Guyana Times October 16, 2019.

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Govt GECOM Commissioners attempting to remove 20,000 persons from voters’ list guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4078

Over 500 Guyanese benefited from ITEC programmes – Indian High Commissioner

wednesday, OCTOber 16, 2019

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Berbice man gets life sentence for killing Mahaicony P8 woman

See story on page 9

…move will disenfranchise voters – PPP

5 killed in horrific “How many more EBD accident must be robbed …as speeding Police car, taxi collide head-on Page 3 …President orders CoI

or slaughtered?”

– GGDMA

2 plead P12 guilty to manslaughter, to be sentenced shortly

Page 13

…slams Police over crime situation

Alleged kickbacks scheme

Guyoil claims nothing wrong with request for advance Page 7

Linden electricity workers

LUSCSL workers to resume duty after ToR inked P15

Dr Balwant P14 Singh Hospital receives ISO certification

Berbice rice farmer shot dead during ‘home invasion’ Page 12

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wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

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wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Wednesday, October 16 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Thursday, October 17 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

5 killed in horrific EBD accident

…as speeding Police car, taxi collide head-on …President orders CoI

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, October 16 – 05:40h – 07:10h and Thursday, October 17 – 06:10h – 07:40h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine is expected throughout the day.

There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North North-Easterly to North NorthWesterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

F

Ronnel Barker

Lovern Stoby

ive persons lost their lives in a tragic early morning accident at Friendship, East Bank Demerara (EBD),

Leon Tucker

Also in the police car was 25-year-old Travis Fullington, a presidential guard of Princes Street,

Herbert Josiah

newlywed couple Herbert Josiah, 58, and Denise King Josiah, 57 of Friendship Squatting

Denise Josiah

Granger’s home at Pearl, EBD. However, the Ministry of the Presidency has denied

High Tide: 05:42h and 17:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.69 metres and 2.74 metres.

Low Tide: 11:29h and 23:50h reaching minimum heights of 0.57 metre and 0.45 metre.

The scene of the deadly accident at Friendship, EBD

when a taxi and a speeding Police car collided head-on.

CCTV footage shows that a motorcar, bearing registration number PPP 515, was proceeding north along the Friendship Public Road while the police car was

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

travelling in the opposite direction.

From all indications, the police car had its siren blaring and was travelling at a fast rate of speed. As such, the civilian motorcar was seen coming to a halt when the two vehicles collided head-on.

The police car spun several times before it ended up in a nearby trench. Both vehicles were damaged beyond repair.

The taxi driver’s body was hanging out of the shattered windshield while the other passengers were scattered across the road, all covered in blood and broken glass.

Victims

The Police car was being driven by 23-year-old Ronnel Barker, a presidential guard of Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Barker, a father of a baby girl, died on the spot.

Georgetown.

Fullington, a father of a four-yearold son, is in a critical condition at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The taxi driver has been identified by family members as Leon Tucker, who was a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and a father of two young girls.

He was transporting his aunt, Lovern Stoby, a Special Constable. Stoby was a mother of four children, but two are currently deceased.

Also, in the taxi were

Area.

There was a fifth person in the taxi, who has been identified as Treisha London. She survived the crash and is in a critical condition at the GPHC. When this newspaper visited the scene and the hospital, relatives of the deceased were inconsolable as they cried loudly, grieving over their loss.

Presidential convoy

Initial reports suggested that the police car was part of a presidential convoy heading to President David

those claims but up to press time, authorities had not disclosed why the presidential guards were in the area or what operation they were on to be using their sirens.

President David Granger visited the scene of the accident where residents vented their concerns about what they perceive to be reckless road usage by Police officers.

“These people need to pull themselves together.

It’s speeding,” one resident contended while the Head of State was at the scene. turn to page 7

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wednesday, october 16, 2019

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

Upsurge in crime

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ver the past days Guyanese have been waking up to the news of death as crime and accidents have claimed the lives of several persons.

In a stinging statement on Tuesday and justifiably so, the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association called out the Guyana Police Force and asked that they address real crime and the crime rate in Guyana has begun once again to spiral out of control. Interestingly, the miner’s association said in a direct question to Public Security Minister and Third Vice President, Khemraj Ramjattan, “How many more must be robbed, or be slaughtered before it is accepted that we have a crime issue in Guyana which must be addressed?”

Clearly furious at the cold-blooded murder of miner Deon Stoll on Monday as he was about to conduct business at the establishment of El Dorado Trading, the GGDMA asked, “Where are the police patrols?

What has happened to the hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles the Government of Guyana has given to the Guyana Police Force? Are these vehicles being used for its intended purposes? What are the Guyana Police Force’s plans to address this upsurge in crime?”

However, these are the very questions on the lips of Guyana who have been ignored over the past few years. These questions have been left clearly unanswered by the minister himself, the hierarchy of the Guyana Police Force and by large the Government itself. Incidentally, this APNU/AFC Government is made up persons with the most security/defense career backgrounds. Unfortunately, no genuine coherent plan to robustly pursue criminal elements within Guyana has been conceptualised and the little that has put forward have proven to be no deterrent the criminals, who are carrying out brutal, senseless killings, robberies with ease. It is a constant barrage on people’s mindset as criminals operate with impunity executing brazen robberies from which no law abiding citizen feels a sense of insulation. No country, especially one that stands to potentially break new economic grounds can afford this level of insecurity. Solutions must be robustly pursued and while the harsh realities have to be conveyed to the citizenry, there must be a sense of real optimism and hope.

As was previously stated by this newspaper, the lengthy delay in taking action exacerbated fear among citizens and embolden the criminals. Many asked if the authorities made themselves deliberately oblivious of the ongoing spate of crime. This is noteworthy in the context that the Public Security Minister is expected to be an integral part of routine high-level national security meetings. Guyanese would expect the national security meetings to discuss status reports on crime, its frequency and the impact of interventions or lack thereof. To repeat previously asked questions: how many crimes must be committed and how many citizens must be beaten or killed before a meaningful intervention by the Public Security Ministry or the Government made up of much security experts?

Citizens want police to intervene to curb crime.

Citizens want to live without fear. Those are not unfair expectations especially when they pay for such services through taxes. Any appearance of reluctance to take necessary action would not only be a disservice, but a failure to govern in their best interest.

Given what continues to play out holistically regarding crime, one wonders whether there is a logical explanation for what appears a hesitancy on the part of the current political leadership to frontally tackle crime.

To repeat what was said by the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association: How many more must be robbed, or be slaughtered before it is accepted that we have a crime issue in Guyana which must be addressed?

Prince William and Cambridge Duchess Catherine arrive by tuk tuk as they attend a reception at the Pakistan National Monument in Islamabad, Pakistan during their five-day visit to the South Asian nation. “The UK and Pakistan share unique bonds and so it will always be in our best interests for you to succeed,” William said at the event, adding that 1.5 million people living in the UK had Pakistani heritage and the UK was one of Pakistan’s top investors. “You can rely on us to keep playing an important role as a key partner and your friend”. (Chris Jackson/Pool via Reuters)

Unsubstantiated allegations made by the APNU

Dear Editor, We the undersigned refer to a news report in the Guyana Chronicle of October 15, 2019, captioned “PPP running Lethem Town Council like a cake shop”.

Editor, as a result of many misleading statements, we therefore totally wish to refute the unsubstantiated allegations made by the APNU Councillors, former Mayor Carlton Beckles and Yolanda Moffett.

Regrettably, they were not informed early by the Town Clerk of the postponement of the Council meeting focusing on preparing for Lethem Town Week.

However, two factors have to be taken into consideration.

Firstly, the statutory meeting of the Council was postponed due to the lack of a quorum as a result of several Councillors being assigned responsibilities that demanded urgent attention on the day of the meeting.

Secondly, in spite of Mr Beckles’ claim that the Council’s majority continues to make decisions without inviting the APNU/AFC Councillors to meetings, the minutes of the statutory meeting held in April 2019 records that the three APNU Councillors, inclusive of Beckles, stated they would not participate/cooperate with the Mayor and the rest of the council in Lethem Town Week Activities for 2019. Despite letters of invitation sent to APNU Councillor Moffett, she remained a no show at all Town Week Committee meetings. It must be noted that during its deliberations for the Lethem Town Week celebrations, the Committee proposed that invitations be sent Government functionaries inclusive of Minister of Communities and Leader of

the PPP/C. No decision was made regarding the Leader of the PPP/C to launch Lethem Town Week.

It is true that APNU Councillor Beckles sought clarity on the finances for 2019 Town Week. We, the undersigned, support his call that a detailed financial report should be published. But this can only be done after we have concluded the Town Week activities.

This PPP/C-led Council will not break the laws and financial rules; unlike what happened under the APNU/AFC-dominated Council which managed the 2017-2018 Town Week Committee and still cannot account for funds received and spent in that year respectively. This is what Mr Beckles should be calling for – the publication of the financial statements under his watch. The fact that many businesses have demanded cash from the Council upfront today is due to the history of the previous Council not honouring their bills in 2017/2018 under Mr Beckles’ watch.

Even labourers are still waiting for their pay because of how badly Mr Beckles and the PNC cabal managed Lethem Town Week 2017-2018.

When the PPP/C won Lethem in the November 2018 elections, we met an empty and bankrupt treasury with liabilities in excess of $5 million. Over the last 10 months, due to prudent management, the PPP/ C-led Council by Mayor John Macedo has been able to wipe off some $3 million of that debt.

The PPP/C Council had successfully managed to rectify the wages/salary scale for its employees to their satisfaction as compared to the employee’s un-

derpayment by the previous Council.

A question was asked by APNU Councillor Beckles regarding the theft of an inverter at the Lethem Declaration Park. While we have called in the police, the act happened under the APNU/AFC-controlled Council and thus, Mr Beckles will be in a better position to answer to the police for the theft.

Clearly, the allegations in the Guyana Chronicle are meant to distract, detract, and disturb the smooth functioning of the Council and divide the township.

Editor, the work of the PPP/C-controlled Council will not be hampered by these false allegations,

baseless insinuations, and acts of intimidation. We have a job to do and we remain accountable to the people of Lethem; we will not allow political pallbearers like Mr Beckles to interfere with the progress being made by a democratically run and accountable Council.

The Lethem Town Council will continue to serve all of its constituents.

Regards, Mayor John Macedo Deputy Mayor Debra King Councillors: Jason Wilson Megan Thomas Fitzgerald Singh Indira Singh

Swami Aksharananda ji showed poor judgement

Dear Editor, The Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) Principal, Swami Aksharananda ji showed poor judgement when he invited Mr David Granger into his school.

Aksharananda ji has got to know that Mr Granger has serious moral problems.

We all know that Mr Granger has a reputation that includes breaking laws, trampling ethnic/racial diversity and rigging elections. Therefore, Mr Granger is no role model for the students at the SVN or elsewhere. To this end, I am puzzled as to why Aksharananda ji allowed his students to mingle with such a tarnished character.

Aksharananda ji has acted irresponsibly. He owes an apology to his students and their parents.

In no way can Mr Granger’s visit ever benefit the SVN students. The SVN school operates on Hindu values which entail

hard work, commitment, respect for elders, honesty and truth. However, such values are blatantly trampled upon by Mr Granger for political goals.

Mr Granger has no respect for the people of this country.

Mr Granger has even denied Guyanese their rights to vote for almost one year, and he is currently squatting in Government illegally. So, I do not understand why Swami Aksharananda ji saw the need to entertain such a disgraced figure.

How can Swami Aksharananda not know that Mr Granger is bad influence for his students?

Mr Granger’s visit was clearly a political stunt.

And, of course, the interest and welfare of the students were ignored by the SVN when it allowed a disgraced character into its school.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram (PhD)

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Looking forward to ‘integrity’ reports on people entering political arena

Dear Editor, ‘Tis the season, and right on cue come the ‘third’ parties. Guyana has a rich history of small political parties, many formed by persons who are former members or associates of the big two and even special interest groups such as the Guiana United Muslim Party. The 2020 elections are attracting the ‘new’ political class, the “entitled”. Driven by the success of the Alliance For Change (AFC), which evolved from a group of persons rejected by major parties into a viable third force, then parlayed into ‘kingmakers’ and eventually Ministers and high-salaried Government apparatchiks. The meteoric rise to riches by AFC members has not been lost on the Guyanese populace and has inspired ambitions in a new generation. The arguments third parties make are “the big two are bad, hence by default, we are good” and “we need to check the power of the PPP and PNC. What we never hear from the ‘third’

parties are the track records of the new ‘leaders’ and their ability to deliver on lofty goals contained in their glossy manifestos. A sense of entitlement is their common denominator.

Proven ability to deliver on manifesto promises is never a big issue for ‘third’ parties because they never actually want to win a plurality of the votes, they aim to be brokers of powers, to use 5000 votes to control parties that garner 500,000. It is the ultimate confidence-trick.

These ‘third’ forces are attractive to persons who do not want to compete within larger parties for positions of responsibilities, upon joining they are quickly drafted into the ‘executive’ as the party membership moves from four to five. In larger parties, these persons would have to compete with as many as 500 young professional persons for a junior position and only by hard work and merit make their way up the ranks.

Democracy begins with meritocracy; when a person is

Some elements of GPF are bent on criminalising protesters Dear Editor, So far, all of the protests, since the passage of the No-Confidence Motion, let me repeat, every last act of protest by the people of this country has been peaceful.

However,there are some elements within the Guyana Police Force that are out to make these events a criminal offence, or in other words, make certain protesters out to be criminals. This was evident from actions by some of its members at Cornelia Ida, when Police officer/s were seen committing acts of aggression – pushing and shoving innocent protesters. The agitators were out in their numbers (black flags in hand) sending the clear message to David Granger that he is illegal and a violator of our Constitution. This is legal, straightforward behaviour which should at least be tolerated by this usurper of power.

But this illegal President would have none of it and his immediate reaction is to harshly put an end to dissent.

In the first place, Granger would have been highly annoyed that these acts of civil disobedience were spontaneous outbursts of massive support by ordinary people, as was the case in most instances which were not sponsored or inspired by the Opposition.

This is evidence of pure people power, a groundswell of discontent that has

enveloped this entire country.

We are in a dictatorship led by a military man disguised as President who is hell-bent on putting down all forms of dissent, this is unacceptable. We have grown accustomed to democratic rule and that is what we are going to get, so Mr Granger should get used to protest actions.

And to those members of GPF who are making out those protesters to be criminals, they should be ashamed of themselves.

These people on the protest line are not criminals.

Let me remind those errant police officers that it is the PNC, when on the protest lines, that chanted “kill the police” in tones loud and clear. These were direct acts of aggression aided and abetted by the same party and people who are now trying to make criminal the actions of peaceful protesters. So, to our policemen of a noble Force, do not be fooled by evil people who are trying their utmost at making the police look bad.

So, officers, be on the alert, do your job honestly and professionally, do not be sidetracked into a situation where you become a political entity or a puppet Police Force – used and abused by an illegal Government.

We are a peaceful people standing up for our rights, to which we have every legal entitlement!

Respectfully, Neil Adams

rejected by comrades they have worked alongside for decades, it is not by accident, it is because flaws have become known, and while we all have those, some such as avarice and lust for power are unforgivable. One ‘leader’ seems ecstatic to have achieved his lifelong ambition of being nominated as presidential candidate!

The constitutional crisis precipitated by David Granger’s refusal to accept the successful passage of the No-Confidence Motion of 2018 was the perfect opportunity for persons to show their true mettle. Believers in justice and democracy made their voices heard.

They organised protests; they wrote strongly worded letters of condemnation to the press; newspaper editors and news agencies took stands, for and against tyranny. Where were the ‘third’ forces then? They were sitting in armchairs proffering theories of “it could be this or it could be that” Fencesitting 101. The PPP did the

heavy lifting with one other group of six making their mark with symbolic weekly protests. The leaders of that group made moves into the Civic arm of the PPP recently. Standing firmly and bravely for what you believe and finding like-minded fellow travellers is the essence of a genuine political journey. What does the newly ‘entitled’ class stand for or against?

There is the issue of funding of the new parties; the business of politics is not cheap. One new outfit is closely aligned with the current Administration historically and culturally. Martin Carter’s warning of the “mouth being muzzled by the hand that feeds it” can be augmented by the sentiment that the mouth is also directed by its paymasters. In this context, “dual-citizens” speak to the duplicity of nature, not of residence.

The big parties themselves are not immune to “outsiders” bypassing working their way through the

ranks. David Granger was installed as the leader under controversial circumstances that included gunshots and padlocked doors at Congress Place. The result has been a leader not familiar with the membership of his party, and dare I say, the philosophy of its founding members.

The PNC under Granger has moved from pro-poor policies to an elitist agency, rife with corruption and characterised by the callous disregard for the welfare of ordinary citizens.

New parties constantly heap the failures of the PNC onto the shoulders of the PPP, citing failure to deliver on promises. This is a fallacious argument not supported by the facts. The PPP’s manifestos are printed and disseminated widely, an examination will show a higher than 80 per cent completion rate on all promises, and often, the unfulfilled are moved to the next cycle and delivered during that period. Why should the PPP be blamed for the abject failure

of the APNU/AFC? It is only done to present the new in the light of potential saviours – that is until you ask to see their delivery records in their current jobs. “We are small and have good intentions, we should not be attacked” is the refrain. I would ask why a question of ability is deemed an “attack” and remind all that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Editor, new parties will emerge, their leadership should be subjected to the same deep inspection and interrogation under harsh light as with the big two, not because “politics is a dirty game” but precisely to protect politics from becoming a game for the dirty. I look forward to seeing the ‘integrity’ reports on the people entering the political arena. I am sure more than one charlatan will be unmasked in the coming months. All are welcome but they must come with clean hands.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Continued senseless loss of lives Dear Editor, Please permit me some space in your daily print to comment on the fatal accident which occurred on the morning of October 15 involving a police vehicle.

Based on footage widely circulated on social media, it appears that neither driver was wearing seat belts. The reality is, none of our Police or emergency response drivers wear seat belts.

It is a known fact that police cars and fire trucks ‘fly’ down our streets at a breakneck pace. This places the occupants at higher risk of being involved in an accident, causing injury or loss of life for themselves as well as innocent bystanders. It, therefore, begs the question, why is it not mandated that they observe the rules of “safety first”. After all, the rest of the world does just that and basic common sense should so guide those in authority who design the rules for the citizenry to follow. The situation is further exacerbated by these very individuals who are on their phones while driving. On Tuesday morning, just around 09:00h while on Sheriff Street, the police convoy transporting prisoners was ‘flying’ southbound in the vicinity of Mae’s School, sirens blaring and lights flashing.

The driver of the enclosed van was on his phone.

This is a school zone and young children are known to innocently dart across streets. Where was the

sense of safety?

Other parts of the world mandate a slower speed in school zones. There is also the scenario with Police openback pick-ups, loaded with armed ranks sitting precariously in the open tray speeding down the road.

On Monday night, one such vehicle on the East Bank corridor had three armed ranks sitting in the open tray. The front left headlamp, inclusive of the parking light of that vehicle, was nonfunctional.

Again, the average road users are rightly pulled over for these violations while our law enforcement officers continue to do their own thing. Why the hypocrisy? When will innocent Guyanese lives start to matter? Those of us who forget the past are certain to repeat it. In late December a few years ago we had the sad situation where innocent lives were lost on Carifesta Avenue because of a speeding police chase whereby, once again, no seat belts were worn. A few years ago we had two situations involving fire trucks – one in the vicinity of the Harbour Bridge and the other at the Vlissingen RoadLamaha Street intersection involving a popular businessman. The examples are too many and will continue until such time as good sense intervenes.

I close by imploring the authorities – please hold those who are there to protect and serve to the same standards that they are paid to enforce for the common man. If seatbelts

were worn on Tuesday, chances are a few lives could have been saved.

Let’s think safety first and enforce the seatbelt rule (for all occupants of these vehicles), no cell phone while driving and also apply common sense while driving. Install tracking devices on Police vehicles

so that they can be monitored for speed, etc. It is time to start saving lives and saving some taxpayer dollars which have to be spent to replace State assets unnecessarily.

Sincerely, A concerned Guyanese

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What’s test anxiety?

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oday’s the day of a big test at school, and you feel awful. Your stomach hurts and you have a headache, maybe your mouth is dry and you feel like you have to use the bathroom more than usual. Your muscles may also feel tense and your body is shaky or sweaty. You know you haven’t been bitten by the flu bug – but you may have a case of the jitters, also known as test anxiety.

Here’s how test anxiety (say: ang-ZYE-eh-tee) works. Let’s say you’re worried about your math test because you didn’t do so well on the last one. Or maybe you’re kind of tense because you did great on the last one and you’re the kind of student who likes to get all As. When you’re feeling worried and tense, your whole body can be affected.

What makes anxiety happen?

Well, because we can’t outlaw tests, we might as well figure out how to ease test anxiety. Anxiety is a feeling a person gets when

Foundation

he or she expects something stressful to happen. When you’re under stress, your body releases the hormone adrenaline, which prepares it for danger, like when you’re running away from your older brother! Adrenaline causes the physical symptoms, such as sweating, a pounding heart, and fast breathing. These symptoms can be mild or intense.

Focusing on the bad things that could happen can make a kid feel more worried. A kid might think, “What if I forget everything I know?” or “What if the test is too hard?” Too many thoughts like these don’t leave much room in your mind to concentrate on remembering the answers to the test questions.

People with test anxiety can also feel stressed out by the physical reaction and think things like “What if I throw up?” or “Oh no, my hands are shaking.”

These thoughts can get the person even more upset, making the anxiety even stronger. Now, the person feels worse and is even more distracted and unable to concentrate.

What’s performance anxiety?

Test anxiety is a type of anxiety called performance anxiety. Performance anxiety is when a person feels worried about how they will perform on a specific task, especially when they think it’s really important.

For instance, you might feel performance anxiety when you’re trying out for the school band or for the basketball team.

When you’re taking a test or about to have some

sort of performance, you might feel “butterflies,” a stomachache, or a tension headache. Some people might feel shaky, sweaty, or feel their heart beating quickly as they wait for the test to be given out. A student with really strong performance anxiety may even feel like he or she might pass out or throw up.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Ask other people and you’ll find that just about all people — adults and kids — feel some anxiety before a test. In fact, a small dose of anxiety can be helpful, keeping you sharp and focused. But when your symptoms take over so that you can’t function or when you’re so anxious that you feel sick, you might not be able to do your best.

Why do we take tests?

If teachers know that students get stressed out about tests, why do they still give them? Believe it or not, both teachers and students benefit from tests. Tests measure how well students are learning the skills and information their teachers have been teaching them and teachers learn if they need to present information in a way that is better for students to understand.

And tests are a part of life – from the driving test you’ll take one day to the test you’ll take if you decide you want to be a doctor.

Who gets test anxiety?

Anyone can get test anxiety, but someone who really wants to do well might be more likely to feel

this way. This is called being a perfectionist (say: per-FEK-shuh-nist). Kids who worry a lot also might feel anxious at test time.

Perfectionists and worriers find it hard to accept mistakes they make or to get less than a perfect score.

This creates more pressure for them.

As we mentioned before, not being prepared for a test (duh!) can cause test anxiety. Kids who don’t get enough sleep also can be more likely to have test anxiety.

What can I do?

You might be reading this article and saying, “Hey, that sounds just like me!” If so, we’re glad you recognise that this happens to you. Now you can start taking steps to lessen your test anxiety.

Here are some ways to do that: Ask for help. Talk to your mom or dad, your teacher, or your school guidance counselor. Just talking to someone about test anxiety can make you feel better. Describe what happens to you when

you’re taking a test and these people can help you figure out some solutions.

For instance, learning study skills can boost your test-day confidence.

Be prepared. Pay attention in class. Do your homework. Study for the test. On test day, you’re more likely to feel like you know the material.

Expect the best. Once you have prepared, think positively. Say to yourself, “I studied and I’m ready to do my best.”

Block bad thoughts.

Watch out for any negative messages you might be sending yourself about the

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test (“I’m no good at taking tests” or “I’m going to freak out if I get a bad grade”).

These thoughts can make anxiety worse and make it harder for you to do well on the test.

Accept mistakes.

Everyone makes mistakes.

Be more forgiving of your own mistakes, especially if you prepared for the test and set out to do your best.

Take care of yourself.

You’ll feel your best if you get enough playtime, sleep, and eat nutritious food.

This is important all the time, but be extra sure you get all three the day before a test.

Breathe. OK, so you already know how to breathe.

But did you know that breathing exercises can help calm you down? (Just try not to take in too much air because it might make you feel dizzy.) Here’s how to do it: Inhale (breathe in) slowly for four counts and deeply through your nose, and then exhale (breathe out) slowly through your mouth. Do this two to four times, and you just might breathe easier the next time you’re taking a test! (kidshealth.org)

enna had been colouring for almost 25 minutes, sitting with one leg tucked under her. When the bell rang, she jumped up and her leg felt funny. It was asleep!

If this has happened to you, you know that for a short while you might have lost feeling in your foot, it might have felt heavy, or you might have felt “pins and needles.” But why would your foot fall asleep?

Many people say this is because you’ve cut off the blood supply to your foot, but your nerves are more to blame. Nerves are like tiny threads or wires that run through your whole body, and they carry messages back and forth between your brain and body.

When you sit on your foot, you temporarily compress, or squash, the nerves in that area. These nerves can’t send messages back to the brain normally, and so for the moment, the connection is cut off and you don’t feel anything. It’s kind of like a phone call where your friend hangs up and you haven’t yet: Your brain is saying “hello”, but your foot isn’t able to answer.

After you stand up or uncross your legs and the nerves are no longer compressed, the feeling in your foot soon comes back. It might feel a bit tingly as this happens, like pins and needles or even a bit painful. But it only lasts a few seconds as the connection returns to normal, and it won’t hurt your body.

Worried about your sleepy feet? You don’t need to be – everyone has a foot fall asleep once in a while, and it’s rare for it to mean there is something wrong in a kid’s body. If you want to keep your feet awake and kicking, don’t sit on them or put them in other positions where you’re squashing the nerves. (kidshealth.org)

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wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Alleged kickbacks scheme

Guyoil claims nothing wrong with request for advance …after T&T company cries foul

G

uyoil is denying that anything was wrong with the request for advance payments after a Trinidad-based company cried foul following the termination of its contracts with the Guyana Oil Company (Guyoil) when it refused to make the payments after winning three contracts.

In a statement to the media on Tuesday, Guyoil refuted allegations that it was involved in any impropriety.

While the company did not deny that an advance payment was requested, it noted that this came from a Board

decision.

According to Guyoil, the Finance, Audit and Administration Committee advised that a local bank guarantee equivalent to the advance payment was required. The State company said that this was communicated to the Trinidadian company, Commissiong, and they were given 14 days to comply.

“After the signing of all contracts, an advance payment security is required.

As per contract the company was required to submit an Unconditional Bank

Guarantee in a form and by a bank acceptable to Guyoil, in amounts equal to the advance payments,” Guyoil stated.

“Following the Board’s decision, this was communicated to Commissiong and Company Ltd on July 18, 2019, via email by Guyoil’s Facilities Manager (ag).

Commissiong and Company Ltd subsequently responded on July 29, 2019, via their attorney, stating that Guyoil had accepted international bonds for the bid security and performance for all the contracts they were award-

5 killed in horrific...

In a subsequent statement, Granger expressed condolences to the family and friends of those who lost their lives.

CoI

Meanwhile, in another statement on Tuesday night, the MoTP announced that President Granger has ordered a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the accident.

This move has triggered concerns given that President Granger and his Government are supposed to be in caretaker mode since the passage of the No-Confidence Motion on December 21, 2018.

This is stated in the Guyana Constitution and was reiterated by several courts including the Caribbean Court of Justice, whose President, Justice Adrian Saunders, emphasised that the Government must operate on a different

footing.

This means that its powers are limited only to that of running the country during the brief period until elections, which, according to the Guyana Constitution, must be held within three months of the passage of a No-Confidence Motion.

President Granger is quoted in the MoTP statement as saying “I would like you to know that this shocking event will be thoroughly investigated. In fact, soon after the accident, within two hours, I directed the acting Commissioner of Police, Mr Nigel Hoppie to launch an inquiry headed by a person no lower in rank than the Deputy Commissioner, to determine how such an accident could have occurred and also to make recommendations to prevent a recurrence”.

“We will ensure that if there was any error, any mistake, any wrongdoing…

from page 3

that there will be no further event like this in the history of the Police Force or the Guyana Defence Force.”

No reoccurrence

Further, President Granger assured that whatever the cause of the accident, the Government of Guyana, the administration of the Guyana Police Force and the Guyana Defence Force, the Cabinet and the National Security Committee, which was also briefed about the accident, will take every step to ensure that the roads are used safely by all members of the security forces.

Granger added that steps will also be taken to ensure that regulations, Standing Operating Procedures, inspections and the careful selection and training of drivers, are measures which are put in place so as to prevent a reoccurrence.

ed.”

Guyoil admitted that its Board decided to terminate three contracts granted to Commissiong after they did not submit their security. It also denied that the Chief Executive Officer of Guyoil ever contacted the company or had a hand in the process.

“Commissiong and Company Ltd in their letter requested that Guyoil issue the advance payments within 14 days for all three projects. This was despite their failure to submit the requisite advance security to Guyoil.”

“As a result, the Board at its statutory meeting on October 2, 2019, took the decision to terminate all three contracts. The contracts were terminated in keeping with Clause 10.1 (a) of contracts.

Commissiong has failed to perform its obligation as per Clause SCC 6.1.”

Alleged kickback

Recent reports saw the Trinidad-based company alleging it was approached for money by someone from Guyoil. The reports had said that the official requested money from the company on behalf of a top official in the Finance Ministry.

The company’s Managing Director, Nirmala Rambharat, had reportedly refused to make the extra payments. Rambharat had noted in correspondence that she informed Guyoil that

One of the tanks the company features on its page

her profit margin was 10 per cent of the contract price and thus, she would not be making the payment.

Moreover, Rambharat revealed that after enquiring from other Trinidadian contractors that provided services to Guyoil, they confirmed having paid the Guyoil official 20 per cent of their contract values upon request.

It is understood that the company is preparing to sue the Government, since it has already invested thousands of US dollars in mobilisation efforts to execute the projects, said to be worth over $100 million.

Efforts to contact Finance Minister Winston Jordan for

a comment on the issue were futile.

Commissiong and Co Limited is a privately-owned oil and gas servicing company which began its operations over 30 years ago in the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago. Its focus is mainly on petroleum, energy, and other related industries within the Caribbean. It boasts as its clients Petrotrin and Guyana’s Skeldon Energy Inc. The contracts Commissiong had with Guyoil included the supply of a canter truck; the supply, fabrication and erection of two 10,000 gallon tanks and for the supply of a rigid tank wagon.

8 news

wednesday, OCTOber 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Berbice man gets life sentence for killing Mahaicony businesswoman T wenty-seven-yearold Devanand Rampersaud, also called “Julu”, of Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), was on Tuesday given a life sentence for killing Mahaicony businesswoman Bibi Nesha Shairoon-Ali. Rampersaud pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter when he appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Georgetown High Court on October 2, 2019.

He admitted that between October 15 and October 17, 2016 at Novar,

Convicted killer: Devanand Rampersaud

Mahaicony, he killed Ali. However, on Tuesday, Rampersaud claimed that

his only intention was to rob the elderly woman and it was his co-accused, a teenager, who bludgeoned the businesswoman with a frying pan.

He also claimed that he was under the influence of cocaine when he committed the offence. It was also reported that the post-mortem revealed that the woman was sexually molested.

Ali’s body was discovered on October 17, 2016 on the floor of her bedroom.

The discovery was made after neighbours had reported that the woman had not been seen for a few days.

After the gruesome discovery, a 14-year-old boy was arrested after the Police received information that he and the businesswoman had a heated argument prior to her demise. Nevertheless, less than a day after the teen was taken into custody, Rampersaud was arrested.

He was charged for the crime, but pleaded not guilty.

Following the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), the prosecutor

The jackboot descends…

T Murdered: Bibi Nesha Shairoon-Ali

would have provided sufficient evidence and as such, he was committed to stand trial for the murder in the High Court.

It was when he appeared before Justice Sandil Kissoon on October 2, he confessed to committing the murder and pleaded guilty to a less count of manslaughter.

…on protesters he right to protest against a government or its officials is fundamental to the survival of democracy in any country. It’s the people who’ve selected the government and they remain the repository of the inalienable sovereignty over the workings of the state. And if at any time they feel the government is acting against their interest, they have the right to make this directly known to their officials through, among other actions, protests.

This right is enshrined in Article 40 of our Constitution, which guarantees the “freedom of expression, association and assembly”. Now of course there are limitations of this right – as there are with any other right- but these limitations must be necessary and proportionate. And this brings us to the massive use of the police force by Granger to stifle protests against his traducing of the constitution as he continues as a “President in limbo”. “Limbo” of course, is that place of suspended animation the dead inhabit before being consigned to hell!!

Now, protests aren’t anything new in Guyana…much less Guyanese politics. Our tradition of protests harks back to the days of slavery and indentureship. But it led to the “leaden argument” of the colonial state which led to dozens of innocent lives snuffed out by the police. By Independence, the rules of engagement were worked out through a modus vivendi where were promised all of that was behind us and all that. Massa had gone and Massa day was done, we were told!!

But Burnham had other ideas. As he constructed his dictatorship, brick by brick, one of the biggest brick was his crackdown on protests. He deployed the police against protestors, as in the colonial days of yore but added a new element – armed thugs like the one who stabbed Father Darke to death on Brickdam. By the time he croaked, Guyana was a certified “police state”. The police had gravitated from arresting citizens for protesting in the streets, to arresting them in their beds when they were merely SUSPECTED of thinking about protesting!!

Something obviously snapped in Granger’s head after that Pegasus protest . Incredibly, he must’ve started to believe his own BS and figured he was “beloved” by the populace. That the protest was from a group inside the very proper black-tie occasion hit him so hard, he had to strike that uncharacteristically insouciant pose!! But it was like a fella petrified with fear, whistling in the dark. And he remembered Burnham.

So the half-mile of barricades and 150 cops to push back villagers into drains for protesting his address to schoolchildren is only the beginning.

Expect the goon squad to soon break some knees!! The jackboots are next!! …on culture Now that the bell has tolled on the PNC government’s demise, they’re trying to do in their remaining five months what they weren’t able to do in the preceding five years!!

No we’re not talking about their promised constitutional change to reduce the powers of the presidency and pass them onto his PM – the PM prefers Larwah!! But we hear they’re holding “consultations” on the “Draft Framework National Cultural Policy”. That ought to fill the constitutional change gap, no? Now we’re not sure WHEN they expect to implement that policy, but what the heck?

But did you ask when was the “Draft Framework National Cultural Policy” drafted and who’s been carrying the spear? Well it was the Dept of Culture (then under the Ministry of Education) led by its Cultural Policy Advisor, Mr. Ruel Johnson, who launched the consultations in 2015 with a panel comprised of Gem Madhoo-Nascimento, Sonia Noel, Luisa Daggers and Kojo McPherson.

Now that quite representative of Guyana’s culture, no?

Ah well, what do those outside of Georgetown know about culture, anyway? …on outriders and sirens One indicator of the entrenchment of a dictator is the size and recklessness of the detail that clears the way for him.

No John the Baptist saying simply, “make ye ready, the coming of ….”

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

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wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt GECOM Commissioners attempting to remove 20,000 persons from voters’ list …move will disenfranchise voters – PPP

T

he Governmentn o m i n a t e d Commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) are attempting to remove some 20,000 persons from the voters’ list, who have failed to uplift their identification (ID) cards – which will disenfranchise them.

This was revealed by People’s Progressive Party (PPP)-nominated Commissioner, Bibi Shadick, following Tuesday’s more than three-hour-long meeting.

“Right now the push is to let people not vote… There’s a push to deregister some people because they didn’t go and uplift their ID cards and they don’t know where they [are],” she told reporters.

Guyana Times understands that approximately 20,000 persons have not uplifted their ID cards since 2008. It was explained that GECOM will be putting out notices and advertisements to alert those persons to collect their IDs. But according to Shadick, there are some people who think there is no need for ID cards so they never bothered to collect them. Moreover, she noted that there are cases where persons would have moved to other parts of the country, such as the hinterland, and cannot conveniently come out to uplift their ID cards.

Back in August, Chief Justice Roxane George ruled that persons cannot be removed from the voters’ list unless they are dead or otherwise disqualified to vote under Article 159 (2) (3) or (4) – something which the PPP Commissioner reminded.

However, Governmentnominated Commissioner, Vincent Alexander explained to reporters that these persons will be given the opportunity to verify their existence before they are taken off the list.

“The consensus seems to be that we should do everything to contact them, whether it’s register mail or publication in the papers.

Everything should be done to contact them and if they are not contacted then the contentious issue is what do we do?… The proposition is that they not be placed on the voters’ list because simply their whereabouts unknown. You can’t verify their existence,” he posited.

Further questioned as to whether they are trying to use the National ID card as a voter ID card in a ‘backdoor’ manner given that this has been vitiated in the courts years ago, the Governmentnominated Commissioner responded in the negative.

Instead, he noted that it is being used as a form of verification especially since attempts were made on two occasions previously to verify these persons’ existence to no avail.

According to Alexander, they are simply looking to use the ID card to determine the presence of voters and verify their existence.

“So it’s like an objection.

So the issue is not the ID card. The issue is that these persons, since 2008, and beyond 2008, have not in any way presented themselves to be present, to be known, to be alive, to be existing, to be resident. Calling on them or writing to them gives us an opportunity to make a determination, in the context of

an objection, as to where are they…. They’re given the opportunity [to prove their existence], no one is denying them the opportunity,” he contended.

Commissioner Alexander further related that they are using provisions in the National Registration Act to do this.

No need for ID cards to vote

However, while the Government Commissioners are attempting to take persons off the list for not having ID cards, in Guyana there is no requirement that a person must have an ID card to vote.

In 2015, with over 35,000 identification cards still sitting at GECOM that belong to persons registered since 2008, the then GECOM Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, had said that persons do not need ID cards to vote at the May 11, 2015 elections.

As a matter of fact, it is the current GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh, who in 1998 in the High Court case ruled that the requirement for voters to have a voter ID card in 1997 was ultra vires Articles 59 and 159 of the Constitution (despite a parliamentary agreement to use the cards) when Esther Pereira, a PNC supporter, petitioned the High Court to set aside the results of the 1997 elections.

Antagonising Guyanese

Another contentious issue discussed at GECOM’s statutory meeting on Tuesday was a proposal to highlight unverified persons’ names on the Official List of Electors (OLE) or voters’ list.

The PPP Commissioners ex-

pressed concerns that this could potentially raise a red flag at the polling stations and result in those persons being denied to vote at next year’s March 2 elections.

However, Alexander claimed that the proposal was merely a verification mechanism. He noted that the data collected during the nowscrapped House-to-House exercise is being verified, but since that only amounts to the approximate 370,000 registrants, there is need to have a “wholesome” verification method for the remaining registrants on the list.

This move comes on the heels of GECOM previously reversing an order for anyone who did not register during the House-to-House exercise but is on the voters’ list, to verify their registration during the 42-day Claims and Objections exercise, which commenced on October 1.

However, Shadick posited that all of this is being done to antagonise people and the process leading up to the March 2020 polls.

“What we want is for people to be satisfied that there

PPP-nominated GECOM Commissioner Bibi Shadick

Government-nominated GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander

is a process that is fair to everybody… [So] while you can advertise and say they must come [to uplift their ID cards and verify their existence] that’s not a reason for deregistering people but apparently, that’s what they want to do… These Commissioners are afraid of people going to vote so they trying as hard as they can to get as many people as they can not to exercise their franchise. You can’t disenfranchise people and that’s a battle I will fight to the last breath,” the PPP Commissioner stated.

Nevertheless, while these issues were discussed

at Tuesday’s meeting, PPP Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, had an emergency and as such, they could not put the matters to vote in his absence.

However, the other PPP Commissioner, Robeson Benn, contended that the disagreement on these issues may result in court actions, which could potentially further delay the elections again.

But Alexander insists that there will be no delays to next year’s polls since all of these issues will be ventilated in time for the hosting of elections.

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wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Attempting to pervert course of justice

Ganja in spare wheels

Mother of murder accused Marcus Minibus driver further remanded Bisram, co-accused lead defence A T

he mother of US-based Guyanese and murder accused Marcus Bisram and her co-accused on Tuesday lead their defence in relation to the matter in which both women were charged for offering a detective $4 million for him to suppress evidence against Bisram.

Sharmilla Inderjali

Sharmilla Inderjali, of Number 72 Village, Corentyne, Berbice and Maryanna Lionel, a relative of one of Bisram’s alleged accomplices, who are currently out on $3 million bail appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly and give unsworn statements when the matter was called on Tuesday.

During her testimony, Inderjali maintained her innocence. In her statement, she told the court that in November 2016 she accompanied Lionel to pay the bail for her father, along with the others who were arrested by Police. The woman expressed that she could not read properly and that the

Murder accused: Radesh Motie, Niram Yacoob, Diodath Datt and Harri Paul

Police made her sign the statement.

Lionel, in her statement, said that in November 2016 she had received information about her father, along with others being placed on bail. The woman related that she took money and went to Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown to pay the bond, and the Police made accusations against her.

Magistrate Daly adjourned the case to October 30, 2019 after the women’s lawyer, Sanjeev Datadin, asked for time to review the evidence.

The charge stated that the women, during November 2016, allegedly offered a detective at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown, $4 million for him to hide evidence against Bisram.

On October 31, 2016, Faiyaz Narinedatt was beaten and run over with a motor car on the alleged orders of Bisram, after the carpenter declined sexual advances that were made by the overseas-based Guyanese.

The body of 27-year-old Narinedatt was later found on the Number 70 Village Public Road, Corentyne.

Evidence had indicated that the carpenter was thrashed, placed in the trunk of a car, and then placed on the road. It is believed that five henchmen – Radesh Motie, Diadatt Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, Orlando Dickie and Niran Yacoob – were instructed by Bisram to dump the body and make his death seem as a result of a vehicular accident. While two of the men have confessed to the killing, Bisram’s moth-

Murder accused: Marcus Bisram

er and sister were accused of offering bribes to dissolve the case. The Guyana Police Force came in for unprecedented criticism after several Police Officers in Berbice

were implicated in a plot to cover up the murder. All

Maryanna Lionel

of the accused have since been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the murder after a Berbice Magistrate found that a prima facie case has been made out against them.

On March 7, 2017, a warrant was issued for Bisram, who had left for the US, by the judicial system in Guyana. However, Bisram filed legal proceedings in a US court in an attempt to fight his extradition back to Guyana. He was unsuccessful, after a US appellate court denied his application to stay the extradition proceedings in an effort to have a rehearing of his appeal.

The five men have been committed to stand trial at the Berbice High Court.

42-year-old minibus driver of Wismar, Linden was on Monday further remanded to prison by Magistrate Wanda Fortune after a quantity of cannabis was allegedly found in two of his spare wheels.

It is alleged that Seon Bakker, called “Akbar”, a Route 72 minibus driver, had 28.148 kilograms of cannabis sativa in his possession for the purpose of trafficking at Mabura, Linden on Saturday, June 15, 2019.

The driver was represented by Attorney Yondessa Welcome-Mercurious. The case continued at the Linden Magistrate’s Court on Monday with Police Lance Corporal Jermaine Tucker taking to the stand to testify as it relates to his involvement with the matter.

Investigations had revealed that Police ranks attached to the Mabura Police Outpost intercepted Bakker’s minibus BNN 7872 about 17:00h on the day in question.

A search was conducted on the vehicle and Police ranks found two bulky wheels strapped to the top of the vehicle. The prosecu-

Seon Bakker, called “Akbar”

tion is contending that upon cutting open the wheels, the ranks unearthed a total of 29 transparent plastic bags which contained a quantity of leaves, seeds, and stems of the prohibited drug. Bakker allegedly informed ranks that he was given the wheels to transport to Mahdia, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) by someone called “Country”. At the time of the incident, there were two female passengers in the minibus, who were also arrested and questioned. Ranks also later arrested the person called “Country”.

Bakker was remanded, and the case was scheduled to continue on October 29, 2019. Prosecutor Vernetté Pindar is expected to call several other witnesses as the case continues.

12 news Berbice rice farmer shot dead during ‘home invasion’ wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

– wife, daughter taken into Police custody

A

Dead: Gregory Reynolds

rice farmer was on Monday evening shot and killed in his West Berbice home after gunmen allegedly invaded the property.

Dead is 60-year-old Gregory Reynolds, also called “Bermine”, of Lot 131 Number 8 Village, West Coast Berbice,

Region Five (MahaicaBerbice). It is believed that he was shot sometime between 20:00h and 22:00h.

According to reports, Reynolds, his wife and daughter were at home when the gunmen struck. The man was later found lying in a pool of blood in the lower flat of the building and an alarm was raised. At the time, he had close to $400,000 in his pants pocket.

While the details of what took place were not forthcoming, Guyana Times understands that the now dead man would normally give his wife and two children money when he sells his paddy at the end of each crop.

It has been reported that on Monday, the rice farmer collected his money to purchase two new wheels for his tractor. This, however, might have angered the man’s wife and an argument erupted be-

The dead man’s sister, Barbra Pluck-King

tween them.

The dead man’s sister, Barbra Pluck-King, related that although Reynolds lived among four of his siblings, none of them were informed when the alleged bandits attacked nor after they left.

The woman added that she was informed that the Police

arrived at the scene and found her sister-in-law sitting next to her brother’s motionless body. However, she did not relate any information to the family about what transpired.

“I didn’t see any doors or windows broken so I turned around and asked, Kuntie what really happen? And she said ‘me na know. Me bin sit down in the hammock and me na know happen’”.

According to the man’s sister, the woman was wearing several gold chains, bangles and rings when she arrived at the scene.

“Now if somebody come to rob, they will be looking for jewellery and money,” she noted. With little help coming from her sister-in-law, she turned to her niece for information.

However, she got no vital information from the 25-yearold. In fact, according to the grieving sister, she was ver-

Reynolds’ house at WCB

bally abused hence, she became suspicious.

“No windows were broken; it is just like a door kicked from the inside. If someone break and enter, there would kick from the outside. When I looked at the blood on the ground and I see the gel on the ground, I know that my brother was not just murdered. In know that he was dead for a little while,” the sister who is a registered nurse revealed.

Both the woman and her

daughter were taken into Police custody as they continue their investigations.

Meanwhile, the couple had been married for more that 30-years and their union brought forth two children.

The woman has two other children from her previous marriage.

An autopsy performed on the body on Tuesday gave the cause of death as shock and haemorrhage as a result of multiple gunshot injuries.

he saw her with. She ripped off his shirt and he lost his mind in that drunken state”.

Eshack had been a mother of seven.

As such, the court ordered a probation report to be presented on October 29 when Allen will have to return to court for sentencing.

Meanwhile, a probation report on Odell has also been ordered after he pleaded guilty to the lesser count.

According to the facts, on June 2, 2017 at Race Course Springlands, Corriverton, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), he killed 86-yearold Fitzhubert Grimes.

The Prosecutor told the court that Odell was a regular

visitor to Grimes’ home and on the day in question, Odell strangled Grimes with one hand. Neighbours subsequently saw Odell coming out of the house with blood on his hands.

He then called out to neighbours for help saying that Grimes fell.

A Post-Mortem Examination gave the cause of death as manual strangulation. The deceased also suffered a fractured right collar bone, bruises to the neck and other parts of the body.

Odell told Police that he went and asked Grimes for a ‘raise’ but instead, she told him to find a job. This, he claimed, angered him, thus committing the crime.

2 plead guilty to manslaughter, to be sentenced shortly

A

s the October Berbice Assizes opened on Tuesday, two persons pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter when their cases were called and as such, they are expected to be sentenced in two weeks.

Lennard Allen, 64, of Railway Line, Rosignol Village, West bank Berbice, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) was accused of killing his wife at their home on July 4, 2018 while Lincoln Odell, also called “Shadow”, confessed to killing an 86-year-old pensioner during the commissioning of a robbery on June 2, 2018, at Corriverton.

Both men appeared before Justice Brassington Reynolds

Murder accused: Lincoln Odell

and pleaded guilty to the lesser count.

State Prosecutor Seeta Bissoondial told the court that on July 4, 2018, 40-year-old Shabanna Eshack, also called “Geeta”, was found lying on the floor in her bedroom dead.

She said the now deceased and Allen, who had been living together for four months, had an argument over the cooking of food when she was fatally injured.

The prosecutor related that the accused beat his reputed wife with a bicycle bar. The court heard that Allen claimed he became upset because the food was half cooked. He told Police that he hit her once to the head.

“Allen was 62-years at the time, he should have cherished her and not beat her like an animal,” the Prosecutor told the court, while requesting that the sentencing reflects the gravity of the offence.

In mitigating, Attorney-

Lennard Allen

at-Law Siand Dhurjon told the court that the accused had purchased two bottles of alcohol but when the Police arrived at the scene, only a quarter was left.

“They had an argument over the various partners that

News

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wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

“How many more must be robbed or slaughtered?” – GGDMA …slams Police over crime situation

T

he Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) on Tuesday issued a stinging statement, criticising the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and called out authorities for being unable to control the crime situation in the country.

The statement comes in light of the death of its member and miner Deon Stoll, who was fatally shot by bandits as he was about to conduct business at El Dorado Trading at Da Silva Street, Kitty on Monday.

“How many more must be robbed, or be slaughtered before it is accepted that we have a crime issue in Guyana which must be addressed?” the Association

Deon Stoll

asked.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan was also called out by the GGDMA, which questioned what is being done to ensure the country is safe and

to address the “upsurge” in crime.

Deon Stoll, a 44-year-old businessman and miner, was attacked and shot by bandits who were reportedly trailing him in a motorcar. He later succumbed to his injuries.

However, Stoll had succeeded in returning fire at one of the gunmen, whose body was later found at Tucville, Georgetown.

Police Headquarters had said the suspected bandit, 18-year-old Olijah Chesney, was a serving member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

This is not the first time a member of the country’s Joint Services has been implicated in criminal activities.

In light of this, the GGDMA mounted pressure on the GPF and the GDF to “weed out the rogue elements from among their ranks since all they do is tarnish the image of the force and the law-abiding officers”.

According to the GGDMA, miners and businesspersons must be able to feel safe, especially when conducting legitimate business around the country.

“That is the duty of the Guyana Police Force to protect and serve”.

Given the upsurge in crime – which the authorities deny – the GGDMA, in its statement, asked several questions.

“Where are the Police patrols? What has hap-

pened to the hundreds of vehicles and motorcycles the Government of Guyana has given to the Guyana Police Force? Are these vehicles being used for its intended purposes? What are the Guyana Police Force’s plans to address this upsurge in crime?”

The Association said it refuses to sit idly by and allow its miners to “be slaughtered by these rouge elements”.

“We urge all our miners to take full security precaution and call on the Joint Forces to take the necessary actions so that our streets, neighbourhoods, interior and towns can be safe to live and conduct business”.

Meanwhile, the GGDMA

has expressed condolences to those who are grieving the loss of Stoll and called for justice to prevail.

“The Association expresses its profound condolences to the family of the late Mr Stroll whose life was snatched away from him by these animals as he sought to conduct business in a transparent manner like any other decent citizen”.

For the past several months, the GPF has ceased issuing crime statistics.

Latest statistics revealed that for the period January to September 2018, there were over 800 robberies committed, including robberies under arms and robberies with aggravated violence.

gion and Santa Rosa, while in Region Seven, it will be done in the Lower Mazaruni area as well as Bartica and surrounding areas.

However, Regions Two and Six will see drug therapy being administered throughout the region.

Additionally, Regions Eight and Nine were excluded completely from the MDA campaign based on results obtained.

“So what we’re seeing here is more or less coast-

al distribution of Lymphatic Filariasis cases in Guyana,” he posited.

The 2019 MDA exercise will be rolled out later this month, according to the VCS Director.

However, there will be an adjustment to the treatment during this year’s campaign, which saw a shift from a two-pill regiment to three pills, MDA-IDA (Ivermectin, Diethylcarbamazine and Albendazole). The use of

this triple-drug therapy was a recommendation from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to Cox, it has been found that adding Ivermectin to the existing regimen, DA – Diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and Albendazole – will increase the effectiveness of the fight against filaria by stopping transmission of the disease and eventual elimination.

Govt to roll out triple-drug therapy to tackle filaria

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s it works towards achieving its target of eliminating Lymphatic Filariasis, the Public Health Ministry will be rolling out its 2019 Mass Drug Administration (MDA) exercise later this month in several regions, with an increase in the drug therapy.

This is according to Director of the Vector Control Service Unit at the Public Health Ministry, Dr Horace Cox, at a media sensitisation session on Tuesday.

He explained that previously, the MDA exercise was focused mostly in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), based on a National Prevalence Survey done in 2001, which identi-

fied them as highly endemic.

“Our geographical coverage was not a hundred per cent, rather it was at 44 per cent and as a result, in order for us to achieve elimination… we need to ensure that we achieve 100 per cent geographical coverage,” he noted.

To this end, a remapping survey conducted in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Mazaruni-Cuyuni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper TakatuEssequibo) last year highlighted some of these regions as endemic areas.

This was determined based on a criterion which looks at geographical zones with two per cent prevalence or more as endemic and thus, in need of an MDA exercise implementation.

Director of VCS, Dr Horace Cox

According to Dr Cox, not all the regions passed that threshold and in some cases, not the entire region is in need of treatment.

As such, the MDA exercise in Region One will be focused on the Moruca sub-re-

continued on page 14

14 news

wednesday, october 16, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

AG appeal of GECOM ruling

Parties to return to court in December …“logistical nightmare” concerns raised by lawyer

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arties in the Attorney General’s appeal of the High Court ruling preventing persons’ names from being removed from the Register of Registrants have been given until December 9, 2019, to return to the Appeal Court make their case.

The hearing began before Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonnette CummingsEdwards and fellow Justices Rishi Persaud and Dawn Gregory, on Monday.

Appearing for the bar association amicus curiae was its President, Teni Housty, while Attorney General Basil Williams and Solicitor General Nigel Hawke were also present.

Initially absent, however, were representatives for Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram, the first named respondent. In addition, representation for Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield was also absent, although Lowenfield himself was in the courtroom.

Eventually, however, the respective parties did arrive.

These absences led Justice Cummings-Edwards to enquire when the summons were delivered to the respondents. It was pointed out by Hawke that the parties received their notifications on September 23, 2019.

Justice Cummings-

The Court of Appeal

Edwards subsequently informed them that the parties will have to report to the Court of Appeal registrar within six weeks of Tuesday.

The hearing will continue on December 9, 2019.

Following the proceedings, lawyer for Christopher Ram, Kamal Ramkarran expressed confidence that his client would be vindicated.

At the same time, he noted with concern what the AG is actually trying to achieve with his appeal.

According to Ramkarran, if the State is actually successful, it could result in a logistical nightmare that could set back the work of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and delay the holding of elections.

“The Chief Justice ruled that it was unconstitutional to take people off the list

if they were registered. And what the AG is trying to do is get a stay of execution of that ruling. The law is that it’s unconstitutional to remove people. And he’s trying to get the court of appeal to say you can still take them off on a temporary basis, until his appeal is heard.”

“If the court agrees with the AG, then it is going to delay elections because the whole list will have to be looked at again. You would have to determine who was not there and remove them.

It’s a logistical nightmare!”

Ramkarran said.

One of the major contestations in the appeal is the residency requirement for being registered. Acting Chief Justice Roxane George had ruled that persons, once registered, could not be removed without just cause.

In the AG’s appeal, how-

ever, the Chief Justice is accused of being misconceived in law. In fact, there are 16 points in the appeal in which the AG claims the CJ misinterpreted the law. According to Ramkarran, such arguments go against the fundamental rights of Guyanese to vote.

“Once you are a citizen of Guyana, you have a fundamental right to vote in the elections… suppose someone is mining in the interior or not at home when the people came to register? You just remove them off the list?”

With elections set to take place on March 2, 2020, GECOM has been working towards producing the Official List of Electors

necessary to conduct elections. The entity included thousands of names from the controversial House-toHouse Registration exercise.

However, there are many who did not participate for varying reasons, including being out of the jurisdiction and out of a belief that the exercise was illegal as it sought to delay elections. Claims and Objections (C&O) is presently ongoing, in order to produce the OLE. Last week, Oppositionnominated Commissioner Sase Gunraj told reporters after a meeting that Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield updated them that more than 2100 transactions had been re-

corded at the time during the C&O exercise.

He further related that they are still trying to get more details on other aspects such as the H2H data, as well as the overseas fingerprint cross-matching, before any decisions are taken.

According to the Oppositionnominated Commissioner, the encoding (entering data into GECOM’s database) of the H2H data is scheduled to finish by Tuesday.

The preceding week, Government-nominated Commissioner Charles Corbin had told reporters that the encoded data will be available for scrutiny before the C&O exercise concludes in November.

Dr Balwant Singh Hospital receives ISO certification

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he Dr Balwant Singh Hospital, E Street, Georgetown, is the first medical facility to be certified with international standards. The recognition was given following an audit that was conducted by Perry Johnson Registrars, Inc. This was announced

by Chief Executing Officer (CEO), Dr Madhu Singh who related on Tuesday that two auditors from the organisation visited the hospital and conducted a ten-day audit exercise.

The auditors, she noted, were pleased with the facility’s documentation and the quality of services that the hospital provides.

“The certification also ensures that you keep all your other services up to mark so we are very pleased, all of these things are voluntary, it is not compulsory to do any of this but it is just that we like to set new standards for ourselves,” Dr Madhu Singh related.

According to Dr Madhu Singh, customer’s satisfaction is a major focus of the ISO. She added that the ISO 9001:2015 is very strong on

customer satisfaction and keeping suppliers happy.

The lab was certified to the ISO 15189 standard two years ago but now has its International Organisation for Standardisation ISO 9001:2015 certification.

Dr Singh added that being ISO certified is a huge achievement for the country, since the hospital is the only one in Guyana that has received ISO [International Organisation for Standardisation] certification. She encouraged other medical institutions to attain their ISO certification in order to provide the highest quality of healthcare services.

“We’re very grateful to all our staff, especially the doctors and management team, for extensive work that completed before and during the audit to ensure that we got our ISO certification. The very work requires for the audit has also pushed us to operate at even higher standards that we were already performing and all of us have grown through this process,” she noted.

During the ISO certification process, the Guyana Bureau of Standards provided technical support to the hospital. The Dr Balwant Singh Hospital has grown from a medical laboratory to being the only multispecialty hospital.

The services audited during the ISO certification process include Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Nephrology and Dialysis, ICU Services, Emergency Services, Assisted Reproductive Technology including IVF, Ophthalmology, Dentistry, Radiology, Paediatrics and Neonatology and Cardiology.

“Ivermectin makes our intervention more effective… and in so doing, rather than needing five successive years of adequate coverage with DEC and Albendazole, we only would need two successive adequate coverage adding Ivermectin to DEC and Albendazole. So when we access it, we save financially, we save time, we save in terms of human resources efforts and there is a chance of diminishing our risk of missing our mark because if we continue with DEC and Albendazole and we make it year four and miss a year, then we have to start all again for another five years,” he explained.

Furthermore, the staff distributing pills will now be using a “doze pole” to measure the dosage of individual persons based on

their heights. The table or ruler-like object will display the dosage for each height range.

These changes are established norms, which, as Dr Cox pointed out, the Public Health Ministry in collaboration with technical partners are using to not only ensure Guyanese benefit is maximised but also achieve filaria elimination in 2020 as set out in its Health Target.

Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) also called “Filaria” or “Big foot” is a mosquito (vector)-borne disease spread through the bite of a mosquito (Culex) which deposits tiny worms called microfilaria in the bloodstream. These worms travel to the lymphatic system where they live for years and mature into adult

worms, causing damage, leading to extreme swelling of the breasts, arms, legs or scrotum.

While there is no cure for LF, adequate management could result in the reduction of swelling.

However, persons living in endemic areas can prevent filaria with the use of MDA-IDA or triple-drug therapy.

It is reported that 97 per cent of people given IDA had no larvae after one year, compared to 34 per cent of people given the previous two-pill treatment. It is believed that IDA kills or permanently sterilises adult worms.

Moreover, the use of Ivermectin has additional benefits in that it is effective against scabies and lice as well.

Dr Madhu Singh

Govt to roll out...

from page 13

news

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wednesday, october 16, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations Over 500 Guyanese benefited from ITEC Choice is between a humble, caring man and an unbothered, aloof, uncaring dictator

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onday’s news headlines revealed stark differences between the main Presidential Candidates for the upcoming elections. One newspaper headline showed one candidate without security, embracing his people, showing them he cared. The same headline showed the other candidate violating citizens’ right to peacefully protest, separated from the citizens

by Police barricades manned by heavily-armed Police, as if they were in military battle. One was embraced by citizens; the other was protested and unwelcome.

There was the moving picture of the PPP’s Irfaan Ali on Sunday meeting with grieving families on the Corentyne, no security, Dr Leslie Ramsammy just him consoling the families. The humble Ali did not separate himself from ordinary citizens by hiding behind heavily armed security.

He was as ordinary as the people he was visiting, was one of them. In contrast, there was an “unbothered” David Granger that same Sunday, majestically driving past peaceful protestors, with a large convoy of expensive vehicles, some with heavilyarmed security officers, and in the background more than 150 Police officers ensuring peaceful protestors stay far behind Police barricades. Granger, as he has been doing every time he leaves his home, feels he must hide behind well-armed security.

He came into Cornelia Ida as their lord and master, King of his Fiefdom, and ordinary citizens had to be kept far away.

Irfaan Ali on Sunday did what PPP leaders have been doing for decades, affirming his duty to travel to the Corentyne, showing care and support for the families of fishermen whose bodies floated ashore or who are still missing, presumed dead, after another horrendous pirate attack at sea. He went there with PPP activists to console and let the families know they were not alone as they endured unspeakable agony. Irfaan Ali, during his visit to the grieving families, called on the various government agencies to help these families. At a time when these families need support, the whole Government machinery is shamelessly missing in action. The do-nothing Government always seems two steps behind, always having to be shamed into action. Hopefully, after the pleas for help by the families themselves and by Irfaan Ali on behalf of the families, the relevant authorities will show up.

But Granger, in his latest version of “unbothered”, couldn’t care less. It is uncertain he even knows that another pirate attack has murdered innocent, poor Guyanese citizens. He never seems to have a word of empathy for those who endure unspeakable agony. He always seems to be running as far away from those who are enduring tragedies. Even as news of the pirate attack was emerging last week and, even as the bodies began to float ashore last Saturday and into Sunday, Granger was too busy ordering the Police to quash any protest against him. He wanted the whole village of CI to be locked down. With all his might, Granger feared ordinary peaceful citizens.

He feared black flags posted up on GPL posts by residents, ordering Police to destroy them. The black flags protested the violation of the Constitution and the assault on democracy.

The residents, almost 100% of them, wanted Granger to know he was not welcomed in their community. But they projected their message peacefully. Yet, Granger sent more than 150 heavily-armed Police to keep people far from him. The Police established their perimeter, letting the peaceful protestors know where they can gather and picket. As Granger arrived, the Police pushed peaceful people further away from his sight and, in the process, moved barricades so forcefully several residents were injured. The Police even locked up two of the residents because they deemed them ring leaders. The people’s right to peacefully picket was violated because a dictator feared the peaceful voice of ordinary people.

Meanwhile, Mr Ramjattan, who was the Minister of Public Security, has said not a word. He was on TV last Saturday in Berbice, he had nothing to say about the latest pirate attacks. He stands by idly as Granger uses the Police as his private security firm, removing them from their main duty – to keep citizens safe. In the last week, twelve murders and dozens of armed robberies have occurred, but the police are busy intimidating peaceful picketers. Even as the Police’s main duty now becomes stopping peaceful protests and Ramjattan disgracing himself with claims that crime is on the decrease, crime is spiralling out of control.

Noel Holder, the former Minister of Agriculture, with direct responsibility for fisher-folks, was nowhere and is still nowhere to be found. No one should hold their breath, he is doing what he is best at – missing in action. But the biggest disgrace belongs to Moses Nagamootoo. The dead and missing fishermen belong to communities he claims he is a “son of the soil”. He will soon go there to beg the people for their votes. But as the families and their neighbours grieve, Moses is totally silent. What Port Mourant and CI demonstrated on Sunday was simple – people have a choice between a humble, caring young man and an aloof, unbothered, uncaring dictator.

programmes – Indian High Commissioner

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ver 500 Guyanese have benefited from the Indian Technical Economic Cooperation (ITEC), a programme that is offered to people of Guyana by the Government of India, to develop Guyana’s human resources.

This is according to Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa, who hosted an event at his Happy Acres, East Coast Demerara home, in recognition of ITEC’S 55th anniversary.

According to the High Commissioner, the ITEC programme has been constantly on the move, catching success for the past

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr K J Srinivasa

years. This programme has been building and training

over 200, 000 Government officials and professionals from about 160 partner countries of Global South premier of its country.

Some of which include Asia, Africa, East Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean amongst others He noted that as a result of the ITEC programme, there has been significant growth and awareness in many countries. The programme has not only generated growth, but also cooperation amongst those developing countries that benefited or is benefiting from the programme.

According to the High Commissioner, the pro-

gramme offers many courses that provide a wide and diverse range of skills and discipline; some of which include agriculture, irrigation, Information Technology (IT), Telecommunication, finance, accounts, audit, banking, education, planning and administration and tool design amongst others.

ITEC is a flagship capacity programme initiated by the Indian Government.

It was first established on September 12, 1964, by the Ministry of External Affairs.

Its main objective is to develop and lend assistance through capacity building and training.

Linden electricity workers

LUSCSL workers to resume duty after ToR inked

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n light of a two-day protest by workers of the Linden Utility Services Coop Society Limited (LUSCSL), a Terms of Resumption (TOR) was inked between the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union and the electricity company, which will see workers resuming duties today (Wednesday).

The Field Officer for the Union, Alieshaw Barker, noted that although the company had initially refused to meet with the Union while the employees were on strike, the two sides met and had the agreement signed following protest action by employees attached to the lines department on Tuesday.

Outlining numerous issues affecting them, the employees of the electricity company at Wismar had decided on a course of strike action on Monday. The workers stated that some of their main concerns were insufficient wages and salaries, safety issues, lack of allowances and what they considered to be the unfair suspension and dismissal of two employees.

The employees had further related that the linesmen had requested height

Some of the workers during the two-day protest

and risk allowances but had gotten no response in relation to their request.

These concerns, they noted, seemed to have been falling on deaf ears for some time now.

On Monday, Barker had indicated that if there were no conditions for Terms of Resumption by the company, the Union would have sought to have other employees join the strike in solidarity with the lines department.

She had also pointed to issues, such as fear of dismissal and victimisation, which the workers may face following the protest actions.

Barker had also referenced a correspondence

which she handed over to the company on Monday on behalf of the Union, which outlined that the Union was in support of the strike.

The letter, which was seen by this publication, indicated that the Union is prepared to meet with the electricity company on Tuesday with the view of having the situation returned to normalcy. The letter also stated that the concerns that were raised by the employees are on the card for discussions.

However, Barker related that the Union has given the company seven working days to start the negotiations process and will prepare the Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) moving forward.

The TOR, seen by this publication, stated that, “Within 7 days following the full resumption of work the parties shall commence negotiation of a new Collective Labour Agreement (New CLA). The parties agree that the New CLA shall be based on the CLA, in particular as regards the resolution of Labour disputes. In the interim, pending negotiations and executions of the New CLA the parties agree to observe the CLA procedures for the resolution of such disputes...”

It also stated, amongst other issues, that there should be no reprisals or discrimination against workers who downed tools for the two days.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, october 16, 2019

Regional

Brazil building collapses; 10 missing, 1 confirmed dead

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seven-story residential building collapsed in the north-eastern Brazilian city of Fortaleza on Tuesday, killing at least one person, rescue workers told TV channel GloboNews.

Another 10 people were missing and seven people were found alive, the res-

cue workers said.

The building fell around 10:30h but it was not immediately clear what caused the accident or how many total victims may be involved.

Fire brigade and civil defence officials were not immediately available to provide further details.

Television footage

showed a handful of rescuers in orange suits digging through a massive pile of wreckage in a middle class area of Fortaleza, the capital of Ceara state.

Ceara Governor Camilo Santana wrote on social media that he has mobilized state resourcRescue workers carry a victim after a seven-storey residential es to help with the rescue. building collapsed in Fortaleza, Brazil Santana also said he can-

celled his agenda and was travelling to Fortaleza.

According to G1 news website, pedestrians who were passing by the building when it collapsed were taken to nearby medical clinics, and access to streets surrounding the wreckage was closed by authorities. (Reuters)

Foreign-based human rights group call Caricom SG wants greater attention for resignation of President Moise paid to statistics M ore than 200 foreign-based human rights groups are calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise whom the opposition has accused of corruption.

In an open letter to the Haitian people, the human rights groups from more than 20 countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago, said they were expressing their solidarity and support in their quest for the resignation of Moïse.

Among those signing the letter is the Argentinian Nobel Peace Prize winner, Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, who won the prize in 1980 for

Haitians demonstrate in support of calls for President Moise to step down

his work on human rights in Latin America.

“From the four corners and the most diverse sectors of our American continent, we wish to express our solidarity and support for the

fight you are waging, both on the streets and in other ways, for just and urgent demand,” they wrote.

“This is a claim that rises like a deafening cry, calling for the resignation of

President Jovenel Moïse, his government and his parliament because they no longer have any legitimacy and ability to govern. We make your claim to the UN, the OAS, the governments of the United States and the entire Core Group,” the human rights groups wrote adding “we demand from these powers that they abandon their mistaken qualification and their demonization of Haiti and respect your right to self-determination”.

In addition, the human rights groups said they are opposed to the deployment of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (UNHIB) a new special political mission from October 16. (Excerpt from CMC)

Mexican Senate set to pass bill to legalise marijuana in next few days

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exico’s Senate will vote for a bill to fully legalise marijuana in the next few days, a key lawmaker told Reuters, marking a major step toward changing the country’s approach to the drug by removing it as a source of income for violent drug gangs.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a leftist critic of Mexico’s longstanding drug war, has since last year signalled his openness to the decriminalisation of marijuana as part of a broader shift on security policy.

Sen Ricardo Monreal, the leader of Lopez Obrador’s MORENA par-

ty in the upper chamber of Congress, said in an interview late on Monday that a vote on the proposal will take place later this week or next week.

“The end of the prohibitionist policy is good for the country,” he said, adding that the bill would regulate personal use and sale of marijuana as well as research into the plant.

It also contemplates creation of cooperatives that would grow marijuana plus a new regulatory agency.

If approved by the Senate, the proposal would then proceed to the lower house for a vote.

MORENA and its al-

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outgoing President Jimmy Morales reached such a deal in July.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has demanded help from Mexico and Central America to curtail a record surge in immigration, a central political focus of Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign.

Guatemala must embrace a safe third country agreement if it hopes to benefit from the economic development plan for Mexico and

are likely to be affected.

It is therefore possible to warn or move persons out of these areas, and to provide basic data for national disaster management and other agencies that provide support and interventions after the event and to assess and to better inform the recovery efforts.”

LaRocque said one important and interesting indicator that the authorities try to measure in the region is the number of households and persons that are near to coastal areas.

“For some of our member states, this figure is approximately 100 per cent. The importance of such data was underlined in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian which struck The Bahamas last month with loss of lives, destruction of property, damage to the infrastructure and overall devastation to parts of the country. (Excerpt from CMC)

Corporate Antigua accused of defrauding Customs

A pile of marijuana is being incinerated at the 28th Infantry Batallion in Tijuana, Mexico

lies hold majorities in both chambers.

Late last year, the Supreme Court said lawmakers have until October 24 to legalise marijuana,

after the high court ruled in several cases that the prohibition of the recreational use of the drug violates the Constitution.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

US says Guatemala must agree to asylum pact to get development aid

senior US State Department official on Tuesday warned Guatemala that it must reach agreement with the United States on accepting asylum-seekers from other countries in order to benefit from a regional economic development plan.

G u a t e m a l a n President-elect Alejandro Giammattei has balked at accepting “safe third country” status with the United States, even though the government of

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a r i b b e a n C o m m u n i t y (Caricom) countries have been urged to pay greater attention to statistics and its impact on the lives of the regional population. In a message marking the 11th observance of Caribbean Statistics Day, Caricom Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque said he was encouraging “us all to reflect on the power of statistics and how it impacts our daily lives, including in life and death situations such as natural disasters that affect us ever so often in Caricom”.

He said a very critical use of statistics is in weather forecasting, which uses statistical modelling techniques to make predictions or forecasts.

“More importantly, if it is the case that a hurricane is likely, modelling its path makes use of data that also inform on the number of persons that

Central America known as America Crece, said Mauricio Claver-Carone, a special assistant to Trump and senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs at the State Department.

“Of course, these agreements are a condition for participating in the economic growth plan,” Claver-Carone said in a State Department video in which he answered written questions from reporters.

“If for any reason

President Giammattei decides not to participate in these agreements, he is going to lose a great economic development opportunity for Guatemala,” he said.

Claver-Carone revealed few details of the America Crece (America Grows) plan for El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, saying the US economic commitment would be announced early next year.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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ntigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne is accusing members of the corporate community of sponsoring the 2019 Carnival Festivities with the expectation of concessions at the Port, worth as much as 10 times the value of their contribution.

“We saw a situation in which a particular company,” outlined Prime Minister Browne, “gave the Festivals Commission a $100,000 contribution.

And, in turn, they brought in $3 million worth of goods that attracted duties and taxes to the value of $1.1 million.

“I’ve written to the Comptroller of Customs.

I’ve said to him to give them a credit for the $100,000 that they sponsored Carnival and kindly collect the government’s $1 million”.

Browne, who is also the country’s finance minister, levied accusations at companies he referred to as the

“mail order operations” – merchants that allow buyers places an order for the desired products typically online (through sites such as eBay, Amazon etc.).

“Many of the owners are collecting people’s taxes, ostensibly saying that they are paying over the taxes to Customs, and they [in turn] hold on to the taxes”.

Browne continued on the mail order firms saying, “We’ve seen forgeries in which they prepare warrants as duty free warrants, forging signatures including my signature”.

The Finance Minister indicated that many of these applications for waivers, in many instances, violated policies on granting waivers for resale items.

Last week, the Cabinet made revelations of ongoing fraud scam by brokers at the Customs and Excise Division said to be over $3 million in unpaid port costs. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, october 16, 2019

17

Around the World

US concerned about some Hong Kong protest tactics, heavier China hand – Pentagon

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he senior US defence official for Asia said on Tuesday that the United States has some concerns about some of the tactics used by demonstrators in Hong Kong but was also concerned about the heavier hand Beijing and Hong Kong authorities have used against protests in the territory.

Randall Schriver, the assistant secretary of defence

for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, said the United States was “100 per cent” behind those in Hong Kong who were speaking out for respect for fundamental rights guaranteed in the 1984 SinoBritish Joint Declaration.

He said the Hong Kong Police and authorities had historically acted to uphold the law and the territory had a very good judicial system.

“The general trend is

Anti-Government protesters form a sign reading “Free HK” from folded paper birds during a demonstration at New Town Plaza shopping mall in Hong Kong, China, October 12, 2019

concerning, that we’re seeing less autonomy, more influence from Beijing, heavier hand from the authorities there, and in general an erosion of the things that were promised the people of Hong Kong.”

Hong Kong has been rocked by four months of unrest, with massive marches and at times violent protests involving tear gas, petrol bombs and live rounds, over

concerns Beijing is tightening its grip on the city and eroding democratic rights.

Earlier on Tuesday, embattled Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam ruled out making any concessions to pro-democracy protesters in the face of escalating violence, which Police said was now “life-threatening,” citing the detonation of a small bomb. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Clashes erupt in Barcelona as Catalan separatists protest sentences for leaders

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lashes between protesters and Police erupted late on Tuesday in Barcelona, in a second day of rallies against the jailing of nine Catalan separatists by the Supreme Court over their role in a failed bid to break away from Spain in 2017.

In unusually tense

confrontations, protesters threw cans, stones and flares at riot police, and set garbage containers and cardboard on fire in the middle of several central Barcelona streets, including a thoroughfare housing designer stores and the local stock exchange, according to Reuters witnesses.

Police charged several times through the crowd with batons. A spokesman for the regional Mossos police said they were trying to make space around the local headquarters of the Spanish Government. Four people were detained, the spokesman said.

Reuters reporters saw

Police fire foam projectiles at the protesters. They also witnessed Spanish national police firing blanks in the air from rubber bullet guns.

Catalan Government spokeswoman Meritxell Budo, speaking on Spanish national broadcaster TVE said separatists have proven they are peaceful and

only an isolated group behaved violently, sullying their reputation.

Catalan separatism has long prided itself on being a peaceful movement and its leaders say that has not changed.

But there were concerns in Madrid that heavy jail sentences for the separat-

ist leaders could unleash pent-up frustration among a radicalised fringe, a senior parliamentary source told Reuters last week.

In a statement, Spain’s acting Government said it will guarantee security in the region, without elaborating further. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nigerian President vows crackdown India looks into Flipkart, Amazon festive discounts after retailer complaints on abusive Islamic schools

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igeria’s President on Tuesday ordered a crackdown on abuse at Islamic schools, after a second Police raid in less than a month revealed men and boys subjected to beatings, abuse and squalid conditions.

Nearly 300 had been held captive at a school in the Daura area of Katsina, the home town of President Muhammadu Buhari, where Police said they discovered “inhuman and degrading treatment” following a raid on Monday to free the remaining students.

Late last month, Police freed hundreds from similarly degrading conditions in neighbouring Kaduna state.

“Mr President has directed the police to disband all such centres and all the inmates be handed over to their parents,” said a presi-

dential spokesman.

“The Government cannot allow centres where people, male and female, are maltreated in the name of religion,” he said.

Prior to this week’s raid, hundreds of captives had escaped the centre, police said on Tuesday.

The 67 inmates who were freed by Katsina Police were shackled, and many were taken to hospital for treatment, Police Superintendent Isah Gambo told Reuters.

Police said they had arrested the owner of the facility and two teachers, and were tracking other suspects.

The more than 200 captives who escaped were still missing, Gambo said. Police were working to reunite the others with family members.

Islamic schools, called almajiris, are common in the mostly Muslim north of Nigeria.

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Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Police to disband all such centres where people are maltreated [Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters]

Muslim Rights Concern, a local organisation, estimates about 10 million children attend them.

Buhari said the Government planned to ban the schools eventually, but he has not yet commented on the Katsina school. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Turkey-Syria offensive: Russia vows to prevent clashes with Assad forces

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ussia has said it will not allow clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces, as Turkey’s military offensive in northern Syria continues.

“This would simply be unacceptable... and therefore we will not allow it, of course,” said Moscow’s special envoy for Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev.

The withdrawal of US troops from the region, announced last week, gave Turkey a “green light”, critics say.

Russia is a key military ally of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces, which have been deployed in Syria since

2015, were patrolling along the “line of contact” between Syrian and Turkish forces.

Later on Tuesday, the Pentagon said F-15 fighter jets and Apache helicopter gunships had been deployed in a show of force towards Turkish-backed forces who had come close to US ground troops near the Syrian town of Ain Issa.

The Turkish-backed fighters had violated an agreement not to threaten US troops, a military official said.

The Turkish offensive, which began last week, aims to push the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from the border region.

Turkey considers the biggest militia in the SDF a terrorist

organisation.

The Turkish Government wants to create a “safe zone” in the area, where it can resettle Syrian refugees currently in Turkey.

Many of them are not Kurds and critics warn this could lead to ethnic cleansing of the local Kurdish population.

The US has imposed sanctions on Turkish Ministries and senior Government officials in response to the country’s military offensive in northern Syria.

President Donald Trump also phoned his Turkish counterpart to demand an immediate truce, Vice-President Mike Pence said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

he Indian Government is looking into whether hefty discounts offered on Walmart-owned Flipkart and Amazon.com during their online festive sales violate foreign investment rules, a Commerce Ministry official told Reuters.

India introduced new rules in February aimed at protecting the 130 million people dependent on small-scale retail by deterring big online discounts. The rules forced e-commerce firms to tweak their business structures and drew criticism from the United States, straining trade ties between New Delhi and Washington.

While Amazon and

Flipkart say they’ve complied with the federal rules, local trader groups say the two companies are violating them by burning money to offer discounts - of more than 50% in some cases - during the ongoing festive sales.

Reuters reviewed emails and internal training material from Flipkart showing the company is in some cases offering to reduce, or forfeit, its sales commission from sellers that offer discounts.

The Commerce Ministry official told Reuters the Government was reviewing complaints and evidence filed by the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT), a group representing some 70 million

brick-and-mortar retailers, alleging Amazon and Flipkart were violating the foreign investment rules.

Seeking to attract shoppers around the key Hindu festival of Diwali, both retailers have placed full-page advertisements in top national daily the Times of India to showcase discount offerings stretching from Samsung and Apple phones to clothing and diapers.

“Customers are going online because of the unbelievable discounts. Because of this sales at offline businesses are down 30 per cent to 40 per cent this month,” CAIT’s Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Hellish scenes as wildfires engulf Lebanon

F

i r e f i g h t e r s in Lebanon on Tuesday battled massive wildfires across the country, before moderate rains in the evening brought them under control in most affected areas.

With more than 100 blazes erupting from north to south over the past two days, Raymond Khattar, the Director General of Lebanon’s Civil Defence, described the forest fires as the worst to have hit the country in decades.

At least one man died from suffocation after battling a fire in the city of Aley for several hours. Lebanese media also reported that a woman had lost her life after being run over by a fire truck in the southern coastal city of Sidon.

The Lebanese State’s ability to combat the rapidly spreading fires quickly came into question, especially given that three aircraft

A fire tears through a forest in the mountainous area near the village of Meshref in Lebanon’s Shouf mountains

specialised in fighting blazes remained grounded at the airport of the capital, Beirut, on Tuesday. They have remained non-operational for at least five years due to the failure of successive governments to fund their maintenance.

Despite the respite brought by rains on Tuesday evening, there are fears that the blazes will reignite as the

weather forecast for today predicts strong winds up to 45 kilometres (28 miles) an hour and temperatures of up to 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).

Before the recent fires, Lebanon had already lost three million trees in 2019 alone from forest fires, equivalent to all trees planted in reforestation initiatives over the last 15 years, Mitri said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, OCTOber 16, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

Don’t jump into something without the approval of someone who will be affected by your choices. It’s essential to have the support and personal guidance of someone you love and respect.

TAURUS

Sign on the dotted line and keep your plans moving forward. Entertain the thought of a partnership if it will help you reach your goal. Romance is on the rise.

(March 21April 19)

(April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

If you brainstorm with people who share your vision, you will come up with a plan that will lead to a better future. Socializing or a romantic evening is favored.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Be direct, know what you want and put your plan in motion. A change at home may not suit everyone you live with. Be willing to make adjustments.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

If you participate in events that interest you, you will learn valuable information that could change the course of your life. An unexpected offer will lead to an exciting partnership.

LIBRA

Keep clearing the way to freedom. Size up what you’ve been going through and face your feelings headon. It’s time to make room for the people and pastimes that bring you joy.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

Look for opportunities that will encourage better relationships. Trust, honesty and equality will be required if a partnership is going to go the distance. Stick to the standards you set.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for last published puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Reconnect with old friends or family, or visit a destination you haven’t been to for a long time. The memories will help you recall something that will ease your stress and enhance your outlook.

Concentrate on getting ahead. Channel your energy into something that will enhance your reputation, status or position. Volunteer your services to a worthy cause.

Make a statement instead of being a follower.

Put more emphasis on improving yourself and spending time with people you find mentally stimulating. The combination will ignite your imagination and set the stage for a new adventure.

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An unusual opportunity is waiting for you. If you mingle with people who are leaders in fields that interest you, you’ll get firsthand information that will give you a head start.

wednesday, october 16, 2019

19

ICC approves new tournament despite BCCI's concerns C

ricket's global governing body is headed towards a confrontation with the game's biggest powerhouse after the ICC decided to include an extra tournament in the next rights cycle overlooking objections from the BCCI.

Men's events, eight Women's events, four Men's U-19 events and four Women's U-19 events," the ICC said in a release on Monday.

"In examining a whole range of options, the Board felt a major Men's and Women's event each year will bring consistency to our

The ICC wants to include an extra tournament in the next rights cycle, but the BCCI has expressed its reservations (Getty Images)

On Monday the ICC Board gave consent to include an extra global tournament in the next events rights cycle, which starts after the 2023 World Cup. As it stands, the ICC's decision, made at its meeting in Dubai over the weekend, means that its next eight-year cycle running from 2023 to 2031 would have one ICC global (both men's and women's) event every year: two 50-over World Cups, four T20 World Cups and two editions of this extra event, which is understood to be in the 50-overs format.

It could, according to some officials familiar with discussions at the ICC's meetings, be a six-team 50-over tournament, along the lines of a smaller Champions Trophy.

However, the BCCI has already raised several concerns about the addition and Sourav Ganguly, the BCCI president-elect, made it clear in his first media interaction after filing his nomination that he wanted to revisit the matter of BCCI's share of the ICC's revenues. He said India should get what it "deserves", considering nearly 70% of the global cricket revenues come from India.

The ICC board's move came a day after the BCCI expressed reservations over signing off on a decision before its new administration was in place (elections are scheduled for October 23), as well as over how another global event would eat into cricket's bilateral calendar.

ESPNcricinfo has seen an e-mail sent on Sunday by Rahul Johri, the BCCI's chief executive officer, to his ICC counterpart Manu Sawhney, in which he warns of the threat an extra global tournament poses to the bilateral calendar. Johri wrote that if the Future Tours Programme (FTP) for the next cycle (2023-31) was finalised without due deliberation, it would not only be "premature" but have "wide ranging repercussions" on bilateral cricket.

Incidentally, Amitabh Choudhary, the BCCI's acting secretary was present at the ICC Board meeting, and echoed the sentiment expressed by Johri. However, the rest of the Board members said that the ICC decided to go ahead with the proposal to save time. It is understood that the move received widespread support.

"The Board decided that the eight-year cycle commencing in 2023 will comprise eight

calendar whilst complementing bilateral cricket, giving our sport a strong future foundation," Shashank Manohar, the ICC chairman, said. "It will provide clear structure and context to enable the growth of the sport and greater engagement opportunities for all of our stakeholders."

The ICC decision reinstates the global calendar as it was before the Big Three forced changes from 2015. Until that year, there had been an ICC event - or one scheduled - every single year since 1999, other than 2001. There was no ICC event in 2008, but Pakistan was scheduled to host the Champions Trophy that year and it was eventually held in South Africa the following year. In 2005 there was the ICC Super Series in Australia. In the eight-year cycle from 2015, however, two years have no ICC events: 2018 and 2022, and it is these kinds of gaps that the ICC want to avoid in the next cycle.

But the BCCI is reluctant to play ball. "At the outset, we would like to inform you that BCCI cannot agree or confirm to the post2023 ICC events calendar and the proposed additional ICC events, at this stage," Johri wrote in his email to Sawhney. "The BCCI stands committed to bilateral cricket and would have continuing time requirement as in the current FTP. It is important for BCCI to fulfil all its bilateral commitments to fellow full members.

"The working group discussions are currently in progress and no recommendations have been made yet. Considering that, finalising the 2023 ICC events calendar will not only be premature but also mean that the correct procedure has not been followed.

Increasing ICC events will have wide-ranging repercussions on bilateral cricket and therefore all aspects need to be discussed and analysed threadbare."

It is understood that the matter first came up for discussions at the ICC's working group meeting as well as at the chief executives' committee (CEC) meetings held over the weekend in Dubai. The working group, which comprises two ICC board members (Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani and Cricket Australia chairman Earl Eddings) along with CEOs of BCCI (Johri), ECB (Tom Harrison) and Cricket West Indies (Johnny

Grave), was formed last year to formulate strategy for the growth and development of cricket. On Saturday, Sawhney briefed the bigger CEC meeting.

Johri is believed to have argued that the ICC ought to prioritise bilateral cricket before pushing for more global tournaments in the calendar. Sawhney's - and the ICC board's - view is that having an additional 50-over tournament every four years will help all members draw extra revenue from the rights the ICC sells for the events.

The BCCI's position is unsurprising given that its bilateral calendar still holds considerable value, something which is not the case for all members. Less financially secure boards would stand to benefit on the one hand from the increased revenues an extra ICC event will provide. On the other, they would have to balance that against the value their bilateral cricket and, increasingly, their own domestic T20 leagues bring - in

calendars as packed with international and domestic T20 cricket, squeezing in one extra ICC event could hit a T20 league in some member country.

Johri did point out to Sawhney that the BCCI would not be able to sign on anything considering a new administration was on the verge of being formed with the upcoming BCCI elections. Johri wrote that the new BCCI set-up would need to be involved before any final decision was taken. "The BCCI elections are presently underway, and it will only be prudent for the new board members to deliberate and provide their inputs on this issue before any final decision is taken."

The BCCI is believed to have suggested that the ICC should organise workshops to flesh out the details with all the boards. "It is imperative that the working group discussions are completed, and a report/recommendation are submitted for the ICC CEC to consider," Johri said in the e-mail. (ESPNcricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesday, october 16, 2019

CPL fires new life into Windies men’s teams ꟷ GAW players earn maiden call-up

O

nly a day after CPL champions Barbados Tridents’ coach Phil Simmons was named the West Indies coach again, Cricket West Indies’ new selection panel has picked the two latest CPL stars - legspinner Hayden Walsh Jr. and opener Brandon King - for the three T20Is and as many ODIs against Afghanistan in Dehradun, India in November. Walsh and King had topped the wicket-taking and run-scoring charts in the 2019 CPL respectively.

Left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, another recent CPL star who has played four T20Is, was also picked in both the limited-overs squads.

Walsh made his debut for USA in 2018 and international debut for them earlier this year, and will now get to represent a new-look West Indies side. He spun the Barbados Tridents to the title with 22 wickets in the tournament at an economy rate of 8.28 despite playing just nine matches in the season. Walsh, who was born in US Virgin Islands to Antiguan parents, is a dual passport holder and has been part of West Indies’ domestic structure.

King, the 24-year-old Guyana Amazon Warriors batsman, was rewarded for scoring 496 runs in 12 innings at a strike rate of nearly 150.

A promotion to the top this season unlocked King’s power-hitting that was central to Amazon Warriors winning a record 11 games in a row before faltering at the final hurdle.

Kieron Pollard, who last played an ODI in 2016, returned to take over as the captain of both the limited-overs teams. Test captain Jason Holder, who won the CPL with the Tridents on Sunday, was part of all three squads.

However, Sunil Narine, who suffered a recurrence of a finger injury during the CPL and was in “excruciating pain,” according to his Trinbago Knight Riders captain Pollard during the second qualifier, wasn’t available for the tour.

Chris Gayle, who made a U-turn by returning to action in the ODIs at home against India after declaring that the World Cup would end his 50over career, didn’t feature in any of the squads either. His comments during the World Cup caught some of his own team-mates by surprise and his international future continues to be unclear.

Lendl Simmons, who wasn’t initially picked in the CPL draft and later reeled off 430 runs in 12 innings at the top as a replacement player for the Knight Riders, returned to the T20I squad that included as many as eight changes. Simmons will

Chanderpaul, Tendulkar, Lara set to feature in new T20 tournament

reunite with his uncle Phil Simmons with whom he had won the T20 World Cup in India in 2016.

Simmons’ Knight Riders team-mate Pierre, who excels at bowling with the new ball, was also rewarded for his CPL form. He is yet to make his ODI debut.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin was back in the T20I squad while former T20I captain Carlos Brathwaite and the Jamaica Tallawahs trio of Oshane Thomas, Andre Russell, and Rovman Powell didn’t make the cut. It is understood that Russell, who has had a history of knee injuries, isn’t fully fit yet.

Powell, who has also captained West Indies before, is recovering from an abdominal strain that sidelined him from the second half of the CPL. St Lucia Stars seamer Kesrick Williams, who has a variety of slower balls in his repertoire, returned to the T20I side, having last represented West Indies in August 2018. Left-arm seamer Sheldon Cottrell and a fit-again Alzarri Joseph, who regularly hit speeds north of 140kph in the CPL, will lend more depth to the pace attack in all three formats.

Amazon Warriors paceman Romario Shepherd, who can also swing his bat lower down the order, is the new face in the ODI squad. Shepherd was also part of the West Indies A sides that faced India A in the one-dayers in the Caribbean earlier this year.

T20I squad: Kieron Pollard (capt.), Nicholas Pooran, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sherfane Rutherford, Brandon King, Fabian Allen, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh Jr., Lendl Simmons, Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Denesh Ramdin, Kesrick Williams, Alzarri Joseph.

ODI squad: Kieron Pollard (capt.), Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Ambris, Nicholas Pooran, Brandon King, Roston Chase, Jason Holder, Hayden Walsh Jr., Khary Pierre, Sheldon Cottrell, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph, Romario Shepherd Test squad: Jason Holder (capt), Shai Hope, John Campbell, Kraigg Brathwaite, Shimron Hetmyer, Shamrah Brooks, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich, Sunil Ambris, Jomel Warrican, Rahkeem Cornwall, Kemar Roach, Keemo Paul, Alzarri Joseph

GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships…

Old Fort impressive on opening night T

S

Shiv Chanderpaul in his signature marking style

achin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Virender Sehwag and Muttiah Muralitharan are among the big names set to feature in a T20 tournament aimed at promoting road safety, called the Road Safety World Series. Some other prominent names that are set to be part of the tournament include Jacques Kallis, Brett Lee and Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

ESPNcricinfo understands the first season of the tournament will be played in 2020 between February 2 and 16 in Mumbai and will feature the following teams: India Legends, Australia Legends, South Africa Legends, Sri Lanka Legends and West Indies Legends.

It is understood that a total of 110 players - all retired have confirmed their participation in the tournament, which would be based on the franchise model prevailing across domestic T20 leagues around the world. The participating teams have been restricted to only Test-playing countries for the first season.

Among the organisers promoting this event are Professional Management Group and the Road Safety Cell of the Maharashtra government. Part of their business plan is to host the event for 10 years across India. It is understood that the organisers had received the nod from BCCI in August 2018 to conduct the tournament.

Although the players’ payments would be taken care of by the franchises, the proceeds from the tournament itself would be utilised by the Road Safety Cell to promote the cause in addition to highlighting how India ranks highest in the list of deaths caused on roads in the world.

Tendulkar will be returning to play cricket in front of a crowd for the third time since his retirement in 2013, having played for the MCC against Rest of the World XI at Lord’s in 2014 and three exhibition T20s in the USA in 2015. (Cricinfo)

he men’s 2018 Most Valuable Player (MVP) Aderemi Simon lived up to his reputation in leading a young YMCA Old Fort men’s FirstDivision team to an impressive 5-3 victory over Bounty GCC on the opening night of the GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships.

The GBTI GCC girls, however, redeemed their male counterparts with wins by the GBTI Spice over the YMCA Old Fort Young Bloods 2-0 and the GBTI GCC Tigers over the GBTI GCC Spartans 4-1.

The female defending champions survived a scare from newcomers Saints, who eventually succumbed 2-1 while GCC Vintage drowned Antonio’s Hickers 9-4 in the lone veterans match.

Saints Sensations enjoyed the largest margin over YMCA Old Fort Hard Ball with a 9-0 win in the men’s SecondDivision competition.

An eighth minute penalty for YMCA Old Fort seemed to turn the tide in their favour against Bounty GCC in their men’s First-Division match-up as the two teams had battled evenly up to that point. Midfielder Omar Hopkinson stepped up confidently and converted the stroke to give Old Fort a 1-0 lead.

Old Fort would slam home three more goals, including one from a brilliant reverse spin-and-shoot move by Jason DeSantos before GCC could get on the scoresheet.

GCC’s experienced defender Dwayne Scott would score his team’s first goal in the 31st minute as the tactical move to have him in the forward line paid off. Old Fort’s Ascofu Simon, however, answered two minutes later with a move that had the GCC defence falling over themselves. Steven Xavier and Meshach Sargeant managed to score two more in a comeback

GCC goalkeeper Medroy Scotland blocks the shot of Jason DeSantos of YMCA Old Fort

effort for GCC, but the final score was 5-3 in favour of YMCA Old Fort.

In the ladies division, the youthful Saints held off an experienced Woodpecker Hikers side, keeping them scoreless for the entire first half. Speedy left wing Clayzia Bobb then surprised all by dribbling the last defender and slipping her shot past the advancing goalkeeper to take Saints up by 1. Newcomer to the Hikers side, the athletic Jasmine Assanah managed to get onto the end of a squared pass by Nicole Eastman to even the score in the 29th minute and Eastman herself broke the hearts of the Saints supporters with seconds to go with a second goal for the Hikers. The Woodpecker Hikers came away with victory by a 2-1 margin.

The GBTI GCC Tigers and GBTI Spartans played an exciting match, which started off at a blistering pace. While Abosaide Cadogan was first on the scoresheet with a penalty corner strike high into the net, the Tigers’ Marzana Fiedtkou answered almost immediately to take the game into halftime at 1-1. The second half was all Tigers as the junior Spartans showed signs of wear allowing Fiedtkou to score a second while teammates Sonia Jardine and Gabriella Xavier added one each for a 4-1 win. Vanessa Pires and Sandy Roopnarine were the lone goalscorers in the GBTI GCC Spice win over the YMCA Old Fort Bloods. The match never seemed in doubt as the Spice girls seemed mostly in control.

Shakeem Faucette scored

a helmet trick of goals (four goals) to lead all scorers as the Saints Sensations routed YMCA Old Fort Hard Ball. Hilmar Chester added two goals for the Sensations while teammates Tivesard Garnett, Baraka Garnett and Ezekiel Springer each added one in their 9-0 win. GCC Vintage were victorious over the Antonio’s Hickers by a 9-4 margin in the lone veterans match of the evening. Devin Hooper and Alan Fernandes scored hat-tricks for the Vintage while Dwayne Scott added a double and Patrick Edghill a single. The Hickers goals were scored by Brian Asregado (2); Devin Munroe with a diving effort from Nicolette Fernandes.

Matches continue all week at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with the finals set for Sunday evening.

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wednesday, october 16, 2019

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2019 BCB Let’s Bet Sports 100 Balls…

21

Rose Hall Canje march into New Amsterdam-Canje final ꟷ RH Tigers reach Lower Corentyne semis

T

he packed Berbice 2019 cricket season continued last weekend with several important matches being completed despite heavy rainfall, which affected some games.

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is aiming to complete all of the tournaments it started in 2019, including the Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sports-sponsored 100 Balls Tournament by the end of December. The tournament, which involves over 80 cricket teams, is being played in four different zones. The champions from these four different tournaments would then go on to play each other to decide the overall Berbice Let’s Bet Sports 100 Balls winners. The four zones are West Berbice, N e w AmsterdamCanje, Lower-Central Corentyne and Upper Corentyne.

Playing at the Area H Ground, Rose Hall Tigers, consisting of mostly veteran Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) members, defeated Tamarind Root to become the first team from Lower Corentyne to reach the semi-finals of that zone. Tamarind Root were dismissed for 96 off 18.2 overs, with S Jugister (18); Dillip Rangasammy (15) and David Prahalad (16) being the principal scorers. Jamal Jarvis, Khemraj Mahadeo, and Therbuwan Jagdeo took two wickets for 8, 15 and 20 runs apiece respectively for RHT Tigers. In reply, the home team raced to 99 for 3 as former Guyana Under-19 player Balchand Baldeo scored 48 not out and Delbert Hicks, 15 not out. The batsmen dismissed were Mark Papannah (12); Rondalph Lewis (0) and Jamal Jarvis (4). D Looknauth took 2 for 20 in a losing cause. RHT Tigers will play the winners of the Albion versus Fyrish quarter-final in the lone semi-final match while the winners of the RHT Bakewell and Chesney game will advance to the final after drawing a bye.

Rose Hall Canje Cricket Club continued their remarkable progress in Berbice cricket by advancing to the final of the New AmsterdamCanje Zone by defeating Police in the quarterfinals and then upsetting favourites Young Warriors CC in the semi-finals. On Saturday, they defeated Police by 103 runs. Batting first, they amassed 238 for 7 from their 100 balls with Moonsammy Verasammy hitting a majestic 126 not out while Jermone Henry (35) offered support. K

The winning Rose Hall Canje team

Amsterdam took 2 for 20 for Police, who in reply reached 135 for 8. Amsterdam returned with the bat to score 35. Left-arm spinner Mark Sampson took six wickets for 20 and Balram Samaroo 2 for 18.

On Sunday, Rose Hall Canje restricted Young Warriors Cricket Club (YWCC) to 85 for 6 off their 100 balls, with Mortimer Fraser, Sanjay Khan and A Khan being the top scorers as Mark Sampson (2 for 12) and Raymond Vankenie (2 for 18) bowled well for the home team. Needing to score 86 runs to book a place in the final, RH Canje reached 86 for 3 in 13.2 overs. Michael Campbelle blasted a quickfire 32 while J Henry was unbeaten on 30 as was skipper Ameer Rahaman on 11 not out. Kassim Khan and Anil Beharry took a wicket each for 7 and 17 respectively for YWCC. Young Warriors had reached the semi-finals by getting past Betsy Ground by 76 runs at the Cumberland Ground on Saturday. They scored 152 for 4 from 100 balls with Trevon Stanislaus (76 – including eight boundaries and four sixes) and Suresh Dhanai (32 not out – including three boundaries and two sixes), leading the way. Kishan Gangaram took 2 wickets for 24 runs for Betsy Ground. Betsy Ground, in reply, were bundled out for a meagre 76 with only Y Jugister (12) and Gangaram (12) reaching double figures as Stanislaus, Sanjay Khan and Kassim Khan took two wickets apiece. East Bank Blazers have already reached the semi-finals and will play the winners of Flying Star v Guymine CC scheduled for Saturday, October 19, 2019.

Froome says 2020 Tour route is "brutal" as he aims for 5th title

B

ritain's Chris Froome has called the route for the 107th edition of the Tour de France "brutal" as he aims for a record-equalling fifth title.

Riders will face 29 mountains on the 3,470km (2,156mile) 21-stage route, which starts in Nice on 27 June.

Froome's hopes may rest on the mountain time trial at La Planche des Belles Filles before the traditional final sprint stage in Paris on 19 July.

"It will be won and lost in the mountains but that suits me," he said.

Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain are all five-time winners of the race, with Froome one behind after successes in 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

"That is really the hardest route I've seen anywhere in the past five years," added Froome who missed the 2019 Tour after a high-speed crash before stage four of the Criterium du Dauphine in June.

"There's loads of opportunities for the general classification to play out and the main rivals to go head to head. That's what everyone wants to see."

The tour, which begins a week early to accommodate the Tokyo Olympics starting on 24 July, features five summit finishes - one of them being the time trial at La Planche des Belles Filles - and is likely to favour the climbers.

"It will be physically

Chris Froome sat next to Ineos teammate and defending champion Egan Bernal as the 2020 Tour de France route was unveiled

challenging throughout," said race director Christian Prudhomme.

"Even the so called flat stages will be very tough for the pure sprinters. There are traps everywhere along the route."

A route for the climbers

The 2020 Tour boasts one of the most challenging opening weeks in recent editions of the race.

Two stages start and finish in Nice, the second of which involves almost 3,700 metres of climbing over the Col de la Colmiane, Col de Turini and Col d'Eze. The race then heads south west through the Massif Central, with summit finishes on OrcieresMerlette on stage five and Mont Aigoual.

Colombian champion Egan Bernal and his Ineos team-mates Froome will ex-

pect to challenge, as will France's Thibaut Pinot.

A thigh injury saw Pinot, 29, withdraw on a dramatic stage 19 to Tignes on the 2019 Tour while in fifth place.

The Groupama-FDJ team leader had hoped to become the first French winner of the Yellow Jersey for 34 years.

Froome, 34, is only just about to return to cycling after suffering a catalogue of injuries which included a fractured right femur, a fractured elbow and fractured ribs.

Julian Alaphilippe, who led the 2019 edition of the Tour for 14 stages before finishing fifth overall will also be buoyed by the omission of both Alpe d'Huez and Mont Ventoux next summer and by a route containing only two stages in the Pyrenees. (BBC Sport)

22

wednesday, october 16, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

A moment to savour: Shepherd delighted with expected Windies call-up

By Brandon Corlette

S

ince his Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) debut in 2018 for the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW), it has been a road to success for the steaming fast bowler, Romario Shepherd.

From a successful Regional 4-Day career for Guyana Jaguars to a successful stint with the West Indies A and in the 2019 CPL. The right-arm paceman spoke exclusively to Guyana Times Sport moments after he got the news on his maiden One-Day International (ODI) selection and shared his sentiments on his call-up to the West Indies team that will face

Afghanistan in November.

“It’s a call every cricketer has been waiting for, when I got the call I was very happy to be selected in the ODI squad,” Shepherd stated.

After finishing with 13 wickets in the recentlyconcluded CPL (the second highest by fast bowlers), Shepherd stated that it was a good tournament for him.

“Starting the tournament, I told myself I will try to do my best in each game. I didn’t really have a target in terms of wickets; I tried to bowl my best deliveries. That was the plan; after the first few games, I was successful and that was a confidence booster,” Shepherd noted.

He added that breaking into the West Indies ODI squad was just the start for him. “Getting into the squad is the easier part but staying there is the harder part. I will do my best to stay there for a long time. When I am named in the starting XI, I will do what I do best and even work harder,” the humble Tucber Park cricketer declared.

The 24-year-old Shepherd thanked Carl Moore of Tucber Park Cricket Club, who has always had that belief in him.

“From day one he always told me that I have what it takes; he saw something in me before anyone did, so I must thank him for backing me 100 per cent, even if he is not around, he always calls and supports

me,” Shepherd highlighted.

The well-built fast bowling all-rounder had also shown his prowess with the bat, striking it big. “In terms of batting in the CPL, my team was aware that I can hit the ball, so I had made use of that. Coach (Johan Botha) always tells me when three overs is left, I have to go,” Shepherd explained.

The prospering Berbician had earlier topped the Regional 4-Day charts with the most wickets by a fast bowler.

In only 22 First-Class matches, Shepherd has 70 wickets at a staggering bowling average of 23.71. He has two five-wicket hauls with a best of 5-24. He has also played for West Indies A against

India A where he showed his skill against some highquality players from India. Known as a ‘death-bowling boss’, Shepherd has 17 wickets in 13 T20 matches at an average of 19.70. He has a best bowling figure of 4-13.

In his List A career, he has 31 wickets in 22 matches with an economy rate of 5.33 and an average of 24.93. Since his success in 2018, Shepherd has continued to impress and only time will tell if he extends his success when he wears the marron colour.

Romario Shepherd

Máximo’s masterplan…

Jaguars’ balanced team produce massive victory

By Jemima Holmes

S

ince the beginning of his tenure as Head Coach of the Guyana senior men’s national football team, the Golden Jaguars, Márcio Máximo has taken every opportunity to emphasise the importance of having a balanced national team in order to continuously develop local football.

Since the beginning of Guyana’s CONCACAF Nations League campaign, Máximo’s mantra has been the inclusion of more local players, which will in turn improve the level of football that is being played in Guyana. As such, the Coach has balanced his 20-member teams, utilising an even number of local and international players.

At first, Guyana got past Aruba easily in a 1-0 affair; however, when they met Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda, the Golden Jaguars suffered 4-0 and 2-1 defeats respectively. As a result of this, many questions were asked about when the Head Coach’s master plan would come to fruition.

Guyana sought their revenge against Antigua and Barbuda on Monday evening and for the first time, many got to witness what Coach Máximo has been envisioning for months – a winning balance.

Following the exhilarating 90 minutes, Coach Máximo was ecstatic about the victory, highlighting that his objective to balance the team with local and international players has paid off.

“Like I told before, you should invest in the mix of the international players and the local players; I think it is a very good combination: the team is one unit.

They know about responsibilities and objectives and how much goals you should

Golden Jaguars Head Coach Márcio Máxim

get and I’m very happy, because the guys prove that we have a good team. We just need time and patience to improve this team,” he stated.

The Coach went on to reveal his intentions to continue working with this formula, as he believes it will lead to a brighter football fraternity in Guyana. “ Y o u don’t really

have development without giving chances for local players too. This combination for me is a secret for Guyana to have a better team and a good squad.

We just started in our job, but if we continue in this way, greater things are coming for Guyana,” he declared.

How it went down

After their away game against the same opponents failed to go as planned, the Golden Jaguars used their home advantage to punish the “Benna Boys’ from Antigua and Barbuda on Monday evening.

The local boys were on

A glimpse of the Nations League action on Monday night

show at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, trouncing Antigua a n d Barbuda 5-1 in their fourth CONCACAF Nations League game.

After being out of the national side for some months, Trayon Bobb was included in the team for their back-toback clashes with Antigua and Barbuda over the weekend. While he failed to produce in the first encounter, Bobb decided that the result would not be the same at home.

With family and friends cheering him on, Bobb

opened the scoring early when he beat the goalkeeper in the first minute of play.

Once again, the quick forward was able to play past Antigua’s goalie Murphy Parker in the 28th minute for Guyana’s second goal.

The remainder of the half went quietly as Antigua worked overtime on their defence.

Guyana’s goalkeeper Akel Clarke’s lone mistake came in the 47th as Nathaniel Jarvis outfoxed him for Antigua’s consolation goal.

While Antigua eagerly tried to level the score, the Golden Jaguars had other plans. Coming in for Kelsey Benjamin in the second half was another local talent, Sheldon Holder, who had an immediate impact on the

game. With a kick coming from the left corner, Holder gently headed it into the goal for Guyana’s third in the 64th.

Kadell Daniel added another to the tally in the 77th minute when the collection of his free kick was fumbled by Antigua’s goalkeeper. Sheldon Holder could not be kept out of the game; as the forward was going for his second goal, he instead decided to back heel it to an attentive Pernell Shultz, who completed the goal with ease for Guyana’s fifth in the 90+2.

Bobb’s brilliance

After the celebrations, Bobb noted that he was proud of himself and the team for sticking to their game plan and emerging

with a win.

“It’s a very wonderful feeling, helping Guyana with two goals. And also playing very hard, each and every one of us were hungry even from the start. And that’s the plan we had, to come out and play hard and come out victorious and we did that,” Bobb said.

Furthermore, when asked about his thoughts in relation to being recalled to the national outfit and succeeding, Bobb noted that it was motivating, especially going forward in his career.

“I feel very motivated. I always like working hard and trying to be better at all times,” he stated.

Guyana will play their next Nations League match against Aruba on November 14, 2019.

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesday, october 16, 2019

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SBF Petroleum CGI Jaguars 50-over franchise…

Essequibo, Lower Corentyne extend winning streak Story and photos by Brandon Corlette

E

xciting cricket matches continued across Guyana, and Essequibo, Lower Corentyne, West Demerara and West Berbice were among the victorious teams in the second round of the SBF Petroleum CGI Jaguars 50-over franchise.

Defending champs continue winning ways

Under glorious sunshine at the Everest Cricket Club, the professional Essequibo team defeated Upper Corentyne by 115 runs Kelvin Umroa grabbed 5-25 in another dominant disThe right-handed play. Ricardo Adams had a stoke-maker, Ricardo, one of good all-round game with the three Adams brothers in the a brilliant 54 and returned Essequibo team, was with his left-arm spin to dismissed for 54 by the end with 3-18. After 17-year old Albion Essequibo won the player, Gourav toss and elected Ramesh. Ricardo to bat first, they had struck five scored 235-9 in fours and three huge their allotted 50 sixes in a top knock. overs then Upper The left-arm spinner, Corentyne were Ramesh removed rolled over for Mark Williams for 120 in 40.2 overs. four with the score on O n 134-4. An aggresEssequibo’s way sive innings from to 235, their Quinton Sampson led innings was the Essequibians to set up by an their strong total. The 84-run partfast-bowling all-roundnership beer struck a quick-fire 45 tween Kemol Savory which included two sixand Ricardo Adams. es and three fours. One of After the team were reSampson’s big maximums duced to 40-2, the seleft a dent on a venior duo took the score to 124-3 un- Ricardo Adams had a good all- hicle outside the round game for Essequibo ground. til another bloomBowling for ing Savory innings Upper Corentyne, ended when he attempted an unnecessary run and was dismissed Ramesh ended with3-38 in eight overs while fast bowlers Cameron via the run-out route for 37.

Gourav Ramesh bowled well for his three wickets

display by Essequibo. Supporting Umroa was Captain Veerasammy Permaul, who had 2-9 in 10 overs 16-year-old Jonathan Rampersaud topwhich includscored for Upper Corentyne ed five maidens.

Junior Sinclair scored 141-5 on the back of and Trevon Tagenarine Chanderpaul 51 at Stanislaus had Tuschen Ground. Tevin Imlach one wicket made 47 for West Demerara. In reeach. ply, a star-studded Leon JohnsonIn re- led Georgetown were bowled out ply, Lower for 118 in 34.2 overs. Johnson C o r e n t y n e scored 39 while Javon Hector took lost Sinclair for 3-18 and Keshram Seyhodan had nine, and Maxie 3-20 to upset the city side.

Umroa 5-fer, Anderson, DeJonge and Hetmyer destroy East Coast Jonathan Foo for Former Guyana West Berbice defeat East Bank ducks. It was West Under-19 left-arm spinOn the back of Kevin Sinclair’s Indies Under-19 bats- 58, West Berbice defeated East ner Kelvin Umroa man Kevlon Anderson, Bank Demerara by seven wickets had magical figwho hit a classy 41 not at Bush Lot West Coast Berbice. ures of 5-25 to lead out while Seon Hetmyer East Bank were bowled out for Lower Corentyne scored 30 in an unbro- 116 after Seon Glasgow took 4-31 to a comfortable Kevlon Anderson ken 70-run partnership. in 10 overs. Vishaul Singh scored eight-wicket win scored a solid Rawle Merell had 2-22 in 30 while Sachin Singh scored 29. over East Coast unbeaten 41 in five overs. at Enmore. East Lower Corentyne In reply, West Berbice chased win over East Coast batting first down 117 in 20 overs, ending Coast West Demerara v were bundled out on 119-2. West Indies batsman Georgetown for 89 in 32.3 overs.

Shimron Hetmyer scored 28 to Georgetown suffered their sec- support Sinclair 56 which includSkipper Amir Khan top-scored with 35 in another poor batting ond defeat after West Demerara ed two sixes and six fours. and Sylus Tyndall had 2-41 and 2-33 respectively. In reply, Upper Corentyne were bowled out for 120 with Shawn Pereira scoring with 30 down the order while 16-year-old Jonathan Rampersaud top-scored with a fighting 33 after surviving a fearsome Ronsford Beaton spell. West Indies Under-15 batsman, Rampertab Ramnauth scored 13. In addition to Ricardo’s 3-18 in 8.2 overs, Akinie Adams had 3-21 while Beaton had 2-19.

Fruta Conquerors, Santos looking to lift Limacol trophy

By Jemima Holmes

F

or the third time this year, Santos FC and Fruta Conquerors Under-20 teams will be involved in a monumental clash in order to prove which team is the better of the two. With five days before the fiery final is contested, the captains of the two teams expressed their intentions for the Limacol final on Sunday at a press briefing on Tuesday.

“I classify this match as one of the grudge matches of the decade. Because these two teams would have met in the recently concluded Under-20 tournament hosted by the GFF, and they beat each other one. So I think this game is one to decide who is the best team and I know they too are touting who will be the best.”

Those were the words of Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca as he shared his expectations for the upcoming Limacol football final which is sure to be an exhilarating one.

Out of a pool of 14 other senior football teams (16 teams in all), the two that proved their worth and endurance over the past weeks were the only two Under-20 squads in the competition.

Both Santos and Fruta Conquerors have had blemishless records in this year’s Limacol tournament, with their more difficult games coming in the semifinal, both of which went down to penalty shootout. However, the toughest game yet will surely be the final clash on Sunday, October 20, as they reignite their rivalry which has been ongoing all year.

Fruta Conquerors’ Nicholas Mc Arthur and Santos’ Marcus Wilson are on a quest to lift the Limacol 2019 trophy

The two sides met earlier this year in the Georgetown edition of the KFC Under-20 Independence Cup, in which Fruta Conquerors outplayed Santos and won. On the other hand, after both sides made it to the National KFC semifinal, Santos FC had the last laugh as they knocked Fruta Conquerors out of contention.

Looking ahead to the figurative tie-breaker, Nicholas Mc Arthur and Marcus Wilson, captains of the respective teams, expressed

their intentions to pip the other.

“This is a different team and we want to play a different style of football. But we cannot take these guys any easier, we just need to go out and train. All the players know their abilities and what they have to do,” Mc Arthur explained.

“We just want to come focused in the game and don’t be too overconfident because we won the last battle against Conquerors. We have to play as a team and concentrate on what we have to do and try to come out successful,” Wilson revealed.

While the final is the game that most patrons are eagerly looking forward to, the third place playoff between Pele FC and Riddim Squad is also expected to be a thriller. The two games will be contested at the Ministry of Education

Ground, Carifesta Avenue, on Sunday.

While encouraging football fanatics to come out, Mendonca also took the opportunity to thank everyone involved for making the fourth edition of the tournament successful.

“At this juncture, I just want to thank everyone who gave us support. Players and spectators are very enthusiastic and we have positive feedback throughout this tournament.

I want to thank everyone; the supporters, the media, the management and teams, players, the sponsors, Limacol and Croxley Paper distributed

by WJ Enterprise,” Mendonca stated.

This year’s champion will walk away with $400,000 while second place pockets $200,000.

Third and fourth places will receive $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

wednesday, october 16, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

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A moment to savor: Shepherd delighted with expected Windies call-up

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CPL fires new life into Windies men’s teams ꟷ GAW players earn maiden call-up

Chanderpaul, Tendulkar, Lara set to feature in new T20 tournament

GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships…

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