Guyana times october 21 ,2017

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

Issue No. 3367

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, October 21, 2017

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Civil society, unions slam unilateral appointment of GECOM chair

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Opposition pulls out of Border P7 Commission over GECOM debacle

...will not cut corners in fight for freedom in this country – Jagdeo

Pages 3&9

– FITUG calls for Guyanese to oppose move – Private Sector condemns decision as ‛dangerous’ – PPP/C launches non-cooperation campaign

Waste-to-Resource exhibition highlights benefits of recycling

Machine operator killed by African bees in Abary P2

Pregnant woman on $100,000 bail for embezzlement P8

Some ornaments made from recycled bottles were on display during the opening of a two-day exhibition on Main Street, Georgetown

Addressing teachers’ concerns

Page 12

Countrywide teacher strike looms over Govt’s inaction

Fraud charges dismissed against Nizam Hassan, co-accused Page 13

Armogan P15 rails against deafening silence on fate of sugar workers

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saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Machine operator killed by African bees in Abary

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eavy-duty machine operator Dhancoomar Hookumchan of Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice succumbed on Monday to the venom injected in him after he was attacked by a swarm of African bees in the vicin-

ity of the Abary River – the western extremity of the county of Berbice.

Information reaching Guyana Times detailed that the late 60-year-old Hookumchan had been operating a bulldozer clearing a worksite on a dam when

the swarm of killer bees attacked him.

Following the attack, he was rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital, but succumbed even before reaching the medical institution.

Just last month, three

Dead: Dhancoomar Hookumchan

persons were hospitalised at the Suddie Public Hospital after coming in contact with a swarm of bees in the Pomona New Housing Scheme on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

Gold miners Donald McIntosh, Raymond Oselmo and Tyrone Charles were attacked by African bees at Imbaimadai in Region Seven earlier this year.

The three miners were reportedly driving an excavator along a trail in the area when they encoun-

tered a tree that blocked their path. While using the excavator to clear their way, they were attacked by the bees which had converted the tree into a hive.

Flustered by the attack, McIntosh had allegedly run into the nest while his two companions fled in the opposite direction.

It is believed that when McIntosh jumped off the excavator, his foot got stuck in “quicksand”, and this detained him long enough for the bees to concentrate their attack on his body, which was retrieved days after that incident.

Man begs for community service after being remanded

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orty-two-year-old Maxidus Marks of Grove, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Magistrate Leron Daly on Friday and begged for community service after he attempted to change a plea of not guilty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He first denied that on September 29, 2017 at Lot 1 Brickdam, Georgetown, he broke and entered the plant shop of Eddie Chin and stole

plant materials to a total value of $240,500.

The defendant told the court that he is a sickly man “with two holes in my foot” and “I can’t thief”.

Marks told Magistrate Daly, “I will tell you the truth. I was passing the place and I saw a bag by the fence and I took it”.

The accused further pleaded not to be remanded to prison and explained that he did not want to “punish

there”.

However, Magistrate Daly remanded him to prison as he was unable to provide the court with a fixed place of abode.

After being remanded, the accused attempted to change his plea to a guilty one, requesting community service or “just one year jail”.

He is expected to make his next court appearance on November 10.

Catherina’s Lust, Baker Street residents benefit from improved access roads

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The access road to the Catherina’s Lust South housing scheme

estled aback the Region Five Administrative Complex at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice (WCB), about half a mile south of the public road, is a rapidly developing housing scheme on lands acquired from the Hopetown Multi-purpose Coop Limited.

Catherina’s Lust South, as the scheme is officially known, is home to a number of retired public servants and several remigrant Guyanese who have acquired house lots in the scheme. There are also a number of homes under construction. The scheme is already serviced by the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

However, residents have had difficulty traversing the approximately halfmile stretch of access road between the scheme and the public road, particularly during the rainy season.

While decision makers quibbled over whose responsibility it was to surface the road, persons, many of them public servants, were forced to use

long boots to trudge through heavy mud to get to the public road.

Elements within the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) were known to have been objecting to the road being upgraded, citing that it is a farm-to-market road and that there was every likelihood that heavy agricultural machinery would damage the road.

The private company, Air Services Limited (ASL), having in the vicinity an aerodrome providing aerial services in the rice industry (broadcasting seed, applying fertilizer, and spraying for pest control), would access its facility via a section of the said road. The company deployed workers and machinery to carry out rehabilitative works on the said road, with approval from the relevant authorities. However, the company was forced to suspend the operation because of unfavourable weather conditions. Following a break in the weather, a new initiative was rolled out by the regional administration awarding a contract for the upgrading of

the road.

According to the Department of Public Information, this was a welcome relief to farmers, and even more so for the residents of the Catherina’s Lust Housing Scheme. They are now facilitated by an all-weather road surfaced with crush-and-run costing $19 million.

Like Catherina’s Lust Housing Scheme, there is a section of Number TwentyTwo Village, on the eastern section, within the Union – Naarstigheid Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), whose residents have over the years felt neglected and have been clamouring for the upgrade of Baker Street.

No longer would folks be forced to cover longer distances to get home because they are trying to avoid the muddy street. Neither would the children be forced to cover longer distances to and from school during the rainy season.

Baker Street has been upgraded to a crush-and-run surface at a cost of just over $9 million.

news

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saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, October 21 – 05:30h-07:00h and Sunday, October 22 – 05:30h-07:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, October 21 – 05:00h-06:30h and Sunday, October 22 – 05:25h-06:55h.

Civil society, unions slam unilateral appointment of GECOM chair – FITUG calls for Guyanese to oppose move – Private Sector condemns decision as ‘dangerous'

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President David Granger as he swears in retired Justice James Patterson to the post of GECOM Chairman

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s the fallout continues from the shocking appointment on Thursday evening of former Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), both civil society and trade unions have come out in strong opposition to slam the decision.

Pulling no punches, the Private Sector Commission (PSC) in a release on Friday condemned the decision as "dangerous” and a threat to democracy. It expressed regret that an agreement could not be reached between the opposing sides for a successor to former Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally.

“The Private Sector Commission, throughout the entire process of exchange between the President and the Leader of the Opposition, had hoped that the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM would continue in an open and transparent manner and in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution.”

“The decision of the President to act unilaterally and independently of the submissions of the Leader of the Opposition poses a clear threat to democracy and will inevitably divide the nation and lead to economic instability,” the PSC stated, adding that “It is a dangerous decision.”

Meanwhile, the Federation of Independent

Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) came out harshly against the move. Describing the decision as shocking, the Union slammed the decision as a threat to democratic gains made over time.

“The President, who must have been advised by his comrades, is heading down a perilous path which we believe is not in the interest of our country and all Guyanese. It is our view that the President’s actions represent a reversal of the democratic advances we have made over the years.”

“The FITUG believes that the newly-appointed GECOM Chairman, as matured and qualified as he may be, would have started out on a wrong footing and may well find it extra-ordinarily challenging to perform or receive the same level of acceptance, internally or externally, as enjoyed by his predecessors.”

According to FITUG, Patterson’s appointment is a “slap in the face” of persons who struggled for a return to democracy. The unions noted that some of those very individuals now sit in Government and questioned their silence.

“We believe the unilateral appointment cannot stand up to any test of scrutiny and no justification can excuse the President’s decision on this matter. President Granger, we believe, had a more than ample choice to select from among the suitable nominees

put forward by Mr Jagdeo… a GECOM Chairman who would have enjoyed the respect and confidence of all Guyanese.”

“The fact that the President has chosen to act outside of the list he received is not reflective of a commitment to protecting and advancing our democratic culture, something he as President is charged with upholding. Furthermore, it gives rise to the notion that Mr Granger was simply engaged in a charade regarding the appointment of the GECOM Chairman.”

FITUG also expressed

PSC Chairman, Eddie Boyer

concern that the act would revert Guyana to “a time we left behind” and noted that the appointment in fact reflected poorly on President Granger.

“We roundly and loudly condemn this move which does not portend for a bright future and a good life. We see it as walking back to a time

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo vows to oppose the appointment

we need not relive and experience again. We call on all Guyanese to raise their voices against this travesty and this attack on our democracy,” the party added.

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

Granger said he informed Jagdeo during their meeting that he found that the third list of nominees submitted on August 25, 2017 was unacceptable within the meaning of the Constitution and that he had also paid careful attention to the ruling of the Chief Justice Acting Roxanne George-Wiltshire. turn to page 7

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saturDAY, october 21, 2017

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

Celebrating Diwali in India

Threading a dangerous path

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hen the new APNU/AFC Government took office two years ago, after securing a very slim majority at the polls, there was an amount of goodwill towards them, even from the outgoing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration. But since then, despite their promises of ensuring clean, accountable, transparent and democratic governance, based on their policies and actions, they have deeply disappointed their supporters as well as the rest of the country, and have fritted away all the goodwill.

From day one, they have been moving from one gaucherie to another, and though both supporters and the Opposition had been trying to tell them to mend their ways, a thick cloud of insensitivity seemed to have enveloped the Government, and they have continued along the path of insensitive recalcitrance.

Themostrecentexpressionofsuchunbelievablerecalcitrance is President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). It is clear that the framers of the Constitution, which produced the formula of the Opposition Leader putting forward the names of possible GECOM Chairmen and the President choosing from the Opposition list, had meant to provide involvement of the whole country utilising a truly democratic and fair process.

It should be mentioned that, after engaging in extensive consultations with the broad political and civil society, the Leader of the Opposition nominated eighteen distinguished Guyanese citizens in three lists for the top GECOM post. Those nominated were professionals, some of whom were high court judges, lawyers, business people, former Chief of Staff and Head of the Army, a former GECOM Chair, etc.

President Granger ignoring this basic democratic process is unbelievable, and has confirmed what many were saying before: that the President, from the inception, wanted to appoint someone with whom he was comfortable.

The President’s action is unbelievable for a number of good reasons. Firstly, by unilaterally appointing a Chairman of GECOM, the President is turning his back on the democratic procedures which the Western democracies worked so hard to establish after the Burnham dictatorship. This is ill omen reminiscent of a return to the dark days of suffering for the Guyanese population into which the Burnham authoritarianism enchained Guyana. The President certainly cannot be oblivious to the fact that the party he heads was responsible for blatantly rigging elections in 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985.

Secondly, the unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman has done something which the population of Guyana regards as unfair. The people of Guyana, despite their various political postures, deep down believe in fairness; and President Granger’s unfair action is quietly rejected by APNU/AFC supporters and more loudly by others. Many had expressed the view that, from the start, the President knew who he was going to appoint to serve in the post.

Further, what makes President Granger’s actions more reprehensible in the eyes of the population is the contradictions of his own criteria he himself laid out regarding the appointment of the GECOM Chair. For example, Mr Granger has publicly stated that the GECOM Chairman must not have the taint of being politically partisan. However, the President’s appointee served as advisor to the Attorney General and in other governmental appointments. One could easily accuse the appointee of having more political affiliation (with APNU+AFC) than any one of the 18 candidates on the lists submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. Age aside, there are several other contradictions which we will not delve into here.

In essence, in the eyes of the majority of citizens, some of the eighteen persons nominated by the Opposition Leader have got more plusses than the President’s appointee, using Mr Granger’s criteria.

The GECOM Chair is by law not an arbitrary appointment, and nothing in the Constitution permits the President to make an appointment of the GECOM Chairman in his own deliberate judgment. The President’s decision to act unilaterally and independently of the submissions of the Opposition Leader is therefore very unfortunate. It is a decision for which history would judge him very harshly, as it is a dangerous path taken.

Already, this appointment has unnecessarily stirred up much disquiet in the country, and instead of bringing social peace and a better life for the population, it poses a threat to democracy and could lead to further social and economic instability.

A view of Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium decorated with oil lamps with “Swasth Prayag Swachch Prayag Message” during Diwali celebration in Allahabad (Photo: Press Trust of India)

Granger’s appointment of Patterson an egregious breach of Constitution Dear Editor, I am shaking in anger, livid, boiling with outrage.

President David Granger (on Thursday night), abandoning all disguises and assuming his dictatorial role, absolutely committed constitutional malpractice and malfeasance.

As the majority of Hindus in Guyana celebrated Diwali, David Granger, like a thief in the night, and without any warning, appointed and swore in the new GECOM Chair.

The new GECOM Chair, James Patterson, is 84 years old, a former High Court Judge, and a pastor. He is also a serving advisor to Attorney General Basil Williams, and served as the Chairman of a Granger-appointed CoI. President Granger's appointment of James Patterson is an egregious breach of the Constitution. The GECOM Chair is by law not an arbitrary appointment, and nothing in the Constitution permits the President to make an appointment of the GECOM Chairman in his own deliberate judgment. When Granger made his appointment, he could not have done so as Guyana's President.

He did so as a dictator. For anyone to accept this appointment when it clearly abrogated both the legal requirements and the spirit of the Constitution raises the question of whether he or she can be trusted. Mr. Patterson was a Judge, and he has to know that the President is guilty of constitutional malpractice.

That Joe Harmon and Basil Williams and others from the People's National Congress would support Granger in this act of constitutional malprac-

tice is not shocking. They have never changed their stripes -- their DNA is that of Burnham and the PNC, steeped in dictatorship. For Rupert Roopnaraine, Moses Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan and others from the WPA and the AFC, supporting Granger on this issue is confirmation that they have cooperated with, and have been co-opted into, the band of dictatorship. They dishonour the legacies of Cheddi Jagan and Walter Rodney, and the blood of so many others that fought for freedom and democracy in Guyana.

For the ABC countries, which were not shy to give their opinions before May 2015, their silence now proves their acquiescence with dictatorship and rigged elections in Guyana.

The Leader of the Opposition, in an extensive exercise of consultations with the broad political and civil societies, named eighteen distinguished Guyanese citizens in three lists. They were professionals, some of whom were high court judges, lawyers, business people, former Chief of Staff and Head of the Army, a former GECOM Chair, etc. David Granger deemed all of them not "fit and proper".

What is special about James Patterson that he is "fit and proper" and none of the 18 distinguished Guyanese was not "fit and proper"? Nine of the 18 persons were lawyers, each of whom had extensive legal practice. Four persons were judges in the High Court, with extensive experience. At least 4 of them served as senior officers in the army, one of whom was a former Head of the Army, served also as

a Chairman of GECOM, and also served in various public service roles under at least 6 Presidents.

One person has extensive knowledge of GECOM, having served as an election observer and worked with the UN in an independent role for all elections since 1992.

He has more knowledge of the election process and GECOM than Mr. Patterson by far. As far as I am aware, only two have previous political activities, one for the PPP and the other for the WPA, now part of APNU. Having made "fit and proper" THE CRITERION, Granger owes it to the nation to tell these distinguished Guyanese and all of us why they were not "fit and proper". In naming Mr. Patterson, a person not on any of the lists, he deems Mr. Patterson as more qualified and as "fit and proper" than all of the others were. He therefore must justify his pick, tell the people what special characteristics Mr. Patterson has that qualified him to serve as GECOM Chair above and beyond all the others on the lists.

Because Mr. Patterson was appointed by Granger and his APNU+AFC Cabinet to serve in various roles, including as a Chair of a Presidential CoI and as an advisor to the Attorney General, it appears that Mr. Patterson has more political affiliation (with APNU+AFC) than any one of the 18 candidates on the lists submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Patterson is 84 years old. I am not one for whom age is a consideration for public service, even at the highest level. I did not consider the Jagans in their 70s as too old

to serve as President. Neither did I consider Bharrat Jagdeo in his 20s and in his early 30s as too young to serve as a Minister of Finance or as the President of Guyana.

Ashton Chase was in his 20s when he served as the Minister of Labour. Carolyn Rodrigues was in her 20s when she served as Minister of Amerindian Affairs. Age in no way is a consideration for "fit and proper".

But David Granger made age a qualifying factor in judging who is "fit and proper" to serve in the public service or in a constitutionally-mandated position. In Granger's own words and from his own mouth, Prem Persaud and Cecil Kennard were dismissed from their constitutional appointments, respectively as Head of the PUC and the Police Complaints Authority, because they were too old to serve.

Mr. Patterson is older than both those distinguished Guyanese who were deemed not "fit and proper" to serve because of their age.

Like Patterson, both Kennard and Persaud were high court judges. Both of them served as judges in the Appeals Court, and Kennard was a Chancellor of the Judiciary. So what makes Patterson "fit and proper" when Granger himself has told Guyanese that age matters?

Outside of the age concern, he also showed that some of the "fit and proper" qualifications that he himself outlined appear to disqualify Patterson also.

In a June 3 Kaieteur News article, it is reported that Granger outlined various characteristics that he considers qualify a person as turn to “fit and proper”. page 5

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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

Elderly, young ought to be given priority at any medical institution Dear Editor, This is not a letter of complaint seeking to attack the Government that has taken over a country in which its critical social services have been found to be deficient in their daily operations. Sometimes I am left to ponder whether this nation can fully comprehend the daunting task that this Government has in regard to the proper restoration of many of these departments for a better delivery of service. Can we really appreciate the challenges?

Before I air my particular concern, congratulations are manifold to Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence and all the technical staff that are at the moment carrying out the countrywide anti-filaria campaign. This is a national initiative of an innovative type that matches the well- known stigma of this condition – taking medicine to the people. There are so many persons who would have contracted this disease because of mosquito bites, without being aware, because of its long gestation

period.

I daresay that this is a strategy that will be far reaching in its aim to prevent the proliferation of the infection, as well as bring relief to those who may have already been infected.

For all the billions that the past administration of the People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C) budgeted and crowed about spending for the nation’s health, aspects of efficient delivery of critical health care services are still a grave issue.

Despite the many interventions that this current administration has wrought, the deterioration of the national health services was so bad.

Six doctors each recently acquired a Master’s Degree in Emergency Medicine through a programme provided by the Vanderbilt University and the Medical Centre of the United States of America (USA). The doctors are currently stationed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit,

boosting the level of services being offered at the institution. Despite over 150 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) having been trained to assist in the process of saving lives, with medical response with three ambulance Emergency Medical Services. The EMTs are responsible for stabilising patients and ensuring their safety until they arrive at the A&E unit.

These are all worthy of commendation, and are a clear intention by this administration to provide quality health care to its citizens.

However, there are still cases of persons, senior citizens, who complain about being made to wait very long hours at the Accident and Emergency Unit before receiving attention.

Editor, it is my understanding that the diagnostic centres: the Diamond and Leonora Diagnostic Centres, which have been staffed with specialists, were conceived and came into being primarily to reduce the volume of persons on the

central health services in Georgetown. I stand to be corrected when I say that persons from the specific locales of those diagnostic centres could access the A&E only by written referral.

But that seems not to have worked well, since, among the significant numbers of persons visiting the central system, large numbers reside in the very regions where there are diagnostic centres.

Strategically, there has been an out-patient department in operation for some time, re-established to tend to cases that do not warrant the A&E’s attention.

This is very good. However, if it were a 24-hour service, it would also cater for those late-hour workers who may need to visit for medical attention for, say, a non-life threatening medical issue.

But if it is not of that duration, then obviously that person would inevitably defer to the A&E. This adds to the increase in persons at the A&E. Firstly, why are persons seeking medical attention

not making the diagnostic centres their first port of call? Is it through a lack of confidence in the services offered? Surely, I am of the opinion that those senior health posts can provide competent services to those who seek medical help.

Six doctors recently acquired Master’s Degrees in Emergency Medicine through a programme provided by the Vanderbilt University and the Medical Centre of the United States of America (USA). The doctors are currently stationed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation’s (GPHC) Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit, boosting the level of services being offered at the institution.

Secondly, the A&E is the nerve centre of the GPHC, and is geared to service emergencies. By the latter, emergencies from a layman’s understanding should mean any physical condition that may be immediately life threatening.

From experience, there have been many mature

age persons, especially senior citizens, with known physical ailments, together with babies and young children, who do visit the A&E and are made to wait for extreme lengths of time. In the end, many were admitted because of the genuineness of their complaint.

My point here is this: waiting too long with a particular chronic condition as many senior citizens do have can only result in further deterioration to their already fragile health.

Therefore, the aged and the young ought to be given priority at any medical institution, most of all at the GPHC A&E, particularly when seen in a poorly state.

In this month of the elderly, it is my fervent hope that the Ministers of Public Health, Ms Volda Lawrence and Dr. Karen Cummings, and the Medical Director and Head of the A&E, Dr. Zulifikar Bux, will give serious thought to my humble suggestions.

Regards, Shauna Williams

Diwali celebrations in India, Guyana and the Diaspora Dear Editor, As in Guyana and among the Guyanese diaspora in the US, Diwali was celebrated with utmost joy in India. As I observed during my travels in India during that festive period, the ancient custom of celebrating Diwali as in Guyana has been retained with very strong traditions. It was a most awe-inspiring and spectacular festival in India.

Each town or region has its own unique festivity for the occasion (with its own distinct type of foods and sweets), with people well attired in traditional clothing. But diyas and electronic lights are common to the festivity regardless of loca-

tion. And it was indeed a grand festival throughout the hundreds of miles I visited. Buildings, streets, vehicles, and temples were brilliantly illuminated with electronic lights, and there were all kinds of decorations in front of homes, as is now the norm in the USA among the large Guyanese Hindu community.

I was most fortunate to spend pre-Diwali (Chota Diwali) on the banks of the holy Sirju River in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh state, from where most indentured labourers came to Guyana and the Caribbean and other parts of the globe. I met several other Guyanese visiting UP for Diwali. A group of Guyanese diaspora tour-

Granger’s appointment...

Among those is this gem: The person will not be an activist in any form (gender, racial, religious, etc.).

Mr. Patterson is a practising pastor, which makes him a religious activist. Again, for me, this is not an important factor in rendering a person “fit and proper. The person’s religion, or even if he is a religious leader, a pastor, a pandit, a moulvi, does not matter. But it is Granger who made it a requirement.

Why is Mr. Patterson exempted from this Grangerimposed requirement for fit and proper?

It has become pellucidly clear that Granger had always intended to appoint the Chairman in his own deliberate judgment, abrogating the constitutional requirements. From the start, he knew who he was

from page 4

going to appoint, and he played the nation in a reckless game. He has been setting the stage for a PNC-like rigging similar to what we experienced in elections in 1968, 1973, 1980 and 1985, and in the bogus referendum in 1978. All Guyanese citizens and groups who cherish their freedom and want a democracy, and the diplomatic corps, must recognise that Granger and APNU+AFC are not even trying anymore to disguise their intentions. They have made an explicit declaration that the 2020 General Elections and the 2018 Local Government Elections will be rigged. Silence is not an option. We may not agree on everything, but we must unite to stop dictatorship.

Dr Leslie Ramsammy

ists are in Jaipur for Diwali.

Ayodhya is the holy city where Lord Ram was born, and from where he was exiled (sent into Banbas for 14 years); and his return to the city led to the creation of Diwali. Hundreds of thousands visit the city daily for pilgrimage.

In addition to Ayodhya, I visited several other towns and villages from where Indo-Guyanese were recruited as indentured labourers. As I observed, the customs and rituals practised in Guyana relative to Diwali are similar to those practised in the villages of Uttar Pradesh. As in Guyana and the USA, houses are cleaned and spruced up with new materials and bartan (wares for meal preparation), and are well lit on that day. People illuminate their houses with coloured lights and earthen lamps. And people celebrated with fervor and euphoria, filling their stomachs with traditional vege meals and sweets, and participating in, and witnessing, fireworks.

In Ayodha, there was a massive pre-Diwali celebration on Wednesday.

It was organised with the assistance of Vice

Chancellor Manoj Dixit of Avadh University, where I was an official guest. The Chief Minister (CM), Yogi Adityanath, and Governor Ram Naik were the chief guests at the Diwali celebrations. It was the biggest Diwali celebration ever in the town since the time of Lord Rama -- a magnificent spectacle with some 200,000 lit diyas and millions of colourful electronic lights (every colour imaginable) on the banks of the river. The various earthen diyas and the electric lights lit up the night sky such that it could be seen from miles away.

This was followed by magnificent fireworks. Sparkle flares were also set off during the night, there and on the rooftops of homes.

Prof Dixit said it was an amazing scene and lifetime experience to be there at the Ram Ki Paidi and watch 2 lakh diyas being lit simultaneously by the volunteers of the Avadh University.

He said: “It was an uphill task, but around 3000 young volunteers and their teachers made it look so easy. This only shows that people want Ayodhya to be like that, and they are willing to contribute for that.

As the Vice Chancellor of

the University, I feel proud to have been a part of the achievement as well as a witness to the event. This will undoubtedly boost tourism in the region”.

Before the evening came alive with beautiful lights, there was a parade of skits (on floats), recreating scenes from the Ramayana.

As among Guyanese Hindus in America, Diwali in India is a period when families reunite and exchange gifts and sweets

with each other. People gifted sweets and other items (including jewelry, murtis, clothing, etc.) to their loved ones and neighbours. Oil lamps were lit and crackers were burst to celebrate the festive season. As is the custom in Guyana or New York, lit diyas were seen in front of homes and businesses two nights before Diwali, as well as on Diwali evening.

Yours faithfully, Vishnu Bisram

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Foundation

Brainy and bored: why whiz children require special attention – gifted children can fall through the cracks too

By Dena Kouremetis

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n my post “Giftedness: A Curse or a Blessing?”

I tried to cover the double-edged sword of being the parent of a child who does not fit the norms due to a mind that races ahead, grasping knowledge or concepts earlier than most children his or her age.

If, like me, your only or first child fit this profile, you probably had no idea that other toddlers or schoolaged children were any different from your own until teachers and others began to point it out. It is then that you may have realised that the average public school setting may not offer the kinds of advancement for or interest in a child who skates through academic subjects, some becoming patently bored and acting out, and others withdrawing into their own worlds in order to entertain themselves.

In Upworthy’s article, “What can we learn from letting seventh graders take the SAT”, psychologist Julian Stanley’s 1960s study points out that if you took the best and brightest middle schoolers from around the country and had them take college entrance

exams, those children would score, on average, about the same as the typical college-bound senior. The ones who scored better, however, had aptitudes for things like logic, spatial, and quantitative reasoning on steroids. By the ‘70s, Stanley’s team launched a full-scale study of gifted children and tracked them throughout their lives – just the kind of information parents salivate over in order to see how our own “different” children fare (d) compared to others like them.

Findings of the

study urge parents and educators to dash the “gifted” stereotype. Don’t give in to the belief that overstimulating smart children too early might cause burnout because that is not what was found. After Stanley passed his work on to David Lubinski upon Stanley’s death in the mid-

2000s, he discovered that no matter how smart the kid, he or she needs constant direction and mentoring. He also found the idea that sharp children will always find a way to excel also to be a myth. “They’re children,” says Lubinski. “They need guidance. We all need guidance.” So if your child’s teachers pay an inordinate amount of attention to those in class who need to catch up to grade level while letting your own child go on auto-pilot, it’s a good idea to discuss w h a t

might be done to keep your child engaged, whether at school or at home. Above, all don’t let educators treat this as a “good problem.” Why? I don’t mean to scare you (and I am no expert), but think about how high IQs are found not only among academic geniuses but among criminals and the homeless as well.

Lubinski says there is no mistake about it: intelligence is not the same as passion. My daughter, who was thrown into a number of “gifted and talented” programmes, could hold her own and excel in a number of academic subjects. But her interest in most of them covered the spectrum from slightly interested to completely off the radar screen.

Just because your child is a whiz at Maths or science doesn’t mean their true interests lie there.

“There are all kinds of ways to express intellectual talent,” Lubinski says.

“When it comes to doing what’s best for a gifted student, it’s just as important for parents and educators to know what the student is passionate about rather than pigeonholing them in traditionally ‘smart’ fields and registering them in a bunch of STEM courses.” A good analogy is the kid on the soccer field who is fleet of foot, makes goals under some of the most challenging circumstances, but must be cajoled into going to practice or taking their physical talents further.

While it’s fun to get the recognition for being good at something, that something may not hold any fascination for them. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

To be continued

What to do when your child talks back – here’s your three-step strategy for constructive communication “The art of mothering is to teach the art of living to children.” – Elaine Heffner

S

hould you strategically ignore the mouthy behaviour, from a toddler or a tween?

I don’t think so. When children express irritability towards us, often called “back talk,” they’re trying to tell us something and if we don’t listen, they just escalate.

But that doesn’t mean you “crack down” with discipline, either, because that erodes your relationship with your child and makes disrespectful behaviour even more likely in the future.

Your goal is to invite constructive communication while you calmly re-establish the standard for respect. To do that, you need to keep the connection with the child warm, even while you point out their hurtful tone. Here’s your three-step strategy.

Monitor your own language and model respect and kindness as you interact with your child

If you find yourself criticising or yelling, bite your tongue. That models something you don’t want to teach. If you need to set limits, wait until you can speak calmly and respectfully.

Strengthen your relationship with your child by looking for every opportunity to positively connect

Children think twice about hurting the feelings of parents they feel connected to. Be sure you spend at least 15 minutes alone with each child every day, giving them your focused, positive attention.

Calmly confront the behaviour and re-set a clear expectation

If your child speaks hurtfully to you, calmly confront the behaviour and re-set a clear expectation for respectful behaviour while staying connected to your child: “Ouch! That tone of voice hurts. You must be upset to speak to me that way.

You know I don’t speak to you in that tone. You can tell what you’re upset about without attacking me. What’s going on?”

Or, if you know already, “I hear that you’re very angry at me right now. I hear how much you wish I would say yes to what you’re wanting. Let’s talk about this when we’re both calmer.”

Notice that we’re teaching children how to be in a relationship with another person. If we ignore their disrespect, we do them no favours. If we react disrespectfully to their rudeness, we perpetuate the behaviour. The secret? They learn their behaviour from us. (psychologytoday.com)

saturday, october 21, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

7

News Opposition pulls out of Border Commission over GECOM debacle

...will not cut corners in fight for freedom in this country – Jagdeo

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he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has pulled out of the Guyana Border Commission in retaliation to Head of State David Granger’s unilateral appointment of Justice (rtd) James Patterson, as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Thursday.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo made the announcement shortly after meeting with the President ahead of the appointment.

The move comes as part of the Party’s decision to embark on a process of non-cooperation on the part of the Opposition – part controlled regions included.

According to the Opposition Leader, a decision was taken this past week to take part in a special caucus of the Border Committee given a recent development.

Guyana and Venezuela have in recent years been locked in a stand-off over the Spanish speaking country’s claim over the Essequibo.

Jagdeo told reporters his Party will no longer be taking part in the talks – a direct response to the President’s unilateral appointment.

That body is scheduled to meet in the coming week to address issues related to the border controversy involving Venezuela.

As it relates to participation at the local government level, Jagdeo disclosed that this too will be withdrawn until there is a resolution to the crises.

The PPP/C won the popular vote during Local Government Elections (LGE) held in 2016, capturing 25,000 more votes than the APNU/AFC under the proportional representation (PR) component of the polls.

According to the Opposition Leader, the clandestine manner with which the President has flouted the Constitution to swear in Justice Patterson under the cover of darkness, “represents the modus operandi of this Government to do things in secrecy, in the dark and to impose decisions that are

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

undemocratic on the people of this country.”

Jagdeo was adamant the party will begin mobilising its supporters across the country, saying “right now, this Government will not have our cooperation on any issue, any issue in this country until they start complying with our Constitution.”

The Opposition Leader when asked to elaborate on the threat to galvanise the party supporters into non-cooperation with the Government, said “it takes several forms.”

He disclosed to media operatives that, “we will be meeting with the leadership across the country; there are several NDS and municipalities and regions that we control and we will have to have them go into a mode of non-cooperation.”

The former President while not pronouncing on the Party’s participation in General Elections under Justice Patterson at the helm of GECOM, said his party was prepared to plunge the country into a constitutional crisis in order to press for its demands.

Jagdeo was adamant, “we are prepared to have the country go into a constitutional crisis, if we can’t have elections on time, we are prepared to have that happen and then you don’t have a government in place and sign contracts, the budget can’t be passed… nothing, because we are not going to cut corners on the fight for democracy or freedom in this country.”

The Opposition Leader was in fact adamant the fight should be one to engage all of the citizenry since “this country will become pariah again, pariah if we go down this route like it was in the past.”

He told media operatives that President Granger is to be held responsible for the consequences of any non-cooperation and plunging the country into a constitutional crisis.

“The President must be responsible for this, it’s not us,” he said and questioned “should I compromise on the fight for freedom in this country, not freedom for PPP people, freedom for all the people of Guyana because that is what is at stake here.”

The Opposition Leader expanded, saying “he (Granger) is responsible by taking this undemocratic decision; he will be responsible for all of its consequences” Meanwhile, as it relates to the Party’s participation at the level of the National Assembly, Jagdeo told reporters that the PPP Executive will have to meet and decide given the important oversight role of the National Assembly.

“With the corruption in this Government and the free pass that they are getting in Parliament, we have to see if not being in the Parliament will help them (APNU/AFC) because maybe that is what they want too,” he disclosed.

Jagdeo, who also serves as General Secretary of the PPP was adamant, “there are about 40 cases of serious corruption in this Government; frankly speaking I think this is one of the reasons why they are making these decisions... we have to examine that, whether presence in Parliament will, because we not going there to cooperate with them, if exposing them in Parliament will make a difference.”

He continued by adding “I will be pushing for serious non-cooperation” when the Party’s Executives meet to formalise its agenda.

According to Jagdeo “we will be talking to our people across the country as well as the members to decide

Civil society, unions slam unilateral...

In justifying why he decided to hand pick 84-yearold Justice Patterson for this position, the President said it is because of his extensive experience as a former Chief Justice of Grenada. “He has long judicial service and we feel that he is a fit and proper person. So it’s important for the reason I mentioned,

that we bring this to an end and continue with the business of Guyana,” he added.

The decision has not gone down well with the political Opposition. During a press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo announced that his party would be withdrawing its support from any form of cooperation with Government and would also

from page 3

mount a legal challenge to the appointment.

In addition to expressing his intention to raise the matter with the diplomatic community, Jagdeo indicted that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) will be calling on its support base countrywide for the national boycott. (Jarryl Bryan)

what else we will do, but right now, this Government

will not have our cooperation on any issue until they

start complying with the constitution”.

8 NEWS

saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Pregnant woman on $100,000 bail for embezzlement

A

pregnant woman found herself before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday to answer to a charge of embezzlement.

Latoya Lovell, 29, of Georgetown, denied the allegation brought against her. Magistrate Leron Daly read the charge which alleged that between June 9 and September 16, 2017 in Georgetown, Lovell fraudulently embezzled $2.3 million taken into possession by her in the name of Stephen

Latoya Lovell

Electrical Agency.

The facts of the matter were not read to the court. However, the Attorney for the accused asked that bail be granted due to the fact that the defendant is seven months pregnant.

Police Prosecutor Harris objected to this based on the amount of money embezzled.

However, bail was granted to the accused in the sum of $100,000 and Lovell is expected to return to court on November 10 for reports.

Injured man charged for break and enter

A

n injured man who limped into Magistrate Leron Daly’s courtroom was on Friday charged with break and enter.

Eon Ambrose, 30, of Lot 91 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and denied that on October 9, 2017, at 229 Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown he broke and entered the dwelling house of Linsley Rey with intent to commit a felony.

Attorney for the accused, Paul Fung-a-Fat requested bail for his client stating that he is injured; with those inju-

ries being received after the accused was caught by the Virtual Complainant (VC).

The Police Prosecutor had no objections to bail being granted as nothing was stolen from the VC’s home.

He however explained to the court that the accused sustained injuries as he was attempting to escape over a barbed wire fence.

Bail was granted to the tune of $100,000 and the matter will be called again in court on November 3, 2017.

The accused was also ordered to report to the East La Penitence Police Station every Monday.

Eon Ambrose

Mentally ill man assaults mother …accuses her of sexual assault

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imothy Johnson appeared twice before city Magistrate Dylan Bess on Thursday before the court took a decision not to charge the accused in his apparent state of unsound mind.

Johnson commenced his rambling by accusing his wheel chair ridden mother

of touching him inappropriately and justifying his actions of hitting her to “get the demon out” when he was called to stand before Magistrate Bess.

The court did not read the alleged charge to the accused, who clearly lacked the capacity to form the intent to commit and bear the

responsibility of his actions.

The frustrated mother told the court that she has “tried” with her son and took him to see a doctor in attempts to get him better.

She alleged that on the day of the incident, her son woke her at 05:00h, demanding his tea. When she told him that it was too early, he re-

portedly became outraged and cut her with a piece of glass to the neck and chest area.

According to the bereaved woman, she was not aware that she suffered injuries until her daughter raised an alarm, indicating that she was bleeding profusely from the wounds inflicted.

The Magistrate told the woman that the defendant’s actions are caused by his ill mental health and the protection orders which she sought might just not be enough to afford her protection from her son, while noting that such cases of suspected mental illnesses are subjected to evaluations before they can be charged with criminal offences or otherwise.

The woman pleaded for her son to be locked away for her safety and that of other members of the family and society at large, fearing that once released from the mental ward at the Georgetown Public Hospital he would return home to continue to harass her. The Magistrate agreed that the local hospital does not have the capacity to accommodate and treat such persons on a long-term basis. In the circumstances, Johnson will return to court on Friday for further deliberation

Why surprise…

Y

…at City Hall’s arrogance?

our Eyewitness is surprised that some folks are surprised the PNC-led APNU/AFC government hasn’t even HINTED that the officials of City Hall in general, and the Town Clerk in particular, would even be SPOKEN TO after their latest outrageous act --which is beyond any pale one may conceive of. But isn’t the City officials’ covering up the sexual violation of a child by one of their evident “own” a direct replication of the PNC hierarchy’s covering up for their “own” in the said City Council?

While most right-thinking folks would recoil at the rape of a troubled youth by a City Constable -- whose duty was to protect him -- wasn’t the Mayor, Town Clerk and her other two colleagues -- all members of the PNC -- signing of the secret -- and illegal -Parking Meter Contract also an attempted rape of the entire city of Georgetown? And wasn’t it covered up?

Weren’t we all violated when we were threatened with a fleecing that puts those champion Aussie shearers to shame?

Imagine the Chairman of the PNC -- who just happens to be the Attorney General -- and the Minister of Finance both highlighted the potential damage the contractual rape would’ve inflicted on the parking public -- not a word was uttered to stop the outrage. In fact, the Minister of Communities waived his power to intervene in a municipal manner by signing off the necessary by-laws!!

As your Eyewitness pointed out then, this PNC code of “omerta” is more effective than the Mafia’s: they only kill the person “snitch”, the PNC cut off access to the public purse -- and you know, dear reader, money speaks louder than bullets!! So, even after the scandal of the secret rape contract was exposed, the mayor was REWARDED with a position on the PNC Executive Committee!

So, dear reader, let’s return to the sordid rape of the ‘wandering” boy by the City Constable; actually, Lance Corporal. Seems this wasn’t even the first time the fella had done his despicable act -- and the Gang of Four knew of it, because the matter was sent to the DPP. The latter didn’t press changes because the violated boy had “decided” not to testify. And we all know what determined THAT “decision”!

Truth is: the Gang of Four controls a city administration that’s in a perpetual “shake down” mode over the citizens of Georgetown.

Like the old Tammany Hall ward bosses of yore in the US, the Gang of Four will be untouched, because they are expected to get out the votes, come 2010.

So what if our children are violated? “Collateral damage”!

…at the homeless Indian Monument

The Monument to the Indian Immigrants was years in the making. Built by and in India, it was shipped to Guyana since January 2016. It retraced the trip across the “kala pani” that the original immigrants had taken.

Designed by local Guyanese artists, it was supposed to get a permanent home in time for the 100th anniversary of the Abolition of Indian Indentureship, on March 12, 2017.

But like those Indians who struck out for Europe hundreds of years ago and earned the name “gypsies”, which is synonymous with wandering and having no fixed abode, this seems to have become the fate of the Indian Monument. The PNC-led APNU/AFC government was supposed to take the baton from the ousted PPP Administration, but dropped it like a hot potato!

They brought in from Linden a “contractor” with absolutely NO experience to build the base, and yet expressed surprise the structure fell down like Humpty Dumpy!! Maybe the homelessness of the Monument is the Government’s message to Indian Guyanese?

…on environmental advice

Rear Admiral Gary Best was appointed Presidential Advisor on the Environment. Civil Society activist Chris Ram complained that, with oil in the offing and the Deepwater Horizon spill still fresh, Best should speak up.

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

News

9

saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

PPP/C launches non-cooperation campaign

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eader of the Opposition, PPP party Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, on Friday held wide-ranging consultations with the Parliamentary Opposition Members, Regional Democratic Councillors, members of the PPP Central and Executive Committees, and the three Oppositionappointed Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioners.

The discussions focused on the following situations: President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM on Thursday night; the party’s “response to this undemocratic, unlawful, unconstitutional act by the President”; and the extent of the actions the “non-cooperation” announced by the Leader of the Opposition in his press statement on the evening of October 19, 2017 would take.

According to a statement from the PPP, the gathering unanimously en-

dorsed the position that the appointment of retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM was unconstitutional, illegal and undemocratic. Furthermore, it was agreed that this was a total departure from the “Carter Formula’, which since 1992 had entrenched a bipartisan GECOM headed by a Chairperson chosen from lists of persons submitted by the Leader of the Opposition, in accordance with the Guyana Constitution.

“This latest unilateral act by the President to appoint retired Justice Patterson is another act in a long list of examples of executive abuses and lawlessness we, the Guyanese people, have witnessed since the installation of the APNU/AFC Coalition government. The consistent and methodical bypassing of the letter and spirit of the Constitution has been repeatedly seen with the undermining of the separation of powers of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary; the non-appointment of

the Integrity Commission; the interference in the Police, Public and Judicial Service Commissions; and the blatant violation of the Procurement Act and regulations,” the PPP stated.

Compounding these untenable developments is the downturn in the economy due to the irresponsible and reckless polices of the Government, which are severely impacting on the livelihoods of practically all Guyanese.

The stance of ‘non-cooperation’ with the APNU/ AFC government was unanimously approved as the only viable means to expose the unilateral and dictatorial Granger-led autocratic, corrupt cabal that is stacked with past military and police officers, and known political activists placed in strategic areas of the Government, who come out of the failed Burnham/PNC government.

“Today we have seen yet another development in the courts with regard to charges being brought against members of the banking sector.

Allsopp Point signage returns to Bartica B etween 1973 and 1978, the then Government designated a junction of the road that runs approximately 20 miles from Bartica to Potaro, ‘Allsopp’s Point’ to

point be Allsopp Point.’

I’m delighted to be here and I’m looking forward to coming back,” Allsopp said.

Allsopp, who grew up in Charlestown, Georgetown,

Contractors from the Public Infrastructure Ministry installing the new Allsopp Point sign

honour renowned engineer and surveyor, Philip Allsopp.

The signboard had overtime deteriorated but on Friday, it was re-installed by a team from the Public Infrastructure Ministry.

Ninety-one-year-old Allsopp said that many persons seem to have forgotten how the junction was given its name. According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), he reminded that the late President Burnham had commissioned him to find a route from Georgetown to the Bartica-Potaro road.

“The Allsopp Point was established because we were on a hunt to expand our communication programme; it was said by Burnham ‘let the

with his siblings and parents, has an admirable career including the construction of several roads across the country especially overseeing works on the Soesdyke/Linden highway – and serving in the diplomatic service. Regional Chairman of Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), Gordon Bradford said he was privileged to be in the presence of the man whom the road was named after.

He noted that even while the signboard was missing, Barticians still referred to the area as Allsopp Point.

“I’m grateful to be alive to meet with this renowned Guyanese engineer and surveyor; it’s a history to the Bartica triangle.

The signboard will serve history’s purpose because when strangers get lost without direction, the board is a timely reminder to guide them.”

Phillip Allsopp (centre) surrounded by engineers from the Public Infrastructure Ministry in front of the newly erected Allsopp Point sign

This development, along with Granger’s unilateral appointment of the GECOM Chairman, has delivered another blow to the already deteriorating environment for investment and confidence of foreign and local investors.

This will result in a further loss of jobs. The gathering resolved to incrementally roll out, inter alia, a series of measures over time: * Challenge, by Court action in the courts and at the Caribbean Court of Justice, as necessary, the steps undertaken by President Granger to subvert and thwart the spirit, letter, and intent of the Constitution * Sensitize the Guyanese people to the on-going threat to democracy and the Guyana Constitution, and resist the stealthy move to an authoritarian state * Undertake meetings countrywide to sensitize the Guyanese people, and use other means, including social media and media, to the reasons for non-cooperation and on the progress of the campaign * Brief and consult civic society bodies which had participated in consultations which produced the 18 individuals whose names were submitted by the Leader of the Opposition to the President for the post of Chairman of the GECOM between December 2016 and August 2017 * Consistently and reg-

ularly engage with national and regional stakeholders to hold Government accountable, and ensure that democracy is not derailed * Alert and advise the Guyanese diaspora on the threat to democracy and the continued deprivations wreaked on the Guyanese people by the PNC-led APNU/AFC * Continue the fight in some aspects of the National Assembly and at the GECOM to protect the integrity of the electoral machinery, and ensure that conditions for free, fair and transparent elections are restored and met, both constitutionally and in the composition and practices of the institutions and persons tasked with this vital role Undertake meetings, in and out of Guyana, with the representatives of foreign countries and international institutions, to expose the extent and import of constitutional violations by the Granger APNU/AFC regime * Launch picketing exercises, petitions, appeals, vigils, marches and other peaceful forms of protest to highlight the issues relating to the undemocratic, unilateral, and illegal appointment of the Chairman of the GECOM * Adopt a policy of critical non-participation in APNU/ AFC governmental activities throughout the length and breadth of Guyana.

“We have also noted the sycophantic ramblings of the AFC apologists in their response to the Leader of the Opposition. So desperate to prove their loyalty to the APNU, the AFC accused the Leader of the Opposition of an ‘unpatriotic stance of non-cooperation and civil disobedience’, and promised to hold him personally responsible. The Leader of the Opposition shall not be intimidated by the corrupt cowards of the AFC, whose only interest in governance is their personal well-being and enjoyment of the perks of office.”

The People’s Progressive Party said it has been down this path before in similar situations in the past, and “we, as a party, and our supporters, have prevailed and we overcame with the restoration of democracy on October 5, 1992. We are confident and optimistic that we shall overcome again and restore democracy again to our beloved country.”

The PPP/Civic calls on all Guyanese, both as individuals and institutions, to become fully acquainted with the issue of the unilateral appointment of GECOM Chairman Patterson; the repeated assaults on democracy; and support the exercise of the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protests in consistent interventions to protect Guyana’s democracy.

10 news

saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Harmon says Guyana ill-prepared for ‘oil spill’ ...says we are still in ‘early stages’ of preparation

G

uyana is currently unprepared for the possibility of an oil spill the likes of which is currently afflicting neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago, but the administration is acutely aware of its shortcomings and is actively working with partners to confront such a possibility.

“I would not say that we are ready, we are not ready for that as yet; but I believe we are in the process of acquiring sufficient information that will (enable us) to put processes and structures in place to deal with the eventuality of an oil spill,” Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, declared on Thursday as he addressed members of the media at a post-Cabinet engagement in the Kairuni Room of the Ministry of the Presidency following Cabinet’s meeting on Tuesday last.

He also downplayed the immediate need for a single person to be tasked with the portfolio of Minister of

The Stena Carron oil drilling ship

Harmon told the press that oil spills are the result of accidents, and as such, “it is the way how you prepare for these accidents that is important.”

The Minister of State

Guyana is currently unprepared for the possibility of an oil spill with the initial production of oil is expected to begin by mid-2020

Petroleum.

Speaking to Guyana’s drive to become prepared for the eventuality of an oil spill, Harmon drew reference to an upcoming conference at which the Director of the Department of the Environment would be participating, and said, “These are some of the issues being dealt with.”

According to the Minister of State, “We are still in the early stages of preparation.

We have been getting the advice of best practices from countries around the world.”

used the occasion to point out that oil spills have occurred in some of the more developed countries around the world. He said, “With all of their processes, they still had issues when there was an oil spill.”

Government, Harmon said, is looking at the capacity within the Ministry of Natural Resources and the environmental agencies -- the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of the Environment, and the Office

of Climate Change -- among other government agencies.

As it relates to an ‘Oil Spill Strategy’, the Minister told members of the media this was among the issues “on the front burner; and there are discussions going on all the time.”

He noted that, at present, the various environmental departments are tasked with developing such a strategy, and he announced that, at the end of the month, the EPA would be hosting a staff retreat.

According to the Minister of State, the department will be using the caucus to “focus on their processes, and they are going to look at the processes for dealing with oil and the environment and things like that... The EPA, they are actually gearing up.”

The Minister gave assurance that there would be increased focused on environmental protection as 2020 nears.

Environmental Activist Anette Arjoon-Martins has, in recent weeks, been at the forefront of questioning the absence of, and calling for, policy/policies related to oil and its impact on the environment.

Questioned on the need for a single person to be identified for singular responsibility of the sector, Minister Harmon pointed out that while the Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for all of the country’s natural resourc-

es, including the oil and gas sector, the portfolio of Petroleum Minister has been given to the substantive Minister.

That Ministry, according to Harmon, is involved in the national patrimony of Guyana, “so oil and gas -like timber, gold, diamond, manganese and all these other natural resources -are part of the natural resources,” he explained.

According to Harmon, “Because of the way things develop in Guyana, there is a requirement for a Minister of Petroleum, and that is something which resides within the President, and the President can in fact designate someone for that (portfolio), and so he has designated Minister Trotman.”

Harmon noted that as regards the Energy Sector, this falls under the Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson.

Harmon said that an environmental study undertaken by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found there is a 10 per cent likelihood of an oil spill, occurring offshore Guyana as part of the ExxonMobil exploration activities, reaching to Guyana’s shores. The report concluded that an oil spill is considered possible.

Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL) has conducted oil spill modelling to evaluate the range of likely spill trajectories and rates of travel.

The location of the Project

at 190 km (120 miles) offshore, prevailing northwest currents, the light nature of the Liza field crude oil, and the region’s warm waters would all help minimise the severity of a spill.

“Accounting for these factors, the modelling indicates only a 5-to-10 per cent probability of any oil reaching the Guyana coast without taking into consideration the effectiveness of any oil spill response, and in the unlikely event that a spill were even to occur,” the study found.

ExxonMobil, the USbased company which has already found commercial quantities reaching almost three billion barrels of oil, has proposed to drill approximately 17 subsea development wells, and use a float-

ing production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel to process, store, and offload the recovered oil.

The FPSO will be connected to the wells via separate production (oil, gas, and produced water), gas injection, and water injection flowlines and risers, and associated subsea equipment.

The project, according to the environmental study, will also involve shore-based facilities and marine/aviation services to support development drilling, FPSO and subsea equipment installation, production operations, and ultimately decommissioning.

Initial production of oil is expected to begin by mid2020, with operations continuing for at least 20 years.

MP calls for overhaul of filaria tablet distribution in schools

T

eacher and Member of Parliament (MP) Africo Selman is calling for changes regarding the implementation of tablet distribution under the filariasis prevention programme. The Public Health Ministry collaborated with the Education Ministry on a Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign to provide preventative filariasis medication to persons living in endemic areas.

The Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that the programme was developed to ensure that Guyana meets 65 per cent coverage as it works to eradicate lymphatic filariasis, commonly called filaria, by 2020.

In an interview with this publication on Thursday, Selman while noting the benefits of the programme, indicated that many of the schools lack the facilities and medical personnel to deal with the after effects of the tablets which include vomiting, headache, dizziness, fever, or body ache.

Selman, who teaches at a private institution, noted that students, whose parents consented, were recently administered the tablets at her school.

She said that the forms advised that the side effects were ‘rare’ but this was not so as many students in the grade she teaches experienced vomiting and fever, while 15 children were sent home for their ailments related to taking the drug.

“It (the forms) went on to say that if your child has side effects, there is going to be a health personnel attached to the school but I don’t know how many schools in Guyana have health personnel, especially the public schools,” she pointed out.

MP Africo Selman

“It is fine to give out the tablets but it has to be done in a stable environment; you cannot give out to the schools where the children are not properly monitored; if they are home the children can be monitored by their parents,” Selman added.

She suggested that even if the Ministries continue to distribute in schools, it should be done on Fridays so that if the child falls sick, the parent can tend to their concerns. Children are at risk for filaria later on in their life when they are exposed to bites from the mosquito that carries the filaria worms – particularly Wuchereria bancrofti. DPI stated in late September that consent forms were being given to parents along with information on filaria and the treatment being used in the MDA campaign. This campaign will be carried out in Regions Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Guyana has been using MDA campaigns since 2003 as it works to eradicate the disease.

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saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Patterson apologises over delays of EBB Road project P

ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson on Thursday apologised to top officials in Region Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) for the delay being experienced in completing the East Bank Berbice Road project.

Patterson met with Region Six officials for discussions and to provide them with updates on a number of infrastructural works being undertaken there.

The meeting was attended

by Regional Chairman David Armogan and his regional councillors; Regional Executive Officer (REO), Mrs Kim Williams-Stephens; representatives from the Community Oversight Committee (COC); and engineers from the Public Infrastructure Ministry who are overseeing works within the region.

Minister Patterson explained that the meeting was facilitated to primarily provide an update on the East Bank Berbice Road project, which has seen some delay. Resident Engineer Joel Tucker explained that the current delays are due to ongoing relocation of utilities as well as the sourcing of materials. Nonetheless, he said, the Ministry's team is working around the clock to get the project rolling.

Tucker added that the issue of dust pollution, about which residents have been complaining, is being addressed by wetting of the road-

on-going road works, but requested the installation of speed bumps.

According to the residents, the roads are being used as "race courses", a situation they would like to be rectified to improve safety.

The one thousand, two

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson being shown a section of the East Bank Berbice Road when he visited on Thursday

way, and this effort would be doubled when another water tender is brought on stream.

The main concern going ahead, the engineer added, is the relocation of the road's alignment. He noted that as part of the project, a revision of the road's alignment is necessary to maximise the functionality and safety of the roadway.

Currently, large trucks are forced to manoeuvre around sharp turns in some areas, with blind-spots placing road users at risk. However, Tucker said the alignment would most likely require the re-acquisition of land gazetted as the Government of Guyana's. In some areas, residents reside on these lands.

Meanwhile, Minister Patterson reaffirmed that Government is focused on minimising the inconveniences

residents may face. “We will only take what is needed; if we can avoid homes in the realignment, we will,” Minister Patterson emphasised.

He added that residents are being kept in the loop through the COC representatives, and will be sensitised on the possible acquisition process.

Following the meeting, Minister Patterson visited the roadway to get a first-hand look at the challenges being experienced. He also visited works being executed by the Ministry on Main Street in New Amsterdam, at Strand and at Republic Streets; and at the communities of Canje and Belvedere Housing Scheme.

During the community visits, Minister Patterson met with residents and received feedback from them.

He expressed satisfaction with

GECOM saga

AFC throws support behind President – claims unilateral appointment averted constitutional crisis

T

he Alliance For Change (AFC) has thrown its support behind President David Granger’s decision to appoint as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) a person whose name has not been featured in any of the three lists the Leader of the Opposition had submitted.

Following a management committee meeting on Friday, the party issued a statement in which it took care to distance itself from any involvement in the process of selecting the GECOM Chairman.

Nevertheless, the party described the President’s move as one that “averted a looming constitutional crisis.”

“It is regrettable that after three protracted rounds of consultation and submission, each of the three lists fell short of the requirements of the Constitution. The party recognises that the necessity had arisen for the President not to further delay the appointment of a Chairman.

The appointment, in the President’s own deliberate judgement, has averted a looming constitutional crisis,” the AFC stated.

“Now that GECOM is fully constituted, the party expects that it will commence its work immediately in preparation for Local Government Elections in 2018 and Regional and General Elections in 2020.”

The AFC has said it holds

AFC Chairman, Raphael Trotman

GECOM to the “highest standards of electoral integrity, and will stridently challenge any threats to the preservation of our democracy.”

In wake of President Granger’s unilateral appointment of retired Justice James Patterson to the position of GECOM Chair, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had described the move as “undemocratic” and done in “bad faith”. At a press conference held on Thursday, the former president also noted that a call would be made throughout the support base of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to not cooperate with the Government. The AFC, in its statement, took a critical stand to this.

“The AFC strongly condemns the Opposition Leader

for his reckless and unpatriotic stance of non-cooperation and civil disobedience, and the party will hold him personally accountable for the consequences of any civil unrest which may ensue.”

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

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

The President said he had decided to hand pick 84-yearold Justice James Patterson for this position because of his extensive experience as a former Chief Justice of Grenada.

“He has long judicial service, and we feel that he is a fit and proper person. So it’s important, for the reason I mentioned, that we bring this to an end and continue with the business of Guyana,” he added.

hundred million dollar ($1.2 billion) East Bank Berbice Road Project will feature the upgrade of nearly 5 kilometres of roadway, and will include improved roadway lighting and marking; traffic signs, and the reconstruction of two bridges and two culverts.

During the meeting with regional officials, the Public Infrastructure Minister got feedback from them, and information as well on the progress of works on other Berbice projects, and areas of focus in 2018.

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saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Addressing teachers’ concerns

Countrywide teacher strike looms over Govt’s inaction …decisive actions only way to mitigate strike

By Lakhram Bhagirat

T

he Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) is accusing Government of sidelining and disrespecting it as a representative body, and is threatening a countrywide strike that could commence as early as next week if the Ministry of Education, and by extension the Government of Guyana, fails to take decisive action to address its concerns.

GTU President Mark Lyte told a press conference on Thursday that the administration continues to disrespect the union by refusing to take any decisive action in regard to its proposals for salary increases and other benefits. In retaliation for this inaction, the union has said, GTU would be calling out its members to engage in strike action that would basically shut down the entire public education system.

The planned strike could become a reality as soon as next week. Asked if the GTU would enjoy the backing of the 6,000 plus teachers it represents, Lyte unhesitatingly assured that teachers would be on the frontline of any strike action initiated.

“The Guyana Teachers’

From left: First Vice President Leslyn Collins ; General Secretary Coretta McDonald; President Mark Lyte and Field Officer Lancelot Baptiste

Union will be calling teachers out of the classrooms.

The Guyana Teachers’ Union feels that we have no other alternative. It seems as though we have been taken for granted. We will be calling our teachers out of the classrooms not to protest, but we will be calling our teachers to strike if there are no swift actions; and this can be as soon as next week.

I am saying to the powers that be that the talk time should end,” he warned.

“Every teacher is desirous (of a salary increase); every teacher is desirous of clothing allowance; every teacher wants to see added incentives given for qualifi-

cations; every teacher wants to see an increase stated to be given to teachers. We haven’t seen this in the last two years, and having said this and gone around to the various branches, they have said to me in no uncertain terms that, ‘If the Union calls us out, we will be behind you’,” Lyte detailed.

Lyte warned that the only way the strike action could be averted is if the Ministry of Education decides to take decisive action in regard to the GTU issues, since the time for talking is over.

The issues of concern to the union range from the stagnated negotiation be-

tween the GTU and the Ministry of Education for increased teachers’ remuneration, to the matter of outstanding payments.

Additionally, the union is concerned about the recent memorandum that could see teachers having to work during their designated lunch period.

Lyte said that, after more than two years, officials at the Ministry of Education remain reluctant to have a sit down with the Union and discuss debunching payments. He noted that the teachers are becoming more frustrated by the day, and warned of the consequences if the teachers decide to

down tools to make their voices heard.

“Another budget would be presented and we have not come to an agreement for the proposal. We believe that this is disrespectful and comes in direct contravention to the labour agreement (in effect) between the Ministry and the Union, and it is a clear fact that this administration is not seeking to properly remunerate our teachers,” Lyte said.

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the GTU, Coretta McDonald, has said teachers have recognised that they are not being treated with the respect they deserve. She added that the union has been submitting, resubmitting, discussing, and having long vacations in regard to the welfare of teachers.

“We are here most recently to talk about the salaries proposal we have submitted to the Government since November of 2016…

We have been talking to our counterparts, and it seems as though some of those words have gone on deaf ears; and so we want the public to understand the plight we are finding ourselves in, and the situa-

tion our teachers are finding themselves in. In some cases, they are being placed in a box or being backed into a wall,” she said.

“The Guyana Teachers Union believes that due process must be executed, hence the reason for the discussion. We are committed to the task of making things happen in the education sector. We cannot continue to push if the teachers are not comfortable. We don’t want to go down the line (of) having the worst-case scenario, where we have to call our teachers out of the classroom. That is the last stage where we would have to go to; but, again, if nothing is going to happen, and it means that we will have to force the hands of the powers that be, then we will have to go down that line,” McDonald added.

In 2011, President David Granger, as Opposition Leader, wrote to former GTU President Colin Bynoe, promising to value the work of teachers among a whole host of other things.

However, the Government, although comprised of several former teachers, is yet to address the concerns of teachers.

Mother, sons killed in Berbice smash-up given emotional send off

By Kizzy Coleman

S

abita Manglani and her two sons – fiveyear-old Ethan Ramjeet and 18-year-old Emanuel Manglani – who were tragically killed in

The atmosphere was both sad and sombre as relatives and friends paid their last respects to the mother and her sons of Bel Air, Georgetown following a touching funeral service.

Sighs of regret for the

An aunt of the deceased embracing another relative at the funeral

a two-vehicle smash-up last Sunday at Number 59 Village, Corentyne, Berbice were on Friday given an emotional send-off before being laid to rest.

A photo of Manglani and her sons

great loss could be heard as mourners viewed the bodies of the deceased. Loud wails could also be heard from a number of family members.

The eulogy of Sabita Manglani and her sons was read by her cousin, Attorney Bernard Da Silva, who reflected on their lives as being joyful.

A message of hope for the resurrection was preached to the small gathering by Pastor Leroy Singh, who also encouraged the family of the dead to remember them for the joyous life they led.

Following his sermon, family members along with friends of the deceased delivered tributes where they reflected on times shared together.

Manglani and sons lost their lives along with her secretary, Reshma Seeram of the West Coast of Berbice and friend, Dhanpaul Kishandial, called “Navin” of the United States.

The body of Manglani’s younger son, Ramjeet was severed in two following the impact of their motorcar and a lorry.

Eyewitnesses told Guyana Times there were two carts parked on the road’s shoulder adjacent to the pothole.

The impact of the collision pushed half of the lorry off the road and sent the paddy-laden tray pitching off into the back of the Honda wagon removing the top half in the process.

Manglani and her 18-year-old son, who were in the back seat, were tossed over the lorry, and as a result, the woman landed on

Bernard Da Silva delivering the eulogy

the parapet and the teen in the trench – both dead.

The body of the five-yearold, who was also in the back seat, was severed at the waist, with the top half of his body flying over the lorry and landing in the trench running parallel to the road.

Mourners at the funeral service

The bottom half remained trapped in the car.

Kishandial and Seeram were pinned in the front seat and remained there until members of the Skeldon Fire Service arrived on the scene and cut open the vehicle to remove the bodies.

In the meantime, undertakers had taken the other persons to the Skeldon Hospital, where they were confirmed as deceased.

The lorry driver was said to be bleeding profusely when he was taken away from the scene.

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saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

illicit weapons in the Fraud charges dismissed against Reducing Caribbean Nizam Hassan, co-accused Manufacturing

By Ramona Luthi

D

ue to lack of evidence, Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on Friday dismissed the case against former General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), Nizam Hassan and his co-accused Felicia De’SouzaMadramootoo, who is the wife of an engineer attached to the Agriculture Ministry.

Thus far, a total of 34 witnesses were called by the prosecution to support the allegations of fraud against the duo.

On November 7, 2016, the plethora of forensic audits that had been ordered by Head of State David Granger had claimed Hassan as its first victim.

The former General Manager of the New Guyana Marketing Corporation and his co-accused, Felicia De’Souza-Madramootoo, were slapped with what has been described as a ‘multimillion-dollar’ fraud.

D e ’ S o u z a Madramootoo’s husband, Hanniel Madramootoo – who is a project engineer within the Agriculture Ministry – his brother Philip Madramootoo and friend Nizam Ramkisson – both Directors of Constantine Engineering and Construction Limited of Trinidad and Tobago – were

Former General Manager of the Guyana Marketing Corporation, Nizam Hassan

also jointly charged.

However, only Hassan and the female co-conspirator appeared in court at the time and arrest warrants were issued for the others – who were said to be in Trinidad and Tobago.

Hassan and De’SouzaMadramootoo were charged with intent to defraud together with three others by continuously approving payments for substandard and faulty works during the rehabilitation of the Guyana Marketing Corporation building at Robb and Alexander Streets, Georgetown.

The duo was not required to plead to the indictable charge.

During the course of the audit into the opera-

Female co-accused, Felicia De’Souza-Madramootoo

tions of GMC, it was found that based on the selection of three vouchers related to the construction of the GMC’s office building for testing, that incorrect building materials were used.

Additional auditing procedures were deemed necessary and a request was made to have all payment vouchers made available for further testing.

The Auditors said it was communicated by Owen Nestor, GMC’s accountant, that none of the other payment vouchers related to the construction of the GMC’s office building could be found.

It was also communicated by Nestor that Hassan may have been the last person who requested all of the

payment vouchers of the construction.

The accountants had recommended that a determination be made as to establish what level of disciplinary actions should be taken and that the Board of Directors should instruct GMC’s management to make every effort to locate the missing vouchers.

Nestor, in reporting on his findings to the Finance Ministry, had complained that the process was “deliberately frustrated by the non-response and non-commitment extended by Mr Nizam Hassan, GMC’s General Manager and the lack of commitment by GMC’s Accounting department’s staff.” It was found that many vouchers and back-ups were not provided, either on a timely basis or not at all. “My conclusion is that the accounting practice at GMC shows that the General Manager and the Accountant did not provide any meaningful fiduciary responsibility when any payment originated from the Agriculture Minister or the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture.

In other words, GMC’s General Manager and the Accountant acted more like rubber stamps when payments dealt with transactions originating from the Ministry of Agriculture,” the Auditor declared.

Former GRDB officials face additional fraud charges – granted $1M bail

T

wo former members of the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB) were on Friday arraigned on over 34 fraud-related charges and alleged misappropriation of in excess of $8.5 million of the company’s monies when they were brought to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

The former General Manager, Jagnarine Singh; and former Deputy General Manager, Madanlall Ramraj were jointly charged, along with the former GRDB Accountant, Peter Ramcharran.

Ramcharran was not present as he resides in Canada and an arrest warrant has been issued for him.

The duo was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that between 2011 and 2012, the former employees on 17 occasions, failed to make proper entries into the company’s register and between the same period, they, with intent to defraud, omitted or concurred to be omitted $8.5 million from the general ledger of the GRDB knowing same to be against the or-

Former GRDB General Manager, Jagnarine Singh

ganisation’s operating procedures.

The court also heard that for the same period, the three accused fraudulently took or applied for the monies for their own use or benefit or any use or purpose for the GRDB. Seventeen other fraudulent misappropriation charges were read to the two accused, all being indictable.

Attorney Glenn Hanoman, who is representing the duo, requested leniency with the bail amount since he reminded the court that the two along with other former GRDB employees were charged with a similar

Former GRDB Deputy Manager, Madanlall Ramraj

offence earlier this year.

Bail was granted in the sum of $1 million and the accused are expected to return to court on November 16.

In the other case where the duo and four others were charged in the early part of 2017, it had been reported that false and misleading statements were being sent to the Governments of Guyana and Venezuela by the former General Manager of the GRDB in order to obtain monies from the PetroCaribe Fund.

The Fund was established almost a decade ago when Venezuela introduced an oil sale arrangement

wherein Guyana and a number of CARICOM and Latin America countries took oil at concessionary rates, paid a percentage in advance and protracted payment of the balance over a 20-year period. The PetroCaribe Fund was supposed to hold millions of US dollars.

Inconsistencies in this Fund were just one of several financial irregularities highlighted by Nigel Hinds Financial Services in the forensic audit it had done for the period 2011 to 2015.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had noted that, based on the audit report, millions of dollars had passed through the accounting unit of the GRDB. He highlighted that the “glaring” financial irregularities uncovered by the auditors had “no traceable signs that (they) were ever approved”.

The other former GRDB employees facing the same charge are People’s Progressive Party Members of Parliament, Dharamkumar Seeraj and Nigel Dharamlall, Board member Badrie Persaud and former Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Agriculture Ministry, Prema Roopnarine.

countries should work with Caricom States – Ambassador Ten-Pow

H

aving recognised that crime and insecurity rank high among the threats and obstacles to social and economic development in the Caribbean, Guyana’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow, is calling on countries that manufacture and export conventional arms to strengthen efforts with Caricom (Caribbean Community) countries to curb the movement of illicit weapons in the region.

Ambassador Ten-Pow made these remarks on behalf of Caricom during the Thematic Debate of the Disarmament and International Security Committee (First Committee) on Conventional Weapons held on Thursday.

He said, “These States have a special responsibility to work with the rest of us in ensuring that adequate controls are in place to safeguard against the diversion of these arms from legitimate uses to illicit markets. We have to work together to completely remove these weapons from the wrong hands as this is the fuel for so many conflicts around the world – conflicts in which thousands of lives are lost and many more injured and maimed.”

According to the diplomat, Caricom is committed to doing its part and will work with all partners to achieve this. He pointed out that the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons poses significant security challenges for the Caribbean region.

“We do not manufacture, export or re-export these weapons nor ammunition, neither do we import them on a large-scale but the extent of their impact in the Region remains a source of major concern. Certain realities in our Region, such as our porous borders; our limited capacity to detect, intercept and seize illegal arms at ports of entry; and unfavourable socio-economic conditions in some parts of our countries make it particularly challenging to stem the illicit arms trade, which operates in tandem with the illicit drug trade and other organised criminal activities. The convergence of these factors has a destabilising effect on our societies and undermines our economies,” he told the Committee.

Ambassador Ten-Pow further posited that it is for these and other reasons that

Ambassador Michael Ten-Pow

Caricom remains a strong advocate for the universalisation of the Arms Trade Treaty as the framework for regulating the international trade in conventional weapons and for preventing and eradicating their illicit trade as well as for preventing their diversion.

“We are pleased with the progress made since the Treaty’s entry into force in 2014 and welcome the decision of the Third Conference of States parties to establish the working group on Treaty Universalisation as a standing Working Group. Caricom supports the initial work plan of the Group. We are convinced that eradication of the illicit trade in conventional arms would be possible only if the international community works as a collective, bound by the common obligations set out in the Treaty,” he asserted.

The Ambassador went on to say that going forward, the region believes that greater value could be derived from focused debates if Member States aim to generate as many practical measures as possible to inform their work under the Treaty. He further underscored the need for continued assistance and support to developing countries, in particular, to facilitate full implementation of the Treaty.

As the convening of the Third Review Conference of the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons in 2018 approaches, Ten-Pow noted that Caricom intends to remain fully engaged on the issues identified for focus during the Conference and to participate actively in the deliberations.

Ambassador Ten-Pow said the Region looks forward to continued and enhanced cooperation with the UN as it seeks to strengthen capacity to fulfil the disarmament objectives.

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saturDAY, october 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Waste-to-Resource exhibition highlights benefits of recycling

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he Ministry of Communities on Friday opened a two-day exhibition on Main Street, Georgetown in regard to recycling waste materials to utilisable resources.

Darren Shako, a consultant at the Ministry of Communities, explained that the exhibition is another initiative aimed at informing the public of all the ways waste can be used in the country’s drive to becoming a green state.

“We need to rethink our approach in managing waste, especially solid waste,” Shako explained.

According to Shako, the event serves to attract citizens’ interest and inform them of the ways they can make a difference. He said the exhibition “provides a platform for persons who have been in the habit or reusing waste to showcase what they have been doing over the years.”

At the Texila University booth, one of the students, Mahathi SK, explained that the display showcased a biogas project which uses a large

Some of the exhibits

Mahathi SK, a student of Texila University, with biogas production

She added that Guyana, with its large agricultural sector, “can use all that waste to

year ago, when she wanted to make a unique present for her husband. She decided to

Some ornaments made from recycled bottles

tank to produce methane gas.

The methane gas is used as an alternative source of fuel.

“It can be used for cooking, electricity… everything for which we use petrol,” SK said.

produce electricity for a small farm, and thereby save a lot of fuel”.

Maritza Jackson, an Ecuadorian residing for a number of years in Guyana, said her journey began a

design an ornamental couple out of newspaper, and that has led to the production of numerous other items crafted from newspapers, magazines and cans. She plans to start a business in this regard,

and encourages others to be creative and use old items to make “a difference”.

According to the Department of Public Information, Roxanne Kendall, a vendor at the Port Mourant market in Region 6, has said she has been making stuffed animals from recycled materials for about a year now. She noted that many persons do not seem to grasp the importance of recycling. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) representatives said that while awareness has been growing, the agency will continue being part of such initiatives, to ensure more persons are informed about the need to protect the environment. The Ministry of Communities has devised a 2017 – 2030 solid waste management strategy under the theme “Putting waste in its place” in Guyana. In an effort to update a draft of the strategy, the Communities Ministry, in September, began a series of discussions with various stakeholders.

The updated plan has three main components – sustainable waste reduction and management strategy, operational standard procedures, and analysis of Guyana’s solid waste sector.

A child sitting on a recycled stool

A bag made out of recycled plastic bags

ANSA McAL celebrates 25th anniversary with Public Service Award A s ANSA McAL celebrates its 25th anniversary of operations in Guyana, the distribution company has embarked on its Public Service Award, aimed at honouring the frontrunners within three different professions for their service to the country.

This was announced during a press conference on Thursday at which the Managing Director of the Group of Companies, Troy Cadogan outlined the entity’s plans for the commemoration of their quarter century milestone this year.

In doing so he noted that, “In launching the Public Service Award, we will be honouring the excellence of the best teacher in the country, best nurse and the best Policeman in the country.”

With that being established, Cadogan went on to explained what prompted his company to seek out and honour public servants within these three fields.

“We feel that these three professions are often down trodden,” expressed the Managing Director who further detailed that, “With the emergence of the private school phenomenon, the public school system is in need of a shot to the arm whereby we need to showcase the excellence that’s in there.

Every time you hear about a nurse’s story, you hear about the negative side of it. And every time you talk about a Policeman, you only hear the negative part.”

As such, he highlighted that this platform paves the way for the professionals to

Managing Director of ANSA McAL Guyana, Troy Cadogan

be applauded for their dedication within their various field.

Meanwhile, also speaking at the announcement of the Public Service Award was Corretta McDonald, the General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers Union. In

welcoming this initiative, McDonald underlined the significance of recognising teachers for their service to Guyana.

“The Guyana Teachers Union is quite pleased at the initiative taken by ANSA McAL. We look at it as be-

ing a very bold step. Over the years, teachers are the ones who create all professions but many times, the teachers are not recognised for contributions that we make to the society,” expressed the General Secretary who thereby thanked the company for taking this leap.

Moreover, McDonald indicated that the GTU is prepared to support ANSA McAL as they embark on pin pointing the awardees. The recipients will be decorated in grand style with the official ceremony being slated for next year.

Adding to the Public Service Award, ANSA McAL has tabled a number of other activities for the celebration of their 25th anniversary in Guyana.

These include the con-

struction of a public park within the vicinity of the East Coast Highway arch and community outreaches in Beterverwagting, where the company is situated.

Ever since the establishment of ANSA McAL (Guyana) in 1992, the company has gone on to be one of the leading distribution entities across the country.

They are particularly known as the carrier of top names in food, beverages and pharmaceutical supplies. Aside from priding itself on being big on social consciousness, ANSA McAL has in their employ a total of 251 Guyanese along with an excess of 100 local contracted workers. This all adds up to the entity’s interest in creating opportunities for Guyanese. (Ashraf Dabie)

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saturDAY, OCTOber 21, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Retract, amend supervisory Armogan rails against deafening memo – GTU silence on fate of sugar workers

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n September 29, Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson circulated a memorandum mandating teachers to supervise students at all times, even while on their lunch break. Now the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) is calling on Hutson to retract and amend the circular to exclude lunch breaks.

“The breaks are there because it allows teachers to get the necessary opportunity to recuperate from mental and physical stress they go through managing children for a session. So, if this is taken away it would have a serious impact on the mental state of our teachers and we are asking that the CEO retract this memo and ensure he amends it to exclude lunch break,” President of the GTU, Mark Lyte said.

“Students must be supervised at all times during place and at lunch while at school. You must ensure that a schedule is developed in identifying those teachers who will facilitate this process on a daily or weekly basis. The rule of one teacher to every 20 students must be observed if students are to be taken to any event/ activity outside of school.

A fitness for purpose survey must be done where students are required to occupy or use grounds, buildings, transportation and the like. Parental consent must be sought at all times where students are

By Andrew Carmichael

R

The circular sent to the various regional education departments

required to be taken away from school for events/activities. A brief report on all activities that require the participation of students must be submitted to the respective Heads of Departments for perusal by senior officials of central Ministry if necessary,” the circular read.

Lyte said the memo seeks to take away the lunch break allotted to the teachers and noted that it is a direct contravention of the labour laws which states that all workers are required to have breaks.

“The specific mention of number of pupils, this is not realistic because there

B

from slavery-like conditions since 1995, according to federal prosecutors and labour inspectors.

Responding to the criticism, President Michel Temer said on Friday the decree would be modified but not revoked.

In an interview with the Poder360 news website, Temer said the measure would be “perfected” with suggestions by prosecutors, among them the creation of a Police department for slave labour crimes.

A presidential aide later said the suggestions would be used to reissue a new decree. “The President instructed the Labour Minister to study them and see which can be incorporated in a new decree,” the spokesman said.

Rights groups estimate hundreds of thousands of people work in slave-like conditions on farms, sugar cane plantations and cattle ranches across Brazil’s

Region Six Chairman David Armogan

en a dive. In fact, businesses have reported that there has been a reduction of almost thirty per cent in sales, as a result of which they have had to send home people.”

While mentioning that more persons would be on the breadline if the estates close their doors, he said the situation is likely to result in an upsurge in criminal

cost to produce sugar in a global market which sees a constant decline in world prices for sugar, Armogan explained that planned agriculture in what is needed.

“Not the type of agriculture that is happening now, with rice alone dominating...I am referring to planned agriculture reform, whereby Government

are classes with over 30 students. In addition to lunch break, this present administration they have gone to the extent to frustrate our teachers and to frustrate the administration of the union,” he said.

The memorandum came after six-yearold Glenshaw Skeete of Graham Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara was crushed by a fallen goal post during a school sports practice session held at the Plaisance Community Ground earlier on Wednesday September 27.

He was a student of the St Paul’s Primary School.

(Lakhram Bhagirat)

Brazil Government to rework controversial slavery decree razil’s Government will issue a new decree changing the country’s definition of slavery following an earlier order that was widely criticised as a reversal in the fight against forced labour, a presidential aide said on Friday.

In Brazil, forced labour has been defined as a form of modern-day slavery.

This includes debt bondage, degrading work conditions, and long work hours that pose a risk to a worker’s health or life, and violate their dignity.

Human rights campaigners said a decree issued by the Labour Ministry on Monday changed the way slavery was defined, limiting it to a victim’s freedom of movement but disregarding other abuses.

The new decree, sought

by Brazil’s powerful farm lobby, would derail enforcement efforts that have freed 50,000 workers

egion Six Chairman David Armogan is calling on Government to come clean on its plans for the workers attached to the Skeldon and Rose Hall sugar estates, since it has been announced that one estate will be closed and the other sold at the end of the current sugar crop.

“As the clock winds down to the end of the crop, none of the workers know what will become of them in another eight weeks,” the Regional Chairman told this publication in a recent interview.

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder has tabled in Parliament a ‘White Paper’ suggesting that, at the end of the second crop, the Skeldon factory will be up for sale and the Rose Hall factory will be closed.

According to Armogan,

remote and jungle areas, as well as in urban factories and construction sites.

The Government decree as issued would close 506 of 706 working conditions cases under investigation, which would no longer be considered slave labour, a spokesman for Brazil’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office said.

Temer bowed to pressure from the farm lobby to modify the decree at a time when he is relying on the group’s votes in Congress to block corruption charges next week.

The farm lobby praised the decree for clarifying the definition of slave labour and eliminating “excesses” by inspectors.

Temer told Poder360 the decree needed changing because it contained irrelevant details for defining slavery, such as the need for a soap bar holder or a ladder to a top bunk in workers’ sleeping quarters. (Reuters)

Sugar workers protesting at Parliament Building earlier this year

“The silence of the Government is allowing persons to guess what the future plans are. I believe the time has come for the Minister to come out definitively with a statement saying, ‘This is what is going to happen to the workforce’. Because, at the end of the day, the focus should be more on the people. What we are not being told at the moment -- and there seems to be absolute silence on this -- is what will become of the people. Even the present managers of Skeldon and Rose Hall, when you ask them, they don’t have much information,” Armogan said in an interview.

The Regional Chairman expressed fear that conditions similar to what exist at Wales could eventually obtain at Berbice. “I suspect what will happen is that the doors will be closed at the end of the crop, and that will be it; and we will end up in a situation like Wales, where the entire place has been converted into a ghost area.”

Armogan said he does not want that to become of Berbice, which has always had a striving economy. “The Berbice economy has always been doing well, but over the last couple of mornings, business has tak-

activity.

“They talk about tourism, but who would want to come to a country where you have a lot of crime taking place? So l think (that) unless the Government comes out… and they need to do that in a hurry. We need to know what is going to become of the workforce of these two estates; whether Albion is going to take from Rose Hall, and how much they will take. Also, if Blairmont is going to take from Rose Hall, and how much… The Government needs to come out and let us know now what will become of (the workers),” Armogan declared.

He said Government also needs to say what would become of those who would not be able to find employment in either of the two estates, and what would happen at Skeldon when the estate closes.

Armogan said it is time for Government to say what plans they have for the private cane farmers, who would have invested millions of dollars into the industry after being encouraged by Government to invest.

Offering a suggestion to combat the negative impact caused by Guyana’s high

will take the lead in terms of telling people what crops to plant, find markets that are profitable, and use places like NAREI [National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute] and some of these technical areas to help the farmers to cultivate new crops.”

He said emphasis should be placed on crops for which markets are available.

“We need systems that will guarantee good drainage and irrigation. Guyana is fortunate to have good lands, and the technical persons will have to focus their attention on improved variety as well as improved output and productivity,” he posited.

This, Armogan said, is needed, because Guyana is competing in a global market.

The Chairman also disclosed that he sees agriculture as one of the savers of the Berbice region; and even if the country were to begin producing oil by 2020, there would still be the need to feed the nation, and the agriculture sector in Region Six has great opportunity to fulfill the mandate of providing food security for not only Berbice, but the entire country and the region.

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Regional

Bahamas Govt denies monitoring São Paulo’s food pellets plan for poor children divides Brazil private conversations on social media

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P

lans to feed poor children reconstituted food made from leftovers near expiry have sparked a row in the Brazilian city of São Paulo.

The product, known as farinata from the Portuguese word for flour but dubbed “dog food” by critics, can be eaten as pellets or added to meals.

Mayor Joao Doria says it could curb hunger and cut food waste. But critics have questioned its nutritional value and prosecutors have opened an inquiry into the plans. Doria said he had already authorised farinata’s distribution to some schools to be used in meals “in a complementary form” from this month.

He described the pellets as “blessed food”.

But the Regional Council of Nutritionists said they amounted to a violation of

A woman holds up a placard reading “food pellets are not a meal” during a protest

the right to adequate food.

“When we offer pellets to lower income people to eat, we are only exacerbating the inequality in society,” spokeswoman Vivian Zollar said.

Marly Cardoso, a professor of public health and nutrition at the Federal University of São Paulo, said it was unclear what farinata was made of.

“It is not food, it is an ul-

tra-processed product. You don’t know what is in it,” he told the Guardian newspaper. Meanwhile the city’s human rights secretary, Eloísa Arruda, said no study on the nutritional needs of poor schoolchildren had been carried out.

Plataforma Sinergia, the non-profit company behind the pellets, says the product meets all legal requirements. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Canada to host regional crisis talks on Venezuela

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anada will host Ministers from a dozen Latin American and Caribbean nations next week for crisis talks aimed at ramping up pressure on the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Friday the October 26 meeting will explore ways to bring an end to the drawnout political and economic crisis in the oil-rich nation.

“Together with our like-minded partners, we will continue to increase pressure on the Maduro regime,” Freeland said. “Our objective is clear: a peaceful solution to the crisis and

the restoration of democracy and human rights for all Venezuelans.”

The ministerial meeting will include representatives from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru and Saint Lucia.

A fierce power struggle has been raging for months between Maduro’s left-wing nationalist government and the centre-right Opposition.

Almost 130 people have died in the unrest since the beginning of April, according to data from human rights activists, and more than 5000 people have been ar-

rested.

Canada and the United States have imposed sanctions against Venezuela’s leadership, calling out its “anti-democratic behavior” following the installation of a loyalist assembly that supersedes the country’s opposition-controlled National Assembly.

On Tuesday, Freeland further criticised Venezuela’s recent gubernatorial elections, saying the process was characterised by “irregularities.” Maduro responded with an expletive-laced verbal attack on the “insolent” and “stupid government of Canada.”

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

LIAT secures CDB loan after finances take hit from hurricanes

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egional carrier LIAT is on course to get some relief from its shareholder governments after Hurricanes Irma and Maria left a deeper hole in its finances.

The Antigua-based airline is soon to receive a US$7 million loan secured by the governments of Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Chairman of LIAT’s

shareholder governments, Dr Ralph Gonsalves told journalists at a news conference this week that LIAT had to cancel 408 flights since it could not provide services to Dominica, St Martin, Tortola and Puerto Rico which were significantly affected by the Category 5 hurricanes last month.

Gonsalves, who revealed that shareholders governments met last week, said

they were told that the financial impact of weather systems this hurricane season would amount to EC$6.5 million (US$2.4 million) and market recovery would take as long as 12 months.

The Vincentian leader disclosed that LIAT was initially expected to make an EC$2.8 million (US$1 million) operating profit this year. “But it is going to turn out that we are going to have a loss of about EC$35.6 million (US$13.2 million). That is what is forecast.”

As a result, a 15-year loan from the Caribbean Development Bank was secured.

Antigua and Barbuda will be responsible for US$2.4 million; Barbados, US$3.72 million; and St Vincent and the Grenadines, US$840,000.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

he Bahamas Government says it is not engaged in monitoring the private positions of residents being posted on the various social website platforms “It has been drawn to my attention that there is an anonymous and untrue posting being circulated on social media which purports to warn users of alarming alleged monitoring of social media”, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Carl W Bethel, said in a statement.

He said that the same document was circulated widely on social media just prior to the last general election and wanted the Bahamian population and users of social media in particular to know “that the Government

of The Bahamas and its Law Enforcement Agencies are not engaged in the collection of any form of what is called “meta data” on the private social postings of residents of our Country.”

Bethel also noted that any interception of any form of private communications

can only take place in respect of a specific allegation of the commission of a crime under Bahamian Law. He emphasised that only in such circumstances as are permitted under the existing Laws of The Bahamas can interception take place. (Jamaica

Observer)

Peru approves medical cannabis

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eru has approved measures to legalise cannabis for medicinal use with overwhelming support of congress. The law makes production, import and commercial sale of cannabis oil legal.

President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski had proposed the measure earlier this year, raising objections that drug gangs would branch into cannabis. Peru is the second-largest producer of coca and has a thriving illegal drug trade.

It is now the sixth country in Latin America to legalise cannabis.

Uruguay was first in 2013, allowing sales with a limit of 40 grams per month. Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Chile followed suit. President Kuczynski proposed the relaxation in February after police

Some lawmakers were concerned the measure could encourage drug traffickers

arrested a group of parents who were distilling cannabis oil at home, for children with cancer and severe epilepsy.

The drug will only be sold to those who are fully registered with a licensed pharmacy.

Ahead of this week’s vote,

pro-government lawmaker Alberto de Belaunde said: “Science is on our side, the regional current is on our side, let’s not let our fears paralyse us.” He said that all charges against the parents should be dropped. (BBC News)

CDB-funded initiative to transform teaching and learning in Barbados schools

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espite significant investments by governments in the Caribbean, student achievement at the end of basic education is still lagging behind expected levels.

This could change in Barbados, through the School Teacher Effectiveness Plan (STEPs), an initiative funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the government of Barbados.

STEPs, a critical component of a wider CDB-funded education sector enhancement project, aims to transform learning and teaching in schools, was launched on

October 10.

CDB’s division chief in the Social Sector Division, Deidre Clarendon, told the audience that the initiative now being implemented in Barbados could have a positive impact on other countries in the region.

The concept of STEPs was framed within the context of identifying models and tools to guide teachers towards being more effective.

This comes at a time when countries in the region have been investing approximately six per cent of GDP and, in some cases, as much as 20 per cent of their recurrent bud-

get on human resource development. Yet optimal achievement eludes a significant proportion of every cohort of learners when they complete basic education.

The education sector enhancement project is a collaboration between CDB and the Government of Barbados.

The bank, in 2011, approved US$35 million, which included support for the intervention designed to assist with the achievement of improved quality and effectiveness of education at the primary and secondary levels. (Excerpt from Caribbean

News Now)

Brazil’s Temer says pension reform might not pass this year

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resident Michel Temer said on Friday that a bill overhauling Brazil’s costly pension system might not clear Congress this year as planned, the first time that he has indicated that such a delay might happen.

In an interview with Poder360 news website, Temer said the government had to again consult lawmakers in the government coali-

tion, many of whom have already said they are doubtful the legislation will pass this year. The pension reform is crucial to Temer’s attempts to plug Brazil’s budget deficit and reduce the bloated pension system. But its provisions to increase the retirement age have made it unpopular with Brazilians.

Temer put the delay down to charges in a corruption case

that put his legislative agenda on hold for six months. The government is considering a watered-down version of the bill, Temer said, confirming previous statements from officials that it would be ready to settle for a bill that included at least the introduction of a minimum retirement age of 65 years for men, up from the current average age of 55.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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17

Around the World

Britain's May wins Brexit reprieve, Mogadishu truck bombing death toll jumps to 358 faces tough weeks ahead

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ritish Prime Minister Theresa May won a modest reprieve in stalled Brexit talks on Friday, with European Union leaders signaling their readiness to move the negotiations forward in the coming months.

But despite a more positive tone, a weakened May now faces a delicate political balancing act as she tries to meet EU demands for more concrete pledges on Britain’s divorce bill without stoking a backlash from Brexit campaigners at home, some of whom would prefer she walk away from the talks.

EU leaders said at a summit in Brussels that they would begin preparations to move into “phase two” of

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, British Prime Minister Theresa May (C), and Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat take part in an EU summit in Brussels, Belgium October 20, 2017

the Brexit negotiations in December, a step forward that would allow London to discuss its future trade rela-

tionship with the bloc.

Yet they also made clear that May would have to move between now and the

end of the year on settling a financial bill that EU officials have estimated at around 60 billion euros.

French President Emmanuel Macron was tougher, saying the two sides had not yet completed even half of the work on the financial settlement and accusing Britain of “bluffing” by using the media to suggest there could be no deal.

May has said she cannot provide a specific financial pledge until she knows the shape of the future relationship. The EU is insisting that the two sides agree on an exit bill, the rights of EU citizens in a post-Brexit world and Irish border issues before delving into future ties. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Afghan suicide mosque attacks kill scores of worshippers

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ome 60 people have been killed in two separate attacks on mosques in Afghanistan, officials say. A gunman entered a Shia Muslim mosque in Kabul before opening fire and detonating an explosive, killing at least 39 worshippers.

An attack on a Sunni Muslim mosque in Ghor province killed 20 people.

No groups have so far said they carried out the attacks but so-called Islamic State (IS) has previously targeted Shia mosques across Afghanistan. The new attacks bring to at least 176 the number of people killed in bomb attacks across the country this week.

The attacker is reported to have opened fire as worshippers gathered for Friday

prayers, before detonating a bomb.

Kabul Police spokesman Basir Mojahid confirmed the incident at the Shia mosque in Kabul, but did not give further details. A spokesman for the Afghan Interior Ministry said investigators were working at the scene to determine the "nature of the explosion," AFP news agency reports.

The attack on the Sunni mosque in Ghor, central Afghanistan, also killed a pro-government militia commander, according to reports.

Details of the attacks remain unclear and the number of casualties is likely to rise. Dozens of worshippers were also injured, Afghan's Health Ministry said. (Excerpt from BBC News)

China's Xi Jinping consolidates power with new ideology

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hina's President Xi Jinping has created his own political ideology, in a step towards entrenching his position at the top of the Communist Party.

Top officials have made multiple mentions of "Xi Jinping Thought" at the Communist Party Congress.

The party is widely expected to rewrite its constitution to enshrine this theory before congress ends next week.

The move would elevate him to the level of previous leaders Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping.

Correspondents say it would signal Xi's enormous authority within the party, and make it virtually impossible

for others to challenge him.

Xi opened the Communist Party congress – which determines who rules China and the country's direction for the next term – in a three hour speech on Wednesday.

On Thursday, numerous senior party officials praised "Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era" in state media reports, and said it was "the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context". Previous Chinese leaders have come up with their own political ideologies which have been incorporated into the party's constitution or thinking. How these

T

York Times. An Italian actress and model, whose name has not been released, told the LAPD on Thursday that she was raped by Weinstein in a hotel near Beverly Hills in 2013, Police confirmed on Thursday.

“The LAPD robbery and homicide division has interviewed a potential sexual assault victim involving Harvey Weinstein, which allegedly

blast.

The blast left 228 people injured, of whom 122 had been flown to Turkey, Sudan and Kenya for treatment, Osman said. Somalia has appealed for blood to treat the wounded. More than 150 of the victims were burned beyond recognition and were buried by the Government on Monday.

Somalis in Mogadishu have demonstrated against al-Shabab following the attack, with many wearing red cloth around their foreheads to show solidarity with the victims.

A 22,000-strong African Union force is in the country trying to help the government recapture territory from al-Shabab, whose fighters are active in much of rural southern Somalia. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Czechs vote for new Parliament, wealthy businessman seen as likely next PM

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zechs voted on Friday in an election expected to hand power to businessman Andrej Babis who has won popular support by pledging to sweep aside traditional parties, boost investment and keep out refugees, but faces a criminal probe for suspected fraud.

The central European country has enjoyed rapid economic growth, a balanced budget and the lowest unemployment in the European Union, but opinion polls nevertheless show strong voter support for Babis's ANO movement and other protest parties.

Founded and tightly controlled by the 63-year-old billionaire, ANO – which means ‘yes’ in Czech – has won support from both right and left with promises to cut taxes, turf out corrupt

politicians and bring business-style efficiency to government.

“We want to form a government and show people that government can work differently to what they are used to. We would be (more) in touch with them,” Babis said after voting in the Prague suburb where he lives.

Babis’s support has weathered investigation into tax strategies at his empire of food, chemicals, farming and media – worth an estimated $4 billion – that he owned until moving it to a trust fund this year.

He has also been charged by police with fraud on suspicion that he hid ownership of a farm and a conference centre so it could receive a two million euro subsidy in 2008. He denies any wrongdoing. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Spain to trigger Article 155 to block Catalan autonomy Some say Xi (right) is creating a Mao-like cult of personality

ideologies are named reflects on the leaders' importance in the party.

None, besides party founder Mao Zedong, have had their ideology described

as "thought", which is at the top of the hierarchy, and only Mao and Deng Xiaoping have had their names attached to their ideologies.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

List of Harvey Weinstein's accusers grows as ripple of effects spread globally he Los Angeles police department has opened an investigation into sexual assault allegations made against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein as famous victims continued to come forward, including 12 Years a Slave star Lupita Nyong’o, who published a powerful personal essay detailing her alleged harassment in the New

T

he death toll from last Saturday's huge truck bombing in the Somali capital Mogadishu has risen to 358, the information minister says.

Some 56 people are also still missing, Abdirahman Osman says.

Officials have blamed the Islamist al-Shabab group, allied to al-Qaeda. But the group has not said it was behind the attack.

The truck exploded at a busy junction, destroying hotels, government offices and restaurants.

However it is unclear if the junction was the intended target or if the driver detonated the explosives because suspicions about the truck had been raised. It blew up next to an oil tanker, which intensified the

occurred in 2013,” an LAPD spokesman said. Weinstein is already under investigation

by London’s Metropolitan police over five allegations of sexual assault from the 1980s to 2015, and detectives in New York have said they are looking into a 2004 sexual assault allegation against the producer by actor Lucia Evans.

Dave Ring, lawyer for the

Los Angeles woman accusing Weinstein of rape, said his client thanked the “courageous women” who had previously spoken out.

Unlike some of the other allegations made against Weinstein, this alleged incident does not fall outside of the state statute of limitations, meaning that he could potentially be prosecuted for a crime. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

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pain will enact Article 155 of the Constitution which allows Madrid to suspend Catalonia's autonomy, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement. The measure will be sent to the Senate for approval on Saturday, the statement on Thursday said.

Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy was responding to a letter by Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont, which said Catalonia will declare independence should Spain continue to block talks and enact Article 155.

Spain denounced the attitude maintained by those responsible for harming "the coexistence and economic structure of Catalonia", the prime minister's statement said, promising that Madrid would do every-

thing in its power to restore "legality and constitutional order". Spanish government spokesperson Inigo Mendez de Vigo told reporters in Madrid: "Cabinet ministers will approve the [Article 155] measures on Saturday, which will be submitted to the Senate to protect the interests of the Spanish people - including the Catalans in Catalonia.

"The government will do everything in its power to put a brake on the economic deterioration in Catalonia caused by the actions of the present Catalonia president." Puigdemont is yet to respond to Madrid's latest move. Article 155, which is described as the "nuclear option", has never been used since the Constitution was ratified in 1978. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

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saturDAY, october 21, 2017

ARCHIE

Be compassionate and tolerant when dealing with oth(March 21ers to avoid being left out.

April 19) Recognize all sides of a situation before you offer your opinion. Fair play will count.

ARIES

Put your important relaTAURUS tionships first. Working as (April 20- a team will give you a sense May 20) of goodwill and satisfaction.

Share your personal plans with someone you love.

dilbert

It’s up to you to bring about GEMINI (May 21- change. Look for alternatives June 20) and press forward with plans that can lead to greater professional or personal security.

Avoid dealing with unreliable people.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Interact with youngsters or people who have a creative vision in order to gain insight into new ways to pursue old ideas. Expand your interests and friendships.

A lifestyle change may intrigue you, but if you want to avoid upsetting someone you care about, it’s best to take baby steps. Patience will outmanoeuvre brute force.

Communication should VIRGO be a priority.

Getting up to (Aug. 23date with the latest technoloSept. 22) gy will help you stay in touch with the people you love and miss. Reconnect with someone from your past.

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA Look at what’s right in (Sept. 23- front of you. Don’t worry Oct. 23) about the past or even the present. Find out what you must do to attain the peace and happiness you desire.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Your emotions will SCORPIO be difficult to contain.

(Oct. 24Communication and domesNov. 22) tic alterations will be satisfying and will bring you joy. A smart move will change your life and future.

Greater involvement in SAGITTARIUS something you find interesting (Nov. 23- will get you moving in a new diDec. 21) rection. The choices you make will be difficult for some people to acknowledge. Expect someone to overreact or interfere.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

CAPRICORN Take care of your interests (Dec. 22- and don’t feel the need to give Jan. 19) in to someone who is asking too much. Look for a unique solution to deter someone from pressuring you.

Emotions are likely to take AQUARIUS the reins if you aren’t pre(Jan. 20- pared to deal with a situation Feb. 19) that can affect your income, assets and possessions. Be cautious when dealing with outsiders.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Dedication will pay off.

PISCES (Feb. 20- Hold your ground and do your March 20) own thing. A positive change will result if you don’t give up and refuse to let anyone take charge.

saturDAY, OCTOber 21, 2017

19

Golden Jaguars to tackle Soca Warriors & Indonesia T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has accepted invitations from the Football Federation of Indonesia and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) for International Friendly Matches.

The TTFA will accommodate the GFF Senior Men’s National Team for a match on November 14 at the Ato Bolton Stadium in Trinidad.

L a t e r , the Football

Ian Greenwood

Heated contests highlight opening day action

Guyana Senior Men’s Football team is also called the Golden Jaguars

Federation of Indonesia will accommodate the Senior Men’s National Team for another match on November 25 in Indonesia.

While in Indonesia, Guyana will also play a premier league team from Indonesia as a warm up to their game versus the Indonesian Senior Men’s National Team.

In brief remarks, GFF

Technical Director, Ian Greenwood said: “This will be the first time we’ve played outside of the Confederation or played in Asia. It will be a fantastic opportunity for our players to experience a different type of play and a different type of opposition. The GFF Technical Department has been pushing our players to have adaptable skills

and function effectively in any environment as we are looking to build in 2018 which will be a competitive year.”

Interim Senior Men’s National Coach, Wayne Dover expressed: “These games are very important as they will allow for assessment of our team’s caliber and serve as platforms to expose our lo-

Sri Lanka blown away – Pakistan go 4-0 up with 1 to play

By Clifton Ross

T

he 5th form Physical Education Students of Marian Academy on Friday commenced their two-day Inter-School Basketball competition with the hosts along with President’s College and Plaisance High, recording wins.

As part of their CXC 2018 Physical Education curriculum, the tourney will be used by the students as part of their School Based Assignments (SBA). Each encounter will be played 15 minutes per half with the teams switching court ends at the interval.

The opening match played between the Girls of Marian Academy and President’s College; saw the latter emerging winners after blowing away their opponents 17-7. Lydia Roberts starred with seven points, 3 rebounds and 2 turn-overs while Saffiya Green chipped in with 5 points for the winners.

Hosts Marian Academy won their first match when their boys’ team hammered

St Roses High 26-16 in the second match of the day.

Shemar Atwell’s 10 points highlighted the encounter while Akili Haynes and Josiah Daniels chipped in with 4 points each.

The final battle of the day saw a fired up Plaisance team running hard over the President’s College boys after some tag-team work between Andrew Johnson and Nigel Bowen who destroyed the court to end with 9 points apiece while Shemar Payne ended with 6 useful points.

Plaisance were all over their opponents from the getgo with Bowen and Payne working well in tandem to execute some amazing passes to which they completed with excellent scoring shots to keep their opponents at bay throughout the match.

In the end it was Plaisance High who walked away the victors 27-11.

The action continues on Saturday with the semi-finals and finals which get underway from 15:00h at the Marian Academy School court.

cal talent. Should we get a positive result it will argue well for sponsorship, attract more local players to the fraternity and improve our Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) ranking. All this will serve to create a firm national team that can truly reflect a strong Guyana National Team.”

I

f the purpose of a series is to find out which of two teams is the superior one, then this ODI felt nothing more than a rhetorical question. To have to play it at all was the equivalent of insisting upon an answer to the aforementioned rhetorical question. The problem with that is the answer is hardly ever surprising. That was emphatically the case with the fourth ODI between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Sharjah, which Sarfraz Ahmed's men won by seven wickets with 11 overs to spare. Four down, one to go.

This time Sri Lanka, who won the toss and batted, turned up the most abject performance of the series, losing seven wickets for 99 before recovering slightly to finish with 173.

That was thanks to Lahiru Thirimanne, the visitors' only batsman, apart from the captain, who emerges from this series with any credit.

He made 62 off 94 balls, including four fours. The target was far too comfortable for Pakistan, despite early hiccups that had left them at 58 for 3, with half-centuries from Babar Azam and Shoaib Malik guiding them home.

No matter what they try, it doesn't seem to work for Sri Lanka. They made three changes to their XI and batted with an unmistakable air of freedom, having already conceded the series. Yet they careened to 173 all out in 43.4 overs. Pakistan's bowlers put in an excellent collective performance - three of them took at least two wickets each to establish the hosts' dominance at the half-way mark.

Chasing a smaller target than they had done in the third ODI, Pakistan might have felt comfortable with the straightforward task at hand. However, they were nowhere near as assured to start off on Friday, although the Sri Lankan bowlers were partly responsible for that.

Fast bowler Lahiru Gamage was successful coming round the wicket to Imam-ul-Haq, trapping last game's centurion plumb in front in the second over.

Zaman's dismissal was more disappointing. He got yet another start before falling in exactly the same fashion as he had in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday. He charged at the spinner - Dananjaya this time - and failed to get anywhere near the pitch of the

ball, and was utterly beaten by the spin. Dickwella completed a simple stumping.

Seekkuge Prasanna removed Hafeez shortly after,

though it was more down to a poor shot by the batsman.

He failed to control a sweep shot off a wrong'un, the ball ballooning straight to deep square leg. Pakistan were 58 for 3, the match still salvageable for Upul Tharanga's men. (ESPN Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Sri Lanka Innings (50 overs maximum) N Dickwella† c Fakhar Zaman b Junaid Khan 22 WU Tharanga* b Usman Khan 0 LD Chandimal run out (sub [Ahmed Shehzad]/†Sarfraz Ahm ed) 16 HDRL Thirimanne c Babar Azam b Imad Wasim 62 S Samarawickrama b Imad Was im 0 TAM Siriwardana c Usman Khan b Hasan Ali 13 S Prasanna b Shadab Khan 5 NLTC Perera c Babar Azam b Shadab Khan 0 A Dananjaya c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Hasan Ali 18 RAS Lakmal not out 23 PLS Gamage b Hasan Ali 1 Extras (b-4, lb-1, w-8) 13 Total (All out, 43.4 Overs) 173 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-30, 3-59, 4-59, 5-91, 6-99, 7-99, 8-142, 9-164, 10-173 Bowling Junaid Khan 4-0-221, Usman Khan 6.3-0-38-1 (w2), Imad Wasim 7-0-13-2 (w1), Mohammad Hafeez

9.3-1-29-0, Hasan Ali 8.4-0-37-3, Shadab Khan 8-0-29-2 (w-1) Pakistan Innings (Target: 174 runs from 50 overs) Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Gamage 2 Fakhar Zaman st †Dickwella b Dananjaya 17 Babar Azam not out 69 Mohammad Hafeez c Gamage b Prasanna 9 Shoaib Malik not out 69 Extras (lb-2, w-9) 11 Total (For 3 wickets, 39 Overs) 177 Did not bat: Sarfraz Ahmed (c) †, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Usman Khan, Junaid Khan Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-37, 3-58 Bowling Lakmal 7-0-25-0 (w-1), Gamage 5-0-27-1 (w-1), Dananjaya 8-1-29-1 (w-1), Prasanna 10-0-44-1, Perera 4-016-0, Siriwardana 5-0-34-0 (w-1) Result: Pakistan won by 7 wickets with 66 balls remaining Series Result: Pakistan lead 4-0 Player of the Match: Babar Azam (Pakistan)

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, october 21, 2017

CWI/ Digicel Regional 4-Day Tournament 2017-18

Venues revised ahead of opening round contested on November 1/2/4 and 5 at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. The change has occurred, due to the state funeral of former GovernorGeneral of Barbados, Sir Clifford Husbands which is scheduled to take place on November 3.

The final announced change will see a shift in two venues Windward Islands Volcanoes’ home matches. These changes will occur in the 7th and 9th rounds respectively, targeting the encounters ver-

sus the Jamaica Scorpions and Trinidad & Tobago Red Force.

Volcanoes will play the Scorpions at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Ground in St. Lucia while the encounter against the Red Force will be played at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.

The changes have occurred, due to the devastation that occurred during the passage of Hurricane Maria last month in Dominica.

First Class cricket returns to south Trinidad at the modern Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba (Photo courtesy of Dexter Philip)

T

he West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) recently announced changes to a few venues ahead of next week’s start to the 2017/18 Digicel Regional 4-Day Championship.

Three of the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force’s home matches in the second, fourth and seventh rounds which will now be played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in the southern district of Tarouba.

According to Cricket West Indies (CWI) Cricket Operations Manager,

Roland Holder, “This change means that we can now return the game to the south of Trinidad, which again has a venue to stage first-class matches”.

Those set to play at the venue include; Jamaica Scorpions, reigning champions Guyana Jaguars and the Barbados Pride. Meanwhile on Friday CWI further advised that it has approved a change to the dates for the Barbados Pride home match against Leeward Islands Hurricanes.

The match will now be

R

aymond Perez, Raymond Perez!!

The cheers rang out as the young batsman played a blinder of an innings to explicitly book unbeaten defending champions Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in the final of the Georgetown Cricket Association/ Carib Beer T20 competition.

Chasing 161 for victory, Perez, a stylish opening batsman by nature, batted

BREAK Windsor Park in Roseau was affected during the passage of Hurricane Maria (Photo courtesy of Sgt. Melissa Martens, US Army)

necessary after DCC got off to the worse possible start as Brian Sattaur was runout in the first over without facing a ball.

The shocking start for the formidable home side continued as Kevon Boodie (14), Tevin Imlach (08) and captain Christopher Barnwell (15) were back in the hut with just score 54 for 4 after 10 overs.

Barnwell looked to be his ominous mood when he executed a masterful checkeddrive unto New Garden

Troy Gonsalves top scored for Everest CC in a losing cause

in the middle and smashed four fours and four sixes as he rocketed to an unbeaten 58 in the nerve-wrecking four wicket victory over the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) on Friday at DCC.

ground. Yadram was seen leaving the field in tears.

Kemol Savory (12*) then swatted two sixes, sealing the important win with three balls remaining.

The Perez show became

Round 2 – November 2 to 5 Red Force vs Scorpions – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad (10:00h) Volcanoes vs Jaguars – Daren Sammy National Cricket Ground, St. Lucia (10:00h) Round 2 – November 1, 2, 4, 5 Pride vs Hurricanes – Kensington Oval (10:00h)

Round 4 – November 16 to 19 Hurricanes vs Scorpions – Warner Park, St. Kitts (10:00h) Red Force vs Jaguars – Brian Lara Cricket Academy (15:00h) Volcanoes vs Pride – Arnos Vale Sports Complex, St. Vincent (10:00h)

Sensational Perez sends DCC into final With 39 needed of the final two overs, the right-handed batsman unleashed a savage attack on West Indies U-19 player, Bhaskar Yadram, who went for 51 in his four overs. In his final over which virtually determined the game, the national player leaked 32 runs which swung the game around full circle.

The 19th over went; 4, 6, 6, 4 0, 6 that brought the sizable crowd to its feet with Perez’s his delightful straight hits down the

Round 1 – October 26 to 29 Jaguars vs Scorpions – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana (09:30h) Pride vs Red Force – Kensington Oval, Barbados (15:00h) Volcanoes vs Hurricanes – National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (10:00h)

Round 3 – November 9 to 12 Scorpions vs Pride – Sabina Park, Jamaica (15:00h) Hurricanes vs Jaguars – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground, Antigua (10:00h) Red Force vs Volcanoes – Queen’s Park Oval (10:00h)

GCA/Carib Beer T20…

By Akeem Greene

schedule

street off the bowling of Troy Gonsalves (2-28).

However, he played down the wrong line to off-spinner Richie Looknauth (118) and was bowled.

Former National

Youth players Sherfene Rutherford (38) (1x4; 3x6s) and Perez together who then soaked in the pressure with smart batting, clipping singles and dispatching any lose ball over the ropes.

The duo added 66 for the fifth wicket and brought the home side back into the match. Rutherford fell to good running catch by Yadram off the bowling of Tagenarine Chanderpaul (2-22). Keemo Paul (11) looked to be in good touch but hoisted one down longon for a simple catch.

Earlier ECC, were asked to take first strike and got off to a flyer with Chanderpaul cashing in on an inconsistent opening spell by seamer Paul Wintz whose first three deliveries went no-ball, wide and six, leaking 14 runs in the first over.

Wintz switched ends and still faced the long end of Chanderpaul’s bat, with the left hander, smashing him over deep mid-wicket for six after which Rajendra Chandrika hit an oozing straight drive for six.

Barnwell (2-11) introduced himself into the attack and got Chanderpaul out leg before for 19 (2x6s)

Round 5 – November 30 to December 3 Scorpions vs Volcanoes – Sabina Park (10:00h) Hurricanes vs Red Force – Vivian Richards Cricket Ground (10:00h) Jaguars vs Pride – Guyana National Stadium (09:30h) Round 6 – December 7 to 10 Scorpions vs Red Force – Sabina Park (10:00h) Hurricanes vs Pride – Warner Park (10:00h) Jaguars vs Volcanoes – Guyana National Stadium (09:30h) Round 7 – December 14 to 17 Jaguars vs Hurricanes – Guyana National Stadium (15:00h) Red Force vs Pride – Brian Lara Cricket Academy (10:00h) Volcanoes vs Scorpions – Darren Sammy National Cricket Ground (15:00h)

BREAK Round 8 – January 4 to 7 Red Force vs Hurricanes – Queen’s Park Oval (10:00h) Scorpions vs Jaguars – Sabina Park (10:00h) Pride vs Volcanoes – Kensington Oval (10:00h) Round 9 – January 11 to 14 Scorpions vs Hurricanes – Sabina Park (10:00h) Pride vs Jaguars – Kensington Oval (10:00h) Volcanoes vs Red Force – National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (10:00h) Round 10 – January 18 to 21 Pride vs Scorpions – Kensington Oval (10:00h) Jaguars vs Red Force – Guyana National Stadium (09:30h) Hurricanes vs Volcanoes – Warner Park (15:00h)

with the score on 45 in the fifth over.

Next over left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd (1-40) trapped Yadram without scoring to leave the Camp Road unit 56 for 2 at the end of the power play overs.

Wickets began to tumble and Barnwell was the architect with his nibbling medium pace getting Chandrika to follow a wide delivery, edging behind to keeper Kemol Savory for 23 (3x4s; 1x6).

With DCC lacking a sixth bowling option, Barnwell called on part-timers to fill the void and Everest took to the attack. Troy Gonsalves who top-scored with an even 50 (3x4s; 5x6s) and

Chandrapaul Hemraj took the score from 69 for 3 after ten overs to 134 after the 14th with some aggressive batting.

When the fifth wicket of Hemraj fell for 28 (1x4; 3x6s) at 152, ECC had lacked the urgency as Steven Sankar (3-27) who leaked 19 in first over took a hat-trick.

Kamesh Yadram (20) (3x4s) added the other substantial score as they finished on 160 for eight.

DCC will await the winner of Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) and Police today at GCC to know who they face in the final.

Today’s match is expected to commence at 13:00h.

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21

Matthews stars in Windies easy win

H

ayley Matthews struck an unbeaten 37 and took 1 wicket to lead the Windies Women to a 71-run victory over Sri Lanka to win game 1 in the 3-match series in Antigua last night (Thursday, October 19).

Sri Lanka won the toss and sent the Windies in to bat. Matthews and Captain, Stafanie Taylor opened the batting for the home team in front of a decent sized crowd at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

The pair posted 67 runs before Matthews fell for 37 and then Taylor 31.

Deandra Dottin posted a quick 15 as did Kycia Knight with 14. Then the pair of Merissa Aguilleira and Britney Cooper who played her 50th T20 International added a 43-run partnership. Windies Women ended their innings on 140/4.

Inoka Ranaweera took 2/35 with Shashikala Siriwardena and Chamari Athapaththu taking 1 wicket each.

Sri Lanka lost early and frequent wickets in their run-chase. Ama Kanchana top scored with 17.

Shakera Selman was the attacking bowler for the Windies, taking 2/6. Anisa Mohammed had 2/14, as the Windies bowlers made easy work of the wickets.

Player of the Match was Hayley Matthews.

The next match is on Saturday October 21, at the Coolidge Cricket Ground from 18:30h.

SCOREBOARD West Indies Women Innings (20 overs maximum) HK Matthews st †Vandort b Ran aweera 37 SR Taylor* lbw b Siriwardene 31 DJS Dottin c & b Ranaweera 15 Kycia A Knight b Jayangani 14 MR Aguilleira† not out 22 B Cooper not out 20 Extras (w-1) 1 Total (For 4 wickets, 20 Overs) 140 Did not bat: ASS Fletcher, A Mohammed, AK Peters, SC Selman, Kyshona A Knight Fall of wickets: 1-67, 2-73, 3-87, 4-106 Bowling Weerakkody 3-025-0, Gunaratne 3-0-12-0, Kulasuriya 2-0-12-0, Kanchana 1-0-7-0, Ranaweera 4-0-352 (w-1), Siriwardene 4-026-1, Jayangani 3-0-23-1

Player of the Match, Hayley Matthews

Sri Lanka Women Innings (Target: 141 runs from 20 overs) AC Jayangani c †Aguilleira b Selman 1

BYA Mendis lbw b Selman 0 KADA Kanchana c Cooper b Dottin 17 GWHM Perera c Kycia A Knight b Mohammed 9 MADD Surangika c Kyshona A Knight b Mohammed 3 HASD Siriwardene c Kyshona A Knight b Matthews 7 RS Vandort† c Dottin b Peters 9 SS Weerakkody not out 9 I Ranaweera* not out 2 Extras (b-1, lb-4, w-7) 12 Total (For 7 wickets, 20 Overs) 69 Did not bat: HHC Gunaratne, WGAKK Kulasuriya Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-9, 3-28, 4-31, 5-33, 6-51, 7-63 Bowling Selman 3-1-62 (w-1), Matthews 4-0-131, Mohammed 4-0-14-2, Dottin 3-0-6-1, Fletcher 4-018-0 (w-3), Peters 2-0-7-1 Result: Windies Women won by 71 runs Player of the Match: Hayley Matthews (Windies)

Dharry 10k Memorial Race Walk set for set up monumental clash Sunday T T

Nauth Motor Spares/ Well Teen/Trophy Stall/ Tropical Springs U13 tournament…

Blairmont, GCC

he Cavaliers Sports and Tour Club on Sunday, October 22 will be hosting its Ananda ET Dharry 10k Memorial Race Walk set for the National Park, Thomas Lands.

In observance of Agriculture Month, the memorial race will feature athletes competing in various categories which include Male and Female (Seniors/ Juniors); Veterans and the differently abled while all participants will be eligible for prizes.

The late Ananda Dharry was an engineer who heavily contributed to the drainage and irrigation sector, which plays a crucial role in the development of the agricultural sector and as such, his commitment to the progression of walk-racing will continue through this event.

The race is expected to commence at 06:30h.

he semi-finals of the ongoing Nauth Motor Spares/ Well Teen/Trophy Stall/ Tropical prings U13 cricket tourney was contested last Saturday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground in Queenstown, Georgetown with the hosts and Transport Sports Club making their exits.

Blairmont Cricket Club beat Transport Sports Club (TSC) by one run after the former scored 1399 in 25 overs with Zinnal Ramsammy (57) and Shakir Saffie (26) the main scorers.

Jonathan Adams 3-29 and Alvin Mohabir 2-19 led the bowling for TSC who in reply made 138-8 despite 55 from Shamar Yearwood.

Blairmont bowling was led by Ramsammy with 3-17 and Sreedath Roopnarine who took 2-31. Ramsammy was later named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the match.

The second semis saw another thriller as the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) beat neighbours, DCC by one wicket after bowling out the latter for 144 in 19.2 overs as Joel Gilkes top-

Zinnal Ramsammy receives his MVP award from Rabindra Singh

scored with 47.

Rivaldo Phillips 2-19 and Zackhery Jodah 2-22 were the main bowlers for GCC who scored 145-9 in reply compliments of an MVP

knock of 74 by Tallius Lovell.

The final match between Blairmont and GCC is now tentatively set for November 5 at the DCC Ground and is expected to bowl off at

19:00h while there will be a 3rd place play-off will be between Transport and DCC today (Saturday October 29) from 18:00h.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, october 21, 2017

Pan American Indoor Hockey Championships 2017

T

–Argentina gunning for double

he USA and Argentina Women are set to battle today for Pan Am gold and a spot at the 2018 World Cup after recording convincing victories in the final day of the round robin stage on Friday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. It was day five of the Pan American Indoor Hockey Championships and the USA Women, with a comfortable 4-1 sent defending champions, Canada packing.

D Licence course

Prescod. However, Fiedtkou buried a direct penalty in the final minute of the half to restore Guyana’s lead.

In the second half, Guyana left it late to cement their win as Barbados managed to keep them at bay until the final minutes when Chantelle Fernandes netted in the 37th minute and Guyana’s captain Trisha Woodroffe scored from the penalty spot just before the final buzzer.

The Guyanese will now Guyana’s captain Robert France scored his side’s only goal against Argentina

Kristin Thompson getting a goal each. For Barbados the scorers were Cher King, Tammisha Small and Katrina Downes.

Guyana vs Argentina

The Guyana men’s team will have to settle for playing against Canada in the bronze medal match up after losing 3-1 to Argentina who will now face Trinidad and Tobago for the gold medal today. The Guyanese Juan “Messi” Eleicegui was instrumental in Argentina’s win over were valiant in defense as Guyana they held off the free scoring Argentines for almost The star of the tourna- play the Trinidadian ladies the entire first half, howevment so far for the USA has today in the 5th place play- er in the final minute of the been Ali Campbell and she off. half Juan Eleicegui who is played brilliantly netting a known as the “Messi” finalhat trick while Mary Beth Argentina vs Uruguay ly broke the deadlock from a Barham scored the other Earlier, Argentina short corner. goal.

Women edged Uruguay 3-2 When play resumed in a close encounter to book Alfredo Sosa added a secGuyana vs Barbados their spot in the gold medal ond in the 29th minute.

The Guyanese la- fixture.

Guyana’s captain Robert dies saved some face as France hauled one back for they made light work of Trinidad & Tobago the home side with a sharpBarbados beating them vs Barbados ly taken field goal in the 4-1. Once again Marzana Meanwhile, the 32nd minute but two minFiedtkou was the standout Trinidadian ladies disman- utes later Argentina’s capperformer netting twice in tled Barbados 11-4 with tain Joaquin Gonzalez netthe first half. She opened Arielle Williams, Brittney ted to seal the game for his the scoring in the 12th min- Hingh and Krizia Layne side. ute from a short corner grabbing a brace each with Guyana will take away but then in the 18th min- Blair Wynne, Savanah a lot of positives from that ute Barbados equalised de Freitas, Shaniah de matchup as they were dewith a field goal from Jada Freitas, Zene Henry and

S

30 complete CONCACAF

fensively sound for the better part of the game, they were also offensively threatening and were it not for some last ditch defending from the Argentines they could have scored more.

Trinidad & Tobago vs Canada

The game of the day was played between Trinidad and Tobago males and Canada. Trinidad certainly has been the surprise of the tournament as they displayed real nerve and a hunger to come from behind and win 7-5 to effectively dethrone the Canadians.

Barbados vs Mexico

Earlier, Barbados got their first win against the hapless Mexicans. It was the central American side that got the scoring underway as they netted twice with goals from Christopher Vigueras and Alan Baas.

However, Che Warner hit back with a double while Dave Cox and Neil Franklin had a goal apiece for the Bajans in their 4-2 win.

The final day action begins at 11:55h today with Women’s fifth place playoff. The first final is set for 17:35h.

GFF Technical Director, Ian Greenwood (left) and GFF Executive Member, Keith Ojeer (right) addressing coaches that completed D licence course

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) successfully concluded the Confederation of North Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) D Licence course on the October 14 in the GFF boardroom. Present at the completion were GFF Technical Director, Ian Greenwood, Youth Development Officer, Bryan Joseph and CONCACAF Instructors, Anton Corneal and Vincent Earl Ganzberg. In an invited comment, Greenwood said: “The Federation is pleased with the participation of the candidates; they were always engaged and

always asking questions of Instructors. We improved on last year’s D Licence course by revising the paper work with coaches in the evenings rather than closing in the afternoon with practical session. The GFF Technical staff conducted the evening sessions and it proved very beneficial. We’ll get the results of the D Licence from CONCACAF over the next few weeks.” The five-day programme catered to 30 participants that comprised coaches from the Elite Clubs and GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centres (ATCs) and was conducted

by CONCACAF Instructors.

(GFF)

Coach Dillion Roberts (left) from Kuru Kuru being assessed by CONCACAF Instructor Anton Corneal (right)

Early preparation crucial for 7s success – Schroeder

easoned national rugby team campaigner Dwayne Schroeder is contending that an early start was crucial to their preparation for the upcoming Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens championships in Mexico City from November 25-26.

“The guys are pumped and ready. Sevens is not anything new to us; we are hoping to start getting our act together very early and getting some warmup games, which should be very important since we are in 15s mode,” the burly player told Guyana Times Sport.

Despite their 12-52 loss to Canada last year, they still managed to be crowned Caribbean champions by virtue of being the only regional team in the final, which was held in Trinidad and Tobago.

This year, they have been pooled alongside Cayman

Islands and Barbados. The championships hold significant value since the top side has a chance of securing a spot at the 2018 World Cup. “We need to get the entire squad back in training as early as possible, so we can be pumped and ready for the sevens, because we know the importance of it.

There is a lot at stake. We just want to go and bring it home for Guyana and make the country proud as usual,” Schroeder, the Captain of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Rugby Team, would have led this side to the top of the Bounty Farms 15s League after the first round, which concluded on Saturday with the army men humiliating Yamaha Caribs 76-22.

Some new recruits played a significant role in their performances which the Captain was enthused about.

Competition on day one of the sevens championships will be in a pool round robin format, with seeding based on the 2016 standings. On day one, the top two teams in each pool go through to the play-off in two further pools and the remaining four teams will play off in a separate round-robin tournament.

Dwayne Schroeder’s experience and physicality will be another crucial facet of the Green Machine’s strategy

“The fresh blood is very nice, and we need some

more, since we are trying to develop rugby in Guyana by

getting our grass-root programmes running”.

The format allows for six teams after day one to be in contention to win the tournament and qualify for the Central American and Caribbean Games, which will be held in 2018 in Barranquilla, Colombia.

The other men’s teams competing are: Jamaica, Bermuda and the Dominican Republic (Pool B) while Pool C contains the hosts along with Trinidad and Tobago, Curaçao and British Virgin Islands. (Akeem Greene)

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, october 21, 2017

Z

imbabwe and West Indies begin their first Test in more than four years and the visitors will be taking their recent fighting spirit into the two-match series.

On their recent tour of England, West Indies chased 322 to win the Headingly Test by a commanding five wickets, a victory that the regional side will ride on during this series. They have kept the same side that toured England and are more settled than the hosts.

Shai Hope's broad bat, and West Indies' gaggle of menacing quicks, might prove to be the difference between the two sides, though Zimbabwe will try to negate West Indies' pace advantage by preparing a pitch to suit their own slow-bowling strengths. Taylor's return will add mettle to their middle order too, and in familiar conditions, but as West Indies coach Stuart Law

pointed out ahead of the opening Test, when you bowl as fast as Shannon Gabriel it doesn't really matter what sort of pitch you're playing on.

West Indies have lost out on automatic qualification for the next World Cup due to their one-day ranking, and they will be glad to be playing in conditions they will return to for the qualifiers in March. Their Test ranking of No. 8 could also do with some sprucing-up, but pride and fight are beginning to characterize this West Indies Test team, and there will be no danger of complacency for them despite the opposition.

Zimbabwe's lost son has returned, and bringing good news it seems. Brendan Taylor, Zimbabwe's finest batsman of the last decade, and possibly ever, is back in the fold and reckons "this can be the best period of Zimbabwe crick-

Brendan Taylor is back in Zimbabwe colours

et" whose last Test win was back in2004 when they beat Pakistan four years ago.

And it's not just Taylor who has a spring in his step.

Kyle Jarvis also returns to bring thoroughbred quality to the pace attack, while Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Sean Williams and Sikandar Raza are all fairly recent Test centurions. This

is turning out to be a galvanising year for Zimbabwe, following on from the team effort that brought one-day success, and nearly a Test upset, in Sri Lanka three months ago.

After scoring nearly 2000 runs for Nottinghamshire, including six centuries, during his international absence, Taylor slots straight

back into the playing XI. Taylor scored just 123 runs in five innings, at an average of 24.60, during Notts' Division Two Championship campaign last season, but Zimbabwe won't be too bothered. He cracked a comeback hundred for Mid West Rhinos a few weeks ago, and should feel right at home in Zimbabwe's middle order. Jarvis should be equally au fait with the new ball, though spin might bring more reward as this match progresses. As such, Tendai Chisoro may be in line for a Test debut to partner Graeme Cremer.

Completing Zimbabwe's new look, Solomon Mire is also a very strong contender to debut at the top of the order as the hosts look for their first Test win against the West Indies.

Zimbabwe have only one Test win at Queens Sports Club, by an innings and 32 runs over Bangladesh

23

in 2001 and have lost their last nine Tests: five at home, three in Bangladesh, and one in Sri Lanka.

While the youthful West Indies have won two of the six Test matches they have played this year.

Teams; Zimbabwe Graeme Cremer (Captain), Solomon Mire, Hamilton Masakadza, Craig Ervine, Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Regis Chakabva (wk), Tendai Chisoro, Kyle Jarvis, Chris Mpofu, Chamu Chibhabha, Michael Chinouya, Nyasha Mayavo, Malcolm Waller.

West Indies - Jason Holder (Captain), Kraigg Brathwaite, Devendra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Hetmyer, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Kieran Powell, Raymon Reifer and Kemar Roach.

GSCL Inc/ Prime Minister’s Softball T20 Cup…

– Silverware have arrived

for the losing finalist.

The champion side in the Masters’ category will receive $500,000., a trophy and medals while and the runner will get a trophy and $100,000.

The tournament will commence on October 27 at various grounds across Georgetown

with the finals set for the mecca of softball cricket in Guyana, the Everest Cricket Club ground on Sunday October 29. On the day of the finals, lighted bails will be used while top crossover band, Caribbean Hot Shots and cheerleaders will be bringing the added

entertainment.

As at Friday October 20, there were six teams confirmed for the Masters Category and 12 for the All-Stars. The GSCL Inc have announced that registration continues and encourage teams to call 2254802 for more information

and registration.

Meanwhile, in a collaborative effort with USA Cricket Zone of New York the trophies and medals have made their timely arrival and are sitting pretty at the GSCL Inc head office at 69 Seafort street, Campbellville.

Baseball multiplex on the horizon T Trophies and medals being displayed by Managing Director of Regal Stationery and Computer Centre Mahendra Hardyal

T

he Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc. (GSCL Inc) organized inaugural Prime Minister T20 Cup is just six days away and another corporate entity has shown support for the marquee tournament.

Chief Executive Officer of Ink Plus, Danny Persaud on Friday presented a sponsorship cheque to GSCL Inc treasurer Russel Jadbeer at the entity’s location E1/2 84 Laluni Street, Georgetown.

Persaud said that they are happy to be on board for such a tournament and wished the teams well, adding that he is look-

ing forward to a successful tournament. Jadbeer expressed gratitude to the sponsor and said he is looking forward to their continued support.

The tournament which is being played in collaboration with National Sports Commission will be played in the All-Star and Masters categories featuring teams from New York, Florida and Canada as well as the home of softball cricket, Guyana.

While no entrance fee is required, the winning team in the All-Star category will take home a trophy, medals and $600,000 leaving $100,000 and a trophy

he Guyana Baseball League (GBL) is expected to commence works on their multi-sport complex located at Ogle by mid-2018.

According to a GBL release, the concession was granted to lease twenty-five acres of land on the Ogle estate by the Government of Guyana to facilitate the development of this threephase project.

Phase one includes two lighted baseball fields, a high school, soccer field and a four-acre indoor multi-sport facility; all of these to be powered by a 1.3 MW rooftop solar powered generation and storage system.

President of Baseball Guyana, Robin Singh, stated “We shared our vision for sport as an engine of development and change with various ministers of the current administration”.

He continued “It was met with encouragement and approval in all of the related areas: Business; Sport; Culture; Youth; Cohesion; Tourism; and the policy of moving to a Green economy”.

Singh further explained, “Support

from the government and endorsement of the project by the Guyana Office for Investment, led to us being granted a lease by Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Trevor Benn. He saw where our complex would serve present and future communities, and this led to our placement for easy access by largely populated areas,” ended Singh.

The project is now in the design phase with local architect Annabelle Carter-Sharma leading the design team. Newly appointed General Secretary of Baseball Guyana, Devon Douglas, said “The baseball community in Guyana is excited at the prospect of our first field, and for it to be the crown jewel of this multi-sport park just adds to the value our sport brings. Baseball engenders a change in the way we think and act; we cannot wait to share our sport and culture of unity with the wider public in Guyana.”

Local contractors Bassoo Global are expected to begin mobilization mid 2018 for

construction of the first phase of the c o m plex.

Robin Singh

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017

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

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