Guyana Times Thursday, October 24,2019

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Banks DIH, GTT among companies joining fight against breast cancer Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4086

thursday, OCTOber 24, 2019

PRICE

See story on page 3

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Appeal Court P7 order being sought to compel Cabinet, President to resign

No decision made to publish list of H2H

registrants ꟷ GECOM Commissioners …object to Secretariat publishing registrants’ information

ECD man hammered to death by cousin

Former Minister hospitalised after fire erupts at home Page 9

Neighbour P2 confesses to killing Patentia man

Page 2

Husband jailed for chopping wife to death

Page 10

Public Security Minister admits Police abuse sirens …no concrete plans for crime fight Page 7

President P10 Granger’s cancer now in remission

Sugar workers’ protest

P11 GAWU, GuySuCo ink resumption agreement …dispute to be addressed at conciliation

2 news

thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ECD man hammered Neighbour confesses to to death by cousin killing Patentia man

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35-year-old businessman was on Tuesday night beaten to death, allegedly by his younger cousin, a 28-year-old electrician of Unity Village, East Coast Demerara (ECD).

Dead is Arvin Dipchand, called “Krishna” of Dochfour, ECD. The incident occurred around 18:30h at Unity.

Reports are that the cousins had several misunderstandings, stemming from the electrician allegedly stealing from the businessman on several occasions.

On Tuesday night, the suspect was under the influence of alcohol when he pelted a ham-

mer towards his cousin.

The hammer struck the businessman to his head, causing him to fall to the ground.

The suspect then began to punch his cousin. He then reportedly pulled out a wooden stave from a fence and dealt the businessman a lash to his head.

The businessman managed to free himself and jumped into his car. However, he was only able to drive a short distance down the street before he collapsed.

The man was escorted by Community Policing Group (CPG) members to the Mahaicony Hospital where he

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Dead: Arvin Dipchand, called “Krishna”

was pronounced dead on arrival.

The suspect is in custody assisting with the investigation.

he decomposed body which was discovered with a black plastic bag wrapped around the head in a drain at Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD) has been identified as that of 57-year-old Abdool Ghannie, called “Dennis” or “Fulla” of the same community.

The body, which was discovered on Monday by passers-by, was identified by the man’s cousin on Wednesday.

The man’s neighbour has since reportedly confessed to the crime, according to Police.

Reports are that the neighbour, when questioned by detectives on Tuesday night, admitted under caution that Ghannie visited his home on Saturday, October 19.

However, the duo had a misunderstanding, which resulted in the neighbour punching the man to his face, causing several injuries.

According to Police, on Sunday night, the neighbour reportedly tied a plastic bag over the man’s head and dumped the body in a drain.

When contacted by this newspaper, Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) Police Commander, Senior

The body of Abdool Ghannie in the drain at First Street, Patentia, WBD

Superintendent Linden Lord explained that after being punched by the neighbour, the man became motionless. The neighbour, he added, thought that the man was asleep.

On Sunday morning, the neighbour noticed the man was in the same position and thought he was still sleeping. As such, the neighbour went to work.

However, upon his return home, Ghannie was still in the same motionless position. This is when the neighbour realised something was amiss.

He lifted the man’s head up and saw blood. It was then that the neighbour put the man’s head in a plastic bag to prevent the blood from dripping as he dumped the body in a nearby drain.

A post-mortem examination conducted on the body gave the cause of death as brain haemorrhage, blunt trauma to the head compounded by aspiration of blood.

The neighbour is in Police custody and is expected to be charged for the crime.

news

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thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Thursday, October 24 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Friday, October 25 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Thursday, October 24 – 13:40h – 15:10h and Friday, October 25 – 14:25h – 15:55h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunshine is expected throughout the day.

There will be clear skies at night. Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 01:03h maximum heights of metres.

Low Tide: 07:08h minimum heights of metre.

and 13:42h reaching 2.37 metres and 2.46 and 19:37h reaching 0.76 metre and 0.76

wednesday, october 23, 2019

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No decision made to publish list of H2H registrants – GECOM Commissioners …object to Secretariat publishing registrants’ information

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ne half of the Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) has denied that any decision was made by the Commission to publish the list of registrants captured during the recent House-to-House exercise, throwing further uncertainty into the exercise.

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP)nominated Commissioners Sase Gunraj, Robeson Benn and Bibi Shadick on Wednesday evening said that such a decision was never taken by the full Commission.

“We read reports in the press, attributed to Commissioner Charles Corbin, that the Guyana Elections Commission will proceed to publish the entire list of persons registered during the House-to-House (H2H) exercise from Thursday, 24th October, 2019,” the Commissioners said in a statement.

“These remarks were made to the press immediately after the Statutory Meeting of 22nd October, 2019 and the impression was conveyed that the said disclosure was a decision of the Commission. We were present from the beginning to the end of that GECOM meeting and we wish to emphasise, most vehemently, that no such decision was taken”.

According to the Commissioners, they have since informed the Chairperson of GECOM, Retired Justice Claudette Singh, of this misinformation and have requested her intervention.

Moreover, they made their objections to the move clear.

It was announced on Tuesday that GECOM had completed the encoding process for data gathered from the recent House-toHouse exercise and that fingerprints would be sent overseas to be crossmatched.

Robeson Benn

In his engagement with the media after the meeting, Commissioner Corbin had explained that the data gleaned from the encoding process will be put up for public scrutiny from today (Thursday). At the time, however, Gunraj had noted that while the proposal came up for discussion, there had been divisions at the Commission level about this approach.

“We discussed the House-to-House data.

Specifically, we got back a report from the finger print cross-matching on a part of that data. What we are looking at now is what to do with it. A proposal is to publicise it for public scrutiny, but then to what end?” Gunraj had explained to the media.

“My questions at the meeting were, when you post it for public scrutiny, how does one deal with it?

Is one allowed to make an objection? Is one allowed to make a claim? Is one allowed to ask questions about entries on that list?

Those are questions that have to be answered by

Bibi Shadick Sase Gunraj

the Secretariat. Up to the present time, we have not received any proposal as to how those issues will be treated”.

At the same time, Corbin himself had also called for the intervention of the GECOM Chair to steer GECOM in the right direction. He had noted that the time has come for Justice Singh to take a stand on certain matters.

He pointed out that this is necessary in order to move the process forward.

“I think all the views associated with how to treat with all the data available to us, how to treat with all the transactions that are to be con-

ducted during Claims and Objections, I think they have all been properly ventilated. I think positions have been adopted by all members of the Commission”.

“And I think that at this point, from my assessment, it is a question of decisions that have to be made. What has been happening is there has been a repetition of views… as a result of all the information available. So at this point in time, I think the Chairman will have to weigh in with a definitive decision on where to go, because time is slipping.

We have until the 11th of next month to complete the process,” Corbin had said.

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thursday, october 24, 2019

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

Expectations and swamps?

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eople generally have expectations of those who aspire to public office, especially of those seeking the nation’s highest.

That noted, Donald Trump, not seen as the conventional candidate, may have had to work a bit harder than others. With little or no political background and experience, he made a commitment during the 2016 USA presidential campaign to “drain the swamp”.

Seeing things from a business perspective, he used that metaphorical phrase to tout his plans of fixing problems within the federal Government. That mantra probably created expectations of things being done differently from what’s expected of seasoned politicians.

Given that Mr Trump won, one can posit that a good reason for his success could be that many Americans wanted things to be done differently from what seemed routine. His perceived decisiveness— though an expected business approach along with the belief that the “swamp” would be “drained”— of bureaucracy as well, may have resonated with millions.

Within a short period, his presidency became plagued with controversy. That could have contributed to him been unable to “drain the swamp” to the expectation of his supporters. That suggests, some Americans, who believed, are disappointed over their expectations not fulfilled. Their circumstance epitomises that of millions of others across the world who are disillusioned by failed campaign promises. Guyana is not excluded.

There can be no dispute that the APNU/AFC coalition was very convincing in their campaign promises during the 2015 general elections. Foremost was the promise to do things differently and to wipe out corruption. In an effort to try and prove that corruption was rife under the PPP/C, the APNU/AFC Government spent millions of taxpayers’ money on forensic audits of State agencies.

While that progressed, the APNU/AFC Government, almost immediately, became embroiled in controversies as it was accused of wanton corruption. Without public tendering, the audits were farmed out to its friends and cronies.

The construction of Jubilee Park, the Sussex Street Drug Bond, the feasibility study for the new Demerara Harbour Bridge and the many questionable transactions for the supply for medical drugs are just a few alleged corrupt dealings of the APNU/AFC Government within the early part of its tenure.

Allegations of corruption, including the siphoning of State lands to cronies, have grown drastically over the past four years despite the promise of doing things differently. On entering office with a seeming high level of goodwill, there was an expectation of it delivering on its promises. There was also the expectation of a visionary approach to sustain the unprecedented economic expansion and growth that were envisaged and prudently managed by the PPP/C. Having moved Guyana from a bankrupt nation to one of prosperity under its tenure from 1992-2015, the PPP/C would have positively transformed and modernised Guyana through the implementation of visionary economic policies. Those policies led a vast improvement in the lives of ordinary Guyanese who were empowered by their own economic advancement.

Enabling environments were created across the country as vital services were decentralised to allow for modernisation beyond the capital. The unparalleled development of the country’s social and physical infrastructure reminds of Guyana’s transformation under the PPP/C. Having therefore inherited a developing country with tangible local and international assets, and with an oil-based economy on the horizon, there was an expectation for the APNU/AFC Government to sustain Guyana’s development. Today’s reality under the coalition is unflattering as economic woes have been inflicted, development stymied and visionary leadership noticeably absent.

The production of plantain chips seemingly became President David Granger’s vision to improve livelihoods and grow the economy. He went as far as championing the sale of cook-up rice as another impetus. While those, to an extent, can in a small way assist individuals, it cannot be a macro-transformative project to drive what was once a thriving and rapidly growing economy under the PPP/C. Some four years after, having seemingly been short on ideas, he is now advocating that Guyanese stop selling plantain chips and get into manufacturing. From that, it appears it took him that length of time to see things from a larger perspective. However, despite that late push, he has yet to envisaged and implement a macrotransformative project of any form. The economy continues to slide under his watch as many Guyanese are saddled with economic burdens.

Therefore, by its own record, the APNU/AFC Government has removed any expectations Guyanese may have harboured for the improvement of their lives and the development of the country.

Some hold fast to the belief that a “swamp” may have been created as of May 2015; one that is overly saturated with failed promises, innumerable allegations of corruption, a dearth of visionary approach to governance and one in which doing things differently means giving itself a massive pay hike at the expense of suffering Guyanese. Mr Trump’s mantra on swamps may be echoing.

A fisherman floats in a boat close to a “plughole” on a reservoir in Derbyshire, Britain, in this still image taken from video obtained from social media (Credit: Flo Neilson)

Elections Canada v GECOM

Dear Editor, On Monday, Federal Elections were held in Canada without any fuss and fear. Except for schools being closed to facilitate the polls, it was just another workday. Canada has approximately 27 million voters and straddles 6 different time zones spanning four and a half hours. By 23:15h Eastern Time on polling day, mere minutes after the last polls closed in outlying provinces, the media was already announcing the results and naming the eventual winner: Justin Trudeau and his Liberal Party.

In all of this, the role of Elections Canada— their GECOM equivalent— cannot be overstated. Long before the elections, the list of voters would have been ratified and voter ID cards mailed, yes mailed, to all registered and eligible voters. There was no attempt to manipulate lists, no doubt about the integrity of staff or deletion of registered voters who would have failed to uplift voter ID cards because these were mailed as mentioned above. Voter ID cards are printed on light cardboard and sized to fit a standard sized envelope for ease of postage. Change of address and such matters are all done online. Canadians are required to walk with their cardboard voter ID and a picture ID such as a driver’s licence or passport to cast their ballot which can be done in a matter of minutes. The holding of elections is not rocket science as the Canadians have just demonstrated.

Contrast that with what we have in Guyana, where GECOM, our elections machinery, is being accused of the following: 1. Placing itself outside and above of the Constitution by creating and implementing work programmes that ignore the constitutional mandate to have election within 90 days of the NCM. 2. By virtue of the above,

GECOM has appropriated the role for determining when elections will be held in Guyana.

3. Delaying the elections – The combined delay is nearly one year from the constitutionally mandated date of March 21, 2019.

4. Persisting with prejudiced recruitment of senior executives.

5. Retaining the services of senior staff who are partisan even after footage of covert meeting were shown on social media with Govt officials.

6. Undertaking actions such as the unnecessary H2H to create more confusion, further delay elections, possibly disenfranchise legitimate voters and waste billions of taxpayers’ dollars.

7. Siding with the Government at every opportunity.

8. Refusing help from external sources that would expedite election preparation and lend to public trust in GECOM and the elections processes.

9. Threatening to delete the names of registered voters who have not uplifted their ID cards even when this is illegal.

As if the above is not egregious enough, GECOM is contemplating a compli-

cated merger of the old PLE and the data gleaned from the last H2H, which is unverified at best, since the Opposition representatives were not present at the time of obtaining this data, when the most logical and practical approach would be to update the old PLE which was last used in November 2017 to add people attaining voting age and to delete deceased persons evidenced by a death certificate. Some believe that this is merely another attempt to appease the Govt and to delete and disenfranchise Opposition supporters. In fact, the situation is so bad that people are openly commenting that the next General Elections will be rigged and that GECOM will facilitate it. While that is a bit extreme, GECOM must be concerned about its image. However, there is absolutely no effort on the part of that agency to change the narrative and to build trust.

The Chairman of GECOM is yet to hold a press conference and so the public has been left to speculate.

The bottom line is that there cannot be free and fair elections in Guyana if GECOM does not operate in an open and transparent manner. At this stage, nothing short of the Carter

Center is needed to get this embarrassment, which we all know as GECOM, back on track if we are to have free and fair elections in Guyana. The intervention of the Canadian Official is welcome but a competent and powerful observer mission has to be situated within the heart of GECOM Secretariat where critical decisions are being taken to have any chance of being effective. Giving advice, as the Canadian proposes to GECOM Chair, whose actions thus far are all in favour of the Government, will be like whistling in the wind.

The example of Elections Canada is relevant as here in Guyana there is strong evidence to suggest that the agency responsible for holding free and fair elections might be pursuing an agenda to do the exact opposite.

After all, it is an irrefutable fact that PNC, the main party in Govt today, rigged the elections from 1968 to 1985.

By the way, if there is another rigged elections, America and Canada will bear the brunt of the consequential mass exodus as many citizens already have visas particularly for the US. Sincerely, Ravi Ram

Now it’s the children

Dear Editor, On October 21 this year, a group of Queen’s College students were robbed of their money and cell phones on Camp Street while they were going to their after school extra lessons. One day earlier, another Queen’s College student was robbed at the bus stop. And just three days prior, a Christ Church student was stabbed and robbed of his cell phone at the corner of Camp and Robb Street.

In February, the media reported, “Seven students fell victim to robbery … resulting in a quantity

of cash and valuables being stolen, while in the vicinity of Macaw Lane, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown…

The traumatised youngsters are said to be between the ages of 15 and 16 and are attached to the South Ruimveldt Secondary School”.

In October last year, the media had reported: “Sixth form Queen’s College student Renée Daniels was robbed and stabbed multiple times … as he was heading home from a group he was volunteering with….in the vicinity of the Stabroek bus park”.

In September of last year, yet another media report stated that, “A student attached to a school on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) was attacked and robbed …while making her way home from school…. the student had just exited a minibus in Stewartville, WCD… the perpetrator accosted and choked her from behind before demanding that she hand over her valuables. The frightened teen handed over her backpack which contained her valuables, including money and her cell phone”.

Continued on page 5

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thursday, october 24, 2019

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

BoG and the deteriorating public deposit balances Dear Editor, Guyana can be regarded as a cash-based economy because the majority of private-sector retail and commercial payments are made in cash or near cash. Thus, the need to examine the impact of public deposits on economic performance is essential. Public deposits, in this case, denote the size of deposits of the central government at the Bank of Guyana.

Its main source would be from taxes collected.

Therefore, the dynamics around public deposits are frequently seen as a measure of how much the private sector is being crowded out of the economy. The pertinent question to ask is whether the private sector is being pushed out of its role as the engine of growth as the Government runs a growing overdraft at the Bank of Guyana. The answer will be – it depends. So let us look at the evidence and come to some conclusions.

Above is the Bank of Guyana’s Balance Sheet as of October 9, 2019, which highlights that the public deposits are at a NEGATIVE balance of GY$70.8 billion. When compared to June 2015, Table 1.2 of the Bank of Guyana Report (Statistical Abstract) illustrated that this figure was a POSITIVE GY$8.5 billion.

The arithmetic will inform you that there was a deterioration in public deposits totalling GY$79.3 billion.

To reinforce this point, the IMF had put out official statistics in 2018 that informed us of this adverse development. The general theme of their concerns can be represented in the graph below which shows a trajectory that the overdraft at the Bank of Guyana is on course to top 9% of the GDP by New Year Day 2020. Is this a gift or a burden?; The IMF, in their 2018 Staff Report, recommended, and I quote: “Staff reiterated and stressed the importance of settling these balances at the central bank, which the authorities agreed to do in the short-term through the issuance of Treasury Bills”.

tate the IMF’s recommendations? Is this an attempt to hide this GY$70 billion in domestic debt from the official figures?

There are three vital issues here. First, the official debt figures reported by the Ministry of Finance is GY$70 billion (approximately US$330 million) short.

Second, if this trend continues, by the time the elections are held on March 2, 2020, a two-year supply of oil revenues would have already been spent, never to return to the coffers and people of Guyana. Third, this rapid increase in debt will be a drag on the economy as more of the national income will have to be assigned to debt service payments.

In the Half-Year Report for 2019, the Ministry of Finance reported that “In the first half of 2019, total public debt service payments increased by 17.3 per cent, from US$44.3 million in the first half of 2018 to US$52 million, mainly as a result of a 96.9 per cent rise in domestic debt service payments.

For the first half of 2019, total public debt service as a The facts disclose that after almost 18 months, the Bank of Guyana has not settled these balances by issuing Treasury Bills. Is there inadequate liquidity in the banking to absorb this debt and therefore the Central Bank will have no recourse but to print new dollars to facili-

Friendship mourns Dear Editor, Three innocent mothers are dead – somebody’s aunt, mother-in-law, cousin or grandmother. In 2017, there were 100 accidents – 115 deaths. In 2018, 105 accidents and 119 deaths.

In 2019, so far 60 accidents and 50 deaths (estimated).

These are conservative figures for our nation as more accidents and injuries occur daily. We are not taking the road deaths and injuries seriously. For instance, a man met me on the street, he said, “Madam, a man and he wife was arguing in a car and he ran into the post and he hit me foot”. I told a youngster who was driving fast that speed kills – he started laughing at me… how ridiculous!!!

As you’re reading this, wakes, funeral arrangements and funerals are occurring daily in Friendship.

The cries of the children and families are ringing out in Friendship. As a matter of fact, I’m meeting people from other communities who are still mourning their loved ones after 20yrs since an accident. We want action and we need it now!!!

Never again!!! Thank you Mr President for such a speedy Inquiry— which is now completed. Yes, the internal security forces need

changes, but externally, on all roads from coast to coast, dire changes are needed immediately. Some of these include lowering the speed limit, electronic speed controllers, fixing the holes in the roads (which cause accidents) quickly and remove those who are selling on the roads – this is a dangerous hazard to the flow of traffic and accidents. Here’s another big one: I noticed a Police Officer located a couple of corners from the Grove Police station paying more attention to his phone (he was not talking on it) than to the vehicles (ie sand trucks) whisking pass him like birds. Please find the monetary resources and fix all roadways…no more excuses. For instance, cut the budget for mash in half and use it for more MPH signage on all roads in the country.

We sincerely thank the signatories (520) of the “NEVER AGAIN” petition.

The petition was delivered already to the Office of the President and the Ministers of Public Security and Infrastructure.

Citizens are encouraged to turn their silence, weeping, grieving/mourning behind closed doors into positive activism for the good of Guyana and, in particular, for Guyana’s children. Do

you realise that this madness on the roads slowly seeps into the young drivers and is seen by your children daily – so what do you think they will do on the roads – monkey see…monkey do…

Simple things you can do when using the road:

1. Help someone (ie a senior citizen or a child) cross the road 2. Refuse to take speeding minibuses (say something if they are speeding) 3. Push for a change of road laws and its strict enforcement by the Government 4. Push to lower the speed limit everywhere in the country (more signage and more law enforcement) 5. Push for speed bumps on major road ways (I saw this in the Belize – everyone was driving slow in the Capital) 6. Push for more Traffic Police on the roads – checking and suspending the licence of illegitimate drivers (ie those driving drunk) 7. Push for electronic speed monitors on all roads and recording cameras (for the speeders) at strategic locations.

Sincerely, Denise Murray Friendship resident

share of government revenues was 9.4 per cent, compared to 8.5 per cent for the first half of 2018.

Yet, I cannot find one media house reflecting on this national tragedy of a gargantuan scale. It is policy actions like this in the 1980s that marched Guyana into a status where it was considered as “bankrupt and un-creditworthy” which then led to the ERP that brought many empty rice pots into the kitchens of many Guyanese homes. Some may say that the oil wealth over the next 40 years of close to US$58 billion will solve all these ills but if the 2020 and 2021 supply of that oil cash is now gone forever, the access to this positive oil flow would have been deferred to 2022— bringing no relief to the people of Guyana before then.

In the final analysis, this reckless strategy by Mr Granger and his team will introduce great economic harm to our people for years to come.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

Now it’s the...

As well, The Caribbean Voice is aware of other similar incidents that never made the media. In fact, comments on social reveal that similar attacks against students have been taking place across the coastland.

For example, a number of posters stated that students are being regularly robbed in the Diamond-Grove area.

Similar incidents were mentioned at Mon Repos, in Essequibo, on the Corentyne and so on. Added to that, the numerous UG students who have been attacked and robbed, both at Turkeyen and Tain and nursing students at New Amsterdam and the picture becomes absolutely, awfully, alarming.

Parents have been expressing their anger and frustration on social media and in interactions with The Caribbean Voice. Rightly or wrongly, the view was expressed that “President Granger campaigned on providing jobs for youth and ‘now we know what he was talking about’”. The fact is that the criminals are usually young people, mostly operating in bicycle gangs, or congregating in areas where students have to pass or wait for transportation. And since all those sports are public knowledge, one has to wonder why the Police do not take measures to patrol those areas when students are dismissed. The Police Force needs to establish a Schools Safety Division as an urgent imperative.

Meanwhile, parents are calling on the Minister of Public Security and the Police Commissioner to protect their children. As well,

they are calling on the media to bring pressure to bear on the Government to implement measures to eliminate this trauma on their children. For The Caribbean Voice, our greatest concern is indeed the trauma and the attendant mental health issues that often arise and that can derail the education of some of these youngsters, if not their lives. As it is, our young people already face and deal with an

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overflowing plate as we have seen a rise in bullying and cutting, drugs and alcohol, sexual abuse and teenage pregnancy and depression, stress and suicide. Unless these pathologies are addressed without politically footballing them, Guyana’s future itself could become traumatic— oil money or no oil money.

Regards, The Caribbean Voice

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Foundation

Cancer prevention: 7 tips to reduce your risk C

continued from wednesday

oncerned about cancer prevention? Take charge by making changes such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular screenings.

You’ve probably heard conflicting reports about cancer prevention. Sometimes a specific cancer-prevention tip recommended in one study is advised against in another.

Often, what’s known about cancer prevention is still evolving. However, it’s well-accepted that your chances of developing cancer are affected by the lifestyle choices you make.

So if you’re interested in preventing cancer, take comfort in the fact that simple lifestyle changes can make a difference. Consider these cancer-prevention tips.

1. Don’t use tobacco Using any type of tobacco puts you on a collision course with cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer – including cancer of the lung, mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, bladder, cervix and kidney. Chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas. Even if you don’t use tobacco, exposure to second-hand smoke might increase your risk of lung cancer.

Avoiding tobacco — or deciding to stop using it — is an important part of cancer prevention. If you need help quitting tobacco, ask your doctor about stop-smoking products and other strategies for quitting.

2. Eat a healthy diet Although making healthy selections at the grocery store and at mealtime can’t

guarantee cancer prevention, it might reduce your risk.

Consider these guidelines: Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Base your diet on fruits, vegetables and other foods from plant sources — such as whole grains and beans.

Avoid obesity. Eat lighter and leaner by choosing fewer high-calorie foods, including refined sugars and fat from animal sources.

If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. The risk of various types of cancer — including cancer of the breast, colon, lung, kidney and liver — increases with the amount of alcohol you drink and the length

of time you’ve been drinking regularly.

Limit processed meats. A report from the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the cancer agency of the World Health Organisation, concluded that eating large amounts of processed meat can slightly increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

In addition, women who eat a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil and mixed nuts might have a reduced risk of breast cancer. The Mediterranean diet focuses mostly on plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables,

whole grains, legumes, and nuts. People who follow the Mediterranean diet choose healthy fats, such as olive oil, over butter and fish instead of red meat.

3. Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active Maintaining a healthy weight might lower the risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the breast, prostate, lung, colon and kidney.

Physical activity counts, too. In addition to helping you control your weight, physical activity on its own might lower the risk of breast cancer and colon cancer.

Adults who participate in

any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits.

But for substantial health benefits, strive to get at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity. You can also do a combination of moderate and vigorous activity. As a general goal, include at least 30 minutes of physical activity in your daily routine — and if you can do more, even better.

4. Protect yourself from the sun Skin cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer – and one of the most preventable. Try these tips:

Avoid midday sun. Stay out of the sun between 10:00h. and 16:00h, when the sun’s rays are strongest.

Stay in the shade. When you’re outdoors, stay in the shade as much as possible. Sunglasses and a broadbrimmed hat help, too.

Cover exposed areas.

Wear tightly woven, loose fitting clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible. Opt for bright or dark colours, which reflect more ultraviolet radiation than do pastels or bleached cotton.

Don’t skimp on sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, even on cloudy days.

Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.

Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps. These are just as damaging as natural sunlight.

5. Get vaccinated Cancer prevention includes protection from certain viral infections. Talk to a doctor about vaccination against: The HPV vaccine is recommended for girls and boys ages 11 and 12. The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of vaccine Gardasil 9 for males and females ages 9 to 45.

Hepatitis B. Hepatitis B can increase the risk of developing liver cancer, and health care or public safety workers who might be exposed to infected blood or body fluids.

6. Avoid risky behaviours Another effective cancer prevention tactic is to avoid risky behaviours that can lead to infections that, in turn, might increase the risk

of cancer. For example: Practice safe sex. Limit your number of sexual partners and use a condom when you have sex. The more sexual partners you have in your lifetime, the more likely you are to contract a sexually transmitted infection — such as HIV or HPV. Don’t share needles. Sharing needles with people who use intravenous drugs can lead to HIV, as well as hepatitis B and hepatitis C — which can increase the risk of liver cancer. If you’re concerned about drug misuse or addiction, seek professional help.

7. Get regular medical care Regular self-exams and

H

screenings for various types of cancers — such as cancer of the skin, colon, cervix and breast — can increase your chances of discovering can-

cer early, when treatment is most likely to be successful.

Ask your doctor about the best cancer screening schedule for you. (mayoclinic.org)

What are reflexes? ave you ever wondered why your leg kicks when the doctor taps your knee with that little rubber hammer? It’s because of your reflex.

What’s a reflex?

A reflex is an involuntary (say: in-VAHL-un-ter-ee), or automatic, action that your body does in response to something – without you even having to think about it.

You don’t decide to kick your leg, it just kicks. There are many types of reflexes and every healthy person has them. In fact, we’re born with most of them.

Protective reflexes

Reflexes protect your body from things that can harm it. For example, if you put your hand on a hot stove, a reflex causes you to immediately remove your hand before a “Hey, this is hot!” message even gets to your brain.

Other protective reflexes are blinking when something flies toward your eyes or raising your arm if a ball is thrown your way. Even coughing and sneezing are reflexes. They clear the airways of irritating things.

What’s a DTR?

The reflex that the doctor checks by tapping your knee is called the patellar, or knee-jerk, reflex. It is also known as a deep tendon reflex (DTR) because the doctor is actually tapping on a tendon called the patellar (say: puh-TEL-ur) tendon. This tap stretches the tendon and the muscle in the thigh that connects to it. A message then gets sent to the spinal cord that the muscle has been stretched.

The spinal cord very quickly sends a message back to the muscle telling it to contract. The contraction of the muscle causes your lower leg to kick out. You might wonder why such a reflex exists. This type of reflex is important in keeping your balance. When you’re standing up, gravity might cause your knee to bend slightly, and this could make you fall if you didn’t have the protective DTR to straighten that knee and keep you standing upright.

A doctor often checks for DTRs to make sure that the nervous system is working properly. Aside from the knee, they also can be checked along the outside of the elbows, in the crooks of the arms, and at the wrists and ankles.

So the next time your doctor taps you with that little rubber hammer, say, “Hey doc, how are my DTRs?” (kidshealth.org)

NEWS

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thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Public Security Minister admits Police abuse sirens …no concrete plans for crime fight

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n the wake of the horrific accident on East Bank Demerara (EBD) that claimed the lives of five persons, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has admitted that indeed, there are Police Officers who abuse the sirens on their vehicles and present a danger to other road users.

Ramjattan made this admission during an interview on State radio. When asked what he was doing about these ranks, he noted that there are rogue personnel that they are making efforts to weed out.

“To avoid these accidents that cause so much loss of limb, life and damage to property and the trauma of it, requires passengers speaking to drivers, telling them you’re doing something wrong, please stop it or put me out of the vehicle”.

“That Policeman that

was driving very fast on Friendship (Public Road) a couple days ago, that caused the loss of five lives, obviously he was very reckless.

You’ve been begging the Police leadership to also talk to these fellas and still. They use their sirens; they abuse their sirens”.

Ramjattan was asked what is being done to curb this abuse. As an example, he noted that there are problems with implementing surcharges on Police Officers in cases when they damage the Force’s vehicles. He noted that for humanitarian reasons, he has shied away from taking money from officers for wrecking Government property.

“Information (from public) is acted upon, but still we have, I don’t know if you’d want to call them, rogue elements who still go out and do it. I remember, the first time

after getting the first set of Chinese vehicles, about 59 vehicles, the next day one crashed because of the reckless driving”.

“I had indicated when we did the launch that any driver found recklessly driving and causing accidents, they will have to pay a penalty coming out of their salary for the repairs to the vehicle.

And the next day after (we were going to fine him), his wife and four children came in and said if we deduct from the salary, these children will starve. What do you as a Minister do? Take the money and starve the children?”

Five persons lost their lives last week, when a taxi and a speeding Police car, driven by Presidential Guard Ronnel Barker, collided head-on. From all indications, the Police car had its siren blaring and was travelling at a fast rate of speed.

As such, the civilian motorcar was seen coming to a halt when the two vehicles collided head-on. In the wake of the accident, which left Barker and four other persons dead, President David Granger had ordered a Commission of Inquiry (CoI).

No concrete crime fighting plan

When it comes to crime fighting, the Minister shied away from taking responsibility but rather claimed that the public has to secure itself and be more alert.

From the Police end, he noted that they have to beef up patrols.

“It requires lots more patrols by our Policemen. It requires members of the public being alert. They have to be far more alert. And take a look at the back and find out who’s following them.

If they go out, try to go out

in groups. That’s what the Police will generally tell you.

And that’s what is needed to secure yourself”.

Ramjattan made mention of the recent Police operation, where touts and members of bicycle gangs were arrested in the vicinity of Stabroek market. He noted that many of them were arrested either through tips from members of the public or by facial recognition from the Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras set up around the city.

“We are going to, in a way, beef up the Police patrols all over the place. We have utilised our video cameras at the command centre at Liliendaal to check on a number of these bicycle and motorcycle guys, for a period of days and then we went in and, having identified them, ensured that we arrested them, and arrests have been made, about 39”.

Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan

Minister

“So we’re getting the information through the video cameras. And persons have been calling in to say who and who, at the Stabroek market, have been doing their mischief and we have been arresting them,” Ramjattan said.

Appeal Court order being sought to compel Cabinet, President to resign

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Former AG Anil Nandlall

week after his order seeking Cabinet’s resignation was refused by the High Court, former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall has filed a notice that he is appealing against the ruling on the grounds that Chief Justice (CJ) (acting) Roxane George made a mistake in her ruling.

According to the Notice

an order reversing Justice George’s order dismissing his claim and awarding costs of $500,000 to the respondent, as well as any other orders the Court deems fit to grant.

According to the former AG in his Notice of Appeal, the CJ “erred in law in failing to properly give a true interpretation to and give effect to the clear and unambiguous provisions of Article 106 (6) of the Constitution, commanding, mandating and requiring the resignation of the Cabinet, including the President, when the Government is defeated by a vote of majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly”.

Among Nandlall’s other contentions is that Justice George failed to properly interpret the ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice

The Court of Appeal

of Appeal seen by this publication, Nandlall is seeking an order from the Court of Appeal compelling Cabinet and the President to resign, as a consequence of them being defeated by a NoConfidence vote.

Apart from asking for a mandatory order to force the Government to give effect to such a ruling, Nandlall is also asking for a conservatory order restraining Cabinet (which stands resigned following the Caribbean Court of Justice ruling on June 21, 2019), including the President, from meeting.

Nandlall also requested

(CCJ) in the consolidated appeals related to the No Confidence vote. According to Nandlall, she also failed to properly apply the Doctrine of Stare decisis or the principle that treats with precedents set by higher courts.

The ruling

In her ruling last week, Justice George had noted that a first instance court such as the High Court cannot contradict the higher court’s ruling. She pointed out that the CCJ had said that notwithstanding the Cabinet’s resignation, it still continued in office as a care-

by now, must be aware of the clear language of Article 106 (6) of the Constitution… mandatory, clear, unambiguous language. And here it is, we have approached the court there is a Cabinet refusing to resign and there is a constitutional court telling us that because the CCJ did not make that order, then forever we are in perpetual

Acting CJ Roxane George

taker government.

She said that both Nandlall and Attorney General Basil Williams referenced this passage in their submissions to the Court, though she acknowledged that such references were made in different contexts.

“In my view… the CCJ did make a pronouncement on the resignation of the President and Cabinet.

Given the language of the CCJ… the effect of the (No Confidence Motion) was the immediate resignation of the Cabinet, but the Court clearly stated that notwithstanding this, the tenure in office of Cabinet (and) President… is on a different footing”.

“Given this pronouncement, there could not have been… any requirement for a mandatory order compelling the Cabinet, including the President, to give effect to the resignation of the Cabinet, including the President, which occurred by operation of law consequent on the NCM,” Justice George said in her ruling.

Besides striking out Nandlall’s application, Justice George had also ordered the payment of $500,000 in costs to the respondent. In his comments after the ruling, Nandlall had expressed shock at the Court’s unwillingness to grant the order. He noted that the Constitution of Guyana takes precedence over any doctrine on the hierarchy of the courts.

“This is indeed a shocking ruling. Every Guyanese,

error”.

“In other words, the doctrine of precedent and the doctrine of stare decisis are now superior to the Constitution of the country.

The Constitution is the supreme law, not no ordinary principle of Stare Decisis.

Those are basic, low-ranked principles. The Constitution is the supreme law and that,

unfortunately, is not being upheld by the court. So this decision must be appealed”.

According to Attorney General Basil Williams, however, the decision was in keeping with the need to preserve legal precedent. He was of the view that the decision was the right one, since the CCJ referenced the matter in its ruling.

8 news

thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Teen slapped with accessory to robbery charge …allegedly gave friend knife to rob woman

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teenager was remanded to prison

by Magistrate Faith McGusty on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for a robbery under arms charge.

Kelwin Williams, a bus conductor of South Ruimveldt, Georgetown, denied the charge which stated that on October 20, 2019 at Regent Street, Georgetown, while being in the company of another and armed with a knife,

Kelwin Williams

he robbed Shoba Deomattie of a phone valued $60,000 along with $4000.

Police Prosecutor Ceon Blackman told the court that the Virtual Complainant boarded the bus on Regent Street, Georgetown, but while she was being seated in the bus, the 18-yearold bus conductor pulled out a knife from his waistband and handed it to his friend, who was also a passenger.

The Prosecutor further told the court that the

friend then placed the knife to the victim’s neck and relieved her of the valuables.

The robbery was reported and the teen conductor was arrested and charged.

In court on Wednesday, the Prosecutor said that the teen was identified by the VC in an identification parade.

The Prosecutor objected to bail and the teen was remanded to prison. The case will continue on November 13, 2019.

Venezuelan remanded on illegal ammo charge

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Venezuelan man who was allegedly caught with illegal ammunition was on Wednesday taken before Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Jorge Guerreiro appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty and denied the charge which stated that on October 16, 2019 at

Cuyuni River, Essequibo, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), he had in his possession 16 rounds of 12-gauge ammunition without being the holder of a firearm licence.

Defence Attorney Ravindra Mohabir, in a bail application, said that his 49-year-old client had no

knowledge of the ammunition.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on October 16, ranks who were on patrol in the area saw Guerreiro and carried out a search of his belongings According to the Prosecutor, during the search, the ammunition was

discovered in Guerreiro’s haversack. The court also heard that Guerreiro admitted ownership of the ammunition.

He was remanded to prison, and the case was scheduled to continue at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court on December 16, 2019.

On the hustings…

J

…or the hustlings? ust before he flew up to Cuba for his medical checkup, caretaker President David Granger tooled over to New Amsterdam in his military-type convoy replete with outriders, ostensibly to declare their “Town Week” open in his role as “Head of State”. But decked out in his PNC-green shirt, shimmying on the stage to Chronixx’s “Here Comes Trouble”, and belting out a speech chockfull of tall promises to a bussed-in, green-clad audience, Granger was anything but “presidential”.

He was more like a used-car salesman trying to convince a customer – on whom he’d unloaded a lemon four and a half years ago – that he was now bringing sugar to make lemonade!! It was nothing but the campaign spiel of a politician pulling out all the stops to ensure that the gravy train he’d been enjoying wouldn’t stop. It’s a heady brew, this presidential gig thing, that’s for sure.

As his PNC-predecessor President Hoyte remarked, once you’ve heard that eighteen-gun salute, you’re not much different from that druggie sweating and shaking for a “fix”!

But your Eyewitness has some severe problems with the whole charade of the PNC in Government exploiting their lame-duck statuses to campaign. This is just rubbing salt and pepper into the wounds they carved into our Constitution when they refused to obey its crystal-clear language on resigning after a successful no-confidence vote. Even in normal circumstances, incumbents take care not to make their abuse of State resources too obvious. Not Granger!

The man had the gall to insist that New Amsterdam be locked down as if a new strain of a virus capable of wiping out the rest of Guyana needed to be quarantined!

It was clear that the barricades thrown up at the West Coast school to keep away protestors is now going to be a feature at his rallies. The barricades at New Amsterdam extended the military-type cordon for several blocks that virtually paralysed the entire business district. The effect was heightened by the presence of GDF troops patrolling in open-back pickups, all decked out in full battle gear.

Just thinking about the cost of deploying all this manpower just for a campaign speech has convinced your Eyewitness that there is a method behind the seeming madness. As a military man, Granger understands the potency of “massing of the troops” before the enemy. It’s evocative of Burnham’s penchant for having GDF forces marching through “PPP areas” during past elections.

Even though he knew he was going rig the elections in the end, he enjoyed rubbing the PPP’s nose in it!

It’s all about intimidation! This is war, baby. A war for control of all that oil money coming down the pike!! …against the crime background Your Eyewitness is also convinced the present upsurge in crime is not unrelated to the upcoming elections. He challenges you, dear reader, to cast your mind back to every past election (including the 1992 one). Google them if your memory’s hazy!! And what you’ll find is the identical surge in criminality. As Ian Fleming once pointed out, if something untoward happens once, that’s “happenstance”; twice, it’s “coincidence”. But thrice and more?? That’s “enemy action”, baby!!

It all started just before the 1961 elections, as the PNC pulled out all the stops to prevent a repetition of the previous election of 1957, when they were ignominiously routed. “Choke and rob” moved from being a descriptive verb into a noun as “PPP supporters” were pounced upon when entering Georgetown and relieved of their gold jewellery. Before the 1964 elections arson and ethnic cleansing entered the picture.

By the seventies, “kick-down-the-door” bandits morphed from being an election feature into an all-yearround of terror in “PPP communities”.

Let’s not even talk about the “freedom fighters” of the new millennium elections! …against Janet Jagan Janet Jagan would’ve been 99 this year. And let’s not forget how this American-born woman, who gave her life to this country, was hounded out of office after the 1997 elections.

“Wuk pon she” entered the national lingo!!

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

news

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thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Former Minister hospitalised after fire erupts at home

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ormer Foreign Affairs Minister Rashleigh Jackson has been hospitalised after he was affected by heavy smoke and had to be pulled out of his home when a fire broke out at his Republic Park, East Bank Demerara, residence on Wednesday morning.

The fire started sometime after 11:00h. Guyana Times understands that 90-yearold Jackson lives alone but his grandson usually sleeps over at the Lot 182 Wills Street and Jackson Avenue, Republic Park, house.

At the time of the fire, which investigators believe might be electrical in origin, Jackson was home alone.

One of his neighbours told this newspaper that she was in the yard with her handyman doing some gardening when they noticed smoke emanating from the house next door.

“We saw some thick black smoke coming from a room [on the bottom flat of the house]. So I told [the handyman] jump up and see

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Rashleigh Jackson

Jackson coughing in his bedroom and so they enlisted the help of some other persons in the community to break into his house to rescue him.

“I was calling for him and there was no answer, then I heard a cough. So I said he’s in the house and I told the guy climb up and get and pointed his bedroom out…

Two guys were passing and we asked for their help and they used my ladder to climb on to the shed, where they broke some windows to get into the bedroom and then

they brought him down the ladder,” the woman recalled.

She added that by that time, an ambulance had arrived at the scene along with a fire tender and Jackson was transported to a city hospital for treatment.

“They had to put on an oxygen mask cause he had inhaled all that smoke.

There was a lot of smoke. It was a little scary but thank God, he’s doing ok,” the woman related.

Guyana Times was told that the fire started in a room at the bottom flat of

if anybody burning anything over there because I called and there was no answer. So I told him go into the yard and call for Mr Jackson and see what’s happening. He then told me its fire,” the woman related.

She said that she immediately called 911 and was transferred to the Guyana Fire Service. While they were awaiting the arrival of the firefighters, the neighbours said they tried calling out for the elderly man but got no response.

According to the neighbour, she then heard Firefighters at the Republic Park, EBD house on Wednesday

house, located to the rear of the house. That room, this newspaper was told, contained books and a heater.

Fire Chief Marlon Gentle told this publication that firefighters managed to contain the blaze within the room and prevent any excessive damage to the wooden building.

Further, he noted that that while an investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire, they suspected it to be electrical.

“Tomorrow (today), we are going to be working with

the Electrical Department cause we have a strong feeling it might have been electrical,” the Fire Chief told this newspaper.

Jackson served as Foreign Affairs Minister under the People’s National Congress (PNC) Government from 1978 to 1990. He also served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) from 1973 to 1978, during which he held the post of President of the UN Security Council in 1975 and 1976 respectively.

Caricom meeting to zero-in on violence in schools

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s it seeks to equip young people to function effectively in a 21st century economy and society, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is rolling out its Human Resource Development (HRD) 2030 strategy and is currently examining a number of issues relating to the regional education system.

This is being done at the 38th meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) on Education hosted at the Caricom Headquarter, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

Over the two days, Education Ministers and other stakeholders from across the region will be focusing on measures to ensure the successful implementation of the HRD 2030 Strategy, which is a long-term regional policy framework endorsed by Heads of Government in 2017 to lead the development of human resources in Member States.

High on the agenda of issues is re-conceptualising schooling and learning, with a focus on establishing safe and healthy learning communities in the region.

Caricom’s Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque point-

ed out at the opening ceremony of the COHSOD meeting on Wednesday that establishing safe and healthy schools is being advanced as a means to address violence in schools.

He noted that safe schools promote the protection of students from violence, exposure to weapons and threats, theft and bullying, as well as the sale and use of illegal substances on school grounds.

“Data on school-based violence in the Caribbean have revealed increasing incidences of violence in both primary and secondary schools. Schoolbased violence has been associated with poor attendance, decline in performance, high drop-out levels and decreased academic achievement. Low educational attainment is associated with poor employment opportunities and crime and violence, which ultimately impacts on sustainable development of the region,” he stated.

To this end, Ambassador LaRoque said the COHSOD meeting will look at results from three complementary strategies which are being implemented to address this challenge.

“These are aimed at improving the schools’ environment, as well as strengthening social and life skills among students, their peers and families,” he added.

Meanwhile, Education Minister Nicolette Henry underscored the importance of having an enabling environment for young people. She explained that their experiences in the school system is also impactful since such exposure provides specific support in making individual behaviour choices, such as how to handle anger, when to become sexually active and what to eat.

On this note, Minister Henry posited that it is critical for the discussions at the two-day COHSOD meeting to be centred on how to better prepare students, and even parents, to be able to contribute to that “enabling environment”.

“This not only addresses the importance of parent education programmes but brings a wider cross-section of society into play as it requires a community-based participatory approach that challenges many sections of our community to step up, including the mass media and entertainment

industry to be more responsible in their contribution to socialisation of our young people. We have continually reinforced the importance of all stakeholders in the education of our children. It does takes a village to raise a child,” the Education Minister contended.

Additionally, she noted that the Council needs to also examine recreation and positive outlets for youthful energies, as well as appropriate public policies to help provide an environment which facilitates positive behaviour.

The regional officials’ examination of school-

based violence comes on the heels of two female students of the Tagore Memorial Secondary School on the Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) being involved in a violent fight last week.

The incident has left a 15-year-old traumatised and embarrassed after she was badly beaten and her hijab ripped off by her fellow schoolmate, while others watched on.

This is not the first time such an incident occurred. Back in March, also in Berbice, a video had surfaced with a student of the New

Amsterdam Technical Institute (NATI) beating three of his schoolmates with a belt in a classroom.

In the past, such violence in schools have ended fatally or with serious injuries. Only in February this year, a 15-year-old student of Covent Garden Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, was stabbed during an altercation with his classmates.

Meanwhile, between 2017 and 2018, at least three other students ended up in the hospital with stab wounds sustained during fights steaming from schools.

10 NEWS

thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Husband jailed for chopping wife to death

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fter brutally chopping his wife to death in 2016 and later admitting to the gruesome crime, 44-year-old Althone Pitt, formerly of Chelsea Park, Mahaica, East Coast Demerara, was on Wednesday sentenced to 22 years behind bars by Justice Jo-Ann Barlow at the Demerara High Court.

Pitt was initially slapped with a murder charge, but opted to plead guilty to the lesser count of manslaughter and a wounding charge earlier this month when he made his first court appearance. The indictment read that on June 1, 2016, he unlawfully killed 31-year-old

The dead woman, Candacy Pitt and her now convicted husband, Althone Pitt in happier times

Candacy Pitt.

Reports are that on June 1, 2016, the now dead woman and her cousin, Brenda Thomas, 54, who were working with Home Safe Security Firm, were performing duties at the Bygeval Secondary School when Pitt turned up and requested to speak to his wife.

According to reports, given previous threats Pitt made to his spouse, Thomas refused to give him access and it was then he carried out the gruesome attack.

He first dealt two blows to Thomas and then proceeded to chop his wife, who was in the guard hut.

His wife attempted to es-

cape by running out of the school’s premises, but owing to her injuries she collapsed a short distance away as the now convicted man continued to chop her about the body until she died.

After committing the act, Pitt turned up at the Mahaica Police Station where he confessed to the murder and handed over the murder weapon.

During Wednesday’s

hearing, Justice Barlow handed down the 22-year sentence together with an eight-year sentence for wounding Thomas. The Judge ordered that the sentences run concurrently and that Pitt be given counselling while in jail.

The man was represented by Attorney-at-Law Adrian Thompson while the State was represented by Prosecutor Sarah Martin.

President Granger’s cancer now in remission

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lmost one year after being diagnosed with cancer, President David Granger is said to be in remission.

This was announced by Ambassador of Guyana to Cuba, Halim Majeed following the Head of State’s most recent visit to that country for a medical check-up at the Centre for Medical, Surgical Research (CIMEQ).

President Granger returned to Guyana Tuesday night, having completed a medical evaluation over the past few days.

The medical specialists have expressed complete satisfaction with the state of the President’s health.

They have also explained that his ailment is now in remission.

In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer still may be in the body.

Granger was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of cancer that develops in a network of vessels and glands spread throughout the body. The announcement was made on

President David Granger

November 14, 2018.

In keeping with strict medical procedures of the Cuban health system, President Granger is expected to return for another scheduled routine medical check in January 2020.

Thereafter, the next evaluation will be in June 2020.

Meanwhile, Granger has iterated his gratitude to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the Government of Cuba, and the CIMEQ medical team which has been responsible for his treatment in Cuba, over the past months.

Venezuelan who threatened to kill woman during robbery remanded

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Venezuelan man who allegedly threatened to kill a woman during a robbery was on Wednesday remanded to prison after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded Wilfredo Jose Castelo when he appeared before her and denied that he robbed Sharron Cartier on October 19, 2019 at Thomas Hill, Mabaruma, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), while being armed with a knife.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield told the court that on October 19, the victim was walking going home when the 29-year-old man pounced on her armed with a knife.

The court heard that the Venezuelan man placed the knife to the woman’s throat, threw her to the ground, and threatened to kill her.

Castelo is accused of relieving the woman of her bag.

The matter was reported to the Police and he was ar-

Wilfredo Jose Castelo

rested and placed in an identification parade. The prosecution is contending that the Virtual Complainant (VC) positively identified Castelo.

In an application for bail to be denied, the prosecutor told the court that the Venezuelan man had no ties to Guyana and would not return for his trial if granted bail. The prosecution’s submission was upheld and Castelo was remanded to prison.

The case will continue on November 18 at the Mabaruma Magistrate’s Court.

NEws

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thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Sugar workers’ protest

GAWU, GuySuCo ink resumption agreement …dispute to be addressed at conciliation

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ollowing protest actions by workers of the Blairmont Estate since the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) continued to ignore their concerns relating to the breakdown of the system regarding promotions at the Estate, the Guyana Agriculture Workers Union (GAWU) and the corporation on Tuesday signed a Terms of Resumption agreement, which seeks to restore normalcy at the Estate.

The Union on Wednesday said that workers resumed respective duties at the Estate as both the Union and GuySuCo have agreed to meet at conciliation, under the Chairmanship of the Department, on October 30, when arguments will be proffered by the parties to advance and sustain their contentions. This agreement, the Union said, also stipulates no victimisation by either side.

During the signing of the resumption agreement at the Social Protection Ministry’s Department of Labour, Chief Labour, Occupational Safety and Health Officer Charles Ogle, among others, sought to engage the Union and

Representatives of the two parties at the agreement signing

GuySuCo on the factors at the root of the dispute that mushroomed into protest action by the workers.

According GAWU, its General Secretary, Seepaul Narine, explained what transpired and the circumstances which forced the workers into protest action, while the corporation, through its representatives, gave explanation on their behalf.

As such, it was agreed that the dispute would be addressed by the Ministry at the conciliation level with the Parties.

The Union, on behalf of its workers, has expressed confidence that the conciliatory proceedings will ensure

Narco trafficking lands man in jail

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27-year-old man who allegedly had 198 grams of cannabis in his bag was on Wednesday remanded to prison after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Carlos Christopher of Linden-Soesdyke Highway appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty.

Christopher denied that on October 21, 2019, at Lombard Street, Georgetown, he had in his possession 198 grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

The prosecution is contending that Police ranks, acting on information received, went to Lombard Street and conducted a search on Christopher. It is contended that the cannabis was found in a bag the defendant had in his possession.

According to the prose-

Carlos Christopher

cution’s case, Christopher claimed that he was transporting the substance for someone in exchange for a phone.

The case will continue on November 13, 2019.

that justice is meted out and the Corporation would respect its own long-standing procedures and practices.

“The workers have shared the view that their demands are principled and just and all they seek is fair and equitable treatment,” the Union in a statement said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, the Union had stated that when it arrived at Blairmont on Monday for a meeting, members saw a notice asking interested workers to submit applications to be tested for the purposes of promotion.

According to the Union, the notice is dated October 15, which is after the workers’ protest commenced. GAWU added that of importance too, is that GuySuCo’s personnel manual sets out, without ambiguity, the process regarding promotion of workers.

The relevant section of the manual, written solely and wholly by the Corporation, was allegedly not adhered to. “It brings into question the usefulness of this and any other policy and agreement if it can be ignored and altered at the whims and fancies of those who are charged with up-

Some of the workers who were on the protest line on Tuesday

holding them. It seems, the Corporation is taking a cue from its shareholder which, in recent times, has been disregarding and undermining several constitutional provisions,” the Union said.

Further, GAWU reminded that the 1976 Recognition and Avoidance

and Settlement of Disputes Agreement requires the Union and the Corporation to refrain from using “… written and spoken word of a nature likely to engender prejudice or resentment against the other by means of groundless or useless criticism or allegation”.

12 news Family demands justice as robbery accused gets bail A thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

mother is calling for justice after saying that even though bandits broke into her home and dragged her out of bed by her hair after chopping her son several times, one of the alleged perpetrators has only been charged with armed robbery and no mention was made of the wounding.

It was on August 4, 2019 that gunmen entered the house through a door that was left open and chopped 30-year-old Rene Anthony Juman of Lot 162 Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, leaving him with a fractured skull and a broken shoulder after he was chopped several times.

Four of his front teeth were also knocked out by the

Bebi Ali

bandits.

His father, 50-year-old Mohamed Ishmael, was choked during the home invasion. Moreover, Bebi Ali was hit with a crowbar and

dragged from her bed after the bedroom door was forcefully opened.

On Wednesday, one of the suspects, Victor Sealey, appeared before Magistrate Renata Singh at the Reliance Magistrate Court and was not required to plea to the charge of robbery under arms.

It is alleged that on August 4, at Angoy’s Avenue, he robbed Juman of two silver chains.

After the charge was read, Magistrate Singh, seeing the reaction from Ali— who was on her feet as one of the Virtual Complainants— asked her if she had something to say.

The woman then revealed that the charge as stated did not represent

Death of 4-year-old boy

Stepfather further remanded

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agistrate Wanda Fortune on Wednesday further remanded 21-yearold Joseph James to prison in connection with the October 7, 2019 murder of his four-year-old stepson Alex Prince. While the case was initially called before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan on October 17 at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, it was transferred to the Linden Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday after it was said to have been filed at the incorrect magisterial

district.

It is alleged that the accused, who is a logger, murdered the child during the course of rape at their Silver Hill, LindenSoesdyke Highway home.

Initial investigation had revealed that the child was found naked and unconscious at approximately 12:00h on October 7 with injuries to his eye and head. According to reports, the accused claimed that he discovered the child unconscious with the injuries after returning from a nearby grocery shop. The

child was then transported to the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) after being examined by nurses from a nearby health centre. He is said to have died while on the way to the hospital. A Post-Mortem Examination performed later indicated that the four-year-old died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and had been sodomised. The accused was later arrested and charged with murder following investigations.

He was remanded to prison and the case will continue on November 13.

Some of the injuries to Rene Anthony Juman

the statement she and her son had given to the Police.

After the court hearing, she told Guyana Times that she needs justice.

“I told the Magistrate, ‘No, that is not my story.

That he go in our house, chop up my son, break my door’. I don’t know why the Police did not send the statements…”

In Court on Wednesday, the woman explained that her son received life threatening injuries. The break and enter charge, she said, came as a surprise given the magnitude of the injuries.

Back in August, the family had reported that three cellular phones were on a table when the bandits entered and they did not interfere with them; they only demanded money and

jewellery.

According to Ali, she had given two statements to the Police and those statements were not in the Police file that the prosecutors had on Wednesday.

“My first statement had everything that take place; how they break the door and what happen to my son, beat my husband, knock me and pull me out of the bed from the room by my hair and everything”.

The second statement, she explained, included the names of the suspects.

According to Ali, she did not provide that information to the Police initially because of fear and the fact that when she was with her son, who was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital for some time, Ishmael was left alone in

the house.

“It is after I got him out of the house that I gave the Police the second statement,” she said.

Following Ali’s report to the court, the Magistrate said she is of the opinion that something was not right and advised that she contacts the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Meanwhile, a Police source confirmed that following the arrest of Sealey, a file was prepared and sent to the DPP for advice and he was subsequently charged.

Sealey was placed on $100,000 bail and will have to return to Court on November 6.

The matter has been transferred the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court.

News

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thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Banks DIH, GTT among companies joining fight against breast cancer

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he Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) in collaboration with partnering companies, have distributed 42 self-care vouchers to cancer survivors, cancer patients and caregivers of the patients.

According to GTT’s Pinktober Coordinator, Diana Gittens, the outreach was part of GTT’s Pinktober’s first “Live Aware, Live Beautiful” initiative. Patients were selected by the GPHC oncology unit.

ness in Guyana. The last event will be the 5K/10K walk, which will be held on Saturday.

Meanwhile, beverage giant Banks DIH Limited also hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness programme for Cancer survivors receive hampers from GTT

Some of the cancer survivors at the Bank DIH programme

Persons receiving the voucher will benefit from a grand makeover as vouchers include a full spa treatment by Milady’s Beauty Salon, Milani’s makeup by Gizmos and Gadgets, full dental cleaning by Jagan’s Dental Centre and food basket supplies.

“Being recognised by persons who are not of your immediate home circle or friends, and to know there are strangers out there who care enough to give back, hopefully, adds to feelings of satisfaction, worth and value. I believe this initiative was able to help these persons feel more valued and appreciated,” Gittens explained.

In addition, GTT has a number of activities planned for Pinktober 2019, with the intention to promote cancer aware-

Doobay Medical & Research Centre cops Green Initiative/ Environmental Award

DMRC Laboratory Quality Manager accepting the Green Initiative/ Environmental at the GNBS award ceremony

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t the recent awards ceremony hosted by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), non-profit organisation Doobay Medical & Research Centre Inc (DRMC) was awarded the Green Initiative/Environmental Requirements Award by the agency, as it participated in the quality awards for Small Business Services.

Prior to receiving the award, an audit was conducted to determine the laboratory’s Quality Management Principles in seven areas, which include customer focus, improvement and safety. Upon this evaluation, the said award was presented to DRMC at the simple ceremony.

The DMRC laboratory had been certified by GNBS in its Haematology and Clinical Chemistry departments on June 5, 2018. In

August 2018, the laboratory expanded its services to include Serology (Malaria, Dengue, and H.pylori) and Urology (urinalysis, pregnancy) testing. The laboratory has two qualified and licensed medical technologists.

The non-profit opened its doors for service and business on September 11, 2011, providing affordable and quality healthcare services to the public. Initial service offered included only dialysis, as it is the largest dialysis provider in the Caribbean; however, to further extend its humanitarian reach, the company has expanded its services and is now offering: laboratory testing, radiology services, gastroscopy and outpatient services—where they house a general medical practitioner, internist, gynaecologist and gastroenterologist.

employees and cancer patients/survivors on Monday at the Sports Club, Thirst

Park.

Speaking at the programme, Oncologist Dr Latoya Gooding of the Giving Hope Foundation, in delivering her feature address, urged women to seek early screening to ensure they are cancer-free.

“You can overcome cancer, and some survivors of the disease are now living their best lives following treatment. However, early detection is necessary,” she stated.

Dr Gooding further note that younger women, and a percentage of men, are also being diagnosed with the illness, as she provided partic-

ipants with information on the risk, treatment and recovery of the disease.

Meanwhile, Human Resources Director Andrew Carto noted that the awareness session was timely as more women are becoming mindful of the threat of breast cancer.

In addition, 16 cancer patients/survivors attached to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Oncology Clinic, Cancer Institute of Guyana and the Giving Hope Foundation were presented with hampers and monetary donations by the Company.

As part of the activities

planned for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the company partnered with Citizens Bank Inc for a two-day Golf Tournament at Lusignan Golf Club on the East Coast of Demerara on Saturday, while on Sunday, New Amsterdam Qik Serv hosted over 60 bikers of the Assassin Biker Club in an awareness campaign named “Bikers against Breast Cancer”.

The bikers rode from Georgetown to New Amsterdam and later joined racing cyclists in Berbice in lap of honour around the township before releasing balloons into the air as a sign of hope.

14 news

thursday, october 24, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Public advised to safeguard against water-borne illnesses

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nother springtide is expected on October 26 and is likely to affect some coastal and low-lying communities. This can pose a risk of water-borne diseases to persons who may come into contact with the water. Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), has advised what measure residents, in these areas, can

implement to avoid contracting water-borne diseases.

“One of the greatest risks with intermittent flooding like this is usually it pushes all those pests like rats, snakes and those sorts of creatures to higher ground and some of them invade homes… the issue of leptospirosis is still one that is of concern to public health so ensuring that you protect all water sources, all your drinking water supplies, food supplies are very critical,” he is quoted as saying

by DPI. Dr Persaud also emphasised that persons must avoid coming into contact with floodwaters; however,

if there is need to be in the water, persons must protect themselves at all times. “We usually advise that you wear long boots wherever possible… you wash correctly, and there are some small measures like applying Vaseline to the legs which help to reduce the penetration, if you have any wounds, treat and clean them and keep them covered”.

Further, persons are being advised to adopt safety measures which will guarantee they have clean water for household purposes. Water treatment such as boiling and adding bleach are reliable measures recommended the Health Ministry. Also,

CMO, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

water containers must be covered at all times.

The CMO noted that Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has been doing their part to ensure that their supply of water to residents is not compromised.

There are other ways to prevent water contamination. One such method is through proper waste and garbage disposal, especially during this expected springtide period. Persons can ensure that garbage is secured in plastic bags and waterproof receptacles, like drums/barrels, with a thick covering until it can be disposed of later.

Dr Persaud also advised

that the most effective way to ensure that you are protected from water-borne diseases is by ensuring everyone in your household is vaccinated. “For adults, we strongly recommend that they get a Hepatitis B vaccine along with MMR [Measles Mumps Rubella], a Yellow Fever and the Diphtheria Tetanus.

These are the four adults must ensure they are covered with to be protected”.

In areas prone to be affected by projected springtides, the health centres are equipped with the necessary medicine and emergency supplies. Also, these health facilities may serve as relief facilities if there is a need.

GRC celebrates 25th anniversary

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he Guyana Relief Council (GRC) on Sunday observed its 25th anniversary under the theme “Years of Caring and Sharing,” where volunteers, sponsors and specially invited guests came together to reflect on the project and its accomplishments.

A luncheon was held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown, and was attended by members of the private sector, diplomatic corp and stakeholders.

GRC Chairman Yvonne Hinds in her opening remarks related that the organisation operates on funding from donors and

businesses.

She added that despite the acknowledgement and favourable reviews of the vast work that has been carried out yearly, funding is limited and donations are increasingly sporadic; however, the organisation is eternally grateful for the funding received.

The Chairman noted that the GRC has grown into a respected non-governmental organisation over the years, after being faced with many challenges. She went on to say that the work that has been done for the Guyanese population is significant.

“Those involved in char-

GRC Chair Yvonne Hinds (right), Former British High Commissioner Stephen Hiscock, Former President Samuel Hinds, and Rev Philadelphia among the guests at the event on Sunday

itable work are well aware of how difficult it is to raise funds in a small society and reaching for help from the same sources. The past year has been very difficult financially; however, no one who sought our services is turned away,” Hinds expressed.

Reflecting on the past, Hinds said that the GRC’s service to the nation over the past 25 years has seen many of early dreams becoming a reality. “We now have an emergency shelter with an apartment for such

administration. The facility was renamed the Yvonne Hinds Hope and indeed is an oasis I envisioned, which could house one hundred persons when necessary.

During the great floods in 2005-2006, the residence accommodated age range from a one-month-old baby to a 92-year-old man, who stayed for a period of six weeks”.

She outlined that the organisation is fulfilling its vision of providing non-discriminatory help to Guyanese when they are

most in need. She further added that the GRC has handled 35 fire cases and 14 welfare cases and has helped 227 persons.

Former British High Commissioner Stephen Hiscock stressed that even with help from international and local communities, funding is hard to accumulate since there is always a need for more help and assistance for those who have been affected by disasters, especially fire.

He encouraged young members of society to volunteer to make a meaningful contribution to the country.

A number of persons were recognised for their tremendous contributions and sacrifices to the GRC’s cause, ranging from the Chairman, Oscar Phillips; Courtney Benn, Doris Lewis, Donna Ramsammy-James, Lloyd Stanley Gopaul, and CHE Jian Ping.

The Guyana Relief Council is a non-profit voluntary organisation, which was established since 1994 to render support and bring relief those affected by disaster.

news

15

thursday, october 24, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

EBD man slapped with 18 Venezuelans caught sneaking in T&T conspiracy charge

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wenty-five-yearold Corwin Estwick, also known as Timothy Estwick, was on Wednesday remanded to prison on a charge of conspiracy to commit a felony, when he appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune at the Linden Magistrates’ Courts.

Estwick, of Peter’s Hall, East Bank Demerara (EBD), was charged in connection with the damaging of a car belonging to ex- cop, Teon Allen, also known as “Spoil Child”.

It is alleged that on

Tuesday, September 10, 2019, Estwick conspired along with other unknown persons to unlawfully and maliciously damage Allen’s car, PXX4598, at Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden.

The car is valued at $2.4 million. He was remanded to prison and the case will continue on November 14.

Only on Tuesday, one of the men who attempted kill Allen, known as “Spoil Child”, at East La Penitence, Georgetown was slapped with an attempted murder charge and appeared at the Georgetown

Magistrates’ Courts.

Renard Caesar, 23, of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan.

Police stated that on October 5, 2019, at East La Penitence, Georgetown, with intent to commit murder, he discharged rounds at Allen.

Allen, himself, is currently before the court for discharging a loaded firearm with intent. He too appeared before Magistrate Wanda Fortune and was released on $50,000 bail.

E

ighteen Venezuelan nationals including three children were detained by police trying to enter the country illegally by boat in Carenage early this morning.

Investigators told Guardian Media the Venezuelans from Guiria were held near the Smith Hill area in Carenage at about 05:35h.

Officers of the Western Division intercepted the vessel and detained the migrants.

The nine males seen in a WhatsApp video circulating were made to lie on their stomachs while the six women and three children stood nearby.

Police have since called

AA flight attendants arrested in Miami airport after caught Facebook's Zuckerberg with large quantity cash grilled over currency plan

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our American Airlines flight attendants were arrested at the Miami International Airport and charged with money laundering after taking large amounts of cash into the country, police said.

The airline says it’s working with law enforcement on their investigation.

The flight attendants were going through a routine customs check Monday during the time of their arrest, according to a MiamiDade police report.

One Customs and Border Patrol Agent was checking Carlos Alberto MunozMoyano, who had arrived on an incoming flight from Chile. The agent asked him how much money he was carrying, and MunozMoyano said he had $100, the police report said.

He later changed his statement and said he had $9,000, according to the po-

in immigration officials who are expected to question the Venezuelan nationals.

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lice report.

The agent alerted other agents, who found other attendants from the same fight carrying large amounts of money, the report said; none had a license to transport the cash.

The police report has redacted what the flight attendants admitted to when they were interviewed by a Homeland Security Agent.

Agents found $7,300 on flight attendant Miaria Delpilar Roman-Strick and $6,371 on Maria Isabel Wilson-Ossandon, the report said.

Police did not allege whether the fourth flight attendant charged, Maria Beatriz Pasten-Cuzmar, had any money on her, and it’s unclear what role they believed she played.

The four defendants were charged with money laundering by evading reporting requirements and being unauthorized money transmitters.

It is not clear whether or how much money the other defendants reported bringing into the US. The total amount of money seized was $22,671. (CNN)

acebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has tried to reassure sceptical US lawmakers over the safety of the social network's proposed digital currency Libra.

At a fractious hearing in Washington, members of Congress attacked plans for the payment system, warning it could be abused by criminals and terrorists.

Zuckerberg was also challenged over claims that he had lied to US regulators in the past.

But he promised Libra would not be launched without Government approval.

He said Facebook would leave the Libra Association if the consortium tried to launch a cryptocurrency without the permission of US regulators.

Zuckerberg's appearance

Facebook Zuckerberg

CEO

Mark

before the House Committee on Financial Services comes after a tough month for the Libra project.

Eight of the 28 founding members of the Libra Association - set up to independently govern the currency - have pulled out.

They included Mastercard,

Sources say they are expected to be deported soon.

(T&T Guardian)

Visa, eBay and PayPal. Meanwhile, regulators around the world continue to express concern about the project. The G7 group of nations has vowed to block it unless Facebook can prove it is safe and secure.

There are concerns the currency could be used for money laundering, disrupt the global financial system, or give Facebook too much control over user data.

He told the hearing that he understood the reservations about Libra but was determined to persevere.

"I get that I'm not the ideal messenger for this right now. We've faced a lot of issues over the past few years and I'm sure there are a lot of people who wish it were anyone but Facebook that was helping to propose this," he said. (BBC)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, october 24, 2019

Regional

Chile braces for more protests, strikes as Pinera’s pleas fall on deaf ears

C

hile braced for more protests and a general strike by state workers on Wednesday, despite President Sebastian Pinera’s pleas for forgiveness and announcement of ambitious reforms to quell unrest that has rocked the country and led to at least 15 deaths.

Workers at Chile’s stateowned Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, said late on Tuesday they would join the general strike called by state unions, raising the spectre of a slow-down

in copper output from the world’s top producer.

Despite the announcement, Codelco’s Chuquicamata mine was operating normally early on Wednesday, according to internal documents viewed by Reuters.

“The strike will go on!” the Central Worker’s Trade Union (CUT) said on social media, calling on its workers to begin gathering mid-morning in the country’s cities for a peaceful “caserolazo”, in which protest-

Demonstrators are sprayed by security forces with water cannons during a protest against Chile’s state economic model in Santiago, Chile

ers bang pots in solidarity.

Many student groups, healthcare workers, and teachers also planned to join the protests, leaving the majority of the country’s schools closed and many public services hobbled.

“We invite all to join... what we want is peace, but the only durable peace comes with social justice,” said CUT president Barbara Figueroa.

Pinera late on Tuesday said he hoped to turn recent violent protests, which have

also seen some 5000 people arrested, into an “opportunity” for Chile.

The reforms include a guaranteed minimum wage, a hike in the state pension and the stabilization of electricity costs.

The president said the package represented “concrete and urgent steps” to resolve inequality that has sent tens of thousands into the streets to demand an economic overhaul and, in some cases, his removal. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Brazil’s President sees Mercosur bloc Bolivia’s Morales blasts Opposition at risk if Opposition wins in Argentina ‘coup’ amid election standoff

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possible victory of opposition candidate Alberto Fernández in Argentina’s presidential election on Sunday could put the Mercosur trade bloc at risk, Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, where he is on an official visit, the Brazilian President said the return of leftist Cristina Kirchner, who is running for vice-president on Fernandez’s ticket, “could endanger the whole of

Mercosur.”

Kirchner, who is now a senator, was president of Argentina between 2007 and 2015.

“What we want is that Argentina continues the trade policies of Macri in case the opposition wins,” Bolsonaro said, referring to Argentine President Mauricio Macri. “If not, we may get together with Paraguay and Uruguay to make a decision.”

He did not specify what that decision would be, but mentioned the temporary sus-

pension of Paraguay from the bloc in 2012 as an example of the kind of action that has been taken in the past.

The Mercosur trade bloc was established in 1991 and now groups Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as full members. Venezuela was a full member but was expelled in 2016.

Conservative Macri lost serious ground in the Aug. 11 primary election to Fernandez, who is now widely expected to win the election. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Venezuela exodus set to top 5M as long-term needs grow, officials say

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he exodus of Venezuelans is on track to reach 5 million people, as pressure grows on neighbouring countries to provide them with long-term support, United Nations and European Union officials said on Wednesday.

Some 4.5 million refugees and migrants have fled Venezuela since 2015, according to official figures, but more are using illegal crossing points because they lack identity papers, said Eduardo Stein, joint special representative of the UN refugee and migration agencies.

The crisis has worsened since the United States imposed sanctions, including on

the pivotal oil industry, in an effort to oust leftist President Nicolas Maduro in favour of Opposition Leader Juan Guaido. Dozens of nations recognise Guaido as interim president, saying Maduro rigged a 2018 election.

Roughly 5000 people leave Venezuela daily, although the number fluctuates as more states require visas, Stein said.

“The experience of other crises in the world shows us that those who would want to go back to Venezuela if the crisis in political terms were to be solved today, it will take a good two years or maybe even more,” Stein told a news conference.

A UN regional humanitarian response plan of $739 million for this year is expected to nearly double for 2020, he added.

The initially welcoming attitude to Venezuelans around South America has soured amid accusations they bring crime, crowd the job market, and strain social services.

The United Nations and European Union are hosting a meeting on Oct. 28-29 in Brussels to raise awareness of needs. Donors and officials from the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank are due to attend, but no Venezuelan representatives.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Trinidad: Cops find 14-year-old in lewd party bust

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14-year-old girl, who is believed to be a victim of human trafficking, was among 22 females detained at a “Secret Sunday” pool party busted by officers of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) after midnight on Sunday.

They were found in a house at Chancellor Heights, Upper Lady Chancellor Road, St Ann’s in Port-of-Spain.

Nineteen of them are said to be Venezuelan nationals.

A 37-year-old woman from Westmoorings who is believed to be the main suspect was detained for questioning but was later released.

A Valsayn businessman

and his son who were both detained in the raid are expected to be charged for the possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Both father and son, who were among the 20 men arrested, senior investigators told Guardian Media, had been formally charged in 2016 with similar offences which are still before the courts.

A revolver was found on the scene of the raid together with narcotics and a large amount of cash.

Police said most of the women had no identification on them and were engaged in lewd dancing, possible prostitution and child endanger-

ment.

Just after midnight on Sunday, acting on intelligence, SORT officers conducted a sting operation at the house where the women along with 20 men were also arrested.

They were all taken to the St James Training Academy where they were up to late yesterday being interviewed by investigators.

The 14-year-old girl was handed over to the custody of the Children’s Authority and Police say the women will be transferred to Immigration officials for processing and possible deportation. (Excerpt from T&T Guardian)

B

olivian leader Evo Morales on Wednesday repeated his claim of victory in a presidential election and accused the opposition of trying to orchestrate a coup, after mass Opposition-led protests since the Sunday vote that claimed the counting was rigged.

The latest official count, apparently frozen with nearly 97% of the ballot processed, showed Morales with 46.49% of the vote. That puts him 9.5 points ahead of main rival Carlos Mesa, but still short of the 10-point lead needed to win outright and avoid a riskier second round run-off.

In a fiery early-morning speech at the Government office in capital city La Paz, leftist Morales criticised recent violence that saw electoral offices torched and skirmishes between pro-

Supporters of Bolivian President Evo Morales march in La Paz, Bolivia

testers and Police, which he blamed on the right-wing Opposition and what he described as their foreign backers.

“I have called this conference to denounce, in front of the Bolivian people and the entire world that a coup d’etat is in progress. In advance, the right had pre-

pared with international support for a coup,” he said.

Morales called on the people to “defend democracy” in the speech. Later in the day, he sought to shore up backing from the country’s military at an event in the region of Cochabamba, a key source of political support. (Excerpt from Reuters)

CCJ to give CSME ruling within “reasonable time”

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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) says it will give an opinion “within a reasonable time” as it concluded hearing arguments in the request for an advisory opinion by the Caribbean Community (Caricom) that could have implications for the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME) that allows for the free movement of goods, skills, labour and services across the region.

The CCJ, which was established in 2003, replacing the London-based Privy Council as the region’s final court for some states, also acts as an international tribunal interpreting the treaty that governs the 15-member regional integration grouping.

It had over the past two days heard arguments from attorneys representing Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, St Kitts-Nevis, the Caricom Secretariat as well as law

lecturers of the University of the West Indies (UWI).

The request for the advisory opinion by Caricom, is pursuant to Article 212 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (RTC) which states, “the Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to deliver advisory opinions concerning the interpretation and application of the treaty”, and that “advisory opinions shall be delivered only at the request of member states parties to a dispute or the community”.

In thanking the lawyers for their presentation, the CCJ President, Justice Adrian Saunders said “We are going to consider all of them of course and I won’t be able to give you a time now when we will give the decision, but I could tell you it will be given in a reasonable time”.

At the centre of the request for the opinion from the CCJ, is the decision taken by Caricom leaders at the

Justice Adrian Saunders

18th special meeting where they had agreed to extend the category of skilled nationals pursuant to article 46 of the RTC to include agricultural workers and security guards.

Antigua and Barbuda, as well as St Kitts-Nevis were granted an “opt out” of obligations from the decisions of the Conference to extend the category. (Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, october 24, 2019

17

Around the World

Trudeau to reach 39 bodies found in Chastened out to opponents after Canada lorry in England election blow, rules out coalition

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he bodies of 39 people have been found in a lorry container in Essex, south-east England.

The driver has been arrested and a murder investigation has been launched.

Essex Police said in a statement that it had received first reports about the lorry at the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays just before 01:40h local time (00:40 GMT) on Wednesday. The town is about 15 kilometres (nine miles) east of London.

Ambulance staff discovered the bodies in the unit just over an hour later, and the Police said that “sadly all 39 people inside the container had died”.

“Early indications suggest that one of these people was a teenager, the rest are believed to be adults,” the police said.

The nationalities of the victims were not immediately known, with the Police warning that the formal identification “could be a lengthy process”.

The Police had earlier suggested that the lorry could be from Bulgaria, but later said

A

The nationalities of the victims were not immediately known, with the Police warning that the formal identification “could be a lengthy process”

they believed the vehicle entered the United Kingdom from Belgium.

The Bulgarian Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “The bodies of 38 adults and a teenager have not yet been identified, but Police said that it is highly unlikely that they are Bulgarians.”

Essex Police believe the trailer arrived in Purfleet on the River Thames from Zeebrugge, Belgium, about 00:30h local time on Wednesday.

The tractor unit (the front part of the lorry) is thought to have come from Northern

Ireland and picked up the trailer from Purfleet, Essex, shortly after 01:05h 00:05 GMT).

Belgian Prosecutors have launched an investigation to establish whether the trailer travelled through Belgium.

Essex Police corrected their earlier statement that said the lorry had entered the UK at Holyhead, a major Irish Sea port in Wales, on October 19.

However, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said investigations would be undertaken to establish if the lorry had passed through Ireland.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Trump lifts US sanctions on Turkey, says ceasefire permanent

U

S President Donald Trump has announced that Turkey said it was stopping combat and making a ceasefire in northern Syria permanent, prompting the United States to lift recent sanctions it had imposed on Turkish imports in response to the violence.

“The sanctions will be lifted unless something happens that we are not happy with,” Trump said on Wednesday in a special address from the White

House, where he also spoke sceptically about the meaning of “permanent” in “that part of the world”.

Earlier this month, Trump halted negotiations on a US$100 billion trade deal with Turkey, raised steel tariffs back up to 50 per cent and imposed sanctions on three senior Turkish officials and Turkey’s Defence and Energy Ministries.

The President has been under fire for abruptly withdraw-

ing US troops from northern Syria, with many accusing him of abandoning Kurdish forces, who had been one of the US’s main allies in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS).

Following the withdrawal, Turkey launched an offensive against Kurdish forces in the region.

Last week, Turkey agreed to a five-day ceasefire to allow Kurdish forces to withdraw.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Delhi stripped the disputed region’s autonomy on August 5.

Residents and political parties have criticised the timing of the “forced elections” as the state remains under a security lockdown and a near-complete communication blackout.

Shehla Rashid, a young Kashmiri politician, quit electoral politics earlier this month

saying she did not want to “legitimise” New Delhi’s actions in Kashmir by participating in a “sham electoral exercise”.

In total, 26,629 village council heads will vote to elect 310 out of 316 blocks, which comprise a group of villages, in the Muslim-majority region of seven million. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

chastened Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose grip on power was weakened after an election this week, said on Wednesday he would reach out to his opponents but ruled out any kind of coalition government.

The ruling Liberals lost their parliamentary majority in Monday’s vote and must now rely on other parties to govern. A top Trudeau ally lost his seat and the Liberals were wiped out in two western provinces, putting more strain on national unity.

“Canadians gave me a lot

to think about on Monday night. ... I am going to take the time necessary to really reflect on how best to serve Canadians,” Trudeau told a news conference.

His tone was notably more muted than it had been on Monday, when he triumphantly told supporters he had been given a new mandate to pursue priorities such as climate change.

Liberal officials say Trudeau will seek support in Parliament on a case-by-case basis, most likely from the left-leaning New Democrats, and should easily survive for

two years.

“I can tell you it is not in our plans at all to form any sort of formal or informal coalition,” said Trudeau, adding he would reach out to all party leaders in the coming weeks.

The Liberals, despite losing the popular vote to Andrew Scheer’s Conservatives, ended up with more seats than any other party. The New Democrats, their most likely partners, are likely to demand action on a list of priorities such as increased social spending.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Thai King fires officials for “extremely evil” conduct

T

hailand’s King Vajiralongkorn has fired six officials for “extremely evil” conduct, just days after removing his royal consort for “misbehaviour and disloyalty against the monarch”.

The six include a woman, a senior Police official and two royal guards.

They were accused of “exploiting their official positions for their own or other people’s gain”.

On Monday, royal consort Sineenat Wongvajirapakdi was stripped of her rank and titles.

Police Lieutenant General Sakolket Chantra of the Royal Household Bureau was named as one of the six people sacked.

“They have severely breached disciplinary conduct for their evil actions by exploiting their official positions for their own or other people’s

King Vajiralongkorn has exercised his powers in a more direct way than his father

gain,” announcements in the Royal Gazette said.

“They also didn’t comply with royal regulations, which has brought severe damage to the royal affairs.”

The dismissals come after many were stunned by the King’s stripping of his consort’s titles just months after she was granted the honours.

Sineenat, 34, was pun-

ished for trying to elevate herself to “the same state as the Queen”.

King Vajiralongkorn has exercised his powers in a more direct way than his father.

Thailand’s lese-majeste law forbids any criticism of the monarchy and carries a hefty prison sentence. (BBC News)

Ethiopia protesters burn India set to hold local elections Nobel winner’s book in Kashmir amid boycott

I

ndia is set to hold local body elections on Thursday in Indian-administered Kashmir amid a boycott by most political parties, which have termed it “undemocratic”.

Hundreds of leaders of pro-India parties, including three former Chief Ministers, remain in detention since New

EU keeps UK waiting on Brexit delay, Johnson gears for an election

E

uropean Union Member States on Wednesday delayed a decision on whether to grant Britain a three-month Brexit extension, while Prime Minister Boris Johnson said if the deadline was deferred to the end of January he would call an election by Christmas.

Britain appears closer than ever to resolving its

three-and-a-half-year Brexit conundrum, after Johnson clinched a deal with the EU on the terms of its exit last week and secured an early signal of support for it from Parliament.

But there are still hurdles to clear, and Johnson’s ability to deliver on a “do-or-die” pledge to get Britain out of the EU by October 31 is in doubt,

after Parliament rejected a three-day timetable to enact his agreement on Tuesday.

European Council President Donald Tusk said on Twitter he was recommending that the leaders of the EU’s 27 other Member States back a delay, which Johnson says he does not want but was forced

by Parliament to request.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

P

rotesters in eastern Ethiopia have burnt copies of a new book

by Prime Minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner Abiy Ahmed in a show of solidarity with an Opposition media activist.

Jawar Mohammed had said the Government was removing security from his home in the capital, which officials denied.

This triggered protests outside his compound and elsewhere in the country.

Despite being praised for his reforms, the Prime Minister has struggled to contain growing ethnic rivalries.

The Police have disputed that security was withdrawn, but Mohammed’s statement fuelled some frustrations with the Government.

In the capital, Addis Ababa, supporters offered to act as Mohammed’s security detail and protesters were heard shouting: “Down,

Youths gathered outside Jawar Mohammed’s compound in the capital, Addis Ababa

down, Abiy.” The book burning took place in the town of Dadar.

Copies of Abiy’s book, Medemer. which was published on Saturday, have been distributed across the country. It focuses on the Prime Minister’s political philosophy as well as his vision for Ethiopia.

Mohammed used his media platform, Oromo Media Network (OMN), to report on the 2016-18 wave of anti-government protests under the previous Prime Minister,

Hailemariam Desalegn.

During those protests OMN gained a huge following among people in the Oromo community, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, who have felt politically and economically marginalised.

At that time the Ethiopiaborn Journalist was based in the US, where he is a citizen.

But he returned to Ethiopia after Abiy took power in April last year and started introducing reforms.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, OCTOber 24, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

Take care of unfinished business. Less talk and more action will give you better insight into what you should do next. Arguing will be a waste of time and energy.

TAURUS

Your desire for change, excitement and novelty will prompt you to make a move.

Take an all-or-nothing approach and enjoy the ride.

Romance and partnerships are accentuated.

(March 21April 19)

(April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

SUDOKU

Don’t overlook the obvious. Someone will play mind games with you if you are too open about your feelings. Look inward and focus on fitness, health and emotional well-being.

You are overdue for a makeover, change of location or new daily routine. Shake things up and let your heart guide you. Love, self-improvement, children and relationships are favored.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

If something needs to be done, do it. Don’t wait for someone else to step in or complain. A change at home may not be something you want, but it may be necessary.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

You need to get out more.

Experience is the spice of life, and it will give you plenty to think about regarding your current situation and where you see yourself heading.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t respond to demanding people. You have a choice, and you should put your energy and effort into something that will benefit you, not someone else.

SCORPIO

You can make a strategic move that will help you financially, emotionally or legally. Look at every angle and make a practical, carefully considered adjustment. Romance is featured.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

solution for LAST PUBLISHED puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Listen to others, but don’t take everything you hear literally. Someone will offer information that isn’t accurate. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Separate fact from fiction.

Dig in and finish what you start. A chance to get ahead financially looks promising.

Look over contracts, settlements and investments. A proposal will encourage personal and professional rewards.

Keep your head down and your focus where it belongs. If you let someone mess with your mind, you will end up making a mistake that costs you emotionally and financially.

Take hold of whatever situation you face and turn it into an opportunity that will lead to benefits. Personal health, finances and legal matters are favored, and romance is encouraged.

thursday, october 24, 2019

19

Bangladesh players call off strike after BCB concedes E

nding all speculation, the ongoing feud between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the cricketers was resolved on Wednesday with the Board agreeing to most of the demands that were put up by the players.

It eventually led to the players calling off the strike with immediate effect. The India series was in doubt with the cricketers having had called a strike on October 21 after putting up an 11-point demand and it seemed to be moving in the wrong direction as they added two more demands to that list and sent it to the Board for consideration on Wednesday. However, the BCB officials seemed adamant to resolve the problem as quickly as possible and end the ongoing crisis. In the end, they managed to do

it successfully. As a result, cricket is set to resume with the National Cricket League (NCL) starting next Saturday, while the national players will participate in the preparation camp for the upcoming India series that is scheduled to start from October 25, 2019.

"We have agreed to meet up most of their demands," Nazmul Hasan said in a joint press conference, where Shakib Al Hasan was sitting beside him in the boardroom. "We had earlier decided to cancel the third round of the NCL, but as the players decided to play, we have shifted them on next Saturday. The national camp will start from October 25," he said, ending all speculation hovering around the upcoming India tour that is scheduled to start from November 3.

"They had sent 11 demands

Bangladesh premier all-rounder Shakib Al Hassan

where BCB had nothing to do with the [Cricketers Welfare Association of Bangladesh]

Anthony Davis “trying to figure it out” with LeBron James after loss to Clippers

A

nthony Davis says he and LeBron James are "trying to figure it out" as he outlined areas for improvement after the Lakers lost to Los Angeles rivals the Clippers in his debut for the team.

The Clippers triumphed 112-102 at Staples Centre on the NBA's opening night, Kawhi Leonard starring with a gamehigh 30 points. Davis made an impact – he had 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in a 37-minute outing – but is aware the team have adjustments to make ahead of Friday's home game against the Utah Jazz.

The six-time All Star was disappointed with the Lakers' defensive effort as they surrendered 40 points in the second quarter and knew that their bench being outscored 60-19 was significant.

Davis is also aware it will take time for he and James to gel perfectly in the star-studded Lakers

line-up, which saw Danny Green score 28 points in his first outing for the team.

"For us, we're both aggressive," Davis said of playing with James. "Sometimes we kind of miss each other. I missed him a couple times and he missed me, so just trying to figure it out.

"We know we are going draw a double team, [so it is about] knowing where everyone else is. When you have two guys who are passers it makes it a little bit easier, but we're still learning.

"This is game one of many.

We're all gonna look at the film and see where we could get better. We made some good plays, but the defence we definitely have to clean up and get better at. When we started doing what we were supposed to do defensively, we got back in the game and tied it up, then we had some costly turnovers at the wrong time of the game"

Davis added: "They had over 50 points off the bench. If we allow that, we deserve to be beat . "Obviously [injured] Kyle Kuzma would help. He's very talented and able to score.

But we just missed a couple of shots, Quinn [Cook] missed a couple. It's the first game, we are not down or upset. We stand level-headed, go into the next game, will figure out what we can do better and make some adjustments against Utah."

Of his first game as a Laker, Davis said: "It felt good to be out there. Trying to get it going. It's been a while since I played in a game so it was fun for me to get back out on the floor with my team-mates. We obviously don't like the outcome, but we're going to have a chance to get better.

"It was a very anticipated game and a great atmosphere. First quarter, it definitely felt like a play-off game." (Sportsmax)

Anthony Davis (right) and LeBron James

CWAB-related demand while we have decided to agree on the remaining demands apart from the one where it was stated that players will be allowed to play in more than two franchise-based tournaments," he said. "I don't think there are many players who are offered more than two franchise-based tournaments and we will take the decision regarding participation of them in the franchise-based cricket on a case-to-case basis,'' he said.

There were lots of twists and turns on Wednesday as the Bangladesh cricketers had

sent a 13-point demand letter to the BCB through their appointed representative that included revenue sharing of the Board and one of the new demands added to that list incorporated gender parity as male cricketers felt that women cricketers should be treated equally by the Board.

"We have sent a letter to the Board placing our 13-point demand, but that is nothing like a legal notice," Mustafizur Rahman said in a local hotel where players had gathered to have a discussion among themselves on Monday. "We want gender parity, so we want that wherever it is possible our male and female cricketers are treated equally by the Board," he said.

"We want revenue sharing by the Board as we believe that Bangladesh will be the second biggest market in Asia in cricket after India and is on its way to be one of the leading ones in the world," he added.

This announcement came a day after the BCB lashed out at the cricketers and said that they have not put up any demands formally to them and instead used the media as a tool.

Regarding the revenue sharing and gender parity issues, Hasan said that they could not make any official comment right now as they

have sent it to their legal adviser for counsel.

Shakib said that he was happy that most of their demands are being met. "Today we are happy," said Shakib.

"We can say how satisfied we are when these assurances will be implemented," he said.

Shakib, who led for the players in discussion with the board, said he was happy for the time being, but only could express his satisfaction fully if the measures were executed properly.

"Till now, I am happy. The Board promised to resolve all the matters one by one very soon. I hope they will do it in quickest possible time," Shakib said. "We raised those two demands just now and the Board needs time to discuss about it. I am okay with it for the time being. We are joining the national camp from October 25."

"After the NCL, we'll discuss about the CWAB. (CWAB President) Namur Rahman assured us that only the current players will be involved with CWAB," he added. (cricbuzz)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

thursday, october 24, 2019

Holder aiming to stay on top of his game for Afghanistan series F

resh from celebrating his recent triumph in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with Barbados Tridents, Jason Holder has now switched his attention back to his duties as West Indies all-rounder and Test Captain.

The Test match talisman is heading off to India where he will feature in all three formats for the series against Afghanistan. The teams meet in three T20s, three ODIs and a Test match. West Indies arrive in India on November 1 and the series goes until December 1. The matches will be played at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in the city of Lucknow.

Holder is the number one ranked all-rounder in Test cricket – 58 points more than his next highest rival Ravindra Jadeja.

He is also at number three on the bowling table – two other West Indians feature in the top 20 – Kemar Roach (9th) and Shannon Gabriel (19th).

The highlight of Holder’s year so far was a magnificent 202 not out over England in Barbados.

It was a career-def i n i n g moment which led the West Indies to a su-

perb victory as the regional side regained the prestigious Wisden Trophy for the first time in a decade.

“We had a great start to the year in Test cricket when we beat England at home, so we want to end the year on a high. We have the match against Afghanistan and that will be a good contest in overseas conditions. Every Test match is important.

Test match wins don’t come easy, so we know how hard we have to work. The guys are really up for this challenge and it would be very good to finish off the year well, on a personal note as well as on a team note,” Holder said.

The 27-yearold has impres-

sive numbers. In 39 appearances, he has scored 1887 runs, including three centuries. He also has 101 wickets (average 27) including six five-wicket hauls – the most recent last month against India in the second Test at Sabina Park. West Indies will face England again next June as they defend the Wisden Trophy. Holder already has one eye on that tour – with three Tests at the Oval, Edgbaston and Lords.

“That’s the major challenge on the horizon for the Test team as we look ahead to the Future Tours Programme.

We will be going back to England to contest the Wisden Trophy and

also to continue the quest for very important points in the ICC World Test Championship. Last time we played in England we had a magnificent win at Leeds, so there is all to play for,” Holder said.

Looking ahead to the return to the T20

International format, Holder added: “Feels great to be back in the T20 side – and to be playing in all three formats for the West Indies again. It was great to win the CPL with the Tridents and I did quite well, so happy to be back for West Indies. We are

gearing towards the T20 World Cup coming up in just under a year and I want to be a part of that.

I want to play a significant part. I was part of the setup three years ago when we won in India and that was a wonderful feeling.”

(CWI)

Batshuayi strikes late to give Chelsea win

Jason Holder

M

ichy Batshuayi came off the bench to score a late winner at Ajax as Chelsea stunned last year’s Champions League semi-finalists.

The Dutch giants had won both their Group H games prior to the visit of Frank Lampard’s side, but struggled to break down their disciplined opponents and were undone when Batshuayi slammed home in the final few minutes.

Ajax did have a goal ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the first half when Quincy Promes’ strike was ruled out by the smallest of margins, while Edson Alvarez headed against the post after the break.

But Chelsea fully deserved their win for a hugely-impressive away performance as they recorded a second successive win that moves them top of the group, level with Ajax on six points.

The victory sets things up for a tantalising top-of-the-table meeting between the two sides at Stamford Bridge on November 5.

Blues impress in clash of the young titans

Much has been made of this young Ajax side after they came within a whisker of reaching the Champions League final last season, knocked out by Tottenham in the

semi-finals after a stoppage-time goal from Lucas Moura.

Despite the loss of key players Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong over the summer, astute signings coupled with yet more talented players emerging from the famed academy meant they picked up where they left off, winning 13 of this campaign’s first 17 games and drawing the other four.

But here they faced a Chelsea side boasting its own impressive collection of improving young talent, who arrived at the Johan Cruyff Arena looking to claim a sixth successive win in all competitions.

From the outset, Chelsea made things uncomfortable for Ajax, not allowing the home side to utilise their favoured tactic of playing out from the back and disrupting their ability to build attacks.

As a result, the hosts created few clearcut chances. They did not manage a shot on target until the 60th minute - when Daley Blind’s low effort was held by Kepa, and the closest they came was when Alvarez’s header cannoned back off the far post.

They were perhaps unfortunate to have Promes’ goal in the first half ruled out, with his boot deemed offside, but Chelsea deserve huge credit for nullifying a side that failed to score in a game for the first time since August 20, 2019. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, october 24, 2019

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21

SBF Petroleum/CGI 50-Over Franchise League…

Chanderpaul century leads West Demerara to win over Lower Corentyne

ꟷ Anderson, Foo among runs

I

n the sixth round of matches played on Tuesday, Lower Corentyne took first strike at Young Warriors where the cumulative efforts of their batsmen resulted in a score of 250-8 in 50 overs.

Kevlon Anderson played exceptionally, hitting six fours and one six in his top score of 94. Following closely behind was Jonathon Foo with another magnificent performance of 84, amped-up by five sixes and six fours.

West Demerara secured the win by six runs as lighting affected play, thereby, requiring the Duckworth Lewis and Stern method.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul reached a composed century of 105 runs, hitting six fours and four sixes which were vital in his team’s battle for the win. His colleagues,

Tevin Imlach (34); Malcom Hubbard (25) and Raymon Reifer (20) collectively aided in securing the six-wicket win.

Upper Corentyne v East Bank

Upper Corentyne won the toss and elected to bat reaching their maximum at 172-6 in the prescribed 30 overs. Opening batsman Alex Algoo wasted no time to make as many runs as he could to top the board at 67, Clinton Pestano (41) was bowled out by Ronaldo Alimohamed (1-34).

Sherfane Rutherford, with his right- arm pace, picked up two wickets.

For the reply, East Bank captured the win with six wickets to spare. Vishaul Singh stands undefeated and, again, features as

the top scorer for his team by contributing 59 runs.

Trevon Griffith, Mavindra Dindyal and Yudister Persaud, added 37, 27 and 12 not out respectively in reaching their target. Eon Hooper, on the bowling side, claimed two wickets for 39 runs.

The final round of the SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day 50-Over League will bowl off today, Thursday, October 24 ,2019, when Georgetown will battle East Coast at Lusignan, while Essequibo seek to retain their title and will face East Bank at Everest, Lower Corentyne versus Upper Corentyne at Young Warriors and West Berbice engage West Demerara at Tuschen. The action commences at 09:30h.

Tagenarine Chanderpaul receives his Player-of-the-Match award after his century at Young Warriors

Chung’s Global GCB-CWI Kiddy Progression One Cricket Enterprise supports North Georgetown, South Mackeson-Rawle Toney Ruimveldt bag wins 3x3 Basketball Classic

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Chung’s Global Enterprise’s Tansy Plowell (left), makes a presentation to Rawle Toney, organiser of the Mackeson-Rawle Toney 3x3 Basketball Classic

Akeem Bernard

Ezekiel Blair

hung’s Global Enterprise, one of the country’s leading construction companies, threw its support behind the November 9-10 Mackeson/ Rawle Toney 3x3 Basketball Classic, which will be held at the Burnham Basketball Court in Georgetown.

The tournament, which will feature some of the top 3x3 teams from across Guyana, will see the winners pocketing $300,000, while the second- and thirdplace finishers are set to receive $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.

Tansy Plowell, assistant to the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cleon Chung, upon making her presentation to organiser Rawle Toney at its 622 A Industrial Reserve, Mandela Avenue location, said the entity was pleased to be associated with the tournament, given the fact it sought to rejuvenate interest in the sport.

Plowell added that Chung’s

s the Guyana Cricket BoardCricket West Indies (GCBCWI) Kiddy Progression One Cricket continued for primary schools in Georgetown at the Thirst Park Ground, North Georgetown defeated Marian Academy while South Ruimveldt outplayed Thomas Moore.

In the matches that were played on Tuesday, October 22, South Ruimveldt defeated St Thomas Moore Primary by 11 wickets. St Thomas Moore batted first and paced their way to 64 for 9 off their allotted 14 overs. Ezekiel Blair and Alex Jones were the main contributors with the bat with 11 and 10 respectively. Bowling for South Ruimveldt, Akeem Bernard grabbed 2 for 1.

In reply, South Ruimveldt made light work of their modest victory target, reaching 55 for 2 off just nine of their allotted 14 overs.

Akeem Bernard stroked an unbeaten 14, Frederick Jack made 10 and Kenneth Lee, 6. Bowling for St Thomas Moore, Shawn Mc Pherson and Blair had one wicket each.

In the other match played on the said day, North Georgetown defeated Marian Academy by nine wickets.

Marian Academy batted first and battled their way to 67 for 9 off their allotted 14 overs. Jeremy Chung stroked 16, inclusive of 2 fours.

In response, North Georgetown’s Dellon Wray and Kareem Caesar featured in a first-wicket partnership of 38, with each batsman contributing 20.

Wray struck two fours and one six in his effort while Caesar hit one four and two sixes.

Although North Georgetown lost a few quick wickets with the dismissal of the openers, they managed to easily reach their target, finishing on 68-4 within the ninth of their allotted 14 overs. Arshia Narine took 2-16.

The next round of matches in the GCB/CWI Kiddy Progression One Cricket will be played on Friday, October 25, 2019 at the Thirst Park Ground, with morning matches featuring St Ambrose opposing Winfer Gardens and JE Burnham taking on Rama Krishna.

C

Global Enterprise is known for its generosity and were happy to support sports and more so the shortened format of basketball.

Toney thanked Plowell and Chung’s Global Enterprise, adding: “I’m happy with the support given to the tournament so far and I want to particularly thank Mr Cleon Chung and his company for coming on board.

“I consider this tournament a ‘give back’ to basketball, since the sport is badly lacking relevance in Guyana’s local sports landscape. I believe that the sport is presently left behind and I see this tournament as one of the ways I can help the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) and its affiliates to bring fans back to the sport,” Toney said.

FireSide Grill, the Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sports, Trophy Stall, Kester Gomes’ STUFF and ANSA McAL Trading are the other tournament sponsors so far.

A

22

thursday, october 24, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day 50-Over Franchise League…

Foo, Savory, Smith, Adams extend dominance in CGI franchise ꟷ final round bowls off today

By Brandon Corlette

A

fter six rounds of exciting cricket in the SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day 50-Over Franchise League, defending champions Essequibo remain at the top of the points table with 25 points while Lower Corentyne sit in second position with 20 points. The final round of matches will bowl off today, Thursday, October 24 and the big match-ups will feature Essequibo meeting East Bank at Everest a n d

Lower Corentyne playing Upper Corentyne at Young Warriors.

During the league, players have recorded some brilliant performances; the likes of Jonathan Foo, Kemol Savory, Ricardo Adams and Nial Smith are among those brilliant performers.

After six rounds, Lower Corentyne’s Foo leads the batting chart with 302 runs. Essequibo’s wicket-keeper-batsman Savory has been one of the most consistent performers over the years.

H e

continued that consistency with 291 runs in this season.

West Demerara’s Tagenarine Chanderpaul, fresh from a century, has 286 runs in the league while the consistent Quentin Sampson, who hails from Essequibo, has 237 runs. Sampson, known more for his bowling, has discovered some prowess with the bat this season.

West Indies Under-19 selectee Kevlon Anderson sits with 231 runs for his Lower Corentyne franchise.

The mature teenager, who bats at number three, continues to press for selection in either the Guyana Jaguars team or the West Indies emerging team

that will play the upcoming Regional Super50. In addition to Chanderpaul, Guyana Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson, Trevon Griffith, and Kandasammy Surujnarine have recorded centuries.

Some of the top bowlers in the league are Ricardo Adams leading the charts with 19 wickets, featuring an 8-for that includes a hat-trick, which was the second of the tournament after his Essequibo teammate Joshua Jones took one in the earlier round.

Ricardo, one of the three Adams brothers, has also been among the runs in the tournament.

Tailing his 19 wickets is Lower Corentyne pace-

man Smith, who has 17 wickets, including a stunning 6-41 against a star-studded Georgetown team. The right-arm paceman was unfortunate on two occasions to capture added five-wicket hauls as he ended with four-wicket hauls in two matches.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has 15 wickets for his West Berbice franchise.

Kevin Sinclair, who has been one of the all-round talents, has 13 wickets with his off-spin and 192 runs with the bat, including three Player-of-the-Match performances.

Other bowlers that made an impact during this league are Veerasammy Permaul, Kelvin Umroa, Steven Sankar, Trevon France, Keshram

Seyhodan, Keon Joseph, Richie Looknauth, Ronsford Beaton, Ashmead Nedd and Anthony Adams who have all been in the wickets during the league, in addition to the top wicket-takers. In addition to the top two teams in the League, Essequibo and Lower Corentyne, the Shimron Hetmyer-led West Berbice team are in third position with 19 points followed by West Demerara with 19 points in fourth position.

East Bank with 14 points and Upper Corentyne with 14 points are in fifth and sixth respectively.

Georgetown are in seventh with five points while the winless East Coast are yet to register any points in the league.

Ricardo Adams, Jonathan Foo and Kemol Savory (Brandon Corlette photos)

Terrence Ali Gold is Money, Melanie B, National Open set for November 1-3 Future Stars dominate GT Beer “Keep Your 5 Alive”

A glimpse of the “Keep Your 5 Alive” action

E

ighteen teams took to the figurative battlefield at the National Gymnasium on Tuesday night to “keep their 5 alive” in the seventh annual GT Beer tournament.

Charlotte Street drew first blood when the tournament resumed on Tuesday night, as they came up against Ol Skool. The boys from Charlotte Street edged past their opponents by a 2-1 margin, with Wendell Wilson (8th minute) and Jarkeel Cadogan (12th minute) netting one each for the win. Ol Skool’s consolation goal came off

the boots of Jesse Spencer in the 15th minute.

North East La Penitence humbled Bad-A-Yard with an exhilarating 4-0 thumping. Calvin Moore opened the scoring early with a brace in the first and fourth minute to give North East the lead. Kelvin Moore continued the striking in the sixth minute and Kyle Moffatt nudged another past the goalkeeper in the 13th for their fourth.

An all-Sophia clash saw Sophia A emerging victorious over their fellow community men Sophia B. Dwayne Lowe was the man with the golden boot for Sophia A, as he netted a hat-trick of goals in the first, third and fifth minute. Tskedi Sealey scored the lone goal for Sophia B in the 17th minute.

Stabroek Ballers sought to stage a comeback in their encounter with Future Stars, but the gap was just too large to close in the final minutes of the game. Jamal Cozier opened Future Stars’ account in the fourth minute while Keron Solomon struck in the sixth and Daniel Ross netted a brace of goals in the eighth and 14th minutes.

With the final five minutes to go, Mark Jhallu (15th) and Henry Sampson (17th) attempted a comeback, but could not complete the feat and accepted the 4-2 loss.

Jamar Harrigon’s lone goal in the 19th was like a saviour for BV as they were able to brush past Albouystown in a fiercely-contested game.

Melanie B and Leopold Street were neck and neck in their battle, but Okene Fraser’s efforts were not enough to see his team through. Melanie B’s four goals came as Ryan Seales (3rd) and Jermaine Clark (5th) each found the back of the net once and Malachi Grannum (12th, 14th) netted a double. On the other hand, Fraser (6th, 11th, 15th) bagged a hat-trick in vain as Leopold went down 4-3.

It was another day in the office for Gold is Money as they dispatched Spot- 7 in a 4-0 affair. Keifer Brandt (12th, 15th) led the charge with two goals, while Randolph Wagner (5th) and Solomon Austin (10th) contributed one each.

Later on, Tiger Bay edged out Avacado Ballers, thanks to a lone goal from Orin Moore, while Back Circle enjoyed a walkover instead of facing Upsetters.

The winning purse in the GT Beer “Keep Your 5 Alive” competition contains $550,000, while second place will pocket $250,000. Third and fourth place will receive $125,000 and $75,000 respectively.

T

he Guyana Defence Force boxing gym will be looking to make this year lucky number 19 as they hunt another title win in the Terrence Ali National Senior boxing competition.

Traditionally, the Terrence Ali National Open will be the final statutory tournament on the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association’s calendar before the Guyanese pugilists prepare for the regional stage.

The National Open, which is named in honour of one of Guyana’s most prolific boxers, Terrence Ali, will punch off next weekend in a three-night affair.

The National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue will be set alight from November 1 to 3, as boxing gyms from all around the country compete to dethrone the ever-consistent GDF who have won the title 18 times.

The Terrence Ali National Open will present boxing fanatics with the chance to witness the likes of Keevin “Lightning” Allicock in action. Allicock’s eventual opponent will be in for a tough fight as this is the 20-year-old’s first fight on home soil since February and it is expected to be his last for a while, given his

plans for specialised training overseas.

In addition, Caribbean champions middleweight Desmond “Dynamite” Amsterdam and “The Beast from Berbice” lightweight Jamal Eastman, will be on show. Another attraction on the cards for next week's competition is former Caribbean light welterweight champion Colin “Superman” Lewis.

The first punch will be thrown at 19:00h (7pm) on each night and tickets cost $500 for the stands and $1000 for ringside.

As is the norm, the Terrence Ali National Open will be used as an opportunity to scout and select prospective pugilists for the Caribbean Boxing Championship. The Guyanese team will travel to the twin-island republic, Trinidad and Tobago, for the tournament, which is scheduled to run from December 4- December 9.

Terrence Ali is a Guyanese boxer who lived and competed in the United States, where he was very successful. Out of 70 fights in his career, Ali had 52 victories, 21 of which were knockouts, 15 losses, and 2 draws.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, october 24, 2019

23

Batting maestro Shimron Hetmyer will return to form I

n his last 10 T20 innings for Guyana Amazon Warriors, Shimron Hetmyer had only two scores above double figures. Since his return to local cricket in the

SBF Petroleum Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) 50-Over Franchise, he has recorded scores of 28, 08, 06, and 18 for his West Berbice franchise. Hetmyer possesses all the talent

Dropped first ball! Shimron Hetmyer was given an opportunity against Georgetown (Brandon Corlette photos)

Non-payment of referees

GFF boss cites tournament expenses as factor

A

fter months of outcry from local referees about not being paid for their services, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde, under whose mandate the Guyana Referees Council falls, has cited several reasons as to why the referees are not being paid in a timely fashion.

Speaking with media operatives, following the conclusion of the fourth annual Limacol football tournament, Forde explained that the Guyana Referees Council’s inability to host their Annual General Meeting (AGM) and international tournament expenses were among the reasons why the local referees have been officiating games at a loss.

“Sometimes we have to bend and twist ourselves to figure out how we do that and meet all these other expenses,” Forde stressed.

The pointing of fingers in the payment issue was initiated by the Referees Council, who had called out the GFF over the payment of fees.

However, Forde alleged that the Council’s go-slow pace in conducting its AGM is the reason why negotiations for payments have not occurred.

“Many factors have impacted that. One is that

GFF President Wayne Forde speaks to media operatives

we’ve not been able to get the Referees Council to organise its annual general meeting, so at this moment the Federation doesn’t have a Council to really work with to get the support that we need to administer certain aspects of it,” the GFF boss explained.

Going further into the issue, Forde went on to state that the Federation has seen added expenses and pressure, owing to the increased number of international games played, as compared to times past.

“But beyond, that we’ve had our own challenges.

Quite often, we tried to communicate to the public that the level of international football that the Federation

has been called upon to play is unprecedented as compared to any other time in our football history,” he said.

Forde went on to explain, “The 2019 CONCACAF Nations League campaigns calls us to play two extra games as compared to 2018, where we had to play four games. And I will say to you that an international game whether home or away comes at no less than about 19 million. So when you take that into account, you have to play that tournament, there isn’t an option for us not to play it.”

Nevertheless, the Federation President did not shrug off the GFF’s responsibility, but rather revealed that the governing football body is preparing to address the issue in the near future.

“But we recognise that there are some outstanding payments to the referees, some of it goes way beyond our time but very soon, in a matter of a week or week and a half, we’re going to be making a very bold effort to resolve the situation as far as possible,” Forde disclosed.

“It’s an uphill task but we’ve been able to keep it ticking over the past couple of months and I should say years,” he went on to state.

(Jemima Holmes)

in the world and it is only a matter of time until he returns to form and gets among the runs.

Speaking exclusively to <<Guyana Times Sport>>>, after his team’s victory against Georgetown, the West Berbice Captain stated that he was taking it one step at a time as the series against Afghanistan looms. “I am going as well as I could, but I am working on my game and taking it one step at a time and I am just trying to hit as much ball as possible, looking ahead to the upcoming (Afghanistan) series,” Hetmyer disclosed.

Hetmyer has often been criticised for his tendency of getting out in similar fashion on the big stage. As was seen in the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), he played some irresponsible shots, but this is just a bad patch in his career. In this local match, some of his dismissals have been similar in nature: hitting bowlers for sweet sixes and gifting his wicket away soon after. However, he still remains one of the brightest prospects in West Indies cricket as was seen with his latest selection.

The 22-year-old Hetmyer, the only Guyanese to have earned selection for all three formats in the West Indies team for the Afghanistan series, will tour India from November 5 to December 1. West Indies will play three T20 Internationals, three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and one Test match in that period. With one round remaining in the SBF CGI franchise, Hetmyer will play one more match before leaving for West Indies preparation for the Afghanistan series.

From a brilliant 2018 scoring 440 runs in the CPL then a tough season of 224 runs with only three scores surpassing double digits in 2019, Hetmyer still has a supreme ODI career for his age. The Berbician has 37 ODI matches under his belt with four hundreds and four half-centuries at an average of 38.67, one run short of 1200 ODI runs. He holds the record of being the youngest centurion on home soil.

His Test career and T20l career for West Indies have not been mind-blowing as yet; he has 15

Tests and only five half-centuries with a high score of 93 while he only had 12 innings in T20Is for West Indies with a top score of 26. >>>Hetmyer speaks on his team efforts and Sinclair’s brilliance<<< Reflecting on West Berbice’s one-wicket win against Georgetown, Hetmyer stated that it was an all-round team performance that was very well-composed. “We had some ups and downs, but the guys pulled it off at the end,” Hetmyer said.

West Berbice had only recorded one loss in the ongoing tournament and their success had been surrounded by the brilliance of an all-round Kevin Sinclair, who recorded three Player-ofthe-Match performances.

Hetmyer had this to say about Sinclair: “He has been one of the greatest finds in the league; I am very much impressed with his performances and after seeing him when he was younger and how he matured as a cricketer presently, it is only great for Guyana cricket and he could only get better.”

Hetmyer rocking his West Berbice armoury

8th annual Payless Variety Store 11-race cycling set for Saturday

Flashback! 2018 top performers of the Payless Variety Store 11-race cycle programme

C

yclists will gear up this Saturday, October 26 for the eighth annual Payless Variety Store 11-race cycling programme at the National Park, Thomas Lands from 9:00h.

Looking back on the 2018 event, the inform Briton John clocked in at one hour 17 minutes 44.94 seconds, ahead of the in-form Paul DeNobrega in his win. It was a thrilling finish as John fended off DeNobrega in a powerful sprint to the finish line.

Meanwhile, veteran Junior Niles finished third while Christopher Griffith (fourth), Alexis Mendes (fifth) and Paul Cho Wee Nam (sixth) were the other top finishers. Eight prime prizes were up for grabs

and John copped two, while Niles had three, DeNobrega two and Griffith one.

Tavishte Persaud won the BMX Boys and Girls 9-12 race while Niles was victorious in the Veterans U-50 event, ahead of Nigel London and Jaikarran Sukhai who were second and third respectively.

Linden Blackman was the first Over50 veteran across the line while Kennard Lovell and Chamar Baksh finished second and third. Briton John beat Adealie Hodge in the Juveniles 10-lap event while Sherwin Sampson took third place. A representative from Payless Variety Store will grace the presentation ceremony with their presence.

thursday, october 24, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 23

Batting maestro Shimron Hetmyer will return to form

Terrence Ali National Open set for November 1-3

Page 22 The victorious GDF team displaying their accolades last year

SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day 50 over Franchise League…

Foo, Savory, Smith, Adams, extend dominance in CGI franchise

Page 20

Non-payment of referees

GFF Boss cites tournament expenses as factor

ꟷ final round bowls off today

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