Guyana times october 24, 2017

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

Issue No. 3371

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Tuesday, October 24, 2017

PRICE

PPP files injunction to rescind GECOM chair appointment

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$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Govt mulls building joint oil P10 facility with Suriname Sophia teen shot trying P3 to rob businessman – Police

P13 GBTI Directors, CEO charged for breaching court order

– hopeful matter could be heard expeditiously

Local Govt Commissioners finally sworn in

Page 13

Diaspora warns P2 against ‘return to dictatorship’ in Guyana

– condemns President Granger’s unilateral appointment of GECOM chair

President David Granger with members of the newly sworn in Local Government Commission at State House on Monday

President errs in distancing Patterson from PNCR Page 3

...GECOM chair was Desmond Hoyte’s pall-bearer

Skeletal remains found in school yard Page 13

Students sent home after African bees found in school building P10

2 news Diaspora warns against Exxon's Local Business Centre ‘return to dictatorship’ begins countrywide outreach E in Guyana tuesDAY, october 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

– condemns President Granger’s unilateral appointment of GECOM chair

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he Association of Concerned Guyanese (ACG) group in the United States has joined with other pro-democracy groups to condemn President Granger’s decision to unilaterally appoint the Chairman of GECOM. “In an unprecedented move, President Granger abandoned the Carter/Price formula that was implemented for the 1992 elections, whereby the President would appoint a Chairman from a list submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.

We therefore call upon the Carter Center and other advocates who are committed to democracy to raise their voices and call upon President Granger to rescind his appointment, and to appoint a Chairman from the lists submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.

The ACG-USA is well aware that at least one of the individuals nominated by the Leader of the Opposition

President David Granger

(was) a former Chairman of GECOM, (whom) we have to conclude met the constitutional and “fit and proper” requirements,” the ACG group in the US said in a statement.

“We also note that President Granger foisted his interpretation of the Constitution on the people of Guyana rather that adhering to the decision handed down

by the Chief Justice (ag).

“The ACG-USA can recall the difficult struggles (waged) for over 20 years to restore democracy in Guyana. But by then the economy was damaged and Guyana was deemed as the poorest country in the western hemisphere. There is no way we are going backwards. We stand with the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in its struggle to reverse (this) President’s decision. We stand ready with the Bar Association and other forces (to launch) a legal challenge to overturn this decision.”

The diaspora group also declared that its members “stand by all democratic forces to ensure that we do not return to the dark days of dictatorship.”

The Guyanese diaspora group (said it would) “continue to engage the leaders in Washington to join us in our efforts to keep Guyana free from sliding backwards”.

xxonMobil's Centre for Local Business Development commenced an outreach programme in Berbice on Monday.

Project Director of the Centre, Patrick Henry, said the project is part of offering its services to businesses outside of Georgetown.

According to the Department of Public

Project Director of the Centre for Local Business Development, Patrick Henry (right) with some of the participants of the outreach

Berbice businessman Levan Butchey

Information, the interaction was facilitated by the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Development Association (BCCDA) in New Amsterdam.

Henry briefed Berbice businessmen on the opportunities available to them through the Centre. Those services include information and training in the oil and

gas industry, business training and more importantly, providing key linkages between local and international companies working in the sector. Although the event was poorly attended by the Berbice business community, Henry pledged to return to facilitate training to interested businesses.

Those present showed much interest in the Centre's business portal which provides the joint venture linkages. Businessman Levan Butchey inquired how Berbice businesses can benefit given the distance from Georgetown. It is some two hours by road between the two towns.

Henry explained that

distance is not an issue in an industry as global as the oil and gas. "You have to make your business competitive," he explained.

Henry said already the supplier database portal has made over 100 introductions between foreign and local businesses. There are approximately 900 businesses, local and international that have signed up with the supplier database.

Over the next six months the Centre for Local Business Development will be engaging business chambers and associations to offer their services and register local businesses to the portal.

news

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tuesDAY, october 24, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, October 24 – 05:00h-06:30h and Wednesday, October 25 – 08:30h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Tuesday, October 24 – 06:30h-08:00h and Wednesday, October 25 – 07:00h-08:30h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals in the early morning hours are expected to give way to Thundery to heavy rain showers throughout the remainder of the day. Thundery showers can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to East North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 3.02 metres.

High Tide: 06:47h and 18:57h reaching maximum heights of 2.49 metres and 2.53 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 00:21h and 12:33h reaching minimum heights of 0.49 metre and 0.53 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, October 21, 2017

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President errs in distancing Patterson from PNCR ...GECOM chair was Desmond Hoyte’s pall-bearer

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ead of State, President David Granger, has sought to distance the 84-yearold retired Justice James Patterson from any association with the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), but this is apparently not altogether correct.

Defending his appointment of the retired Judge as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, on the sidelines of the swearing in ceremony for the Local Government Commissioners at State House, the President told reporters he was not aware that Justice (rtd) Patterson was a member of the PNC. “I have never seen him at the PNC. Never!”

Granger told reporters.

But investigations by this publication have since revealed that Justice (rtd) Patterson did in fact share a close relationship with the party.

Justice (rtd) Patterson was also among the pall bearers for the funeral of the late PNC leader and President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte, in 2002.

The retired Judge was accompanied by party stalwarts Roger Hoyte, Dr Dalgleish Joseph, Deborah Backer, Haslyn Parris and Artie Ricknauth in assisting to perform the last rites for the late President Hoyte.

President Granger, in defending Patterson’s appointment, told reporters “He was a judge of the High Court in Guyana....the information I have is he was Chief Justice of Grenada.”

Responding to his initial demands that the GECOM Chairman could not be a religious leader, the President has since backpedalled on this demand.

Granger has since told reporters it was merely a suggestion to Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, and this was not necessarily incorporated as criteria en-

Sophia teen shot trying to rob businessman – Police

P

olice are investigating a botched robbery that occurred on Sunday evening on the Turkeyen Public Road, Greater Georgetown.

Things went awry for the alleged bandit when he reportedly attempted to mug a city businessman and ended up being shot. He has been identified as a17-year-old resident of ‘D’ Field Sophia, Georgetown.

The Guyana Police Force has issued a statement detailing that a Sophia teenager was “shot in the left thigh”, and is receiving medical attention at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation for the gunshot wound he received “while attempting to rob a 40-year-old businessman around 21:30hrs on Sunday night on the Turkeyen Public Road”.

The Police say the city businessman, a licensed firearm holder, had stopped his vehicle on the public road after it had developed mechanical problems, and was pounced upon by the suspect, who currently is under guard at the GPHC as investigations continue.

President David Granger

Justice (rtd) James Patterson

shrined in the Constitution of Guyana.

Questioned on the need to give reasons for his rejection of the 18 names that had been submitted for consideration by the Opposition Leader, the President said he was not sure that giving reasons was also catered for in the Constitution.

He told members of the media he is cognisant of the ruling by the Chief Justice, which noted that, as President, he must submit reasons for his rejection of each of the persons on the list.

The President, nonetheless, reminded that Guyana is a small country; adding, “I have to be careful about judgment of people’s character and capacity.”

He was insistent he had not seen any provision in the Constitution that translated into a requirement for him to provide reasons for rejecting any name submitted by the Opposition Leader for con-

sideration for the GECOM Chairmanship, even as he committed to not acting in a manner contradictory to the Chief Justice’s ruling.

The President, in defending his action to unilat-

erally appoint Justice (rtd) Patterson, sought to impress on journalists that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had hounded the former Chairman, Dr Steve Surujbally, out of office.

He was adamant the Guyanese people had demanded, and need to have, a functional elections commission, and he said the situation that obtained could not be protracted at the whims of the Leader of the Opposition.

President Granger’s decision to unilaterally appoint retired Justice James Patterson as the GECOM Chairman has been soundly condemned and criticized by a wide cross section of society, and even Guyanese living overseas.

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tuesDAY, october 24, 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

Reducing child mortality

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ased on official statistics released recently, over the past 25 years or so, the world has made commendable progress in saving young children’s lives; but there is still a far way to go in terms of drastically reducing newborn and child deaths. The rate of child mortality fell 62 per cent from 1990 – 2016, with under-five deaths dropping from 12.7 million to 5.6 million. However, it is also quite clear that this progress has not been universal, as some countries, including Guyana, are still lagging behind.

A new report from UNICEF and its partners in the InterAgency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (IGME), Levels and Trends in Child Mortality: Report 2017, shows the full scope of child and newborn mortality across the world. The data reveal that the rate of newborn deaths is not decreasing as quickly as that of children aged one to five. As a result, newborns account for a growing proportion of child deaths with each passing year. For example, according to UNICEF, in 2016 alone, 7,000 newborn babies died every day.

Newborn deaths made up 46 per cent of all child deaths, an increase from 41 per cent in 2000. According to the report, most of these deaths are entirely preventable. WHO has noted that prematurity; complications during labour and birth; and infections like sepsis, pneumonia, tetanus and diarrhoea are among the leading causes – all of which can be treated, or prevented with simple, affordable solutions.

It must be mentioned, too, that these children are dying because of who they are and the environment they were born into – whether it be an impoverished family, a marginalised community, or a country consumed by conflict. Children in the poorest households are nearly twice as likely to die before the age of five than those from the richest households.

It must be noted that the vast majority of newborn deaths take place in developing countries, where access to health care is low. Most of these newborns die at home, without skilled care that could greatly increase their chances of survival.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), skilled health care during pregnancy, childbirth, and in the postnatal (immediately following birth) period prevents complications for mother and newborn, and allows for early detection and management of problems. WHO and UNICEF now recommend home visits by a skilled health worker during a baby's first week of life, to improve newborn survival.

Newborns in special circumstances, such as low-birth-weight babies, babies born to HIV-positive mothers, or sick babies, require additional care, and should be referred to a hospital.

The WHO has suggested that with an increasing share of under-5 deaths occurring within the neonatal period, accelerated change for child survival requires a greater focus on building strong health services, ensuring that every birth is attended by skilled personnel, and making hospital care available in an emergency.

Here, in Guyana, despite progress achieved during the last decade, this country continues to experience one of the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a maternal mortality rate estimated at 121 per 1,000 live births and an infant mortality rate at 22 per 1,000 live births.

In 2016, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) had approved an US$8 million loan for a programme to help reduce maternal, perinatal and neonatal deaths in Guyana.

The focus of the programme is to improve the quality of care at 140 health facilities and in 88 communities, benefitting at least 140,000 women and 9,000 newborns per year.

The initiative was designed with the aim of supporting and improving maternal and child health care geared towards improving access to quality neonatal health services and providing a better path to, and quality of, reproductive and maternal health services. Efforts such as these must be commended.

That said, the most recent report by UNICEF has made some useful recommendations, which the Government here should seriously consider. Diligent efforts must be made to continue reducing newborn and child deaths. We believe that once there is a concerted, coordinated effort among policymakers, businesses, healthcare workers, communities and families, we can achieve the desired results as those relate to reducing child mortality rates.

An Italian lion trainer rests with one of the lions she works with. National Geographic ‘Your Shot’ photographer Nader Saadallah photographed her while she worked, and says, "She treats the lions like her children. She sleeps and plays with them every day" (National

Geographic)

Guyanese are now faced with economic decline, social reversal Dear Editor, The date October 18, 2017 will be a day that will live in infamy. It will join the ranks of days like July 10, 1978, when the Constitutional Referendum was held or December 9, 1985, when one of the worst rigged elections took place.

It will certainly be a date that Guyanese will remember with sadness for many years and generations to come. Historians will recall the day as the time when the APNU/AFC Government autocratic tendencies went into over drive and a day where the hard won rights of the people were trampled upon.

October 18, 2017 saw President David Granger do what many imagined was unthinkable and proceeded to appoint a Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) outside of the 18 Guyanese nominees that were submitted by the Leader of the Opposition. The President, through his action, has displayed the sort of respect he has for our sacred Constitution and the na-

tion’s developing democratic culture. The President by his actions has catapulted himself to be worse than his idol – Forbes Burnham.

Burnham, though having questionable approaches to elections, ensured that Chairmen of the Elections Commission were appointed in keeping with the then law. President Granger, on the other hand, has taken an approach on this important matter which is regarded as unconstitutional. President Granger has demonstrated that he is no Burnham; he hasn’t shown LFS’ tact nor finesse. The GECOM appointment has shown the President’s hand and his intention to move our country from a fledgling democracy to a full-blown autocracy.

But that was not all the unilateralism that was exercised. The Government of President Granger imposed for the third consecutive year, without the agreement of the union, a pay rise for public servants.

The President, in his capacity as Opposition Leader railed against such an ap-

proach but now has turned around and done exactly what he said he wouldn’t do. He was so firm in that position that in the APNU/ AFC manifesto (page 25), it said if the coalition parties were elected they would “Enforce the Principles and Laws Governing Collective Bargaining, in accordance with our commitments under the International Labour Organisation”. Can the President and his lackeys be really taken at face value anymore? But the pay rise announcement was part of the carefully choreographed show orchestrated by the Administration. With one hand, they gave sprinkling seeking to distract as they took away with the other hand Guyanese democratic rights and the trust they had placed in the elections machinery.

But if we weren’t convinced that we weren’t accelerating on the road to totalitarianism, we also saw last week the charging of Directors of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) on the

trumped up charge of contempt. The Bank, which according to the media is contesting the charges through the Judiciary, is seemingly being targeted by the hounds as they seek to protect their customers’ privacy. That known fact that the bank was contesting the intent of the court order nullifies, in my view, any contemptuous behaviour by the bank’s directorate. Guyana is heading down a path and to a time which no Guyanese who lived through should have to relive and one which younger Guyanese need not confront. The euphoria of a ‘Good Life for All Guyanese’ has all but vanished and what we are faced with is economic decline, social reversal and steadily falling standard-of-living. To counteract this real situation, we have seen the ‘Iron Fist’ being deployed to maintain political power and the keys to the Treasury at all costs, no matter the implications or the consequences.

Yours sincerely, Patricia Persaud

SOCU more bent on embarrassing people than bringing a conviction against them Dear Editor, Regrettably, the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) investigations are more bent on shaming and embarrassing people than bringing a conviction against them. This certainly left me to wonder why the Director

of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chambers are confirming charges based on the recommendations of SOCU. My understanding of the law is that there must be compelling evidence to bring a conviction against someone before charges

are laid against them. The DPP Chambers is a constitutional body which is free from the Executive arm of Government and should not be subjected to political pressure.

When an innocent person is dragged before the court

the trauma is unspeakable.

The career and character of that person is tarnished for life; family members are humiliated, visas are being cancelled and when cleared by the courts, it cannot be replaced, rather difficult to turn to page 5 replace.

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Unilateral selection of Justice Patterson seen as biased and unconstitutional Dear Editor, Undoubtedly it must be submitted that the unilateral selection of the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was well orchestrated and did not arise because the three lists submitted by the Leader of the Opposition were unacceptable. This can be discerned from the chain of events which followed the first list and which made the current imbroglio unavoidable. The following interpretation of Article 161(2) was taken from the GECOM website: “The Chairman shall be a person who holds, has held or is qualified to hold the office of Judge of the High Court or the Court of Appeal or any other fit and proper person who is appointed from a list of six persons, who are not unacceptable to the President, submitted by the Leader of the Opposition after he has meaningfully consulted with the non-governmental political parties represented in the National Assembly. If the Leader of the Opposition does not submit such a list of persons then the President shall appoint a person who holds, has held or is qualified to hold the office of Judge of the High Court or the Court of Appeal.

The current Chairman of the Commission was chosen by the President from a list of six persons submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.” (http://www.gecom.org.gy/ elections_commission.html).

This is a simple and literal interpretation of Article 161(2).

This is literally a clear

and unambiguous Article and the Chief Justice ruling made it clear that the arguments of the Attorneys on behalf of President Granger’s case were ‘irrational’, that is to say ‘without logical reasoning’. She made it clear that there are four categories of persons: Judge, former Judge, someone eligible to be a Judge and any other fit and proper person and no one category is mandatory.

She further said that it would not be unreasonable for the President to provide reasons for rejecting the nominees presented by the Leader of the Opposition.

She knew that in the interest of preserving Article 161(2) that this explanation is an essentially vital corollary.

Immediately after the CJ’s ruling, the President made it clear that he ‘will continue to act in accordance with his perception of the Constitution and will not appoint anyone whom he considers not to be fit and proper. He intentionally saw the fourth category as attributes of the other three categories.

It became clear at that point that he was not going to recognise the fourth category and based his unilaterally selection of the Chairman of GECOM solely on the suspended Article 161 of the 1980 Constitution which only recognised the first three categories. The Constitution (Amendment) Act 1995 (Act N 15 of 1995) made Article 161(2) the criteria for the selection of the Chairman embodying the Carter formula.

This made it pellucid that it is no longer the prerogative

SOCU more bent on...

Many people’s visas have been cancelled because of the recklessness, attitude and actions of these bodies.

Reports are SOCU has been submitting to the embassies names of genuine businessmen and women who take monies to various countries to conduct business even though all the necessary declarations have been made in Guyana and the countries of destination.

One should realise that Guyana is more a cashbased economy and cash is the medium of exchange that is currently used.

The world’s largest economy, the United States of America, accepts large amounts of cash monies from all parts of the world.

from page 5

The important issue is that proof of its legitimacy must be established and the correct and proper declarations must be made.

I hope that good sense prevails and these constitutional departments operate more impartial and independent.

I also hope that the embassies, particularly the US Embassy, should review those B1 visas that were cancelled.

Please give justice even if it is against yourself for one day you shall be held accountable.

May God Almighty bless and guide us all.

Yours truly, Hana Mohamed

of the President to unilaterally select the Chairman, he must choose from the list submitted from the Leader of the Opposition and he has four categories to choose from. It must be noted that the President began by following the Carter formula but after the submission of three lists. he suddenly reverted to the suspended Article which is no longer legally valid. Was this not intentional?

It must be recalled that the amendment of the Constitution incorporated the Carter formula which was won after a long and arduous battle by the democratic forces for free and fair elections in Guyana. While the Carter formula may not be perfect, it is still the best means available to select an impartial Chairman. We cannot revert to the pre-1992 era, when the Chairman was selected by the President only. We have witnessed election after election being rigged by the PNC. Therefore, it is now the consensus that the selection of Justice Patterson can

be seen as biased as well as unconstitutional and therefore null and void, since Article 161(2) made it clear it is only if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list that the President can unilaterally selects a Chairman. This unilateral selection is indeed against the letter, spirit and intent of the Constitution.

Moreover, there are just too many rhetorical questions that abound.

- Can we really believe that Justice Patterson is impartial, given his religious background and his employment with the Government?

- Is he ‘fit and proper’ given his age and the President’s own criteria for selection to a public office?

- Has the Leader of the Opposition failed to submit a list of nominees?

- Is the Constitution not clear that the President must select from that list?

- Is it not ridiculous to believe that Justice Patterson was engaged just a few hours before his selection?

- Why the haste to install him as the Chairperson, if

not to ensure no legal hindrances?

- Is it unreasonable to fear that future elections will be rigged, given the PNC’s track record?

- What would have been President Granger’s reaction if Jagdeo had done the same?

Would it have been just ‘non-cooperation and civil disobedience’? Or ‘slow fyah and mo fyah’?

It must be concluded that it is most difficult to accept that the President was ever serious about the lists submitted by the Opposition Leader. There were 18 names from the three lists and one name could have been selected. There can be found at least one such person from each list and this is why the Chief Justice had ruled the reasons should have been given. There definitely is a need to under-

stand the mind-set of the President. This is not a case of ‘one rotten apple spoiling the whole barrel’, therefore one unacceptable or even five unacceptable names do not spoil the entire list! It was indeed a time-consuming charade into futility but one which will most definitely destroy the pillars of democracy and once again hopelessly divide this nation. It is indeed a dark day for Guyana when the supreme law of the land and a Chief Justice’s ruling can be so flippantly ignored.

Mr President, you still have time to reverse your decision and to permit our fledgling democracy to continue to flourish!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor – Region Six

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Practice empathic parenting to help cultivate healthy anger – helping your child and yourself to practise healthy anger

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hile the news media seems to increasingly report incidents of child and adolescent violence, far more often, children and teens who have difficulties with anger may exhibit bullying, underachievement, substance abuse, excessive guilt or shame, or intense anxiety related to mismanaged anger. And research continues to emphasise that anger that culminates in these difficulties and violence occurs more often when children and teens lack an empathic connection in their relationships – with others and with themselves.

While some children and teens may achieve this connection with peers and others, it is the parent-child connection that can most strongly impact how they manage tension, conflict and anger. Such connection offers empathy and, through modelling, teaches a child to be empathic. Empathy involves listening without judgment and letting your child know that you can understand his experience.

Such empathy validates your child’s feelings and helps him helps your child to more freely and fully explore his thoughts and feelings – rather than acting on them. This connection fosters the capacity for pausing to reflect, rather than react to anger. Being empathic doesn’t mean acceptance of or tolerance for what you view as inappropriate behaviour. Such a connection helps your child to honour his thoughts and feelings.

Further, empathic connection offers him support in getting to know himself and free energy that might otherwise be wasted in minimising, hiding from, or denying parts of himself. As such, it is an antidote for suppression and denial that may make him more prone to anger.

The challenge for every parent is to be mindful to foster and support this type of connection.

Understandably, even the most caring and wellmeaning parent may not be consistently available to really connect with his or her child.

It is a challenge that often competes with time demands, the demands of a career, and trying to provide the basics.

Similarly, the pressures of being a single parent may compete with fostering such a connection.

Perhaps the most important influence on the connection you form with your child is your personal history with receiving empathy and with being empathic. Your own selfreflection and comfort with your thoughts and feelings will very much influence your connection with your child and his connection with himself.

The following guidelines identify key areas of concern if you wish to form a more meaningful and supportive connection with your child.

By doing so, you will help him become more resilient in dealing with negative feelings and the reactivity that makes one prone to anger.

Work at being empathic with yourself

Validating our own feelings and needs helps us to become empathic with others, including our children. Doing so helps us to feel more human. And doing so reminds us that our feelings provide us with valuable information – if we take time to listen to them. Increasing our emotional intelligence is fundamental to helping our children with cultivating healthy anger. Three of the skills of emotional intelligence are: Being able to better identify and distinguish our feelings, Being able to be self-soothing and regulate our negative feelings and Being able to recognise

feelings in others.

By discussing your feelings with your child you set an example and give your child permission to share his feelings.

I’m not suggesting you share feelings inappropriately, such as relating to your child as a confidant or burdening them with your needs. And remember, too much sharing of your own pain may only cause your child to be “overly” empathic-too quick to be overwhelmed by the feelings of others. Rather, discussing your feelings about work, a movie, the news or, most importantly, feelings about him, all contribute to greater freedom for emotional acceptance.

Emphasise that selfreflection is constructive for healthy emotional development The more comfortable we are in looking inward, the more our child will value selfreflection.

Self-reflection doesn’t imply self-absorption or involve obsessive-rumination.

Rather, it emphasizes a search to understand ourselves more fully–our thoughts, emotions and behaviour. It helps us to more clearly make decisions and behave in ways that reflect our values and who we wish to become.

Learn to comfortably discuss conflict with your child or teen

Being able to help your child manage anger very much depends on your ability to sit with the discomfort of conflict. This may involve your self-reflection to recognise unrealistic expectations you have regarding your child. Or it may consist of more clearly identifying how you feel threatened by such conflict.

Be mindful to how your sensitivity to conflict may interfere with your ability to listen to your child and to set limits where indicated. Your concern with disappointing him or being the target of his

anger may only undermine your capacity to discuss a conflict, yet alone set limits on his behaviour when indicated.

Make a commitment to be empathic

Being empathic may not always be easy, especially when you are challenged to sit and listen to a child who is expressing thoughts and feelings that may be opposed to your own, challenge your values, appear totally unrealistic, or make you uncomfortable. This is a moment to remind yourself that feelings are separate from behaviour.

Being empathic may be especially challenging for you if you have past wounds that have not been fully mourned.

These may lead you to minimize your need for empathy and, subsequently, make you less available to give it. Additionally, you may have had a history that minimised your need for empathy and has led you to conclude that empathy and compassion reflect weakness.

Strive to be consistent

This doesn’t mean that you will always be empathic.

Rather, it calls for your being mindful to cultivate an empathic connection. And, when you fail at being empathic, it is important to remember that you can always acknowledge this later on. In spite of thinking that the moment has passed, it can be extremely valuable to share your intent and, at times, your failure to be empathic

Be open to learning about yourself

Self-reflection and selfknowledge enhance your connection with yourself and your capacity to develop a richer and more fulfilling connection with your child.

And, it consequently helps your child to foster a healthier

self-connection as well. Selfreflection is essential for healthy anger management and it is the basis on which we can more freely choose how we wish to live our lives.

Actively seek out activities to help your child foster empathy

In recent years a broad variety of strategies have been identified that help children to foster empathy for others and themselves. For example, some

key approaches to help children foster empathy can be found in the resources listed at the end of this article.

Dealing with our own anger as a parent and that of our child is an especially challenging task. It requires that we foster a more empathic connection with ourselves and with our children.

And through such connections, we offer our children a foundation on which to cultivate healthy anger. (psychologytoday.com)

Part 2

Children ages 3 to 5

This is one in a series of pieces covering topics to help children when someone in the family has cancer. The others cover diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, losing a parent, and psychosocial support services.

It’s important to take into account the child’s age when deciding how to talk about coping with sickness and death. The following general guidelines can help you and the other adults in their lives decide how to best approach each of your children.

Generally children younger than 5 are not able to understand that death is permanent and that everyone dies. Children at this age may expect someone who has died to come back. It often takes time and growing up for them to realise that the parent they loved will not return.

When death is very close, the child should know that soon the parent will die. Help them understand by using phrases like, “Soon their body won’t work anymore.” “They won’t feel or breathe anymore.” or “Their heart will stop.” If you say things like “Mommy will go to sleep,” the child will realise at some point that Mommy didn’t wake up.

Children told these kinds of stories can become afraid to go to bed at night – it’s important to tell the truth and use the right words.

Some ideas for working with children in this age group: • Give very simple explanations of what’s happening and repeat them often.

• Check on the child’s understanding of what’s happening.

Remember that the child may be able to say back to you what they heard the first time or two, but this doesn’t mean they understand it.

• The child will probably show more fear and anxiety when away from the main caregiver. The child will need a consistent substitute caregiver when the main one can’t be there, and will need to be assured that they will always be cared for.

• Get your relatives, nanny, or day care providers to help maintain the child’s routine and provide daily care. Be sure the caregivers know about the family situation.

• Have a parent or trusted adult who is a regular part of the child’s life spend time with the child every day.

• Offer choices when possible.

• Do not tolerate biting, hitting, kicking, or other aggressive behaviour. Teach the child how to express feelings in healthy ways.

• Teach acceptable expressions of angry feelings such as talking, drawing, or pounding a pillow (things that don’t hurt the child or other people).

• Encourage doll play and other play to rehearse or repeat worrisome or painful experiences, or ask the child to draw pictures about mommy or daddy. Use play and artwork to help the child understand what’s happening in the family, • Create opportunities for physical activity.

• Plan short visits with fun activities that include the parent. Be sure that the child understands which of the usual things they cannot do. Laugh together when possible • When the parent must be away for care (in the hospital or inpatient hospice), caregivers can use video, phone, and other means so the child can see and hear their parent in real time. Arrange in-person visits when possible. Explain any differences in how the parent looks or sounds ahead of time • Do not try to persuade the child using reason or logic.

• Use dead animals or insects to show the child that there’s no movement, and that living creatures don’t come back after death.

You can also point out that the animal doesn’t feel pain after death.

Another way is to compare the body to a seashell. You can help the child understand that at one time there was a living animal in the shell, but now only the shell (body) is left with no life in it.

• Give simple explanations for crying and sadness. For example, “I just feel a little sad and a little tired today. It makes me feel better to cry and get it all out of my system. Now I feel better.” (cancer.org)

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tuesDAY, october 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Tackling the squatting situation

Sophia squatters protest after CH&PA gives 14-day ultimatum …Minister extends deadline to January 2018

Minister responsible for housing Valerie Patterson-Yearwood

By Lakhram Bhagirat

J

ust last week, officials from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) promised squatters at Sophia, Greater Georgetown that they would not evacuate them until they were issued with lands but the housing body is now back-pedalling on their word and have since issued the squatters with a notice to remove by November 2.

Over 50 squatters of Sophia who were affected by the recent demolition exercise executed by the CH&PA on Monday, picketed the Housing Ministry calling for more time before their forced removal and more importantly, alternative housing arrangements.

The residents said they received a letter from the CH&PA on Friday indicating that they would have to remove their homes and all their belongings by November 2. The notice informed that failure to comply would result in legal pro-

ceedings against them.

“My reason for being out here is these people just come and served us notice [for] the 2nd November and we have approximately two weeks to move. Now if we are squatting on the reserve it means that we have nowhere to go and now when you come and serve us this notice for two weeks, where are we going to go. If we had places to go then we would have never been on the Government reserves,” squatter Lorianne Alexander said.

Another resident, Nickela Mc Lennon, said she has been living in Sophia for a number of years and has an application for a house lot in the system but is getting the royal runaround by the authority.

Addressing the concerns of the squatters was People’s National Congress Councillor Akeem Peter who tried to get the squatters to protest in a non-confrontational manner.

“Your voices have been here and the Ministers and the Government knows that it is people they are dealing with. I am going into them with the application forms… we cannot be confrontational.

Persons have long associated squatters with violence and rowdy behaviour. The first move when people hear squatters are gathering is that they call the Police,” he told the vocal group of protesters.

“The notices are going to be one of the issues we will be discussing immediately with the Minister. The reason why we are here is to get the attention of the Minister and we have gotten it, so the next thing is for me to submit the applications to the Minister so she

Councillor Akeem Peter addressing the protesters

can fast track the process,” Councillor Peter added.

Deadline extended

Meanwhile, Minister responsible for housing Valerie Patterson-Yearwood and Chief Executive Officer of the CH&PA, Lelon Saul, called a press conference later in the day to address the concerns. The Minister told the media that the squatters would have until the end of January 2018 to remove or be removed. She said that every time the Government announces a new strategy to deal with the squatting situation, the number of squatters increases.

“As of May (2017) we had 543 squatters and I can assure you that the number is well above that number.

Every night new apartments are being erected,” she said.

Yearwood said the squatters are costing the utility companies since they are stealing electricity and tampering with water mains.

She said to date, 266 notices have been served to the squatters so they are all informed of the consequences should they continue to squat. The Minister added

EBD pedestrian overpasses set for November deadline

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he East Bank Demerara (EBD) pedestrian overpasses at Houston, Peter’s Hall, Eccles, Providence and Diamond, are closer to becoming a reality.

Project Manager (ag), Donor Programmes (Ministry of Public Infrastructure) Mark Greene explained that works are rapidly moving apace, and are on schedule for the November deadline.

The Department of Public Information said Greene explained that works completed thus far include provision of all bonds, insurances, guarantees, mobilisation, permanent relocation of utilities, and site clearance.

Foundation works including piling, pile caps, concrete slabs, fabrication and erection of superstructure, stairways and landings (ongoing) and a revetment at Diamond and installation of main overpass structure are complete, along with a canopy at the Providence site.

The pedestrian overpass at Providence, East Bank Demerara which will be completed shortly

Earlier in the year, Minister of State Joseph Harmon had announced that a US$364,000 contract was awarded for the pedestrian overpass at Diamond and a US$1 million contract for those at Houston, Peter’s Hall and at Eccles.

The construction of the overpasses at Houston, Eccles and Peter’s Hall were awarded to B&J Civil Works, while those at Providence and Diamond were given to S Jagmohan Hardware.

A Providence resident Kenneth Gopaul, eagerly awaiting the overpasses’ completion, noted that the project is a timely one that will ensure pedestrians cross the busy East Bank Road safely and hassle-free.

When completed, the pedestrian overpasses will not only eliminate congestion on the EBD road which is among the busiest in the country, but will also keep pedestrians safe from fatal accidents.

that the extension is to facilitate the development of a plot of land at Industry to have the squatters relocated there.

“We are targeting squatters who have allocations, the unoccupied buildings and our team went in and identified those buildings and the representatives from Sophia asked them to demolish those buildings because people are using them to gamble and rape girls and a lot of things,” Yearwood said.

A resident displaying the notice

Saul said the Housing Authority would not con-

done squatting since it is illegal.

8 NEWS

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Man charged for arson claims he was the victim …tells court wife threatened to “poison him slowly” to death

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hortly after he was apprehended by Police after being on the run for a few days, an alleged abusive husband, accused of setting fire to his wife’s house in the furtherance of an argument, claimed he fears for his life following threats from his reputed spouse to “poison him slowly” to death.

The husband also requested a medical examination when he appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer to an arson charge on Monday.

Kerwin Jarvis pleaded not guilty to the charge which detailed that on October 17, 2017, at Da Silva and D’Abreu Streets, Georgetown, he unlaw-

Arson accused, Kerwin Jervis

fully and maliciously set fire to the dwelling house owned by his wife June McCalmont.

The forty-five-year-old man related that he is a fa-

ther of three with no previous or pending matters before the courts. The accused had reportedly confessed to Police in a caution statement following his arrest.

However, Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to bail being granted.

Bail was refused and Jarvis will spend time in prison until his next court appearance on November 13.

The court heard that on the day in question, the Virtual Complainant returned home from work and came upon the accused who locked himself in the bedroom and gathered some clothing items. He reportedly exited the room and

dumped the bundle of clothing on the floor and secured the door before pouring a liquid substance on the fabric and setting same ablaze.

According to the Police case, the man proceeded to choke his wife and told her that they were going to burn to their deaths together. Fortunately, the VC managed to escape through a window.

The fire spread to neighbour Adunni Orderson’s house and charges are expected to be filed shortly.

According to media reports, the woman was a victim of constant domestic violence and there was nothing the neighbours could have done. (Paula Gomes)

2 separately charged, jailed for armed robberies A twenty-one-yearold livestock farmer of Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD) was on Monday arraigned before Principal Magistrate

Judy Latchman on a charge of armed robbery, allegedly committed on Lethem Wilson on October 13, 2017 at Brickdam, Georgetown.

Unrepresented by legal

counsel, the father of one pleaded not guilty to the allegation, which further detailed that while in the company of others, and armed with a dangerous weapon

(a gun), he robbed the virtual complainant (VC) of two cellular phones and some $3 million in cash, to a total of $3.3 million.

Police Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves objected to the accused being placed on bail, contending that the seriousness of the offence and the penalty attached thereto should be considered among other factors.

The accused pleaded with the magistrate to release him on bail pending the outcome of the trial. He explained that he has a family to take care of, and suffers from the medical condition of stroke.

He was refused bail, and is expected to return to court on November 6, 2017.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Shabaka Williams, an unemployed youth of Durban Street Georgetown, was charged with armed robbery allegedly committed on Akeem Austin on August 31, 2017 on Hadfield Street, Georgetown. Austin is alleged to have been deprived of a cellular phone, a hard drive, and other articles valued at $108,000; together with some $1.4 million cash, property of Nigel Hughes and Akeem Austin.

Attorney-at-law Tiffany Jeffrey, representing Williams, asked Magistrate Judy Latchman to place the teen on reasonable bail pending trial. But Prosecutor Shawn Gonsalves opposed the granting of bail by citing the seriousness and prevalence of the offence, and the fact that a weapon was used in the alleged commission of the crime.

Williams was refused bail, and will make his next court appearance on November 13, 2017.

Signed, sealed, delivered…

Y

…by the military our Eyewitness has had over two years to look closely at the military mindset at work when running a State. And, dear reader, let’s not kid ourselves - this has been a military Government from day one. Your Eyewitness had predicted this happenstance since the APNU/AFC campaign unfolded.

If it barks like the army, orders like the army and salutes like the army, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to conclude it’s a goddamn army in command!!

So what was different with the GECOM decision from events during the campaign days, when so many top Disciplined Forces brass were on display you had to shade your eyes from being blinded with the reflection from the medalled chests?!!?? From the beginning, Pressie made it clear he was going to pick his own GECOM Chair - come hell or high water.

Does anyone think this trained historian doesn’t know the history of Art 161?? Heck…he could teach some of the lawyers a thing or two about that “compromise” formula which assisted in the ousting of the PNC in 1992. Like Hamilton Green, whom he honoured with the OR in one of his first acts as President, Pressie was and remains an unapologetic, unreconstituted Burnhamite. He was one of those Burnhamites whom Hoyte banished and peripheralised when he decided to chart a new course for Guyana post-1985.

Of Burnham’s two ideologues in charge of indoctrinating the two key institutions, McDavid was with the Public Service, and Granger was with the Disciplined Forces. McDavid was banished to Russia, and Granger was made his military advisor. Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer!

Hoyte didn’t even solicit Granger’s opinion on the weather!! Granger, like Green, never accepted Hoyte’s acceptance of the 1992 elections results. If he’d been in charge of the army, he would’ve never deployed troops to save the day when Green attacked GECOM as the votes were coming in and the PNC was shown as losing. Strike one against Joe Singh!!

Like Burnham, Pressie will never allow technicalities like voting to remove the PNC. His military training impels him to accept “collateral” damage for the cause. Problem is: as a military leader, he insists it’s his sole prerogative to define “the cause”. Like Burnham, he sees the PPP as “evil incarnate” and beyond redemption. They must be prevented from returning to office by any means necessary.

Pressie has Burnham’s perspective on constitutions: they really don’t matter, and are essentially a sop to placate those who believe in such “Nancy stories” like “democracy”. As Burnham told his 1979 Congress: “You can’t just read on the lines, comrades: it’s more important to read between the lines!!”

… and irreversible As an indicator of the contempt Pressie has for the PPP, you only have to look at how he toyed with them in accepting list after list when he never intended to pick anyone from those lists. In fact, anyone who accepted being on the PPP list was given the kiss of death - even if Pressie hadn’t already picked his GECOM head.

But the way he actually made the cut was just rubbing salt into the wound. Patterson confirmed he was never consulted about being the GECOM Chair until a few hours before Jagdeo was summoned to State House on Diwali night. He just got a call from Pressie, and then and there he said, “Yes sir!!” For all your Eyewitness knows, he might’ve been lighting his diyas, yet he didn’t even miss a beat!!

“A few hours ago …I was never approached prior to tonight,” he said, and explained that Granger called him, made the offer, and he accepted!

Signed, sealed and delivered! …CCJ test The PPP’s taken Pressie’s unilateral move to the CCJ. But they’ll get a clue as to how the CCJ’s wind is blowing with the case the spit press insists in dubbing “third term”.

Somebody’s getting more than Christmas this December!!

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

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9

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Business community unites in protest over GECOM appointment ...convinced this was the plan all along ...says AFC should be ashamed of its cowardice

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he local business community has begun joining forces in their denunciation of the unilateral appointment of retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM); saying the move will no doubt add to the slowdown of the economy and further loss of investor confidence in Guyana.

This latest salvo against Head of State David Granger was fired by Deodat Indar, the head of the Georgetown Chambers of Commerce, who at the beginning of the business week publicly registered the Chambers’ disappointment in the actions taken by the President.

“The Chambers views the departure from established protocols agreed to by both parties in the Carter/ Price formulae and the provisions enshrined in our Constitution under Article 161 (2) for the appointment of the Chairman as unfortunate.”

According to Indar, “the current political dilemma will only add and deepen the division in Guyana and will negatively affect our fledgling democracy.”

The Georgetown chapter of the business community’s umbrella organisation was joined by the Central

a man (Major General Ret’d Joseph Singh) who was proposed by the then PNC when in Opposition.”

That body has since joined with its Georgetownbased counterpart to say the actions of the President “will do immense damage to our fledgling democracy.”

The Private Sector Commission had earlier called President Granger’s appointment of Justice (rtd) Patterson as a ‘dangerous’ development.

GCCI President Deodat Indar

Corentyne Chamber of Commerce which “strongly condemns the blatant disregard for the constitutional process in the unilateral appointment” of the GECM Chairman.

The Berbice headquartered organisation stated bluntly “we are convinced that this is what the President and his advisers wanted to do all along, ever since the first list was submitted and he rejected names like Christopher Ram and Lawrence Latchmansingh.”

The Chambers questioned “how else can one explain why a practice for 25 years was thrown through the windows and the President even rejected

Pathetic AFC

The Corentyne-based Chambers, in criticising the move on the part of President Granger, said “his senseless action will severely dent, if not kill, any future cross-over voting by the two major races of Guyana and throw us back to the 70’s and 80’s.”

According to the Corentyne Chambers, “instead of trying to build a country, people will once again be consumed by ‘rigged elections’ as the suspicions and fears of the ‘rigging machines’ of the old PNC come to life.”

Meanwhile, the Chambers also used the occasions to single out coalition partner, the Alliance For Change (AFC), to share “a great deal of blame for

GMSA expresses concern over GECOM appointment

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he Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) has expressed its concern over the manner in which the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) was appointed and the undesirable impacts that can manifest.

The GMSA, in a statement on Monday, said it was hopeful that the appointment of the Chairman of GECOM would have “continued in an open and transparent manner, in accor-

GMSA President Shyam Nokta

dance with the Constitution and practice, and leading to the successful candidate receiving the support of both the Government and Opposition, and by extension the entire nation, as has been the case for the last 25 years”. Noting that this did not happen, the GMSA said the current political impasse and uncertainty that has been created is unhealthy.

“This could threaten our fledgling democracy and could have adverse impacts on economic activities,” the Association posited.

Chairman of the PSC, Eddie Boyer

this state of affairs.”

Speaking to its official position and defence of the President’s actions, the Chambers said the AFC’s “statement on a ‘looming constitutional crisis’ has been nothing but pathetic.”

The AFC while claiming to not be involved in the decision-making pro-

cess of unilaterally selecting a GECOM Chairman, the party had subsequently issued a statement in support of President Granger saying that the action had averted a looming constitutional crisis.

The Corentyne Chambers – home to a large section of the AFC’s support base – said “they should be ashamed of themselves as they were the ones who helped to create this crisis in the first place by their cowardly attitude in not demanding their partner abide with a practice which served the people for 25 years.”

The Chambers accused the party of having forgotten “that many of them (especially Ramjattan and Nagamootoo), fought for decades for free and fair elections including this very matter, which they are now loosely and casually com-

President of the CCCC, Mohammed Raffik

promising themselves to support... What a shame!”

The Corentyne association was adamant; the AFC leadership through its complicity “are presiding over the final rites of their party and is so doing has doomed us to the two major parties for the foreseeable future.” continued on page 10

10 news

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt mulls building joint oil facility with Suriname – to review Chevron’s application for oil blocks

By Samuel Sukhnandan

A

s time draws closer for Guyana becoming an oil producing country, certain mechanisms are being put in place to prepare for this new industry and one example is a plan to develop an onshore oil facility.

In an effort to get this started, Government has resumed dialogue with its eastern neighbour – Suriname – to look at the possibility of developing a joint industrial centre that will hopefully service both countries.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

told Guyana Times on Monday that Government plans to make preparations for a feasibility study that will determine the location and size of the facility.

“We are hoping by the end of the year to hopefully start or finish a feasibility study to see where and what type of facility we are going to have. It is without a doubt we are going to have an onshore facility but it’s a matter of where and the design,” the Minister explained.

Some US$500 million has been mooted by the Government to build an on-

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

shore oil and gas facility at Crab Island, at the mouth of

the Berbice River. The facility, which will largely support ExxonMobil’s offshore oil exploration and production operations, will include heliports and supplies, maintenance and transportation hubs.

Back in March, Trotman had stated that Cabinet had approved a consultancy whose report will guide the Government on the way forward on the matter of an oil refinery for the country.

The Minister revealed that there had also been some overtures from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the refining of Guyana’s oil, and said he expects a formal proposal to be made from Trinidad and Tobago in this regard.

Trotman made the point that the current below optimum operating positions of Suriname and Trinidad bring into stark focus the need for Guyana to be careful in considering whether or not to have a refinery.

However, while the Government had declared its unwillingness to build an oil refinery, after it was revealed by a US consultant that it was not feasible, they had welcomed private in-

vestors to submit proposals if they desire to build a refinery. But Trotman said no submissions have been made so far.

Meanwhile, speaking about United States supermajor Chevron’s intention to participate in offshore activities in Guyana, Trotman said the company has put in a good application for some acreage.

He said, “It is to be considered and I will be asking Cabinet in a few weeks for some guidance. But I would say it’s a very good proposal and it shows that Chevron as a world class company has very keen interest in coming into Guyana.”

Meanwhile, touching on the training opportunities provided to locals in the oil industry, the Minister said that process has started not only at the University of Guyana but other educational institutions.

“We are plugging little things like scholarships and asking companies themselves when they make applications to come into our country, as we are very keen on their corporate social responsibility, what are they prepared to give back by way

of training and scholarships for young people rather than just saying they are coming to mine our oil and gold.”

Successful drilling by ExxonMobil raised the stature of Guyana, as the company on October 5 announced its fifth offshore oil discovery in a little more than two years. Guyana is poised to become a significant producer as a result of the growing string of discoveries.

The latest success is the Turbot-1 well, which encountered a reservoir of 75 feet of high-quality, oil-bearing sandstone in the primary objective. ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana began drilling on August 14, and the well reached a depth of 18,445 feet in 5912 feet of water on September 29.

Once the Turbot well is completed, the Stena Carron drillship will move to the Ranger prospect. An additional well on the Turbot discovery is planned for 2018.

The Turbot-1 well follows previous discoveries at Liza, Payara, Snoek, and Liza Deep. The Turbot discovery is located in the southeastern portion of the Stabroek Block.

Students sent home after African bees found in school building – at Anna Regina Multilateral

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tudents and teachers from the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary on the Essequibo Coast were forced to vacate the school building due to the presence of African bees.

Students were sent home on Monday morning after teachers discovered that the main building was infested with the bees.

The discovery was made at around 09:00h on Monday. According to a student, the students assembled outside of the building and were asked to mark their names as being pres-

ent before being sent home.

“We were told that we should go home since there are bees infestation in the main building and we should immediately leave,” the student related.

No one was stung and

classes at the school are expected to resume today. The Agriculture Department of Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) was asked to assist in removing the bees from the building.

(Indrawattie Natram)

Business community unites...

The Chambers used the occasion too to recognise that by the President’s own definition justice Patterson is clearly not fit and proper; “No experience in electoral matters, he is a religious leader, and to crown it all, Patterson is an adviser to the Attorney General, an employee of the government.”

Unilateral

President Granger on Thursday last met with Opposition Leader Jagdeo and informed him that the third list of nominees for the post of GECOM Chairman was unacceptable and that Justice (rtd) Patterson would be appointed.

The first list of names

was submitted in December last by Jagdeo and included Major General (retd) Norman McLean; Attorney and Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram; Business Executive Ramesh Dookhoo; Governance and Conflict Resolution Specialist, Lawrence Lachmansingh; Rights Activist Ryhaan Shah; and Professor James Rose.

This list was rejected by the President after the Opposition Leader submitted for consideration former appellate Judge BS Roy; former High Court Justice William Ramlall; former Magistrate and now practising Attorney Oneidge Walrond-Allicock; Attorneys Kashir Khan and Nadia Sagar, and former Guyana

from page 9

Defence Force Captain and businessman Gerald Gouveia for the post.

This was also rejected before Jagdeo on August 25, submitted a third list containing Joseph Singh, a retired Guyana Defence Force Major General, who previously served as GECOM Chairman; former long-serving Magistrate Krishenndat Persaud; Attorneys Teni Housty and Sanjeev Datadin; pilot and biodiversity advocate Annette Arjoon-Martins; and Adventist pastor and agriculturalist Onesi La Fleur.

The President formally rejected this list on Thursday and immediately swore in Justice (rtd) Patterson who was himself notified only hours earlier.

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tuesDAY, october 24, 2017| guyanatimesgy.com

PPP files injunction to rescind GECOM chair appointment – hopeful matter could be heard expeditiously

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he Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) on Monday filed an injunction in the High Court to rescind President David Granger’s unilateral appointment of retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the grounds of unconstitutionality.

Former Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall described the unilateral appointment not only as unconstitutional but illegal, null, void and of no effect. Nandlall said the PPP is also seeking a declaration that Justice Patterson is not qualified to be appointed in provision with Article 161-2 of the Constitution of Guyana.

“We are seeking an order rescinding, revoking, and quashing the appointment of Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM and we are seeking an order removing him from office and seeking an order directing the President to choose a person from the 18 names submitted to him by Leader of the Opposition or for the court to make an appropriate order that it deems fit,” he added.

According to Nandlall, the injunction was filed in the name of the Executive Secretary of the PPP and

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall holding the injunction in his hand in the presence of PPP Member of Parliament Zulfikar Mustapha at the High Court Registry on Monday

Member of Parliament (MP) Zulfikar Mustapha, who is an elected official that has legal authority. “We are waiting now on a date that would be assigned to the matter by the acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire. We should get that and serve it and an early date will be fixed,” he explained.

Apart from that, the Opposition MP said he also plans to write the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette CummingsEdwards requesting that the matter be heard expeditiously, while noting that the Leader of the Opposition

Bharrat Jagdeo will also make a similar request.

Nandlall told Guyana Times that the matter has no facts that are in dispute.

“There are only pure questions of law which are to be determined. So it should not take any long period of time to be determined. I mean of the legal questions being raised here, have already been answered by the Chief Justice ruling in the Marcel Gaskin matter that was before the courts.”

Patterson, currently a legal advisor in the Legal Affairs Ministry, was sworn in a few hours after President Granger met briefly with the

Berbice Bar demands immediate repeal of ‘illegal’ appointment ...openly questions advanced age of 84year-old GECOM chair

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he Berbice Bar Association has now formally joined the growing ranks of those discontented at the decision made by the Head of State, President David Granger, to unilaterally appoint retired Justice James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, rejecting a third list of nominees submitted by the Opposition Leader for consideration for this post.

The Association in condemning the President’s last Thursday’s surprise move -made under cover of night at State House -- and has called for the immediate rescission of this appointment.

The Association, comprising lawyers from Berbice, has also called into question the competence of the 84-year-old retired Justice Patterson, and has said it is concerned about the effects the rigours of the upcoming local government and national and regional elections would have on his advanced age.

“Will the retired Justice be able to carry out and perform all the rigorous duties associated with the (GECOM) Chairmanship? And if he is unable to do so, what will be the impact on our fledgling democracy?”

The entity, in a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, said the action of the President flies in the face of Article 161 of the Constitution of Guyana, the country’s supreme law, and is contemptuous of the ruling of

acting Chief Justice Madam Roxanne George.

The Berbice Bar Association also registered its deep concern that, despite the court being clear that reasons must be given in the event of a rejection of names, the President has failed, refused, and neglected to comply with that ruling.

“What is the example being set for ordinary citizens regarding complying with decisions of the court? His Excellency the President must lead by example by respecting the rule of law...In that way, the ordinary citizens would be expected to do the same,” the Association admonished.

According to the Association, “the indecent haste in which this appointment was made, and without respect for and in total disregard of the Opposition Leader and people of Guyana, does not augur well for our fledgling democracy...There is no reasonable or legal justification for the extreme haste in which this appointment was made.”

The entity insists, “We are worried about the effect of the President’s unilateral appointment of Justice Patterson on the social, economic, and political stability of our country -- all matters that will affect in various ways every single citizen of Guyana.”

The Association has since stridently called on President Granger for “an immediate rescission of the appointment of Justice James Patterson.”

The Association said it de-

mands the President heed the spirit and intent of the constitutionally enshrined CarterPrice formula of appointing a chairperson to GECOM, and immediately collaborate with the Leader of the Opposition to arrive at a ‘fit and proper’ person for appointment to the said post.

It reminded that Article 161 of the Constitution is clear in its prescription of how a chairman is to be appointed, in that the President shall choose a chairman from a list of names that is submitted by the Leader of the Opposition.

If the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit such a list, only then may the President unilaterally appoint a Chairman.

“It is public knowledge that the Leader of the Opposition has submitted to the President the names of 18 persons, many of whom are eminently qualified, and certainly who are more qualified than the present appointee.”

The body of lawyers contend that there was neither reason nor ground for the President to invoke the proviso of Article 161(2) of the Constitution and unilaterally appoint a chairman.

It was noted, too, that in the decision of Justice Roxanne George, she deemed of “academic significance” only her interpretation of the proviso which allows the President to unilaterally appoint a chairman, as lists and amended lists had been submitted by the Leader of the Opposition, as provided for by the Constitution.

Opposition Leader last week.

Granger said his decision to select a GECOM Chairman was done in accordance with Article 161 of the Constitution for the appointment of a GECOM Chairman.

The Head of State 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.

Asked why he decided to hand pick 84-year-old Justice Patterson for this position, the President said it is be-

cause 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 last, Jagdeo announced that his party would be withdrawing its support from any form of cooperation with Government and would also 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 PPP will be calling on its support base countrywide for the national boycott.

Both civil society, the business community and trade unions have come out in strong opposition and have slammed the decision taken

by President Granger. The Private Sector Commission has since condemned the decision as “dangerous” and a threat to democracy, while the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) claimed the decision could lead to a decline in the economy.

12 news

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former Evening News World-renowned vascular specialist to give free clinic in Guyana Anchor passes on …media fraternity mourns loss of ‘mentor’

T

he media fraternity was on Monday thrown into a state of mourning after news broke of the passing of former Evening News Anchor, Tommy Rhodes.

The versatile television personality, who was known for this popular tag out phrase, “I am proud to be Guyanese” can safely be regarded as a ‘mentor’ to many of the well-known journalists and reporters who have been dominating the field in recent years.

Rhodes along with the now Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes were both instrumental in designing the Evening News under the brand Vieira Communications Television (VCT), which was operated by Anthony Vieira.

After being among the top names in Guyanese media for some 10 years, Rhodes migrated to Brazil to be with his family. He resided in a small village outside of the GuyanaBrazil border called “Little San Francisco”, where he lived until his passing.

The founding anchor of the Evening News leaves to mourn his two children, grandchildren and great

The late Tommy Rhodes

number of friends as well as progenies in the local media fraternity.

While speaking to Guyana Times moments after learning of Rhodes’ demise, Minister Hughes expressed deep regrets in the passing of her former colleague and dear friend.

In doing so, she highlighted that, “I think Tommy must be remembered as being there when we actually started the Evening News. We created what I think was a newscast that set itself above all the rest at the time. The newscast that we designed, the

staff that we were able to select and train really brought a different level of newscast in Guyana.”

After the Evening News came on air in 1993, the duo shared the honour of co-anchoring the newscast for over a year. As such, the Telecommunications Minister reflected on the life and works of the late TV personality and thereby outlined the many noteworthy attributes which he brought to the profession.

“Tommy Rhodes really was the epitome of professionalism and grace. I know some people thought that sometimes he was a little too formal but he certainly came from a generation where you watched what you said and that allows young people and children to look at news presenters and learn from the way they spoke and the way they pronounced their words, their impeccable grammar,” related Hughes.

Even as she was still shaken by the loss, the Minister posited that there should be documentation of the life of the later Tommy Rhodes which will set the perfect example for up-and-coming media operatives to follow.

– at Doobay Medical and Research Centre

T

he Doobay Medical and Research Centre has announced an executive clinic with Dr Sonia Anand, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at McMaster University in Canada.

The executive clinic, to be held on Saturday, October 28, at the Doobay Medical and Research Centre at Annandale, East Coast Demerara, aims to provide high-level medical consultations to senior business, Government, and other national leaders by one of the world leaders in vascular medicine.

Dr Sonia Anand is the Director of the Population Genomics Programme and a vascular medicine specialist at Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University.

She holds the Canada Research Chair in Ethnic Diversity and Cardiovascular Disease. She also holds the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario/ Michael G DeGroote Chair in Population Health Research.

Her present research focuses on the environmental and genetic determinants of vascular disease in populations of varying ancestral origin, women and cardiovascular disease.

According to a state-

Dr Sonia Anand

ment from the Doobay Medical and Research Centre, her work is widely published among academic and peer-evaluated journals and she teaches clinical epidemiology courses in methodology and cardiovascular disease at McMaster University.

The Centre, known for providing affordable dialysis for patients with renal failure since September 2011 has continued to expand its operations to cater to more patients, as well as to expand the range of services being provided.

Founder and President of the Centre, Dr Budhendra Doobay, said “we have been working hard not just to expand our

services, but to improve our research capability to better serve the specific needs of the Guyanese population.” He added that diabetes and other diseases are common all over the world but there are ethnic variations, having a specialist of the calibre of Dr Anand, who researches these ethnic differences in the diseases is a rare but extremely useful opportunity for people in Guyana.

Dr Doobay will be accompanying Dr Anand and would also be taking the opportunity to ensure that a number of local professionals get a chance to benefit from interaction with Dr Anand.

Dr Anand said she is “excited about being able to visit Guyana and make a contribution to care for patients and give counsel to as many persons as possible about the issues of their health.”

In addition to the executive clinic, Dr Anand will hold a general clinic for patients of the Doobay Medical and Research Centre. The executive clinic starts at 10:00h on Saturday.

Executives who are interested in more personal consultations could arrive at 09:00h to have blood samples and blood pressure readings taken.

UG receives $100M charitable education grant

UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith (left) presented with a cheque for $45 million from Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

A

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between the University of Guyana (UG) and the Natural Resources Ministry for the disbursement of a $100 million philanthropic education grant for the year 2017-2018.

The Faculty of Technology, the Faculty for Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Geology Department of the University of Guyana will see a significant boost following the signing of that MoU. Vice Chancellor of UG, Professor Ivelaw Griffith said the process started sev-

eral months ago, where the Natural Resources Ministry made a commitment to invest in the university through the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).

“One hundred million Guyana dollars was the first tranche of the investment and today represents the delivery of that promise. The Minister (Raphael Trotman) presented a cheque to me for $45 million,” he said.

The $45 million will go to faculties and schools other than engineering and the remainder will be used to purchase equipment for the geology laboratories and to assist with curriculum de-

velopment, training, outreach and field research.

“What we did today was to bring closure to that almost one year of negotiations and the Minister was quite laudatory in his intent not only to support what we are doing at the university not only in words but in deeds.”

The grant will also provide for the collaboration on placement of students internship attachments with the Commission and sharing of technical publications based on assignments of the programme done by scholars of the Commission.

The grant could be renewed annually.

news

13

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Members of Local Govt Commission sworn in

– body protects constitutional rights of citizens – President

By Shemuel Fanfair

A

fter years of delay, the appointees to the Local Government Commission (LGC) were on Monday sworn in at State House by President David Granger, who reiterated that the move reflects his Administration’s commit-

Government Ministers Norman Whittaker and Clinton Collymore, and former Georgetown Town Clerk, Carol Sooba. In his short address, President David Granger offered congratulatory remarks to the Commissioners, urging them to execute their functions with integrity. He nev-

Former Town Clerk of Georgetown, Carol Sooba was sworn in as one of the LGC Commissioners

ment to good governance.

However, the operationalisation of the body comes 19 months after the historic return of Local Government Elections in Guyana, and it ends a lengthy back and forth between Government and the Opposition over the non-functionality of the constitutional organ.

The Commission’s members are Mortimer Mingo, Clement Corlette, Marlon Williams, Jo Ann Romascindo, Andrew Garnett, former Local

ertheless noted that the appointment of the LGC will resolve disputes that may arise at the local government level, and added that this Commission falls in line with Government’s commitment to establish other constitutional bodies, including the Office of the Ombudsman, the Judicial Services Commission and the recently appointed Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

The Head of State point-

ed out that the rights of all citizens will be respected.

“I pledge to ensure that the institutions mandated by our Constitution will continue to be honoured,” the President expressed.

He encouraged Commissioners to uphold their mandate which would promote confidence in the local government system.

Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan told reporters that the LGC will commence its work after members select a Chairman.

The Commission would, among other things, have control over who gets appointed as officials in the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NSCs) and other local authorities.

In addition, it would have to approve budgets for the NDCs. By law, the commission is to be made up of eight members. These members include four nominated from the Government, one from the unions and three nominees from the Leader of the Opposition.

The parliamentary Opposition had named its nominees to the Local Government Commission since last year. However, it was reported that the Government did not submit its nominations which resulted in deadlock. One of the first public deadlines that Communities Minister Bulkan gave for the body to become functional was at

GBTI Directors, CEO charged for breaching court order

S

even officials of the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) were on Monday arraigned before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan, charged with allegedly breaching a production order issued in August by acting Chief Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire.

GBTI Chairman Robin Stoby; Directors Edward A. Beharry, Suresh Beharry, Kathryn EytleMcLean, Richard Isava, Carlton James and Basil Mahadeo; together with Chief Executive Officer (ag) Shaleeza Shaw, were all jointly charged with the offence. However, Director Eytle-McLean was charged in absentia, since she is currently out of the jurisdiction on vacation.

It is alleged that they failed to comply with a production order issued by Justice Roxane George-Wiltshire after they were served with an order to produce certain documents within seven days to Assistant Police Commissioner Sydney James, who heads the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU). A Marshal of

a press conference during the time of the March 2016 Local Government Elections. When asked, during the latter part of the month for an explanation, the Minister had moved the deadline to the end of June 2016.

In the Budget estimates for 2016, some $30 million was allocated by the Government to the non-functioning Commission. When asked, Bulkan had stated that this was to allow the Commission to operate independently to Central Government.

President David Granger said the appointment of the Local Government Commission will see protection of the constitutional rights of citizens

Recaptured in Suriname after 6 years on the run

New Amsterdam prison escapee makes court appearance

By Andrew Carmichael

P

rison escapee and alleged murder, Rickford La Fleur, was on Monday remanded to prison by Magistrate Alex Moore on a murder charge.

The man had been on the run for the past six years after escaping from the New Amsterdam Prison. He was arrested by law enforcement authorities in neighbouring Suriname last week.

On Monday he appeared in a New Amsterdam court charged with murder.

He and three others were accused of killing Sebastian Cleto on May 1, 2011, at the New Amsterdam Prison.

The accused was not required to plea to the indictable charge and was remanded until December 7.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Godfrey Playter told the court that La Fleur wad previously charged with the murder along with three others. However, it was

Rickford La Fleur

while the matter was receiving the attention of the court that he escaped from the New Amsterdam penitentiary.

Playter said the charges against two of the accused were subsequently dropped, and later Jason McKenzie pleaded guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter.

With La Fleur now being available, the charge against him was reconstituted.

The 43-year-old wanted man was among four prisoners who escaped from the penitentiary on June 11, 2011. After being recaptured in the neighbouring country, he was handed over to local authorities and was escorted to Guyana last week. At the time of his escape, LaFleur was on remand for murder and possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

Rickford La Fleur, called “Bragga” or “Rastaman”, hails from Vryheid’s Lust Squatting Area, East Coast Demerara, and Smithfield, Canje River.

He is accused of the murder of Cleveland Hetmyer, called “Water Dog” who was shot dead reportedly during a confrontation with the suspect and another man some 90 miles up the Canje River on November 4, 2010.

Skeletal remains found in school yard

H GBTI Chairman Robin Stoby

the High Court served them with the order on August 29, 2017.

The accused persons, represented by Attorneyat-law Nigel Hughes, all pleaded not guilty to the joint charge. Director EytleMcLean was not present to plead.

SOCU Prosecutor Patrice Henry led the prosecution’s case.

SOCU had reportedly requested bank information in the ongoing probe regarding an alleged fraud at the Guyana Rice Development Board (GRDB), which is presently being heard before

Chief Executive Officer (ag) Shaleeza Shaw

the High Court. The GBTI officials are accused of failing to comply without any probable reason.

While the defence lawyer attested that the financial institution was last Friday granted an extension of time to comply with the order, the prosecutor contended that the bank officials had deliberately withheld the requested documents.

The arraigned officials were released on their own recognizance, and the case was set for continuation on November 20, 2017. (Paula Gomes)

uman skeletal remains were discovered in a clump of bushes in the compound of an abandoned school at Vryheid Road, Savannah Park in New Amsterdam on Monday morning.

The discovery was made by a contractor who had gone to carry out repair work to the school building, which had not been used since 2015, when the school was moved to another location.

Over the past two years, the building was vandalised and the compound taken over by thick vegetation.

Several rib bones and parts of limbs seemed to be missing from the skeletal remains. The remains have been taken to a funeral home as investigations continue.

Police are also trying to

Undertakers removing the man’s body found Friday last

determine the identity of a man, whose body was removed from a clump of bushes along the Matthew Allen Road in New Amsterdam Berbice on Friday last.

The body was found behind an abandoned building in the area. At the time of its discovery, the body ap-

peared to have no marks of violence.

The police are seeking assistance in identifying the body which is at the Arokium Funeral home at Philadelphia Street in New Amsterdam. (Andrew Carmichael)

14

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017

Around the World

All 5 living former US Presidents gathered in Rio Police shoot Texas to raise money for hurricane victims dead Spanish tourist on favela tour A ll five living former US presidents took to the stage in College Station, Texas, on Saturday night for a benefit concert raising funds for hurricane victims in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

All five living former US presidents took to the stage in College Station, Texas, on Saturday night for a benefit concert raising funds for hurricane victims in Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

Jimmy Carter, George HW Bush, Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama first came together last month to launch the hurricane relief fund “One

America Appeal.” The initiative has raised $31 million to date, with contributions from more than 80,000 donors. One hundred per cent of proceeds have been pledged to helping hurricane victims recover.

On Saturday, 10,000 peo-

ple gathered at Texas A&M University’s Reed Arena for the sold-out “Deep from the Heart: One America Appeal” concert, reported the Texas Tribune. Lyle Lovett, Lee Greenwood and Gospel legend Yolanda Adams were among the performers who

regaled the crowd. Pop star Lady Gaga also made a surprise appearance, and announced she was donating $1 million to the hurricane relief fund.

The audience cheered wildly when the five former presidents appeared on stage. They last gathered together in 2013, when Obama was still in office.

Obama went on to highlight the charitable efforts of George W Bush and George HW Bush, calling the senior Bush an “outstanding American who has always shown grace and character and courage and served America nobly throughout the years.” (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

Gaza conjoined twins 'need life-saving treatment abroad' T

he lives of a pair of Palestinian conjoined twins are at risk unless they are able to leave Gaza, doctors say. Shifa Hospital's Alam Abu Hamda said the "complicated condition" of the baby girls could not be dealt with by medics in the coastal territory, which is under blockade by Israel and Egypt. He said the hope was they could be transferred abroad for separation.

The girls are joined at the abdomen and lower body.

Born on Saturday, one is reported to be weaker than the other. The twins have

one shared leg but separate hearts and lungs. Conjoined twins that share key organs generally have lower chances of survival.

"Their lives are in danger, it's a complicated case," Dr Abu Hamda was quoted

by The Times of Israel as saying. He said that while the condition of one of the twins was "ok", her sibling was suffering and required ventilation.

"The quicker they are transferred abroad, the better their chances are to be saved," he said. The Israeli military body responsible for co-ordinating access to

Medics say one of the baby girls is weaker than her sibling

and from Gaza, Cogat, said it had not received any request for the twins to exit the territory.

Dr Abu Hamda said options for treatment includ-

ed Israel, the US or Saudi Arabia.

Conjoined twins born in November 2016 in Gaza later died. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Train crushes 4 women crossing tracks in East India

F

our women were killed and five others injured Monday after

being struck by a train while crossing railway tracks in eastern India, Police said.

The victims were returning from performing religious rituals at a nearby river when they were hit by the train in the Munger district of Bihar state.

“It was slightly foggy and they might have failed to notice the oncoming train,” Asish Bharti, Munger Police chief, told AFP. They were crossing at an unauthorised spot, the officer said. The injured victims were being treated at a State-run hospital.

Every day thousands

of Indians take short cuts across railway tracks but this can prove deadly.

Nearly 28,000 people were killed in accidents along tracks in 2014, mostly run down by speeding trains, the latest data from India’s crime record bureau shows.

India’s railways transport nearly 23 million passengers every day. But critics say the creaking British-era network is inefficient, overburdened and unsafe. (Jamaica Observer)

Macri’s coalition sweeps Argentina’s mid-term vote

C

andidates allied with Argentine President Mauricio Macri enjoyed sweeping victories in Sunday’s mid-term election, strengthening his position in Congress while dimming prospects for a political comeback by his predecessor Cristina Fernandez.

A free-spending populist who nearly bankrupted the country during her 2007-2015 rule, Fernandez

came in a distant second in her race for the Senate representing Buenos Aires, Argentina’s most populous province.

With 98 per cent of ballots counted by the interior ministry, Macri’s former Education Minister Esteban Bullrich, had 41.34 per cent versus 37.27 per cent for Fernandez in the province that is home to nearly 40 per cent of Argentine voters.

Macri’s “Cambiemos” or “Let’s Change” coalition won the top five population centers of Buenos Aires City, and Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Santa Fe and Mendoza provinces. No single party had won all five in a mid-term vote since 1985.

The election results, largely in line with pre-vote opinion polls, robbed the Opposition of the two-thirds majority needed to block

presidential vetoes, said Ignacio Labaqui, a local analyst with New York-based consultancy Medley Global Advisors.

Fernandez’s second-place showing still grants her one of the province’s three Senate seats under Argentina’s list system.

One third of the Senate and half of the house were elected, and Macri’s coalition will not have a majority. (Excerpt

from Reuters)

P

The Army was sent in to Rocinha last month as shoot-outs spiked

olice in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro say they have shot dead a 67-year-old Spanish tourist. The woman, María Esperanza Jiménez Ruiz, was on a tour of the Rocinha favela when the car she was travelling in broke through a police blockade, officials said.

The officer who fired the shot has been detained, Police said. Rocinha has been the site of frequent shoot-outs in recent weeks between rival drug gangs.

Jiménez was in a car with her brother, his wife and an Italian tour guide when their vehicle was shot at, Spanish daily El País reported.

A statement by the military Police said that “around 10:30 [12:30GMT] a Fiat Freemont vehicle broke

through the police blockade in Largo do Boiadeiro [square]”.

The Police opened fire but stopped when they realised the car was carrying tourists, the statement adds. An investigation is under way. Brazilian security forces have been accused of using excessive force by human rights groups.

Security forces say they can come under fire from drug gangs in the narrow slum streets and often have little time to assess the situation. Two military Police Officers were injured earlier on Monday in a shoot-out in Rocinha, Brazilian media report.

In September, soldiers were sent into Rocinha to quell the most recent outbreak of violence but the shootings have continued.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Caribbean leaders to attend CaricomMexico Summit

L

eaders from across the Caribbean Community (Caricom) will participate in the IV Caricom-Mexico Summit that is scheduled to begin on Wednesday in Belize.

The main theme of the summit will be cooperation for the prevention of and treatment of natural disasters.

Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley, will be accompanied by the Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, Dennis Moses.

The one day summit will be co-chaired by Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto and the Prime

Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow.

The summit aims to consolidate the progress of the III CARICOM-Mexico Summit, held in 2014.

The scheduled talks further endorses the importance Mexico places on cooperation with the Caribbean in matters of security, migration, climate change mitigation and the prevention of natural disasters.

The Government of Mexico will provide air transport for the Trinidad and Tobago Delegation and other Caricom Delegations, to and from Belize, City.

(Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

Prevention Protection Safety

W

ith Massy Technologies, you don’t need to be a victim anymore. You’re allowed to rule your own destiny with just a step further in the right direction, you could easily and affordably have quality protective measures!

They have alarms that would sound an alert in the event of a fire or a burglary so that you know what is coming, and how to protect not only yourself, but also your loved ones! Massy Technologies also offer CCTV services, so that you could keep track of those traversing your premises with ease and comfort!

If you might find yourself leaving the region, country or even your province, then Massy Technologies also caters for you! They render around the clock alarm services that allow for both monitoring and fast response!

And what if you’ve already invested in a security system ? Then worry not. Massy will come to you and monitor and upgrade your systems today!

Take charge of your security!

tuesday, october 24, 2017

15

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, OCTOBER 24, 2017

Association do Shotokan Karate Guyana – YMCA I

f you ask any practitioner of karate, or rather Shotokan in particular, they will confidently tell you that karate is not just sport, it is a way of life.

This lifelong practice can be perfected with the Association Do Shotokan Karate! It is a confidence builder, a stepping stone to a healthier body and a stable mind.

It also prepares you to cope with your surroundings; deal with impending threats and everyday life through its teachings and training.

If you have a child that is being bullied and if you yourself

are not quite confident in your ability to defend yourself physically, or even mentally, stop by Association do Shotokan Karate Guyana - YMCA

and build your strength both p hy s i c a l l y, mentally and spiritually!

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, october 24, 2017

17

Be smart, choose Assuria for your…

Personal Accident coverage

You are exposed daily to all kinds of dangers. In order to limit the financial consequences of death or disablement as the result of an accident, you may select our Personal Accident Insurance.

Travel Insurance

Nobody wants to become unexpectedly ill or involved in an accident during a trip. But things may happen. Apart from the personal inconvenience such a situation brings, the medical costs may amount to substantial sums of money. With the Travel Medical Insurance plans of Assuria, you can be secure while travelling.

Motor Insurance

In Guyana, the law requires all registered motor vehicle owners to maintain certain minimum coverage levels.

Motor Insurance protects you when you are involved in an accident by paying on your behalf the amounts of damages you are legally responsible for but only up to the dollar limit that you have purchased. When you have purchased sufficient coverage, your personal assets will not be jeopardised to pay claims or lawsuits.

Life…

Term

This is a life insurance product which provides coverage at death at a fixed rate of payments for a limited period of time. This product is generally closed in combination with a mortgage and covers a specific amount which is equal to the loan amount.

The mortgage is supplied by Assuria or by another party such as a bank.

The sum insured is payable if the insured dies within the duration of the insurance and it is used to pay back the mortgage loan.

If there is no loan, however, the benefit can be paid directly to the beneficiaries.

After the death of the insured, the policy is cancelled and no further premiums are paid.

Endowment

This is a life insurance product designed to pay a lump sum to the policyholder after a specified term (on its ‘maturity’) or on earlier death of the insured.

Endowments can be cashed in early and the policyholder then receives the surrender value. At death of the insured, the full face amount is paid to the beneficiary.

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017

ARCHIE

Follow your heart and take a passionate approach (March 21to achieving your goals.

April 19) Partnerships can make a difference to how you move forward. Do your best to stabilize your position.

ARIES

Don’t feel the need to TAURUS make a change just because (April 20- someone else does. Aim to May 20) secure a financial, contractual or legal settlement you are negotiating. A fair offer is better than nothing.

dilbert

A financial opportunity GEMINI (May 21- can change the way you live.

June 20) Negotiate contracts and check out positions that have a lot of potential. An unexpected financial gain will be a relief.

Personal improvements can

CANCER be made. Educational pursuits (June 21- will help shape the way you July 22) think and move forward. An in-

Peanuts

teresting partnership has the potential to be quite lucrative. Selfimprovement is encouraged.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Turn an opportunity into an adventure. Taking a business trip or using your skills and experience to get ahead will pay off. Don’t overreact or let your generosity put you in an unjustified position.

Emotions will smolder VIRGO if you aren’t willing to dis(Aug. 23cuss personal matters openSept. 22) ly. Don’t fear opposition. Use your intelligence and offer incentives to sway others to see things your way.

Calvin and Hobbes

Keeping secrets will be difLIBRA (Sept. 23- ficult. Unexpected changes will Oct. 23) cause discord in an important re-

lationship, resulting in the need to question motives and find solutions. Follow your heart and concentrate on personal gains.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

An interesting discussion SCORPIO will give you something to (Oct. 24consider. Head in a direction Nov. 22) that you feel compelled to explore. Let your imagination wander and your intuition become your compass.

Put your heart and soul SAGITTARIUS into whatever you do. Helping (Nov. 23- others will make you feel good Dec. 21) and could lead to an unexpected opportunity. Personal gains look promising.

Observation is your best CAPRICORN choice. An offer will not be (Dec. 22- all it’s made out to be. Look Jan. 19) for alternative options and offer suggestions based on your findings.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle If you put in the time, you AQUARIUS will reap the rewards. Taking (Jan. 20- physical action will encourage Feb. 19) others to pitch in and help. Be concise to avoid miscommunication.

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

Fighting the impossible PISCES (Feb. 20- will not help you get ahead.

March 20) Go with the flow and make unique alterations that will separate you from everyone else. Your strength comes from being original.

tuesDAY, OCTOber 24, 2017

19

Region 1 closer to GFF full membership

T

Members of participating teams with GFF officials at the Region One outreach

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF), as part of its strategic mandate of football development in Guyana including the hinterland, has hosted an outreach in Region 1 aimed at ultimately leading the region to full membership.

The two-day outreach, which began on Saturday , was conducted at Port Kaituma

by Executive Member of the GFF, Magzene Stewart, GFF Women’s Development Officer, Tricia Munroe and Secretary of the National Association of Women’s Football (NAWF), Andrea Johnson.

As part of the outreach, the team held discussions with community leaders, issued

football equipment including uniforms and balls, registered 10 clubs and hosted a female knockout tournament. The tournament was among four combined teams from clubs that represented Port Kaituma, Sebai, Moruca and Matthew’s Ridge. Additionally, 18 persons expressed interest in being match officials including six who are desirous of becoming referees.

In an invited comment, President of the GFF, Wayne Forde said the women’s outreach programme is an initiative to excite, intervene and to interact with the members of clubs in Region 1.

“The goal is to play festival knockout competitions and undertake the registra-

Ronaldo beats Messi to win FIFA best male player award

C

ristiano Ronaldo was named the world's best male player at the 2017 Best FIFA Football Awards in London.

The Real Madrid and Portugal forward beat Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Paris St-Germain's Neymar to the honour.

Ronaldo, 32, helped Real to a Champions League-La Liga double in 2016-17.

Lieke Martens of Barcelona and the Netherlands won best female player, Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane was named best men's coach and Netherlands' Sarina Wiegman the best female coach.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud received the Puskas award for the best goal of 2017 for his 'scorpion kick' against Crystal Palace in

January.

Celtic won the fan award after they honoured the club's 1967 'Lisbon Lions' with a stunning 360-degree card display on the 50th anniversary of their historic European Cup win. *What's the difference between the Ballon d'Or and Best FIFA?* This is the second edition of the Best FIFA Football Awards, which are different to the Ballon d'Or. A version of the Ballon d'Or has been awarded by France Football magazine since 1956, but world football's governing body has ended its association with that honour.

Instead, it introduced the Best FIFA Football Awards, with Ronaldo the first recipient of its main prize in January.

Voting for the player

tion of clubs. This is all part of the GFF Executive Committee agenda to extend the reach of football and to empower our brothers and sisters within the Hinterland communities. We recognize that our indigenous brothers and sisters are very passionate about football and we are taking every step possible to give them the opportunity to participate and to be eligible for selection in our national teams and participate in our national programmes.”

Meanwhile, Stewart said the communities were happy for the investment made by the GFF: “Some teams said they didn’t even have balls to play or practice with, and it was sad. We were grateful to be able offer

assistance and in the future look to provide more support including equipment. The communities and clubs responded very positively to the initiative too. While there, we saw some very talented women football being played. I would love to see some of those young ladies be our future Lady Jags.”

The results of the knockout tournament reflected wins achieved by kicks from the penalty mark as follows: Sebai defeated Moruca in the finals by a 3 – 2 margin and Port Kaituma defeated Matthew’s Ridge in the third-place match by a 2 – 1 margin.

A presentation ceremony was held at the end of the tournament where the top three teams received trophies and medals.

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and boss Zinedine Zidane with their awards

and coach categories was by national team captains and managers, selected journalists and, for the first time, an online poll of fans. Each accounted for 25% of the total.

Persaud lone new face...

from page 20

Meanwhile, Guyanese Assad Fudadin and Trevon Griffith have been named in the Scorpions squad.

Fudadin, who had declined a Cricket Guyana Inc contract is expected to be the backbone for what on paper seems to be an inexperienced batting unit.

More so, Nikita Miller is expected to miss the match after the veteran left-arm spinner underwent a medical procedure recently and has not recovered in time.

However, he has been included in the squad and

named captain even though he will miss the first two matches. In his absence, Paul Palmer has been named the interim captain.

The squad departed the island on Monday for Guyana.

Scorpions Squad: Nikita Miller (Captain), Paul Palmer (Interim Captain), Trevon Griffith, Garth Garvey, Brandon King, Assad Fuddadin, Fabian Allen, Romaine Morris, Jason Dawes, Dermal Green, Paul Harrison, Damani Sewell, Dennis Bulli and Keno Wallace.

Assad Fudadin

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017

Cricket Cares T20 Charity match, Providence…

Guyana sneak past Caribbean All-stars A

brisk half-century from Sherfane Rutherford at the top of the order and a late cameo from Christopher Barnwell helped Guyana beat the Caribbean All-Star XI by 5 wickets in Sunday’s “Cricket Cares” T20 benefit match played at the Providence National Stadium, Guyana.

The match was high scoring but only a sprinkling of spectators were present for the Sunday evening dose of quality T20 cricket which was organized by the Guyana Cricket Board and Keem Foundation to raise funds for Caribbean nations that are affected by the recent spate of hurricanes.

Despite the absence of seasoned T20 players; Ronsford Beaton, Dwayne Smith, Kevon Cooper, Sulieman Benn and Lennox Cush, the players who took to the field really played their hearts out for the charitable cause.

The Caribbean AllStars had first knock under the lights on a placid track and characteristically fast Providence outfield. After their 20 overs, the scoreboard read 174 for 5 which was built around a sizzling knock of 77 from 57 balls including a four and six sixes from opener Andre Fletcher.

Prior to the start of the match; from left Caribbean All-Star XI Captain Rayad Emrit, Keem Foundation’s Rawle Furgeson, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie and Guyana Captain Leon Johnson faced the flashing cameras

Keemo Paul bowled Fletcher off a no-ball on 29 prior to the right-hander surging to his fifty. Support came from his opening partner Kjorn Ottley who struck four fours and two maximums in his batting exhibition of 38 off 32 balls; the pair put together an opening stand of 97.

After the latter was bowled by all-rounder Ramaal Lewis, Ricardo Adams removed Shemroy Barrington for one followed

by Lendl Simmons who was bowled for a first ball duck

Naughton leads MSC past GNIC C aptain Kefa Naughton made a splendid 77 from 48 balls which eased Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) to a handy five-wicket win over host Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) in the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Noble House Seafood two-day competition on Sunday.

GNIC took first strike made 185 all out with West Indies Under 19 player Joshua Persaud stroking 81 of which he received support from Quincy-Ovid Richardson who made 36 and Marin Munroe 15.

Off spinner Nickosie Barker lead the way with 5 for 46 while medium pace Carlos LaRose took 3 for 63.

In response MSC made 200 on the back of half centuries from Carlos LaRose (65) and Carlye Collins (60).

Facing a deficit of 15, GNIC reached 215 all out in their second innings with LaRose snaring 5 for 44 and Collins (248).

Set 201 for victory, Naughton blazed the trail with some aggressive batting and had some handy support from Barker (39) and Shaquille Moseley (27).

The win not only ensured Naughton played his fifth match as a captain and yet to lose but also place MSC at the top of their group.

Kefa Naughton

by fast-bowler Romario Shepherd (2-39).

The temperamental Nicholas Pooran added some impetus by smashing three big sixes and two fours in his quick-fire 33 off 15 balls before he was spectacularly caught by Jonathan Foo off Shepherd.

Guyana then paced the run chase with perfection which was built around Rutherford’s 51 from just 41 balls with eight fours and Foo’s cameo off 23 from 15 setting the tone. The local side was in a spot of bother

at 80-5 after 8 overs before Barnwell joined the party.

Barnwell, the well decorated and experienced T20 player mauled 25 off 11 balls with three fours and a six while Gajanand Singh supported was unbeaten on 16 when the target was realized with one over to spare.

The hosts ended on 1755 with Guyanese all-rounder Kellon Carmichael being the best Caribbean All-Star XI bowler with returns of 2-24.

While the sound system in the party mound was on cue with entertaining music there was no half-time show with Tamika Marshall, Natural Black and Jumo “Rubber-waist” Primo as was promised.

Chris Barnwell took a liking to Fidel Edwards’ bowling during his brisk knock (Photo courtesy of Avenash Ramzan)

Persaud lone new face in Jaguars 4-day squad – Scorpions name Fudadin

S

tylish middle-order batsman Akshaya Persaud is the lone newcomer in the Guyana Jaguars 13-man squad for their clash against Jamaica Scorpions

Akshaya Persaud

in the opening round of the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Digicel Regional 4-day match at the National Stadium, Providence which is slated to commence on Thursday.

Persaud , a former West Indies under-19 selectee, entrance into the squad comes as a result of a splendid Jaguars’ three-day Franchise League where he was deemed the leading run scorer.

He ended the league with 523 runs including two centuries for West Demerara and could possibly find himself in the playing XI given the absence of the seasoned batsmen such as Vishaul Singh and Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Shimron Hetmyer.

Another standout from the three-day league who earned a recall is Essequibo’s Anthony Adams.

The player was also named the league’s most valuable player snaring 52 wickets compliments of his wily left-arm spin and was also a force with the bat, scoring some 260 runs, with a century under his belt and a few fifties.

The other notable returns to the squad are fellow youth players Sherfane Rutherford and Bhaskar Yadram along with Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who has fully recovered from a broken thumb he suffered last season against the Scorpions at Sabina Park.

Jaguars are in the hunt for their fourth consecutive title and will once again be led by Test batsman Leon Johnson who will have the service of the experienced Veerasammy Permaul as vice-captain.

Guyana Jaguars Squad reads: Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Rajendra Chandrika, Chanderpaul Hemraj, Leon Johnson (Captain), Bashkar Yadram , Keemo Paul, Anthony Bramble (wicketkeeper), Sherfane Rutherford, Veerasammy Permaul (Vice Captain), Gudakesh Motie, Romario Shepherd, Akshaya Persaud, Anthony Adams.

It is understood that for their the second round clash (November 2-5) in St. Lucia against Windward Volcanoes, the likes of Singh, Keon Joseph and Shivnarine Chanderpaul will join the squad. Singh and Joseph are currently with the West Indies ‘A’ team in Jamaica. Chanderpaul is not available for the first round due to his personal commitments. turn to page 19

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sports

BCB finalise zonal U-15 squads

21

– Tremayne Smartt among coaches selected

T

he Berbice Cricket Board is pleased to announce that trial sessions for its under 15 Zone teams have been successfully completed and squads has been shortlisted to be trained in preparation for the competition which kicks off on November 28, 2017.

The squads are complete with players, coaches and managers for the following zones; West Berbice, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne and Upper Corentyne. Among the coaches named is former West Indies Women player Tremayne Smartt who will take charge of Lower Corentyne Players are advised that training commences today at the following locations.

The New Amsterdam Canje squad members will assemble at the Young Warriors Cricket Club at 15:00h, Lower Corentyne at the Albion Community Center for 15:00h, Upper Corentyne at the Port Mourant Community Center for 15:30h and West Berbice at Bushlot for 15:30h.

Squads are; West Berbice: Saffie Shakir, Darius Joseph, Odel Miller, Antwoine Alexander, Altav Balman, Shreedath Roopnarine, Latchman Dhanna, Vickendra Singh, Daniel Vicknand, Boodram Lakeram, Hemchand Ragbir, Inderjeet Lalsa, Travis Babolal, Mahendra Ramcharitar, Zaid Baksh, Kenny Budhu, Veer Farhad, Ezekiel Roger, Alex Jaigobin and Tyrees Phillips.

Coach for the team is Okeme Seduc and Manager is Shabeer Baksh

New Amsterdam/ Canje: Tomani Caesar, Zeinol Ramsammy, Isia Thorne, Christopher Sobhai, Avishkar Persaud, Savian Arokium, Zadeen LaRose, Kevin Jaundoo, Nicquan Samuels, Devon Soba, Anthony Omrao, Joel Batson, Nigel Lokhnauth, Aftab Bahadur, Kelvin Samuels, Justin Megu, Nickolas Patoir, Jameel Durant, Akeem George, Revolvo Benn. The Coach assigned is Kwesi Maltay and Manager is Ameer Rahaman Lower Corentyne: Jerron Hitnarine, Damian Cecil, Leon Cecil, Navindra Boodram, Arshad Yunus, Shavishkar Neville, Tejpaul Mangal, Shivraj Persaud, Kumar Deopersaud, Hemchand Maniram, Pavanand Ganesh, Tameshwar Mangal, David Bishamber, Tameshwar mahadeo, Anthony Rampaul, Hemendra Deonarine, Rudra Goberdhan, Redua Mohabir, Coach is Tremayne Smartt while Manager is Sharaz Ramcharran Upper Corentyne: Vettorie Latchman, Rampertab Ramnauth, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Mahindra Gopilall, Jonathon De Viera, Doresa Ramlochan, Niraj Singh, Davendra Pooran, Angelino Ramdihol, Jonathon Rampersaud, Matthew Pattaya, Mark Ramsammy, Dwayne Williams, Beres Downer, Mark Ramalho, Basit Alli, Lakeraj Ramlekan, Abdur Munroe, Christopher De Roop, Joel Campbell, Alex Mangal, Akash Dowlatram, Adrian Munssan and Jeremy Sanoia. The Coach for the zone is Leslie Solomon while the Manager is Lakeram Latchman.

Tremayne Smartt is a veteran with 111 international appearances between 2009 and 2016

Chesney lift BCB 2nd Semi-finalists Division title T Hamilton Green Knock-out Cup 2017…

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) officially launched its second division season on Sunday at the Chesney Cricket Club Ground with a four-team T20 invtational tournament.

Chesney Cricket Club, Whim Cricket Club, Rose Hall Community Center Cricket Club and Mount Sinai Cricket Club took to the field and when the dust was settled it was Chesney who beat Whim CC in the final.

In the final, Chesney Cricket Club took first strike and scored 99 runs off their allotted 10 overs with Krishna Amoi scoring a brilliant 68 off 32 deliveries. He was later adjudged Man of the Match.

In reply, Whim fell short of the target by 9 runs with only M Charran and Venkaya offering any resistance to the Chesney bowlers with 31 and 32 runs respectively.

Bowling for Chesney, Saif Amoi took 2 for 19 in his 2 overs, while Imran Khan and Safraz Khan took 1 wicket each for 6 and 15 runs respectively. D Harilall took 2 wickets for 20 in his 2 over spell.

In the first semi final, Whim Cricket Club won by 3 runs over Mount Sinai Cricket Club in a keenly contested match which was played under brilliant sunshine. A massive crowed comprising spectators from the village of Chesney, as well as supporters for the other teams, and persons from the neighboring villages came out to witness this event. Notable performances

by Mount Sinai's Raymond Mohamad, Kwesi Mickle and Martin Singh delivered much entertainment to the massive crowd that had gathered to witness the launching.

In the second semi finals, Chesney defeated Rose Hall Community Center by 1 run. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, the Rose Hall Community Center Cricket Club restricted Chesney Cricket Club for 134 for 4 off their 15 overs. Bowling for Rose Hall Community Center Suresh Dhanai bowled 3 overs for 12, C Hopes 3-20, Sanjay Khan 3-22, M Sampson 2-22, A. Rahaman 2-28 and Balram Samaroo 2-26.

Batting for Chesney, former national T20 player, Imran Khan scored 64 off 35 balls, while S. Deonarine scored 31. Bowling for Chesney, S Deonarine took 5 for 26 off his 2 overs, while N.

CONFIRMED T

Dhieranidranauth Somwaru was on hand to assist with the presentation

Deonarine 3 wickets for 27 runs in his 3 overs.

In Rose Hall Community Center's reply Suresh Dhanai top scored with 31, Balram Samaroo 30, Safraz Khan 26 and Vompton Hopes offered valuable support with 20. Rose Hall Community Center managed 133 in their 15 overs, falling short of the target set by Chesney by 1 run.

Trophies were awarded to the winner, runner up and the man of the match in the finals. The Berbice Cricket Board, through President, Dhieranidranauth Somwaru expressed satisfaction at the conduct of the tournament, and complimented the teams for the high level of cricket and discipline displayed throughout the day's activities. He urged other clubs and the general public, to support the teams that are playing cricket in any way they can. He reiterated that the BCB is doing its utmost to ensure that cricket is played at all levels in the county, and that the level of cricket will once again rise in the ancient county.

The second division competition will continue on Sunday October 29 at venues across the county.

wo Linden based teams have progressed to the semi-finals of the Hamilton Green Knock-out Cup along with Police FC and Soesdyke.

The last two quarter-finals were played on Sunday night at Victoria ground, East Coast Demerara. Mile Rock FC took on Uitvlugt and needed penalty kicks to win after regulation and extra time failed to produce a winner.

Meanwhile, Winners Connection lived up to their name as they beat Den Amstel 2-1 to progress to the semi-finals.

On Saturday Soesdyke inflicted a 5-2 drubbing on Ann’s Grove with young Tyrone Khan netting a hattrick.

Former Georgetown Mayor Hamilton Green

The semi-final fixtures are not yet fixed but the organizers indicate that they are likely to be played early in November.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017

Windies sweep Sri Lanka Women again

– Dottin strokes T20 ton

Player of the Series Deandra Dottin is the first female cricketer to score two T20 centuries

T

he Windies women completed a double series whitewash over Sri Lanka after they won the third and final T20 International by 31 runs at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua on Sunday.

The victory was extra special, as Deandra Dottin struck her second T20 century, becoming the first woman to achieve such a feat.

She scored 112 from 67 balls.

Hayley Matthews hit 34, as the Windies Women posted

159/6 f r o m their 20 overs.

Dottin’s batting had the crowd enthralled as they watched her hit 5-sixes and 9-fours on her way to the match-winnings innings.

She along with Matthews posted a 130-run partnership for the second wicket when Matthews departed run out.

Ama Kanchana was the

Sensei Dunbar awarded 8th Dan Black Belt

S

ensei Compton Winston Dunbar, Chief Instructor of the Guyana Wado Ryu Karate Association has been awarded the 8th Dan Black Belt by the Caribbean Karate Federation (CKF) for his distinguished service to karate in the region.

He was also appointed President/Chief Instructor of the 29-nation regional Federation.

Karate-do Federations.

“I am honoured to be presented with this award and I will continue to serve diligently to promote the development of the sport in Guyana and the Caribbean,” The Chief Instructor said.

He also thanked Banks DIH Limited for assisting the development of the sport locally by providing the Sports Club at Thirst Park as

Sensei Winston Dunbar (left) accepts the award from Head coach of the Caribbean Karate Foundation Sensei James Holder

Sensei James Holder, London-based Head Coach of the CKF who is on a short visit to Guyana made the presentation to Sensei Dunbar on behalf of the Federation.

It is the highest award in the Caribbean for the Wado Ryu style.

Sensei Dunbar who celebrated 50 years as a martial arts practitioner last year was also honoured in 2000 when he was appointed Technical Advisor by Grand Master of the World Union of

the main dojo of the local Association for past 28 years.

Meanwhile, Holder said his visit to Guyana coincides with preparation for the hosting of the inaugural Caribbean Karate-Do championships slated for October 27-28, 2018 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

Affiliates of the CKF will participate in the championships to be hosted for the first time in Caribbean and sanctioned by the World Union of Karate-Do Federations.

World T20 Champions, Windies Women celebrate another series victory

best Sri Lanka bowler, taking 2/24. The Sri Lankans had something to celebrate as Shashikala Siriwardena and Rabecca Vandort both struck half-centuries in their team’s run-chase.

Hayley Matthews had a fantastic spell with the ball, taking 4/18, as the Windies

Women kept a tight bowling attack.

Sri Lanka finished on 128/5 from their allotted 20 overs.

Deandra Dottin was Player of the Match as well as Player of the Series for her accumulative score of 154 runs and 1 wicket.

GCF bemoans lack of sponsorship for international events

– Junior cyclists’ Barbados trip in limbo

By Michelangelo Jacobus

C

yclists who have been churning out impressive performances on the local scene over the past year deserve a chance to represent Guyana at international meets but those opportunities have been denied our athletes due to a few appalling factors.

The Guyana Cycling Federation has been puttering along without any financial assistance from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for a number of years thus their coffers are dry; when it comes to sending a team of cyclists overseas to compete the expenses are more often than not staggeringly high.

Guyana went unrepresented at this past weekend’s Senior Caribbean Cycling Championships because the GCF was unable to provide any sort of monetary assistance to the selected team. Speaking to Guyana Times Sport via telephone on Monday, GCF Assistant Racing Secretary Joseph Britton revealed that the federation ahead of the championships went around

seeking sponsorships from various corporations in Guyana to no avail. He pointed out that despite GCF President Horace Burrowes reaching into his own pocket to assist with visa pro-

SCOREBOARD West Indies Women Innings (20 overs maximum) HK Matthews run out (†Vandort/Siriwardene) 34 SR Taylor* b SS Weerakkody 5 DJS Dottin lbw b Kanchana 112 Kyshona A Knight run out (Hansika) 6 B Cooper run out (Hansika/Kanchana) 0 MR Aguilleira† b Kanchana 0 Kycia A Knight not out 1 Extras:(nb-1) 1 Total: (For 6 wickets, 20 Overs) 159 Did not bat: A Mohammed, AK Peters, ASS Fletcher, SS Connell Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-130, 3-147, 4-158, 5-158, 6-159 Bowling Weerakkody 4-0-21-1, Gunaratne 4-0-26-0, Kanchana 2-0-24-2 (nb-1), Ranaweera 4-0-34-0, Siriwardene 4-0-280, Jayangani 2-0-26-0 Sri Lanka Women Innings (target: 160 runs from 20 overs) BYA Mendis st †Aguilleira b Matthews 9 MDN Hansika st †Aguilleira

Berbician Curtis Dey was impressive at the Inter-Guiana Games in Suriname earlier this year and may be denied the opportunity to pursue his passion

cessing for Paul DeNobrega and Shaquel Agard it was not enough thus the cyclists had to miss the championships in Martinique.

DeNobrega, Agard, Jamaul John, Raynauth Jeffrey and Alanzo Ambrose were the cyclists slated to represent the land of many waters.

Now the Junior cham-

b Taylor 12 AC Jayangani st †Aguilleira b Matthews 0 HASD Siriwardene c Mohammed b Matthews 50 RS Vandort† b Matthews 50 PM Weerakkody not out 1 Extras (lb-2, w-4) 6 Total (For 5 wickets, 20 Overs) 128 Did not bat: KADA Kanchana, HHC Gunaratne, SS Weerakkody, I Ranaweera (c), H Karunaratne Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-14, 3-42, 4-126, 5-128 Bowling: Connell 4-0-150 (w-2), Matthews 4-0-18-4, Mohammed 4-0-31-0, Taylor 3-0-22-1 (w-1), Fletcher 4-029-0 (w-1), Peters 1-0-11-0 Result: Winides Women won by 31 runs Series result: Windies Women won the series 3-0 Player of the Match: Deandra Dottin (Windies Women) Player of the Series: Deandra Dottin (Windies Women)

pionships in Barbados is just two weeks away and Briton John, Nigel Duguid, Curtis “Chappy” Dey and juvenile rider Jonathan Ramsuchit have been picked to fly the Golden Arrowhead.

However, their participation at the event is in limbo as they are faced with the same problem. Unless adequate sponsorship and assistance is given to these promising junior athletes their development and the progression of the sport in Guyana will be stymied.

Nevertheless, the GCF is certain to receive assistance from the UCI as early as next year; this is due to the GCF being represented at world conferences by president Burrowes. These representations and appearances from Burrowes has signaled Guyana’s intentions in cycling and if the federation receives assistance in the future, the sport of cycling should be headed in the right direction.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesDAY, october 24, 2017

23

Windies pushing for victory

– Chase closing in on another century a ton when he was trapped lbw to Sikandar Raza (1-53), but Kemar Roach will join Chase at the crease on day four, when the all-rounder will go in search of his fourth Test century.

Roach is yet to bat, Devendra Bishoo (44) having been dismissed off the last ball of the day to miss out on a first

Roston Chase is 10 runs away from his fourth Test century

W

indies reached stumps on day three against Zimbabwe at 369-8 and with a lead of 429 runs, leaving the hosts facing a likely defeat.

Victory in the first Test appears inevitable for West Indies after the tourists built a commanding 429run lead against Zimbabwe by stumps on day three in Bulawayo.

The hosts were all out for just 159 in reply to the Windies' first-innings total of 219 at Queens Sports Club.

The visitors resumed at 88-1 on Monday, half-centuries from Kraigg Brathwaite (86) and Roston Chase (91 not out) helping to steer Jason Holder's team into what appears to be an unassailable position with two days left to play.

Devendra Bishoo took 5 wickets on day 2 then cracked 44 on day 3 to keep Windies ahead

The Windies reached stumps at 369-8, with a declaration likely to arrive promptly on Tuesday.

Brathwaite fell short of

inter- national 50, Sean Williams taking a great catch from the bowling of Graeme Cremer (3-111).

Bishoo was not the only West Indies player to flirt with a

SCOREBOARD Stumps Day 3 West Indies 1st innings 219 (S Hope 90*, Powell 56) Zimbabwe 1st innings 159 (Masakadza 42, Ervine 39; Bishoo 5-79) West Indies 2nd innings (Overnight 88-1) K. Brathwaite lbw b Sikandar Raza KOA Powell b Cremer KA Hope lbw b Jarvis SD Hope lbw b Jarvis RL Chase not out J Blackwood st †Chakabva b Williams SO Dowrich† c Masakadza

86 17 43 44 91 3

half-century, as brothers Kyle Hope (43) and Shai Hope (44) found themselves lbw victims of the returning Kyle Jarvis (2-66).

Chase did well to retain his composure as a succession of partners came and went, a stand of 92 for the eighth wicket alongside Bishoo proving his most fruitful pairing of a knock that gleaned eight boundar-

b Williams 12 JO Holder* c Mpofu b Cremer 24 D Bishoo c Williams b Cremer 44 Extras (b-3, lb-2) 5 Total (For 8 wickets, 122.3 Overs) 369 Yet to bat: KAJ Roach, ST Gabriel Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-107, 3-174, 4-211, 5-224, 6-244, 7-277, 8-369 Bowling Jarvis 24-1-66-2, Mpofu 10-3-30-0, Williams 33-7-90-2, Cremer 32.3-5111-3, Raza 19-4-53-1, Mire 2-0-5-0, Waller 2-0-9-0 Position: West Indies lead by 429 runs with 2 wickets in hand

ies and one six from 127 deliveries.

"This is a tough pitch, the ball is spinning a lot so the game plan was to be aggressive," Chase was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"I used the conditions to play shots and it went well for me. It's not a big thing for me to bat unbeaten in the 90s." (Sportsmax)

Rutherford Gayle, partner devastated exposure allegations determined by – Windies cricketer denies entire event to make C opportunities count Putting in the hard work! All-rounder Sherfane Rutherford makes it count during a recent practice session (Akeem Greene Photo)

By Akeem Greene

T

alent all-rounder Sherfane Rutherford is ready to take all his chances with both hands whenever given another chance to play for the Guyana Jaguars in the upcoming 2017/2018 Cricket West Indies (CWI) Regional 4-day season.

On Monday, Rutherford was named in the Jaguars’ 13-man squad for their opening clash against Jamaica Scorpions from Thursday at the National Stadium, Providence and the player has locked his sights on adding significantly to his lone First-Class match to date.

“Whenever I get the opportunity I just want to make it count, there are a lot of persons out there who will be watching me, some like the scouts from the CPL [Caribbean Premier League].

So there is always an opportunity to make a name for myself but most importantly to contribute to the team’s success,” the 19 year-old told Guyana Times Sport in a recent interview.

For those who have not gotten to see the robust built player ply his trade, what will immediately greet the eye is his undoubted ability to unleash powerful hits both square of the wicket and straight.

With ball in hand, he has a menacing shortball and can be very unsettling for any batsman on a surface with some life.

Though when he made his First-Class debut against Windward Island Volcanoes at Providence last season, he only made 11 and

took one for 14 in his team’s victory, his youthful exuberance was not at its peak, he still showed signs of his immense ability.

Against the likes of Fidel Edwards, Rayad Emrit, Javon Searles, in the charity T20 match on Sunday at Providence he laced eight fours in his 49-ball 51. That milestone followed his returns in TriT20 series involving Guyana, Jamaica and host Antigua where he made an even fifty at the top of the order and had some economical spells with the white ball.

“Performance wise in Antigua it was a good outing, I scored a half century, bowled some good overs. It was really good playing with experienced players on the big stage.”

In the recently concluded Jaguars 3-day league, playing for East Bank, he scored a notable majestic 108 against Essequibo before picking up the ball against Georgetown to snare a match haul of 12 – 56 that inspired his side to tense come-from –behind victory.

Though, impressed by his results, the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) player knows the importance of improving his fitness.

“Fitness is one thing I have to improve. I have been working on it, putting in some extra work and it has been coming along very well that I could stand to play any format,” the left-handed batsman said.

The former national youth cricket added “I always want to play for my country. If given the chance I want to make it count and help my team win more titles.”

hris Gayle, testifying in a lawsuit against Fairfax Media over an allegation that he exposed himself to a femal masseuse during the Cricket World Cup in Australia in 2015, said the incident shattered his family, upsetting his partner.

Gayle's attorney, Bruce McCLintock, called the allegations, published in 'The Age', 'Sydney Morning Herald', 'Canberra Times' and 'Brisbane Times', 'quite foul' and 'quite wrong', suggesting the news organisation knew what it was doing West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle leaves when it carried the Court in Sydney story. pointing to his reason for "They intended to following through with the blacken his name. They suit. want to destroy him," said McCLintock also pointed McCLintock. out that the Age reporter, According to Gayle, the who wrote the story, knew allegations were "the most Channel 10 reporter, Mel hurtful thing I've come McLaughlin, who Gayle had across in my entire life." prospositioned on TV and The big left hander says then said 'don't blush baby', the incident never hap- when she looked uncomfortpened, saying he was in the able. dressing room fully clad beGayle was fined cause he was about to train, $10,000.00 for the comments and only went in their for a and has not been offered anpair of boots. other contract in Australia's "I strongly believe you Big Bash League since. stand for something or you "They knew what they fall for anything," he said, were doing. It was a vicious

the New South Wales Supreme

and savage and false attack," said McLintock.

"I felt devastated," was Gayle's response to how the article had affected him.

On cross-examination, when Fairfax's attorney asked him about inviting the masseuse, Leanne Russel 'to come and touch me up baby', Gayle snapped, "Never!" he was reported as shouting back.

Gayle said he knew Russell, who had massaged him more than once but he had discontinued her services because she was not good at her job. (Sportsmax)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2017

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

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GCF bemoans lack of sponsorship for international events

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– Junior cyclists’ Barbados trip in limbo Cricket Cares T20 Charity match, Providence…

Guyana sneak past Caribbean All-stars

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Prior to the start of the match; from left Caribbean All-Star XI Captain Rayad Emrit, Keem Foundation’s Rawle Furgeson, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie and Guyana Captain Leon Johnson faced the flashing cameras

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