catalonia leader Lebanon PM forced to turns himself in resign – Hezbollah

S

acked Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont and four associates turned themselves in to Belgian Police on Sunday, following Spain’s issuing of an arrest warrant for rebellion and sedition.

All are wanted by Madrid for actions related to the push for the region’s secession from Spain.

Puigdemont has become the public face of that move for independence.

Other charges are the misuse of public funds, disobedience and breach of trust relating to the secessionist campaign, which has thrown Spain into a political crisis just as its economy has recovered from a

sharp downturn and banking stress.

Madrid has taken over administrative control in Catalonia, until then an autonomous region, and called new elections on December 21.

Two polls on Sunday suggested pro-Catalonia independence parties will together win December’s regional election although they may fall just short of a majority of seats in Parliament needed to revive the secession campaign. Parties supporting Catalonia staying in Spain would divide seats, but garner around 54 per cent of the vote, the polls suggested. (Excerpt from Reuters)

T

he leader of Lebanonbased Shia group Hezbollah has said that Saudi Arabia forced the Lebanese Prime Minister to resign.

Saad al-Hariri stepped down in a televised broadcast from Saudi Arabia on Saturday, denouncing Hezbollah and its Iranian backers, and saying he feared for his life.

But the chief of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, said it was a Saudi decision "imposed" on him. Saudi officials have denied this. "It was not his intention, not his wish and not his decision to quit," Sheikh Nasrallah said in a

televised address.

He questioned whether Hariri would be able to return from Saudi Arabia, but also called for calm, amid fears that violence could erupt in Lebanon. Separately, despite Hariri saying he feared assassination, the Lebanese army says it has not discovered any assassination plots in the country.

In addition to the army, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, the head of Lebanon's General Security intelligence agency, has also said he has no information about any plots to kill politicians in Lebanon, Reuters news agency reports. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Russia protests: Nationalist China online shopping: Dishonest websites face fines Putin opponents held

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t least 260 people have been arrested while protesting against Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Police say.

The protesters are believed to be linked to nationalist politician Vyacheslav Maltsev's Artillery Preparation movement.

It has been declared extremist and is banned in Russia.

Maltsev says a revolution is imminent. Last year in a debate he called for Putin to be impeached.

He is reported to be living abroad after a Moscow court issued an arrest warrant for him over his calls for extremist measures to overthrow the Government.

The Tass news agency quoted Police and inde-

C

Supporters of the radical Opposition Artillery Preparation group were arrested as they convened beside the Kremlin in central Moscow

pendent monitors as saying supporters of the radical Opposition group convened beside the Kremlin in central Moscow.

Those attending the protest were confronted by a tough police security operation

Most of the arrests were made in the Russian capital, but people were also detained in five other cities.

Some of the protesters in Moscow were reported to be carrying knives, knuckledusters and rubber bullet-firing pistols. (Excerpt from BBC News)

hina has created a new law to impose heavy fines on Internet shopping websites which publish false advertisements about their products.

Vendors who delete negative online reviews or post fake positive reviews face a minimum US$30,000 (£23,000) fine.

The new law aims to clean up China's Internet shopping websites just before Singles Day – the country's busiest online shopping day of the year.

Last year's Singles Day saw sales worth almost US$18 billion in 24 hours.

Chinese consumers placed 657 million orders.

Most Singles Day vendors sell through the on-

China will experience an online shopping bonanza on Singles Day next Saturday

line platform Alibaba, which has been heavily criticised for failing to police the claims some sellers post about their products.

The authorities are

also trying to stop the use of a technique known as brushing – when vendors stage fictitious sales in order to boost their standing in website search results. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, november 6, 2017

ARCHIE

Make a personal change that will improve your atti(March 21tude and lessen your stress.

April 19) Focus on relationships and deciding which of your associates are positive influences.

ARIES

Make staging a priority.

TAURUS Whether it’s the way you look (April 20- or how you display what you May 20) have to offer, go all-out and wow everyone you encounter with your polished presentation.

dilbert

It’s up to you to bring GEMINI (May 21- about change. Don’t procrasJune 20) tinate or wait for someone else to go first. Look at what needs to be done and do it.

Take your time. Digest information. Pursue a project (June 21- that offers a creative outlet or July 22) relief from stress. Don’t make impulsive decisions or accusations. Put personal growth first and foremost.

CANCER

Peanuts

Your generosity with outLEO siders will cause a ruckus at (July 23- home. Think before you make Aug. 22) promises you’ll regret. Do your best to curb habits and to please the ones you love.

Emotional meddling will VIRGO make life at home and at (Aug. 23work difficult. Be careful Sept. 22) whom you confide in if you want to avoid being subject to scrutiny. Learn from past mistakes.

Calvin and Hobbes

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Channel your energy into something that requires stamina and determination.

A physical activity or competitive situation will give you a chance to show off what you have to offer.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t wait for someone else to take the initiative. If something needs to be done, do it without making a fuss.

In the end, you will be rewarded for your effort.

Take an active role when SAGITTARIUS it comes to your relation(Nov. 23- ships with others. Do your Dec. 21) best to live up to your expectations and those of others.

Romance is highlighted.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SATURDAY’S WORD – BELLICOSE

Don’t fret over change.

Make adjustments and look at the big picture to find a way to incorporate what you know and do best in order to come out on top.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle Look at your options and AQUARIUS make decisions based on (Jan. 20- what you discover. A chance Feb. 19) to get ahead financially looks promising. Work, money and greater stability are heading your way.

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 vivid imagination will PISCES (Feb. 20- help you expand your interMarch 20) ests and boost your assets.

Make a positive change at home that will ensure less financial stress. Aim for comfort and convenience.

monDAY, november 6, 2017

19

Mourinho not concerned by 8-point gap to City

Wilder calls out Joshua after beating Stiverne J

Deontay Wilder had to be pulled away by the referee after knocking out Stiverne

D

eontay Wilder told Anthony Joshua “I declare war upon you” after retaining his WBC heavyweight title with a first-round knockout of Bermane Stiverne.

Wilder knocked Stiverne to the canvas with a fierce right before flooring him again with a barrage of punches.

Stiverne was then knocked out as Wilder caught him with some brutal punches, including a leftright combination.

“I know I am the best.

Are you up for the test?” asked Wilder of WBA and IBF heavyweight champion Joshua.

“I’ve been waiting on that fight for a long time now. I declare war upon you. Do you accept my challenge?”

The American appeared to dismiss the prospect of fighting Britain’s Dillian Whyte, who last weekend won an eliminator to put himself in a prime position to compete for a world title by claiming the vacant WBC silver heavyweight crown.

Whyte has racked up six

successive victories since losing to Joshua in December 2015, and after Wilder’s win wrote on Twitter: “Well done @BronzeBomber but let’s do this work Feb 3 at the O2. I ain’t never scared, fact. Will fight anyone anytime.”

However, Wilder said: “They are trying to give me a peasant in Whyte. A king doesn’t chase the peasants.

A king takes kings. I want Joshua. If he doesn’t give me the fight we have other plans.

“The world wants Joshua,

the world wants Wilder, I want Joshua. Joshua, come and see me baby. No more dodging, no more excuses.

Make the date, don’t wait.

Let’s see who is the best.”

Wilder was taken the full distance for the only time in his career when he beat Stiverne on points to claim the WBC belt in January 2015.

This time he finished the fight with seconds left in the opening round as he took his undefeated record to 39, 38 by way of knockout. (BBC)

ose Mourinho remained undaunted despite seeing Manchester United fall eight points behind Manchester City after a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he is not concerned with the eight-point gap to Premier League leaders Manchester City after Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

United were second best for large periods against Chelsea, whose dominance was rewarded by Alvaro Morata’s superb header in the 55th minute.

Mourinho’s side had just two shots on target, with record signing Romelu Lukaku a desperately isolated figure in attack.

Defeat leaves them well adrift of their fierce rivals, who cruised to a 3-1 win over Arsenal earlier in the day, but Mourinho is adamant that their position could be worse.

“We are second not fifth, sixth or seventh,” he told

S

halane Flanagan became the first American woman for 40 years to win the New York Marathon as she captured her first major world title.

The 36-year-old, runner-up in 2010 and sixth at last year’s Olympics, won in two hours 26 minutes 53 seconds.

Kenya’s Mary Keitany, bidding for her fourth consecutive victory in the race, was 61 seconds back in second.

Snipers were present in heightened security measures after the Manhattan truck attack which killed eight people.

Sanitation trucks filled with sand, known as blocker cars, were also evident in an attempt to prevent terrorists from driving into crowds of people.

More than 50,000 runners from about 125 nations took part in the race across five boroughs.

Flanagan pulled away from Keitany and Ethiopia’s Mamitu Daska at the 23-mile mark to emulate compatriot Miki Gorman’s success in 1977.

In the men’s race, Kenyan Geoffrey Kamworor held off countryman Wilson Kipsang to clock 2:10.53 and win by three seconds.

Shalane Flanagan was over a minute clear at the finish in Central Park

In the men’s wheelchair race, Switzerland’s Marcel Hug completed an American clean sweep, crossing the line in 1:37.17 to add to his wins in Boston and Chicago this year.

Hug, who won last year’s race by sixth hundredths of a second, finished over two minutes clear of Canada’s Josh Cassidy to win his third New

York title.

Compatriot Manuela Schar, three times a runner-up in New York, beat five-time winner Tatyana McFadden by nearly three minutes to win the women’s wheelchair race in 1:48.09.

It was the first time the wheelchair races were won by competitors from the same country. (BBC)

Sky Sports.

“There are 18 teams in a more difficult position. Eight points is eight points.

“We went through a very difficult phase with some of the most important matches without important players. It’s obvious we’ve been through a difficult phase with limitations.”

Despite Chelsea carving out a number of clear openings, Mourinho believes his side should have left London with at least a point. (Sportsmax)

Anderson picks up 4 wickets as England draw tour opener

Flanagan creates history P – 1st American woman to win New York Marathon since 1977

Jose Mourinho

aceman James warm-up match) is to try to Anderson picked get into the tour. up four wickets as “We’ve got two first-class England’s opening warm- games coming up that we up game of their Ashes tour want to be fit for and get the against a young Western cobwebs out.”

Australia XI ended in a draw Western Australia were bowled out for 338 but kept in Perth on Sunday.

England’s most prolific batting to allow England a wicket-taker was the stand- full day on the field. out bowler for the touring side Leg-spinner Mason after they declared on 349 for Crane and pace bowler Craig six before the start of play on Overton picked up two wickthe second day of the two-day ets each, boosting their hopes of making their debuts during match.

Anderson finished with fig- the series. Jake Ball returned ures of 4-27 from 13 overs but figures of 1-31. his opening partner Stuart England’s bowlers initialBroad struggled for rhythm ly struggled to make an imahead of the five-test series pact as Western against Australia starting Australia openlater this month. ers Josh Philippe and Jake Carder Broad picked up one for 64 from 13 overs put on 80 runs for the first wickwhile Chris Woakes, who last season struget. Overton disgled with injuries, went missed Carder wicketless in 15 overs. for 22 to break the stand. ”You could probably see from the The 20-yearfirst session that old Philippe, we were pretwho is yet to play a firstty rusty as bowlers,“ class match Anderson was imprestold reportsive in his knock of 88, ers. ”We didn’t get it studded with right.

The 16 fours. (Reuters) point (of the James Anderson

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, november 6, 2017

Windies selectors go against Law W

Sunil Ambris

indies coach, Stuart Law, has had his wishes for an unchanged squad to New Zealand fall on deaf ears, as selectors have dropped top-order batsman Kyle Hope for the in-form Sunil Ambris.

“I’ve made it pretty open and pretty clear to the chairman of selectors [Courtney Browne] and the selection panel that I think this group we have together is worth working with,” Law had said after the Windies drew a Test match against Zimbabwe that they had dominated throughout.

However, Browne believes the performances of Ambris cannot be ignored.

“Sunil has replaced Kyle Hope in the squad, and this is on the basis of his consistent

– drop Hope for Ambris

performances across formats and his outstanding returns for the Windies ‘A’ Team in the ‘Test’ series against Sri Lanka ‘A’. This type of consistency is very welcomed by the panel,” said Browne.

Ambris scored two centuries against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in their two unofficial Tests, as well as proved himself in both the Regional 4Day and One Day competitions.

Ambris also scored a half-century in his only One Day International for the Windies.

Despite that, Law has shown belief in the squad, saying: “I would think it would be great if we could keep the same group of guys together. Those guys who have struggled, in the next Test match they might be our heroes – they’ve got that type of ability.”

Browne does agree that the Windies are on the improve and that the plans of the coach seem

to be bearing fruit, but still thinks the makeup of the team can be tweaked.

“The panel congratulates the players and the entire team management unit on the series victory in Zimbabwe. It was a strong team effort and highlighted by those players that did not do as well as expected on the recent Tour of England, playing critical roles in the team’s success.

“Their success augurs well for the selection process and the philosophy of continuity which has underpinned our selection for the Tour of New Zealand, and not the chopping and changing mentality.”

Hope, Browne says, is talented and needs to show the selectors that talent.

Hope played five Tests, averaging just 11.22, with a best of 43.

There have been numerous calls

for his replacement even as he performed a little better in ODIs, averaging 33.25 from five games with a highest score of 46.

“Kyle is encouraged to return to the first-class championship and turn in the strong performances his talent suggests he can deliver,” said Browne.

West Indies are expected to travel to a preparation camp in Australia until November 21 before heading to New Zealand for the series which bowls off with a threeday tour match on November 25.

SQUAD: Jason Holder (Captain), Kraigg Brathwaite (Vice-Captain), Sunil Ambris, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer, and Kemar Roach. (Sportsmax)

Persaud moves Man City race clear as to 3rd at CSF Mourinho suffers more Stamford Bridge woe in Australia M

G

uyanese shooters continue to excel at the Commonwealth Games (CG) Test Event, known as the Commonwealth Shooting Federation Championships, being held at the Belmont Shooting Centre in Brisbane, Australia.

This is the same venue where CG 2018 will be held. The top Fullbore shooters from all the Commonwealth countries have gathered to test themselves and the conditions as a warmup for the games. The only world class shooter missing is Northern Ireland’s David Calvert, who was in Guyana for the Guyana Rifle Association’s 150th Anniversary Championships.

Shooting two sighters and 10 rounds to count, referred to as a Queen’s 2 over 300, 500 and 600 yards, the two Guyanese recorded 5 possibles between them. In tricky and fishtailing wind conditions, National Fullbore Captain Mahendra Persaud recorded scores of 50.4 at 300yds , 50.2 at 500yds and 50.4 at 600yds for a grand total of 150.10Vs, finishing in second place for the day.

Only two shooters registered scores of 150 for this second day. Lennox Braithwaite, who was leading after day one, having shot flawlessly with a total of 105:14 on the first day, continued his fine form with 2 possibles at the 300 and 500, but could only get 47 at 600 yards.

Now three shooters are tied on

Mahendra Persaud

254 with Vs separating them, having only dropped one point after two days of intense competition.

There was a scheduled practice at the ranges over the long distances on Sunday, for the shooters to get a feel of the conditions which have tested their skills since the CSF started.

All eyes will be on the shooters from 10:00hrs today as they shoot the final Stage 3 (Queen’s 3) with 15 rounds to count at 900yds and 15rd also at 1,000 yards. It could be anybody’s game as it is all won and lost at 1,000 yards.

The continued support coming from the Guyana Olympic Association and Secure Concepts & Innovations Inc. for our international sports ambassadors is applauded by the Guyana National Rifle The leader board with the grand aggregate to date shows: Assn (GNRA), as it is proving 1st Australian Jim Bailey 254:31 wise to have 2nd South African Petra’s Haasbroek 254:24 sent shooters 3rd Guyanese Mahendra Persaud 254:16 4th England David Luckman 253:33 to attend this 5th England Parag Patel 253:23 Championship having 6th Guyana Lennox Braithwaite 252:29 and Guyana rec7th Guernsey Peter Jory 252:26 8th Canada Jim Paton 251:29 ognized on the stage 9th Australia Peter Thurtell 251:25 world 10th Wales Chris Watson 251:24 as having top marksmen.

anchester City opened a yawning eight-point gap at the top of the Premier League as they continued their irresistible form with a 3-1 home victory over Arsenal before closest pursuers Manchester United lost 1-0 at Chelsea on Sunday.

City took their goals tally in all competitions so far this season to 52 as Kevin De Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and substitute Gabriel Jesus ensured a ninth successive league win.

Alexandre Lacazette did pull a goal back for Arsenal but Arsene Wenger’s side are now 12 points adrift in sixth spot.

Jose Mourinho’s third competitive visit back to old club Chelsea after being sacked three years ago ended in a third defeat as Alvaro Morata’s first goal since September sealed victory for the champions at Stamford Bridge.

Morata headed the winner in the 55th minute.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min became the Asian player with the most Premier League goals ever as he scored in the 64th minute to secure a 1-0 home win over bottom club Crystal Palace.

It was his 20th top flight goal, surpassing the mark of former Manchester United midfielder Park Ji-Sung.

Spurs are on 23 points from 11 games, the same as United, with City racing away at the top with 31. Champions Chelsea are fourth with 22, followed by Liverpool and Arsenal on 19.

For pure drama, however, Goodison Park was the place to be as Everton clawed back a twogoal deficit against Watford to win 3-2 with a Leighton Baines penalty in stoppage time.

Watford then had a penalty of their own with 101 minutes on the clock but Tom Cleverley

Sergio Aguero scored a penalty

missed it, meaning Everton won a top flight game from two goals down for the first time since 1994.

Victory snapped a run of five successive defeats in all competitions for Everton and took them out of the relegation zone up to 15th -- leaving West Ham United in the bottom three along with Swansea City and Crystal Palace.

“We’ve done it the hard way, but showed incredible spirit and fight,” Everton’s caretaker manager David Unsworth said after his first victory since taking charge of the team following the sacking of Ronald Koeman.

City were not at their electrifying best against Arsenal but still had too much for Arsene Wenger’s side.

De Bruyne fired home after 19 minutes and Aguero made it 2-0 five minutes after the break with a penalty awarded when Raheem Sterling tumbled under a soft challenge by Nacho

Monreal.

There was also a suspicion of offside about City’s third goal which killed off Arsenal’s hopes of salvaging something.

“You can accept it if City win in a normal way, but this is unacceptable,” Wenger said.

Guardiola’s side go into the international break in a dominant position in the league having already beaten Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal.

“Last season against the title contenders, we were able to win just twice,” Guardiola said.

“This season in November, we are already winning three times. If you want to win the title, you have to beat Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and the other teams at the top.”

United were disappointing after the break against Chelsea and two defeats in three league matches has seriously dented their hopes of reeling in their close neighbours. (Reuters)

sports

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Rose Hall cricket teams to host monthly pensioners’ programme T

he First Division and Female Cricket Teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, on Wednesday last hosted their monthly programme for pensioners at the Rose Hall Town Post Office.

Members of the Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets First Division and Rose Hall Town Metro Female teams, along with their counterparts from the Club’s Over35 Group, provided snacks and refreshments to nearly 300 pensioners while those waited to uplift their monthly Old Age pension.

Under the supervision of Vice President Mark Papannah and Asst Organising Secretary Ravin Kissoonlall, Club members provided hot tea, water, soft drinks, sandwiches, boiled channa, and a collection of fresh fruits to the pensioners. The programme was launched in March 2017 after a delegation of pensioners visited the Rose Hall Town

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while awaiting receipt of their pensions.

The two teams and Over-35 Group host the programme under their “We Care” Project on the first working day of each month.

Foster said that members pool their financial resources and, together with funding

plans to stage the pensioners programme during the first three working days of the month, and to consider requests to extend the programme to the Whim and Nigg Post Offices.

Arrangements are also being made by the two cricket teams for a doctor and

indies pacer Shannon Gabriel is finally one of the top 20 bowlers in the world, according to the International Cricket Council anyway.

Gabriel jumped five spots on the ICC World Bowling Rankings to land 18th after his performances in two Tests against Zimbabwe in that country.

The pacer ended the series with five wickets, picking up one in the first Test before bowling with real pace in the

Shannon Gabriel

second to snare four.

His newball partner, Kemar Roach, is enjoying a good comeback to international cricket and isn’t far off, jumping to 23rd in the ranking, after claiming eight scalps in the two games.

Roach now has 19 wickets in the five matches he has played since his return from a long layoff due to injury and a loss of form.

(Sportsmax)

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team of nurses to be present during the exercise, to provide medical care for those feeling unwell.

During the month of May and June the teams shared special hampers and gifts to mothers and fathers respectively. The December edition would be a special one with meals and Christmas goodies for the pensioners, while twenty pensioners would also be selected to receive special Christmas hampers.

The cricket teams also plan to visit shut-in pensioners to make their festive season memorable.

The Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets First Division Team is led by Shawn Pereira, with Clinton Pestano as his deputy, while West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle leads the Metro Female Team, with Erva Giddings as her deputy. The two teams have successfully completed a total of 83 personal development programmes.

High-scoring 1st innings leaves Scorpions, Red Force deadlocked

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from the Club’s charity programme, host the monthly project. The pensioners programme, Foster said, is one of the most pleasing projects the Club has undertaken, and he noted that since the project was launched in March, the amount of pensioners collecting pensions on the first of the month have doubled.

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Gabriel earns 1st GUYANA top-20 ICC spot TIMES W

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Youth & Sports Club Office and met with Club Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster.

The delegation disclosed that some pensioners turn up at the Post Office from as early as 03.00 hours to uplift pensions which are usually paid from 11.00 hours. Numerous pensioners are known to have fainted or bec a m e ill

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21

Tion Webster

he Trinidad and Tobago Red Force and the Jamaica Scorpions could make no headway against each other in their Windies Professional Cricket League 4Day game at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Sunday.

The game, after a high-scoring affair in the first innings, petered out to a draw, with the Red Force on 84-3 in chase of 192 for victory.

The Scorpions had started the affair on the front foot, scoring 431 courtesy of 169 from Fabian Allen and 98 from Brandon King.

However, the Red Force would respond in kind, through the efforts of Yannic Cariah, 127, and Tion Webster, 178.

The Red Force’s 380-7 declared,

though impressive, maybe took too much time, so though they skittled out the Scorpions in the second innings for 141, finding a win in the time remaining was very unlikely.

Imran Khan was the man who threatened to make a game of the situation, bagging 6-59 in that second innings against skipper Paul Pamer Jr, who scored 52 valuable runs.

Palmer’s innings soaked up 184 deliveries and along with Derval Green, 30, may have saved the match.

Chasing down 192 was never going to be easy and despite Denesh Ramdin’s unbeaten 31 from 42 deliveries, the Red Force never got close, still needing a further 108 for victory at stumps. (Sportsmax)

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, november 6, 2017

By Akeem Greene

F

ast-rising Guyana Jaguars all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford has highlighted that the support gathered from coaches and family members is the driving force behind the success reaped to date for his franchise in the 2017/2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Digicel 4-day championship.

At just 19 years of age, Rutherford, in his third First-Class match, took the man-of the match award on Saturday in the Jaguars’ comfortable seven-wicket victory over Windward Volcanoes at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia.

“The hard work I do is paying off, and I must say thanks to my parents [Orin and Karen Rutherford] and my coaches who are always pushing me to strive for great things. Whenever I am playing away from home, coach [Rayon] Griffith is always talking to me and making sure I am okay and ready to perform”, the player told Guyana Times Sport from St Lucia on Sunday.

And perform he certainly did. In the Volcanoes’ first

M

Sherfane Rutherford has learnt to mix his aggression with patience while batting

innings, he snatched 6-32 with his medium-pace, and then made 51 (his maiden First-Class half-century) from 59 deliveries, inclusive of six fours and four maximums.

otor Biker Kevin Persaud knows he will have his work cut out for him when the final leg of the Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (CMRC) are staged on Sunday at the South Dakota Circuit.

Added to fellow local riders and some Caribbean competition, Persaud has to contend with a team Mohamed’s Enterprise trio who are in red hot form.

The pair of Bryce Prince (unbeaten after 12 races in the Caribbean) and Matt Truelove (fastest time at South Dakota in 33.3s) were simply unstoppable on their first outing in Guyana.

They will be joined by Jason Aguilar, current MotoAmerica Superstock champion.

“It is a pleasure having them, and I look forward to the challenge. I hope we locals can do well against them, and give them a hard time in their quest for a podium finish. Riding against them is a dream come true; and it is better for us, since we get to learn from them, and we get to improve our style”, the 18 year-old told Guyana Times Sport.

Persaud will be sporting a red and black 2012 Kawasaki ZX 6R, which according to him is fully ready and just waiting for him to get crucial prac-

“To get those six wickets, it was mainly down to a lot of patience and bowling very consistent in one area. When I got in to bat, we were in a decent position and were looking to give the opposi-

tice hours under his belt.

“The bike is finished. I just need to go and put in the extra hours now, ahead of the meet, I have not had much practice as yet, so I’m hoping to be at the track regularly and practising ahead of race day,” he disclosed.

At the second edition of the National R a c e of Champions, held in July, r a i n hampered many of the day’s proceedings,

tion a challenging lead, so I decided that I am going to be aggressive, and it paid off in the end. I feel very excited to know that on the big stage I delivered for my country,” Rutherford disclosed.

and Persaud’s performance, as he fell in the third lap of his first race. Prior to that mishap, however, he was the man to beat, since he had clocked the fastest lap time of 36.759s at the national championship held in April.

His performances put him in pole position to cop the local title, since he has 75 points while John Bennett with 69 and Ravi Singh with (49) round off the top three spots.

“Winning the local championship is my main goal, and that is actually the reason why I am racing. And also I am seeking to gain some points for Team Guyana”.

Expressing his gratitude for sponsors such as Palm Court, Motor Trend, R Kissoon Contracting Services, Miracle Optical, R. Ramlagan and Sons, Professional key shop among others, he noted that he plans to give them a treat, and asks for the fans to support the “ K P # 9 3 g a n g ” .

(Akeem Greene)

The stocky player who made his debut last season against the aforementioned opposition at Providence has, since early days, created a reputation at the youth level as a batsman who

Britton shines in Trinidad

Shemar Britton

G

uyana’s Shemar Britton was in ripping form when he defeated reigning Caribbean men’s Champion Samuel Galvez of the Dominican Republic by a 3-1 margin (1210, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8) while playing in the 2017 WASA Invitational Open Trinidad and Tobago open TT Championships over the weekend.

Representing T r i n b a g o Gladiators

Kevin Persaud poses with his Kawasaki after a display at the Giftland Mall

showcases great flamboyance when at the crease.

However, he has learnt a mundane approach as well, and it was showcased in his first match this season against Jamaica Scorpions, with a score of 45 which spanned 150 minutes, 105 balls and six fours.

“I am developing more as I play every day. I am learning new things every day, and it is making me better. Sometimes it’s about adapting to the positions (in which) my team is placed and producing my best. I just want to help my team in every way I could: in batting, bowling, fielding; and even off the field”.

The three-time defending champions now move to St. Kitts, where they play Leeward Hurricanes from Thursday at Warner Park.

Hurricanes have been the only team to defeat Jaguars twice last season, and the second team to defeat them in three seasons.

“It is just for us to continue playing the same good cricket we have been playing, and I know we will overcome them on this occasion”, the Demerara Cricket Club player contends.

against Trinbago Invaders, Britton defeated Galvez in a keenly tactical encounter.

Guyana‘s Joel Alleyne, also playing for the Gladiators with Brtitton, lost to former Caribbean champion Trevor Farley by a 3-2 margin. Invaders defeated Gladiators by a 4-2 margin Natalie Cummings is Guyana’s other representative at the championships.

She is playing for Trinidad Invaders.

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, november 6, 2017

23

15th South American 10K Classic Road Race

Another clean sweep for Guyana – sublime Forde cops gold

By Michelangelo Jacobus

T

he “Little Kenyan”, Cleveland Forde, on Sunday afternoon added yet another South American 10K Classic Road Race title to his immense collection of trophies and medals, while his countrymen Cleveland Thomas and Winston Missigher took the other two podium spots.

For the second time in little over a week, the Guyanese trio made a clean sweep of the podium to reign supreme, after their dominance in the first leg held in Suriname.

Competing in the second leg of the 15th edition of the race, Forde was in the lead pack from the get-go, and never let the leaders out of his reach. Once again, the Guyanese trio of Forde, Missigher and Thomas stuck together and worked as a team to lethal effect.

By the 3000-metre mark it was clear who would finish among the top 10, as the three Guyanese, along with last year’s winner Curtis Cox (Trinidad and Tobago) and Ashton

Junior out of St Vincent and the Grenadines, set the pace for the entirety of the race.

At the halfway mark Junior was leading, but the Guyanese were right up there with him. Cox, however, was some distance back, but remarkably bridged the gap to make the final 2000 metres interesting.

As is his usual practice, Forde turned on the heat in the final 500 metres, and never looked back as he crossed the finish line to loud cheering from the smattering of spectators present.

The Little Kenyan finished in a slightly faster time than the first leg, as he clocked 33 minutes 42 seconds flat to take the first place trophy along with the genuine “Guyanese Gold” medal. His namesake Cleveland Thomas, for the second time in a week, took second in 33 minutes and 51 seconds, while Winston Missigher grabbed third in 34 minutes five seconds.

Coming in fourth was Trinidadian Curtis Cox in 34 minutes 18 seconds, while Ashton Junior closed out the top five in 35

The overall winners at the second leg of the South American 10K Classic Road Race

minutes 53 seconds.

In the female open event, Linden McDowall from St Vincent and the Grenadines took top spot with 39 minutes 50 seconds, while Grenada’s Kenisha Pascal was second in 40 minutes 44 seconds.

Guyana’s Maria Urquhart placed third in 44 minutes 20 seconds while her countrywomen Sheama Tyrell and Ashanti Scott were fourth and fifth respectively with times of 44 minutes 28 seconds and 46 minutes eight seconds.

Urquhart was also the first to finish in the Junior Females category, with Tyrell being second.

Their compatriot Lyanna Charles was third in 50 minutes 49 seconds, while Suriname’s Stefanja Wielzen closed out the top four in 51 minutes 29 seconds.

Junior Guyanese athlete Anfernee Headecker took top honours for the Junior Males, while Surinamese Ronaldenhio Pinas was second; Guyana’s Rickie Williams was third and Delroy

Leitch fourth.

In the youth event, the male and female 1500 metre race, Guyana’s Seon Booker, Odida Parkinson and Trimel Bishop took first to third positions in that order for the boys, while Aliyah Headley, Kellanie Glen and Attoya Harvey were first to third for the girls.

The third leg of the South American 10K Classic will run off in Panama within the next two weeks. At this time, it is unclear if Guyana will be represented there.

Persaud bags Open Cup title for a record 8th time Guyanese off to flying start 2017 CAC Qualifiers in Jamaica

– Sukram crowned female champ

Guyana’s youngest player, Kareem McKenzie, on the go in their game against Puerto Rico on Sunday

T

he National Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams got off to a flier on Sunday in Kingston, Jamaica with resounding wins at the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games qualifiers.

The men played first, taking on Puerto Rico in the morning session. The Guyanese made light work of the opposition, winning comfortably by four goals to one.

The first half saw a stalemate between the two sides, with either side trying unsuccessfully to breach the other’s defence. However, upon resumption of play, the Sargeant brothers pushed Guyana to a 2-0 lead. First up was Mark Sargeant, who scored from a penalty corner in the 31st minute; and just four minutes later, his brother Meshach would give Guyana a 2-0 lead. But the Puerto Ricans struck back in the 38th minute through Ottus Feliciano.

The Puerto Rican goal spurred the Guyanese into action, and they hit back twice to win comfortably. The evergreen Robert France got his name on the score sheet with a blinder of a field goal in the

56th minute, while Aroydy Branford made it 4-1 just a minute later.

As for the Guyanese women, they dominated Panama to clinch their first victory of the CAC Qualifiers by a whopping six goals to nil.

The Guyanese ladies got things under way after just six minutes, as Shebiki Baptiste netted off a penalty corner. The Guyanese ladies would however have to wait 18 minutes for another goal, this one coming from seasoned veteran Kerensa Fernandes, who found the back of the net in the 24th minute.

Known for her attacking prowess, Latacia Chung announced her presence in the game just two minutes later with a sharply taken field goal. And making it 4-0 for Guyana was debutant Tamala Glenn, who struck home in the 38th minute, while Kerensa doubled her money in the 46th, with Marzana Fiedtkou completing the 6-0 rout in the 56th minute.

In the other women’s fixtures of the day, Bermuda and Puerto Rico drew 0-0, while hosts Jamaica defeated Guatemala 5-0.

In the only other men’s game on Sunday, Jamaica dominated Panama to win 6-0.

The Guyanese men will play their next game on Tuesday from 15:30 hrs, when they face Guatemala; while the Guyanese ladies will face Puerto Rico today from 13:30 hrs.

(Michelangelo Jacobus) Guyana Ladies Captain Trish Woodroffe on the attack (Jevon Williams Photos)

F

ollowing two days of intense action at the Lusignan Golf Course, Avinash Persaud created golf history by capturing the Guyana Open Cup title for a record eighth time, while Christine Sukram reclaimed her title.

Persaud, who gained a first-day lead over the competition, went on to storm the greens as he maintained his good run throughout the second day, after taking advantage of his knowledge of the Fairways which he constantly prepares as head groundsman.

Following his win, the Champ told Guyana Times Sport he was happy to showcase his skills against some of the best golfers from across the globe. “The past two days were good for me, I practised a lot, and I went out there and played my normal game and came out victorious”, he declared.

With a large concentration of golfers from the USA, Canada, Suriname, Colombia and other countries, Persaud had to dig deep in order to find the resolve he needed to ensure he retained his title.

And so he did, as he credited the overseas competition for bringing out the best in him.

In the process of recording this extraordinary achievement, Persaud also recorded the best gross score.

“I think they had better players (coming) from overseas this year, but it doesn’t matter to me, because I just go out there and work harder so I know the result will be there.

This win means a lot to me, be-

Christine Sukram accepting the Female Open Cup Trophy from Minister of Social Cohesion/Sport Dr George Norton

cause they had good overseas players; so it was good for me.

Also, this year the course was much better, the greens were faster and (they) played good,” ended an elated Persaud.

Touted as the best female golfer for the past six years, Sukram reclaimed her title from champ Joaan Deo after she wrapped up the opening day with the best gross.

During her brief remarks, Sukram said she was happy to have reclaimed her title, and was also happy that the format allowed her to readjust to her usual tactics.

The new champ pointed out that the competition over the past two days was good, adding that it was good to find her groove and get the better of the competition: Deo, Anasha Ally and

Shanella Webster.

At the presentation ceremony held after the tournament, Minister of Social Cohesion/Sport Dr. George Norton said the event had set a benchmark for golf, and indicated that the Government was in full support of the sport, and will continue to lend a hand in the future.

President of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC), Hilbert Shields, thanked all the golfers for their participation, as well as for making the event a huge success and one which will enter the next edition on a high note. He also congratulated the respective winners for exhibiting professionalism on the field, and expressed hope that support will continue to pour in for upcoming events.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2017

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

guyanatimesgy.com

15th South American 10K Classic Road Race

Another clean sweep for Guyana – sublime Forde cops gold

Pg 23

Cleveland Forde with his winner’s trophy and “Guyanese Gold” Medal After trailing the leaders, Cleveland Forde (back) made his move in the final 500 metres of the race to take first place

Persaud bags Guyanese off to flying start Open Cup title for a record 8th time 2017 CAC Qualifiers in Jamaica

Pg 23

Pg 23

Guyana’s Andrew Stewart (left) battles for the ball with a Puerto Rican player

Eight-time Male Open Cup champion Avinash Persaud receiving his trophy from tournament sponsor and CEO of Ganesh Spares, Chatram Persaud

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