Guyana times september 25, 2017

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Linden students benefit from dental outreach Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Monday, September 25, 2017

Issue No. 3342

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Patterson admits to ‘mix-up’ in bridge study funding Bandits attack family preparing for father’s memorial service Page 3

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Suspects who confessed to raping, killing teen for P13 court today

"He can't just say, 'oh I mixed up the bridges' and is not sanctioned" – Bishop Edghill

Injured: Tallim Saheed

Injured: Shalim Saheed

Page 2

Dead: Fazal Saheed

– 1 brother shot dead, 2 others injured

Dead: Fazal Saheed

Essequibo hit by freak storm

– heavy winds uproot trees P9

At Amelia’s Ward, Linden

Block 42 P10 residents fear threat of erosion – as ‘illegal’ sand pit operation gets closer to homes

Ex-cop to go on trial for death of 10-yearP9 old boy Race to the finish line: Delegates vying for the crown of Miss Indigenous Heritage 2017 competing in a three-legged race during the Inter-Heritage Games and Fun Day at the Everest Cricket Club Ground in Georgetown on Sunday. A three-legged race involves several pairs of participants attempting to complete a short sprint with the left leg of one runner strapped to the right leg of another runner. The objective is for the partners to run together without falling over and beat the other contestants to the finish line (Carl Croker photo)

"The doors are open to business, investment"

– President tells Diaspora in NY

Page 11

Govt to sell off Bermine Sports Complex Page 13

– in New Amsterdam

Duo arrested with illegal guns, ammo P8

2 news Bandits attack family preparing for father’s memorial service monDAY, september 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

– 1 brother killed, 2 others injured

By Lakhram Bhagirat

W

hat was supposed to be a time for reflection and reunion for the Saheed family of East La Penitence, Georgetown turned out to be a nightmare when bandits barged into their Lot 194 Freeman Street home and fired bullets indiscriminately, killing one of the brothers while injuring two others.

Fifty-eight-year-old Fazal Saheed of 18 Albion, Corentyne was killed during the ordeal, while his two other brothers -- Tallim Saheed, 50, of Toronto, Canada and Shalim Saheed, 53, of the United States of America

Dead: Fazal Saheed

Injured: Tallim Saheed

Injured: Shalim Saheed

-- received multiple gunshot wounds and are warded at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC).

According to the Police,

two masked men carried out the attack, and one was armed with a handgun.

Investigations have so far revealed that the bandits

gained access into the house via a door that was left open, and they surprised their victims, who were in the living room area. They then relieved them of their jewellery, and discharged several rounds at the brothers before fleeing the scene.

The Police were then alerted, and the victims were rushed to the GPH, where Fazal was pronounced dead on arrival, Talim was treated and warded, while Shalim had to undergo emergency surgery, and is listed as critical.

The Police retrieved several spent shells at the scene, and have since taken one suspect from the East La Penitence area into custody.

The suspect is said to be assisting with investigations.

When the Guyana Times visited the home of the Saheeds, the trio’s eldest brother, Raymond, said there were approximately six relatives who arrived from the US and Canada for his late father’s first anniversary memorial service.

He related that the family was in the process of preparing for the service, which was supposed to be on Sunday, when the attack happened.

cation and the fellows fired the shots,” Raymond explained.

He said he was just preparing to retire to bed at his Subryanville home when he received a call at around 12:55am, from his sister, informing him that his brothers were shot.

“I enquired where my brothers are, and my sister indicated to me that they gone to the East La Penitence Police Station.

Relatives and friends gathered at the Saheeds’ home

“My mom, sister-inlaw and sister (were) in the kitchen after (midnight) when the bandits allegedly came through the front door, which was partially open.

The gate was padlocked but they did not see how these guys came in; but apparently they jumped the fence and came in. When they came in, they probably had an alter-

I drove there and (persons there) told me that they are at the Georgetown Public Hospital, and I went there.

I barged in to the triage room, and what I saw there I froze,” he said.

He told this publication that he saw his brothers lying side by side, with Fazal being already declared dead. turn to page 5

news

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monDAY, september 25, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Monday, September 25 – 05:00h-06:30h and Tuesday, September 26 – 08:30h-10:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery to heavy and light rain showers can be expected throughout the day, with sunshine in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy skies and thundery showers are expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 25 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East South-easterly to East North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 07:19h and 19:31h reaching a maximum height of 2.49 metres at each scheduled high tide.

Low Tide: 13:06h reaching a minimum height of 0.78 metre.

SATURDAY, September 23, 2017

LOTTERY NUMBERS 06

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M

inister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson was forced to backpedal over the weekend when he admitted that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) did not in fact fund the feasibility study for the new Demerara River Crossing - a consultancy mired in controversy over the selection of the Dutch consultants LievenseCSO and their findings.

Patterson had claimed it was the IDB that had funded the feasibility study to the tune of $146 million, leading to calls from the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) for that international financial institution to make a public pronouncement, since its credibility was at stake.

Minister Patterson subsequently issued a retraction, saying, “The Ministry wishes to state that the consultancy was not funded by the IDB, but rather by the Government of Guyana.”

In an attempt to offer an explanation, Patterson now claims, “The mix-up arose since the IDB was funding the feasibility study and design for the bridge across the Demerara River at Wismar at about the same time.”

He had originally claimed it was with funding from the IDB that the Ministry had advertised the consultancy for feasibility study and design for the new Demerara River Bridge.

Blunders

DAILY MILLIONS 03 07 10 15 22 LUCKY 3 4 1 6 Afternoon Draw

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

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"He can't just say, 'oh I mixed up the bridges' and is not sanctioned" – Bishop Edghill

By Gary Eleazar

Monday, September 25 – 06:55h-08:25h and Tuesday, September 26 – 07:45h-09:15h.

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Patterson admits to ‘mix-up’ in bridge study funding

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DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

The latest blunder on the part of the minister with responsibility for one of Guyana’s largest budgetary agencies is now seeing a growing chorus calling for his resignation or immediate firing.

PPP/C Member of Parliament Bishop Juan Edghill, in an interview with this publication on Sunday, reiterated that his call must be seen in its context.

“This has nothing to do with politics. The man is demonstrating -- more and more every day - his incom-

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson

petence,” Edghill posited.

According to him, “This matter must be seen in context”, and he pointed to the recent scrapping of the planned Diamond vehicular overpass and the reasons given, the spate of blackouts that have been plaguing ordinary Guyanese and the business community. “Even basic functions of this important ministry are not being carried out,” he charged.

The PPP/C Member of Parliament, in calling for President Granger to immediately fire Minister Patterson, said, “This latest public blunder by Patterson was no mistake, as he is leading people to believe now.”

Edghill explained to this publication that when sums of money are being taken from the treasury to fund a feasibility report, that process is entirely different from one in which the IDB is providing funding. There is a whole long process involved that is completely different, he said.

“So Patterson can’t just say, ‘Oh, I mixed up the bridges,’ and is not sanctioned. Clearly he doesn’t know what he is doing,” Edghill charged.

Diamond overpass

The Opposition MP also pointed out -- lest some would want to point fingers and to say, “The PPP is picking on Minister Patterson because he made a few mistakes with how he handled the bridge” -that one should take a look at

the latest botched project under his watch: the Diamond vehicular overpass.

According to Edghill, any first-year engineering student would have been able to tell that there was simply not enough space available to make that venture a viable one.

“Imagine, one year after you go out with this ‘pie in the sky’ plan and actually get approval for it, you realise that there is no space to build it... What is the reason for cancelling the entire project? Why not just buy out some of the privately owned lands, as is the case with (the coalition financier Stanley) Ming, in order to build the new Demerara bridge?”

Edghill asked.

Edghill told Guyana Times the Diamond example is but one project, and iterated, “Not wanting to be seen as splitting hairs, but it cannot be mere coincidence that countrywide blackouts have plagued this country ever since Minister Patterson took control of that sector.

“We continue to hear a whole host of excuses from GPL, but the only thing that really changed there was the leadership. They put a ‘chicken feed’ maker to run the place. What else would you expect?” the MP asserted.

Track record

Edghill, in calling for Minister Patterson’s removal from that ministerial portfolio, observed that an overall assessment of works done by the Ministry since the coalition took office would reveal that not only has there been a halt to any significant infrastructural development, but the country is at a standstill even when it comes to re-

PPP/C Member of Parliament Juan Edghill

pairing what is already deteriorating.

“Look at the financial reports that are coming out from official Government sources prepared by the technical people. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure barely manages to pay its staff and pay its bills. None of the real work is getting done... Look at their track record in the mid-year reports,” Edghill declared.

According to the 2017 Mid-Year Report prepared by the Ministry of Finance, Government budgeted $37.2 billion to support continuous improvement to public infrastructure. Of this amount, $4 billion were expended on roads, and $242 million on bridges at the half year.

Overall, the Finance Minister, in his report, had confessed that notwithstanding the early budget, the required shift in planning cycles at the sectoral levels failed to keep pace, and the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) was less than one-third of the budgeted allocation.

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

Justice and constitutional reform

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e continue to develop principles that propose constitutional change which must observe and engender broad acceptance across the political, ethnic and other divisions in the people and especially among the politicians.

As we pointed out yesterday, Guyanese are attuned to the British contractual tradition of Liberalism, which envisages individuals bargaining rationally to produce a “contract” that would protect their interests. It was assumed that the actual principles rested on the moral foundation of the contract and centred on liberty and equality, which were the central values that Liberalism attempted to implement and balance. This tradition ranged from Hobbes to Locke (who postulated an actual original contract entered into by rational agents who would act in accordance with the requirements of liberal justice) to Kant, who accepted that the contract does not have to exist in fact, but one should still bargain as if one existed.

Kant, then, proposed that the solution to the inevitable conflicts in organised human societies lay in the design of appropriate institutions. Kant proposed that institutions, as with all normative behaviour, would have to satisfy the “categorical imperative”— which, if followed, would ensure the person(s) behaving in accordance with it are behaving morally. Most commentators who followed him agreed with his stricture that institutions constituting a state must be organised in accordance with the principle of justice, but there were interminable discussions as to whether particular proposals satisfied or did not satisfy the categorical imperative. John Rawls, the most influential of modern liberal political philosophers, came up with another formulation to guide the formation of social institutions nearly two centuries later, in 1971. It had the great virtue of simplicity.

In the opening line of the first section in his magnum opus A Theory of Justice, Rawls boldly declared that the principle of “justice” was the standard that would generate the broad acceptability for the establishment of any institution necessary to implement any initiative for enduring stability: “Justice is the first virtue of social institutions, as truth is of systems of thought.” Recognising that Guyana does not even reach Rawls’ definition of a society as “a cooperative venture for mutual advantage, it is typically marked by a conflict as well as by an identity of interests”, his definition of “justice” is very pertinent to our effort to construct a democratic state in Guyana: “…a way of assigning rights and duties in the basic institutions of society and they define the appropriate distribution of the benefits and burdens of social cooperation”.

More importantly, Rawls introduced a methodology for arriving at substantive principles for making decisions in divisive situations such as we have in Guyana, where it is vital that the decisions are seen as not favouring any one constituency. Procedurally, Rawls proposed that we make our suggestions about the fundamental principles that will structure and govern society, from behind a metaphorical “veil of ignorance” that precludes us from taking into consideration our personal position, class, gender, race, religion, even intelligence or interests in the matter under consideration. This “justice as fairness” would provide the requisite objectivity and impartiality in judgment necessary to engender the requisite trust, “since all are similarly situated and no one is able to design principles to favour his particular condition, the principles of justice are the result of a fair agreement or bargain”. With such principles, we would not formulate, for instance, rules that would put minorities at a disadvantage, since we could possibly be members of a minority group.

Rawls derived two substantive principles of justice that have been very influential since then in liberal political thought. However, he himself accepted they were most applicable to the developed democracies with strong economic foundations. In Guyana, we would have to derive our substantive principles of justice for ourselves based on our realities. Based on our history, however, justice for Guyanese institutions – especially our Constitution – would have to ensure that the values of liberty and equality are on the top of the agenda.

Patron of the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry greets youngsters outside The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) (Reuters/Fred Thornhill)

Jagdeo need not respond to attempts to discredit his tremendous accomplishments Dear Editor, It has become necessary to underscore the fact that a new trend seems to be developing, wherein persons wishing to etch their names in the public psyche latch onto a prominent individual in society -- whom more often than not these days is former president and current Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo – an art that some could argue has been perfected by newspaper columnist Freddie Kissoon.

A recent iteration of this has been evidenced in a recent letter penned by Saieed I Khalil, headlined, “Jagdeo is no Lee Kwan Yew” and published in the September 19, 2017 edition of the Stabroek News.

The letter writer attempts to discount Jagdeo’s stewardship of Guyana’s economy, and credit our country’s consistent economic progress under his tenure to favourable global conditions.

Students of economics at least should possess the basic understanding that global conditions alone do not translate to economic progress, even when those global conditions are favourable; which is why our leaders are tasked with advancing policy direction to enable future and sustainable growth.

Guyanese did not enjoy more than a decade of economic progress under Jagdeo and the former PPP/C Administration because of favourable global conditions; they did so because of the careful planning on the part of Jagdeo and the PPP/C. One only has to look at the letter writer’s own arguments to understand this.

Khalil contends that: “Oil prices are now lower than they have been in more than a decade…the US economy is in the middle of an eight year long upswing, and stocks are 235% higher than they were in 2009.” Yet, what is our current economic position? Where

are the foreign direct investments? Where are the jobs?

Where is wealth being created for average Guyanese? What is the position of our foreign exchange? These are only a few of the many criticisms voiced about the current APNU+AFC Coalition Administration’s management of the local economy.

The reality is that, despite the favourable global conditions cited by Khalil, Guyana is not doing well, due to the lack of coherent economic policy from the current Government – a vastly different state of affairs compared to the policies put in place by Jagdeo and the former PPP/C Administration.

The letter writer also fails to recognise that there has to be a profound analysis of several inter-related issues, including several major transformational projects, to improve the general understanding of the economic situation at that time – as opposed to the simplistic expression Khalil offers.

What Khalil does is ‘name drops’ disparate and unrelated economic concepts, including mention of the global financial crisis, in an attempt to lend depth to his supposed analysis.

He also mentions the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), but it must be noted that there is no analysis of the ERP that is offered, nor is there an acknowledgment of the fact that the ERP, by its very nature, exposes the situation that the former PPP/C Administration took over in 1992. Khalil states only that “the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP), a package of reform measures overseen by the late President Desmond Hoyte to ease the economy away from decades of debilitating ‘cooperative socialism’ and towards a market oriented economy, was beginning to pay dividends. Guyana went through an ERP because the country was bankrupt – a fact

acknowledged by then Finance Minister, Carl Greenidge, who said that 153 per cent of revenue was being used to service debts at the time.

Guyana having to go through an ERP sets the starting point of what the then PPP/C Administration inherited from the People’s National Congress (PNC).

Khalil goes on to say that Guyana received “roughly US$1 billion aid package from the European Union granted in compensation for the impending 36 per cent cut in the preferential price for Guyana sugar heading to the bloc.” The reality is that Guyana only received US$138 million – nine times less than what Khalil claims.

Interestingly, this ‘student of economics’ could not differentiate between US$1 billion and US$138 million. That said, there are fundamental transformative moves that can be directly credited to Jagdeo and the former PPP/C Administration, including the facts that: 1: A bankrupt country was transformed to a country that was the most viable in the Caribbean. If Khalil was analyzing a trend, he would have recognised this fact.

2: All the macro-economic fundamentals advanced by the PNC had been transformed from unsustainable to ones that are highly conducive to growth and development.

3: The biggest single constraint to growth was debt, which was substantially reduced.

4: Guyana was moved beyond stabilisation to a growth era.

5: Growth areas were identified to create the wealth for the future. Oil and gas were one of those. Also, in pursuit of the said growth areas, the Low Carbon Development Strategy was one of the most transformative and progressive in the world, which led to Guyana be-

ing recognised globally.

6: And Guyana was leading in CARICOM with an initiative that had Jagdeo’s name on it - an initiative relative to food security. Jagdeo was chosen by Dr Cheddi Jagan to head the Committee to draft the National Development Strategy. In his tenure, he advanced the NDS, the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and the Low Carbon Development Strategy. He was selected as one of the young global leaders by the World Economic Forum in 2005, and served as the Vice Chair of the ACP Eminent Persons Group. He was also appointed by the UN Secretary General to the High-Level Advisory Group on Mobilizing Climate Change Resources. He was selected by the Summit of Heads of State, held in Congo in 2011, as the Roving Ambassador for the Three Forest Basins. He was named as IUCN High Level Envoy for Sustainable Development in Forest Countries and Patron of Nature in 2012. He was the First President of the Green Growth Institute Assembly (2012-2014), a newly formed international organisation based in Korea.

Time Magazine had named President Jagdeo a 2008 ‘Hero of the Environment’. The United Nations, in 2010, declared President Jagdeo as one of its ‘Champions of the Earth Awardees’. As recent as 2016, he was chosen as the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Special Ambassador on Forests.

All considered, Jagdeo need not respond to a poorly constructed attempt to discredit his accomplishments, as well as those of the former PPP/C Administration.

Sincerely, Adrian Anamayah, MP Attorney-at-Law

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, September 25, 2017

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

Some policy proposals going into 2020 Dear Editor, As someone who regularly engages in discussions on economics, I usually have to re-emphasise that scarcity or induced poverty is often a consequence of poor government regulation and policy. I have put together a broad sketch of some of the policies ‘my government’ would be implementing within the first year of our administration, to engage the public in discussion. These have for the most part been kept brief.

1: Water & Electricity: The Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) will be responsible for preparing and submitting information regarding unserved areas. GWI will also devel-

op and implement a plan for addressing the availability of potable water. Concerns about electricity supply and cost will be addressed as a matter of urgency, with a more clinical approach to addressing needs and resource utilisation mechanisms.

2: Health & Education: The Ministries of Health & Education will be tasked with identifying weaknesses in their service delivery, and making proposals to address these weaknesses. For example, much more needs to be done to address the performance of students at the common entrance, or National Grade Six Assessment, examinations.

3: Public Servants’

Wages & Salaries: The wages and salaries of our public servants have taken a drubbing for in excess of two decades, and will be brought to the front burner immediately. Public Service Union (GPSU) leaders can therefore look forward to making proposals on public servants’ salaries, because I have some which I am confident will stir interest.

4: Rice & Sugar: Discussions will be held with representatives of the rice sector to address bottlenecks within the sector. Greater supervision will be made available to ensure rice farmers are fairly treated.

The problems in the sugar industry should have been

Guyana can well become a saviour to Caribbean residents Dear Editor, As a young journalist working for the Barbados Nation newspaper in the 80s, I was sent to cover the aftermath of the very devastating Hurricane Hugo, which wreaked havoc in Montserrat in the summer of 1989.

It was the morning after when we got there. When we landed at the main John A. Osborne Airport, after riding in the belly of a British C110 aircraft out of Barbados, we were dumbfounded.

I tried to hold ‘my own,’ but it came gushing out in torrents of tears after my editor (a tall hulk of a man) Timothy Slinger began crying. It was a horrifying sight; the island was in a mess. It looked like there had been an island-wide fire; everything was brown.

There were no leaves on any tree. Nothing was in place.

Cars and household furnishings were scattered in the valleys. People walked the roads aimlessly. I immediately began shooting pictures.

When I returned to Barbados with my pictures, the front page picture in our newspaper was with a little boy – maybe 10 years old – sitting on a three-threaded concrete stair with nothing behind him. He was digging, with his hands, hard coconut jelly from a coconut that had blown off a tree during the storm. That was his breakfast. He told us that where he was sitting was his home.

There was nothing but the concrete steps remaining. The blue horizon framed his back-

ground.

We drove from the airport into the capital of Plymouth behind a frontend loader that was lifted by helicopter off a British ship. The machine was pushing the boulders out of the way to make the roads accessible. That was my first trip to Montserrat.

Then, in 1995, the previously dormant Soufrière Hills volcano, in the southern part of the island, came alive.

Because of my previous affinity with the island, I was assigned to cover that story. I would visit that island several times between 1995 and 2000.

I was there when the initial major eruption happened and claimed its first victims – some farmers who had ventured beyond the safe zone to take care of their cattle. The constant belching of plumes of ash and sulfur would eventually make the southern parts of the island uninhabitable.

I saw two-thirds of the island's population being forced to flee, some to surroundings islands, but most to the UK. The United Kingdom lays claim to the island.

There were fewer than 1,200 people left on the island.

Today the numbers are slowly creeping up. No doubt, the recent spate of hurricanes will retard that momentum.

I have lived in Barbados and have been a witness to several hurricanes and tropical depressions. And with the latest uptick in these destructive weather patterns, I am wondering if life in the Caribbean will not make a

formidable turn.

Could it be that if the globe continues to warm – which is a catalyst for the most deadly and destructive storms – the islands will (like Montserrat) become sparsely populated?

The Bible speaks of an eventual disappearance of islands; could this be a foretaste?

Guyana – if only because of our sizable land mass and English language – can well become a saviour to the Caribbean residents. We need to begin to think in these terms. We were long the laughing stock of the Caribbean. However, our new-found brush with oil wealth and the prevailing and predicted weather patterns might very well position us as a proverbial “rejected stone” that becomes the “head of the corner”. Of course we can benefit from the mental acumen and the entrepreneurial skills of our fellow Caribbean sisters and brothers. We can benefit from their assistance, particularly in the areas of tourism and offshore investments. Maybe there should be a nonpartisan committee established to begin to explore ways of offering Islanders terms and packages that will lure them to Guyana as financial investors. I think that we need to strike the nail while it is hot. There is a proverb which says, “He is wise who does now what he will eventually be asked to do.”

Sincerely, Pastor WP Jeffrey

Bandits attack family... from page 2

“He (Fazal) had between 3 and 4 gunshot wounds.

The gunshot wound that caught my attention was the one that pierced his heart directly, and I believe that is what killed him almost instantly,” Raymond said.

The distraught man further explained that Tallim was shot in the shoulder, with the bullet exiting under his armpit. He was very conscious at that time, while

his other brother, Shalim, had several gunshot wounds to his stomach. The doctors related that Shalim would require emergency surgery, since he was in a semi-conscious and critical state. The surgery was performed, but Shalim is still listed as critical, and is warded in the Intensive Care Unit of the GPHC. Raymond took the time to bash 911 operators, since

the family had reportedly called the number several times but there was no answer. On the other hand, he said Divisional Commander Marlon Chapman visited the family, promising to ensure that a proper and swift investigation is conducted and justice is served.

Fazal had been a businessman who manufactured sauces and spices. He leaves to mourn his son and wife.

addressed long ago, and will be brought to closure sooner than later. I intend to have sugar workers who left or were released from 2010, which I think is an appropriate cut-off point for inclusion. Failing any firm agreements which will involve the union regarding privatisation, I have already drafted some proposals which include the distribution of land to sugar workers along with a financial compensation package. The distribution of land will fall within a larger policy support framework for those receiving these lands.

5: Gold Mining: Within the gold mining sector, it is my opinion that in the absence of stronger policing systems, royalties and other punitive charges need to be reduced, to improve official

gold declarations and encourage investment and job creation within the sector.

6: Investment, Job Creation & General Private Sector Matters: Foreign investors have the potential to significantly accelerate Guyana’s development prospects; and in this regard, GO-Invest will be further strengthened, with greater efforts being extended to marketing Guyana abroad, in an effort to attract investor attention.

A public/private panel will be set up to focus on local private sector concerns regarding investment, job creation, and general matters that concern private sector expansion.

Also to be covered here is infrastructural development.

7: Taxation: It is public knowledge that I consider the

recent applications of VAT in the 2017 budget ridiculous.

These will be repealed if the current administration does not do so by 2020. Further efforts will be paid to seeing how VAT can be scaled back.

Some mechanism will also be put in place to lower income taxes generally, and an investigation into the appropriateness of having a lower flat tax for businesses will be made.

General reduction in tax rates will follow increased Government revenues which are expected to flow from the policy matrix Government implements after consultations with various stakeholders. Reductions are also subject to infrastructural demands.

Yours faithfully, Craig Sylvester

Under-utilised M&CC workers can be used in hurricane-hit islands’ rebuilding efforts Dear Editor, Watching the aftermath and devastating consequences of recent hurricanes in our region, including Hurricane Maria (the fourth named storm since Irma), and being well aware of the significant overstaffing and complete bankruptcy of the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown, I would like to make a proposition that would ‘kill two flightless birds with one giant stone’, as they say here in Guyana.

With thousands of Caribbean people, including a significant number of Guyanese, having no shelter, clothing, food or water; with animals stranded and pets abandoned and left behind; with many buildings flattened, roads ripped up, bridges damaged, and other public infrastructure destroyed, there is an urgent need for engineers, architects, surveyors, draughtsmen, public health workers, plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, tinsmiths, labourers, mechanics, welders, painters, crane and excavator operators, landscapers, security officers etc., all of which the Georgetown Municipality has. I would therefore like to suggest that the City Council sends roughly half of its approximately 1,000 workers to the islands to help with the rebuilding of the services and structures needed for people to resume some semblance of ordinary life in places such as Cuba, St Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, St. Maarten, and Barbuda.

In this way, these employees would have meaningful work to do for the next couple of years, as they are currently not provided with either tools or materials to work. And if funding could be obtained from international organisations to pay their sal-

aries whilst they are rebuilding these countries’ infrastructure, it would save the City Council tens of millions of dollars each month -- money which could be used to pay off their creditors, including the garbage contractors.

Of course ‘Pat and

Roy’, whom we all know love to travel, could travel between these islands ferrying supplies, supervising the workers, and providing nursing care and PR services.

Best regards, Sambu Jacobus

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monday, September 25, 2017

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(Continued from Sunday)

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f your child was injured while disregarding safety rules, point out the cause-and-effect between the action and the injury, while avoiding blame.

You could say, "You probably didn't understand the danger involved in doing that, but I'm sure you understand now, and I know you won't do it that way again." If your child repeatedly disobeys rules and is injured, speak to your doctor.

This sort of worrisome behaviour pattern needs a closer look.

In every case, though, be sure to explain, especially to young children, that going to the doctor is not a punishment. Help your children understand that adults go to doctors just like children do and that the doctor's job is to help people stay healthy and fix any problems.

What should children know about routine checkups?

Young children learn best during play, and this can be a way to answer any questions and talk about fears they may have.

You can use a doll or teddy bear to show a young child how the nurse will measure height and weight or demonstrate parts of the routine exam.

Many children's books are available to help explain a doctor visit. It also helps to use role-playing to show how the doctor might: * use a blood pressure cuff to "hug the arm" * look in the mouth (and will need to hold the tongue down with a special stick for just a few seconds to see the throat) * look at the eyes and into the ears * listen to the chest and back with a stethoscope

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Foundation

* tap or press on the tummy to listen to or feel what's inside * look quickly to see that the "private areas" are healthy * tap on the knees * look at the feet It's important for parents to let their children know that what they've taught them about the privacy of their bodies is still true, but that doctors, nurses, and parents must sometimes examine all parts of the body. Emphasise, though, that these people are the only exceptions.

And reassure your child that you will be in the exam room with him or her.

What should children know about other exams?

If your child is going to the doctor because of an illness or medical condition or is going to visit a specialist, you might not even know what to expect during the exam.

When you make the appointment, ask to speak to the doctor or a nurse to find out, in a general way, what will happen during the office visit. Then you can explain this in gentle language, appropriate to your child's age. Be honest if you know

that a procedure might be somewhat embarrassing, uncomfortable, or even painful, but don't go into great detail. Your child will feel more secure knowing what's going to happen and why.

Children can cope with discomfort or pain more easily if they're forewarned, and they'll learn to trust you if you're honest with them. If you don't know much about the illness or condition, admit that but reassure your child that you'll both be able to ask the doctor questions about it. Write down your child's questions.

Reassure your child that you'll be there and that the procedure is truly necessary to fix – or find out how to fix — the problem. (Teens may prefer to be examined without a parent or with only a same-sex parent or same-sex chaperone present. That preference should be honoured.)

If a blood sample will be taken, be careful how you explain this. Some young children worry that "taking blood" means that all their blood will be taken. Let your child know that the body contains a great deal of blood and that only a very little bit is needed for testing.

Again, be sure that your child understands that the doctor visit is not a punishment for any misbehaviour or disobedience.

How can children be part of the process?

Gathering information for the doctor. If the situation isn't an emergency, your child can help make a list of symptoms for the doctor. Include all symptoms you've seen, even if they seem unrelated to the problem. Also prepare a list of your child's previous illnesses and medical conditions and a family history of illnesses and medical conditions among close members of the family (parents, siblings,

grandparents, aunts, and uncles).

Writing down questions.

Ask your child to think of questions to ask the doctor.

Write them down and give them to the doctor. Or, if children are old enough, they can write down and ask the questions themselves. If the problem has happened before, list the things that have worked and the things that haven't worked in previous treatment. Children will be reassured by your active role in their medical care and will learn from your example. And you'll be prepared to give the doctor information needed for an informed diagnosis.

How should I choose a doctor?

It's important to choose a doctor carefully. You want one who's smart and competent. But you also want a doctor who understands children' needs and fears and who com-

Size

municates easily with them in a friendly manner, without talking down to them.

During a physical exam, the doctor inspects, taps, and checks various body parts – some of this can be embarrassing (or even physically uncomfortable) for children.

A good relationship between doctor and patient can help ease these feelings.

If a doctor seems critical, uncommunicative, disinterested, or unsympathetic, do not be afraid to change doctors.

Ask for recommendations from other parents or other doctors whose opinions you trust.

If your child needs to see a specialist, ask your doctor to recommend someone who's knowledgeable, experienced, and friendly. After all, we want that in our own doctors, so should seek the same for our children. (kidshealth.org)

matters

– advice for teaching large classes

By Deborah J Cohan, PhD

I

deas vary as to what constitutes large classes.

At one point, I was so used to teaching classes that hovered between 15 and 45 students that when I got assigned 70-person classes, I worried that I would need to drastically alter my teaching style. I had figured out how to master facilitating meaningful discussions in those smaller classes, but I wondered how I could get discussion going with so many students.

Would I have to either get rid of, or really sacrifice, the open and intimate aspects of my classes, which I regard as hallmarks of sound pedagogy?

Eventually, I learned how to effectively teach larger classes. So I’d like to share some fruitful tactics and strategies for dealing with them.

For starters, when teaching large classes at colleges and universities that boast small class size and low student/teacher ratios on their websites and on campus tours, it is important to comment on this early on in the classroom. On the first day of such a large class, I always acknowledge that I understand that many students probably chose the university because of the sense of a family atmosphere— because it was a place where “everyone knows your name”—and that this class may not have been what they initially bargained for. At my university, we offer few large classes; in fact, only three classrooms on the entire campus are built to accommodate more than 68 students.

So my large Introduction to Sociology class is an anomaly.

It’s troubling to me that I am part of a broken promise on day one. I explain to them that even the size is sociological, that an individual's choices and behavioural options are constrained by social forces imposed by institutional structures. I also tell them that, as we will discuss later in the course, aspects of their lives, including their education, have been and will continue to be McDonaldized – that bureaucracies, which we all inhabit and will also explore in the course, emphasise profit, the outcome of which can be alienating. I explain to the students at the outset that I craft my teaching in ways to counter the disconnection and isolation that is often experienced in large classes.

Reducing anonymity The vast majority of my large introductory classes are composed of first-year students, many of whom are also first generation. And depending on the day classes start and the time of day, sometimes mine is the very first college classroom they’ve ever been in. I try to possess a beginner’s mind that first day, recognising that it can be overwhelming for new students to walk into a classroom with so many people. So the first thing I do when I enter the large classroom is to play loudly Bob Marley’s song “Three Little Birds.” Hearing “Don’t worry about a thing, ’cause every little thing gonna be all right” is a down-toearth, fun and easygoing way of letting students know we are all in this together. (Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

to be continued

news

7

monDay, September 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana’s earnings from oil profits, royalty

Projection of US$1M per day is clearly wrong, extremely optimistic – int’l analyst

I

nternational financial analyst Sasenarine Singh is warning that the early projections of the likely revenue from Guyana’s oil sector are “dangerous, ill-informed” in light of the volatility of the sector, suspect figures from the International Monetary Fund and the plethora of risks that accompany the industry.

Singh, in a recent interview with the Guyana Times, was responding to a dedicated ‘oil news’ network operated locally which suggested that Guyana was on track to earn close to US$1 million per day from oil profits and royalty.

That outfit, according to the financial analyst, “just lifted a raw number of 120,000 bpd from somewhere, which it claimed was backed by the IMF...

Unfortunately, the latest figure backed by the IMF was 100,000 bpd and such a declaration can be found in its 2017 Staff Report on Guyana, which was published in June 2017. In that 80-page report, on page 63, the IMF made absolutely clear that this num-

Financial analyst Sasenarine Singh

the Stabroek Block will be around 100,000 bpd from mid-2020-2028 and then it shall drop to 80,000 bpd and then 60,000 bpd from 2033.”

Singh told this publication that this projection of close to US$1 million per day was clearly wrong and extremely optimistic.

Speaking to the dangers of such a prediction, the international financial analyst told this newspaper, “Such a number is feeding a tired Guyanese population false hope....Such a number can also cause many unaware of the facts to start building castles in the sky..”

Singh is ad-

ber is a Baseline Scenario Assumption (BSA).”

According to Singh, “anyone who has done any sort of project management and financial forecasting will know that a BSA is nothing but an exercise in projections using uncertain variables, but when the project is fully developed it can possibly be very different from the BSA numbers...

In their BSA, the IMF estimate total oil production at

“Gaza” remanded for stabbing Sophia conductor

…injured conductor released from hospital

F

One of the houses engulfed in flames following the stabbing

ollowing the commotion in Sophia on Sunday last which led to the hospitalisation of 29-year-old Alvano Williams after a stabbing, the perpetrator, whose name was given as Troy, also known as “Gaza”, is said to be on remand after his appearance in court on Wednesday.

This is according to information relayed by the mother of the injured man, Bridget Williams, who indicated that her son has been released from the hospital and remained at home, recovering.

The woman told Guyana Times that “Gaza” was arrested on the day of the incident for the stabbing of her son, a conductor.

This publication recently reported that on the morning of Sunday, September

17, Williams and Troy confronted each other over an existing grievance and the conductor was subsequently stabbed several times about his body.

Based on information received, the stabbing stemmed from a matter involving the girlfriend of the perpetrator, who was identified as Kerry. Kerry was at the Sophia bus park when the conductor asked whether she would be travelling with him, to which she replied: “I ain’t going in no crassing bus.”

Williams responded negatively, saying “you and you man is two crass”. This was subsequently relayed to Troy, who stopped the said bus as it was proceeding to Sophia that evening and started the fight with Williams.

On Sunday last, the duo clashed once again, with an exchange of threatening language descending into them attacking each other with weapons. The conductor was stabbed in his back and to his shoulder with a long iron object, and then to his head and about his body.

Williams was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital, nursing severe injuries while Troy, who had initially fled the scene, was taken into Police custody.

As a result of what transpired, Troy was reportedly placed on $60,000 bail and remanded to prison until his next court appearance on September 23.

Adding to that, shortly after the stabbing, an angry mob which was allegedly acting in retribution for the harm done to Williams then went on a rampage, setting alight three houses within the area.

However, Williams continues to deny any connection with the alleged gangsters as his mother indicated that they are unaware of any links between the stabbing and the fires.

In fact, the concerned mother highlighted that it was impossible for her son to be involved, given that he was hospitalised and in critical condition at that time.

Moreover, it is still unclear as to whether an arrest was made in relation to the arson.

amant that playing with the emotions, ambitions and hopes of Guyanese was unethical at minimum and insisted that “it is too early in the investment cycle to have real convergence on the cash inflows to the Treasury”.

He used the opportunity to remind the public too that “profits are not cash flows” and reiterated “it is too early to project the price of oil”.

Singh noted too that based on a Corporate Finance course “I did at London Business School, and my 14 years of practical experience doing exactly this sort of analyses internationally, I clearly learned that in analysing the future cash flows from ‘Capital Investment’, one must always measure the multitude of risks i n volved in each situation. You must have a scenario analysis with many ‘noodles’ offering the several alternatives...Mathematical formulas that predict a single rate of return or best estimate are not enough.”

“I await the ExxonMobil production plan outlining the projected oil they plan to pump from 2021,” Singh said. “I was reliably told it can be as low as 40,000 bpd in the first 12 months.”

He has since adopted the position: “I encourage the Guyanese intellectuals

to not play lotto with the

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

minds of the ordinary man...

At the end of the day, the only authority on the annual cash inflow from this project to the Treasury remains ExxonMobil, not a Minister, not a newspaper, not a President, only Exxon!”

Singh’s caution mirrors that of Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who has repeatedly cautioned against persons misleading the populace with regard to the likely inflows from the oil sector in addition to public calls for the release of several pertinent documents, including the contract inked with ExxonMobil and the Natural Resources Ministry.

In June last, Jagdeo had berated Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman, saying “he is talking up expectation about massive fu-

ture wealth”.

Not wanting to speculate, the Opposition Leader quipped that oil prices at “US$50 a barrel can’t solve our jobs problem”.

According to Jagdeo, there is a very “real possibility of Guyanese being worse off” come 2020 when “oil could be a blessing or a curse”.

He said the world was replete with examples where Governments have misspent their oil fortunes while ignoring other sectors.

Jagdeo used the opportunity to again lament what he called the politicising of any returns on the national patronage.

“What he (Trotman) does, he goes around talking up the future of this industry as though it will solve every problem in Guyana…As though there will be massive flows.”

The Opposition Leader had pointed to ExxonMobil’s pronouncements that by 2020 when it would begin production, it would have already invested some US$5 billion and this money would have to be recovered by the oil giant and its partners before any profits could be shared.

The former President, speaking to the volatility of the oil market and oil prices, said come 2020 Guyana could very well not be receiving any profits whatsoever, but instead would get just the royalty - not a massive amount when juxtaposed to the adumbrations of Government officials.

8 NEWS

monday, September 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

$40,000 bail for Kamuni Creek farmer on felonious wounding charge

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orty-seven-yearold Mark Toney of Kamuni Creek, West Bank Demerara (WBD), was on Thursday last released on $40,000 bail for the charge of unlawfully and maliciously wounding Paul Sealey.

Toney, a chainsaw operator and farmer in the area, was granted his pre-trial liberty after he entered a plea of not guilty when the felonious wounding charge was read out to him by Wales Magistrate Rochelle Liverpool.

The prosecution presented its facts, stating that on August 16 at Kamuni Creek, WBD, Toney committed the act on Sealey, but the ac-

Kamuni Creek

cused man denied that this was so when he answered to

the charge. In considering whether or not the defen-

dant should be granted bail, the court took into account that Toney was the father of two young children below the age of 10, and never was previously charged.

As the prosecution had no objections, the farmer was initially placed on $65,000 bail, but his plea for a reduction was granted, with the Magistrate maintaining that $40,000 would be the lowest amount stipulated. At Thursday’s hearing, the alleged victim was not present in court. Toney is scheduled to make his next appearance at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on October 19 for report and fixtures. (Shemuel Fanfair)

Man takes former tenant to court for unpaid rent

Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj, who represented the Virtual Complainant

A

West Demerara man has settled a dispute with a former tenant against whom he had filed legal

proceedings to recoup unpaid rent.

Appearing at the Wales Magistrate’s Court on Thursday last, the former tenant, Chetram Singh, accepted that he owed rent to his former landlord Ramdyall Narine, as he had not paid for some time.

Singh was ordered by the court to lodge $22,000 at the court clerk’s desk to be paid over to Narine. The defendant was also told that he had two months to ensure that the balance was paid over to Singh and was given November 23, 2017 as the last day to make the payment.

Singh, who has since moved out of Narine’s premises, gave all assurances that he would pay over the balance through the office of Attorney-atLaw Sase Gunraj, who represented the Virtual Complainant.

Meanwhile, Gunraj requested that court costs be paid to his client.

However, this request was denied by the presiding Magistrate.

Duo arrested with illegal guns, ammo

T

wo young men are now in Police custody after they were found in possession of two illegal firearms and live ammunition at approximately 20:00h on Saturday at Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

According to reports, Police ranks were on a motorcycle patrol in the Grove Police Station District when they observed two males acting in a suspicious manner.

They apprehended the two suspects and conducted

a search during which a .38 revolver, along with six live rounds of ammunition, was found concealed on one of the suspects, who is a 23-year-old interior worker of Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Meanwhile, the other suspect, a 19-year-old student of a training institution who resides at Block Y, Grove New Housing Scheme, EBD, was also found in possession of a .38 revolver without any ammunition.

The two young men are currently being processed for court, facing charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

Two weeks ago, the Guyana Police Force in its monthly statistics reported that as of August 31, 2017, some 89 illegal firearms were seized: 55 pistols, 11 revolvers, 14 shotguns, and nine rifles.

It was reported that 40 of these illegal weapons were seized in A Division (GeorgetownEast Bank Demerara); seven in B Division (Berbice); eight in both C (East Coast Demerara) and D (West Demerara and East Bank Essequibo) Divisions; four in E Division (LindenKwakwani), and a staggering 22 in F Division (Lethem and other Interior Locations).

No weapons were seized in G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) during this period.

Last year, a total of 53 firearms were seized by the Police during the corresponding period.

Hapless…

T

…or biased in Agri he head of the Agri research unit (NAREI) assured us recently that we shouldn’t worry about going the way of Nigeria, Venezuela and all the other oil producers that allowed their agricultural sector to wither on the vine (pardon the pun!). They then lost “cost and husk” (couldn’t help it!) when the bottom fell out of oil (barrel). The fella seems quite well-meaning, but really, he just exemplifies the truism that the “road to hell is paved with good intentions”.

Even the British, by the fag end of colonial rule, accepted that Guyana needed to diversify from the monoculture of sugar. They had the agriculture research institute move away from just creating newer varieties of sugar cane. But there was no real diversification, was there? There is a lesson from that experience for us in the present. The rice industry had been painfully enlarged by private peasant farmers by that time through trial and error.

But it wasn’t until the PPP Government, during its 1957-64 stint, that they began to push for rice research.

However, the important thing is, they didn’t stop there. They recognised that water control for drainage and irrigation is literally the lifeblood of a viable rice expansion. And so, we had the Black Bush Polder scheme that opened up not just new lands that were suitable for rice, but brought in farmers who could actually produce the crop.

So, if the NAREI head’s prediction of diversification on agriculture is to become real with onions, Irish potatoes, broccoli, etc, being produced in commercial quantities, the Government will have to be willing to move from the “test plots” to actually facilitating real-live farmers to produce them in farmlands. Last year, the Government budgeted an impressive sounding $20 billion for “agriculture” – more than what GuySuCo needed to tide it over until it was brought to a point of sale.

But how much has been spent on facilitating real farmers to produce the new crops in real time? The spending pattern is very reminiscent of the actions of the PNC Government when they took over the Government in 1964. Even though they cut the budget for Agri, what they did approve was directed at their supporters – putatively for agriculture. This regime, for instance, secured a CDF loan of $2.5 billion (US$10.4 million) for agriculture in Ithaca, Triumph and Buxton, and Mocha.

Three pumps will also be installed at Buxton.

It’s hoped since lands were already cleared and prepared in these areas, at least the pioneering crops will also be introduced to lead Guyana into the brave new world of agricultural diversification.

It appears that offering lands to do the same with sugar workers has been abandoned. …or venal in Public Infrastructure The Bard HAD advised, “Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first practice to deceive”. But when it comes to the Public Infrastructure Ministry, it’s clear that even with sustained practice at deception, the web’s getting even more “tangled”! It’s as if Patterson wants to give Spidey a run for his money!!

And your Eyewitness is only referring to Patterson’s record on the proposed new Demerara Harbour Bridge! If he’s one of the “better” Ministers (according to the Stabber news), imagine what’s going on in this government!!

After the faux pas on retaining a retracting bridge, sole sourcing the Feasibility Study, and creating the “Ming Swing”, he now admits he lied when he said the IDB paid for the study. He’ll now have to explain from which SECRET bank account the $143 million came from.

And imagine we still haven’t arrived at ordering the concrete for the Bridge!!

AFC’s Patterson and Trotman are making the PNC look like cherubs!! …on overpass Gridlocked East Bank commuters sighed in relief when the Public Infrastructure Ministry promised and accepted bids for an overpass at Diamond.

But that’s now cancelled, says Patterson. Ooops!!!... he hadn’t checked whether the required land was available!!

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

News

9

monDAY, september 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

2016 Sisters Village fatal accident

Ex-cop to go on trial for death of 10-year-old boy

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Deceased lad, Davin Sealey

ixteen months after the death of 10-yearold Davin Sealey, who was killed by an allegedly intoxicated Police rank on the Public Road at Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara (WBD), the man implicated in the lad’s demise, Ravinand Bissessar, will soon face a court trial.

It was disclosed late last

Essequibo hit by freak storm

– heavy winds uproot trees

The vehicle that was driven by the then Police Constable

old, who was riding a bicycle along the roadway, resulting in the child’s death.

Initial Police reports noted that on the day in question, Bissessar, who had been attached to the Wales Police Station, was attempting to negotiate a turn at Sisters Village when he lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a parked

the accused man’s then Attorney, Mark Conway, had disputed the veracity of the breathalyser test presented by the prosecution at the May 2016 arraignment. Conway contended that another test was conducted at the hospital, which reportedly proved that there was no alcohol in his client’s system. The

Several farmers complained that their banana suckers as well as coconut plants were uprooted during the storm

H

This was the parked car that the Policeman had allegedly slammed into before hitting the child

week that the trial of the accused would commence on October 19 at the Wales Magistrate’s Court.

The 27-year-old man, who was a Police Constable at the time of the accident, was accused of causing Sealey’s death owing to dangerous driving on May 15, 2016. Police had contended that Bisssessar, while driving motor car PLL 222, struck down the 10-year-

car, before hitting the lad.

It was further reported that the Policeman’s car had only come to a halt after it crashed into a utility pole.

Police had also disclosed last year that when a breathalyser test was conducted on Bissessar after the accident, it revealed that he had .66 micrograms of alcohol in his system, which is above the legal limit. However,

The accused, Ravinand Bissessar in May 2016

defendant was initially released on $600,000 bail for the causing death charge and placed on self-bail for the Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offence.

It was reported last year that the lad was on his way to meet his father at the time of the accident.

A post-mortem examination had revealed that the young Sealey died as a result of multiple injuries to the body. (Shemuel Fanfair)

eavy winds accompanied by lightning, thunder and torrential rainfall Sunday morning created fear in many persons living along the Essequibo Coast.

The severe storm has resulted in damage to several homes, the uprooting of trees and a disruption in the electricity supply.

The freak storm lasted for almost 30 minutes, with intense rainfall. Vendors at the Suddie Market were seen scrambling to recover items offered for sale which were blown off stalls in the heavy winds.

Reports indicated that some wooden structures in a few communities collapsed during the storm, which started around 09:00h. Those who were

driving at the time pulled over into safe areas until the storm passed.

Several farmers complained that their banana suckers as well as coconut plants were uprooted. One

farmer from Golden Fleece said he lost several suckers.

Persons are thankful that there were no serious injuries or lives lost during the freak storm.

10 news

monday, September 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

At Amelia’s Ward, Linden

Block 42 residents fear threat of erosion – as ‘illegal’ sand pit operation gets closer to homes

By Utamu Belle

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esidents of the Block 42 squatting area at Amelia’s Ward, Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are living in fear that their homes may one day collapse, owing to excavation works being carried out in close proximity.

Guyana Times understands that several contractors over the course of the past three years have set up and utilised a huge sand pit in the area. However, residents are concerned that the operation has now come in much too close proximity to their homes.

The community, which is now in the process of seeking regularisation, is home to over 700 residents, most of whom are single mothers and their children.

Chairman of the area’s Community Policing Group, Hemant Singh, explained that he has lived in the area for 28 years and as far as he was aware, the pit was an illegal one.

Singh said residents fear the worst as they utilise the area where the pit was dug to get to a spring, which is the only source of water in the community. Concerned residents noted that a child fell into the pit some time ago and his body was partly covered. Luckily, he escaped with only minor injuries.

Residents complained that several huge trucks could

were several meetings and discussions on the issue as he noted that the Council had responded by making checks in the area. He said the area was considered a ‘mined-out’ area, but persons should not be excavating there. Holland said he

advised residents to report such incidents, but no report was since received. He added that Deputy Mayor Waneka Arindell had also discussed the issue with the GGMC, and he would be looking at further steps to assist.

2016 fatal accident at Bagotville

Excavation works being carried out at this ‘illegal sandpit’ in close proximity to the homes of residents in Block 42, Amelia’s Ward, Linden

be seen at the sand pit daily as the situation continues to worsen.

“Many different types of contractors coming in.

Sometimes all in the night, they would bring flood lights and they would work through till morning...

Nobody don’t pay for sand in this area...just come, dig the sand and then leave,” Singh said.

He pointed out that even though he has reached out to several leading authorities, including the Regional Democratic Council and Environmental Department of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC), the situation remains the same. He said the LM&TC had promised to erect a signboard to the effect that digging for sand at the area was illegal; however, this was not done. He noted that

members of the community also met with several representatives within the municipality over the issue, but to no avail. Singh said he was told by the Regional Chairman that a letter was being sent to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon regarding the issue.

According to Singh, residents are aware that the lands they occupy are owned by the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and they were directed to a representative there. The official, he noted, explained that NICIL was unaware of the situation and residents were further directed to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), but an official there was unable to assist.

“They need to stop dig-

ging completely,” Singh declared. Another resident said contractors have already removed fencing from a resident’s back yard in order to facilitate their operations.

Another resident pointed out that they were advised by an official that no help could be given since they were squatting and were not in possession of papers for the land. Singh noted that such letters were presently being prepared for NICIL and the Lands and Surveys department.

“We tried with every organisation there is in Linden and everybody who in authority...there is no other option left,” he lamented.

Lewis Marks, who resides closer to the pit, said something has to be done.

Mayor Carwyn Holland, when contacted, said there

November trial for fireman accused of causing cyclist’s death

G

uyana Fire Service (GFS) member Clive Scipio will go on trial from November 16 for allegedly causing the death of boat builder Clement Skeete, who was killed on the Bagotville Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD) on October 15, 2016.

Reports indicated that Skeete, 60, was crossing the road on his bicycle in front of his house around 19:30h when an allegedly speeding car approached at a fast rate and struck the elderly man down.

Scipio’s November trial date comes five months after the fireman denied that he was responsible for causing the cyclist’s death.

The elderly man was said to have sustained a fractured neck and injuries to his head. After the accident, which was witnessed by his young son, Skeete was rushed to the

Deceased: Clement Skeete

West Demerara Regional Hospital, then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

In October 2016, Police had disclosed that a breathalyser test was conducted on Scipio, but no trace of blood alcohol was found.

Scipio is being represented by defence counsel Folio Richards.

news

11

monDAY, september 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

"The doors are open to business, investment" – President tells Diaspora in NY

P

resident David Granger has encouraged Guyanese in the Diaspora to contribute their intellect to help in the coun-

try’s development.

Guyana’s newest industry - the oil and gas industry – is expected to transform the country’s economy. However,

the President noted that there was a need for more new industries and made the clarion call for members of the Diaspora to join their

President David Granger addressing the Guyanese Diaspora in New York

Linden students benefit from dental outreach

needed in the schools. Mayor Carwyn Holland, who spearheaded the planning of the activity, expressed his joy to be part of such activity at his former school.

The team was treated to a special luncheon at the LM&TC. (Utamu Belle)

Dr Jonnel Mortley of Healthy Smiles Project USA attends to a student during the dental outreach in Linden last week

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tudents of the St Aidans and Christianburg Primary Schools in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) were the recipients of dental care last week, compliments of Dr Jonnel Mortley of Healthy Smiles Project, USA, who brought her team to Linden for the first time in her six years of conducting the outreach.

Dr Mortley teamed up with Nigel Worrell of ANSA McAL; the Linden Hospital

Complex (LHC) and the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) for a wellplanned outreach, which saw more than 300 students of the two schools receiving dental care.

Every child also received a clean-up and a care pack, while some were referred to the Hospital for further check-ups. The LHC representatives said they were pleased with the initiative, which gave them a chance to see the extent of dental care

skills with the country’s resources to aid its development.

“We need your intellectual capital. We need to tap into the expertise and experience which you have gained here in the Diaspora,” the President said in his address to Guyanese in New York during a meet-and-greet reception on Friday, September 22.

President Granger was in New York at the time for the 72nd United Nations General Assembly session.

He pointed out that the Government has recognised the need to diversify the country’s economy from the “curse of the six sisters” – sugar, rice, bauxite, timber, gold and diamonds.

“We are going to ensure that new industries are fitting for the development of our country and that is where I turn to you the members of our Diaspora. We don’t need more barrels; we need brains; that’s why I am here,” the President said.

He added, “We need to diversify; we need to get away from the spell of these six sisters and ensure that our children have a future other than being cane cutters, our children have a future other than felling timber.”

President Granger interacting with the Guyanese Diaspora

According to the Department of Public Infrastructure, President Granger gave assurances that Guyana had the resources and investments in the country would be welcomed. “The doors are open to business, to investment. We cannot do it alone. We need factories, we need manufacturers…we need investment to move our raw materials into the realm of well-manufactured products,” he emphasised.

The President expressed his confidence in achieving the development of new industries to make Guyana “an important manufacturing country and not just an exporter”.

“It is time for Guyanese

people to contribute to making this a reality, but there is need for innovation and diversification,” President Granger added.

He also drew attention to the need for more engineers to aid in the development of the country’s infrastructure and to improve access to communities no matter the distance.

“One day we must be able to drive from Georgetown to Lethem, to Boa Vista to Brasilia. We cannot give our Indigenous farmers access to the markets unless we develop roads and bridges. We cannot allow our children to move freely and understand the country that we’ve inherited unless we develop our infrastructure,” President Granger noted.

12 news Science, technology integral to national development monDAY, september 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

– Minister Hughes

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Participants at TechEd Talk 2017

“

he Ministry of Public Telecommunications has focused on creating a liberalised telecommunications environment in which more individuals can enter a lucrative market as entrepreneurs.” This bold declaration was made by Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes during her address at “TechEd Talk 2017”, at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus on Saturday.

The ‘talk on emerging technology’ was facilitated by the Public Telecommunications Ministry.

According to Minister

Hughes, the Administration firmly believes that science and technology were an integral part of national development, because of their unique ability to transform the quality of education, health care, infrastructure, agriculture, and other segments of the modern world.

“Our nation will benefit from the knowledge of how robots can be used to conduct complicated medical surgeries, drill for oil, or upgrade our sea defence infrastructure. And we must not only use the technology but build it ourselves. You in this room, right here, right now are the innovators who will do just that,” Hughes said.

“We are learning more and more every day about the many benefits that occur when Governments in developed nations actively participate in the development of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS), which can be used, studied and modified by anyone, by implementing e-governance policies that advocate for open standards and public availability for use.”

She underscored that the Ministry encouraged the development of new technology through initiatives like the annual Hackathon and Codesprint competitions.

“Education and dissemination of the knowledge of

advancements from other places are also extremely important to this process,” she said.

Minister Hughes also revealed that a government fibre-optic network has been established to provide Internet connectivity to 97 high schools, 37 tech-voc schools, as well as Government Ministries and agencies, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hubs in diverse communities across Guyana.

Hughes firmly re-established the Ministry and the Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that would nurture entrepreneurship.

“We will continue to work hard to ensure that ICT provides modern, cutting-edge support to all productive and social sectors, as well as enabling an environment for a strong, sustainable Private Sector that recognises that they will grow when they incorporate your skills and your technological innovations more into the way they develop their businesses...The Ministry of Public Telecommunications is dedicated to working with you, de-

Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes delivering remarks at TechEd Talk 2017 veloping new ideas that utilise ICT in order to take this nation to the heights it has the potential to reach. Only through ICTs will we begin to truly transform our dear land of Guyana,” Minister Hughes said.

According to the Department of Public Information, “Tech-Ed Talk 2017” is designed to foster discussions on emerg-

ing technology in the various sectors. Some of the areas covered during the Talk included Machine Learning, Robotics in Education, Tech in Agriculture, Track and Field, Surgery, and Nano Technology.

Additionally, winners of Codesprint 2017, Team Innoys, showcased their app which pushed them ahead of competing developers.

New Amsterdam Rotary Club preparing youths to become leaders

Heritage Month – occasion to reconnect, brainstorm, plan for future

Minister Sydney Allicock visiting one of the booths

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ndigenous Heritage Month must not only be used to “party and drink” but to celebrate the development of communities and those who have contributed to those developments, said Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock.

During brief remarks at the regional Heritage celebration at St Ignatius in Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), Minister Allicock explained that while the 2017 activities remained true to the Heritage celebration, there was still room for improvement.

Minister Allicock told the gathering, representing the Indigenous peoples in the Region, "We must use this occasion to plan, reflect and unite. The Month presented a golden opportunity to reconnect, discuss, share ideas and come up with plans for community development."

While commending communities in the Region for maintaining their culture, he urged them to be more creative when showcasing presentations, so visitors would be attracted to see what they had to offer each year.

Minister Allicock also took the opportunity to applaud the Region for being the most organised, in terms of management and developing plans for community development.

“The South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) is a typical example of how organised the Region is. The Council has been working, using their resources and collaborating with the Ministry. They can give us accurate information and that is a good example of what we want to see in the hinterland regions. Who would believe that those

Wapishana people, way down south, would be using drones to map out areas and get accurate information?” he noted.

It is against this backdrop that Allicock said the Ministry would be looking to develop exchange programmes within the regions, to facilitate village leaders to share experiences, challenges, and ideas.

According to the Minister, the Government is aware of the daily chal-

plans and projects for their respective communities. He also advised the communities to be prepared for the development that is to come, by crafting their Village Improvement Plan (VIP.) The Department of Public Information said the three-day event, which started on Thursday last and ended Saturday, saw cultural groups from North, South, and Central Rupununi showcasing the vibrant Indigenous culture through

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

lenges. It is, therefore, developing a plan that will see better roadways, rivers, schools, healthcare services, communications and agriculture programmes being implemented.

In the interim, he charged the residents to make full use of the regional administration, and engage them with germane

dance, songs, skits and poems. There were also archery, basket weaving, parakari drinking, and football competitions. Several booths were also set up at the event displaying Indigenous cuisine, art, and craft.

A regional pageant was also held that saw the crowning of a king and queen on Saturday evening.

The seminar, a calendar event for the Club, catered for schoolage children

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he Rotary Club of New Amsterdam, as part of its efforts to ensure that youths today make the best choices, held a seminar on Saturday last aimed at providing youths with the necessary skills to become leaders.

The seminar, a calendar event for the Club, catered for school-age children. Past President of the Club, David Armogan, in explaining the importance of the leadership award programme, said the main focus was to build capacity as several topics of importance to young people were discussed.

“The important thing is to build capacity in those in whom we see potential… and we have seen potential in all of our students in our high schools, so it is important that we train you to take up positions later on in life,” Armogan told participants at the opening of the seminar.

Among some of the issues discussed were leadership, entrepreneurship, communication skills, suicide prevention, transmitted diseases and the Sexual Offences Act. Dr Narine Sooknanan, who

is also a past president of the Club, dealt with the issue of teenage pregnancy.

The Rotary Club of New Amsterdam is one of two such clubs in Berbice and one of six in the country.

The Club seeks to develop persons either on its own or working in collaboration with Government agencies or other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

The Rotary organisation is established in 133 countries and has a membership of 1.2 million. New Amsterdam Rotary Club President Ramroop Rajnauth said the 112-year-old organisation sought to place service above self. “We are made up of professionals and business people all coming together to give that vital service to the world at large; the needs in water and sanitation, health care and education. We even foster in forging peace where we see we can be a part of. We are not a political organisation, but we try to be involved in every way to ensure that our people are better, and are better off,” Rajnauth said. (Andrew Carmichael)

news

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monDAY, september 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Govt to sell off Bermine Sports Complex

– in New Amsterdam

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he Coalition APNU/AFC Administration continues to execute its fire sale of stateowned assets, the latest identified for sale being the Bermine Sports Complex and Recreational Centre.

According to a public invitation over the weekend, the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL), is soliciting interested persons to undertake either a full sale or lease of the property, sitting on half-acre of land situated in Queenstown, New Amsterdam Berbice.

General Information on the property for the interested party is available upon the payment of a registration fee. NICIL has since also cautioned that it is not bound to accept the “highest or any bids.”

The announced sale/lease of the Bermine Sports Complex has effectively shunted plans by the National Sports Commission, which in March this year said it is looking to resuscitate the abandoned sports complex in New Amsterdam, Berbice to provide another avenue for youth development.

Those plans were announced

by the Government’s Department of Public Information.

The complex, once the sporting hub of New Amsterdam, was used to facilitate events such as wedding receptions, parties, and sporting activities; and it even housed a large pool.

Formerly owned and operated by the Berbice Mining Enterprise Limited (BERMINE), the complex is currently under the control of NICIL. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, and a team from the NSC, along with the Mayor of New Amsterdam, during a visit to the facility in June, had told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that the Ministry of Education would be writing to NICIL in an attempt to acquire the building.

Jones had said the building would cost approximately $200 million to rehabilitate, but once rehabilitated, the sports complex would be able to generate revenue.

SPU

Only recently, a Special Purpose Unit was set up under the rubric of NICIL in order to sell

A section of the dilapidated Bermine Sports Complex that NICIL is looking to sell off

off assets owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo).

As part of the ongoing divestment of the assets belonging to the beleaguered GuySuCo, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, this past week announced that Colvin Keith-London has been appointed head of that SPU. That Unit has been tasked with the divestment of GuySuCo’s assets, inclusive of its lands; and according to Harmon, Keith-London

will be based at the Kingston Headquarters of the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL).

That Unit was first announced by the Agriculture Minister when, in recent months, he presented to the National Assembly a policy paper on the future of the sugar industry.

That Unit was allocated some $130 million “to provide for the establishment of a SPU to manage

the reform of the sugar industry”, when the Government, in July last, requested supplementary funding from the national coffers.

The National Assembly has since approved the money for the Unit to be headed by KeithLondon.

At the time that sums of money were being approved for the Special Purpose Unit, substantive Finance Minister Winston Jordan, in seeking to apprise the House, had indicated that Government was unclear as to what it is looking to rake in from the sale of the GuySuCo assets, since the assets still needed to be properly evaluated.

He had explained that the purpose of the Special Purpose Unit under the rubric of NICIL would be for the divestment and privatisation of certain parts of GuySuCo. Some $60 million have been approved for the company to hire an accounting firm in order to lead the divestment process, including updating valuations of assets.

GuySuCo’s properties will be transferred to the Special Purpose Unit for divestment by that outfit.

Suspects who confessed to raping, $205M Bartica Stelling 80% completed killing teen for court today …boulevard works ongoing

Region Seven Chairman Gordon Bradford

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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Scores of residents watched in shock, anger and disbelief as the body of the teen was recovered

By Andrew Carmichael

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he two suspects in the brutal murder of an East Bank Berbice teenager are expected to make their first court appearance today.

The two men of Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice, are accused of sexually assaulting and killing 13-yearold Leonard Archibald of Brothers Village on September 17.

The teenager went missing last week Sunday, after riding ahead of his three sisters he was accompanying home from a birthday party in the neighbouring village.

It is believed that one of the suspects who is a relative of the now dead teenager lured him into the yard to run an errand and the teenager was attempting to steal time from his duty of accom-

panying his three younger sisters in order to run the errand for which he was expecting payment.

Instead he was captured and sodomised and when he lost consciousness, he was bound and thrown into the Berbice River along with his bicycle.

The two suspects confessed to Police on Friday and related the horrific story. The bicycle was discovered in the Berbice River behind the suspects’ house about 40 feet from the high tide mark. On Saturday afternoon, the body was discovered by a search party some three miles from his home at the village of Khotbradt. The body was found in a decomposed state on a mud flat.

A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on the body today

before the suspects are taken to court.

Also, Police Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Linden Alves has refuted claims by a section of the media that one of the accused tried to sodomise his co-accused in the Police lock-ups. Alves said that the suspects were being held at separate locations and, as such, had no access to each other.

Meanwhile, the accused in the Smithfield, New Amsterdam murder is also expected to make his first court appearance today.

On September 17, a couple were involved in a domestic fight and the wife was subsequently hospitalised. She died four days after she was allegedly beaten.

The dead woman has been identified as Janette

Tahal, 58, of Smithfield, New Amsterdam. Tahal died at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Thursday last.

Reports are that the now dead woman and her husband Joseph Tahal, 60, had an argument at their Lot 95 Smithfield home and he allegedly lashed her with a piece of wood several times.

The woman was picked up in a semi-conscious state by a friend, who was visiting the home at the time and taken to the New Amsterdam Hospital where she was stabilised before being transferred to the Georgetown Hospital.

The couple were involved in mobile vegetable vending and, according to neighbours, had frequent fights.

On Tuesday, Police arrested Joseph as he was on his way to the Georgetown Hospital.

orks are moving apace on the $205 million Bartica Stelling in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) with the new structure almost 80 per cent completed, according to Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford.

He noted that when completed, the new facility would be beneficial to the Region since the current Stelling was in a bad state.

“The Stelling is roughly about 80 per cent completed and works are going fine so far and we are hoping that it would be completed before the end of the year,” Bradford told Guyana Times.

The structure is being built by Courtney Benn Contracting Services Limited (CBCSL) and will see many modern amenities being installed to ensure that the structure is one that befits a town. The project is expected to be completed by year-end.

The new facility will have two floating ramps – one for speedboats and the other for ferries. This will aid in alleviating the difficulty many persons experience when disembarking vessels onto

the Stelling especially when the tide is low or extremely high.

In addition to the new ramps, the Stelling will be outfitted with a modern air-conditioned waiting area with seating. There will also be an immigration outpost along with an area to house the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) in keeping with regulations to ensure that safety on the river is addressed.

Works are also ongoing on the $40.8 million Golden Beach Boulevard in the town of Bartica. The project will see the beachfront transformed with palm trees being planted, and benches and solar powered lights installed. Six mini marts will be erected in anticipation that different franchises will occupy the spaces, giving patrons a variety to choose from when they visit.

The beach boulevard is part of a wider waterfront development project, which is being undertaken by the Bartica municipality. It is a collaborative effort between the municipality and stakeholders and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

14 news

monDAY, september 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

400+ cases of child sexual abuse reported in 6 months …Social Protection Ministry says “This rape of our children must stop!”

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uyana is currently observing Child Protection Week which runs until September 30 – a week marred from the outset by news of the sodomising and murder of a 13-year-old Berbice boy, whose bound, decomposing corpse over the weekend washed up on a nearby river bank.

The Social Protection Ministry is adamant that “this rape of our children must stop” in its message outlining its plans for the observance of “a week set aside annually as a national project with the main purpose of increased common awareness and understanding of the importance of primary prevention to reduce child abuse and neglect in our society by instilling the core principle that child protection is everybody’s business.”

Silence

This is particularly pertinent in light of the revelations that the two men who allegedly raped and murdered the young Berbice lad were in fact accused of sexually molesting numerous other village boys.

Leonard Archibald, of Lot 51 Brothers, East Bank Berbice, went missing two Sundays ago after he left home to accompany his three sisters from a birthday party in the neighbouring village of Sisters. As his siblings were on their way home, he rode ahead of them but nev-

closed doors with victims literally without a voice to tell of abuse.”

The Ministry noted too that “incest and underage sexual activity resulting in pregnancy is (also) of grave concern”.

Rally

Dead: Leonard Archibald

er arrived home.

The two suspects, who live three buildings away from the Sisters Police Station, were later arrested and confessed to sodomising the First Form student.

On Saturday when Guyana Times visited the community, residents alleged that one of the reported perpetrators was a known child molester, who had a reputation of tying up young boys and sexually assaulting them.

According to the Social Protection Ministry, there is still too much silence on childhood sexual abuse in society and documented that for the first half of the year there have been 424 cases reported to the Child Care and Protection Agency.

It was noted too that “this is not the true picture since child sexual abuse is a hidden crime; done behind

During this year’s observance of Child Protection Week, the Ministry has organised as its main activity a rally to be held Wednesday at Anna Regina - to be held under the theme “Breaking the Silence on Child Sexual Abuse.”

The general theme for the one-week observance centres on “partnering with families and communities for the positive outcomes for children”.

As part of its activities, the Social Protection Ministry, in collaboration with the Child Care and Protection Agency, has launched a national multi-media child abuse awareness campaign, aimed at sensitising the populace “of the plight of those children who suffer abuse and to highlight signs and symptoms to propel the public into protective action”.

The Social Protection Ministry said another focus of the campaign was the strengthening and capacity building of parents in their protective roles.

Child Protection Week is observed in 120 countries around the world, but at different times and with different themes.

Guyana Foundation wants more done to tackle social ills – says Guyanese society “in crisis”

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ews of the heinous act committed against a young teenaged boy in Berbice has no doubt stirred widespread public outrage. It has also highlighted the need for more action to be taken at all level to prevent such situations from recurring.

As such, the Guyana Foundation – a local non-profit organisation focusing on mental health issues – has called on the Ministries of Public Health, Social Protection and National Security to make urgent and bolder efforts to safeguard citizens in communities across the country, saying that recent crimes of child rape and familial homicide are clear indicators that all is not well and the situation will continue to worsen if no action is taken.

“We are calling on these Ministries to work together to come up with a battle plan as to how they intend to lift up our communities to stop this senseless loss of lives. Make your plans public, people want to know, people want to help and the Guyana

Founder of Guyana Foundation, Supriya Singh-Bodden

Foundation is willing to assist in any way possible,” the organisation said.

It pointed out that the counselling work it has been conducting in Essequibo alone showed that the mental state of Guyanese was extremely fragile.

The Foundation offers free counselling six days a week at its centre as well as assist with counselling at the Suddie Hospital. These counselling

sessions – counselling for depression, suicidal thoughts and counselling for survivors of suicide – give psycho-social support. Each case is confidentially logged according to gender and age.

According to the entity, being involved in this groundwork puts it in a position to say that the numbers are increasing steadily.

“It has forced us to strengthen our resolve to deal with these issues by going door to door in communities in Region Two. We can no longer wait for persons to come to us. That is how bad it is.

We do not have the capability to blanket the Region, because we are a non-profit organisation,” it stated.

Moreover, the Guyana Foundation has engaged television stations to reach out for volunteers and the response has been good. It has also started walkabouts in Charity and that work will continue from village to village. However, the lack of resources is hindering the scope of work that needs to be done. turn to page 15

Jolisa’s joy …the life of an abused girl who managed to overcome challenges of peer pressure, teenage pregnancy

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here are hundreds of cases that pass through the hands of the officers at the Childcare and Protection Agency on a weekly basis. Each one has to be assessed and dealt with accordingly. Some cases are ongoing, others need monitoring and evaluating, while fresh ones are brought to the agency’s attention through vigilant or concerned citizens every day. Each case has its own unique outcome, and some are more worthy of remembrance than others.

Today we will highlight the life of a teenager who managed to overcome the challenges of peer pressure and teenage pregnancy to aim for a potential future of professional success.

(Please note that names have been changed to protect the real identity of ‘Jolisa’)

J

olisa was only a 13-year-old resident at a boarding school when she gave in to peer pressure and began drinking alcohol. Having been brought up in a quiet hinterland village, she had not received much guidance or nurturing from her family, so she was unaware that her actions could have grave consequences to her health and well-being.

One night, her drunken state left her vulnerable, and a man she knew took advantage of her. She was not only a victim of statutory rape, but her perpetrator was guilty of having sex with a minor, and he fled the vicinity, never to be heard from again.

After some intense investigation, the Police concluded he may have fled to a mining backdam or to neighbouring Venezuela.

Unfortunately for Jolisa, her first sexual encounter would change her life forever, transitioning her from childhood to motherhood.

Sometimes mistakes can destroy us; but, as individuals, we can either crumble under a troubled foundation or climb for higher ground in a quest to construct a better life. And so the slightly build adolescent embraced her pregnancy, but never gave up hope of building a better future.

With strong support from her parents, she was able to endure the rough effects of a teenage pregnancy to take advantage of new opportunities which were to come her way through the assistance of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA).

Miss Bess, a Probation and Social Services Officer at the CPA, was assigned to Jolisa’s case, and she was touched by Jolisa’s outlook on life. She marvelled at Jolisa’s diminutive stature that seemed too tiny and weak to carry the weight of a baby, but was enthused by Jolisa’s plans for the future.

Jolisa’s parents were always supportive of their daughter, and as a family they had several sessions with Miss Bess, wherein they outlined their concerns and continued support for the life they hoped their daughter could still achieve.

Miss Bess said, “The encouragement and backing shown by Jolisa’s parents gave me an additional drive to work assiduously to help Jolisa achieve the better life she and her parents were aiming for.”

It was during a CPA session, while providing psychosocial support to the family, that Jolisa expressed an interest in furthering her education.

Months went by, and eventually Jolisa gave birth to a healthy baby, which she nurtured for a while before allowing her parents to take the infant back to the hinterland. Jolisa stayed in state care with a single mission in mind, and that was to complete her secondary education.

With support from the CPA, Jolisa continues to work hard at her education. She is determined to ensure she receives a sound academic education and remain empowered to conquer the challenges of her childhood.

Miss Bess brings us up to date: “She’s been doing very well at school. She either gets first or second place, and usually well over 80 per cent. The last term, it was 80plus, and she placed second. She is a pleasant and contented person, who adheres to the rules. She is respectful and displays good manners always.”

With such encouraging grades, Jolisa, now a fifth form student, is aiming for a scholarship. She has in mind to become a prof e s siona l l y c e r tified Mechanical Engineer through the University of Guyana.

Miss Bess says, “The working relationship that CPA has built with the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs is likely to make her dreams come true, and a scholarship to the University of Guyana could well become a reality once she keeps up her grades”.

Officer Bess praised Jolisa’s parents for having the foresight to support their daughter, and for helping to assist her to aim for a brighter future. “I urge more parents of delinquent teenagers to do the same: step forward and help your children. When children are in trouble, that is when they need their families the most,” she said.

Parental support and involvement are important to enable young people to rise above unsavoury circumstances. Statistics prove that when parents are involved in a positive way, there’s a much better chance of a good outcome.

Miss Bess says, “When children are convinced that their parents or family members do not care about them, they tend to act out, and can be disruptive. Some parents don’t call or visit when their child is in care. They don’t send anything for him/her, and this can make the child feel frustrated and lonely. Once parents are active in their child’s life, or they show an interest, we tend to see more positive, happy children.”

If you know of a child who is presently living in a children’s home, maybe you can offer him/her some support, or give that child some attention and encouragement.

Get involved with children; show them that you care. (Above article submitted by CPA for publication in recognition of Child Protection Week)

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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

VOX POPULI

I SAY...

What the people say about

Increasing the legal age to purchase alcohol from 18 to 21

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ust weeks ago, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan announced that he was in favour of increasing the age for the purchase of alcohol. At present, the law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from purchasing alcohol, but recent proposals are calling for this to be upped to 21 instead. As such, the Guyana Times asked persons their thoughts on the suggestions for the age to purchase alcohol to be raised from 18 to 21 and more so, their recommendations on a suitable age. Here are the views of the public: Tiffany Arthur “I am in support of increasing the age limit, as this is likely to reduce youth alcohol use and harm. It’s in their best interest. Young people are always in a rush to indulge, so as older folks we have to set regulations and guidelines.

Sometimes, we have the third eye which they don’t; we see the danger.”

Patrick Williams “Well, my question is, what’s the point? Does it improve anything socially, health-wise, or for safety?

I honestly don’t see much benefit in doing that, but, at the same time, I don’t really see anything inherently wrong with raising the legal age for purchase.”

Richard Dookie “Given that alcohol is quite dangerous especially if one consumes too much or goes over his/her limit, I believe that increasing the age at which persons will be able to purchase such substance is a wise move. This is because being a bit older or mature enough will allow persons to know their limit and what alcohol can do to somebody based on evidence and experience from what happened to others. As such, I am in support of upping the age from 18 to 21, because by then that person will be more responsible and mature enough to decide whether to purchase alcohol or not.”

Darren Williams “I think it should, for one, I’m already 23. The thing is that these rules are not being enforced. People have ‘signs’ up and still children would buy alcohol and cigarettes, etc. I would suggest that fewer places be allowed to sell alcohol, so that the Government can keep a tab on what is actually going on. If plenty places sell and they don’t have regards for what is right, then it is the responsibility of those in charge to take action.”

Avinash Singh “My concern, which is the same shared by many others, is that in a lot of cases the underage persons purchasing alcoholic beverages are not always the ones consuming it. Many times, teenagers are sent to purchase alcoholic beverages for older persons, and this is a major problem because over a period of time it affects them psychologically. Being exposed to alcohol at an early age, because ‘it is such a normal thing’ will leave them purchasing and consuming it as well. So, I am in support of this increase in age limit, but measures need to be put in place to ensure that underage persons are not allowed to buy alcohol, whether it is for themselves or being forced to do so by others.”

Gabby Mendes “While I agree that alcoholism is a big issue in Guyana, I do not agree with the proposal which seeks to raise the age of alcohol purchase from 18 to 21. I believe that raising the age would not in any way contribute to a significant reduction in alcohol usage or abuse (deemed as a “disease” by Minister Ramjattan) as persons under age 21 would merely find other ways of obtaining alcohol to maintain their habit. What we can do is educate our youths on the dangers and responsibilities that come with alcohol consumption and abuse. It is a personal choice at the end of the day. Moreover, sellers do not abide with laws prohibiting sales to minors as it is presently.”

Guyana Foundation wants... functioning for so many years need to be improved urgently to meet the changing needs in the communities,” the Foundation noted.

It went on to say that it has conducted workshops with health workers and Police Cadets to facilitate the sharing of whatever knowledge they have on how to deal with some

Shavez Hendricks “I think that will be a good suggestion to raise the age limit at which persons can purchase alcohol, but it has to reflect what is the definition of adult. Several factors have to be taken into account because an adult is responsible for his/ her actions, no matter his/her age.”

Colwyn Abrams “The suitable age for drinking is when someone becomes responsible enough to understand right from wrong, which happens to be around the age 21-22. I think it’s awesome that they are looking into this, because I hate seeing children at party drinking alcohol and fighting and doing things even grown people won’t do. Twenty-one is the perfect age a person should be legally able to buy alcohol and if they need my vote on this, I’d give it 100 per cent.”

Lennox Gasper “While I do agree that the youths of today are really abusing the use of alcohol, beverage companies are benefiting greatly from this kind of business; more so the partying life is boosted by the youths’ extensive use of alcohol... I agree with it (age of consent being moved) but why then do we say that the age of consent for sex is 16 when you’re moving the age for alcohol from 18 to 21? Isn’t the moral of the youth more important as it is than the use of alcohol?...Apparently alcohol use and consumption is more important than the purity and virginity of our youths... (the) Social Protection (Ministry) and Welfare (Department) should work together in coming up with one accepted age of consent and stop jumping around confusing themselves and the youths.

If we are saying 21, then that should be it across the board.”

“We have also been making efforts to network with representatives in the Region from the various Ministries. This is still in a fledgling state. The personnel and the resources attributed to this Region in particular are woefully inadequate. The framework within which these Ministries that have been

Calvin Roberts “It should change, but you know how Guyanese are: adults would buy the alcohol and still encourage their teenagers to consume alcoholic beverages.

Not like they would enforce it, but the teens should be charged if found consuming or purchasing alcohol.”

of these social ills. It added that it was alarming that some of the first responders enquired how they could get counselling, since many of them had suicidal thoughts.

“What this tells us is that to bring healing to our communities, pinned down by poverty for so many years, we have to work together.”

In calling on the rele-

from page 14

vant Government agencies to institute bolder protection mechanisms, the Foundation said: “The people of Guyana are sickened by what is going on...How have we fallen to the level where children are being sodomised, women and children being beaten to death, young men and women ingesting poisons to die is the

stuff that fills our news reports...”

The Foundation noted that there were countries that could and were willing to help, as well as other international NGOs that can bring their resources and experience to Guyana and assist in addressing these societal ills. The religious bodies – Christian, Muslim,

Hindu and others – are willing to help if they are given the right signals from these Ministries, the organisation further stated.

In the meantime, the Guyana Foundation says it will continue to strengthen and expand its work in communities and is inviting citizens to go out and volunteer with the organisation.

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guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, september 25, 2017

Regional

Weakened dam the latest threat as Barbados launches Puerto Rico reels from hurricane National Youth Week

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Puerto Rico dam damaged by heavy rains from Hurricane Maria was in danger of failing on Sunday, posing a risk to communities downstream, as people across the US Caribbean territory sought to dig out from the deadly storm.

Some 70,000 people who live downstream from the compromised Guajataca Dam in the northwest of the island were under orders to evacuate, with the structure in danger of bursting at any time.

Puerto Rico Governor Ricardo Rossello, after surveying damage to the cracked dam, reiterated his request on Saturday that people leave the area as

An aerial view shows the damage to the Guajataca dam in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico September 23, 2017

soon as possible.

“The fissure has become a significant rupture,” Rossello said at a news con-

ference.

The dam, which is made of earth and surrounded by trees in a largely rural re-

gion of Puerto Rico, is 37 metres (120 feet) tall, according to a US Army Corps of Engineers database.

The National Weather Service extended a flash flood watch for communities along the rain-swollen Guajataca River, downstream from the dam, until 1400 local time on Sunday.

If the dam fails, the flooding would be life-threatening, the National Weather Service warned. “Stay away or be swept away,” it said.

Maria, the second major hurricane to savage the Caribbean this month and the most powerful storm to strike Puerto Rico in nearly a century, carved a path of destruction on Wednesday.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Expert warns Caribbean to heed lessons from Hurricane Maria

A

senior lecturer at the St Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) says one of the “biggest lessons” from the Hurricane Maria experience in Dominica is that it is important for the Caribbean to now “seriously consider the impact of global warming on the level of the hurricane”.

Dr Richard Clarke of the Department of Civil Engineering, who is part of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), told

the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC), it was also necessary for the Region to examine the wind speeds of designs for constructing buildings in the Caribbean.

Hurricane Maria slammed into Dominica on Monday last week as a Category 5 storm with winds in excess of 180 miles per hour. The storm has been blamed for more than 25 deaths officially, even though the unofficial figure is put as high as 60 and millions of dollars in damages with more than 80 per cent

of the housing sector severely damaged.

“The biggest lesson that we have learnt is that it is important for us to seriously consider the impact of global warming on the level of the hurricane, on the level of the wind speed we need to be designing for.

“If we have to go with only historical records, meaning prior to the increase in the effect of global warming then we will be out even if we design to the current wind speeds when the effects of global warming

kicks in, we would have under designed the structure.

“So we seriously need to investigate the impact of global warming on the current design wind speeds for the Caribbean.”

Clarke said while this would be among the recommendations he would be submitting to the authorities following his early assessment of the impact of Hurricane Maria on Dominica, it is nonetheless well known to engineers worldwide. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Culture, Sports and Youth Minister Stephen Lashley (left) giving details about National Youth Week, as a Caricom Youth Council representative and CYEN representative listen

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his year, the Culture, Sports and Youth Ministry in Barbados will be hosting and facilitating a number of activities to commemorate National Youth Week 2017, which is set to run from until Saturday, September 30.

“The National Youth Week was introduced by the Division of Youth Affairs to sensitise the public to issues confronting young people, highlight the positive contributions of youth to national development, and mainstream youth participation in the policies and programmes that affect them.

The Week also celebrates the work of the staff in the Division of Youth Affairs and other stakeholders in furthering the youth devel-

opment agenda,” Culture, Sports and Youth Minister Stephen Lashley said.

He highlighted that this year’s theme – “Forging Sustainable Futures through Youth Participation” – brings to the fore the critical role that Barbadian youth must play if the national development goals are to be achieved.

“We recognise that in order to ensure that, as stated in the 1987 World Commission on Environment and Development report, the needs of the present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, the youth must be engaged in every part of building that sustainable legacy,” he said.

(Excerpt from Barbados Advocate)

While wealthy Mexicans swamped Calypso Rose among 3 awarded by quake aid, poor feel abandoned Trinidad’s highest honour

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elief supplies and volunteers are piling up at rescue sites in upscale districts of Mexico City following Tuesday’s deadly earthquake in a show of solidarity that has contrasted with the Government’s struggle to get aid to people most in need.

In the wealthy neighbourhoods of Roma and Condesa in the centre of Mexico City, volunteers by the hundreds stand ready to help dig for survivors who may be trapped beneath the rubble. In recent days, however, they have largely remained idle.

Others have brought food and water, eager to tend to rescue workers or the thousands of people made homeless by the quake. Yet they have struggled to find takers because so much sustenance is on offer. In the poor, far-flung neighbourhoods in the outskirts of the capital, meanwhile, aid and comfort were less abundant. And in villages in some states surrounding the Mexico City, victims said they had yet to see Government aid arrive.

In the hard-hit Mexico City neighbourhood of Del Valle,

48-year-old Marcela Sanchez came in search of aid after she lost her home in the large, working-class area of Nezahualcoyotl, in the remote northeast suburbs. “We haven’t received any aid,” Sanchez said. “Those of us who work in Mexico City return home with aid. God willing, they can help us.” The Government’s response to Tuesday’s quake, which killed 319 people in Mexico City and surrounding states, is under scrutiny ahead of presidential elections next year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

St Kitts and Nevis cuts CIU requirements, draws controversy

A

press release issued on Saturday by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) in St Kitts and Nevis announcing a drastic 50 per cent cut in the investment requirement for its citizenship by investment (CBI) programme, ostensibly to create a “hurricane relief fund”, has drawn widespread condemnation, including one CBI consultant who described the move as shameful. “This is a truly shameful move by St Kitts,” said Mahdi Mohammed, CEO of Guide Consultants. “This is simply a ploy, a blatantly opportunistic move to improve the competitiveness of the St Kitts and Nevis CBI programme at the expense of their Caribbean neighbours,” he continued.

“What offends me more

than anything is that St Kitts and Nevis is fully operational, having escaped any major damage from the two recent hurricanes, whereas having been in Dominica during Hurricane Maria I have witnessed firsthand the complete and total devastation of the island, with its people wandering amidst the ruins of their lives trying to find the basic necessities to survive – food, water and shelter. It truly resembles a scene from an apocalypse movie,” Mohammed said. “Dominica is not a wealthy country but following Hurricane Irma it was willing to share what it had with other Caribbean islands, for example by sending water and telegraph poles, two commodities that it is now in desperate need of itself.

It even pledged EC$500,000 to

St Kitts and Nevis after Irma,” he noted.

In response to a request for comment on the St Kitts and Nevis announcement, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US, Sir Ronald Sanders, said: “Putting it mildly, this is a most unfortunate development.

If it is implemented, it will hurt the relief and rebuilding efforts for Barbuda and Dominica, both of which were devastated. What is needed now is solidarity and joint action, not opportunism. It is to be sincerely hoped, that the decision will be reviewed and overturned in the interest of solidarity with neighbouring states that are truly struggling in the wake of these monstrous hurricanes and need every cent they can get.” (Excerpt from CaribbeanNewsNow)

Mc Cartha Lewis, better known as Calypso Rose; Dr Lenny Saith, and Professor Courtenay Bartholomew

A

former acting Prime Minister, a Calypso queen and the doctor who diagnosed the first case of AIDS in the English-speaking Caribbean have this year been awarded the country’s highest award.

The Office of the President Saturday night announced that Dr Lenny Saith, Professor Courtenay Bartholomew and Mc Cartha Lewis, better known as Calypso Rose, will this year be awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT). No one won the award last year.

However, only one of the three winners was ex-

pected to be at the ceremony to collect their award in person.

Bartholomew, 85, is credited as being an icon in science because of his work including pioneering research on HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. Speaking to the Guardian on Sunday last night, Bartholomew said while he is grateful for the award he feels as though he does not deserve it.

“I don’t think I deserve it but I am honoured to be recognised for my work. It is humbling,” he said.

Following an accident eight weeks ago and a subsequent hip operation, Bartholomew has been re-

stricted to bed rest, so his daughter Maria will collect the award on his behalf.

Bartholomew won this country’s second highest award, the Chaconia Gold Medal, in 1975.

In that same year Lewis, 77, won her first national award, the Public Service Medal of Merit Silver. Fifteen years later in 2000, Lewis won the Hummingbird Medal Gold.

This year she will win the highest award the nation can offer.

Lewis, 77, however, was not expected to be at the ceremony to collect her award as she is currently in New York recording a new album. (Excerpt from Trinidad

Guardian)

monDAY, september 25, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Rohingya crisis: UN reports Germany election: Merkel wins 4th term drop in arrivals in Bangladesh

U

G

erman Chancellor Angela Merkel has been re-elected for a fourth term while nationalists have made a historic breakthrough in federal elections, exit polls suggest.

Her conservative CDU/ CSU alliance is set to remain the largest party in the Parliament, with 32.5 per cent of the vote.

Its outgoing coalition partner, the social democratic SPD, says it will go into Opposition after winning 20 per cent.

The nationalist AfD is on track to become the third party, with 13.5 per cent.

The performance, better than forecast in opinion polls, means the right-wing, anti-Islam party will have seats in the Bundestag for the first time.

Dozens of protesters have gathered outside the party's headquarters in Berlin, some with placards saying "Refugees are welcome".

While her alliance has remained the largest party, the numbers, if confirmed, are the worst result for the alliance between the Christian Democrat (CDU)

Chancellor Angela Merkel has won a fourth term, but will need new coalition partners

and the Christian Social Union (CSU) under Merkel's leadership.

Addressing supporters, Merkel, who has been in the job for 12 years, said she had hoped for a "better result".

She added that she would listen to the "concerns, worries and anxieties" of voters of the anti-immigration, anti-Islam Alternative for Germany (AfD) in order to win them back.

Merkel also said her Government would have to deal with economic and security issues as well as addressing the root causes of migration – one of the main reasons behind the AfD's re-

sult.

"Today we can say that we now have a mandate to assume responsibility and we're going to assume this responsibility calmly, talking with our partners of course."

The exit polls suggest the Social Democrats (SPD), led

by Martin Schulz, have fallen to a new post-World War Two low. He said the result meant the end of the "grand coalition" with Merkel's alliance.

"It's a difficult and bitter day for social democrats in Germany," Schulz told supporters. "We haven't reached our objective." (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Trump cranks up North Korea threats as Pyongyang holds anti-US rally

U

S President Donald Trump dialled up the rhetoric against North Korea again at the weekend, warning the country’s Foreign Minister that he and leader Kim Jong Un “won’t be around much longer”, as Pyongyang staged a major anti-US rally.

North Korea’s Foreign Minister, Ri Yong Ho told the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday that targeting the US mainland with its rockets was inevitable after “Mr Evil President” Trump called Pyongyang’s leader a “rocket man” on a suicide mission.

“Just heard Foreign

Minister of North Korea speak at UN. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won’t be around much longer!” Trump said on Twitter late on Saturday.

Trump and Kim have traded increasingly threatening and personal insults as Pyongyang races toward its goal of developing a nuclear-tipped missile capable of reaching the United States – something Trump has vowed to prevent.

US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin on Sunday tried to dial back Trump’s comments.

“The President doesn’t want to be in a nuclear

war and we will do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t occur,” he said on ABC News. “On the other hand, the President will protect the American people and our allies.”

Analysts say the heated rhetoric is increasing the risk of a miscalculation by one side or the other that could have massive repercussions.

North Korea’s state-run television KRT aired a video on Sunday showing tens of thousands of people attending an anti-US rally at Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Kenyan election: Chief Prosecutor orders inquiry into electoral commission

K

enya's Chief Prosecutor has ordered an investigation into the electoral commission over possible misconduct in last month's annulled vote.

The Supreme Court annulled the result of the August 8 poll after finding irregularities and declaring it "neither transparent or verifiable".

The electoral commission had declared incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta the winner by a margin of 1.4 million votes.

A re-run, originally scheduled for October 17, will be held on October 26.

Kenya's Director of Public Prosecutions, Keriako Tobiko, asked the Police and anti-corruption agency to investigate whether any electoral or criminal offences had been committed by members of the electoral commission.

He asked investigators to examine allegations that two senior Opposition officials had gained illegal access to the Commission's servers.

Although no individual had been blamed, he added, this did not prevent the court from ordering an investigation.

The electoral commis-

sion (the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission) had announced that Kenyatta had won 54 per cent against Opposition Leader Raila Odinga's 44 per cent.

But Odinga, of the National Super Alliance, went to court insisting that he had been cheated of victory.

Supreme Court judges concluded that Kenyatta's re-election was "null and void" and took the unprecedented step of annulling the result on September 1. They ordered a re-run within 60 days. (Excerpt from BBC News)

nited Nations agencies in Bangladesh say there has been a notable drop over the past two days in the number of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar.

But a spokeswoman for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) told the BBC it was "too soon to say that the influx is over".

The reason for the fall in new arrivals is now being analysed.

More than 400,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since a crackdown by Myanmar's military on August 25.

The army launched its operation in the western Rakhine state after deadly attacks on police stations, blamed on a newly emerged militant group, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (Arsa).

More than 400,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh since late August

Myanmar's military says its operation is aimed at rooting out militants and has repeatedly denied targeting civilians. Witnesses, refugees and journalists have contested this.

The Rohingya, a stateless mostly Muslim minority in Buddhist-majority Rakhine, have long experienced persecution in Myanmar, which says they are illegal immi-

grants.

Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi is facing mounting international pressure for her handling of the violence and the refugee crisis.

In a speech on Tuesday, she condemned human rights abuses, but did not blame the army or address allegations of ethnic cleansing. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Russia says general killed by mortar shelling in Syria – TASS

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ussia’s Defence Ministry said on Sunday that one its general lieutenants, Valeryi Asapov, was killed by mortar shelling in Syria, the TASS news agency reported.

The mortar shelling was carried by the Islamic State near Syria’s Deir al-Zor, the

Ministry said. Meanwhile, six US air strikes on an Islamic State desert camp in Libya killed 17 militants and destroyed three vehicles, the US military said on Sunday, the first US strikes in Libya since President Donald Trump took office.

US Africa Command

said in a statement that strikes on Friday targeted a camp 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Sirte, a city that was once the Islamic State stronghold in Libya.

The camp was used to move fighters in and out of Libya, plot attacks and store weapons, the statement said.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Iran halts Iraqi Kurdistan flights ahead of referendum

I

ran has halted flights to airports in Iraqi Kurdistan at the request of the Central Government in Baghdad a day before a Kurdish independence referendum, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

The agency quoted Kayvan Khosravi, spokesman for Iran's top security body, as saying on Sunday that Iran was also closing its airspace to flights originating in Iraqi Kurdistan.

The announcement came as Iran also started military exercises at the Kurdish border.

The air embargo is the first concrete retaliato-

Iran has also closed its airspace to flights originating in Iraqi Kurdistan, including from Erbil [File: Reuters]

ry measure against today's referendum which is rejected by the Government in Baghdad and by Iraq's powerful neighbours – Iran and Turkey – as well as western powers, including the US. Reporting from Erbil, the regional capital of Iraqi

Kurdistan, Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel Hamid said that Iran's decision was expected by the Kurdish people.

"They are more disappointed with the international community's reaction opposing the vote," Abdel Hamid said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

UN must call upon India to halt provocations, says Pakistan

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akistan’s United Nations envoy Maleeha Lodhi accuses New Delhi of promoting terrorism against Islamabad, violation of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir and the spread of Hindu nationalism.

If the international community wishes to “avoid a dangerous escalation be-

tween India and Pakistan”, it must call on India to halt its “provocations and aggressive actions”, Pakistan told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 24, responding to Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj’s scathing attack on Islamabad’s promotion of Islamist terrorism.

Lodhi sought to turn the

table on India by accusing India of promoting terrorism against it, violation of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir and the spread of Hindu nationalism in India.

Lodhi cited the selection of Yogi Adityanath as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to underscore her point. (Excerpt from the Hindu)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, september 25, 2017

ARCHIE

ARIES

Go with the flow no mat-

(March 21- ter what happens. Reach out April 19) with understanding and com-

passion to find a way to overcome any dilemma that crops up. Don’t make a rash decision.

Travel and communication

TAURUS are highlighted. Associating (April 20- with people from different backMay 20) grounds will be eye-opening.

dilbert

Collaboration will help you find solutions to matters that concern you.

Get whatever job is exGEMINI (May 21- pected of you out of the way.

June 20) Look for alternative ways to use your skills, qualifications and experience to get ahead.

Personal improvements are highlighted.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

If you share your thoughts and emotions, you will resolve issues that have been bothering you. A business trip or conference will lead to a window of opportunity. Explore new possibilities.

Don’t raise your temper.

Keep your promises, but don’t feel you must go above and beyond the call of duty to please others. Take time to relax and pamper yourself.

Have alternative ideas VIRGO ready if someone opposes (Aug. 23what you want to do. Your Sept. 22) strength will come from welllaid plans and the gumption to see matters through to the end.

You’ll find it difficult to deal LIBRA (Sept. 23- with peers or relatives. Don’t Oct. 23) get into an emotional dispute.

You are best off letting matters settle before you address issues and disclose your plans.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Clear a space at home or SCORPIO make a move that is conducive (Oct. 24to following a lifelong dream.

Nov. 22) Travel, education and communication will help you reach your goal.

If you want to make a SAGITTARIUS statement or draw attention (Nov. 23- to something you believe in, Dec. 21) you must take action. If you have an important presentation coming up, make sure it’s visually captivating.

Get down to business and CAPRICORN don’t leave anything unfin(Dec. 22- ished. Your precision and atJan. 19) tention to detail will be impressive and will help you gain respect and confidence.

SATURDAY’S WORD – SHOTGUN

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle Get along with others and AQUARIUS get things done. Avoid over(Jan. 20- spending or making unrealisFeb. 19) tic promises. Live up to your own expectations, not to the expectations of others. Take a moment to relax.

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

A sound mind and a schedPISCES (Feb. 20- ule that will allow you to exMarch 20) plore your options is favoured.

Change may entice you, but know what you are getting into before you take flight.

monDAY, september 25, 2017

19

Rossi 5th as Marquez wins Aragon GP D

efending champion Marc Marquez won the Aragon MotoGP on Sunday to take a 16-point lead in the world championship standings.

It was an all-Spanish podium as Honda team mate Dani Pedrosa was second and Jorge Lorenzo third for Ducati.

Italian Valentino Rossi, making a remarkable comeback barely three weeks after suffering a broken leg, finished fifth on his Yamaha after lying second earlier on.

Team mate Maverick Vinales of Spain, who started on pole, was fourth and compatriot Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia sixth.

Briton Cal Crutchlow was in

contention for a top-six place but crashed and had to retire on lap 17.

Marquez started the race in fifth position after crashing in qualifying and had a slow start but quickly gained on his rivals, taking the lead from Lorenzo on the 16th lap and charging to his fifth title of the season.

“It was a difficult race. At the beginning I didn’t have the feeling.

I tried to come back with the feeling but even in the last part of the race I didn’t feel great. I struggled more than other years here. But it’s great,” Marquez said.

Lorenzo came close to claiming his first win of the season but faded as the race entered the final stages.

Valentino Rossi

“It’s a pity to lose the victory by not so much. In the last 10 laps we needed more grip in the rear.

With the medium (tyres) of Dani and the hard of Marc I couldn’t follow them. Anyway, I‘m happy with this third position,” Lorenzo told reporters.

By winning with four rounds remaining Marquez was able to take a clear lead in the standings as Andrea Dovizioso, previously the joint leader, managed only seventh place.

Marquez, who also won in San Marino two weeks ago, now has 224 points, Dovizioso 208 and Vinales 196.

The next race is the Japan Grand Prix in Motegi on Oct. 15.

(Reuters)

Federer secures Laver Cup victory for Europe Ravens & Jaguars protest

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ith Rafael Nadal beaten earlier in the day, Roger Federer came to Europe’s rescue to win the inaugural Laver Cup. Roger Federer secured a 15-9 victory for Europe over the World team at the inaugural Laver Cup despite Rafael Nadal’s defeat to John Isner on Sunday.

With three points awarded for each win on the final day of the tournament, Nadal fell to Isner in straight sets in the penultimate match t o give Team World the opportunity to pull level.

But Federer saw off Nick Kyrgios 4-6 7-6 (8-6) 11-9 to clinch the trophy for Bjorn Borg’s team in the final match.

John

Roger Federer

McEnroe’s World team initially closed the gap to three points in the first tie of the day as Jack Sock and Isner won their doubles match 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (8-6) against Tomas Berdych and Marin Cilic.

However, Alexander Zverev then routinely saw off Sam Querrey 6-4 6-4 to give Nadal the opportunity to surpass 13 points and seal the title.

The world number one slipped up to give Isner a second win of the day, though, in a 7-5 7-6 (7-1) match.

But Federer bailed out Nadal with a comeback win over Kyrgios in a thrilling match to bring the competition to a close and earn the title.

(Sportsmax)

during US national anthem

Parker targets Joshua after beating Fury N W BO world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker says he can “bring out the weaknesses” in Anthony Joshua in a unification bout.

Parker defended his title by beating Hughie Fury on points in Manchester on Saturday and said afterwards he is ready to take on “anyone and everyone”.

British WBA and IBF champion Joshua, 27, is the “golden goose”, according to the New Zealander’s trainer.

And 25-year-old Parker said: “I feel I have better movement.”

He added: “He’s got good power and is a good champion, but if I fight him I can bring out the weaknesses.”

Parker took a majority decision against 23-year-old Fury at the 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena, which was roughly a quarter full.

It was his first attempt to break into the UK market and his display was solid, if at times a little wild, against Fury’s defensive style.

Afterwards, Parker said he would now entertain contests with British boxers such as David Haye,

Joseph Parker has said he plans to base himself in the UK for the next 18 months as he builds up to a potential fight against Anthony Joshua

Tony Bellew and Dillian Whyte, while he builds for Joshua, who faces Bulgaria’s Kubrat Pulev in October.

But Parker’s promoter, David Higgins, said Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn had already “reached out” - and believes a bout is more likely next summer.

“He wants to unify and so do we,” said Higgins, who is keen for his fighter to compete again this

year before possibly targeting the winner of Haye’s rematch with Bellew, expected in December.

Trainer Kevin Barry said Parker had overcome the “most awkward” fighting style in the division by beating Fury, an opponent he said he did not want for his man.

“The golden goose is Anthony Joshua,” said Barry. “Joshua’s style is perfect for Parker and we will be very excited when that day comes. “ (BBC)

Baltimore Ravens kneel during the national anthem

FL stars defied US president Donald Trump by protesting during the US national anthem before Sunday’s match at Wembley Stadium.

Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars players went down on one knee after Trump said that those who protest during the anthem should be fired.

Last year, quarterback Colin Kaepernick knelt for the anthem in protest against racial injustice and police brutality.

Further protests took place during the other NFL games on Sunday.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who donated $1m to Trump’s inauguration committee, also linked arms with two of his players.

“I met with our team captains prior to the game to express my support for them, all NFL players and the league following the divisive and contentious remarks made by President Trump, and was honoured to be arm in arm with them, their teammates and our coaches during our anthem,” Khan said.

“Our team and the NFL reflects our nation, with diversity coming in many forms - race, faith, our views and our goals. We have a lot of work to do, and we

can do it, but the comments by the president make it harder.”

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti added: “We recognise out players’ influence. We respect their demonstration and support them 100 per cent. All voices need to be heard. That’s democracy in its highest form.”

The players all stood when God Save the Queen was played after the US national anthem.

Trump told a Republican rally in Alabama on Friday that the protests showed “disrespect of our heritage”.

He then followed that up with further criticism on Twitter, writing on Sunday: “If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our flag and country, you will see change take place fast. Fire or suspend!”

NBA stars have also become involved in the issue, with LeBron James describing US President Donald Trump on Saturday as a “bum” over comments he made about fellow basketball star Steph Curry.

Trump said the Golden State Warriors were no longer invited to the White House after their superstar Curry, 29, said he did not want to attend “to show that we won’t stand for the things (the president) has said”. (BBC)

20

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monDAY, september 25, 2017

Gayle’s blitz not enough to save West Indies – Ali smashes 53-ball ton

wicket with Stokes.

Gayle, back after hamstring trouble kept him out of the rain-abandoned second game, made a typically entertaining 94 from just 78 balls to give the Windies hope.

But Liam Plunkett (552) claimed his maiden

five-wicket ODI haul and Adil Rashid took 3-34 as England earned a 2-0 lead with two games remaining.

Jonny Bairstow scored a maiden ODI ton in the first game, but fell for 13 when he was caught and bowled

by Jason Holder, who also dismissed the out-of-sorts

SCOREBOARD Jason Holder had Eoin Morgan caught behind first ball ©Getty Images

W

est Indies were subjected to a brutal onslaught from Moeen Ali, who set a world record by taking only 12 balls to move from 50 to 100.

Moeen Ali blasted a 53ball century as England moved closer to a one-day international series victory over West Indies with a crushing 124-run win despite fireworks from Chris Gayle in Bristol on Sunday.

All-rounder Moeen smashed 102 off only 57 deliveries, the second-fast-

est hundred by an England player, after Joe Root (84) and Ben Stokes (73) laid the foundations.

Moeen, who hit eight sixes, set a world record by taking only 12 deliveries after passing 50 to bring up his third ODI hundred, helping England to a mammoth 3699.

Root broke Graham Gooch’s record (1277) for the most international runs in an English summer during another classy knock, putting on 132 for the fourth

England Innings J. Bairstow c&b Holder 13 A. Hales lbw b Cummins 36 J. Root lbw b Cummins 84 E. Morgan c S. Hope b Holder 0 B. Stokes c Lewis b R. Powell 73 J. Buttler b Cummins 2 M. Ali c Holder b Nurse 102 C. Woakes c R. Powell b Taylor 34 L. Plunkett run out (Taylor) 9 D. Willey not out 1 A. Rashid not out 9 Extras (lb-1 nb-2 w-3) 6 Total (for 9 wickets, 50 overs) 369 Fall of wickets: 1-27 J. Bairstow,2-73 A. Hales,3-74 E. Morgan,4-206 B. Stokes,5-210 J. Buttler,6-217 J. Root,7334 C. Woakes,8-354 M. Ali,9-358 L. Plunkett Bowling: Taylor 10 - 1 - 75 1(nb-1 w-3), Holder 10 - 0 - 81 - 2(nb-1), Cummins 9 - 0 - 82 – 3, Bishoo 5 - 0 - 33 – 0, Nurse 8 - 0 - 59 – 1, Powell 8 - 0 - 38 - 1

West Indies Innings C. Gayle run out (Rashid) 94 E. Lewis c Ali b Willey 13 S. Hope c Buttler b Plunkett 20 M. Samuels c Buttler b Plunkett 11 J. Mohammed c Bairstow b Plunkett 38 R. Powell c Woakes b Rashid 8 J. Holder c Ali b Plunkett 34 A. Nurse lbw b Rashid 1 D. Bishoo c Morgan b Plunkett 12 J. Taylor b Rashid 0 M. Cummins not out 4 Extras (lb-3 w-7) 10 Total (all out, 39.1 overs) 245 Fall of wickets: 1-15 E. Lewis,2-79 S. Hope,3109 M. Samuels,4-176 C. Gayle,5-192 R. Powell,6-210 J. Mohammed,7-212 A. Nurse,8-241 D. Bishoo,9-241 J. Taylor,10-245 J. Holder Bowling : Woakes 7 - 1 - 32 0(w-1), Willey 4 - 0 - 34 - 1(w-1), Plunkett 8.1 - 0 - 52 - 5(w-1), Ali 10 - 0 - 65 - 0(w-2), Stokes 4 - 0 25 - 0(w-2), Rashid 6 - 0 - 34 - 3

Moeen Ali thrashed a 53-ball hundred © AFP

Eoin Morgan first ball after Alex Hales went for 36.

Root and Stokes steadied the ship from 74-3, the Test skipper making it look easy with some elegant strokes to move to 50 from 41 balls and Stokes raising his bat after facing 44 deliveries.

Stokes hit Ashley Nurse for back-to-back sixes but succumbed to Rovman Powell before Miguel Cummins (3-82) bowled Jos Buttler with a beauty and removed Root to leave England 217-6.

Moeen then took centre stage, hitting 24 off five balls of an over from Cummins to pass 50. Gayle put down a straightforward chance to get rid of the rampant all-rounder on 87 and he capitalised by reaching three figures by clubbing Cummins wide of long-on for six.

The magnificent Moeen eventually holed out in an eventful penultimate over during which Nurse dropped him twice off his own bowl-

ing, England taking 93 off the last six overs.

The Windies lost Evin Lewis in David Willey’s first over, yet some typically clean hitting and great timing from Gayle gave England cause for concern.

A third six from the lefthander took him to a 38-ball half-century, but Plunkett had Shai Hope (20) caught behind and Marlon Samuels (11) went the same way when he was harshly adjudged to have feathered through to Buttler on review.

Gayle gave Moeen a dose of his own medicine by easing him for three consecutive sixes to move into the 90s, but was run out by a direct hit from Rashid as he casually ambled through for a single.

Holder (34) struck some lusty blows and Jason Mohammed (38) got a start, but the impressive Plunkett and Rashid finished off the job under dark skies to put England 2-0 up. (Sportsmax)

Beaton, Rutherford India clinch series win against Australia included in Guyana’s T20 Squad Openers Finch and David Warner give Australia a solid, if not spectacular, start with a 70-run stand as the tourists looked determined to preserve wickets.

Pandya bowled Warner for 42 but Finch and Smith added 154 runs for the second wicket with a 325-plus total looking well within Australia’s reach.

If Finch, who smacked five sixes and 12 boundaries in his nearly run-a-ball knock, plundered his runs, Smith accumulated them quietly, hitting five bound-

– Johnson named Captain

SCOREBOARD

Ronsford Beaton

F

ast bowler Ronsford Beaton headlines a list of Guyanese called to do duty in the national squad for the 2nd annual ABCA Independence Tri20 Tournament 2017.

The tournament commences on October 6th and runs to October14th, 2017 in Antigua.

The Guyana Cricket Team will be joining the host and Jamaica in a battle for championship honours.

The squad consists of a mixture of contracted Franchise and Academy players, along with other senior players, and will be led

by Leon Johnson (Captain) and Veerasammy Permaul

aries in his 63.

Left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav dismissed both to trigger a collapse as Australia lost five wickets for 51 runs to fall short of the 300-mark.

India reached the 100 mark in 15 overs without losing a wicket with Rohit Sharma leading their robust reply with a blistering 71.

The opener smacked four sixes, one of them sailed over the stadium, as he and Ajinkya Rahane (70) scored 139 runs to take the hosts nearly halfway down the target. (Reuters)

(Vice-Captain).

The Guyana squad selected is as follows: 1. Robin Bacchus 2. Gajanand Singh 3. Leon Johnson 4. Chanderpaul Hemraj 5. Jonathan Foo 6. Anthony Bramble 7. Keemo Paul 8. Sherfane Rutherford 9. Veerasammy Permaul 10. Steven Jacobs 11. Ronsford Beaton 12. Romario Shepherd 13. Ricardo Adams 14. Christopher Barnwell 15. Ramaal Lewis All players are asked to report to the Everest Cricket ground on Tuesday for training from 09:00h.

Hardik Pandya looks to ramp one to third man©BCCI

A

ll-rounder Hardik Pandya celebrated his promotion in the batting order with a breezy 78 to help secure India’s series-clinching five-wicket victory in the third oneday international against Australia on Sunday.

Three of India’s top four batsmen scored 70 or more as the hosts chased down a 294-run victory target with 13 balls to spare for their third successive victory in the five-match series.

Earlier, Aaron Finch smashed 124 on his return but Australia, cruising at 224-1 at one stage, suffered a mini-collapse to settle for 293-6 in the Holkar Stadium.

India’s ninth consecutive ODI win also ensured they are now the top ranked team both in tests and the one-day format.

Australia captain Steve Smith won the toss for the first time in the series and opted to bat first.

Australia Innings D. Warner b H. Pandya 42 A. Finch c Jadhav b K. Yadav 124 S. Smith c Bumrah b K. Yadav 63 G. Maxwell st Dhoni b Chahal 5 T. Head b Bumrah 4 M. Stoinis not out 27 P. Handscomb c M. Pandey b Bumrah 3 A. Agar not out 9 Extras (lb-2 w-14) 16 Total (for 6 wickets, 50 overs) 293 Fall of wickets: 1-70 D. Warner,2-224 A. Finch,3-243 S. Smith,4-243 G. Maxwell,5-260 T. Head,6-275 P. Handscomb Did not bat: P. Cummins, N. Coulter-Nile, K. Richardson Bowling: B Kumar 10 - 0 - 52 - 0(w-4), Bumrah 10 - 0 - 52 2(w-5), Chahal 10 - 0 - 54 – 1, H Pandya 10 - 0 - 58 - 1(w-2), K Yadav 10 - 0 - 75 - 2(w-3)

India Innings A. Rahane lbw b Cummins 70 R. Sharma c sub b Coulter-Nile 71 V. Kohli c Finch b Agar 28 H. Pandya c Richardson b Cummins 78 K. Jadhav c Handscomb b Richardson 2 M. Pandey not out 36 M. Dhoni not out 3 Extras (lb-3 w-3) 6 Total (for 5 wickets, 47.5 overs) 294 Fall of wickets: 1-139 R. Sharma,2-147 A. Rahane,3-203 V. Kohli,4-206 K. Jadhav,5-284 H. Pandya Did not bat: B. Kumar, K. Yadav, J. Bumrah, Y. Chahal Bowling: Cummins 10 - 0 - 54 2(w-1), Coulter-Nile 10 - 0 - 58 1(w-1), Richardson 8.5 - 0 - 45 – 1, Stoinis 8 - 0 - 61 – 0, Agar 10 - 0 - 71 -1, Maxwell 1 - 0 - 2 - 0

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Metro renews partnership with RHTY&SC Female Cricket Team

I

n an era when sponsorship for sporting events is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, the outstanding work of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, continues to attract the support of corporate Guyana.

Last Thursday, Metro Office Supplies handed over a cheque to Patron of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, President David Granger. The cheque is worth two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), and by it the company has renewed its sponsorship of the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Cricket Team for the 10th successive year.

Club Secretary/CEO, Hilbert Foster, speaking to a mammoth crowd at the Area ‘H’ Ground during a special Rose Hall Town 175th Anniversary ceremony, hailed Metro Office Supplies as a long- standing friend of Guyana’s leading youth and sports club.

Metro has been sponsoring the team since its formation in 2007, and the Rose Hall Town Metro Team remains

the only female cricket team in Guyana. The team, in 2009, won the only ever National Female Championship, and has, over the years, produced a total of two West Indies players, ten national senior players, fifteen national junior players; while a total of 29 has played for Berbice.

Shemaine Campbelle, Plaffiana Millington and Shabika Gajnabi have captained Guyana at different levels, while among the other players produced by the sponsorship are Erva Giddings, Melanie Henry, Nikita Toney, Miriam Samaroo, Dian Prahalad, Uma Matadin, Aleema Arokium, Shaneeta Grimmond, Trishanie Cort, Deborah Vanderstoop, Roshella Lynch and Jacklyn Singh, all of whom have represented Guyana.

The team’s present captain is West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle, while her deputy is her West Indies counterpart Erva Giddings.

Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club Executive member Elizabeth Brusch serves

Fitzgerald wins Brazilian darts tournament – but fails to qualify for World Championships

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ational Darts Champion Sudesh Fitzgerald needed to beat Brazil’s Deigo Portela twice in one night to book a spot at the William Hill World Darts Championships set for December in London, England; but he fell short.

Playing at the Professional Darts Corporation’s (PDC) World Championship Qualifier for Central Caribbean and South America -- in Palmas, Brazil -- Fitzgerald won the tournament match against Portela, but lost the qualification match.

Fitzgerald won the Caribbean and South American Masters in 2008, which qualified him to rep-

as club manager, while the coach is former national cricketer Delbert Hicks.

Foster expressed total frustration that no other cricket club in Guyana has found the time to establish a cricket team for females, and he deemed it a sad reflection of the lack of commitment and vision.

The long-serving Secretary/CEO of the RHTYSC proudly declared that both male and female cricketers of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club work together and enjoy a remarkable relationship.

With no cricket being played in Berbice because of a lack of leadership from an ailing Berbice Cricket Board, the Management of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club arranges matches for its teams every weekend at the Area ‘H’ Ground, and this allows the female cricketers to develop quickly, as they have to play with their male counterparts.

Foster expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Metro Office Supplies, especially Chief Executive Officer Avia Lindie and Manager of the New Amsterdam Branch, Danny Ramnarine, for their co-operation.

Captain of the Metro

resent Guyana at the PDC World Darts Championship held in London in 2009. In 2008, he reached the semi-finals at the World Darts Federation Americas Cup singles.

However, Victorine Chandroo and Sudesh Fitzgerald won the mixed-doubles championship by defeating Deigo Portela and Roberto Zylbergeld.

The other members of the Guyana team that participated in the tournament were Luiz Miguel RamierzMerlano, Lallchand Rambharose and Terrence Joseph. They are all expected to return home on Tuesday.

21

Fhaleeza Ramcharran of Metro Office Supplies presenting the cheque to RHTY&SC Patron, President David Granger

Female Team, Shemaine Campbelle, in an invited comment, expressed pleasure at the renewal of the sponsorship, and pledged to make Metro proud on and off the cricket field. Metro’s support, Campbelle stated, has been responsible for the rapid development of each of the female cricketers. The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, the West Indies all-rounder stated, has invested heavily into the careers of its female members, and she issued an appeal to all major

cricket clubs to do likewise for Guyana’s female cricket to become a major force in the Caribbean.

Manager of Metro’s New Amsterdam Branch, Danny Ramnarine, hailed the company’s investment as a productive one, as the Rose Hall Town Metro Female Team has represented the brand very well. The female cricketers have been outstanding ambassadors for the company, he stated, while urging the team to uphold its high standard.

Windies CEO planned for World Cup qualification possibility

T

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he Windies having to endure qualification to the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2019 is not the biggest surprise for Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave and he has planned for it.

In fact, the Windies schedule in 2018 is geared toward getting the team ready for the 10-team qualification competition that will include, the bottom three teams in the ODI rankings plus four teams from the ICC World Cricket League Championship and the top two sides from the

ICC World Cricket League Division 2.

“We have known for some time that we would more than likely need to qualify for the 2019 World Cup, so we have already planned our 2018 season on that basis,” said Grave.

The loss of an automatic qualification spot will be followed by Bangladesh touring in June of 2018.

Bangladesh will play the Windies in all three formats of the game, while there will also be three ODIs against New Zealand.

Grave expects these,

Adams’ ton sets...

Ricardo Adams wasted no time in reaching his ton, to lusty cheers from an appreciative Tuschen crowd. When Williams departed, skipper Anthony Adams (00*) came to the middle, but was a mere spectator, as the centurion knocked off the few runs required for the win.

Georgetown never seemed to be in the game.

They were bowled out for 117 in the first innings, but through more application made 243 in the second innings, thanks mainly to Leon Johnson’s 91 and Barnwell’s 48. Essequibo managed 170 batting first,

along with the Regional Super50 competition, which begins in February, will help the Windies put together a team that will qualify for the World Cup. “It is clearly disappointing that we are faced with the reality of having to qualify, but we are confident that we have a squad that can still make it to the 2019 World Cup,” said Grave.

“The prospect of having to play under the pressure of having to qualify will be great experience for our ODI team.” (Sportsmax)

From page 22

with Ricardo Adams and Keemo Paul being the primary scorers, each with scores in the 40s.

Over at Bush Lot Ground, home team West Berbice beat East Coast Demerara by three wickets, thanks to West Indies Test player Shimron Hetmyer, who cracked 114. Resuming on their overnight score of 179 for 9 in reply to East Coast Demerara’s first innings score of 143 all out, West Berbice folded for 187 off 61.4 overs to record a lead of 44.

East Coast Demerara, in their second innings, com-

piled a daunting 321 all out off 81.2 overs, leaving the West Berbicians staring at 278 for victory. The tall ask was, however, simplified when Hetmyer and Raffel Estraidd (55) set the tone for a successful chase.

East Bank suffered a huge loss -- by an innings and 116 runs -- at Port Mourant Ground. This was administered at the hands of Lower Corentyne. Needing 289 to win, after being reduced to 43-5 at close of play on day two, thanks to Niall Smith’s 5-for, East Bank were bowled out for 173 runs.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monDAY, september 25, 2017

"I can transform Berbice cricket in 6 months" – Foster – RHTY&SC CEO considering vying for BCB presidency

By Akeem Greene

H

ilbert Foster, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC), is considering make a pitch to become next

Hilbert Foster, CEO of the RHTY&SC

president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, Foster declared, “I made Berbice Cricket the envy of cricket in the Caribbean; but I shouldn’t be blowing my own trumpet, so you can ask others. I can transform Berbice Cricket in six months”.

A ruling delivered by Justice Navindra Singh on September 8, 2017 stipulated that the BCB must host its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 8, 2017 with the purpose of electing officer bearers of the board.

In other sections of the media, former West Indies cricketers Ramnaresh Sarwan and Mahendra Nagamootoo have voiced their concern over the state of affairs in cricket in Berbice, and have contend-

ed that Foster “is the man for the job”.

According to Foster, he will first discuss the possibility of contesting for the new role with his family, before making any final pronouncement.

Should he become BCB president, he explained, re-introduction of county- wide tournaments will be high on the BCB agenda.

“We need tournaments.

We have thousands of cricketers practising every day with nothing to look forward to.

The only cricket that is being played is that organised by our club. Our First Division team, which comprises numerous national players and a Test player, has played one match this year. Last year it (played) possibly just three”, Foster disclosed.

Fighters impress during 2017 Karate Championships

“I’m quite sure if a new management under me goes in, there can be change. When I was chairman of the Special Committee, Berbice had over 15 tournaments being played, bearing in mind Guyana Cricket Board did not give any money to the Berbice Cricket Board during my brother’s [Keith Foster’s] six years as president [2008-2014].

“In seven years of service on that special committee, I did over 1700 projects for Berbice Cricket”, he added.

The last election held by the BCB was in December 2014, when Anil Beharry was elected president, replacing Keith Foster.

It is understood that Godwyn Allicock of the Port Mourant Cricket Club and David Black of the West Berbice Cricket Association

sought and were granted a court injunction against the BCB on the grounds that two clubs [Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club and Young Achievers] were not supposed to vote at BCB elections because their names were left out of the Cricket Administration Bill.

This caused the Beharryled Berbice Cricket Board to be unable to meet for its entire term. According to the Cricket Bill, that term ended in December, 2015 - after one year.

In a letter dated 29th January, 2017, Beharry resigned from the BCB presidency, and the elected vice-president, Dhieranidranauth Somwaru, preformed duties of acting president. According to him, the injunction was subsequently withdrawn.

GCB/Jaguars Franchise 3-day League

Adams’ ton sets up brazen heist for Essequibo – Hetmyer hits 114 for West Berbice Karatekas assemble during the opening ceremony of the 2017 championships

T

he Guyana Karate Federation (GKF) held their 2017 National Championships on Sunday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, and a top class exhibition of martial artistry was on display as participants each vied for an opportunity to become the country’s top fighter.

With its card billed for an entire day of action, the GKF kicked off proceedings with a number of elimination matches which featured participation from clubs across Guyana. There were some 18 top class events involving 46 competitors -- 11 females and 35 males.

Delivering the feature address during the competition’s opening ceremony, Colin Shaw, one of the head coordinators of Robotics in Guyana, pointed out that karate is a fun and relaxing sport, and is a great way to maintain physically fit while teaching one’s self discipline.

Speaking on the importance of having a sport like karate as part of the CXC syllabus, Shaw explained that it was a good initiative to have students involved in the arts.

GKF president, Sensei Amir Khouri, during a brief interview following the opening ceremony, said he

4th Dan Roger Perone going through one of his Katas during Sunday’s National Championships held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH)

was overwhelmed by the turnout and performances he had seen.

Khouri told Guyana Times Sport that he was pleased with the display of techniques from the fighters, especially those senior karatekas on display.

He added that while he was a bit undone by the turnout, he was nevertheless happy that most of the top fighters from across the country were present.

Senior karateka and 4th Dan, Roger Perone, was among the top fighters to excel during his displays of Kata and Kumite in the senior male categories, while less recognized fighters were also keen to the task, executing the various Katas and techniques exceptionally well.

Sensei Amir believes that the tournament will help those top performers to stay sharp ahead of upcoming assignments. He added that more international exposure is needed to breed top-quality fighters, who will then have a stronger platform to work with heading into Pan American World competitions and eventually Olympics.

Up until press time, the competition was still underway, with the male and female Kumite as well as the 3 on 3 team battles yet to be contested.

Mahdia dethrone Region 2 United – Pakuri Warriors win again

M

ahdia exacted sweet revenge on 2016 Male Cricket champions Region Two United with a nine-wicket victory on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground at Camp Road and Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown.

Led by A. Gibbons with a pugnacious 52 not out, Mahdia raced to their maiden title with 6 overs and one ball to spare when they reached 81/1 in 3.5 overs.

Earlier, Region 2 Utd won the toss and got to 76/8 from their 10 overs, with

Fenton Jacobis hitting 23.

M. Jeffers took 2/8 from 2 overs for the new champions.

In the female cricket competition, Pakuri Warriors edged past Capoey by 5 wickets with 2 balls to spare.

Capoey made 77/5 (10) with Gailann Edwards

stroking 32 not out. Avonel Simon took 2-10.

Kristia Ferreira blazed the trail with an attacking 53 not-out and finished the game with a 6 which also brought up her half century.

Pakuri Warriors ended on 81/4 from 9.4 overs.

Shimron Hetmyer

Ricardo Adams

R

icardo Adams blasted an unbeaten 116 to set up a thrilling come-from-behind win for Essequibo; which pulled off a brazen heist, beating Georgetown by three wickets to wrap up a successful fourth round of the GCB/Jaguars Franchise League 3-day tournament

on Sunday.

Chasing 193 for a win and a chance to maintain their number one spot, Essequibo were left in tatters as Chris Barnwell, who ended with six wickets, ripped through the top-order to end with 4-37. But the burly left-handed Adams proceeded to smash his second ton of the tournament after resuming his innings on 95, rescuing his team from peril at 40-5, and taking them to 194-7.

Mark Williams, who resumed his innings on 34, played a brave hand before being dismissed for 43, narrowly missing out on what would have been a well-deserved half-century.

Resuming on 155-5, Adams and Williams had a chance to relax prior to resuming their innings, due to rain which forced a late start to the final day.

Turn to page 21

guyanatimesgy.com

monDAY, september 25, 2017

23

Development of Caribbean athletes high Nagamootoo urges on the agenda, says CGF President Commonwealth Federation – coaching programmes set to be implemented

By Michelangelo Jacobus

J

ust after Sunday afternoon’s closing of the 2017 Commonwealth Games Federation’s (CGF’s) Regional Conference of the Americas and Caribbean, President of the CGF, Louise Martin, revealed that plans are afoot for the development of young athletes in the region.

Speaking at a press conference, Ms Martin noted that since the implementation of the Commonwealth Youth Games was designed to ensure that junior athletes compete within their own age range and classification so as to prevent any disadvantage, the Federation is looking at further options to develop and foster the growth of these athletes in the various Commonwealth member countries.

Responding to a ques-

tion posed by Guyana Times Sports, President Martin pointed out that in other regions there are programmes ongoing where the federation has implemented “coach-toathlete” initiatives. In these programmes, coaches from the homeland of the selected athlete are educated and trained by the federation, so as to be able to properly coach and nurture the athletes as they seek to make the successful transition from the junior level to the senior level.

These very programmes are in the pipeline for the Caribbean region, as the Commonwealth Federation seeks to steadily improve and develop its members and their athletes.

As in the case of young flyweight boxer Keevin Allicock, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games, it was pointed out that training over-

seas would do wonders for the development and exposures of young athletes.

This also has been discussed by the Federation and President Martin explained that the possibility of access to such camps in the near future is not far from being a reality.

While the Commonwealth Federation does not want to take the athletes away from their home countries, this is where the “coach-to-athlete” programmes would play integral roles in the development of those athletes.

Meanwhile, Martin disclosed that, for the first time ever, at next year’s Commonwealth Games there will an equality of medals for both genders, as well as an “Indigenous Reconciliation” programme.

Guyana is well on track with the Commonwealth’s agenda, and she congratu-

lated the country and the GOA for their work in this regard.

She also announced that the Federation would be setting up a fund for the Caribbean in wake of the natural disasters which caused widespread damage and deaths in various countries. This was after Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo had earlier in the day called on the Federation to come up with a plan to assist those countries that suffered the most damage.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games, and commonly known as Gold Coast 2018, is an international multisport event for members of the Commonwealth. It will be held on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia between April 4 and April 15, 2018.

John reigns supreme at 15th Victor Macedo Cycling Road Race

to unite through sports

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

A

t the official opening of the Commonwealth Games Conference 2017 on Sunday, Acting President and Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, called on the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Commonwealth Games Federation to work on strategies to use sport to foster an overcoming spirit in the Region’s youth, in the wake of the losses that they would have suffered during the recent hurricanes which ravaged several Caribbean islands.

Speaking at the conference hosted by the GOA at their new head office at Liliendaal, ECD, Prime Minister Nagamootoo, on behalf of Guyana, noted that Government stands in solidarity and sympathy with those affected, and offers its

ricanes.

President Martin, in her brief address, revealed that prior to the departure of the Queen’s baton, the Queen specifically instructed that the baton be carried to as many people as possible, so that they could be afforded the opportunity to touch it.

She charged the countries to continue working together, developing together, and celebrating together, as they strive to embody the theme of the Commonwealth, which is “a peace-building Commonwealth”.

Meanwhile, Saint Lucia Minister of Culture and Commonwealth Games Federation Regional VicePresident of the Caribbean, Senator Fortuna Belrose, mirrored the Prime Minister’s call, pointing out that the GOA’s achievement is an important testimony

Supreme! Jamaul John strains every muscle as he crosses the finish line ahead of his rivals

By Michelangelo Jacobus

T

eam Coco’s youthful and tenacious rider Jamaul John erased the last year defending champion’s winning time en route to capturing the 15th staging of the Victor Macedo Cycling Road Race on Sunday.

Battling the elements and facing tough competition from arch-rivals, John nevertheless prevailed in three hours, five minutes and 11 seconds to eclipse the winning time of three hours, 11 minutes and .70 seconds posted by last year’s winner, Stephano Husbands.

From the get-go John was among the peloton in the early stages of the race, and he kept pace with the pack.

Those in the six-man lead group were Jamaul John, Paul Cho-Wee-Naam, Akeem Wilson, Michael Anthony, GDF’s Alanzo Ambrose, and Raul Leal. They left the main pack on the return leg from Long Creek on the Linden/ Soesdyke Highway, and never looked back.

On the final 200-metre stretch, Orville Hinds and Alanzo Ambrose gave John a run for his money in the sprint, but the lanky rider

Senator Fortuna Belrose

Jamaul John collects his prize while the winners in the other categories look on

did well to hold off the late challenge and claim his second win in the event thus far in his career.

Coming in second was Alanzo Ambrose; while Orville Hinds placed third, Paul Choo-Wee-Nam fourth, Akeem Wilson fifth, and Raul leal sixth.

A mishap occurred in the race when several riders were involved in a crash, and middle- distance athlete and competitive cyclist Salim Yussuf suffering minor injuries and had to receive medical attention at Diamond Hospital. He was saved from major injuries by

his helmet, which was shattered.

Christopher Cornelius was first in the junior category, returning a time of three hours, 16 minutes, 17 seconds; while Nigel Duiguid placed second and Adealie Hodge third.

In the U-45 category, Jaikaran Sookhai carted off the top prize, while Junior Niles was second and Warren McKay third.

Ian Jackson claimed first place in the Over-45 category, while Amrit Sankar was second. Julio Melville came in first for the mountain bikers, while Judah Bentley

was second.

The race began at Homestretch Avenue, with the seniors and juniors proceeding to Long Creek on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway before turning back to finish at the place of origin. The veterans, pre-juniors and mountain bikers turned back at the top of the hill just past Splashmin’s Fun Park, and finished on Homestretch Avenue.

The event was sponsored

by Macedo Transportation Services, in collaboration with Floyd Macedo, a former cyclist who was very competitive during his time.

support to those persons in the region who must now rebuild their lives.

“Sports, for me, represents the human value that rises above difficulties; that rises against challenges; that overcomes eventually, and soars higher, above all of these challenges [that] we may face. So we have a responsibility to use sports to help to rebuild; to use sports -- as you know -- to meet the other many challenges that policies and strategies that governments cannot remedy successfully or completely,” he said.

President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Ms Louise Martin, called on the participants of the conference to stand in a moment of silence as they remember the victims of the destructive hur-

of how the Commonwealth body wants to position sport, “by attracting and building on public/private social partnerships that widely benefit our athletes, our community, and sports in general”.

Director of Sport, Mr. Christopher Jones; GOA President, Mr. Kalam A. Juman-Yassin; Secretary of the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association, Dr. Karen Pilgrim; President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, Ms. Louise Martin; Minister of Sports of Antigua and Barbuda, and President of the Antigua and Barbuda Olympic Association, Senator Chet Greene; and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Representative for Guyana and Suriname, Ms. Sylvie Fouet, also attended the conference.

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

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Development of Caribbean athletes high on the agenda, says CGF President Pg 23

Pg 23

– coaching programmes set to be implemented

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo (fourth left) embraces CGF President Louise Martin, as Social Cohesion Minister, Dr George Norton (far right) and Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, (far left) look on

Pg 20

Gayle’s blitz not enough to save West Indies – Ali smashes 53-ball ton

West Indies will now try to save the series in final ODIs

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