Guyana Times Thursday December 12, 2019

P12

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4135

thursday, december 12, 2019

Caretaker President fires 6 diplomats See story on page 3

Hamley Case

Bayney Karran

Cheryl Miles

Bishwaishwar Ramsaroop

JR Deep Ford

Clarissa Riehl

…yet denies degutting foreign service

Oil money being held offshore to maximise interest — Jordan claims

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WHAT'S INSIDE: Marcus Bisram murder trial

P11 State’s unpreparedness “embarrassing” – Ramjattan

Ubraj Narine returns as Georgetown P2 Mayor

…addresses media under umbrella owing to leaking roof

Page 9

…pegs average long-term interest Govt looking to earn at 3% Accused “fake” cop slapped with several robbery charges P8 Bank of Guyana considering penalties for Republic Bank

The deteriorating state of the Charity wharf. The facility has major traffic daily as it is the only loading wharf and operates as the gateway to the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) See story on page 11

SOCU focuses too much on PPP officials, Chemical spill at politicians GNIC facility forces temporary shutdown – US analyst finds Page 13

Page 7

…technical P7 difficulties, poor service unacceptable – Governor

138 TIP victims identified, 8 P10 suspects convicted

2 NEWS

thursday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ubraj Narine returns as Georgetown Mayor …addresses media under umbrella owing to leaking roof

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eorgetown Mayor Ubraj Narine was on Wednesday re-elected unchallenged to serve again in the same capacity for 2020.

Councillors gathered at City Hall where individual votes were tallied. Members of the Private Sector also showed up to witness the election process.

Narine, who was the sole nominee, received 22 votes.

Alfred Mentore, the former Deputy Mayor, also returned to serve in that capacity.

Meanwhile, the Council also elected a Finance Committee, which included People’s National Congress (PNC) member, Oscar Clarke; Trichia Richards,

“I want to see a different Stabroek area…I do have a proposal which I submitted to the Ministry of Communities. We need Central Government’s blessings so that we go forward with that project to restructure and revamp the Stabroek Market area,” Narine told the media.

Last year, the City Constabulary had identified the Stabroek Market as one of the prime hotspots for criminal activities. Chief Constable Andrew Foo, who is on administrative leaving

Councillors at City Hall during the election on Wednesday

Bishram Kuppen, Ivelaw Henry, Yvonne Ferguson, Cynthia Stewart and Alfred Mentore.

The Mayor was first elected to the post in 2018 after the Local Government Elections (LGE). After his re-election, Narine indicated that there have been many challenges throughout his first year as Mayor. He committed to the restoration of the dilapidated City Hall building, which leaked profusely during the ceremony, forcing him to take shelter under an umbrella.

“We had our ups and downs, countless misunderstandings, disagreements and many more. Yet,

we have had a year of success…If we’re able to put our shoulders to the wheel as councillors, everybody sees us as one. We must operate as one. I want to focus 2020 on projects, especially City Hall building, green spaces, the disposal of garbage.

Those are critical areas that we need to address,” he explained.

Meanwhile, after leaving the confines of the Council’s chambers, he identified some other areas which should be rehabilitated – the first listed was Stabroek Market.

weekends, you find a number of criminal activities that are taking place primarily on the bus parks in front of the Stabroek Market,” he had stated.

He had explained that at the Stabroek Market, since it is a transportation hub, persons entering and leaving public transportation are the main targets.

On the other hand, another major issue, which has been difficult to combat, is the illegal dumping of garbage and littering by citizens.

Re-elected Mayor Ubraj Narine speaking with the media under an umbrella in the lobby of the chambers

pending a current investigation, would have indicated at that time that the marketplace would have been on the radar for quite a while on the basis of the increase in criminal activities.

“Those are two areas that have been identified in terms of criminal hotspots.

The Stabroek section: on the

The Mayor is currently in the middle of a controversy with Chairman of Houston Estates, Michael Vieira, whom he publicly said owes City Hall $400M in taxes.

The businessman has since called the Mayor out for being untruthful since Houston Estates has been punctual in its tax payments.

news

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thursday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Thursday, December 12 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Friday, December 13 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Caretaker President fires 6 diplomats …yet denies degutting foreign service

Thursday, December 12 – 16:10h – 17:40h and Friday, December 13 – 16:35h – 18:05h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Showers are expected throughout the day. There will be light rain showers and cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 04:23h and 16:34h reaching a maximum height of 2.61 metres and 2.75 metres.

Low Tide: 10:09h and 22:36h reaching minimum heights of 0.62 metre and 0.44 metre.

wednesday, DECember 11, 2019

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President David Granger

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ix Guyanese diplomats who served in foreign states were fired by the David Grangerled Administration but the President downplayed the issue on Wednesday, saying that his Administration’s actions were “just a planned change”.

This newspaper understands that those terminated are Hamley Case, who was posted in the United Kingdom; Bishwaishwar Ramsaroop, stationed in the twin-island republic Trinidad and Tobago; Clarissa Riehl, who was posted in Canada; Bayney Karran in China, Cheryl Miles in Venezuela, and JR Deep Ford in Switzerland. Riehl had taken the Government to task in 2016, when Attorney General Basil Williams attempted to take control of a plot of land she owns at Middle and Carmichael Streets, Georgetown under the Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act. Efforts to contact the diplomats for comments on Wednesday proved futile.

Along with the recalled diplomats, Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Audrey Waddell was replaced by a permanent secretary. She is cited as one of the newest recruits for a diplomatic position outside of Guyana.

On the sidelines of an event at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday, the President downplayed the situation by insisting that it was the Government’s intention to recruit new diplomats who have reached the eligible requirements.

According to him, there is no ‘shakeup’.

“There has been no shakeup. At the start of my presidency, I had made it clear that the Ambassadors who would be appointed would be there for only three years and that with my Government’s intention to professionalise the foreign service, that is to say, to reduce or remove political appointees and to allow career officers who had been recruited as diplomats and have been trained and educated as diplomats, to be diplomats,” Granger said.

He further asserted that the Guyanese Ambassadors and High Commissioners were aware of this intention.

This decision, he said, was made after the elections were announced for March 2, 2020.

“It so happened that the contracts of many of the Ambassadors and High Commissioners expired

Hamley Case

Clarissa Riehl

Bayney Karran

Bishwaishwar Ramsaroop

Cheryl Miles

JR Deep Ford

during the time there was some uncertainty about when elections would be held and as a result of that uncertainty, some of the changes were not made. But when it became certain that elections wouldn’t be held until March 2020, a decision was taken to proceed with those changes. So it is not a shakeup. It is a planned change and the Ambassadors and High Commissioners knew that the intention of the Government has always been to professionalise the service”.

After news of the recall spread last week, former Attorney General Anil Nandlall had contended that Government is a caretaker mode, and, therefore, has no authority to make such decisions.

However, the President contended, “There is no

change really, it is a smooth transition from having political appointees as head of Guyanese missions to having professional Ambassadors and High Commissioners…I do not see that it would have any impact that is negative for this country because it is typical in most countries to have professional Foreign Service officers”.

Granger, meanwhile, confirmed that Waddell was

moved from her portfolio. But the President insisted that she has been earmarked for a foreign post. It was his decision to replace her with the Permanent Secretary.

However, while Granger points to the fact that he wants professionalise the foreign service, Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed is not a career diplomat but his services have been retained.

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thursday, DECEMBER 12, 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

CCTV and crime-fighting

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here have been innumerable articles and opinion pieces done on the crime situation. Its effectiveness can be brought into question given that the situation continues to exacerbate. A choice of saying nothing or being futile while vocal is unfortunately imposed. Faced with a life or death situation, one may, therefore, be forced to concede that there is merit, however, obscured, in speaking out with the hope of effective and sustained interventions.

That said, criminals have become more brazen and operate in broad daylight with seeming impunity. That could question the implementation of any existing response plan and the relevance of the security cameras that are now prevalent, especially across the city. That CCTV project cost millions in taxpayers’ dollars and if used as the populace desires, can be an effective mechanism to deter and to aid in possible apprehension.

To ordinary Guyanese, it appears not to be used as intended given the freedom in which criminals seem to operate. What’s amazing is that a number of crimes have been captured from private CCTV cameras and posted on social media. With a small society and the extensive interconnection across the social media platforms, one can only assume that those within the relevant authority may have been recipients.

The pertinent questions are: what has been done if such footage was received? What is being done with footage of criminal activities captured by the CCTV cameras installed by the Government? Again, one can assume that trained operatives are on a twenty-four-hour basis monitoring the cameras within a central room, are recording the footage in the process and passing information in real-time to a response team or teams.

This assumption is from at least two perspectives: how some countries use such systems and the high cost for implementation.

The latter is implicit on the grounds of value from the costly investment. With such expectations and mindsets consumed with fear, citizens would naturally believe that the national CCTV project is primarily to aid in the combating of crime in a timely manner. The obvious question would be: if not for that purpose, then what?

Expectations are not confined to the use of the cameras in question but for law enforcement to respond timely and effectively to the desperate cries for help. Many have and continue to lament the inexcusably slow or total lack of response by the Police and the often unanswered 911 calls.

These have led to the continual erosion of confidence in the Police by the general public. What has been completely absent, at least from within the public domain, is the findings of any internal investigation to determine why, in some instances, response to crimes is slow or non-existent.

With numerous complaints of 911 calls going unanswered, there are also reports suggesting that when a call is successful, sometimes the caller is given a number of the nearest Police station. These can only be deemed as unacceptable. Shouldn’t there be mandatory internal investigations and the findings be made public? Also, unacceptable is the lack of sustained interventions in areas known as crime havens and those that harbour criminals.

These areas exist and it would be folly to assume that the Police are unaware. There is a particular one on the East Bank of Demerara, which, its own residents and those from nearby villages, have bemoaned the ongoing spate of crime during which some lives have been lost. The area is raided sporadically either to appease or when a fatal crime occurs. Residents firmly believe that the Police may be aware of the situation and probably have knowledge of harden criminals who shelter within the area.

The seeming lack of sustained action may have led residents to believe that some ranks may allegedly be emboldening the criminals. With a senior officer currently under investigation for allegedly aiding and abetting criminals, it may not be too farfetched for residents of that particular area to feel that way.

Why then, are responses extremely slow or absent? Why then are known suspects reportedly roaming freely? How can daily robberies go unchecked?

Those are questions that the residents ask every day as they live in constant fear. Any suspicion of snitching can incur a brutal response reminiscent of Buxton years back when the village was held to ransom by a few heavily-armed gunmen. Ironically, when a particular crime occurs, the Police very often can say who may have been responsible and where the suspect can be possibly found.

What then, prevents sustained interventions or presence in high-risk areas? What prevents a response in the first place? Is it fear on the Police’s part? If that’s the scenario, then relief will remain elusive.

ACTIVISM THROUGH ART: The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association in collaboration with Equal Guyana, on Tuesday, opened an art exhibition at the Moray House to raise gender-based violence awareness. This forms part of the organisations’ celebration of the 16 Days of Activism

Why should sugar workers be denied their bread and butter?

Dear Editor, The Granger ‘caretaker’ Administration and its cheerleaders have launched a campaign to criticise and denounce commitments to re-open the Skeldon, Rose Hall and Enmore estates. In furthering their efforts, it appears to us that the Government and a few of its mouthpieces are prepared to descend to lowest depths and to peddle clear falsehoods in what could be seen as a sordid effort to discredit such laudable advocacy. It is hard to imagine that any Guyanese leader would actively engage in talks to deny our citizens an opportunity to earn a living, to feed their families, to send their children to school and to achieve their life’s aspirations. But then, as we have come to learn, the current crop of Executive has broken the mould and not in a positive way. On many occasions, we have seen their unexplained and unjustified departure from time-tested and even lawful conventions and practices and some of their actions were only put right after judicial intervention.

Of course, the sugar workers, their families, their communities and their plight have never really been sympathetically addressed by our nowa-day Governmental leaders.

Indeed, they have treated this group of Guyanese with utter contempt. It seems to be that the coalition despises the sugar belt so much so that, seemingly, everything and anything will be furthered to trample on the well-being of those who are situated in the belt.

For us, it is clear that the entire sugar policy of the Government was done with one intention: to punish the sugar workers, their families and their villages. The obviously glaring question is why? What have these people done to the big-wigs in the Government to be treated the way they are? What per-

ceived crime did they commit to have one injustice after another perpetuated on them? Of course, the closest and clearest answer we believe came from Prime Ministerial hopeful and current Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan. The erstwhile gentleman, according to a December 7, 2018 DPI report in addressing the Opposition, let the cat out of the bag when he said “you wanted to employ your people because you are very strong in the sugar estate areas. It was jobs for the boys... so please don’t play to your base that we are the ones who are discriminating”. Mr Ramjattan’s utterances are similar to that unreleased, possible ducked, White Paper on Sugar which said that “most of the employees of GuySuCo are supporters of the Opposition political party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)”.

The reality, it appears, is that Government’s policy has no basis other than partisan politics.

It is that crude way of thinking that is on display once again as the Government fights tooth and nail to denigrate just the suggestion of the re-opening of closed estates.

The reality is that the estate closure shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

The fact that it did only reveals, even more clearly, the short-sightedness that exists in Government. It has also demonstrated, to us at least, that the Administration cannot really grapple with the manifold responsibilities of administering the State. Any government, worth its salt, would have considered the industry holistically. They would not have restricted themselves to the realm of financial profits only. To do this is an absurdity.

The sugar industry, as many including GAWU have pointed out, has to be seen from economic viability, which goes much deeper and wider than simply

financial analysis. Certainly, if the Administration were to adopt its sugar yardstick to other areas of the State, it may well find that certain government services are not financially viable. Would those services also be placed on the chopping block? We of the GAWU wouldn’t support such an approach recognising the wider economic benefits of those services.

The truth is when viewing the industry through an economic lens, the argument for sugar’s minimisation becomes even weaker. Certainly, the estates were more than just producers of sugar and molasses; they were the hive of activities and represented a beacon of sustenance and hope. Apart from being major employers, the estates’ operation ensured that villages were drained, thus, preventing sickness and diseases and supported local farming activities. The consumption activities by sugar workers and their families sustained many several businesses and vendors. Workers’ NIS deductions contributed to the viability of the Scheme. Rates and taxes payments to local authorities allowed those bodies to fulfil their mandates. The export from the industry brought in valued and valuable foreign exchange and assisted us to pay for our imports. These are among the several factors that the Administration disregarded, or palpably ignored when it decided to close those estates.

The December 8 Guyana Chronicle quotes the seldom-utilised Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo as saying “…this Government has been fair and compassionate…” to sugar workers. We ask, how so? There was hardly any compassion shown when Nagamootoo and company put 7000 persons out-of-work and put tens of thousands into hard times in the Christmas season? Even Natural Resources

Minister Raphael Trotman recently said that “this is not the time of the year that we should see workers going home…”

Also, where was the fairness, when this Government denied sugar workers a pay rise?

In fact, Mr Nagamootoo, who has the least responsibility of all his predecessors, is quoted by the Chronicle to say “… the Government cannot automatically intervene…” but it was the same Nagamootoo in the December 19, 2010, Stabroek News who said that “the Government would do well also to explore all possibilities to give the sugar workers even a nominal wage increase. Zero is an insult, not an option.” The PM moved from the ridiculous to fiction when the Chronicle reported that he said that some redundant sugar workers “… were also given plots of land to farm…” Where are the lands Mr Nagamootoo spoke about?

Who were the workers that benefitted? What sort of activities have these workers ventured into? As far as we know, not even an inch of sugar lands was given to the displaced workers.

Minister Trotman in the December 7 Guyana Chronicle deemed talk of re-opening estates as “disingenuous”. But wasn’t it disingenuous when now-Minister Ramjattan spoke at the APNU/AFC Rally at Whim on March 29, 2015, and committed that the coalition “…will not, in any way, close the sugar industry...?” Wasn’t it also disingenuous when candidate David Granger, according to a March 18, 2015, Inews report, who said: “We are not going to throw the sugar industry through the window”? Also, wasn’t it disingenuous when the APNU/AFC went into the sugar belt and promised workers a 20% pay rise? Mr Trotman said “with oil coming, we will transition most if not all those workers continued on page 5

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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

Caricom has rendered Fast-track rape cases

itself obsolete

Dear Editor, Now that the Americans have spoken that they want “free, fair and peaceful” elections, I am breathing a little easier. There are still many challenges, and inimically, the most crucial ones will be devised by GECOM itself.

However, it is not going to be an easy feat to rig an election under the noses of the Americans in this day and age.

Granger, therefore, knows his best bet is to delay and obstruct as long as possible.

Granger’s Government’s refusal to head to the polls and their violation of the Constitution, co-opting of GECOM and the Courts in the process, has not won them any friends. In fact, it has done the exact opposite. The inter-

national community, barring Caricom, is beginning to show signs of fatigue with this caretaker Government. And who can blame them? It is exceedingly tedious to sit and listen to the lame excuses being proffered every day.

Caricom has chosen to remain silent and steadfast behind Granger even as he continues to violate the rule of law and the rights of citizens. Guyanese will now go to the polls a full 437 days after the Government was defeated in Parliament by the NoConfidence Motion, which was held on December 21, 2018. In effect, future use of no-confidence votes, as a democratic tool, has been irreparably compromised by this obscene precedent. The CCJ is partly to

blame and Caricom’s silence, in spite of all this, shows its unprofessionalism and bias.

It is my personal belief that going forward, Guyana needs to distance itself from Caricom and its organs, including the CCJ. This country is going to be a major oil producer and should, therefore, align itself with similar states so as to enjoy better trade deals and with those demonstrating strong democratic credentials. The time has come for Guyana to forge stronger relations with North America and with its friendly South American counterparts. Caricom is baggage and should be treated as such.

Dear Editor, The glorious and momentous Chairmanship of the G77 is Guyana's. David Granger can rejoice in the prestige gained as he is wont, but the Chair came at a hefty price and also with high recurring costs.

First the price: Guyana's Ambassador to the UN, Michael Ten Pow has not voted at UNCLOS - law of the sea. This is specifically in Guyana's interest against Venezuela.

Ten-Pow instructed his officer Megayla Austin not to vote. Guyana was marked as absent. Here is Guyana taking Venezuela to court for not adhering to the UNCLOS convention and Guyana's Mission at the UN saw it fit to abstain from the vote. This is a dereliction of duty to Guyana and a complete betrayal of our national interest. I can only hope this 'mess of pottage' chokes the

avaricious few.

And then the recurring costs: It is interesting to see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ press release on the issue speak about "Team members will be drawn from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other Government Ministries and agencies and from the Guyanese diaspora". The 'team' will cost the taxpayers over $500 million per annum and includes such notables as former UG Vice Chancellor Ivelaw Griffith, Troy Torrington, and Neil Pierre.

Other names being floated include Attorney-at-Law James Bond and former Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland. It is as if the last joke is being played on the Guyanese taxpayer before we can get to the polls on March 2, 2020.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General, Audrey Jardine-Wadell was the first casualty of this ‘van-

ity’ campaign, Guyana was the last; the implications for our border security and maritime issues are far-reaching. Can Ten Pow and his team of cronies be trusted to serve Guyana in the future? I think not! This betrayal of our nation shall surely live on in infamy and I wish all those involved suffer the fate described best in Sir Walter Scott's Patriotism Innominatus: "Despite those titles, power, and pelf, The wretch, concentred all in self, Living, shall forfeit fair renown, And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust from whence he sprung, Unwept, unhonour'd, and unsung"

Sincerely, Ravi Ram

Dear Editor, A recent media report which revealed that four men were acquitted of rape after the complainants could not be located, failed to mention the length of time between the alleged acts and the start of the trials. Past experiences indicate that this intervening period is usually years, and the fact that the complainants could not be located would seem to support this inference.

In any case, if rape cases are fast-tracked, especially given that Sexual Offences Courts are now established in all three counties, the issue of complainants not being located would not arise.

To foster this fast-tracking, The Caribbean Voice suggests that in areas where

the Sexual Offences Court cannot serve, special days be set aside each month in selected courts, to only deal with rape and sexual abuse cases.

The media report also stated that one person was set free after the complainant refused to testify against him. In the context of Guyana, it's quite possible that complainants would refuse to testify either because they and their families would have been threatened and/or would have been bought off. The Caribbean Voice has referenced this issue before and is among stakeholders suggesting that cases should still go ahead since Police investigations should acquire evidence besides the testi-

mony of the complainant. As well, we suggest that when a victim refuses to testify, Police should launch a separate investigation to determine if the complainant was coerced into doing so by fear, money or other factors.

Consideration must also be given as to why a victim may refuse to testify as it could be because the victim does not want to be in the presence of the perpetrator or that the victim does not want to graphically and publicly relive that experience.

In such cases, the courts should make necessary adjustments to accommodate victims, including having a psychologist present.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

First casualty of ‘vanity’ campaign Parents, guardians should step up in performance of their duties

Why should sugar...

in the sugar industry…” but in the next breath, we are told “we had trained about 100 sugar workers…” So three years after Wales closed its doors, and two years after Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara ceased operation, the Minister admitted that one-seventieth of all who have been displaced were trained for the oil and gas sector. At this rate, it will take the good Minister the next 138 years before each worker is transitioned. And yet Mr Trotman wants to talk about disingenuousness.

The Chronicle also quoted APNU General Secretary Mr Joseph Harmon as saying on the matter that “… it is not something that any right-thinking Guyanese can take on face value”. Mr Harmon, we believe, should be the last to speak about taking things at face value. It was the same gentleman, when he was Minister of State, according to a November 16, 2017 DPI report that said the “closure of the Rose Hall and Enmore estates will most likely take effect in 2018 since a system is not yet in place for the sugar workers following closure”. The APNU GS was quoted by the DPI then as

saying “…the welfare of the workers is the primary consideration of this Administration and we will not see workers put on the breadline in that manner, without some recourse”. Of course, mere days after Mr Harmon made those statements, the GuySuCo kicked the closure process into high gear and began to inform workers they would not be needed any longer. Can we really take Mr Harmon at face value?

The December 8 Guyana Chronicle editorial posits that “…the promised reopening of the estates makes no economic sense”. But we fail to see how the Chronicle is really making any sense. The NIS in its 2016 Annual Report pointed out that the closure of the estates will “…have a material impact on the contributions receivable by the Scheme”. In 2018, on two occasions – in May and October – the Government was forced to approach the Parliament for supplementary allocations to the NDIA in order for that body to cover the costs of the D&I responsibilities that were previously undertaken by the sugar industry. Of course, too, the hardest hit has been the workers and their families

Respectfully, Robin Singh

from page 4

who have been plunged into misery. Life for them has become surreal as the days have become harder. It is an uphill task to figure out how to meet life’s ends. Certainly, such factors make all the sense whether it is economic, social, human and even common sense. There is no argument in our view.

The fact that the Government has gone on the defensive on this issue is most telling. It appears to be mortally afraid of the re-opening of the estates. We wonder whether there is more than meets the eye. Already, we have learnt about plans to divvy up the sugar lands on the East Coast of Demerara.

Is this a spoke in the wheel?

But that aside, why doesn’t the APNU/AFC Government want the 5000+ of East Demerara, Rose Hall and Skeldon to be re-employed?

Why should these people be denied their bread and butter? Why should their dreams be abandoned? Why should they not live a happy life?

Certainly, in our view, they, like all Guyanese, are just as deserving.

Yours faithfully, Seepaul Narine

Dear Editor, For decades, the public education system has had to deal with fights and bullying in the school system.

As a Guyanese in the Diaspora, I should say that these issues are not isolated to Guyana. These are matters that education systems across the globe are forced to deal with on a daily basis.

However, this must not be interpreted as me arguing that the Guyanese education system should be relaxed in its efforts to address these issues. The Ministry is working and I am sure we can agree that more needs to be done.

At the end of the day, Editor, these are behavioural issues which are linked to the upbringing and socialisation of children within our society. We have children that are teasing and bullying their peers and we have students that don’t know how to deal with situations where they are provoked.

The first place where the socialisation process begins is the home Editor. However, we must be realistic and understand that children still learn some behaviour traits away from home.

This is why it is imperative that parents and guardians pay greater attention to their children. Parents might be teaching their children one thing and when around their friends or other relatives, they are taught something different and may end up embracing the wrong values and principles which are displayed through their deeds.

Editor, I say all these things to make the point that the display of violence in schools can only be stopped or significantly reduced if we change the quality of our upbringing of children, thereby, improving the quality of citizens that are produced.

This would significantly reduce the strain placed on social services in this country and the Judiciary because if children embrace violent behaviour, some of them become menaces to society when they become adults.

Children need to be taught that they must not bully oth-

ers and why. They must be taught how to deal with instances when they are provoked to anger. They must know that the best thing to do is to walk away from violent situations and report the same to the relevant persons, parents or teachers.

Additionally, a point I wish to note is the quality of content and information that we expose our children to.

For example, at a young age, some children are allowed to watch content on television that are violent and not rated for their age. While among their friends at school, they tend to want to perform the actions and stunts that they saw which can cause injury to themselves and peers.

Children must be allowed to be children and as they grow, they are introduced to things which they can understand for their age. This might seem as insignificant to

some readers but it is a very important point.

There are parents today that are mothering and fathering children and leaving the teaching of proper core principles, values, soft skills and behavioural practices to teachers and the society at large.

Sometimes I sympathise with the work that teachers and education officials have to deal with but Editor, I must say, I am encouraged by recent developments. For example, the continuous development of the welfare system with the acquisition of psychosocial units.

It will be a gargantuan task but it can be much easier if all stakeholders, particularly parents and guardians to step up in the performance of their duties.

Yours sincerely, Leon Persaud

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What is gratitude?

ratitude is one of many positive emotions. It’s about focusing on what’s good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have.

Gratitude doesn’t just feel good.

Making a habit of gratitude can also be good for us. Like other positive emotions, feeling grateful on a regular basis can have a big effect on our lives.

Brain research shows that positive emotions are good for our bodies, minds, and brains.

Gratitude is pausing to notice and appreciate the things that we often take for granted, like having a place to live, food, clean water, friends, family, even computer access. It’s taking a moment to reflect on how fortunate we are when something good happens – whether it’s a small thing or a big thing.

Foundation We can use lots of words to describe feelings of gratitude: We might say we feel thankful, lucky, fortunate, humbled, or blessed.

gratitude and appreciation to people in our lives, it creates loving bonds, builds trust, and helps you feel closer.

When we make it a habit to feel grateful, it makes us more aware of good things as they happen.

Why gratitude matters

Gratitude doesn’t just feel good. Making a habit of gratitude can also be good for us. Like other positive emotions, feeling grateful on a regular basis can have a big effect on our lives. Brain research shows that positive emotions are good for our bodies, minds, and brains.

Positive emotions open us up to more possibilities. They boost our ability to learn and make good decisions.

Positive emotions balance out negative emotions.

People who often feel grateful and appreciative are happier, less stressed, and less depressed. Gratitude is like a U-turn on complaining or thinking about what we don’t have.

One positive emotion often leads to another. When we feel grateful, we might also feel happy, calm, joyful, or loving.

Gratitude can lead to positive actions. When we feel grateful for someone’s kindness toward us,

Build a gratitude habit

we may be more likely to do a kindness in return. Your gratitude also can have a positive effect on someone else’s actions. Thanking people can make it more likely they’ll do a kindness again.

Gratitude helps us build better relationships. When we feel and e x p ress heartfelt

Sometimes, feelings of gratitude happen spontaneously.

But we also can create feelings of gratitude by deliberately counting our blessings.

You can build a habit of counting blessings just by paying attention each day to things you’re glad to have in your life. Slow down and notice what’s around you. For example: “Wow, the sky is beautiful today! What an incredible world we live in,” or, “There’s Sara! It was so nice of her to help me yesterday.”

Noticing the things you’re grateful for is just the first step in building a gratitude habit, but you can try other things too, like taking the time to thank people or pausing to appreciate a star-filled sky. Start now. What’s good about this moment? (kidshealth.org)

Gratitude: A worksheet

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rain research shows that positive emotions, like gratitude, can benefit our bodies and minds. Feeling grateful for what we have (instead of obsessing about what we don’t) helps with many different aspects of our lives – like relieving stress and boosting determination to try again when things don’t work out the way we want.

This worksheet can help you start thinking about gratitude.

Write your answers to the questions in the spaces below. The act of writing down feelings of gratitude can reinforce this powerful emotion.

For a daily reminder to practise gratitude, post your answers where you’ll see them each day or keep them in a gratitude journal. Then, make it a habit to pause each day to notice and appreciate what’s good in your life.

Write down a gratitude ritual you do now. For example, giving thanks before a meal or pausing before you go to sleep to think about what went well in your day (and how to find good in the things that didn’t!). ___________________________ ______________________________ _____________ Write down an everyday blessing you’ve noticed that you used to take for granted. For example, electricity that keeps the lights on; fresh, clean running water; or powerful arm muscles that help you play your sport. _______________________________________________________ _______________

Name someone you’re grateful to have in your life and why. _______________________________________________________ _______________ Describe something that happened in the past that you didn’t feel grateful for at the time, but now think of with gratitude.

Describe a moment when you felt gratitude in real time.

What other emotions did you feel? _______________________________________________________ _______________ Describe a way you’ve thanked someone or intend to thank someone. _______________________________________________________ _______________ (kidshealth.org)

NEWS

7

thurSday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

SOCU focuses too much on PPP officials, politicians – US analyst finds

I

n his analysis on Guyana’s geopolitical state and its security, United States analyst and author, Dr Evan Ellis, has documented the fact that persons have complained about the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and its witch hunt against People’s Progressive Party members.

According to Ellis, in his publication Journals of America, 3rd edition, SOCU was originally formed as one of the highest-profile elements of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to investigate persons who were flagged by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

“SOCU has been criticised, however (particularly by the PPP), for focusing its investigations almost entirely on senior PPPaffiliated functionaries of the previous Government and their business partners without, to date, producing any convictions,” Dr Ellis said.

US Analyst and State Department employee, Dr Evan Ellis

He cited the March 2017 detention of senior People’s Progressive Party (PPP) officials, including Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, former Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr Roger Luncheon, and former Natural Resources Minister Robert Persaud, all with the media present.

“Those more sympathetic to SOCU would say the

focus was driven by (allegations of corruption), and that the reason for the lack of convictions has been the inability or unwillingness of the Director of Public Prosecution (chambers) to take cases forward”.

Ellis, a research professor and author at the Institute of Strategic Studies of the US Army War College, stated that SOCU is supposed to be supported by the FIU, which is tasked with monitoring financial transactions and flagging any suspicious ones.

However, Ellis observed that there have been complaints that the work of the two agencies overlap.

“Operationally, while the work of the FIU under the current Government is well regarded, some complain that its work sometimes overlaps with the SOCU and that it focuses too heavily on politicians who are presumed to receive payoffs or otherwise benefit from il-

Special Organised Crime Unit

licit activities rather than the criminal leaders who actually conduct them,” Ellis added.

Guyana is slated to be evaluated in 2022 by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and FATF. It will be the fourth round of evaluations, with Guyana having been removed from the global watch

list in 2016.

The state of SOCU, Guyana’s main money-laundering investigation arm, has been a source of concern, however, ever since the information came to light that a probe into the unit being conducted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had unearthed irregularities that included falsified records

and missing documents.

According to reports, there was even a case of an official who alleged that his signature was forged. In addition, there are reports of listed expenditure being concocted and receipts being backdated.

In the fal out from this case, then Head of SOCU, Assistant Commissioner Sydney James, was forced to proceed on administrative leave while investigations were carried out. Althea Padmore consequently took over.

Sections of the media recently quoted Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan as saying that James would not be coming back. In addition, the Police recently reopened further investigations into him after advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

However, James’ absence has done little to help secure convictions for the beleaguered agency.

Bank of Guyana considering penalties for Republic Bank …technical difficulties, poor service unacceptable – Governor

I

n the wake of weeks of complaints from Republic Bank customers about the service following an upgrade to its system, the Bank of Guyana is considering amendments to the legislation to allow it to institute specific penalties against commercial banks for poor service and other infractions.

This was revealed at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday by Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga, after the signing of a Memorandum

Republic Bank Camp and Robb Streets, Georgetown branch

of Understanding (MoU) for the Natural Resource Fund.

According to Ganga, they are, in fact, considering a suite of legislation to give the central bank the teeth it needs to discipline banks.

“There are a number of persons who have been disappointed as to their conduct when it comes to this new platform they’re trying to put in place. The central bank is also very disappointed. We’ve been in contact with Republic Bank to ensure they have the necessary structure in place but

I should tell you they have been very, very slow”.

He added that at the last meeting that was held with the Bank’s CEO, Amral Khan, it was conveyed that the Bank was trying its best to rectify the issue.

“But that very best is still not what we are accepting. So we are ensuring that they are continuously addressing this issue to make it more acceptable to the public. We are hoping that when this platform is put in place, they’ll be able to compensate the customer some

Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

way or the other”. continued on page 12

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thursday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Accused “fake” cop slapped with several robbery charges A

21-year-old man accused of pretending to be a cop was on Wednesday slapped with several robbery charges and appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts Daquan Robinson denied that on December 7, 2019, at Church Street, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Keon Crandon of $600. It was also alleged that on December 8, 2019, at Merriman Mall, Bourda, Georgetown, while

being armed with a gun, he robbed Gary Hartman of a quantity of items valued $43,000. He was also charged for robbing Desmond Daniels on December 8, 2019 at Orange Walk, Bourda, of one phone valued $5000.

Additionally, it is alleged that on December 8, 2019 at Orange Walk, Bourda, he had in his possession two iPhones suspected to be stolen or unlawfully obtained.

Police Prosecutor David Goodman told the court that Hartman was in the Merriman Mall walking

with his haversack containing documents on his back when he was approached by Robinson, who stated that he was an officer on duty and requested to conduct a search of the victim.

The court heard that when Robinson was asked by the Virtual Complainant (VC) to produce his Police badge, he pointed a fake gun at the man and relieved him of the haversack. The court heard that Robinson then told the VC to run or he would shoot him.

Prosecutor Goodman also

related that with respect to Daniels’ case, the VC, who is a security guard, was asleep in a chair when the defendant pushed his hands into his pocket and took out his phone. He then made good his escape. A Police patrol saw the defendant and carried out a search of his person and the stolen items were recovered. Following the Prosecutor’s submission, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus remanded Robinson to prison.

The case will continue on December 30, 2019.

Labourer jailed for wounding security guard

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labourer who admitted to wounding a security guard was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on Wednesday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Mark Thompson appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty and admitted to the charge which stated that on November 22, 2019, at Bourda, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Roger Harmon.

In a plea of mitigation, the 29-year-old man told the court that the Virtual Complainant (VC) threw him in a nearby gutter, so he bit him in order to escape.

The Prosecutor submitted that on November 22,

the VC was carrying out an arrest on the defendant, who allegedly committed an offence, when he was bitten on his left side eyelid.

The matter was then reported and Thompson was arrested and charged.

Man accused of forging invoices on bail

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39-year-old man was on Wednesday slapped with seven fraud charges and later appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Darwin David, of Lot 11 Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, appeared before Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty.

The charges stated that on June 24, 2019, at Camp Street, Georgetown, with intent to defraud, he uttered to Candacy McGregor seven forged invoices valu-

ing at $22,441,903.15, dated from May 20, 2016, to September 24, 2018, purporting to show they were issued by the Giftland Office Max. David was represented by Attorneyat-Law Sase Gunraj, who asked that his client be released on reasonable bail.

The court Prosecutor did not object to bail being granted. David was released on $140,000 bail.

The case will continue on January 8, 2020.

Darwin David

Guyhoc Park man fined $20,000 for slapping cop

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21-year-old man who carried out a series of offences was on Wednesday hauled before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Daniel Boutrim, of Lot 157 Guyhoc Park, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty and admitted to one charge but denied three others.

Boutrim admitted that December 9, 2019, at East La Penitence Police Station, Georgetown, he unlawfully assaulted Lance Corporal Madessa Ajaday, causing her actual bodily harm. He denied that on the same day and same location, he made use of threatening language towards Lance Corporal Madessa Ajaday.

He also denied that on December 9, 2019, at Stevedore Housing Scheme, he unlawfully assaulted Shamaine Lamazon.

Additionally, the man denied that he unlawfully and maliciously damaged six window panes valued $1,200, the property of Shamaine Lamazon.

The prosecution’s case contended that Lance Corporal Ajaday was on duty when she received information that a male was trying to kill a female in Stevedore Housing Scheme.

As such, a party of Police Officers were dispatched to the area and attempted to arrest Boutrim. According to the prosecution’s case, he was then taken to East La Penitence Police Station; however, a short while after the Lance Corporal instructed Boutrim to sit on the prisoners’ bench, he allegedly dealt the woman a slap.

Hence, he was charged for the offence.

The Prosecutor informed the court that Boutrim was released from prison two weeks ago, after serving time for escaping custody and stabbing his sister.

The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, fined Boutrim $20,000 for assaulting the peace officer and released him on $30,000 bail for the other charges.

The case will continue on December 18.

Unexplained… …wealth

Your Eyewitness confesses he’s been binge watching “The Crown”, which delves in great depth into the life and times of the present British monarch, Elizabeth II. His interest was initially piqued by getting a behind-the-scenes-look at the goings on in the upper reaches of old Blighty – as they ruled us as part of an empire on which the sun was about to set. Among so many other things, he was struck by how nonchalantly the members of the Royal Family could get whatever their hearts desired – houses, trips, horses, clothes…with no worries about where the money was coming from.

And this was just after WWII when the rest of Britain still needed ration cards for stuff like sugar – which they secured from us with the “Commonwealth Sugar Agreement” of 1951!! Well, it looks like the PNC inherited more than just the reins of parliamentary governance from Britain. From the just-released revelation on former Junior Minister in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, they also seemed to’ve picked up the monarchical entitlement to use the public purse as their personal piggy bank!!

Did you get a look at her palatial mansion that’s about to be completed at Eccles? Evocative of Buckingham Palace, don’t you think?? Well, we’re preoil Guyana, but you see where they’re headed, don’t you?? But just as important, did you get a look at the house where the Minister lived with a hive of relatives just two years ago?? Gives a whole new perspective on the “rags to riches” homily: more like the fairy godmother trope where a wand is waved and – voila!! – your wishes come true!!

What’s going on? Let’s start with the land on which the palace materialised. Just three months ago, the Minister offered a sob story about how she applied for a houselot under the previous Administration – and never got one. Now let’s say the tale is true: after all, around the same time the CH&PA had bemoaned the 25,000 backlog in houselot applications. So, can the goodly minister explain which fairy godfather waved his wand for her to jump to the head of the line?? Like those other PNC worthies revealed some time ago??

At the time the Minister insisted she received “just” a regular houselot of ¼ acre. Now you know even if it was ¼ acre, this ain’t no regular houselot – but actually TWO!! Then when you look at the drone video, you realise she got more than three lots!! And then the mansion, studded with windows and high, vaulted roofs! The Minister claimed she took out a mortgage!!

Really??

Her Junior Minister salary can service a $50 million mortgage – after income taxes are deducted??

Voila!!

…by the PNC

Stunned by the US analyst, Dr Evan Ellis’ considered insider’s opinion – after interviewing folks from all the stakeholder groups in Guyana, including the Govt – that the PPP will win the next elections, the PNC flew into a hissy fit!! Talk about getting your bucktas into a knot!! As your Eyewitness described yesterday, they “washed their mouths” on the poor expert who was just doing his job.

The US Embassy responded that the opinion was given by “Professor Ellis last April before his employment with the US State Department”. But wasn’t he then employed by the UN National War College and was here gathering data? And has anything changed since, to make him change the opinion he would’ve given the State Department after they employed him?

But the PNC should take note of the pointed, concluding observation by the US Embassy: they want “free, fair and PEACEFUL elections”!! “Free and fair” we all know. But “PEACEFUL”??

That’s a warning to the PNC which rioted after the elections of 1992, 1997, 2001, 2006, etc…when they lost!!

…Group 77 Chair

The country’s still waiting for an explanation from the PNC for degutting our Foreign Service just to buttress a former lowly UN translator functionary’s ego.

Ten-Pow never held a substantive UN diplomatic post in his life.

Oh judgement….!

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

NEWS

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thursday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil money being held offshore to maximise interest — Jordan claims …pegs average long-term interest Govt looking to earn at 3%

Finance Minister Winston Jordan

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mphasising that Guyana’s oil money will be safe and better able to earn interest in the hands of the United States Federal Reserve, both Finance Minister Winston Jordan and Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga defended the move on Wednesday.

The two officials met on Wednesday at the Finance Ministry to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that laid the groundwork for the operationalisation and management of the Natural Resource Fund (NRF).

When asked about the decision to bank the oil revenue at the Federal Reserve, Ganga noted that

Guyana has long-held foreign assets at the Federal Reserve and it is in safe hands, when the other available options are considered.

Moreover, Jordan pointed out that Guyana stands to make an average of three per cent interest on its investment. The Minister noted that Guyana could not earn interest if the money was saved locally.

“There are different classes of assets. And these different classes of assets are invested in different markets, institutions and so on. The aim is to meet an average of 32 per cent longterm (interest),” he said.

“After investing in all these different assets, the aim over time is 3 per cent.

So sometimes you may get 1.5 per cent, sometimes you might be lucky to get 4 and a half per cent. Sometimes we might get 3.2, 2.8 per cent.

The safer the asset, the lower the interest”.

NRF Act

Part VI of the act speaks to the management of the fund and states that the Minister shall be responsible for the overall management of the fund and shall – (a) be responsible for preparing the Investment Mandate and

The Federal Reserve

include the items specified in section 36; (b) when preparing or amending the Investment Mandate, seek the advice of the Investment committee established under section 13; (c) be assisted by the Senior investment Adviser and Analyst; and (d) enter into an operational agreement with the Bank for the operational management of the Fund.

Section 12 (I) states that the Bank shall be responsible for the operational management of the Fund and shall manage the Fund in accordance with the Investment Mandate and the operational agreement.

It further noted that the operational agreement shall state (a) the fee charged by

the Bank for the operational management of the Fund;(b) the liability for paying damages to the Government for losses that occur due to negligence or intent on the part of the bank or private mangers in managing the Fund and (c) all other matters required for the effective operational management of the Fund.

The Act also provides for the committee to include a media representative proposed by the Guyana Press Association (GPA).

Other entities that will have to propose representatives include the Guyana Bar Association, the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GY-EITI), Transparency

Institute of Guyana Incorporated (TIGI), the Guyana Consumers’ Association and the various trade unions.

The Act specifically excludes persons such as Members of Parliament, Ministry staff, persons of unsound mind, ex-convicts and the bankrupt from serving on the Committee.

It also lists the functions of the Committee, which will include monitoring and evaluating the compliance of Government and other officials related to the NRF, with the provisions of the Act. The Stabroek Block, by far the most successful oil block in Guyana, is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres). Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds a 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Ltd holds a 30 per cent interest, and CNOOC Nexen Petroleum Guyana Limited holds a 25 per cent interest.

A contract was inked on October 7, 2016, between the coalition Government, ExxonMobil and its partners in the Stabroek Block. In the renegotiated contract,

Bank of Guyana Governor, Dr Gobind Ganga

Guyana agreed to a two per cent royalty for every barrel of oil, a 50 per cent share of profit oil and a US$18 million signing bonus.

Guyana’s profitsharing arrangement with ExxonMobil is for 50 per cent of profit oil. But with Exxon reclaiming its investment costs as cost oil, it means Guyana will initially get 12.5 per cent of profit.

Originally scheduled for 2020, first oil production has been moved up to this month. It is understood that the initial crude lifts will be one million barrels. With the first lift going to Exxon, Guyana is not expected to get its share until February to March.

10 NEWS

thurSday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

138 TIP victims identified, 8 suspects convicted …SOP launched to guide investigators, prosecutors

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ver 130 victims of trafficking in persons (TIP) have been recorded for the past eleven months.

These were identified from TIPrelated cases filed during that period which resulted in eight successful prosecutions.

These figures were revealed by Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan on Wednesday at the launching of Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Investigation and Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons Cases in Guyana.

He noted that from January to November, the Guyana Police Force’s Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Unit investigated 18 cases with 138 alleged victims and some 50 suspects.

Twenty-nine charges were filed against the perpetrators of which eight were convicted.

According to Ramjattan, who is also the Chairman of the Ministerial Taskforce on TIP, this is a significant improvement compared to

previous years.

Last year, there were a total of 245 alleged TIP victims from 32 cases with 57 suspects. This resulted in 17 TIP-related charges filed compared to only one in 2017.

Over the past 11 months, all 138 victims were females with 115 below the age of 30 and seven below the age of 18. Like in the previous years, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) continues to account for the highest prevalence of TIP-related activities, with 87 per cent of the total cases recorded thus this year.

Foreigners rank high

Meanwhile, foreigners continue to rank high among the TIP victims with 84 per cent of those recorded being Venezuelans. Of the total recorded to date this year, four are from the Dominican Republic and 11 are Guyanese.

“It is important for you to understand these statistics… because it also identifies a number of areas that you have to pay more attention to – young peo-

Regional Coordinating Officer for the Caribbean and Chief of Mission for IOM, Robert Natiello

ple under the age of [30] and females and their location,” he asserted.

The Public Security Minister went on to say that like in the previous years, most of these victims are being exploited sexually but there are increasing cases of labour exploitation as well.

“I believe that there might be a number of our

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan with various stakeholder representatives at Wednesday’s SOP launch for Investigation and Prosecution of Trafficking in Persons cases in Guyana

Amerindian girls who are called out from the hinterland to come work for people in Georgetown and other places, who are being hugely exploited and we have to do lots more work [to curb this],” he stated.

On this note, Ramjattan posited that the establishment of these SOPs will help guide law enforcement officers to not only understand and improve on investigating and prosecuting TIP cases but also dealing with victims to reduce or avoid re-traumatisation.

This, he stressed, is timely since Guyana needs to prepare for a possible hike in human trafficking activities as a result of its budding oil and gas industry.

“I believe that we are going to have more of this kind of trafficking in humans happening with an oil and gas industry that is going to make Guyana probably that richest country in the Americas. It is going to be a magnet, this country, for other people all across Latin America and the Caribbean, and if we do not set up the preparatory work to ensure that we are smarter and to know how to deal with them, to identify them, how to prosecute them [then] we are not going to be that successful, notwithstanding that we’re going to have lots of money,” he contended.

While Guyana still remains on the Tier One category of the United States Department of State report on Trafficking in Persons,

the country still has a lot more work to do in combatting the scourge and according to Ramjattan, they have already started acting on some of the recommendations made in the report.

The SOPs are aimed at strengthening Guyana’s technical capacity to combat TIP and assist victims of human trafficking.

Attorney Diana Shaw, the Jamaican legal consultant who worked on compiling the document, urged stakeholders to adopt the guidelines, which she explained were built on existing practices here to conform to international standards.

“So we want you to take ownership of this document; we want these practices to become your everyday habit…The other countries in the Caribbean are very much looking to Guyana. You are, aside from The Bahamas, the only Tier One country in the region and so we’re very much looking to what will come from your implementation of these SOPs to ensure that we can say the Caribbean is moving in the right direction to adequately address eradication of trafficking in persons here,” Shaw asserted.

Funded by the US State Department, the Guyana Government worked in collaboration with the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) to establish the SOPs. IOM’s Regional Coordinating Officer and Chief of Mission of IOM’s

Guyana Office, Robert Natiello, noted that while the compilation of the SOPs is a milestone, it is only the beginning. He pointed out that the work now starts in implementing the guidelines.

To this end, Natiello underscored the need for continued stakeholder cooperation in tackling the scourge of human trafficking.

“It’s now that we have to work together for the implementation of the standard operating procedures. This is when the real work begins. Officers who are in charge with prosecuting and investigating cases will really have to quickly become acquainted with the document and they will have to put these guiding principles into practice as Guyana continues to contend with the growing number and the variety of trafficking in persons cases,” the IOM official stated.

In addition to the GPF, among the other stakeholder representatives at Wednesday’s SOP launch were acting Chief Justice Roxane George and Assistant Director at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Chamber, Teshana Lake, both of whom committed to continue support the fight against human trafficking.

Members of the various stakeholder agencies are expected to undergo training over the coming weeks to familiarise themselves with the SOPs.

news

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thursday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Marcus Bisram murder trial

State’s unpreparedness “embarrassing” – Ramjattan I

n light of delays in the Marcus Bisram case, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan says it is embarrassing that the State is not ready to prosecute the extradited murder accused, who is charged with orchestrating the murder of a 26-year-old carpenter in 2016.

When the case was called up at the Whim Magistrate’s Court, the prosecution indicated that it is not fully prepared to move ahead with the case. The matter was then adjourned to December 9 for the prosecution to submit all files relating to the matter.

But on that day, the presiding Magistrate, Alex Moore, reported sick. The defence team has since complained bitterly about the delays, especially since the State had to prepare its case while the extradi-

Murder accused: Marcus Bisram

tion process was ongoing to get Bisram here from the United States.

When asked about these delays, Ramjattan told reporters on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday that

situation is embarrassing.

“Well, that is very embarrassing if that is what the behaviour is… what you’re telling me there is rather disheartening,” he asserted.

Deteriorating state of Charity Wharf worrying – vendors

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endors plying their trade on the Charity Marketing Centre Wharf on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Wednesday raised concerns about their safety as a result of the deteriorating state of the facility.

The area houses numerous businesses. Vendors told this publication that their major fear is that the structure, if not repaired, will collapse into the Pomeroon River. They added that this will not only result in millions of dollars in losses but the lives of persons will be under threat.

A visit to the structure by this publication shows that the Marketing Centre, which is built with solid concrete and sits on wooden piles sink about 12 inch-

A section of the wharf which poses danger to vendors and commuters alike

es below the wooden wharf which is built around it to facilitate the mooring of boats to on and offload produce.

A look under the structure when the tide is low revealed the dangers posed by the rotting wooden piles

that were driven into the river bed to hold the concrete structure.

Vendors and residents who spoke with this publication noted that several promises are being made but nothing is being done to repair the structure.

According to the Public Security Minister, he will be looking into the matter. He noted that he will be talking to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) as well as the Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary in relation to the prosecutor and the Magistrate, respectively.

However, Ramjattan noted that there is a file containing evidence upon which Bisram was charged last month. In fact, he posited that the necessary documents are all there and that the Police, particularly, the Crime Chief would have those documents.

But it was pointed out to the Minister that some of the statements in that file are yet to be submitted to the Court for the commencement of the Preliminary Inquiry (PI).

As such, he said “Well that again is rather surprising. It will be entirely embarrassing for the State to demand [Bisram’s] coming over and now that he’s extradited these officers are not up to the task of ensuring that they get the docu-

Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan

ments in time”.

Bisram is charged with the murder of Fayaz Narinedatt, a carpenter of Number 70 Village Corentyne, on November 30, 2016.

He is accused of ordering the death of the 26-year-old, which was initially reported as a suspected hit-and-run accident. It was later revealed that Narinedatt was murdered after he rejected sexual advances made by Bisram.

Further investigations

led to five persons being charged and are now committed to stand trial in the High Court for the carpenters’ murder. Bisram was initially charged here in absentia and local Police have been trying since to get Bisram, a US-based citizen, here but he had been fighting his extradition over the past two years.

But his efforts were futile and Bisram was eventually handed over to local authorities on November 20.

He was then arraigned the following day at the Whim’s Magistrate Court.

After the court was told that the prosecution was not ready for commencement of the trial at the December 2 hearing, State Prosecutor Stacy Goodings did not show up when the matter was recalled on Monday.

Additionally, a scheduled visit to the scene of the murder was also postponed after the Magistrate had reported sick.

Defence Attorney Sanjeev Datadin has accused the State of delaying the case

12 NEWS

thursday, DECEMBER 12 , 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

UG student benefits from Iwokrama scholarship funded by ExxonMobil

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he Iwokrama International Centre recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Guyana (UG) to support a PhD scholarship under a science programme funded by ExxonMobil.

The student, Arianne Harris, will work with the Centre under its science programme’s biodiversity project while completing work in fulfilment of the requirements for a PhD degree in biodiversity from UG. Her research involves understanding how bird and bat species respond to forestry practices, and what role these animals play in helping the forest to

regenerate following commercial activities.

To date, the Iwokrama Science Committee has done some of the most pioneering work in this area, and Harris’s research will continue to build on this.

She will be supervised by a UG team as well as scientists from the United Kingdom and United States who are on Iwokrama’s Science Committee.

ExxonMobil has been a significant supporter of the Iwokrama Science

titioners” – Guyana’s first; and the development of Guyana’s first 3D map of community lands (Fairview Village).

The Centre recently celebrated the 30th anniversary of the offer of the Iwokrama Forest for research into climate change and sustainable development by the Government of Guyana to the international community at the 1989 Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malaysia.

New Brazilian Ambassador accredited

Iwokrama Chief Executive Officer Dane Gobin; UG Centre for Biological Diversity Director, Dr Guyanpriya Maharaj and former Faculty of Natural Sciences Dean and Iwokrama Science Committee member Calvin Bernard

Bank of Guyana...

It was pointed out by Finance Minister Winston Jordan that the Bank of Guyana does have the authority to issue circulars reprimanding banks. Ganga also noted that the central bank will be meeting with the Guyana Association of Bankers on Friday to discuss its concerns.

The Bank’s Governor noted that when they do move towards sanctions, it’s going to be a substantial one.

When asked, however, Ganga shied away from singling out Republic Bank for sanctions.

“Republic Bank is forcing us in that direction, not just with their current conduct but future conduct…

Programme, providing some US$600,000 in funding since 2017.

In addition to the biodiversity project, the Centre is also implementing a hydrology programme at Iwokrama and in the Rupununi Savannahs.

Other outputs from the Science Programme include outreach activities, capacity building and awareness programmes for the local communities; the production of a “legal field guide for natural resource prac-

from page 7

this will be across the banking system. This is not something for one individual…

We are not threatening anybody. We want to put things out in the open. We will say this is what is expected of you, and if you are not going to do what you are required to do, then this will be the penalty”.

Republic Bank was in the process of transitioning its services for much of last month. During that time, customers complained of long lines and in some cases, the unavailability of certain services.

This came little over a month after the Central Bank of Guyana denied Republic Financial Holdings

Limited, the parent company of Republic Bank (Guyana), permission for the purchase/ acquisition of the operations of Scotiabank in Guyana.

In late November 2018, after the proposed buyout was announced, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that Republic Bank Limited’s acquisition of Scotiabank’s operations in Guyana could be unhealthy for the local financial sector.

His statements came on the heels of the Canadianbased Scotiabank announcing that it has signed an agreement to sell its banking operations in Guyana and eight other Caribbean nations to Republic Financial Holdings Limited.

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resident David Granger on Wednesday accepted letters of credence from Maria Clara Duclos Carisio, accrediting her as the new Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana.

During a simple ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency, the new Ambassador pledged support from her country in several sectors. Carisio noted that many citizens from Guyana have settled in Brazil and vice versa. For this, the relationship has strengthened ever since the nations established diplomatic relations in 1968.

Meanwhile, President David Granger expressed that future collaborations are expected by the two countries, especially in the area of environmental sustainability. Other areas to be looked at include defence mechanisms, education, health, infrastructure, pe-

New Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Maria Clara Duclos Carisio

troleum, security and environmental protection.

Adding to that, it was shared that both countries are interested in the preservation of the Guyana Shield, which was dubbed as a route to environmental

protection.

“It is important that our two countries continue to cooperate to explore sustainable pathways of environmental protection.

Guyana looks forward to future collaborations with Brazil in the field of environment and the preservation of the Guyana Shield,” he said.

The Shield spreads a distance of 2.7 square kilometres and encompasses other countries such as Suriname, Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia within the South American continent.

Environmental preservation comes at a time when Brazil’s forested lands burned at a record rate for several days in August.

Brazil had declared a state of emergency over rising fires in the same zone. The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has recorded more than 73,000 fires this year.

NEWS

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THURSday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Chemical spill at GNIC facility Lindener slapped with forces temporary shutdown dangerous driving charge

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chemical spill at the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) wharf on Lombard Street, Georgetown, Wednesday morning forced a temporary shutdown of the facility.

In updating the media on the issue, the GNIC said that the spilt substance is “Rheduce”, a chemical which is non-hazardous, non-toxic and harmless to human and marine life.

Rheduce is used as a thinner and conditioner in the RHELIANT thermally-stable, flat-rheology drilling fluid sys-

The area within GNIC where the spill occurred

plained that the container containing the substance was ruptured on Tuesday during the handling of cargo at the

Rain caused the chemical to seep onto the roadway at Lombard Street, Georgetown (CDC photo)

tem. It works to disperse solids in the mud without requiring dilution or changing the synthetic-to-water ratio.

Meanwhile, GNIC ex-

facility’s terminal. This resulted in the chemical leaking and accumulating in an area around the container; however, as a result of the delay in

Clean-up efforts at the GNIC Wharf (CDC photo)

the clean-up and rainfall, the substance spread.

Sighting the spread, the facility’s terminal was closed.

“The chemical, which is non-hazardous, non-toxic and harmless to human and marine life, was stored in a designated area. It leaked but accumulated in a small area around the said container.

The response action to mop up the substance was awaited. However, the rain came and caused a spread of the substance. There was a panic reaction by customs, resulting in the closure of the terminal,” GNIC noted in a statement.

odwell Bennett, of Yuriballi Street, M a c k e n z i e , Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), was on Wednesday slapped with a dangerous driving charge and appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court. It is alleged that on November 30, 2019, he drove in a manner dangerous to the public along Republic Avenue, Mackenzie, Linden. When the charge was read by

Magistrate Rondel Weever, Bennett denied the offence. He was released on

$30,000 bail and the case will continue on January 8, 2020.

Driver fined $80,000 for traffic violations

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resident of One Mile, Wismar, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) was on Wednesday fined $80,000 by Magistrate Rondel Weever when he appeared at the Linden Magistrate’s Court charged with several traffic offences.

Matthew Jules, of Lot 283 One Mile, was slapped with six charges which included dangerous driving, being an unlicensed driver, breach of insurance and driving an unlicensed and uncertified motor vehicle.

He pleaded guilty to all of the charges and was fined.

Failure to pay the fine will result in him serving three months in prison.

Meanwhile, Lindener Andre Jacobs, who was arrested by Police on December 6 for driving under the influence, had his driver's licence suspended for four months.

15 local tourism operators awarded

Risk assessments

Nevertheless, a team was deployed from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other agencies to conduct risk assessments and execute the appropriate response, which later led to the clean-up and decontamination of the area.

Meanwhile, Head of CDC, Kester Craig, said that from the assessment, which was conducted in and around the vicinity of GNIC, it was confirmed that a chemical spill occurred between late Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

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Some of the awardees on Tuesday evening

he country’s first tourism awards hosted on Tuesday evening saw 15 local operators in the tourism sector copping awards in various categories ranging from best in accommodation to best in sustainable tourism.

The event, hosted by the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) and the Guyana Tourism Authority, acknowledged those who have contributed to the country grabbing a whopping six international awards for sustainable tourism which includes the prestigious award for World’s #1 in ‘Best of Ecotourism’.

Reflecting on the successful year for the sector, THAG President Mitra Ramkumar lauded his organisation, GTA, and especially those involved in providing various services within the growing industry.

“Guyana has made tremendous strides as a destination and so I believe we all deserve credit for what has been achieved. Tourism is a fragmental industry and so while that can be seen as a disadvantage, I see that as an advantage of how we can all work together for national development,” he said Ramkumar further added that going into 2020, the

Association will be working towards a few goals it has set out. These include establishing the anticipated hospitality institute, further promoting tourism sports, expanding the Tourism Development Funds for local operators and working along with the Guyana Police Force for its services in the sector.

Meanwhile, Director at the GTA, Brian Mullis, in his brief remarks, focused on the statistics which prove growth within the sector. He shared the increase in visitors for 2019, the total funds injected from this increase into the economy and other achievements made by the GTA in promoting Guyana as a destination.

“Based on our most recent visitation statistics, we’ve seen an increase of 8.3 per cent in travellers coming to Guyana in 2019 and based on that average expenditure, this equates to an increase of four billion Guyanese dollars being injected into our economy year over year, from last year to this year….617 people were trained by the GTA, this year over last year, the numbers doubled, so that’s a 100 per cent growth,” he explained.

Some of the business awarded for their contribution included Cara Lodge, Arrow Point Nature Resort, Bistro Café and Bar, Karanambo Trust and Lodge among others.

14 NEWS

thursday, DECEMBER 12, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

General election 2019: Voters set to head to polls across UK

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he UK will go to the polls today for the country's third general election in less than five years.

The contest, the first to be held in December in nearly 100 years, follows those in 2015 and 2017.

Polling stations in 650 constituencies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland open at 07:00 GMT. After the polls close at 22:00 GMT, counting will

the-post system used for general elections, in which the candidate who secures the most votes in each individual constituency is elected.

In 2017, Newcastle Central was the first constituency to declare, announcing its result about an hour

begin straight away. Most results are due to be announced in the early hours

of Friday morning.

A total of 650 MPs will be chosen under the first-past-

Family files lawsuit against Royal Caribbean after toddler fell to her death

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he family of Chloe Wiegand will file a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean on Wednesday, five months after the 18-month-old child fell to her death from the 11th floor of a docked cruise ship in Puerto Rico.

Grandfather Salvatore Anello, 51, was charged with negligent homicide after Chloe fell from his grasp, but loved ones say Royal Caribbean should have had better safety precautions in

place.

The wrongful death lawsuit brought by the Indiana family is expected to be announced during a press conference on Wednesday.

Lawyer Michael Winkleman said in a statement to the South Bend Tribune that the complaint blames the cruise line for “the failure to have windows that are compliant with the well-established window fall prevention codes."

Surveillance video shows

Anello holding the toddler over the railing for 25 seconds, according to CBS News. He said he believed a glass window would protect her.

“I remember trying to find her on the floor and then I saw her fall, I saw her fall, I saw her fall and I was just in disbelief,” he told CBS News last month. “And I was like ‘Oh my God.’ And I think for a while I was in shock and I was just standing there.” (Daily News)

Israel to hold 3rd election in less than a year

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srael will hold an election on March 2, its third in less than a year, parliament decided on Thursday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival failed to parlay the previous two ballots into a new coalition government.

By a vote of 94 in favor to none opposed, lawmakers approved a motion dissolving parliament and setting the new election date.

It came hours after a final deadline passed to form a government following the last election in September.

In that ballot, and in the one prior in April, Netanyahu’s conservative Likud party deadlocked

Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Benny Gantz could not agree on a power-sharing deal

with ex-general Benny Gantz’s centrist Blue and White. Neither managed to muster enough support in the 120-seat Knesset for a stable coalition.

The next election, howev-

er, will be held in the shadow of an corruption indictment handed down against Netanyahu last month.

Denying any wrongdoing, Netanyahu, 70, has accused legal authorities of attempting a “coup” aimed at ousting a popular fourterm leader. Critics alleged that Netanyahu was trying to undermine the rule of law and set an election campaign theme portraying himself as the victim of “deep state” conspiracy.

As prime minister, Netanyahu is under no legal obligation to resign as a result of the indictment, and while in office he can ask the legislature to grant him immunity from prosecution.

As caretaker premier, Netanyahu would remain in the post until a new government is formed - a process that could stretch months past the March election if what is likely to be a tortuous new round of coalition-building is taken into account. (Reuters)

after polls closed.

Elections in the UK traditionally take place every four or five years. But, in October, MPs voted for the second snap poll in as many years. It is the first winter election since 1974 and the first to take place in December since 1923.

Anyone aged 18 or over is eligible to vote, as long as they are a British citizen or qualifying citizen of the Commonwealth or Republic of Ireland and have registered to vote. Registration closed on 26 November.

(BBC)

Climate change: Anger as protesters barred from UN talks

Protesters were forced outside by UN security staff

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nvironmentalists and observers have been barred from UN climate talks in Madrid after a protest inside the conference.

Around 200 climate campaigners were ejected after staging a sit in, preventing access to one of the negotiating halls.

Protesters said they were "pushed, bullied and touched without consent."

In the wake of the disruption all other observers were then barred from the talks.

Observers play an important role in the talks, representing civil society.

They are allowed to sit in on negotiations and have access to negotiators on condition that they do not reveal the contents of those discussions.

There was no comment from the UN when asked for an explanation of what had happened. Just hours after Greta Thunberg had delivered a powerful speech to COP25, young campaigners staged a noisy demonstration in front of the main halls where the UN secretary general was due to update the conference on the progress of the talks.

They were expressing a rising sense of disappointment with the slow progress of the conference, which is in marked contrast to the urgency of scientists and the clamour for action from school strikers. As the group banged pots and pans and chanted slogans, UN security staff intervened to move the protesters outside "abruptly and roughly," from the building, protesters said.

Julius Mbatia, 25, a climate youth leader in Africa who works with Christian Aid said: "It's displeasing that young people here to peacefully make the case for strong action on climate change, are being kettled and kicked out of the sum-

mit so that the UN climate process can conclude an outcome that will seemingly be weak and doesn't protect their future."

Around 200 had their badges removed, preventing them from returning to the talks.

The executive director of Greenpeace International, Jennifer Morgan, was one of those who went outside in solidarity with the protesters. Ms Morgan was also

to put new climate pledges on the table by the end of next year. So far, 84 countries have promised to enhance their national plans by then. Some 73 have said they will set a long-term target of net zero by the middle of the century.

But many in attendance at the meeting believe that this is far short of where the world needs to be to avoid dangerous levels of warming.

Protesters were making noise and chanting at the talks

barred from entry when she tried to return, despite playing no part in the protest.

Earlier in the day, Ms Morgan had sat on a panel with Greta Thunberg - part of an effort by the UN to include the voices of young people around the world.

"I call on the UN secretary general to intervene here to make sure that youth and citizens around the world can engage and have their voices heard in these negotiations - it's absolutely imperative that he get involved," Ms Thunberg said.

Discontent with the way the talks have been going has been rising in recent days with the sense that major emitting countries are doing all they can to block progress.

The UN on Wednesday released more details about the scale of the challenge.

All countries who signed the Paris agreement are due

"Frankly, I'm tired of hearing major emitters excuse inaction in cutting their own emissions on the basis they are 'just a fraction' of the world's total," said the prime minister of Fiji, Frank Bainimarama.

"The truth is, in a family of nearly 200 nations, collective efforts are key.

We all must take responsibility for ourselves, and we all must play our part to achieve net zero. As I like to say, we're all in the same canoe. But currently, that canoe is taking on water with nearly 200 holes -and there are too few of us trying to patch them," Mr Bainimarama said.

There are also worries that the final statement of ambition from this meeting may be watered down, with all the major decisions kicked down the road towards the key meeting in Glasgow at the end of next year. (BBC)

news

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thursday, DECEMBER 12, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Rights groups slam Trump’s anti-Semitism executive order

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alestinian groups, free speech advocates and liberal Jewish organisations blasted on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump’s executive order that threatens to withhold federal funding from educational institutions that fail to combat a broadened definition of anti-Semitism.

During a Hanukkah reception held at the White House and attended by prominent Jewish leaders,

Trump signed the order, which effectively redefines Judaism as a race or nationality. The move, according to the Trump administration, is aimed at combating the rise of anti-Semitism in the US. “The vile, hate-filled poison of anti-Semitism must be condemned and confronted everywhere and anywhere it appears,” Trump said in a statement.

The order directs federal agencies to consider the

International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism when evaluating complaints of discrimination under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination “on the ground of race, colour or national origin” but not religion.

The IHRA’s definition has been criticised by some rights groups as being overly broad. It defines anti-Semitism as “a cer-

Child killed by train in Manhattan

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two-year-old boy was struck and killed by an uptown No. 2 train in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday, cops said.

The toddler slipped away from his mother on the platform on the Fulton St. station at William St. at 17:36h, police and transit officials said.

According to police sources, it appears the little boy’s foot slid off the platform and that he was pulled between it and a moving train. An investigation was continuing Wednesday night.

Police freed the little boy from underneath the train, and he was rushed by EMTs to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, where he died.

“He was just with me!

He was just with me!” a woman wailed after a doctor updated her outside the hospital emergency room Wednesday afternoon.

New York City Transit

president Andy Byford called the incident “tragic,” and said the agency was investigating along with police.

“Our hearts break for the family and the MTA is praying for them,” he said.

“Our thoughts are with the crew of the train as well.”

The tragedy comes in the wake of an early Sunday tumble from a subway platform at the Broadway Junction station in Brooklyn that killed

one woman and injured the friend who tried to save her.

The MTA has in recent years considered testing subway platform doors that would keep riders safe from falling onto tracks. (NY Daily News) Caption: Police are seen here securing the Fulton Street Station, of the 2-3 train, where a young child was struck by a train in the station. (Sam Costanza/for New York Daily News)

Scores of soldiers killed in Niger base attack

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t least 71 Nigerien soldiers have been killed in an attack on a military camp in the west of the country, according to the defence ministry.

In a televised statement, a ministry spokesman said “a substantial number of terrorists were neutralised” in Tuesday’s attack which also left 12 military personnel wounded and others missing.

President Mahamadou Issoufou cut short a trip to Egypt to return home following the “tragedy” that took place at the base in Inates, near the border with Mali, the presidency said on Twitter.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which is believed to be the deadliest against Niger’s military in living memory. Three Nigerien soldiers and 14 rebel fighters were killed on Monday in an attack on another army post in Agando in western Tahoua region, according to the defence ministry.

Tuesday’s attack came a few days before French President Emmanuel Macron scheduled a meet-

ing next week, in the southwestern French town of Pau, with five presidents from the Sahel to discuss security in the region.

Niger is part of a five-nation task force known as the G5, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Chad.

Niger’s council of ministers has extended for another three months a state of emergency in place since 2017 in several regions to fight against rebel attacks, handing additional powers to security forces.

Thousands of civilians and soldiers have died in violence across the vast Sahel region, which began when armed fighters revolted in northern Mali in

2012.

The conflict has since spread to the centre of Mali and to neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger.

Attacks continue, despite the 4,500 French troops deployed in the region as part of Operation Barkhane to help local forces.

Thirteen French soldiers were killed in Mali last month when two helicopters collided during an operation against fighters in the country’s restive north, in the heaviest single loss for the French military in nearly four decades. (Al Jazeera) Caption: Nigerien commandos during April 2018 military exercises in Ouallam [File: Aaron Ross/Reuters]

tain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.” It also says manifestations of anti-Semitism “might include the targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity” but “criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as anti-Semitic.”

Observers say the order will mainly target the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which criticises Israeli policies against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. The movement has gained significant popularity in recent years on many campuses across the country.

BDS has been criticised in the Congress by prominent Republicans

and Democrats, and many states have passed bipartisan anti-BDS measures in the form of requiring state contractors to sign pledges not to support it. But several of those laws have been struck down in federal courts as a violation of the First Amendment on free speech.

The president’s order is reportedly intended to implement the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act, a longstalled bill in Congress through executive action.

Critics argue Trump’s expected move is a threat to free speech, a right that is protected by the US constitution and is intended to silence legitimate criticism of Israeli policies.

“This executive order is a clear instrument of oppression, targeting activ-

ism for freedom, justice and equality for the Palestinian people on campuses and it is just disguised as anti-discrimination policy,” said Yousef Munayyer, the executive director of the US Campaign for Palestinian Rights.

“It’s a shameless exploitation of legitimate fears that people have around a real resurgence of anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and other forms of racism that this president himself has fueled,” Munayyer told Al Jazeera.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) said it recorded 201 anti-Semitic incidents at colleges and universities in 2018, slightly down from 204 in the previous year.

A report by the Tel Aviv University released in May found that attacks targeting Jews around the world rose by 13 percent in 2018, to nearly 400 cases. About one in four attacks took place in the US. (AL Jazeera) Caption: US President Donald Trump holding up the executive order on anti-Semitism that he signed during a Hanukkah reception at the White House [Tom Brenner/Reuters]

2 killed in Taliban suicide attack near US base

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t least two Afghan civilians have been killed and 73 others injured in a Taliban suicide bombing near a key US military base, local officials have said.

The early morning assault on Tuesday began when an attacker detonated an explosive-laden vehicle near Bagram military base in Parwan province, north of the capital, Kabul.

Nasrat Rahimi, a spokesperson for the interior ministry, said in the evening that the attack was over and that all six assailants were killed.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, said that the attackers detonated a truck bomb next to the wall of the base, and that the damage caused by the

explosion enabled suicide bombers to enter the fortified military compound.

Afghan and US officials could not immediately confirm if a truck bomb had been used in the attack, which NATO and the US said targeted an under-construction medical facility close to the base.

“The attack was quickly contained and repelled ... but the future medical facility was badly damaged,” NATO’s Resolute Support mission said in a statement Five servicemen from the former Georgia, which is part of the coalition, were among those injured, the country’s defence ministry said in a statement. The majority of casualties were Afghan.

US Secretary of State

Mike Pompeo, speaking at a news conference, condemned the attack that he said wounded at least five coalition troops.

“This is precisely the kind of activity that we’re working to reduce,” Pompeo told reporters in Washington.

“The people of Afghanistan deserve an end to these senseless acts of violence. The United States stands with the Afghan people, their security forces and their desire to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan,” he said. (Al Jazeera) Caption: Afghan security forces inspect the site of an attack near a US military air base in Bagram, north of Kabul [Mohammad Ismail/Reuters]

Oil prices gain as OPEC revises deficit forecast

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il prices edged higher on Thursday with the market mood switching to relief as OPEC forecast a supply deficit next year, from doom and gloom over data showing a surprise increase in US crude inventories.

Brent futures LCOc1 rose 24 cents, or 0.4% to $63.96 a barrel by 0242 GMT, after skidding 1% on Wednesday on the U.S. stocks build-up.

West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was down 10 cents, or 0.2%, at $58.85 a barrel, following a 0.8% drop the previous session.

The Organization of

the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Wednesday said it now expected a small deficit in the oil market in the next year, suggesting the market is tighter than previously thought - even before the latest pact with other producers to curb supply takes effect.

The revised forecast by OPEC marks a further retreat from a prediction of a glut in 2020 as US production growth begins to slow.

Still, US inventories are on the rise. Crude stockpiles last week rose unexpectedly, gaining more than 800,000

barrels, compared with a Reuters poll that forecast a 2.8 million barrel decline.

Inventories of petroleum products also increased with gasoline stocks surging by more than 5 million barrels and distillates gaining a bit over 4 million barrels - with both more than double expectations.

“The overall report was very bearish as demand fell off a cliff and total stockpiles climbed to the highest level in seven months,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at OANDA. (Reuters)

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guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, december 12, 2019

Regional

Investigation launched into 79-member ACP now Organisation of “sale” of Grenada passports African, Caribbean and Pacific States

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olice have launched an investigation into the “unsubstantiated and slanderous” rumours that the island’s regular passports are being sold without the consent of the proper authorities.

Grenada’s regular passport costs EC$250.

“I heard of that rumour being perpetuated and as it relates to passports, what I say is that the Office of the Immigration Department is responsible for the distribution of passports and an unsubstantiated and slanderous remark like that can be very detrimental not just to the Force but to the country,” Acting Police Commissioner Edvin Martin told reporters.

Martin said as far as he is concerned, the issuance of passports is well regulated and “if anyone has information to that effect I will really encourage the person to come forward with it so we can look into it”.

He told reporters at the weekly post-Cabinet briefing that at the moment, the allegations are “unsubstantiated” adding “I do not have any

A family portrait of presidents and leaders attending Africa, Caribbean, Pacific Group of States (ACP) summit on December 9, 2019

information to suggest that, that is something that is occurring”.

“I will be interested in looking into it and the fact that assertion has been made, I will not be waiting for persons to come with it, I will be going to whoever is responsible for perpetuating that kind of rumour because there is an interest on both sides.

“If something like that is happening it is important that it be resolved if that sort of information is being perpetuated and it is not true, it is critical that it be identified for what it is and neutralise immediately,” said Martin.

“I must get to the bottom of this, we will see where the

facts on this lie and we will see where the case goes,” said Martin, who is also the Chief Immigration Officer.

International Business Minister Nickolas Steele has described as “rumour-mongering” the allegations being made against a division of the Police Force that is known for its integrity.

Grenada is among several other Caribbean islands that promote the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI) through which foreign investors, who make a substantial financial contribution to the socio-economic development of the countries are granted citizenship. (CMC)

Jamaica: Child Diversion Act to be enforceable next year

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ustice Minister Delroy Chuck has assured that the Child Diversion Act, which was passed in 2018 to reroute children from the formal justice system — preventing them from being treated as hardened criminals — is to be gazetted so its provisions can be enforced as of early 2020.

“I must admit, in 2011 (before the Jamaica Labour Party lost state power) I started to look at child diversion and when I came back in 2016 (after the party won the general elections), I asked where is child diversion but, regrettably, not much was done,” Chuck told the audience yesterday during the observation of Human Rights Day 2019, under the theme 'Youth Standing up for Human Rights', at Jamaica Conference Centre in down-

town Kingston.

“We did, in 2018, enact legislation and we have sensitised right across the parishes [on] the importance of getting our children out of the formal court system, and, hopefully, guide, support and impress on them the importance of not engaging in wrongdoing. I have participated in that charge.

We have sensitised thousands of Justices of the Peace and stakeholders, and only last week I signed the legislation for it to be gazetted so that it can come into action as early as possible next year,” the justice minister told the gathering, which included several representatives of the United Nations and the European Union, as well as students.

He said the child diversion programme, which is to accompany the roll-out of the

Act, is to ensure that “when children engage in any form of wrongdoing, the opportunity will be afforded them to be counselled, guided, mentored, and to hopefully go on the straight and narrow path”.

“My hope is that we can keep out all or most of our children out of the formal court system,” he said.

Chuck added that facilities that care for children deemed “unruly”, whose parents find it extremely difficult to control them, will be placed under the microscope to ensure “that they get the best care and, hopefully, do not spend more time than is necessary for them to really get back into the family and get back on the path of normal behaviour”. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

T&T AG: Almost 5000 on remand for weed, billions spent

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ttorney General Faris Al-Rawi said in the past five years, almost 5000 people have been incarcerated and billions spent on them while on remand.

He was piloting debate on the Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill and the Cannabis Control Bill (which were debated simultaneously) in the House on Wednesday.

He reported that from 2008-2018 there were 85,000 cannabis cases (about 75008500 per year), which was a significant number. He said of these cases, almost 85 per

cent were for simple possession while trafficking was about 12-14 per cent and cultivation and gathering were 0.6 per cent and 0.2 per cent respectively.

He described as "alarming" the fact that from 20142019, 4,694 people were arrested for possession, could not access bail and were put on remand.

"It is a staggering number."

Al-Rawi recalled that he had reported the average cost of keeping someone on remand was between $15,000 and $25,000 a month, and

therefore from 2014-2019 billions had been spent on people on remand for simple possession. He said the vast majority of those remanded were aged18-35 or 35-50 and stressed that they were kept with hardened, serious criminals.

He said the ethnic distribution for 2014 showed 352 African, 185 mixed, 124 East Indian, three Hispanic and zero Asian. He added the distribution was equal between people from urban and rural areas. (Excerpt from T&T Newsday)

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he African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group on Tuesday ended a two-day summit in Jamaica, agreeing to rename the 45-year-old organisation as the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

The Secretary-General of the 79-member grouping, Dr Patrick I Gomes, told reporters that the organisation is now better positioned to counter the untoward policies of more developed nations.

“We could best be seen and eventually evolve and grow into the counterfoil to what is

the OECD — the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. That's the club; they do a lot of analytical work,” said Gomes, whose fiveyear tenure ends on February 28, next year.

“The dream — if there was ever a dream — is that the OACPS will be the counterfoil, the voice of the Global South, of developing countries, in the analytical work, in the policymaking, etc,” the Guyaneseborn diplomat said.

“The OECD, looks after the club of what I would call the rich and developed countries, and now some that are

developing are also going in that direction,” he added.

The OECD is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 36 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade. It is a forum of countries which say they are committed to democracy and the market economy, providing a platform to compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practices, and coordinate domestic and international policies of its members. (Excerpt from CMC)

Chilean Air Force finds debris believed to be from missing plane

T

he Chilean Air Force said on Wednesday it had located debris believed to be from a military cargo plane that crashed this week with 38 people aboard over a remote stretch of frigid sea between South America and the Antarctic.

The debris was found 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of where the plane last made contact, the Air Force said in a statement. The parts were being recovered for analysis to determine if they belonged to the Hercules C-130 cargo plane.

The Brazilian Ministry of Defense also said in a statement that one of its ships had recovered personal items and debris compatible with the plane, about 500 km (311 miles) from the southern Argentine city of Ushuaia in Patagonia.

The aircraft, which was

heading to a base in Antarctica, disappeared shortly after taking off late on Monday from the southern city of Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia.

The Air Force concluded early the next morning that the aircraft must have crashed, given the number of hours it had been missing.

"We will continue the search and hope for a better result," Air Force General Eduardo Mosqueira, who has been leading the search effort, told reporters.

The cause of the crash

was unknown and officials acknowledged the slim chances of finding any survivors.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Chilean military sent fighter jets in an expanded search after large rolling waves in the icy Drake Passage and low clouds had complicated the mission the day before, authorities said.

The flight, which was carrying 17 crew members and 21 passengers, appeared routine until the moment it disappeared, Mosqueira said.

(Reuters)

Regional governments reach consensus on LIAT deal

A

new agreement has been struck as the Government of Barbados has apparently come off its initial stance of requesting US $40 million from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda (GOAB) to acquire most of its 49 per cent shareholding in regional air carrier, LIAT (1974) Ltd. “We have a general consensus on the way forward,” declared Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne. He attended a LIAT shareholder Government’s meeting held over a week ago.

He confirmed that in that meeting with Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and St Vincent and the Grenadines

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

“That consensus,” continued Browne, “will result in the recapitalisation of LIAT as well as the restructuring of LIAT to place it on a path of sustainability”.

Talks broke down between the GOAB and Barbados back in June when the two sides could not come to an agreement on the purchase price for most of Barbados’s 49 per cent shares in the regional air carrier.

The Barbados Government, then, was seeking approximately US $21 million more than the GOAB was willing to offer.

Concerning the new deal,

however, Prime Minister Browne said, “I’m not in a position to give the details at this point, but to say that the issues that we’ve had, there has been some convergence and there’s now a consensus and a way forward.”

In November, the GOAB secured a loan from Venezuelan Bank, BANCO ALBA, for US $15.8 million as it expected to use most of the acquired financing to become the largest shareholder of the regional carrier.

The Antigua and Barbuda shareholding currently sits at 34 per cent. (Excerpt from Antigua Observer)

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thursday, december 12, 2019

17

Around the World

As US House impeachment looms, Senate, Trump grapple over next moves

A

s the US House of Representatives moves closer to impeaching Donald Trump, larger questions loom in the Senate, where the President may be headed for a rare conflict with his Republican allies over how any trial will be conducted.

The House Judiciary Committee met later on Wednesday evening to consider formal articles of impeachment accusing Trump of abusing his power by trying to force Ukraine to investigate a political rival and of obstructing Congress when lawmakers tried to look into the matter.

The committee is expected to approve the charges today. The full House, which is controlled by the Democrats, is likely to follow suit next week, making Trump the third President in US history to be impeached.

Trump, who maintains that he did nothing wrong, has said he wants to see a full, public trial that he hopes would flesh out the case against conviction

when the charges are taken up by the Republicancontrolled Senate in the new year. Trump has used the threat of impeachment to stir up his supporters and raise campaign funds in an election year.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer has also said he hopes for a “full” and “open” trial.

But Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a close Trump ally, displays little sign of enthusiasm for a protracted process.

If the House approves the charges, a trial would be the Senate’s “first order of business in January,” McConnell said on the Senate floor on Wednesday.

Much will depend on the attitude of his 52 fellow Republicans.

Senator Lindsey Graham, another Trump ally, said he was not keen on calling “a bunch of witnesses”.

“I think as an American the best thing we can do is deep-six this thing,” Graham told reporters on

The White Island volcano, also known as Whakaari, erupted on Monday

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks during a campaign rally at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, US

Wednesday.

Democrats say Trump endangered the US Constitution, jeopardised national security and undermined the integrity of the 2020 election by pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July 25 telephone call to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.

The articles of impeachment do not draw on other,

more contentious aspects of Trump’s tenure, such as his efforts to impede former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe.

Democratic lawmakers who represent more conservative districts have argued that the focus should stay on Ukraine.

“I think you’ll see virtually all the Democrats support these articles,” said Representative David Cicilline, who chairs a House Judiciary subcommittee. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Details of sweeping pension reforms fuel French anger

L

abour unions on Wednesday said they would extend strikes that have already paralysed much of France's transport network for nearly a week, after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe revealed details of the government's highly controversial plan to overhaul the French pension system.

"The Government is mak-

ing a fool of everyone," said Philippe Martinez, the leader of the hardline CGT Union.

"Everyone will work longer; it is unacceptable."

After much anticipation, Philippe unveiled the full details of the plan in a speech at the Economic, Social and Environmental Council on Wednesday afternoon. He said the legal retirement age

would remain at 62 years, but workers would need to work until 64 in order to receive their full pension.

As anticipated, Philippe also said 42 special programmes would be scrapped and consolidated into one universal, points-based system. But in a concession, the overhaul would only apply to those born after 1975, as op-

posed to 1963 as previously stated.

"We've decided to change nothing for those who have already contributed towards their retirement for at least 17 years, which means for those under the general retirement regime - those born before 1975 and who will be over 50 in 2025," Philippe said.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Myanmar's leader Aung San Suu Kyi speaks on the second day of hearings in a case filed

by Gambia against Myanmar alleging genocide against the minority Muslim Rohingya population, at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague

the West as a heroine of democracy, spoke for about 30 minutes at the courtroom in The Hague in defense of the actions of the Myanmar military that for years had kept her under house arrest.

She said a military-led “clearance operation” in western Rakhine State launched in August 2017 was a counterterrorism response to coordinated Rohingya militant attacks against dozens of police stations.

“Gambia has placed an incomplete and misleading picture of the factual situation in Rakhine state in Myanmar,” she said.

More than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar to Bangladesh after the military launched its crackdown. United Nations investigators have said 10,000 people may have been killed.

Rights groups said Suu Kyi’s statement contradicted evidence on the ground and witness accounts. Her remarks “fly in the face of all the evidence gathered by the UN, and the testimony our own teams have heard from countless survivors,” said George Graham, director of humanitarian advocacy at Save the Children. (Excerpt from Reuters)

South Sudan.

Satellite data indicates the region received a large surge of water from East African lakes, including Victoria.

This would have boosted CH4 from the wetlands, accounting for a significant part of the rise in global methane.

Perhaps even up to a third of the growth seen in the period 2010-2016, when considered with East Africa as a whole.

"There's not much ground-monitoring in this region that can prove or disprove our results, but the data we have fits together

Suu Kyi tells UN's top court charge of Rohingya genocide is “misleading”

M

yanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday rejected accusations of genocide committed against her country’s Muslim Rohingya minority as “incomplete and misleading”, and said the case should not be heard by the UN’s highest court.

The Nobel Peace laureate, speaking during three days of hearings at the International Court of Justice, challenged allegations in a lawsuit brought by Gambia last month accusing Myanmar of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention.

Suu Kyi, once feted in

Climate change: Methane pulse detected from South Sudan wetlands

S

cientists think they can now explain at least part of the recent growth in methane (CH4) levels in the atmosphere.

Researchers, led from Edinburgh University, UK, say their studies point to a big jump in emissions coming from just the wetlands of

White Island volcano: Death toll rises to 8, Police say

beautifully," said Prof Paul Palmer.

"We have independent lines of evidence to show the Sudd wetlands expanded in size, and you can even see it in aerial imagery - they became greener," he told BBC News. (Excerpt from BBC News)

T

wo people who were being treated in hospital after the eruption of New Zealand's White Island volcano have died, bringing the official number of victims to eight, Police say.

Nine people are still officially missing, presumed dead, and efforts to retrieve bodies from the island were put on hold on Wednesday amid signs of increased seismic activity.

Another 20 people are in intensive care with severe burns.

One has been moved to Australia.

The identities of the two victims were not confirmed. Police said one had been treated at Middlemore Hospital and one at Waikato Hospital.

The volcano, also known as Whakaari, erupted on Monday when dozens of tourists were on the island.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Prime Minister

Jacinda Ardern said: "I've spoken to many of those involved in the operation and they are very, very eager to get back there, they want to bring people's loved ones home".

White Island is a popular tourist destination with frequent day tours and scenic flights available. At least 47 visitors from around the world were on the volcano crater at the time of two explosions in quick succession.

Police Minister Stuart Nash explained the injuries to the survivors were so severe that some of them were unable to identify themselves.

"There are a number of people in hospital who cannot communicate, they have significant burns not only to skin but internal organs," he told Radio New Zealand.

"We wish them the best but we're not out of the woods yet, of that there's no doubt." (Excerpt from BBC News)

India's Parliament passes citizenship law, protests flare

Police use water cannon to disperse demonstrators during a protest against Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), that seeks to give citizenship to religious minorities persecuted in neighbouring Muslim countries, in Guwahati, India

I

ndia’s Hindu nationalist Government on Wednesday won parliamentary approval for a far-reaching citizenship law that critics say undermines the country’s secular Constitution by excluding Muslims.

Violence broke out in the ethnically diverse northeast while Parliament debated the bill, as protesters against the legislation clashed with Police.

It is the third key election promise that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government has delivered since he was re-elected in May, re-energising his nationalist, Hindu support base and drawing attention away from a slackening economy.

Soldiers were deployed

in Tripura state and reinforcements put on standby in neighboring Assam, both of which border Bangladesh, where people fear an influx of settlers.

“The bill will take away our rights, language and culture with millions of Bangladeshis getting citizenship,” Gitimoni Dutta, a college student, said at a protest in Assam’s main city of Guwahati.

The Citizenship Amendment Bill seeks to protect besieged minorities in neighboring states by granting Indian nationality to Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Parsis and Sikhs who fled Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan before 2015. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, december 12, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS

dilbert

(April 20May 20)

Peanuts

Emotional issues will surface when dealing with a loved one. It’s time to eliminate the stress you’ve been feeling by addressing your concerns. Honesty will lead to a better future.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Clear up paperwork that has been piling up. Getting things in order before the year comes to a close will allow you more time to prepare for future prospects.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

A bazaar or flea market will lead to last-minute purchases for special people in your life. A youngster will reveal some interesting information.

VIRGO

When in doubt, ask questions. Be prepared to compromise, but don’t agree to something that you won’t be able to honor. It may be time to make a move.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Consider what you have, what you want and how to go about achieving your goals. The new year is approaching, and you’ll want to be ready to execute your plans.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

A festive event will allow you to mix business with pleasure and make some new connections with colleagues you would like to collaborate with. Share your thoughts.

If you listen, valuable information will come your way. Chatting with someone who thinks in a unique way will spark ideas. Personal improvements will motivate you to try something new and exciting in the coming year.

Evaluate what you have to do to be your very best.

Implementing a routine that will lead to a healthier attitude and physical appearance will pay off. Romance is encouraged.

Put yourself out there.

SAGITTARIUS Opportunities come to those (Nov. 23who get out and participate, Dec. 21) not to those who sit at home waiting for something to happen. Volunteer work will lead to an exciting encounter.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

If you offer solutions, you will attract attention. Don’t lose sight of what you want to gain for your time, effort and input. Take care of your health and update your appearance.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

Use your hands, intelligence and talents to come up with an idea and bring it to fruition. An offer will turn out to be better than anticipated.

PISCES

Too much idle time will lead to trouble. Avoid getting involved in indulgent behavior with someone who entices you to do things you shouldn’t. Self-improvement should be your focus.

SOLUTION FOr LAST PUBLISHED puzzle

(Feb. 20March 20)

thursday, DECember 12, 2019

19

round-up: Robinson's

career night carries Heat in OT D

uncan Robinson bombed in his ninth three-pointer of the game 17 seconds into overtime, then added a 10th later in the extra session as the hosts Miami Heat outlasted the Atlanta Hawks 135-121 on Tuesday night.

Five players had career nights in the shootout, led by Robinson, who recorded career highs in points (34) and three-pointers (10 on just 14 attempts).

Miami rookie Kendrick Nunn led all scorers with a career-high 36 points, Bam Adebayo recorded a career-first triple-double with a career-high 30 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists, and Jimmy Butler also notched a triple-double with 20 points, a career-high 18 rebounds and 10 assists.

Miami’s starters combine for 124 of the team’s 135 points

Rookie De’Andre Hunter helped keep Atlanta in the game with a career-high 28 points. Trae Young backed Hunter with 21 points and nine assists for the Hawks, who lost to the Heat for the third straight time this season.

76ers 97, Nuggets 92

Joel Embiid had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Philadelphia remained

unbeaten at home with a win over Denver.

Tobias Harris added 20 points, Matisse Thybulle had 13 and Al Horford 11 as the Sixers improved to 13-0 at Wells Fargo Center, their best home start since winning 22 in a row in 1966-67.

Will Barton led the Nuggets with 26 points, and Nikola Jokic added 15 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. Gary Harris scored 14 points while Paul Millsap had 10 for Denver, which lost Jamal Murray to a hip injury in the first quarter.

Hornets 114, Wizards 107

Devonte’ Graham had another big second half on his way to scoring 29 points, and Charlotte made key conversions on offence down the stretch to pull out a victory against visiting Washington.

Terry Rozier had 17 points for the Hornets, and Miles Bridges finished with 16. PJ Washington, despite coming off an ankle injury sustained Sunday, had 15 points, Cody Zeller had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Bismack Biyombo provided 13 points and 15 rebounds.

Rui Hachimura had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Washington, which lost its fourth straight road game. Bradley Beal added 16, and Ish Smith chipped in 13.

Team Mohamed's, Grand Central Sports Bar to stage one of the biggest pool tournaments in Guyana

Team Mohamed's representative Travis Aidain hands over trophies and the sponsorship cheque to Stephen Persaud of Guyana Pool & Snooker Club

F

ans of the slate table are in for a treat at the Grand Central Sports Bar this Saturday, December 14.

One of the biggest paydays is guaranteed at the famous Jerry’s Bar in Grove, East Bank Demerara (EDB) from 18:00h. The tournament is sponsored exclusively by Team Mohamed’s Racing to the

tune of $220,000 in cash. Entrance fee for males is $3000 while the beautiful putters will enter for free with the chance of winning a top prize of $120,000 while the runner-up will pocket $60,000 and third place will receive $40,000. Interested persons are urged to enter the final tournament of 2019 early. Don't miss this one.

Duncan Robinson

Trail Blazers 115, Knicks 87

Damian Lillard scored 31 points and matched his season best with eight three-pointers to lead Portland to an easy victory over visiting New York.

Hassan Whiteside recorded 17 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots for Portland, which won for just the second time in their past five games. Carmelo Anthony and

Anfernee Simons added 16 points apiece, and CJ McCollum had 13.

Julius Randle scored 15 points and Mitchell Robinson added 14 for the Knicks, who lost their 10th consecutive game. New York fell to 0-2 under Mike Miller, the former college and G League coach who took over on an interim basis after the firing of David Fizdale. (Reuters)

Agarwal named Dhawan's replacement for West Indies ODIs

M

ayank Agarwal has been included in India's One-Day International (ODI) squad for the upcoming three-match series against West Indies.

The Karnataka opener has been roped in as a replacement for Shikhar Dhawan, who's still recovering from a knee injury he sustained earlier in the domestic season. Dhawan had suffered a deep cut on his left knee during a Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy game against Maharashtra in Surat and was ruled out of the just -concluded T20I series.

"While Dhawan's stitches are off and his wound is healing gradually, he still needs some more time before he regains full match fitness," the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Medical Team was quoted as saying in a media release issued by the Board on Wednesday.

Agarwal, meanwhile, has been in good run-scoring form both in Test as well as the domestic limited-overs games. Apart from scoring two double centuries and hundred in the Test series against South Africa and Bangladesh, Agarwal also struck an important 69 in Karnataka's title-clinching victory over Tamil Nadu in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He also scored a century for India C against India A in the Deodhar Trophy in November.

The isn't the first time that Agarwal is part of the India squad, having been roped in earlier this year as Vijay Shankar's replacement during the World Cup – although he didn't get a game then. The 28-year-old Agarwal has scored 3869 runs in List-A cricket so far at an average of 50.90 with 13 hundreds and 15 fifties.

The three-match ODI series against West Indies gets underway from December 15, with Chennai hosting the first match. The second game will be played in Visakhapatnam on December 18 while the last match of the series will be held in Cuttack on December 22.

India ODI squad: Virat Kohli (Captain); Rohit Sharma (Vice Captain); Mayank Agarwal; KL Rahul; Shreyas Iyer; Manish Pandey; Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper); Shivam Dube; Kedar Jadhav; Ravindra Jadeja; Yuzvendra Chahal; Kuldeep Yadav; Deepak Mayank Agarwal Chahar; Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. (cricbuzz)

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thursday, DECember 12, 2019

Wins for MYO and New Amsterdam highlight day of play

T

he Muslim Youth Organisation of Guyana/Trophy Stall Inter-Jamaat 10-over Softball Cricket Competition 2019 continued last Sunday at the MYO Ground, Woolford Avenue, Thomas Lands.

The day started out very gloomy with rain threatening to halt play, but it eventually held up for the matches to be played.

In the first game, LBI B won the toss and decided to field first. MYO made 102 for the loss of four wickets. Openers Timore Mohamed and Safraz Esau made 19 (2x6) and 22 (2x4) respectively, followed by number three batsman Richard Latiff with 38 runs (3x6, 2x4). They were the main contributors. Bowling for LBI B with one wicket each were Puran Deokaran, Carl Spencer, and Asif Mohamed.

LBI B in their turn at the crease found it very difficult to get the ball off the square and eventually made 79 for the loss of seven wickets. Latiff was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets for MYO. In the second game, LBI B again won the toss and elected to field. This proved to be a good decision for LBI B as they had New Amsterdam Masjid pegged back, with

The New Amsterdam Masjid team

the score at 12 for the loss of three wickets in two overs. However, Captain Zahir Moakan and Raymond Mohamed were able to put on 60 runs from the next five

BCB/RHTY&SC/Busta Champion of Champions 40-over tournament…

Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour, Albion to clash in Saturday’s final

overs. New Amsterdam eventually made 95 for the loss of eight wickets. Mohamed made 27 and Moakan made 23. Leading

the bowling for LBI B was Gary Singh with two wickets.

This total proved to be very tricky for LBI B as they were bowled out for 87 runs.

No significant contributions came from the bat for LBI B. Safraz Kassim picked up three wickets for 18 runs, and was supported by Bashir Kellawan and Ricky Edoo with two wickets each for 17 and 21 runs respectively for New Amsterdam Masjid.

In the third game, LBI A won the toss and batted and were bowled out for just 59 runs in 9.1 overs. Mohamed Ali was the only batsman to reach double figures, making 16 runs. Bowling for New Amsterdam were Kellawan, Kassim and Martin Singh, who picked up two wickets each.

This was an easy total for the boys from the east as they knocked off the runs in six overs with Jerome making an unbeaten 27 (4x6) and Martin Singh, 15 (2x6).

Mohamed Ali picked up two wickets for the losing LBI A team.

In the fourth game, Diamond New Scheme Masjid failed to turn up and New Amsterdam Masjid was awarded a walkover.

Mahdia Cricket Team conclude 2019 tour

Mahdia Movements Family

Team Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour

T

he Area H Ground located in Guyana’s smallest township is expected to come alive on Saturday when the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) hosts the final of the 2019 BCB/Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC)/Busta Champion of Champions cricket tournament.

Ball one of the 40-over match will bowl off at 10:30h and will feature Berbice’s top two First-Division teams. The organisers are expecting a top-class final with both teams featuring several top players.

BCB President Hilbert Foster has described the 16th edition of the tournament as a resounding success despite the decision of the cricket powers of Guyana to stop national contracted players from playing in a tournament by the BCB. This, Foster stated, is totally unfair, but no vindictive action would affect the train of progress that the Ancient County has enjoyed over the last 20 months.

Playing at home, Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour would be led by former national player Eon Hooper, who has been enjoying a good year all-round in his first season as Captain. In the absence of Clinton Pestano, Kevlon Anderson and Kevin Sinclair, Namilco Thunderbolt Flour’s batting will be led by Junior Sinclair, Jason Sinclair,

Surendra Kissoonlall, Eon Hooper, Jonathan Rampersaud, and Keith Simpson along with veterans Khemraj Mahadeo and Delbert Hicks.

Pacers Keon Sinclair and Sylus Tyndall lead a strong fast bowling attack which receives strong support from off-spinners Junior Sinclair, Khemraj Mahadeo, Hooper, and Rampersaud; left-arm spinner Keith Simpson and leg-spinner Shawn Pereira.

Albion would be affected by the absence, owing to the ban, of Devendra Bishoo, Anthony Bramble, Veerasammy Permaul and Gudakesh Motie, but still have a strong team in both batting and bowling. National player Jonathan Foo leads the batting and will receive support from Kandasammy Surujnarine, Rajiv Ivan, Sharaz Ramcharran, David Latchaya, Jetendra Outar, Ritesh Umroa and Sarwan Chaitnarine.

The Albion spin-bowling attack will be led by national youth player Kelvin Umroa with support coming from Ivan, Ramcharran, Sarwan, Mahendra Chaitnarine, Surujnarine, Latchaya and Foo. The winning team will pocket $100,000 and the runners-up $50,000 while the Man of the Final will also be rewarded with prizes.

C

urrent 2019 Heritage Day champions Mahdia Cricket Team, aka Movements Family, decided to come together with various teams from across Guyana in a T20 tape-ball competition to round off the year.

However, their encounter was one that was bittersweet as they lost their first match, won their second commandingly, and watched the rain wash out the rest of the games.

They were scheduled to play at Thirst Park Ground, St Cuthbert’s Mission Ground and Green Park among others. The Mahdia team ended 2018 on a sad note as they bowed out of the final against Laluni after coming so close to their target. However, this year they came with a plan; in their bid to defend their 2019 title, they have set out on a journey to compete against the best teams in their respective areas.

In game number one against Banks DIH at Thirst Park, Mahdia won the toss and batted first. They were able to post 165 all out in 17.3 over, with Omesh Danram making 50 and Andrew Gibson 45. Bowling for Banks DIH were Deonarine Seegobin (3-19); Ricky Seargent (2-15); and Eshack Asif (3-

45). Needing 166 for victory, Banks were able to dominate their opponents as they chased the target down in 17.1 overs ending on 166-8. Topscoring were Depaul Bandoo (77*) and Deonarine Seegobin (16); leading the bowling for Movements Family was Ricardo Poloram (4-55).

In their second game, which was a 15over affair, Mahdia won the toss and bowled first. St Cuthbert’s Mission were skittled out for 73-8 in their allotted 15 overs. Topscoring were David Francis (cpt) – 36 – and Romio Simons – 14. For Movements, fast bowler Raydon Austin bagged 4-9 in three overs, with support from by Earshaad Ali (3-8).

Mahdia Movements Family chased the total and ended on 74-0 as Andrew Gibson topscored with 46* and Ragkumar Singh (cpt) 18*.

The 13-man squad consisted of Mark Jeffers; Raydon Austin; Ragkumar Singh (cpt); Lloyd Pio; Aubrey Thomas; Omesh Danram; Ershaad Ali; Paul Tyrell; Andrew Gibson; Ryan Adams; Ricardo Poloram; Malcom Hubbard and Carl Howes.

The now annual event is aimed at building the team and enhancing their capabilities as they prepare to defend their title.

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, DECember 12, 2019

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BCB election set for December 22: Foster seeking re-election after successful 1st term ꟷ to mentor young leaders for smooth succession T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday, December 22, 2019, will be hosting its Annual General Meeting and Election.

Current President Hilbert Foster, MS, will be seeking re-election for another two-year term along with a carefully selected slate of candidates.

Foster stated that he was fully prepared to walk away after his highly-successful first term, but agreed to the request of countless clubs, young cricketers, cricket officials and parents as they were concerned about Berbice cricket returning to a state of dormancy.

Another reason, Foster stated, is that numerous sponsors have indicated that they would only stay on board if he remained as the President.

Foster, who is also the Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the progressive Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, (RHTY&SC), MS, took over the leadership of the struggling BCB on February 18, 2018, at a special election ordered by Guyana’s High Court. He took over Berbice cricket with no developmental programmes in place, no proper cricket tournament in over two years, with $42, 000 in a dormant bank account, no sponsors, a system where clubs were closing down and players were walking away from the game out of frustration.

Twenty months later, Berbice cricket is on a high and is on the move

to even greater success. Foster recalled that the past Executive of the BCB has to date failed to account for over $2 million, withdrawn during a six-month period in 2017 and has not handed over a single piece of document to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.

Foster, in a January 2018 interview, had stated that it would take a miracle from God to save Berbice cricket and a lot of hard work, dedication, and sponsorship. The first thing he did was to heal the great divide among the two warring factions and get former opponents to work along with him. A massive marketing drive was launched and over $20 million in cash and kind has been raised over the past 20 months for the development of Berbice cricket.

On the cricket field, more than 60 tournaments have been organised at the Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Under-19, Under-21, Double Wicket, Primary School, Secondary School, Female, Intermediate, Internal Zone, Inter-Village, Second-Division and First-Division levels. Countless programmes and projects were hosted, including two awards ceremonies, two Cricket Academies, Dr Tulsi Dyal Singh Coaching Programme, InterCounty Cap System, Inter-County MVP, educational posters, training of pre-Level One Coaches, Dr Puran Singh National Players Financial Scheme, Special Coaching Clinics,

Dare to Dream, Mother/Father of the Year, Cricket Administrator Hall of Fame, anti-suicide programme, Joseph “Reds” Perreira’s visit, Youth Information Booklet, Berbice’s Greatest Cricketers, Berbice Hall of Fame, Tribute to Heroes, and Tribute to Retired Cricketers..

Clubs and young cricketers also benefited from millions of dollars’ worth of cricket balls, scorebooks, bicycles, cricket gear, cricket boots, rain coats, cricket uniforms, trophies/medals, fencing materials and educational materials. Berbice players are also being recognised at the West Indies level in record numbers with the following players having being called up over the last two years at different levels: Devendra Bishoo, Romario Shepherd, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Isiah Thorne, Kevlon Anderson, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Jonathan Rampersaud and Kelvin Umroa.

Foster stated that the BCB’s 80th anniversary celebration, restoration of the BCB office, reviving of cricket in the Berbice riverine area, formation of over 15 new clubs, the healing of divisions, and the renewed passion for cricket at the village level were some of the prouder moments of his presidency. Another was the return of inter-county cricket to Berbice after an absence of over a decade. Another major highlight was the return of

Metro makes million-dollar contribution to Boxing Day horse race

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ponsorship continues to pour in from all corners for the muchanticipated Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club Boxing Day horse race meeting set for Thursday, December 26, 2019 at Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne, Berbice.

The latest sponsorship came from stationery giants Metro Office and Computer Supplies, who poured in $1, 875, 000 for the feature event of the Boxing Day meet.

During the presentation made on Wednesday at the Metro Office at Quamina Street, Georgetown, Justice Cecil Kennard was delighted with Metro’s sponsorship, which has been up and running for 13 years.

Speaking at the event, Metro Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Avie Lindie, who represented Metro’s President Ron Ramnarayan, stated that the long-standing relationship between the Kennard family and the company was a strong one.

“This donation to the Kennard Boxing Day horse race is coming directly from President Ramnarayan, who resides in New York,” Linde said.

Justice Kennard thanked Metro for the generous sponsorship. Rolling back the clock, Justice Kennard recalled asking Ramnarayan

Andrew Hing, Prakash Bahadur and Sanshye Bhagwandin of Metro make the presentation to Justice Cecil Kennard

for this donation post 2005 and he immediately agreed to donate the $1 million for the feature event.

The Ramnarayan family is a household name in Berbice especially in the horse-racing fraternity. Justice Kennard emphasised on the high quality of the race track at Bush Lot with over $7 million injected to improve the facility. The feature race, which is the Metro million dollar one-miler, features all the top horses in Guyana.

Among those registered to run in the event are Guyana Cup winner Lucky Star, Don’t Overlook, Golden Blue Echo, Goodwill Boy, TNT, and Just Call Me Boss.

Along with the funds provided by Metro, a shiny trophy of great size was also donated for the winning horse in the Metro milliondollar race. Justice Kennard, during his remarks at the presentation, had made it

known that the track was an all-weather track that would ensure an exciting Boxing Day meet. He noted that the Bush Lot Turf Club was the second oldest club and the only club with a double decker stand.

For the Boxing Day meet, seven events are planned and the Metro milliondollar one-mile race is set to be the penultimate event of the day. The day’s event will see the L Non-Earners five-furlong race starting proceedings followed by the H & Lower seven-furlong race and the two-year-old Maiden 6 furlong. The fourth event on the card will see the L Non-winners racing at five furlongs followed by the J & K Lower seven furlong.

The sixth event is the Metro million-dollar race and the final event will see the L Open class horses running over six furlongs to close off the exciting Boxing Day horse race. (Brandon Corlette)

the Banks Beer 2-Day First-Division Tournament after an absence of 15 years.

The BCB boss stated he had no intention of campaigning for the position as his unmatched achievements spoke for themselves. The 13 clubs and three sub-associations have to decide if they want to return to the sad state of the recent past or to see more progress over the next two years.

Foster’s plans for the period 20202021 include the hosting of at least 25 tournaments per year at the different levels, continuation of the twoday tournament, continued upgrading of the BCB office, expansion of the countywide coaching programme, more cricket tournaments and assistance for clubs in the riverine area, and construction of an all-weather practice centre. Assistance to clubs with proper youth structure, cricket gear for promising youth players and mentoring of young leaders at the BCB level are also on the cards.

He identified young leaders like Ameer Rahaman, Dr Cecil Beharry, Simon Naidu, Gregory Crandon, Kellon Henry, Balram Samaroo, Ryan Kissoonlall and Rovin Bahadur as leaders of the future to carry on when he leaves the stage. Foster expressed gratitude to all of his executives, Office Administrator Angela Haniff, sponsors, clubs and members of the media for their cooperation during his term in office.

Waramuri Primary defeat Santa Rosa Secondary School by 94 runs in T/10 friendly…

Bruce Vincent, Alex Frazer shine U

nder overcast conditions and watched by a fair-size crowd including parents, children and teachers, Waramuri Primary School’s secondary department defeated Santa Rosa Secondary School by 94 runs in a T/10 friendly hardball encounter at the Waramuri Recreational Ground on Tuesday last in the Moruca sub-region.

Waramuri Primary School was inserted in to take first strike on the ExxonMobil-sponsored upgraded ground as they made 157 for 1 off their allotted overs. Thirteen-yearold opening batsman Bruce Vincent, who batted with maturity, made an unbeaten 63 (11×4, 1×6) while he shared in an opening partnership of 94 runs with Jason Austin, who contributed a patient 26 (2×4, 1×6). Skipper Nico Vincent joined younger brother Bruce Vincent and kept the pressure on as he made a quickfire unbeaten 39 (4×4, 3×6), while Santa Rosa Secondary’s Raul Partab

was the lone successful wicket-taker with figures 1-27 off his two overs. The Santa Rosa side were never in the game from the beginning as their opponents mounted the pressure on them from ball one, rarely making any errors in their batting. Their combination of class and aggression allowed them to score at a whopping net run rate of 15.7 runs per over.In reply, Santa Rosa Secondary School were restricted to a paltry 63-7 as their overs expired as middle-order batsmen Kelly Greenidge and Shamar John were the only batsmen who made double figures of 21 not out and 13 respectively.

Waramuri Primary School’s Alex Frazer was the most successful bowler as he took 3-18 off his two overs. The SRSS side could not replicate what their opponents did in the first half of the match; their batsmen were under pressure so they were forced to go on the attack. In the end, the pressure was too much and SRSS folded.

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thursday, DECember 12, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Champions at last!

Lodge edge Annandale 1-0 for Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers Championship Story and photos by Jemima Holmes

I

t has been a long, tiring road to victory for Lodge Secondary, but they finally got there on Wednesday evening as they topped the Guyoil/ Tradewind Tankers Under-18 football league with a slim victory over last year’s champions, Annandale Secondary.

With a 2-0 loss to Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School in last year’s league which prevented them from lifting the trophy and another 1-0 loss to the same opponents earlier this year in the Milo Schools’ Under-18 final weighing on their minds, Lodge turned up in the scattered rain showers on Wednesday afternoon determined to take what should have been theirs on many occasions – an Under-18 schools’ championship.

Both teams, Lodge and Annandale, had been dominant in this year’s league with their most recent wins being by 8-1 and 12-0 margins

respectively. As such, their first encounter at the Guyana Football Federation’s training facility at Providence would be seen as the final of the tournament, where the winners would take home the top spot.

The fierce battle began with both sides eyeing an early goal in order to take control of the encounter. In this first half, Lodge Secondary controlled possession and it soon paid off with a try at the goal that unfortunately went awry. However, Lodge would soon get another chance with a free kick just outside the box. A bit of confusion and three attempts from the Lodge players in front of the net saw the ball finally making its way in, much to Lodge’s glee and excitement. The goal had come off the boots of Rasheed Evans – his first goal of the 2019 tournament.

Annandale Secondary returned in the second segment more focused, but with two defenders on the heels of their shining star, Omari Glasgow, their opportunities were few and squandered

Omari Glasgow netted 19 goals for the highest goalscorer award

when they did arise.

With heads bowed and disappointment showing, Annandale conceded the slim victory to Lodge when the final whistle sounded.

Meanwhile, Marian Academy came from behind to take home the third-place trophy as they romped to two late wins in the tournament to surpass fourth and fifth-place finishers the Bishops’ High School and President’s College.

In the individual awards, Annandale’s Omari Glasgow walked away with the highest goalscorer prize for his 19 goals while Lodge’s Rashad Roberts and Dorwin George were adjudged the best goalkeeper and Most Valuable Player (MVP) respectively.

The best goalkeeper, Rashad Roberts, only conceded three goals over the nine games

Big guns prepare for final showdown Trophy Stall backs KFC this Saturday Goodwill Tournament

ꟷ lucrative Christmas bonanza for winners

A

fter weeks of enthralling action, the biggest indoor tournament involving local teams will climax this Saturday with the semi-finals and final, at the National Gymnasium.

Three of the four combatants are regarded as the best in the country while the new kid on the block, Rio All Stars have quickly aligned themselves in that category as well. It, therefore, means that fans could expect two breathtaking semi-finals and an ultimate scorcher of a final for the largest purse in the history of the indoor format.

Word is that the teams have all been hard at training for the final showdown, which carries a first prize of $1 million, while the sec-

ond, third and fourth-place finishers will take home $400,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively along with trophies.

In the match-ups, Sparta Boss will play old foe Gold is Money, while new kids Rio All Stars go up against a star-studded Bent Street line. Sparta Boss without fear of contradiction is the most successful team

in the shorter format and their recent form must be a frightening scenario for their opponents.

The likes of Gregory “Jackie Chan” Richardson, the skilful Deon Alfred, the indomitable Sheldon Shepherd, the upstart Ryan Hackett and the return to form of Eusi Phillips is clearly an imposing proposition for any team.

On the other hand, Gold is Money despite losing to Sparta in their most recent engagement, has been the team that present the most headaches for them.

T h e i r style of play i s per-

fectly suited to providing difficulty … for Sparta, but the loss of talisman Hubert Pedro through a hamstring injury and the exodus of Jermin Junor have made them a bit vulnerable.

However, the experience of Phillip Rowley, Randolph Wagner, Solomon Austin and the dreadlocked, cool and calm Jamal Pedro have averted any major slip in success.

Rio All Stars have looked in sharp form with players the calibre of Junor, Andrew Murray Jr, and Job Caesar have played with clinical efficiency and are a serious threat to any team before them.

On the other hand, Bent Street is loaded with talent and well led by Daniel Wilson.

He has s u p p o r t from the likes of Pernell Schultz, Clive Nobrega and national goalkeeper Akel Clarke between the uprights.

All systems are in place to bring a fitting and exciting end to what has been a good tournament that the organisers hope to pull off annually. It promises to be a night of football fury for the ultimate prize.

Rasheed Evans Despite the loss for Annandale, they will go on to play in the KFC Goodwill Tournament, along with Lodge, Annai and Waramadong Secondary.

The tournament which will also be graced by Trinidad and Tobago’s Shiva Boys and French Guiana’s USL Montjoly, is expected to kick off on Saturday, December 14.

S

et to commence on Saturday, the KFC Goodwill Tournament now has a long list of sponsors, as the Trophy Stall hopped on board today.

The second annual Goodwill Tournament will kick off on Saturday, December 14 with participation from local and foreign-based school teams. The Shiva Boys out of Trinidad and Tobago; USL Montjoly of French Guiana; Annai, Waramadong, Annandale and Lodge Secondary of Guyana will now be competing in hopes of copping trophies and medals donated

by Ramesh Sunich’s Trophy Stall.

The five-day competition gives the local teams the opportunity to test their skills against some of the best school teams in the Region.

Speaking at the simple presentation ceremony on Wednesday morning, Petra’s Co-Director Troy Mendonca praised their sponsors for their support of the KFC tournament and for their involvement in the wider sport fraternity.

“Trophy Stall has been one of the businesses that support sports throughout the country over the years and it’s an honour to be associated with them once again. Only recently, one individual was saying that we want sportsmen and women to excel and the support is lacking. So, I want to on behalf of the entire sports fraternity applaud Trophy Stall for the contribution

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca receives one of the tournament trophies from a Trophy Stall representative

they have been making over the years,” Mendonca expressed.

The tournament is poised to showcase topnotch football skills with six nail-biting games scheduled for the preliminary round from December 14 to 18. On December 20, the semi-finals will go down with the final slated for December 22.

As such, Mendonca shared what to expect come next week.

“It’s a process that we think over the next three or four years we’re hoping that our players here could be of standard of the other Under-18 players. I think we have a very good tournament in Guyoil and the two

teams that have topped have shown improvement and we expect the teams from the interior to show that talent that is hidden there. We know what Shiva Boys have and we don’t know much about Montjoly, but we expect a very good and fair competition,” Mendonca detailed.

Also on board with the KFC Goodwill Tournament is the Guyana Coema Construction and Services Inc, who will be transporting Annai Secondary to and from the Georgetown venue of the tournament.

Mike’s Pharmacy under its Vitabiotics are also on board with the Goodwill tournament.

23

guyanatimesgy.com

thursday, DECember 12, 2019

India take series after Rohit, Rahul, Kohli sixathon T

hree years ago, India were asked to bat first in a World T20 semi-final by the same team at the same ground in similar conditions.

They lost just two wickets in their 20 overs, but were possibly not aware that their 192 was "only" 192 in those conditions in T20 cricket. Three years later, in the series decider at Wankhede Stadium, India came with doubts still persisting if they had shed their conservatism.

The answer was an emphatic yes with their three main batsmen taking two, two and five balls to hit their first boundary. And the big hits just kept coming as Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Virat Kohli hit 35 boundaries between them in just 119 balls. India's attitude was clear: if it is tough to defend totals in this format, they were going to give their bowlers a well abovepar total, or get dismissed trying. Under the mountain of runs, West Indies, hit by an injury to Evin Lewis, crumbled spectacularly.

What will especially please India is that this is the second successive series decider they have won batting first.

Start as you mean to go on

It is arguable India lost that 2016 semi-final in the first powerplay when Ajinkya Rahane went at a strike rate of around 100. Here both Sharma and Rahul went for it. Sharma even made a technical change, opening his front leg to face Sheldon Cottrell. He threw his bat at the second ball he faced, crashing it over cover. Rahul did the same the second ball

in eight overs.

Walsh, Williams slow India down

Amid the carnage, Hayden Walsh bowled the ninth over without a boundary. India made up for it with a six and two fours in the 11th over, but in the 12th Kesrick Williams managed to get the better of Sharma with a slower legcutter. That brought about a promotion for Rishabh Pant, who tried to hit boundaries off the two balls he faced.

He missed one, and drilled the second straight to long-off.

The idea was right, but his dismissal had buoyed West Indies with a spell of play that read 17 balls, 13 runs, two wickets.

India 145 for 3 in 13.5 overs.

turned out both Rahul and Kohli had the measure of him. They both waited for the slower ball, hitting a six each, giving Kohli the final word in what has been an entertaining contest between the two.

Well, it turned out Kohli was not done with Williams yet. Pollard took it upon himself to b o w l t h e

the boundary, threw the ball back in play, jumped over the boundary hoardings, came back, and nearly ran Sharma out when taking the second run. In the 12th over, as he made a regulation save at the fence, he jammed his knee into the ground, causing himself soft tissue damage that ruled him out of the rest

Full toss extinguishes flickering light

Pollard and Shimron Hetmyer gave India a brief scare with effortless hitting for 60 runs in the next five overs. In the sixth, Hetmyer had it in for Kuldeep Yadav, who had replaced Yuzvendra Chahal, who had been taken apart by left-hand batsmen.

The first two balls were effortless sixes again, and the third from around the wick-

et was a full toss. Six sixes seemed squarely on, but Hetmyer shanked this one to be caught at long-on.

This wicket-induced slowdown put the matter beyond West Indies, but Pollard's flame kept flickering at his IPL home ground.

It was in the 15th over that Kumar got rid of Pollard for a career-high 68, but 100 off 31 required at that point was anyway improbable.

(ESPNcricinfo)

Kohli goes

The last ball of the 14th over, with his score reading two off four, Kohli went for his second slog and sent it over midwicket for a six.

This was the start of an onslaught that was the need of the moment with Rahul having slowed down out of a combination of fatigue and the need for stability at one end. Once again, as in the first T20I of this series, it was a Jason Holder over in which Kohli cut loose. That 22-run 15th over seemed like it had put India back on track at 173 for 2.

Williams comes back

Virat Kohli slammed his fastest T20I fifty (BCCI photos)

Williams then came back to bowl a superb 16th over where Kohli and Rahul

Sheldon Cottrell salutes the prized wicket of KL Rahul

SCOREBOARD

Team India stand with silverware after another series win

he faced, getting a thick outside edge past slip. It was remarkable, because Sharma is known to take his time before he starts hitting, but here he had taken the lead over Rahul, who caught up soon enough. Both struck at 200 in the powerplay, giving India their second-best powerplay batting first, a good 17 more than what they had scored in 2016. Post powerplay, Sharma took over the mantle of chief aggressor, launching Khary Pierre for six, six and four in the eighth over. India 102 for 0

struggled to pick his pace, managing only three runs.

Cottrell followed it up with a decent one for 11. India 187 for 2 after 17.

Decision time

Pollard now had an over each from his gun bowlers, Williams and Cottrell, but three overs to bowl. He had to decide when to bowl the best bowler of the night, Williams, and whom to use for the third over. Both calls went awfully wrong for West Indies. Williams was asked to bowl two in a row, and it

19th, and Kohli got stuck into it, hitting three sixes, India taking 27 runs off the over. The second of those sixes brought up India's fifth-fastest T20I fifty, and Kohli pointed the bat to Williams at short fine leg.

This, ladies and gentlemen, was the final word.

India seal it off quickly

Apart from Walsh and Williams, Lewis was the only man having a good day in the field. In the first few exchanges, he pulled off a ridiculous save overhead at

of the match.

In Lewis' absence, and facing a tall task, West Indies felt the pressure pretty early and started to play lower-percentage shots.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar got a wicket each, but the biggest positive was Mohammed Shami's return. A specialist bowler playing ahead of an all-rounder, Shami looked the most difficult bowler to hit, and also took out the dangerous Lendl Simmons.

West Indies 19 for 3 after four overs.

India 1st Innings RG Sharma c Walsh b Williams 71 KL Rahul c †Pooran b Cottrell 91 RR Pant † c Holder b Pollard 0 V Kohli (c) not out 70 SS Iyer not out 0 Extras 8 (b 1, lb 2, nb 1, w 4) TOTAL 240/3 (20 Overs, RR: 12.0) Did not bat: S Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, B Kumar, Mohammed Shami, DL Chahar Fall of wickets: 1-135 (Rohit Sharma, 11.4 ov), 2-138 (Rishabh Pant, 12.2 ov), 3-233 (KL Rahul, 19.4 ov) BOWLING O M SS Cottrell 4 0 JO Holder 4 0 K Pierre 2 0 KOK Williams 4 0 HR Walsh 4 0 KA Pollard 2 0

R 40 54 35 37 38 33

W 1 0 0 1 0 1

West Indies Innings LMP Simmons c Iyer b Mohammed Shami 7 BA King c Rahul b Kumar 5 SO Hetmyer c Rahul b Kuldeep

Yadav 41 N Pooran † c Dube b Chahar 0 KA Pollard (c) c sub (RA Jadeja) b Kumar 68 JO Holder c sub (MK Pandey) b Kuldeep Yadav 8 HR Walsh b Mohammed Shami 11 K Pierre c sub (RA Jadeja) b Chahar 6 KOK Williams not out 13 Extras 10 (lb 5, w 5) TOTAL 169/8 (19.2 Overs, RR: 8.74) Yet to bat: E Lewis, SS Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-12 (Brandon King, 1.5 ov), 2-17 (Lendl Simmons, 2.6 ov), 3-17 (Nicholas Pooran, 3.1 ov), 4-91 (Shimron Hetmyer, 9.3 ov), 5-103 (Jason Holder, 11.1 ov), 6-141 (Kieron Pollard, 14.6 ov), 7-152 (Hayden Walsh, 16.5 ov), 8-169 (Khary Pierre, 19.2 ov) BOWLING DL Chahar B Kumar M Shami S Dube K Yadav W Sundar

O 3.2 4 4 3 4 1

M R W 0 16 2 0 41 2 0 25 2 0 32 0 0 45 2 0 5 0

thursday, DECember 12, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 23

India take series after Rohit, Rahul, Kohli sixathon Champions at last!

Lodge edge Annandale 1-0 for Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers Championship Page 22

Waramuri Primary defeat Santa Rosa Secondary School by 94 runs in T/10 friendly…

Bruce Vincent, Alex Frazer shine Page 21

Lodge Secondary receive their championship trophy while flanked by Petra representatives and supporters

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