Guyana Times September 24, 2018

Guyana to host prequalifiers for robot competition P5 in 2019 Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, September 24, 2018

Issue No. 3696

PRICE

No guarantee of stopping overpayments to contractors – Finance Secretary

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Economic circumstances “no reason” for drug P15 trafficking – CANU

Page 3

Drunken man shoots miner twice during row Page 9

$80 vat included

Motorcycle bandits strike again Page 9

Gunman robs computer P7 technician, housewife Lindeners protest RDC over closure of multi-purpose hall P16

Network expansion P15 needed for full digitisation – NDMA ...data management centre to be built

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo enjoys a photo moment with a group of women of Indigenous heritage on Sunday during the last day of Heritage Games at Everest Ground, Georgetown (Adam Baksh photo)

Minister Patterson must ‘face the music’ at SOCU – MP Page 7

…says same standard should apply for all parties

Guyana - T&T MoU

Govt should push to remove artificial barriers to trade Page – Ramkarran 10

2018 LGE

P15

ToevlugtPatentia NDC incumbent Chairman promises accountability ...says PPP Council did justice with little resources

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MONDAY, september 24, 2018 | gu

news

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mondAY, september 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, September 24 – a night retraction at 04:30h and a day retraction at 14:30h-16:00h and Tuesday, September 25 – 05:00h-06:30h The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, September 24 – 16:00h-17:30h and Tuesday, September 25 – 16:30h-18:00h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers and cloudy skies are expected during the day, with partly cloudy to clear skies in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius to 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to Northerly between 1.34 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tides: 04:00h and 16:17h reaching maximum heights of 2.61 metres and 2.64 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 09:53h and 22:09h reaching a minimum height of 0.59 metre and 0.55 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, september 22, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS B

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No guarantee of stopping overpayments to contractors – Finance Secretary …assures “we will recover overpayments on contracts”

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ith the 2017 audit report soon to be released, persons have expressed concern that previous overpayments to contractors are not being speedily addressed.

According to the Finance Ministry, however, it is being addressed and persons will be held accountable.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Finance Secretary, Dr Hector Butts acknowledged the importance of recovering overpayments and holding those responsible accountable. But he noted that this was a process.

“Definitely, we must go after overpayments and that sort of thing. They take time to some extent. For example, if one is for overpayment on a contract then they must go after those contractors.

“Sometimes one side might say it’s an overpayment and another side might say it’s not, let’s check it back. So it’s an issue that has to be between the internal audit department and the state audit department.

Because the state auditor will identify overpayments and there needs to be some reconciliation before.”

Notwithstanding the difficulty in following this process, Dr Butts noted that there must be efforts to recover overpayments of fees to contractors. He was also asked about preventative mechanisms being pursued by the Government.

“Prevention of future overpayment can only be done based on parties that are responsible adhering to compliance. One cannot guarantee that there wouldn’t be overpayment, because it becomes a function of the nature of who are involved.

“But we will hold persons responsible and make sure that the public funds are not lost through any overpayments. We investigate it whatever occurs and from that decide how we move forward.”

REOs

When asked about the Regional Executive Officers (REOs), who may have been flagged by Auditor General Deodat Sharma for various infractions, Butts explained

Auditor General Deodat Sharma

that punishment must be combined with human resource development of the REOs. “Holding REOs and other officials accountable (is important), we need compliance. But at the same time, we need to look towards development of our resources, because they are all human resources. To some extent they will be making mistakes that are oversights.

And we need to recognise that.

“Hence, the Ministry of Communities has been having more discussions with REOs, to make them understand better in terms of direction and expectations of themselves. And from my perspective yes, I’m going to look at some issues and tie some things in. We’ll have to address it if you violate any of those actions. There’ll have to be considerations in terms of making sure there is a consequence for those actions.”

Infractions

There have been quite a few cases where officers were red flagged and were then unable to account for their conduct. A few months ago, lack of accountability for drugs warranted to Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) caused Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman Irfaan Ali to have Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison and team expelled from a Committee meeting.

In addition, Ali had instructed the Finance Secretary to look into taking appropriate action against the accounting officer, who

Finance Secretary, Dr Hector Butts

faced heat from the PAC after Auditor General Sharma complained of being hindered in the execution of his duty by Morrison.

The AG had noted that Morrison had written a letter to him stating that no one from the region could release information to him unless it went through him.

Shortly before that, the inability of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) officials to answer PAC questions regarding issues raised in the AG’s Report also caused them to be asked to leave the chambers.

At that sitting, chaired

by Member of Parliament Pauline Sukhai in the absence of Ali, REO Kerwin Warde was questioned on the Region’s procurement of drugs through inter-departmental warrants (IDWs).

Warde could not even provide definitive details on the reconciliation from the Materials Management Unit (MMU) of the Public Health Ministry, as recommended by AG Sharma in his 2016 report.

It was also found in this report that overpayments on 98 contracts administered by various Ministries, departments and Regions in 2016 amounted to $82.6 million. In April of last year, Communities Minister Ronald Bulkan noted that overpayments should not be happening. It remains to be seen whether the Regions listened to him.

It is expected that the AG’s report covering the fiscal year ending December 31, 2017, will be handed over to the Speaker of the National Assembly on Friday, at the Public Building.

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mondAY, september 24, 2018

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

Government borrowing

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gainst a background of rising concerns expressed internationally and domestically about poor, developing countries in general, and Guyana in particular, taking on debt burdens they might be unable to service, the Government of Guyana entered into two agreements with China within the ambit of the latter’s “Belt and Road Initiative”. The Government incredibly increased our debt burden without spelling out the terms of two loans that were also signed off at the same time. The Department of Public Information (DPI) merely informed the Guyanese public of the names of the two agreements: “the “Framework Agreement Provision of a Concessional Loan between the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Government of the People’s Republic of China”, and “The Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and Government of the People’s Republic of China”.

On the specific project for which the loans were accepted, the DPI announced baldly: “Minister Greenidge noted the Framework Agreement will see the implementation of the Guyana National Broadband Project. This project will see the upgrading of the network to enable an equitable delivery of service in the education, health, security, business and other sectors.” And that, “The economic agreement will fund several projects, including the Public Service College.”

Not even the quanta of the loans were mentioned by the DPI, much less the terms of repayment. This was quite strange, since the first metric was revealed to the press by the Chairman of the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), Floyd Levi, in regard to the funding secured for the ICT sector. The “Guyana National Broadband Project”, he noted, “costs some US$37.6 million.” The economic and technical cooperation agreement amounted to US$14 million, and is to fund several projects, including a “Public Service College”.

Prior to signing the nebulous loan agreements, the DPI announced that Foreign Affairs Ministers Greenidge and Wang Yi (China), “held bilateral talks to advance the Belt and Road Initiative (B&RI), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation which was signed two months ago.” Minister Greenidge, as is his wont of recent, waxed enthusiastically about the B&RI: “We are committed to utilising this new framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as existing bilateral mechanisms, to channel support to critical sectors; namely infrastructure, agriculture, renewable energy, health and ICT inter alia, in order to bring direct benefits to our citizens.”

It should be noted, however, that in its initial foray into the B&RI, the PNC-led Government is blithely ignoring the advice of the IMF: “Low-income countries need to proceed prudently on taking up new debt, focusing more on attracting foreign direct investment and boosting tax revenues at home. Their investment plans should focus on projects with credibly high rates of return, and their debt reporting needs to improve, to allow them accurately to track the evolution of their debt situations.”

As the IMF advises, the FDI “should focus on projects with credibly high rates of return”, as, for instance, China’s investments to the developed economies, which are mostly to acquire firms with significant technologies, such as in electronics, automotive, and robotics. In Guyana, one would suppose that rather than investing in a new Public Service College when the Bertrand Collins College has not even settled in, the Government could have attempted to diversify at least one of the shuttered sugar estates into food cash crops, to create employment for Guyanese as well as generate foreign exchange by exporting to our newly friendly Caribbean neighbours.

On the IMF caution of “debt reporting”, as noted, the Government has not even reported the interest rate on the loan. Not an auspicious start to borrowing from China in its B&RI. Recently, the Center for Global Development analysed debt to China incurred by nations participating in the current B&RI. They predicted that eight nations would find themselves vulnerable to above-average debt: Djibouti, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, the Maldives, Mongolia, Montenegro, Pakistan, and Tajikistan.

We hope Guyana does not join the list.

This snow cone vendor was seen on Sunday riding through the National Park as he offered a “cool down” from the hot sun to picnickers (Adam Baksh photo)

Cheer Amazon Warriors even in defeat

Dear Editor, As you stated in last Sunday’s editorial captioned “Guyana Amazon Warriors Season” (GT Sep 23), the team brought the nation and supporters pride although it did not win the championship at the Tarouba stadium on Sep 16. Guyana has been in all of the qualifiers over the last six seasons, and played the semifinal five times and the final four times; that is achievement. Trinidad & Tobago won the final, and with it the most trophies (three) so far in CPL history. We must cheer the Amazon Warriors even amidst the agony of defeat, for the team has done us proud and also brought in a lot of revenues and jobs to the economy.

On national pride and support for our team, I was in Trinidad for the CPL final between Guyana and Trinidad. Many Guyanese flew in from Canada and USA, as well as from Guyana, Antigua, and St Martin to watch the match.

There were also a lot of Guyanese who are residents of the twin-island nation cheering both sides – divided loyalty. There was much interaction among all about the game – Trinis and Guyanese. Although our team did not win, Guyanese fans cheered our boys.

One side had to win the match, and naturally, there was much disappointment among Guyanese fans. Some commented that Guyana needed another 20 runs to make the final more competitive. Some fans felt the 147

scored in the 20 overs could have been successfully defended with tight bowling.

Some blame the Guyana defeat on poor batting and bowling (especially by the non-Guyanese players).

Some felt one bowler (who happened to be a Trini) bowled terribly, throwing away the game when he was plundered for over 20 runs in one over; he did indeed bowl very badly.

It is a team, and everyone has to accept responsibility for defeat or victory.

The manager (Omar Khan, a Trini) should not be blamed for the defeat in the final, as was penned by a writer in another paper. Did he not manage the team all the way into the final? Mr Khan has done exceptionally well managing the team since the CPL began some six tournaments ago. For heaven’s sake, it is sports; one triumphs and another loses.

Some felt there should be more Guyanese in the Amazon Warriors team.

Players are recruited from other territories and outside the region, to boost chances of winning the title as well as to increase turnout at games and TV viewership, especially from outside the region, which is the largest source of viewership and advertisement dollars.

Viewership brings in a lot of revenues through sponsorship – which is where the bulk of revenues are generated. So one cannot pick an almost all-Guyana team, for that would limit advertisements and sponsor-

ships of local players. What is needed is a right balance of local and foreign players based on bowling, batting, and all-round ability, to boost chance of getting into the playoffs and to increase revenues from attendance, sponsorship, viewership, etc. After all, CPL is a business.

At any rate, there are CPL requirements that a minimum number of players come from other territories and internationally.

With regard to revenues, that is paramount, and money came in from a variety of sources: multitude of sponsorship deals, advertisements, broadcasting rights, sponsorship of games and players, sales of tickets and items related to the games, including clothing and other goods and services associated with such an event.

All of the related spending would have reaped millions of American dollars for Guyana. And the spinoff of spending is multiplied four times, according to economists.

Other activities related to the games also add significant revenues to the economy.

There is no disputing that the matches in Guyana boosted the economy. Indeed, the approximately 34 matches (played annually over the six tournaments) have been giving a huge boost to the overall economy of the entire region, adding to economic growth of the territories where the matches were played. The revenues to

each territory was/is unprecedented. Governments benefited enormously through taxes and the spread effects of spending that supported hundreds of jobs. The T&T Government, for example, reportedly contributed US$1 million last year and got a return of US $3.5 million -- a record 350 percent return. Millions more were added to GDP. This year, T&T Government agreed to give CPL US$1million; the return in the tax coffer is probably also three times that amount again in terms of tax collection at hotels, sales of tickets, foods, employment, travel, rentals, etc. Guyana Government would have been similarly rewarded.

The tourist industry in Guyana and the region also got a boost from CPL, with the number of people who came from outside the territories as well as locals who moved around to watch the games. Many Guyanese came from USA and Canada to watch the playoffs in Guyana and in Trinidad. Mass influx of fans and their spending make CPL a hugely important business that cannot be ignored. The generation of extra revenues and profits were felt further afield, with tourists planning extended trips within each territory.

I applaud the Warriors for their performance and contributions to the economy.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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News

Guyana to host pre-qualifiers GTT hopes to create real for robot competition in 2019 change in communities

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These two young lads exploring their technical skills

TEMGuyana has signed an agreement with the International Youth Robot Association to be the prequalifying body responsible for organising the annual qualifier national robot competition among Guyanese primary and secondary school-aged student teams to represent Guyana

at the International Youth Robotics Competition (IYRC).

STEMGuyana will work with public and private local partners to host the IYRC league prequalifier competition in Guyana in 2019. The competition is expected to attract more than 100 teams from schools, community centre clubs, and other civil

society organisations in the 7-12 years, 13-17 years and open categories of competition. Participation in the IYRC means that Guyana now participates in two global competitions, including the First Global competition to which Guyana has sent two teams to represent the country in 2017 and 2018.

The 2018 IYRC will be held November 30 to December 3, at Chulalongkorn University.

Bangkok, Thailand while the location of the 2019 competition in which Guyana will compete has not yet been announced. For the young people participating in the robotics league, the annual competition will be the culmination of months of preparation which will see students develop their technical skills while strengthening their communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills.

GTT employees cleaning the Guyana Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home

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everal employees of GTT recently volunteered their services at the Guyana Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home in D’Urban Backlands.

The staffers were engaged in weeding the compound, cleaning the entire

building and entertaining the children by reading thrilling and interesting stories.

Additionally, GTT Public Relations Officer (PRO) Jasmin Harris said that this most recent voluntary service was another step for the company to move in the

right direction. Harris highlighted that this was the beginning of what the company has in store to create real change in communities.

Additional works are likely to be continued as GTT provides improvement for the communities.

Crime, income inequality and poverty (Pt 2) Dear Editor, Please allow me to respond to Dr Mark Devonish’s letters regarding the crime problem.

Dr Devonish contends that poverty drives failure in schools, but he does not want Guyanese to know that crime produces poverty, and this in turn contributes to failure in schools. Dr Devonish, Guyanese deserve the complete truth, not halftruths. And Dr Devonish must know that the majority of children who fail in schools turn out to be admirable human beings working hard to put food on the table. We must look up to these people as role models, and we must copy their values and use them. There is something special about these people: they know how to avoid a life in crime, and if they are approached, I am not surprised they would reveal that they live off of their own sweat, they work hard for success, they respect others, and they take responsibility for their actions.

Dr Devonish, only a fraction of Guyanese drive up the sky-high crime rate. And to advance an argument by invoking the lyr-

ics of Bounty Killer to express that these people are selectively deprived of economic opportunities is nothing but a hoax. Dr Devonish, it is folks like you and those within the APNU/PNC/ AFC Government and others that uphold poor values which effectively steer these people into crime. You must take responsibility; you push Guyanese into crime, and this cripples them. Where is your heart?

To understand what you have done to criminals, you must walk armed robbers up the Maslow’s pyramid and observe if they are able to do so. And you will quickly realise that they can’t simply because crime is immoral, destructive, dangerous, deadly, and plain stupid. There is no survival value to it. And the reality is that most criminals would likely remain at the bottom of the pyramid, preoccupied with basic needs like hunger and safety. And they may even sadly end their lives there. Just look around you and you will see what I am talking about. Plus you can see this picture if you examine the fate of the 2017 jailbreakers. Remember, they were either recaptured

or killed. And you must know that criminals also prevent Guyanese from climbing this pyramid. This translates to a country that will never develop and prosper, because folks like you peddle and reinforce poor values which destroy this country. So, Dr Devonish, I hope you understand the destructive impact of your message, and allow Guyanese a fair shot at life. Don’t be selfish.

Also, Dr Devonish expressed that he is concerned over the fact that the Police kill criminals, but at the same time he instigates armed robberies and he promotes poor values about guns. Does this make any sense? Basically, Dr Devonish instigates criminals into a deadly business, but acts surprised when criminals are taken down. Dr Devonish has got to be the most insincere person to criminals.

Dr Devonish, you need to apply common sense and you will quickly realise that if armed robbers shoot at people, then the Police and others will shoot back in self-defence and to also protect lives.

And so the Police, criminals and innocent citizens will be killed. How can you not see this picture? And then you

have the audacity to outrageously label the killing of criminals as extrajudicial killings. Your dysfunction serves to undermine criminals and to drive up the crime rate.

How heartless and disrespectful of you. Dr Devonish, you must respect human life to be considered a decent human being.

Also, the crime picture becomes even more dreadful when the Governmentcontrolled Chronicle newspaper supports Dr Devonish’s dysfunction on crime. The world must know that Guyanese are traumatised and are hurting beyond comprehension due to the dangerous armed robbery problem.

Armed robbery is a very serious problem, but the lawless APNU/PNC/AFC Government encourages it by using the state newspaper to attack citizens who voice their concerns. My voice on crime has been twisted and attacked by the dysfunctional Chronicle because my values do not match their lawlessness. Guyanese are in desperate need of relief from the murderous crime problem. To this end, the international human rights bodies and members of our diplo-

What can we expect at National Elections?

Dear Editor, My observation of the manner in which submission of Candidates' Lists and contingent documents relative to the upcoming Local Government Elections were prepared and submitted to Returning Officers at three registration centres forces me to conclude that our aspiring "Village Leaders" and their handlers were terribly out of their depth.

Persons were still scampering around to submit documents in the afternoon of 22nd September -- more than 24 hours after the end of submission time. I know, because I was approached to administer oaths to blank documents, which I refused to do. I guess some other JP/ COAs did the honours.

This underscores the seriousness, or lack thereof, that "Wanna-be" council-

lors and officials of all political parties attach to Local Government Elections. If political parties and their operatives cannot shepherd a simple process of filling a few forms correctly, what can we expect at National Elections?

However, on the positive side, the process at Enmore’s GECOM location was effectively administered by the Returning Officer and

his support staff. It was very obvious to me that he did his research, engaged his team, and they were committed to ensuring that things went smoothly. It would be a breath of fresh air were we to have the same experience at all public offices.

Well done Enmore GECOM staff.

Sincerely, Taaj Jadunauth

matic community and others must step in to save the lives of Guyanese, because the Government of Guyana largely ignores the crime problem, and even instigates this problem for political gains.

Unlike Dr Devonish and those in Government, I remain sincere to my fellow Guyanese, and my previous letter on crime is a testament to this. Thus my message to my fellow Guyanese is: Please move away from crime. You have the ability to do so. And please understand that crime never pays. And please do not kill anyone or anything.

Further, Dr Devonish, I have no trouble supporting interventions aimed at reducing armed robberies, but they will never yield results when you and others -which include the Guyanese Government -- undermine criminals. And I stand by my position that it is downright hypocritical to visit criminals in jail and shed crocodile tears at their funerals, because it is your dysfunction that misleads them onto a dark road to death.

Sincerely, Annie Baliram

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Page

Foundation

Wow. Let’s break this down: She experiences the worry – a catastrophic, nuclear-scale worry typical of most parents.

In the midst of this experience, she steps back, acknowledges the worry she’s having, and acknowledges the fact that this type of worry is a pattern for her.

She then checks in with herself. She recognises that she’s okay. She has survived the experience.

Finally, she moves on.

By Reid Wilson, PhD

much keep us alive.

n the September 11th episode of ABC’s The View, an alltoo-common conversation resurfaced amongst the hosts: parental worry. The discussion followed the revelation from a recent study that “parents spend thirty-seven hours a week worrying about their children”. Longtime host Sunny Hostin readily admitted that she worries far more than that, characterising worry as her “full-time job,” which evoked applause and affirmation from the crowd.

The fact that Sunny or that any parent worries about their children is not alarming or surprising. Worry can be a signal. Worry can be a motivator to action. Every time a hurricane swells in the Atlantic Ocean and barrels toward the coast, we naturally worry, prompting emergency preparedness and life-saving evacuations. Worry can very

Distress-provoking noise However, when worry is not a signal to action, that’s when we should start to, well, worry. When our worries do not represent a valid concern… when they do not become the first step in the problem-solving process… then those worries are no more than irrelevant, distress-provoking noise that need not be addressed. Noisy worries cannot be solved.

Why not? Because no solution exists.

However, when these worries are not calls to action – if, for instance, you have already begun the problem solving process and are taking active steps – then you must find a means to push that worry aside and move forward.

These nagging, noisy worries are not deserving of your time or energy.

In the same September 11th episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg asks guest

O

Emma Thompson, Academy Award-winning actress and mother of an 18-year-old, if she suffers from this same plague of incessant parental worrying.

“Thirty seconds after she’s supposed to have rung me,” Thompson says, “immediately I think, she’s dead. So it’s not worry; it’s actually catastrophising on a major, sort of nuclear scale.”

Funny – and a sentiment most parents can empathise with. But it’s what Thompson says next that I found truly extraordinary… because, in a strange way, it correlates with the approach to anxiety that I have developed after decades of study and experimentation.

“So I’ve learned just to go: ‘Okay, now I’m going through that pattern where I think she’s dead,’ ” she says. “ ‘Okay, I’ve passed that now, and now I’m okay.’ So, you just have to get over that pattern where you think they’re dead, and then move on.”

Healthy approach Emma Thompson is an exceptional talent, but I’ve never been fonder of her than I am in this moment. In this bitesized summary of her worry process, Thompson eloquently describes the process of experiencing worry, stepping back, acknowledging that it is noise, confirming your safety, and pressing on. And she does so in a comical, light-hearted and paradoxical way, which I love.

(After all, in order to combat a catastrophic, nuclear-sized worry, we must counter it with a nuclear-sized, paradoxical response. This is part of our strategic, clever approach to worry.)

Trying to “curb” our parental worry (or any disguise that worry might wear) is unfortunately a futile exercise.

Attempting to cease worrying will only bring further anxiety.

However, what we can do is to adopt an effective, healthy approach to our worries, which begins with stepping back and differentiating worries as signals from worries as noise.

Because ultimately, as Thompson so eloquently puts it, we need to “move on.”

(psychologytoday.com)

By Amy SchwartzbachKang, Edward Kang

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o many adults, including teachers, joke about not being able to do simple Maths or not being a “science person” that many students enter STEM classrooms with negative views.

This creates a fixed mindset as students believe they need certain natural abilities to be successful in Maths and science. As educators, we need to create opportunities for students to overcome these deeply planted negative views.

Using images or ideas from popular culture gives students an entry point to explore science – they’re already experts, and they can use the confidence they have in that area to become more open to learning and experiencing how Maths and science are rooted in creativity and imagination.

Using a zombie apocalypse scenario I (Ed) have a background in neuroscience, so when I used to teach units on brain function in my classroom in Chicago public schools, I just assumed that students would be fascinated hearing about the brain. I later realised that my lessons were based on rote memorization and testing – there was little room for students to apply their learning in a real way.

So I decided to harness the power of zombies, and Amy and I created a series of workshop lessons in which students learn the structure and function of different brain regions by examining the various types of zombies that would arise from lesions to specific regions of the brain. We developed these lessons as part of a weeklong zombie camp, but we’ve also been able to break them up into twohour chunks.

Concentrating on four regions – the cerebellum, amygdala, frontal lobe, and hypothalamus – we started by making paper brain hats, which gave each student a 3D model to refer to, and also set the tone that science does not always need to be serious.

Students next brainstormed characteristics of zombies: They move slowly, they’re hungry, they lack coordination, etc. We challenged the students to consider how a zombie virus would have to impact the brain to cause these characteristics. What part of the brain would need to be damaged to make a zombie move slowly? To make it angry?

We challenged students to apply their learning and explain what characteristics a zombie might have if the virus only corrupted select parts of the brain.

If they observed a zombie that did not seem hungry or angry, but was moving slowly, what type of brain damage had it sustained? Could they describe the brain of a fast, hungry zombie?

Instead of taking a test,

students created projects categorising various zombies they might encounter based on how deeply the virus had impacted the zombies’ brains.

Some students wrote survival handbooks describing zombie types and ranking how dangerous a zombie would be based on the amount of damage its brain had sustained. Other students made public service announcement– style posters and life-size zombie cutouts illustrating how a zombie might look with that type of brain damage.

Students also wrote chooseyour-own-adventure scenarios based on encounters with zombies with different brain lesions.

Students experienced deep learning as they held extended conversations debating whether they should run if they met a zombie with an intact frontal lobe or if the zombie had an intact cerebellum.

These connections helped students engage deeply and move forward with their inquiries into the brain.

Begging for more Maths The students were so excited about the choose-your-ownadventure format that they begged for more scenarios. We were able to make interdisciplinary connections by incorporating creative writing and Maths story problems.

Our story problems were long and were embellished with visual details and references to familiar locations in the area around us.

For example, we gave students scenarios in which zombies were headed in their direction and they had to work out whether they had time to get to different locations for supplies and back to their hiding place before the zombies arrived.

The students were so excited about solving these problems that they decided to write their own story problems to present to other groups. They were using creative writing and Maths in a real way, and including various plot perspectives. (We did include rules that scenarios could not include violence, unnecessary gore, or death.)

These scenarios may not be real, but when students get excited and engaged in a topic, they move toward self-directed inquiry. One set of parents, for example, told us that their daughter was inspired to take out her Maths books to practise so she would be ready for the upcoming story problems. And throughout these camps we have seen kids grabbing books from our collection to learn more about zombies so that they can keep working.

It’s not enough these days to just know science facts – students need to be able to apply their learning in a creative manner and to use design thinking. Connecting to pop culture lends itself to this creativity and outside-the-box thinking. (Edutopia.org)

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mondAY, september 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Minister Patterson must ‘face the music’ at SOCU – MP …says same standard should apply for all parties

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ublic Infrastructure Minister David Patterson has reportedly submitted documents, including a written statement, to the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) as part of investigations into the contract award of the controversial feasibility study for a new bridge over the Demerara River, but calls are being made for him to officially visit the offices of SOCU. Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Juan Edghill told Guyana Times on Sunday that the minister should not be given any special treatment, but must be made to face the proverbial music for his actions. He expressed concerns that Patterson is yet to appear before investigators at SOCU, whereas members of the former People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Cabinet were called in there for questioning in regard to the sale of land at Sparendaam (Pardoville 2), East Coast Demerara.

“It’s not that I want to

see people go to jail, or this person become a criminal or be charged or convicted; I want to ensure that there is accountability and transparency, and the same rule that you are using against the previous Administration must also be used for you.

The same measure (with which) you judge others you must also be judged. So Minister Patterson should not be escaping or sending in a statement; he must face the music,” the MP asserted.

The contract in question was awarded to Dutch company LievenseCSO for a feasibility study into the new Demerara River Bridge. The Opposition had requested that the Public Procurement Commission (PPC) investigate the award of the $148 million sole-sourced contract.

In its report on the matter, the PPC had flagged Patterson for requesting from Cabinet that the contract be sole-sourced, instead of being processed through the Procurement Board as the law says should

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

Opposition Member of Parliament Juan Edghill

be done. It was subsequently announced that SOCU would be investigating.

“Mr Patterson cannot be sitting in his office and dealing with the Police; Mr Patterson must be made to go down to SOCU as well!

The cabinet, including President (David) Granger who presided at that illegal decision, must go down… because it was an unsolicited bid that the cabinet approved, (whereas) the cabinet has no power of approval of contracts that were of-

fered to the contractors to do the feasibility study; so it was corruption from the beginning,” Edghill explained.

The shadow Public Infrastructure Minister in an Opposition cabinet, Edghill told Guyana Times that the contract was a mere “underhand arrangement,” especially given the fact that an unsolicited bid reached the desk of the minister.

“That was corruption in itself. How could this company know that the Government was searching for a contractor if somebody didn’t leak some information, or if somebody didn’t meet somebody in a private room, or (if) there was no underhand arrangement?” he questioned.

The Opposition MP said everyone in law enforcement

Gunman robs computer technician, housewife

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gunman is now being hunted by ranks of the “A” Division Police after he attacked and robbed computer technician Michael Francois-Johnson, 34, of Kitty, Georgetown and Dasha Cummings, 36, of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara at about 22:00h on Saturday night, while they were conversing in D’Andrade Street Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown.

Guyana Times understands that while the two persons were standing on the northern side of D’Andrade Street conversing, the lone gunman, who was unmasked, approached them from behind and held them at gunpoint.

He demanded that they hand over their valuables, and being fearful for their lives, both Johnson and Cummings complied with his

request.

The perpetrator was handed one Samsung phone, valued $60,000; one gold band, valued $100,000; two gold chains, valued $210,000; one pair of gold earrings, valued $6,000; and $80,000 in cash before he made good his escape, travelling quickly east on D’Andrade Street.

A report was made to the Police, and an investigation has been launched.

must understand exactly what was done, and the precedent that was set must apply in this matter.

“If not, this nation will be witnessing what is called double standards, and it would be conforming that all of the actions being taken by SOCU are politically directed as a witch hunt against political opponents,” he added.

“But this case with Minister Patterson is a real live case, you don’t have to go dig up for the facts. The Procurement Commission has already issued a report, which is public, and they (SOCU) said they are acting on it. We expect that the same rules of engagement that SOCU has taken as it related to the previous Government would be taken as it relates to Minister Patterson and the cabinet,” he said.

Report

The PPC completed its investigation into the award of the contract for a feasibility study on a new Demerara River Bridge, and handed its report over on August 7, 2018. The report noted that several companies had bid for the project to do the feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River Bridge, and 12 companies had been shortlisted. The report added that only two of the 12

companies had made proposals. As such, the bidding process was annulled. It added that on November 12, 2016, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) approved the move for the project to be re-tendered. The project was not re-tendered; instead, Dutch company LivenseCSO was engaged by the Public Infrastructure Ministry to do the work. Page 7 of the report noted that the bid from LivenseCSO was “unsolicited,” but Patterson took the company’s proposal to Cabinet for approval, and Cabinet granted its approval for the company to be engaged.

The report, on page 7, stated that monies to be spent on the project were taken from the Demerara Harbour Bridge Corporation (Asphalt Plant Accounts).

Besides the LievenseCSO contract, a probe has been requested by Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, and Opposition parliamentarian Juan Edghill had also written to the PPC to request probes into the D’Urban Park project and the Sussex Street drug bond. In a letter to the Commission’s Chairperson, Carol Corbin, Edghill had identified aspects of the project about which the party is most concerned.

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mondAY, september 24, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Illegal firearm charge lands NWD man on remand

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wenty-eight-yearold Adonis Harrison was last week remanded to prison after appearing before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman to answer to charges of illegal possession of a firearm and assault.

He denied both charges, one of which stated that on September 7, 2018, he assaulted his reputed wife

Joan Joseph.

The other charge alleged that on September 8, 2018, at Savannah Black in the North West District of Region One (BarimaWaini), he had in his possession a shotgun without being licensed to have same.

The prosecution is contending that at about 21:00h on September 7,

2018, Harrison became annoyed with his reputed wife and started to verbally abuse her, and subsequently physically assaulted her. Joseph’s mother intervened in the dispute and carried her daughter away.

The following day, when Joseph returned home, she found the firearm in a bag. Since she

was fearful for her life, she took the firearm to the village toshao, and the toshao handed the firearm over to the Police. The defendant was thus arrested, and he admitted to the offence in a caution statement.

Magistrate Latchman has remanded Harrison to prison, and set the case to continue this week.

Cart wheel thief jailed Vendor remanded

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arcellus Marks allegedly stole eight cart wheels, worth $40,000, from Stephany Mascoll on September 12, 2018 at Hadfield Street, Georgetown, and recently found himself before Senior Magistrate Fabayo Azore to plead to the allegation of larceny.

Appearing before the magistrate unrepresented by legal counsel, the 44-yearold Marks denied the charge, and in a bail application, informed the magistrate that he is unemployed and does not have any money.

But when placed on $20,000 bail, Marks charged his plea and admitted to stealing the items. As such, he was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.

on ganja trafficking charge

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Marcellus Marks

lothes vendor Gavin Limerick of Lot 108 Durban Street, Werk-enRust, Georgetown appeared last week before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman on a charge of trafficking in narcotics.

The 36-year-old denied that on September 15, 2018, while he was in the vicinity of First Avenue Bartica, Essequibo River, Region Seven, he had in his possession 38.6 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

Facts presented to the court reveal that on September 15, three Policemen, acting on information received, carried out a search on the man’s person and belongings, and the ganja was found.

Limerick’s attorney informed the court that the narcotics were not found on her client, but under a car parked on the ferry, five feet away from where her client was standing; and Limerick was not the only person standing in the vicinity where the suspected cannabis was found.

The magistrate nonetheless refused to place Limerick on bail, and he was remanded.

Alleged ganja trafficker released on bail

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wenty-nine-yearold Ruth Caniff appeared before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman facing a charge alleging that on September 15, 2018, at Bartica Stelling, Essequibo River, Region Seven, she had in her possession 10 grams of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

The prosecution’s case is that Caniff was at the Bartica Stelling when a Police constable conducted a search on the woman and found a plastic bag containing the cannabis.

Caniff denied the charge, and Magistrate Latchman released her on $20,000 bail. The case will continue at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

Power…

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…in the city

f the citizens of Guyana needed to be warned about their lemming-like behaviour in voting, Nomination Day for the Georgetown LGE should’ve been a wake-up call. Lemmings, you’d remember, dear reader, are small rodents living waaay up north.

And once a year, they jump off cliffs in their countless thousands. There’s been a debate as to whether they actually INTEND to commit suicide, but the fact of the matter is, most of them DO DIE in the rivers below the cliffs.

So here it is, it was time for the good (?) burghers of our once-and-never-again “Garden City” to choose their Mayor and City Council, and guess who the smart money picked to win that prize? The same lot from the APNU slate that’s been there for the past two years - after succeeding the old (and we mean oooold!) PNC strongman Hamilton Green. He’d been Mayor for 22 years!!

While the AFC showed up, they were such a sorry bunch that they were overshadowed by even the URP with their very original and inspirational motto: “Onward, upward, may we ever go”!! At least they accepted their moribund minnow status and had the grace not to add the line, “Day by day in strength and beauty grow”!! The AFC refused to concede they’re now dead meat, and lamely attempted to excuse their pathetic showing by claiming they “don’t believe in theatrics”!! Ha!!

What was significant, though, was the disappearance of all the “independent” groups that had thrown their hats into the ring at the last goaround. Like the Benschop fella. After all the corruption and graft and nepotism and mismanagement at City Hall, you’d think new faces would be popping out of the woodwork like termites! But no!...they all preferred to commit political Hara Kiri.

Then there was also the non-appearance of that anti-parking meter crowd that had made such a splash in front of City Hall. Wasn’t this their chance to show their “widespread support”? In fact, there had been even talk about them being the core of a new national political party!!

But it was clear the APNU contingent, led for the last two years by Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and a bevy of party heavyweights, literally was left with the field almost to themselves. Most figure the PPP -- notwithstanding their very earnest and reasonable plans for the City – isn’t going to do much better than in their last outing.

Because of the ethnic lemming imperative, Georgetowners will all be impelled to vote APNU. Never mind they’ll be committing existential suicide with the “same ole same ole”!

It’s all about voting for “we own”, isn’t it?

…at all levels

Some folks theorised that ethnic voting is focused at the national level, where the prize is the capture of the state, to favour one own’s group in the distribution of the “spoils”. But because it’s been shown that national politicians generally forget their constituents once in power – exemplified by the callous attitude of the AFC towards sugar workers and APNU towards teachers – the thought was, at the local level, folks would be willing to vote more “rationally” for local candidates and groups outside the major parties.

But we know, after the last LG elections, that ain’t necessarily so!! And it’s all to do with the fact that in politics, as in biology, “form dictates function” to a large degree. The assumption of new, more relevant local faces in LGEs depended on the major parties not competing at this level and “blessing” independent local entrants. This was the assumption when LGEs were inserted in the 1980 Constitution.

But both parties balked…and now the political struggle is just transferred one level down!!

…and non-political institutions

Some commentators are surprised PNC/APNU’s playing hardball with the GTU, since the latter isn’t threatening its “power”.

Thing is, the PNC’s conception of power is one of “paramountcy” over ALL the institutions in Guyana – not just those of the state!

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

News

Drunken man shoots miner twice during row A gold miner was in the wee hours of Sunday morning shot twice during an argument with an acquaintance, with whom he was said to be imbibing at a bar at the Mahdia Landing, Potaro, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

Reports are Shahonan "Biggs" Monderson, of Felicity Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD), was shot about 00:20h to his left shoulder and left knee.

According to the Police, the 27-year-old man and the 36-year-old suspect, a driver of Second Avenue, Bartica had gotten into a heated argument.

As the argument escalated, the suspect reported-

ly whipped out his loaded licensed firearm, pointed it at Monderson and pulled the trigger twice.

Monderson, however, managed to disarm the suspect and the Police were called to the scene.

The miner was rushed

to the Mahdia hospital and later transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

The weapon loaded with 15 live rounds was handed over to the Police. The suspect was taken into Police custody.

Motorcycle bandits strike again

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ontractor Olsen Koala of D’Urban Street, Georgetown is now counting his losses after he was attacked by two men on a motorcycle and robbed of valuables, at about 22:25h on Saturday, while walking in Lamaha Springs, Georgetown en route to visit a friend.

Guyana Times was told that two men who were on a motorcycle rode up behind

the 36-year-old Koala, circled him, and then proceeded to block his path.

The pillion rider dismounted as he whipped out a handgun from his waist, which he pointed at the victim and demanded that he hand over his valuables.

Terrified, Koala complied, but the perpetrator still discharged a round in the air before proceeding to rob the victim of his cell phone valued $40,000, a gold chain valued $20,000, and some $18,000 in cash.

The man then rejoined his accomplice on the motorcycle, and they made good their escape.

Police were informed of the incident, and an investigation is in progress.

One spent .32 shell has been recovered from the scene.

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Guyana-T&T MoU

Govt should push to remove artificial barriers to trade – Ramkarran portunity to open up T&T’s economy to Guyana’s goods,” he explained in his column.

Trojan Horse

Former House Speaker Ralph Ramkarran

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mid heavy criticism of the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, there are now calls for the coalition Government to ensure that it takes a stand to ensure that Guyana gets a better deal on trade with that small island state.

In his weekly Conversation Tree column, former Speaker of the National Assembly and Attorney-at-Law, Ralph Ramkarran reflected on the long relationship between the two countries, stating that it has been a cordial one and to some extent, of mutual benefit.

Ramkarran, however, reminded that at one time after the twin-island republic gained independence, measures were put in place to protect the island’s economy. As such, it became difficult for Guyanese professionals to get jobs there and for Guyanese business people to invest.

He also recalled that in the mid to late 1970s, Guyanese flooded into T&T to live and work, mainly illegally, because Guyana’s economy began to contract dramatically.

At this time also, numerous Guyanese entered the business of ‘suitcase trading’ – a phenomenon which would endure for nearly two decades, he said.

The former House Speaker reasoned that in recent years, the economy of T&T has been undergoing severe stress because of the fall in price for natural gas. In 2005, the price for natural gas was US$10 per MMBtu. Today, it is just about US$3. And as a major oil-producing nation, Trinidad is now facing the full brunt of this.

“A T&T economy that cannot generate enough foreign exchange to feed investment has sent many Trinidadian business people with capital to Guyana, seeking investment opportunities. Trinidadians have been flooding Guyana for about two years and have been investing and Guyanese business people have become wary and sometimes resentful,” he observed.

According to Ramkarran, the visit of Prime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has been seen with bitterness as expressed in criticisms about the alleged one-sidedness of the MoU. He thinks that the Guyana Government did not appear to have taken the opportunity to raise with the T&T Government administrative obstructions that it has placed on the entry of Guyana’s exports.

“If that assessment is correct, Guyana lost a golden op-

Ramkarran referred to a letter published in sections of the media that written by Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and former Foreign Trade and International Cooperation Minister Clement Rohee, who detailed the difficulty Guyana faced with T&T regarding trade during his years as Minister.

Rohee, in his letter, described the MoU as a ‘Trojan Horse’, referencing the past when he as Minister tried persuading Trinidad to give Guyana greater market access for its rice by removing a number of non-tariff barriers which it had unilaterally imposed without the consent of Caricom’s Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

“I led several official/ Private Sector missions to Port of Spain. The Trinidadians never budged. They found fault with the colour, length and smell of the Guyanese rice grain and claimed that they had to impose the non-tariff barriers for the sake of consumer protection,” he recalled.

Rohee said the issues with T&T were not limited to rice, but also extended to Guyana’s sugar and beef exports.

“Guyanese potential exporters of beef like their counterparts in the rice and sugar industries were frustrated. So much for free trade within Caricom and small wonder why the Single Market and Economy is floundering,” he added.

Ramkarran, therefore, believes that this and other reasons appear to be the basis of the criticisms of the MoU. Nevertheless, he opined that the MoU was an opportunity between the two Governments to enhance cooperation, noting that T&T has the capacity and expertise to assist Guyana, which is in dire need of such assistance.

“T&T business people should also be encouraged to invest in Guyana, subject to any local content laws which may be implemented, much as T&T did, enabling its business people to flourish during the oil years and much of its wealth to remain in T&T,” he added.

However, he said with opportunities now opening up owing to Guyana’s advantageous position, Government should begin pressing T&T to remove its artificial barriers to trade.

He observed too that the Guyana Government raised the issue of T&T’s recent reluctance to maintain its full support for Guyana in the border controversy with Venezuela, which was a significant departure from the island’s previous full support for Guyana’s case.

“Prime Minister Rowley’s change of posture and full endorsement of Guyana’s position is now welcome.

Demarcation of maritime boundaries to eliminate overlaps appears to have to await further discussion,” the prominent Attorney noted in his weekly column.

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news

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Economic circumstances “no reason” for drug trafficking – CANU ...tackling tax evasion key in dismantling empire

These women have all been recently implicated in drug smuggling

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n the last few weeks, several women have been either remanded or jailed for drug smuggling.

When grilled by Police investigators after the busts, many of the self-confessed mules have blamed their economic circumstances as being responsible for their choices. However, Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Deputy Head Lesley Ramlall has opined that financial difficulty was no excuse for breaking the laws on trafficking narcotics.

Karen Stuffle, Alicia Coppin, Shellon Barrow, Christine Griffith and Ruth Caniff are among the women

implicated in drug smuggling in September alone. On the sidelines of this year’s annual CANU staff training, Ramlall indicated that the drug-fighting agency was working on awareness programmes especially to enlighten current and potential traffickers that earnings from the illegal practice could be forfeited.

“We want to start sensitising the general public about the dangers of not only being involved in narcotics, but the losing of assets. We have to make not only women but the general population aware,” he stressed last week.

“As it relates to women, a lot of them are in single-par-

ent families and a lot of them are using that as a reason for being involved in the narco trade. In fact, most of the women we’ve arrested that is the reason given – that ‘I’m a single-parent person, there are challenges for me getting an income, so I just decided to take a chance’. But is this a reason for you to be involved in narco trade? Certainly not,” the CANU Deputy Head added.

During last week’s staff training, inter-agency collaboration was emphasised as being integral to tackling the multibillion-dollar illegal industry. In fact, it is expected that CANU will forge ad-

CANU Deputy Head Lesley Ramlall

fined $2.3 million for attempting to smuggle cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). When CANU ranks searched the woman on September 9, they unearthed 100 cocaine pellets totalling 1.42 kilograms which was stashed in her vagina and stomach. She had said that she was paid airfare and some US$400 to traffic the narcotic.

Another woman, Alicia Coppin was subjected

to a search by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) upon her arrival at the JFK International Airport in New York. According to reports, Coppin was seen acting suspiciously and when DEA Agents questioned her, she admitted to inserting the illegal drug into her vaginal cavity. In similar fashion to Stuffle, several cocaine pellets were also stashed in Coppin’s stomach.

Also in September, Shellon Barrow and her friend, Christine Griffith, were remanded to prison following another cocaine bust at the CJIA. The duo was charged for trafficking 1.638 kilograms of cocaine and aiding the trafficking of narcotics respectively. Both women, however, denied their involvement though Barrow’s suitcase contained the illicit drug.

Police outlined that Griffith delivered that said suitcase.

They return to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on October 8, 2018.

(Shemuel Fanfair)

Network expansion needed for full digitisation – NDMA …data management centre to be built

2018 LGE

Toevlugt-Patentia NDC incumbent Chairman promises accountability ...says PPP Council did justice with little resources

By Shemuel Fanfair

W

ith less than 50 days to go before Guyanese across 80 Local Authority Areas (LAAs) head to the polls to vote in Local Government Elections, incumbent Chairman of the ToevlugtPatentia Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Sahied Khan, has expressed great optimism about his party’s prospects of remaining in the driver’s seat.

At the March 2016 Local Government Elections (LGE), the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) had unseated the then People’s National Congress (PNC) Council at the NDC. The PNC had been in the majority since the last local polls were observed in 1994, but were included under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) coalition slate for the 2016 polls.

Khan, who presented the PPP/C’s list at the ToevlugtPatentia NDC Office in Good Intent, West Bank Demerara on Friday last, told the <<Guyana Times>> that once re-elected, the party would ensure that it has more engagements with residents in the various villages. Among these areas are Wales and its surrounding environs, which have been dealing with the fallout and economic impact from the Wales Estate having officially ended operations in December 2016.

Khan outlined that if the Party is successful, the Councillors would continue to operate in an above-board manner.

“I expect that we will win, because with the little that we

vanced cooperation with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) to curb money laundering practices linked to the drug trade.

Guyana Times understands that based on CANU’s targets, operatives attached to SOCU will join in key operations where evidence of laundered money is involved.

After CANU seizes narcotics, SOCU and, at times, the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) will gather evidence as they intensify anti-money laundering efforts.

CANU officials contend that it has been challenging to garner successful prosecution of the very large narcotics dealers owing to well-established networks. Guyana Times was, however, told that tax evasion investigations could be a key force in dismantling the narcotics empire which was “growing every day”.

On September 13, 48-yearold Guyanese hairdresser Karen Stuffle was sentenced to four years in prison and

Incumbent Toevlugt-Patentia NDC Chairman Sahied Khan

have, we did justice. Our Party is focused on accountability, transparency. It is very hard to get 100 percent, but we can get close to it. We plan to have constituency meetings monthly, but that depends on the people’s turnout; but we are often available, as this is the only way that we can work for the best of the community, by hearing from them. They might have four or five issues, and you can’t satisfy all, but people feel satisfied when you meet with them,” Khan explained.

The community representative has held the post for just over 2 years. However, Khan, who is elderly, indicated that he would be willing to allow a younger candidate to succeed him.

“It is good to have new people, because, being there, you can be able to guide them.

Nobody can be everlasting,” he told this newspaper.

Among his objectives for the NDC, the incumbent Chairman is hopeful to work with fellow Councillors to eradicate improper garbage disposal in the

villages. In some areas, it has been found that there is indiscriminate behaivour in this regard, but Khan stressed that to bring out the change that is needed, the people of the villages have to come on board with the NDC’s plans.

“This is our main issue, and we need the help of the government of the day,” he commented on the garbage issue.

Meanwhile, he said some persons have erected structures on State reserves, but he does not intend to pursue a confrontational approach to remove persons. Rather, he hopes to work with the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) to reduce the time in which residents are awaiting Government-issued house lots. The objectives for development, Khan outlined, may seem ginormous to some; but, in his words, nothing much can be achieved without the rates and taxes which residents are required by law to pay.

“We want to get people more on board with us, but if you don’t have the funds you can’t do many things with the little that we have. Half of the houses [in the NDC] are new houses, and they are not paying taxes; and of the remaining houses from before, only half are paying taxes. We don’t have no intention to raise taxes, since that would be from Central Government.

We want to get more people on board to pay their rates and taxes. We also want people to purchase copies of Chapter 28:01 (Municipal and District Councils Act) to tell them about their rights,” Khan explained.

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n expansion of the existing network will be necessary, but National Data Management Authority (NDMA) Head Floyd Levi is optimistic that by 2020 citizens will access hundreds of Government services fully over the Internet.

During a recent interview with the media, Levi was asked by Guyana Times about the likelihood of Government meeting its self-imposed deadline. At the time, Guyana had just signed a loan agreement with the People’s Republic of China, which would allow for money for the US$37 million National Broadcast Network Expansion.

“We do have the network in place. And the network is now being expanded. What is needed for Government services to be online is what we like to call the e-services part of it, where the Government Ministries themselves are providing that service to citizens through online media.”

“So you already have a couple of Government agencies that are doing online services, like GRA (Guyana Revenue Authority) and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a number of educational institutions are doing the same thing.”

The Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA) was another agency that Levi noted had moved its enrolment online. The benefits of this, according to Levi, was that persons would not have to leave their homes and communities that may have Information Communication Technology (ICT) hubs to access services at a centralised location.

Levi also noted that the National Broadcast Network expansion would cater for the building of a data management centre. He explained that the Government’s network used fibre-optic cables as well as microwave technol-

NDMA Head Floyd Levi

ogy. All of this, he said, will be improved.

“This is purely bandwidth on the Government’s network. But we do use Internet service that we buy from GTT. So, for those components that require Internet service, we’ll get those from GTT.”

Services

At the Inter-American Development Bank’s annual Caribbean Civil Society meeting in June of this year, Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes had said that ordinary citizens and businesses would, by 2020, be able to access more than 200 public services online.

“So imagine your driver’s licence application (or) that application for a TIN number; all these services can be done online, and, therefore, we have to start heading in that direction… And the Private Sector, you are going to be left behind also if you continue to do this the old way,” she related, as she stressed that the Private Sector should avail itself of technological opportunities to improve customer service.

Meanwhile, IDB Country Representative Sophie Makonnen had also stressed

the need for countries to keep up to date with advancing technologies. With new technology, Makonnen noted, there are new ways to solve old problems, such as inadequate health care.

A few days before that meeting, stakeholders were introduced to the concept of exponential technologies (ET) and their importance in developing small economies like Guyana’s. A presentation was made by Dr Nicholas Haan, the Track Chair and Vice President of Impact at Singularity University (SU).

SU is a Silicon Valley thinktank that offers educational programmes and serves as a business incubator.

During his presentation, Dr Haan pointed out that, in recent years, there have been major technological transformations which have created opportunities for agencies to rethink the way they serve people.

“Humanity is currently witnessing, at this very time, a major transformation never ever seen before; a transformation into a digital era where every single one of our social systems – our food system, our energy system, our health system, our government system, etc – every single one of those is being transformed by technology and other global trends.

“This creates incredible opportunities if you’re leading a corporation or if you’re an entrepreneur, and it creates incredible opportunities for Governments around the world to rethink the way to best serve the populace,” Dr Haan had posited.

He went on to talk about how ET has advanced and developed over recent years to create new concepts such as artificial intelligence programmes that operate in real time with no human control and 3D printing.

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VOX POPULI

What the people say

I SAY...

What changes would you like to see made to Guyana Amazon Warriors squad for CPL 2019?

Mark Parker “First, we need to start with the coach. We have a very good local right here…Why a local coach? Familiarity with the local talent. This year we

had some guys on the bench who could’ve made an impact.

G Singh I don’t think he played a game and others who were only brought in the latter stages of the tournament.

Secondly, I think the franchise holders need to invest in more quality overseas players, spend money to get better results. Look at TKR, the leading runs scored in the tournament was their overseas player Colin Monroe.

Finally, I think we have enough local talent in Guyana that we can use along with the four allotted foreign players for a final XI in a game. We don’t have to seek the services of anyone from T&T or Barbados, etcetera.”

Delvon McEwan “It is obvious that Guyana Amazon Warriors is among

Navin Boodhoo “They need a worldclass spinner that can be penetrative and bat as well so these are my players: Rashid Khan (spinner); Ronsford Beaton; Nathan Coulter-Nile; Aaron Finch/Shaun Marsh; Michael Klinger/Dean Elgar.

Those are players they should seek at the auction! I have included strengths within all departments! Two of the bowlers can also bat! The batsmen I chose do score runs under various conditions.”

Jeffrey Fraser “Don’t buy anymore Caribbean players; go for players in Australia, Pakistan, India, New Zealand, etc especially any Trinidadians.”

the top teams in CPL. Their consistency and ability to pull off big wins could contribute to this fact. However, their journey throughout the six phases of the tournament has led to changes in various areas such as coaching and players, some of whom should have been maintained.

Moving forward, I opine two changes should be made.

First the manager needs to be replaced for his lack of initiatives and secondly, the new manager should ensure his team’s composition is strong beyond the playing XI, ie, there must be bench strength.”

Karran Ramsammy “All they need is better players and less Trinidadians.

We need a better way to captain these players because to beat a team twice and can’t beat them in the final is very disappointing and worst to be in the finals for four years and can’t win. However, I was a Trini supporter from day one, because clearly Guyana only know to disappoint their fans...

It’s like losing your trust. I was happy with their performance; however, they played well but not very well. I don’t think there was any sellout either; everyone played to their best.”

Denisia Liddell “I think they should play better and bowl more properly.”

Elijah Castello “The sponsor needs to draft world-class T20 player(s).

Our team is the weakest on paper...there are no apparent match winners in our team, no Gayle...Munro...Narine...

Warner....Steve Smith, please buy AB de Villiers.”

Sunil Tulsidas “I think the Guyana Amazon Warriors needs to buy match winners in their squad to improve their chances of winning.”

Gary Payton “In an effort to win after reaching finals several times, I think we should search for our weak areas and strengthen it, whether it’s bowling, batting or fielding – fill that gap and pick a few more Guyanese players who would have a stronger passion for the team and winning the league.”

Lindeners protest RDC over closure of multi-purpose hall

S

Rajesh Rajkumar “They need to get Rayad Emrit, Chadwick Walton, and Jason Mohammed out of their side.”

Kaibian Daly “Give the local youngsters (Hetmyer, Keemo, Shepherd and Rutherford) a prominent role in the side, instead of holding them back for average foreigners.”

Reeaz Kaleem “They need to draft proper overseas players: Shane Watson, Maxwell. Also Tanvir needs to go. Bring Malinga.”

everal residents of Block 22, Wismar, Linden last week protested in front of the office of the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) over the closure of their community’s multi-purpose Hall.

Guyana Times understands that the building, situated at Block 22, which was utilised for social activities by residents, was ordered closed by Regional Chairman Renis Morian.

The residents held placards which bore various slogans indicating their dissatisfaction over the closure of the building. During a recent statutory meeting of the Council held earlier this month, Morian had admitted to ordering the building closed owing to issues between residents. He also expressed need for renovation works to be conducted on the building. The Regional Chairman had also highlighted that the building was property of the Government when asked for an update on the situation by Councillor Denise Belgrave, who explained that she was recently asked about the situation regarding the building by a female resident.

While the Regional Chairman could not be reached for comment regarding the protest, he had indicated at the statutory meeting that he had been called to the building’s location one evening

Some of the protesters in front of the Regional Democratic Council

where he met with various factions.

It was during this meeting, he noted, that he ordered the building closed.

“I was called a night there …They had about three different factions … I called the Commander, I said, ‘please go, lock the Government building, keep the keys’. And we’re going to discuss that in Education Committee meeting,” he told the Council. Morian added: “Before people kill one another over Government building, I said, ‘lock it up, keep the keys’. Government property. I notified the Ministry of Finance, because a lot of people don’t know that the Ministry of Finance built that building and hand it over to the RDC…It was built under ‘Basic Needs’ and handed over,” Morian said.

However, this publication spoke with

Regional Vice Chairman Elroy Adolph following the protest, and he said he did not know much about the issue, but indicated that the residents were claiming that they were not notified prior to the closure of the building and complained of being “banned’ from it.

The Block 22 multi-purpose building has been the source of similar controversies in the past. Back in 2015, a number of youths from the group, Future Youths Bond (FYB) had registered their disappointment over not being granted permission by the Block 22 Community Development Council (CDC) to utilise the building. The social recreational facility is utilised by residents for activities such as Internet hubs, technical training and other social activities and events.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Around the World

OPEC, Russia rebuff call for US plans to deny green cards to immediate boost to oil output immigrants receiving benefits

Saudi Arabian Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih (Reuters/Ramzi Boudina)

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PEC’s leader Saudi Arabia and its biggest oil-producer ally outside the group, Russia, ruled out on Sunday any immediate, additional increase in crude output, effectively rebuffing US President Donald Trump’s calls for action to cool the market.

“I do not influence prices,” Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters as OPEC and non-OPEC energy ministers gathered in Algiers for a meeting that ended with no formal recommendation for any addition-

al supply boost.

Benchmark Brent oil LCOc1 reached $80 a barrel this month, prompting Trump to reiterate on Thursday his demand that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries lower prices.

The price rally mainly stemmed from a decline in oil exports from OPEC member Iran due to fresh U.S. sanctions.

“We protect the countries of the Middle East, they would not be safe for very long without us, and

yet they continue to push for higher and higher oil prices! We will remember. The OPEC monopoly must get prices down now!” Trump wrote on Twitter.

Falih said Saudi Arabia had spare capacity to raise output but such a move was not required at the moment and might not be needed next year as, according to OPEC’s projections, a stellar rise in non-OPEC production could exceed global demand growth.

“The markets are adequately supplied. I don’t know of any refiner in the world who is looking for oil and is not able to get it,” Falih said, adding that Saudi Arabia could raise output by up to 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd) if needed.

The statement from Trump, meanwhile, was not his first criticism of OPEC. Higher gasoline prices for US consumers could create a political headache for Republican Trump before mid-term congressional elections in November. (Reuters)

T

he Trump administration has proposed a new rule denying visas and green cards to legal immigrants who are likely to claim government benefits such as food stamps or housing vouchers.

The move could force millions of low-income immigrants to choose between vital support and their hopes of US residency, advocacy groups have warned.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Saturday the planned change would allow officials to disqualify immigrants’ applications based on receipt of federal assistance such as food stamps, Section 8 housing vouchers or Medicare and Medicaid drug subsidies.

Such benefits would be considered “a heavily weighed negative factor” in granting green cards for permanent residency or in issuing visas for temporary stays.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen

Kirstjen Nielsen (Reuters photo)

said the proposed rule would “promote immigrant self-sufficiency and protect finite resources by ensuring that they are not likely to become burdens on American taxpayers.”

Immigrant support groups said many people frightened of being denied green cards and visas may withdraw from public aid programmes even at the risk of losing their home or going hungry.

Marielena Hincapie,

executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, condemned the move as “an inhumane attack on the health and wellbeing of so many families and communities across the country”.

She added: “This proposed rule… makes clear that the Trump administration continues to prioritise money over family unity by ensuring that only the wealthiest can afford to build a future in this country.”

Todd Schulte, president of the immigration reform group FWD.us, said: “This policy will cost the United States in the long run by limiting the contributions of hardworking immigrants who could become legal residents, and no one is better off because of it.”

According to a report in The New York Times, Donald Trump’s top immigration adviser Stephen Miller has pushed “hard” for the new rule over the past few months. (Yahoo News)

India launches "world’s largest" British PM "planning snap election" in November health insurance scheme

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he Indian Government has launched one of the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance scheme, set to cover some 500 million poor people.

The Ayushman Bharat programme, dubbed “Modicare” after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised health cover worth 500,000 rupees ($6,900) to every poor family to treat serious ailments.

At the occasion of its official rollout in Ranchi, capital of the eastern state of Jharkhand, on Sunday, Modi claimed that a government scheme at “such a grand scale is not being carried out anywhere in the world”.

The prime minister said the scheme will transform India into a medical hub in the future and called it “a big step towards providing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

good quality and accessible healthcare to the poor of India.

“Over 100 million families will benefit,” Modi said.

The programme, which was first announced as part of the yearly budget in February, is expected to cost the central and 29 state governments $1.6bn a year in total.

Expenditures will be shared by the central and state governments at a 60 to 40 ratio in most states and funding will be increased gradually according to the demand.

On Sunday, Modi handed medical cards out at the launch in Ranchi, calling it a “historic day” for the country.

The government is aiming is set up 50,000 wellness centres across the country over the next four years, he said.

“The scheme will not have any distinguished plans on the basis of sect or caste. There will be no discrimination based on any race or any fraternity,” said Modi. India spends just 1.5 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare compared to a global average of six percent. (Al Jazeera)

US Coast Guard seizes millions in cocaine in Caribbean Sea

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he United States Coast Guard says crew members from the cutter Joseph Tezanos have transferred custody of three smugglers and about US$3.3 million of cocaine to US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents.

The Coast Guard said the drugs and smugglers were transferred to Sector San Juan on Thursday, following the interdiction of a go-fast vessel in the Caribbean Sea

off Loiza, Puerto Rico.

“The interdiction was the result of ongoing multi-agency law enforcement efforts in support of Operation Unified Resolve, Operation Caribbean Guard and the Caribbean Corridor Strike Force,” the Coast Guard said.

Three men – two Dominican Republic nationals and a French citizen – apprehended in this case are facing US federal prosecution in Puerto Rico.

“Each successful interdiction is another successful step towards protecting our borders and citizens from the threat of transnational criminal organizations,” said Lt. Cmdr. Mario Gil, Joseph Tezanos commanding officer. “I am extremely proud of my crew for stepping up to this challenge.

Through their professionalism and courage, we were able to stop millions of dollars of cocaine from reaching the streets of Puerto Rico.”

(CMC)

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ritish Prime Minister Theresa May is planning an early general election in November to save her leadership and to prevent the collapse of talks with European leaders over Britain’s exit from the bloc, according to a report by the Sunday Times newspaper.

The report comes just days after EU leaders rejected the Conservative party leader’s preferred plan for leaving the EU, the so-called Chequers agreement.

Under the plan, the United Kingdom would enter into a free trade area with the European Union, which would have common

rules and standards in several major industries, and maintain customs duties regulations but end freedom of movement between EU member states and the UK. EU leaders dismissed the proposals as unworkable at a meeting they attended with May in Salzburg earlier this week.

The Sunday Times spoke to two senior aides to May, who said they were planning to announce a new general election to secure public backing for a new negotiating platform with the EU. Citing a member of her inner circle, the newspaper also said that May was plan-

ning to step down from her role next summer.

The prime minister has found herself politically boxed in by the EU abroad and at home by both opponents of Brexit who want a second referendum and ‘hard Brexiteers’ in her own party who want a clean break with the EU. Her previous attempt at securing public support for her Brexit negotiating strategy fell flat when the Conservatives lost their majority in the 2017 election.

Opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn added to the pressure on May by calling for a new vote. (Al Jazeera)

Venezuela crisis: Chinese hospital ship docks for a week

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Chinese hospital ship has docked in Venezuela, where for the next week it will provide free health care to local patients.

Venezuela’s Defence Minister Vladimir Padrino López, went to the port of La Guaira to welcome the Chinese crew.

He said that the Peace Ark’s visit was agreed by President Nicolás Maduro during a visit to Beijing last week.

Venezuela agreed at the time to increase its exports of oil to China, which is one of its main creditors.

Venezuela’s economic crisis has led to severe shortages of food and medicines and the collapse of public services. The opposition says

The Chinese hospital ship

the presence of a Chinese hospital ship in Venezuela shows the extent of the humanitarian crisis.

Padrino López thanked China for the gesture of friendship and said that both countries would benefit.

“It is a pleasure to have this ship in Venezuela, which has arrived here after

travelling to more than 40 countries” he said.

“This is how true diplomacy is done: with concrete cooperation actions,” added Padrino López. The Venezuelan government blames an international boycott led by the United States for Venezuela’s economic crisis. (BBC News)

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mondAY, september 24, 2018

ARCHIE

Settle in and get things done. You’ll face criticism if (March 21- you aren’t prepared or fail to April 19) finish what you start. Don’t let a relationship problem interrupt your progress.

ARIES

A hasty decision will reTAURUS sult in a costly mistake. Take (April 20- your time and do things right May 20) from the get-go. Patience is a virtue. Don’t let someone pressure you into hurrying.

dilbert

Your intelligence will help GEMINI (May 21- you surpass anyone who tries June 20) to compete with you, as long as you don’t let the actions of others distract you.

Do something that will make you feel good.

(June 21- Pampering yourself, getting July 22) a makeover or spending time with a loved one will help ease stress and avert a mood swing.

CANCER

Peanuts

Listen carefully and make LEO up your own mind. An offer to (July 23- achieve peace and tranquilliAug. 22) ty through unorthodox means should be politely declined.

A business trip or meeting VIRGO will encourage you to take on (Aug. 23new challenges. Educational Sept. 22) pursuits will change your way of thinking and pursuing goals. Romance will improve an important relationship.

Calvin and Hobbes

Embrace change with a LIBRA (Sept. 23- positive attitude. Knowing Oct. 23) what you want as opportunities arise will be a direct result of being prepared for whatever comes your way.

Seize the moment.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

TODAY’S WORD — FORAGING (FORAGING: FOR-ij-ing: Wandering in search of food or provisions.)

Do what you can to give SAGITTARIUS back to others. Donate your (Nov. 23- time or offer your services, Dec. 21) but don’t let anyone take advantage of your generosity.

An emotional incident should be handled carefully.

Average mark 20 words Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 30 or more words in FORAGING? The list will be published tomorrow.

SATURDAY’S WORD — CANNIBALS

cabal cabin canal canna cannabis clan alas alias anil

annals nail nana nasal bail balas balsa banal banns basal

basic basil basin bias blain laic lain lanai liana sabin

sail salic scab scan slab slain snail

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Be passionate about the SCORPIO positive changes you want to (Oct. 24make.

Take a unique position Nov. 22) when sharing your opinion or recommendations. Channel your energy where it will count the most.

solution for last published puzzle

You’ll be tempted to make CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- a change, but first you must Jan. 19) iron out the particulars. Be open to suggestions; in the end, a combination of old and new ideas is favoured.

Put your energy to work AQUARIUS for you instead of letting it (Jan. 20- make your life more difficult.

Feb. 19) Refuse to let anxiety get the better of you when positive change is what’s required.

A change to the way you PISCES (Feb. 20- look or feel is apparent.

March 20) Search for an innovative way to enhance your appearance.

A settlement or gain is heading your way.

mondAY, september 24, 2018

19

Honoured Matthews happy to score maiden ODI ton at home W

indies opener Hayley Matthews has said getting to her maiden ODI ton was a surreal moment and an honour. She is only the fifth female player from the Caribbean to do so, and at home to boot.

The 20-year-old hit 15 fours in her innings of 117 from 146 balls, which took the Windies Ladies to 292-5, their second highest ODI total ever in the 3rd and final match of the series at the legendary Kensington Oval Ground, Barbados.

Speaking after the match to Cricket West Indies (CWI) media, the Kensington home-girl said she rates the innings on the same level as her World T20 heroics.

“Both are very important. They’re both very crucial innings, because the World Cup final is very important to me, seeing the team home. But doing this in front of the home crowd; being able to do it in front of so much friends and family, it was really important.

“And it was a goal for me;

it was an honour to come home and reach one of my goals,” she explained.

The opener, who grew up playing her cricket at the venue -- a venue where her father once applied his trade -- said the occasion and the venue made the 100 even more memorable.

“It’s definitely an honour for me. It was one of my goals. Kensington Oval is a ground with so much history, and so much wonderful things have happened here in cricket, and to do it in front of friends and family, I’m still trying to suck it in,” she declared.

Veteran Deandra Dottin hit 59 from 44 balls, with four fours and three sixes.

She also grabbed 4-36, as the South Africans failed to recover from a shaky start and were bowled out for 177 in the 43rd over.

Matthews has said she is entirely pleased with the team’s progress following a good ODI series.

“I mean, like I said before: when we came here to play against South Africa,

Hayley Matthews celebrates her maiden ODI ton at home

our goal was to win all three games. Unfortunately, we didn’t win the first one and the rain got the second one,

but to be able to come back here and level the series and to get the two points is good for us, and as a team and a

unit we’re very happy with that,” the all-rounder said.

The result means the hosts have drawn the threematch series; following a 40run defeat in the first game last Sunday at the same venue, and the second game ending in a no-result from a wash-out due to rain. The victory has also earned the Caribbean side two points on the Championship table, taking them into fourth place with nine from nine matches, three behind table toppers New Zealand Women, and two behind both Australia Women and World champions England Women.

Matthews has said their strides heading into the World T20 are a sign of the hard work they’ve been putting in over the past few months.

“I think, for me, it was the focus of the team. We knew what we had to do; we’ve been working very hard the past couple months in Antigua, training a lot.

It was just a matter of executing, and we did that well.

The wicket was good. We thought batting in the night would have been a bit harder with the ball swing with the condition in Barbados, but we were able to go it, and bat on a good wicket,” the centurion explained.

Concluding her interview, the Bajan said she didn’t bowl during the series because she was not required to do so, as the Windies team boasts a star-studded bowling line-up. She added that the upcoming T20 series which bowls on in a few days will be dress rehearsals for November’s first ever standalone tournament hosted by the Caribbean.

“We have a lot of firepower in the team. I must say kudos to the bowlers, because we’ve been doing well all series, and they have kept South Africa to 220 all series. We are the defending champs, and we have a very strong T20 unit, so hopefully we can go out there and play some good cricket and win the series,” she declared.

(Clifton Ross)

Marquez gets the better of Get King Kong for AJ! Joshua Dovizioso to win in Aragon understands critics’ demands

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Marc Marquez (right) and Andrea Dovizioso are one and two in the championship

orld champion Marc Marquez claimed his first win in four MotoGP races after a tremendous battle with Andrea Dovizioso in Aragon.

The pair were at the front for almost the entire race after pole-sitter Jorge Lorenzo crashed out on the opening turn.

Suzuki’s Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins tried to close the gap late on.

But Honda rider Marquez took control in the last three laps and held on to win his home grand prix.

The 25-year-old’s last win came in Germany in July five rounds ago, including the abandoned Silverstone meeting.

Marquez who now leads Dovizioso by 72 points in

the standings with five races to go, opted to use soft tyres in the searing heat of Spain while many of his rivals used harder tyres.

“I took a risk with the tyres,” said the Spaniard.

“I was able to follow Andrea and it was a great fight at the end.”

The start of the race saw Lorenzo go wide and he crashed out for the second

race in a row.

In a relatively slow-paced race, Marquez and Dovizioso fought it out and as the lead changed hands, Iannone and Rins were poised to seize on any mistakes.

However, they were not given enough of a chance and Marquez went past his rival again with five laps to go to claim his 41st MotoGP career win. (BBC Sport)

Championship standings 1. Marc Marquez (Spa/Honda) 246 points 2. Andrea Dovizioso (Ita/Ducati) 174 3. Valentino Rossi (Ita/Yamaha) 159 4. Jorge Lorenzo (Spa/Ducati) 130 5. Maverick Vinales (Spa/Yamaha) 130 6. Cal Crutchlow (Gbr/LCR Honda) 119 7. Danilo Petrucci (Ita/Ducati Pramac) 119 8. Johann Zarco (Fra/Yamaha Tech3) 112 9. Andrea Iannone (Ita/Suzuki) 108 10. Alex Rins (Spa/Suzuki) 92

nified heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is happy for naysayers to keep picking holes in his armoury as it can help him become the perfect fighting machine.

Joshua retained his IBF, WBA and WBO titles with the 22nd victory - and 21st knockout - of an unblemished professional career by battering veteran Russian Alexander Povetkin to a seventh-round loss at Wembley on Saturday.

The 28-year-old Briton was wobbled by a left hook at the end of round one and experienced his share of problems from Povetkin’s roving attacks before clinically closing the show – resuming a KO record that Joseph Parker checked over the course of 12 tactical rounds in Cardiff earlier this year.

As the visitor came groggily to his senses on his stool, thoughts turned to the December 1 clash between WBC king Deontay Wilder and former undefeated champion Tyson Fury.

Joshua has another Wembley date booked on April 13 and the demand is for him to face the Wilder-Fury winner, with the alternative of an easier-to-negotiate rematch against domestic rival Dillian Whyte lacking similar appeal.

Speaking after cleaning up a nose bloodied by a Povetkin

Anthony Joshua

left hook, the 2012 Olympic gold medallist acknowledged trying to please all of the people all of the time is a futile exercise, albeit a beneficial one to pursue.

“With my critics, I look at them not as my enemies but my friends. They look for the smallest things in you to make you perfect,” he said. “I started wondering if I could go 12 rounds [against Parker], so I started training on my endurance. Just because of that one fight – my 21st fight - when I decided not to knock him out, they were saying, ‘we need excitement back’ and all that type of stuff. So I said, ‘alright, cool’.

“If it was an easy opponent, no one would watch it. That’s the appeal – give Anthony the toughest of the toughest.

“Get King Kong, dig up the old school and get them to fight AJ. We want to see who’s going to beat him.

“That’s the appeal in boxing, that sense of superiority.

Who’s the strongest man?

That’s what people want to tune in for. They’re looking for that person, so I’ve got to stay on top of my game.”

Not for the first time, Fury offered a disparaging assessment of Joshua’s work and declared he would “jab his head off” on the evidence of the Povetkin fight. The man now in possession of all the belts Fury claimed from Wladimir Klitschko in 2015 chose to rise above the bait but offered a measured warning that he is ready for whatever blockbuster assignment comes next. (Sportsmax)

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mondAY, september 24, 2018

"Young Guns – The Proving Ground"

"The King" makes accurate prediction James Moore and Romeo Norville stepped into the ring for their cruiserweight contest, the difference in the boxers was clearly visible to the energetic crowd. The tall, lanky Moore towered over his opponent and made it difficult for him to connect a punch. Try as Norville did, Moore’s advantage saw him delivering jab after jab to the head, and when the chatter from the crowd became overwhelming, Moore would dabble in taunts that entertained viewers and upset Norville’s coach. After the third round, the officials called off the fight, awarding Moore a technical knockout to take his professional ca-

James Moore enjoying his advantage over Romeo Norville

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ith the intent of giving younger boxers a platform to showcase the fruits of their hard work in the ring, the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) on Saturday evening staged their first ever ‘Young Guns - The Proving Ground’, which ironically lived up to its name.

The five-card event saw a mixture of debut boxers, females, and even an international sensation, all competing in the square jungle at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

Like any other boxing event, the boisterous crowd was not shy to shout its approval or disapproval, creating a highly intense and competitive atmosphere.

Of the first pair to take the ring, Terrence Adams, who had just one fight in his professional career -which he had won -- came up against the debutant Delon Charles. The contest was in-

deed close, with the featherweight boxers throwing punch after punch in hope of achieving a boxer’s ultimate dream, a knockout.

The four rounds of competition expired quickly, and it was not a shocker that the debutant Charles had emerged victorious. This was mainly owing to the fact that the boxing had produced a stronger final round than his opponent.

Next to take the ring were the females. Being the only female contest on the cards, the animated audience was pumped and ready for the action. Rewinna David and Ansilla Norville had both expressed their intention to come out victorious, but on fight night it seemed as though only one boxer was determined enough. David carried an air of confidence, firing strong punches at her opponent, who could only resolve to clinch when the heat was too much. David

often had her opponent on the ropes, and even though it looked like the audience would see their first knockout of the night, Norville survived. But it was no surprise that David’s hand was the one raised at the end of the bout.

Given his long record in the ring, many would have thought that Anson Green would emerge victorious over his debuting opponent, but the crowd was in for a shock.

Green, who has a track record of two wins and six losses, appeared certain that he would be able to demolish Joel Williamson, but it was the other way around. Four rounds of back and forth jabs saw the more experienced fighter ‘getting a run for his money’, as the humble Williamson grabbed the victory.

The penultimate fight could be deemed the fight of the night, as it featured a comedy of errors. When

reer to two wins in two bouts.

The excitement of the previous match made the way for a great atmosphere at CASH, as the boxers prepared for the final bout. The Barbadian Keithland King had boasted upon his arrival in Guyana that he would be able to knock out his opponent Derick Richmond by the second round of their middleweight contest. Although it didn’t go exactly that way, it was a close call. The self-assured Guyanese boxer made use of the home crowd advantage, even as ‘The King’ made his grand entrance.

With the fight underway, the Guyanese advanced, throwing jab after jab that often

missed its target. After the first round, Richmond was visibly tiring, paving the way for King to make light work of him.

Richmond barely survived the second round, the crowd going quiet as the announcement came that the match would be discontinued and a technical knockout would be awarded to the visitor, making King’s prediction off by just a short margin.

Owing to the success of the first “Young Guns - The proving Ground’ card, the GBBC and organisers Clive Atwell and Dexter Marques are in talks to have a similar event each month.

Thrilling Limacol quarterfinals set!

Northern Rangers controlling possession of the ball

F

ollowing their final night of round-robin games, which produced two absolute shockers, the Limacol Knockout Football tournament has reached the pinnacle of competitive playing, as players are now preparing to enter into the tenser quarterfinal round.

In the last round of play, on Saturday evening, Group ‘A’ action saw Mahaica Determinators and Northern Rangers meeting in what would be a crucial match for the latter team.

Having already won two out of two matches, the young Mahaica Determinators team were sitting in a cozy position to move on to the qualifying round. However, Northern Rangers, with only one win, would have benefited well from the second.

As such, the experienced Northern Rangers played all their trump cards on Saturday with the intent to advance to the final round.

As fate would have it, the match-up was indeed intense, with both teams unable to penetrate the opposing goal.

Frustration soon took over, which resulted in

stray kicks and off-mark shots. After a quite uneventful period, the Mahaica Determinators, fuelled by the cheers and shouts from the crowd, found their winning goal. It came off of Dellon Charles’s boot in the 75th minute to seal a clean streak for the East Coast team and purchase Northern Rangers’ ticket home.

Another deciding matchup came up next, with Campton challenging Buxton Stars. Buxton had gotten off to a shaky start in the competition, losing their first matchup, but returning to dominate the second. On the contrary, Campton had begun in the winning fate.

They knew they would have to work hard to surpass Campton’s experience, but Buxton were set on securing their quarterfinal spot. Similarly to the first half in the previous match, spectators were treated to thrills as a result of near misses, but that was soon to end.

The second half began in the best way possible for Buxton -- goal from Kenaz DeCambra in the 46th minute. The encouraging fans were treated to another goal

from Buxton’s Shamar Scott in the 85th minute. Knowing that time was no longer on their side, Campton seemed to immediately give up on their quarterfinal hopes.

The quarterfinal action will get underway at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue on Tuesday, September 25, with Riddim Squad and Beacons FC sparring in the first encounter. Police and Georgetown Football Club (GFC) will play to decide their fate right after.

The competition will rest until Thursday, September 27, when the Mahaica Determinators will face off with Pouderoyen. Later on, Santos FC and Buxton Stars will take to the field for their shot at the semis.

The semifinal of the Limacol Knockout Football tournament 2018 will go down on Sunday, September 30, whilst the final is scheduled for Friday, October 5. The competition is being sponsored by the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) under their Limacol brand. The winner of this year’s competition will walk away with $600,000.

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Windies start strong in Dubai practice match – Hetmyer tops with the bat

T

he West Indies Senior Men’s Team currently in Dubai for a 10day preparation camp ahead of the Tour of India, started a two-day practice match against a UAE XI at the ICC Academy.

The WINDIES posted 345-5 after choosing to bat on the first day of the match, with ninety overs or a 5pm cut-off time agreed between both teams for each day.

Openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Kieran Powell started cautiously in the 42-degree Celsius weather. Powell then became the aggressor of the pair, carting the inexperienced UAE bowlers around the Academy ground.

Brathwaite fell in the over before lunch for 28 with the score on 69.

Powell powered on, reaching 42 before he retired. Shai Hope was joined by the inform Shimron Hetmyer, who continued his free scoring from the CPL. He struck fivefours and four-sixes on his way to a top-score of 60 and a 95-run partnership with Hope, before being caught and bowled by Fawad.

Hope and Roston Chase continued the solid batting,

the pair added a further 38 runs before Hope became Ajmal’s second victim for a well-played 51. Chase and Shane Dowrich added 40 runs before Chase also fell for 51. Dowrich made 21, Captain Jason struck fivefours and a six on his way to 38 before also retiring.

Returning batsman Sunil Ambris struck a quickfire 47 before he was trapped LBW

by Ajmal. Jahmar Hamilton and Keemo Paul were the not out batsmen on 2 runs respectively, when play ended at 5pm with 86 overs bowled.

Ajmal was the pick of the UAE bowlers, taking 3-44 while Fawad and Akmal had one wicket each.

At the close of play, WINDIES Head Coach Stuart Law said “It was a great hit today for our batsmen in extreme heat. All the batsmen had some valuable time in the middle and our preparation has been excellent so far. The boys are adjusting nicely to the tough conditions.”

The match continues on Monday, with the WINDIES taking the field to bowl and defend the 345-5 the batsmen posted.

Shimron Hetmyer

GFF contributes to Indigenous Heritage Sports and Baramita community

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GFF President Wayne Forde, presenting the cleats to a player at the Indigenous Heritage Sports 2018 in the presence of Minister within the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry, Valerie GarridoLowe and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alfred King

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s Guyana observes Indigenous Heritage Month, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has made presentations to the Indigenous Heritage Sports and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs on behalf of the community of Baramita, in Region One. The GFF presented 10 pairs of cleats to the Heritage Sports on Sunday at the commencement of the event at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, while six footballs were presented to the Heritage Sports on Saturday at the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

In presenting the cleats, GFF President Wayne Forde

said it was made on request, and the GFF was happy to contribute to the cause.

“Minister Garrido-Lowe would have made some representation today that some of the athletes were short on boots, so it’s our pleasure to donate some boots,” Forde said.

When the footballs were received on Saturday on behalf of the Baramita Community, Mervyn Williams, Vice President and Advisor to the Honourable Minister Sydney Allicock, had said the U15 team would be beneficiaries of the balls.

“The Ministry is pleased to receive these gifts of six balls

from the Guyana Football Federation on behalf of the Baramita Community, which will help the young footballers, specifically the U15 team, to not only more aggressively pursue their studies through exercise, which will enhance their thinking power, but also give them an opportunity to indulge in an extra-curricular activity. This is beneficial to them, and will keep them away from activities which are perhaps not in their best interest,” Williams had said.

A total of 17 football teams featured in this year’s Heritage Sports, inclusive of both male and female sides.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

mondAY, september 24, 2018

Matthews, Dottin sink South Africa by 115 runs – Matthews scores maiden ODI ton

bowling, while Dottin ran through the South Africa middle/lower order. South Africa lost their last six wickets for 25 runs, with the team being bowled out for 177 in the 43rd over.

After the win, West Indies moved to fourth on the ICC Women’s Championship points table, while South Africa remained second-last in the eight-team competition.

The victory earned the Windies women two points on the Championship ta-

ble, taking them into fourth place with nine from nine matches, three behind leaders New Zealand and two behind both Australia Women and World champions England Women.

The ICC Women’s Championship is played between the eight leading sides – Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Windies, facing each other in series of three ODIs on a home or away basis.

Hosts New Zealand and

the three other top teams from the Championship will gain direct qualification for the 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup. The remaining four sides will get a second chance through the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier event in which they will be joined by six teams from four regions: Africa, Asia, East Asia Pacific and Europe. (Clifton Ross)

16th Victor Macedo Memorial Cycling…

Dey tops the day

South African Captain Dane van Niekirk (left); BCA CEO Roland Toppin and Stafanie Taylor (right) pose with the shared series trophy following the 1-1 result

H

ayley Matthews’s first One-Day International century coupled with Deandra Dottin’s all-round show led Windies Women’s to a mammoth 115-run victory over South Africa in the pivotal third and final match of the ICC/Sandals International Home Series Women’s Championship.

After losing her opening partner Kycia Knight in the third over, Matthews played the starring role in a 176-

run second-wicket partnership with Captain Stafanie Taylor (46).

Matthews has become only the fifth female player from the Caribbean to hit an ODI hundred. She cracked 15 fours in her 117 as the Caribbean side racked up an imposing 292-5, their second highest ODI total ever, from their allotted 50 overs.

Seasoned all-rounder Deandra Dottin smoked 59 from 44 balls, in which were four fours and three sixes,

before returning to snap up 4-36; her second best OID figures. Only South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp stood out amidst the carnage, to end with 4-55.

South Africa lost openers Lizelle Lee and Sune Luus inside the first five overs, after half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt (54) and in-form captain Dane van Niekerk (77) added 108 for the third wicket. Wolvaardt was eventually stumped off leg-spinner Afy Fletcher’s

T

rojan Cycle Club’s Curtis Dey has claimed the spoils for his stand-alone win in the 16th staging of the Victor Macedo Memorial Cycling Road Race which took place on Sunday last.

Trailing the 19-year-old in second was Alonzo Ambrose, while Paul De Nobrega finished in third spot.

The race commenced in Peter Rose Street, Queenstown and proceeded to Long Creek on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, before returning to the city to conclude on Homestretch Avenue, where Dey was the first competitor to cross the line. He completed this 73-mile event in a time of 3 hours, 16 minutes, 47 seconds (3h: 16m :47s).

Andrew Hicks, Ajay Gopilall, Deeraj Garbarran, Andre Green and Balram Narine rounded out the top eight spots in that order. Gopilall finished as the top junior, while Adelie Hodge was second and Donovan Fraser copped third.

In the Veteran’s category, Junior Niles reigned supreme, while Mark Spencer and Leer Nunes were second and third respectively.

Jude Bentley was the top mountain biker, with Julio Melville coming in second and Quincy Punch third.

At conclusion of the event, prizes were given to the top finishers by members of the Macedo family. The organisers have also mentioned that plans are in place to make next year’s staging a bigger and better event by inviting overseas cyclists to compete.

Curtis Dey

er 24, 2018 | guyanatimesGY.com

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monDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

"Young Guns – The Proving Ground"

"The King" makes accurate prediction Page 20

"The King" celebrates his easy victory with his mini me

A glimpse of the female action

Matthews, Dottin sink South Africa by 115 runs Page 22

Hayley Matthews celebrates her maiden ODI hundred vs South Africa

– Matthews scores maiden ODI ton GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - lezas@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.