Guyana Times Saturday 09 November, 2019.

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

Issue No. 4102

Caricom seeking to remove roaming charges in region

THE BEACON OF TRUTH saturday, november 9, 2019

PRICE

GECOM’s C&O period

PPP concerned about 3000 unsubstantiated objections made by APNU/AFC in Region 5

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Police seize more stolen vehicle parts

P12

Page 3

Uncollected ID cards

Verification process provided for in laws ꟷ GECOM Chair GECOM awaiting 144 persons approval of foreign observers before trafficked giving green light already in 2019 Page 3

Pages 7&9

See story on page 11

…as 15 parties likely to contest 2020 elections

Brazil ex-President released from prison

Piracy attack

P8 2 more slapped with murder charges

Emergence in drug resistance detected – CMO P12

Air Services Limited adds scheduled flights to Region 7 P15 Page 16

2 NEWS

saturday, november 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GPSU “fed up” of Govt’s arbitrary salary increases

T

he Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has called out the Government for yet another arbitrary wage increase to public servants, claiming that they are not willing to accept this decision.

On Thursday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan said that he would make an announcement shortly on salary increases for employees in the public sector.

However, the announce-

ment did not go down well with GPSU President Patrick Yarde, who, during an emergency press conference on Friday, said that the Union is “fed up” with the outcome yet again, and upon this announcement by the Minister, a rigorous reply will be delivered.

“This is most disturbing to us. We would wish to state that we will respond to any arbitrary increase in a most vigorous manner…We

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

are fed up with arbitrary impositions,” he said.

Yarde disclosed that the Government was in discus-

GPSU President Patrick Yarde

sion with the Union last May to handle these increases and working conditions. While the engagements were dubbed as fruitful, it appears as though this path was quashed and the administration will return to deciding how much increase should be granted.

“We expected the commitment made would have been addressed but we concluded today that that approach seems to have been scrapped since you’re hearing that the Minister arbitrarily will make an announcement (on the) increase,” Yarde pointed out.

He also reflected on Jordan’s budget speech some four years ago, which recognised the inadequacies in the public service.

However, he posited that nothing has changed, since public servants are still settling for whatever is offered by the Government, instead of a consensus approach.

“If you look at Minister Jordan’s speech in 2015, you’ll see a commitment

President David Granger

based on a mutually-arrived-at decision that we had with him. He recognised how woefully inadequate certain conditions were in the public service. Today, four years after, they’re still the same”.

In the 2018 budget, persons earning less than $100,000 a month received a seven per cent increase.

Those earning between $100,000 and $299,999 got an increase of 6.5 per cent, while those in the $300,000 to $499,999 range were subjected to a five per cent increase. Those with an income of between $500,000 and $699,999 a month had their salaries increased by three per cent.

Back in April, the GPSU had expressed dissatisfaction with the state of industrial relations, more particularly, the consistent failure

by Government to respect the collective bargaining process in the negotiations of salaries.

“With the change of government in 2015, they gave

a commitment to restore collective bargaining but soon thereafter, we were faced with the same modality of impositions,” GPSU President Patrick Yarde had pointed out.

Meanwhile, President David Granger said on Wednesday that he cannot commit towards the much-anticipated Christmas bonus to these workers. His Finance Minister has since admitted that there were no provisions in the budget, which he, himself, prepared, for bonuses.

Back in 2017 and 2018, the coalition government did not pay public servants the annual Christmas bonus. In fact, Jordan had bluntly told the National Assembly that monies were not available for a bonus. The Government has also discontinued the onemonth tax-free bonuses for Joint Services. Under the previous administration – People’s Progressive Party – Joint Services ranks enjoyed this bonus.

news

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saturday, november 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Saturday, November 9 – 02:00h 03:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Sunday, November 10 – 03:00h – 04:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Berbice – Saturday, November 9 – 14:25h – 15:55h and Sunday, November 10 – 15:00h – 16:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Mostly sunny conditions are expected throughout the day; however, expect a short period of early afternoon showers. There will be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 02:23h and 14:42h reaching maximum heights of 2.38 metres and 2.48 metres.

Low Tide: 08:16h and 20:37h reaching minimum heights of 0.79 metre and 0.72 metre.

GECOM’s C&O period

PPP concerned about 3000 unsubstantiated objections made by APNU/AFC in Region 5

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PP concerned about 3000 unsubstantiated objections made by APNU/AFC in Region 5 As the Objections leg of the Claims and Objections (C&O) exercise continues, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has expressed concerns over the large number of “unsubstantiated objections” being made by the APNU/AFC coalition.

The Claims phase of the exercise concluded on Monday, while the Objections is in its final week. The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has received over 3000 objections in Region Five

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of the Chief Justice,” the party stated.

Despite this, however, the PPP noted that to date, two hearings have been suspended in Region Five due to lack of supporting evidence from the APNU/AFC and GECOM officials wanting to seek clarity.

“The APNU/AFC representative in Region Five, Carol Joseph, has failed to produce a single shred of evidence to support the objections made. This is a deliberate attempt by the APNU/ AFC and its agents to disenfranchise people who are perceived to be PPP supporters. Many of these per-

sons have already come forward to identify themselves.

A few may have moved from their original place of residence; however, this is not grounds for removing anyone from the voters' list,” the Opposition noted.

To this end, the PPP is urging Guyanese to condemn such a nefarious act of trying to take away the rights of voters and is urging GECOM to ensure that the Constitution is adhered to during this process.

GECOM has revealed that during the Claims exercise, there were 16,639 transfers and 6394 new registrations.

Uncollected ID cards

Verification process provided for in laws – GECOM Chair

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wednesday, november 6, 2019

(Mahaica-Berbice). This includes almost 500 names from the Amerindian settlement, Marakabai, in the Mahaicony River.

However, the PPP in a statement on Friday pointed out that the Constitution of Guyana clearly states that a person can only be removed from the voters’ list due to death, upon which a valid death certificate must be produced, and insanity proven by a recognised doctor's certificate.

“No one can be taken off the voters’ list due to residency, be it local or overseas. This was also reaffirmed by the recent ruling

hair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) retired Justice Claudette Singh has defended the decision to remove thousands of persons from the voters' list who failed to pick up their National Identification (ID) Cards, saying that this verification process is provided for in the laws.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, her first since taking up the post at the helm of GECOM, Justice Singh pointed out that in addition to ruling that GECOM cannot remove names from the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD), acting Chief Justice Roxane George had also ruled back in August that the Commission can use any

form of verification to verify the names on the voters’ list either in conjunction with the House-to-House Registration exercise (which she had ruled was lawful and not unconstitutional) or separately.

It was on that basis, the GECOM Chair said that they employed the current process to cleanse the voters' list of persons who have not uplifted their ID cards since the 2008 House-to-House Registration exercise. This, she noted, is provided for in the Proviso to Section 66 (a) of the National Registration Act Chapter 19:08 as amended by Act 14 of 2005, which states that the Commission can utilise verification of the list at any time.

“So this is the procedure being utilised to cleanse the

GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh

list… We just want to verify the existence of these people.

They should come forward and say well I’m alive,” she

contended.

GECOM had revealed that close to 20,000 ID cards have been uncollected since 2008 and as such, a decision was taken to remove the names of those persons if they do not verify their existence.

Commencing today, the Commission will be publishing the names of these persons in the four national newspapers as well as sending, via registered post, a notice to them. They will then be given a 21-day period to go in and verify their existence.

However, concerns have been mounting over GECOM’s intention to remove thousands of persons from the voters’ list for not uplifting their ID cards.

Turn to page 9

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saturday, november 9, 2019

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

Putting a dent on drug smuggling

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t is clear that the authorities in Guyana are facing some real challenges in relation to tackling the issue of drug trafficking and the related problems that come with such activity. While there have been some successes at preventing traffickers from being successful in carrying out these illegal acts, there is still a far way to go if Guyana is to boast about putting a real dent on drug trafficking.

International and regional institutions have been trying for quite some time now to come up with a strategy that would seek to reverse this growing threat but traffickers are becoming smarter and are using other methods to “beat the system”, thereby creating more difficulties for law enforcement agencies.

Counter-drug efforts have pushed traffickers to use new routes through the Caribbean, as they seek to ship illegal drugs from South America into the United States and Europe and other destinations. They are also using containers with the aim being to conceal the illegal items. It is no secret that in the past, large amounts of drugs have transited in and out of Guyana on cargo and other ships. Cocaine is often concealed in legitimate commodities and smuggled via commercial maritime vessels, air transport, human couriers, “go-fast” boats or various postal methods.

In spite of the interception of cocaine and other illegal items by local law enforcement officials, the United States and other international agencies believe that large volumes still pass through Guyana’s various borders undetected, and this could be so due to a number of reasons.

On a regular basis, we hear stories of persons carrying illegal drugs, slipping through our ports here undetected; it is only when they arrive at their destination that they are discovered with the illegal substance. While these “pushers” find it easy to bribe their way through the system here, it is very difficult to do so in foreign jurisdictions, except in rare cases where there is a huge network of connections to allow the illegal drugs to pass smoothly.

Just recently, a 51-year-old Guyanese man was busted

by US Drug Enforcement Agents at the JFK Airport in New York carrying two cocaine-laden suitcases. According to media reports, the suspect was nabbed with the drugs just after he had arrived on a Caribbean Airlines flight from Guyana. Also, earlier in October, two other Guyanese were arrested at JFK with cocaine only upon their arrival in the US. One of the men was busted with over 25 pellets of cocaine in his stomach.

Now, in relation to the first case, the first question that comes to mind is how was the passenger able to get through Guyanese law enforcement, more so, CANU ranks at the airport, with the cocaine concealed in the walls of the two suitcases without detecting that the suitcases contained illegal drugs.

It must be noted that there are reliable forms of security measures in place at the airport to prevent such illegal activity from being successful. For example, in addition to physical random searches by CANU and other ranks, there is a suitcase scanner at the airport that scans passengers’ luggage, etc, before they are loaded onto the plane. Given these ‘fool-proof’ security mechanisms in place, how then, could someone have managed to slip illegal drugs through the airport without being detected?

One is therefore left to assume that this could only have been possible with a high level of collusion between key personnel at the airport.

The examples mentioned before are just a few. There were numerous other cases of illegal drugs passing through the various ports here and very often, the authorities are placed in a very embarrassing situation to explain and defend such occurrences.

A key report on the global fight against drug trafficking and money laundering, which was released by the United States Department of State, had noted that Guyana has a long road ahead in combating the drug scourge. The report, titled “International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR)”, had said that Guyana is a transit country for cocaine destined for the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and West Africa. Traffickers are no doubt attracted by this country’s poorly monitored ports, remote airstrips, intricate river networks, porous land borders, and weak security sector capacity.

Certainly, drug trafficking and related criminal activities represent one of the most potent threats to democracy and stability in Guyana. It undermines the rule of law and democratic governance, we urge that there continue to be strenuous efforts made by all stakeholders involved in putting a dent on drug smuggling and related crimes.

A young girl looks at a person in costume in downtown Moscow, Russia (AFP photo)

Where are the 200,000 bloated names Granger claimed were on GECOM’s register?

Dear Editor, Editor, we as a country have moved away from the use of capital punishment as a corrective mechanism for criminal behaviour. However, some of our older Guyanese folks still believe that the approach is now more appropriate than ever to re-tool and arrest the madness Mr Granger and his shameless henchmen Commissioners at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

It is clear for all rational-minded Guyanese and the world to see, that the paucity of their continuous actions is far divorced from the truth, the expected reality of citizens’ rights, the constitutional obligations attributed to institutions such as GECOM and the limits of the President.

The failure of this objectionable cabal at simple math and reasoning woefully continues, even after the embarrassing exposure in the High Court and at the Caribbean Court of Justice.

Case in point, where are the two hundred thousand bloated names on GECOM’s Register of Registrants they pronounced on so vociferously? The Chair of GECOM must ensure that the continuance of such hazy incoherence does not influence the major decisions of the Commission.

Guyanese at home and across the globe are shouting shameless on Granger and his disgraceful team who have been doing everything possible to effect further delays. They produced all sorts of anecdotal evi-

dence and shouted numerous spurious claims that the voters’ list is bloated with over two hundred thousand names. Obviously, this is embarrassingly disqualified by the results of the just-concluded Claims and the ongoing Objections exercise which confirm no major alarms. In fact, it establishes that the Preliminary List of Voters used in the process was very good (subject to the expected updates), and always was the legitimate route of pursuit. Notably, the two main political parties responded positively to GECOM and provided adequate numbers of scrutineers as a part of the verification process to inform the production of a credible Revised List of Electors.

During the recent Claims and Objections exercise, the GECOM staff along with the PNC and PPP scrutineers worked along smoothly to produce a record-breaking amount of transfers, a reasonable amount of new registrations while many citizens used the opportunity to apply for replacement of their lost ID cards. At the time of writing, it is unknown how many reports there were towards the removal of the names of deceased persons which is expected to be conducted by a special verification approach including data from the Department of Births and Deaths.

Hence, we could look forward to an RLE which will produce an acceptable Final List of Electors.

Presently the political activists are busy looking

at the onerous task of proving Objections. This is difficult because, from the work conducted in the fields, activists have reported the names of deceased persons who are still on the PLE. For example, Lena Stoby died more than one decade ago, but her name is still on the list. Almost the whole of Eccles and Agricola attended her funeral, yet, the difficulties are still enormous given the requirements to take a deceased person’s name off the list.

Over the past few weeks, the new mantra advocated by the PNC Commissioners at GECOM, sought to remove the names of over 25,000 registered citizens because they had not uplifted their identification cards.

It was no doubt a move to disenfranchise thousands rather than to ensure that each registered citizen exercise their constitutional right to vote. Is this what GECOM really wants? Is GECOM expressing that the organisation does not have confidence in the counterchecks presented by thousands of trained polling day staff and Opposition agents on polling day? If so, the hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars would have gone to waste. From the general outlook and pattern of things, it appears that the emerging situation is just another famous GrangerAlexander delaying gambit.

When Justice Claudette Singh took the job as Chair of GECOM, she promised to uphold the rule of law and Guyana’s Constitution.

Hence, it is imperative

that she administers over an accountable, transparent, trusted and creditable GECOM. It is known that she inherited a decaying can of worms, adulterated with catalytic enzymes of decay implanted via the mandate of the illegal and unilateral appointment of James Patterson as Chairman of GECOM. Under his watch, the organisation was allowed to drift further into an untrustworthy, corrupt and suspicious channel.

There have been many public outcries and numerous calls on GECOM to improve its image which is indeed a very difficult task.

This organisation must function independently and without political interference, there must be an immediate transformation of GECOM. There has been slow progress in the positive direction and intense overwhelming public scrutiny as a result, albeit almost negligible interaction with the public or media by the Chairman. It was, therefore, enlightening to witness the recent interview in which Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh provided some measure of hope that she would not fall prey to the challengeable trap of disenfranchising registered persons from voting. The time is most opportune for the international community and donor agencies to expedite the process and place reputable persons to oversee the ‘day to day’ work at GECOM. continued on page 5

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Can the President say he Mental health parity really did a good job?

Dear Editor, The Department of Public Information (DPI), in an excerpt from President David Granger’s interview on November 1 with Kaieteur Radio, quoted the President to say “My legacy is written on the faces of the people of this country and I’m very happy that I have been accepted as their President. I go to communities and they realise we have been doing a good job”. While the President is obviously entitled to his opinion, it is hard not to wonder whether his feet were firmly on the ground when he spoke.

While the President’s contribution, and ultimate legacy, can be assessed from several points-of-view, how can he, with all seriousness and a straight face, pat himself and Administration on the back for a job apparently well done? Just consider the President’s and his Government’s concern for the nation’s sugar workers. In the era of the Granger Administration, the President and his cohorts have chosen, without hesitation or even a seeming second glance, to put some 7000 sugar workers on the breadline. It has been described as the single largest retrenchment in our post-independence history.

How can the President be “…very happy…” when thousands of Guyanese, his fellow countrymen and women, right at this very time,

have a hard, if not difficult, time to live a normal life.

Just consider 13-year-old Devina Budwah of Wales who is quoted as saying “I really want to go back to school, but sugar plantation close down…when I was in school, I always wanted to become a nurse, the estate is closed now, so my dream is fall apart”. Think about how many Devinas there are now and how their dreams to become nurses, doctor, lawyers, other professionals, some even aspiring to be President, have now fallen apart.

How can he “…as their President” say his Government has “…been doing a good job” when Guyanese like Avinash Singh, who, according to a September 30, 2018 Inews article, doesn’t “…want to wake up in the night and your kids tell you that they are hungry and you don’t have anything to give them”.

There are fathers and mothers, right now, in the same situation as Avinash.

Or, bear in mind, how many are like Bindmattie Hardatt Mala who, according to the September 29, 2018 edition of Stabroek News is forced to eat one meal per day. This is the real situation for many. Then there are some like Stephanie Adams who takes “…a blind to part off the house…”. She told the Stabroek News that“…we na get money to do nothing, we na get water and light”.

These are the real cries of Guyanese who have been placed in a miserable life by the Granger Administration.

These are people who have given their lives and efforts to Guyana and for their contributions, they are forgotten, cast aside and simply ignored.

As Granger blows his trumpet, the late Andaiye with Eusi Kwayana and Moses Bhagwan in the Stabroek News of January 8, 2018, summed it up appropriately when they deemed the Government’s sugar policy as “…disastrous... callous, foolish, ill-advised and economically unfeasible”.

Mr Christopher Ram, in a December 19, 2018 Inews report, said the Government’s actions were “…callous and… cruel”.

Today, the President, who has chosen to surround himself with a battalion of security personnel, erects barricades around him and employs a host of extraordinary security measures, really should not try to rewrite or misrepresent the facts and ignore the reality. There has hardly been anything close to a “…good job” by the Granger Administration with regards to sugar and many other areas of national life.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine General Secretary GAWU

Dear Editor, Mental health parity refers to the equal treatment of mental health conditions and substance use disorders in insurance plans and healthcare services.

When a plan has parity, it means that if you are provided unlimited doctor visits for a chronic condition like diabetes then you must also be offered unlimited visits for a mental health condition such as depression or schizophrenia. Guyana needs mental health parity legislation for many reasons.

With Government moving towards an integrated healthcare system that places mental health care on par with physical healthcare, parity would ensure that all healthcare institutions must not only have medical personnel trained to diagnose mental health issues, but also to follow up with requisite treatment. In effect, mental health care must be as normal as care for physical illnesses and must, therefore, include the presence of clinical counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists, traumatists and other mental health experts at all healthcare institutions.

Of course, the process of parity must begin with an updated and expanded mental health act that takes into consideration all developments in mental health care since the 1930s when the current act was legislated. As well, cur-

rent mental health-related laws must be revised to update and maximise provisions for mental health care. And the National Insurance Scheme, as well as any private insurance schemes that exist, must cover mental health care in the same manner that they cover physical healthcare.

A 2018 Lancet Commission report on mental health stated that mental disorders are on the rise in every country in the world and will cost the global economy $16 trillion by 2030. The economic cost is primarily due to the early onset of mental illness and lost productivity, with an estimated 12 billion working days lost due to mental illness every year.

Then there are healthcare costs, crime costs, welfare costs, social costs, the costs to families and the added burden to both cost and standards of living.

On the other hand, if mentally ill people receive treatment so that they have the same employment rate as the rest of the population, total employment would be 4 per cent higher, adding significantly to national output. As well, psychological treatment can reduce a person’s annual physical healthcare costs by 20 per cent. Consider other savings relating to crime, social life, welfare, families and it becomes certain that mental health parity would make a significant

positive difference overall.

As young people face the brunt of the global burden of mental illnesses, the Lancet report places great emphasis on experiences in childhood and adolescence, which shape life-long mental health.

Lancet report co-author Dr Janice Cooper, stated, “…we need to begin with young people and train teachers to identify and refer students for help”.

Thus, as political parties gear up for elections The Caribbean Voice and other mental health activists and advocates look forward to hearing about plans to ensure mental health parity as a priority, given that more than 200,000 Guyanese or 25 per cent of the population is suffering from some form of mental illness (Dr Jorge Balserio, Bhiro Harry et al). With economic growth expected to increase from 4.4 per cent in 2019 to 86 per cent in 2020, surely mental health care should also reflect a corresponding level of growth. After all, it would take the totality of Guyanese with absolute wellbeing to effectively manage and man such an economy. And when mental health care lags behind, it acts as a drag on all other sectors of the economy and quality of life.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

National truth and reconciliation intervention

Dear Editor, A letter and a news item within a local newspaper moved me to pen this missive to suggest that the time is nigh for consensus by elected officials for a national truth and reconciliation intervention.

The letter by my friend Earl John was printed on October 30, 2019, under the caption “I will smash a glass in Vybert Young Kong’s memory”. Earl wrote: “There was the turbulent year of 1964 when an industry-wide strike also struck a rage of fires across the estates of the sugar industry…The coastline was lit up by fires almost every night, and one could see from Blairmont, the reddened sky along the East Coast of Demerara...In that year, in addition to several thousands of acres of cane being burnt, along with dozens of houses of workers of both ethnicities, was the memorably tragic termination of one hundred and forty-two lives. 1964 was a year of such hostility amongst ethnic communities.”

Earl alluded to a sordid period of racially motivated destruction and killings from 1962 to 1964. My research suggests the disturbances started around January 31, 1962, following the “Kaldor” budget,

and continued: February 16, black Friday; May 25, 1964, “Wismar Massacre”; June 12, 1964, “Sun Chapman Explosion”; July 6, ghastly murder of the Abrahams family; to name a few. Persons still alive who may be able to provide first-hand information concerning this period, if willing, include Ashton Chase OE, Hamilton Green OR, Miles Fitzpatrick CCH, Llewellyn John CCH, Elder Eusi Kwayana, Christopher “Kit” Nascimento AA, Harripersaud Nokta CCH, and Hon Clement Rohee. The news item referenced earlier appeared on November 4, 2019. It announced an upcoming publication of an investigation outcome into “those who died in the violence following Camp St jailbreak”.

It states “For more than 15 years, the number of persons who died in the violence that followed the February 23rd, 2002 Camp Street jailbreak and the circumstances of their deaths have been the sources of heated disputation. As part of a public service journalism project to shed more light on that period, Stabroek News has compiled from its archives a list of persons killed between February 23, 2002, and September 2006, their photographs were available and

basic facts surrounding their cases… It is hoped that this record will aid in fact-based discussion of that period”.

Editor, there are numerous stories about atrocities committed during 1962- 64, and 2002-2006. Because of my physical attributes and surroundings, my exposure to such wrongs would be skewed through lens inflicted on persons of my ilk. This is equally likely to be the case for others who don’t look like me (same for social media exposure). I believe those soon to be published details of persons who died between 2002 and 2006, though informative and edifying, could evoke divisive sentiments within our politically charged, hypersensitive environment at a time when we are on the cusp of being catapulted to reap the fruits of an economically prosperous country. Unfortunately, we haven’t shaken off vestiges of the societal deliberately destabilising “divide and rule” tactic employed by our colonial masters. And it will be naive not to assume that a morphed version of imperialism “chomping at the bit” with vested material interest in this Eldorado resurgence wouldn’t be inclined and committed to devise strategies to guarantee sustained economic

dominance. In a similar way, colonialism promoted and protected the landed gentry. I submit that our ethnically divisive culture can provide fertile breathing ground for such stratagem to perpetuate to our disadvantage. The writing is on the wall. However, once managed well, there will soon be enough for Guyanese to en-

joy a vastly improved standard of living. Building trust within a unifying framework is a definite helpful option.

Hence my humble suggestion for consideration of an acceptable process across the divide and with the inclusion of civil society, designed to collectively exorcise the ghost of divisiveness via a truth and rec-

onciliation undertaking; as a timely, useful and restorative idea. If Rwanda could bounce back by leaps and bounds, so can our dear Land of Guyana as one people, one nation, one destiny. Happy YoumanNabi!

Yours faithfully, Derrick Cummings

Where are the 200,000...

At this juncture, scheduling and timelines are critical for GECOM. Following the closing of the Claims and Objections on November 11, 2019, it is expected that the Supplemental List will be published. These will have to be prepared by the Registration Officers (ROs), and this should take approximately one week, all things being equal. Following that is the GECOM Chief Election Officer’s approval of the produced Revised List of Electors.

After November 11, 2019, the ROs’ downhill tasks include adding and deleting to the PLE so as to complete the final transfer positions.

Additionally, preparing the list of names of all the new registrants along with

their fingerprints which will have to be sent overseas for cross-matching. After the verification of the new registrants, it is then that those names will be placed on the Revised List of Electors. The process will continue with the RLE sent out for further perusing for another twenty-one days before the CEO produces the Final List of Electors.

This nation must be informed about the timelines because the list will have to be published long before Nominations Day. This is necessary because political parties will have to use the Official List of Electors to get the signatures of backers for their Candidates before Nominations Day. By now, we know that the 200,000 bloated voters on the cur-

from page 4

rent PLE would not be found in this process because they simply don’t exist. Also, that it is impossible to achieve a 100 per cent voter turnout generally and this is evidenced in many democracies around the world where voter turnout has been less than 50 per cent of the voters’ list.

As we await the next conflicting and trumped-up position from the PNC/APNU Commissioners at GECOM, I wish to take this opportunity to remind the CEO of GECOM Secretariat that registrants who did the relevant transactions for the replacement of their ID cards, as well as the new registrants, are awaiting their ID cards.

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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saturday, november 9, 2019

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Foundation

What 2 new studies reveal about kids and screens …with screen time so high for kids and parents, who's making sure kids are OK? By

a third of 6-to-17year-olds aspire to be professional YouTubers themselves.

Diana Graber, MA

“H

ere you go,” I told my students.

“Homework for your parents.”

After delivering a digital citizenship lesson on cyberbullying, online safety, reputation management, and screen time, I send students home with a list of activities they can do with a parent or caregiver to reinforce the digital life skills I’d just taught them. After all, parents claim they are worried about their digital kids and don’t have any idea how to help them navigate a world that wasn’t around when they were young. This, I thought, could help.

Yet, when I tried to give the handout to one lanky, sixth-grade boy, he told me, “Don’t bother. Last time I tried to get my mom’s attention for something like this, she stayed on the phone for an hour and a half, and after that, she moved on to Instagram. She doesn’t have time for this stuff.”

Research suggests he’s right.

HP’s “The Real Report,” a recent survey on consumers’ relationships with screens, reveals that one in three parents admit to spending over five hours a day on their phone. These are the very same parents who worry about their kids spending too much time on their phones.

This survey of over 7500 adults in the U S and

Smartphone ownership starts oh-so-young

The number of eightyear-olds with phones grew from 11 per cent in 2015 to 19 per cent in Common Sense Media’s newest survey. By the age of 12, more than two-thirds (69 per cent) of children are smartphone owners. And by age 18, 91 per cent have smartphones.

Canada explores how parents view the impact of screens on their kids. It finds that parents say they are worried about how screen time may impact their child’s social skills (61 per cent). They’re also worried about their child’s ability to develop critical skills (58 per cent).

They may very well have cause to worry because when parents are on their phones, kids are on their own.

Screen time is high

Every few years, Common Sense Media releases a comprehensive study on media use by teens and tweens.

Their most recent survey, released just last week, revealed that 8- to 12-year-olds spend five hours a day using screens. Teens spend sevenand-a-half hours on screens each day – and that doesn’t include screen use at school or for homework.

While these numbers are not all that much higher than they were when their previous study was re-

leased in 2015, we all know that kids are doing more and more of their homework online. In fact, they are doing an awful lot of in-school work online as well, due to an avalanche of educational technology products hitting the market each year that make it easier than ever for teachers to put their students b e hind a screen for a lesson in Maths, science, or just about anything else. All of this is ramping up screen time.

So what are they doing online?

Common Sense Media discovered that online video viewing (read: watching YouTube) has gone through the roof. Compared to their previous survey, more than twice as many young people are watching videos every day. The average daily time spent watching videos has roughly doubled to one

hour each day. Video watching is the most popular activity among tweens and ranks second only to listening to music among teens.

Keep in mind that YouTube employs algorithms to suggest video after video to its viewers. That’s hard for any of us to resist, let alone a kid. Additionally, these algorithms, though clever, don’t necessarily take a viewer’s age or maturity level into consideration before issuing a recommendation. So some of the videos your kids are watching may not be so appropriate for young viewers.

But who's monitoring that?

Here’s something else you might not know: YouTube says (yep, it’s on their site) that it is only to be used by those age 13 or older, yet 76 per cent of 8- to 12-yearolds say they watch it. Even though YouTube Kids was created for younger users, only 23 per cent of 8- to 12-year-old children claim they use it, according to Common Sense Media. And why would they? Many of the influencers they love and

who target them are under 13, and they’re on the main YouTube site!

Take, for example, Ryan Kaji, the star of Ryan’s World. Young YouTubers like Ryan are racking up fans and followers in the millions and, get this, according to The Sun, more than

There is a substantial disparity in screen media use between socioeconomic groups as well. Children from higher-income homes use an hour and 50 minutes less screen time than those from lower-income households (for teens, the disparity is similar).

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com) To be continued

Creating a safe place for children

By Danielle Render Turmaud, MS, NCC

R

ecent research conducted by Helton et al. (2019) suggests that over the past several years, there has been a increase in child sexual abuse cases treated in emergency departments.

Although the findings demonstrate an increase , the research does not explain why this increase is occurring. Perhaps it is because of an increase in child sex trafficking or exploitation, limited options in rural locations to obtain sexual abuse support (Helton et al, 2019), or perhaps it is because of an increase in children disclosing over the past several years. The causal factors are not yet known; but what these findings do tell us, is that we need to listen to children about sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse in children is an immense problem.

Although some sources suggest that child sexual abuse rates may be decreasing, other estimates suggest that as many as 1 in 10 children (Townsend & Rheingold, 2013) or as many as 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys may experience sexual abuse (Finkelhor, 2014). Making matters more complicated, childhood sexual abuse is vastly under-reported;

making accurate statistics a challenge. As such, we do not know the precise level of impact it has on our society.

What we do know is that sexual abuse is an issue that affects everyone and has a devastating impact on individuals, families, and communities. In particular, sexual abuse can have especially heinous impacts on the child survivor including increased rates of depression, shame, self-blame, decreased self-esteem, eating disorders, somatic concerns, anxiety, dissociative patterns, substance abuse, PostTraumatic Stress Disorder and traumatic stress, relationship problems, and more (Ferguson et al., 2013; Hall & Hall, 2011).

Understandably then, the recent research conducted by Helton et al (2019) reveals a need for continued prevention efforts against childhood sexual abuse.

Additionally, these findings remind us that there are many children who experience sexual abuse and need a safe place to disclose their traumatic experiences and obtain support. Although this research demonstrates that a number of children do disclose and obtain help, the reality remains that this is not true for many others.

(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

NEWS

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saturday, november 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM awaiting approval of foreign observers before giving green light later this month.

While GECOM welcomes this assistance, Justice Singh said that persons can be assured of the credibility of the March 2 elections with or without outside help.

“Everything is being done by GECOM to produce free, fair and credible elections. No one should have doubts about that.

Everything is being done [to ensure credible elec-

GECOM Chair Justice Claudette Singh and Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield at Friday’s press conference, along with DCEO Roxanne Myers (far right) and PRO Yoland Ward

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s preparations continue for the hosting of next year’s March 2 General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is awaiting the accreditation of foreign observers before going ahead with approving local observers.

This is according to GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh, who, at her first press conference on Friday, dismissed claims that the Commission does not want observers around leading up to next year’s polls and has been blocking foreign bodies from scrutinising its work.

“That is not true.

GECOM welcomes all elections observers,” she insisted.

The GECOM Chair went on to point out that it is not the function of the Elections Commission to accredit foreign observers.

“That is an executive function, so that will be done by the President and Foreign Affairs [Ministry], not GECOM. Our duty is to accredit local observers and that would be done as soon as the foreigners are accredited,” Justice Singh

said.

At Friday’s press conference, GECOM Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward disclosed that thus far, four local organisations have expressed their interests in observing the elections. These are the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Guyana, Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Private Sector Commission (PSU) and the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI).

Last week, the PSC and GCCI said that it has been weeks since their applications were sent to GECOM and they are yet to receive a response as to whether their requests to observe the upcoming polls were approved.

However, Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield explained that there is a process in accrediting agencies as elections observers.

“For anyone to suggest that we’re delaying their accreditation, should know there is a process. For example, we don’t know what our OLE (Official List of Electors or voters’ list) will look like, we don’t know how many polling stations

we will have and things as such. So once these processes are satisfied… the Commission will deliberate and provide the approvals for these groups to submit whatever else is required, long before elections. It’s too early in the process for us to do that at this point in time,” Lowenfield stressed.

Advisory assistance

Meanwhile, the GECOM Chair noted that in addition to the observers, GECOM has also accepted advisory assistance to oversee its operations heading into the March 2020 elections.

She revealed that the Commonwealth Secretariat has made two advisors available, former Chief Elections Officers of India and Ghana, who are expected to arrive in Guyana later this month and will be here leading up to, during and after the upcoming polls.

“Those people are coming as advisors to GECOM as a whole – the Commission, Secretariat and myself. They would oversee everything, all operations before, during and after elections,” Justice Singh noted.

Already, GECOM is benefiting from the expertise of former Chief Electoral Officer of Canada’s elections body, Jean-Pierre Kingsley, who started working last month.

However, Kingsley, who has 17 years of electoral experience under his belt, is not staying in Guyana but remains in contact with GECOM and will have periodic visits leading up next year’s elections.

He is expected back here on November 18.

It was noted that the terms of reference (ToR) of Kingsley’s appointment do not allow him to meet with political parties.

Meanwhile, the ToR for the two advisors from the Commonwealth Secretariat has not been finalised but is expected to be completed before their arrival here

tions] and so we welcome everyone to have a look – all these foreign and local observers. We’re not shutting the door on anyone,” the Chairperson stated.

Only recently, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Opposition had underscored the urgency for international oversight in the electoral preparation process to ensure credibility.

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Piracy attack

2 more slapped with murder charge

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he final two persons fingered in the Corentyne piracy attack on four fishermen in October were on Friday remanded when they appeared at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

O’Brian Fraser and Anonth Boodrage, both 21, were slapped with a joint murder charge.

Fraser, of Eversham Village, and Boodrage, of Belvedere Village, were on the run after Police had arrested the first three suspects and issued wanted bulletins for them. They were eventually nabbed in neighbouring Suriname and deported to Guyana on Wednesday after being charged and fined for entering that country illegally.

Suresh Sundat and Narine Dhanrajh being escorted from court

The charging of the men now brings the total number of persons charged to five.

It is alleged that between October 5 and 13,

while in the company of others, they murdered Kawal Kissoon, called “Ajai”, of Letter Kenny, Corentyne; Otto Lamar Petrie of Miss Phoebe

Village, Port Mourant; Marvin Tamesar, also called “Buddy” and “Bin Laden” and Vishnu Seeram, called “Kevin”, all of the same village.

Last week, Suresh Sundat, 22, of Belvedere Squatting Area and Narine Dhanrajh, 30, of Belvedere Village were charged with the same offence.

Two days later, 38-yearold Lennox Grimmond was also charged.

On Thursday, the three appeared at the Whim Magistrate’s Court and the Police withdrew the individual charges and instituted a joint charge.

They will have to return to court on November 14.

O’Brian Fraser

Meanwhile, even as all five suspects are now before the court, the bodies of two of the fishermen have not been found.

Anonth Boodrage

The four fishermen were aboard “Sara 1” – a fishing vessel— when they were attacked and reportedly tied and thrown overboard.

The bodies of Kissoon and Petrie have since been recovered, while the bodies of Tamesar and Seeram have not been found.

It is alleged that the pirates, who were in another fishing boat, ventured over to the Sara 1 with the intention of stealing the fish that the now-dead men had caught.

They proceeded to demand that the men hand over the catch as they attacked the four fishermen but the victims reportedly fought back which led to their deaths.

Damage control… …on press suppression Caretaker Granger has gone on a full-court press in damage-control mode over his revelation that he’s fundamentally anti-free press. Pressed for his reaction to his DPI’s curtailment of ads to the SN (and this newspaper also), he opined that there was the question of “fairness” in that paper’s coverage of his government’s activities! He also alluded to the DPI’s excuse that the newspaper had threatened to not publish any new submitted ads until their humungous past due bills were paid. “Commercial dispute” he scoffed!!

But the damaging truth had already spilt: “mout’ open and story jump out!” And in any case, the DPI had been dissembling as usual: this paper also had a proportionally large past-due account from the DPI but had not made any threats – yet their ads were also slashed. The only common denominator in the two papers affected was their trenchant criticisms of the Government for their actions following the NCM! So we come to Granger’s outburst that the issue at hand was “fairness”.

But this stance by Granger – in his role as representing the Government – is exactly what had created the need for a free press historically. It became known as the “fourth estate” from the birth of democratic government following the French Revolution – roiling the traditional three estates of the clergy, nobility, and commoners.

The press would protect the interests of the commoners against whoever was ruling – whether the king or the president.

So here we have Granger/Government/leviathan being judge, jury and executioner to tell the free press its coverage in “unfair” and it’s justified in applying sanctions by cutting Government ads. This is a form of censorship by using a carrot and stick approach – especially in a small ad market as Guyana’s. Let’s not even mention the Declaration of Chapultepec! If the Government has a problem with press coverage, there’s always recourse to the courts for libel or defamation – as this Government knows the Courts more than most!!

Announcing that he’s “an advocate for professional, free press”, Granger’s Chronic and MotP mouthpieces have regurgitated scads of his utterances on the role of the free press – as well as he might since he benefitted from that Hubert Humphrey Fellowship while almost in his dotage.

They took his doo-doo on “press fairness” and rubbed it on the SN’s bamsie: “President rubbishes Stabroek News’ claims of unfairness”!! But the problem is, as with most of the homilies and verities he spouts, Granger never walks the talk. He has studiously avoided press conferences – 3 in 4 ½ years! – in favour of stage-managed affairs.

Granger should examine the “fairness” of his State media! …needed for GECOM Chair The GECOM Chair continues with her inexplicable behaviour. Your Eyewitness thinks she still believes she’s still on the bench and not on a chair!! Let’s take her latest decision – and we all know with an evenly-balanced political commission, she makes GECOM decisions with her casting vote. She says after informing the 25,000 persons who haven’t collected their IDs via letters and newspaper ads, she’ll take their names off the OLE but retain them on the NRR. But by law, only folks on the OLE can vote: there’s no allowance for a “supplementary” list!! Claudette Singh isn’t on the bench where she can offer categorical interpretations of the law. The same with her suggestion that folks on this list must produce “other forms of IDs such as passports”. This requirement places an additional burden on the fundamental right to vote.

Or, so it’ll be argued in the Courts by some PNC proxy after they lose to the PPP in the March 2 elections.

Just like they did with the requirement for IDs with Esther Pereira!! …needed for Caricom Caricom has pronounced that it’s concerned about the “Haitian crisis”. But on the constitutional crisis that transfixed Guyana for almost a year – it stayed studiously mum.

Is Caricom signalling that only after violence – like in Haiti or in Guyana under Desmond Hoyte – they’ll speak??

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

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saturday, november 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

15 parties likely to contest 2020 elections P ublic Relations Officer (PRO) of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Yolanda Ward has disclosed that some 15 political parties are likely to contest the upcoming General and Regional Elections, which has been set for March 2, 2020.

She was at the time speaking at a press conference held earlier on Friday to give an update on preparations for the upcoming polls.

Meanwhile, Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield said that GECOM has been in contact with the major political parties as well as the new ones.

“At the appropriate time, we’ll be inviting all these parties to be briefed long before Nominations Day exercises are held. So that all parties and all contestants will have an opportunity to be informed and be made aware of the legal processes required for Nominations Days,” he stated.

Apart from the two major parties, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the APNU/ AFC coalition, there are

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

at least five other new and small parties which have been recently launched.

Party (LJP), Citizenship Initiative (CI) and more recently, Change Guyana.

These include: A New and United Party (ANUG), Federal United Party (FED UP), Liberty and Justice

Meanwhile, with regard to other elections preparations, Lowenfield further noted that some 13,500 persons have been trained to work on polling day and a refresher session will be held closer to elections.

Additionally, he said that GECOM has already started procuring electoral materials.

“To date, we’ve acquired the paraphernalia required

GECOM staff

Verification process...

But according to the GECOM Chair, it is not about the uncollected ID cards but really about the verification of these persons.

“If these people do not appear, their names will be taken off the OLE (Official List of Electors or voters’ list) and place on a list which is supplemental. It will still be the OLE or schedule or whatever you want to call it, but a supplemental list to the OLE and if they should turn up on elections day, they will be allowed to vote,” Justice Singh noted.

However, she explained that these persons will have to show up with a valid passport or some other form of identification that will be outlined in the publications in the newspapers. She not-

ed that in addition to the supplemental list, there will also be a Folio at the polling station containing the names of those unverified persons.

According to Justice Singh, the supplemental list will be at the polling stations on elections day for “greater scrutiny” since those persons were never verified.

“We need to verify, the law says that… So it is not GECOM’s intention to disenfranchise anyone and this exercise is not a witch-hunting exercise… It’s just a verification process and all we want is the person to come forward and verify their existence. That is all there is to this exercise and this is provided for by the law,” the GECOM Chair contended.

From page 3

Meanwhile, it was revealed that a total of 19,502 names will be published of persons who failed to uplift their ID cards over the past 11 years.

Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield told reporters at Friday’s press conference that 2008 recorded the highest number of uncollected ID cards with 12,079. He added that 1404 uncollected cards were recorded from last year’s two registration cycles.

“The largest amount, I should say, still remain from 2008. What has happened progressively from 2008, the uncollected numbers, they have reduced significantly to where we are at in 2018,” the CEO posited.

for the conduct of polls as it relates to ink and seals.

We have already in stock, our ballot boxes. So all the technical requirements for polling, they are in location and at the appropriate time, we will be operationalising those,” he stated.

However, the Chief Elections Officer explained that they will have to wait until after Nominations Day, which is yet to be set, to see how many of those parties will qualify to contest the March 2020 elections before moving ahead with the printing of ballot papers and other electoral documents.

“On Nominations Day, we will arrive at all the parties that qualify to be

on the ballot and after that is done on that day and all legal timeline as prescribe in law [are met], we forward to the service provider for the production of the ballots. So currently, we’re engaging the service provider that is providing the templates for all of that…

We have a certain amount of parties and let’s assume they’re all gonna be there,

we gave the names to the service provider… and at the end of the [Nomination Day] exercise, those not qualified comes off. So we’ve provided a template and we working with them on that,” Lowenfield stated.

He explained that while the Constitution states that Nominations Day has to be held 32 days before elections day, there are certain administrative elements that first have to be satisfied and will consequently take the exercise beyond that timeframe.

Nevertheless, he noted that the Commission is deliberating and will soon arrive at a date for Nominations Day.

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NEws

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saturday, november 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

144 persons trafficked already in 2019 ECD man slapped with robbery charge W

ith 21 cases of trafficking in persons recorded for the year so far, traffic ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) were on Thursday trained to identify and respond to suspected incidents.

During the opening ceremony of the training exercise, Police Commissioner Leslie James revealed that from the 21 cases, there were 144 victims.

Of the 144 victims, a whopping 142 were sexually exploited. One person was exploited for labour purposes. “…made to work under slave-like conditions,” the Police Commissioner explained.

And, of the victims, 12 were Guyanese, four were Dominicans, three Cubans and 124 were Venezuelans.

The Top Cop revealed that to date, there have been 30 charges with 8 convictions.

The training is being coordinated by the Ministry of Social Protection’s Counter Trafficking in Persons’ Unit.

Commissioner James urged ranks to pay special attention to suspicious activities when on duty.

“You, the traffic ranks, are the persons who will en-

gage directly with the motorists … so while you are on the road, part of your duty, you can cause those vehicles to be checked,” the Police Commissioner stated.

Unit Coordinator Tanisha Williams-Corbin said the training is a first for Guyana.

She also underscored the importance of getting traffic ranks involved in the fight against this crime.

“Victims of trafficking in Guyana, given our geographical makeup, must traverse our roadways at some point, whether to or from their places of exploitation or on a journey to provide some service or receive some service. Therefore, it is important that you are provid-

ed with the relevant skills to be able to identify, assist and refer appropriately suspected cases,” she explained.

Guyana is ranked Tier 1 on the US State Department report on TIP as a result of its efforts to tackle the scourge.

Commissioner of Police Leslie James said he wants the country to remain at this position. However, he noted that where there is work to be done, the Police Force will spare no effort in helping to wipe out the scourge completely.

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan had announced that in 2018, some 243 persons were trafficked locally.

“There were 243 victims

and on one occasion, they [officials] went to a club…39 were found in small rooms, obviously the presumption [was] that they were being trafficked, and of course alleged victims under 18, you have 11 out of that 243. The suspects involved, if I may breach some confidentiality of the Police here, you have 57 of them,” the Minister divulged.

Minister Ramjattan explained that the regions where these cases were found are from Region Four, specifically Georgetown; Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) and Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

He added that the countries of origin from which these victims originate have revealed that Venezuela is at the top of the list. He added that 162 of the TIP victims in 2018 are Venezuelans.

A

2 3 - y e a r - o l d Enterprise, East Coast Demerara man, who allegedly robbed another, was on Friday released on $50,000 bail.

Delroy Chapman of Lot 222 Section C Enterprise, ECD, appeared before

Delroy Chapman

Magistrate Fabayo Azore at Vigilance Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that on September 28, he robbed Nicholas Sylvain at Melanie, ECD. The case will continue on December 5, 2019.

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saturday, november 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Emergence in drug resistance detected – CMO …National Medicines Policy launched

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he Public Health Ministry on Thursday launched its National Medicines Policy, where it was announced that there has been an emergence of resistance towards some drugs which are typically used to treat certain illnesses and diseases.

Overall, the policy will guide and regulate the manufacturing, procurement, storage, distribution, prescribing and administration of all medicines.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud noted that this framework will assist in the administration of safer medicines to patients.

He acknowledged that rational use, which speaks about the requirement that patients receive medications

appropriate to their clinical needs, has come under scrutiny due to an increase in drug resistance.

“The rational use of medicines is a critical part of the whole process of ensuring medicines that are provided by our national system and throughout the healthcare system are safe. Rational use has come under some scrutiny of recent past with the advent and emergence of drug resistance, particularly to anti-microbial agents. We have seen emergence of multidrug resistance tuberculosis. We’ve lost some of the vital medicines we use to treat both HIV and malaria in our quest to provide treatment,” Persaud discussed.

He added that in Guyana, a large fraction of

pharmaceuticals are imported while the common ones are produced locally by private industries. This framework, he said, ensures that all are sourced from reputable companies following the mandatory manufacturing protocols and standards.

“Medicines policy help countries to guide the process by which medicines are selected to use in this country and we do this by the development of standard guidelines, treatment guidelines that are recommended throughout the country,” the CMO added.

The CMO further went on to say that the country is still lagging behind in its 2015 Millennium Development Goals and this implementation is expected

dicators. Critical to the final phase of the implementation of Health Vision 2020 is the availability of safe, efficacious and ethical medicines and medical products to help our population achieve that goal.”

Generally, Persaud referred to universal health coverage as a daunting task, with thousands of patients annually who are in need of medications.

“Even though we have about 382 health facilities Chief Medical Officer, Dr across Guyana, we need to Shamdeo Persaud procure medicines and othto provide a boost towards er services including providing for the human resources. compliance.

“In the assessment of the We have to respond to more Millennium Development than 88,000 persons with Goals 2015, we recognise hypertension who need medthat we’re still lagged be- ication. Another 62,000 perhind in some vital health in- sons need to be treated for

diabetes and this number is growing. For the communicable diseases, HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, more than 35,000 persons needs to be treated annual,” he calculated.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence said the policy also caters for the development of human resources and a skilled and competent workforce.

Commenting on the effectiveness of medical drugs, Representative of the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation, Dr William Adu-Krow pointed out that even reputable suppliers are sometimes culpable of retailing substandard products.

Police seize more stolen vehicle parts Lindener jailed 2 years for illegal gun, ammo A nother person has been arrested for having in his possession, a large quantity of vehicle parts, suspected to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.

Police ranks in Regional Police Division Four, acting on intelligence, swooped down on the premises of the

Sarah Johanna, East Bank Demerara resident early Friday morning.

A search of the premises found a large quantity of pitbull minibus parts.

The suspect was arrested and is cooperating with investigators.

On November 6, Police arrested 13 persons in

connection with a similar crime.

In that intelligence-led operation, a number of items, all suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained, was discovered.

The Guyana Police Force (GPF) said the operation was conducted by ranks of the Regional Police Division

Some of the items seized during the raid at Sarah Johanna

4b (Eccles to Moblissa) on November 6, 2019, at different locations in the Kuru Kururu Station District.

Among the items found are vehicle parts, shells of a pitbull minibus, a 192 motorcar, three other motorcars, an elite motorcycle, five generators, and two weeding machines.

S

hawn Dover, of Blueberry Hill Squatting Area, Wismar, Linden, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Dover, who was arrested at the Mabura Police

Shawn Dover

Outpost yesterday, appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrate’s Court this morning.

He pleaded guilty to the charges and as such was sentenced to serve two years in jail.

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saturday, november 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

30 graduate from Agro Food Processing programme in Linden

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hirty women from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) on Friday graduated from the Social Protection Ministry and Board of Industrial Training (BIT) National Training Project for Youth Empowerment’s Agro Food Processing programme.

The event was marked by a ceremony and mini-exhibition of agro-food products, which was hosted at the Linden-Georgetown minibus park.

Councillor Denise Belgrave said that it was a privilege to see the trainees graduate since there are growing concerns and a prominent topic on the agriculture development agenda engaging youths in agriculture.

She noted that urbanisation has led to a decline in the number of young farmers as climate change continues to add immense challenges to agricultural activities on the coastlands.

She continued that although Guyana’s mature traditional industry will continue to play an important role in its economy, the non-traditional agriculture sector is continuing to show high growth potential.

BIT Director Penelope Harris in her remarks said the training provides an opportunity for the community to continue to grow economically and socially, as she pointed out that BIT was pleased to support the training of persons for

the agro-processing industry. In this regard, she noted that it is the belief of the institution that the industry is poised to be a sustainable one for Guyana’s future economy.

In moving forward, she further noted, participants have the options of being employed, further developing their skills by gaining additional qualifications, or beginning their own micro-enterprise. She noted too that resources are available for participants to access funding to be able to launch and develop their businesses. Harris added that BIT is willing to provide advice, support and assistance as she commended trainers and officers who were involved in the training.

Meanwhile, Regional Chairman Renis Morian

The women from Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) who graduated from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) National Training Project for Agro Food Processing programme

who gave brief remarks said while there has been a number of similar activities in the region, it is yet to see what is birthed after such training programmes.

“I am workshop fatigued. I have seen too many workshops. It’s not that we don’t need workshops...but I don’t see output...So we need to take this training very seriously,” he noted as he shared his hope that the organisers of the initiative follow up by walking participants through the steps of starting their own business. He added that a lot also depends on the participants as well, who are now equipped with relevant information.

Morian urged the graduates to utilise the skills to create unique products and to meaningfully employ and develop themselves.

14 news

saturday, november 9, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Death at mining pit

Troy Resources completes remedial work set out by GGMC …laid-off workers to be reinstated

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ustralian-owned mining company, Troy Resources will be commencing operations again at the Karouni Mine, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), just under a month after one of its employees would have died as a result of slippage.

Social Protection Minister, Amna Ally told media operatives on Friday that remedial works were completed by the company after the Guyana Geology and Mines would have intervened. Presently, Troy Resources is at a place where operation will restart in the near future.

After meeting with the company on Thursday, Ally stated, “Based on the recommendations from the GGMC, they were able to address all of them and I must tell you that we’re very happy about that…

We needed to find out what is happening. We are concerned with safety.”

Last month, Ryan Taylor and three others were working on the construction of a "bench" at one of the company’s mining pit when there was a slippage, which allegedly led to him falling and being covered with debris.

After the incident, Guyana Times understands that it took some time to get Taylor from under the rubble and by the time he was pulled out, it was too late.

Troy Resources later confirmed that the accident occurred at about 02:25h, during the night shift, when a geologist was standing above an excavated work-

ing face. The embankment which he was standing on collapsed and he suffered fatal injuries as a consequence. Managing Director, Ken Nilsson later announced that mining operations at Karouni, Cuyuni, have currently been temporarily suspended.

Days later, employees of the Australian-owned company were handed letters terminating their service, and no response was given about payment for days worked in that month. After that, officials of the GGMC would have met with the company’s representatives, where they were instructed to conduct remedial works at the Hick’s One pit, where the incident occurred.

In light of this, the Social Protection Minister affirmed that those workers will also be reinstated.

During the height of these outcomes last month, the People’s United and General Workers Union had held Troy Resources accountable for the recent death. Administrator of the Union, Lincoln Lewis indicated that it was a reminder of the importance of safety regulations at these pits and mining sites.

“The sad and gruesome passing of this young man is a grim reminder of the potential danger in mining and the need for strict compliance with safety rules by the employer and even more strict inspection and enforcement of safety standards by the Guyana Geology and Mines

Dead: Ryan Taylor

Commission (GGMC),” he said.

Lewis argued that the workers at Troy Resources are subjected to work under unsafe conditions and pointed out that there have been similar incidents at the same site, much to the company’s knowledge.

“We hold those at the GGMC and the Ministry of Social Protection equally accountable along with the employer for the conditions of work which Ryan Taylor and his colleagues are subjected to working under. It was not unknown to them.

In 2016, there was a severe wall failure in Smarts Stage Three pit at the Karouni Mine. The Union reached out to GGMC and the Ministry time and time again, all to no avail.”

However, the Minister insisted that “accidents do happen” and no penalties were levied against Troy Resources.

Caricom seeking to remove roaming charges in region

C

aribbean Community (Caricom) Ministers with responsibility for Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have agreed to collectively approach the region’s telecommunications providers to eliminate roaming charges throughout the community.

This is one of the priorities which they identified as an early benefit with respect to achieving a Caricom Single ICT Space.

At a special meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Friday, by video-conference, the Ministers agreed that this would provide social and economic benefits to the people and to the region.

A number of regional and international organisations and Caricom Youth Ambassadors also took part in the discussions.

Chairman of the meeting, Dr Keith Mitchell— Prime Minister of Grenada and Lead Head of Government for Science and Technology including ICT— said this was an issue which would give a real boost to regional integration and had the potential to drive growth and development in the

Grenada Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell

Community.

Caricom SecretaryGeneral Ambassador Irwin LaRocque concurred with the sentiments of the Prime Minister and stated that this should be viewed as low-hanging fruit in achieving the Single ICT Space which should be realised as soon as practically possible.

The Single ICT Space will allow for harmonisation of the ICT and other legislative frameworks in Caricom, the removal of roaming charges, the encouragement of digital entrepreneurship, equipping all Caricom nationals as digital citizens and looking at ICT financial solutions among other regional

benefits. The Ministers emphasised the importance of cybersecurity in underpinning the Single ICT Space.

The Ministers agreed on a Ministerial Understanding on the Single ICT Space in which they identified priorities as developing the ICT sector as a catalyst to foster closer regional economic integration; enhancing the competitiveness of the region through a vibrant ICT industry and using the Single ICT Space as a driver of the Caricom digital economy and the transformation of key sectors.

The understanding notes that the realisation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the fulfilment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be greatly advanced by the strategic application and increased usage of ICT and applying a whole-of-government approach.

The Ministers recognised the ICT Space could only be developed with partnership and commitment of all stakeholders in the public and private sectors, civil society and International Development Partners.

(Excerpt from CMC)

AFC, PNC members impose selves on RDC meeting

Regional Chairman, David Armogan

M

ember of the Central Executive of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Derek Basdeo was on Thursday banned from attending the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) statutory meetings as an observer after he was disrespectful to the Regional Chairman, David Armogan.

“I am surprised at the behaviour of a senior AFC operative,” Armogan told reporters at the end of the meeting.

He said Basdeo had gone to the RDC as an observer, which is something that he as Regional Chairman appreciated.

“I do appreciate when observers come over to RDC. We have an open RDC and

AFC Executive member Derek Basdeo

if more observers can come, we will be even more happy,” Armogan said.

On Thursday Basdeo attempted to speak at the RDC meeting, which is not permitted.

“This is an RDC meeting and we operate like a local Parliament in that only Councillors are allowed to speak at these meetings. He raised his hand as if he is a Councillor and I immediately responded saying that no person who is sitting on the benches as observers is allowed to speak,” Armogan told the media.

At the time also, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Member of Parliament Barbra Pilgrim,

Barbra Pilgrim

who is an ex-Regional Councillor also sought permission to address the RDC. “This guy became extremely disrespectful and walked out after using all sorts of slangs against the Chairman of this region. I will write to Mr [Khemraj] Ramjattan, who is the leader of the AFC, informing him of the behaviour of one of the senior operatives in the region.

What he was attempting to do was not protocol,” the Regional Chairman added.

“If that is the way that they will behave and want to run a country; God help us here, Armogan said an invited comment.

He also added that Basdeo will not be allowed at another meeting of the current RDC. “If there's another meeting of the RDC before the Parliament is dissolved and he comes here as an observer, I will put him out,” Armogan told reporters while adding that he will not tolerate disrespect from a member of the public coming into the RDC and trying to make trouble.

“An RDC Councillor has privileges.”

news

15

saturday, november 9, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Air Services Limited adds scheduled flights to Region 7

E

ight hinterland communities are expected to benefit significantly from the Air Services Limited’s (ASL) official launch of their scheduled flights to hinterland communities in Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni).

Flights are expected to take off from the Eugene F Correia International Airport every Tuesday and Thursday to Kamarang, Imbaimadai, Chi Chi East and West, Phillispai Paruima, Kaikan, and Ekereku Bottom starting from Tuesday, November 12, 2019.

Manager of ASL, Annette Arjoon-Martins said that the company began operations in 1970 with just two Cessna aircraft and has since multiplied to 24 aircraft with a staff count of 230 persons.

Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams shares in a cake cutting to mark the launching of the expanded service

She added that ASL is the only commercially approved helicopter operation service in Guyana and will soon branch off

to a two-engine helicopter.

Arjoon explained that Region Seven has a perfect opportunity for the

country to grow - both in the traditional and the new sectors such as tourism.

“The time has come

for us to expand our footprints even further,” she said.

Minister of State, Dawn Hastings-Williams, who hails from Kako Village, Region Seven, in her remarks, expressed how elated she was to know that the people in Upper Mazaruni will benefit significantly from the schedule. She explained that one of the major challenges that the hinterland communities face is transportation from Upper Mazaruni to the city.

Toshao of Paruima, Lee Williams stated that the people of Region Seven would use chartered flights once or twice per month because it is expensive.

Moreover, he explained that the only means of transportation to the vil-

lage is an eight-hour boat journey from Kamarang to Paruima or a direct flight to the village.

He explained that people of the hinterland community have been trying for years to bring some economics into their community, and after seeing the effects of deforestation in logging and mining, they have decided to tourism.

Still a work in progress, the villagers hope to offer tours to different parts of their communities to showcase their beautiful sceneries.

Meanwhile, Minister Jaipaul Sharmain said that the Guyana Aviation Authority is currently carrying out a two-week risk assessment at the Ogle Airport that will assess the runway and the tower expansion.

East Canje man jailed for robbing Chinese supermarket

A

n East Canje Berbice, Region Six man, who was implicated in a robbery carried out on a Chinese supermarket also in Berbice, was on Friday jailed.

Maryo Bissiondyal, 30, of Lot 141 Main Street Cumberland, East Canje Berbice, appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh at the Whim Magistrate’s Court where he admitted that on November 2, he robbed Zhou Chumin, Cheng A Fu and Imtiaz Azeez at Number Two Village, Canje, Berbice. As such he was handed two years’ imprisonment for each of the three charges.

However, the sentences will run concurrently.

Jason Isaacs, one of the three other suspects, who wanted bulletins were issued for, surrendered on

Thursday and is said to be cooperating with investigators.

Still wanted are Doodnauth Bissoondyal, 22, of Lot 81 Cuburg Street, East Canje, and Ravin Punwasie, 36, of Lot 12 Palmyra Street, East Canje.

Reports are on November 2, the business was invaded by four bandits, who were armed with guns and cutlasses. The men demanded cash from the Chinese, but after they hesitated, one of the bandits went into the cash register and took it himself. Police were told that $300,000 and two cellular phones were taken by the men.

Anyone with information that may lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects is asked to kindly contact the police on telephone

Charged: Maryo Bissiondyal

numbers 333-5564, 3332151, 3332152, 226-6978, 225-8196, 226-2870, 2267065, 227-1149, 226-7065, 911 or at the nearest police station.

Surrendered: Jason Issacs

Wanted: Ravin Punwasie

Wanted: Bissoondyal

Doodnauth

16

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, november 9, 2019

Regional

Brazil Judge orders ex-President In Venezuela, special Police force wreaks havoc in slums Lula released from prison

A

Brazilian Judge on Friday ordered the release of former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from prison, according to a court document, following a Supreme Court ruling ending the mandatory imprisonment of convicts after they lose their first appeal.

Federal Police have to comply with Friday's order "with urgency", the order said.

Lula was jailed in 2018 for eight years and 10 months after he was found guilty of taking bribes from engineering firms in return for government contracts.

The controversial Supreme Court decision on Thursday could benefit dozens of other high-profile prisoners and thousands of other convicts.

Analysts say the prospect of serving immediate prison time after losing a first appeal encouraged suspects to negotiate plea deals with prosecutors, providing them information that helped un-

Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva attends a news conference after being convicted on corruption charges, in Sao Paulo, Brazil [Nacho Doce/Reuters]

ravel the biggest corruption scheme in Brazil's history.

The law had contributed to the success of Brazil's biggest corruption investigation, the so-called "Car Wash" operation that put dozens of company executives and politicians in jail for bribes and kickbacks.

The Car Wash prosecutors said the ruling would make their job harder and favour impunity because of

Brazil's "excessive" appeal processes. They said in a statement that the court's decision was out of sync with a country that wants an end to corruption.

Brazil's Justice Minister Sergio Moro said on Friday that the Supreme Court ruling should be respected.

Moro, who was the Car Wash trial's Judge who sentenced Lula before being appointed Justice Minister by President Jair Bolsonaro's government, warned before the court's decision that overturning the rule would be a big setback for the fight against corruption.

Lula, Brazil's first working-class president, served as the country's leader between 2003 and 2010. He left office with sky-high popularity ratings thanks to social policies that raised millions from poverty. He was favoured to win the 2018 presidential election, but his imprisonment barred him from running. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

M

iriam Gamarra, a 39-year-old bank employee living in a tough part of Caracas, remembers feeling an ache in her chest when she heard the gunshots in the distance as she was heading to work.

"Lord, please take care of my son," she murmured to herself.

But her prayers were in vain.

Her 21-year-old son Luis Ariza was killed that May night by a special Venezuelan Police force that has sown fear in the capital's slums.

Gamarra is not alone in her heartache.

Ariza is one of the hundreds of residents who have been killed by the Special Action Forces (FAES) in what their loved ones and advocacy groups have told AFP were "executions".

These accusations have made it all the way to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet.

The UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet, non-governmental organisations and relatives of those killed say the FAES is acting beyond the law

After meeting with relatives of victims in June in Caracas, Bachelet called for the disbanding of the FAES, an elite unit created in 2017

by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to "fight crime".

Since 2018, the non-governmental human rights group Cofavic has recorded 831 "executions" carried out

by FAES members, based on information from relatives and its own observations on the ground.

On May 13, the FAES entered the home that Ariza shared with his wife and two

children, his family says.

As his wife and children were blockaded in the house, agents took him away. He was unarmed, relatives say.

Ariza's wife says when she was finally able to leave her home, she found his dead body in the street.

But the FAES tells an entirely different story.

In an internal report obtained by AFP, the Special Forces say the young man was in the street carrying a weapon when an agent ordered him to stop and he failed to comply. (Excerpt from AFP)

jail.

An officer will also face these penalties for inciting a mutiny or terrorist act, assaulting a Judge/Magistrate or helping a prisoner escape.

It also applies to use of unnecessary violence against a prisoner or failing to take action over a serious offence.

Elsewhere the bill, a person caught wearing a Police uniform and impersonating an officer would face a fine of TT$150,000 and five years' jail (up from TT$30,000 and three years.)

A Police Officer caught taking a bribe to not do his duty can be fined up to TT$500,000 and 15 years’ jail (indictable) or TT$250,000 and ten years (summary).

Anyone supplying intoxicating liquor to an officer can be fined TT$150,000 and face five years' jail, up from TT$15,000 and one year at present.

Any officer who resigns or is dismissed and fails to return every item supplied for him to do his job faces a TT$150,000 fine and five years' jail, up from TT$10,000 and two years. A similar penalty awaits anyone who has been supplied with such unauthorised items.

The bill restates the little-known fact that any member of the public is under a legal duty to help a Police Officer in need.

(Excerpt from T&T Newsday)

breakaway Mormon communities founded in the north of Mexico several decades ago, and mourners came from thousands of miles to pay their last respects.

Sadness and anger gripped grieving relatives, and some urged Mexico’s leader Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to accept US President Donald Trump’s offer to help crush the gangs.

“I really believe that the cartels in Mexico have moved to another level of barbarity, they are as bad or worse than ISIS. ISIS have an ideology,” said Rosa LeBaron, 65, whose cousins, nieces and nephews died in the attacks. “These sicarios

(hitmen), why are they doing it? Out of greed and pure evil”.

She said Mexico needed to overcome pride, and accept outside help from a neighbouring country or international coalition, as the United Nations, to stamp out the cartels.

“This is so beyond comprehension, we’re living like we’re in Afghanistan, 100 miles from the US border,” said LeBaron.

More than 250,000 Mexicans have been killed in the mounting violence that has gripped the country since 2007, many of them victims of drug related violence. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Travel to Caribbean continues Under new T&T bill: to grow despite powerful storms TT$.5M fine for bad cops

A

study undertaken by Forward-Keys, a travel analytics firm, has revealed that despite the recent ravages of Hurricane Dorian and other huge storms in the Caribbean, tourism will continue to grow.

The results of the study were presented at a Caribbean Tourism Organisation news conference at World Travel Market.

The study revealed that forward bookings for the winter season – November 1 to January 31, are currently 1.6 per cent ahead of where they were at the equivalent point last year.

Currently, bookings from the United States, the most important source market are 3.0 per cent behind but bookings from all the other major source markets, are ahead – France 9.8 per cent, the UK 0.9 per cent , Canada 8.2 per cent, Argentina 8.1 per cent and the rest of the world collectively 3.2 per cent.

The current leader is the Netherlands, 42.1 per cent ahead. However, the outlook is not universally positive.

Forward bookings to the top destination in the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, are currently 14.2 per cent behind and those to

The Bahamas and Aruba are 6.4 per cent and 1.4 per cent behind, respectively.

Encouraging growth is seen from Puerto Rico, 28.0 per cent ahead, but according to Forward-Keys that is really a recovery story, as tourism to the island was hit hard by Hurricane Maria in December 2017.

This season's most devastating hurricane, Dorian, which came at the end of August and early September, ravaged the most northerly parts of The Bahamas but left other parts relatively undamaged. (Excerpt from CMC)

A

ny errant Police Officer caught lending his uniform or gun to anyone is liable to a half-million-dollar fine and up to 15 years in jail under a bill due for debate on Friday in the House of Representatives.

The Miscellaneous Provisions (Law Enforcement Officers) Bill 2019 proposes stiffer penalties under six existing laws which also govern prison, immigration, fire and customs officers.

The TT$500,000/15year penalty for an errant Police Officer is applicable in the High Court (as an indictable offence), while in the Magistrates' Court (as a summary offence) it is TT$250,000 and ten years in

US immigration agents nab Jamaicans during Operation SOAR Mexican cartels “worse than ISIS”: massacre victims' kin urge US help T

he United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency says officers from its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Long Island, New York, Sub-Office have arrested Jamaicans among 23 sexual predators during a six-day operation in Long Island, a New York City suburb.

On Thursday, ICE said that the enforcement effort, dubbed “Operation SOAR” (Sex Offender Alien Removal), ended on November 2.

ICE did not identify the Jamaicans arrested but said that, in the course of Operation SOAR, ERO deportation officers apprehended the individuals with past criminal convictions, ranging from sexual abuse to rape.

Several of those arrested are registered sexual offenders, ICE said.

It said that each taken into custody is currently being detained pending the completion of removal proceedings, criminal prosecution or removal from the United States.

Besides Jamaica, ICE said those arrested include nationals from Canada, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines and Portugal.

ERO deportation officers made arrests throughout Long Island, specifically in Nassau County: Mineola, Port Washington, Roosevelt, Uniondale; and in Suffolk County: Brentwood, Central Islip, Copiague, Huntington Station,

Manorville, Riverhead, Rocky Point, Wheatley Heights and Wyandanch.

Additionally, ICE said two arrests were made in Brooklyn, and one each in the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens – counties in New York City.

ICE said one Jamaican arrested in Uniondale is a 52-year-old with a prior US federal conviction for receiving material involving the sexual exploitation of a minor for which a sentence of 120 months imprisonment was imposed.

“When we talk about the safety of our communities, it should not be politics, it should be common sense,” said Thomas R Decker, Field Office Director for ERO New York. (Excerpt from CMC)

A

ngry kin of nine American citizens massacred in a suspected gangland ambush in northern Mexico urged the government to accept US help to destroy drug cartels that one grieving relative described as being “as bad or worse than ISIS”.

Funerals of the three mothers and six children began to be held in Mexico on Thursday after the government said they were caught in the crossfire of a territorial feud between the Juarez Cartel and its rival the Sinaloa Cartel on Monday.

The victims belonged to three families of dual USMexican citizenship born to

guyanatimesgy.com

saturday, november 9, 2019

17

Around the World

Hong Kong student’s death sparks India tightens security ahead of impromptu protests and vigils verdict on contested religious site

A

Hong Kong student has died after falling during protests on Monday - sparking impromptu protests The 22-year-old’s death came after another week of political violence in Hong Kong.

Chow had been in a coma since Monday and was certified dead early on Friday, according to the hospital he was treated in.

Fellow students at the city’s University of Science and Technology called for an investigation into how Chow fell, and why it took paramedics nearly 20 minutes to arrive. Amnesty International echoed that call.

At the time of his fall, dozens of riot police were approaching, firing tear gas into the car park and surrounding areas to clear away protesters.

Police said they used tear gas to disperse protesters near the site but denied any wrongdoing, saying their ac-

I

Students at Chow’s college, the University of Science and Technology, mark Alex Chow’s death after his death was announced during a graduation ceremony

tions had been justified.

But Chow’s death is expected to fuel more anger at the police, who are already under pressure as Hong Kong faces its worst crisis in decades.

Protesters gathered across the city, taking part in mourning events.

Thousands left flowers at the spot in which he fell at the car park. Some people sang hymns.

Other people gathered in the shopping district of Causeway Bay, lining the

streets in silence.

At Hong Kong’s University of Science and Technology, dozens of protesters vandalised a Starbucks, Bank of China and at least three cafeterias on site, the South China Morning Post reported.

They wrote “condemn police brutality” on the walls of the Starbucks store.

Protesters are calling for more demonstrations this weekend. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pompeo attacks Russia and China in Berlin speech

U

S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has warned of the dangers posed by Russia and China, and called on Nato to grow and confront “the challenges of today”.

On a visit to Berlin, Pompeo said methods used

by China to suppress its own people would be “horrifyingly familiar” to East Germans.

And he accused Russia of invading its neighbours and crushing dissent.

He laughed off comments from French President Emmanuel Macron, who said recently that Nato was “brain dead”.

But Pompeo told reporters: “Seventy years on... it needs to grow and change.

It needs to confront the realities of today and the challenges of today.

“If nations believe that they can get the security benefit without providing Nato

Mike Pompeo has held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel during his visit to Berlin

the resources that it needs, if they don’t live up to their commitments, there is a risk that Nato could become ineffective or obsolete.”

US President Donald Trump has frequently accused European Nato members of failing to provide their fair share of military spending and of relying too heavily on the US for their defence.

Relations between Washington and Moscow plummeted after Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula from neighbouring

Ukraine in 2014.

Ties were further strained when US intelligence agencies concluded that the Kremlin had interfered in the 2016 presidential election.

Pompeo accused the Chinese Communist Party of “shaping a new vision of authoritarianism” and warned the German Government against using Chinese telecom giant Huawei to build its fifth-generation data network (5G). (Excerpt from BBC News)

EU needs to learn the ‘language of power’, incoming Chief says

T

he European Union can no longer rely on soft power to promote its interests and must develop more security “muscle” and policy focus on trade, incoming European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.

In a speech on the state of Europe, von der Leyen stressed the EU’s strengths as a bastion of openness and democracy in a troubled world and said Brexit had forged a tighter group out of the remaining members of the bloc.

“We must go our own European way with confi-

dence,” she said in Berlin.

But she added: “Soft power alone won’t suffice today if we Europeans want to assert ourselves in the world. Europe must also learn the language of power.”

Von der Leyen, a close ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, takes over as Commission President on Dec. 1.

Born in Brussels, von der Leyen, 61, has top-notch European credentials. A fluent English and French speaker, she worked closely with Paris to promote European defence projects. But she has also

had a tough time as German Defence Minister.

It was in the EU’s interests for countries in the West Balkans to have the prospect of accession to the bloc, she said.

French President Emmanuel Macron vetoed further expansion of the EU at a recent Brussels summit, saying that the accession process needed to be reformed.

Turning to climate policy, she said Europe could play a leading role in the world and show that green investments can be profitable and sustainable. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ndia deployed more than 5000 troops and Police in the northern town of Ayodhya and Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for calm, ahead of an expected court ruling today over control of a religious site violently disputed by Hindus and Muslims.

Authorities fear mass unrest when the Supreme Court issues its ruling over who controls the site where hardline Hindus tore down a mosque in 1992 triggering nationwide religious riots in which 2000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed.

The Babri Mosque had stood for centuries at a site Hindus believe is the birth-

place of Lord Ram, a physical incarnation of the god Vishnu. In the decades since it was razed, religious groups have fought in the courts over who should control it.

Modi’s Hindu nationalist party has campaigned on promises to build a Hindu temple there.

Thousands of Hindu monks and devotees have been arriving in Ayodhya in anticipation of the judgment of a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by the Chief Justice.

“Whatever decision the Supreme Court arrives at on Ayodhya, it will not be a victory or defeat of anyone,”

Modi tweeted on Friday. “I appeal to the countrymen that all of us prioritise that this decision should further strengthen India’s great traditions of peace, unity and goodwill.”

Police and Home Ministry officials said Government agencies were making preparations to thwart any violence.

Provincial Police Chief Om Prakash Singh told Reuters that precautionary measures were in place and social media platforms were being monitored to track inflammatory posts ahead of the verdict. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Zimbabwe sacks more than 200 doctors over strike action

T

he body in charge of the public health service in Zimbabwe has said that 211 doctors have been sacked this week because of their on-going strike for better pay.

The doctors were “found guilty of absenting themselves from duty without leave or reasonable cause” for five or more days, according to a statement from the Health Service Board (HSB).

The strike began in September.

The HSB said almost a third of all doctors - 516 out of 1601 employed in Government-funded hospitals - either have faced or will face disciplinary tribunals.

The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association has not commented on this latest news, but had earlier complained of intimidation, Reuters news agency re-

Dozens have been fired for stopping work

ports.

The strike has paralysed major hospitals, and its mostly only emergency cases which are being attended to.

The Government said it cannot afford to increase salaries as Zimbabweans call for a speedy resolution to what some are now referring to as a slow genocide, the BBC’s Shingai Nyoka in Harare said.

The country is in the midst of an economic crisis

and high inflation has severely eroded people’s earnings.

The real value of a doctor’s salary has, therefore, plummeted to the equivalent of less than US$100 (£80) a month.

“What we get paid is no longer enough for food or rent,” Zimbabwean Dr Lindsey Robertson told BBC Newsday earlier this week.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Clashes erupt in Baghdad despite Shia leader’s call for calm

F

resh clashes between Iraq’s security forces and anti-Government protesters broke out in Baghdad on Friday despite a call for calm by the country’s top Shia leader, as authorities grapple with the country’s biggest crisis in years.

Security forces fired tear gas and threw stun grenades into crowds of protesters wearing helmets and makeshift body armour on a main road in the middle of the Iraqi capital, sending demonstrators scattering, some wounded, according to Reuters News Agency.

More than 260 people have been killed since the protests over a lack of jobs and services began in Baghdad on October 1 and quickly spread to southern provinces, according to Police and medics.

Security forces have used

More than 260 people have been killed since the protests over a lack of jobs and services began in Baghdad on October 1 [Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters]

live gunfire against mostly unarmed protesters since the beginning of the unrest.

Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, who only speaks on politics in times of crisis and wields enormous influence over public opinion in Shia-majority Iraq, held security forces accountable for any violent escalation and urged the Government to respond as quickly as possible to demonstrators’ demands.

Reporting from Baghdad,

Al Jazeera’s Mohamed Jamjoum said that the atmosphere in Tahrir Square was “one of resolve” as demonstrators were unfazed by the violence.

“The protesters are committed to continue to deliver a message to the Government that they will keep coming out onto the streets until they are provided basic services and corruption comes to an end.” (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

SATURday, november 9, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

It’s OK to change your mind, but don’t leave things unfinished. If you decide to move on, make it clear that’s what you are doing.

Don’t leave others hanging.

Consider what you can do to make your community, home or partnerships better. A compassionate, honest dialogue will help you persuade others to see things your way. Romance is encouraged.

Intelligence, desire and imagination will help you stabilize your life and relationships. Associate with people who encourage positive change.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Socialize and participate in events that keep you moving, mingling and motivated. A challenge will help you be a confident, healthy contributor. Pitch in and make a difference.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

If you distance yourself from a personal situation, you will gain insight into how best to handle matters.

Don’t give in to temptation or manipulative people. Do what’s right.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Check out the possibilities before you decide to take a chance on someone or something. Spend money wisely and offer only what’s necessary to someone seeking help. Channel your energy into physical activity.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOr last published puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Put your energy where it counts most. Deal with emotional issues through conversation, not demands.

Kindness will get you further than pressure tactics.

Romance is in the stars, and personal improvements can be made.

A social event shouldn’t be lavish, indulgent or risky. A reserved and intellectual attitude will get you further ahead. You can have fun without being impulsive and excessive.

Put a strategy in place and proceed. What you accomplish will depend on how prepared you are to launch your plans. Self- and home improvement should be your priorities.

An unusual connection can be made that will spark your imagination and help guide you down a path that will bring about positive change. Choose kindness over anger.

Get together with people who motivate you to make better choices. Financial matters can be resolved if you lower your overhead. Do what’s best for you, not what someone else decides you should do.

Put more time and effort into helping others, but not at the expense of your health and well-being. Resisting temptation will be required if you want to maintain balance and integrity.

saturday, november 9, 2019

19

round-up: Clippers rally

past Blazers for Rivers' 900th win But he played a lot of minutes in the playoffs last year,” Rivers said. “So, it’s not, uh, a health thing really. It is in some ways. We want him to just keep feeling better and getting better.”

In a statement announcing the fine on Thursday, the league said it continued to believe that Leonard has an injury but questioned Rivers’ remarks.

“Following additional review of the LA Clippers not playing Kawhi Leonard in last night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA has confirmed that the team’s decision to sit Leonard for management of an injury was consistent with league rules,” the statement read. “The team has reasonably determined that Leonard is suffering from an ongoing injury to the patella tendon

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) controls the ball against Portland Trail Blazers forward Rodney Hood (USAToday)

K

awhi Leonard scored 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, and the Los Angeles Clippers rallied from an eight-point, fourth-quarter hole to defeat the visiting Portland Trail Blazers 107-101 on Thursday night.

Lou Williams scored 26 points and recorded eight assists while Montrezl Harrell and Ivica Zubac each scored 15 points for the Clippers. Zubac also had 13 rebounds, nine on the offensive end.

Leonard contributed 18 points to the fourth-quarter comeback.

The victory was the 900th of Clippers coach Doc Rivers’ career. He is the 13th coach to reach the milestone.

Celtics 108, Hornets 87

Jayson Tatum scored 23 points, Kemba Walker added 14 in his return to Charlotte, and Boston cruised past host Charlotte.

Gordon Hayward added 20 points and 10 rebounds as the Celtics won their sixth straight. Jaylen Brown chipped in 12 points after missing the team’s previous three games due to an illness.

Miles Bridges had 18 points, and Devonte’ Graham added 15 for the Hornets, who had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Terry Rozier, playing against Boston for the first time after four seasons with the Celtics, was held to three points on 1-of-11 shooting.

Spurs 121, Thunder 112

LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 39 points on 19-for-23 shooting as San Antonio snapped a two-game losing streak with a win over visiting Oklahoma City.

The Spurs led by eight heading into the fourth quarter and never allowed the Thunder to get closer than five points the rest of the way.

When Aldridge is on his game, the Spurs win. In San Antonio’s five victories this sea-

son, he has averaged 25 points per game; in its three losses, he has managed just nine points per contest. Last season, Aldridge scored a career-high 56 points against Oklahoma City.

in his left knee and has been placed by the team at this time on an injury protocol for back-to-back games.

“The NBA has fined the Clippers $50,000 for statements, including by head coach Doc Rivers, that were inconsistent with Leonard’s health status.”

The Clippers host the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night on TNT, and Leonard is expected to play. The forward, who signed as a free agent with the Clippers in the offseason, has yet to play both games of a back-to-back this season and last played in a set in April 2017, when he was a member of the San Antonio Spurs.

Leonard played in just nine games for the Spurs in 2017-18 due to a quadriceps injury and played in just 60 of 82 regular-season games for the Toronto Raptors last season.

(Reuters)

Third GAICO Chess Grand Prix wraps up this weekend ꟷ Guyana’s strongest man among 23 participants

Heat 124, Suns 108

Jimmy Butler scored 30 of his 34 points in the first half and Goran Dragic scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half as Miami beat host Phoenix to stop the Suns’ threegame winning streak.

Bam Adebayo had 15 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and five steals, Tyler Herro scored 15 points off the bench, and Kendrick Nunn added 11 for the Heat, who at 6-2 are off to their best start since the 2012-13 team won six of its first eight.

Butler made 11 of 16 field-goal attempts and Dragic made 9 of 16 to help the Heat shoot 54.9 percent from the field and 53.6 percent from the 3-point line, where they made 15 of 28. Dragic tied his season high in points and made 3-pointers (five) as the Heat became the first team to outshoot the Suns this season. The Suns shot 44.0 percent.

NBA fines Clippers $50K

The NBA fined the Los Angeles Clippers $50,000 on Thursday for comments made about Kawhi Leonard and his injury status.

On Wednesday, the league said it accepted the Clippers plan to sit Leonard, who was listed on the injury report with an ailing knee, in the first of back-to-back games.

He did not play in a 129-124 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks - a game that was nationally televised by ESPN. But a remark later made by coach Doc Rivers caught the attention of the NBA. “I think Kawhi made a statement that he’s never felt better. It’s our job to make sure he stays that way. That’s important.

Carlos Peterson-Griffith, recently crowned Guyana’s strongest man, competes in a different field against Jacob Nauth

A

fter three rounds of play in the 3rd GAICO Chess Grand Prix currently ongoing at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, current Candidate Master Anthony Drayton and veteran player Errol Tiwari are leading the competition with three wins each.

The remaining four rounds of this seven-round competition will be played this weekend; beginning today, when the tournament leaders meet in an expected tense fourth- round match that symbolises a clash of two generations.

Twenty-three chess players are facing each other in tough battles of the mind.

Among them are the powerlifter Carlos Peterson-Griffith, who recently won accolades in his field, and five junior players who are also participating.

The points’ standings of other players after three rounds are as follows: Wendell Meusa has two and a half points, while Candidate Master Ronuel Greenidge, Frankie Farley, Chino Chung, Justino Da Silva, Loris Nathoo, Davion Mars, Glenford Corlette and Shiv Nandalall each have two points. Jaden Taylor is on one and a half points, while Andre Jagnandan, Carlos Peterson-Griffith, Roberto Neto, newcomer Axel Gowen, Gilbert Williams, Adrian Roopnarine, Arvinda Singh, Joshua Gopaul, Jacob Nauth and Ethan Lee each have one point. Senior player Kenrick Braithwaite is yet to score.

One point is scored for a win, half a point for a draw, and zero point is recorded for a loss.

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saturday, november 9, 2019

Richardson, Starc and Abbott blow Pakistan away on rapid Perth pitch A

t the home of the Perth Scorchers, Australia disposed of Pakistan with a brutal efficiency reminiscent of the West Australian Big Bash League club as coached by Justin Langer, completing a run of five wins in six T20Is that was only interrupted by inconvenient Sydney rain and posed ominous signs for the opposition ahead of next year’s World Cup. In front of a crowd of 22,626, a gleeful Aaron Finch sent the tourists in to bat on a lively Perth Stadium pitch, and Pakistan never recovered from the loss of three wickets inside their Powerplay. Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, the recalled Sean Abbott, Billy Stanlake and Ashton Agar covered for the rested Pat Cummins with ease, sharing wickets and responsibility for strangling the batting in an innings that featured no fewer than 26 plays and misses.

Additionally, the Australians fielded and caught with rare polish, ensuring that very few Pakistani mistakes went unpunished. A final tally of 106 was about all that can be expected of Pakistan on days when Babar Azam does not bail them out with a score, as they have fallen into a deep T20I hole that had also seen them whitewashed at home by Sri Lanka prior to this one.

Finch and Warner had very little pressure on them as they charged to victory in a fashion that ensured the series would end with the openers being the only members of the Australian batting order to visit the

3

SCOREBOARD

Aaron Finch (left) and David Warner eased Australia over the line

crease more than once each. The vice-captain, Alex Carey, was not required to bat at any stage against Pakistan or Sri Lanka - he will hope for more of a hit when he dons the creams to lead Australia A against the Pakistanis from Monday at the same venue.

The Australians included Abbott for his first international in five years, and also recalled Stanlake at the expense of Adam Zampa in expectation of a bouncy pitch.

Pakistan selected two debutants, Khushdil Shah and Muhammad Musa coming into the team, alongside Mohammad Hasnain and Imam ul Haq. Imam’s inclusion at the top was another attempt to find some support for Babar, and for the first couple of overs the pair looked to be finding their feet. Starc,

however, was able to generate some swing in his second over, enough to find Babar’s front pad and win a debatable lbw verdict from the umpire Paul Wilson, confirmed after a long delay waiting for ball-tracking in the wake of the Pakistan captain’s review.

Having claimed the most vital wicket of all, Starc improved on the delivery at his next attempt, splaying the stumps of Mohammad Rizwan who was nowhere near the late curl of the ball with his attempted drive. When Imam miscued Abbott, who hit the pitch hard in keeping with Australia’s plans to make the most of Perth’s vast square boundaries, the Pakistan innings was once again wobbling before it had the chance to stand.

A brief recovery from

Iftikhar, playing his second substantial innings in as many matches, was offset when a frustrated Haris Sohail failed to reach the pitch of Agar, who would complete a superb stint for the national team having conceded just three boundaries in six games, to lob a catch to long-off. Richardson then took his turn to strangle the remainder of the innings, as Starc and then Agar each claimed expert outfield catches.

Finch was a happy man when he claimed the eighth and final wicket of an innings that petered out into the lowest of the series, and his juggle to take it was just about the Australians’ only near-misstep of an otherwise immaculate display in the field.

With the bounce and occasional swing on offer,

Pakistan Innings (20 overs maximum) Imam-ul-Haq c McDermott b Abbott 14 Babar Azam (c) lbw b Starc 6 Mohammad Rizwan † b Starc 0 Haris Sohail c Richardson b Agar 8 Iftikhar Ahmed c Starc b Richardson 45 Khushdil Shah c Starc b Richardson 8 Imad Wasim c Agar b Abbott 6 Shadab Khan c Finch b Richardson 1 Mohammad Amir not out 9 Mohammad Hasnain not out 4 Extras (lb 1, w 4) 5 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 5.3) 106-8 Did not bat: Muhammad Musa Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Babar Azam, 2.2 ov), 2-15 (Mohammad Rizwan, 2.3 ov), 3-22 (Imam-ulHaq, 4.3 ov), 4-54 (Haris Sohail, 9.1 ov), 5-69 (Khushdil Shah, 12.1 ov), 6-88 (Imad Wasim, 14.3 ov), 7-92 (Iftikhar Ahmed, 16.1

Finch and Warner were never going to advance on their meagre target entirely without risk, and in the first over Warner edged barely over the head of third man for six in a similar manner to the way Travis Head had twice been dismissed in last summer’s Test against India.

Finch also cleared the rope with a hook shot that was more edge than middle, but the modesty of the chase and the confidence growing within the Australian side were soon apparent.

Finch signalled as much with a brutal pull shot from Hasnain that cleared the backward square leg rope, some 84 metres away, despite the lurking presence of an outfielder for the shot.

ov), 8-92 (Shadab Khan, 16.5 ov) BOWLING MA Starc (4-0-29-2) SA Abbott (4-0-14-2) KW Richardson (4-0-18-3) B Stanlake (4-0-19-0) AC Agar (4-0-25-1) Australia Innings (target: 107 runs from 20 overs) DA Warner not out 48 AJ Finch (c) not out 52 Extras (lb 1, w 8) 9 TOTAL (11.5 Overs, RR: 9.21) 109-0 Yet to bat: SPD Smith, BR McDermott, AJ Turner, AT Carey †, AC Agar, SA Abbott, MA Starc, KW Richardson, B Stanlake BOWLING M Amir (3-0-25-0) M Musa (3.5-0-39-0) M Hasnain (4-0-32-0) I Wasim (1-0-12-0)

Australia’s Powerplay was worth 56 after Warner, riding in Finch’s early slipstream as is becoming increasingly customary, burst into life with a precise straight drive then a controlled hook off the bowling of Mohammad Amir.

The winning runs arrived with all of 49 balls to spare, as Finch lifted a drive over wide mid-off and away to the boundary to complete eight wins from eight for the national team and an unbeaten calendar year in the format. Clinical and precise, calm and clear, Finch’s team now have a very sturdy template for winning next year’s T20 World Cup on home soil.

(Cricinfo)

Rawle Toney/Mackeson 3X3 Basketball Classic on from tonight ꟷ ‘STUFF’ to present basketball sneakers to MVP

S

ome of the country’s top ‘ballers’ will converge on the Burnham Basketball Court tonight when the two-day Rawle Toney/ Mackeson 3X3 Classic bounces off.

With $300,000 up for grabs for the winner, over 25 ‘3X3’ teams will take to the court in order to stake claim to the inaugural title. Second place will pocket $100,000 and third place $50,000. The Andrew Ifill MVP will also be up for grabs.

ANSA McAL under its Mackeson brand, is the tournament’s title sponsor, while the Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sports, FireSide Grill, JD Carn ICT Guyana Inc., Allegiance Corporations Inc., the National Sports Commission, Chung’s Global Enterprise and Trophy Stall are the other sponsors.

According to Toney, over 25 teams have so far registered for the tournament, which will also have a four-point shot, compliments of FireSide Grill.

Toney said the popular food establishment, which is known for their creative and fresh seafood line and other exotic cuisines, will give $1,000 to every player who makes a basket from the spot on the

court.

The Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) will also be hosting their National 3-point Shoot Out on Sunday. The winner will walk away with $25,000, one basketball and a year bragging rights as the country’s top marksman from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, Toney pointed out that the opening night of the tournament will be bitter-sweet, since a night of reflection and celebration on the life of former National Basketball Player Andrew Ifill will be held.

The teams will play in a round-robin/ knockout format, with the two finalists being outfitted by JD Carn ICT Guyana Inc. Meanwhile, former National basketball player Kester Gomes was the latest sponsor to come on board, offering a pair of basketball sneakers to the player named Most Valuable at the conclusion of the two-day championship.

Gomes, through his online sneakers store ‘STUFF’, made the presentation to Toney recently, while adding that it was his way of not only giving back to the sport, but also advertising his brand.

Tournament organiser Rawle Toney (L) and Kester Gomes displaying some basketball sneakers

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saturday, november 9, 2019

21

Sunshine Snacks/Farfan & Mendes Junior Indoor Hockey Championships…

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GCC Spartans are U-21 Girls Champions T

he Sunshine Snacks Under-21 Girls competition of the Junior Indoor Hockey Championships culminated in a nail-biting finish when pre-tournament favourites GBTI GCC Spartans scored a lone goal in the final seconds of play against the Saints to emerge 1-nil victors.

The GBTI girls seemed to have had the upper hand from the start of the match, but the sturdy defence of the Saints held the lethal strike force of Abosaide Cadogan and Sarah Klautky at bay. Klautky had seemingly put the Spartans up

half as GCC earned several penalty corners.

With time running out for both sides, a skilful solo run by striker Sarah Klautky produced a penalty corner for GCC at the final buzzer. Midfielder Madison Fernandes stepped up to take what would be the final chance to score in the match, and broke the deadlock with a powerful flick into the left corner of the net for the 1-0 GCC win.

The GCC Pitbulls managed to secure the club’s second win for the evening: a 4-2 victory over the Saints.

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YMCA Old Fort U16 Captain Shaquan Favourite on the attack against Joseph Warriors

by one at the halftime buzzer, but the whistle had gone for a Saints infringement just a second earlier, and the halftime score remained at 0-0.Saints goalkeeper Donyale Nurse had made some fine saves in the first half of play, and continued this performance in the second

Although the Saints boys put in a sound team performance, experienced leadership from Kareem McKenzie, Meshach Sargeant and Samuel Woodroffe, along with solid goalkeeping from Michael Hing, ensured the GCC Pitbulls come away with a 4-2

Saints livewire Oshazay Savoury in control for Saints against the GCC War Dogs

victory.

Captain McKenzie hammered in two penaltycorner goals for GCC in the first seven minutes of play, but Tivesard Garnett responded in similar fashion for Saints in the tenth minute. Thus halftime found the score at 2-1 for the Pitbulls.

Sargeant then took charge of things in the second half to put the match beyond reach of the Saints with two field goals, scored in the 11th and 13th minutes; thus the game ended with a 4-2 victory for GCC. The Farfan & Mendes Under-16 competition saw the Bingo GCC Her-ricanes make their tournament debut against YMCA Old Fort in the girls’ division.

Both teams featured several newcomers to the game, and despite some near misses, a 0-0 stalemate resulted; producing the first points of the competition for both sides.

The GBTI GCC Spartans, in

true dominant fashion, then made light work of the SHC Sensations to dominate by 3-0.

Madison Fernandes scored a double for the Spartans, while Sarah Klautky added a single.

In the boys’ division, the SHC Silencers drew 0-0 against YMCA Old Fort, but the latter rebounded in their second match of the evening to drown the Joseph Warriors by 4-0. Yusuf Branot and Daniel Woolford were the heroes for YMCA, scoring two goals each.

The SHC Shockwave shocked the GCC War Dogs by 3-0 in the remaining U16 boys’ match. The entertaining Shakeem Fausette was in fine form, scoring the first two goals for Shockwave, while Oshazay Savory added the third in the final minutes.

Matches continue tomorrow, and the finals are scheduled for Sunday.

GFF/EBFA Senior League…

Matches set to continue this weekend C

ompetition in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League sponsored by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) will continue today and tomorrow at the GFF National Training Facility at Providence, East Bank Demerara.

Today’s matches begin at 14:00hrs, and will see Herstelling Raiders coming up against Diamond United, before Friendship All Stars come up against Agricola Red Triangle.

Tomorrow, from 12:00hrs, Soesdyke Falcons will come up against Timehri Panthers and Grove Hi Tech would pit their skills against Mocha Champs from 14:00hrs. The feature game between Kuru Kururu Warriors and Agricola Red Triangle commences at 16:00h.

In back-to-back matches last weekend at re-commencement of the league, Timehri Panthers trounced

Herstelling Raiders 6-0 on Sunday, after edging old rivals Grove Hi Tech 2-1 on Saturday.

The Panthers’ win over Herstelling Raiders was achieved on account of Tyrone Khan’s hat-trick, scored in the 26th, 36th and 85th minutes.

One goal was also contributed by Shanon Samnauth in the 66th minute, while Oliver Denny contributed another in the 75th minute, and Tyrell Khan did likewise in the 82nd minute.

The Panthers’ goal-scorers in the match against Grove Hi Tech were Samnauth (4th) and Travis Thornhill (61st).

Grove had equalized in the 55th minute, but Thornhill’s strike sealed full points for Timehri.

Mocha Champs thumped Friendship All Stars 4-1 on Sunday, thanks to goals coming from Ulrick Griffith (5th), Stephan Daniels (11th), Shawn Gilbert (67th), and Tyrone James (70th).

Oliver Denny (left), Tyrel Khan, Shannon Samnauth and Tryone Khan of Timehri Panthers FC

Friendship All Stars managed to score a consolation goal.

Kuru Kururu Warriors gained a walkover from

Diamond United, and Soesdyke Falcons enjoyed a similar result over Agricola Red Triangle.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

RHTY&SC/Busta Champion of Champions Cricket Tournament launched

ꟷ 1st round bowls off on Monday

E

xciting cricket will continue in Berbice on Monday, November 11, when the first round of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Busta Champion of Champions tournament bowls off.

This premier 40 overs’ first division tournament was launched yesterday at the Guyana Beverages Inc. at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, and BCB President Hilbert Foster and Busta representatives were very much in evidence.

Foster expressed gratitude to the Busta brand for staging this tournament for a 16th year, making it the longest running first division tournament in the ancient county of Berbice.

He said that, although not a recipient of financial assistance from the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Berbice Cricket has continued to rise with support from the Guyana Beverage Company (Busta) among other partners.

This tournament, which began in

2004, will feature 11 teams, and will be played on a knockout basis. The teams are: West Berbice, Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Albion Community Centre, Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour, Port Mourant, Skeldon, and Upper Corentyne.

In the opening round, Albion will meet West Berbice at West Berbice, while Blairmont will play Police at Blairmont. Other fixtures in the opening round are: Young Warriors taking on Rose Hall Canje, Port Mourant meeting Skeldon at Port Mourant, and Tucber Park playing Upper Corentyne at Number 69.

RHT Thunderbolts have drawn the bye for the first round.

Foster and his team assured the Busta company that this tournament will be well-organized, with Umpires being present at the matches.

Foster has thanked Mr Raymond Govinda and Mr Samuel Arjoon and the staff for the continued support received over the years.

Some of the top players and promising talents will feature in this tournament. Anthony Bramble, Clinton Pestano, Shimron Hetmyer, Kevin Sinclair, Nial Smith, Kevlon Anderson, Rampertab Ramnauth and Isai Thorne will all turn out for their respective teams.

The Busta brand has also renewed its partnership with the Enterprise Cricket Club, whose latest product has been Bhaskar Yardram, currently playing for Windward Islands Volcanoes in the Regional Super50 tournament.

Speaking at the launching, Raymond Govinda stated that this is another long-serving partnership between RHTY&SC and Enterprise CC. “As a company, we want to give back to the young people and be involved in sports, and these are good opportunities for the youths. At Guyana Beverage Company, we will look to continue this sponsorship under the Busta brand.

The Busta Brand, (which) has

BCB’s Hilbert Foster receiving sponsorship cheque from Busta’s Raymond Govinda

been involved in multiple sports, has also recently launched its Busta

“Chill”, which is a reduced-sugar beverage. (Brandon Corlette)

Smalta Girls Pee Wee Football Meten-Meer-Zorg Masters clash competition commences today with Laluni team tomorrow

2018 Champions, West Ruimveldt Primary

T

he sixth edition of the Smalta Girls Pee Wee Football Competition commences today at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue, and some of the top schools in Guyana will battle for supremacy therein.

Twelve teams are currently on-board for the tournament, but that number may increase in the days following kick-off of this tournament.

Round 1 of the competition, which commences at 13:00 hrs, would see Tucville Primary coming up against Redeemer Primary in match 1, and FE Pollard vying to overcome North Georgetown in match 2. In the 3rd match, South Ruimveldt would attempt to see off Timehri, while Smith Memorial would take on St Margaret’s in the 4th match, which begins at 13:50 hrs.

The final two matches of the day would involve Genesis locking horns with West Ruimveldt, and St Stephen’s battling Marian Academy.

Defending champions West Ruimveldt would be eager to take to the field and make light work of the competition in

their quest to become two- time champions.

In the 2018 edition of the tournament, West Ruimveldt had trampled North Georgetown 3-1.

North Georgetown, who were runners-up last year, would be gunning for this title which has hitherto evaded them. They had somehow managed to slip away in the finals last year, after recording stellar performances in the preliminary stages.

This 5-week tournament is expected to conclude on December 7. This year’s first prize is $100,000; while second, third, and fourth prizes are respectively $50,000, $30,000 and $20,000.

The Most Valuable Player, Best Goalkeeper and Highest Goal Scorer are also slated to receive awards.

Over the six years of its existence, the Girls’ Pee Wee Football tournament has presented an opportunity for girls to be introduced to the sport of football. In some cases, they may not have had that opportunity elsewhere.

ANSA McAL Trading Limited has pledged to continue supporting this tournament, given the success it has reaped over the years.

The Meten-Meer-Zorg Masters team

A

selected team from the Meten-Meer-Zorg (MMZ) Masters cricket team will tomorrow travel to the picturesque Amerindian village of Laluni on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway to engage their hosts in what is expected to be an exciting 30-over cricket match on Sunday 10th November, 2019.

The Laluni Cricket Team have already played against, and defeated, several teams at their home venue, and will start as favourites against an equally balanced Masters team from the West Side.

The Meten-Meer-Zorg Masters have already beaten various teams throughout 2019. They defeated the Guyana Umpires team at Everest, crushed the Everest Masters on the latter team’s home turf, walloped the Guyana Media team at MMZ, and thumped the Meten-Meer-Zorg Future Youths team by a whopping seven 7 wickets.

A win for the Masters would mean a possible future matchup could be played to determine the better masters’ side of the two. The Masters would thus be on the hunt, as they are fresh off

a win eked out over the Meten-Meer-Zorg Future Youths in November.

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

While the Laluni side are being favoured to win this encounter, an upset is quite possible, as MMZ have played all around Guyana and have dominated each opponent with ease. The level of experience would be key to the Masters’ aim of carrying on undefeated.

This weekend’s match is set to begin promptly at 12:30h. Match Umpire is Ravindra Rangobin, and trophies are sponsored by Demerara Stationary Supply.

The Masters team is comprised of Troy Khan (Captain), Vinod Rajkumar, Avinash Shardanandan, Mohan Chaitram, Hemendra Kowlessar, Abid Haniff, Imtiaz Sadiq, Lalta Suknanand, Shawn Mc Kay, Levroy Miggings, Sheldon Alexander, Seymour Evans, Zamal Khan and Ziyad Khan.

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saturday, november 9, 2019

23

Jaguars open Super50 campaign with tense win ꟷ clashes with Red Force today

L

ed by 23-year old debutant Kemol Savory’s 71, Guyana Jaguars recorded a hard-fought twowicket win on the final ball over West Indies Emerging Players in their opening match of the Colonial Medical Insurance Regional Super50 Cup on Thursday last at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad.

On a pitch that made batting seem difficult, the Emerging Players scored 185-8 with Justin Greaves making 55, Ronald Cato 37 and Guyanese allrounder Kevin Sinclair an unbeaten 34. Spin pair Veerasammy Permaul a n d

Kemol Savory led with 71 on debut

Ramaal Lewis picked up 3-34 and 2-17 respectively.

In reply, Jaguars lost wickets at regular interval, but debutant wicketkeeper/ batsman Kemol Savory stood firm, stroking a boundary off the final delivery to seal the win.

The left-handed Savory, made a patient 71 not out and received support from Christopher Barnwell with

back of Darren Bravo’s and Jeremy Solozano centuries.

Red Force chased down Volcanoes’ 239 with eight wickets to spare and 8.1 overs intact. Reflecting on these team’s encounter in the 2018 Super50, Jaguars won by 75 runs and lost to Red Force by 35 runs.

Guyana Jaguars coach Esuan Crandon reflected on

didn’t make it easy for us.

They were very competitive throughout the game. Our bowling did a tremendous job to restrict them to less than 200.

On debutant Kemol Savory: “He was able to apply himself, fight hard and stay there to the end and help us get the win.”

On the return of Ronsford Beaton to the team & cricket:

SCOREBOARD WIEP Innings (50 Overs Maximum) Kimani Melius c Reifer b Permaul 8 Gidron Pope b Lewis 25 Joshua Da Silva run out 3 Justin Greaves c Barnwell b Permaul 55 Leonardo Julien lbw b Lewis 1 Roland Cato b Beaton 37 Kevin Sinclair not out 34 Dominic Drakes c Foo b Beaton 4 Keon Harding c Johnson b Permaul 3 Camarie Boyce not out 1 DNB: Jermaine Levy Extra 14 Total 185-8 (50 Overs) Ronsford Beaton (8-1-36-2) Clinton Pestano (7-0-27-0) Ramaal Lewis (10-2-17-2) V Permaul (10-0-34-3) Raymon Reifer (6-0-41-0) Chanderpaul Hemraj (9-1-26-0)

36 and Jonathon Foo 28.

Keon Harding picked up 4-35 and Dominic Drakes 2-32.

Guyana Jaguars will meet Trinidad and Tobago in their second match on Saturday November 9 from 13:30h at the Queens Park Oval in Port of Spain. Red Force are fresh from a victory in their first round, after they thumped Windward Islands on the

the teams performance “The win is very important for us. I would have lamented to the players the importance of us starting well and winning our first game and giving ourselves some confidence going into the other games and building some momentum”, said Crandon. “Obviously the West Indies emerging players

“We all know what he is capable of. Very talented fast bowler. He hasn’t played for us in the last couple of years, he didn’t represent us in white ball cricket being more involved in T20 cricket and so on. He was involved in our training sessions back in Guyana and was very impressive. We felt the need for an experienced bowler

Guyana Jaguars (50 Overs Maximum) Tagenarine Chanderpaul lbw b Harding 3 Chanderpaul Hemraj b Harding

18 Kemol Savory not out 71 Leon Johnson c Da Silva b Harding 0 Christopher Barnwell c Julien b Levy 36 Raymon Reifer c & b 5 Sinclair 5 Jonathan Foo c Cato b Drakes 28 Ramaal Lewis c Pope b Harding 0 Veerasammy Permaul lbw b Drakes 0 Clinton Pestano not out 7 DNB: Ronsford Beaton Extras 21 Total 189-8 wickets (50 overs) Bowling Jermaine Levy (10-3-41-1) Keon Harding (10-1-35-4) Dominic Drakes (10-1-32-2) Kevin Sinclair (10-1-20-1) Camarie Boyce (9-0-46-0) Gidron Pope (1-0-8-0)

like him, with our senior bowler Romario Shepherd on West Indies duty and I expect better things from him in the games to come.”

At Queens Park Oval: Daren Bravo who was dropped on 82 by Devon Smith at cover off medium pacer Ray Jordan en route to his unbeaten 115, hit leg spinner Keron Cottoy for a massive six over mid wicket

to register his first hundred in any form of first class cricket, since scoring his eighth test hundred versus Pakistan in October 2016. The BravoSolozano undefeated 226run alliance broke two records. Firstly, the Trinidad & Tobago national record for any wicket, previously held by Brian Lara & Richard Smith of 199 against Jamaica in 2001.

Banks DIH Ltd. Showing their support”, Cho-hen noted.

The eight teams that will feature in this tournament are: Blairmont Community Centre, West Berbice, Rose Hall Canje, Young Warriors, Tucber Park, Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant and Rose Hall Town Thunderbolt Flour.

They will be divided into two zones, and the top two teams will advance to the finals.

The winning team walk away with $150,000 and trophy, the second place team will receive $100,000, third place team will earn $75,000 and fourth place team will bag $50,000.

This tournament will also be one with a difference, in that organisers a n d

with transportation, meals, umpiring and balls. Teams will be receiving balls for practice sessions, and 15 first division caps in addition to a 7 x 4 banner.

Some of the top players: Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Devandra Bishoo, among others, will feature in this tournament when the fixtures are revealed.

Banks DIH 2-day cricket launched ꟷ BCB hails moment as historic

By Brandon Corlette

T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB), under the leadership of its president Hilbert Foster, continues to make great strides in the cricketing fraternity.

Critics have said the BCB has been playing shorter formats of the gentleman’s game, but this launch is one of the most successful of the BCB efforts. The latest success has been the reintroduction of 2-Day first division cricket, which will bowl off on November 16.

The BCB has partnered with beverage giants Banks DIH to host this historic $2.1 million tournament that will feature eight of the top teams in Berbice.

At yesterday’s launching ceremony, held at the Banks DIH Thirst Park location, Foster disclosed that this is one of the proudest moments in his leadership of BCB as its president.

“When I became president of BCB, one of my main goals (was) to get 2-day cricket

playing in Berbice. This is one of my proudest moments, and this will play a role in the development of our young cricketers, (enabling them) to bat long, and bowlers to out batsmen”, Foster declared at the launch.

Foster further thanked Banks DIH for the continued support of Berbice cricket, and assured that the tournament would be well organised and would fulfill all of its objectives.

“We are hoping that BCB will be in a better position to select their teams for the 2020 Inter-County tournaments and more senior players to earn selection at the higher level. Presently, over 12 players Romario Shepherd will turn from Berbice are out for Tucber Park upon representing Guyana or his return to local cricket

other Regional teams or the West Indies”, Foster explained.

Foster expressed confidence in Kevlon Anderson, Kelvin Umroa and the others emerging as successful players in this 2-day tournament and further earn selection in the Guyana senior teams.

Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian ChoHen was pleased to be associated with Foster and his BCB team.

“It is a pleasure to sponsor this tournament. As you know, Mr. Foster and his team have been working very hard in the cricket fraternity in Berbice, and Banks Beer is proud to show their

continued support to sport in Guyana. This is another venture of

sponsors would be financing most of the expenses associated

Devandra Bishoo will offer services to Albion

saturday, november 9, 2019

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

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Sunshine Snacks/Farfan & Mendes Junior Indoor Hockey Championships…

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GBTI GCC Spartans are U-21 Girls Champions Third GAICO Chess Grand Prix wraps up this weekend ꟷ Guyana’s strongest man among 23 participants

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Smalta Girls Pee Wee Football competition commences today

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Banks DIH 2-day cricket launched ꟷ BCB hails moment as historic

BCB President Hilbert Foster and Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Cho-Hen along with Mortimer Stewart

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