Guyana Times September 28, 2017

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Issue No. 3345

PRICE

GECOM Chair

WHAT'S INSIDE:

President’s interpretations now invalid in face of court ruling – Jagdeo

Cocaine-laced hammocks

Woman turns self in to P2 Police Cattle farmer shot in alleged failed execution attempt P11

Page 3

One killed as gang attacks mining camp

Page 12

$80 vat included

Cocaine missing from CID headquarters Page 2

…several ranks under close arrest

6-year-old crushed to death by football goal post Page 9

Decomposed body of woman found on ECD P9 Newly drilled Diamond Well produces P12 water

Bartica P14 Regional Hospital ICU commissioned

Hinterland HIV testing, treatment

The football goal post which fell on six-year-old Glensean Skeete (inset) on Wednesday tragically killing him as he was practising with his classmates for the upcoming school athletics competition

Berbice men charged for killing 13-year-old Page 13

Lack of testing kits due to systemic gaps – Minister P11 Engineers P10 inspect MackenzieWismar Bridge …funding being sourced for new bridge – Mayor

2 news

thursDAY, september 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cocaine missing from Cocaine-laced hammocks CID headquarters Woman turns self in to Police

…several ranks under close arrest

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everal members of the Police Narcotics Branch are now under close arrest following the disappearance of close to two kilograms of cocaine from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Police Headquarters, Eve Leary.

The cocaine was tendered as evidence against 31-yearold Travis Mendonca, who was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to a trafficking in narcotics charge.

Acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine has confirmed that an investigation was launched by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

He also told media operatives that the cocaine was discovered missing on Tuesday evening, but did not go into details. The acting Top Cop was reluctant to divulge any additional information other than an investigation was underway.

Guyana Times understands that while the State won the case against Mendonca, investigations were ongoing to determine

Cocaine mule: Travis Mendonca

who else might have been involved in attempting to smuggle the illegal substance out of Guyana, since the Police had issued a wanted bulletin for another person.

Following the bust, Police had issued a wanted bulletin for 27-year-old Delvor Bunbury of Lot 37 Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara. His name was reportedly called during the investigation.

Bunbury was implicated in a similar incident back in March. He, along with another person, was charged for narco possession. A police of-

Wanted: Delvor Bunbury

ficer, Louie Dublin, was also charged in connection with the matter.

Two Mondays ago, Police intercepted Mendonca, who was travelling to the United States. Police stated that during a search of the suitcase belonging to Mendonca, 1828 grams of cocaine was earthed.

The suspect, of Kara Kara, Linden and Ozone Park in Queens, New York, was taken into custody and narcotics trafficking charges were instituted. He was arraigned for narco possession and sentenced after he pleaded guilty.

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iffini Collison of Lot F 21 Samaan Street, Guyhoc Park Georgetown, who was wanted for posting cocaine laced hammocks to the USA has surrendered to the Custom AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU).

The drug enforcement body issued a wanted bulletin for the mother of one on Monday and on Tuesday evening she turned up at CANU in the company of her lawyer.

It was reported that the 26-year-old used an international Courier Service to ship the hammocks sometime last week.

However, on Thursday last, the package was intercepted by ranks of the drug enforcement unit at the Eugene F Correia International Airport while checking outgoing cargo to the US. Attempts to contact the woman proved futile until she showed up at the CANU Headquarters on Tuesday. Investigations are on-going.

In the past there have been attempts to smuggle cocaine out of Guyana in

Tiffini Collison

the most creative and innovative means.

Some attempted to do so in fish, achar, fish feed, milk powder and in pastries among others which has resulted in several persons being charged and either remanded to prison or sentenced and fined.

Following the interceptions, the drug enforcement units have boosted their surveillance at

Guyana’s main port of entries including, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Eugene F Corriea International Airport and the Wharfs.

With the new measures in place, the cocaine mules are finding more creative means in shipping the illegal drug out of Guyana- a country which has been categorise at a major transhipment point.

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thursDAY, september 28, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, September 28 – 10:30h-12:00h and Friday, September 29 – 12:00h-13:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Thursday, September 28 – 09:25h-10:55h and Friday, September 29 – 11:10h-12:40h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloudy skies in the morning are expected to give way to thundery rain showers that will last throughout the day, with light cloudy skies returning in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 26 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Ranging from East South-easterly to Southeasterly and Easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 09:48h and 22:12h reaching a maximum height of 2.10 metres and 2.11 metres respectively.

GECOM Chair

President’s interpretations now invalid in face of court ruling – Jagdeo A cting Chief Justice Roxane George has handed down a written ruling in the months-long debacle surrounding the appointment of a chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and has in the process essentially thrown out the public pronouncements and interpretations held by Head of State, David Granger.

The written ruling was handed down on Tuesday last by the acting Chief Justice and was subsequently welcomed in part by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) when Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo weighed in on the mat-

Low Tide: 03:12h and 15:40h reaching minimum heights of 1.00 metre and 1.17 metres respectively.

LOTTERY NUMBERS

In her written judgement, Madam George answered the above questions as followed: (a) The answer to this question is hereby declared to be in the negative – no. (b) The answer to this question is hereby declared to be in the negative – yes. (c) It is hereby declared that the answer is the negative – no. (d) It is hereby declared that the answer is the negative – no.

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person to be appointed, again the Chief Justice ruled in the

The answers to the questions posed, according to the Chief Justice's ruling, are: (a) Whether the list of persons for appointment as Chairman of the Elections Commission required to be submitted by the Leader of the Opposition under the said Article 161 (2) must include a judge, former judge or a person qualified to be a judge. The answer to this question is hereby declared in the negative – No. (b) Whether the President is required under the Constitution to state reasons for deeming each of the six names on the list submitted by (sic) the President as unacceptable. The answer is hereby declared to be in the positive – Yes. (c) Whether the President is obliged to select a person from the six names on the list unless he has determined positively that the persons thereon are unacceptable as fit and proper for appointment. It is hereby declared that the answer is in the negative – No. (d) Whether a fact finding by the President that any one or more persons is not a fit and proper person renders the entire list as unacceptable. It is hereby declared that the answer is in the negative – No.

wednesDAY, September 27, 2017

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President David Granger

Justice George has essentially ruled that when rejecting names nominated by the Opposition Leader, the President must provide reasons for each person rejected and all of the names submitted by the Opposition Leader do not have to fall in the category of Judges.

The acting Chief Justice in ruling on whether the list of persons nominated by the Opposition Leader must include a judge, a former judge or a person qualified to be a judge found the answer to be in the negative.

Addressing media operatives at his Church Street office on Wednesday, Jagdeo made it clear that based on the ruling, the persons nominated by himself “do not have to be in any of these categories: Judges, former Judges or (eligible) to be appointed Judges”.

On the question of whether the President is required under the Constitution to supply reasons as to why the names have been rejected, Jagdeo, in pointing to the ruling, observed that the acting Chief Justice found the answer to be in the positive, “yes, he has to give reasons”.

Speaking to whether the President is obliged to select a person from the six names supplied, unless he has determined positively that the person is unacceptable as a fit and proper

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

negative.

“So even if the President finds individuals who are unacceptable to the list, it does not render the entire list unacceptable,” Jagdeo said.

The Opposition Leader reminded that President Granger’s public utterance was “I have to find all six acceptable before I even consider the list.”

The former President did indicate to media operatives that there was one ruling addressed tangentially by the acting Chief Justice which the PPP could very well appeal in the future since it would have implications for future appointments.

He was speaking to the ruling, which essentially says if the persons on the first list are

not found to be acceptable, then the President could go ahead and appoint a person from the category he identified, namely Judges, former Judges or persons eligible to be appointed Judges.

In the acting Chief Justice’s ruling, it was pointed out that her interpretation in this case was simply academic, since there have already been requests on the part of the President for subsequent lists.

Jagdeo has already submitted three lists, the latest still under consideration by the President and according to the Opposition Leader, he is yet to receive any communication with regard to a decision made.

Turn to page 13

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thursday, September 28, 2017

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

A constituency system

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he new group – Reform, Inform, Sustain, Educate (RISE) Guyana – which initially described itself as a “group of free-thinking, post-racial, individuals” pushing for “constitutional reform”, has now decided it is a “movement”. They had committed to holding countrywide consultations on the subject, presumably in parallel with the Government which had budgeted $80 million for their own efforts. Not much was heard about either set of consultations, save an event organised by the now ubiquitous 10th Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana (as the invitation insisted on pointing out), who, perhaps aided by his Cabinet, organised “a distinguished and knowledgeable panel” to discuss “Constitutional Change: To court brave change or to leave well enough alone”.

The RISE Guyana Movement, part of the “distinguished and knowledgeable panel”, proposed as part of the constitutional changes contemplated, the electoral system revert from Proportional Representation (PR) utilising a single list of candidates to the “first past the post” constituent system (CS), such as had prevailed during the colonial era. They did not elaborate whether their proposal came out of their “nationwide consultations” or full blown, like Athena from Zeus, from their own brows. Lincoln Lewis, General Secretary of the Guyana Trades Union Congress (TUC) pointed out that this electoral feature is presently covered by the “Representation of the Peoples’ Act” (RPA), which goes back to 1964 when the British made their initial change from CS to PR; and as such, a reversion did not require “constitutional change”. One cannot CHANGE in the Constitution what is not present in the Constitution: one can only INTRODUCE. Rather than conceding their faux pas, the “distinguished and knowledgeable” RISE Guyana Movement rather snarkily purported to “educate” Lewis on the workings of the electoral system since 1964. But it would appear that they, “distinguished and knowledgeable” as they might be, also need some “education” on the subject. They claimed in their latest missile (sic) to Lewis that the RPA “was designed by the politicians of the day for the purpose of protecting their parties and perpetuating the dominance of those existing parties.”

But any primary school student who covered the Social Studies curriculum would know that the CS to PR change was made by the British to oust the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) from office. Protesting this “fiddled” arrangement, Jagan famously cried, “If PR, then CR!!”

Unfortunately for him and his supporters, the People’s National Congress (PNC) coalesced with the United Force under PR in 1964 and it was the PPP that suffered “CR” for the next 28 years. While the CS was the method for “democratic” elections in Britain and its colonies from the onset of that method of governance, the British claimed PR would achieve the same goal RISE now champions for its elimination: the end to “race-based” voting. Prior to 1964, the PPP had won general elections handily because their more widely geographically distributed supporters gave them an advantage under the CS. In the 1961 elections the combined percentages gained by the PNC and US were greater than that of the PPP, yet they lost.

The theory proffered by the British was that since the entire country was one constituency and there was no minimum per cent cut-off, there would be a proliferation of parties elected to the Legislature, since each would need only a few thousand votes to gain one seat. This would result in a fairer allocation of seats matched to votes garnered. But it was common knowledge, and confirmed by declassified files, that the British actually made the change because they wanted regime change.

It is to be noted that others beside RISE have noted the pros and cons of both PR and CS and we presently have a hybrid system where we have 25 seats elected directly from constituencies and the remaining 40 from PR. Rather than only focusing on constitutional changes to move voting beyond “race”, maybe the “post-racial” members of RISE should inform the rest of Guyana how they were able to achieve this blessed state under the present Constitution.

A ride down the Pomeroon River, Region Two

May 2015 was the biggest con job in Guyana Dear Editor, It was reported in one of the local media houses that Finance Minister Winston Jordan stated that members of the Guyana Bankers Association are “optimistic about foreign exchange in the country.” Additionally, the Minister stated according to that media house that “over the past months but there is quite a bit of foreign currency circulating in the system”. Is that so?

These are the facts.

1. The Bank of Guyana published its August 2017 Statistical Bulletin on September 26, 2017, and in that official document, it reveals that the international reserves at the Central Bank was US$577.6 million compared to US$591.2 million in May 2017 (a decrease of US$13.6 million over three months).

If you compare the situation to a year ago, it was US$613.8 million in August 2016 (a decrease of US$36.2

million over 12 months).

2.

Based on a model developed by Professor Erbe and using real figures from the Bank of Guyana 2017 Half Year Report, capital flight for the first six months of 2017 was determined to be US$26 million.

This is what people should know, the lower the confidence of the Private Sector in the Government, the higher the rate of private capital flows out of the country and this directly translates to a depletion of the foreign reserves.

This will directly affect the entire nation in the near future when it is called upon to make payments on its foreign bills.

This entire development can and will lead to Guyana becoming uncreditworthy once again if this situation is not addressed.

All it takes is the oil prices increasing by US$5 over the next 12 months which is not an unreal situation if a few

more natural disasters hit Texas and Venezuela implode further politically.

But what is directly important to all of the people, is that the lower the amount of private capital being invested in the nation, the fewer job opportunities there will be in Guyana.

But what this entire prognosis highlights is if this trend continues, there will be less and less money in everyone’s pocket. And all this hullabaloo of US$1 million per day revenue for Guyana from 2020 to fill the gap, can be defined as absolute malarkey.

Why is the nation here at the dawn of 2018?

1. This regime is highly incompetent and they do not want to accept it. One of the best pieces of wisdom I heard on the 2011 campaign was from CN Sharma when he said “anyone can be President but they have to be willing to surround

themselves with the best talent”. He was perfectly in order but he failed to tell that to his colleagues in the coalition.

2.

President Granger has refused to lead on the big issues since he arrived in town. He prefers to be the pageantry President who prefers to salute marching bands and makes empty speeches that are not backed up by any action.

So we must prepare our minds for the truth, this Granger presidency is not the solution to Guyana’s economic challenges; is actually part of the problem.

But as many who voted for the coalition are waking up to find – May 2015 was the biggest con-job in the entire political history of the nation. People voted for change and for a chance of a more functional Government.

Sincerely, Sase Singh

Never curse the bridge that you walk on

Dear Editor, President David Granger, according to a report appearing on an online news entity, during a function he attended in New York, is reported to have described sugar and the other traditional economic sectors as a curse. The President, if the report is accurate, has made a very bold statement and one which, in my view, says a lot about him and his Government.

As Guyanese, we learnt that we should never curse the bridge that you walk on.

But the President, through his utterances, has done exactly what we were told we should never do. Our tra-

ditional economic sectors, which the President has described as the six sisters, have served us well and continue to remain relevant. In fact, two of them – rice and sugar – are the only sustainable industries that our country possesses, now more than half a century after independence.

From the report, the President says we should look forward to oil and gas which would be transformational. But it seems the President, his large Cabinet and the Administration’s several dozen advisors have not been reading the news.

Certainly had they done

so, they would have read about the growing resistance and the moves by quite a few countries to turn away from fossil fuel to electric vehicles, with some nations hoping to have such a transformation in just about 20 years from now.

Just a few months ago, investment guru Dennis Gartman admitted in an interview that petroleum is “a worthless commodity”.

Gartman went on to say that “crude oil, over the course of the next 20 to 40 years, is going to be a worthless commodity… it will be supplanted by something else.”

I urge President Granger

and his Government not to cast aside the ‘six sisters’ and place our dreams, hopes, aspirations and our future in oil. It is a very slippery slope and as the experience of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela is showing us, sole dependency on oil is far from being a panacea.

As famed Caribbean economist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Economics, Sir Arthur Lewis has taught us, let us maintain our existing sectors as we seek to diversify and build our economies.

Yours sincerely, Patricia Persaud

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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

What is the AFC’s position on GuySuCo? Dear Editor, The gullibility of our dear Prime Minister (PM) can be accepted since he is normally used by his A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) partners to provide the inevitable spin required in different situations.

For instance, with regards to the sugar industry, he would at times call it a ‘black hole’ then he would liken it to ‘raiding the Treasury’ and then in his recent speech in Parliament, he said that the industry was ‘shackled to a deathbed’ and $31 billion has to be given as an ‘injection’.

It’s always so refreshing to listen to his different spin versions but I guess he has failed to recognise that the ‘injection’ did not save the industry’s life but rather mummified it until the funeral. It was the embalming ‘injection’.

In the pre-coalition days this gentleman had spoken about ‘lighting candles’ for the sugar workers. This was in 2010 when he stated that sugar workers must not be made the scapegoats for the industry’s failure.

He spoke about the sugar workers being the bedrock of anti-colonial struggles and how for 28 years they fought the People’s National Congress dictatorship for a return to democracy in Guyana.

So why is he silent today when for two years the sugar workers have not been given a cent increase, their payments for ‘extras’ are taken away, Wales is closed (he admitted that this was a mistake), Rose Hall Estate is being merged, Skeldon is up for privatisation and workers are apprehensive and fearful about their future.

What the workers would like to hear is whether he supports privatisation, diversification or closure.

At least there is one Alliance For Change (AFC) person in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) who has made it clear that he supports privatization, but what are the views of the Prime Minister? What are the views of the AFC? He seems to be oblivious about what is going on.

Why this silence? The PM needs to be heard now since many sugar workers supported the AFC in the last General Election.

But alas! He seems to be too busy enjoying his ‘fat cat’ position. The ‘Cadillac lifestyle’ in a ‘donkey cart’ economy fits neatly in his scheme of things.

On the other hand, what about the Public Security Minister and Second Vice President?

He claimed that the sugar workers are to be blamed for the prison break and destruction, since monies

We will continue to walk the talk Dear Editor, The verbiage of September 26 captioned, “Mr Boodram should refrain from stifling my voice“does not really merit a response. So, The Caribbean Voice repeats that we will continue to walk the talk while leaving Dr Annie Ballroom to

tout her academic credentials.

As well we look forward expectantly to her being able to severely reduce if not eliminate suicide globally with her revolutionary ‘model’.

Sincerely, Annan Boodram

have to be given to the industry while his Ministry is starved for funds. This is pure unadulterated garbage.

At least he did not ‘light a candle’ but he should avoid blaming the poor sugar workers.

What about the 50 per cent salary increases for Ministers and other Government officials?

Did that not contribute to the Camp Street riots, jail break and conflagration? However, my question to this Minister is why the silence on the fate of the Guyana Sugar Corporation?

Then what about the Agriculture Minister? This Minister seems to have no clue about what is going on in the sugar industry.

These three AFC gentlemen have utterly failed their members and supporters, especially those in the sugar industry, and it is clear that they have been totally consumed by APNU since the Cummingsburg Accord has failed to give strength to the AFC and it is only a matter of time before it totally disintegrates.

The AFC’s views must be heard on the many issues affecting this nation and silence is not an option.

Yours sincerely, Muhammad Mustapha

Critical role and necessity of the LGC cannot be understated Dear Editor, For more than two years, this column has vociferously advocated for the establishment of the Local Government Commission (LGC). Indeed, we embrace and recognise the contributions of other commentators who have called daily for Government to act on this crucial Commission over the past months.

The critical role and necessity of the LGC cannot be understated! There were seeming objective crafting of bills and many amendments to relevant local government legislation leading to the 2015 General and Regional Elections, to address improvements to local governance.

These were seen as necessary by both the then Government and Opposition.

Even President David Granger when he was Leader of the Opposition, made strong calls on the People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government to appoint the Local Government Commission.

There are serious problems in the Local Government System! Staffing matters as one issue is too numerous to detail, although much mention was previously made of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change’s (APNU/AFC) inaction towards its contaminating and destabilising effects.

As a consequence, the elected councils are finding it extremely difficult to deal with non-performance and the new level of indiscipline emerging in the Local Authority Areas

(LAA).

The serious and un-ending problems at the Regional Democratic Councils and Neighbourhood Councils can be easily solved at the level of the LGC. As it is now, Bulkan’s Ministry is providing direct biased monitoring and controlling oversite over Local Authority Areas. This is because of the APNU/AFC’s significant loss at the 2016 Local Government Elections, and it is clear that the various councils cannot function efficiently without the LGC. Observably, this APNU/AFC Administration relishes the dictatorial and authoritative free for all way. This is in order for them to do whatever they wish, without informing the residents or their elected representatives.

Most recently, we observed published articles about the ugly invasion by the Communities Ministry to facilitate the relocation of some squatters within the Mocha Arcadia NDC without consultation; this is the workings of the same Ministry that has the responsibility to appoint

the LGC. It makes it clearer that the coalition Government does not have any respect for the views of community leadership. It must also be noted that other sections of the population are doing what they want without consulting the relevant elected bodies.

Some private citizens and organisations are also moving in the communities and doing what they want without consultation.

More seriously is the fact that the Private Sector bodies are moving in with their money and just pay off some people, build and do whatever they want, given the depreciated support to the elected councils by the Government.

This lawlessness is leading to extreme levels of corruption, facilitated the Government.

The local government system must be allowed to function in the interest of the people who elected the leaders!

The Local Government Commission must be appointed now!

Sincerely, Neil Kumar

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A

buse is not a private family matter, although it most often occurs within families and often is kept as a family secret. Once you suspect child abuse, you need to act to protect the child from further possible harm. It doesn't matter if you're wrong: it's better to be wrong than sorry.

Foundation

If you suspect abuse one you know, such as a babysitter or childcare provider, is abusing a child, keep the child away from that person until authorities have been notified.

hands. Let the legal system decide an appropriate punishment for an abuser.

Paediatricians recommend that children who are suspected abuse victims be

Here's what to do:

If you suspect that a child is being abused, it's your responsibility to contact your local child protective services agency, police, hospital, or emergency hotline. If necessary, you may remain anonymous. The child's safety is the immediate issue: you could save his or her life by removing the child from a dangerous situation as soon as possible.

If you think you may have abused your own child, or you're worried that you might, make sure the child is somewhere safe away from you, and then speak with a friend, relative, or health care professional. It may be that you just need someone to talk to or you may want to seek counseling. Speaking with a trained professional can be an effective way to work through the reasons behind your abusive feelings.

If you suspect that some-

guyanatimesgy.com

for a diagnosis to be made.

Imaging can indicate broken bones, which are often the only sign that infants and very young children have been abused, as they aren't able to speak of the abuse themselves.

Psychological help is also strongly recommended. Without it, children who have been abused may suffer emotional problems or repeat the pattern of abuse with their own children.

Break the silence

If you suspect the person may abuse the child again, make sure any future contact between the child and that person is supervised.

Never threaten a person or take the law into your own

brought to a hospital, where the initial diagnosis can be made and treatment can be given. Hospitals are havens for abused children, especially battered children who may need X-rays or cultures

While not all suspicions and accusations of child abuse turn out to be true, all deserve serious attention and immediate action. Child abuse can rob children of the joy of growing up and affect them negatively for years to come.

But abuse doesn't have to ruin a child's life, as long as it's stopped and dealt with. The earlier abuse can be identified and stopped, the less destructive it will be. Healing from the abuse and dealing with its aftermath can also start that much earlier.

So take any accusations of abuse seriously until you know for sure whether or not they're true. All children deserve to be heard, protected, and helped, no matter what. (kidshealth.org)

Child abuse Part 2

Sexual abuse S

exual abuse happens when a child is raped or forced to commit a sexual act. But it’s also any sort of sexual contact with a child or any behaviour that is meant to sexually arouse the abuser. So, in addition to having sex with a child, fondling a child’s genitals or making a child touch someone else’s genitals, sexual abuse also includes: making a child pose or perform for pornographic pictures or videos telling a child dirty jokes or stories showing a child pornographic material forcing a child to undress “flashing” a child or showing them one’s genitals

Neglect

Neglect is any action — or inaction — on the part of a caregiver that causes a child physical or emotional harm. For example, withholding food, warmth in cold weather, or proper housing is considered neglectful. Basically, anything that interferes with a child’s growth and development constitutes neglect. This also includes: failing to provide medical care when a child is injured or sick locking a child in a closet or room placing a child in a dangerous situation that could

lead to physical injury or death Abandonment is a type of neglect. This is when a child is left alone for extended periods of time or suffers serious harm because no one was looking after him or her.

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse or psychological abuse is a pattern of behaviour that has negative effects on a child’s emotional development and sense of self-worth. Ignoring a child or withholding love, support, or guidance is considered emotional abuse.

So is threatening, terrorizing, belittling, or constantly criticizing a child.

Substance abuse

The use of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs can hinder a caregiver’s judgment and put a child in danger, leading to things like neglect or physical abuse. But in some states, substance abuse is also considered a form of child abuse on its own.

Examples of child abuse due to a substance abuse problem in the house include: allowing a child to drink alcohol or take illegal drugs making, ingesting, or distributing illegal drugs in the presence of a child exposing a fetus to illegal drugs or other substances while p r e g nant.

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thursDay, September 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagan’s ‘99 ExxonMobil deal birthed in ‘special circumstances’ ...we don’t have anything to hide about it – Opposition Leader

Former President Bharrat Jagdeo

O

pposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday staunchly defended the Petroleum Exploration Licence issued to ExxonMobil in 1999 under the hand of then President Janet Jagan.

In fact, Jagdeo is of the view, were he in that position, he would have done the same thing.

The Opposition Leader was at the time responding to claims asserted by Chartered Accountant Christopher Ram and reproduced in at least one newspaper, which pointed to some 600 petroleum exploration blocks being given to ExxonMobil.

Ram contends this contravenes the governing petroleum laws which only allow a maximum of 60 blocks.

He had rightfully indicated too that there are special circumstances provided for in the statutes and according to Jagdeo, special circumstances did exist at the time.

The Opposition Leader in defending the actions of former President Janet Jagan was adamant, “it is a fact ExxonMobil was given about 600 blocks in 1999... Let me say this country should be grateful to Janet Jagan.”

Jagdeo – successor to the then President and co-founder of the People’s Progressive Party, Janet Jagan – said too, “in a similar situation in 1999, I probably would have done the same.”

The former President said the matter has to be seen in context and pointed to the fact that there has been oil exploration in Guyana for more than a century now.

According to Jagdeo, “at that time when Janet gave these blocks out, we didn’t have many takers.” He explained that with a track record of more than a century of explorations and never finding oil, Guyana was a high risk country for any investor to put money into oil exploration to the tune of hundreds of millions of US dollars.

He conceded not knowing of the special reasons/circumstances that led then President Jagan to grant some 600 blocks to ExxonMobil, but reminded that the law does provide for ‘special circumstances.’

Jagdeo opined too that the move was in fact significant from a geopolitical perspective given the renewed Venezuela claims.

According to Jagdeo, the presence of a large US-based company such as ExxonMobil,

located in a large offshore expanse – now claimed by Venezuela – demonstrates that the United States of America recognises the territory as sovereign to Guyana.

Force Majeure

Meanwhile, the Opposition Leader also used the occasion to respond to social activist, Christopher Ram, who has in recent days, through different mediums, accused Jagdeo of a suspect extension of the ExxonMobil Agreement in 2008, saying under the laws, the company should have had to relinquish half of what it had been granted.

Jagdeo did in fact grant the extension which included not giving up any of the blocks held

by ExxonMobil and he told media operatives, “it is a fact that in 2008 I signed an extension agreement with relinquishment in it, an extension to that agreement...we don’t have anything to hide about it.”

In the agreement, ExxonMobil initially acquired the concession for four and a half years after which they would have to hand back 50 per cent.

This did not obtain, but Jagdeo has since defended his actions and pointed to when ExxonMobil invoked the force majeure clause in its agreement.

Force majeure is defined as unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a contract.

ExxonMobil invoked force

Former President, the late Janet Jagan

majeure when neighbouring Suriname had evicted a CGX rig that was conducting explorations then in the disputed border area.

According to Jagdeo, this action by the company led to an essential halt on the operations of ExxonMobil.

Explaining why his Administration did not enforce the relinquishment provisions of the agreement – forcing ExxonMobil to give up half of its petroleum blocks – Jagdeo said “when you declare force majeure it freezes everything.”

This happened in September 2000, but the matter was not resolved until almost a decade later in 2007, when a United Nation’s tribunal made a final ruling on the border dispute between Guyana and Suriname and demarcated the maritime boundary between the two countries.

The then President explained that the company approached Government the following year to lift the force

majeure, “so none of the period between 1998 and 2008 when force majeure was lifted could you have done anything because once force majeure is in place everything freezes.”

Jagdeo said the actions led to an almost reset of initial agreement.

He lamented that the almost decade-long period for which the force majeure clause had been in effect.

The Opposition Leader noted too that when ExxonMobil found oil in commercial quantities in 2015 Guyana was derisked meaning that investors were now looking to flock to these shores.

Flipping

The former President also used the occasion to sound another alarm following the sale of major shareholdings valued millions of US dollars in an offshore oil company operating in the Orinduik Block – a concession that was issued in January 2016 by the coalition A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government after it took office a few months earlier.

Jagdeo was at the time on Tuesday addressing members of the local media corps and observed the sale of the shares even as he again lambasted the Administration over its silence regarding the affairs of the industry and to allegations regarding companies with intrinsically linked shareholdings that ties back to Ministers.

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman

He told media operatives, “I saw an agreement that (Minister Raphael) Trotman gave being flipped now in just a matter of a year.”

The former President was making reference to news that the French owned Total E&P Activities Petrolieres signed an agreement with a shareholder in Guyana’s Orinduik Block Eco Atlantic for the tune of millions of US dollars, and is likely to see it establishing a foothold locally.

Speaking during the press engagement, the former President was adamant that Minister David Patterson is yet to respond to the claims that persons with shared links to the Administration have been making application for petroleum concessions in order to flip the licences for a profit.

Jagdeo remains adamant that the lies emanating from the Administration have been overshadowing the core issues surrounding his allegation of likely corruption.

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thursday, September 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS Vendor charged for auto spares burglary – granted $250,000 bail

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38-year-old father of five was arraigned before the court of Magistrate Leron Daly on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, where he was granted $250,000 bail when he pleaded not guilty to the charge of larceny.

It is alleged that Jermaine Devin, while in the company of others between September 16 and September 18, 2017, at Garnett Street, Georgetown, he broke and entered into the business premises of First Class Auto Spares and therein stole a quantity of car parts and ac-

cessories; totalling $2.197 million and the property of Richard Hamid.

The accused, who was represented by Attorney Paul Fung-A-Fat, is a resident of Broad Street, Charlestown, with no previous or pending matters before the courts according to the lawyer.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne did not object to bail, but asked that it be granted under the condition that it be granted in a substantial sum.

Bail was granted by Magistrate Daly accordingly and the accused was ordered to return to court on October 11 for continuation.

Taxi driver charged for sexually assaulting 9-year-old

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his case was heard in-camera before Magistrate Judy Latchman, away from the prying ears of the public on Wednesday morning.

According to reports reaching Guyana Times, the defendant was charged for sexually assaulting a minor under the age of 16. The incident occurred between June

1, 2017 and June 30, 2017 in the Georgetown area.

On the day in question, it is alleged that the mother of the child hired the taxi driver to pick up the victim from the Islamic school which she attends and take her home.

Upon picking up the girl, the taxi driver allegedly proceeded to unzip her clothing and attempted to fondle her

before taking her home as instructed.

The traumatised victim disclosed the incident to her mother some time later which resulted in Police reports being made, leading to the arrest of the defendant who was slapped with the charge for which he is presently appearing before the court.

Although details surrounding the incident remain vague, this publication gathered that the accused was represented

by Attorney-at-Law Sase Gunraj, who managed to secure bail for his client in the sum of $150,000.

The accused is slated to return to court on October 5, 2017.

Still up in the air…

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…on GECOM Head ell, the other foot has dropped on the GECOM saga. And “saga” it is…almost as long as the Odyssey! With even more twists, turns and even a surprising ending? But your Eyewitness sincerely hopes it doesn’t end on a note of tragedy as most of those Greek Sagas were wont to do. The Chief Justice just released the official written version of her opinion on the rules of the game on selecting a GECOM Chairman.

There were no surprises and that’s the problem your Eyewitness has with the judgement – as he’d opined at the time of the oral statement. Madam George reiterated that the President’s discretion is "not absolute” since he has to offer reasons for rejecting the names submitted by the Opposition Leader. And these reasons are justiciable. But if he rejects the entire list – and this is what sticks in the craw of your usually amiable Eyewitness – he can then go on to unilaterally select an ex-member of the Judiciary all on his lonesome!

The Chief Justice opined that even if the President finds ONE person on the list “objectionable”, he can reject the ENTIRE LIST!! Your Eyewitness has heard about the effect of one bad apple – but one “bad” GECOM nominee?? Well!! She continued “one would expect” the President to choose one of those “unobjectionable” nominees, but he doesn’t HAVE to!!

Now what kind of vacillation is this??

We don’t expect another Solomon but Jeez!! The problem is, the Constitution’s very clear as to when Prezzie can select a person outside a list provided by the Opposition Leader. But this proviso wasn’t even one the Plaintiff had asked to be clarified: “provided that if the Leader of the Opposition fails to submit a list as provided for, the President shall appoint a person who holds or has held office as judge …etc…etc”.

The CJ’s ruling on this point is clearly wrong – Jagdeo has never and would clearly never “fail to provide a list”. Some had wondered why he was going along with Prezzie’s clearly arbitrarily arbitrary rejections!! It’s also dicta and can be ignored by the Plaintiffs. Prezzie cannot use it as stare decisis to do what we all know he wanted to do from the beginning – appoint exJustice Claudette La Bennet. It’s clear Prezzie’s made up his mind on this issue and as his Comrade Leader Burnham used to say, “Back to back, belly to belly; Ah don’t give a damn, ah done dead already!!”

The looming tragedy we alluded to earlier, however, it is Guyana that’ll be dead in the water for another three decades. …on bridges The Public Infrastructure Ministry’s ploughing straight ahead on their new and innovative Demerara Harbour Bridge with the “Ming Swing”. Minister David Patterson seems determined to follow in the track of the captain of the Titanic. This morning he took out ads in the dailies soliciting bids for folks to prequalify to “finance, design, build, and maintain” the said Bridge.

They can also “Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer” (BOOT) the structure, just like the PPP did with the Berbice Bridge. The difference, of course, is in the former, the winning company wouldn’t own the structure. Your Eyewitness isn’t even going to discuss the merits or demerits of the two options. He believes it’s like the scholastics of yore, arguing about how many angels could dance of the head of a needle!!

Fact of the matter, nobody from the Private Sector in their right mind will get involved with this Government in such a venture – after they cussed out the investors in BBCI. Especially when those folks NEVER collected a penny for their investments! …on oil contracts Now that Trotman is signing away new contracts on oil blocks, does he understand the clause on confidentiality?

Your Eyewitness thinks he should really take evening lessons from Chris Ram!!

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

News

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thursDAY, september 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

6-year-old crushed to death by football goal post A

Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD), school boy was tragically killed on Wednesday after a metal goal post fell on him at the community centre, where they were practicing for the upcoming school athletics competition.

Dead is six-year-old Glensean Skeete, a pupil of St Paul’s Primary School and of Lot 10 Graham Street, Plaisance. The incident occurred just before midday at the Industry/ Plaisance Community Centre Ground.

Guyana Times was told that around 10:00h on Wednesday, a group of pupils from the primary school had gone to the ground to practice for the upcoming inter-house sports when the tragedy occurred. They were accompanied by two teachers.

It was reported that during the practice session, Skeete and another male student were reportedly swinging on the metal

Dead: Glensean Skeete

(football) goal post, when it uprooted and fell, hitting the child in the head. He reportedly sustained severe head injuries.

As such, he was picked up and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) by teachers in a critical state. The six-year-old subsequently succumbed despite efforts by doctors to resuscitate him.

The boy’s mother, Stacy, who is nine months preg-

nant, was too distraught to talk to the media. She broke down in tears at the hospital and had to be whisked home after she became hysterical.

At the house, close relatives and friends gathered to console the woman, who could be heard repeating “I want Glensean… I don’t want to live anymore.” The grieving woman lamented that she did not want the boy to go to the practice session since he was not going to the actual school sports but the lad insisted on going.

Meanwhile during a brief interview, the lad’s grieving father, Glenroy, related to reporters that he was at work when he received a call to go to the hospital.

“When I left, I go and meet her (his wife) at the hospital and she was in tears and so on. Because I go after, I didn’t get to see him,” the man recalled, saying that he too was told that his son was pinned under the collapsed goal post.

The boy’s mother being consoled by his father after learning of his tragic death

The distraught father went on to describe Glensean as a fun and loving child. “He was my one and only son, a real good child… Up to this morning (Wednesday), he went to pick up dunks [“dungs”] and he bring and give me… he always joyful, always make me happy and he was always by my side,”

Decomposed body of woman found on ECD

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he body of an unidentified woman was on Tuesday found in the vicinity of the Foulis, East Coast Demerara, suspected to have been raped and murdered. The body was discovered by a resident, who went to the area to dispose garbage.

The body was reportedly found in a clump of bushes in a state of decomposition.

The Police was immediately alerted and an investigation was launched.

Reports are the woman’s blouse was pulled to her chest and her pants and undergarment were below her

knees, leaving investigators to believe she may have been sexually assaulted.

There was also a yellow metal chain wrapped around the woman’s neck.

Police also found a pair of slippers and a hammock next to the woman’s body. She was lying face up and her arm had a gaping wound.

Police officials have confirmed that there were reports of a missing person but they are examining every possible lead.

Her age is estimated to be in the mid 30’s. Police in a release stated that the body was clad in a blue top, brown and black brassiere, blue jeans and light-blue underwear.

The woman is brown in complexion and is about five feet, five inches tall.

The body is at the Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting identification and a post-mortem examination.

the grieving man said.

The body of six-year-old Glensean is currently at the GPHC mortuary await-

ing a post-mortem examination, which is expected to be conducted on Friday.

He leaves to mourn his parents and seven siblings, with one on the way.

Meanwhile, a visit to the community centre showed that the football goal post was not properly secured into the ground, hence it uprooted after the children were swinging on it.

Nevertheless, the Education Ministry, whose officials including Chief Executive Officer Marcel Hutson visited the family at the hospital, said it will continue to engage Glensean’s parents.

It added that psychosocial and other support will be provided to the family, teachers and students of St Paul’s Primary during this difficult time.

10 news

thursday, September 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Engineers inspect Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge … funding being sourced for new bridge – Mayor

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n the heels of concerns raised by residents over the state of the Mackenzie/Wismar Bridge in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), a team of engineers on

Wednesday inspected the structure.

Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland, who was present during the inspection, said the bridge was "deemed healthy for usage and struc-

turally sound" by the engineering team, however a complete final report on the findings is expected to be submitted within a week or two. Nevertheless, engineers did point out sever-

al issues caused by the lack of maintenance below the bridge. The engineers also recommended the need for sand blasting of the rusted parts and painting of the structure.

"They would have recommended the complete spraying and pressure washing of the bridge to get rid of the bauxite dust that would have over the years built up. (It has built up) so much so that you have vegetation under the bridge... that in itself could have caused some amount of corrosion but to their estimation, it's not that significant...," the Mayor pointed out.

Additionally, he said recommendations were made for improvements at the top of the centre span. Motor vehicle users had complained of that section of the bridge, which they noted has damaging effects on the undercarriage of their vehicles.

"Discussions were made for the whole construction at the top, where they have these steel plates that are causing the jagged crossing on the centre of the bridge, to change somewhat to a smoother flow to ease the bumping which causes some difficulty,” the Mayor added.

Engineers chatting with Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland following the inspection of the Mackenzie-Wismar Bridge

He said too that while the bridge has been deemed "usable", the present issue lies with the intense volume of traffic which it presently experiences, since the amount has almost doubled in recent times. As a result, Holland said there is still need for the construction of a second bridge, since the current one is incapable of handling the volume of traffic. The Mayor said this will also be useful especially with the construction of a road from Mabura to Linden, which is expected to be funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

Additionally, the Mayor said it is his understanding that the construction of a new bridge is not off the charts, according to information from the Public Infrastructure Ministry. He

said an approach will now be made to the CDB for funding as he urged Government to see this through to fruition.

"I understand that the initial source of funding for that bridge (IDB) is no longer available. This information wasn't communicated to me earlier... I understand Government's judgement but what I wish for them, more so Minister Patterson to understand is that this new bridge is very much needed in Linden. It is a promise made by no one but himself to the people of Linden and we have great expectations for that second bridge and we must have that bridge...," Holland said.

He also thanked Municipal Councillor Lennox Gasper for bringing issues regarding the bridge to the fore.

Rio Convention

Stakeholders updated on US$2.3M climate change project

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s the world moves towards achieving the 2015-2030 Sustainable Development Goals, local stakeholders were on Tuesday updated on Guyana’s status with regards to the implementation of policy objectives under the 1992 Rio Convention. The stakeholders gathered at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown and were given an overview of the status of the US$2.3 Million Rio Convention Mainstreaming Project.

Several countries, including Guyana, had signed onto the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development which among, other objectives, seeks to curb using harmful materials to the environment. It is generally accepted that these restrictions will reduce the devastating impacts of climate change.

Project Coordinator Michelle Klass explained that the mainstreaming project will be guided by four components which include institutional reforms, bringing educative awareness to the project and to formulate laws in keeping with good environmental practices.

She highlighted that component one looks at strengthening institutional capacities while component two focuses on the technical capacities.

Component three of the project is geared at engaging in dialogue which highlights the value of the Rio Convention whereas part four deals with

A section of the gathering on Wednesday during the update on the Sustainable Development Goals

updating the national capacity and self-assessment of the project.

Meanwhile, Director of the Department of Environment within the Ministry of the Presidency, Ndibi Schwiers, said the project is using local consultants only. She also outlined some of the goals the initiative hopes to achieve which includes improving the way in which information is obtained.

“It is our expectation that by the end of this project, progress would be made is strengthening both technical and institutional capacities in collecting and managing data and information in facilitating legislative reforms and in establishing a data monitoring and management system,” the Department’s Director observed.

Speaking at the event, Minister of State Joseph Harmon called on international partners to commit to the Rio and Paris Climate Change Conventions.

“We have recommit-

ted ourselves to the Rio Conventions on climate change and we continue to ask and promote the climate change conventions which have been signed and we wish to ask those countries that have not committed to the Paris Agreement to recognise what is happening in the world and to take a very firm step in ensuring that we commit resources to be able to work in a better way so that the impact of these disasters like the hurricanes can be lessened,” Harmon implored.

The Rio Convention Mainstreaming Project is co-funded by the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and the Guyana Government. It was disclosed that some $387,000 of the project’s budget was already expended for this year, which reflects nearly 20 per cent of the total funds available.

The project commenced in late 2016 and will conclude by 2020.

news

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thursDAY, september 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cattle farmer shot in alleged Hinterland HIV testing, treatment failed execution attempt Lack of testing kits due to

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t least four shots were fired at a Berbice cattle farmer on Tuesday in New Amsterdam in what was believed to be an execution attempt.

Reports are Fenton Bell was shot once as he was about to enter his home.

Reports are the Berbice cattle farmer had just walked a friend out of his gate when he noticed someone hiding behind a concrete wall near some bushes in a nearby playfield.

“The person shoot from in the bushes on the ground, so nobody could see them,”

Fenton Bell

A hole in the concrete wall from a bullet which penetrated through the building and into the backyard

he said.

Opposite Bell’s Lot 2 Islington home is the Stanford Cricket Ground.

According to Bell, the shots came from inside the ground where the caretaker’s house once stood.

He said after the first shot was fired, he threw himself to the ground, but the gunman fired three more shots. He said that one of the bullets grazed his neck as he was attempting to enter the house to call for help. He said he managed to call the Police who arrived quickly.

Three warheads were recovered.

Police in a release said about 17:35h just after Bell parted company with a Policeman with whom he was having a conversation, a hail of gunshots rang out, resulting in his injury. The Police also noted that an eastern glass window was shattered and four indentations allegedly caused by gunshots were seen on the

The area Police believed the gunman was hiding

Fenton Bell’s home

concrete wall of the said eastern side of his house.

Investigations are in progress, the release said.

According to Bell, the shots were fired from about 40 metres from him.

“Someone was there waiting for me, because I didn’t get to reach in back…I was lucky. My time has not come as yet,” he told Guyana Times. (Andrew Carmichael)

systemic gaps – Minister …says new procurement unit would eliminate lapses

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unior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, said the recent revelation that pregnant women in the hinterland regions are not receiving HIV tests is one that would be quickly addressed, while explaining that the lack of testing kits is due to some lapses in the delivery system resulting in the late delivery of the testing kits.

The revelation was one of the official findings of the study on Indigenous Women and Children in 12 communities, conducted by the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry in collaboration with UNICEF. The report was handed over to the Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock, last week.

The aim of the study was to contribute to a greater understanding of Indigenous women and children regarding cultural/traditional practices as it relates to medicines; sexual and reproductive health issues; build or strengthen the resilience of children, families, communities and systems to natural disasters, conflicts chronic systemic crises and social conflicts. Additionally, it sought to examine decision-making processes on health and protection issues; strengthen the provision of equitable prevention and response to different forms of child violence, including gender-based violence; inform the development of a robust, sustained, early childhood development and equitable and inclusive education programmes for Amerindian children. It also sought to explore women’s leadership skills and their capacity building needs at the community level; explore live-

Dr Karen Cummings

lihood and, empowerment opportunities; provide evidence for national and sub-national planning and developmental processes to contribute to an enabling environment, for Indigenous women and children, and determine the knowledge, perceptions and roles that were played by Indigenous peoples in the preservation of the environment and climate change and what are their current roles.

The study was conducted in Region One (BarimaWaini), Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), Region Nine (Upper TakatuUpper Essequibo) and Indigenous communities in coastal regions in Akawini, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam); Santa Mission, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara); St Cuthbert Mission/Pakuri, Region Four (DemeraraMahaica); Moraikobai, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Orealla and Siparuta, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne); and River View, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

Following the publishing of the findings, Minister

Cummings said it is the Public Health Ministry’s objective to ensure that the gap in healthcare delivery between the coastland and hinterland is bridged. She explained that under the Integrated Health Services programme, they are working with communities to deliver quality health care.

She added that there might have been issues in the delivery of the kits resulting in the shortage of the kits.

She suggested that at the time the study was conducted, maybe the kits were not at the facilities due to the delivery lapses.

In relation to the lack of antenatal HIV testing, the Minister said, “It is a requirement that during the antenatal visit the mother go to the clinic and in our workup, there is counselling and taking out samples for blood testing and HIV. So, it is a policy that we have in the Ministry of Public Health so to say that it is not done is really not correct,” she said.

“I was advised that between October (2017) to January (2018) we should have all our supplies. I know we hadn’t then but at least we will have before the year is out. We had a lot of setbacks in pervious things, we had some hurdles, some obstacles and we know where the gaps are and we have a new procurement unit in our Ministry and we are working assiduously to ensure drug and equipment and medical supplies shortage be a thing of the past,” Cummings said.

The specific finding of the report raised eyebrows since mining is one of the main activities in the hinterland regions and persons with all sorts of medical conditions frequent those areas to work.

12 news

thursDAY, september 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

1 killed as gang Newly drilled Diamond attacks mining camp Well produces water – gunmen said to be foreigners

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Brazilian national working in a Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) mining camp was brutally slaughtered by cross-border bandits armed with rifles and handguns, in a brazen attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The robbery saw the gunmen carting off a quantity of raw gold. Dead is 36-year-old dredge owner Antonio Da Silva, whose body was found at a mining camp in Akaiwanna, Cuyuni, Region Seven with several wounds suspected to be gunshots.

According to preliminary reports, the brazen incident lasted for some eight hours – from 17:45h Tuesday afternoon and ended 02:00h Wednesday morning. It is reported that a gang of about six to eight armed men attacked the mining camp, bound the deceased along with several of his workers and ransacked the camp.

It is believed that after rumbling through the camp, the bandits escorted Da Silva to his worksite and swiftly removed an undisclosed amount of raw gold.

Reports are that the bandits then took Da Silva about 500 metres from the site and shot him several times before making good their escape.

This newspaper learnt that upon hearing the rapid gunfire, one of the persons in Da Silva’s camp was able to flee and ended up at another mining camp. It was there that the worker relayed in-

formation as to what transpired.

“The first info we received was that the camp was invaded and gunshots were fired and that’s where one of the persons escaped and was able to make a call from a nearby camp and this information was relayed to Police,” Guyana Times was told.

A source close to the investigation explained that it was two hours after the first contact was made with Police that Da Silva was killed by the bandits (foreigners). This publication was told that several Police ranks were dispatched to Akaiwanna early Wednesday morning to investigate the man’s murder. His body is presently at the Memorial Gardens Crematorium, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

Some reports suggest the attackers could have been Brazilian but information disclosed to Guyana Times related that the gunmen are more likely Venezuelan as the camp is reported-

ly one hour away from the border with the Bolivarian Republic. When contacted, Acting Crime Chief Paul Williams responded to these reports, saying that while the attackers were said to be “external”, investigations are ongoing. This could soon determine their nationalities.

This latest attack comes just two months after three miners – Vernon Eudoxie, 55; Cologne Solomon, 23; and Samuel Moses, 19, of Port Kaituma – were all killed when their camp at Imataka on the Venezuelan side of the border was raided by four gunmen who had opened fire after demanding that the miners turn over their valuables. Other miners were also injured in that attack. Before that Imataka slaughter, there were incidents at two gold mining camps in Region Seven which were raided and the occupants were severely beaten by gunmen who robbed the respective miners of their gold and valuables.

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en weeks of drilling a new well at Diamond, East Bank Demerara, has resulted in the successful production of water, as observed during a site visit by Managing Director of Guyana Water Inc (GWI), Dr Richard Van WestCharles and a technical team.

The well, which is the first of three to be drilled

by Dutch firm, De Ruiter Groundwatertechneik in Guyana, was drilled at a depth of 201 metres. At this depth, the well is producing 200 cubic metres of water per hour (200m3/hr), which is equivalent to approximately one hundred 450-gallon black tanks of water per hour.

“We are happy about the success of the well, its production is above what we expected and you can see for yourselves that we’ve got clear water and good quality and as soon as they are finished with this final developmental process, our engineers would prepare to run the transmission lines to connect to the Diamond community,” Van West-Charles is quoted in a GWI release as saying. This is expected to take place by the end of November 2017. He explained that GWI is pleased with the results, given that the Diamond project is the Dutch company’s first attempt on Guyana’s soil.

De Ruiter Groundwatertechneik is utilising a new method of drilling known as reverse circulation.

This method is carried out by using

The drilling rig being used by De Ruiter Groundwatertechneik

compressed air, which also acts as the medium bringing the drill cuttings (soil formation) up to the surface. Additionally, Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casings are being used, as opposed to steel casings, giving the well an estimated lifespan of 30 years.

GWI has allowed its engineers and local contractors to be exposed to the new methodology as part of the company’s quest to create well fields for the sustainability of water for the citizenry of Guyana. Plans are also afoot for the purchase of the company’s own drilling rig.

The purpose of the Diamond well is to add redundancy and to supplement the water supply along the East Bank of Demerara, specifically the growing Diamond/Grove population.

The Dutch drilling company will be moving to Sparendaam, on the East

Coast of Demerara next, then to Sophia, Greater Georgetown for the drilling of wells in those communities. Earlier this year, a contract was signed between GWI and De Ruiter Groundwatertechneik, to the tune of €552,855 for the drilling of three new wells at Diamond, Sophia and Sparendaam; all in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

The total cost of the Diamond well alone is approximately GY$40 million. The construction of a water treatment plant is also in the pipeline for the Diamond community.

Dr Van West-Charles stated too that interior regions can no longer depend on surface water and as such, wells are also being drilled in the hinterland, as GWI continues to move aggressively to ensure water sustainability across the country.

Among other projects…

Mabaruma Marketing Centre slated for completion by year-end

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n a bid to boost agriculture in Region One (BarimaWaini), the Mabaruma Marketing Centre is expected to be up and running by mid-October following complete rehabilitation.

During a recent trip to Mabaruma, Town Clerk Barrington Ward explained that in previous years, the Centre has played a vital role in the packaging and shipping of products to Georgetown for farmers in various parts of the region.

“In the past, we had farmers coming from different parts of the region, like Arouca, Barima, and the Karaibo Rivers, and they would come with their produce and we would grade and do packages and then ship it off to Georgetown. But over the years there has been a lapse where we have some problems, where the storage went down the drain,” Ward said.

He noted that due to a lack of proper infrastructure in the region, there has been a decline in the cultivation of

Mayor Henry Smith at the site of the new Kumaka Marketing Tarmac

crops.

“The backdrop is that agriculture has declined because of the facilities and the poor infrastructure that we have here. And with all the produce the farmers have, we are now trying to bring back that centre. In other words, repair it so we can have that service again.”

According to Mayor Henry Smith, among the oth-

Vendor Joy Brown

er projects slated for yearend completion, is a new Kumaka Market Tarmac.

Construction is already underway and the new site will have 21 big stalls and smaller sheds for squatters on the waterfront.

A fish market is also expected to be constructed at the back of the tarmac to allow fishermen to offload their catch.

It was explained that the

new tarmac will see vendors being removed from the old market square permanently.

“We hope by early next year; we wanted to bring them here this year but they said Christmas is almost on them and people are accustomed to them being out there”, Smith said.

The Department of Public Information reported that vendors expressed their satisfaction with the move. One vendor, Joy Dodson said, “I feel happy, I feel proud.

Because we know that we moving forward to a next level… the Christmas must reach me here and after the Christmas, I will go there, and I get my wish.”

Another vendor, Sita Williams, stated that “Well as for me, I feel good. So far everything alright and I feel happy that we stay here for the Christmas season and early next year we agree to go on the tarmac and I know it would be better on the tarmac.” The Council is expected to complete both projects before the end of 2017.

Part of the constructed Kumaka Marketing Tarmac

Contractors working on the new Mabaruma Marketing Centre

thursDAY, september 28, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

News

Berbice men charged for killing 13-year-old T

omised him. After the teen lost consciousness, he was bound and thrown into the Berbice River allegedly by the men.

Two days later, Police arrested the two and on Friday last, they reportedly got a confession detailing the gruesome act, which was allegedly committed in a house three lots away from

he two men who have been accused of sexually assaulting and killing a teenager on the East Bank of Berbice were on Wednesday remanded to prison for the capital offence of murder.

Hillary Edwards and Omardai Christopher appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the New

Dead: Leonard Archibald

Hillary Edwards

Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that between September 17 and September 23 at Sisters Village, East Bank Berbice, they murdered Leonard Archibald. They were, however, charged separately.

Police Prosecutor, Inspector Godfrey Playter

told the court that the Police needed more time to complete the file and as such, Magistrate Moore granted the required time and set December 8 as the next court date.

The matter has been transferred to the Sisters Magistrate’s Court.

Christopher is being represented by Attorney Arudranauth Gossai, while the number one accused Hillary Edwards was unrepresented.

As the duo left the courtroom, a crowd gathered to get a glimpse of the men.

Reports are on September 17 they lured the 13-year-old to a house where they lived and allegedly sod-

President’s interpretations now...

From page 3

That matter was not raised by the Opposition or the Attorney General, but rather by the Guyana Bar Association which had submitted that the Constitution only contemplated one list to be submitted after which the President must make an appointment.

“It seems as though even APNU’s interpretation and ours coincide that more than one list is contemplated.” He said the question was “whether we would allow this to stand as a ruling, because if it does then it, unless it’s explored fully, it may influence in the future the choice of a chairperson for GECOM.” He suggested that should the ruling stand, the President could in future request a single list and if none were found acceptable, he would go right ahead and appoint someone unilaterally.

“I believe personally that that is a bit worrisome; that interpretation for the future,” said Jagdeo.

13

As such, he indicated that the Party would be discussing further with its lawyers “to see whether we will join others in challenging that interpretation that there should be one list”.

In light of the written ruling handed down by the acting Chief Justice, Jagdeo did indicate, “I am hoping that the President (David Granger) reads this carefully and that his advisors will now guide him accordingly...I hope that he understands now that the interpretation that he had, that all of the persons had to be acceptable to him before he even contemplates choosing someone, that interpretation is now untenable (invalid) in the face of a ruling from the Chief Justice.”

The former President did express some optimism that the ruling by the acting Chief Justice would bring about some sense of conclusion to the monthslong debacle stemming from the President’s obstinate positions on his role in the appointment of a GECOM Chairperson.

Omardai Christopher

the Sisters Police Station.

One week after Archibald went missing, his body was discovered at the Khotbradt foreshore three villages away in an advanced state of decomposition.

He was laid to rest on Wednesday.

Medical specialists in Bartica significantly reduce referrals to GPH – some 7000 patients seen thus far for 2017

R

egional Health Officer (RHO) for Region Seven, Dr Edward Segala has given updates on the Region’s health service delivery thus far for 2017. One of the highlights for 2017 is the fact that just about 7000 patients were seen by specialised doctors at the Bartica Regional hospital for the first six months of the year.

The RHO attributed this to the fact that the Bartica Regional Hospital has received its full complement of medical specialists. Dr Segala outlined that eight medical specialists were now at the Hospital.

These include a General Surgeon, Anaesthesiologist, Cardiologist, Obstetrician/ Gynaecologist, Paediatrician, Haematologist and specialists in internal medicine and trauma and orthopaedics “I think we have been able to reduce significantly the number of cases that would have to go to Georgetown and get medical attention. Figures for the first six months of this year – approximately close to 7000 patients were seen by medical specialists. You can imagine if all of those would have to go to Georgetown to be seen,” Dr Segala explained.

Head of the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPH), Dr Zulfikar Bux confirmed that there has been

Region 7 Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Edward Segala

a reduction in referrals from Bartica to the tertiary facility since specialists have been operating in the Region.

Since 2015, the Public Health Ministry has been working to decentralise health services in all regions and has advocated for bridging the gap in the delivery of health care between the hinterland and coastal regions.

The goal was to have regional hospitals in Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine equipped with the requisite specialists which will ultimately decrease the number of referrals to the Georgetown Public Hospital.

That hospital as determined by senior health practitioners is overburdened with referrals of emergency cas-

es from all 10 administrative regions. Additionally, hinterland regions would often refer maternity and snake-bite cases on a large scale.

The RHO noted that there were 24 medical specialist doctors throughout the Region.

More specifically, specialists are strategically spread throughout the Region. “For the first time we have two doctors at Middle Mazaruni, that is Issano so they cover a big area; also in Upper Mazaruni, we have doctors covering from Imbaimadai we have two; Jawalla – we have one, Kako – soon one doctor to go there, Kamarang – two, Waramadong – one, Parima – one,” the RHO noted.

Dr Segala added that having medical specialists in the Region meant that it would have reduced medevacs. “That same money that we are spending on evacuating those patients it will help to improve and better health services in the Region.”

Meanwhile, the RHO underscored that the shortage of nurses in the Region remained an issue, which needed to be urgently addressed.

He believes that a full complement of nurses employed, especially at regional and district hospitals, would balance the work already being done in the Region by medical specialists. (DPI)

Aircraft Owners’ Association supports GCAA 2018 budget increase

F

ollowing criticisms over its response to several air transit accidents, the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is now moving to expand its technical staff to include qualified and experienced Flight Operations Inspectors.

This is slated to ensure that the aviation industry “complies with the highest possible safety standards”.

The Aircraft Owners’ Association of Guyana (AOAG) on Wednesday noted that it is in full support of GCAA’s move to expand its staff which was recently announced by the Director General of the aviation body, Egbert Field. The proposed staff increase is included in the Authority’s budget for 2018. The Aircraft Owners’ Association of Guyana stated that this upgrade will meet the needs of a rapidly growing aviation industry and its expanding hinterland shuttle operations.

“The Association,

Guyana Civil Aviation Authority Head, Egbert Field

for many years, has advocated in favour of strengthening the Authority’s regulatory and technical capacity in order that Guyana meet the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),” AOAG noted on Wednesday.

The AOAG however stressed that it has long emphasised the dangerous prevailing conditions under which airline pilots fly in delivering essential services to hinterland locations.

The body reminded that it has been urging the GCAA and Government to address the need to “upgrade our hinterland aerodromes and invest in an adequate Search and Rescue system appropriate to our domestic aviation requirements”.

The Association noted that many hinterland airstrips “still fail to meet the regulatory standards” that have been set by the GCAA with regards to aircraft tracking systems such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADSB). AOAG remind-

ed that the ADSB system still remains to be fully operational.

“It is because of the frequently hostile and extremely dangerous conditions under which aircraft operators conduct hinterland shuttle flights from hinterland locations that the Director of Civil Aviation has quite properly demanded operators manage these away from base operations to a standard specifically developed to ensure maximum possible safety,” the body stressed. turn to page 14

14 news

thursDAY, september 28, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bartica Regional Hospital Guyana-Brazil film fest on human rights opens today ICU commissioned

S

Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings cuts the ribbon to commission the ICU at the Bartica Regional Hospital in the presence of regional and hospital staff

M

inister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings made an official visit to the Bartica Regional Hospital and surrounding health centres.

During her visit on Wednesday, Minister Cummings commissioned the recently -installed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the regional hospital.

The two-bed unit was refurbished as part of a regional project to modify the facility. The Regional Chairman, Gordon Bradford said that the cost of this unit was ap-

proximately $3.2 million and took just about two months to complete.

A meeting was also held with the regional officials and staff of the Bartica Regional Hospital to garner necessary information, which will contribute to the ongoing modernisation of the regional facility.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Cummings outlined that the primary aim of the visit was to observe and assess the quality of public health care being offered at the Bartica Hospital and its environs.

“At some point in time

or previously, there was this disparity of inequity or inequality against the coastland, so the APNU+AFC Government we want to narrow the gaps of inequities and inequalities between the hinterland and the coastland,” the Minister is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

The Minister was accompanied by a technical team from the Ministry, along with Emergency Medical Specialists, Dr Zulfikar Bux and Dr Shannon Langston.

Aircraft Owners’ Association...

From page 13

The AOAG said its Technical Committee has worked with its members to develop procedures and requirements specific to the environment in which shuttle operations are con-

ducted, adding that it had presented the Standard Operating Procedures on August 31 which were accepted by the GCAA. On July 25, Captain Collin Martin, a retired

Guyana Defence Force Major, was piloting a Roraima Airways’ BrittenNorman Islander aircraft when it crashed on landing at Eteringbang, killing him almost instantly. Captain Imran Khan, 41, of Essequibo Coast, Region Two, also lost his life when the Air Services Limited’s Cessna 206 aircraft he was flying from Chi-Chi to Mahdia went down late last month.

The GCAA Head had conceded earlier this month that at present, Guyana does not have an adequate search-and-rescue helicopter, nor was there navigational aid at the main airport outside a certain radius.

Field reasoned that this was a risky situation which was ongoing for years without rectification. As such, he made commitments to ensure the sector would see improvements, having noted that our pilots fly unassisted through vast airspace beyond the 75mile airport radius, while depending primarily on their own radio contact with other planes in order to avoid mid-air collisions.

ocial Protection Minister Amna Ally is expected to deliver the keynote address at the opening of the first ever GuyanaBrazil Human Rights Film Festival starting today. The film festival is hosted by the Guyana Equality Forum (GEF) in collaboration with the Brazilian Embassy and will conclude on October 4.

GEF Coordinator, Anil Persaud, explains that the event is being hosted with the intention of raising awareness of human rights, especially as it relates to vulnerable groups who are victims of discrimination, systemic inequality and injustice in Guyana and Brazil.

The event will last for five evenings, with each night focusing on a different aspect of human rights. The films would be shown at the BrazilGuyana Cultural Centre located at 309 Church Street, Queenstown, and is open to everyone. Admission is free.

The opening night will also feature films focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) human rights: “Painting the Spectrum – A Commemorative Documentary” and “Jessica’s Journey” produced by the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) in Guyana, and “Hoje Eu Quero Voltar Sozinho” (The Way He Looks) produced by Daniel Ribeiro from Brazil.

Friday evening will focus on issues related as children’s rights, with a series of Guyanese and Brazilian short films, including ani-

mated shorts. Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring children to this special screening, which caters for all age groups.

ChildLink produces all of the Guyanese short films while the Brazilian films are independently produced.

Next week the Human Rights Festival turns the spotlight on Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and women in the two neighbouring, Amazonian states.

Guyana and Brazil share a strong working relationship and aspire to continue actively collaborating to improve the state of affairs in human rights, and to eliminate prejudice and discrimination within their societies.

The Embassy of Brazil and the GEF have pledged to continue working assiduously to ensure that all per-

sons, regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or any other perceived difference, can unite harmoniously and work cohesively to ensure that each person can realise their individual human rights.

The GEF is a network of local civil groups working cohesively and strategically to achieve equal rights and justice for all Guyanese. The GEF’s membership includes non-governmental organisations, trade unions and youth groups.

The GEF was formed in May 2011 through a project implemented by SASOD with support from the European Union in Guyana.

SASOD continues to serve as the GEF’s secretariat while Red Thread serves as the network’s chair.

3-day seminar on food safety opens

T

he Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department, in collaboration with Technological Solutions Limited (TSL), began its Preventive Qualified Individual (PCQI) seminar at the Herdmanston Lodge in Georgetown.

The three-day course is aimed at developing food safety plans and ensuring good manufacturing practices. The programme will also feature chemical, physical, economical and biological motivated food safety hazards, preliminary steps in developing a food safety plan, resources for food safety plans and a technical assistance network (TAN) which will be beneficial to the public.

TSL Manager Helen Kennedy said exporters must meet requirements of the Food Safety Modernisation Act

(FSMA), which was signed into law since 2011 and was now being enforced, before exporting items to various countries.

Government AnalystFood and Drug Department Director Marlan Cole noted that the Act was to protect consumers from substandard goods.

TSL Managing Director Andre Gordon said he was honoured to be working along with the Public Health Ministry and was afforded the opportunity to work with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry earlier in the year. Gordon highlighted that he and Kennedy were certified lead instructors and were recognised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“For you to be certified we have to be confident that each of you understands and have demonstrated

so by your dedication and the feedback that we get.

I highly urge those from the Private Sector to make sure they have a copy of the manual.” He told participants that the manual would prove invaluable to them in running their respective businesses.

Gordon noted that probably the most important part of the manual was under the appendices which have the regulations, technical recourse, and information.

Day three will give an overall review after the programme has concluded.

The entity that distributed the manuals is called the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance.

The objective of this workshop is for the public to have access to information provided for food safety.

thursDAY, september 28, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

15

Kenneth Nelson of Heartcore Arts and Craft:

“If you fail to prepare, you must prepare to fail… If you don’t put in the work, how could you be Usain Bolt?”

F

or Kenneth “ J u d a h ” Nelson, faith, preparedness, hard work and honesty are key to life.

“If you fail to prepare, you must prepare to fail: you are preparing to run a race, let’s say it’s 400 (metres), you can’t run 200 and stop.

You’ve got to pace yourself and finish the race. If you don’t put in the work, how could you be Usain Bolt? If you’re an athlete and you don’t prepare, how can you win the race, set records? The same goes for business, for everything in life, you know,” he declared with a hearty laugh.

The first time I met Nelson, a selftaught artist, “who

produces sculpture and jewellery from Guyanese hardwood and local seeds and beads”, I smiled all the way home. Not because I had purchased a stunning one-of-a-kind necklace and bracelet that continue to wow years later – no, the reason for my smile was the genuine warmth and kindness, which seemed to radiate from his soul.

Nelson, the owner of the aptly and cleverly named Heartcore Arts and Craft, learnt his craft the old-fashioned way, from apprenticing with the legendary Phillip Moore and other well-known artists of his day.” I never went to Burrowes (Art School),” he disclosed as he reminisced on the days he brought his own tools and absorbed all he could from the established master artisans.

Without malice or bitterness, he explained that

Market statistics Cambio Rates

Gold Prices – Guyana Gold Board

Bank of Guyana Cur

Buying

Calculated at 94% purity, September 27, 2017

Selling

GBP

$277.67

$281.18

CAN

$167.16

$169.10

USD

$205.98

$208.44

EURO

$ 244.36

$247.48

USD

$1282.55

Gross

$251,222

Net

$233,637

Indicators as on September 27, 2017 Indicators

US$ per barrel

Crude Oil

$58.44

Price

USD

-0.99 Change %

Rough Rice

$261.80/ton

-1.00

London Sugar

$355.60/ton

-1.82

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask

$1283.10

$1284.10

Low/High

$1281.00

$1296.20

Change

Business Concept – Capital

Change %

+0.70

+0.05%

1. Wealth in the form of money or assets, taken as a sign of the financial strength of an individual, organisation, or nation, and assumed to be available for development or investment.

2. Accounting: Money invested in a business to generate income.

3. Economics: Factors of production that are used to create goods or services and are not themselves in the process. (Business Dictionary)

he got into the business because back in those days it was “hard for a Rasta man to get into the system” and hold down a normal job.

And the registered business owner has not looked back since.

“Whatever work you do, work hard. God will see it and bless you,” the Campbellville resident advised.

In addition to hard work, honesty and preparedness, he urged would-be entreprenuers to cultivate the habits of keeping good records, having a good attitude and being patient. “Be very innovative,” he also added. “You have to be constantly changing (to create unique things)…you have to be very creative. Don’t be scared to fail; you have to

keep trying to pursue business, to pursue your goals.

You have to have goals whether you’re in business to maintain your family or secure a living for those who don’t have families. Stay focused.”

In reiterating his point about being honest, Nelson warned that “there got something called karma”, so entrepreneurs should not cheat or ill-treat persons, or their business would ultimately fail. He noted that youths sometimes got a bad name for the wrongs they would do, but he said he did not blame them wholly because the “ones at the top” have set bad examples. “Set better examples,” Nelson implored, his open and jovial manner turning dead serious for a minute.

When asked what was the most important quality an entrepreneur should have, he noted that while “your whole attitude and how you deal with people” were critical, being competitive so that you would last in business was the essential quality. But he cautioned against “trying to get what another man’s got”.

“Set your own goals, set your own rhythm”, because the creative power God has given manifests in every person differently.

Questioned on what fuels his creative power and brings inspiration, Nelson said poignantly: “God is the greatest artist…I am a student of creation…Creation is the blueprint.”

Contact: 651-0006; Main Street Avenue

Investor’s Guide

Wall St gains on financials boost, tax hopes

U

S stocks rose on Wednesday as gains in financial shares were powered by growing expectations for a December interest rate hike and on hopes President Donald Trump’s Administration may be making progress on a tax plan.

New orders for US-made capital goods increased more than expected in August and shipments maintained their upward trend, pointing to underlying strength in the economy.

The data, coupled with comments from Fed Chair Janet Yellen on Tuesday boosted anticipation the Federal Reserve would raise US interest rates in December, lifting yields on US Treasuries, which in turn pushed financials up 1.3 per cent.

“With rates going up, that is why banks move.

If rates go up and are sustainable they can start to

make some money,” said Thomas Martin, senior portfolio manager at GLOBALT Investments in Atlanta, Georgia.

Trump proposed the biggest tax overhaul in three decades, but offered scant details about how to pay for the cuts without dramatically driving up federal deficits.

If passed, the plan would be Trump’s first significant legislative win since taking office in January.

“For the first time since we have had Trump and the Administration in office, it looks like there is incrementally more of a possibility of tax reform going through that would actually be meaningful,” said Martin.

The Russell 2000 index of small-cap stocks rose 1.92 per cent and notched its best day since early March.

Small-cap names are likely to be the biggest beneficiaries of a tax cut.

Traders now see about

a 78 per cent chance of a December rate hike, compared with roughly 73 per cent a week ago, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 56.39 points, or 0.25 per cent, to 22,340.71, the S&P gained 10.2 points, or 0.41 per cent, to 2507.04 and the Nasdaq Composite added 73.10 points, or 1.15 per cent, to 6453.26.

Interest-rate-sensitive and dividend-paying sectors declined. The consumer staples index fell 0.73 per cent while utilities dropped 1.34 per cent and real estate lost 0.84 per cent.

Also serving to cap gains on the Dow and S&P were Nike shares, which declined 1.92 per cent after the company posted its slowest quarterly sales growth in nearly seven years and said it expected a further drop in revenue from North America. (Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, september 28, 2017

Regional

Marc Anthony announces relief effort for Maria-devastated Puerto Rico

L

atin pop superstar Marc Anthony has announced the creation of SOMOS UNA VOZ (We Are One Voice), a humanitarian relief initiative that brings together celebrities from sports and entertainment to help Maria-devastated Puerto Rico.

Anthony joined “Good Morning America” live from Miami, Florida, today to make the announcement.

“What we’ve been able to accomplish in the past 72 hours is put together an alli-

ance,” Anthony said. “It’s an unprecedented list of artists that combined, we represent 1.3 billion followers. The major announcement is that we actually care and that we’re doing something about it.”

Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, leaving 100 per cent of the island without power. The hurricane was a Category Four storm with winds of 155 miles per hour when it made landfall on the US territory September 20.

Most of the island is still without power and communi-

Gunmen kill 14 at Mexico drug rehabilitation centre

A

t least 14 people have been killed and eight injured in an attack on a drug rehabilitation centre in the northern Mexican city of Chihuahua. Masked men broke into the Familias Unidas centre at 21:00 local time (02:00GMT) and opened fire on those inside.

Witnesses said the attackers wore military-style clothes and carried assault rifles.

Police say the motive for the attack is not yet clear. The security forces erected checkpoints around the city but have so far not been able to track down those responsible.

Drug rehabilitation centres have been targeted by gunmen on a number of occasions. In 2012, 11 people were

killed in a drug rehabilitation centre in the northern state of Coahuila.

Two years previously, 13 people were shot in similar circumstances in the border city of Tijuana. Investigators say drug gangs often target the clinics when they suspect rival gang members of hiding there.

They also suspect that the gangs use the clinics to recruit hitmen and smugglers, often threatening to kill those who fail to cooperate.

The state of Chihuahua, which borders with the United States. has seen a rise in murders in the past months which Police say is down to a fight for control of drug markets between the Juárez and the Sinaloa cartels. (BBC News)

cation this morning. Friends and relatives in the US are desperate to learn the fate of their loved ones. Anthony also has family living in Puerto Rico.

He added, “Families are desperate, but we’re here and ready, willing and able.” Marc Anthony and his ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez, announced the creation of the relief effort today [Wednesday].

Funds collected through SOMOS UNA VOZ will be distributed among the American Red Cross, Reach

Out Worldwide, United Way and United for Puerto Rico with more beneficiaries to come.

The SOMOS UNA VOZ alliance is working together to rush food, shelter, medicine, power and communications to those in need.

Alliance members include Alex Rodriguez, Alejandro Fernandez, Alex Sensation, Bruno Mars, Camila, Chayanne, Daddy Yankee, Ed Sheeran, Edward Norton and many more. (Excerpt from Yahoo!

News)

Barbados owes over Bds$14M to regional development fund

B

arbados owes in excess of US$7 million (Bds$14 million) to the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Development Fund, making it the second most indebted to the regional facility, which was established by Caricom governments to provide financial or technical assistance to disadvantaged countries.

The revelation was made today during a CDF meeting at the Accra Beach Hotel at which it was also disclosed that for the period ending December 31, 2016, the fund was owed US$57.2 million, with US$40 million of that amount outstanding from Trinidad and Tobago.

The CDF’s financial statement also indicates that the largest culprits are the socalled more developed countries (MDCs), namely Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados ($7.4 million), Jamaica ($945,534)

and Suriname ($4.4 million).

Guyana is the only MDC to have paid its entire pledged contribution of US$7.3 million. The so-called less developed countries (LDCS) of Antigua and Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines owe US$4.3 million, with Kingstown’s total debt amounting to all of US$166.

CDF officials fear that the fund is approaching a “critical” stage as more member countries are expected to request assistance. It was for this reason that they called on the MDCs to pay up, a plea echoed on Tuesday by Caricom Chairman, Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell of Grenada, and the CDF’s Board Chairman Sherwyn Williams, when they addressed the sixth meeting of contributors and development partners. (Excerpt from Barbados Today)

Airports in BVI and St Thomas to reopen this week

A

irports in the British and US Virgin Islands are scheduled to reopen for commercial flights this week following the passage of Hurricane Maria. In the British Virgin Islands, Minister of Communication and Works, Mark Vanterpool said the

Terrence B Lettsome Airport will reopen for commercial flights this week.

Vanterpool gave the announcement during a town-hall radio broadcast yesterday.

“The airport on the commercial side should be opening later this week as

they are dealing with an issue of security on the fencing, “said Vanterpool.

He said that with the scheduled opening, it will be easier to connect to other countries.

“I know the Puerto Rico connection is a little bit difficult now because their airport is affected. But, certainly, [flights will arrive and depart the territory] from Antigua and Barbados and other countries around,” he said.

Meanwhile, in St Thomas, in the neighbouring US Virgin Islands, the Cyril E King Airport is scheduled to reopen on Thursday. Governor Kenneth Mapp, who made the announcement on Monday, commended the Virgin Islands Port Authority and the Department of Tourism for their work in getting the airport up and running under difficult circumstances.

He told reporters that flight schedules are to be determined by the respective airlines. He also said plans are underway to open the Henry E Rohlsen Airport on St Croix next week.

(Jamaica Observer)

St Kitts-Nevis continues to mislead on Cuba assesses damage to ecosystems after citizenship programme changes Hurricane Irma

I

n yet another press release on Tuesday attempting to explain the recently announced changes to the investment requirements for its citizenship by investment (CBI) programme, the St Kitts and Nevis Government continued to mislead and obfuscate the true details and purpose of the changes.

The issue first arose following a press statement on Friday issued by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), which stated that the “investment product will see a proportion of the investment going into the Hurricane Relief Fund to be distributed upon application. Citizenship by investment applicants will make a non-refundable contribution

Prime Minister, Dr Timothy Harris

of US$150,000, which will go into the Hurricane Relief Fund”, thus implying that the $150,000 was merely a “proportion” of the total required investment.

The contribution re-

quired from a single applicant has been reduced by 40 per cent and the contribution required from a family of four has been reduced by 50 per cent, contrary to the claim by the St Kitts

and Nevis ambassador in Washington that everything remains the same except that proportion of the contributions at the original levels will go to the Hurricane Relief Fund (HRF), without specifying that proportion.

This was and is widely perceived as a shameful attempt by St Kitts and Nevis to undermine the competitiveness of the corresponding CBI programmes in Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica at a time when both countries are in dire need of investment for rebuilding after direct hits by two major hurricanes.

In the case of Dominica, its CBI programme is now the only source of revenue it has left after all other industries were wiped out. (Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

E

xperts and technicians from Cuba’s Science, Technology and Environment Ministry (CITMA) in Camagüey conducted a preliminary assessment of the environmental impact caused by Hurricane Irma in the North and South coastal areas of the territory.

In the largest province in Cuba, with more coastline and with 25 per cent of the beaches of the whole island, work is being carried out to ascertain the degree of total affect on the environment caused by Irma.

Lisbet Font Vila, head of the CITMA Environment Unit in the region, told reporters that because of coastal flooding, La Boca beach at the tourist resort of Santa Lucia, on the North coast,

and Florida Beach on the southern coast, suffered the greatest damage to the flora, the fauna, the soils and topography.

She explained that the most damaged natural component of agro-ecosystems in the whole territory were soils with an estimated loss of around 10,110 tons in the entire region of Camagüey as a consequence of erosion caused by the effects of the storm.

The loss of sand from dunes, the increase of escarpments and rocks in the beachfronts, and the collapse of structures built on sand, were results of Irma’s passage through the resort of Santa Lucia, where the sector most affected was La Boca. (Excerpt from

Caribbean News Now)

thursDAY, september 28, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Iraqi Kurds decisively back Yingluck Shinawatra: ex-Thai independence in referendum PM sentenced to 5 years in jail

Kurds took to the streets of Kirkuk on Monday to celebrate after voting in the referendum

P

eople living in northern Iraq voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence for the Kurdistan Region in Monday's controversial referendum. The electoral commission said 92 per cent of the 3.3 million Kurds and non-Kurds who cast their ballots supported secession.

The announcement came despite a last-minute appeal for the result to be "can-

celled" from Iraq's Prime Minister.

Haider al-Abadi urged Kurds to instead engage in dialogue with Baghdad "in the framework of the Constitution". Kurdish leaders say the "Yes" vote will give them a mandate to start negotiations on secession with the central government in Baghdad and neighbouring countries.

Iraq's Parliament mean-

while asked the Prime Minister to deploy troops to the oil-rich region of Kirkuk and other disputed areas held by Kurdish forces.

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters took control of Kirkuk, a multi-ethnic region claimed by the Kurds and Arab-led central government, when jihadist militants from socalled Islamic State (IS) swept across northern Iraq in 2014 and the Iraqi army collapsed.

The referendum was held in the three Iraqi provinces that make up the Kurdistan Region, as well as "areas of Kurdistan outside the region's administration".

Electoral commission officials told a news conference in Irbil on Wednesday afternoon that 2,861,000 people had voted "yes" to independence and 224,000 had voted "no". Turnout was 72.61 per cent among those eligible to vote. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Yingluck Shinawatra is believed to have fled to Cambodia and flown via Singapore to Dubai

T

hailand’s supreme court has found the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra guilty of negligence and sentenced her to five years in prison, a verdict delivered in absentia a month after she fled the country.

Yingluck, whose elected government was overthrown in 2014 by the Army generals who still control the

kingdom, had denied allegations relating to a mishandled and costly rice subsidy scheme.

The verdict was due to be delivered on August 25 but Yingluck shocked the nation, and thousands of supporters who had gathered at the court, by failing to show up.

Her lawyer cited an ear problem as the reason for her

no-show. However, the court rejected the excuse and delayed the verdict, later issuing an arrest warrant. The junta chief, Prayuth Chanocha, ordered border checks to be increased.

Yingluck’s exact whereabouts are unknown, although senior sources in her opposition Puea Thai party said she fled to Cambodia and flew via Singapore to Dubai. She has made no public comments since she left Thailand.

Stories of her escape, possibly assisted by several Police Officers, have entranced the country. Some believe she may be in London, where her family owns a residence.

Authorities are conducting DNA sampling from a Toyota Camry with fake number plates that she allegedly escaped in, with results due in a month’s time.

(Excerpt from The Guardian)

Thousands evacuated India's US$2.5B scheme to Mattis arrives in electrify every household Afghanistan as rockets after Ukraine arms hit Kabul airport depot blast

I

ndia's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a 16 billion rupee scheme (US$2.5 billion; £1.8 billion) to electrify all households by December 2018. It will cover more than 40 million families in rural and urban India – roughly a quarter of the population.

The "Saubhagya scheme" will largely be funded by the federal government.

The government also aims to provide free electricity to poor families identified by them based on socio-economic data.

It will bring "a monumental change in the lives of the poor", the PTI news agency quoted Modi as saying. About 300 million of India's 1.3 billion people are still not connected to the electricity distribution grid.

Although the households to be covered are spread

across the country, the scheme primarily targets rural India where electrification rates are much lower.

Millions of rural Indians still rely on lamps fuelled by kerosene, the use of which the scheme hopes to cut.

Kerosene is a huge health and environmental hazard and restricting its use would further India's ambitious climate goal to cut emissions.

The federal government launched an electrification programme in July 2015, under which thousands of villages were connected to the grid.

But unlike the earlier scheme, the Saubhagya initiative targets individual households rather than villages. This is because a village is declared as electrified if 10 per cent of households, schools, health centres and Government offices have access to electricity. (Excerpt from BBC News)

U

S Defence Secretary Jim Mattis visited Kabul on Wednesday to pledge support for the Government of President Ashraf Ghani, with the precarious security in the Afghan capital underlined by an attack on the airport hours after he touched down.

Arriving from India, where he sought support for the US Administration’s new South Asia security plan, Mattis said the United States was determined not to allow “a merciless enemy to kill its way to power”.

Promising a more “holistic” approach without fixed timetables and involving other countries in the region, including Pakistan, he said the Taliban would have to learn they could not defeat the government.

“I want to reinforce to the Taliban that the only path to peace and political legitimacy for them is through a negotiated settlement,” Mattis told a joint news conference with Ghani and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Standing alongside him, Ghani said his government “remains open to talks with the Taliban” as well as a peace strategy involving Pakistan.

“Whatever sacrifice it requires to bring enduring peace and security to this country, we’ll be committed to it,” he said.

The visit comes after US President Donald Trump announced a new strategy for Afghanistan, promising a stepped-up military campaign against the Taliban who have gained ground as they seek to re-establish Islamic law after their 2001 defeat. (Excerpt from Reuters)

M

ore than 30,000 people have been evacuated in Ukraine's central Vinnytsia region after a huge arms depot storing missiles caught fire and exploded, in what authorities said was a possible act of "sabotage".

The fire, near the town of Kalynivka, about 200km South-West of Kiev, injured two people, Ukraine's State Emergency Service said in a statement on Wednesday.

There were no reports of any fatalities.

More than 180,000 tonnes of munitions were believed to have been stored at the depot, including projectiles for various rocket-launch systems alongside ageing Cold War-era munitions.

The flames caused artillery shells at the facility to explode one after the other in spectacular but harrowing orange balls of fire that lit up the night sky and shook the ground.

Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman called for a thorough investigation into the incident, as he assured the public that the blaze had been brought under control.

Officials shut down surrounding airspace as a precaution to keep exploding missiles from hitting passing commercial jets.

Ukraine's emergency service began using two An-32 military cargo planes to douse surrounding forests with water to localise the raging flames. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

Zuzana Ruzickova: Harpsichordist and Nigerian toddler Holocaust survivor dies at 90 run over by Boko Haram walks again O

ne of the world's leading harpsichordists, Zuzana Ruzickova, who survived three Nazi concentration camps including Auschwitz, has died aged 90. Ruzickova passed away in a Prague hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

Despite living in totalitarian communist Czechoslovakia, she had a breakthrough in 1956 when she won a major international music composition. Becoming an acclaimed global musician, she was best known for her interpretations of Bach.

Born to a Jewish family in then-Czechoslovakia in 1927, Ruzickova told the BBC in December that her love of music helped her survive the war.

"I was not a strong child, but I was in love with music from the be-

The Czech musician became internationally famous for her recordings of Bach

ginning," she said. She had to stop studying music after the Nazis invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939.

Ruzickova's family were then deported to the Theresienstadt (Terezin) labour camp in 1942. Her grandparents and her father later died in the camp, along with tens of thousands of other Jewish inmates.

The teenager was then transported to Auschwitz, and later forced to carry out slave labour in Hamburg before being moved to Bergen-Belsen. After the war she returned to her native Czechoslovakia with her gravely ill mother.

Her hands were badly damaged during her three-year ordeal. But she told the BBC that she practised the piano for 12 hours a day to make up for lost time. (Excerpt from BBC News)

A

five-year-old Nigerian boy, who was seriously injured when he was run over by Boko Haram militants three years ago, has taken his first steps since.

The Islamist militants drove over Ali Ahmadu's back on a motorbike as he tried to flee with his mother from an attack on their village, Chibok. Ali is now walking again, after having spinal cord surgery in Dubai.

The operation was funded by a Nigerian charity, which raised about US$60,000 (£45,000) for his treatment.

Ali is expected to stay in Dubai for about three months while he undergoes further

physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises.

The founder of the charity that arranged his treatment, Nuhuu Kwajafa of the Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care, told BBC Focus on Africa that Ali had not seen a doctor between the time of his injury and arriving in Dubai.

"He had been lying down with spinal cord injury," said Mr Kwajafa. "He had inactive tuberculosis, so many kinds of infections, and they left him in the village."

Now, following his surgery, "he is marching up and down in the room, talking, making noise. I've never seen him like that before." (BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursDAY, september 28, 2017

ARCHIE

ARIES

Take care of matters that

(March 21- involve red tape or bureauApril 19) cracy. Once you put business

behind you, it will be much easier to relax and enjoy your favourite pastimes.

Participate in activities TAURUS and events that you find ex(April 20- hilarating. Reaching out to May 20) people who share your interests will lead to new possibilities. Romance will enhance your life.

dilbert

You may not like strucGEMINI (May 21- ture, but right now it’s what’s June 20) required to bring greater stability to your life. Deal with responsibilities using practical applications and common sense.

Partnerships are highlightCANCER ed. You may not agree all the (June 21- time, but discussing how you July 22) can best accommodate everyone’s interests and objectives will be a good place to start. Aim for equality and practicality.

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Do what needs to be done.

Put some effort into getting ahead and setting yourself up for future advancement.

Change can be good if you go about it intelligently.

Make plans to spend time VIRGO with people who matter in (Aug. 23your life or who inspire you Sept. 22) to be the best you can be.

Romance is highlighted. A networking event could be promising.

Err on the side of cauLIBRA (Sept. 23- tion when dealing with famOct. 23) ily matters or concerns that could affect your financial stability. Act only when you have all the facts and a responsible solution in place.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Take action and get inSCORPIO volved in causes, projects or (Oct. 24anything that will motivate Nov. 22) you to bring about the changes you want to see happen in your home, at work or in your community.

Getting together with SAGITTARIUS someone from your past or (Nov. 23- making amends with someDec. 21) one you had a disagreement with will make you feel better about moving forward and letting go of the past.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle

A partnership looks promCAPRICORN ising. Making a commitment (Dec. 22- to someone or renewing your Jan. 19) vows is favoured. Money or a gift will come from an unexpected source. Romance is highlighted.

Physical fitness, propAQUARIUS er diet and a healthy routine (Jan. 20- will make you feel good and Feb. 19) help you more ably handle stress and carry out your responsibilities.

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

Plan something special PISCES (Feb. 20- with someone you love or volMarch 20) unteer to get involved in a cause you believe in. If you make your voice heard and your actions count, rewards will come your way.

thurSDAY, september 28, 2017

19

‘’Man U’’ edge closer to KO stages

M

anchester United manager Jose Mourinho said his side are “almost” in the Champions League knockout stages after thrashing CSKA Moscow in Russia.

Romelu Lukaku scored twice, Anthony Martial netted a penalty and Henrikh Mkhitaryan hit the fourth as the Red Devils maintained their 100% record in Group A. The Old Trafford side had won just one of their previous 10 away games in the competition, but two goals in the opening 18 minutes set up a very comfortable night at the VEB Arena.

“The important thing

is two matches, six points and a good position in the Champions League,” said Mourinho, whose side beat Basel 3-0 in their opening game.

“Four more matches to play but we started really strongly and we are almost there.

“I think we surprised them with our attitude and we were really strong, and we killed the game. They did not look as good as they are but I think that was because of us.”

Lukaku has now scored 10 goals in nine games since joining United from Everton in the summer.

“I have to admit he is

Anthony Martial (centre) scored one goal, had a hand in the other three and gave the CSKA defence a torrid time with his skilful running and intelligent play

Hairline fracture slows down Lewis

W

est Indies opening batsman Evin Lewis has been ruled out of the fifth and final One Day International (ODI) against England after being diagnosed with a fractured ankle.

On Tuesday Lewis cracked an impressive 176 from 130 balls, falling short of being just the sixth player in ODI history to score a double century. The savage Lewis smashed seven sixes and 17 fours, but eventually blasted a delivery from fast bowler Jake Ball into his ankle and had to leave the field before potentially being the first player to score a double ton in an ODI on English soil.

The medics remained on the pitch for several minutes to attempt to treat Lewis, but it was soon clear that the player could take no further part in the encounter.

Cricket West Indies has since

Evin Lewis leaving the Kia Oval on a stretcher after scoring 176 not out from 130 balls

confirmed that the Lewis suffered a hairline fracture on his right ankle, which will keep him out of action for two to three weeks.

Lewis’ assault on the English bowling attack powered the regional team to 356 for 5, recovering from a

poor start that had seen it lose its first three wickets inside the first seven overs.

England, however, went on to win the match by 6 runs via the Duckworth/Lewis method and in the process claimed an unassailable 3-0 lead with one match remaining.

Wuhan Open…

Murguruza wins, Barty beat Radwanska

W

orld number one Agnieszka Radwanska Garbine Muguruza was beaten by Australia’s survived a scare to Ashleigh Barty 4-6 6-0 6-4. beat qualifier Magda Linette Barty fired 40 winners to and reach the quarter-fi- Radwanska’s 12 in a match nals of the Wuhan Open in lasting one hour and 57 China. minutes.

The Spaniard, 23, lost Radwanska, 28, has falljust three points on her en from world number three serve in the first set. at the end of 2016 to 13 beBut Pole Linette domi- fore this event. nated the second set before World number 37 Barty the Wimbledon knocked out Great champion won 6-2 Britain’s Johanna 1-6 6-4, setting Konta in the up a meeting l a s t with French World Open cham- number pion Jelena one Garbine Muguruza will face Ostapenko.

Elsewhere, Jelena Ostapenko P o l i s h in the quarterninth seed finals

32 and now faces Karolina Pliskova after the Czech’s 6-2 6-1 win over Qiang Wang.

The winner of Barty’s meeting with world number four Pliskova will face either M u g u r u z a or Ostapenko in the semi-finals.

(BBC Sport)

scoring really important goals almost every game,” said Mourinho.

“We know that he is a very good player, he can score lots of goals, and playing in a team surrounded by quality players it is even easier to do that.”

Four minutes in the Belgian striker headed in a cross from Martial, who went from provider to goalscorer by converting a penalty after Mkhitaryan was brought down.

And, in the city in which their third and most recent European Cup triumph came in 2008, United effectively ended the game as a contest on 26 minutes. (BBC

Sport)

No India Test for Durban

Kingsmead Cricket Stadium in Durban (Getty Images)

D

urban will not host a Test against India this summer after Cape Town, Centurion and Johannesburg were named as the venues for South Africa’s three-match series.

The news is particularly surprising since Durban is documented to have the largest Indian population outside of India.

Since readmission, when India first visited South Africa, there has only been one tour in which India did not play a Test in Durban. In 2001, the matches were held in Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth. Kingsmead has been a Test host in all India series of three Test matches or more.

The same Test venues were chosen to host the T20Is against India. The T20s will all be double-headers with the South African Women playing the India women before the men’s matches.

The only consolation for Kingsmead is that it will host the first of the six ODIs. The second and sixth ODI will both be played at Centurion’s SuperSport Park with Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth being given the third, fourth

and fifth matches.

In their release confirming the fixtures, CSA did not provide an explanation for Durban’s exclusion and Dolphins CEO Heinrich Strydom admitted he was not privy to the exact reasons behind it. “With the shortened tour, it was a tricky one for them to sort out,” Heinrich Strydom, Dolphins CEO told ESPNcricinfo. “We just want to serve cricket as best as we can.”

ESPNcricinfo has learned Kingsmead had to take the fall for contractual agreements CSA made with other stadia and the India series being cut from four Tests to three. As a result, one major ground had to lose out and it was expected to be the Wanderers. Since there are two Test venues on the Highveld, SuperSport Park, not given an Australia Test, was thought to be the favourite venue to host India, while the Wanderers, South Africa’s largest stadium, could be content with the inaugural T20 Global League final. Instead, Kingmead was cut off.

South Africa have grown wary of playing India at a venue where they enjoy a

large support base and a surface that has become slower over the years. India have won one Test at Kingsmead and only two in South Africa - in 2010. Still, there may be a subcontinental argument.

Sri Lanka’s only Test win in South Africa was achieved in Durban in 2011 and Pakistan’s first of two Test wins in the country came at Kingsmead, though that was in 1998.

A more convincing argument could have been the debacle of last summer, when Durban’s August Test against New Zealand was unable to be concluded after the outfield became waterlogged following a massive storm. The fault, though, was largely CSA’s after they didn’t allow much time for the outfield to settle after a re-scarifying process. Some sources said the incident last year had nothing to do with the scant fixtures the venue will stage this summer.

The biggest beneficiary in Test terms is St George’s Park, where a four-day, day-night match against Zimbabwe over Boxing Day and a Test against Australia will be held. (ESPN Cricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thurSDAY, september 28, 2017

Ben Foakes

Injured Stokes picked for Ashes Down Under – 3 newcomers called up

Craig Overton

J

ames Vince and Gary Ballance have been recalled as part of England’s Ashes squad. Somerset’s Craig Overton is one of three uncapped players in the 16-man party which includes Ben Stokes, who retains the vice-captaincy despite being under a cloud following his arrest in Bristol on Sunday.

Ben Foakes, Surrey wicketkeeper-batsman, and Hampshire legspinner Mason Crane are the other uncapped names who have made the cut. Toby Roland-Jones has been ruled out with the stress fracture of his back and Mark Wood has been considered too much of a fitness gamble for the strains of bowling in Australia.

Tom Westley is the latest top-order player to be tried and dropped after his returns tailed away following a promising debut against South Africa. Vince is set

to replace him at No. 3 despite averaging just 19.27, with a top score of 42, in his seven outings against Sri Lanka and Pakistan

last year.

Ballance, who was part of the XI earlier this season against S o u t h Africa before

Sangakkara bids farewell to first-class cricket E

x-Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara says he will miss cricket “terribly” but believes he is retiring from the first-class game at the right time.

Sangakkara, 39, made 35 not out in his final first-class innings for Surrey against Lancashire on Wednesday.

He is fifth on the list of all-time run scorers in Test cricket, with 12,400 runs in 134 appearances.

“Sometimes you hold on a bit too long and I always think it’s better to let go a bit sooner than later,” he said.

Left-handed batsman Sangakkara, who will turn 40 on 27 October, ended his first-class career with 20,911 runs.

Almost 1,500 of those runs came for Surrey in the County Championship

this season at an average of 106.50.

He told BBC Sport: “I’ll miss it terribly, without a doubt, but that’s a good thing. A lot of players walk away bitter and upset and regretting a lot of the things that might have been.

“I walk away with a few regrets, like anyone would, but I’m absolutely happy with the way I played the game and what I’ve achieved.

“The game goes on and that’s the beauty of any sport. It doesn’t matter who retires or who comes into play - the sport will be bigger than all of us.”

Sangakkara has revealed that, as a youngster, he did not think he would be good enough to play international cricket for Sri Lanka.

However, a first-class ca-

breaking a finger at Trent Bridge, has again earned the backing of his captain Joe Root although will have to batt l e

w i t h Dawid Malan for the No. 5 berth during the opening weeks of the tour.

Of the three new faces, Somerset quick Overton has benefited from a strong finish to the season as well as the injuries to Roland-Jones and Wood. He and Jake Ball will provide the fast-bowling support to James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes, the latter now shaping as a certain starter in Mason Crane Brisbane.

Ben Stokes

James Vince

Whether Stokes is part of England’s pace attack at the Gabba remains uncertain with the police investigation into Sunday’s incident outside a Bristol nightclub ongoing.

Overton, 23, is not as brisk as his brother Jamie but has been on England’s radar for a number of years and has featured around white-ball squads. He has 186 first-class wickets at 26.48 (as well as a useful batting average of 23.47) which includes 46 at 22.26 this season.

Ben Foakes will provide wicketkeeping cover for Jonny Bairstow, although there is a potential balance of England’s side that has him with the gloves at No. 7 and Bairstow in the problematic No. 5 slot. But that would appear any unlikely route, with so much onus put on England’s engine room of

Stokes, Bairstow and Moeen Ali at six, seven and eight.

The role Moeen’s offspin plays will be vital with Australia sure to go after him - although that has often been a reason for Moeen’s success at Test level - and Crane’s nomination as the second spinner is something of a gamble should injury strike and he be thrust into the side at the last moment. However, Crane, who made his T20I debut against South Africa in June, has already impressed on Australian soil, being selected for New South Wales last season on the back of his performances in grade cricket.

England’s Ashes squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes. (ESPN Cricinfo)

V-Net T20 Blast…

G-Square Cavaliers, Noitgedacht hunting semi-final spot

D

Sri Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara played First Class cricket for close to two decades

reer spanning almost two decades has cemented his legacy as one of the legends of the game.

Only India’s Sachin Tendulkar (34,357) has scored more runs in all formats of international cricket than Sangakkara (28,016), while he is also the leading Test run-scorer for his country.

Mahela Jayawardene (11,814) is the only other batsman to pass 10,000 Test runs for Sri Lanka.

Sangakkara played for three English counties Durham, Warwickshire and Surrey - during his career and has produced some of his best ever form during his final season as a first-class cricketer.

He will continue playing in overseas T20 leagues in 2018. (BBC Sport)

efending Champions Good Success defeated Maria’s Pleasure by 29 runs when play in the V Net T20 Blast continued on Sunday last in Wakenaam.

Batting first at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground, Good Success were bowled out for 123 in 19.3 overs in difficult conditions due to early morning showers.

Shoaib Namaz and Samsudeen Mohamed made 20 each while Tulsieram Ramadeen got 17. Off-spinner

Kennard Lewis claimed 2-12, fast bowler Leorayan Ramlakhan 2- 23 and Kim Persuad 2-31.

In reply, Maria’s Pleasure were undermined by some excellent bowling from off-spinner Nazeer Mohamed and medium pacer Wazir Khan as they folded for 96 in 15.4 overs. Mohamed finished with 2-10 while Wazir Khan had 2-12 and David Chalitar 2-29.

Ramlakhan and Leonard Lewis made 20 apiece.

The competition continues

on Sunday with Sans Souci playing Sans Souci Jaguars at 09:30hrs and G- Square Cavaliers facing Noitgedacht 13:30hrs. G-Square Cavaliers and Noitgedacht are in a virtual eliminator since the winner will advance to the semi-finals.

So far; Good success, Sans Souci Jaguars and Maria’s Pleasure are the teams in the semi-finals. The final is expected to be on October 15 at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground.

Lucrative ‘National Futsal Cup’ kicks off today – Brazilian, African added to roster

F

utsal continues to grow in Guyana and the inaugural Street Vibes Entertainment coordinated, ‘National Futsal Cup’ shows the elevation since 32 teams will be battling for over $1M in cash prizes.

The tournament was officially launched on Wednesday during a simple ceremony held at the Windjammer Hotel, Kitty.

Tournament Coordinator Linden Gill declared that he expects a very competitive tournament, which will feature teams not only from the Georgetown environs but also out of the country.

He revealed that a

Brazilian team and a unit comprising of African nationals will be competing in the event, which will add to the spectacle.

The event which is slated to commence today at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue with eight elimination matches, will feature 32 teams battling for over $1,000,000 prizes.

In the opening fixture at 19:00h, Kitty Hustlers will oppose Pike Street Sophia, while Agricola Champion Boys will engage Meadowbrook Kings (MBK) All-Stars at 19:30h.

The third fixture will pit Gold is Money against

Albouystown-B at 20:00h, while Showstoppers will oppose New Marker Street at 20:30h and Mocha will tackle Broad Street from 21:00h.

In the showdown, Leopold Street will battle Melanie from 21:30h, while Back Circle lock horns with Alexander Village at 22:00h and Sparta Boss match skills with Channel-9 Warriors at 22:30h.

Winner of the tournament will pocket $700,000 and the championship trophy, while the second, third and fourth place finishers will receive $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.

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CWI VP Nanthan still missing in Dominica – Queen’s Park Oval to host charity match

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Emmanual Nanthan

P

resident of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB), Azim Bassarath says his board has been trying to contact vice-president of Cricket West Indies, Emmanual Nanthan without luck, since Hurricane Maria ravaged his homeland Dominica.

Hurricane Maria killed at least seven people on the Caribbean island of Dominica. Maria crossed many Caribbean islands at Category 5 strength, lashing homes, businesses and marinas that had already suffered terribly in Hurricane Irma’s wake. Widespread phone and power outages complicated efforts to truly understand the scope of Maria’s

Daren Sammy, Deryck Murray, Baldath Mahabir, Dinanath Ramnarie and Kieron Pollard at the launch of the charity T20 match to raise funds for Caribbean islands affected by recent hurricanes

destruction, which includes street flooding, ripped-off roofs and an unknown number of casualties.

Bassarath said, “We are concerned over the welfare of our friend Nanthan and we have been trying without luck to get in touch with him, to find out if he is okay.”

The TTCB, the SPORTT and the Queen’s Park Oval Authorities have now gotten together to stage a hurricane relief fund raiser at the Oval on October 14 between a West Indies XI led by former captain Darren Sammy and a full strength Red Force team led by Keiron Pollard. All pro-

ceeds from the T20 match will go towards hurricane relief efforts in the Caribbean.

According to Bassarath, “Dominica is an important part of Windward Islands cricket and hence an important part of West Indies cricket and we are going to use cricket to raise funds for the people there in this time of grief. T&T has always led in this aspect and the three bodies quickly decided to get together to assist our brothers and sisters there.

The teams chosen for this match will be star studded and we would like to see the Oval pack out for this encoun-

ter.

“In the past when tragedy struck, we always turned to cricket as a fund-raiser because it is cricket that binds us together in this region. We cannot sit idly by and see the problems of our fellow Caribbean nationals and do nothing. We are standing with Dominica at this point and we are going to put out a really good show, so that people can come forward and support the effort. I want to thank the players for making themselves available, during a busy time for them and hope for the best.”

(T&T Guardian)

Trophy Stall supports GFF/ABSAA/ Banks DIH Clash of the Veterans U-19 cricket initiative Unbeaten Santos edge

Thomas United to title

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Some of the trophies up for grabs are displayed by Zaheer Mohamed (left) and Stephen Persaud

n initiative between senior coaches Forbes Daniels and Nandkishore Andrews to stage a three-match U19 50 over tournament between New Opportunity Sports Club select XI and Wakenaam has gained the backing of Trophy Stall proprietor Ramesh Sunich.

Sunich has sponsored the first and second place trophies for the competition which is set to start on Saturday at the Wakenaam Community Centre ground in Good Success.

In an invited comment, Sunich said he is happy to contribute to the development of the game in the area and lauded the coaches for the venture. He urged the players to remain commit-

ted and wish the teams well, while Zaheer Mohamed who on Monday received the prizes on behalf of the coaches, expressed gratitude to Sunich for his support.

The Wakenaam side includes Marlon Dindyal, Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon, Romario Stephen, Dicquan Clarke, Beesham Moses, Reon Venture, David Chalitar, Mahase Ramnarine, Devendra Seetaram, Quacy Whyte, Derwin Bacon, Sachin Dindyal and Matthew Chung.

The NOC SC Select XI will have players such as Orlando Jailall, Shane Wong, Davendra Mohan, Sherlon Anthony and Saeed Hack.

The first-place trophy was presented by Junior Forrester to Captain of Santos FC Anthony Stanton

S

antos FC is the inaugural champions of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Alex Bunbury Sport and Academic Academy (ABSAA), Banks DIH sponsored Clash of the Veteran round robin football tournament after beating points leaders Thomas United 3-0.

The only undefeated teams Thomas United and Santos after seven rounds were on 20 and 18 points respectively. The final game became become the championship game in which Santos FC dominated with

a double by Gerald Gittens and a lone goal by Andrew Wills against the mighty Thomas United FC. The final match of the tournament which was held on Saturday September 23 at the Tucville ground in Georgetown, pitted the two sides against each other.

Thomas United only needed a draw to win championship while Santos needed a win.

Trophies were presented to first, second and the third place finishers while cash prizes will be presented at a later date.

Final Points Standings

below: 1st-Santos -21 2nd-Thomas United-20 3rd-Pele-16 (higher goal aggregate) 4th-Wales-16 5th-Plaisance-12 6th-Park Rangers 7th -Newtown Masters- 7 8th-Rastas - 6 9th- Beacon-1 In the nine-team tournament, Gerald Gittens was adjudged the Most Valuable Player while Omally Nassy with eight goals won the prize for the most goals in the tournament.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thurSDAY, september 28, 2017

Dover lauds materialisation of National Training Centre

– adamant it will help technical development of players

By Akeem Greene

A

long overdue national football training center is slated to commence the initial phase of building in a matter of days and interim Head Coach of the National Football team, commonly called Golden Jaguars is most elated given the substantial impact it can have on the de-

velopment of the sport.

“We were always optimistic that Guyana would benefit from the FIFA project and here I can say today [Wednesday] this is a blessing in disguise and it will have a huge impact in terms of development of football in Guyana,” the coach told Guyana Times Sport.

Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President

Wayne Forde at a press conference on Tuesday stated, “It’s very likely that works will commence in no later than seven days.”

Phase one of the project is focused on the construction of the surface and the goal-nets, the GFF is also pushing for the lighting system to be included at this stage. The reason for that is so the federa-

BHS crowned school volleyball champs

T

he Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) wrapped up its Region 6 Secondary School’s tourney with Berbice High School capturing the Male title after beating New Amsterdam Multilateral School in the finals.

The mini tourney spiked off roughly two weeks now with BVA President and National selector Levi Nedd marking the event important as it offered selectors an opportunity to assess some of the upcoming talent ahead of next year’s Inter Guiana Games (IGG).

Following a number of matches contested over the near two-week long span, BHS disposed of New Amsterdam after reaching finals, beating their opponents two sets; (25-

Conceptual design for Guyana’s FIFA Forward Programme

tion will have usable facility while the constructions of the other edifices are underway.

Dover who has been actively in football since 1986, further stated, “given my years in football and the exposure as a coach and working at the international level for my country and seeing the top facilities in those countries, it would make one envious of those places but now we will have our own and it will only auger well.”

Forde had further the ultimate goal is to develop athletes and football in Guyana.

BVA President Levi Nedd (left) accepts the trophies on behalf of National Sports Commission’s Brian Smith on Tuesday

19, 25-23). However it was the females of the New Amsterdam School who sal-

vaged some pride by beating BHS girls 30-19 to win the female title.

GMR&SC/Caribbean Invasion Dragz

Namchand aiming to rule 9-second class

Michael Namchand's Mazda RX7

T

he heat is on for Sunday’s Caribbean Invasion Dragz Meet at the South Dakota Circuit with Surinamese Michael Namchand throwing down the gauntlet for competitors in the 9-second class confidently stating he will dispose of any challenge.

The Mazda RX7 driver who had best of 9.3 seconds at the outing on Guyana’s turf stated, “No doubts about the threat of the Nissan GTR but anything else we will be beating. I really do believe I will do better than next year.”

Changing the dynamics of the car to a fully functional drag racing machine, the Surinamese is still wary of the threat of Shawn Persaud and Peter Daby giving “serious competition.”

Namchand who has been

being the wheels for five years now noted that driving in Guyana is always fun and is excited to make his return.

A major change at the upcoming event, which is organized by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) is the use of the Time Bracket System instead of the Porta Tree Timing device which is aimed at creating a balanced battle ground.

At the last meet held in March, a twin-turbocharged V6 engine, Mohammed’s Enterprise Nissan GT-R nicknamed ‘Godzilla’ once again stunned its competitors to clock the fastest time.

The blue GT-R came against its Nismo version which is a stock car and though the Nismo held the lead in the early meters, it soon saw the rear lights of

‘Godzilla’ as it speed away in bullet-like speed much to the delight of the sizable crowd in attendance.

The Nismo, which is also owned by Mohammed’s Enterprise had a reaction time of 0.807s as compared to the blue GT-R’s 1.482s.

However, the final times told a different tale as ‘Godzilla’ clocked a time of 7.569s to win the unlimited (7-seconds) category ahead of the Nismo’s 8.906s.

The experienced Shawn Persaud with his Toyota Caldina won the 8-second class.

Though the locals had much joy with the performance of the GT-R, Suriname rode off with the bragging rights of the day as their machines produces explosive racing in the high powered classes.

Surinamese Vishal Ramcharan, who was deemed the champion driver, wreaked havoc with his Toyota Mark-X, winning the 9-second, 10-second and 11-second categories while teammate Raymond John was the victor in the 12-second category with his Toyota Chaser.

Joy for Guyana came via the driving of Imran Khan in the 13-second category, Sunil Singh and his Toyota Levin in the 14-second and Devendra Persaud (15-second).

In the Motor bike category, Surinamese Rajiv Lalbiharie was deemed the champion

The facility will have added amenities as Forde intimated that it will include a gym, while the committee is considering a “cool down pool.” This is in addition to the construction of dorms which will accommodate lengthy encampments.

More so, it was disclosed other members will have facilities of similar nature built in the coming years an idea that floats well with the coach.

“It is a massive announcement that other member associations will benefit from these kind of ventures. It encourag-

es athletes to want to be there and want to perform. It will help develop domestic leagues given our weather patterns, football won’t be halted for a pro-longed period.”

A glowing improvement will come in the form of the condition of the surfaces.

Aside from the limited opportunities at the national Stadium, other surfaces present a challenge due to their uneven nature.

“That has been a situation we are facing every time we go out pitches are well prepared and faster because of the flatness. For us as coaches it gives an opportunity to teach possession in training... In in Guyana it is almost impossible to teach possession due to some of the facilities. Hence the reason we give possession easily. It doesn’t no necessarily mean the lads are bad at passing. It has to do with the surface and it begins to show on the international scene.”

The 8.5 acres land which was leased from the Eccles/ Ramsburg Neighbourhood Democratic Council which is being developed by Greenfields and sub-contractors Nabi and Sons should see the first phase completed by the end of January, 2018.

NBS 15-team tourney bowls off this weekend – fast-bowling initiative included

NBS’s CEO Anil Kishun presents the sponsorship cheque to GCA President Roger Harper

T

he Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) on Wednesday launched their 6th edition of the New Building Society (NBS) sponsored 40-over Second-Division competition, expected to bowl off this weekend with some 15 teams.

Divided into two Zones, the teams participating include; defending champions Transport Sports Club (TSC), Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), Everest Cricket Club, Sophia, Diplomats, Police, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Third Class, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC), Muslim Youth Organisation, Gandhi Youth Organisation, University of Guyana, Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) and Ace Warriors.

GCA President Roger Harper, along with members of the association officially launched the competition at the company’s North Road and Avenue of the Republic location. According to Harper, the competition will be used to target the upcoming crop of players adding that it also works well for general development of the youths.

Harper, an ex-West Indies all-rounder said the tournament apart from being used to scout talent is expected to bring players from across the country together. “While the tournament is for clubs in Georgetown, it also attracts players from other areas around the county, far as Essequibo.”

He further credited the track record of the competi-

tion, pointing out that a number of cricketers who have made strides nationally and internationally were products of the initiative, with four lads; Ashmead Nedd, Raymond Perez, Joshua Persaud and Bhaskar Yadram currently preparing for the West Indies Under-19 training camp in December.

According to GCA’s Chairman of Competitions Committee, Shawn Massiah, an average of 16 overs per game must be bowled by fast bowlers as part of the tourney’s playing conditions. NBS Chairman Floyd McDonald said the company’s support was easily given as they have seen the need to develop cricket and sports in general, further wishing the GCA best of luck in their endeavors.

guyanatimesgy.com

thurSDAY, september 28, 2017

23

England vs West Indies Royal London ODI Series

Lewis hits ton, Joseph takes 5 …England win on DLS Method

Windies skipper Jason Holder scored his highest ODI score in a 168-run partnership with Evin Lewis

The support for the Caribbean side was very evident

A

late ram-raid of a sixth-wicket partnership between Jos Buttler and Moeen Ali enabled England to overcome a sensational innings from West Indies’ next big thing, Evin Lewis, and a maiden five-wicket haul from their thrusting speedster, Alzarri Joseph, to wrap up the oneday series with a game to spare in a rain-decided thriller at the Kia Oval.

Set an improbable 357 to win, after Lewis’ astonishing innings of 176 from 130 balls had powered West Indies to their highest ODI total in this country, England were given a flying start by the returning Jason Roy, who made 82 from 66 balls, only

for Joseph to rip out each of their first five wickets in the space of 9.4 overs.

It was a misjudgement from Roy that clicked Joseph’s evening into gear.

Moments after pasting a Joseph no-ball over longon for his second six of the night, Roy attempted to run a boundary through third man but succeeded only in feathering a nick to the keeper.

Two overs later, Bairstow fell in identical fashion to depart for 39 from 51, and when Joe Root toe-ended an attempted pull to give Shai Hope his third catch in a row, England had slumped to 157 for 3.

Eoin Morgan, in need of some runs for his own peace of mind if nothing else,

It was a cruel end to a valiant performance for West Indies, and made all the more cruel in light of the incident that brought a premature end to Lewis’ bombastic display. With 17 fours and seven sixes already to his name, he would surely have taken West Indies to even greater heights had he not inside-edged a Jake Ball yorker onto his right ankle and been forced to retire hurt with 22 balls remaining. X-rays subsequently revealed a hairline fracture. He will miss the final match at the Ageas Bowl on Friday and be out of action up to three weeks. (ESPN Cricinfo)

looked as busy as he has been in recent weeks in picking off three fours in a 17ball 19. But then he climbed into a pull that seemed to be hurtling clean through fine leg for six, only for Kyle Hope, the substitute fielder, to cling onto a blinder, high and to his right just five metres the rope. And if that was good, then the identity of the next catcher arguably made Sam Billings’ departure even more spectator, as Chris Gayle defied his creaking hamstrings to stretch low to his right at a solitary slip, and complete for his young team-mate a memorable milestone.

From an invidious position of 181 for 5, howev-

er, Moeen and Buttler paced their chase to near-perfection, reeling in a DLS par score that had at one stage been 37 runs in West Indies’ favour - first with measured accumulation and then with that familiar turn of timing and guile that characterises both men at their very best.

And, had England been able to call up the rain on cue, they could not have timed their chase any more perfectly, with Moeen drilling a pair of drives in Jerome Taylor’s final over - the second as the rain was already falling - to reach their par score of 252, and leave the field two runs later with a 3-0 series win all but mopped up.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies Innings (50 overs maximum) CH Gayle c Root b Woakes 2 E Lewis retired hurt 176 SD Hope† c †Buttler b Woakes 11 MN Samuels lbw b Woakes 1 JN Mohammed c †Buttler b Rashid 46 JO Holder* c Billings b Plunkett 77 R Powell not out 28 Extras (lb-3, w-12) 15 Total (For 5 wickets, 50 overs) 356 Did not bat: AR Nurse, JE Taylor, AS Joseph, ML Cummins FOW: 1-2, 2-19, 3-33, 4-150, 4-318, 5-356 Bowling: Woakes 10-0-71-3, Ball 10-0-68-0 (w-1), Plunkett 100-67-1 (w-4), Ali 9-1-70-0 (w-2), Root 1-0-10-0, Rashid 10- 0-67-1 (w-4)

England Innings (target: 253 runs from 35.1 overs) JJ Roy c †Hope b Joseph 84 JM Bairstow c †Hope b Joseph 39 JE Root c †Hope b Joseph 14 EJG Morgan (c) c sub (KA Hope) b Joseph 19 JC Buttler† not out 43 SW Billings c Gayle b Joseph 2 MM Ali not out 48 Extras (lb-4, nb-2, w-3) 9 Total (For 5 wickets, 35.1 overs) 258 Did not bat: CR Woakes, AU Rashid, LE Plunkett, JT Ball FOW: 1-126, 2-144, 3-157, 4-177, 5-181 Bowling: Taylor 7-0-48-0, Holder 9-0-52-0 (w-1), Joseph 8.10-56-5 (nb-1, w-1), Cummins 6-0-49-0 (nb-1), Nurse 3-039-0 (w-1), Powell 2-0-10-0

Beaton fit, focused on Test cricket – says “hard work carries me through my difficult times”

F

it-again Guyana and West Indies speedster Ronsford Beaton says taking wickets and increased gym time are part of his current regime as he’s hopeful that strong performances in the upcoming Cricket West Indies Regional 4-Day tournament could help him secure a spot in the Test side.

Beaton, who was called to the West Indies T20 side for their series against Afghanistan back in May but did not play, spoke with Guyana Times Sport during an exclusive interview at the Everest Cricket Club ground on Wednesday, where he along with his teammates continued their pre-season training as well as some further fine-tuning ahead of next week's Antigua & Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) T20 tournament; also the 2017/18 Regional 4-Day which bowls off on October 26.

The pacer said despite his recent success in limited overs cricket, T20 especially, he is eager to play red ball cricket for the West Indies having just tasted selection without playing time. He knows he will not only need to bowl well in the upcoming 4-Dayers, but taking truckloads of wickets will further strengthen his case.

“As usual, wickets will be the key this year also my physical fitness, just being able to bowl for long

Ronsford Beaton takes advice from West Indies' most capped Test player Shivnarine Chanderpaul

periods is why I’m in the gym a lot because I’m not worried about my bowling I just want to continue my gym work ahead of the upcoming season ” he said.

During the playoffs in this this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the 25 year-old, suffered an injury during the Trinbago Knight Riders match against the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Prior to the injury, Beaton who ended with 11 wickets was selected to play for the

West Indies in their one-off T20 match versus England, but missed out due to visas issues.

“I was coming off a successful T20 and being selected to go to England right after was a good accomplishment for me but unfortunately I didn’t go to England for the T20 because of visa problems.

The CPL for me was great though, I played with lot of experienced guys around me to and that helped me improve my game, but I’m look-

ing forward to the tournament in Antigua and hopefully the experience I gained over the past few months, I can put it to play,” said the fast-bowler.

He also admitted that following his injury he immediately returned to training and gym which has helped him to recover tremendously. “In the CPL playoffs, I pulled up with some niggles first my hamstring then my ankle, but I’m feeling better 85 percent better. When I was told by a teammate during CPL that I was bowling 150[km/h] I didn’t know I was bowling so fast cause I wasn’t trying to bowl too fast.”

Speaking on his road to full recovery, the West Indies ‘A’ bowler said that while the injury was a slight setback, his physical demeanor and bowling form were of utmost importance thus prompting him to doubling up on his training and fitness. “I know my speed comes from the gym work that I’ve been putting in a lot of, along with my training and conditioning so my speed is up there and I want to ensure it remains up there.”

Apart from his raw pace, the quick bowler said he's not at worried about his actual bowling as he added a bit more to his arsenal, rather he’s placing more emphasis on ensuring he’s physically fit for the rigors of playing in the longest

formats.

“Hard work carries me through my difficult times and knowing that the word around saying that I’m a limited overs player helps me to aspire more to play for the West Indies at the Test level. I know it will take a lot out of me, conditioning will play a big part in everything but I’m looking to play FirstClass cricket this year cause last year I was out for a whole season, so hopefully I get selected and I can make a claim’, said Beaton.

With Guyana the reigning, defending 4-Day champs after three seasons of sheer dominance, Beaton was adamant that his team can break history and win the title for a fourth consecutive year while marking the upcoming ABCA invitational T20 as an important tournament for the team who will need to enhance their limited overs prowess.

“We are the best 4-Day team in the region over the past 3 years so I think it comes down to discipline and once you can play the longest format you can play any format. We have a lot of experienced T20 specialists, so going into the invitational tournament I’m confident but I’m also confident going into the First Class season because we have guys who aren’t selected for the T20’s but can do the job in the 4-Dayers, so I’m not worried about the transition,’ the Essequibian ended.

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

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

Beaton fit, focused on Test cricket

Dover lauds materialisation of National Training Centre

– adamant it will help technical development of players

Pg 23

– says “hard work carries me through my difficult times”

Ronsford Beaton plans on using the Regional 4-Day tourney to help launch him into the Test team

Pg 22 Golden Jaguars Interim Head Coach Wayne Dover directs defender Eusi Phillips during a recent training session at the GDF Ground at Base Camp Ayanganna

England vs West Indies Royal London ODI Series

Lewis hits ton, Joseph takes 5 …England win on DLS Method Pg 23

Career-best performances from Evin Lewis (left) and Alzarri Joseph could not prevent another defeat to England (Windies Media Photos)

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