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Re-elected Mayors, P10 Deputy Mayors sworn in Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

2019: A year of economic disaster – Ali Issue No. 4152

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019

See story on page 3

…GDP growth rate hides reality of rampant individual hardships H2H muddle

Opposition suggests 2nd field verification for missing ‘new’ registrants

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

3 in running to be PPP Prime Ministerial Candidate – Opposition P2 Leader

3rd fire in Berbice in 2 P15 days

Page 7

Police destroy over 5000 marijuana plants in Berbice River Page 13

Fake cop jailed for 2 years

…health officials facing challenges – RHO

Tenant dies after saving items from burning home Financial institutions reluctant to support Govt’s ‘flagship’ housing project Page 8

Accused P12 Linden paedophile on the run Influx of P12 migrants in Region 1 putting strain on TB programme

Page 14

Page 7

…CH&PA Head admits persons refusing to share 1 building

CH&PA P10 approves 39 land applications for oil and gas projects

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

3 nominated for PPP Prime Ministerial Candidate – Opposition Leader

T

he People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has begun the process of electing a prime ministerial candidate, and according to the Party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, three persons have so far been nominated.

This was revealed during a press conference at the

PPP/C MP and former Junior Finance Minister Juan Edghill

Opposition Leader’s Church Street, Georgetown office on Monday. When asked for an update on the selection process, Jagdeo confirmed that the process has since started.

“The discussions will start today (Monday),” Jagdeo said. “Last week I mentioned we’ll trigger the process. So, I arranged that.

The discussions on the candidates, we’re going to be getting nominations in and start discussing names.

“The process is Members of Parliament (MP) and subsequently, the Executive and Central Committee. I have a meeting planned today (Monday) with both the Members of Parliament and the executives of the Party.”

He also explained that so far, at least three persons have been nominated for the position. He was also optimistic that a candidate would be selected in time for Nomination Day. According to Jagdeo, this is in sharp contrast to A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) and the seeming foot-dragging to name an official candidate despite AFC leader Khemraj Ramjattan being chosen by his own party months ago.

“If we finish the issue before the end, definitely. But we are going to select a Prime Ministerial Candidate, unlike the other side. People are going to know who the person is be-

Former Army Chief-of-Staff, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips

fore elections… if we conclude by Friday, by Sunday definitely. We have persons who are nominees already,” Jagdeo said.

It has already been reported that several figures from the Civic component of the Party have been nominated as potential PM candidates. These include former Junior Finance Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, and former Army Chief-of-Staff, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips. A third nominee, University of Guyana lecturer Hugh Todd, is also believed to have been nominated.

Phillips served as Chiefof-Staff of the GDF from 2013 to 2016. He previously attended the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and was Guyana’s non-resident military attaché to Venezuela.

Phillips is also the holder of a Master’s Degree in Public Sector Management.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

Meanwhile, Bishop Edghill served as Junior Finance Minister from 2011 to 2015. Before that, he served as Chairman of the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) and Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). Edghill is currently a PPP/C MP, focused on public procurement issues.

The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had previously announced in notices published in the media that Nomination Day for the upcoming General and Regional Elections is January 10, 2020.

In the notice, GECOM had called for all political parties contesting the 2020 General and Regional Elections to submit their symbol for approval. In the notice, GECOM had said that the approval of the symbols has to be done before Nomination Day. The deadline for the submission was December 13, 2019.

UG lecturer Hugh Todd

After weeks of persons questioning why he was not dissolving Parliament in accordance with the timeframe set out in the Constitution, President David Granger issued the proclamation for the December 30th dissolution of Parliament, on Friday last.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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

Tuesday, December 31 – 08:30h-10:00h and Wednesday, January 01– 09:00h-10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, December 31 – 07:15h-08:45h and Wednesday, January 01– 07:50h-09:20h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light cloud and sunny intervals will prevail during the day. Partly cloudy conditions and clear skies are expected in the evening.

Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 07:39h and 19:53h reaching maximum heights of 2.35 metres and 2.40 metres.

Low Tide: 13:28h minimum height of

reaching a 0.89 metre.

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2019: A year of economic disaster – Ali …GDP growth rate hides reality of rampant individual hardships

T

he year 2019 is over and in summing up how Guyana’s economy fared over the past year, People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Presidential Candidate Dr Irfaan Ali believes that from an economic perspective, it was a year that left thousands in financial hardship.

He made this pronouncement on Monday, during a joint press conference with the party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, at the office of the Leader of the Opposition on Church Street, Georgetown.

Dr Ali pointed out that all the major pillars of the productive sectors showed a decline, including sugar, rice and gold mining.

According to him, the root of the problem can be traced directly to the policies of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC).

“This year has been a disastrous year for us, from a purely economic perspective.

And if you are to add what happened over the last four years, the existing situation must be addressed,” Ali told the media.

According to Ali, Guyana has lost 30,000 jobs in the productive sector under the coalition Government. He cited figures to show that over the last four and a half years, earnings have declined by almost US$548 million from the key sectors like mining and agriculture.

He blamed taxes, bad policies and neglect from the Government. One sector he delved into was rice.

“I have made it very clear and our manifesto outlines strategies that will bring back life to these sectors and create an investment climate that will bring confidence to the Private Sector in these

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Dr Irfaan Ali

sectors. In terms of rice, you would recall the Government has made it very clear they don’t see themselves as having a role. They see this as private business.”

“For us in the PPP, we believe rice forms an integral part of our economic life. It affects thousands of families and lives all across our country. For this reason, we will be pursuing measures and policies that give incentives and help rice farmers retool, reorganise and remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) on machinery and equipment.”

Obstacles

According to Ali, this will remove various obstacles rice farmers are faced with in earning a living and expanding. In addition, he said that a PPP Government will pursue better-paying markets.

He also spoke about sugar and the ways in which they can return the sector to profitability. According to Ali, the closure of the estates also impacted the provision of drainage and irrigation services to farmers.

“GuySuCo being out of production [in some estates] has added to the problem.

Instead of Government supporting the farmers when the estates were closed, we saw they had increases in the drainage fees. Increases at the water users’ association. And increases in land taxes. All of this means the input cost in the agriculture sector is just too high.”

“Then we have the forestry sector, which has declined tremendously. If we look at the sector, it contracted by almost 53 per cent when compared to 2014. What we have in the forestry sector also is the direct loss of 6000 jobs.

Private investment in the forestry sector in 2014 was well over $1 billion. Private investment now is just about $300 million. These issues must be addressed and they are policy-based and incentive-based.”

Tunnel vision

Ali noted that Government has developed tunnel vision when it comes to oil and managing the overall economy. He made it clear that while oil can expedite development, the existing sectors that actually provide thousands of jobs while earning foreign revenue must be preserved and boosted.

Notwithstanding the poor performance in the

various productive sectors, Guyana did experience a 4.1 per cent growth in the economy last year. In addition, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected a 4.4 per cent growth for this year, with an even more steep growth curve projected by them after oil production starts.

When asked about this however, Ali noted that this growth does not tell the full economic picture.

He explained that when the Government announces its growth figures, it does not necessarily mean life has improved for the ordinary Guyanese. This point was supported by Jagdeo, an economist by training.

“This Government has a fetish for claiming, look we have economic growth and look how much taxes we collected. As if this is progress.

When they boast about tax collection, it came from people’s pockets. It represents a transfer of resources.

Government expenditure is also used, so if that expands it adds to the growth figure,” Jagdeo said.

“We also had some spending in the oil and gas sector.

That helped bolster the figure. Next year we might very well see 85 per cent growth in the GDP. But what does that mean for the ordinary Guyanese? Does that mean your salary will increase?”

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 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

2019: A year of undemocratic impositions

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ny future historical reference to 2019 would reveal, among other things, that it was a year of uncertainties. That’s in the context of the various attempts to nullify the unprecedented passage of a no-confidence motion (NCM) voted on at the end of the previous year. Many are convinced that “disregard” seems more apt to describe the year due to the actions of the APNU/AFC Government in its seeming quest to avoid the constitutionally-mandated processes following the NCM. For the purpose of a reminder, the Constitution unambiguously states that elections must be held within 90 days following an NCM. That timeline can only be extended by the decision of a two-thirds majority of Parliament. That did not happen; hence, the Constitution should have been adhered to. Guyanese, therefore, expected fresh elections by March 2019. That also didn’t happen as the APNU/ AFC, having been shocked by the NCM, resorted to the courts on the grounds that 33 is not the majority of 65 with reference to the number of Members of Parliament.

The resort to the court was despite the fact that the Speaker of the National Assembly upheld the successful passage of the NCM, having been asked by APNU/AFC to review his decision. With the matter in court, the elections could not have been held within the constitutionally-stipulated period. That immediately led to uncertainty as to when they could have been held. While the Chief Justice upheld the NCM, the Government appealed and won by a split decision.

The Opposition, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), appealed that decision to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) and won on the grounds that the NCM was successfully passed, that 33 is the majority of 65 and that the Constitution must be respected with regard to the mandated timeline for fresh elections to be held –within 90 days.

The elections were then expected by September 2019. Again, that didn’t happen as the APNU/AFC Government found ways to avoid constitutional demands and the ruling of the CCJ. During that period from January, the uncertainty that grew over an election date extended to areas of business and investment. At the individual level, Guyanese held back in their spending, triggering a related chain of events that led to a further slowing down of the economy. That uncertainty also inflicted psychological torment on the citizenry as their bewilderment over the glaring disrespect for the Constitution exacerbated.

The disrespect that unfolded was not missed beyond these shores.

Judging from the hearings and subsequent ruling and consequential orders by the CCJ, it seems that the Government’s arguments were fodder for humour. In that context, 2019 would be recorded as a year when Guyanese intellect may have been embarrassed by the Government’s argument in the nation’s highest court of recourse, given the historical pride in academia and legal prowess.

Significantly, in 2019, the CCJ ruled that, following the NCM, the APNU/AFC Government was reduced to that of a caretaker one. That in itself led many to question the real reason why the Government would spend millions of taxpayers’ money in seeking recourse to the court, only to be told what the Constitution has clearly enshrined with regard to the mandated processes following an NCM. Aside from the unavoidable embarrassment with reference to capacity, many remained certain that the reason the APNU/AFC Government engaged the court with a laughable mathematical theory was to avoid holding the elections. Experts posited that with a dismal record in office and growing self-interest, the Government had lost a tremendous amount of political ground and was, therefore, fearful of being removed following a snap election. The belief is that it needed time to engage in remedial political work.

In other words, the APNU/AFC Government believably placed itself above the mandates of the Constitution and the welfare of the nation. When all that 2019 has come to represent is examined, one inevitable conclusion would be that the uncertainties precipitated by APNU/AFC’s disregard for the Constitution was deliberately imposed to extend its hold on the seat of government.

For many, that’s the highlight of 2019 and that’s how they will remember it. They remain convinced that the Government’s action resulted from it deliberately and conveniently misinterpreting the Constitution for its own benefit. In the process, the nation could not have advanced economically, given the imposed uncertainty that prevailed.

During 2019, the PPP did not relent in opposing the APNU/AFC’s action of not adhering to the Constitution, and used various means at its disposal to heighten awareness, both locally and internationally.

In addition, Guyanese from all walks of life used social media and other platforms to voice their discontent. It showed that citizens will not sit by and be silent in the face of constitutional transgression.

That combination was impacting, but unable to prevent the Government from holding the elections one year after they were constitutionally due. Such action by the APNU/AFC speaks to the deliberate usurping of democracy to foster self-interest. That said, it becomes clearer that, for Guyana, 2019 would be remembered for disregard for the Constitution by APNU/AFC, imposed uncertainty and suppression of democratic processes, and not the least, a year of a farcical mathematical theory.

People watch confetti being thrown from the Hard Rock Cafe marquee during an annual confetti test ahead of the New Year’s Eve balldrop celebrations in Times Square in New York City (Reuters)

Climate Change: a most serious global challenge Dear Editor, Every day we listen to or look at international news and hear and see reports of natural disasters that are causing huge damages. Fires are raging in California and this is very regular, so too in Australia, floods in various parts of the world, in the Philippians, Bangladesh and many other places.

These events are costing countries huge amounts of losses in property, due to destruction by fire and floods.

Most of all, it accounts for the loss of lives, valuable lives, and results in tremendous grief and unbelievable human sufferings.

The frequency and strength of hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions are alarming and the destructive power increasing.

Most of these are the results of a great change taking place in relation to our global climate.

In an article I wrote in 1990, I had pointed out that one of the main issues as it relates to climate change was that the awareness of this phenomenon was that the mass consciousness lagged behind the danger.

Today that is no longer the case. The widespread coverage in the mass media and people’s own experience have raised the awareness in every nook and cranny of our world.

Moreover, scientists throughout the world have been sounding the alarm with growing urgency. They have pointed out that most of the damage that has been done and is being done to our global climate and the environment as a whole has been due to the activities of us,

human beings.

In pursuit of wealth, we have created factories and are performing other activities that are poisoning our environment. It is not unusual to see in many countries, mainly in Asia, people walking around with face masks due to the pollution in the air.

The question is often asked as to why, with all the information that we have, we continue to pursue activities that are threatening life on earth. Instead of improving the environment, we continue to inflict serious harm to it.

There is no one answer to this. Many things contribute to what appears to be the world’s people consciously committing suicide. The causes are rooted in wealth and poverty!

As it relates to the developing countries, this danger is being fuelled by the grinding poverty in which huge sections of the population are forced to exist under.

Because of this, they slash and burn forests to grow food. Many are engaged in dangerous mining activities that are unregulated, illegal and leaves a wide swath of destruction. From poisoning our rivers and leaving huge holes in the grounds. These lead to sicknesses including malaria and many other health-destroying illnesses. Vital carbon-absorbing trees, which are hundreds of years old, are cut, thereby releasing tons of carbon and robbing us of materials to taking greenhouse gasses out of the atmosphere.

At the other extreme is the wealthy persons and corporations driven by greed destroying our environment

while wasting the world’s resources.

They are forces that are fully aware of the consequences of their actions but deliberately hide scientific findings and even spend millions on expensive lobbies to hamper any attempt to halt climate change.

Recently we learnt that some forty years ago, ExxonMobil had reports from their own scientists that their activities were contributing to great changes in the world weather patterns and serious negative impacts these have on the world’s health.

Instead of sounding the alarm, the information was deliberately withheld from the public.

A similar situation had developed with tobacco. For years, tobacco companies hid the dangers of smoking from the people. For them, profits were much more important than lives.

Today that same behaviour is now being magnified many times over. Large companies involved in plantation agriculture and mining have been using their influence and power to get politicians elected who doubt climate change and advocate the plunder of natural nature.

That seems to have occurred in our neighbouring Brazil where Lula was jailed to prevent him from contesting elections and elect a President who is not sympathetic with those who advocate preservation and conservation of resources.

As a result, the Amazon is burning to make way for the logging companies, the huge mining establishments and the large-scale farmers.

In the process, whole tribes of native peoples are threatened with extinction.

It is a sad commentary that much of the food produced in our world, as much as 1/3, is wasted, dumped, to keep prices up.

In the face of such grave threat, world leadership is sorely lacking. The quality of the political leadership in our world seems to have dissipated and has become less visionary, without a global grasp of reality.

This is seen in the lack of agreements and coordinated actions to halt and reverse climate change. Many conferences are held, sponsored by the United Nations but either agreements are not reached or are so watered down that they are practically useless. Moreover, no decisive actions are being undertaken to handle this global emergency.

Some social scientists attribute this serious drop in the quality of world leadership to the separation that has occurred between politics and economics. Power in many countries is not in the hands of the elected leadership but in the hands of corporate giants that have managed to separate central banks from the elected leadership of countries. The former Finance Minister of Greece, Varoufakis, related his own experience, when at a meeting with European Union Finance Ministers he was bluntly told that elections must not be allowed to interfere with economic policy.

As a result, huge corporations are attracting the best brains at the expense of the state!

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019

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

Let us leave the ‘hustlers’ and that tired old message in 2019 Dear Editor, The seductive idea of a third force in Guyana’s politics has been around since our independence in 1966.

That idea that ‘power’ could be brokered and improved; that transparent governance practice could be forced upon the big two (PPP/C and PNC). The Alliance for Change filled that spot in 2011 as they became the desired swing vote in Parliament and 2015 when they occupied 40 per cent of the seats on the Government side of the house in a coalition Government with the PNC. Given that the ‘power broker’ ideal is still being peddled, albeit by newer parties, the performance of Guyana’s first successful ‘third force’ bears examina-

tion.

The AFC was formed when two lawyers who wrote columns for the PPP and PNC started courting each other via those columns.

They applauded each other’s genius and soon evoked the ire of their respective party members. The seduction of Khemraj Ramjattan was underway and soon he made well-orchestrated accusations of corruption against the executive and stormed off to for the AFC with Trotman.

Interestingly, Trotman had a different story to tell about how and what the AFC was all about, for him, it was ‘Nassau’.

In 2016, after Trotman made a speech at Bartica, Freddie Kissoon wrote that Trotman used the AFC as

a ‘Trojan horse’. “He openly told the crowds that although he was a part of the AFC, he never left the struggle and that the Prodigal Son has returned.” He then told the crowd that 10 years ago, he and David Granger met in Nassau (The Bahamas) and Granger laid out a plan for Guyana. On the day in 2015 when the election results were made known, Trotman indicated that Mr Granger called him and said to him, “Raphael, this is Nassau”.

Thereafter Trotman pulled away from the AFC and was appointed a Minister outside of the Cummingsburg Accord. Ramjattan had earlier ceded his desired post of Prime Minister to another disgruntled PPP executive, Moses Nagamootoo. In

2019, Ramjattan seized control of the AFC and Granger was given an ultimatum: Ramjattan as prime ministerial candidate or the AFC would go its way. This demand was met as Granger saw no alternative given his (Granger’s) low approval ratings.

The AFC never delivered on its promise to reform the PNC, the treasury was drained completely dry by the coalition by the end of 2019; Granger’s disrespect of the constitutional requirement of an election within 90 days of losing a motion of No-Confidence was cheered

by AFC Ministers, others were appalled, and men such as General Secretary Sixtus Edwards walked away in protest. Nagamootoo made

a spectacle of himself with ludicrous attempts to persuade the public that there were different types of halves and what constituted a majority of 65. The betrayal of the ‘power broker’ ideal was complete.

What was worse is the involvement of AFC members in almost every major financial scandal of the Granger Administration, from the $600 million unaccounted for at D’Urban Park to the wanton disregard for procurement laws in the Demerara Harbour Bridge feasibility study fiasco and the present-day splitting of contracts to avoid the Tender Board.

As we head into general elections in 2020, the AFC has splintered into new par-

ties, headed by former influential AFC members, Robert Badal, Timothy Jonas, et al.

They all come with the same old AFC message, from the same old AFC people: Vote for us, we will broker power and be the balance in Parliament. Recently, they have begun to form small alliances in preparation for the resurrection of Frankenstein’s monster.

As we leave the year of NoConfidence behind us and look forward to the return of parliamentary democracy and a bright and prosperous future, let us leave the ‘hustlers’ and that tired old message in 2019. A happy New Year to all.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Biggest confusion in Govt since Independence Climate Change: Dear Editor, History will confirm that in the four years and five months of his rule in Guyana, Mr David Granger produced the biggest confusion in Government that has ever existed since independence. It is now clear as day why both Burnham and Hoyte saw it fit not to promote him to the Head of the GDF although he had more time in service than others who served in that top role.

Was it his poor leadership skills?

After four years and five months, his Government is constantly in chaos, with officials having no idea what he wants them to do, and nobody being entirely clear as to who was actually in

charge of what. He procrastinates wildly when asked to make difficult decisions, and would often end up relying on gut feelings and knee jerk last-minute reactions, leaving even close allies in the dark about his plans.

His “unreliability had those who worked with him pulling out their hair,” one insider on Vlissengen Road told me this week. This insider was so frustrated that he said that rather than carrying out the duties of the State, they spend most of their time second-guessing what he likes and what not to do to offend him in an attempt to either win his approval or avoid his attention altogether, depending on what mood he was in that

day.

These revelations confirm that Guyana made the mistake of putting a workshy narcissist in charge, who has not successfully run anything. But the outcome from such a situation has now manifested itself into a report from no less an agency than the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

In that IDB Report (source: https://publications.iadb. org/publications/english/ document/Wait_No_More_ Citizens_Red_Tape_and_ Digital_Government_ Caribbean_Edition_en.pdf) which was captioned “WAIT NO MORE” one can find information that confirms that Guyana has the highest percentage of people who pay

bribes in exchange for service across the Caribbean.

The reality, from all indications, is that the situation has deteriorated under Mr Granger’s watch.

However, rather than tackle this plague frontally, the strategy being used by team Granger is to blame the former PPP/C Government which left office more than four years ago. This begs the question, what did team Granger do with the $1.4 trillion spent since they came into office?

As our elders caution, with 61 days to elections, long time gone, short time left.

With regards, Sasenarine Singh

a most...

Yet, in all of this, there are no innocent bystanders.

We are all involved.

Our region, the Caribbean, is one of the least polluters, but we are not spared the devastation of climate change. Very often hurricanes wipe out almost 100 per cent of our economies.

The Bahamas and Dominica are the most recent.

In our own Guyana, flooding is becoming more frequent. The last set of flooding in Mahaicony was due not to the rains but rising sea levels overflowing our sea defences.

To turn the tide, we need mass action. Some of that is taking place in various parts

FROM PAGE 4

of the world but this needs to become a global movement.

We must move it to the centre of political and economic life so that no person or party should hold high office if he/she is hostile to taking actions to halt and reverse climate change. People must make that clear, particularly at elections time.

Failing this, the fires of California and Australia, the flooding in the Philippines and Bangladesh would be child’s play as to what is ahead.

Now is the time to act.

Sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019

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Foundation

S

etting and achieving goals is an excellent way to learn responsibility. As the New Year approaches, it is a perfect time to set goals.

Make your own New Year’s Resolution Chart using the templates below or download a free new year’s resolution chart from Reward Chart 4 Kids.

Each day, week, or month mark the goals you have achieved.

Keep following up until all goals are achieved.

You may want to decide on a reward once the goals have been met.

Adapt the New Year Resolutions to your age.

(Reward Chart 4 Kids. com)

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any New Year's resolutions focus on developing healthy habits. Here's one that is important to make and keep: provide a regular diet of books and reading for your child. Try this menu of reading activities.

You feed and care for your child every day so that he will grow into a healthy, happy preschooler. Similarly, you also need to provide experiences that will enhance language development and stimulate learning skills. Try this menu of reading activi-

ties:

Read every day

A daily reading routine will give all the readers in your family a chance to read with your preschooler. Dads, moms, siblings, caregivers, and friends can all be a part of ensuring your preschooler gets 20 minutes of being read to each day.

Do things, and then talk about it

It's great to offer new experiences to your preschooler, such as a visit to the zoo or museum, but a trip to the

grocery store or a neighborhood park can be just as educational. Talk about what you are seeing and ask your preschooler what he thinks of it. When possible, use interesting words to describe what you're seeing.

Read everywhere you go

You can find reading on the road, at the bus stop, in the store, and at the restaurant. Play a game to find words when you are out and about or take a look at home for words on everyday items like cereal boxes, toothpaste,

and household appliances.

Be a reading role model

Your child wants to imitate you and be like you.

Have plenty of reading material for yourself as well as for your child. Tell your child how much you enjoy reading.

Keep your pulse on progress

Please be sure to see your child's paediatrician or teacher as soon as possible if you have concerns about your child's language development, hearing, or sight. (readingrockets.org)

A

sk your child questions about the story you’re reading to ensure comprehension.

Book family time to read with your children every day.

Create a special reading place in your home, with your child’s favourite books within reach.

Donate funds to a literacy cause.

Encourage children to read words on TV, street signs, mugs and T-shirts.

Find new stories to read with your children every week. Vary their length and subject matter.

Give your time to read aloud to a child.

Have a child read a book to you.

International Literacy Day is on September 8 every year. Celebrate the day by picking up a book and reading to a child.

January 27 is Family Literacy Day in Canada and November 1 in the United States.... [Why not celebrate both!]

Keep teens reading. Give them books, newspaper articles and magazines about things that interest them – music, movies, TV and computers.

Let children count out the change when making a purchase. Reinforce the importance of Maths in everyday life!

Make every day a learning day. Ask your children to make a shopping list, read recipes together or help them make a calendar of their weekly activities.

Newborns benefit from reading too!

Organise a children’s book club with friends in your neighbourhood.

Pick one day a week to make a regular visit to the library.

Quiet, cosy reading spaces are good places for your child to read independently.

Remember that children learn by example – if you recognise the importance of reading, your children will too!

Start early! It’s never too early to read to your children.

Treat a child to a story a day.

Use reading time to create a special bond with a child.

Volunteer your time – help with tutoring adults, reading to children Write a letter.

X-ercise your mind! Reading ability is like a muscle, if you don’t exercise it often, you will not maintain the same level of reading ability as you get older. So – “use it or lose it”!

You are the key to improving a child’s reading ability by placing a high priority on reading in your home.

Zap off the TV – pick up a book instead! (readingrockets.org)

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

H2H muddle

Opposition suggests 2nd field verification for missing ‘new’ registrants

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

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ith reports emerging that the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) will be including all potential new registrants on the Revised List of Electors (RLE), Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo is demanding answers.

Reports had suggested that all the registrants to be included would mean

those that GECOM and party teams did not locate during the recent field verification. Jagdeo noted that this is an unusual approach and called on GECOM to clarify its position.

“We have not heard officially from GECOM. We saw a statement from [GECOM Commissioner] Vincent Alexander that all the House-to-House data would be used… we would find it very unusual that the Chair [retired Justice Claudette Singh] would vote to embark on a process of verifying the 16,000 names and then seek to include names that are unverified,” the Opposition Leader told the media on Monday. He added that the purpose of the verification process will be defeated if these unverified names are included on the final list.

“So we’re awaiting official declarations on the matter, because there seems to be some confusion around it… we found empty house lots etc. If you put them on the voters’ list too, that

means you are putting a number of unverified people.

I can give you their names, a number of people who don’t exist at all.”

Jagdeo pointed out that because of the Christmas season, some people may not have been at home during the verification exercise, adding that his party is willing to have those persons included on the Revised List of Electors (RLE), pending their verification.

“We found some people who were not at home.

That’s what their families said to us. So if they include them on the revised list of electors, there could be a process of revisiting them before the OLE comes out.

The revised voters’ list has to be published for 21 days.

Then the OLE, by the time it comes out, they would have re-verified and either have them removed or remain,” he said.

These ‘new’ registrants were captured during the halted House-to-House (H2H) exercise that ran

from July 20 to August 31.

However, the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has always contended that the H2H exercise was largely unsupervised and would produce flawed results.

Indeed, the party subsequently found that many of the persons listed as ‘new’ registrants are either dead or were previously registered. The concern that has been expressed is that this could be the gateway to fraudulent voting and election rigging.

It had previously been announced that over 6500 persons of the 16,863 ‘new’ registrants were not confirmed during the fiveday field verification exercise which concluded on December 22. Figures released to the media the next day had shown that Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) had the highest number of unconfirmed persons, which tallied to 3657.

According to GECOM, there were 16,863 ‘new’ reg-

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

istrants but only 10,329 were confirmed.

Opposition-nominated Commissioner Robeson Benn told this publication last week that field officers who conducted the verification exercise of “new registrants” captured during the scrapped H2H process have found empty lots at the addresses on record for those persons.

Some 370,000 registrations obtained during the scrapped $3 billion H2H exercise, which ran from July 20 to August and was objected to by the Opposition, were sent overseas to be crossmatched with the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD) in order to filter out the duplicates.

However, it was recently reported that international digital security company, Gemalto, indicated that some 37,300 were new registrants who are eligible for voting, that is, they are above the age of 18. But an internal check conducted by GECOM showed that approximately 17,000 of those “new registrants” were already on the voters’ list and some even voted in the past.

Efforts to contact GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, to clarify exactly what GECOM is doing with these new registrants and whether all will be included in the RLE, were futile.

Financial institutions reluctant to support Govt’s ‘flagship’ housing project

…CH&PA Head admits persons refusing to share 1 building

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wo years after the launch of the Government’s ‘flagship’ housing project at Perseverance, East Bank Demerara, it still has not gained momentum.

G o v e r n m e n t ’ s Perseverance ‘Housing Solutions 2017 and Beyond’ Project, which commenced in 2017, has been faced with the challenge of non-occupancy as persons are refusing to share duplexes.

This was confirmed on Monday during the Central Housing and Planning Authority’s End-of-Year Report for 2019.

According to CH&PA Operations Director Denise King-Tudor, another challenge is that despite having allocated all units, many per-

CH&PA Head Lelon Saul

sons are yet to move in.

“In some cases, persons… we’re waiting on the banks to release that final payment to us so that they can proceed to the next stage. And there are cases where persons… we’re in receipt of payments

for those houses, but they are doing some [works]...some persons they would like to fence, they want to grill, they want to do improve[ment] on the bridge that we have provided for them to gain access to that house, and there are some other little things that they would like to do before.

And there are those too, that they have not yet – they’ve been allocated a while, they’ve paid the full amount – and they’re still not occupying those houses,” KingTudor explained.

Another challenge which the CH&PA has been facing is the hesitation from commercial banks and other financial institutions to grant approval for loans.

CH&PA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lelon Saul

indicated that the main issue related to the duplexes, where different families would be sharing one building.

“The issue with the banks right now is the issue about ownership particularly at Perseverance; we’re working to resolve that. I mean in many countries across the region, there are apartment buildings or duplexes and you know…we have to embrace these things and I’m quite positive the financial institution[s] will get on board and support our initiative. We just cannot say that

we would not construct duplexes; even right in Guyana, here there are gated communities that have condominiums being sold. And the very banking institution[s] are supporting those initiatives.

And I see no reason why they would not support Central Housing and Planning Authority with our duplexes,” Saul said.

He added that the CH&PA has been taking several initiatives to get persons to occupy their units.

“We have a few persons and we are engaging them; we are talking with them

and in fact, they’ve been given a specific timeline to occupy those units…and so we are working with the purchasers to get them to move in,” Operations Director King-Tudor noted.

The Government had said at the project’s launching that it was aimed at bringing resolution to those persons who form the huge backlog of applications at the CH&PA. Just earlier this year, homeowners of Perseverance homes had complained about structural defects which included leaking roofs, toilet facilities, and flooring issues.

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Fake cop jailed for 2 years

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21-year-old man who pretended to be a policeman was on Monday sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

Daquan Robinson appeared before Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on December 8, 2019, at Merriman’s Mall, Bourda, Georgetown, while

being armed with a gun, he robbed Gary Hartman of a quantity of articles valuing $43,000.

Police Prosecutor David Goodman told the court that Hartman was in Merriman’s Mall walking with his haversack containing documents when he was approached by Robinson, who stated that he was a policeman and requested to search the Virtual

Daquan Robinson

Complainant.

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

The matter was then reported and the “fake” cop was arrested.

Not unacceptable…

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…to the Supreme Leader ith Khemraj Ramjattan having evidently suppressed his rural roots, he mightn’t appreciate the folk wisdom that, “chickens will come back to roost”. But as a fella who’s favourite expression is “haul yuh ass!”, surely he understands that things can “come back and bite you in the ass”!! When PNC leader David Granger was strategically finagling in late 2017 to unilaterally appoint his hand-picked choice of James Patterson as GECOM Chair, it was revealed that Ramjattan had offered him some gratuitous advice on constitutional interpretation.

Even though he’d denied doing so at the time, Ramjattan was forced to recant after he was shown his e-mails to the AFC’s Canadian branch where – after being asked – he’d advised Granger to reject, in toto, the second list of names the Opposition Leader had submitted. But he didn’t stop there: he went further and told Granger that constitutionally, since Jagdeo hadn’t submitted names “not unacceptable to the president”, he could then proceed to unilaterally appoint any person of his choice!! Which is what Granger, of course, promptly did – eventually to have it overturned by the CCJ. But not after the damage of the H2H exercise had been done!

And this is where his advice – motivated solely by his rage to get back at his bête noire Jagdeo – has come back to bite him in his bamsie. While the details of the “Revised Cummingsburg Accord” still haven’t been made public, snippets keep slipping out. And you can now understand why both APNU and AFC are so coy about it: the “accord” is so one-sided and humiliating to the AFC, even the PNC wants to keep it away from the public. Most folks don’t take too kindly to bullies who grind their hapless victims into the dust – even when the victim goes along! There’s either “Dead Meat” Syndrome at work – or plain greed!

In the latest revelation, we now discover that even though the number of Ministries allocated to the AFC have already been cut down to four by Granger, rebuffing the specific Ministries the AFC had asked for, the latter will ultimately make his own choice. Why? Well, since the two parties have already agreed to abide by the Constitution, the AFC’s recommendation for heads of Ministries must be “not unacceptable to the president”!! In other words, the President’s choice must be unfettered and he can make “unilateral appointments” – as advised by Ramjattan!!

The chickens have come home to roost, and they’ve bitten Ramjattan on his derrière. And if he doesn’t like it, he can either like it or lump it and “haul” his aforementioned posterior!!

Yes, Dear Reader: in case you had any doubts, there is a God!! …for a valid voters’ list While, Dear Reader, you might be rolling your eyes at this “confounded” voters’ list – after been forced to digest the alphabet soup of NRR, PLE, C&O; OLE, etc, -- GECOM still can’t get it right. The latest conundrum – as predicted by your Eyewitness – is what to do with those 6000+ names GECOM claimed to’ve registered with PNC agents – but couldn’t be found when the PPP went out with GECOM last week!!

Now since some of the addresses where the so-called “registrations” had taken place were empty lots – with cows placidly chewing their cuds in some instances – you’d think the sensible thing to do was simply dump them. But no!!

Once you’ve accepted the H2H as legal – in for a penny, in for a pound!! So here it is, we have the equivalent of one parliamentary seat underwritten by most likely fictitious names – who’ll miraculously appear on March 2 to vote for the PNC. The only option is for the PPP to vet and object to the names in the next 20 days! …bribery The IDB confirmed that Guyana’s Government workers top the Caribbean in stretching out their hands for bribes to perform tasks for which they’re already paid.

Maybe, like the Ministers, their salaries should be hiked 50 per cent??

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

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CH&PA approves 39 land applications for oil and gas projects

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he Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has approved dozens of applications for acres of land across the country to be used for oil and gas-related development projects.

For the year, the CH&PA received 44 applications for land across the country for oil and gas development projects. However, only 39 were approved.

This is according to CH&PA’s Chief

will take that into account,” Stewart said.

The agency was mum on which areas across the country lands were allocated for these projects. However, Stewart explained that the CH&PA has started a redevelopment plan at Houston, Greater Georgetown, in relation to the oil and gas sector and has met with various stakeholders for consultations.

“We have already started the process in terms of

CH&PA Chief Development Planner, Germene Stewart

Development Planner, Germene Stewart, who on Monday told the media that a number of these projects will be seen in the future.

“You will see things will [have] started. You’ll see development that Guyana never experienced before in terms of mud plant…well the chemical storage some of them were not favourably considered but we are planning for those things in the future and that plan

developing a special area redevelopment plan for an area within Houston that has really seen land conversion or pressure for the oil and gas sector. So we are really proactive in terms of meeting with developers, landowners, and had a first round of consultation on how we move forward,” she stated.

Further, the Chief Development Planner said that applications which were not approved were due

to incompatibility issues regarding the purpose of land use: “Some that were rejected [are] based in terms of compatibility where land use is not compatible with our residential areas,” she explained.

Overall for the year 2019, the agency reported that it had received 914 applications for both oil and gas projects and other unrelated projects. Of these, 905 were processed and 714 approved.

Re-elected Mayors, Deputy Mayors sworn in …urged to be “agents of change, drivers of development” in regions

The re-elected Mayors of towns across Guyana along with President David Granger after the swearing-in ceremony on Monday

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resident David Granger on Monday swore in several Mayors and their Deputies to serve in the country’s 10 towns.

The re-elected Mayors and Deputy Mayors were urged by Granger to ensure that each town delivers efficient public services in

collaboration with the national and local levels.

“They are now expected to become agents of change, drivers of development and protectors of the environment, in collaboration with Central Government and the Regional Democratic Councils. Towns are the main centres of commerce

and industry; they are the principal terminals of trade and are the seats of public Administration.

They are intended of providing leadership for the progress of the outlying areas of the large regions,” Granger said.

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Influx of migrants in Region 1 putting strain on TB programme …health officials facing challenges – RHO

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ith the large influx of Venezuelans in Region One (Barima-Waini), health authorities operating there are encountering major difficulties in executing their Tuberculosis (TB) programme, which was already facing challenges.

This is according to Regional Health Officer of that area, Dr Latchmie Lall, who over the weekend stated that as a result of the large number of migrants moving into villages in the region, the health workers have been “forced to increase” their TB programme since many migrants are being diagnosed with this disease.

Although at this point health officers are managing to stabilise those patients, they continue to be a “moving population.”

“The grave challenge that we are seeking to address is that while we are able to stabilise them with the TB, they are a population that is moving back and forth. And when they go, they go for three to four months, and this results in them not being able to follow up thus placing undue pressure on the Direct Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) workers. It simply means that back here we are now forced to start that process again,” she admitted.

She explained that this results in several TB patients being “lost” since they cannot be tracked due to their mobility and when they are found once again by health workers, then those patients have to restart the treatment process.

According to Dr Lall, another challenge which is a thorn in the side for her region’s health officials is that residents there are not adhering to nutritional advice or ensuring they eat healthy meals.

As such, a significant burden is placed on the limited medicinal drugs and medical supplies that are given to or procured by Region One health authorities since no patient who seeks medical attention from health facilities will or can be turned away.

The RHO noted that her Regional Health Department is currently undertaking an initiative to create multiple databases that contain various information on the migrant population.

Each database will comprise of patients who are recorded with a specific illness/ disease under different categories. It would also allow health officers to be aware of the numbers of migrants accessing health care and other health-related services.

Dr Lall noted that to

date, there are presently 900 vaccinated and documented migrants who are living in Region One but that there are several more there who are yet to be vaccinated and/or documented by relevant authorities.

Despite being curable, TB continues to be listed as the top infectious killer worldwide, claiming over approximately 4500 lives daily.

Earlier this year, for-

mer Minister within the Public Health Ministry, Dr Karen Cummings during her address on World TB Day had explained that the Ministry’s National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP) identified TB as a priority health problem in Guyana and through its DOTS programme, the NTP has been able to expand TB services to all ten developmental regions of Guyana.

Currently, there are 19

RHO, Region One (BarimaWaini), Dr Latchmie Lall

TB sites across the country. Presently, DOTS coverage is just over 90 per cent. However, there is still a need for improvement, especially in the hinterland regions where more coordination of efforts and ownership by all stakeholders is required, the Minister also said.

At that time she had urged that more persons become involved in the fight against TB by educating themselves about the disease and to assist in raising awareness among others.

three months, pending investigations and advice from the DPP’s office. Following the advice from the DPP, ranks in Linden visited his home but the man was not there. According to the Commander, residents told the cops that they had not seen or spoken to the man for many weeks.

Meanwhile, according to a police source, it is believed that the man used the opportunity of such a lengthy period of investigations/advice from the DPP to go into hiding.

As a result of his absence in his community, and the futile attempts by the police in Region 10 to locate him presently, the next step will be to have a police Wanted Bulletin issued for the rape suspect, this newspaper was

told.

The recommendation from the DPP’s office to have the man charged for rape of a child under 16 came just before the Christmas holidays.

The suspect reportedly sexually molested the child twice during her weekend visit to her relatives in the month of September.

Reports are that the child left her residence on September 27 (Friday) to spend the weekend with relatives in the mining town and returned home on September 29 (Sunday) in a withdrawn state.

The little girl then told her maternal aunt and other relatives about what transpired during her brief vacation with her relatives.

“She said that she loves her aunty but that she can-

not go back there [at their home]. She said that the uncle, her aunty’s husband, is a wicked man, she kept saying he is a wicked man when we asked her why she did not want to go back. Then she started telling us one by one what happened to her,” the grandmother had previously told this publication.

The elderly woman had explained that the man took her granddaughter along with his two grandchildren to “Blue Water Lake” and a creek in “Buck Town” between Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon under the pretence of teaching the young children to swim.

However, he allegedly touched the child’s private parts inappropriately despite the child telling him to stop.

Accused Linden paedophile on the run

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espite repeated checks by the police, they cannot locate the man who allegedly sexually molested a nineyear-old relative some three months ago in the mining town of Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

This is according to Police Commander of Region 10, Superintendent Hugh Winter, who told Guyana Times on Monday that the recent advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was to have the man charged with rape of a child under the age of 16.

The suspect, who is in his 60s, would have been hauled before the court of law in the upcoming week.

However, he has been on station bail for about

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Police destroy over 5000 marijuana plants in Berbice River

Accused bandits charged for mining camp robbery

Terrence Bacchus

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The marijuana plants that were burnt in a field in a village near the Berbice River

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olice destroyed over 5000 marijuana plants in two fields they stumbled upon in the Berbice River on Sunday.

Reports are between 08:40h and 15:00h, a team of Police ranks conducted a marine patrol/eradication operation in the Berbice River. During the exercise, they found the two fields with marijuana plants measuring from six inches to six feet in height.

Along with the fields, two make-shift camps with a large quantity of dried cannabis were also unearthed.

According to Police, the ranks burnt plants along with the two camps.

Additionally, the dried cannabis was also destroyed by fire. No one was at the sites when the police arrived. No arrests have been made.

An investigation has been launched.

Pay $150,000 fine or serve jail time for ammo possession – Magistrate tells labourer

The three live rounds that were in the labourer’s possession

38-year-old labourer, who was caught with illegal ammunition in his possession, was hauled before the court of law on Monday and given the option of paying a fine of $150,000 or spending one

year in jail.

Kevin Kurtzious, who hails from Turani, Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), made his first court appearance at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), before Magistrate Peter Hugh where he pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of ammunition without a li-

gold rings valued $100,000, one gold band valued $50,000 and $54,000, property of Chetwyn Eastman.

Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris informed the court that on December 14, at about 10:30h, the Virtual Complainant placed items in a haversack on his dining table. However, when he returned, he realised that the items were missing. The VC then reviewed CCTV footage and saw the 20-year-old removing the articles.

The matter was then reported and Apple was arrested. On Monday after listening to the facts, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus deferred sentencing to January 13, 2020.

Kevin Kurtzious

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Norton Street robbery accused remanded

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Norton Street, Georgetown man who admitted to robbing another was on Monday remanded to prison when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Stephon Apple, 20, of Lot 15 Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, appeared before Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus and pleaded guilty to the charge which stated that on December 14, at Norton Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, he stole three

wo alleged cutlass-wielding bandits, who reportedly attacked and robbed a miner in his camp at Takatu Backdam, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), on Friday last were hauled before Georgetown

cence.

The prosecution contended that on Sunday, December 29, Kurtzious was captaining a boat near Mukupie Village, when Police ranks intercepted his vessel and conducted a search on him and his boat.

They discovered three live cartridges in Kurtzious’ possession and subsequently arrested him.

Magistrates’ Courts.

Terrence Bacchus appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan and pleaded not guilty to the offence while Titus Valenzuela admitted to the charge which stated that on December 27, 2019, at Takutu Backdam, Cuyuni River, while being armed with cutlasses, they robbed Candacia Ramroah of a phone valued $58,000.

It was further alleged that on the same day and the same location, while being armed with cutlasses, they robbed Joao Pintoo of $830,000, a cologne valued $87,000, a phone valued $5000 and 14 pennyweight of raw gold valued $180,000.

Valenzuela in a plea of mitigation told the court that “I robbed him because my family needed the money”.

As a result, Valenzuela was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment while Bacchus was remanded to prison.

The prosecution is contending that the robbery occurred at about 23:30h while Dostristinto, his cook and a worker, were sound asleep in their mining camp.

According to the prosecution’s case, the two suspects, each with a cutlass, stormed the camp and threatened to kill the miner if he did not hand over the cash, gold and other valuables.

After putting up a resistance, the cutlass-wielding bandits bound Dostristinto and proceed to ransack the camp. The cook and the worker were reportedly in their respective quarters when the men executed the robbery.

Dostristinto reportedly told Police that the masked

Titus Valenzuela

bandits relieved him of $830,000 that he had on his person and then robbed him of two mobile phones.

They also collected four bottles of brand name colognes and 14 pennyweights of raw gold before they made good their escape.

Shortly after the robbery, the worker and cook employed by Dostristinto became aware that something was amiss and went to their employer’s aid. The miner was then untied and he immediately contacted the police to report the matter.

Investigators began their probe and the hunt for the two suspects intensified after they received information that the men were leaving the region.

On Saturday, a team of policemen who were deployed at the Bartica Ferry Stelling observed two men acting in a suspicious manner as they were on board a vessel destined for Parika, East Bank Essequibo.

The duo was taken off the boat and taken to the Bartica Police Station where they were searched, during which the money and other items were discovered.

The case will continue on January 19, 2020, at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

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Tenant dies after saving items from burning home

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The burnt building

driver attached to the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry on Monday collapsed and died moments after arriving at the house in which he resided, which was engulfed in flames, and has also left several others homeless.

Dead is 47-year-old Gavin North, who was one of several tenants that resided at the Lot 48 Princes Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, two-storey structure which went up in flames at about midday on Monday.

Guyana Times understands that North arrived at the scene and began salvaging household items from the apartment he occupied when he suddenly fainted. The man was rushed by neighbours to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) in an unconscious state but died while receiving medical attention.

When this publication arrived at the scene, tenants related that the fire originated from the upper flat of the building, gutting everything

Dead: 47-year-old Gavin North

in its path. However, while most of the lower flat was saved, the belongings were all damaged by water used to douse the fire.

A few of the displaced tenants were at the scene, trying to see what they could salvage as others contemplated their next move.

Oneika Landry, one of the persons who resided alone in one of the apartments in the lower flat of the building explained that she was not at home when the fire started. However, fire-

fighters managed to save most of her apartment but damaged all electrical appliances in the process.

“I was at work when one of my taxi friend called me and told me the house is on fire. But when I got here the fire department was already here trying to get it out…well the most I got was water damage but all my electrical stuff is no more,” Landry related.

Meanwhile, a frustrated single parent, Chancey McDonald, who shared an apartment with her brother and four children, related that everything was lost in the blaze, which makes her unsure about her next move.

“They were trying to get the doors open to see what and what they could’ve get out but they didn’t get out anything, because the fire was already in our room…

Everything is burn, we do not have anything,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the Mayor and City Council has committed to offering assistance to the displaced families.

Pork-knocker dies after being hit by falling tree

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2 5 - y e a r - o l d pork-knocker was on Saturday killed after being hit by a falling tree in Obanna Backdam, Kuribrong, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

The dead man has been identified only as “Navesh” of Port Kaituma, North West District, Region One (Barima-Waini), who was working on a dredge in Region Eight.

Guyana Times understands that the miner along with two of his coworkers were jointly working in the area with a three-inch water pump and four-inch engine.

However, at about 11:00h, it began raining.

The rain was accompanied by heavy winds. This newspaper was told that shortly afterwards, one of the workers heard a cracking sound and observed that trees were about to fall.

This newspaper was told that he raised an alarm for his workmates to run, but according to reports, “Navesh” stood and began looking up at the falling trees. A large branch from one of the falling trees then struck him to the head as he started to run.

The man was picked up by public-spirited citizens and rushed to Obanna Landing, but on arrival, his body appeared to be lifeless.

Nevertheless, he was then

taken to Powese Landing.

On Sunday, Police ranks examined his body and discovered a large wound to the back of his head.

Meanwhile, according to Police Commander of that region, Superintendent Ramesh Ashram, the man’s cause of death can only be confirmed when a post-mortem examination is conducted.

Although there is a wound to the back of his head which allegedly occurred when the tree fell on the man, investigators said they have not yet concluded their investigation and will do so after the PME results have been submitted.

NAPS to sharpen public sensitisation on HIV/AIDS …after 500 new HIV cases detected

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he National AIDS P r o g r a m m e Secretariat (NAPS) in recognising a greater need for public education on HIV/ AIDS and its Voluntary Counselling and Treatment (VCT) Services, is seeking to explore various avenues that will allow effective transfer of information on both topics. This was shared at a media engagement at the Secretariat on Monday.

Deputy Programme Manager at NAPS, Dr Nicolette Boatswain pointed out that the Secretariat will seek to re-establish a stronger interaction with persons as it relates to the sharing of HIV information. This is critical as recent statistics show some 8200 persons infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) while some 500 new infections surfaced in Guyana mainly from key populations and young people.

Nevertheless, this widely used remedy will be complemented with its continued training and awareness programmes in schools as well as its newest behavioural change communications strategy being developed.

“I recognise that there is a need for strengthening in terms of sensitisation and

Deputy Programme Manager at the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Nicolette Boatswain

awareness, There has to be a resurgence of our interaction with fellow Guyanese in terms of HIV information…We are also on the way to developing a behavioural change communications strategy which we see is needed so I agree, but steps are being taken…our programme as always incorporated in the prevention aspect of its training or sensitisation for in and out of schools,” Boatswain explained.

On the other hand, the deputy programme manager highlighted that the new trend of persons sharing HIV

results on social media takes away the confidentiality and reduced stigma offered through VCT services.

“The programme is concerned at the increasing trend of members of the public posting their HIV test results on social media, doing this may add rather than take away from the stigma so many person still endure” This is evident as stats revealed a constant decrease in persons accessing the VCT service over the period 2017 to 2019.

Some 57,524 accessed the service in 2017, while 49,783 in 2018, and 45,313 in 2019.

Re-elected Mayors, Deputy...

He reminded that Mayors and Deputy Mayors are vital to the entire system of governance and are seen as the engines of enterprise, agents of employment, and also engines of economic development in the areas they serve.

“They are required to commit to ensuring the delivery of public services within their municipalities and to act in the interest of their constituents. They are required to consult their constituents and citizens in decision-making processes which are likely to affect their wellbeing. They are required to conduct their du-

ties at all times in accordance to the Constitution and the laws of Guyana and remain faithful to their oath of office,” the President added.

In total, nine Mayors and nine Deputy Mayors took their oath on Monday at the Ministry of the Presidency.

Meanwhile, the Mayor of New Amsterdam along with the Deputy Mayor of Bartica are out of the jurisdiction and will take their oath at a later date.

The Mayors who were sworn in are Ubraj Narine (Georgetown), Rajendralall Prabhulall (Anna Regina), Gifford Marshall (Bartica), John Macedo

FROM PAGE 10

(Lethem), Winston Roberts (Corriverton), Waneka Arrindell (Linden), Chris Mark Pang (Mabaruma), Chattergoon Ramnauth (Rose Hall) and David Adams (Mahdia).

Rudolph Compton Williams (Anna Regina), Imran Amin (Corriverton) Alfred Mentore (Georgetown), Deborah Evadne King (Lethem), Wainewright Bethune (Linden), Carolyn Robinson (Mabaruma), Wainewright Mc Kintosh (New Amsterdam), JuAnn La-Rose (Mahdia) and Deonauth Harrinarine (Rose Hall) were sworn in as the Deputy Mayors.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Berbice murder, manslaughter 3rd fire in Berbice in 2 days accused charged A

T

wo persons accused of separate murders on the Corentyne between Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were arraigned today, with one suspect being granted bail.

Terry Roopnarine, 27, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, was charged with manslaughter when he appeared before Magistrate Alex Moore at the Whim’s Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that on December 24, at Rose Hall Town, he killed Steven Lewis, also called “Terence”.

The prosecution had no objection to bail being granted and Magistrate Alex Moore released the man on $200,000 bail. As a condition for bail, the court ordered that he lodge his travel documents and report to the Rose Hall Town Police Outpost every Tuesday and Thursday until the conclusion of the case.

Deceased: Carlos Williams Deceased: Steven Lewis

deceased who were present during the proceedings.

“You can kill someone and get $200,000 bail. Oh, Lawd!” the dead man’s grandmother cried.

Reports are Lewis, a vendor of the Rose Hall Town Market, was injured during an altercation with a man who went to his ‘chick-chick’ gambling board on Christmas Eve. Reports are that the suspect is a 27-year-old cane harvester, who was one of the

his head and mouth. Police who were nearby intervened, but the injured Lewis eventually died.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Redford Thomas, of Rose Hall, was remanded to prison

former sugar estate worker, who lost his job when the Skeldon Estate closed, has now lost his home. The Sunday afternoon blaze completely destroyed the Lot 9 Number 75 Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) home leaving Rajendra Ramnauth and his family homeless.

The 39-year-old security guard told this publication that he was at a nearby supermarket with his wife and daughter.

He said while shopping, they received a message stating that their house was on fire.

According to the father of one, when he arrived on the scene, he saw flames engulfing his entire house.

“When you are poor and you have to start from scratch it will be hard. It is everything we had...” the former sugar worker explained.

The building at Number 75 Village, Corentyne, was reduced to ashes

very poor,” she pleaded.

Persons wishing to make contact with Ramnauth or his wife can do so on telephone number (592) 3354210.

Sunday’s fire was the third to be recorded in Berbice in two days.

On Sunday morning, a fire of unknown origin com-

Charged: Terry Roopnarine

Redford Thomas being escorted by Police Officers

The matter comes up again on February 18, 2020 at the Albion Magistrate’s Court.

However, the granting of bail did not go down well with many family members of the

gambling customers.

The cane harvester reportedly spent some time and money at the gambling board which ended in a physical confrontation. This led to Lewis sustaining injuries to

after he was charged with the murder of Carlos Williams, called “Tony”. The case will continue on February 17, 2020.

Reports are on December 25, Williams was with his girlfriend and three others at a nightclub when a cousin who was with a group of men told Williams’s partner that one of his friends wanted to dance with her. She refused the offer, but Williams heard about the request.

This resulted in the two men arguing. Williams was reportedly stabbed a short while later outside the club, and Thomas was subsequently arrested.

Govt-owned airline will counter monopoly behaviour – CCAC …says may not be perfect solution, but is a solution

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he Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission recently conducted a study of the airline industry and suggested that a State-sponsored airline be commissioned to end the monopoly-like behaviour over the Georgetown to John F Kennedy (JFK) International Airport route.

The CCAC said that the constant stream of players entering and then exiting the market serves as an indication that barriers to entry are not prohibitive. The exit of these firms, it added, places the citizens in a predicament.

Outlining the recent history of the airline industry in Guyana, the CCAC said that Dynamic Airways, after a shaky start in 2014, suspended its operations for four months. It returned and started to offer as many as five flights per week and that frequency climbed in the peak seasons. In July

2017, Dynamic Airways announced that it had filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition with the United States which was likely the result of an unrelated lawsuit.

Fly Jamaica started operations in Guyana in 2013.

In November 2018, the airline’s fortunes made a sudden change following the emergency landing and crash of its 757 aircraft at Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA). Mechanical problems forced the pilots to head back to Guyana and make the emergency landing. Several passen-

gers were injured during the emergency landing. The airline has exited the market following this incident.

One recommendation, it stated, is to temper the monopoly by commissioning “our own State-sponsored airline.”

According to CCAC, it may not be the perfect solution, but it is a solution.

“The venture may be prone to all the ills of Statesponsored enterprise but if managed properly, we can ensure that there is competitive pressure for the incumbent firms to perform. There is no need to invest heavily in permanent fixtures or to have a permanent presence in the market,” the CCAC stated.

Guyana tourism statistical digest for 2016 indicated that for the years 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 the number of visitors to Guyana was 200,060, 205,824, 206,819 and 235, 312 respectively.

Rajendra Ramnauth and his wife Normattie Chinoppah

A unit from the Corriverton Fire Service responded in a timely manner and was able to prevent a second building from total destruction. The exterior of that building received extensive damage.

Meanwhile, Ramnauth’s wife, Normattie Chinoppah, a domestic worker, said that all appliances in the home were off when they left for the supermarket.

“We will be glad if people can help us because we are

pletely destroyed a flat building at D’Edward, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), leaving two homeless.

Fifty-eight-year-old Alvin Spencer, who occupied the house with his 16-year-old son was asleep when the fire started. It was his son, Osborne, who woke him up.

The teenager lost everything including his School Based Assessments (SBA), he was working on for CSEC next year.

Textbooks, notebooks and a laptop are just a part of the list of school items destroyed.

The flat building was burnt to ashes. The family is pleading for assistance and can be contacted on telephone number (592) 6715476.

Meanwhile, on Saturday a fire believed to be an act of arson destroyed a two-story building at Number 29 Village, West Coast Berbice, also in Region Five.

The building was owned by retired teacher and community worker Marsha Gouveia.

The 56-year-old former teacher, in relating the incident, said she was not at home when the incident occurred.

According to her, her husband, James Adams, threatened to kill her and she grabbed her great-nephew and ran out of the house.

Adams, she said, came to her friend’s house where she was and demanded that she give him back $15,000, which he had given to her.

She promised that he would get it the following day. However, he was not satisfied with the offer and promised to burn the house.

Minutes later, flames were seen coming from the building and Adams was seen running away.

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019

Regional

Nicaragua frees Bolivia expels Mexican, Spanish officials as diplomatic standoff heats up protesters who aided

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olivia’s Government expelled Mexican and Spanish diplomats on Monday, escalating a diplomatic dispute after Mexico’s Embassy in La Paz granted asylum to allies of Bolivia’s former socialist President Evo Morales.

Bolivian caretaker President Jeanine Anez said her Administration had asked Mexican Ambassador María Teresa Mercado and several Spanish officials to leave the country within 72 hours and called them “persona non grata”.

Shortly after, Mexico’s Foreign Ministry said it would recall Mercado to ensure her safety and branded Bolivia’s move as “political in nature”.

In Madrid, Spain’s Foreign Ministry said it would expel three Bolivian diplomatic staff over the

Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez speaks during a news conference at the presidential palace in La Paz, Bolivia, December 30, 2019

matter.

Bolivia’s disputed October election sparked widespread protests and Morales resigned last month in the face of growing civil and military pressure. Anez

took over by default, and has made sharp policy shifts away from his socialist government, fraying ties with leftist allies in the Region.

Morales, meanwhile, claimed he was toppled in a

right-wing “coup” and many of his allies have rallied behind him with the country headed for new elections in 2020. He fled the country and was granted asylum in Mexico. He is now in Argentina.

Mexican officials said the Government was aiming to uphold ties with Bolivia and has not declared the Bolivian Ambassador to Mexico persona non grata.

Interior Minister Olga Sanchez told reporters that tension between the two nations was undeniable.

On Friday, Mexico’s Government said Bolivian authorities harassed and intimidated its diplomatic staff and impeded the departure of Spanish officials visiting its Embassy in the capital where a number of Morales’ allies had holed up.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique rattled by earthquake

A

n earthquake with a magnitude of 3.9 rattled parts of Dominica and the French islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe on Monday, the Trinidad-based Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) has reported.

It said that the quake, which occurred at 11:10h (local time), was locat-

ed Latitude 15.79N, Longitude 61.41W and at a depth of 10 kilometres (km).

It was felt 53km south-southeast of Pointà-Pitre, in Guadeloupe, 54 miles north of Roseau, the Dominica capital and 137km north-northwest of Fort-de-France in Martinique.

The SRC said there

were no immediate reports of injuries or damage and the earthquake is the latest in a series of earth tremors that have affected several Caribbean islands.

Last Thursday, less than 24 hours after several Caribbean countries were jolted by an earthquake with a magnitude of 4.2, the SRC reported that a stronger quake had been

felt in some other territories.

The SRC said that the earthquake with a magnitude of 4.7 jolted the islands of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica as well as the French island of Guadeloupe. It followed a quake with a magnitude of 4.2 that rocked islands in the Eastern Caribbean.

(Excerpt from CMC)

stead of tackling the root causes of crime.

Al-Rawi described LATT’s letter as “staggering” and “disappointing”.

But Maharaj justified LATT’s fears over the Bail (Amendment) (No 2) Bill 2019.

“The question of bail is a matter for the court, not the executive nor Parliament,” he told Newsday on Monday.

He said the TT Constitution, in Sections 4 and 5, says bail is a fundamental right, such that the court has the power to determine the right to bail.

“So, if you pass a law which takes away that right to bail, you are usurping the powers of the courts.”

He said this violated the separation of powers between the Judiciary, and the executive (Government) and legislature (Parliament.)

Maharaj said the Privy Council (in Mauritius v Khoyratty) said if Parliament removed the right to bail, this was a breach of the separation of powers and so was unconstitutional. (Excerpt from Trinidad Newsday)

AG “staggered” by Law Association’s stance on Bail Bill

A

ttorney General Faris Al-Rawi and former AG Ramesh Maharaj sharply differed over the Law Association’s rejection of a bill to deny bail for 120 days for illegal possession of military-grade firearms.

In November, the Senate passed the bill piloted by Al-Rawi, but it then stalled in the House of Representatives owing to lack of Opposition support.

A LATT statement on Sunday claimed the bill sacrifices key constitutional tenets by infringing on the presumption of innocence,

Attorney General Faris Al Rawi

empowering the Police to deprive people of liberty and breaching the doctrine of separation of powers, in-

Despite unrest, Chile courts billions in foreign investment

C

hile’s foreign reputation for sound fiscal management has survived the biggest social upheaval in a generation largely intact, market indicators show. The Government says it now intends to cash in on that credibility.

The South American nation plans to issue US$8.7 billion in bonds next year, of

which US$5.3 billion will be sold abroad, up from about US$3 billion this year. Of those foreign bond sales, US$3.3 billion will be in dollars and euros, and the rest will be denominated in Chilean pesos, but targeted at foreign institutional investors through a book-building process.

Social unrest has gripped Chile since October 18, forc-

ing the closure of hundreds of shops and delaying investment projects. Still, the Government is benefiting from years of fiscal prudence that saw it put more than US$15 billion into sovereign wealth funds. It is now drawing on the funds to boost pensions, health-care and create a minimum income, as well as borrowing more abroad.

"Any other country that had gone through a shock like this one would have already been downgraded one or two notches," said Andres Perez, head of international finance at Chile’s Finance Ministry. "Current yields and spreads show a higher level of risk, but not enough for a downgrade." (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

mothers on hunger strike

Jesus Tefel Amador, member of the Opposition Blue and White National Unity (UNAB) movement, hugs his parents after being released from prison, in Managua, Nicaragua, December 30, 2019

T

he Nicaraguan Government said it freed more than 90 people on Monday who rights groups say were jailed for anti-Government activity, including about a dozen people who were arrested after ferrying water to a group of mothers on hunger strike.

Dozens of people have been jailed since April 2018, after demonstrations against President Daniel Ortega’s attempt to cut welfare benefits escalated into broader protests of his rule.

The protests also left more than 300 people dead, according to rights groups.

The Interior Ministry said 91 people have been released as part of a “special act” aimed at national reconciliation, including prominent student protester Amaya Coppens.

The Nicaraguan and Belgian national, along with a dozen other protesters, delivered water last month to nine mothers who were on a hunger strike demanding

the release of their children that they consider to be political prisoners.

The Police cut off water and electricity supplies to the church in the city of Masaya soon after the hunger strike began. The mothers were later transported to a hospital.

During the strike the Government accused 13 activists who brought water to the mothers of planning to carry out terrorist attacks.

On Monday, a video posted on social media showed Coppens waving a large blue-and-white Nicaraguan flag, chanting, “Yes, we did it!”

Another freed prisoner, Olga Valle, said in a separate video: “Families, take in your people. We left, we did it. Long live free Nicaragua.”

The Opposition Blue and White National Unity movement said about 80 people were still jailed for political reasons. (Excerpt from Reuters)

World Bank says Caribbean economies lagging in reforms

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he World Bank says economies in Latin America and the Caribbean continue to lag in terms of reforms as it relates to doing business in the Region.

In its flagship publication Doing Business 2020, in which the World Bank Group assesses the regulations that enhance business activity and those that constrain it, it noted that of the 294 regulatory reforms implemented between May 2018 and May 2019 worldwide, 115 economies made it easier to do business.

“Economies in SubSaharan Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean continue to lag in terms of reforms. Only two SubSaharan African economies rank in the top 50 on the ease of doing business; no Latin American economies rank in this group,” the World Bank noted.

“Those economies that score well on doing busi-

ness tend to benefit from higher levels of entrepreneurial activity and lower levels of corruption. While economic reasons are the main drivers of reform, the advancement of neighbouring economies provides an additional impetus for regulatory change,” the World Bank said, noting that “26 economies became less business-friendly, introducing 31 regulatory changes that stifle efficiency and quality of regulation”.

Jamaica was the top named Caricom country ranked at number 71 of the 190 countries surveyed, followed by St Lucia (93); Trinidad and Tobago (105); Dominica (111); Antigua and Barbuda (113); The Bahamas (119); Barbados (128); St Vincent and the Grenadines (130); Guyana (134); Belize (135); St Kitts and Nevis (139); Grenada (146); Suriname (162) and Haiti (179). (Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, december 31, 2019

17

Around the World

Sudan sentences 29 to death Hong Kong to end year multiple protests, kick for torturing, killing protester with off 2020 with big march

A

Sudanese court on Monday sentenced 29 intelligence agents to death for killing a teacher in detention during protests against Omar alBashir, Sudan's longtime former leader, earlier this year.

The defendants were found guilty of deadly abuse against Ahmed al-Kheir at an intelligence services facility and sentenced to be hanged, Judge Sadok Abdelrahman said.

The teacher was beaten and tortured to death after he was arrested in late January by intelligence operatives in Sudan's eastern province of Kassala, the Judge said.

Another four officers were sentenced to three

Members of Khartoum's Teachers Association pictured in front the court in Omdurman during the trial on December 30, 2019, of intelligence agents for the death of teacher Ahmed Al-Kheir

years in prison and seven were acquitted in the landmark ruling, which paves the way for democratic transition in the North African nation.

Al-Kheir's family said security officials initially claimed he had died of poisoning, though days later

a state investigation found he had died of injuries from beating.

Hundreds rallied outside the Omdurman court where the verdict was delivered.

Some waved national flags and others held pictures of al-Kheir, and cheered after the decision was announced.

The case marks the first time courts have handed down convictions over crackdowns on demonstrations in the months before and after al-Bashir was toppled in April.

The Sudanese Professionals Association, an umbrella group of unions that led the protests, welcomed the verdict.

The group vowed to continue pursuing and bringing to justice security officials accused of torture.

Mohamed al-Faki Suleiman, a member of the Sudan Sovereign Council, said the verdict "renews the Sudanese people's trust in their judicial institutions". (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Kataib Hezbollah: Iraq condemns US attacks on Iran-backed militia

I

raqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi has condemned the US airstrikes which killed at least 25 members of an Iranianbacked Iraqi militia.

Mahdi said the US action on Sunday had violated Iraq's sovereignty.

The Prime Minister appeared to suggest that Iraq would now have to review its relationship with the US. US forces targeted the Kataib Hezbollah militia

in retaliation for attacks on bases in Iraq that are used by the US military.

The Americans have fought for years alongside Iraqi Government forces in their confrontation with the Islamic State (IS) group Mahdi said he tried to inform militia members of the impending airstrike against them.

The attacks "force Iraq to review its relations and its security, political and legal framework to pro-

tect its sovereignty", the Government added.

The US Ambassador in Baghdad would also be summoned to discuss the matter, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted.

Washington on Monday accused the Iraqi authorities of failing to "protect" US interests.

Several attacks have in recent weeks targeted Iraq bases where Americans are present. The US has blamed the attacks on pro-

Iran factions.

Sunday's airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Kataib Hezbollah were in response to the killing of a US civilian contractor.

Protesters in Iraq have accused Iran of complicity in Iraq's failure and corruption. They have set fire to a number of Iranian consulate buildings in the country during the recent wave of protests. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pompeo to reaffirm US support on visit to Ukraine

U

S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will reaffirm US support for Ukraine this week, the State Department said on Monday, on the highest-level US visit since President Donald Trump’s impeachment over his handling of relations with Ukraine.

Trump’s conduct of Ukraine policy has raised questions about his commitment to the country’s security as it battles Russia-backed rebels and seeks to recover Crimea, seized by Moscow in 2014.

A senior State Department official said Pompeo will stress in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other top officials that as “Ukraine faces its chal-

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo delivers remarks on human rights in Iran at the State Department in Washington, US, December 19, 2019

lenges, the United States is with them.”

Pompeo also will reaffirm US backing of Zelenskiy’s anti-corruption reforms, said the official, who could not be further identified under the rules of a briefing on Pompeo’s Jan 3-7 trip to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan,

Uzbekistan and Cyprus.

The Democraticcontrolled House of Representatives on Dec 18 impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from his bid to push Zelenskiy to open investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contend-

er to run against Trump in the 2020 election, and a debunked theory on election interference.

The House inquiry concluded that Trump sought the investigations in return for granting Zelenskiy an Oval Office visit. It also found that Trump held back US$391 million in congressionally approved aid that Ukraine needed to defend against Russia-backed separatists.

The US intelligence community and a bipartisan Senate investigation concluded that Russia interfered to swing the vote to Trump over his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Russia denies the allegation. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Cancer patient set on fire during operation in Romania

A

hospital patient has died after being set on fire during surgery in Romania.

Surgeons at Floreasca Hospital in Bucharest used an alcohol-based disinfectant on the woman, 66, before carrying out her operation for pancreatic cancer on December 22.

But they then used an electric scalpel - which, as it came into contact with the alcohol, set the woman's

body alight on the operating table.

She suffered burns to 40 per cent of her body, and died in hospital a week later.

Police have opened an investigation into the woman's death, local media report.

The victim's family told Romanian media they hadn't been told of "the gravity of the situation" or the details of what had happened - only that it was "an accident".

"We found out some de-

tails from the press, when they were broadcast on TV stations," they said. "We aren't making accusations, we just want to understand what happened."

Health Minister Victor Costache has promised to investigate the "traumatic" incident.

Deputy Minister Horatiu Moldovan added: "The surgeons should have been aware that it is prohibited to use an alcohol-based disin-

fectant during surgical procedures performed with an electric scalpel."

Romania spends the least on its healthcare system of any EU country, both per resident and as a percentage of its GDP. It has the highest child mortality rates on the continent, along with an underdeveloped hospital infrastructure and a persistent shortage of medical staff. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Protesters rally to remember the deaths and injuries during the months of protests, in Edinburgh Place in Hong Kong, China, December 30, 2019

H

ong Kong will end 2019 with multiple protests planned for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day aimed at disrupting festivities and shopping in the Asian financial hub, which has seen a rise in clashes between police and protesters since Christmas.

Events dubbed “Suck the Eve” and “Shop With You” are set for New Year’s Eve today in areas including the party district of Lan Kwai Fong, the picturesque Victoria Harbour, and popular shopping malls, according to notices on social media.

A pro-democracy march on Jan 1 has been given Police permission and will start from a large park in bustling Causeway Bay and end in the central business district.

The protests began in June in response to a now-withdrawn bill that would have allowed extra-

ditions to mainland China, where courts are controlled by the Communist Party, and have evolved into a broader pro-democracy movement.

Police said they would deploy crowd control patrols today and urged marchers on Wednesday to remain peaceful.

While the protests — now in their seventh month — have lessened in intensity and size in recent weeks, marches or rallies continue to occur almost daily.

More than 2000 protesters have been injured since June.

The protests have battered Hong Kong’s economy, already reeling from the fallout of the U.S.-China trade war.

Paul Chan, the city’s financial secretary, said on Sunday that a fall in GDP in the fourth quarter was “unavoidable”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Amid Turkey deployment bid, France, Egypt urge restraint in Libya

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rance and Egypt, which back forces loyal to a renegade military commander in Libya, have called for "the greatest restraint" by Libyan and international authorities to avoid escalating the conflict there, according to French President Emmanuel Macron's office.

Macron held talks late on Sunday with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, his office said on Monday, in which both agreed that warring Libyan powers need to negotiate a political solution under the auspices of the United Nations.

The warning came as the Turkish Government prepared to submit a motion to Parliament later on Monday allowing the deployment of Turkish forces to the conflict-torn country.

A vote could take place as early as Thursday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed readiness to send

troops, if requested by Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), drawing criticism from Turkey's Opposition.

The main Opposition Republican Peoples' Party, or CHP, said on Monday that sending troops would embroil Turkey in another conflict and make it a party to the "shedding of Muslim blood".

However, Erdogan's governing party is in an alliance with a nationalist party, and together the two have sufficient votes to pass the deployment motion.

Ankara has already sent military supplies to the GNA despite a UN embargo, according to a UN report, and has said it will continue to support the GNA. The fighting around Tripoli escalated in recent weeks after Haftar declared a "final" and decisive battle for the capital. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Keep moving forward.

If you plan to make a resolution, aim for something doable. Taking better care of your physical well-being is the right place to start.

Romance is featured.

Assess your situation, the people around you and what you can do to ensure that you start next year off on the right foot. Knowledge is power, so expand your mind and your interests.

If you stretch the truth, lead someone on or renege on a promise, you will end the year in a negative space.

Focus on honesty, integrity and looking your best.

This can be the start of a new and exciting year. Set your sights on something that excites you. Use your imagination to come up with ideas that will help you excel.

Put regrets and emotional baggage behind you.

Making personal improvements and sticking close to valued friends and loved ones will help stabilize your environment. Romance is on the rise.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t let an emotional situation upset your day.

Spending time with the people you love will bring you closer together. Personal growth is encouraged. Live in the moment and learn from experience.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Don’t overdo it. Do what you can, but don’t make promises you cannot keep.

Keep your plans simple and moderate. Time spent with a loved one will encourage a stable relationship.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Touch base with people you haven’t seen lately. A gesture or suggestion someone makes will encourage positive change. Make plans to get back to what motivates and inspires you the most.

Take it easy. If you go overboard, you will end up facing the consequences.

Someone will take advantage of you if you are indulgent. Abide by the rules and don’t reveal secrets.

You will have a change of heart regarding what you want to do. You are best off taking control instead of taking a risk or ignoring what’s going on around you.

Be smart. If you plan to party with friends, offer to be the designated driver.

Staying in control mentally and emotionally will also encourage you to be more sensible financially.

Be honest and expect honesty in return. Offer reasonable suggestions. Someone you encounter will prompt you to consider heading in a different direction.

tuesday, DECEMBER 31, 2019

19

NBA round-up:

A

Davis, Lakers top Doncic, Mavs chipped in with 16.

nthony Davis had 23 points and nine rebounds as the host Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Dallas Mavericks 108-95 on Sunday night at Staples Center.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 19 points, converting 5 of 9 shots and 4 of 5 3-pointers, off the bench for the Lakers, while Dwight Howard scored all 15 of his points in the first half. On the eve of his 35th birthday, LeBron James finished with 13 points and 13 assists.

Luka Doncic, who entered the contest as the NBA’s third-leading scorer at 29.1 points per game, had 19 points on 5-of-14 shooting to go with seven assists. He was 0 for 6 on 3-pointers. Delon Wright added 14 points off the bench, while Kristaps Porzingis managed 11 points on 4-of-10 shooting.

The Mavericks got a scare in the second quarter when Doncic crashed to the floor after being fouled by Howard on a drive to the bucket. He left the game with 2:02 remaining in the quarter but returned for the second half.

Thunder 98, Raptors 97

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander matched his career best with 32 points — including the goahead jumper with 36 seconds remaining — as visiting Oklahoma City edged Toronto.

Chris Paul scored 20 of his 25 points in the second half as the Thunder won their fifth straight game in Toronto and sixth in their last seven contests overall. Paul added 11 rebounds and eight assists in the victory.

Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet each

Pelicans 127, Rockets 112

Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball scored 27 points each as host New Orleans defeated short-handed Houston.

Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore added 25 each and Derrick Favors had 12 points and 16 rebounds as the Pelicans won for the fifth time in six games. They outscored the Rockets 41-19 in the fourth quarter.

The Rockets played without James Harden and Russell Westbrook. Coach Mike D’Antoni said Harden, averaging a leaguebest 38.3 points, could have played but was held out to rest a sprained toe and a sore knee. Westbrook was inactive on the back end of a back-to-back after host Houston beat New Jersey 108-98 on Saturday.

Nuggets 120, Kings 115

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) moves the ball against Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis (USA TODAY Sports)

scored 20 points for the Raptors. Patrick McCaw added 13 points, and Serge Ibaka had 12 points to go along with 14 rebounds.

Grizzlies 117, Hornets 104

Dillon Brooks scored 20 points and Memphis found numerous sources of offense to defeat visiting Charlotte.

Brandon Clarke tallied 18 points, Jonas

Valanciunas had 16, Grayson Allen matched a season-high mark with 15 points and Jaren Jackson Jr. supplied 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Grizzlies. Memphis shot 17-for-17 on free throws.

The sour-shooting Hornets have lost five games in a row. Malik Monk led Charlotte with 18 points off the bench, while PJ Washington and Devonte’ Graham both

Rookie Michael Porter Jr. had a season-high 19 points in his first career start, Will Barton also had 19 points, and host Denver handed Sacramento its seventh straight loss.

Jerami Grant scored 18, Nikola Jokic had 17, Mason Plumlee had 15 off the bench, and Jamal Murray had 13 points and seven assists for Denver, which played without guard Gary Harris (left shin contusion) and forward Paul Millsap (left knee contusion).

Nemanja Bjelica had 27 points, Buddy Hield scored 20, De’Aaron Fox added 18 points and 13 assists, and Richaun Holmes also scored 18 for the Kings. (Reuters)

Santokie cleared of wrongdoing in BPL 'suspicious deliveries' debacle W

est Indies bowler Krishmar Santokie has been cleared of suspicion after finding himself the subject of an investigation by the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) anti-corruption unit.

The veteran pace bowler, who currently represents the Sylhet Thunder in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL),

found himself at the centre of controversy after a wide and no-ball delivery against Chattogram Challengers in the opening game of the competition last month.

According to reports, the deliveries caught the attention of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) who interrogated the West Indian cricketer regarding what had been deemed their suspicious nature. The player was,

however, cleared of any wrongdoing following the investigation.

“Whenever there is any evident doubt, they (ACU) normally investigate the matter. The ACU may have not have gotten any conclusive evidence in this issue and it is the reason why the matter did not come to us,” BCB CEO Nizamuddin Chowdhury told members of the media.

“Following media reports, they (ACU) have investigated the matter but in this case, they did not have enough evidence. I think that was the case in this matter too.”

Sylhet are currently placed sixth in the seven-team table, having lost six of their seven games, including their most recent encounter against Khulna Tigers. (Sportsmax)

International Karate-do Organisation Guyana branch…

Shihan Wong appointed VP for Dojo Development T

he world karate body, the International Karate-do Organization [IKO], which has its headquarters in the United States, has now officially established a branch locally, known as IKO-Guyana, and will before long be establishing affiliated dojos across the length and breadth of Guyana.

Concurrently, the International Karate-do Organization (IKO) has appointed Guyanese karate expert Shihan Jeffery Wong, a 7th degree Black Belt, as Vice President for Dojo Development.

Shihan Wong, who early next year will be marking fifty years of being involved in the martial art of Shotokan karate, has been tasked with the special responsibility of overseeing the development and growth of the International Karate-do Organization in Guyana, and will help maintain the traditional standards of the Shotokan karate of the International Karate-do Organization This announcement was made by Shihan

Adrian Ellis, 8th Dan Black Belt and President of the International Karate-do Organization.

The IKO is a member of the World Karate Martial Arts Organization headquartered in Switzerland, the WKMO, whose members number more than 60 countries practising all styles of martial arts.

The WKMO coordinates and undertakes World Cup Championships. World

Championships, Continental Championships, high-level technical seminars, referee’s and judge’s certification.

Shihan Ellis noted how honoured the IKO was to have someone with Sensei Wong's experience and expertise as a member of their organization; someone whose tremendous skill and knowledge has influenced a large number of martial artists in Guyana, particularly young karatekas, and whose love and passion for Shotokan karate will be

great for their organization and for the people of Guyana.

Karate is an ancient form of combat and selfdefence that is said to have originated on the Japanese island of Okinawa. It provides meaningful exercise for both children and adults, leading to overall physical and mental health benefits.

In accepting this important position for karate in Guyana and beyond, Shihan Wong has indicated that his focus would be on the training facilities of the IKO in Guyana, which must be topclass consistent with the mission of the IKO, and possess all of the necessary amenities. He said his intention is to see IKO-Guyana invest in good training infrastructure across the country, and not to make the habitual mistake of concentrating only on Georgetown.

He opined that improving in the art of karate is a long process, but it can be done with the right instructors and dojo environments.

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tuesday, DECEMBER 31, 2019

Guyana Jaguars 3-Day Practice match…

Bramble, Joseph, Singh impress on final day

Story and Photos by Brandon Corlette

L

eon Johnson’s XI completed a five-wicket win in the first of their two 3-Day Practice matches held ahead of the Regional Four-Day tournament slated for January 9, 2020.

Chasing 202 runs for victory, Johnson’s XI batsmen were able to get in good practice, with Anthony Bramble stroking an unbeaten 55, while Vishal Singh and Chandrapaul Hemraj spent some time at the crease and ensured a come-from-behind win.

Adams’ XI resumed the third and final day on 76-3, with a lead of 123 runs. Rightarm speedster Keon Joseph had wicket-taking plans, as Adams’ XI were eventually bowled out for 154 in 39.5 overs, setting Johnson’s XI a target of 202 runs to win.

It was a Joseph-andGudakesh Motie show, as the duo shared eight wickets between themselves. The stylish Raymon Perez was the first to bite the dust, failing to add to his overnight score of 40 because he was out stumped off Motie.

Jonathan Foo, who resumed the day on 27, became Joseph’s first wicket of the morning and his third in the innings. Foo added eight runs to his overnight score, and departed for 35 from 55 balls in his innings that spanned an hour.

As Johnson’s XI continued to chip away wickets, Motie removed Ricardo Adams for 15, while experienced paceman Joseph picked up his fourth wicket when he sent Anthony Adams back for 16.

What had looked like a promising innings with the bat for Adams’ XI quickly became an ordinary display of batting.

Renaldo Ali Mohamed, who looked to take Joseph to the cleaners, hung his bat out and

edged one to Johnson at first slip, after scoring a 20-ball 27 which included three fours and one six.

Joseph continued to hit the pitch, but Nial Smith, who failed to equip himself with a helmet, was hit off a Christopher Barnwell short ball. Barnwell, who favoured the short ball, struck Smith on the shoulder and the ball further hit his head, which forced him to retire for three.

Smith was immediately rendered assistance and taken to the hospital.

Motie closed off the innings when he struck Qumar Torrington in front for one. Joseph and Motie were the chief architects of destruction for Johnson’s XI, as Adams’ XI ended on 154 all out in 39.5 overs. Joseph ended with 5-75 in 10 overs, while Motie bagged 3-33 in 12 top overs.

In pursuit of 202 for victory, Johnson’s XI had a solid start from openers Trevon Griffith and Chanderpaul Hemraj.

The left-handed duo took the score to 28-0 at the lunch interval, surviving 11 overs.

After the lunch interval, Griffith resumed on 10, while Hemraj was on 13.

The duo took the score past the 50-run mark, but Hemraj, who was looking to score, chipped one to short cover off the bowling of offspinner Foo, ending a 61-run partnership.

Hemraj made 30 from 92 balls after batting for 83 minutes and stroking three fours and one six. One run later, Foo removed Griffith for a 61-ball 26. Griffith had survived for 88 minutes, but was caught behind off a Foodelivery.

Captain Johnson and Vishal Singh were cautious in their approach. On the stroke of an early tea, Foo picked up his third wicket, trapping the captain in front for 18.

Johnson looked good in yet

another promising innings.

He pulled and drove Ali Mohamed for boundaries.

Johnson’s XI reached the tea interval at 92-3, with Singh remaining unbeaten on 11.

B a r n w e l l partnered Singh, and the senior duo came out with more intent. Singh rotated the strike while Barnwell found the ropes with ease and grace. He took on Anthony Adams, hitting him for consecutive boundaries, but the introduction of Ricardo A d a m s brought about his downfall for 17, since he was bowled with a delivery that kept low.

Bramble came, and l o o k e d comfortable accumulating runs at a decent rate. Entering the crease at 126-4, Bramble added 62 runs with a patient Singh. The left-handed Singh had found the fielder at midoff and departed for 47 from 88 balls, after occupying the crease for 118 minutes.

Bramble ensured Johnson’s XI got the win with his polished unbeaten innings of 55 from 49 balls, which included eight fours.

Foo ended with 3-37 in 20 overs, while Ricardo Adams had 2-36 in 6.1 overs.

Jaguars will play their second and final three-day match from January 2-4 at the National Stadium at Providence.

Berbice Mecca Classic Basketball Championship continues on Saturday

T

he ancient county of Berbice will break the new year with the Berbice Basketball Association’s end-ofyear Berbice Mecca Classic Basketball Championship, to be held at various basketball courts in Berbice.

This weekend will feature a double-header, which commences at 18:00 hrs with Fyrish Black Sharks taking on Canje Knights; while, at 19:30 hrs, Rose Hall Town Jammers will oppose Hopetown Stealer at the New Amsterdam Basketball Court.

On Sunday, Fyrish Black Sharks will journey to Hopetown for another round of games at that village’s basketball court, starting from 17:00 hrs.

The championship continued last

Saturday at the New Amsterdam Basketball Court with Rose Hall Town Jammers defeating Fyrish Black Sharks 68-41. Shamer France scored 21 points and 4 steals for the Jammers, while Malcolm Mickle contributed 12 points and 6 steals.

Garfield Benjamin posted 23 points and 4 rebounds for Fyrish, while Allandro Hercules supported with eight points.

On Sunday, Canje Knights took on Hopetown Stealers in a thriller, which the former won 53-52. Tyrone Dey scored 12 points, while Jamol Felix scored 10 and Steve Roopnarine 8 points for Canje Knights.

The Hopetown Stealers’ scorers were Kebon Mars with 15 points, 6 assists and 2 steals; and Debon Nedd, who put up 12 points.

Keon Joseph

Chandrapaul Hemraj was at his fluent best until he was dismissed for 30

Linden: UDFA Christmas Football Championship…

Coomacka, Topp XX advance to final

Travis Waterton, Keiron Daw and Wheatland Thom

C

oomacka’s fairy-tale continued, as they overcame the highly rated Botafago 2-0 while Topp XX halted the intentions of three-time champions Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection, 2-1, when the semifinals of this year’s annual Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) Christmas football championship were played Sunday night at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

Haynes and Winners Connection were off to a perfect start when their reliable forward Shaquille Frank netted in the 12th minute for a 1-0 lead, which was enjoyed until Topp XX got the equaliser in the 41st minute.

This was through the dependable shooting of Travis Waterton, who first was called upon when a penalty was awarded when Jamal Bentick was fouled in the penalty area.

That 1-1 score became 2-1 through Waterton again. This time on the brink of the half time whistle with a free kick taken from about 25 yards out. The powerful shot hit the back of the net in the 45th minute.

Second half action failed to change the 2-1 score, and Topp XX made their first final after a long wait.

Coomacka then booked their place when they came away with a 2-0 victory over Botafago, who were unable to match their opponents’ speed. Keiron Daw was able to run into position and find the back of the net from a nice play from the left side in the 17th minute to opening the scoring.

Botafago had two real chances, but one shot hit the upright and the other was denied by the crossbar.

Resuming the second half with a 1–0 scoreline, Botafago were unable to match the aggression of Coomacka and found themselves in a two-possession match in the 71st minute when Wheatland Thom tapped home a chance in front of goal.

On Wednesday, the losers play for third place while Coomacka and Topp XX battle it out for top honours at the MSC ground from 19:00 hrs.

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tuesday, DECEMBER 31, 2019

21

RHTY&SC cricket teams complete massive 2019 Christmas programme ꟷ Xmas Village rated as best ever

T

he ten cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), MS, on Christmas Eve completed their highly successful 2019 Christmas Outreach programme as the curtains came down on the fifth edition of the Rose Hall Town Christmas Village.

The Club, since 1991, has organised the outreach programme as part of its annual charity campaign, with the main objective of making a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate, the lonely and the elderly.

Under the supervision of Asst Secretary/ CEO Simon Naidu, the ten cricket teams hosted several events, including old age pensioners’ breakfast programme, distribute hundreds of foods hampers to the elderly and single parents, distribute goodies and toys to children, share out educational materials, feed the poor programme, hosting of the 5th Christmas Village, making donations to numerous NGOs and schools.

Foster hailed this year’s programme as the largest ever, as the team and club management worked hard to make sure that thousands benefited. The veteran RHTY&SC, MS, official stated also that the cricket teams joined hands with the Berbice Cricket Board, and were given sponsorship from West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer to provide cricket umpires, retired cricketers and the less fortunate with food hampers.

They would also co-sponsor the Umpires Social/Award Ceremony and assist twelve families financially to make their Christmas brighter.

The highlight of the multi-million-dollar programme was the hosting of the village from the 21st to 24th of December, with the major sponsor been the Non-Alcoholic Unit of popular beverage company ANSA McAL (Guy) Ltd. The village was attended by thousands of excited children and their parents. Foster described the four-day event as the best ever in its history, and noted that patrons came from as far as Georgetown, East Coast Demerara, West Berbice, and the Upper Corentyne.

The main objective of the Christmas Village was to promote the true tradition of Christmas, to promote social cohesion, to provide a safe venue for children to have fun, and to promote the club’s Say No/Say Yes programme.

The popular Village included a 20ft Christmas Tree, Christmas Chimney, Christmas Star, The Nativity Scene, Santa and his Sleigh, Christmas Toy Houses, Family Bridge, Inflatable Characters, Children’s Games, and face painting, among others.

Families were also entertained by popular Christmas carols and the hugely popular horror house. Foster hailed the hard work of the ten cricket teams to make sure that the village and charity events were successful.

The ten teams worked along with the Club’s over 35 Section under the directorship of Asst Secretary/CEO Simon Naidu.

The ten teams are Poonai Pharmacy Under 12 and Under 13, Farfan and Mendes Under 15, Bakewell Under 17 and Second

A scene from the RHTY&SC Christmas Village

Division, Pepsi Under 19 and Intermediate, Metro female, Namilco Thunderbolt Under 21 and First Division.

The RHTY&SC would like to express gratitude to the following companies and individuals for their contributions: Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh, Karen Nero, Monish Singh, CIDI, Lotto, ANSA McAL, The Gift Centre, Chief Brand, Len’s Craft, AM Khan Hardware, President David Granger, First Lady Sandra Granger, Chandradat Chintamani,

Canadian Surplus, PPDI, Namilco, KSM Investments, China Trading, Bakewell, V-Net Communications, Ministry of Natural Resources, Minister Raphael Trotman, Hardware Depot, Bissan’s Trading, Donna Todd, WR Enterprise, Toucan Industries, Guyana Beverage Company, Bounty Farm Ltd, Harris Paints, 4R Bearings, Poonai Pharmacy, Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, The Baby Store, Office Express and Rayburn Lewis.

592 Beer Inter-Village Football Festival…

Golden Grove, Friendship surge into final

T

he inaugural 592 Beer Inter-Village Football Festival final will be contested between Golden Grove and Friendship after dramatic semifinal victories on Sunday at the Golden Grove Community Centre ground.

The home side Golden Grove defeated Beterverwagting (BV) 3-1 in front a large crowd.

Dwain Jacobs handed the hosts the lead in the 58th minute after first half failed to produce a goal, lashing into the back of the net after receiving a

the goalkeeper parried the ball onto the woodwork and it fell into his path.

The win was then sealed in the 90th+1minute compliments of Dextroy Culpepper who rifled a powerful shot into the lower

saves in round two, three and four respectively to seal the outcome.

Thomas’s performance mirrored his teammates who recorded three consecutive goals from the penalty mark.

Before the eventual conclusion,

tremendous football since the start and the competition has certainly exceeded all expectations with the support and quality on display every evening from players and spectators alike.”

He further said, “Once

and the championship trophy.

On the other hand, the second, third and fourth place finisher will receive $200,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding trophy.

Similarly, individual prizes will also be awarded for the

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The Golden Grove unit are all smiles following their victory over BV at the Golden Grove Community Centre

forward pass.

The lead proved to be short lived as Omari Glasgow equalized in the 63rd minute, sprinting onto a through pass and slapping his effort past the goalkeeper. However Golden Grove restored their advantage in the 73rd minute through Phillip Williams, who blasted into the roof of the net after

left corner past the onrushing goalkeeping following a swift counterattack down the right side.

Meanwhile, Friendship bested Paradise 3-1 on penalty kicks after regulation and extra time ended 1-1.

Goalkeeper Seon Thomas was the hero for Friendship as he recorded three consecutive

The victorious Friendship side following their win over Paradise

E. Evans handed Paradise the lead in the 28th minute, only for Clive Andries to equalize in the 53rd minute.

Tournament coordinator Eon Havercome during a prematch comment said, “The tournament couldn’t have provided a better matchup for the final of the inaugural edition. We have witnessed

again I expect the final to be a monumental evening, the two teams are the best of the lot and have displayed their championship credentials in the previous rounds so I expect the fans to be treated to a dramatic and exciting atmosphere on January 1st.”

The eventual champion of the event will pocket $500,000

Most Valuable Player [MVP] of the tournament, the MVP of the finale, the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament and the Best Goalkeeper of the final.

Some of the major sponsors of the tournament include Bakewell Guyana Incorporated, ExxonMobil, the NSC, Flavours Boss and the Colin Talbot Construction Services.

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

New Year’s Day Presidential Cup horse racing…

Top horses set to battle for bragging rights

A

fter a thrilling Boxing Day Horse Race meet at Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club on Thursday last, the top horses will renew their rivalry at the Rising Sun Turf Club, Arima Park, West Coast Berbice on Wednesday, January 1, 2020 (New Year’s Day).

The Presidential Cup horse race meet, which is organised by Better Way Entertainment, will feature six races with over $3.5M in cash prizes and trophies up for grabs.

This event will see the likes of Guyana Cup Champion horse and the horse for 2019, Lucky Star; Don’t Overlook, Jus Call Me Boss, Valentina, Not This Time; and Storm Bird, who is fresh from a million-dollar win at the Boxing Day event.

The Feature event listed on the card is for horses classified C and Lower, and the top horse to conquer the one-mile race would bag $700,000 and trophy.

In the other events listed on the pro-

gramme, the G and Lower race over 1100 metres has a top cash prize of $350,000 and trophy. The I and Lower race has a top prize of $300,000 and trophy, while the race for two-year-old animals will be contested for a winning purse of $200,000 along with trophy.

In the event for J and K and Lower non-winners for 2019, the winner will race away with a winners’ take of $175,000 and trophy.

The L and lower animals will be galloping for a bounty of $150,000 and trophy.

The first race is expected to run-off from 12:30 hours.

This event is sponsored by Jumbo Jet, Star Party Rentals, MovieTowne, Super Bet, Homeline furnishing, Impressive Signs and Graphics, Sue Brothers Restaurant, Trophy Stall, Caribbean Nations Group, 88.5 Rock FM, 94.1 Boom FM, Tower Suits, and HGPTV.

Top horse Lucky Star (centre) lost on Thursday last to Storm Bird (Brandon Corlette photo)

Ireland arrive for Trophy Stall continues pushing sport ahead West Indies tour I

reland arrived in the Caribbean on Saturday to begin their Limited Overs Series against West Indies, which bowls off in 8 days’ time with a day/night One-Day International at the Kensington Oval.

West Indies will host Ireland for a full whiteball series of three Colonial Medical Insurance One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is) starting on January 7, 2020 in Barbados. There will also be play in Grenada and St. Kitts.

This will be the first time Ireland have played the West Indies in a full threematch series in both ODIs and T20Is. The Colonial Medical

games on Tuesday a n d

Thursday, before concluding with a day game at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada on Sunday, January 12.

Grenada hosts the first T20I on Wednesday, January 15, before both teams fly to St. Kitts to play back-to-back day/night T20Is to conclude the series on Saturday, January 18 and Sunday January 19.

This will be the first time Ireland will play the West Indies in a full three-match series in both ODIs and T20Is

Insurance ODIs starts on January 9 at Kensington Oval with two day/night

West Indies won the only ODI that the two sides contested in 2010 at

John Campbell and Shai Hope put on the biggest opening stand in all ODI cricket against Ireland

Sabina Park in Jamaica. In February 2014, both teams returned to play in Jamaica, where West Indies won the sole ODI played whilst the two-match T20I series was drawn one match apiece.

The most recent ODI encounter in May 2019 featured a world record opening partnership of 365 from openers John Campbell and Shai Hope, who both scored centuries in a resounding win for the West Indies.

John Campbell's score of 179 is now the 4th highest ODI score in West Indies history. Hope followed with a career best of 170, while the team's total of 381 is the second highest score for West Indies in ODIs. Hope went on to earn the Player of the Series.

All told, West Indies have won seven of the nine ODIs and two of the four T20Is the two sides have contested since Ireland’s elevation to the international stage.

Both white-ball sides will be led by Andrea Balbirnie, who last month succeeded William Porter­field. Graham Ford, Ireland’s head coach,

said the tourists were excited about the possibilities on the Caribbean tour.

“There is a confidence and self-belief around the camp which comes from recent successes, and we’re looking to build on that in 2020,” he said recently. “Being our first-ever multi-format tour of the Caribbean, there is certainly a bit of a buzz around the squad, and come the seventh of January, we’ll be more than ready to begin what is an exciting year in Irish cricket.”

Ireland ODI Squad: Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, Andrew McBrine, Barry McCarthy, James McCollum, Kevin O’Brien, William Porterfield, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

T20I – Andrew Balbirnie (captain), Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

Ramesh Sunich and wife

T

rophy Stall has been serving the nation of Guyana for a number of years, and have impacted the world of sport both abroad and locally, making them a household name on the lips of many Guyanese.

The man behind the driving force is none other than proprietor Ramesh Sunich.

Trophy Stall has sponsored many local cricket, softball, volleyball, horse racing, cycling, badminton, football, chess and other tournaments over the years. The entity has functioned out of its Bourda Market Branch, South Road, City Mall and recently opened Port Mourant, Berbice branch.

No one can question the benevolence of businessman Ramesh Sunich. A Masters Softball player and avid sports enthusiast, Sunich continues to express his deep love for the growth and development of sports in his homeland.

In a society where sponsorship for sporting activities is hard to come by, Sunich has demonstrated the desire to make a difference by willingly donating trophies, medals and other paraphernalia to just about everyone who turns up at his counter.

This generous Guyanese has put smiles on the faces of many of his countrymen and women who excel in their respective disciplines, and this has made him a well-known figure in the sporting arena.

He was even awarded Sports personality of the year in 2018 because of his impeccable work in the sporting arena.

One of the highlights for the Trophy Stall business was the sponsoring of the Toronto Cup, which was held in Canada in September.

Sunich was particularly inspired by his father Neville Sunich who was a jockey and owned a business stall in Bourda Market. From this his love for sports stemmed, whatever the sport Sunich’s mentality for the growth of sports in Guyana will always be top priority when it comes to the role his business plays locally and abroad.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, DECEMBER 31, 2019

23

Fruta Conquerors, GDF advance to Super 16 final C

ome January 1, Fruta Conquerors and the Guyana Defence Force FC will lock horns in an exhilarating battle for a 2-million-dollar prize in the final of the GFF Super 16 Cup. Following Den Amstel’s elimination in the quarterfinal, it became public knowledge that the new championship spot was now opened to whichever team wanted it. With this in mind, Fruta Conquerors, Santos, GDF FC and the Guyana Police Force FC got down to business on Sunday evening in the semifinal of the Guyana Football Federation’s Super 16 Cup. In the first encounter of the night, 2019 Elite League Champions Fruta

Ryan Hackett finally hit the nail on the head four minutes into extra time, booking Fruta Conqueror’s ticket to the final.

Captain

Vurlon Mills explained how important the victory was to the team.

“In a semifinal, a win is always important. From the time the tournament started for us, we took it as a serious game because we know once we lose we’re out of the tournament. My players today, we came together, we played as team, and that was most important to our victory to-

to keep pushing and get more goals. I think my team created a lot of chances to score back but it was just for that final moment to put it behind the net.”

It was a law enforcement battle in the second semifinal as the nation’s two armed forces clashed for the second spot in the final. The highly aggressive encounter saw its first bit of excitement when Delroy Fraser found the back of the net in the 25th for GDF’s first goal.

Parnell Schultz even things up just before the half for Police, to set up an interesting second.

There the Policemen came out blazing with a goal off the boots of Schultz in the 50th, to take the lead.

With the end of regulation time nearing, the

A glimpse of the battle between Fruta Conquerors and Santos

Holder 1st and 4th in year-end Test rankings ꟷ Labuschange gains career best

The Guyana Defence Force outfit

Conquerors got an early lead when they took on Santos FC. Forward Delon Lanferman beat the Santos goalkeeper Alex Murray in the 11th for the game’s first goal.

Thereafter, the remainder of the half went quietly but not without brief moments of thrill as shots at the goal went astray. A determined Santos sought to level the scores and did so through a 58th minute goal, off the boots of Orin Yarde.

With the scores tied up, both sides fought to find winning goal before regulation time expired. Fruta Conquerors did not look themselves as they missed the nets completely on a handful of tries.

night,” Mills stated.

In his post- match remarks, Mills was keen to praise Santos for their valiant effort in the nail-biting match.

“I think Santos came out and they did a fairly okay job, they did well but we managed to come out on top,” he explained.

Addressing the emotions in the Fruta Conquerors team, following Santos’ 58th minute equalizer, Mills explained that it gave the team an incentive to work harder.

“I didn’t expect the game to go into extra time, but for me that motivated me. I saw more energy from my teammates when they equalized and that gave me the drive

Policemen felt as though they had the game in the bag but the army men had more in store for them.

Travis Henry, Delwin Fraser and Sherwin Ceasar netted back to back goals in the 82nd, 85th and 90+1 as the military team stamped their authority.

The MACORP, BACIF, Pegasus Hotel, Marics and Company, Hits and Jams, THAG, NAMILCO and Impressions sponsored tournament will conclude on January 1st at the Georgetown Football Club ground, Bourda.

While GDF faces off with Fruta Conquerors for the 2-million-dollar first prize, Santos will take on Police FC for the third position.

Jason Holder

A

career-best fourth position for Marnus Labuschagne and a move up to No. 10 for Quinton de Kock were the headlines of the year-end ICC rankings for men's batting in Test cricket.

India captain Virat Kohli stayed on top of the list - for 274 days in 2019 - with second-placed Steven Smith, who was the No. 1 batsman for 91 days earlier in the year, behind him.

Labuschagne's scores of 63 and 19 in Australia's 247run win against New Zealand in Melbourne pushed him up

by one slot from No. 5. He began the year ranked 110th, with only two Tests against his name, but was prolific in his 11 outings in the format since, making 1104 runs in 17 innings at an average of 64.94.

Wicketkeeper-batsman de Kock, meanwhile, advanced eighth places to get in the top ten following his Player-ofthe-Match contribution, with scores of 95 and 34, in South Africa's 107-run victory in the series-opener against England in Centurion.

Australia fast bowler Pat

Cummins retained his spot atop the bowler's rankings in Tests following his firstinnings five-wicket haul in Melbourne. He has occupied the top position for 322 days this year, while South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada, who was No. 1 for 44 days after starting 2019 in top position, finished the year at No. 3.

Replacing Rabada in the second spot was New Zealand quick Neil Wagner, who climbed one position on the back of his seven-wicket match haul in Melbourne.

The retiring Vernon Philander advanced three positions up to No. 5 to complete the top five on the bowlers' rankings alongside the fourth-placed Jason Holder, who continued to lead the allrounders' rankings in Tests. Save for the fifth-placed R Ashwin, who climbed up one spot, the top five allrounders in Tests Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes and Philander the others retained their spots.

As far as team rankings for the World Test Championship (WTC) go, Australia consolidated their position in second place of the points table. They added 40 points from their win in Melbourne to take their tally to 256 points from nine games. Top-placed India are 104 points clear of Australia while South Africa collected 30 points after their first win in the WTC and trail New Zealand and England, who occupied the fifth and sixth positions with 60 and 56 points respectively. (ESPN Cricinfo)

tuesday, DECEMBER 31, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 20

Berbice Mecca Classic Basketball Fruta Conquerors, Championship GDF advance to continues on Saturday Super 16 final Page 23

Guyana Jaguars 3-Day Practice match…

Page 20

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