Guyana times september 30, 2017

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2016 audit report handed over to National Assembly THE BEACON OF TRUTH

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

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Issue No. 3347

Gunmen storm Non Pareil supermarket

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Tax dodgers have nowhere to hide – GRA Commissioner

Page 2

P9

Cocaine disappearance

Head of Police narcotics branch transferred

Region 2 gets psychologist …to work with stakeholders in fighting suicide

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A sigh of relief

CJIA cocaine bust

Alleged P2 mastermind remanded Gunmen trail woman from Diamond bank

…robs her of P14 $500,000

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After years of neglect, one of the roads in Industrial Site, Ruimveldt was given much needed repairs on Friday afternoon by a work services task force from the Public Infrastructure Ministry

Trigger-happy GRA officer arrested Page 2

Poverty higher among Indigenous population Page – UNICEF 11

…most children depend on warm meals served at school

WCD residents forced to endure day-long blackout …GPL reports Edinburgh transformer down

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US health secretary Tom Price P17 quits after plane scandal

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gunmen storm Non Pareil supermarket

The two armed bandits caught on camera

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olice in C Division (East Coast Demerara) are on the hunt for two men who stormed a Chinese Supermarket at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara.

Reports are the men – one of whom was wearing a black tope, and the other a grey sunhat – entered the

supermarket on Thursday evening, approached the owner’s wife, and relieved her of a mobile phone, after which they turned their attention to the owner, and relieved him of a large sum of cash and phone cards.

The men then made good their escape, but not before snatching a gold chain from

an employee’s neck. The Police were summoned after the incident and the Force has launched an investigation.

CCTV footage is being reviewed by Police with the intention of determining the identity of the two armed men.

Investigations are continuing.

CJIA cocaine bust

Alleged mastermind remanded

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wenty-seven-year-old Delvor Bunbury, who is the alleged mastermind in the smuggling of almost two kilograms of cocaine at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, has turned himself over to the Police and on Friday appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (ECD) resident stood before Magistrate Leron Daly and denied the allegation with which he has been charged.

The charge allege that he, on September 11, 2017 at Bel Air, Georgetown, attempted to traffic one kilogram, 828 grams of cocaine through Travis Mendonca, who was recently sentenced to three years in prison for naro-trafficking.

His Attorney, Latchmie Rahamat, in a bail application, said the narcotics were not found in Bunbury’s possession, and as such he has no knowledge of it.

The attorney, in her petition, told Magistrate

Delvor Bunbury

Daly that the cocaine was found at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), and added that, to date, the said cocaine that the accused is being charged for has not been seen by him.

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne objected to bail being granted, noting that the first accused in the matter – Mendonca -- gave Police information implicating the accused, who has a similar matter presently before the

Trigger-happy GRA officer arrested

A

n enforcement officer attached to the Guyana Revenue Authority was, in the wee hours of Friday, arrested af-

ter he discharged a loaded firearm while consuming alcohol at a popular night spot at Sandy Babb Street, Kitty Georgetown.

Based on reports received, Police ranks on motorcycle arrested the resident of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara while he was in the company

of others. The accused reportedly had discharged several rounds from his 9MM pistol into the air.

The Police ranks took pos-

session of the weapon and 13 live rounds of ammunition that were left in the magazine.

The man remains in custody assisting with investigations.

court.

In that matter Bunbury, Gavin Harris and ex-cop Louie Dublin were all remanded to prison after they were found to be in possession of 588 grams of cocaine at CJIA for the purpose of trafficking, but were later released on bail.

In the present matter, Bunbury was remanded to prison until October 20, when the matter would be called again. Earlier this week, a wanted bulletin was issued for Bunbury after Mendonca was arrested and jailed, and reportedly had implicated him.

However, currently, several members of the Police Narcotics Branch are now under close arrest following the disappearance of the said cocaine.

The cocaine which disappeared from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters at Eve Leary was already tendered as evidence against the two defendants.

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

He also told media operatives that the cocaine was discovered missing on Tuesday last, but he did not go into details.

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, September 30 – 12:30h-14:00h and Sunday, October 1 – 05:00h-12:00h (seven hours) for planned maintenance works.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, September 30 – 13:30h-15:00h and Sunday, October 1 – 13:20h-14:50h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

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

Winds: Ranging from Easterly to East North-easterly between 3.12 metres and 4.47 metres.

Tax dodgers have nowhere to hide – GRA Commissioner …targeting offshore accounts

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he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is sounding a warning to the business community and other taxpayers that it will aggressively pursue cases of offshore tax evasion, an issue the Authority says remains a serious problem.

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia admitted that cases of offshore tax evasion can be found in all jurisdictions, be they small, developing or developed. But he noted that international information-sharing has improved

High Tide: 12:30h reaching a maximum height of 2.10 metres.

Low Tide: 05:49h and 18:25h reaching minimum heights of 1.07 metres and 1.14 metres respectively.

GRA Commissioner General Godfrey Statia

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to the point where there is nowhere to hide.

“It has been found that vast amounts of money are kept offshore and go untaxed,” Statia related during a luncheon organised by business leaders. “(But) as the world becomes (more) globalised and cross-border activities (increase), tax administrators have been working together to ensure that taxpayers pay the right amount of tax in the right jurisdiction,” he said.

He noted that the ways businesses conduct their affairs are now under worldwide scrutiny, “with the advent of the Fair and Accurate Transactions Act and the automatic exchange of information through the Global Forum, the availabil-

Finance Minister Winston Jordan and US Ambassador Perry Holloway during the signing of the agreement in 2016

ity of beneficial ownership information is at the forefront of the international transparency,” he opined.

Urging businesses to become familiar with the new developments in tax administration, Statia listed a number of infractions businesses can commit that would cause them to fall afoul of the law.

He urged that persons become au fait with these new developments when making business decisions and tax planning. “The world has changed and we should change with it, or we shall be penalised. Tax avoidance schemes, transfer pricing, over/under invoicing, related party transactions and beneficial ownership schemes (just to mention a few) previously practised with impunity are now scrutinised and the information shared,” he noted.

Last year, Guyana and the United States moved to strengthen networks to clamp down on financial crimes, signing a Foreign Account Tax Compliant Act (FATCA) agreement.

Finance Minister Winston Jordan and US Ambassador Perry Holloway officially signed the agreement in October 2016 in the boardroom of the Finance Ministry.

FATCA is a 2010 US federal law that mandates

American citizens (including those living outside the US) to file yearly reports on their non-US financial accounts to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.

This network collects and analyses information about financial transactions in order to combat domestic and international money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.

At the time of the signing, the Finance Minister had emphasised that the agreement was the beginning of a new phase in Guyana-US cooperation on tax and anti-money laundering matters.

He had noted, too, that Guyana has already undertaken a number of measures to improve domestic legislation to support this agreement.

Meanwhile, Statia explained that, in the past, the tax body has been using the incorrect procedure to access account information on

Guyanese in the USA. “There was the incorrect procedure being used, whereby we were not sending it (requests) to the IRS (Inland Revenue Service), we were sending it to the (financial) institutions,” he explained. He noted that the GRA has no jurisdiction over those external institutions.

The private sector has also been pushing for more attention to be paid to tax cheats. Former President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Vishnu Doerga, is one such proponent.

“We do want a tax structure that reduces burden and intensifies growth for the compliant,” Doerga had said. Noting that compliant tax payers and businesses are sometimes made to pay the price for the non-compliant, he expressed the belief that the GRA ought to pay more attention to those who are non-compliant with the tax regime.

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saturday, September 30, 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

‘Walking the talk’ on social cohesion

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he Coalition Administration has, in recent months, come under severe fire from several stakeholder groups for the manner in which it has treated the issue regarding the reconstitution of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).

Many have expressed the view that while the Government is talking about social cohesion, the fact that it is dragging its feet on re-establishing the ERC shows that it is not really serious about ‘walking the talk’.

The Commission has been virtually dysfunctional since 2011, when then Opposition Leader Robert Corbin secured an injunction against the body, barring the Chairman and two Commissioners from taking any decision, making any recommendation, or issuing any direction, on behalf of the constitutional body.

Once it is re-established, this would be the country’s second ERC, replacing the first, which was formed on March 8, 2002. The first ERC was chaired by Bishop Juan Edghill (who was the Christian representative), and its tenure constitutionally expired in 2006. From then right up to 2015, an inordinate period of time during which the country saw the running-off of two General Elections (viz., in 2011 and 2015), no new Commission was established to replace the first Commission, which over time became mired in a host of issues, such as court matters instigated by the main parliamentary opposition, challenging the organisation’s constitutionality; loss of membership through attrition – resignations, deaths, illnesses, and migration – resulting in the lack of a decision-making quorum; and, to some extent, a loss of public trust and confidence in the organisation’s credibility.

Subsequently, after the results of the 2011 general and regional elections transformed the PPP/C into a minority government, the framework for a new ERC was agreed to in 2013 between the Government and the parliamentary opposition parties - APNU and AFC. At that time it was consensually agreed by the Government and the Opposition parties to add 3 more constituents – namely, the ethnic representatives of the country’s African, East Indian, and Amerindian peoples – to the original mix of representatives, thus increasing the total number of elected members from 7 to 10. The process to select the nominees for the new Commission concluded in 2014, and the names of those selected were made public. But, for some inexplicable reason, they were never sworn-in as Commissioners.

It was reported in this newspaper recently that the Committee of Appointments, headed by Dr George Norton, has concluded its work months ago. It is on the Order Paper for the approval of the nominees. But, so far, it seems as if no genuine effort is being made to bring the matter to finality.

Many have questioned the real reasons for the delay, but, so far, the Government has just been very forthcoming as to when the process will be finalised.

As it currently stands, the next step in the process is for the Committee to submit the ten nominees to the National Assembly for approval via a motion. It is required that there be a two-thirds’ majority approval before the nominees can become official and be presented to the President for swearing in.

There is no doubt that the ERC plays an integral role in protecting and preserving the interests of all stakeholders, as far as creating an atmosphere of tolerance and harmony among the different races and ethnic groups in Guyana’s diverse society is concerned.

While the newly-established Social Cohesion Ministry also has an important role to play in ensuring peace and harmony at the local and national levels etc., its mandate is not the same as the ERC’s. The ERC is a constitutional body established under the Herdmanston Accord. It works with persons and agencies to promote harmonious ethnic relations. The Commission also deals with complaints, promotes training in racial harmony, and fosters a sense of security among all ethnic groups.

The ERC is probably the most powerful of all the Rights Commissions established in this country after Independence. It has an extremely important role to play in national unity and development. It is therefore hoped that the Government would cease delaying the reconstitution of this constitutional body and move with haste in bringing the process to finality.

A student from Hampton Court village on the Essequibo Coast lays a wreath at the Devonshire Castle Monument in remembrance of the five Indian immigrants – Kaulica, Beccaroo, Maxidally, Baldeo and Acukloo – who were killed during the Devonshire Castle uprising in 1872. On Friday the Indian Action Committee in collaboration with the Region Two Regional Democratic Council (RDC) hosted a wreath laying ceremony

The verdict is out

Dear Editor, The verdict is out.

According to one of several front page headlines of Tuesday, Sept, 26, 2017, ‘Sugar, rice responsible for increase of non-performing loans -- Finance Minister”.

Since early in the second half of 2015, the Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA) warned about the decline in the future of the rice industry due to the loss of the two hundred thousand metric tonnes (200,000mt) high price paddy/rice market to Venezuela.

The 2015 contract to Venezuela, valued at US$113 million, was secured by the then PPP/C Government, but the APNU/ AFC Government managed to throw it away. In recognition of the loss, the RPA made several recommendations to the APNU/AFC Government to assist the

rice industry to recover, but to no avail. The recommendations were not even responded to. The Government responded by increasing land rent and D&I charges in Region 5 from $3500 per acre to $15,000 per acre.

And in some parts of Region 4, the increased charges were from $5000 to $15,000, effectively placing more burdens on the farmers.

The PPP even tabled a motion in the National Assembly to address the plight of farmers and the industry, but that motion seeking relief was defeated by the APNU/AFC one-seat majority. Today, the APNU/ AFC Finance Minister is talking about non- performing loans in the sector.

What about the much touted Mexican Market?

According to the Prime Minister’s public statements, this market would’ve

replaced the 200,000 mt Venezuela Market.

So far, we have seen small shipments of only paddy going to Mexico at prices that contribute to further pauperising the farmers.

The Government remained silent on the RPA public pronouncement that the Mexican deal is not good for the industry, because of the price and other conditions of purchase.

The front page headline of September 26, 2017 issue of the Guyana Chronicle screamed: “US$3.5M in Rice off to Cuba”. This amount is apparently payment for 7,500mt of rice.

A simple calculation would inform that this is at a rate of US$466.66 per mt. Several questions arise about the conditions of sale. What are the payment terms? Is it FOB destination, or is it FOB origin? Is

it a CIF contract? Some millers told the RPA that they were offered US$400 per mt to supply rice to this market.

A price that did not find favour with them, a price that is too low to be of help.

Whilst the RPA welcomes new markets and the renewal of old markets for our export, it should not be on unfavourable terms and conditions for our farmers.

From all indications, it would appear that the Cuban and Mexican markets, besides being a small percentage of our export, are also of a low price, which would contribute to further increase in non-performing loans, which the Minister of Finance has recently awakened to.

Sincerely, Guyana Rice Producers Association (RPA)

Independent human resource audit needed at M&CC Dear Editor, I believe it was be extremely difficult for the Mayor and Councillors of the City of Georgetown (M&CC) to explain honourably to the citizens of Georgetown how it is possible for the Council to maintain such a huge staff strength of nearly a thousand while our capital in in such a dilapidated, dirty, dark and antediluvian state.

To add insult to injury, in addition to the mammoth workforce, the Council has also farmed out most of its services, at a huge cost, to contractors with very little returns.

In the past, there were ‘Sanitary Inspectors’ from the Council visiting each and every property in the city to ensure that each property owner maintained their property in a manner that adhered to the city’s public health laws and expectations. What did the Council do? Council re-designated these persons with fancy titles, such as Environment Health Officers and Environment Health Assistants, the end result being hardly any property is visited.

The Council has masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, tinsmiths etc in a General Works

Departments, but nowadays hardly any bridges are built, and the existing ones are repaired only when they collapse. Almost all of Council’s municipal buildings are in a ruinous state, and the Kitty Market is taking forever to be rehabilitated.

Council has a Constabulary with well over a hundred persons, yet the markets are routinely broken into, persons are regularly robbed, three card men habitually turn their tricks on the pavement etc.

Council has a large retinue of weeders, tree trimmers, drainage workers, grave diggers etc, but

just look at the Cemetery?

Unless the plan is to make it into a tourist attraction where persons can go on a rainforest adventure in the jungle of that burial ground.

But, seriously, the Council needs to have a thorough and independent human resource audit done of its distended staff structure.

Each employee should be interviewed, and stock taken of what they do every day all day long. There is simply too much featherbedding, nepotism, redundancy and cronyism going on there.

Sincerely, Sean Moniz

SATURday, September 30, 2017

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News

Self-Reliance workshop graduates to open library in Timehri

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wo graduates from First Lady, Sandra Granger’s 20th SelfReliance and Success in Business workshop on Friday announced plans to establish a library to benefit residents of Timehri North, East Bank Demerara (EBD). The women numbered among the 37 graduates from the five-day workshop, which was held in the auditorium of the Regional sub-office.

Rajini Nauth and Claire

Ann Prescod are both members of the Vibrant Women Empowerment Group, which is one of three groups formed in fulfilment of the Community component of the workshop. The three-fold workshop aims to teach participants to become Masters of the ‘Six Ps’ of Business and also includes a Quality of Life and Community Action plan to empower women to become decision-makers in all aspects of their lives. Both

women believe that providing access to library services for students will reduce the incidence of truancy and anti-social behaviours among youth. Nauth also revealed plans to establish a dormitory, Adalisa’s Sweet Home, where she will provide habitation for persons from far-flung communities who travel to Georgetown for employment or for academic pursuits. The facility, she said, will also include a library, day care centre and

gym.

Meanwhile, Prescod said that she intends to use her newly-acquired skills to expand and diversify her business, Arietty Forest and Agriculture Product and Investment Service.

Currently, her business offers forest products and lesser known-species of wood for sale and she plans to produce and market charcoal for sale and export.

The First Lady told the graduates that she was very

impressed with the confidence that they displayed today after the one-week training. “I looked around at the talent you have on display and I hoped that at the end of this you will have learnt enough to either go into business on your own or form a group of people so that you can corner the market for all the uniforms children need on the East Bank. …You can demonstrate to people that you are a sure bet when it comes to making

uniforms for our children going to the schools in in this area,” she said. Granger also encouraged the graduates to actively use their certificates and the tools that they have learned at their workshop to better themselves.

“This certificate is not a piece of paper to throw in a drawer. Your certificate is something that shows that you have learnt the basics of what it means to set up and run a business successfully,” she said.

Justice can be delivered only by a court of law, not social media Dear Editor, I refer to an article captioned, ‘Carl Parker the alleged sexual offender must be judged’ (GT, Sept 3), in which several misleading and inaccurate statements were made.

Unfortunately, I am forced to use time to correct those inaccuracies. Of course, the weak tactic of placing lies in the public domain and waging campaigns of innuendoes without evidence is one at which the opposition is adept.

The term “victim” was used throughout the article in reference to the virtual complainant. Evidently, the writer has already judged and convicted Mr Parker, even though legal proceedings are still ongoing.

Editor, the facts are as follows: after a written allegation of sexual miscon-

duct was made against Mr Parker by a District Education Officer (DEO) in 2015, I advised Mr Parker to show the letter to the police, so that the DEO may be invited to give a statement. This was done, and she declined the invitation by the police to make a report, opting instead to go to the media and launch a letter writing campaign to regional officials. There was never any attempt, or even the thought by the administration, of covering up anything. Incidentally, the DEO’s name appeared on the PPP’s list of candidates in the last general election.

There followed, in April 2016, a letter addressed to His Excellency President Granger accompanied by a “petition” requesting Mr. Parker’s removal. The letter contained numerous allega-

tions against Mr Parker, including the assertion that Mr. Parker engages in acts of political and ethnic discrimination in the award of contracts in favour of the ruling administration’s supporters. That is ironic, as I have been bombarded by complaints that of contracts awarded, most were given to known PPP allies.

As was mentioned in the article, the letter also said that 1,200 persons had signed the petition. Upon checking, there were, in fact, fewer than 550 signatures.

A more thorough investigation revealed: that the person who signed the letter could not be located, and may actually not exist; that the vast majority of “signatures” were written by the same hand; and that the few genuine signatures were affixed after the resident was misinformed about what he

or she was being asked to sign.

Following those two events, there came a third one. On December 30, 2016, a report of sexual misconduct was made to the police against Mr. Parker by the Deputy Mayor of Lethem.

Mr. Parker was arrested in February 2017, and appeared before the court on June 6, 2017.

On that date, after the virtual complainant had presented her evidence in chief, she was cross-examined by Mr. Parker’s counsel. The following day, when her cross-examination was due to be continued, she, at the beginning of proceedings, requested leave of the court to obtain legal counsel. The defendant, Mr Parker, had no objection. She was granted leave until September 5, and the court was adjourned.

On September 5, the

case was called. Neither Mr Parker’s accuser nor her legal representative appeared. Instead, a medical certificate was tendered by the prosecutor stating that she was ill.

Interestingly, many residents have reported seeing Mr Parker’s accuser during that period travelling among communities and the capital city, apparently in good health.

Additionally, it was reported that on that date the court made mention of the article which was published by your paper. The court said it was annoying, malicious, contemptuous, and filled with lies.

The matter was called yet again on Friday, September 8, and again the virtual complainant did not appear, even as she continues her social media campaign against Mr Parker.

The next date set for a hearing is December 7.

Of course one knows that justice can be delivered only by a court of law, not by social media. Therefore, if one were truly interested in having justice served speedily, one would make every effort to attend court, instead of dragging one’s feet and prolonging what would otherwise be a straightforward process. Under the circumstances, given the facts, one may reasonably surmise that Mr. Parker’s accuser is less interested in the service of justice than she may be in prolonging the matter to the unfair detriment of the accused.

Sincerely, Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities

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saturday, September 30, 2017

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Foundation

If your child is raped R

ape – forced, unwanted sexual intercourse – can happen to males and females of any age. Rape is a sexual assault. It’s not about love or sex. It’s about power. A rapist uses actual or threatened force or violence to exert control over another person.

Some rapists use drugs or alcohol to take away a person’s ability to fight back.

Rape is a crime, no matter if the person committing the rape is a stranger, acquaintance, date, friend, or family member.

Someone who has been raped needs medical care, comfort, understanding, and support. Here’s what to do if your daughter or son is the victim of a rape.

How to tell

If your child is sexually assaulted, he or she might choose not to tell you.

Preteens and teenagers often confide only in friends about deeply personal issues — and, unfortunately, something as serious as rape is no exception.

But even if your child doesn’t confide in you, some signs can indicate that he or she is struggling emotionally – whether due to rape or something else – and needs your help. For example, your child might: act unusually irritable, moody, or cranky

guyanatimesgy.com

seem angry, frightened, or confused feel depressed, anxious, or nervous, especially about being alone withdraw from friends and family have trouble sleeping have changes in appetite be unable to concentrate in school or to participate in everyday activities These may be signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or what’s sometimes called rape trauma syndrome. If you see symptoms like these, reach out and let your daughter or son know that you’re always available to listen, no matter what.

If your child still won’t open up and you continue to suspect some kind of trauma or distress, seek a therapist’s help to get to the root of the

problem.

What to expect during the exam

Before the exam, a trained doctor, nurse, counsellor, or social worker will listen to your daughter or son talk about what happened. This conversation will direct medical treatment and may help with the investigation of the crime.

Talking to a trained listener also helps y o u r child

release some of the emotions associated with the experience, and can help her or him begin feeling calm and safe again.

The medical professional also might talk about the exam, what it involves, and ask for parental consent.

Most medical exams (for both acute and non-acute rape cases) are likely to include these steps: If your child has gone through puberty: A medical professional may test for STDs/STIs, including HIV/AIDS. These tests may involve taking blood or saliva samples.

Although the thought of having an STD after a rape is extremely scary, the quicker one is diagnosed, the more effectively it can be treated.

Doctors can start your child on immediate treatment courses for STDs, including HIV/AIDS, which can help protect against developing these diseases.

If your daughter is raped, a medical professional may treat her for unwanted pregnancy, if she chooses.

Emergency contraception is most effective when given as soon as possible, but may be given up to 120 hours after intercourse.

A medical professional will examine your child internally and externally

Seeking medical care

If you find out that your child is the victim of rape, it’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Rapes fall into two categories: Acute rapes (happening within the last 72 hours) and non-acute rapes (happening more than 72 hours ago).

Acute rapes. If the rape happened within the last 72 hours (three days), take your child to an emergency room immediately, call the police, or call a rape crisis hotline. Hotlines can offer guidance on what to do, including finding a hospital nearby that has a programme set up specially to care for rape victims. (You also can call the police to report the assault before going to the hospital.)

At the hospital, your child will be checked for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (also called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs) and internal injuries.

If possible, seek medical care before your child has changed clothes, showered, or douched. It can be hard not to clean up, of course – it’s a natural human instinct to wash away all traces of a sexual assault. But being examined right away is the best way to ensure timely medical treatment and help with the collection of evidence.

After getting appropriate medical care, notify the Police if you haven’t already. The Police will take a report and document the incident, as well as collect any evidence.

Non-acute rapes. If the rape happened more than 72 hours (3 days) ago, call the Police. You can also call a rape crisis hotline for counselling on next steps, including talking to the Police and getting a medical evaluation. The police will want to take a report and document the incident, as well as collect any evidence. After that, your child should get a medical evaluation. to check for any injury that might have been caused by the rape.

A medical professional or trained technician may look for and take samples of the rapist’s hair, skin, nails, or bodily fluids from your child’s clothes or body.

If you think your child has been given a rape drug, a doctor or technician can test for this, too.

Pictures of any injuries may be taken for documentation purposes.

If your child has not yet gone through puberty: A medical professional may test for STDs, including HIV/AIDS. These tests may involve taking blood or saliva samples. Although the thought of having an STD after a rape is extremely scary, the quicker one is diagnosed, the more effectively it can be treated.

A medical professional will perform an external examination on your child to check for any injury that might have been caused by the rape.

A medical professional or trained technician may look for and take samples of the rapist’s hair, skin, nails, or bodily fluids from your child’s clothes or body.

If you think your child has been given a rape drug, a doctor or technician can test for this, too.

Pictures of any injuries may be taken for documentation purposes.

Even if your child doesn’t get examined right away, it doesn’t mean that he or she can’t get a checkup later. A person can still go to a doctor or local clinic to get checked out for STDs, pregnancy, or injuries any time after being raped. In some cases, doctors can even gather evidence several days after a rape has occurred. Exams Important for Prosecuting a

Crime Getting medical attention is recommended not just to ensure your child’s health and safety, but also to provide documentation for any future criminal investigations. If a criminal case is pursued by authorities, medical tests may help provide the evidence needed to prosecute the rapist. Keep in mind, the statutes of limitations on rape give a person only a certain amount of time to pursue legal action, so be sure you know how long you have to report the rape. A local rape crisis centre can advise you of the laws in your state.

Addressing emotional health

Those who have been raped sometimes avoid seeking help because they’re afraid that talking about it will bring back memories or feelings that are too painful. But this can actually do more harm than good.

Seeking help and emotional support from a trained professional is the best way to ensure long-term healing.

Working through the pain sooner rather than later can help reduce symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks.

It also can help someone avoid potentially harmful behaviours and emotions, like major depression or self-injury.

How rape survivors work through feelings can vary.

Ask your child what sort of counselling is preferable: Some people feel most comfortable talking one-on-one with a therapist. Others find that joining a support group where they can be with other survivors helps them to feel better, get their power back, and move on with their lives.

In a support group, they can get help and might help others heal by sharing their own experiences and ideas. (kidshealth.org)

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Cocaine disappearance

Head of Police Narcotics branch transferred

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n light of the disappearance of close to two kilograms of cocaine from the Property Room of the Police Narcotics Unit, its head, Superintendent Wayne De Harte, has been transferred to Berbice with effect from Monday, October 2.

Guyana Times was told that transfer of the senior officer is to facilitate a probe into the disappearance of the cocaine, which was directly under his control.

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) is looking at the fact that the Property Room is accessible through De Harte’s office, and it is open to all ranks within the unit.

While in Berbice, De Harte will work under the supervision of Commander Lyndon

Head of Police Narcotics Branch, Wayne De Harte

Alves. Guyana Times could not verify the duration of the transfe,r but from information received, it might be a

permanent move.

However, following the disappearance of the cocaine on September 26, several members of the unit were questioned.

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.

After the news broke of the missing cocaine, acting Police Commissioner David Ramnarine confirmed that an investigation was launched by the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).

It was reported that while the state won the case against Mendonca, investigators had issued a wanted bulletin for 27-year-old Delvor

Region 2 gets psychologist …to work with stakeholders in fighting suicide

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egion Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt has announced that a psychologist has been appointed to be stationed at the Suddie Public Hospital to help in the fight against mental health illnesses.

Ramdatt said Shivanie Totaram was sent from Georgetown Public Hospital Mental Health Unit to render her services in Region Two, where the suicide rate is high.

During an interview with this publication, Ramdatt disclosed that suicide is an increasing problem within the region, and as such, repeated calls have been made for a psychologist.

He therefore expressed gratitude that the region now has a professional to deal with mental health illnesses.

“Suicide, along with other mental health issues, is on the rise. As such, one psychologist is not enough. While it is a good start, more needs to be done to combat mental health illness,” he stressed.

The regional chairman added that at the level of Regional Democratic Council (RDC), several representations were made for this in the past. He said that, for the first time, a regional conversation on suicide seminar was held, and persons from throughout the region attended. Again, he emphasised that

Region Two Chairman Devanand Ramdatt along with Psychologist Shivanie Totaram

a multi-stakeholder approach is needed to combat the issue of suicide.

He also recognized the efforts made by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) within the Region to train teachers as well as dormitory staff members from various schools as counsellors.

According to Ramdatt, The Caribbean Voice is one such organisation which has pledged its support through many educative outreaches.

Meanwhile, during an interview with Totaram, she said

she is happy to render her services to Region Two. Totaram said that she studied in Cuba at the University of Havana, then she later worked at the Mental Health Unit at the Public Health Ministry. Her focus is on clinical psychology, psychological test, as well as physiotherapy. Totaram said that whole she is currently stationed at Suddie Public Hospital, she would be working on programmes to reach out to persons in the various communities as well as health Centres. (Indrawattie Natram)

Bunbury of Lot 37 Victoria Road, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara as the alleged mastermind in the incident. He has since been charged.

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 were earthed.

During interrogation,

Bunbury’s name was called.

He along with another was charged for narco-possession in March of this year. A police officer, Louie Dublin, was also charged in connection with the matter.

8 NEWS

saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

IN THE COURTS GRA, Public Security Ministry staff slapped with forgery charge

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ne staff member of the Guyana Revenue Authority and two Public Security Ministry staff members were on Friday each slapped with a charge of forgery and taken before Magistrate Judy Latchman.

The four: Azad Mohammed, Chatram Persaud, Danesh Dyal and Richard Mohan, all made their appearance at the

Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after they were allegedly caught with forged vehicle tint permits.

The charges allege that they all conspired to commit a felony; that is to say, they forge a motor vehicle tint licence which they knew was not issued by the Public Security Ministry. However, they denied the charge when it was read to them.

The Prosecution is con-

tending that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) worker and the two Public Security Ministry staffers were implicated when the forged document was presented to the Police.

It has been reported that Mohammed was stopped by ranks while she was driving a heavily tinted vehicle.

After enquires by the lawmen, she presented them with the tint licence, which

was observed to be fake.

As such, she was arrested, and reportedly told officers that she had paid $70,000 for the permit which was given to her by the Ministry and GRA workers. All four were granted bail at the sum of $100,000, and are expected to make their next court appearance later in October.

Investigations are still ongoing.

Ex-Cop committed to stand trial in High Court

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n December 2016, former rank of the Guyana Police Force Lloyd Lyte was hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after he allegedly shot Martin Atwell, called “John Kirby”, during a drunken brawl in the vicinity of Wings and Things Bar, Mandala Avenue, when he refused to remove beer bottles from the trunk of his car.

Lyte appeared in an anxious state in the company of his trial lawyer, Satesh Kissoon, on the closing day of the preliminary inquiry (PI), on Thursday morning, before the presiding Magistrate Judy Latchman, who ruled that the court is of the opinion that the Prosecution, led

by Police Prosecutor Visnu Hunte, had established a prima-facie (first impression case) of attempted murder against him (Lyte) to commit

Committed to stand trial, former Police Officer Lloyd Lyte

him to stand trial at the next practical sitting of the High Court of the Supreme Court of Judicature.

The defendant continues to maintain his inno-

cence, and was heard saying, “I’m innocent of the charge, Your Worship”, when given a chance to exercise his right to speak.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Latchman granted defense counsel’s application to have his bail maintained pending the outcome of the High Court trial.

The man, now a security guard and father of seven of East Ruimveldt Georgetown, was reportedly involved in an argument with Atwell just outside the premises of Wings and Things Bar when Atwell allegedly refused to remove some beer bottles he placed on the trunk of Lyte’s vehicle.

The ex-cop reportedly retreated to the bar following the argument, but matters made a turn for the worse when Atwell reportedly trailed him, whipped out a

Martin Atwell, also known as “John Kirby”

gun and shot at him, who responded with shots from his own licensed firearm, hitting Atwell in the chest and abdomen.

The injured man was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital by public-spirited persons, where he was admitted and treated.

2 jailed for larceny, robbery

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wo men who appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Friday - one charged for larceny and the other robbery - were each jailed for nine months.

Damon Smith of Laing Avenue made his appearance before Magistrate Leron Daly and admitted to stealing from

his sister.

The charge stated that he, on September 26, 2017 at Laing Avenue, stole one metal band from Felicia Smith valued at $10,000.

Smith told Magistrate Daly that he sold the band and bought two fronto (cannabis) and a ball of splif (cannabis) and smoked out the

remaining money that he received after selling the metal band.

As such he was sent to spend the next nine months in prison.

Meanwhile, Junior Lynch appeared before Magistrate Daly and also admitted to a robbery charge.

The charge against him alleged that, he on September 20, 2017 at Mandela Avenue, Georgetown, robbed Aruna Sankar of one HTC cell phone valued at $60,000. He reportedly also used personal violence during the course of the

robbery.

He, however, denied using personal violence, and told Magistrate Daly, “I took the phone, but I didn’t beat she.”

Police Prosecutor Simone Payne, however, told the court that the accused allegedly kicked and cuffed the virtual complainant (VC) before snatching her phone and making good his escape.

He was later apprehended after the matter was reported; he was identified and as such was charged with the offence.

He was also sent to prison to spend the next nine months.

Call in the Police…

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…at GECOM

ECOM’s been in the news, but for all the wrong reasons. To be fair, the contretemps over appointing its chair isn’t its fault. However, we have to note that there would’ve been no problem if it weren’t for the requirement that, of all the institutions in Guyana, GECOM’s supposed to be purer than Caesar’s wife. All the political bickering over the last 55 years -even leading to blood in the streets -- is over the elections that GECOM oversees.

President Carter led an initiative that received the backing of all the western nations to straighten out GECOM, and the most elaborate efforts were made to prevent skullduggery in elections. But it’s now clear that while all efforts were directed at skullduggery outside GECOM, no one thought about skullduggery inside, on non-electoral matters -- Like siphoning off hundreds of millions of dollars into the pockets of the top administrative personnel!

The news about just one scam within GECOM before the 2015 elections is enough to make any upstanding citizen puke. But it doesn’t seem to have even raised an eyebrow within the APNU/AFC coalition. And it’s not just a matter of “allegations” by a newspaper against the CEO of GECOM -- Lowenfield -- as one letter writer suggested.

The Auditor General of Guyana, in performance of his official duties, submitted an audit report on the sordid details of how $100 million were spent on radios just days before the 2015 elections -- knowing full well they couldn’t be used. Even if the radios were operational, which they were not!! And how do we know this? Well, GECOM itself submitted another “emergency” request for satellite phones, because THEY claimed they had no other way of communicating with their officials in the field!!

Now it’s not often an Auditor General recommends that Police be called in. In fact, your Eyewitness can’t think of another instance in recent years. Auditors, after all -by training if not by inclination -- are ultra-cautious folks who jump through so many hoops to ensure accuracy they’d rather leave those matters for line management.

But this time the bugle was sounded for the police.

It’s not surprising that “GECOM” -- read the man in the firing line, CEO Lowenfield, who received the report -has rejected the report, especially the recommendation!!

What’s new? But what’s most intriguing is the absolute silence on the entire sordid affair from the usually loquacious Government functionaries.

And this has nothing to do with the “independence” of the “autonomous” GECOM. After all, this is an administration whose Attorney General insulted a sitting member of the Judiciary. With not even a tickle on the wrist!

…at CID H/Q!

Case of the Purloined Coke!! This is what seems to have seized our Minister of Public Security when he did some ribbon-cutting recently for a new “store room” for evidence seized by the Police. In this instance, almost three pounds of cocaine had been seized from an ex-policeman on route to the Big-Apple. It was left in the supposedly safe hands of high officials at CID Headquarters, Eve Leary.

Then suddenly it was gone!! Minister Ramjattan sternly pronounced that the CID officers were “reckless and negligent” and they “bear some of the blame”. You think?? OK, let’s follow the trail of the missing coke. Since civilians aren’t allowed to traipse in and out of the CID HQ… it couldn’t be an outside job, could it? And as Sherlock Holmes advised, “Once you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, no matter how improbable, must be the truth.”

So when will the Office of Professional Responsibility be issuing its report? And to whom? The Minister?

…on body cavity searches

Fella caused a ruckus at the magistrate’s court ‘cause the police wanted to search his “cavity”. Only a year ago, he’s also protested a prison warden seeking to do the same. Maybe the warden suspected him smuggling “contraband” into prison.

But into the magistrate’s court? Sexual molestation?

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

9 2016 audit report handed over to National Assembly T News

saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

he Audit Office of Guyana (AOG), having completed the 2016 Audit Report on the public accounts of Guyana, has presented this report to the Speaker of the House with just one day to spare before September 30 statutory deadline.

The presentation, which also included a copy of the performance report on the construction of

the new access road to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, was made to Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr Barton Scotland, in the Assembly’s committee room.

Auditor General Deodat Sharma, who handed over the report, noted that since he entered office the Audit Office of Guyana has made systemic improvements.

“Before I became Auditor

General, the office was in a state whereby its systems and processes were done primarily by manual means.

Its technology infrastructure consisted of a few computers, whilst the majority of their staff was not proficient in the use of modern technology.”

“The Office’s transformation was due in large part to the benefits from four technical coopera-

Canada-funded Property Room commissioned at CID HQ

…to secure storage of evidence, criminal materials

The report being handed over to Speaker of the House, Dr Barton Scotland (left) by Auditor General Deodat Sharma

tion agreements signed between the Inter-American Development bank and the government of Guyana that spanned the period of 2003 to 2017.”

According to Sharma, the office would pursue a Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan in discussions with Canadian High Commissioner Lilian Chatterjee and a JES official at the opening event

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s the Guyana Police Force investigate the disappearance of a quantity of narcotics tendered as evidence, a Canada-funded high security Property Room was commissioned at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters at Eve Leary on Thursday with hope of preventing recurrence of such incidents.

This facility will allow for the proper booking and storage of evidence and other related materials, backed by a top notch security system to prevent important items from going missing, as obtained in the past.

This venture marks the continuation of an existing relationship between the Guyana Police Force and the Justice Education Society (JES) of Canada. As a result of this partnership, ranks of

the Force have already benefited from a number of training programmes within the last 18 months.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan thanked the Canadian officials for this significant investment in the law enforcement and justice systems of Guyana.

Ramjattan went on to say, “It is so fundamentally important, because in litigation it is important that we get out nexuses proper and correct; otherwise we’re gonna fail in the litigation process.”

Meanwhile, acting Crime Chief, Paul Williams, also echoed similar sentiments, saying, “This gesture has been welcomed because that (storage) has been one of our challenges throughout the Guyana Police Force.”

Also addressing the gath-

ering at the launch of the Property Room was newly-inducted Canadian High Commissioner, Lilian Chatterjee, who expressed delight at the realization of such an initiative.

Chatterjee further noted that the facility is a creative solution for a very pressing challenge. Moreover, the Canadian diplomat posited that this initiative is evidence of the commitment of the Guyana Police Force to deliver quality services, and at the same time it exemplifies the relationship between the two countries.

The GPF Property Room is the first of its kind to be set up in the country. However, the agreement between the GPF and the JES promises to see the commissioning of 51 other such facilities to be constructed at police stations throughout Guyana.

number of measures including the full implementation of the TeamMate Audit Management Software.

He noted that the relatively new field of information technology auditing will be pursued.

The report, which will be laid in the house when parliament comes out of recess, is expected to contain particulars of a number of investigations and probes the office has conducted throughout last year.

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

GECOM chair

President has discretionary powers to reject 3rd list – AG maintains

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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ne day after Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo described President David Granger’s interpretation of the ruling regarding the lists of nominees for Chairmanship of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) as invalid, Attorney General (AG) Basil Williams has maintained that the President has discretionary powers wherein he can still deem any list as unacceptable.

Minister Williams made these comments on the sidelines of an event at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday.

“The judgment confirms what we’ve been saying all

along -- that the discretion is entirely the President’s,” he noted.

Acting Chief Justice Roxanne George’s written ruling said the nominees do not necessarily have to be a judge, former judge or person qualified to be a judge; and further noted that the President must give reasons to justify their unfitness.

Her ruling, however, added that if persons on the list are not found to be acceptable, then the President can go ahead and appoint a person from the category he identified: namely judges, former judges or a person eligible to be appointed a judge.

However, the main Opposition, People’s Progressive Party (PPP), has stated that it could appeal the latter decision in future, since that decision could have implications for future appointments.

Speaking on Thursday, the Attorney General did not divulge much into what recent advice he has given the President, especially in light of the ruling. He, however, maintained that the Head of State can still reject the list if he considers one or all the names unacceptable.

“The President could re-

Acting Chief Justice Roxane George

ject the list in its entirety if he considers that it is divergent in terms of totality and the names that are included on the list; so he could do so if he considers that some of the names on the list are unacceptable. He could also reject the entire list, too, again; and he’s not obliged to identify or appoint anybody from the remainder of the list. Thirdly, if one person qualifies, he could accept that person, even though the other five on the list are unacceptable,” the Attorney General observed.

While maintaining that he did not want to show open disapproval or sanction the Acting Chief Justice’s rul-

ing, AG Williams told media operatives that the President having to give reasons detailing why a nominee is not “fit or proper” could have those nominees complaining over the disclosures.

“The caveat that the learned Chief Justice has tagged on [to the ruling] is that he (the President) must give reasons for rejecting in relation to each and every name on the list. Without approbating or reprobating...if the President has to divulge on each individual, why they are unfit and fit and proper, you could understand the scenarios that could occur, because persons on the list might be screaming for murder. It’s unfair if

Attorney General Basil Williams

information is divulged in relation to their unfitness,” Williams claimed.

When probed about how he viewed the nominees, Williams declined to

give his assessment of the third list, but maintained that the Constitution gives to the President powers in which he can exercise his judgment.

On August 25, the Opposition Leader presented an additional six names to President Granger for him to consider for the post of GECOM Chairman.

Jagdeo’s nominees were: Major General retired Joseph (Joe) Singh; Teni Housty; Sanjeev Datadin; Annette Arjune-Martins; Onesi La Fleur and Krishnadatt Persaud.

In the letter to the President accompanying the list, Jagdeo had said that arriving at the six names was not an easy task.

Dredge owner gunned down allegedly by former employee …2 licensed firearms missing

The dead miner: Antonio Da Silva

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s the Guyana Police Force dig deeper into the death of Brazilian national 36-year-old Antonio Da Silva, whose body was found at a mining camp in Akaiwanna, Cuyuni, Region Seven, Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine, on Thursday indicated that the Police Force are acting on suspicions that the dredge owner was murdered by a former employee.

According to initial reports, Da Silva met his demise while managing operations at his gold mine in Region Seven, when he was brutally gunned down by cross-border bandits armed with rifles and handguns in a brazen attack in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The incident, which lasted for some eight hours – from 17:45h on Tuesday until 02:00h on Wednesday -- allegedly involved a gang of about six to eight armed men rummaging through the camp and later carting off an undisclosed amount of raw gold. Later, the bandits took Da Silva about 500 metres from the site and shot

him several times before fleeing the scene.

Moreover, Guyana Times understands that several attempts were made to contact the Police Force, all of which were to no avail.

However, ranks were dispatched to Akaiwanna early on Wednesday morning to launch an investigation into the murder.

In responding to queries as to what may have prevented GPF from reaching the area during the robbery, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan pinned the blame on the lack of resources. This is as he noted that in order to access such far-flung operations, it would require equipment such as ATVs or for ranks to be flown into those locations.

Ramjattan defended the GPF, saying, “That’s another challenge -- assets. We are pleading for assistance in that regard. So we are going to have challenges because we have huge tracks of land to cover to reach some of these mining concessions, and we really can’t put police men in all the mining concessions. We are trying.”

The Minister was backed by Acting Top Cop Ramnarine, who noted that in such extensive mining camps as the one operated

by Da Silva, personal security measures are usually put in place.

“His camp being an extensive one, it is not unreasonable to assume that he would (implement) some level of his own security,” Ramnarine relayed. As to the extent/type of security, he said he would not comment.

He highlighted that based of ongoing assessment, firearms which were registered to the now dead

Acting Commissioner of Police David Ramnarine

man has not been recovered from the scene.

On that note he conveyed, “As a result of the investigations still underway, the deceased was licensed to carry a shotgun and a .32, and those are missing at this point. Definitively, his two firearms cannot be accounted for.”

Nevertheless, the Acting Commissioner of Police pointed out that these are preliminary findings. As such, he stated, “What I do know -- which is very disturbing to us, but (is) not uncommon in these instances -- is that it appears as though there was a possible involvement of a former employee of the deceased.”

Meanwhile, based on information reaching this publication, the attackers are also suspected to be Brazilian nationals, most of whom shared some relation with the now dead man. This newspaper understands that Da Silva was aware of conspiracies to invade his camp ongoing for some months now, but was nonetheless ambushed.

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Poverty higher among Indigenous population – UNICEF

…most children depend on warm meals served at school

By Lakhram Bhagirat

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he recent study on Indigenous Women and Children in 12 communities in Guyana, found that the Indigenous population is seriously disadvantaged economically, hence accounting for their high poverty rate when compared to the rest of Guyana. Additionally, it found that most primary aged students, in the 12 communities, depend on the school feeding programme for one proper meal per day.

Guyana has the largest number of Indigenous peoples in a single country in the entire Caribbean and according to the last census, they account for 10.3 per cent of the population. The Indigenous population is settled mainly in Regions One (Barima-Waini), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), which serves as the home to approximately 80 per cent of the population.

The study was conducted

by UNICEF in Region One, Region Seven, Region Eight, Region Nine and Indigenous communities in coastal communities in Region Two – Akawini (PomeroonSupenaam), Region Three – Santa Mission (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Region Four – St Cuthbert Mission/Pakuri (DemeraraMahaica), Region Five – Moraikobai (Mahaica-

Berbice), Region Six – Orealla and Siparuta (East BerbiceCorentyne) and Region 10 – River View (Upper DemeraraBerbice).

It also found that although the Indigenous population is culturally rich, they are among the most materially poor and socially excluded people. They experience poverty at twice and sometimes even five times more than non-Indigenous populations, the study found.

The report stated that Guyana does not have a recent measure of monetary poverty identifying that the most recent was from 2015 with data from 2006 but it identified that the Indigenous population continued to exhibit the highest level of poverty in Guyana.

The qualitative assessment showed that lack of money is not the only contributing factor to the level of poverty experienced by Indigenous communities; rather it is coupled with access to land, culture, medicine, food, education and safety. It was also discovered that most of the villagers depend on the help of their neighbours and religious organisations for assistance to deal with their situation.

“It was reported that some would use traditional medicines not because it was part of their culture, but because the drug was not available in the health facility, and they

WCD residents forced to endure day-long blackout

…GPL reports Edinburgh transformer down

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esidents along the West Coast of Demerara were forced to endure a power outage for almost an entire day on Thursday and for half of a day on Friday.

GPL has since reported that there was need to facilitate emergency repairs to a transformer at the Edinburgh sub-station.

On Thursday, residents complained that power went off at around 08:00hrs in the morning, and was restored until after 21:00hrs; and on Friday, the power went around 09:00hrs and was restored at around 15:00hrs.

Balram Kiven of Hague, West Coast Demerara said there have been constant power outages plaguing the community. “We are tired of this blackout (phenomenon), and if it is not blackout it is the low voltage, and all our appliances damaging,” he said.

Several other residents who indicated that they are fed up of the constant power outages reiterated Kiven’s

sentiments.

Just last month, GPL assured customers that normalcy in its electricity distribution would be restored.

The company said the constant blackouts were because of a generation shortfall at its Garden of Eden power station, and now with the recent fire at its Berbice location, it is down a further 3 megawatts.

The power company had,

at a press conference, urged persons whose appliances were damaged by power outages or fluctuation to file reports and they would be compensated.

In February, (GPL) had said it will be expending US$31 million for construction of four new substations at Wales, West Bank Demerara; Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway; Williamsburg, Corentyne; and Hydronie, East Bank Essequibo.

ern life facilities. That did not have money to buy in was coupled with the the local shops. lack of employment Many adolesopportunities resultcents would say ing in male migration, that they knew which quite often ends up with the male counother people terpart leaving their their age that would come to families to fend for school withthemselves. out having eatThe Indigenous People’s Affairs en, and/or withMinistry in collaboout money to ration with UNICEF buy something conducted the study. at the canteen.

For some teachThe aim of the study ers, and a conwas to contribute to a greater understanding siderable group of Indigenous women of students, and children regarding the warm meal cultural/traditional served in some of the primary practices as it relates schools would to medicines; sexual and reproductive constitute the main meal for The executive summary on the study on Indigenous health issues; build or strengthen the resilthe day,” part of Women and Children the report read. ience of children, famIn the 12 ilies, communities and to accessing good quality educommunities assessed, it was systems to natural disasters, cation, health and social serconflicts chronic systemic crifound that Indigenous womvices due to the lack of access ses and social conflicts. en and children are seriously to infrastructural and modAdditionally, it sought disadvantaged with it comes

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 livelihood 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.

12 news

saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Education Minister US Ambassador visits Lethem meets sweeper/cleaners Town Hall

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ducation Minister Nicolette Henry on Friday met with sweeper/cleaners at the St Stanislaus College to address their concerns and listen to them. In her remarks to the gathering, she said it is important that everyone is treated with dignity and respect at their place of work, and the same would apply to the sweeper/cleaner. The meeting stemmed from a number of protest by the sweeper/cleaners, whom she felt were being underpaid and unjustly treated by the Education Ministry.

Minister Henry told the gathering that she convened the meeting to hear from them ‘first-hand’ what are some of the issues affecting them. She announced that a decision has been made for all sweeper/ cleaners to be allowed to work a daily eight-hour shift, and that the previous six hours cap has been scrapped.

Additionally, Minister Henry announced that

A group of sweeper/cleaners during one of the protest exercises

sweeper/cleaners will now be paid for service provided during the school holiday, since their services will be required. Further Henry, according to an Education Ministry statement, assured that she would meet quarterly with sweeper/cleaners, to get their feedback and to gauge if improvements are being made in regard to their working condition and other issues that might be affecting sweeper/cleaners.

Over the July/August school break, the plight of schools’ sweeper-cleaners were brought to the fore when they took to the streets of Georgetown to protest what they describe as inhumane treatment from the authorities.

Demonstration exercises were held at the Ministry of the Presidency, Finance Ministry, and the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture Youth and Sport.

Councillor George Henry; Councillor Ahren Laundry; Ambassador Holloway’s wife, Rosaura Holloway; Town Clerk Keisha Vincent; US Ambassador Perry Holloway, and Lethem Mayor Carlton Beckles after the meeting

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S Ambassador Perry Holloway and his wife on Friday visited the Lethem Town Council. The Ambassador met with Mayor of Lethem,

Carlton Beckles, Town Clerk Keisha Vincent and the town’s Councillors.

Mayor Beckles took the time to update the Ambassador on a number of

plans and projects being undertaken by the Council and also extended an invitation to the Ambassador and his wife to Lethem Town Week.

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Dr Balwant Singh Hospital laboratory UNICEF hosts post-Hague receives international accreditation Conference Meeting

Executive Director of the GNBS, Candelle Bostwick (left) and GNBS Conformity Assessment Head Rodlyn Semple

Chief Executive Officer of the hospital, Dr Madhu Singh

he Dr Balwant Singh Hospital laboratory is now the first laboratory on the continent of South America to receive international ISO 15189 Accreditation from the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA). The laboratory received its accreditation on September 27.

ISO 15189 can be used by medical laboratories in developing their quality management systems and assessing their own competence. Laboratory customers, regulating authorities and accreditation bodies can also use it for confirming or recognising the competence of medical laboratories.

Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital, Dr Madhu Singh, at a press conference on Friday said the process was a long but rewarding one. She said the hard work towards accreditation began some two years ago with technical guidance from the

that the body serves as the national accreditation focal point and provided technical assistance to the hospital while noting that accreditation is crucial.

“Accreditation is a step higher than certification and is entirely voluntary.

It has to be done through regional or international bodies. A few laboratories in Guyana have received ISO certification from Regional Caribbean bodies.

Dr Balwant Singh Hospital Laboratory is the first laboratory to have achieved ISO accreditation from an international body. Dr Balwant Singh Hospital Laboratory is the first institution to have achieved A2LA accreditation in South America,” Laboratory Quality Manager, Gajendran said.

A2LA is a non-profit public service internationally recognised accreditation body in the US that offers laboratory related accreditation services.

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Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).

Meanwhile, Executive Director of the GNBS, Candelle Bostwick, congratulated the hospital on achieving the milestone and urged other institutions to get on board. She said the accreditation would allow the laboratory to have its test results recognised internationally, hence paving the way for health tourism.

“It is a milestone for this laboratory and this hospital because it is the first hospital in Guyana with an accredited laboratory so when you visit this hospital you have the full package. The doctors will use an accredited facility to diagnose your ailment or condition. An accreditation provides confidence in the results issued and A2LA is an accreditation body that is internationally recognised,” Bostwick said.

Additionally, GNBS Conformity Assessment Head, Rodlyn Semple said

A section of the gathering at the post-Hague Conference at the Pegasus Hotel

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s countries around the world move to implement measures to advance the protection of children, stakeholders gathered during a meeting at the Pegasus Hotel on Thursday which was held to determine which of the issues that surfaced at last year’s Hague Conference from which Guyana will sign or ratify.

The meeting was hosted by the Legal Affairs Ministry in partnership with the Hague Conference on Private International Law and UNICEF Guyana where discussions were held on The Hague Conference’s conclusions and recommendations.

UNICEF Representative Paolo Marchi observed the

importance of the right of the child conventions, saying that his organisation was pleased to be part of the meeting as well as last year’s consultations which focused on family law, legal cooperation and commerce, promoting human rights and cross-border trade.

The conventions which were addressed included The Child Protection Convention; Apostille; Choice of Court and Maintenance.

Representative of The Hague Conference on Private International Laws in Latin America and the Caribbean and facilitator of Thursday’s meeting, Ignacio Goicochea encouraged Guyana to implement the

conventions with full stakeholder participation, and to ensure that various points of view were addressed.

Meanwhile, Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams added that Government was pleased to facilitate the consultations, noting that The Hague Convention seeks to improve daily life.

“We understand that as part of this process, we must give solid consideration to the Hague Family Conventions,” he stressed.

Representatives from Government agencies and from civil society, including the Guyana Bar Associations and the Private Sector Commission attended the meeting.

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Gunmen trail woman Over 400 sexual abuse cases from Diamond bank for 2017 – CCPA …robs her of $500,000

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43-year-old woman is now in a traumatised state after two gunmen followed her from Diamond, East Bank Demerara to her home, also in Diamond, where they relieved her of some $500,000 in cash.

Reports are that the incident occurred at about 12:00h, as the woman arrived home from the bank after withdrawing the money, and she was in the process of entering her yard.

Two men, bearing guns reportedly exited a white Toyota Premio motorcar, and they pounced on the

woman snatching the bag of money from her hands.

The bag reportedly contained other personal documents as well. Police have since confirmed that one of the bandits attempted to snatch the woman’s iPhone from her hands, but after she put up a struggle, his accomplice was heard commanding him to “leave it alone!”

As such, they fled scene in a waiting motor car.

An investigation has been launched and Police are reviewing nearby CCTV footage in an effort to identify the bandits.

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s the country continues to kick up a storm over the heinous rape and murder of Berbice teenager, 13-year-old Leonardo Archibald, the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) has indicated that over 400 sexual abuse cases have been reported for the first half of 2017.

This was revealed by Director of CCPA, Ann Greene, in an interview with Guyana Times, earlier this week.

According to the Director, within the first six months of 2017, 424 cases of sexual abuse were reported and addressed by her Agency.

Greene thereby underlined that the total project for this year thus far marks an increase from what was seen in the previous years.

However, in addressing the hike up, she explained that, “Yes, there is an increase of reports. But persons need to understand that an increase in reports does not say that there is more child abuse now than last year. It can be due to the heighten

CCPA Director, Ann Greene

awareness where we have increased the channels of reporting.”

However, the CCPA Director pointed out that the increase in reports is a positive sign which indicates that the Agency’s efforts are bearing fruits. This is as the Agency embarks on a number of initiatives aimed at informing the public of their operations, allowing for more to individuals reach out so that the victims can benefit from the works

of the CCPA. “It has increased now, but look at how many programmes we have been doing. Because of the programmes we are doing, it would increase because people are more aware. We have ads going all over the country so people are getting more aware,” Greene conveyed.

In doing so, the Child Care Director further highlighted that while this figure sums those instances which have been brought to the attention of the CCPA, an alarming number of sexual abuse cases still go unreported.

On that note, she lamented, “The figures don’t really tell it too, because the reports we get is a tip of the iceberg because sexual abuse is a hidden crime, it is done behind closed doors.

Some of the children (who are victims), they literally do not have a voice to tell of the abuse. So you really have to analyse the figures and work at it.”

The Child Care and

Protection Agency seeks to reduce the occurrence and alleviate the effects of the abuse and neglect of children by the provision of effective services, reflecting their rights, particularly among communities and within in their family circle.

As a part of their goals for 2017, the Agency had launched a number of awareness programmes aimed at advocating for the rights and access to services for vulnerable and underserved Guyanese.

The ventures comprise of a national multimedia campaign, a special parenting initiative and a prevention of pregnancy and empowerment programme of adolescence, which managed to reach citizens all across the country. Given the spike in reports recorded just months after the launch of these initiatives, the CCPA has expressed satisfaction with their work on the belief that they have been able reached a wider section of the Guyanese population.

Catalans occupy voting stations to defy Madrid’s order to stop referendum

People enter Joan Maragall High School, one of the designated polling stations for the banned October 1 independence referendum, to spend the night in Barcelona, Spain (Reuters)

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upporters of Catalan independence began occupying polling stations on Friday, setting up a possible confrontation with police who have been ordered to clear them out

by Sunday morning to ensure a referendum cannot go ahead.

The central government, which has sent thousands of Police reinforcements to stop people voting and has attempted to dismantle the infrastructure needed to conduct the referendum it says is illegal, insisted it would not go ahead.

Catalan leader Carles Puigdemont told Reuters in an interview, however: “Everything is prepared at the more than 2000 voting points so they have ballot boxes and voting slips, and have everything people need

to express their opinion.”

Bands played at a closing rally for the referendum campaign in Barcelona where people constructed the slogan “Referendum is democracy” in big white letters on a stage in front of a cheering crowd, many draped in the red-and-yellow Catalan flag.

People preparing to camp out in polling stations in order to defy court orders to close them were also in high spirits. At one Barcelona school, Hector, a 43-year-old local, said five or six families would be spending the night.

The head of the Catalan regional police ordered officers to evacuate and close polling stations by 06:00h on Sunday, before the voting is due to open at 09:00h. (Excerpt from Yahoo! News)

news

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017 | guyanatimesgy.com

Child Protection Week 1 arrested in NA calls on communities to execution attempt RCC be more proactive … shooting may have stemmed from old grievance – Police

Fenton Bell

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ne man has been arrested as Police continue with their investigations into Tuesday night’s shooting at Islington New Amsterdam, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).

Guyana Times understands that Police have now received new information that the shooting stemmed from a grievance between the victim and the gunman.

On Tuesday at about 19:30h, four gunshots were fired at Fenton Bell at his Lot 2 Islington, Greater New Amsterdam home, with one grazing his neck.

However, sources close

to the investigation told this newspaper that Police were informed that on Monday night, shots were also fired at him.

Following Tuesday’s shooting, residents reported to the Police that that was the second time in two days shots were fired at Bell.

Divisional Commander, Assistant Commander Linden Alves in an invited comment confirmed that one person is in custody and also noted that Bell did not provide the information which residents in the community have provided.

Alves said investigating ranks have been instructed to revisit the scene. “Having gotten additional information this morning [Thursday morning], I have instructed that the crime scene ranks return to the scene and comb it to see if they will be able to locate any spent shells.

As it is the investigation is ongoing and we will try as hard as possible to bring the perpetrator to justice.”

The Assistant Commissioner said Bell did not inform the Police that there was a shooting in the same area on Monday evening.

Police in a release on

Wednesday said at about 17:35h, Bell having just parted company with a Policeman with whom he was having a conversation, came under a hail of gunshots, resulted in his injury.

Bell had told this newspaper that on one occasion, someone stole a boat and engine that he owned. Guyana Times understands that the boat was subsequently returned.

Alves speaking with this publication on Thursday, said investigators were told

by Bell that he and an individual had an altercation earlier in the day. “He was not specific as to what caused the altercation. He did name the individual and as a result of that information, that person is currently in custody assisting with the investigation.”

Reports are that two men in the community had a misunderstanding going back several years and one recently, ordered the death of the other and attempts were made on that person’s life. Tuesday night’s shooting is said to be as a result of that.

Police are continuing their investigation.

From left: Nicole Cole, Commissioner of Women and Gender Equality; Commissioner Colleen Anthony; Suelle Williams, RCC Commissioner; RCC Chief Executive Officer Amar Panday; RCC Investigation Officer Andre Gonsalves; and ChildLink Guyana Programme Manager, Kean Chase at the RCC press conference

I

n observance of Child Protection Week, the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) has called for more proactive involvement of communities in protecting children.

During a press conference on Friday, Investigation Officer of RCC, Andre Gonsalves, is calling on the community to be more proactive as it relates to child protection.

“I think we have to go back a little further to take a look at our community, and our community relationship with the family. Somewhere along the line, we are failing, our community is failing to support the institution of the family. We need some kind of intervention from that part.” Sharing the same view, Programme Manager of non-governmental organisa-

Nappi residents urged to properly manage catchment area

The water reservoir located on Nappi lands in central Rupununi, Region Nine, will bring relief to Indigenous communities during the dry season

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aintaining Nappi’s natural environment is key to the village becoming a hub for eco-tourism in Central Rupunini, Region Nine. This was the view of Indigenous Peoples Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock.

Nappi has a huge water reservoir which was recently completed through a public-private partnership. The lake is buttressed by a 450m dam and can store 4.5m cubic meters of water at its maximum.

The water reservoir located on Nappi lands in central Rupununi, Region Nine, will bring relief to indig-

enous communities during the dry season.

Following reports that persons were planning to build their houses close to the lake in an inconsistent manner, Minister Allicock told residents that they need to create a plan that will see them properly managing the area while generating income.

During a ministerial outreach, he urged the Village Council to explore the option of creating a ‘uniform community’ close to the catchment area.

This area, he said, can include a solar farm, internet hub, supermarkets, community centres, schools and recre-

ational facilities.

“You cannot just go and live as you like, there needs to be proper management of the area… You should be bringing a plan to us, one that creates employment and generate income for the village. Come with recommendations, creativity and then we will take the next step”, Allicock is quoted as saying by the Department of Public Information.

The minister advised the residents to take advantage of the funding and assistance through the ministries of Business, Agriculture, and Indigenous Peoples Affairs. He noted they can develop a tourism package that will attract tourist since there is potential for hiking, biking, horse riding, boating, and sport fishing.

Minister Allicock emphasised that the Indigenous People need to move away from the “dependency syndrome” where they wait for the government to hand them everything.

“It is time you come with your plans and ideas to generate your own income… The community is not very far from Lethem, and the population is growing, what plans do you have for your economic growth…We have to begin to manage our own affairs. Stop complaining and get up and get,” the Minister reiterated.

The catchment area is a natural depression in the land in a section not utilised by the community, for either farming or cattle rearing. The project began earlier this year to bring relief to the communities during the dry season.

tion ChildLink Guyana, Kean Chase, disclosed that the community has a pivotal role to play in child protection. She emphasised that persons must recognise the institution cannot address the issue of child protection alone and appealed to residents of communities to be vigilant.

She highlighted in recent visits to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), it was noted that the area has the highest case of child sexual abuse; however, many persons were unaware of the commission or where to lodge reports.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Amar Panday, said that the agency has been involved in several activities with various organisations to enhance the livelihood of children throughout Guyana.

Some of the organisations which the Commission has been engaging include the Sophia Holding Centre (NOC), the Timehri and New Amsterdam prisons, several Regional Democratic Councils, and regional and district Hospitals.

He explained the recent Youth Ambassador’s Programme – an important development of the Commission along with its partners – was as a result of a critical recommendation made through the United Nations (UN) committee report to Guyana.

“The Youth Ambassador’s Programme is an initiative where children and young peo-

ple, initially Regions Three [Essequibo Islands-West Demerara], Four [DemeraraMahaica] and Five [MahaicaBerbice] are trained to serve in their schools, communities and regions as youth ambassadors for child protection and education,” Panday is quoted by the Department of Public Information as saying.

Work was also conducted in all the regions, including the Indigenous and hinterland communities to educate residents on the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The CEO disclosed that the Commission is also engaging the Guyana Police Force (GPF) with regard to the handling of cases involving children.

“We have been doing a lot of work with the Guyana Police Force. In many of its divisions… engaging with officers and ranks; providing capacity building, trainings and orientation as to what are the psychosocial and professional responsibilities of Police Officers when handling cases involving children,” he posited.

In light of the recent case of the late Leonard Archibald, Panday said the Commission is actively liaising with the Guyana Police Force to ensure his family receives justice.

The Commission is encouraging persons to lodge reports of child abuse at its office at 66 Peter Rose and Anira Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown, or through whatever means necessary.

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017

Regional

US pulls staff from Cuba over ‘specific attacks’

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he US is withdrawing more than half of its staff at its embassy in Cuba in response to mysterious attacks which left its diplomats unwell.

Washington is also warning Americans not to visit the country because some attacks occurred in hotels.

At least 21 staff reported health problems ranging from mild brain trauma and deafness to dizziness and nausea.

Describing the US decision as "hasty", Cuba said it would affect bilateral ties but co-operation would continue. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the two countries would continue to

At least 21 employees at the US embassy in Havana fell ill

cooperate in investigating the attacks and said diplomatic ties would be maintained.

Earlier reports suggested that sonic attacks were to blame. Cuba denies any

involvement. At least two Canadians were also affected.

The US is ordering all non-essential staff in the embassy in Havana to leave, along with all family mem-

bers. Only "emergency personnel" will remain.

The US has suspended visa processing in Cuba indefinitely.

"Until the government of Cuba can ensure safety of our people, we will be reduced to emergency personnel," a US state department official said.

"At least 21 employees have been targeted in specific attacks," the official said.

Despite an investigation involving the FBI, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Cuban authorities, there is still no full explanation as to the cause of the incidents since late 2016. (Excerpt

from BBC News)

Dominica’s PM is angry at a certain group of people as Hurricane aid is distributed

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eople making claims that partisan politics is playing a role in aid distribution to residents of storm-ravaged Dominica today evoked the ire of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

So angry was he at the people he said were seeking to undermine the future of Dominicans that he repeatedly said he was “pissed off” and just as frequently called on

the guilty parties to stop making “unfounded, baseless, malicious allegations” that would only hurt the country.

It was at his daily media briefing that Skerrit lashed out at the culprits.

“This talk about food supplies and partisanship with food supplies and politicians are the ones dealing with the delivery of food supplies – this is total nonsense; total non-

sense,” he said, insisting that regional and international agencies were the ones distributing the aid.

“The supplies are coming in; there are structures, there are limitations in terms of places to store the food supplies in communities because every single home got damaged in the country, and people who are seeking to undermine the government’s efforts

of bringing relief and bringing aid and bringing restoration of services to our country need to stop it.”

Skerrit acknowledged there were some legitimate complaints and better structures would be put in place to facilitate the more efficient delivery of supplies.

But he said the spreading of misinformation had to end.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Colombia’s ELN rebel commander orders ceasefire beginning Sunday

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he commander of Colombia’s Marxist ELN rebels on Friday ordered fighters to begin a ceasefire this weekend as the group struggles through complicated peace talks with the government aimed at ending five decades of war.

Nicolas Rodriguez, known by his war alias Gabino, told the National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas to begin their part in a bilateral ceasefire agreement with President Juan Manuel Santos’s government starting on Sunday and running through mid-January.

The ELN is in talks in Ecuador to end its part in a conflict involving government troops, leftist rebels, crime gangs and right-wing paramilitaries. Since negotiations began in February, the ELN has continued to take hostages for

During the ceasefire, agreed on September 4, the insurgent group has pledged to suspend hostage taking, attacks on roads and oil installations, the use of landmines and the recruitment of minors. In turn, the government agreed to improve protection for community leaders and conditions for about 450 jailed rebels. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Nicolas Rodriguez waves to the media next to Antonio Garcia, representatives of Colombian National Liberation Army (ELN) during a joint news conference with Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in Havana, Cuba May 11, 2017

ransom and in recent weeks stepped up bomb attacks on oil companies.

“It wasn’t easy to reach this agreement but finally we achieved it. Since talks began with Santos’s government we

have insisted on the urgency of this ceasefire because it stops offensive actions and brings important humanitarian relief to the Colombian population,” Rodriguez said in a video message.

Brazil's worst month ever for forest fires blamed on human activity

B

razil has seen more forest fires in September than in any single month since records began, and authorities have warned that 2017 could surpass the worst year on record if action is not taken soon.

Experts say that the blazes are almost exclusively due to human activity, and they attribute the uptick to the expansion of agriculture and a reduction of oversight and surveillance. Lower than av-

erage rainfall in this year’s dry season is also an exacerbating factor.

The National Institute of Space Research (INPE) has detected 106,000 fires destroying natural vegetation so far this month – the highest number in a single month since records began in 1998, said Alberto Setzer, coordinator of INPE’s fire monitoring satellite programme.

“It is fundamental to understand that these are not natural fires. They are man-

made,” Setzer said. Fires are commonly used during Brazil’s dry period to deforest land and clear it for raising cattle or other agricultural or extraction purposes.

The total number of blazes since January 1, 2017, was 196,000, and Seltzer expressed concern that – with the dry season continuing in Brazil’s Amazon – 2017 could surpass the worst year on record, 2004, when there were 270,000 fires. (Excerpt from

The Guardian)

High court in Trinidad rejects Warner’s legal challenge to extradition

F

ormer FIFA Vice President Jack Warner has lost his lawsuit challenging his extradition to the United States to answer charges of fraud arising out of the massive FIFA bribery scandal.

Delivering a 50-page ruling in the High Court on Wednesday afternoon, Justice James Aboud dismissed the claim for judicial review brought by Warner, CNC3 reported.

Warner’s attorneys had challenged the process used

by the Office of the Attorney General in signing off on the US Government’s request for his extradition in May 2015.

It means that the extradition proceedings, which were on hold while Warner’s challenge was being heard, will now resume in the Port of Spain Magistrate’s Court.

There was agreement, however, for the stay on the extradition proceedings to remain for 28 days to give Warner time to consider whether he wants to appeal the decision. (Caribbean News Now)

US Navy rescues 2 men after plane crashes off Dominica

Sailors escort a rescued resident of French Guadalupe on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp following a search and rescue mission

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wo men were rescued by the US Navy on Thursday after their private plane crashed off Dominica’s coast.

Commander Mike Kafka, a spokesman for Fleet Forces Command said the USS Wasp, the Navy amphibious assault ship that is assisting with relief efforts off the Eastern Caribbean island battered by Hurricane Maria – was contacted by the French Coast Guard that the civilian Cessna with two people on board was report-

ed to be going down in the Caribbean Sea. The plane crashed around 13:30h. A helicopter from USS Wasp located the two passengers, one from Guadeloupe and the other from Antigua, around 17:30h after a 45-minute search.

The Navy said the men, both in their early 50s, were treated aboard the US Navy ship. Kafka said the men were “in good condition” and were “mostly dehydrated”.

(Caribbean360)

Trump lifts Puerto Rico shipping restrictions

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resident Donald Trump lifted US shipping restrictions on storm-battered Puerto Rico for 10 days on Thursday, temporarily removing a legal obstacle blamed for slowing the disaster relief response to Hurricane Maria, the White House said.

A 1920 law that restricts shipments between American ports to US-owned and operated cargo ships has been preventing foreign-flagged ships from delivering relief aid to the US territory.

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said Trump waived the Jones Act in response to a request from the island's governor, Ricardo Rossello.

“It will go into effect immediately,” she told AFP. Critics of the Jones Act say the lack of competition with foreign shippers makes any

US Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162, embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), and area residents unload food from an MV-22 Osprey aircraft in Jayuya, Puerto Rico on Wednesday

shipment from the US mainland to Puerto Rico 30 per cent more expensive than it would be from a foreign port.

“We are grateful that our cries for justice were heard and that the president did the right thing and stood on

the right side of history,” San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz said on CNN after the waiver was announced.

The Department of Homeland Security said the waiver would last only 10 days. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

saturDAY, september 30, 2017

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

India: At least 22 killed in China to shut down North Mumbai station stampede Korean companies

C

hina has told North Korean companies operating in its territory to close down as it implements United Nations sanctions against the reclusive state. The companies will be shut by early January. Joint Chinese and North Korean ventures will also be forced to close.

China, Pyongyang's only major ally, has already banned textile trade and limited oil exports. The move is part of an international response to North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test.

The UN Security

Mumbai's Elphinstone station connects two of the city's major local lines

A

t least 22 people have been killed and dozens more injured in a stampede on a bridge near a railway station in India's financial hub of Mumbai.

The incident on Friday occurred during morning rush hour amid a heavy downpour on a footbridge in Mumbai's Elphinstone station, which connects two of the city's major local lines.

TV footage showed injured people lying on the ground and locals attempting to revive them by administering chest compressions. Officials said the death toll was likely to rise.

"There was chaos all around on the narrow bridge, people jumped over each other, and many were seriously injured," Police Officer Sunil Deshmukh said.

Railways spokesman Ravinder Bhakar said a number of people had taken shelter near the train station to escape the heavy rain.

"A stampede-like situation developed. More than 30 people are injured," he told dpa news agency.

The stampede was triggered by falling concrete that hit the bridge railing,

causing people in the crowd to surge forward to escape as they thought the bridge was collapsing, Mumbai police official Gansham Patel said.

Avinash Supe, dean of KEM Hospital, told AFP news agency there were 22 dead.

"There was a huge crowd on the FOB [foot overbridge].

Everybody tried to leave at once, and it appeared one of them slipped and fell, triggering the stampede," Indian Railways spokesman Anil Saxena told reporters. (Excerpt

from Al Jazeera)

Merkel, Macron pledge to lead EU forward post-Brexit

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rench President Emmanuel Macron won backing from Angela Merkel for plans to reform the European Union after Brexit, founded on what the German chancellor called “intense” cooperation between Paris and Berlin.

But many leaders remained wary of ambitious new projects, doubting the appetite of voters for giving up national control and fearing the continued strength of anti-EU sentiment that is taking Britain out of the bloc and saw the far-right win dozens of seats in the German parliament in Sunday’s election.

“Last night’s discussions showed there’s a common realization of a need for a leap forward in Europe,” Macron told reporters on Friday after an EU summit dinner that stretched beyond midnight in the Estonian capital Tallinn.

“Today we’re all convinced Europe must move ahead faster and stronger, for more sovereignty, more unity and more democracy.”

Macron voiced satisfaction with summit chair Donald Tusk’s commitment to report back to EU leaders when they meet again in three weeks with propos-

als for concrete steps to be taken.

Tusk himself referred to a profusion of reform initiatives, such as those from Macron in a barnstorming

pro-European speech at the Sorbonne on Tuesday and

by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker earlier this month.

(Reuters)

Council, of which China is a member, voted unanimously for fresh sanctions on 11 September. China's commerce ministry said it had set a deadline of 120 days from the passing of the resolution for any North Korean companies within its borders to close.

N Korea: Where is the war of words heading?

North Korea in nine charts North Korea is politically and economically isolated, and the vast majority of its trade is with China.

Beijing has traditionally been protective of its neighbour, but has sharply criti-

cised its nuclear tests and escalating rhetoric.

Earlier this year, it clamped down on its purchase of coal from Pyongyang and on seafood and iron trade across the border. Coupled with the textile trade ban, North Korea has lost several of its scant sources of foreign currency income.

Beijing has been under public pressure to take action from US President Donald Trump, who has both applauded and denounced Chinese policy at different times. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

US health secretary Tom Price quits after plane scandal

U

S Health Secretary Tom Price has resigned over the use of expensive private planes for official business.

He previously apologised after making 26 private flights since May at a cost of $400,000 (£300,000) to taxpayers.

Government officials, except those dealing with national security matters, are required to take commercial flights for work related travel.

Three other members of President Donald Trump's cabinet are under scrutiny for using private planes while working.

A White House statement said President Trump had accepted Mr Price's resignation, adding that Don J Wright had been designated as acting health secretary.

Mr Wright is currently deputy assistant secretary for

US Health Secretary Tom Price

health.

In his letter of resignation, seen by the New York Times, Price said he regretted that "recent events have created a distraction" from the work of the health department.

An investigation by the political news website Politico found that Price's travels had cost more than US$1 million (£750,000).

As well as the US$400,000

for private flights, that figure includes the cost of military aircraft used for Mr Price's trips abroad, Politico added. President Trump had earlier said he was "not happy" with the expense.

Hours before Price's resignation he told White House reporters: "He's a very fine man. We're going to make a decision sometime tonight. He's a very, very fine man." (Excerpt from BBC News)

Syrian doctors decry fresh Iraq imposes flight wave of hospital attacks ban on Kurdish

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enewed bombing of hospitals in Syria’s six-year civil war by forces loyal to the government of Bashar al-Assad has sparked strong condemnations by human rights groups and despair among local doctors, who have accused the international community of ignoring attacks on medical facilities.

Doctors said four hospitals had been hit over the past week in Idlib, a rebel-controlled province bordering Turkey, and Hama, the scene of recent fighting despite a monthslong ceasefire brokered by Ankara and Moscow.

A fifth hospital in Idlib was damaged on Friday afternoon after a nearby residential building was bombed, killing 14 people, local sources said.

Two hospitals were evacuated on Wednesday over

region after poll

A Damage at al-Tah hospital, which collapsed after an airstrike in the Maarrat al-Nu’man district of Idlib

fears of a possible bombing.

The attacks, which have been deemed by UN investigators a systematic attempt by the Syrian government to target healthcare facilities, have placed dire strain on doctors, working under fire with few resources, amid an escalation of violence in recent days in the area, the last bastion of rebel forces battling to over-

throw Assad.

Dozens of civilians have been killed over the last week and a half, amid an ongoing rebel offensive in Hama and retaliatory airstrikes on civilians in Idlib. MSF said six of the hospitals it supports in the two provinces received 241 wounded and identified 61 dead between September 20 and 27. (Excerpt from The Guardian)

ban on international flights into Iraq's Kurdish region has gone into effect after the central government in Baghdad retaliated against a vote for secession that has also drawn opposition from neighbouring countries.

Iraq's Kurds overwhelmingly backed a split from Baghdad in a referendum on Monday, defying foreign powers which fear the vote could lead to regional instability.

The ban came into force at 18:00h (15:00 GMT) on Friday. Foreign airlines suspended flights to the region's Erbil and Sulaimaniya, obeying a notice from the government in Baghdad, which controls Iraqi air

space.

Domestic flights are still allowed, so travellers are expected to travel to Kurdistan mostly via Baghdad's airport, which will come under strain from the extra traffic.

Erbil airport was busier than usual on Friday as passengers scrambled to catch the last flights out.

Al Jazeera's Hoda AbdelHamid, reporting from Erbil International Airport, said: "We saw many people throughout the day leaving ahead of schedule simply because they were afraid to be blocked here and not be able to return to their homes, or because they did not want to go through Baghdad to catch an international flight". (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

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guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, september 30, 2017

ARCHIE

ARIES

Discuss your ideas and

(March 21- plans with someone you’ve April 19) collaborated with in the past.

Working alongside someone who shares your vision will result in accomplishments.

Evaluate your current lot TAURUS in life and consider what you (April 20- can do to make things better.

May 20) Someone you are close to will offer interesting alternatives that should be considered.

dilbert

Stand tall, speak up and GEMINI (May 21- do your own thing. Check the June 20) online job market, and network with people who can offer advice and information that can help you advance.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

Do your best to take care of personal business and partnership agreements. Make amends with someone you’ve had a falling out with and find a way to move forward.

Speak up about the way you feel and what you want.

It’s time to bring about the changes that will make you happy. Honesty and action will help you get what you want.

Your desire to experiment VIRGO will lead to difficult choices.

(Aug. 23Don’t feel obligated to make Sept. 22) a hasty decision or take on something that is too costly or risky.

Don’t feel you must be imLIBRA (Sept. 23- pulsive just because someone Oct. 23) else is. Aim to stabilize any situation you face with intelligence and common sense.

You will come out on top if you keep your head.

WORD GAME

SUDOKU

Your compassion and unSCORPIO derstanding will be honour(Oct. 24able, but don’t let anyone take Nov. 22) advantage of your kindness and generosity. Offer suggestions, not cash.

Consider your vocationSAGITTARIUS al options and how best to (Nov. 23- use your skills to get ahead.

Dec. 21) Starting a small side business could help you lower any debt you’ve incurred.

A getaway for two or the CAPRICORN family will bring you closer (Dec. 22- together. Make sure you have Jan. 19) all your documents in order before venturing away from home.

solution for LAST PUBLISHED Puzzle If you love someone, say so.

AQUARIUS Divulging your feelings will (Jan. 20- help you figure out where you Feb. 19) stand and what you can do. A joint venture looks promising.

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

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

A change at work or home PISCES (Feb. 20- is best handled with care. You March 20) may not like what’s happening, but if you are patient, you will discover the result isn’t so bad.

saturDAY, september 30, 2017

19

Proteas in charge after Elgar, Amla cash in S

outh Africa had well and truly established their dominance over Bangladesh by the time they walked off on the second evening at Senwes Park, making important inroads into the Bangladesh line-up in the final session. That, after they declared their first innings on 496 for 3, highlighted by Dean Elgar, who missed out on a maiden Test double century by one run.

Bangladesh went into stumps at 127 for 3, having lost the big wicket of their captain Mushfiqur Rahim half an hour before the close.

The timing of the dismissal left Bangladesh precariously placed, but Tamim Iqbal, who did not take his customary position at the top of the order, joined Mominul Haque to see off the crucial final period, Tamim ending the day with a huge six off the left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.

The talk of the day, however, was Elgar, who became the 10th batsman in history to fall at 199. South Africa's innings lost steam after his exit halfway through the middle session, before Faf du Plessis opted not to bat on after the tea break and declared.

South Africa dominated pretty much all of the

well but didn't look totally in control against Maharaj. He did smack him for six, with his favoured slog sweep, but Maharaj eventually had his man. After having found Mushfiqur's outside edge with ones that spun away, Maharaj got one to drift into the right-hander and find the inside-edge to have him caught off the bat-pad at

SCOREBOARD Hashim Amla (left) and Dean Elgar contributions gave South Africa the ascendency in the first Test

first two sessions. Elgar and Hashim Amla eased away to milestones - Elgar moving to his first 150-plus score and Amla notching up his 27th Test century to tie Graeme Smith at second place among South Africa's leading Test centurions. The fluency of both batsmen meant that the first session yielded 113 runs.

When Bangladesh began their reply, it took less than six overs for the first signs of trouble to emerge. Imrul Kayes was undone by a short ball from Kagiso Rabada that crept on him consider-

ably. With the ball angling away from him, Imrul failed to take his hands out, gloving a catch to gully.

Liton looked more comfortable against the short ball, twice pulling Morne Morkel with ease. But he fell to a fuller ball in Morkel's next over, playing away from the body to send an edge the way of Amla at first slip.

At 36 for 2, Mushfiqur and Mominul Haque joined hands to save Bangladesh from a top-order meltdown, choosing to counter-attack. Mushfiqur began with a boundary through

point and Mominul pulled Rabada twice the following over. Despite his short stay, Mushfiqur's strike rate of 77.19 was enough to get South Africa to start opening up the field to him and switch to a fuller length.

Maharaj, however, troubled Mushfiqur immediately after the drinks break, finding his outside edge in successive overs, Mushfiqur closing his bat against the turn both times. But on both occasions, Elgar dropped straightforward chances.

Mushfiqur continued to tackle the short deliveries

Haye, Bellew rematch set for December 17 D

Tony Bellew (right) was fighting in his first bout at heavyweight when he beat Haye in March

short leg.

Tamim walked in at No. 5 for the first time in his career and manfully saw off Bangladesh in the company of Mominul. They tackled a dicey last 8.5 overs with few nervous moments, before Tamim finished off the day by running out to Maharaj and lofting him for six over long-on. (ESPN Cricinfo)

avid Haye and Tony Bellew will meet in a heavyweight rematch on 17 December at the O2 Arena in London.

After a fiery pre-fight build-up, WBC cruiserweight world champion Bellew stopped Haye in the 11th round in their first meeting in March.

Haye injured an Achilles in the sixth round before falling to the third defeat of his career.

"I'll be victorious and end Haye's career. Another loss to me closes the curtain on the Hayemaker," said Bellew.

"I will have the exact same attitude I had going into the first fight - win at all costs."

Former WBA heavyweight champion Haye needed surgery following the defeat by Liverpool's Bellew, and has since split with trainer Shane McGuigan.

"Last time the script was thrown out the window and the unpredictability of sport revealed itself in its most raw form," Haye said.

"Bellew somehow won the lottery in our first fight, but believe me, he won't win the lottery twice.

"I've been training every day for over six months. I already feel fitter, stronger and more athletic than I did for our first showdown. I will relish the opportunity to re-write the ending of the Haye-Bellew story." (BBC Sport)

Stumps Day 2 South Africa 1st Innings D Elgar c Mominul Haque b Mustafizur Rahman 199 AK Markram run out (Sabbir Rahman/Mehidy Hasan Mir az) 97 HM Amla c Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Shafiul Islam 137 T Bavuma not out 31 F du Plessis* not out 26 Extras (lb-4, w-2) 6 Total (For 3 wickets declared, 146 overs) 496 Did not bat: Q de Kock †, AL Phehlukwayo, KA Maharaj, K Rabada, M Morkel, D Olivier Fall of wickets: 1-196, 2-411, 3-445 Bowling Mustafizur Rahman 27-2-98-1 (w-1), Shafiul Islam 25-5-74-1 (w-1), Mehidy Hasan Miraz 56-4-178-0, Taskin Ahmed 26-5-88-0, Mahmudullah 5-024-0, Mominul Haque 2-0-15-0,

Sabbir Rahman 5-1-15-0 Bangladesh 1st Innings Liton Das†c Amla b Morkel 25 Imrul Kayes c Markram b Rabada 7 Mominul Haque not out 28 Mushfiqur Rahim* c Markram b Maharaj 44 Tamim Iqbal not out 22 Extras (lb-1) 1 Total (For 3 wickets, 34 overs) 127 Yet to bat: Mahmudullah, Sabbir Rahman, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taskin Ahmed, Shafiul Islam, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-36, 3-103 Bowling Morkel 7-1-34-1, Rabada 9-2-23-1, Maharaj 11-3-38-1, Olivier 5-1-270, Phehlukwayo 2-1-4-0 Position: Bangladesh trail by 369 runs with 7 wickets remaining

GCA actionpacked weekend bowls off

T

he Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) through their various sponsors, will continue their first and second division competitions, this weekend with matches set for venues across the city.

In the G.I.S.E/Star Party Rental/Trophy Stall twoday 1st division tournament which bowls off today, will see; Everest Cricket Club looking to arrest the Police officers team at the Everest Ground on Camp Road from 9:30hrs.

Everest CC will also begin their battle with Diplomats at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) Ground today from 10:30hrs

in the Noble House Seafoods 2nd division two-day competition.

Meanwhile, the first match in the recently launched New Building Society 40-overs tourney will get underway from 10:30hrs today as well when the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) square off with GNIC at the legendary Bourda Cricket Ground while Malteenoes will be at home to GYO and Transport will tackle Ace Warriors at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground, Queenstown.

On Sunday, DCC will host Third Class from 10:30h.

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017

GCB/Jaguars 3-Day League

Hooper, Latchaya put Upper Corentyne in control U

pper Corentyne went to bed on day one in a comfortable position after ending with a 37run lead over table-leaders Essequibo when the GCB/ Jaguars 3-Day League continued on Friday with the start of round five.

Contested at the Port Mourant Ground in Berbice, Upper Corentyne were strongly placed on 190-3 from 50 overs at stumps, thanks to an unbroken 68run partnership between David Latchaya who compiled 66 not out from 68 balls (8x4, 1x6) and wicket-keeper batsman Anthony Bramble who struck an unbeaten 43 with four fours and two sixes.

Openers Kandasammy Surujnarine and Balchand Baldeo made 34 and 28 respectively with Joshua Ramsammy being the other batsman dismissed for 3.

Essequibo skipper Anthony Adams picked up 2-57 while Keemo Paul ended with

– Reifer blasts 100 for West Dem County boys, ending with sublime figures of 5-63 including the big scalp of Ricardo Adams for 10.

Support came from former national U19 all-rounder Shawn Perreira who chipped in with 3-34.

Boodie and Paul (18) added 68 for the first wicket before the latter was stumped off the bowling of Perreira while in-form batsman Kemol Savory

notched up Essequibo’s next best score of 22 before falling to Hooper.

With Hooper and Perreira sharing eight wickets, table leaders scorecard reflected poor scores with only; Chaitram Persaud (18), Akinie Adams (10) and Vishi Surujpaul (14) were the others to enter double figures.

Raymon Reifer 1-54.

Batting first , Essequibo were knocked over for a first innings score of 153 in 47.1 overs, with opener Kevon Boodie who showed glimpses of form in the previous rounds, top-scoring with an even 50 off 57 balls inclusive of seven boundaries.

Upper Corentyne’s bowling was led by seasoned off-spinner Eon Hooper who tormented the Cinderella

David Latchaya

West Berbice vs. East Bank at Bushlot Ground

Kevon Boodie

Eon Hopper

Pakistan hit back after Chandimal big ton

S

ri Lanka rode Dinesh Chandimal's slowburn 155 not out to 419 - their best total in six Tests - before Pakistan's openers moved to 64 unbeaten by stumps. Though the match is more or less in the balance, thanks to Pakistan's resurgence in

Dinesh Chandimal

the third session, Sri Lanka will also be pleased with their day's work. Their fans had hoped their team would suck less in this series than they had against India; only the very optimistic would have thought them capable of failing to suck for quite this length of time.

Had their tail scrapped together 50 further runs after going to tea at 403 for 7, Sri Lanka could even have claimed to be in control of the contest. As it happened, Mohammad Abbas wiped out the lower order with reverse swing, before Shan

Masood and Sami Aslam progressed steadily in the final 80 minutes of play. The leftarm wristspin of Lakshan Sandakan posed them occasional problems, but the remaining bowlers were comfortably negotiated.

But although Chandimal would have slept much easier if Sri Lanka had had a breakthrough, this was nevertheless his day. He was somewhat inert in the morning session, hitting two runs off his first

20 balls, but warmed to his work eventually, moving from 60 to 109 inside the extended first session. Where at other times, Chandimal has celebrated a triple-figure score by completing a lap of the field, more or less, this was a more restrained celebration, to go with the m a ture

ethos of the innings. At times, he was barely watchable, deadbatting ball after ball, and poking unambitiously to fielders, but the innings was invaluable to his team. The slow rate of his progress also means Yasir Shah - Sri Lanka's tormentor in the 2015 series between these sides has been made to deliver a mammoth 57 overs. Sri Lanka have had moderate success after tiring Yasir out, in the past. (ESPN Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD Stumps on Day 2 Sri Lanka 1st Innings FDM Karunaratne run out (Mohammad Abbas/†Sarfraz Ah med) 93 JK Silva b Hasan Ali 12 HDRL Thirimanne lbw b Yasir Sh ah 0 BKG Mendis c †Sarfraz Ahmed b Yasir Shah 10 LD Chandimal* not out 155 N Dickwella† b Hasan Ali 83 MDK Perera lbw b Haris Sohail 33 HMRKB Herath c Babar Azam b Yasir Shah 4 RAS Lakmal lbw b Mohammad Abbas 7 PADLR Sandakan lbw b Mohammad Abbas 8 ANPR Fernando b Mohammad Abbas 0 Extras (lb-11, nb-3) 14 Total (All out, 154.5) 419 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-35,

3-61, 4-161, 5-295, 6-387, 7-396, 8-408, 9-419, 10-419 Bowling: Mohammad Amir 27-5-63-0, Mohammad Abbas 26.5-0-75-3 (nb-2), Yasir Shah 57-11-120-3, Hasan Ali 27-688-2 (nb-1), Shan Masood 1-10-0, Haris Sohail 13-0-51-1, Asad Shafiq 3-0-11-0 Pakistan 1st Innings Shan Masood not out 30 Sami Aslam not out 31 Extras (lb-2, nb-1) 3 Total (For no wicket, 23 overs) 64 Yet to bat: Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (c) †, Mohammad Amir, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali Bowling Lakmal 4-0-120 (nb-1), Fernando 5-0-130, Perera 6-1-24-0, Sandakan 5-1-5-0, Herath 3-0-8-0 Position: Pakistan trail by 355 runs with 10 wickets remaining

West Berbice 140 all out in 42.2 overs with Andrew Dutchin’s 45-ball 28 being the top score as all-rounders Ronaldo AliMohammed (3-43), Sherfane Rutherford (3-29) and Steven Jacobs (3-30) ripped through their batting. East Bank were 1617 in reply with Jacobs (61),

Rutherford (23) and Sachin Singh (29), getting among the runs.

Georgetown vs. West Demerara at Tuschen Ground Batting first, West Demerara racked up 333 all out in 97.3 overs compliments of an even century West Indies Test selectee all-rounder Raymon Reifer and 52 from Romario Shepherd. Together Reifer and Shepherd featured in a 107-run stand. Tevin Imlach (28), Mahendra Dhanpaul (31) and 23 apiece from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Travis Persaud, completed a good batting performance.

Georgetown Captain Leon Johnson was the stand out bowler with 3-67, with support coming from Robin Bacchus (3-40) and Ashmead Nedd (2-40). At stumps Georgetown, were 1-0 in reply.

Man City striker injured in car crash

S

The scene of the accident involving Sergio Aguero

ergio Aguero was involved in a car accident in Amsterdam on Thursday and his injuries are being assessed, Manchester City have confirmed.

Manchester City have confirmed Sergio Aguero was injured in a car accident in Amsterdam on Thursday.

The striker will be assessed by club doctors on Friday as Pep Guardiola's side prepare to face Premier League champions Chelsea at the weekend.

Initial reports suggest Aguero may have suffered broken ribs, which could rule him out for around two months.

However, City are yet to comment on the nature of the Argentina international's injuries.

"Sergio Aguero will be assessed by club doctors today after being involved in a road accident on Thursday," a club statement read.

"The City forward was in Holland on his day off and has sustained injuries.

"He will return to Manchester this morning and his status will be checked ahead of tomorrow's Premier League clash at Chelsea."

If the 29-year-old should be ruled out for any significant length of time, it would represent a major blow to City's domestic and Champions League ambitions.

Aguero has started the season in fine form, with six league goals in as many games helping City to the top of the table.

That blistering run of form has seen him move within one of equalling City's all-time goalscoring record, but he may be made to wait for a chance to achieve that landmark outright.

Aguero scored in City's 2-1 loss at Stamford Bridge last season, having been sent off in the 3-1 defeat on home soil.

(Sportsmax)

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21

Guyana hunting beach volleyball glory

– “Winning crucial for development of national players” – coach

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N

ational Coach Levi Nedd said his team is eager to go out and represent their country with much success over the next few days as the 2017 National Beach Volleyball tournament serves off in Nickeri, Suriname today.

The 4-man team consisting of national players; Samuel Fraser, Ray Moore, Devindra Latchman and Luen David along with Nedd, left Molsen Creek at 10:00h on Friday with hopes of returning home winners. While in Suriname, the locals will face off against strong teams from Suriname and French Guiana in the two-day event which culminates on Sunday.

Nedd, who spoke with Guyana

Times Sport a few minutes prior to their departure, said preparations for the competition went a bit shaky but he’s nevertheless upbeat about the skillset of the four players who have been an integral part of the national side over the past few years.

“Despite proficient training time due to work and facilities, the pairs managed to meet on a regular basis for practice. There were not much practice matches and with the facility aspect, International exposure is what is being sought in order to compete at a high level,” Nedd explained.

The Guyanese quartet will commence their battle on Saturday evening at six and will duke it out un-

til the last two teams in both male and female categories are left standing. Coach Nedd pointed out that with Guyana at the forefront of volleyball currently, especially with their three-year winning streak at the Inter-Guiana Games; it’s critical for them to play well against highly ranked teams on foreign soil.

David, Moore, Fraser and Latchman all belong to the Berbice Volleyball Association (BVA) and with Nedd being President of that association, he declared it was even more crucial to have the top crop of the county maintain their statures and form, which will inevitably aid Guyana when they represent the country in future tournaments.

“Right now the BVA is aiming to promote all of the different categories of players and the different types of volleyball games available. In other words it is to sensitize and develop the game throughout Guyana.”

He continued, “It is definitely catching on, the beach tournament held by the BVA earlier in the year attracted players from the male senior, male junior and female categories, with a total of 38 teams, so it is hoped to be bigger and better the next time around. The only set back is sponsorship for the activities which I hope gets better in the near future,” he ended. The team is expected to return home on Sunday.

GHB/GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships 2017…

Race to the title is on – Bounty GCC, Old Fort going hard

By Michelangelo Jacobus

T

he National Greens seemed to falter against Bounty GCC but eventually prevailed in the see-saw contest in the men’s first division clash when the GTT National Championships continued at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Thursday night.

For National Greens, a late rally ensured they ended the game at 5-4. It was pulsating action from end to end with the dangerous Aroydy Branford hitting two goals in the fourth minute to give the National Greens an early advantage.

However, Dwayne Scott reduced Bounty GCC’s deficit by 50 percent in the 16th minute but Captain of the Greens Aderemi Simon restored their two-goal cushion in the 26th minute. It was game on in the 27th minute when Steven Xavier scored for GCC and Orland Semple drew the scores level in the 32nd minute.

Striker Jason DeSantos

restored the lead for the Greens in the 34th minute with the score at 4-3 while Aroydy Branford completed his hat-trick in the 38th minute. GCC’s Eric Hing give the Greens a scare when he scored in the last few minutes to make it 5-4, but the Greens’ defense held firm and they walked away the victors.

In men’s second division action, GCC Pitbulls drew with Saint Stanislaus College 2-2 while the Old Fort Warriors climbed to the top of the points table with a 4-0 domination of Saints.

The National ladies continued their merry way as they chalked up their fourth straight win of the championships against the Bingo Spartans. The National ladies registered their highest goal tally of 14 goals in that game.

Pizza Hut GCC sailed into the ladies finals with an easy 5-0 win over iNet Lynx (formerly SIDM). For Pizza Hut GCC, Sonia Jardine took the game to the opposi-

tion. She was the lone player to score in the first half of the match with a hat trick which came through two penalty corners and a field goal. Sandy Roopnarine and Dominique DeGroot continued the trend for the Pizza lovers to end with a 5-0 victory.

The Pepsi Hikers pulled ahead of Saints in the men’s first division to set up a challenge with Old Fort Titans for a spot in the final while Old Fort Warriors seem destined for a finals spot in the men’s second division with a routine 4-0 victory over Saints.

Despite some high quality men’s and women’s open division hockey, it was the veterans who produced the most entertaining match of the evening when GCC Vintage took on Antonio’s Grill Hickers.

Despite GCC being the favourites in the match based on earlier performances, Hickers midfielder Devin Munroe seemed determined to create another Bourda washout.

National Greens’ Jason DeSantos on the attack

With the Hickers earning a penalty stroke in the 12th minute of a scoreless game thus far, Munroe converted the first of his three goals for the Hickers. Vintage striker Philip Fernandes drew the scores level at 1-1 just one minute later. The match would continue along this path as Munroe put his team up twice more with GCC levelling the score right after through Patrick Edghill and a Dwayne Scott penalty corner. The game ended at a 3-3 stalemate robbing both teams of bragging rights.

The Pepsi Hikers finally got in the winners column when they faced Saints in their men’s first division fixture. Shane Samuels was the hero for the Hikers, scor-

ing all five goals in their 5-3 victory. Young Parmanad Dindial almost matched Samuels feat but fell short by two in his hat trick for Saints.

With the National teams being ineligible for the finals, the Old Fort Titans and Bounty GCC top the men’s first division pool with four points each. Pizza Hut GCC stands way ahead of the rest with 9 points in the women’s pool. Old Fort Warriors tops the men pool so far with the GCC Pitbulls and Saint Stanislaus College tied for second and GCC Vintage leads the veterans pool.

The finals will be contested tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall with games beginning at 17:00h.

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saturDAY, september 30, 2017

GFF, MOIPA/ Football for Charity

Golden Jaguars face Heritage All-Stars test

T

he Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MoIPA) have collaborated in the organization of a “Football for Charity” match between the Heritage AllStars team and the “Golden Jaguars” on Sunday.

This comes in the wake of Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo’s call for the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) to organize to render assistance to the victims of hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Prime Minister was at the time officially opening the CGF’s regional conference on Sunday last at the Guyana Olympic Association’s headquarters in Liliendaal.

The feature match will be the national men’s team, the Golden Jaguars taking on the Heritage All-Stars XI, the latter selected from the just-concluded Indigenous Heritage Games.

At a press conference on Friday morning, Interim Coach of the national team

commended the GFF for their “remarkable initiative” as his side prepares to face the Heritage All-Stars noting that it is timely as they could not hope to face a better opponent.

He revealed that his team will look to perform at their best as they strive to give the patrons good quality football for their money with the victims of the hurricanes in mind.

The national team is currently encamped as they prepare for an international friendly against Grenada on October 7 in Grenada and will be using this game as valuable warm up to test how ready they are. Meanwhile, defender Jeremy Garrett, the National U-17 captain who is now a part of the senior side lauded the GFF and the MoIPA for their part in organizing the match noting that it will be a clash between the country’s best and the hinterland’s best.

Manager of the Heritage All-Stars, Lawrence Griffith noted that since the team

learnt of the match, they started training and have been gelling together nicely as a unit. He urged fans to come out in their numbers for two reasons; to enjoy top level football and to contribute to the victims of the hurricane disaster.

– proceeds go towards hurricane victims and promised that they would be no walkover as they are prepared to give the national team a run for their money.

neighbours in the Caribbean region.

He affirmed his company’s full support of the event and explained that he is look-

From left: Golden Jaguars Interim Coach Wayne Dover, National players Jeremy Garrett, Curtez Kellman, GFF President Wayne Forde, Minister Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Banks DIH PRO Troy Peters, Heritage All-Stars’ Delano Mentore, captain Keiron Solomon

Top scorer in the Heritage Games football tournament Keiron Solomon has been selected as the captain of the Heritage All-Stars team. He noted that his side is excited to face the Golden Jaguars

The match is being sponsored by beverage giant Banks DIH and Communications Manager Troy Peters in his address noted that his heart was touched as the football fraternity has come together as a family to assist their

ing forward to an exciting match as well as fans’ full support of the charity event.

In his closing remarks, GFF President Wayne Forde pointed out that it was at the Heritage Games Final that he noticed the magnitude of

attendance thus the idea was birthed.

“If there is anything that we know, it is that football can bring people together, we are bringing everyone who is a part of the football family in Guyana together. This is to make a generous contribution to a worthy cause” he noted.

He wished good luck to both teams and congratulated Banks DIH for their support of the event.

Forde highlighted; “Banks has been an enduring partner of the development of football for many years and it was no surprise to me that they were willing to come on board and they have thrown in $150,000 as prize money in the game.”

The venue for the event will be the Everest Cricket Club ground. Before the feature match, there will be an U-17 clash and admission to the venue is $500, all proceeds will go towards charity.

National Futsal Cup 2017…

Goal is Money, Sparta Boss back to winning ways O n the opening night of the inaugural “National Futsal Cup” tournament being held at the National Gymnasium, Sparta Boss got back to winning ways after being dumped out of consecutive tournaments.

Playing against Channel 9 Warriors on Thursday night, Sparta Boss began the tournament in dominant fashion dictating the

A

game from start to finish.

In Sparta Boss’ 4-0 victory, Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson netted in the second minute of the game with Courtney Britton grabbing a brace in the fifth and seventh minutes while Eusi Phillips completed the rout in the 14th minute.

The Hustlers also made light work of Pike StreetSophia in a 3-0 victory with Josiah Charles net-

ting in the 4th and 8th minute while Anthony Sancho capped an easy win in the 13th minute.

West-Front Road-Goal is Money held off a late charge from Albouystown B to win 3-2 with Deon Alfred finding goal twice while Jamal Pedro scored as well.

Melvorn Ross and Andre Webber were the goal getters for Alboustown B. MBK All-Stars won via a

walk over as rivals Agricola Champion Boys failed to show up while Leopold Street also won via walkover as they were slated to play Melanie.

In another edge of the seat thriller newcomers New Market Street held off Showstoppers 5-4 The African Team beat giant killers Ol’ Skool Ballers 4-2 with Nigerian striker Benjamin Opara claiming

Archery Guyana completes another successful outreach programme

rchery Guyana took the sport of archery again to local telecommunications giant GTT, this time at their Duck Curry Competition and Family Fun Day held at Demerara Park, Georgetown in mid-September.

Many of the company’s staff and family members were very eager to try out the sport of archery including Chief Executive Officer, Justin Nedd.

Archery Guyana members were on hand for what can be considered another successful outreach where they taught GTT staff and their family members how to properly and safely use the bow and arrow on an archery range.

Archery Guyana again would like to thank GTT for the opportunity in helping raise much needed funds for the local organising body, and also promoting one of the newest sport in Guyana.

African baller Benjamin Opara battles with an Ol’ Skool Baller player on the opening night of the National Futsal Cup at the National Gymnasium

the tournament’s first hattrick in the fifth, 15th and 19th minutes while Kenneth Opara scored in the 14th. An ever present for the Ballers, Roy Cassou recorded a brace in the 3rd and 9th minutes.

Mocha battled valiantly but in vain as they lost 3-4 to Broad Street, Daniel Favourite also grabbed a

hat-trick netting in the 2nd, 5th and 16th minutes while Jimmy Graveside scored in the 11th.

Action will continue tonight at the National Gymnasium from 19:00hrs when tournament pre-favourites Future Stars take on Campbellville in the opene.

Fixtures-Saturday September 30th

Chairman of Archery Guyana, Nicholas Hing (centre) giving tips to one of the many enthusiastic persons who tried their hand at archery for the very first time. In the background is GTT technician and Archery Guyana Task Force Committee member Sean Duncan who was similarly occupied

Future Stars vs Campbellville-19:00h Swag Entertainment vs BV-19:30h Champion Boys vs Tucville-20:00h North East La Penitence vs Silver Bullets-20:30h West Back Road vs Dave and Celina's All-Stars-21:00h North Ruimveldt vs Brazilian Team-21:30h Albouystown-A vs Bent Street-22:00h Back Circle vs Alexander Village-22:30h

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, september 30, 2017

23

England vs West Indies Royal London ODI Series…

Bairstow ton scripts 4-0 sweep

J

onny Bairstow made his second century of the Royal London series to help England to a resounding victory over West Indies.

Bairstow followed his maiden ODI century at Old Trafford in the first match of this series with an accomplished innings of 141 from 114 balls. It was the highest ODI score by an England batsman in an ODI against West Indies and the first time an England player has scored two centuries in the same bilateral ODI series against them.

With the recalled Roy also taking his opportunity - he followed his innings of 84 at The Oval with an innings of 96 here - it suggested Alex Hales could face a prolonged period outside the team. Hales is not currently considered available for selection following a late-night brawl in Bristol.

The competition for places in the England squad is more intense than anything they experienced on the pitch at the Ageas Bowl. Set a modest 289 for victory, they eased to a nine-wicket win with an eye-watering 12 overs remaining. That sealed a 4-0 series win and stretched England's record against West Indies to 16 out of their last 17 ODIs. While Roy and

from Moeen Ali that slid on, it was hard to gauge whether it was England or West Indies supporters who were happier.

Sunil Ambris, brought into the side in place of Jason Holder who returned to Barbados for the funeral of his uncle, also looked an accomplished, aggressive player. With Ashley Nurse, who hit 31 from 12 balls, he added some impetus at the end of the innings to partially compensate for the overs used up by Hope and Samuels. But, on another decent track, the West

Shai Hope top scored with a fighting knock of 72

Bairstow's opening partnership of 156 in 21.2 overs will probably gain the plaudits after a disappointingly one-sided game, the key period arguably occurred much earlier. From the moment West Indies went more than 20 overs in mid-innings without hitting a boundary it became apparent they would set an inadequate total.

But for a brief flurry from Chris Gayle, when he thrashed 34 in six successive deliveries from Jake Ball, West Indies were oddly passive for much of their innings bat and allowed England's spinners - Man

of the Series Moeen Ali and legspinner Adil Rashid - to bowl their 20 overs for a cost of just 78 runs. West Indies went from the final ball of the ninth over to the fifth ball of the 31st without hitting a boundary.

Ball found, like many before him, that bowling to Gayle in the Powerplay is no easy task. Despite starting with a maiden to Gayle, who didn't get off the mark until his 15th ball, the final three deliveries of Ball's third over were all thrashed - to say they were driven would hardly reflect the terrific force with which the ball was struck - for six by

Indies total always looked a little short of par.

The result completes the longest international season in England's history.

In the 147 days since May 5, England have won 18 of the international games they have played (with one no-result), including Test and ODI series victories over South Africa and West Indies.

West Indies, meanwhile, clearly have a great deal of work in front of them if they are to gain qualification to the World Cup. (ESPN

Cricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

Gayle, while the first three of his fourth conceded two more sixes and a four to the same batsman. In all, Ball conceded six of the 10 sixes hit by West Indies during the innings.

His dismissal brought Shai Hope and Samuels together. And, while the pair were rarely troubled in adding 57, the fact that it took them 16 overs played into England's hands. Samuels's miserable series culminated in an innings of 32 from 60 balls with just one boundary and meant he finished the series averaging 15.25 at a strike-rate of 49.19. By the time he ran past one

West Indies Innings (50 overs maximum) CH Gayle c Plunkett b Curran 40 KA Hope c & b Plunkett 33 SD Hope† c Billings b Ball 72 MN Samuels st †Buttler b Ali 32 JN Mohammed* c Root b Rash id 25 SW Ambris not out 38 R Powell b Plunkett 11 AR Nurse not out 31 Extras (w-6) 6 Total (For 6 wickets, 50 overs) 288 Did not bat: AS Joseph, JE Taylor, ML Cummins Fall of wickets: 1-52, 2-86, 3-143, 4-195, 5-221 (SD Hope, 43.5 ov), 6-253 (R Powell, 47.3 ov) Bowling Ball 10-1-94-1 (w-1), Curran 10- 1-62-1

(w-2), Plunkett 10-0-54-2 (w-2), Rashid 10-1-421 W-1), Ali 10-0-36-1 England Innings (target: 289 runs from 50 overs) JJ Roy lbw b Cummins 96 JM Bairstow not out 141 JE Root not out 46 Extras (lb-2, w-9) 11 Total (For 1 wicket, 38 overs) 294 Did not bat: EJG Morgan (c), JC Buttler †, SW Billings, MM Ali, TK Curran, AU Rashid, LE Plunkett, JT Ball Fall of wickets: 1-156 (JJ Roy, 21.2 ov) Bowling Taylor 8-0-52-0, Joseph 7-0-54-0, Cummins 8-0-70-1 (w-5), Nurse 8-0-56-0, Samuels 4-0-41-0, Powell 3-0-19-0

GMR&SC/ Caribbean Invasion Dragz Meet…

Reaz eager to taste speed of dragz “Speed Queen” T

he excitement is building for Sunday’s Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMR&SC) Caribbean Invasion Dragz Meet and driver WR Reaz is eager to have an impressionable outing at in his debut outing at the South Dakota Circuit.

“It is a big meet all together; it is basically testing and bragging rights. I’m not necessarily the biggest when it comes to drag racing but I have been doing some work on my Subaru WRX STI to put into drag racing. It is not an experience I am fond about but whenever there is speed I am always around,” the driver stated. At the last meet in March this year, Suriname drove away with bragging rights as champion team but Reaz is confident that can change on this occasion. “I don’t think that will happen again. Guyana has more equipped cars; we have strong teams that can dominate other than the GTR camp.”

While not officially participating in a GMR&SC organised event, the driver is confident of a good showing in either the 11 or 12-second grouping given the hours he has been putting in along with the Car Culture.

Reaz is encouraging all to attend given the pristine weather currently the fact that a lot of the drivers will be using the meet as a litmus test of their machines ahead of the November Circuit meet.

Action begins at 09:00hrs with free runs, while classification into the time bracket system begins at 10:00hrs and knockout begins at noon.

WR Reaz’s Subaru WRX STI

out to make amends A

s her race name “Speed Queen” suggests, motor racer Sharima Khan is all about recording fast times and making a name for herself in the sport but at the last drag racing meet in March mechanical problems hampered her participation.

However, come this Sunday, Khan is ready to bring a change her in her fortunes at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club’s Caribbean Invasion meet.

“Last year drag race meet wasn't a good one for me because I had some trouble at the start line but I have a new car in my Honda del sol and we made sure that it would not repeat with this new car.”

She added, “I'm not sure what time bracket my car will be categorized in but the competition is always stiff in drag racing.”

Suriname took away the bragging rights

when the speedsters last lined up but Khan feels that can change. “No, Suriname do not stand a chance against Guyana. Drag racing in Guyana has grown tremendously over the years and the Nissan GTR from Guyana still remains unbeatable which keeps every drags race in Guyana more and more exciting to witness.”

She also made a call for motor racing fans to show their support, “fans should come out in their numbers because me also with my fellow dragsters have been preparing for this international drag meet for some time, it will also be my debut with my new race car.”

Action begins at 09:00hrs with free runs, while classification into the time bracket system begins at 10:00h and knockout begins at noon.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

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

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GHB/GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships 2017…

Race to the title is on

Pg 21

– Bounty GCC, Old Fort going hard

Bounty GCC’s Goalie Michael Hing saves a shot from National Greens’ Jason DeSantos (number 11) in their exciting game at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Thursday night (Michelangelo Jacobus Photo)

England vs West Indies Royal London ODI Series…

Pg 23

Bairstow ton scripts 4-0 sweep England has lots to celebrate after their longest season ends on a winning note

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