Guyana Times October 19, 2019 v2

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

Issue No. 4081

THE BEACON OF TRUTH saturday, OCTOber 19, 2019

PRICE

Ogle airport shuts down to accommodate President’s Berbice flight

…arriving flights asked to "circle" city until Granger’s departure

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt “not threatened” by new political P7 parties – PNC Murder of businessman

More persons arrested as probe widens P8

See story on page 11

...NA placed under unprecedented lockdown

Ban imposed on importation of citrus fruits …Guyana produces “adequate quantities” – NAREI CEO See story on page 3

Page 11 Securing our future one plant at a time. These students proudly display plants during NAREI's open day on Friday at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara (Shaconeil Burnette photo)

Transparent process to be followed in selection of PPP’s PM candidate – Jagdeo Page 7

Families P13 continue to abandon elderly relatives at GPHC – CEO PPP hosts Night of Reflection for Cyril Belgrave P2

Food for P13 the Poor commissions 20 shade houses in Linden 4 arrested over illegal gun, ammo find P8

2 news PPP hosts Night of Reflection for Cyril Belgrave saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

The late Cyril Belgrave

T

he People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Thursday held a “Night of Reflection” in memory of one its leaders, Cyril Belgrave, who died last week.

The auditorium of Freedom House was packed with party members and associates who gathered to reflect on decades of his invaluable contributions to not just the PPP and its struggles for freedom but also, and more importantly, the improvement of the lives of Guyanese.

One of the featured speak-

ers was PPP’s Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, who shared his close relationship with the party’s stalwart. He noted that he is among the fortunate younger members of the PPP who got the opportunity to work with and stand alongside party stalwarts like Belgrave.

According to Ali, when he was appointed as the Resource Person to the Depressed Community Needs Committee established by then President Bharrat Jagdeo and Opposition Leader Desmond Hoyte, Belgrave was appointed by the party to guide him in the position. He added too that he also got the opportunity to work with Belgrave while he was a part of the technical personnel at the Finance Ministry.

“That was a great honour for me at the time and these are the things that help to shape not only myself but many of the younger comrades that are here today… So it was from those days that the party gave us this exposure and experience, and surrounded with the level of talents in these stalwarts and older comrades to ensure we were successful in what we do,” Ali posited.

He went on to recall

PPP Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali speaking at the Night of Reflection

Belgrave’s passion and commitment as a party leader, and more so, his drive to help develop depressed communities and the vulnerable. Ali told the gathering that Belgrave was a critical motivator in the establishment of The Little Red Village on the Essequibo Coast and was also significant in the development of the Mainstay Housing Project.

Additionally, Ali informed that he was the mastermind behind the “Black Tank Initiative” where he secured 500 water tanks from

President Jagdeo to help poor Amerindian communities harness rainwater.

“This is the legend of the man, he was not only concentrated in Georgetown. Many persons know about his struggles here but in his work among the vulnerable and the poor, his reach was far and wide. Many places in Essequibo, squatting communities, he was the reason water was carried to those communities,” Ali stated.

Moreover, the PPP Presidential Candidate recalled that only about a month

ago, despite battling his own challenges, Belgrave asked to see him to talk about party matters and things he thought were necessary for the PPP to address to ensure that it wins resoundingly at next year’s March 2 elections.

“For the struggles of Comrade Belgrave, for his commitment to this country, for his commitment to improving the lives of all Guyanese, all cross-section of Guyanese, we owe it to him to keep his memory alive and to reflect positively and to work towards a better Guyana every single day of

or anything of that sort – had we had a different set of leaders at the beginning.,” Jagdeo contended.

Among the other speakers at Thursday’s “Night of Reflection” were Carvil Duncan, Clement Rohee and Samuel Hinds.

Cyril Belgrave died on October 10, 2019, in New York, United States. He was a long-standing and loyal member and leader of the party dating back to the 1950s. He joined the trade union movement and became a well-respected trade unionist in the Guyana Labour

A section of the gathering at the Night of Reflection

our lives… So in his memory, we are all going to ensure we work hard to fulfil that dream and ensure that we do not disappoint him,” Ali stated.

Meanwhile, Jagdeo, who is PPP’s General Secretary and Opposition Leader, reflected on Belgrave’s journey as a trade unionist. He said that throughout Cheddi Jagan’s fight for freedom, Cyril Belgrave stood beside him.

Union, becoming its President in 1984.

In the 1960s, during the long strikes engineered to bring down the democratically-elected PPP Government, Belgrave and many stalwarts of the PPP, such as Shirley Edwards, Philomena Sahoye-Shury and others, at great sacrifice, guarded the Guyana Power Company and the wharves when they came

Former PPP Prime Minister Samuel Hinds signs a Book of Condolences at Freedom House

According to Jagdeo, despite facing the brutality of the then regime, Belgrave never weakened in his struggles or to leave the party as many others did.

“In those dark days in Opposition, many people who seem stronger left the struggle, they left the party but Cyril Belgrave continued through it all. We’re proud to have him as one of our leaders who represented us at every level,” the General Secretary noted.

He continued that the PPP is fortunate to have had Belgrave as one of its leaders.

In fact, Jagdeo recalled that one of his qualities that stood out and he never lost over the years was his pro-worker stance, which continued up until recently.

“Every time you talk to him, he’s looking to improve the lot of workers and the ordinary people. And that was very important to us. The PPP would not have been what it is today – an organisation that fights for Guyana, an organisation that doesn’t see people colour

under threat by the People’s National Congress.

Belgrave remained loyal to the People’s Progressive Party throughout his more than six decades of membership, right up to his passing.

He joined the Pioneer Youth League, the precursor to the Progressive Youth Organisation, in 1955. He joined the PPP and was elected repeatedly to the Central Committee of the party for over 50 years and was a Member of Parliament for over three decades (1976-2006) and a member of several parliamentary committees including the Public Accounts Committee. He also served on the Georgetown City Council from 1970-76.

As a patriot who fought for Guyana’s independence and the restoration of democracy, in 1992 Cyril Belgrave was given the Cacique Crown of Honour, the CCH by President Dr Cheddi Jagan.

In Belgrave’s honour, a Book of Condolence was opened at Freedom House.

news

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saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Saturday, October 19 – 08:30h – 10:00h and Sunday, October 20 – 09:30h – 11:00h.

Ban imposed on importation of citrus fruits …Guyana produces “adequate quantities” – NAREI CEO

By Lakhram Bhagirat

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Saturday, October 19 – 07:30h – 09:00h and Sunday, October 20 – 08:30h – 10:00h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Early morning showers are expected. Sunshine will prevail for the rest of the day. There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: North-Easterly to South-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:39h and 19:52h reaching maximum heights of 2.42 metres and 2.47 metres.

Low Tide: 01:09h and 13:26h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.86 metre.

C

hief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Dr Oudho Homenauth has announced that while there is no ban on the importation of fruits, his organisation has recently restricted the importation of all citrus fruits.

This move, he notes, is in keeping with the policies of the Government of the day.

“We are governed by an Act of Parliament and we work with the policies of the Government of the day as dictated and based on the policies, we implement the programmes. For example, the emphasis here has been on reducing imports as far as possible because when you do that our farmers benefit,” Dr Homenauth told Guyana Times in an interview on Friday.

“We are not going to allow importation of any citrus products: oranges, limes, grapefruit, tangerines etc because I know we are producing that in adequate quantities. Barring what I have said there, we have to follow the quarantine rules of our country because we have to

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also safeguard against those pests and diseases we don’t have here,” he explained while trying to justify the ban.

Dr Homenauth told this publication that one of the pests NAREI is concerned about is “citrus greening”, which he dubbed as extremely devastating. He further related that this pest has the ability to devastate the entire citrus industry as it has done in many countries.

According to United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Inspection Service (USDA-APIS) citrus greening (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus) is one of the most serious citrus plant diseases in the world. It is also known as Huanglongbing (HLB) or yellow dragon disease. Once a tree is infected, there is no cure. While the disease poses no threat to humans or animals, it has devastated millions of acres of citrus crops throughout the United States and abroad.

Citrus greening is spread by a disease-infected insect, the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri Kuwayama or ACP), and has put the future of citrus at risk. Infected trees produce fruits that are green, misshapen and bitter, unsuitable for sale as fresh fruit or for juice. Most in-

NAREI CEO, Dr Oudho Homenauth

fected trees die within a few years.

However, Dr Homenauth said that NAREI has never been in the business of granting permission for the importation of citrus since Guyana’s farmers are more than capable of producing to meet demands.

NAREI’s Crop Protection Department (commonly referred to as “Quarantine”) is responsible for farm certification as well as granting permission for the importation of agricultural produce. The Department has a heavy presence at every port of entry in Guyana, so as to ensure that every agricultural product coming in to the country is catered for in the laws.

“We have to give clearance for imports that comes in, especially for fresh produce and similarly for importation for any fresh pro-

Organisation as well. I know people have been saying that we are restricting import. That is not the story; what we want to do is ensure compliance. Basically what they used to do, I know that, when we give permission for people to bring in stuff, they would include stuff that is not part of the import permit. But with the new system that is being employed by the GRA with the other agencies, what it does is it picks up everything that is in the container,” the CEO explained.

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) recently introduced the Automated

Imported Florida oranges

duce we have to give the necessary permission for them to come into the country because we have to follow the rules of the country as well as the World Trade

System for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), which is supposed to help fast-track these transactions, although persons have contended otherwise.

Continue on page 9

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, october 19, 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

Healthy lifestyles

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ountry Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, Dr Gillian Smith was quoted in the media as saying at a recent World Food Day event here that over 40 per cent of Guyanese are either overweight or obese and of that number, the majority are women.

While lauding Guyana and the rest of the Caribbean region for the immense progress made in reducing absolute hunger, Dr Smith underscored the point that overweightness and obesity is another dangerous problem which must be tackled by policy makers and other development partners.

While the recent comments by Dr Smith did not come as a surprise, they indeed serve as a reminder that the issue of non-communicable diseases (NCD) and the need to adopt healthy lifestyle changes must remain a central part of the national discourse on the development of our human capital.

Health experts say that chronic diseases result largely from bad food choices and low levels of physical activity.

Reducing the risk of developing chronic illnesses, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and various cancers is associated with living a healthy lifestyle, which includes such factors as not smoking, a healthy diet, regular physical activity, moderate alcohol intake and a sense of mental wellbeing. For example, evidence suggests that half of all cancers could be prevented by following a healthy lifestyle. Citizens therefore need to make a conscious effort to check on the status of their health regularly, instead of procrastinating, which further compromises their health.

NCDs come at a high cost to individuals and to nation states in terms of human suffering, expensive treatment and loss of production. For example, Dr Smith explained that a 2011 cost of illness assessment, done by the Health Ministry in collaboration with the PAHO/WHO, estimated that the direct and indirect cost of treating noncommunicable diseases in Guyana was over 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This, she noted, threatens to erode the human capital.

What is noteworthy is the realisation that most cases of chronic, non-communicable diseases are avoidable and it is within our individual powers to prevent these diseases from affecting our lives. So how do we make the breakthrough when it comes to getting our citizens to adopt healthy lifestyles considering the fact that some persons still operate with a high degree of ignorance?

To begin with, we believe that there is need for greater awareness and knowledge in the society about the dangers of chronic illnesses. On this basis, we urge that there be continuous awareness campaigns across the country to address various health issues. Research has shown that the numerous media campaigns on HIV/AIDS prevention and care, stigma and discrimination have impacted positively on attitudes and lifestyle changes; and messages in a similar fashion should be created towards addressing noncommunicable illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes or dealing with overweightness and obesity.

The Government, even though they must take the lead as it relates to policy drafting and implementation etc, cannot do it alone. The entire society must be actively involved. Perhaps the temples, mosques and churches can take up a more active role in educating their congregations about the need to adopt healthier lifestyles in order to live longer, more fulfilling and happier lives. Consumer bodies, schools and other educational institutions, civil society groups, and more importantly the media, also have a role to play, as when we lose our citizens due to premature deaths, the entire country is robbed of its most valuable resource – its people.

Additionally, while individual responsibility and choice are crucial factors affecting the incidence of chronic diseases, public policy, public education, qualitative regulation of food imports, licensing laws to protect consumers and gearing the environment to support prevention of chronic diseases are also pre-requisites for combating this epidemic.

Better health is central to human happiness and wellbeing. It also makes an important contribution to economic progress, as healthy populations live longer, are more productive, and save more. Everyone should, therefore, aim to live a healthy and full life and to avoid becoming trapped by NCDs.

Prince William and Kate visit 7-year-old Wafia Remain at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital in Lahore. The hospital was founded by Imran Khan, a family friend of the Prince and the current Prime Minister of Pakistan. Princess Diana made a high-profile visit to the hospital, a year before her death in a car crash in 1997 (Arthur Edwards/Pool via Reuters)

In an oil-rich region, Venezuelans fear catastrophe if Trump forces Chevron to leave

W

ith the $2 he earns in wages each week working as a cargo driver for Venezuelan State oil company PDVSA, 56-yearold Freddy Brito cannot even afford to buy one kilogram (2.2 lbs) of cheese.

To feed himself and his wife as the once-prosperous OPEC nation suffers a hyperinflationary economic collapse, Brito depends on a monthly basket of rice, canned tuna, beans and other products valued at $200 given to him by Californiabased Chevron Corp (CVX.N), PDVSA’s minority partner at the Petroboscan field in western Zulia state where he works.

But Chevron’s future in Venezuela now depends on US President Donald Trump, who must decide here by October 25 whether or not to renew a waiver allowing Chevron to keep operating in Venezuela despite US sanctions on PDVSA, part of Washington’s campaign to oust socialist President Nicolas Maduro.

The benefits enjoyed by Brito and some 1200 other Petroboscan employees and contractors are not available for most of cash-strapped PDVSA’s 100,000-odd workers, who have seen their wages eroded due to inflation, prompting thousands to resign here and join the 4 million Venezuelans who have emigrated.

“If Chevron leaves, we would be left without a helping hand, because what little we have comes from them,” Brito said.

Chevron has been present in Venezuela for nearly 100 years: it opened its Caracas office in 1923, and first struck oil at the Boscan field in 1946, making it among the private companies with the longest presence in the country.

But in January, the

US Treasury Department slapped sanctions on PDVSA as part of Washington’s effort to cut off cash flow to Maduro.

Chevron was only able to remain in Venezuela thanks to a six-month exemption granted to it and major oilfield service companies like Halliburton Co (HAL.N) and Schlumberger NV (SLB.N).

The companies are keen to retain a presence in Venezuela, which has the world’s largest crude reserves.

The campaign to oust Maduro has since stalled, despite Venezuela’s deteriorating economy and accusations of human rights violations.

After internal debate here within the administration, Trump in late July renewed the waiver for three months.

Some in the administration, like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, argued that, were Chevron to leave, Maduro might deliver its assets to Russian or Chinese companies, depriving a potential new government of a chance to rebuild the economy in partnership with the US firm. But others, such as former National Security Advisor John Bolton, argued that forcing Chevron out could prompt a further decline in crude output, adding to the economic pressure on Maduro.

With the new deadline looming, residents of La Cañada de Urdaneta, where Petroboscan’s operations are located, fear the company’s exit would add further misery to a drastic deterioration in their quality of life during the last seven years of recession.

“Chevron has supported everything,” said Yennifer Gonzalez, a parent of three students at the San Agustin school in La Cañada, where the company funds meals for students and staff, and is also paying for a construction project. “If Chevron leaves, here in

An oil pump jack is seen in La Cañada de Urdaneta, Venezuela

the field things will not be the same”.

By law, PDVSA’s joint ventures are required to invest 1% of their profits in social programmes in the areas where they extract crude. In La Cañada, Chevron’s logo adorns schoolyard basketball hoops it donated and Police stations it helped build.

Chevron spokesman Ray Fohr said in a statement the company’s social investment contributions totalled nearly $100 million between 2007 and 2018, and that the firm was a “positive presence” in the country.

Neither PDVSA nor Venezuela’s Oil Ministry responded to requests for comment. Maduro blames an “economic war” led by the United States for the country’s problems.

Halted pump jacks

Venezuela’s crude output steadily declined from well over 2 million barrels-per-day (bpd) in 2014 to just over 1 million bpd by the end of last year, the result of a drop in prices and what critics say is years of underinvestment and mismanagement. Blackouts and US sanctions have accelerated that collapse this year: the country now produces just 600,000 bpd.

Petroboscan and Petropiar, Chevron’s other major joint venture with PDVSA, together pumped

well over 100,000 bpd earlier this year. But both have halted production completely at times in recent months, as Washington’s sanctions scare away buyers and Venezuela’s storage tanks near capacity, according to sources and documents seen by Reuters.

None of the dozen pump jacks that Reuters observed while driving through the Boscan field on October 14 and October 15 were turning.

Should Chevron be ordered to depart, that would be unlikely to have a major impact on Maduro, analysts said.

“Two million barrels to 600,000 barrels and these guys are still there,” said Francisco Monaldi, an energy economist at Rice University in Houston, referring to Maduro’s government. “And you think that because of 100,000 (fewer bpd) it’s going to make a difference?”

Even with Chevron’s help, Brito’s patience with his miniscule wages is wearing thin. He held back tears when talking about his four children who have moved to Colombia, where he said many Petroboscan workers would emigrate if Chevron left.

“I can tell you because I’m one of them,” he said. “I’ll sell what I have here, pack my bags, and I’ll drive away in my truck”.(Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, october 19, 2019

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You can send your letters with pictures to: Guyana Times, Queens Atlantic Investment Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, Guyana or letters@guyanatimesgy.com

Is Govt really serious about agriculture?

Dear Editor, President David Granger, according to an October 12 Newsroom report, told an activity on the occasion of National Tree Planting day on October 11 that his Government would be “…using petroleum revenues to modernise the agriculture sector”. This is now the latest promise regarding the use of our finite oil proceeds towards national development. Apart from that undertaking, the President has promised free education from nursery to university. Also, his Finance Minister, according to an October 13, Demerara Waves report, said that “… the governing coalition’s general election campaign will not be pegged on the immediate benefits of oil money next year, but will list a number of tax concessions leading up to 2025 as more oil revenues pour in”.

Of course, some monies, the Government has said, will have to be deposited into the Natural Resources Fund (NRF) for future generations. And then, soon, we may hear about other plans for oil monies such as infrastructure development. Bearing all that in mind, we wonder whether we are not being led into wonderland. It also brings into question the credibility and sincerity of the Government’s statements and how much weight could be put into believing what is being said.

But on the issue of agriculture specifically, during the President’s time at the wicket, this important, mainstay sector of

the economy has been badly mishandled and mismanaged. The functioning of the Ministry of Agriculture has been, in our view, far from stellar. Though now staffed by two (2) Ministers, one responsible for rural affairs and the other axiomatically having responsibility, probably, for urban agriculture, if this really exists, the sector has been facing the most trying of times. As we now observe Agriculture Month, the celebrations of this important month have, from our perspective, taken on more pageantry than substance though many issues require attention.

In the more recent of times, we have seen the implementation of clearly unsuitable and ill-advised policies which have not been helpful to the sector and those who depend on it for a livelihood. Of course, it is not to say they have been repercussions, as we can see from the undermentioned table:-

seen some 7000 workers put on the breadline as the Government adamantly pressed on, in a foolhardy manner, to shutter sugar estates. The repercussions have begun to show themselves. Already, the NIS is complaining about the loss of contributions and the exchange rate has slid markedly. Then there is the heartrending situation in the communities where many are experiencing the most difficult time of their lives. We have heard the stories of children not being able to go to school, or families not having sufficient food. Today, thousands are struggling while the fat cats sit in their ivory towers enjoying the fancifulness of life.

We have also seen the incomprehensible hiking of land rental and drainage and irrigation charges.

Those increases, according to reports, are several times more than what was previously charged. They are a major disincentive to production and whit-

those affected, it is a costly and colossal waste of time.

It, at the same time, takes away from those farmers, their attention in the tasks of tilling and cultivating the land.

The President, according to the Ministry of the Presidency’s statement, is quoted to say “[a]gro-processing could add value to primary products and help to make the country more prosperous”. Indeed, it is hard to disagree with the President. But it is the same President, under whose leadership agricultural implements became taxable which has served to hike the cost of production. It is not a surprise, but saddening to know, that between December 2014 and June 2019, the cost of food has risen by nearly 19 per cent.

So while the President rightly emphasises that agriculture can take us along the road to prosperity, his and his Government’s actions, in all fairness, have not demonstrated that

Year

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Agriculture as % of GDP

19.55%

19.40%

16.86%

16.57%

15.71%

16.04%

Source: Budget 2019

We must point out that the 2019 figure was an estimate at the time of preparation of the Budget.

Here we must note that the 2019 Mid-Year report indicated, not unexpectedly, that “[i]n the first half of 2019, the Agriculture, Fishing and Forestry sector is estimated to have contracted by 0.3 per cent, compared to growth of 4.9 per cent for the 2018 half-

Shuman has made himself dead meat Dear Editor, So even before he gets started, the neophyte, Mr Lennox Shuman, has made himself dead meat by seeking to align himself with the People’s National Congress (PNC).

The PNC is bad company, has a history of riggeritis, is not to be trusted as a coalition partner, and most importantly, has no respect for the Guyana Constitution. For Shuman to be having talks about joining up with the PNC as reported, Shuman is a non-starter. At this point, he brings nothing to the table except his two long hands. He has neither been tried or tested.

Why does Mr Shuman think that because he is Amerindian that he will automatically win Amerindian votes? He is unknown, and both the PPP and PNC have reached out to the Amerindians with many goodies and have longer associations with

year”. It seems to us that the estimate will not be realised but time will ultimately tell.

So now we have the President coming to tell us his Government will use oil revenues, among other things, to bolster the sector.

This, given the importance of the sector, would be a welcome plus. But the reality is that the policies implemented by the Granger Administration during its stint in office, thus far, has served to weaken the sector and place it in the state it finds itself in nowadays.

Can we really take at face value what the President is saying?

From the report we saw, the President told his arranged audience “… notwithstanding the advances made over the past four years, [he] recognises the need to catalyse the agro-industrial sector”. What are these advances he is speaking of?

In his tenure as President, the abovementioned data speaks for itself. Contrary

the Amerindian communities. Both the PPP and PNC, over the years, have reached out to this demographic with solar panels, four-wheelers, etc. Shuman has not given anything and does not have anything to give but the fact that he is a fellow Amerindian. That alone is not enough to cause a massive abandonment of the PPP or PNC, nor is it necessarily a drawing card.

Mr Shuman may have an exaggerated view of his popularity, appeal, or potential influence. He is going down the same path as the AFC – which became dead meat as Mr Ramjattan said it would be if they joined up with the PNC. So, at this point, Mr Shuman devalues his party as a third force potential, now that voters have seen that he is trending towards the PNC. Sincerely, Jerry Singh

to the President’s point-ofview, there has been retrogression not progression in the sector, like in other areas of national life.

We need not remind about the destruction of the sugar industry, which has

tle away the already small margins of our farmers. We have seen too, the attack on farmers through the arbitrary withdrawal of land leases. While we are also aware that the courts have brought justice to some of

No need for proclamations that seek to subsume or erase unique identity Dear Editor, Will Mr John Mair disclose whether British ethnic groups – White British being the largest (and includes the Scots, Irish and Welsh who like to identify themselves as such), Asian British (4 per cent), Black British (nearly 5 per cent), Gypsies, etc – would also identify themselves only as British when “pushed” to satisfy some idea of homogeneity which does not exist but where cultural and racial diversity is celebrated with pride? (“Fascinating Oral History”, SN Letters, Oct 17, 2019).

In every part of this plan-

et, tribes, ethnicities, cultures, races, religions etc coexist, often in peace in civilised societies, and do not need or invite proclamations that seek to subsume or erase their particular unique identity.

Guyana is proudly diverse and I identify as an Indian Guyanese, an identity that honours my citizenship as well as my history, heritage and my ethnic being as guaranteed by our Constitution and the UN Human Rights Charter.

Sincerely, Ryhaan Shah

commitment. We saw, in a report titled “Budget 2019: A disturbing trend and vision for Guyana’s future” produced by the Guyana Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI), that in the 2019 Budget “[f]unding

for the agriculture sector was cut by more than 29 per cent...”. That report went on to point out that “[s]tarving agriculture of much-needed investment is an indication that the sector and the wellbeing of farmers are not a priority of the Government. This is in direct contrast to its multiple campaign promises of a better life for farmers and agriculture workers”.

Today, according to the most recently available Bureau of Statistics Labour Survey report, employment in the sector has fallen from 18.9 per cent of the employed population at the last quarter of 2017 to 17.5 per cent during the last quarter of 2018.

Notwithstanding the decline, the sector remains the country’s largest employer. Undoubtedly, focused attention is required to nurture and develop the industry. As the President correctly told his audience “[w]hen value is added to primary production, its export value is increased, exports are stimulated and foreign exchange and employment are generated”.

But while the President is apparently not short on words, he is very much lacking in actions as we have seen with sad consequences.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

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saturday, OCTOber 19, 2019

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Foundation What are cliques?

Putting in the hard yards …why parenting is not just about setting a positive example, by staying calm

Part 2

Who can help?

By Sam Wass, PhD

M

y four-monthold son Freddie is, like his Dad, a terrible sleeper. When he wakes in the middle of the night the best way to get him off again is – good for Daddy’s glutes at least! – to march him up and down the stairs. What with him being a fairly hefty fourmonth-old, and me an unfit forty-year-old, the most I can manage is generally 10 or so times up and down before I collapse with him on our bed. By then, I’m generally sweating and my heart is pounding – I can feel it, with him pressed on top of me, going at a rate of knots. And I’m thinking – how is this possibly relaxing for him? The more out of breath I am, the more calming he finds my pres-

ence. But why exactly does me doing something energetic help him get off to sleep?

But then I thought back to a paper we’ve recently published in Current Biology, the result of a project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council in the

United Kingdom – where we attached little wearable cameras, microphones, heart rate and movement sensors to infants and their parents in home settings, to see how the child’s and the parent’s changing levels of bodily stress influence one another during the day.

We found that during the day, infants’ and parents’ levels of bodily stress tended to fluctuate independent of each other – they weren’t in sync, most of the time. But we also found that, when the infants had a moment of ‘peak stress’, parents’ levels of bodily stress—as measured through their heart rate and movement patterns—tended to go show a spike in reaction to their child. And we also found that, the more

the parent increased their own heart rate and movement patterns in response to their child’s ‘peak stress’ moment, the faster the child calmed down again afterwards.

Most of this was, most probably, parents picking up their child and putting in the hard yards marching

them up and down while they’re crying – just as I do with Freddie. We know that this is an effective technique for helping children calm down – but why?

Different people have different explanations for why this is –- but personally I think the key is that infants’ natural heartbeat is substantially faster than an adult’s – 140 beats per minute often in a young infant, compared to 60-100 beats per minute in an adult. This isn’t necessarily because they tend to be more stressed –- heart rate scales in proportion to body size – but it does mean that, when I pick Freddie up and march him around, I’m bringing my own heart rate up, closer to his. One hundred and beats per minute after 10 trips up and down the stairs might feel a lot for me – but it’s still on the low level of his resting heartbeat.

We know that empathy involves matching your own state to that of the person you’re empathizing with—when I’m watching someone else go through a stressful experience, my own levels of bodily stress increase, and more so for more empathic people. Although it’s not directly related to empathizing, I think that this process of increasing my own heartbeat to match Freddie’s might be related.

Bringing my own heart up to closer to his level might allow him to ‘tune in’ to my heartbeat. And then, as I lie on the bed, and my heartbeat slows down, this helps his heartbeat to slow

down, too –meaning that he can get back to sleep.

I think that this points to an important principle.

A lot of the talk about how adults should help children to manage their emotions is about showing a positive example— assuming that, the calmer you are, the calmer the people around you will be. If I’m a ‘super adult’-really even in my mood, and calm—then the kids around me will be

Parents, sisters and brothers, other family members, and teachers can help when someone is being left out or treated in a mean way. They might help by giving you advice on how to deal with mean kids. Sometimes they can teach kids that it isn’t OK to treat others this way and show them ways to stop kids being mean to other kids.

If you or someone you know is being treated in a way that makes them feel angry, sad, or bullied by members of a clique, telling an adult is important. Adults can also help kids learn to play together, include each other, mend hurt feelings, and repair broken friendships. They can encourage kids to make friends and belong to a group without leaving others out. They can show kids how to be popular by treating everyone with respect and kindness.

What you can do

‘super adult-like’ too. But our findings suggest that the opposite might also be true. When you are with an over-excited child, getting yourself excited might help them to ‘tune in’ to you, building an empathic bond – and then, as you calm down afterwards, this means that you are more effectively at helping them calm down, too. So being more excitable as an adult can actually help you to stay more ‘in sync’ with children, meaning that, in the long term, they learn to manage and regulate their moods better. (pyscholgytoday.com)

If cliques are upsetting you, what can you do?

Find friends. If you find yourself left out of a certain group, focus on other friends. Hang out with kids who aren’t part of a clique. Sometimes this means finding older or younger kids to hang out with, or making friends outside of school. Sometimes it means being open to kids who look or act differently than you do.

Speak up. If your group of friends has suddenly turned into a clique, speak up. It’s OK to say that you want to invite others to hang out with you too. The clique might go on without you.

On the other hand, others might follow your lead and stop acting so clique-y.

Invite a friend. If you’re on the outside of a clique and you want to be friends with someone who’s in it, invite that person to do something with you. It might help if you can see your friend away from the other clique members. Maybe your mom or dad could arrange to have that friend visit at your house on the weekend. By spending time together, he or she might start realising how silly it is not to hang out more often. But also be prepared for possible disappointment. Even if you have a great time together, your friend might still slip back into the clique when you’re all back at school.

Don’t take it out on yourself. Some kids feel they should try to change themselves – and that’s OK too. Maybe you want to get healthy and fit or learn to smile more and be less cranky – it’s great to work on yourself, but do it for you, not for anyone else. If some kids are mean to you because they think you don’t fit in, don’t let them make decisions about the kind of kid you are going to be. Decide for yourself and then get help to reach your goals. Ask a cool cousin or friend to help you revamp your wardrobe or get a new haircut. But only change yourself if it’s

something you want to do.

Look for friends everywhere. The most popular and wellliked kids are the ones who are friendly to everyone. Do your best to let everyone feel welcome to talk to you. Look for chances to meet, talk with, and play with plenty of different kids.

Is someone sitting alone at lunch? Why not ask her to sit at your table? Or maybe you noticed the kid standing outside the fence while you’re playing basketball. It’s time to invite him onto the court. Who knows – maybe the two of you will really click (which means to get along really well). Now that’s a much better kind of click! (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

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saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt “not threatened” by Transparent process to be followed in selection of PPP’s new political parties – PNC PM candidate – Jagdeo I …Brigadier Mark Phillips possesses integrity – former Army Chief

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

G

eneral Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Bharrat Jagdeo has pointed out that the party has not decided on its Prime Ministerial (PM) candidate, adding that former Army Chief of Staff, Mark Phillips, like any other member of the party, can be nominated for that post.

Jagdeo explained that the PM candidate will be selected from the civic component of the party and noted that there is a possibility that Phillips can be selected for this position.

“I believe that he is a great person, I know of his skills, in terms of finance and his security credentials and I have heard a lot about his integrity. He would be a welcomed addition to our team, I made it clear to him that the process we would follow. I don’t know if anyone of our members will nominate him. It is very likely that his name could be nominated too because members of the central committee, the members of

Parliament, anyone could nominate a person and we will treat each name on its merit and then make a decision,” Jagdeo told a news conference.

He explained that Phillips was welcomed into the folds of the party.

“Let me make it clear, we are not trading positions…the PPP will go into these elections making no commitments, we are working on a platform, a platform that is inclusive, we want progress for all Guyanese regardless of their race, their religion, wherever they live and we want to make sure that our people are safe in their homes, good quality education, and our oil resources work for everyone.

We believe that there are many people who have great skills within our ranks and who will be part of our team through the Civic and also many individuals who we will have to tap for their skills,” the Opposition Leader said.

The PPP/C General Secretary added that under a PPP Government, from 2020, there will be numerous opportunities for persons to obtain jobs, not only in the Government.

“Right now we are talking about thousands of young professionals trained to manage to create a national core of managers for the oil and gas sector, thousands of opportunities, so we are not going to be engaged with any Party or individual with trading individuals….

Mark Phillips said I want to be apart, I like the vision, I like the programme for the country, he is a patriot too and he wants to be a part of the team.

Former Chief of Staff of the GDF, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips

When we come to selecting the PM candidate, the names are going to come up, we are going to have a discussion, and then we will make a selection but it is not dependent, him being a part of the team, is not dependent on that”.

Meanwhile, on Friday, former Chief of Staff, Gary Best, at the Peoples National Congress press conference said that Brigadier Phillips worked under his leadership in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and displayed good qualities and possessed integrity.

“Mr Phillips is a gentleman and he will decide what he wants to do with all his qualities but I will say in no uncertain terms that when he worked with me he had to display those qualities. I demanded of it, I got those qualities out of him, in the GDF he did a good job,” the PNC member said.

n light of the establishment of several new political parties, one of the two largest traditional parties, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is claiming that it is not threatened by these new entries into the political scene.

The PNCR is the largest party in the five-member A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) alliance, which has managed to pull in the Alliance For Change (AFC), which it coalesced with in 2015 to get into office.

“You have to look at the fact that we’re a mass-based party. Some of the emerging parties are small-based parties, might be middle-class to upper-class parties and we believe that is a combat divider. We don’t see them as a major threat,” PNCR’s executive member retired Rear Admiral Gary Best said at the party’s weekly press conference on Friday.

He was at the time responding to questions on the implications these small parties can have on the traditional voting patterns in Guyana.

According to the PNCR executive, the formation of these new parties emerging in communities is not only necessary and good for local democracy but can also work in favour of the APNU in the future.

“The President [David Granger] has made it very clear – and that’s the leader of our party – that coalition politics is here to stay. So the extent to which other parties are being formed is the extent to which the David Granger-led party would be concerned but not from a negative perspective. But to see how broad the coalitions can be in the future.

We don’t see them as a negative or combat divider. We see them as a combat multiplier once the platform they’re on is similar to the platform of the APNU/AFC. We see that as progress within the country,” Best stressed.

He went on to point out that these new parties entering the scene brings nothing new to the table that has not been raised before.

“There is no track record on these new groups that have emerged…

Because when you look at the platform of the CI party [Citizenship Initiative which was launched on Thursday], it has nothing there that are[nt] already core principles of the PNCR. So they haven’t invented anything new,” the PNCR executive contended.

The PNCR-led APNU also comprises of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Justice For All Party (JFAP), National Front Alliance (NFA) and the Guyana Action Party (GAP).

Earlier this week it was revealed

by APNU Leader, President David Granger, that the partnership is in talks with one of the new small parties – Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) which was founded by former Indigenous leader, Lenox Shuman.

The former Toshao of St Cuthbert’s Mission and former Vice Chair of the National Toshaos Council said he has approached the various political parties for discussions.

Granger told reporters on Wednesday that “We’re looking for common ground, we’re looking for areas of convergence… Mr Shuman has given me the assurance that, you know, there’re areas of convergence between the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) and what he thinks the APNU stands for”.

Nevertheless, no actual agreement has been made by the two sides but they are expected to have another meeting sometime this month.

According to reports, Shuman said he will be doing a final analysis before making any decision on possibly coalescing with other parties.

However, the PNCR executive said at Friday’s press conference that the partnership is open to more members who share the same policy vision.

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saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

4 arrested over illegal gun, ammo find

F

our persons have been taken into Police custody following the discovery of an unlicensed gun with six live matching rounds.

Reports are ranks of a mobile patrol, acting on information received, intercepted a motorcar on Princes Street, Georgetown, at around 22:30h on Thursday night.

They found, concealed in the vehicle, an unlicensed .380 pistol with six live matching rounds.

The suspects, including a woman, have all been detained and are assisting with the investigation.

Politricks…

T

The gun and ammunition that were found

Nephew who beheaded uncle found guilty of murder

T

wenty-nine-year-old Dwayne Tappin was on Friday found guilty by a 12-member jury for murdering his uncle back in 2017 at Better Hope, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

The former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was accused of beheading his 51-year-old uncle, Randolph Seenauth, on August 6, 2017.

After the guilty verdict, Justice Sandil Kissoon set November 14 for the probation report and sentencing.

It was reported that on the day in question, Seenauth’s head was found

Convicted murderer: Dwayne Tappin

lying between the living room and kitchen of his Better Hope house. His body was found in the bedroom.

The gruesome discovery was made after Police were summoned to the scene by neighbours who heard a loud commotion in the man’s home which he shared with his nephew.

The accused, however, turned himself in a few hours later. He was charged for murder and remanded to prison.

Following a Preliminary Inquiry (PI), he was committed to stand trial before a judge and jury.

Murder of businessman

More persons arrested as probe widens gunmen used was found abandoned on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) some two days after the shooting.

On Monday morning, two masked gunmen pounced on Stoll and his driver as he was about to enter El Dorado Trading to conduct business.

Stoll was shot but managed to return fire at the gunmen.

He shot one of the gunmen twice. His driver and a security guard at El Dorado

white Toyota motorcar with tinted windows that had appeared to be trailing Stoll’s vehicle also stopped across the road from the business place seconds later. Stoll had earlier visited a business place on Sheriff Street, whence he collected an undisclosed sum of money.

Two gunmen, donning handkerchiefs to conceal their faces, jumped out of the car and rushed towards

able to grab anything from the car. As he attempted to run away, the injured Stoll returned fire with his handgun. The CCTV footage showed that the gunman was shot twice by Stoll. He stumbled both times before escaping in the awaiting motorcar which sped away.

The CCTV footage showed Stoll holding on to his stomach as he fell on the ground. Security person-

Dead businessman: Deon Stoll

M

ore persons have been hauled into the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Eve Leary, in connection with the murder of businessman Deon Stoll which occurred on Monday in front of El Dorado Trading, Kitty, Georgetown.

Acting Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston told Guyana Times on Friday that at least four persons are now in Police custody for the murder of the businessman, who was fatally shot in a vehicle after being attacked by masked gunmen.

One of the persons in Police custody is said to be a medical practitioner, who attended to the wounds of an injured man, suspected to be the masked gunman, but did not report the incident to the police.

According to Kingston, investigators are conducting their line of investigation based on preliminary reports and evidence gathered at the crime scene.

The white motorcar (HC 7162) that is said to have been the vehicle that the

trading were also shot.

Stoll also called “Mow” hailed from Charity, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) but resided in Bel Air, Georgetown.

Reports are the businessman arrived at the establishment at about 10:20h and as he was about to exit the car, two gunmen, who arrived in a white car, opened fire on him and his driver, Clayton Powley.

A review of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage showed that Stoll was sitting in the front passenger seat in a motorcar (PPP 6727) driven by Powley. A

Stoll’s car. One gunman opened the door at the driver’s side and a scuffle began between him and Powley, who soon exited the vehicle to better defend himself. Powley received a gunshot wound to his arm in the process while his assailant rushed back to the waiting white Toyota motorcar.

The other gunman rushed to the front seat passenger door and opened it before attempting to snatch something from Stoll. The businessman also appeared to have been putting up a fight from inside of the vehicle but was shot to his stomach. His shooter was un-

nel attached to El Dorado Trading, along with residents of the neighbourhood, rushed to Stoll and Powley’s aid. They managed to transport the injured men to the Georgetown Public Hospital for emergency treatment.

However, Stoll succumbed at the hospital. Initially, it was believed that one of the gunmen was Guyana Defence Force member, 18-year-old Olijah Chesney, who was found dead in Tucville Squatting Area, Georgetown, with two gunshot wounds. However, the Police have since said that Chesney was not involved in the robbery.

…by PNC nailed – again he major issue the PNC-AFC combination exploited to ease the PPP out of office in 2015 was “corruption”. They threw so much mud at PPP officials about “siphoning off billions and billions” from the treasury that enough of it inevitably stuck after 23 years. It’s one of the hazards of extended incumbency.

Ordinary folks forget about all the good that was done for them after the ravages of the previous regime, and start believing the grass will really be greener…

Once in office, the PNC-AFC Government launched at least 50 “forensic audits” into departments of the Government from where they insisted the loot had been “siphoned off”. And then passed on the findings to SOCU – the Special Organised Crime Unit – to go after PPP officials and officials they insisted were “PPP”.

Never mind most of the findings were conjectures and wild assumptions on precious few facts. Their strategy was “give a dog a bad name and then hang him for it”!

Dozens of names were “called” and pretty soon charges laid— all of this in the very earliest days of the PNC administration. But a pattern started to emerge: the grounds for the charges were so specious that they couldn’t even fit in the standard criminal charges and new ones had to be invented!! Like the NINETEEN they slapped on the rising star in the PPP, Housing Minister Irfaan Ali, for merely signing off on a land transaction approved by Cabinet. A clear pattern emerged: the PNC knew they’d been slinging mud; knew there was nothing of substance that was criminal – but expected once again, some would stick!!

But they were dealing with the Judiciary; not ordinary folks, and their “cases” fell apart and were thrown out. The latest concerned 5 officials of the GRDB – including two PPP parliamentarians – failing to make a “proper entry” into the company’s register with the intent to defraud $362M from the entity’s bank account. And this was the second charge on identical grounds dismissed. In both cases, SOCU’s Prosecutor didn’t show up to produce evidence of fraud – because there was no evidence of fraud!!

But it’s up to the Guyanese people to see the vindictiveness and wickedness of the PNC with their “bad name” strategy: to destroy the reputation of individuals whose only “sin” was to be affiliated with the party of their choice. It’s nothing else but politics of the dirtiest and slimiest type. And with Irfaan Ali, they’d like to think they struck gold – since he subsequently was elected to be the Presidential Candidate of the PPP. But their strategy will now backfire as their deviousness has been exposed! Vote them out!! …and David Granger As your Eyewitness has pointed out, David Granger’s schtick to become leader of the PNC was to convince their executive and membership that he would change their “thug” reputation earned by the exploits of fellas like Hamilton Green and Robert Corbin. That his “election” at the PNC Congress was characterised by charges of rigging (by Aubrey Norton, no less!), a walkout by Linden delegates, and shots fired by a gunman, who was caught on film, was not ironic, but inevitable. As he boasted later, he’d been PNC since the sixties.

And all of this has been confirmed by his actions since. Note that the rebels from Linden – Solomon Sharma and Vanessa Kissoon – have been banished from the PNC and their names erased as effectively as Trotsky’s from the Communist Party of Stalin!! He’s as vindictive and small-minded as Burnham. Recently, he ostentatiously struck a pose at the Pegasus protest that his followers have dubbed “unbothered”!!

Unbothered? And he sends 150 cops to crush a protest of his presence at a rural school? …and economics All right, your Eyewitness knows that we’re all West Indians and all that. But allowing Trini businesses to exclude Guyanese businesses from a forum IN GUYANA to exploit our oil needs? That’s taking it too far!

Guyana isn’t their ATM machine!!

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

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saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

PNC deflects blame for constitutional reform failure E

xecutive Member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), retired Rear Admiral Gary Best has sought to deflect the blame for the APNU/AFC Government’s failure to fulfil its promise of constitutional reform made on the 2015 elections campaign trail.

Constitutional reform was one of the main promises on the coalition’s 2015 Elections Manifesto but the Administration has been heavily criticised for not delivering.

However, Best told reporters at the party’s weekly press conference on Friday that while constitutional reform remains a priority for the coalition administration, it is something it cannot do alone.

“We had to get at least two-thirds of the Members [of the National Assembly] to vote for the many clauses and articles that are now in the Constitution. So constitutional reform is not an activity for the party in power, it’s an activity for all the parties in power, and parties that seek to have power… It can’t be done without the cooperation of the other Members of Parliament which are from the PPP [People’s Progressive Party].

So that’s one of the issues with constitutional reform.

It has to be a national effort,” he asserted.

Further questioned as

to what was done by the coalition to reach out to the parliamentary Opposition to advance the process of constitutional reform, the PNCR Executive contended that there was always an open door policy for discussions on the matter.

In fact, he went on to say that the Opposition had opportunities to bring up the topic, which the coalition had campaigned heavily on.

“The PNCR has an open door policy when it comes to discussing national issues, whether its security or constitutional reform. The leader of any Opposition is quite able, is quiet open, is quiet permitted to raise these issues at any point in time… The President [David Granger] has met several times with the Leader of the Opposition. Those are opportunities to discuss whatever needs to be discussed. If it’s not raised by the Excellency on a particular meeting, it can be raised with the Leader of the Opposition,” Best noted.

Nevertheless, the PNCR Executive posited that the coalition is still committed to constitutional reform.

“I believe there’s sufficient goodwill on the part of His Excellency. Maybe we need more time and in the new term of the coalition, there will be more willingness on the party to sit and meaningfully discuss,” he stressed.

Apart from engaging the

Parliamentary, the PNCR Executive further emphasised the importance of also involving the public in the constitutional reform pro-

cess and getting their feedback as well.

With criticisms abounding about the slow pace of constitutional reform,

British High Commissioner Gregory Quinn earlier this year had underscored the need for a collaborative and consultative approach.

“We’ve been talking about constitutional reform.

In 2016, we funded a project with the Carter Center, which launched a discussion on constitutional reform. Ultimately, constitutional reform has to be a Guyanese-led process. There are a lot of people who recognise work must be done on the Constitution”.

“It’s now over to the political parties to decide what needs to be done to move the process forward, if that’s

what they want to do… because it has to be a consultative process. Changing the Constitution takes two-thirds of the 65 seats in Parliament.

So it’s not like one party or another can direct. So they need to decide how to move that forward, if they want to move it forward”.

Over the past few years, constitutional reform has been before a parliamentary committee.

There is a Constitutional Reform Commission bill that was to be examined by the committee. But there have been accusations made of members of the committee stalling the process.

Ban imposed on importation...

ASYCUDA World is a recognised Internet-based system of documentation used in most of the Caribbean territories to bring about significant benefits in customs and trade, such as the reduction in processing time of customs documentation, and the quick release of imported and exported goods.

Its introduction to the GRA was premised on the failure of the previous Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) to deliver as expected, with relevant customs modules such as e-manifest, want-ofentry, and warehousing.

There, however, have been complaints that enough education did not precede the

introduction of the system.

While GRA did hold consultations with stakeholders, there is a perception that sensitisation efforts did not go far enough to reach importers.

Importers complained

Just last week, importers complained of their imported fruits being held up at the port because there appeared to have been a ban on its importation. However, a senior Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) official denied such.

On Friday, Dr Homenauth told Guyana Times that the ban of citrus has always been in place.

“They (Customs) probably did that (release citrus) before because they would

see the import permit and release the permit but no not anymore. Not without our go ahead. There are cases where people would have gone to Customs and pay and when Customs check with our people you would see other items that were not approved and that’s contravening the laws”.

“Those Florida oranges (you see on the market) we don’t give permission and that is why they are saying that we banning and all of that. For you to get permission they have to do a pest risk analysis. If they provide that, then it’s fine. For other commodities permission is granted. Specifically citrus… when you do that (allow importation) you kill your own

from page 3

industry too. We are not trying to ban anything but they must satisfy the rules of the country,” he explained.

Importers are contending that the ban, which seemingly came into effect recently, poses as a threat to their business since consumers requires a variety. While they are cognisant of the fact that the local citrus industry can adequately supply the local market, they are of the opinion that variety creates an even playing field.

Some of Guyana’s commonly imported citrus are the Florida oranges and lemons.

Efforts to contact Agriculture Minister Noel Holder proved futile.

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saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ogle airport shuts down to accommodate President’s Berbice flight …arriving flights asked to “circle” city until Granger’s departure ...NA placed under unprecedented lockdown

P

Army ranks patrolling in New Amsterdam

lanes arriving at the Eugene F Correia International Airport, Ogle, East Coast Demerara (ECD), were reportedly told to “circle” Georgetown on

Friday afternoon, to accommodate President David Granger, who was travelling via air from Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

In one instance, a Trans Guyana Airways flight arriving from Karasabai, South Pakaraima, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), had to fly around the city several times since the pilot was told that he could not land the aircraft until the Head of State’s flight takes off.

A passenger in one of the flights that were asked to “circle” the city said that the pilot notified those on the flight of the delay.

It is unclear as to how many flights and passengers were delayed in order to accommodate the President’s flight.

Several calls made to Eugene F Correia International Airport went unanswered. The situation was no different with Trans Guyana Airways. However, an employee at the airport

One of the many barricades setup by Police in NA

told this newspaper that it is a Standard Operating Procedure to put flights on hold when the Head of State is leaving via the airport. He said that he cannot confirm that was the case on Friday

NAREI hosts open day

Students inspecting seedlings at NAREI’s nursery

A

griculture Month 2019 is being held under the theme ‘’Sustainable agriculture for ensuring food safety in a green economy” and as a part of its calendar of activates in celebration of the month, the National Agriculture Research and Extension Institute on Friday hosted an open day for students and stakeholders.

The various departments of NAREI were on full display as they sought to educate students from various secondary schools across the country and other stakeholders on the importance of the work they are doing.

Chief Executive Officer of NAREI, Dr Oudho Homenauth said that open day is part of their calendar of events and an annual spectacle.

“The whole idea behind open day is for the general public out there. That includes the farmers, students not only from secondary schools but from all over Guyana and also the University of Guyana. A lot of them [University students] have interest, especially final year or third year, to do research projects most of the time jointly with us or independently. It [open day] is also a time when we would show-

case the activities we would have been doing for the year and years before and some of the results we have obtained in a practical way. It allows the students and farmers to have direct interaction with our staff so that they become more aware of the institution.

A NAREI staffer interacting with the students

They become more knowledgeable of how the work we do here can benefit them,” he explained.

He explained that NAREI has three main programmes – research and development, extension, and crop protection.

“Research and development and whatever research we do is transferred to the end-users which is the farmers, exporters and so forth. We have the extension arm which works directly with farmers

a presence in all the ports of entries throughout the country because we have to give clearance for everything that comes in especially for fresh produce. Similarly for importation for any fresh produce we have to give the necessary permission for them to come into the country because we have to follow the rules of the country as well as the World Trade Organisation as well.”

NAREI’s Mon Repos com-

NA lockdown

Meanwhile, in New Amsterdam, some residents and commuters were annoyed that they were inconviemnce to accommodate the president at the opening of NA Town Week 2019.

According to residents, barricades were placed to keep out persons who may wantto protest against president. However, some reisdents were furious at the security checks they had to undergo as they made their way in and out of the area where the event was being hosted.

Abusing authority

A model farm on display

on the ground. We have representation throughout the country and in almost all the districts…we have the crop protection or what we call the quarantine services which falls under our ambit as well and that has to do with giving farm certification. We have

evening but he also knows that there can be technical issues that may cause air traffic controllers to ask pilots of incoming flights to “circle” the city.

pound was flocked by students eager to find out about the work of the organisation.

Many of the students have an interest in joining the agriculture industry and for them to be exposed to the various forms of research and technology at NAREI was an experience to relish in.

Mahaicony Secondary School student, Andrea Morsette was ecstatic when Guyana Times caught up with her. For her, farming is her way of life and she hopes to make a career out of it.

“I have learned about the bacterias and fungus of the plants from one section. I went to another section and I learned about the importing and exporting of products in Guyana and I went to another side where they are testing to give the farmers good crops. I am going to join the farming sector. I want to work in the aquaponics area because of my love for fishes. I come from a rice farming family and I will be coming to the Guyana School of Agriculture next year bright and early.

Agriculture is the main thing to keep Guyana up,” she said.

Other students used the opportunity to interact with the staffers at NAREI as well as tour the facility.

Only on Thursday Opposition Leader Bharrat

possibly occasionally the Minister of Home Affairs who used to use sirens occasionally. Now, I have seen cases where some of the most junior Ministers, their vehicles were equipped with millions of dollars to use sirens, 27 of them now we have forcing people off the road etc,” Jagdeo contended.

He also noted that the President’s entourage with security detail must be proportionate to a threat against his life and large numbers of security officers, especially policemen, are being pulled from serving the public as mandated to provide services to the Administration instead.

“You have at any given moment nine vehicles in the President’s entourage and also outriders, we [PPP] never used outriders for the President, they [APNU/ AFC] have a series of outriders now too on motorcy-

Ranks searching residents in New Amsterdam on Friday

Jagdeo, during his weekly press conference called out the APNU/AFC Government, specifically President Granger, for what he described as abusing its limited authority when travelling locally in relation to security detail.

“Not just him, we have spent tens of millions to equip Ministers’ vehicles with sirens now. Under the PPP, it was the President, the Prime Minister, and

cles stopping people etc. And so all of this is a distraction, it takes away valuable resources from the Police Force. Compounding that, every time the President travels now, not only does he have the Tactical Services Unit (TSU) but like those ordinary ranks, but they also have to place policemen sometimes at every junction to prevent or to control the flow of traffic,” he added.

12 news Granger tells of 5-point plan for urban revival in New Amsterdam saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

President David Granger addressing the gathering at the opening of New Amsterdam Town Week 2019

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resident David Granger on Friday afternoon attended the opening ceremony of the New Amsterdam Town Week 2019 activities, where he proposed a fivepoint New Amsterdam Plan of Action (NAPA) for Urban Revival.

According to the Public Information and Press Service Unit within the Ministry of the Presidency, the five components of the plan are to ensure the town

becomes a centre of educational excellence offering top-class nursery, primary, secondary and technical vocational education; becomes the Region’s commercial capital, becomes clean and ‘green’, and has transformed infrastructure and expanded public services.

Granger reminded that Guyana is in transition to become a ‘green state’, noting that the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS): Vision 2040 is the

country’s roadmap towards that goal.

President Granger said New Amsterdam— Guyana’s oldest town— can become a model ‘green’ town and its Plan of Action for Urban Revival can coincide, step-by-step, with national growth and the implementation of the GSDS over the next 10 years.

“New Amsterdam Town Week is a time to celebrate the town’s rich history and heritage. New Amsterdam, in its early years, was described as a splendid town, renowned for its beauty, its cleanliness, its orderliness and for its ornate buildings. I challenge you to reclaim the town’s proud, picturesque and cultural heritage,” the President is quoted by the Public Information and Press Service Unit as saying.

He said too that New Amsterdam Town Week is

also a time to celebrate the town’s outstanding sons and daughters. He said New Amsterdam has produced some of the country’s finest businessmen, doctors, educators, lawyers, parliamentarians and other professionals.

Granger said notwithstanding its history, New Amsterdam Town Week 2019 must be different from previous town weeks.

“This celebration must trigger greater efforts at urban revival of the town as a well-laid out, well-drained and well-managed municipality.

It can become a thriving commercial and administrative centre, providing efficient commercial, governmental, municipal and regional services. It must ensure green spaces and greater emphasis in renewable energy generation,” Granger posited.

He told residents of New Amsterdam that the town has the potential to become an eco-tourist destination, given that it encompasses four of the country’s national geographic zones – coastland, grassland, forested highland and hilly, sand and clay zones.

Further, he said that New Amsterdam’s heritage tourism product is breath-taking while positing that the town’s heritage sites can form the basis of an attractive and lucrative urban tourism sector.

Agro-industries

President Granger said New Amsterdam, as the capital town of Region Six, can stimulate the development of agro-industries.

He said the town must aim to become an agro-industrial centre and an exporter of processed food. The President believes that the agro-industry— that is, the production, processing and packaging of food using modern equipment and methods on a large scale – can help the Region to add value to its primary products.

Agro-processors urged to up standards

A

s the Guyana M a r k e t i n g Corporation (GMC) through its Guyana Shop outlet celebrated its 7th anniversary on Friday at their Robb Street location, agro-processors were encouraged to strive to develop products of higher standards.

To commemorate the milestone, Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder said that the Guyana Shop’s focus is to promote and market agro-processed products. The Guyana Shop’s vision is aligned with the Government for food processing and value addition to be drivers for diversification and commercialisation of agriculture, employment generation and increased export possibilities.

He noted that key elements of the Ministry’s strategy are to ensure food security, stimulate village economies, empower smallscale producers and sustaining livelihood. With Guyana earning some US$8 million in exports from its fruits and vegetables for 2018, Holder said that the country has the potential to bring in much more revenues.

He explained that a key policy of the Ministry is market led-production with emphasis on import reduction and export promotion of agricultural commodities.

Moreover, he noted that there has been an extensive array of new and innovative value-added products.

“From 2013 to now, we have seen 344 new products in the Guyana Shop, a few notable examples are

Sun Crest Honey, Green Diamond, 592 Wines, GT Wines and Leisa’s Products.

Additionally, seven years ago when the Shop reopened, the products that were shelved were sourced from Regions One, Two, Three, Four and Nine. Over the years, this has been expanded to include regions Five, Six and 10.”

According to the Minister, the Guyana Shop is the largest selling agent of local agro-processed products in Guyana. Minister Holder spoke of the new and innovative value-added products developed over the years, many of which are on the shelves in the Guyana Shop today.

“These products include wines such as passion fruit wine, peanut and bark wine, peanut wine, boulanger wine among others, flours such as breadfruit and banana flours. There have also been soaps such as coconut oil, moringa soaps and lemon soaps,” Minister Holder explained.

General Manager of the Guyana Shop, Ida Sealey-Adam assured that the Guyana Marketing Corporation will continue to foster collaborations between agro-processors and the Ministry.

She added that the Guyana Shop has hosted several events to market local products over the past years. Some of these events were the Farine Fiesta, a collaboration with Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

The Guyana Marketing Corporation will be hosting a Market Day on October 26, 2019, at D’ Urban Park, Georgetown.

News

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saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Families continue Guyana Lottery Company launches Christmas promotions to abandon elderly relatives T at GPHC – CEO

Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

GPHC CEO, George Lewis

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Retired

Brigadier

ases of older persons being taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for medical treatment by their families and being abandoned at that institution continue, and according to statistics from the hospital, those numbers increase at the end of each year.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GPHC, Retired Brigadier George Lewis, recently told the media that such situations usually occur between the months of November and December annually. He noted that elderly persons are taken to the hospital to be treated for minor illnesses and when they are ready to be discharged, their relatives disappear and cannot be located.

“Or they bring them to the Accident and Emergency Department and by the time they are treated they are no lon-

ger there and when you check the information that they delivered to the clerks who recorded the vitals for the persons, it is that the information is incorrect. You cannot make contact with the persons. That is a challenge for us,” the CEO told the media.

He stated that in order to remedy such situations, very soon, the GPHC will be introducing its electronic medical records system. One of the requirements with the introduction of this system will be that persons bringing patients to the GPHC for any treatment would have to produce a pictorial presentation of identification.

“So with that, we are hoping that we can get better information. We do have patients who are in the hospital who are abandoned by their relatives and what we do is utilise our social workers to work with the different homes to try to get them into those homes. The process sometimes takes a while because the homes might be filled but we don’t abandon those patients.”

Less than two weeks ago, Coordinator of Elderly Health at the Public Health Ministry, Dr Melissa Dehaarte, during an interview with Guyana Times had noted that neglect and other forms of abuse exist in high rates.

She explained that many elderly persons in Guyana continue to face negativities stemming from social issues in society, topped with their health statuses.

he Guyana Lottery Company is giving back $30 million in prizes to its customers this Christmas. At the launching of two promotions on Friday, General Manager Tracey Lewis said that persons can enter for a chance to win fabulous prizes by purchasing a ticket for $1000 of their favourite game or Lotto Supa 6, enabling them to receive a coupon.

Among those prizes to be won are electronics, food vouchers, Ruckus Motorcycle and the grand prize being two brand new KIA Rio 2019 Hatchback cars valued over $5 million each.

“We really listen to what our players said, we really know that we want to spread as much joy this Christmas as we can. You ask for cars, you ask for electronics, you asked for vouchers and we are doing that this year,” Lewis explained.

The promotion was set up to reach its regional areas in Guyana, allowing participants to drop their

One of the cars to be won in the Guyana Lottery Company’s Christmas promotion

coupons countrywide.

Meanwhile, the company’s Let’s Bet brand has launched a promotion to cater for non-winners of its virtual and live games.

The Let’s Bet promotion will start on October 21 and will end on December 14, 2019, while the Lotto Supa 6 promotion started on

October 5 and will end on November 23, 2019.

To enter for a chance to win in any of the two promotions, patrons have to fill out coupons with their name, address, and contact number. Participants must drop coupons at agents nearest to them.

Food for the Poor commissions 20 shade houses in Linden

One of the shade houses that were commissioned on Friday

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ood For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc on Friday commissioned some 20 shade houses for farmers at West Watooka, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The farmers are the first to benefit from the project, which is intended to assist in the production of an increased level of high-value crops all year round.

Speaking at the simple commissioning ceremony held at the location on Friday, Food For The Poor’s Project Manager, Andrea Benjamin, indicated that the initiative has been in the pipeline for a number of years as she posited that Linden has the potential to produce more in terms of agriculture. She stressed,

however, that assistance is needed for families, noting that this is what the organisation is there to provide.

Benjamin highlighted that the initiative is aimed at improving food security, increasing family income as well as providing better nutrition for farmers and members of the community. Additionally, the shade houses are expected to help in the reduction of pests and diseases, thus making farmers better equipped to cultivate more green and leafy vegetables.

Chief Executive Officer of the organisation, Kent Vincent in his remarks encouraged farmers to make full use of the shade houses. He also pointed to the collaborative effort which led to the implementation of

the initiative.

“Food For The Poor provide the materials for the construction of the shade houses and the recipients were the ones to come together sometimes in groups and constructed the shade house. Each shade house comes with a wooden trestle, shade mesh, plastic and the size is 80’ x 18’, a garden hose and a 450-gallon water tank for each family”, he noted.

The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) through its representative, Sherilyn Perry-Rover, has also committed to providing technical support and training to the beneficiaries and their families to achieve maximum yield from the shade houses.

14 news

saturday, october 19, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Volcanic craters widen in T&T

The fractures around the Piparo volcano continue to widen while increased gaseous emissions are being recorded by geoscientists who are monitoring the volcano around the clock (Rishi Ragoonath photo)

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he fractures around the Piparo volcano are continuing to widen while increased gaseous emissions are being recorded by geoscientists who are monitoring the volcano on a weekly basis.

In preparation for an impending eruption, all State agencies met for a planning session at the Piparo Community Centre on Thursday.

The agencies included the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM), University of the West Indies geoscientist, T&TEC, Southwest Regional Health Authority, Housing Development Corporation, T&T Defense Force, T&T Police Service, Ministry of Works, T&T Fire Service, Environmental Management Authority, Land Settlement Agency, Regional Corporations, Red Cross and the Piparo Village Council.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Penelope Bradshaw-Niles said the meeting was fruitful as all agencies were able to indicate what resources were available in the event of an

eruption.

“We will develop a total evacuation plan for the long term. The plan is not fully completed, we have a draft outline based on the research that was done by UWI. The next step is that everyone will submit their inputs, collate and we will do a tabletop exercise to simulate what the response will be in case of an eruption,” BradshawNiles said.

Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Disaster Preparedness Major General (Ret’d) Rodney Smart said if the volcano erupted, he was confident that all agencies were in place to render assistance to the villagers.

Asked whether evacuation plans were in place, Smart said, “Evacuation is dependent on whether you have an eruption. We cannot predict how soon but we have people from the University of the West Indies and the Petroleum Studies Unit who are doing scientific monitoring. If something should happen they will give us early warnings to put things in place,” he added.

Smart further said that after

all the agencies give their written inputs, the plan will move from “a virtual plan to an actual plan.”

He said based on the information supplied by the geoscientists, there was a need to have more frequent monitoring of the volcanic activities.

Guardian Media’s photographer Rishi Ragoonath braved rain and mud to get to the mouth of the volcano where gaping cracks with bubbling mud were seen.

Senior geoscientist at Touchstone Exploration Xavier Moonan said they were working on getting the proper equipment to monitor the volcano.

He said, right now there are only weekly updates but with new equipment, there can be updates every minute.

Asked to explain recent developments with the volcano, Moonan said, “Our seismic tomography tests showed significant changes in the subsurface compared to surveys we ran previously, and ties with our surface observations.

We will continue to acquire more data as often as possible with the equipment we have until the real-time monitoring equipment is installed.”

Moonan said yesterday’s meeting was very fruitful, “All agencies have had their input into the generation of a sound evacuation plan for the villagers of Piparo. The details of this will be disclosed to the villagers on Saturday.”

He added, “This meeting helped to get everyone aware of each other’s role, capacity, and limitations and generally to get everyone on the same page, for a disaster which can very well directly affect approximately 30 households.”

Moonan noted that the ODPM will be syncing efforts and coordinating multiple ministries and agencies to ensure that there are no casualties when the eruption occurs. (T&T Guardian)

Developing countries must do more to empower women to get US aid – Ivanka Trump

Ivanka Trump, daughter and advisor to US President Donald Trump, speaks on a panel at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Washington, US

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eveloping countries that want to do business with the United States must do more to empower women and give them better access to the workforce, education and legal protections, White House adviser Ivanka Trump said on Friday.

Trump, the daughter of President Donald Trump, outlined initiatives to bolster the economic status of women at a panel during the IMF/World Bank annual meetings. She appeared to tie future U.S. development aid and trading relations to improvements on these issues by developing countries.

“We in the United States think about our development assistance through the lens of achieving the goal for countries of self-reliance,” she told an audience of hundreds.

“And you cannot achieve self-reliance and the ability of a country to become a trading partner if you are not fully realizing the potential of 50 percent of your population, and in fact have barriers against them to realizing that potential.”

Trump in 2017 launched a women’s entrepreneurship fund with the World Bank and 13 other countries, followed this year by a $50 million project that aims to reach 50 million women by 2025.

It is urging countries to change laws that bar women from owning property, using transporta-

tion, accessing legal structures and gain access to credit.

These efforts come amid criticism by civil rights groups that the Trump administration is disempowering women at home and abroad. The administration has backed curtailing abortion rights for women in the United States and limiting contraception requirements in health insurance, and it refuses to fund agencies globally that even mention abortion. Trump, the highest ranking U.S. administration official to speak publicly at the annual IMF/ World Bank meetings, was joined on stage by Goldman Sachs Chief Executive David Solomon, whose bank has also launched a women’s initiative called “10,000 Women” and Ana Botin, executive chairman of Banco Santander.

World Bank President David Malpass, appointed by Trump, and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, have pledged to focus more intensely on women’s issues as they structure the future work of the two large multilateral institutions, citing the huge potential for economic gains for all countries.

Georgieva on Tuesday vowed to fight for greater gender equality at the IMF and around the world, telling a packed audience: “Buckle up. It’s going to come.”

(Reuters)

news

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saturday, october 19, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

IMF sidesteps clash Passenger banned for life

by Royal Caribbean after with US over funding taking dangerous selfie

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva

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he International Monetary Fund said on Friday its 189 member countries agreed to maintain the IMF’s $1 trillion in total lending resources while delaying changes to its shareholding structure to as late as December 2023.

The move ends a deadlock with the United States, which had opposed shareholding changes that would give a bigger voice to China and other large, fast-growing emerging markets in a review process that was due for completion this year.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva announced the decision at the Fund’s and World Bank’s annual meetings, saying that

the initiative will provide confidence that the IMF can adequately support member countries as they deal with slowing global growth.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who holds an effective veto over major Fund decisions, endorsed the move, which calls for a doubling of the IMF’s crisis lending fund to about $500 billion, restoring it to levels during the 2008-09 financial crisis. It would be accompanied by a reduction in bilateral lending arrangement to keep overall IMF resources unchanged.

But it would require the United States to double its commitment by contributing about $38 billion to the

fund, known as the New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB), a move that would need approval from the US Congress.

“We continue to support efforts to maintain the IMF’s current resources so that the IMF is sufficiently equipped to respond to potential crises over the medium term,” Mnuchin said in a statement to the IMF’s steering committee.

In April, Mnuchin said he was firmly opposed to increasing the IMF’s overall funding and altering shareholding quotas.

“In our view, the IMF currently has ample resources to achieve its mission,” he said at the time.

The New Arrangements to Borrow, first launched in 1998 and increased 10-fold during the financial crisis a decade later, were due to expire in 2022.

Bilateral lending arrangements, totaling about $440 billion, were due to expire at the end of 2019.

These will be extended for a year to buy governments time to approve the changes.

But the deal puts off for four years a reckoning over how the growing influence in the global economy of China, Brazil and India will be reflected in the governance of the IMF. (Reuters)

Angry over Brexit, thousands to gather in London demanding new referendum

T

he battle over Brexit spills onto the streets of London on Saturday when many thousands of people are expected to march through London to demand a new referendum just as parliament decides the fate of Britain’s departure from the European Union.

After more than three years of tortuous debate, it is still uncertain how, when or even if Brexit will happen as Prime Minister Boris Johnson tries to pass his new Brexit deal and plots a way out of the deepest political crisis in a generation.

The protesters, from around the United Kingdom, will gather at Park Lane near Hyde Park at midday and walk down to parliament as lawmakers prepare to vote in the first Saturday

session since the 1982 Falklands war.

James McGrory, director of the People’s Vote campaign, which organised the march, said the government should heed the anger of pro-Europeans and hold another referendum on Brexit.

“This new deal bears no resemblance to what people were promised and so it is only right that the public deserve another chance to have their say,” he said.

“There can be no better demonstration of the changing will of the people than hundreds of thousands of people on the streets demanding they are listened to as politicians inside parliament take a decision that will affect us for generations.”

While Brexit has divided families, parties, parliament

and the country, both sides agree that Saturday could be one of the most important days in recent British history: a juncture that could shape the fate of the United Kingdom for generations.

Campaigners are confident that the number of people on the streets will rival a similar demonstration held in March, when organisers said 1 million people took to the streets.

A rally this size would be among the largest ever in Britain.

More than 170 coaches from around Britain are due to arrive in London to take people to the march. Nine coaches left Scotland on Friday evening and four left from Cornwall on England’s western tip in the early hours of Saturday. (Reuters)

An unidentified woman was spotted posing on the edge of the ship in a swimsuit while travelling through the Caribbean (Peter Blosic / Facebook)

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our selfie or your life!

A female passenger was removed from Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas cruise ship after she climbed onto her room’s balcony railing to pose for a dangerous photo over the Atlantic ocean.

The unnamed woman, who was spotted by a fellow passenger, Peter Blosic, has been banned for life by the popular cruise company.

According to reports, the incident happened on board as the 100,000-ton vessel began approaching Labadee, Haiti, earlier this week.

“While on my balcony, I saw the woman climb on

her railing. It happened so quickly. Not knowing what her intentions were, I alerted the crew. If I said nothing, and she was going to jump, that would be horrible,” Blosic told CNN. He said the ship’s crew later tracked down the woman and removed her when the ship docked in Falmouth, Jamaica.

Blosic posted a picture of the woman wearing a blue bathing suit with hands over her head on social media.

For its guests’ safety, Royal Caribbean states on its website that “sitting, standing, laying or climbing on, over or across any exteri-

or or interior railings or other protective barriers” is not permitted.

Royal Caribbean confirmed the incident in the following statement.

“Earlier this week on the Allure of the Seas a guest was observed recklessly and dangerously posing for a photo by standing on her stateroom balcony railing with the help of her companion. Security was notified and the guests were later debarked in Falmouth, Jamaica as a result of their actions and are now banned for life from sailing with Royal Caribbean.”

(NY Daily News)

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guyanatimesgy.com

SATURDAY, october 19, 2019

Regional

El Chapo: Mexican President says Police “did right” to free drug lord’s son

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exico’s President has defended freeing drug kingpin Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s son soon after his arrest.

When Ovidio Guzmán López was seized at a house on a judge’s warrant in the city of Culiacán, cartel gunmen fought street battles with security forces.

At least eight people were reportedly killed and

Armed men were seen in several areas of Culiacán on Thursday

21 wounded, with vehicles left burning in the streets.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said the decision to cancel the arrest had saved lives.

Senior security officials had decided on his release, the President said at a news conference. “The officials who took this decision did well,” he said.

“The capture of a criminal is not worth more than

people’s lives”.

As the gun battles raged, a lawyer for the Guzmán family told the Associated Press, “Ovidio is alive and free”.

López Obrador was elected on a platform of cracking down on Mexico’s drug cartels, and has tasked the National Guard, a new security force, with fighting the dealers.

Under El Chapo’s lead-

ership, the Sinaloa cartel was the biggest supplier of drugs to the US, officials say.

The kingpin was jailed earlier this year, and Ovidio Guzmán Lopez is one of several brothers with a hand in running the cartel.

Thought to be in his twenties, he is accused of drug trafficking in the US. (Excerpt from BBC News)

CDB signs climate change agreement Chile calls for tougher penalties to crack down on fare hike protests with European Investment Bank

T

he European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Friday signed a new agreement that will provide better support for climate resilient projects across the Caribbean.

The new Procurement Procedural Framework, signed on the margins of the World Bank/International Monetary Fund (IMF) annual meetings here, will help the EIB and CDB to improve project implementation and monitoring, leading to more efficient financing for a range of climate focused investments in the Caribbean.

A statement issued here

said that the initiative aligns with the continuous efforts of both banks to promote harmonisation and aid effectiveness, as well as their commitment to supporting mutual reliance, streamlining procurement activities for promoters and recipients and increasing the resource efficiency of multilateral development banks’ (MDBs) procurement monitoring.

“Reaching agreement on a common procurement approach is one of the most common challenges we face when we co-finance projects with other institutions. This agreement removes this risk for projects being jointly financed

by CDB and EIB, and will pro-

vide for more efficient project appraisal and project execution,” said CDB President, Dr William Warren Smith.

“The agreement is also timely, coming on the eve of the rollout, by CDB of a new procurement policy and procedures. With effect from November 2019, the new policy and procedures will be applied to new projects being financed by CDB,” he told the signing ceremony.

EIB Vice-President, Emma Navarro said small island states are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change and access to finance to support public sector initiatives in this area is critical. (Excerpt from CMC)

Argentine Peronist challenger seen winning presidency outright on October 27— polls

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eronist Opposition candidate Alberto Fernandez should beat business-friendly incumbent Mauricio Macri in the October 27 presidential election by almost 20 percentage points, enough to clinch a first-round win, the most recent opinion polls show.

The challenger drubbed Macri in the August primary vote, which in Argentina is seen as a dress rehearsal for the general election.

Fernandez got a surpris-

ingly high 47.78% in the primary to Macri’s 31.79%, showing the extent to which the President’s tight fiscal policies had hurt his popularity.

Buenos Aires online polling firm Clivajes said its surveys show Fernandez should get 53.7% of the October 27 vote to Macri’s 33.2%, mirroring other surveys with similar results.

The primary election count depressed the local peso and sovereign bond

prices. More bleeding of Argentine asset prices is possible due to uncertainty about the measures Fernandez would take to spark growth in the recession- and inflation-racked economy if elected.

Argentina is facing a debt crunch after the financial market downturn pushed the country toward default, forcing Macri to roll out plans to delay payments on around $100 billion of debt. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Violence sows fear among women ahead of Colombia local elections

L

uz Polo was at a campaign event when she said a man sent by criminal groups broke down the doors of her home in the small western Colombian city of Pereira.

After receiving death threats two weeks prior for campaigning on a platform to help Venezuelan migrants in her city, the man used a boulder to beat his way through her apartment, where her 16-yearold daughter sat alone.

The teen was saved after neighbours who saw the man breaking in called the Police, the 43-year-old

politician running for the city council said, but she “was so scared”.

“And she told me she didn’t like politics because she felt that any man could break down the door and walk into her home,” Polo told Al Jazeera.

Polo started her political career in Venezuela, where she grew up. She was forced to flee back to Colombia, her birth country, in 2015 after she said she was politically persecuted by the Venezuelan government.

But after receiving rounds of death threats

and the attack on her home, she said even crisis-stricken Venezuela was better than Colombia, especially for politicians.

Seven candidates have been murdered and dozens more have been attacked or threatened in the lead up to the October 27 local and regional elections, making it the most violent electoral year since the country signed the 2016 peace accord with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

C

hile’s Government said on Friday it would ask the courts to use a State security law to impose tougher penalties on youth who have been protesting a recent hike in bus and metro fares by jumping turnstiles and disrupting transport in the capital.

“It is one thing to demonstrate and another to commit the vandalism we have observed,” President Sebastian Pinera told national radio station Radio Agricultural. “This desire for all this is not protest, it is crime”.

Metro management says there have been more than 200 incidents on Santiago’s subway system in 11 days, mostly involving school children and older students jumping barriers and forcing gates, as well as delaying trains by dangling their feet over the platforms.

Police told Reuters they had to use teargas and ba-

A demonstrator protests against the increase in the subway ticket prices in Santiago, Chile

tons in extreme cases. Two Police officers were injured on Thursday, a spokesman added, without providing details.

The protests started after the Government raised prices on October 6 by $0.04 to $1.17 for a peak metro ride and by one cent to $1 for a bus, blaming higher energy costs and a weaker peso.

A metro spokesman told

Reuters the subway system had sustained around $700,000 worth of damage since the protests began.

Thirty-one stations had been closed and access to another 58 was restricted, the spokesman said.

The metro said it was forced to close two of the network’s seven lines at lunchtime on Friday after protest action. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brother of Honduran President found guilty in US drug trial

H

onduran politician Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez was found guilty of US drug trafficking charges on Friday after a two-week trial that featured dramatic accusations of corruption against his brother, the Central American nation’s President.

The verdict against Hernandez, 41, on all counts was handed up by a jury in federal court in Manhattan. He is scheduled to be sentenced on January 17 and faces up to life in prison.

“They reached a verdict that was inconsistent with the truth,” one of Hernandez’s lawyers, Omar Malone, told journalists outside the courthouse. “We plan to appeal on behalf of Mr Hernandez”.

Members of Hernandez’s family who attended the trial were swarmed by protesters as they left the courthouse.

Some protesters chanted “Fuera JOH,” meaning

Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who is accused of protecting his brother Juan Antonio “Tony” Hernandez to smuggle tons of cocaine into the United States and denies it, speaks during a rally in his support in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

“Out with JOH,” referring to Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez.

Tony Hernandez was arrested in Miami in 2018 and charged with drug trafficking and possessing illegal weapons. US prosecutors accused him

of helping smuggle almost 200,000 kilograms (220 tonnes) of cocaine into the United States while enjoying the protection of his brother. President Hernandez has repeatedly denied the allegation.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, october 19, 2019

17

Around the World

Indian central bank signals scope for more rate cuts to get economy on track

I

ndia’s central bank monetary policy committee favours cutting interest rates and continuing with an accommodative stance until the economy is firmly on a recovery path, its minutes showed.

A significant moderation in domestic demand at a time when inflation is seen staying well within mandated targets provides adequate monetary policy space to sup-

port economic growth, the Reserve Bank of India minutes released on Friday said.

The RBI this month cut rates by 25 basis points as expected, taking cumulative cuts to 135 bps so far in 2019.

India’s retail inflation rose close to the central bank’s medium-term target of 4 per cent in September for the first time in 14 months but is expected to remain well

A worker walks by the logo of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) inside its office in New Delhi, India July 8, 2019

within the mandated 2-6 per cent band until first quarter of 2020/21 as per RBI projections.

The economy grew at its weakest pace since 2013 in the June quarter, expanding at just 5 per cent, as consumer demand and Government spending slowed amid the global trade frictions.

India has in recent weeks announced measures including a cut in corporate tax rates, steps

to revive the crisis-hit autos sector, small businesses, and its troubled shadow banks to calm investor nerves and lift consumer sentiment.

The central bank at its policy review also lowered its growth forecast for the current fiscal year to 6.1 per cent from 6.9 per cent and most members suggested the recovery in growth may take longer than previously expected.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Family of four buried alive Blasts collapse roof at Afghan mosque, killing at least 62 at Friday prayers by landslides in Kenya

A

family of four has been buried alive in western Kenya under landslides triggered by ongoing heavy rains, local media reported.

Two children and their parents were buried by the debris inside their house in the village of Kapkonder in Elgeyo Marakwet county, witnesses told the Star newspaper on Friday.

The Kenya Red Cross, along with Police and disaster management staff in the county - located in the former Rift Valley province - were at the scene working to unearth

the bodies, the Star added.

Heavy rain has wreaked havoc in several parts of the country, with the Kenya Meteorological Department putting residents on high alert.

“The rainfall is expected to intensify to more than 40mm in 24 hours from Thursday to Sunday over the coast, southeastern, northeastern, western and central regions including Nairobi,” the Meteorological Department said.

“Floods may suddenly appear even in places where it has not rained heavily, and

they can be deeper and faster than they look, especially in semi-arid and urban areas,” it added.

On Thursday, four people were killed in Meru county in the former eastern province - after they were swept away by flash floods, the Star reported.

One person was rescued and five others were reported missing in Kitui county after the vehicle they were travelling in was swept away by flash floods on Wednesday night, Kenya Red Cross said on Twitter. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Boeing staff texted about 737 Max issue in 2016

B

oeing employees exchanged instant messages about issues with the automated safety system on the 737 Max as it was being certified in 2016.

In documents provided by Boeing to lawmakers, a pilot wrote that he had run into unexpected trouble during tests.

He said he had “basically lied to the regulators [unknowingly]”.

The safety system has been tied to two deadly crashes that killed 346 people.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) called the document “concerning” and said it was asking Boeing for an “immediate” explanation

for the delay in turning over the documents, which Boeing provided to lawmakers ahead of hearings this month.

Boeing said it is cooperating with the investigation of the 737 Max, which has been grounded globally since March following the crashes. The company recently announced a permanent safety committee to oversee development, manufacturing and operation of its aircraft and services.

Investigators of the crashes in Ethiopia and Indonesia have focused on the role played by a software system called MCAS (Manoeuvring Characteristics Augmentation System), which was designed to make the air-

craft easier to fly.

Inquiries have shown the software - and the failure of sensors - contributed to pilots not being able to control the aircraft.

Boeing reportedly uncovered the messages, which date to 2016, “some months ago”.

The pilot no longer works for the company.

In response to the pilot’s message, the other Boeing employee wrote: “It wasn’t (sic) a lie, no one told us that was the case”.

Shares in the company dropped more than 5 per cent on Friday following the reports.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

M

ultiple explosions at a mosque in eastern Afghanistan collapsed the roof on worshippers during Friday prayers, killing at least 62 and wounding more than 100, officials said.

Attaullah Khogyani, spokesman for Nangarhar province’s governor, said bombs had been placed inside the mosque in the Jawdara area of Haska Mena district.

“People using an excavator are still working to bring out the bodies and injured from under the roof,” said Sohrab Qaderi, a member of the provincial council in Nangarhar, adding that the death toll was likely to rise.

No group immediately claimed responsibility but the Government accused Taliban insurgents, who are fighting to reimpose strict Islamic law after their 2001 ouster by US-led forces.

Sediq Sediqqi, spokesman for the presidential palace, condemned what he said was a suicide bomb attack.

“The Taliban and their

Men carry an injured person to a hospital after a bomb blast at a mosque, in Jalalabad, Afganistan October 18, 2019

partners’ heinous crimes continue to target civilians at the time of worship,” Sediqqi added.

Suhail Shaheen, a spokesman for the Taliban, denied responsibility.

“All witnesses say it was a mortar attack by Kabul Adm [Administration] forces,” he said in a tweet.

The Taliban and Islamic State fighters are actively operating in parts of Nangarhar which shares a border with Pakistan in the

Hong Kong protesters vow to hit the streets in major ‘illegal’ march

H

ong Kong pro-democracy campaigners on Friday vowed to stage a major march at the weekend despite Police ruling the rally illegal, setting the scene for possibly more unrest in the Chinese-ruled city, battered by months of violent protests.

Hong Kong has been relatively calm for the past week, country’s strict banking se- with only small, often colourful crecy laws to be lifted so that demonstrations, and Sunday’s State funds stolen over the march will test the strength of decades to be returned to the the pro-democracy campaign, treasury. which has in the past rallied “Thief, Thief, Michel millions on to the streets.

Aoun is a thief,” some chantIn rejecting the protested, looking around nervously ers’ request for a march perwith grins on their faces. mit, Police said past events In Lebanon, insulting the had been “hijacked by a group President can land you in jail. of radical protesters” who set The peaceful demonstra- fire to buildings, hurled petrol tion devolved into clashes late bombs at Police, detonated a on Friday, as Police used tear home-made bomb and wrecked gas to disperse protesters infrastructure. at the Riad al-Solh square.

Thousands have defied (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Amid protests, Lebanon’s Hariri sets deadline to resolve crisis

P

rime Minister Saad Hariri set a 72-hour deadline for his coalition partners to come up with solutions for Lebanon’s economic crisis, as Friday’s protests against austerity measures devolved into violence for a second day.

The protests, which broke out over Government plans for new taxes, are the most serious challenge to Hariri’s national unity Government which came to power less than a year ago.

Hariri, in an address to

the nation, blamed parties in his coalition for obstructing reforms to Lebanon’s debt-laden economy.

As Hariri spoke, protesters waving Lebanese flag in Beirut’s Martyr Square continued to call for the resignation of the country’s political leadership, including Hariri, President Michel Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, and Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil.

They also accused Lebanon’s top leaders of corruption, and called for the

east.

In western Herat province, six civilians were killed and five wounded when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb, Jailani Farhad, spokesman for the provincial governor, said.

Women and children are among the victims, Farhad added.

A UN report recorded 4313 civilians killed and wounded in Afghanistan in the past three months.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

People march with a banner to protest against what they say is the abuse of pro-democracy protesters by Hong Kong Police, near Chater Garden in Central district, Hong Kong, China October 18, 2019

Police in the past and staged mass rallies, often peaceful at the start but becoming violent at night.

“We will not back down even after the attack on the Civil Human Rights Front convener Jimmy Sham. Our most powerful force is the unity and resistance of this civil society,” said the rights group, calling on the public to rally on Sunday.

Prominent rights activist Jimmy Sham was brutally beaten by four men wielding hammers and knives on Wednesday, a move pro-democracy lawmakers said was meant to intimidate protesters and incite violence ahead of Sunday’s planned march.

The crisis in the Chineseruled city is the worst since the handover and poses the biggest popular challenge to China’s President Xi Jinping since he took power. Xi has warned he would crush any attempt to split China. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, OCTOber 19, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

Stop and think before you make a move. Don’t limit what you can do just to appease someone who isn’t offering to compensate you.

Balance and equality are necessary.

TAURUS

Get together with people you haven’t seen for a long time. Traveling, holding conversations and sharing thoughts and plans with a loved one are favored.

Romance is featured.

(March 21April 19)

(April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Avoid an argument by doing your best to get along.

Concentrate on physical improvements that will boost your morale and encourage romance. An unusual encounter will lead to personal growth.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Don’t let the changes that others make set you off. Go about your business and do things that promote enjoyable activities. Surround yourself with like-minded people, not with adversaries.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Your involvement in groups that matter to you will encourage you to take a leadership position. A change you make will lead to a new adventure. Romance is featured.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

Don’t be fooled by someone making unrealistic promises. Verify facts before you participate in something costly. Choose partners who are reliable, trustworthy and fair.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take a look at your past.

Face old problems and put them to rest. Your charm will outshine anyone who challenges you. A getaway or reunion will be eye-opening.

A change of plans will motivate you to take care of unfinished personal business. Taking control of your life will give you the freedom to excel. Financial gain is apparent.

Indulgence of any kind will turn into a burden. Live within your means and refuse to get involved in crazy ideas, schemes and excessive behavior. Make honesty and integrity priorities.

Make changes at home that will help you out professionally.

An unusual opportunity will lead to something very favorable.

Celebrate with someone special. Romance is in the stars. on’t let someone coax you into something. Make your priorities known and don’t spend a penny more than you can afford. Concentrate on health, wealth and personal happiness.

Concentrate on what’s important to you and don’t stop until you reach your destination. The journey you take will bring you closer to someone who shares your life goals.

saturday, october 19, 2019

T

19

Team captains have their say with just under 1 year to go until ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2020

ickets to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia next year are now on sale, meaning fans can secure their seats to any match, with one year-togo until the first ball of the men’s event is bowled on 18 October 2020.All tickets for both the women’s and men’s tournaments will go on sale at t20worldcup.com from 1200 midday Australian Eastern Daylight Time on Friday 18 October (0100 GMT), meaning fans can be part of any of the 68 T20 World Cup matches around the country.

The standalone women’s event will take place first, from 21 February – 8 March 2020, followed by the men’s event later in the year. The focus is firmly on families and communities, with children’s tickets starting at A$5 and adult

West Indies Captain Kieron Pollard

T20 World Cup, starting in February.

It’s the first time that Australia will host the T20 World Cup, with matches to be played in eight host cities and 13 venues around the country.

10 teams (Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies) have

over the line and win the ICC T20 World Cup for a third time.

"No secrets, we haven’t done too well in the last year are so. Our rankings have dropped. But we have some exciting talent in the Caribbean and we are looking forward to the shores of Australia and defending that title. In these big tournaments is when it counts and as a captain, with a strong group of players, we’re all looking forward to this major event."

Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan said: "This is the format we are mostly famous for, and it means a lot. It's a proud moment for us to be playing in a World Cup. We are really excited about that and hopefully we can have a good preparation.

"It will be challenging for us. We are mostly famous for

England’s Eoin Morgan and Faf du Plesis

having good spinners, but at the same time we have one year and definitely we will try our best to find good fast bowlers."We already have lots of support when we play in Australia. We receive support in each and every city. We are expecting lots of Afghan people to support us in a big event like a World Cup. Hopefully we will have a good time there, we will have good matches, and their support, their love will help to take us to victories."

Australia captain Aaron Finch said: "The T20 World Cup is going to be a great spectacle and for us as a team a major focus in 2020. It’s the one global trophy that has eluded the men’s team so far and we won’t get a better opportunity than on home soil next year."

"Anyone can beat anyone on their day in T20 cricket so it’s going to be exciting tournament that will have a number of teams believing they can win. It’s an amazing opportunity for Australia to have the world’s best T20 women’s and men’s players

coming next year."

"We saw in 2015 how great the crowds were for a World Cup, and we’re looking forward to seeing the whole country getting behind not just Australia but all the competing teams to create that atmosphere that only a World Cup can bring."

Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hasan said: "To be very honest, we have not been able to show consistency in the T20 format over the years. We have not played the game as well as we would have liked to. Having said that, we have performed fairly well in tournaments. We made it to the Super Eights in the inaugural ICC World T20, played the final of the Asia Cup and a few tri-nation events and we really pushed India and Australia in the 2016 World T20. There are some young talents coming up and there is also plenty of experience in the side. We require good focus throughout the campaign including getting past the first round. We are better equipped now to adapt to different conditions and we will need to prove that again in the World Cup. "I always say that the fans are our unofficial 12th man. No matter where we go the supporters come in numbers to inspire us. There is a significant Bangladeshi population in Australia and in the past we have seen people coming in from New Zealand and many other parts of the world to our matches. I believe the Bangladeshi fans were the most colourful and sporting in the ICC World Cup in the UK and also when we were playing the 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The level of interest in the National Cricket Team is continuously growing."

India’s Virat Kohli and New Zealand’s Kane Williamson

tickets available from A$20 across both tournaments.

To mark the one year-togo until the men’s tournament milestone, the ICC T20 World Cup 2020 have also launched the ‘Welcome to the Big Dance’ campaign. Alongside capturing the movement, energy and excitement that is expected from the players and fans at the event, ‘Big Dance’ also refers to the colloquial Australian sporting term, which is often used in reference to the pinnacle of a major sporting event.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is the global showpiece event for cricket’s fastest-growing format, and competing teams will be aspiring to reach the final which is set to be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, on Sunday 15 November 2020.

The T20 World Cup forms part of a ground-breaking 12 months for cricket in Australia, starting today with the beginning of the first standalone WBBL that will lead into the ICC Women’s

already qualified for the 16team men’s tournament. The remaining six places will be determined at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier event, which starts in the UAE today, 18 October, and concludes on 3 November.

What they said…

West Indies captain Kieron Pollard said: "It’s an honour and truly wonderful feeling to lead West Indies in a major international tournament.

The pressure is going to be on, being the defending champions, but we have to play well as a team in order to be competitive. We will be looking forward to it.

"A couple keys to defending the title are playing well and playing consistently. We are a confident team, we back our strengths – one of which is our six-hitting ability – but also mixing that sort of aggression and that awesome power with smart, intelligent cricket as well. I think these will be keys – the grounds will be big and you will have to be smart to get

England captain Eoin Morgan said: "Winning the ICC Cricket World Cup on home soil this year was truly an amazing experience for me and the rest of the team.

"Our white-ball focus now shifts to next year’s ICC T20 World Cup. Australia is a fabulous country to hold a world tournament and always delivers incredible experiences for players and fans. With one year to go, the team is ready to build on our exploits over the past few months. "I am delighted to be continuing as captain and competing in this tournament was a motivating factor to lead the team forward in what is a packed year of T20 international cricket."

India captain Virat Kohli said: "The T20 World Cup in 2020 is a big focus for us, and it’s important that we use the next 12 months to place ourselves in the best possible position to compete for another major ICC trophy. Our players will be really motivated to take their opportunities when they get selected for T20I matches to put themselves forward for the T20 World Cup, as we want to have a settled team combination by the time we get to Australia.

"India won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 when the format was new and the future a bit unknown. Since then, T20 cricket has truly come of age and it would be an honour to be the second Indian captain to lift the T20 World Cup trophy, and hopefully the third if the Indian women can win it earlier in 2020. We receive such incredible support when we play in Australia, with stadiums often packed with a sea of blue shirts. I hope to see more of that when we come

back to Australia next year."

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said:"To be a year out from another ICC World Cup is exciting and really does put the focus on T20 cricket.

"It’s a format our team enjoys and series against England, India and Australia this summer will bring a number of different challenges and opportunities to build as a team."

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis said: "The ICC T20 World Cup in Australia next year is yet another event of its kind that we as the Proteas team are looking forward to. Since the last men’s tournament in India in 2016, we have seen a lot of growth in the format from a South African point of view, with a new generation of young and exciting talent that has and continues to emerge. "We are currently one year and 17 T20 international matches away from our tournament opener and look forward to taking our place in Group 1 of the Super 12 stage alonside India, England and Afghanistan." Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga said: "In order to make sure that Sri Lanka does well in the T20 World Cup in 2020, now we are in the process of building up a very strong team by introducing new players, who are more suited to the shortest format of the game.

"As a team, we are doing well in the T20 arena. We beat New Zealand in the final T20 game, when they played here last month, and then continued our good work in Pakistan beating them threenil. We have won four games consecutively and has also moved up in T20 rankings. I believe this is good for the team build up going forward."

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturday, october 19, 2019

SBF Petroleum CGI Jaguars 50-Over franchise cricket…

“Teams like this you have to make your name against,” says Nial Smith

By Brandon Corlette

“S

team train” Nial Smith has disclosed that at no point in time was he intimidated playing against a star-studded Georgetown team in the third round of the SBF Petroleum Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) Jaguars 50-Over franchise cricket tournament.

Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport as he reflected on his memorable spell, Smith described his 6-41 against Georgetown as one of his best performances ever. The 23-year-old Tucber Park player highlighted that he was able to assess the pitch. “ T h e Georgetown batsmen were looking Veerasammy Permaul and his Lower Corentyne team are seeking to extend their winning streak (Brandon Corlette photos)

very uncomfortable with the short ball, so I was looking to mix it up, (bowl) some short and some full; and that went successful”, Smith declared.

Smith said he was upbeat heading into this challenge at GCC Bourda even with the venerable Guyana Jaguars captain Leon Johnson, Christopher Barnwell and Steven Jacobs in the city side. Asked if he was in-

timidated, Smith had this to say: “Actually, I was excited to play against all these stars. You know, it’s teams like these you have to make your name against, so this was a stepping stone for me”.

Smith has bagged four wickets in the first round, and has taken six wickets in the third round. He explained that his intention is to continue the hard work he has been put-

ting into his training.

“I would like to keep working, keep showing the selectors that I have the talent; and I want to keep working towards bigger things”, Smith disclosed.

His fiery player-of-thematch spell has seen several Georgetown batsmen sustaining injury.

Lower Corentyne set to host Hetmyer’s West Berbice team at Young Warriors ground

The Veerasammy Permaul-led Lower Corentyne team have registered three wins in a row in this tournament.

Fresh from mauling the Georgetown team in the third round, they will return to the ancient county today, Saturday October 19, where they will meet the Shimron Hetmyer-led West Berbice team from 9:30h at the home of the Hetmyer clan in Cumberland, East Canje.

West Berbice have won two of their three matches, and Kevin Sinclair -- former Young Warriors cricketer -will be looking to extend his form with both bat and ball in this matchup. Having failed to chase 83, West Berbice will be eager to turn things around against an

Georgetown are still searching for their first win in this tournament

upbeat and unbeaten Lower Corentyne team.

With the outfield at the Young Warriors ground being small, although usually a good batting surface, batsmen from both sides will be looking to score bountiful runs there.

In the other match to be played in Berbice today, the Johnson-led Georgetown team will be in search of their first win when they come up against the Upper Corentyne team, in which are included Guyana Amazon Warriors duo

Anthony Bramble and Clinton Pestano. These two teams will lock horns at the Port Mourant ground today.

Fresh from recording a sweet victory, the Vishaul Singh-led East Bank team will meet the East Coast

team today at Enmore ground.

T h u s far unbeaten in this t o u r n a ment, defending champs Essequibo will be looking to extend their dominance when they face West Demerara at GCC, Bourda today. Essequibo team captain Anthony Adams has been an astute leader of his troops under the watchful eyes of Coach Ryan Hercules.

West Demerara upset Georgetown earlier in the tournament, and will rely on the services of Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Tevin Imlach and Richie Looknauth to continue their dominance.

All four matches will bowl off from 9:30h today.

West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevlon Anderson will bat at number three for Lower Corentyne

GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships…

Old Fort, Tigers, Vintage still surging ahead Y

MCA Old Fort, Bounty GCC Vintage and GBTI GCC Tigers continued their dominance on the fourth night of the GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships.

In the First Division Men’s category, YMCA Old Fort eased past Saints 5-0. In the First Division Ladies category, GBTI GCC Tigers surprisingly took down GBTI GCC Spice with a blistering 7-0 victory, while GBTI GCC Spartans found their form to defeat Woodpecker Hikers 4-0.

In the Second Division Men’s category, Bounty GCC Pitbulls defeated Saints Sensations 3-1, and Hikers Cadets defeated YMCA Old Fort Hard Ball 4-2.

In the Veterans division, Bounty GCC Vintage retained top spot by defeating Antonio’s Hikers 5-2.

In the Men’s First Division, Warren Williams of YMCA Old Fort impressed the crowds with his performance, scoring a hat trick against Saints. Teammates Omar Hopkinson and Jason DeSantos added to the final score of 5-0 to send the hapless Saints side -who were unable to score -- back to the drawing board.

In the Ladies’ First Division first match of the night, members of the crowd were on the edges of their seats as the young GBTI GCC Spartans defeated Woodpecker Hikers 4-0.

Abosaide Cadogan easily distinguished himself as the player of the match, having scored all of the Spartans’ goals to register her first Helmet trick of the tournament.

The Ladies’ First Division second match of the night was most anticipated, and left fans stunned, as GBTI GCC Tigers defeated GBTI GCC Spice 7-0.

Continuing from the excellent performance of the previous night, both Gabriella Xavier and Marzana Fiedtkou netted hattricks for their team, and teammate Sonia Jardine added her name to the score sheet. This defeat means the GBTI GCC Tigers have now moved to the top of the Ladies First Division table, with GBTI GCC Spice holding a very close second place.

Bounty GCC Vintage defeated Antoni’s Hikers 5-2 in another entertaining Veteran’s match. Kevin Spencer’s fine skill and quality saw him securing a helmet trick with support from the experienced Damon Woodroffe’s lone goal.

Devin Munroe opened the scoring for Antonio’s Hikers in the 3rd minute of the game, but GCC Vintage quickly found form and, in the 8th minute, Kevin Spencer found the back of the net to even the scores 1-1.

Bounty Vintage pushed forward and Kevin Spencer scored two quick goals in the 11th and 12th minutes to put Bounty Vintage forward on 3-1. Maria Munroe, however, provided an answer to those goals in an attempt to close the gap; and in the 14th minute, found the back of the net with an excellently placed shot.

Showing grit and experience, Damon Woodroffe capitalised on a defensive error in the 29th minute, and made no mistake with his shot, pushing the score to 4-2.

Antonio’s Hikers continued to fight, but in the final minute of the game, Kevin Spencer administered the coup de grace when he scored the field goal to secure his helmet trick and end the game

Action intensified in the GTT Indoor Hockey Championship

5-2.

In the first Men’s Second Division match, Bounty GCC Pitbulls defeated Saints Sensations to produce another outstanding victory in the tournament.

Baraka Garnett got Saints off the mark with his goal in the 10th minute of the game, but Kareem McKenzie responded with two very swift and skilfully executed goals, both in the 13th minute, to shock the Saints and

provide substantial entertainment for the crowd.

Samuel Woodroffe then converted his penalty corner, and his goal whistled past Goalkeeper Edmond Chinian.

Saints continued to fight, but some superb saves by Michael Hing kept Saints at bay and Bounty GCC were able to secure a 3-1 victory over Saints.

In the second Men’s Second Division match, Hikers Cadets defeated YMCA Old Fort Hard Ball 4-2. Donnel Alleyne opened the scoring for Old Fort in the 11th minute with a quick-paced run of play that saw his shot hitting the back of the net. Hikers Cadets, however, quickly got their act together, and Colonel Heywood, Jason Clarke and Devin Munroe scored three quick goals in the 16th, 18 and 21st minutes to push Hikers forward 3-1.

Old Fort’s Simeon Moore presented a spirited response by which he scored in the 24th minute. Hikers continued to press on, but it was Brian Asregado who saw his team comfortably over the finish line, with his goal in the 29th minute ending the game 4-2.

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

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, october 19, 2019

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Odyssey Sightseeing Tours Cricket Tournament…

Everest, West Meten-Meer-Zorg teams to battle for Masters trophy

E

verest Masters cricket team will tomorrow (Sunday October 20th) travel to the West Side to engage West Meten-Meer-Zorg Masters cricket team in a match of the Odyssey Sightseeing Tours Cricket Tournament.

This match will be held at the West Meten-Meer-Zorg Community Centre Ground, and the Everest Masters will there attempt to overthrow their host and exact revenge for the loss they had suffered in their last engagement in May, when Meten-Meer-Zorg Masters defeated them by 21 runs in a match in the Ronald “Sticky” Jaisingh 50th Birthday Anniversary 25-Over friendly tournament played at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Everest are seeking to win tomorrow’s match not only to settle scores in the ongoing ‘battle of the masters’, but to exact revenge on their opponents for giving them an outright thrashing on their own territory.

A win for Everest would mean a possible future matchup could be played to determine the better masters’ side of the two. Everest will be on the hunt, as they are fresh off a win they eked out over the Belle Vue Senior Team in August. That victory came compliments of the big-hitting Saheed Mohamed, who will pose a threat to the

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Meten-Meer-Zorg side.

Meten-Meer-Zorg have doubtless been a successful side. On match day they are expected to play their natural game, boosted by a rich variety of spin bowling as both teams battle for supremacy.

Tomorrow’s match, set to begin promptly at 11:30hrs, promises to be an exciting encounter.

Umpires are Ravendra Ramgobin and Mohamed Willie, while the sponsor, Odyssey Sightseeing Tours, is one of the leading tour companies in Guyana, having recently acquired a new 80-seater tour boat that operates from Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

West Meten-Meer-Zorg Masters team is comprised of: Troy Khan, Muneshwar Balgobin, Chabiraj Ramcharran, Sham Persaud, Seymour Evans, Vinod Rajkumar, Ashim Bashir, Mohan Chaitram, Hemendra Kowlessar, Lalta Suknanand, Abid Haniff, Avinash Shardanandan and Mohamed Willie.

Everest Masters team is comprised of: Rajesh Singh, Sahadeo Hardaiow, Saheed Mohamed, Basil Persaud, Anand Persaud, Bisham Singh, Imtiaz Sadik, Ucil Armstrong, Anwar Rahaman, Ronald Jaisingh, Richard Hoyte, Ravi Narayan, Prakash Balgobin, Satyendra Khemraj, Azemul Hanif and Ejaz Mohamed.

GSCL/Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup III…

VACANCIES Female live in Domestic wanted to work in Trinidad.Must be single between the ages of 25-38.Meals and Accommodation is provided.

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21

Regal All Stars, Speed Boat renew rivalry

T

he annual Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup (PMT20 Cup) is less than two weeks away from being staged; thus, with a series of warm-up matches, teams are fine-tuning their preparations ahead of this marquee tournament.

Seven teams will, on Sunday October 20, take to the field for match practice to assess their form ahead of the November 1-3 showpiece. At the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) Ground, Success Masters will take on arch-rivals HS Masters from 10:00h in a 20-overs-a-side contest; while, at the same time, Regal Masters will battle Fisherman Masters at the GNIC Sports Club ground.

At 13:00h, Wellman Masters will engage Regal Masters in a showdown at the GNIC ground. Regal Masters, two-time defending champions in the Over-45-year-old category of this tournament, will also be testing their fitness.

The anticipated ‘match of the day’ will take place at the Queen’s College ground, beginning from 10:00h. It will be played between reigning two-time All-Star champions Speed Boat and Regal All Stars in a repeat of the 2017 and 2018 finals.

Besides the expected intensity of contention on the field, PMT20 Cup 3 organizers, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL), will be conducting the tournament’s draw at about 14:00h. This draw will determine the zones wherein the respective categories will contest their matches on match days.

In all, there are three categories of players in this competition: All-Stars, comprising players of any age; Masters, featuring players over 45 years old; and Legends, competing players 50 years and older.

This year marks the third year of this tournament’s existence, and teams are expected from Canada, New York, Orlando, South Florida, and from the length and breadth of Guyana. They will be competing for more than G$2 million in cash and other incentives at venues across Georgetown.

The finals matches of the three categories of players will take place on Sunday November 3 at Everest Cricket Club ground.

Meten-Meer-Zorg Masters were able to defeat their Everest counterparts in their last encounter

Region 5 Chamber of Industry & Commerce to host President’s Cup T10 cricket

T

he Region 5 Chamber of Industry and Commerce will tomorrow host a fun day and President’s Cup 10/10 cricket tournament wherein some of the top teams in Berbice will feature in exciting cricket that will commence from 9:00h at the Cotton Tree Diehards club ground.

This one-day event is sponsored by

R5CIC Innovation 360, ANSA McAL Trading Limited, and Trophy Stall.

Among the teams slated to entertain spectators are the Young Warriors, Cotton Tree Diehards, Blairmont Blazers, West Berbice Achievers, Police Sports Club and D’Edward Cricket Club.

WIFBSC Championships in T&T…

Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc pushes Braithwaite ‘all the way’ T

he Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) last week made a call to corporate Guyana for more support for Guyana’s riflemen who are participating in this year’s edition of the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Council (WIFBSC) Individual, Long and Short Range Championships being held in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago; and Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc. (SI&CI), located at Durban Backlands in Georgetown, has answered that call.

Denzel Hopkinson, Aviation Security Director of SI&CI, has handed over to Guyana’s outstanding rifleman Lennox Braithwaite a cheque for the full sponsorship of his participation in these championships, which run from October 21st to 26th.

Commenting on the SI&CI continued support for Braithwaite, Hopkinson said this leading local and Caribbean marksman is part of the SI&CI sporting family, and his commitment to the sport, coupled with the results he achieves therein, has caused the SI&CI to unhesitatingly sponsor him again.

Hopkinson also said the SI&CI has a rich history of supporting other sportspersons, including Steven Nobrega of Go Kart and Motor Cross Riding fame.

“We at SI&CI, no doubt, are proud to once again support Mr. Braithwaite in his quest to once

again conqueror his counterparts in the Caribbean later this month in T&T. We know (of) his ability in the sport of rifle shooting, and his recent exploits in England, where he captained the West Indies team at the NRA 150th Imperial Meeting and also did well in the individual competition, where he reached top 100 of the Queen’s Final.”

This young Hopkinson, whose father Harold, aka ‘Top Gun’, has been blazing the trail as a hand gun shooter locally, regionally and internationally, noted that his company is backing Braithwaite and the Guyana team to again achieve the high standards of winning in the twin-island republic this year.

Braithwaite, in response, expressed gratitude to Secure Innovations and Concepts Inc. for the unwavering support given to rifle shooting and to him in particular.

“For a number of years now, I’ve been receiving regular sponsorship and part-sponsorship from SI&CI. The record will show that, for the last eight years, my shooting has (been elevated) to international standard and I’ve been consistent.

This, I would say, is due to (my having) a reliable sponsor, which takes away (from me) that additional mental pressure to go out procuring sponsorship,” he explained.

Braithwaite and the Guyana team are expected to travel to Trinidad on Sunday.

22

saturday, october 19, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

"Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic" set for November 9-10 ꟷ lots of incentives up for grabs

By Timothy Jaikarran

I

n a simple ceremony held on the premises of the FireSide Grill n Chill in Garnett Street, Newtown Kitty, popular sports journalist Rawle Toney launched the ‘Rawle Toney 3X3 Classic’, a basketball tournament that is scheduled to be hosted on November 9-10.

The launching panel consisted of Mackeson Brand Coordinator Keon Persaud, Tournament Organiser Rawle Toney, Rush energy drink Brand Coordinator Fareez Mohamed, and Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation Representative Junior Andrew Hercules.

Addressing those present, Organiser Rawle Toney said, “This is a real honour for me. It is something that I’ve wanted to do for some time now. With all the sports we have ongoing in Guyana, I feel that basketball has been left out. If you look at the

shorter version of every discipline of sport in Guyana, the ‘federation’ is pushing it; such as T20 cricket. 3x3 basketball is no different, so I capitalised on that and reached out to the sponsors.

“The game is 10 minutes long, and it doesn’t take up a lot of time. The support has been overwhelming, as every team is reaching out to me to join the tournament.

This tournament is for the basketball players. If you notice, everything goes towards the players, and (there is) something special (reserved) for end game; so every player stands a chance of walking away with something.”

Mackeson Brand Coordinator Keon Persaud declared Mackeson proud to be part of the tournament, and added that in 2011 the company had given away one million dollars in a basketball tournament of similar nature.

He said the company would continue to

Fourth EBFA/Ralph Green U-11 League: Day 6…

Semi-finalists to be confirmed today

support this venture throughout the year, and even into the future.

Declaring similar sentiments, Rush energy drink Brand Coordinator Fareez Mohamed related that ANSA McAL, under its Rush energy drink brand, is proud to sponsor the event, and has taken note of the tournament’s well-organised structure.

Mohamed declared there is room for growth in basketball in Guyana, and Rush energy drink and ANSA McAL would continue to nurture this venture for the future.

GABF Representative Junior Andrew Hercules urged everyone to come on board and support the ‘Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic’ basketball tournament, since basketball is the world’s fastest growing outdoor sport.

“By extension, the Federation would like to commit to a 3-point shootout. The winner of that tournament will earn $25,000 dollars,” Hercules said.

Toney has promised to register this tour-

nament on ‘3x3planet’ which can be located on the official FIBA site (https://www.fiba. basketball/3x3planet).

This, in turn, would place the tournament on an international spectrum, and if ever there is need to select players for an international matchup, the ‘Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic’ can be looked into.

A purse of $300,000 is also up for grabs by the winner of the round-robin/knockout tournament, while the runner-up ‘team’ will be awarded $100,000 and third-place winner will pocket $50,000. The person deemed the ‘Most Valuable Player’ (MVP) in the finals would receive one pair of basketball sneakers of their choice.

ANSA McAL, under their Mackeson brand, are the tournament’s main sponsors, and will be joined by the Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sport, ‘STUFF’, Slingerz Family Entertainment, the National Sports Commission (NSC), and by Trophy Stall.

El Clasico postponed because of fears over civil unrest

Barcelona and Real Madrid have a passionate rivalry that stretches back nearly a century (Getty Images)

Action between Fruta Conquerors and Samatta Point Kaneville during battle on Saturday last

T

he semifinal lineup in the 4th edition of the East Bank Football Association’s (EBFA’s) Under-11 League, sponsored

by USA-based Guyanese Ralph Green, will be confirmed today following determination of the final set of group matches being held at the Guyana Football Federation’s National Training Centre at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Twelve teams are in contention in this league, but only four -- the top two teams from groups ‘A’ and ‘B’ -- will continue the quest to be crowned 2019 champions. They must first be victorious at next Saturday’s semis.

Defending champions Timehri Panthers and newcomers Vurlon Mills Academy are through from Group ‘A’, with Mills Academy still to play their final match today. They are leading the group with a perfect four wins from four encounters, and can make it a ‘perfect five’ today.Riddim Squad are at the helm of Group ‘B’ and are assured of a place in the final four, having completed their five matches by winning three and drawing two, thus they are still

undefeated.

Agricola Red Triangle are at the moment in second place on nine points, but can be overtaken for second place in Group ‘B’.

Kuru Kururu Warriors, with seven points and a final match today against Swan Football Club, their immediate neighbours on the Linden Soesdyke Highway, still have a chance to sneak in.

Swan secured their first win of the league on Saturday last, and would be keen to end the competition on a high. They, however, will find the Warriors -- with two wins, a loss and a draw -- going all out for a third win that would see them clinching a final-four spot ahead of Agricola.

Following are today’s fixtures: Eagles FC vs Vurlon Mills Academy at 09:00hrs Diamond United vs Fruta Conquerors at 09:00hrs Swan vs Kuru Kururu Warriors at 09:30hrs Grove Hi Tech vs Friendship All Stars at 09:30hrs

T

his month's El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid has been postponed because of fears of civil un-

rest.

The match was scheduled for 26 October but there have been days of protest in Barcelona after nine Catalan separatist leaders were jailed on Monday.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid disagreed with calls to switch the game to Madrid.

The clubs have proposed Wednesday, 18 December as a new date.

Manager Ernesto Valverde had said Barcelona were against switching the game to Madrid as they visit Slavia Prague in the Champions League on 23 October, three days before El Clasico had been scheduled.

And on Friday the club issued a statement saying their "desire" was to play the match as originally scheduled because they had the "utmost confidence" in the fans who they say "always express themselves in exemplary fashion" at the ground.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was asked about the postponement in a news conference on Friday and said "we will be ready to play on the date told by the right

person".

"We will adapt to what we are asked," he added La Liga made the postponement request because of "exceptional circumstances beyond our control" as more protests are expected in Barcelona on the day of the match.

Protests have continued into a fifth day in Spain's Catalonia region with protesters clashing with riot police.

Hundreds of thousands of people waving pro-independence flags and chanting "freedom for political prisoners" took part in marches across Catalonia on Friday.

At least 96 people have been hurt across the region.

Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region in north-east Spain and in a referendum on 1 October 2017, declared illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, about 90% of Catalan votes cast backed independence. Turnout was 43%.

The nine separatist leaders were convicted of sedition over their role in the referendum and handed jail sentences of between nine and 13 years by Spain's Supreme Court. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, october 19, 2019

23

The Amazon Warriors still have one more mountain to climb

By Brandon Corlette

D

espite proving to be an excellent squad which recently cultivated an incomparable 11-0 winning streak, the Guyana

and his team at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba Trinidad on a Saturday evening.

Without doubt, GAW are the best team in the history of CPL in terms of con-

CPL title after making the finals on five occasions.

Another evidence which (GAW) proved their consistency was qualifying for all of the playoffs in the history of the Hero CPL. From inception of this tournament, they have made it to five finals, and finished the contest as the runner-up team.

GAW 5-0 in CPL Finals

Disappointment enveloped the nation when GAW failed to cross the finish line

Amazon Warriors (GAW) still have one more mountain to surmount.

It was exactly one week ago, on a Saturday morning, when the country was infected with the cricket fever.

Every radio station, television station and corner shop kept the buzz alive as they supported the GAW. The entire nation was hyped, and GAW were aiming to extend their unbeaten run. The Barbados Tridents, however, silenced Shoaib Malik

sistency. It is a notable record in 2019, and it came when GAW became the first team to win 11 matches in a row.

The previous best was seven wins, which was completed by Jamaica Tallawahs across two seasons.

However, it remains an untold story why the GAW have not claimed a Hero

Reflecting on the inaugural CPL tournament in 2013, the GAW team lost to Jamaica Tallawahs by seven wickets in the final. In that encounter, GAW scored 1285 and the Chris Gayle-led Tallawahs team cruised to victory, ending on 129-3.

That match saw the infamous accusation made by Guyanese fans that an unnamed player “sold out the game”.

He had a brilliant tournament

with the ball, but the Jamaican native who was playing for the Guyanese franchise had bowled an unforgettable over that yielded 20 runs and included 11 extras (wides).

Another final, another defeat

In 2014, the GAW reached their second final in as many years, and lost to Barbados Tridents that time around. The match ended prematurely with rain and the title dreams were once more shattered.

GAW continued to be the most consistent teama in the CPL, and in the third season they qualified for the playoff but lost to arch-rivals, Trinbago Knight Riders (formerly Red Steel in 2015). In the 2016 CPL season, GAW lost again in another final against the Jamaica Tallawahs. Playing a consistent brand of cricket throughout the tournament,

GAW produced their worst performance in the final when they scored 93 all out.

Tallawahs lifted their second CPL title under Gayle’s captaincy, while GAW were the runner-up team as they relived the 2013 CPL final which they lost to the same opposition.

Question marks continued to hit the horizon: Will the GAW find the right combination to win a CPL title?

Motoring along in the 2017 CPL, GAW eased their way into the playoffs, but Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) knocked the Guyanese franchise out in Qualifier 2. GAW posted

159-6 and Colin Munro’s blitz led the TKR team past the jaded GAW outfit.

In the 2018 final, CPL giants GAW and TKR met at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba.

GAW lost again in another final; after posting 147-9 in their 20 overs, TKR raced away to victory, ending on 150-2 in 17.3 overs.

In the most recent final, GAW lost to Barbados Tridents by 27 runs. Tridents racked up 171-6 in 20 overs, while GAW could muster only 144-9 in 20 overs. This was the first poor performance

by GAW in 2019, after they had won 11 matches in a row. The spinners had an ordinary outing, with the exception of Imran Tahir; and the pacers, with the exception of Ben Laughlin, yielded more than eight runs an over.

Brandon King, who led the batting all season, scored 43 for GAW, but the other batsmen that had a fruitful season choked on the big stage. The unresolved question remains: after all that consistency shown over the years, the Amazon Warriors still have one more mountain to climb.

LGC to host Banks DIH & Citizens Bank golf tournaments

G

olf action will get underway today and continue on Sunday at the Lusignan Golf Club, as many talented golfers will battle for supremacy over two days in the Banks DIH and Citizen’s Banksponsored golf tournaments.

Today’s tournament will commence at 12:30 hrs under the name “Citizens Bank Cancer Awareness Golf Tournament”, while on Sunday at 08:30 hrs the Banks DIH Invitational Open will commence.

During the press briefing held at the Conference Room at Thirst Park, LGC president Aleem Hussain thanked the beverage giant for coming on board, and noted that this weekend will be a special weekend, as the golf course is up to standard and it will promise two days of intense action.

“Sunday will be a double- header for the Banks Family. The tournament will bring to you more than you can imagine. Especially with Banks being a long time sponsor, this will be a big tournament, as it leads directly to the Guyana Open.

We are looking to see how the Banks family will

perform this weekend.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Banks DIH Communications Manager Troy Peters said, “This weekend will be a warm-up weekend for the Guyana Open as we will be having the Citizen’s Bank and Banks DIH Tournaments. Banks has always been a major sponsor of the LGC…; about four years ago, we decided to team up; that is, Banks DIH and Citizens Bank (are going) to sponsor this tournament. We are very pleased to be associated with this tournament, as I am speaking on behalf of both tournaments. We already have our foreign players in the country so we are gearing up for action to set the stage for the Guyana Open.”

The two tournaments will feature at least 60 players.

Gavin Todd, Engineering Executive at Banks DIH, noted that players will be aiming to sharpen their techniques and build that confidence heading into the Guyana Open.

He added it is his hope to come out on top, since he would be participating in both tournaments.

LGC PRO Guy Griffith, Liquor Executive Mark Lashley, LGC President Aleem Hussain, Communications Manager Troy Peters, and Engineering Executive Gavin Todd

saturday, october 19, 2019

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

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SBF Petroleum CGI Jaguars 50-Over franchise cricket…

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Everest, West Meten-Meer-Zorg teams to battle for Masters trophy

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GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships…

Page 20

Old Fort, Tigers, Vintage still surging ahead

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