Guyana Times Tuesday February 25, 2020

India Govt offers P15 scholarships to Guyanese

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

Issue No. 4207

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

PRICE

GECOM voting place snafu

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Eccles residents to vote in cow pasture

...2000 voters to use 1 cramped Health Centre

Fatal hit-and-run accident

Damaged car found hidden in container P9

by CANU Mash Night row ends in chopping P9

…65-year-old man critical

See story on page 3

Minibus operators need to stop extorting money from commuters – Minibus Union P9 Head

This pasture with no direct pathway in Eccles, East Bank Demerara has been designated a polling place by the Guyana Elections Commission for persons at Windsor Forest Estates to vote in the upcoming General and Regional Elections on March 2, 2020

General and Regional Elections

Private Sector criticises discriminatory reduction of polling places See story on page 7

…Opposition Leader warns of protest action against GECOM

Commonwealth urges free and fair elections in Guyana See story on page 11

…as Head of observer team arrives ahead of E-Day

Fatal holiday weekend: 2 die in separate accidents

See stories on pages 8 & 10

Pork-knocker to face Judge, jury for P10 beheading brother-in-law

Patient commits suicide at National P15 Psychiatric Hospital

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, February 25 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Wednesday, February 26 – 05:00h – 06:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, February 25 – 05:20h – 06:50h and Wednesday, February 26 – 05:40h - 07:10h.

GECOM voting place snafu

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Eccles residents to vote in cow pasture ...2000 voters to use 1 cramped Health Centre

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY

Expect sunny intervals and light cloud during the day. There will be clear skies at night.

Temperatures should range between 20 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

This pasture, which is used by residents to graze cows, has been designated by GECOM as a site for a polling place

The Eccles Health Centre

there isn’t room to accommodate six Polling Stations.”

Winds: Easterly to East North-Easterly to NorthEasterly to between 1.34 metres and 4.47 metres.

Unsuitable

This publication was pointed to a spot in the compound which is the expected location for a tent. Kumar contended that the yard is an unsuitable location. He noted that in the past, several private residences were used in Eccles without incident.

High Tide: 17:53h reaching a maximum height of 2.68 metres.

Low Tide: 11:28 and 23:37h reaching minimum heights of 0.58 metre and 0.57 metre.

NDC Chairman Hafeez Hack GECOM’s sign on the privately-owned Windsor Estates gate

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2020

LOTTERY NUMBERS K

02 03 08

10 20 21

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FREE TICKET

Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01 07 13 22 25 LUCKY 3

3

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Afternoon Draw

1

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Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01

05

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PAY DAY

SUPER PAY DAY

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2020

02 11 12 15 18

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators

US$

Crude Oil Rough Rice London Sugar

$56.30/barrel $243.27/ton $414.80/ton

Live Spot Gold

Change %

-3.91 -0.41 0.00

USD Per Ounce

Bid/Ask $1648.20 $1649.20 Low/High $1642.80 $1689.60 Change - 11.20 -0.67%

ith the removal of private residences in Eccles, East Bank Demerara, as polling places, concern is being expressed that large numbers of voters will be inconvenienced on Election Day by the use of tents in compounds and even a field used to graze cows.

The prevailing concern is that instead of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) facilitating a smooth and easy process, the Secretariat’s decisions will make voting so difficult for voters in Eccles, that they will stay home.

At Eccles Health Centre, which is being used as a polling place, almost 2000 persons are scheduled to vote.

When this publication examined the building itself, the interior appeared somewhat cramped to accommodate polling day staff and a crowd of voters.

There is only one entrance and exit into the yard. In addition, voting is a process that can take five to ten minutes for individual voters. In cases where a voter does not have an ID card, they have to be interviewed by the Presiding Officer, who has to compare the voter’s face to the registered voter in the folio.

It is only after the officer is satisfied regarding the voter’s identity and an oath is taken, that they are allowed to vote. This newscast was informed that a tent will be erected in the yard, but even this appeared to be a challenge. Former parliamentarian and Eccles resident, Neil Kumar spoke of the logistical challenges should GECOM go ahead with this plan.

“This polling place has six polling stations. At this polling place, we have 1955 persons registered to vote. Our concern is that when we went into the building and spoke to the doctor, there’s not a single room in the building that can accommodate a Polling

Station. Why?” “A Polling Station will have to have a desk for the Presiding Officer, the Deputy Presiding Officer, the Ballot Clerk, plus they must have a desk for at least nine Polling Agents. None of the rooms can accommodate that. Even if you put them out here,

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

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

Safeguarding integrity of the elections

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ll Guyanese are hoping for free, fair and transparent elections come March 2; however, developments during the preparatory period have raised, and continue to raise, concerns over the delivery of exemplary elections.

The latest of these developments is the reduction of polling stations apparently in areas considered to be strongholds of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC). From what is in the public domain, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has now abandoned the use of private residences as polling stations.

This development will undoubtedly lead to serious logistical challenges in terms of greatly increased numbers of voters being facilitated at fewer polling places. More people turning up to vote, with less polling stations being available to facilitate the exercise of their franchise sums up the potential logistical nightmare that stands to present itself come March 02.

Persons who in 2015 voted at a particular polling station within reasonable proximity to where they reside will now have to travel long distances -- in some cases, to areas that are traditionally hostile to supporters of the PPPC -- to cast a ballot. This new development can invoke fear in persons, and potentially deter voters from voting.

These apprehensions are in addition to the frustration that would likely surface, especially since people stand to spend a longer time in queues. It begs the question as to what could be the real reason behind this decision to reduce the number of polling stations.

What makes the motive of this decision seemingly sinister is that the reduction of polling stations alluded to is taking place only in areas that are strongholds of the PPPC. That could suggest a deliberate attempt at trying to frustrate PPPC supporters in the affected areas, and could be seen as a calculated move to deter them from voting. Already, many have voiced disapproval over this move by GECOM, with some stakeholders calling for a reversal of this decision, given that it places voters in those areas at a disadvantage.

It is not the first instance of decisions being made by GECOM -- especially by its Secretariat -- appearing to be advantageous to the APNU/AFC coalition. The house-to-house (HTH) registration process, which began with the approval of Justice Patterson days before he resigned, went ahead despite being deemed illegal. The manner in which it unfolded, and the seeming determination of the Secretariat to have it implemented, gave the impression of intent to not have all included in the process.

Eventually, it was halted by a ruling of the court.

There were other instances when the Secretariat had sought to implement mechanisms that were deemed advantageous to the APNU/AFC coalition. The concerns over these particular elections are therefore not unfounded, given how related they may be to what had obtained in the past.

Many believe that, in retrospect, these concerns may have been birthed when President David Granger unilaterally and unconstitutionally appointed Justice Patterson as Chairman of GECOM. Many felt that appointment was part of an allegedly calculated ploy to rig the constitutionally due general elections that would have followed 2015. Despite opposition to Patterson’s appointment, the President was unmoved, and it took a ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to quash that appointment. However, that did not deter the APNU/AFC coalition government from engaging in tactics that seemed deliberately intended to subvert the Constitution and the will of the Guyanese people.

These are apparently now being manifested through the reduction of polling stations in areas that are strongholds of the PPPC. In the end, these developments have serious potential to negatively impact the integrity of the crucial March 02 elections. In the interest of fairness and credibility, no voter must be placed at a disadvantage.

As such, GECOM would need to revisit its decision to reduce the number of polling stations, just as it needs to revisit its decision to use tents for the purpose of voting. The integrity of these elections must not be compromised.

Dancers at the Rang Rasiya – the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha's annual Phagwah Mela – on Monday at the Dharmic Kendra, Prashad Nagar (Abel Harris photo)

Citizens have every right to suspect GECOM’s intentions Dear Editor, Something is rotten at Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).

GECOM is not doing everything it needs to ensure free and fair elections. While the PPP has been fighting this battle, the small parties have remained silent, as if there is nothing to bother about. Their silence is acquiescence.

There is a community in Paradise and several adjoining communities along the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, that have used two traditional polling places for many elections, going back to the 1990s and all the recent ones in 2006, 2011, 2015 General and Regional Elections and the 2016 and 2018 Local Government Elections. These places were Ramlackan Rice Mill and Sea Rice Mill (now Hack’s Rice Mill). For the March 2, 2020 elections, GECOM will no longer use these two polling places. Instead, people will be forced to walk long distances to a polling place that has become a poster child for corruption and squandermania and that has earned the nickname Donkey Park. It is presently in no condition to be used as a polling place, less than one week from the elections. It is a long distance from where people live. It is desolate. It is far from being more secure than the two places it has replaced.

This is one of the many examples where the replacement of private properties with a public building is begging certain questions that no one has answered. We have heard one reason being proffered for the change of some of these private places

to public buildings - greater security. Justice Claudette Singh must inform the nation what were the security problems encountered at these private properties in the past that now has led to them being unsuitable. It is not for one election, but for many elections that these places earned their reputation as traditional, safe voting places. So what is the record of security problems encountered in the past? If none, they have proven safe.

What then are the new security problems envisaged?

How are these places less secure than the ones replacing them? How is Donkey Park more secure than the two traditional sites?

It is a hallmark of free and fair elections - making it easier, more comfortable, less fearful, for people to vote. Ramlackan Rice Mill and Sea Rice are polling places right smack in the middle of the communities they served in the past. Donkey Park is a much longer walk for the vast majority of people in that voting catchment area, its desolateness making it more fearful for people. The change has made it more difficult for voters, not easier, less comfortable, lining up in the sun or rain if it is bad weather. What then is the logic for the change - is it that the change is intended to add to the credentials of free and fair elections or add to voter suppression?

Justice Singh needs to address these concerns of the people of Region Two and the Guyanese public.

The details for this one change is similar to many other changes made for the March 2, 2020 elections.

Across the country, there

has been a significant reduction in the number of polling places and none of the reasons given for the cut-back makes any sense. The example above indicates the total lack of any logic in the change made. The removal of polling places where people live in areas like Mon Repos, Good Hope etc and sending whole communities of thousands of people into one school, as pointed out by the former Attorney General, Anil Nandlall and the PPP, meet none of the reasons given by GECOM. In Mon Repos alone where there were 19 polling places traditionally, including several private places, more than 10,000 people will crowd into two polling places at the Mon Repos Nursery and the Mon Repos Primary School. In Foulis, there were previously 9 polling places in private properties and one public place, this large voting population will now vote in tents on the line top.

In Good Hope where people have traditionally voted in five polling places, three of them located in private properties, voters will now vote in tents on the line top and at one public place, which happens to be a small nursery school. This is a recipe for chaos. There is absolutely no improvement in security and no improvement in access, safety and overall making the process easier for voters.

The introduction of tents into the election defies logic that GECOM is trying to improve security, comfort and access for voters. There is no way the tents are more secure than the polling places used in the 2011, 2015 elections and the 2016 and

2018 Local Government Elections. How come coincidentally, the voters affected are in PPP strongholds?

What then are the motivating factors for the change?

The excuse that GECOM has decided to de-emphasise private properties and to move polling places into public sector facilities is reduced to hogwash when one examines the list of polling places published by GECOM. In strongholds of APNU/ AFC, such as in South Georgetown, the number of private properties used has increased. GECOM itself has confirmed it is not ending the practice of using private properties. Clearly, the places where private properties have been discontinued are in traditional PPP strongholds and in places where it has been maintained and even increased are in APNU/AFC strongholds. Is this a coincidence?

Is this driven by a sinister motive?

The contention that the decision was not arbitrary, but was made by the Commission as a whole has been rebutted. Three Commissioners have reported that they consented to a list of polling places in January 2020 that included those that have now been abandoned and that a new list was indicated on February 17, 2020, a list they never discussed or consented to. It was an arbitrary decision.

Something sinister is afoot and Justice Claudette Singh must explain these anomalies to the Guyanese people.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

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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

We demand a return to the original polling places Dear Editor, We the people of Guyana are asking that polling places be returned to their original locations or simply put, we are asking that polling places return to its existing format as in the 2015 elections and elections thereafter. This is to facilitate a smooth, transparent and incident-free election.

Changing this existing arrangement would only create or cause to create a situation of chaos and mass disenfranchisement of the potential voter. I make this call because now is the time to correct this atrocity because come Election Day when it is all over there would be no room for a revisit of the said circumstances.

This arbitrary last-minute change of polling places comes as a shock to everyone as information coming to hand from GECOM itself tells a totally different story.

The evidence that is before us is of a Commission sitting down together making a consensual agreement as to the official places of poll, however, what confronts us is a CEO, Lowenfield, making drastic changes to that arrangement, putting thou-

sands of electors at risk of being disenfranchised.

My question is who gave Lowenfield Claudette Singh seems to go along with it - that right to arbitrarily change the voter location arrangement? The answer is no one, but they who took it upon themselves in a lowdown, way which amounts to denying the voter his constitutional right.

And to think of it, this was surgically done in PPP/C strongholds only! It can only be interpreted literally as one cutting off your legs and telling you to run.

This smacks of deception and gross underhand conduct that must stop now!

Again, I call on the other contesting parties as well as the international community to come forward and launch their disapproval of this move.

Then, they have the audacity to issue an explanation that this is a recommendation made by The Carter Center. Yes, The Carter Center made that recommendation but what they are not telling us is that if that advice is to be foolproof it has to be done across the political landscape. It has

to be done on an even scale which calls for the PNC strongholds as well.

As it is, the PNC strongholds are intact as well as there are a number of polling places still housed in private residences. The plain truth before us is that this latest move was carefully planned with the sole aim to frustrate PPP/C voters.

Even more distressing is the fact that some of the polling areas were wholly lifted and placed in PNC stronghold places such as Bagotville. Having PPP/C voters go to cast their ballots in a PNC stronghold is criminal, to say the least, it is just creating a situation of instability and chaos.

This is outrageous and we will not sit idly by and accept this, GECOM knows fully well what will take place should this happen, so trying to give some mumbo jumbo explanation would not change the facts. The point is the PNC and its leadership would stir up trouble at the sight of PPP/C or perceived PPP/C voters coming into their area, that’s an undeniable fact.

Even more distressing is the fact that one Polling

Station on the East Coast of Demerara, Lusignan, is positioned in a tent near to a maximum-security prison.

Hogwash! Can Lowenfield and Claudette Singh tell anyone for that matter what “security” that holds for us?

No one, even if you have half a brain, would ever consider doing something like that, but the “sensible” CEO thinks so. Further to our discussion is the fact that the Chairwoman who is supposed to be a former Judge can also go along with that crap, it speaks volumes of her morality and leadership qualities.

What if there is a prison break on Election Day, and God forbid that this should happen then picture the scene of bullets flying and thousands of innocent civilians being trapped in the crossfire. With the PNC’s propensity for violence, this is the real case scenario before us. We do not want any voter to be afraid to carry out his mandate neither do we want any voter to be disenfranchised. The situations I have raised above will spell doom if we do not revert back to what existed before.

Dear Editor, Many Guyanese are currently agonising over which vote to cast in the upcoming National and Regional Elections scheduled for Monday, March 2, 2020.

Today, we live in a world where political competition is becoming fiercer, and everyone is being well-opinionated, expressive and firm in their choices.

Nevertheless, despite our political differences and views, we must take into consideration morals, attitudes, respect and manners that we, as citizens, must regard and practice throughout this serious electoral process.

Free and fair elections and functioning electoral systems are the quintessence of democracy. Democracy is important because traditionally liberal, constitutional democratic governments tend to perform well. People living in these societies, tend to have higher standards of living, greater educational opportunities, longer life expectancy, greater access to culture and diversity, better reported happiness and life fulfilment, more freedom including freedom of expression, and more wealth than people living within undemocratic regimes.

When Guyanese vote, the Government and the lives of people can either become better or worse. If the wrong choices are made, racist, sexist, discriminatory or unjust mindsets can be attenuated, and the future of our lives and the next generation will be at stake. Economic op-

portunities can vanish or fail to materialise. Millions or even trillions of dollars will be spent on ill-conceived plans and entitlement programmes that do little to stimulate economies or alleviate poverty. We fail to spend money on national development programmes that would contribute more to the society’s welfare. We inflict and perpetuate injustice and poverty. To avoid this, every eligible Guyanese should practice their civic right to vote.

Do not let the call for the reduction of Polling Stations hinder your right to vote.

Stand strong to cast your ballot and do not allow yourself to be disadvantaged. Under the People’s Representation Act (amended), voting is legally and morally important.

It changes the quality, scope, and kind of Government.

Electoral outcomes can be harmful or beneficial, just or unjust depending on which party or coalition obtains the majority of votes.

Although many countries have included code of conduct practices and outlawed discrimination in procedural systems, practices of political discrimination are still prevalent. Several countries that still struggle with the development of their nation tend to face minority/ Indigenous rights issues and security threats, which may exercise political discrimination against sections of the population.

The increasing indifference and antipathy towards politics, combined with the emergence of populism, un-

dermines a democratic outcome in countries such as Guyana. We abandon, hurt, exploit, oppress and discriminate our fellow Guyanese.

Many of us are greedy to gain power and status, and in so doing, people are often ill-treated and victimised. Crime has increased in our country, and it is quite shameful and absolutely appalling that our motto – One people, one nation, one destiny – is not followed nor practised. Instead, racial segregation has been the outcome and injustice has been a consequence. We allow our political differences and opinions to separate us and as a result, conflict is widespread in our country.

As the famous nationalist, Mahatma Gandhi rightfully said, “Many people gather around power and very few around country”. This is evident in Guyana, as certain people yearn for power and control for themselves rather than for the country’s further development, enhancement and progress.

As Guyanese citizens, it is our obligatory duty to abide by the Constitution and exert respect amongst others. It should be agreed and established that, regardless of race, religion, gender, status or political preference, we must respect and accept the opinions of our fellow country’s man.

Despite the seriousness of this time, we must practice safety and be extremely cautious and aware of our surroundings.

We should all desist from throwing rude remarks,

bullying or fighting. In the Polling Stations on Elections Day, it is important not to intimidate or disrespect anyone. Do not be fearful in Polling Stations. Be mannerly, polite and accepting to others. Also, remember, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but, in expressing this opinion, we should be careful not to offend others. Do not vote based on race. Fellow Guyanese, ensure to vote for a political party that will most certainly work with democracy to further develop and enrich our country, a party that promises absolute transparency and truth.

We will come across adversity in every sphere of our lives, and there is no doubt of coming face to face with a person who has nothing but malice, hatred and cruelty in their hearts. When we are united, our country will experience major progress.

United we stand, divided we fall. The one thing that can truly bind us together forever is love, love of country, love of dreams, love of hope and love of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is only through the strength of unity, acceptance and spread of kindness, our nation can be a much better, safer, just and enhanced place. Remember to always be kind, accepting, just and faithful. Let us not be overcome by evil but let evil be overcome by good. May justice prevail in this land of ours.

Election musings

Sincerely, Hadiyyah Mohamed

We want, I dare say, we demand a situation where we can vote in peace unhindered and unfettered by any encumbrances. If we do not get back a favourable response from GECOM, then we have no other alternative

than to hit the road in mass protest against this grave injustice brought upon us by that shameless clique at GECOM. Respectfully, Neil Adams

The choice is yours on March 2, 2020 Dear Editor, Where is the visionary thinking in the Government of Guyana’s much-celebrated purchase of an electric car? This paucity of cognitive ability in the Granger Administration is worrisome in extremis. The supercilious fuss over a purchase of a vehicle whose target market is the climate zealous housewife in America and which has no tangible benefit to Guyana exposes the shallowness of thought and action in the Administration; fluff and bluff. It is not that Guyana cannot go ‘green’ but first we must think, plan and be capable of executing the plan.

All Guyanese know that there is a massive shortfall of supply in our electrical grid, how would the addition of vehicles requiring electricity affect the already dire situation? There has to be abundant, cheap electrical supply to consider the move towards electric vehicles, should that energy come from diesel, natural gas or hydro is where we start the conversation.

Then we can move to our involvement with electric cars, do we buy them at exorbitant prices as we did with this overpriced microwave bought by the GEA?

Or do we think like a developed nation and explore the possibility of developing our vehicle, assembling someone else’s or some other manufacturing solution.

Those incapable of thinking big should get out of Government and get back to pushing whatever paper they were before 2015.

Guyana has produced vehicles in the past, the “Tapir” was an aluminium-bodied vehicle and some are still with us plying the taxi trade in the Skeldon area, should we want to think ahead, cheap hydro or natural gas power opens the possibility of an aluminium smelter plant in Linden; with that, aluminium body electric cars, all designed and built for the local and international markets become a distinct possibility.

The “Jaguar” moniker is taken, but the “Electric eel” is available. Our possibilities as a nation lie within our minds and our grasp.

We can think, innovate and build our own or go with the Granger lot and buy electric Nissans. We had 55 billion reasons not to vote for Granger, now we have 55 billion and one. The choice is yours on March 2, 2020.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

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By Tim Lydon

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limate-related disasters are on the rise, and carbon emissions are soaring. Parents today face the unprecedented challenge of raising children somehow prepared for a planetary emergency that may last their lifetimes. Few guidebooks are on the shelves for this one, yet, but experts do have advice. And in a bit of happy news, it includes strategies already widely recognised as good for kids.

First, consider that a child born today enters a world growing progressively hotter, where recent weather extremes have displaced tens of millions of people.

Scientists say displacement may swell into the hundreds of millions in the years ahead, as the rapid melting of glaciers now underway drives sea levels upward.

The resulting migrations will likely trigger conflict, hunger, and political instability. As we already see in the children pressed against the US-Mexico border, many of them fleeing drought in Central America, migrations may also lead to hardened borders and xenophobic or racist impulses. All this causes military analysts to call climate change a "threat multiplier" that can exacerbate existing social problems.

Parents today must brace kids for both the direct

Foundation

physical impacts of climate change and the humanitarian crises they will trigger, which m a y

be worsened by human behaviours.

Whether kids experience the events personally or in the context of world news, experts say kids will need strong foundations in resilience, positive thinking, compassion, and other skills to maintain mental health and inform their responses.

"It's a lot for parents to think about," said Tracey Wiese, an advanced nurse practitioner who specialises in family practice and psychiatric mental health in Alaska. As warming brings transformative, upending landscapes, cultural norms, and nutritional resources, Wiese sees growing anxiety among parents.

"I hear about it every week now," she said from her office in Anchorage, Alaska.

"Parents are worried about existential stuff, l i k e clean water, a livable planet for their k i d s ,

even catastrophic environmental events."

Wiese said parents can use a range of strategies to help children, but that kids first require a supportive relationship with one or more caregivers.

"That connection is vital for helping children develop skills such as resilience," she said.

Positive stress and strong support networks

Wiese defines resilience as the ability to manage stress and adapt to change. Her words are backed by a 2017 American Psychological Association (APA) report on the mental health impacts of climate change, which also emphasises strong caregiver support and the value of resilience. For parents, the report's authors recommend cultivating belief in a child's own resilience, fostering optimism, and teaching children to control emotional

responses to change. These common tenets of modern parenting the report said are made especially important by climate change.

Psychologists also describe the value of "positive stress", which may include public speaking, making new friends, and other experiences that can briefly increase heart rates, but help wire young minds to adapt to change. Parents who provide supportive coaching through these normal life experiences help kids develop resilience.

"Parents also need to model positive and appropriate responses to stress," Wiese said.

Like many things, what happens earliest in life matters most, but teens and even adults can still improve resilience. The APA offers an online guide with age-appropriate strategies for par-

ents.

In contrast, stress related to poverty, malnutrition, violence, or abuse can weaken a child's resilience, a c t ing as "threat multipliers" of their own for children born into the climate change era. In such cases, climate can compound existing stress, potentially increasing odds for substance abuse, anxiety, or depression, according to the authors of the APA report.

Especially where caregiver support is lacking, coach-

es, teachers, and other mentors can help young people manage these negative stressors. It's a reminder that entire communities, not just parents, will have a hand in raising climate-resilient children.

That community focus is an important factor according to Susan Clayton, a psychologist at Wooster College in Ohio and co-editor of Psychology and Climate Change: Human Perceptions, Impacts, and Responses, which summarises psychological research tied to climate change.

"Strong social support networks give children a better foundation in resilience," Clayton said. She lists teachers, clubs, and faith communities as good examples of social networks that become "sources of meaning" for kids. (Excerpt from YES! Magazine)

A

bookplate is a small printed label that the owner of a book sticks to its inside front cover. To make sure everyone knows the book belongs to him or her, a bookplate includes the name of the book owner. It also typically once included an illustration, motto, coat-ofarms, or crest that related to the owner of the book. Many bookplates are extremely well designed or illustrated and are considered by some people to be a unique art form.

The Library of Congress has a bookplate that Edgar Rice Burroughs (the author of Tarzan and the John Carter series) used for the books in his home library.

The bookplate was designed by his nephew and includes drawings that represent characters in Burroughs' famous books as well as details about his life. Burroughs ex-

plains the meaning behind the pictures in his bookplate in a letter to a bookplate collector.

Create an illustrated bookplate for the books in your home library. Have your design represent you — who you are and what you like to do! Then, as Burroughs did, write a letter that explains the meaning of your pictures and why you chose to draw those particular images for your bookplate. (startwithabook.org)

NEWS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

General and Regional Elections

Private Sector criticises discriminatory reduction of polling places …Opposition Leader warns of protest action against GECOM

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

T

he Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) - has come out swinging against the Guyana Election Commission’s (GECOM) drastic but unequal reduction of private residences as polling places, warning that it will protest against the decision if necessary.

This was communicated in a statement on the social media account of the party’s General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo. While the party expressed hope that they would not have to resort to

such measures, it noted that GECOM’s decisions is a discriminatory one.

“We will continue in its relentless struggle to reverse the discriminatory, unfair and inequitable allocation of polling places so that the Guyanese electorate right across the country, but more particularly, on the East Coast Demerara, are afforded the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote on March 2, 2020, in fair, convenient and hassle-free environment,” Jagdeo said on social media.

He added that the party will continue to engage GECOM, the international community and the international observer teams in Guyana until this matter is satisfactorily addressed. “If necessary, we are prepared to galvanise the tens of thousands of electors who are affected,” Jagdeo warned.

Here, the party specifically referred to the worst affected communities of Mon Repos, Good Hope, Lusignan, Annandale and Foulis on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD). However,

GECOM Chair, Retired Justice Claudette Singh

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield

the party did not rule out involving other areas of the country in a peaceful protest against GECOM.

out that, while GECOM is bound in law to observe the statutory process requiring the Chief Election Officer to act within the authority of the Commission, he appears to have acted unilaterally and on his own by changing the location of polling places between January and February and without informing the contesting political parties,” the Commission said in a statement on Monday.

The PSC noted that it is dismayed at the claim reported in the media to have

Private Sector

The Private Sector Commission (PSC) was also heavily critical of the reduction of polling places and noted the “very real possibility” that a large number of voters, particularly in rural areas, will be disenfranchised due to the changes made by GECOM. “The Private Sector Commission wishes to point

Eccles residents to...

“Right over there, for all the years, we used to use Flamboyant [supermarket] and we use to have four Polling Stations there. We use to use the Singh residence, with two Polling Stations there. They also started using Basil’s shop.

So, the area would have been accommodated adequately without any difficulties.”

Recipe for confusion

Former Education Minister Shaik Baksh, another resident, called the arrangement a recipe for confusion. He pointed out that the area, a People’s Progressive Party (PPP) stronghold, usually has a high voter turnout and questioned whether this was the agenda behind cutting down on polling places in the area.

“It is puzzling that up to January, we knew what the Polling Stations were.

We were using the private residences. We had seven Polling Stations in this area.

So, it’s quite puzzling what is the agenda behind it.”

“We went out there and told the electors in January, February that their Polling Stations remain the same.

To suddenly change it to a totally inadequate place, is a recipe for confusion.

Because Polling Stations cannot be held in there. And the grounds, if rain fall, oh my. This area is predominantly PPP/C supporters. So that might be the reason behind these moves.”

Cow pasture

Nor is that all. This publication also visited a site opposite the Windsor Forest Estates, that has been earmarked by GECOM, complete with a sign, for a polling place that will service 162 voters.

When this publication arrived, however, we were greeted by a large plot of unprepared land which residents informed is used for grazing cows. There is no direct passageway from the road to the intended site, since it is separated by a trench devoid of any bridge.

To access the site, one must either jump the weedchoked trench or walk some distance around, down a red loam pathway.

Frustrate voters

Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC)

Chairman Hafeez Hack was adamant in his belief that the intent is to frustrate voters.

“Of course, of course! If you’re going to place a tent there, you have to go till to that end and come back all the way here. It’s to frustrate people so they say, they not able with this they will go home. That’s the logic behind it.”

When contacted, GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Ward referred this publication to the Representation of the People’s Act. Asked whether the cost was a consideration in replacing private residences with tents, she could not say.

On the use of tents, she noted that tents will be used if no other appropriate building is available in the division. Asked specifically about the rationale of 1955 persons voting at the Eccles Health Centre, Ward noted that she would have to check on that.

The issue of the reduction of polling places was brought to the fore by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) last week.

The party’s GECOM

Commissioners Bibi Shadick, Sase Gunraj and Robeson Benn - have rejected the unilateral changes made by the Chief Elections Officer, Keith Lowenfield and his Secretariat. The par-

been made by the Chairman of GECOM that “the decision to change the location of these polling places was in response to a recommendation made by the Carter Center that private residences should not be used as polling places.”

According to the Commission, it checked and found that the Carter Center did not recommend the removal of private residences as Polling Stations. This claim was made by GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, only days ago.

“The PSC has checked and is informed that the Carter Center in its final report, following the 2015 elections, made no such recommendation and we call upon the Carter Center to immediately publicly make the Center’s position clear on this matter,” the PSC said.

The PSC added that it must also point out that, in any event, GECOM has, in fact, identified a number of private residences for polling places and mainly in the urban area of Georgetown.

PSC Head, Retired Captain Gerry Gouveia

“The Chief Elections Officer had presented to the Commission in January a document assigning polling places which was acceptable to the contesting political parties who are represented on the Commission.”

The Commission noted that considering the timing of GECOM’s decision, it should at a minimum reverse the last-minute changes made to the assigned polling places and revert to the ones all stakeholders had agreed on in January.

FROM PAGE 3

ty made the discovery while working out the logistics of ensuring that voters are facilitated to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed sovereign franchise, from the list of Polling Stations

submitted by GECOM. PPP/C Chief Scrutineer Zulfikar Mustapha has since said that the decision by GECOM to reduce the polling places will now displace persons and cause chaos.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Motorcyclist killed in Essequibo Coast accident

…drunk driver in Police custody

Dead: Suresh Arjune

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35-year-old motorcyclist is now dead after being struck by a drunk driver along the Adventure Public Road, Essequibo Coast, Region

of Lot 3 Adventure Village, Essequibo Coast, an employee of Banks DIH Limited’s Airy Hall branch in Region Two. Reports are that on Sunday night, Arjune had left his home to purchase ice, and was on his way back on motorcycle CJ 4350 when the accident occurred.

According to Police, around 20:50h, Arjune was proceeding along the roadway in the southern direction when he was struck by motorcar PMM 2260 that was approaching from the opposite direction. The 27-year-old driver of the car claimed that he was in the process of negotiating a left bend when he noticed Arjune coming from the op-

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The motor car, PMM 2260, that was involved in the accident

The damaged motorcycle following the accident

Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) on Sunday.

Dead is Suresh Arjune

posite direction at a fast pace. He claimed that the motorcycle collided with

the left front of his car.

The driver reportedly told Police that upon seeing Arjune, it was too late to avoid the collision since he was “speeding without lights”. He also alleged that Arjune was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

As a result of the impact, the motorcyclist fell to the roadway with severe injuries to his head and other parts of his body.

Arjune was picked up in an unconscious state and rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, Essequibo Coast, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Relatives of the now dead man have since refuted the driver’s claim that

Arjune was not wearing a helmet and the motorcycle was without lights at the time of the accident.

The dead man’s family said that pieces of Arjune’s helmet were visible at the accident scene.

Meanwhile, Police have since said that a breathalyser test conducted on the driver revealed that he was “exceedingly” above the legal limit for alcohol consumption when operating a vehicle. He is presently in custody.

Arjune, who was a former fireman, leaves to mourn his wife and one son.

His body is currently at the Onderneeming Funeral Home, Essequibo Coast.

Body found near D’Urban Park on Mash Night

P

ersons who turned up for Guyana’s 50th Republic anniversa-

ry celebrations were left in a state of shock after they discovered the body of a

One, one…

man lying facedown along Haley Street near the D’Urban Park venue.

The dead man has been identified as 59-year-old Cyril Harold of Tuschen Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

Reports are that about 20:45h on Sunday, a number of persons were walking along Haley Street, imbibing and chatting when they noticed a ‘bulk’ a short distance away.

Upon drawing closer, they realised that it was a man’s body, and quickly alerted Police.

Guyana Times understands that the man was picked up and rushed to the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) on site at D’Urban Park, where Mashramani celebrations were ongoing, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Speaking with this publication, Police Commander

of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-division A (Georgetown), Assistant Police Commissioner Edgar Thomas said that there was no indication of foul play.

He added that when Police ranks arrived at the scene, the man was fully clothed and his identification (ID) card, cash, jewellery and cellular phone were still on his person.

Commander Thomas pointed out that based on the contact list in the now dead man’s phone, investigators have made contact with his relatives.

“Right now, we are treating his death as that of a natural one. That is, until a post-mortem examination (PME) proves or concludes otherwise.

However, investigations into the matter are ongoing,” he added.

…SNAFU build rigging nyone with the slightest familiarity with Guyanese elections – starting from the one that led to independence in 1964 – would know that even socalled “rational” changes in elections arrangements can be Trojan Horses for gaming the said elections. The 1961 elections had been supposed to deliver independence, but the winning PPP wasn’t approved by the West. So, the FORM of the elections was changed from “first-pastthe-post” to “Proportional Representation” to ensure the latter’s ouster!!

Changes to accommodate a national register and the overseas vote in 1968 led to the first PNC rigged election, setting the pattern till 1992. So, after witnessing the series of unfortunate SNAFUs: selecting a GECOM Chair – who holds the casting vote in that institution; the compilation of the Official List of Electors and now with the locations for voters to cast their ballots, Guyanese would have to be absolutely bonkers not to figure out that the PNC-led caretaker government is returning to form. They’re busy “cocking” the works to get back into power.

Even the most fervent PNC supporter knows this, but as Burnham convinced them back in the day, if they “allowed” the PPP back into office, they’d never be able to get back in. And the PPP was their mortal enemy!! Allowing for the specific reasons as to why the PPP weren’t to be ‘allowed’ back in today, Granger’s and the PNC’s rationale for messing with the voting arrangements remains the same.

So, Granger was excused for unilaterally appointing Patterson as GECOM Chair. He was excused for claiming that 33 wasn’t a majority of 65 – and all those who snicker about “voodoo mathematics” should remember that it allowed the PNC to remain at the helm for another year. Patterson also served his purpose to secretly order a “House-to-House” registration, which offered a host of new variables to not only delay the elections, but also to introduce a residency requirement for voting.

The incredulous decision by the then new Chairwoman to truncate the H2H but yet integrate the data created a cascade of SNAFUs in the PLE, the RLE and finally the OLE, which were never completely straightened out and will certainly work to disenfranchise some voters. And we arrive at the latest SNAFU – drastically reducing the number of Polling Places – especially in Opposition strongholds – and creating hardships that may dissuade their supporters from exercising their franchise.

After each SNAFU was brought to the Chairwoman’s notice, efforts are promised to rectify – but NEVER returning the status quo ante. Based on what we’ve experienced, we can expect at least one new SNAFU. We mightn’t know “how”, but we know it’ll be to tilt the scale for the PNC!! …meeting builds friendship President Donald Trump – from the pioneering democracy of the USA – is on his first visit to India – the most populous democracy on planet earth. The two countries themselves have a lot more in common – having both been former British colonies – but for most of the 20th Century they’d been estranged because of Nehru’s Congress party’s leftist tilt.

Modi and his BJP, however, are a horse of another colour and have already carved out a new relationship with the superpower. Their common concern about China is, of course, one factor, but there are also the ideological commonalities in the integration of nationalist sentiments into the Liberal paradigm.

Trump has received a welcome such as he’d never seen before because of the widespread sentiment that he has not accepted the almost reflexive disdain for India from his predecessors. Then again, there is the Indian fundamental stance that a “guest must be treated as a god”!!

But most of all, there is the chemistry between Trump and Modi.

It demonstrates the importance of the human factor in international affairs!! …reward for anti-democrats After the Mash 5 prison escapees branded themselves as “Liberation Fighters” based in Buxton, Eusi Kwayana wrote about the “political sophisticates” who taught them “race hate”.

One of them just received a national award.

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

NEWS

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fatal hit-and-run accident

Minibus operators need to stop extorting money from commuters – Minibus Union Head

Damaged car found hidden in S container by CANU

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damaged silver-grey motor car, PYY 2003, believed to be the vehicle involved in a fatal accident on Valentine’s Day along the Farm Public Road, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was found hidden in a container.

Reports are the car is said to one the one that struck 17-year-old Kwon Trotz, who was walking home at about 23:00h on February 14.

Guyana Times was told that over the weekend, ranks of the Customs AntiNarcotics Unit (CANU) were in the process of executing an operation that led to the arrest of two men and seizure of over 60 pounds of cocaine in the Parika Backdam, EBE, when they found the car.

According to Commander of Police, Commander of Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Simon McBean, ranks of the CANU discovered the hidden vehicle inside of a container at Da Silva Beach, EBE, and immediately notified him of the situation.

He explained that the damages to the vehicle coincide with those from the accident that claimed the life of the pedestrian.

It is believed that the vehicle was in the process of being repaired and was stashed inside the container until the works were completed.

“When investigators match the debris found on

the road, it matched that of the car. We have the license plate number and know who the owner is and that he was driving. He was injured, broken finger on his right hand, and had sought medical attention,” the Commander confirmed.

According to Commander McBean, the driver is a 21-year-old man of Parika, EBE. When Police showed up at his residence, he was not there. The policeman subsequently carried out a search but the lad was still not found.

“He is on the run. Quite soon, a wanted bulletin will be issued for him. We also would have interviewed some people who would have assisted him in getting the vehicle to where it was found,” he added.

Trotz, of Lot 12 Farm, EBE, was at the time of his death employed at a car wash bay.

On February 14, he was walking in the eastern direction along the northern side of the EBE Public Road and was a short distance away from his residence when he was struck down.

Reports are the speeding motor car slammed into the teenager and quickly sped away from the scene as the lad’s body lay bleeding on the roadway.

According to Police, persons in the vicinity rushed to the teen’s aid and rushed the 17-year-old to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Coast Demerara (WCD), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

everal minibus operators have been charging exorbitant amounts of monies from passengers in the evenings and on holidays - a move that does not sit well with the United Minibus Union.

One such instance was on Sunday evening following the Mashramani Costume and Float Parade which saw hundreds of commuters being stranded at several minibus parks and as such, the operators used the opportunity to hike their fares.

Some on the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara routes, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) were seen charging passengers up $500 to take them to their respective destinations.

In light of this extortion, a few commuters vented their concerns to Guyana

United Minibus Union President Eon Andrews

Times and explained that the only reason they paid the hiked fares was because they wanted to get to their homes.

When contacted, President of the Minibus Association, Dale Andrews outlined the fare structure

while reiterating that it should be adhered to at all times.

“They always take the opportunity [to] fleece people on these holiday seasons and I don’t know why they do it but you see basically there would have been fare structures that has been issued from the Ministry of Business in collaborate with the Union and it should be printed in the bus signed by the Union,” Andrew stated.

Andrews condemned that actions of the minibus operators, stating that more enforcement is needed and called on exploited commuters to report the matter to the Business Ministry and the nearest police station.

“This is extorting money from people and I am really glad if the police could really enforce some of these things. But I would recom-

mend making a report to the Ministry of Business and if possible, the necessary police station.”

When asked about the Union’s ability to curb the issue, Andrews explained that “the Minibus Union is now a part of the Traffic Advisory Committee that has been reactivated and it would have been something that we would have discussed and I will endeavour to impress upon them this thing that is going on [fare hike] and how we can handle it.”

During the Christmas season, commuters complained bitterly about the unsanctioned implementation of fare increases, especially in the evenings.

Guyana Times understands that the Route 32 minibuses have topped the list of complaints.

Mash night row ends in chopping …65-year-old man critical

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65-year-old man is now battling for his life at the West Demerara Regional Hospital, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) after being severely chopped about his upper body on Mashramani night.

Injured is Thakur Lokram of Sans Souci, Essequibo Islands. While details about the incident remain sketchy, this publication was told that Lokram was involved in a heated verbal confrontation with a 34-year-old man, identified only as “Franklyn”.

During the confronta-

tion, the suspect whipped out a chopper and inflicted several chops about Lokram’s body.

When contacted, Commander of Region Three, Assistant Police Commissioner Simon

McBean confirmed the incident. He told Guyana Times on Monday that Lokram was chopped to the left side of his face, head, shoulder and left hand.

He was rushed to the Wakenaam Cottage Hospital for emergency treatment but because of the severity of his injuries, he was transferred to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

The 65-year-old man is said to be in a critical condition, the Commander said.

Meanwhile, the 34-yearold suspect was arrested and is currently in Police custody.

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teen dies after speeding motorbike crashes into car

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14-year-old pillion rider is now dead after a hire car reportedly made an abrupt turn along Dennis Street, Sophia, Georgetown, resulting in the motorcyclist losing control of the bike and slamming into the vehicle.

Dead is 14-year-old Isaiah Cordis, a Third Form student of Cummings Lodge Secondary and of Lot 20 Dennis Street, Sophia, Georgetown.

Reports are that on

Dead: 14-year-old Isaiah Cordis

Monday, at about 02:30h, Cordis and his friend, 23-year-old Richard Thunderus, were proceeding along Dennis Street, Sophia, heading towards their homes after Mashramani day celebrations when the accident occurred.

The duo was on motorcycle CK 2209, which is owned

by Thunderus, in the vicinity of the Beepat’s building, proceeding east along the northern driving lane allegedly at a fast rate of speed

No charges yet for driver in Moblissa fatal accident

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lmost two weeks after 27-year-old Parbatie Wilfred of Yarrowkabra Village was struck and killed by motor vehicle HD 119, charges are yet to be laid against the driver, who is a 50-year-old resident of Amelia’s Ward, Mackenzie, Linden.

Commander of Region Four B (Eccles-Moblissa), Superintendent Kurleigh Simon in a brief telephone interview with Guyana Times on Monday stated that the file is still with the Director of Public Prosecutions’ Office and he is unsure when it will be returned.

“We haven’t charged anyone as yet. The DPP has it and that will dictate,” he said.

Deceased: Parbatie Wilfred

Reports stated that Wilfred was walking along the roadway when she was struck by the motor vehicle at around 23:30h in the vicinity of the Moblissa Public Road.

The driver reportedly

told Police that he was heading to Georgetown when he saw the woman crossing the road and into his path.

According to the driver, upon realising that he might hit the woman, he applied brakes, but despite his efforts, the right front of his car collided with her.

She was reportedly tossed onto the bonnet thence to the front windscreen before hitting the road’s surface. The woman sustained several injuries about her body and was picked up in an unconscious state by ambulance and taken to the Linden Hospital Complex where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

The now dead woman’s body was later identified by her brother.

Mother of dead teen, Kim Carol

when they approached motor car HC 3049.

Thunderus told the police that while he was in the process of passing the car, the driver of the car suddenly turned south into his path, causing him to lose control of the motorcycle.

He then collided with the right side of the vehicle and as a result of the impact, both Thunderus and Cordis fell onto the road’s surface,

receiving injuries about their bodies.

The injured duo was picked up by public-spirited persons and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for emergency medical treatment. However, the 14-yearold succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical attention.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the teen’s mother, Kim Carol said that she was at D’Urban Park for the Mashramani celebrations when her son showed up at around 02:00h on a motorcycle with his friend.

Shocked at the sight of him, the grieving mother added that she started heading in his direction to approach him, but the motorcycle sped away.

“I was speaking with my sister and when I turn around I saw him…I run off the stand now to come down to go and get him but by the time, it was more than one

bike so they ride out with a speed so I didn’t get to which direction he go,” the grieving mother related.

Carol related that a short while after, she received a phone call informing her of the teen’s death. According to her, the now dead teen was warned several times of riding dangerously and the company he kept, but he did not heed her advice.

“He was a child, I was talking to him several times about this bike, the riding and the company and he didn’t hear because if he was listening, he wouldn’t end up in this. He was in an accident only the other day.”

Meanwhile, breathalyser tests were conducted on both Thunderus and the driver of the hire car.

The tests revealed that neither was driving under the influence (DUI).

Thunderus, along with the driver, are presently in Police custody assisting with investigations.

Pork-knocker to face Judge, jury for beheading brother-in-law

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t the next sitting of the Demerara High Court Criminal Assizes, 27-year-old Andrew King is expected to face a Judge and jury for beheading his brother-in-law, Justin Peterkin, back in 2018.

King was committed to stand trial late last week by Magistrate Faith McGusty at the conclusion of a Preliminary Inquiry (PI) into Peterkin’s murder.

The murder accused was charged in November 2018, and was not required to plea.

Reports stated that on November 5, 2018, the

Dead: Justin Peterkin

man gruesomely murdered Peterkin, his sister’s husband, at about 08:20h at the family’s Lot 1323 Block Y,

Committed to stand trial: Andrew King

Grove, East Bank Demerara (EBD) home.

The now dead man of Paradise, East Coast Demerara (ECD), had visited the area on the day in question when the incident occurred.

Neighbours recalled spotting King holding a hammer, which was subsequently followed by a “knocking” sound.

One neighbour related that upon checking, he saw Peterkin lying motionless on the ground, being hammered and chopped about his body by his brother-inlaw.

After committing the act, the suspect reportedly left the yard and proceeded towards the street with the two weapons in his hands.

NEWS

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Commonwealth urges free and fair elections in Guyana …as Head of observer team arrives ahead of E-Day

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high-level delegation from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur, has arrived in Guyana and is urging all participants in the upcoming General and Regional Elections to be true to their commitments for free and fair elections.

This is according to a statement released by Arthur on Monday, announcing his arrival as the Head of an Observer group team of 11 persons from across the Commonwealth.

This includes Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific.

“They bring a wealth of experience from across the social and political spectrum with expertise in the fields of politics, election management, law, the media, gender, civil society and human rights,” Arthur said in his statement, going on to urge stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment to free and fair elections.

“We are aware of the significance of these elections to the people of Guyana and we call on all stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to a peaceful, transparent, credible and inclusive

election. On behalf of the group, I wish the people of Guyana well as they go out to exercise their right to vote on Monday.”

According to Arthur, they arrived on Sunday and began briefings on Monday. He further explained that over the next few days they will meet with key stakeholders including the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), political parties and civil society.

A previous Commonwealth team of staff had arrived in advance on February 19 with the objective of observing the Disciplined Services voting on Friday. It was explained that from Friday, February 28, observers will be deployed across the country in small teams to observe polling day preparations and meet stakeholders.

“Our mandate is to observe and evaluate the electoral process independently and impartially. We will assess the pre-election environment, polling day activities and the post-election period and consider the various factors impinging on the credibility of the electoral process as a whole.”

Arthur, who is Chairing

the group, further explained that after elections, they will report on whether the elections were conducted in accordance with the law and Guyana’s regional and international commitments to democracy.

“On Election Day, we will observe the opening, voting, closing, counting and the results management processes. We will issue an interim statement on our preliminary findings on 4 March 2020.”

“A final report will then be prepared and submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary General, and subsequently shared with relevant stakeholders and the public. The group will depart Guyana on 9 March 2020,” the statement said.

Arthur also explained that the observer group was constituted following an invitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November 2019. Arthur was Prime Minister of Barbados from 1994 to 2008, making him the longest ever serving Barbadian Prime Minister.

This year’s elections, which are due on March 2, 2020, has been called the “Mother of all elections”, for the importance in which it is regarded. For one, whoev-

er wins the elections will be put in charge of administering Guyana’s newfound oil wealth.

The elections are expected to be watched intently, with a number of international observers and technical advisors in the country to oversee the process. For instance, it is the first time that the European Union will be deploying a fully-fledged team of observers on the ground for Guyana’s elections.

The Carter Center is also involved, with it being announced that former Prime Minister of Senegal, Aminata Touré and Chairperson of The Carter Center Board of Trustees, Jason J Carter (the grandson of former US President Jimmy Carter) will co-lead the Carter Center’s international election observation mission in Guyana.

Other overseas-based observers expected to participate in overseeing the election include teams from the Organisation of American States (OAS), as well as the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

GECOM is also getting assistance from a number of technical advisors who were provided by other countries

Salesman takes fatal plunge as friends think he is pranking

A

salesman working with A Ally and Sons died hours after being pulled from a canal in which he took a fatal plunge on Sunday.

Dead: Jerome Andrews

Dead is 22-yearold Jerome Andrews of Edinburgh Village, East Bank Berbice (EBB), Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

He and a group of friends went for a swim on Sunday afternoon on the East Bank of Berbice and according to reports when they got to the canal at “Sixth Bridge” – situated several miles into a cane field, Andrews reportedly told his friends that

the canal was shallow at one end and he was going to the other end to plunge in.

Guyana Times was told the friends saw him plunge in and about five minutes after not seeing him resurface, they were not worried since he had previously played similar tricks on them. In that instance, he had them searching for him beneath the water while he hid in a clump of the bushes. It was because of this, the friends claimed that they did not immediately go in search of him. They said that he was a very good swimmer. However, after he did not resurface, they were about to go in search of him when they saw bubbles coming from beneath the water. However, he was found moments later and he was reportedly still breathing.

Some of his friends tried to resuscitate him by performing CPR. After not getting the desired response, Andrews was rushed to the New Amsterdam Hospital where medical personnel also tried to resuscitate him.

A CT scan revealed that Andrews was braindead. Nevertheless, he was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital

on Sunday evening. Andrews died on Monday morning.

The Police have since been notified and an investigation has been launched.

Former Barbados Prime Minister Owen Arthur is in Guyana as Head of the Commonwealth observer team for the General and Regional Elections

and international organisations. Canada, for instance, is providing GECOM with Jean-Pierre Kingsley, a Canadian elections expert.

The Commonwealth is also providing the services

of its senior technical advisor, Dr Afari Gyan, who arrived in Guyana last month.

In addition, Dr Syed Nasim Zaidi, an elections advisor from India, has also joined the team.

TT: Woman beaten to death in El Dorado, Guyanese man held

P

olice are investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder of a woman in El Dorado, Trinidad on Sunday afternoon.

They said they received reports of a domestic disturbance at Eastern Main Road, El Dorado around 15:50h. On arrival, they saw a man covered in blood in the doorway.

The man was speaking incoherently and pointed to a room where they

found the bloodied body of Nicole Hackshaw on a bed.

She had several wounds to her face.

A piece of wood, believed to be the murder weapon, was found next to her.

Police arrested the man, believed to be a Guyanese national.

Homicide investigators were called to the scene and a district medical officer declared Hackshaw dead. (TT Newsday)

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Wall Street plunges on fears Patient commits suicide at National Psychiatric Hospital of coronavirus pandemic

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he lifeless body of a patient of the National Psychiatric Hospital was discovered on Monday afternoon in a washroom at the facility.

Dead is 38-year-old Simone Brooghage of Don Robbin, East Coast Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne).

The discovery of the woman’s lifeless body was made by a fellow patient at about 13:30h.

Reports are that Brooghage had requested sanitary napkins from the nurse in charge, who was at

the time attending to other patients who were watching television. Brooghage reportedly went to the nurse dressed only in underwear and was ordered to go and get dressed properly.

It is believed that the former teacher left to go and get dressed, however, about ten minutes later, one of the inmates, who was watching television, left to go to the washroom and discovered the woman’s lifeless body.

Brooghage, who formally taught at Bohemia Primary and then Trinity

Dead: Simone Brooghage

Street Primary in New Amsterdam, had been a patient of the institution since May 7, 2008.

The former teacher lived at an orphanage during her early childhood. She then started living with a pastor but shortly after moved in with a cousin at Don Robbin, Corentyne. However, after several months she moved out to live with friends.

Then in 2008, Brooghage started sleeping on the streets. It was during that period that she was taken to the National Psychiatric Hospital.

India Govt offers scholarships to Guyanese

T

he Indian High Commission has announced the opening of scholarships for Guyanese, offered by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations arm of the Indian Government under the Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme.

The courses range from undergraduate, postgraduate and other programmes for the academic year 2020-2021. The nine scholarships will cover airfare, tuition as well as accommodation.

“Nine scholarships are available under this programme, with return international airfare, tuition, stipend, contingent grant, house rent allowance, accommodation, thesis and dissertation expenses covered by the Government of India,” the Indian High Commission in Guyana indicated.

While courses are offered in a number of fields, the Council does not of-

fer admission in medical or paramedical areas such as nursing, physiotherapy and anaesthesia or fashion courses, The Commission said that guidelines can be viewed at http:/a2ascholarship.iccr.gov.in/assets/ site/docs/applicant-guidelines before applications are completed.

Applications are to be filled online at http://a2ascholarships.iccr.gov.in/ home/register.

“A recent passport size photograph not more than 3.5×4.5cm (25kb) should be uploaded on the application form. Copies of all academic qualifications, certificates and mark sheets, including those relating to school-leaving examination along with a certificate of physical fitness in the prescribed form, recommendations/character certificates from existing school and certified copy of bio-data page of applicant’s valid passport are

to be uploaded also,” it was disclosed.

A printed and signed copy of the application must be submitted along with copies of all uploaded documents to the High Commission of India not later than February 25, 2020. Meanwhile, for PhD courses deadline is August 21, 2020.

Back in September, New Indian High Commissioner, Dr K J Srinivasa had announced plans to increase the numbers of scholarships offered every year.

According to the diplomat, these grants provided in various fields were offered with the hope that more Guyanese grasp the opportunities to benefit from quality education from India. He had indicated that the scholarship initiative is executed in good faith by strengthening the bilateral relations that it already shares with Guyana.

Added to that, he shared that education is a vital part of propelling any nation forward and it is with this in mind that his country is positioning itself to assist more Guyanese students with the chance of securing this much-needed form of development.

“We are ready to extend that co-operation and we are trying to increase the slots for Guyana. Secondly, we are also going to work on the culture front wherein we can give people to go to India and learn the rich heritage and culture…. we have to work to build the skills and education for the youth of this country. As you know, India is progressing tremendously and it is growing at a rate of 7 per cent annually at the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) level, this is all thanks to the impetus that the forefathers of Indian nation gave to education,” Dr Srinivasa was quoted as saying.

T

he S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday suffered their biggest one-day percentage losses in two years after a surge in coronavirus cases outside China fanned worries about the global economic impact of a potential pandemic.

Investors sold riskier assets and rushed to traditionally safer bets such as gold and U.S. Treasuries after countries including Iran, Italy and South Korea reported a rise in virus cases over the weekend even as China eased curbs with no new cases reported in Beijing and other cities.

The benchmark S&P 500, which represents over 44% of the market capitalization of all global equities, lost $927 billion of its value on Monday alone and $1.33 trillion since its closing high on Wednesday last week, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices senior analyst Howard Silverblatt.

The S&P and the bluechip Dow turned negative for the year to date and the Dow dropped more than 1,000 points on the day for only the third time in its history.

The technology-heavy Nasdaq fell 3.71%, the biggest daily percentage drop of the three major averages.

“We’re not likely to make any progress higher until we have evidence the spread of the coronavirus is decelerating,” said Mark Luschini, chief investment strategist at Janney Montgomery Scott in Philadelphia.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 1,031.61 points, or 3.56%, to 27,960.8, the S&P 500 lost 111.86 points, or 3.35%, to 3,225.89 and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 355.31 points, or 3.71%, to 9,221.28.All of the 11 major S&P sectors closed in the

red, led by the energy sector’s 4.7% decline and followed by a 4.2% drop in technology stocks.

Apple Inc slid 4.8% as data showed sales of smartphones in China tumbled by more than a third in January.

China-exposed chipmakers fell, with the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index dropping 4.8%, while concerns about growing travel curbs dragged the NYSE Arca Airline Index down 6%.

Of the S&P’s sectors, the defensive utilities, real estate and consumer staples indexes fell the least on the day.

Treasury yields fell to their lowest levels since 2016 as investors sought safety in government bonds, while the yield curve inversion between the 3-month and 10-year U.S. Treasuries deepened in what is often viewed as a recession predictor.

Adding to worries, Goldman Sachs slashed its U.S. growth forecast on Sunday and predicted a more severe impact from the epidemic. [US/] The CBOE Volatility Index, a gauge of investor anxiety, registered its biggest one-day jump since February 2018 and ended the day at 25.03, its highest closing level since January 2019.

“There was this underlying concern that was out there, and obviously over the weekend, it just escalated,” said Stacey Gilbert, portfolio manager for derivatives at Glenmede Investment Management in Philadelphia.

After Monday’s nosedive, the S&P closed almost 5% below its record closing high, achieved last week, while the Nasdaq ended 6% off its peak close and the Dow ended the day 5.4% below its record close. (Reuters)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

Regional

Haiti cancels Carnival celebrations amid acts of violence

H

aiti has cancelled Carnival celebrations following violent clashes Sunday between members of the Haitian Armed Forces (FADH) and members of the National Police of Haiti (PNH) demanding that the authorities accept the formation of the Haitian National Police (SPNH) union.

The clashes also involved persons demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise and members of the Haitian Armed Forces.

The clashes took place

in the Champ de Mars area, in the capital where gunfire was heard most of the day.

In a statement, the Government said that it was condemning “these acts of violence and acts which violate freedom and democracy”.

It questioned the rationale behind the attacks aimed at driving the country into chaos despite the commitments and decisions of the authorities to respond to the demands of the Police Officers.

“Why reject dialogue and the outstretched hand to

solve the difficult problems facing the homeland, choose the path of anarchy preferably and offer the population more pain and tears that such a situation will not fail to provoke,” the statement noted.

It urged people to be vigilant “in these troubled moments of national life” noting that “in any case, it cannot allow a trivial exploitation of the demands of the PNH and justify these violent actions which expose the country as

much, through an alleged rejection of carnival by a certain sector of the population.

“In order to avoid the planned bloodshed, the Government takes the opportunity to inform, the population and the carnivalists in particular, that it has been decided to cancel the carnival in Port-au-Prince and invites the Haitian people to keep calm pending the next announcements,” the statement added. (Excerpt from CMC)

Latam nations hosting Chile protests mar music festival's opening night Venezuelan migrants could get international backing Unrest in Haiti (file photo)

V

iolent clashes between Police and anti-Government protesters have overshadowed the opening night of Latin America's biggest music festival in the Chilean resort of Viña del Mar. Masked demonstrators attacked shops and the O'Higgins Hotel, where many of the artists are staying.

The local governor denounced their actions as "vandalism".

The clashes are the latest show of discontent after four months of protests against economic inequality.

At the height of the protests in October, Chile pulled out of hosting two major international summits, the COP25 climate summit and the Apec trade forum, for

Masked protesters clash with riot Police in Viña del Mar

fear of violence.

A group of about 150 masked protesters set alight at least seven cars in front of the O'Higgins hotel on Sunday.

Police deployed water cannons and around 20:00h local time (23:00 GMT), guests were temporarily

evacuated from the hotel.

Witnesses said hotel staff wielding fire extinguishers had earlier prevented protesters from entering the hotel by force.

There were also clashes near the entrance to the Quinta Vergara park, where the annual Viña del Mar

music festival is held.

The masked protesters later moved to the municipal offices, where they smashed windows and broke down doors. More than a dozen shops were also looted or damaged.

Among the shops which came under attack were two car dealerships, where more cars were set alight. Fifteen people were arrested and 23 Police Officers were injured, officials said.

The governor of Valparaíso region, where Viña del Mar is located, blamed this latest violence on "radical groups which are very much in the minority".

"They want anarchy, they want disorder and violence," Governor Jorge Martínez added. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Pioneer Caribbean hotelier Sir Royston Hopkin dies

P

ioneering Caribbean hotelier Sir Royston O Hopkin, owner and chairman of Grenada’s Spice Island Beach Resort in his native Grenada, died Saturday, said resort officials.

“It is with deep sadness and profound regret that the Spice Island Beach Resort confirms the passing of its iconic owner and chairman, Sir Royston O Hopkin,” reads a February 22 statement on the resort’s Facebook page.

“The resort joins with Sir Royston's family in asking for privacy while the members of his wider family and our resort staff are informed,” the post adds.

Sir Royston Hopkin

“A more detailed statement will be released once this process is completed.”

Last year, Hopkin received Grenada’s Minister's Outstanding Achievement Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the organizers of the Caribbean Hotel and

Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) conference.

“It is a true honour to be recognized with the Minister's Outstanding Achievement Award," Hopkin said upon receiving the award. “As I accept this prestigious recognition, I reflect on how far

we've come and the continued growth we are realising today.”

“I am elated Sir Royston, a well-known and respected leader in the Caribbean tourism industry, is being recognised” with the Grenada award, said Dr Clarice Modeste-Curwen, Grenada’s Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Among other achievements, Hopkin was widely considered crucial in attracting increased airlift to Grenada in the last decade, both through the operation of his all-inclusive luxury resort and his advocacy for the destination among tourism stakeholders and suppliers. (Excerpt from MSN)

Barbados: Budget debate gets underway at new home of Parliament

T

he Parliament of Barbados made a seamless transition from The City to the temporary location at Worthing Corporate Centre, Worthing, Christ Church on Monday morning for the beginning of the debate for estimates.

Members of Parliament (MP) and technocrats in some ministries began ar-

riving for the sitting of the House of Assembly after 08:00h.

Among those spotted were Attorney General Dale Marshall, MP for St Lucy; Peter Phillips, MP for Christ Church South; Ralph Thorne, MP for St Thomas; Cynthia Forde, MP for St James South; Sandra Husbands, MP for St George

North; Gline Clarke and Senator Crystal Haynes.

Speaker Arthur Holder praised Clerk of Parliament Pedro Eastmond for the work done to make the building ready for Monday’s sitting.

He told the media he could not state how long they would be in Worthing, but all of the environmental issues plaguing the Parliament Building

in Bridgetown would first have to be rectified.

Monday’s sitting also marked the return of MP for St Philip North and Chairman of Committees, Dr Sonia Browne.

She was away from Parliament for several weeks, citing environmental issues in the old building.

(Nation News)

L

atin American countries who are hosting the most Venezuelan migrants could in future receive financial support from an international fund, Peru’s Foreign Minister said on Monday.

Gustavo Mesa-Cuadra said authorities from different nations and organisations would meet in the coming months to discuss the formation of a donors’ group to help those affected by the second largest migrant flow in the world after those fleeing the civil war in Syria.

The meeting was being arranged by the Lima Group of 15 countries to seek resolutions to the Venezuela crisis in concert with international organisations, including the World Bank, and would be held in Washington or Spain, the Minister said.

The United Nations has estimated that four million Venezuelan migrants are abroad because of the country’s economic and political crisis and US$1.35 billion will be needed this year alone to meet their basic needs in the 17 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that are sheltering them.

Some 5000 Venezuelans leave their country each day, the Organisation of American States has said, and the total number could double to eight million by the end of 2020.

“A meeting (for) a donor drive to fulfil the needs of host countries is one of the things we are working on very seriously,” Mesa-Cuadra told reporters in Lima. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Holness threatens law to nab parents of misbehaving kids

P

rime Minister Andrew Holness on Sunday warned parents of wayward children that if necessary, the Government would introduce legislation to have them pay for their children's bad behaviour.

“As the person who holds the portfolio now once again, along with Minister Samuda who manages it day to day, we will be reviewing the methodologies and practices within the school system that are used to manage behaviour and, where necessary, we may very well have to introduce new legislation to hold parents to account,” warned Holness, which elicited applause.

The Prime Minister made the declaration in front of a large gathering of supporters at an Area Council Four meeting held at Rusea's High School in Hanover.

Area Council Four comprises the parishes of Hanover, St James, Trelawny, Westmoreland, and St Elizabeth.

Holness noted that when he was Education Minister

under the Bruce Golding-led Administration, there was an issue with disruptive behaviour among students, which led to the establishment of the Parenting Support Commission to help parents develop necessary skills to help bring their children under control and ensure that their behaviour was properly adjusted for school. Holness said he had also implemented the deans of discipline programme through which specially trained teachers were posted to give support to guidance counsellors and school resource officers.

Holness argued that the initiatives, in tandem with the introduction of a safety and security policy for schools, went well as they resulted in improved student behaviours and the general safety and security in schools.

However, the Prime Minister pointed out that the resurgence in antisocial behaviours cannot escape notice. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

OILNEWS Oil sinks 4% on demand concerns as coronavirus spreads

O

il prices slumped by nearly 4 per cent on Monday as the rapid spread of the coronavirus in countries outside China added to investor concerns over the effect on demand for crude.

Global equities also extended losses as worries about the impact of the virus grew, with the number of cases jumping in Iran, Italy and South Korea.

Brent crude LCOc1 futures fell US$2.20, or 3.8 per cent, to settle at US$56.30 a barrel. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 futures fell US$1.95, or 3.7 per cent, to settle at US$51.43 a barrel.

“The reports of the coronavirus spreading is raising more fears of demand destruction,” said Phil Flynn, an analyst at Price Futures Group in Chicago. “When we saw the big move down in the stock market, oil traders were selling first and asking questions later.”

The coronavirus has infected nearly 77,000 people and killed more than 2500 in China, most of them in Hubei.

South Korea’s fourthlargest city, Daegu, was increasingly isolated as the number of infections there rose rapidly.

Europe’s biggest outbreak is in Italy, which reported a seventh death from the flu-like virus and 220 infections.

Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Iraq on Monday recorded their first new coronavirus cases, all involving people who had been in Iran, which raised its toll from the disease to 12 dead and 61 infected.

Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Turkey imposed travel and immigration curbs on Iran.

Still, World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that using the word “pandemic” did not fit the facts.

“We must focus on containment while preparing for a potential pandemic,” he told reporters in Geneva, adding that the world was not witnessing an uncontained spread or largescale deaths. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Libyan oil Chairman calls on US to help end oil blockade

T

he United States should step in and help lift the blockade of Libyan oil ports that has decimated the country’s oil production, the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation, Mustafa Sanalla said during a meeting with the US Ambassador.

“US Ambassador Norland and I agreed that the oil and gas sector must be allowed to operate for the benefit of all Libyans, as it represents the only income for state. That means ending the blockade, which is doing severe damage to the economy of country,” Sanalla was quoted as saying

by Libyan media.

“I am hopeful that the US will continue their efforts to broker peace so that Libya’s economy can slowly rebuild and work towards prosperity for all Libyan people. We urgently need US leadership to help end the oil embargo, not just to avoid a financial crisis, but to prevent major damage to national infrastructure,” Sanalla also said.

A group of tribal paramilitary organisations blockaded Libya’s oil ports in January as part of the ongoing offensive of the eastern Government-affiliated Libyan national Army against the Government of National Accord based in Tripoli.

The blockade has led to

a slump in oil production from over 1.2 million bpd to less than 200,000 bpd and a warning, earlier this month, from the Prime Minister of the GNA that if it continues, the country will face financial disaster.

“The continuation of the shutdowns will result in a catastrophic financial crisis,” said Fayez Serraj. “Losses from the oil shutdowns have exceeded US$1.4 billion. The figure is increasing every day.”

Indeed, in late January, NOC’s Sanalla told Bloomberg that Libya could lose all of its oil production if the blockade was not lifted soon, and the latest production figures suggest that output may indeed be heading for zero, with no free storage space left to stock oil from stillproducing fields.

The latest production update from NOC says that Libya is producing just 124,000 bpd because of the continued blockade.

What’s more, an LNA attack on the port of Tripoli has prompted four vessels to leave the port to avoid getting hit by a missile after one narrowly missed an LNG carrier that was unloading its cargo at the time, Lloyd’s reported. (Excerpt from OilPrice)

17

Around the World

“Namaste Trump”: Modi holds huge rally for President's visit

D

onald Trump was cheered by more than 100,000 Indians at the opening of the world’s largest cricket stadium on Monday, promising “an incredible trade deal” and “the most feared military equipment on the planet” at his biggest rally abroad.

Indians wore cardboard Trump masks and “Namaste Trump” hats to welcome the US President at the huge new Motera stadium in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s own political homeland, the western city of Ahmedabad.

Modi, a nationalist who won re-election last year and has shifted his country firmly to the right with policies that his critics decry

US President Donald Trump embraces Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the "Namaste Trump" event at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, in Ahmedabad, India, February 24, 2020

as authoritarian and ethnically divisive, touts his relationship with Trump as proof of his own global standing.

US officials have described Trump’s visit as a way to counter China’s rise as a superpower.

“As we continue to build

our defence cooperation, the United States looks forward to providing India with some of the best and most feared military equipment on the planet,” Trump said.

Trump said the two countries will sign deals today to sell military helicopters worth US$3 billion and that the United States must become the premier defence partner of India, which relied on Russian equipment during the Cold War. In his speech, Trump extolled India’s rise as a stable and prosperous democracy as one of the achievements of the century. “You have done it as a tolerant country. And you have done it as a great, free country,” he said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Lesotho's PM Thomas Thabane seeks immunity over murder of wife

L

awyers for Lesotho's Prime Minister have told a court that he cannot be charged over the murder of his estranged wife because his position makes him immune from prosecution.

PM Thomas Thabane's then-wife, Lipolelo Thabane, was shot dead in 2017.

The case has now been referred to the High Court.

His current wife has already been charged with the murder.

The presiding Magistrate referred the case to the High Court, which will be sitting as the Constitutional Court when it hears the case with a panel of at least three judges.

Prime Minister Thomas Thabane and his wife Maesaiah appeared in court together on Monday

Thabane, 80, missed a court appearance last week because he went to South Africa for medical treatment.

He rejected reports that he had fled the country.

Thabane has said he

would step down in July, resisting pressure from his own party to leave office immediately.

Lipolelo Thabane was gunned down at close range on the side of a dirt road

is located, cancelled all carnival parades "as a precaution" following the incident.

The incident took place during celebrations for Rosenmontag, or Rose Monday - a carnival day celebrated in some parts of Germany, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland. Schools are often closed for the day, although it is not a national holiday in Germany.

Local media report that a silver Mercedes drove

through plastic barricades set up for the parade and into a group of people.

Police said the incident occurred at about 14:45 local time (13:45 GMT).

Eyewitnesses quoted in the German media say the driver accelerated toward the crowd and appeared to target children.

German news website HNA cited witnesses as saying a man drove "at full throttle" into the crowd.

while returning to her home in a village near the capital, Maseru.

She was involved in bitter divorce proceedings with Thabane when she was killed.

Two months later she and Thabane got married in a Roman Catholic ceremony.

Maesaiah was charged with her rival's murder on February 5, and is out on bail of about US$67 (£52).

She has also been charged with the attempted murder of a family friend Thato Sibolla, who was with Lipolelo at the time of the shooting and is expected to be a key witness in the murder case. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Car driven into carnival crowd in German town Volkmarsen

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car has been driven into a crowd at a carnival parade in the western German town of Volkmarsen.

Thirty people, a third of them children, were injured, some seriously.

A 29-year-old German citizen was arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide. Officials said a motive was currently unclear.

Authorities in the state of Hesse, where Volkmarsen

Police said they believed it was an attack but that there was no indication of a political motive, according to German newspaper Bild.

In a statement, the Prosecutor's Office in Frankfurt said the suspect was receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the incident but would later be brought before an investigating judge.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Harvey Weinstein guilty of sexual assaults

H

arvey Weinstein has been found guilty of sexual assault, capping a stunning downfall for the former Hollywood mogul and a victory for the #MeToo movement against harassment.

Weinstein, 67, was convicted in New York City of third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act.

But he was cleared of the most serious count of predatory sexual assault. He faces up to 25 years in prison.

He still faces charges in Los Angeles of assaulting two women in 2013.

The judge ordered him to be sent to jail immediately.

He was surrounded by court officers, handcuffed and led from the courtroom. He will be sentenced on March 11

At least 80 women had accused him of sexual mis-

conduct stretching back decades, including actresses Gwyneth Paltrow, Uma Thurman and Salma Hayek.

The movie executive once enjoyed phenomenal success with Oscar winners such Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting, The King's Speech and Shakespeare in Love.

Weinstein - who denied all charges - was convicted of sexually assaulting former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006 and raping Jessica Mann, a former aspiring actress, in 2013.

The third-degree rape charge in New York is defined as engaging in sexu-

al intercourse with a person who is incapable of consent, or under age 17, or who has not given consent for a reason other than the inability to consent.

But the jury acquitted him on two counts of predatory sexual assault, which carried a potential life sentence, and first-degree rape of Mann.

But the Judge ordered him to be sent to jail immediately. He was surrounded by court officers, handcuffed and led from the courtroom. He will be sentenced on March 11. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

A getaway will help you relax and give you a chance to mull over what to do next.

Remain open to suggestions, but only do what’s reasonable. Moderation is encouraged.

If you use your imagination, you will come up with a plan that will make a difference. Speak up, take action and become the leader you know you can be.

Take some time to evaluate what’s transpired, what you have left to deal with and how best to move forward. Make your welfare a priority.

Let go of the past and make room for upcoming prospects. Don’t make a fuss if someone doesn’t want to take the same route as you.

Follow the path that excites you the most.

Your appearance will make a difference. Consider the current trends as well as the classic styles and choose the style that suits you best.

A progressive move will help clear the path for future prospects. Consider forming a partnership with someone who piques your interest. A change that will improve your health and overall well-being should be adopted.

Proceed with caution.

Investments will not be all that someone says they will be. When in doubt, stand still, observe and focus on self-improvement.

Walk away from demanding people.

Take the lead, start a conversation, share your intentions and get moving. A project that interests you should also help you expand your skills and creativity.

Spend more time fixing SAGITTARIUS up your surroundings to suit (Nov. 23your needs. If you are comDec. 21) fortable and feel safe, you will find it easier to develop a plan that will help you get ahead.

YESTERDAY’S WORD

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

Listen to suggestions.

Don’t be afraid to do things differently or make a change midstream. Let your intuition guide you and your common sense keep you out of trouble.

AQUARIUS

Look over your papers, medical records and any contracts that are up for renewal. You’ll gain some insight if you revisit what’s happened in the past.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Take a look at your options and do whatever will bring you the highest return with the least amount of risk. Don’t waste time; if you see something you want, make your move.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

19

Los Angeles honours Kobe Bryant and daughter in public memorial

K

obe Bryant's wife offered a poignant portrait of her NBA superstar husband and their daughter on Monday at a packed memorial service for the two, who were among nine people killed last month in a helicopter crash in Los Angeles.

Speaking at times through tears, Vanessa Bryant praised her husband's devotion to their family as she addressed thousands of fans gathered at Staples Center to remember Bryant and 13-year-old Gianna.

"God knew they couldn't be on this Earth without each other," Vanessa Bryant said. "He had to bring them home to have them together.

Babe, you take care of our Gigi."

Among the fans was Alyssa Shapiro, 27, of Huntington Beach, who said she was inspired to become a basketball player after watching countless Lakers games with her father.

The family's love of the game - and Bryant's work in women's sports - prompted her to become a middle school girls' basketball coach. Her team had played Gianna's team and she would watch Bryant cheer for his daughter in the stands.

Holding homemade heartshaped "Kobe" and "Gigi" signs, she said she went up to Bryant to introduce herself at a game.

"I just wanted to thank him for being such an inspiration to me," she said.

The service took place at the downtown arena where Bryant played for the Los Angeles Lakers for the final 17 seasons of his two-decade NBA career.

"I grew up watching him on the screen ... It made me realise he's more than just that guy out on the court."

The concourse at the Staples Center was a sea of

Vanessa Bryant during her speech on Monday

people dressed in the team colours of purple and yellow and others in black. On the scoreboard, the Bryant family's life flashed by in pic-

tures: Vanessa and Kobe, Kobe and Gianna, the whole family in costumes, Gianna on the court, baby pictures of Gianna and her father.

Fans were given a pro-

gramme containing photos, a purple KB pin and a T-shirt with photos of the father and daughter.

Also in the crowd was Bob Melendez, 72, who has been a season ticket holder for 40 years. After seeing Bryant play for the Lakers for years - including at his retirement game - Melendez said he could not imagine missing the memorial.

He wore a black number 24 jersey and Lakers jacket he bought for Bryant's final game.

"I'd never dreamed I'd be wearing this" at Bryant's memorial, he said.

Melendez was joined by friends Tom Ling and Rene Vega, who said his grandchildren and Bryant's children attend the same school. Bryant called Vega "Grandpa."

Ling, wearing a silver number 8 jersey, said the news of Bryant's death was initially too awful to accept.

"We didn't want to believe it," he said.

The service featured speakers reflecting on Kobe Bryant's effects on his sport and the world, along with music and retrospectives on Bryant's on-court achievements. Bryant became active in film, television and writing after he retired from basketball in 2016.

Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and former Bryant team-mate Shaquille O'Neal were among the attendees at the "Celebration of Life" memorial.

Bryant's family, dozens of sport greats and many major figures in Bryant's public life attended.

Money from ticket sales were expected to be given to the Mamba and Mambacita Sports Foundation, which supports youth sports programmes in underserved communities and teaches sports to girls and women.

Vendors sold flowers, Lakers scarves and commemorative newspapers and jerseys. Buses drove up and down Figueroa Street with their signs lit up with "RIP KOBE." Business partners Donnell Dorsey and Ramon Acevedo slept along Figueroa Street on Sunday night to make sure they could claim a spot for their Lakers merchandise. Dorsey said he sold out of Bryant-related T-shirts and hats five times the day after the basketball superstar died.

On Monday, the duo sold framed photos and drawings of Bryant and Gianna for five dollars apiece, T-shirts and hats for $15 each and medallions for $25.

Dorsey said a friend told

him about Bryant's death.

"He was like, 'He's gone.

Gone where?"

"I was, I guess you might say, numb," Dorsey said.

Bryant played his entire 20-year NBA career with the Lakers, including the final 17 seasons at Staples Center, which opened in 1999. The five-time NBA champion's two retired jersey numbers 8 and 24 - hang high above the arena where he became the third-leading scorer in league history until Lakers star LeBron James passed him on the night before Bryant's death.

Bryant's death caused an outpouring of grief across Los Angeles, where he remained the city's most popular athlete into retirement.

Dozens of public memorials and murals have been installed around the sprawling metropolis, and thousands of fans gathered daily outside Staples Center to commiserate after the crash.

A private funeral was held for Kobe and Gianna Bryant in Orange County on February 7.

Also on Monday, Vanessa Bryant filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company that operated the helicopter that crashed, saying the pilot was careless and negligent by flying in cloudy conditions and should have aborted the flight.

The lawsuit seeks general damages, economic damages, punitive damages and more, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Pilot Ara Zobayan was among the nine people killed in the crash. (Al Jazeera)

Olympics: Games torch relay organisers take measures against coronavirus

G

reek organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic flame lighting ceremony in ancient Olympia next month said on Monday they have taken extra measures to avoid the coronavirus’ spread during the torch’s monthslong relay.

The Olympics torch, a symbol of global peace and sportsmanship, will be lit at the site of the ancient Greek Games on March 12 before a seven-day relay in Greece then a handover ceremony in Athens to Japan on March 19.

It will then go on a relay around Japan ending with the Games’ opening ceremony in Tokyo on July 24.

This image depicts one of many Olympic flame passing during the Rio 2016 Olympics Torch Relay

Hellenic Olympic Committee President Spyros

Capralos told reporters a meeting had been held with

a Greek health risk management company to be ready “in

case anything happens”.

The torch relay involves hundreds of torchbearers in Greece and around 10,000 in Japan. But as the torch is not handed between runners, but rather the flame of one lights the next, there is limited human contact.

“On the issue we are all facing these days, the coronavirus ... we are taking a number of measures. We will do whatever is humanly possible to have no problems whatsoever during the relay,” relay director Sakis Vassiliadis told reporters, without giving further details.

Organizers were in close contact with the Greek health

ministry, he added.

The coronavirus has infected nearly 77,000 people and killed more than 2,500 in China. Outside mainland China, it has spread to about 28 nations and territories, with some two dozen deaths.

It has forced the cancellation of many sports events in recent weeks and raised alarm bells for Tokyo Games organizers.

However, the International Olympic Committee has said it had been advised by the World Health Organization that there is no case for contingency plans to cancel or relocate the Games. (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

CONCACAF U-20 Championship Qualifiers…

Bittersweet Sunday for U-20 national teams O

n a day of mixed fortunes for Guyana, the male and female under-20 football teams contesting the CONCACAF U20 Championship Qualifiers went into action on Sunday

and emerged with contrasting results.

Heartbreak was personalised for the Male Junior Jaguars, as they conceded a loss to hosts Nicaragua following wins against Montserrat, St Vincent

A snippet of the 3-1 Lady Jags’ action on Sunday

and the Grenadines, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The Male Junior Jaguars were in a good position to finish on top of ‘Group A’, even though they were cognizant of the fact that Nicaragua were a solid team and were capitalizing on their home advantage. However, a red card infraction put the Guyanese team at a disadvantage early in the encounter, and a tight defense restricted the Guyanese boys against the eventual group winners.

The first half ended in a stalemate, but Nicaragua were quick to earn a goal after play resumed in the second half, as Ezequiel Ugalde found the back of the net in the 49th minute to give them the win.

Despite the loss, however, the Guyanese boys finished their qualification round in second position in their group, with 9 points to their credit.

Their Lady Jags coun-

The male U-20 starting XI on Sunday

terparts also opened their Under-20 Championship campaign against Nicaragua on Sunday at the Estadio Olimpico Felix Sanchez in Santo Domingo.

However, the Lady Jags downed Nicaragua 3-1, as they took the lead by way of an Aubrey Narine goal in the 19th minute, and held on to same until the

second half of play, when Jade Vyfhuis pushed the score to 2-0 in the 49th minute.

Serena Mc Donald later pierced the nets in the 62nd minute to give Guyana a three-goal lead.

And although Nicaragua attempted to spur a comeback following their consolation goal which was net-

ted by Jaclyn Gilday in the 64th minute, the Guyanese defense would have none of it, and held on for a 3-1 victory.

The Lady Jags will continue their campaign today, Tuesday February 25, against Puerto Rico at the same venue from 16:00hrs.

Pride, Jaguars pair penalised under CWI Code of Conduct

C

ricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed on Monday that Barbados Pride, as well as Guyana Jaguars’ pair of Leon Johnson and Nial Smith received penalties under its Code of Conduct during the first half of the 2019-20 West Indies Championship season.

Pride were fined for maintaining a slow over-rate against the Jaguars during their second-round match from January 16 to 19 at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Johnson was fined and Smith reprimanded for Level 1 breaches of the Code during the fourthround match between Jaguars and Jamaica Scorpions from February 6 to 9 at the Guyana National Stadium.

Pride were reported by field umpires Danesh Ramdhanie and Christopher Taylor, as well as reserve umpire Troy Tudor, for being three overs short of their target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

In accordance with Article 2.22 of the Code, which relates to minor over-rate offences, Pride captain Kraigg Brathwaite was fined 30 percent of his match fee and the other

haviour that could be deemed as showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse.

Stuart gave Smith a reprimand for the same breach of the Code also during the

Jaguars’ second innings, when he was dismissed.

The umpires reported that Smith stood his ground before leaving the wicket and made a questionable remark, when he was ad-

judged lbw in the 85th over, also displaying behaviour that could be deemed as showing dissent at an umpire’s decision by action or verbal abuse. (CWI)

Ramdhani siblings receive awards in Canada

T Kraigg Brathwaite

members

of the squad were fined 15 perc e n t of their match fee.

Brathwaite pleaded guilty to the offence after the match and accepted the proposed sanction from CWI match referee Stephen Proverbs, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

Under the regulations, minor over-rate offences occur when a team fails to bowl one to five overs short of their target in the allotted time.

The fine for a captain is 10 percent of his match fee for every over Leon Johnson his

side fails to bowl in the allotted time. Other team members are penalised five percent of their match fee for every over the team fails to bowl in the allotted time.

Johnson, the Jaguars captain, and pacer Smith admitted to their respective offences and accepted the imposition of the proposed sanctions, so there was no need for formal hearings.

Johnson and Smith were reported by field umpires Zahid Bassarath and Deighton Butler, as well as reserve umpire Ryan Banwarie.

Having considered the umpires’ report, match referee Colin Stuart fined Johnson 15 per cent of his match fee for a breach of Section 2.4 of the Code during the Jaguars’ second innings, when he was dismissed.

The umpires reported that Johnson stood his ground before leaving the wicket and waved his hands in anger while walking away, when he was adjudged lbw in the 16th over, displaying be-

he Ramdhani siblings continue to take the badminton world by storm on and off the courts, after having received prestigious awards over the weekend.

The siblings, Narayan and Priyanna both copped accolades from the Alberta Colleges and Athletic Conference (ACAC) in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the field of college sport in Alberta, Canada over the past few months. The award comes as a direct result of Narayan and Priyanna being selected as part of the ACAC 2019/2020 All Conference Badminton Team.

While this is the first time that Priyanna has received the prestigious award, this is her brother’s second outing. The Guyanese siblings received their accolades on Saturday, February 22 at the Badminton Champion Banquet, in Alberta Canada.

According to the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), it is a great achievement for both Guyanese athletes who have been performing extremely well and maintained their respective spots in the top three positions in the Playoffs at the ACAC Tournament 1,2 & 3 played from September 2019 to date.

Narayan and Priyanna Ramdhani take a photo opportunity following the award ceremony

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

21

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Keon Hall adjudged MVP

B

akewell Topp XX’s forward player Keon Hall has been named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) to have participated in the Jermine & Family Linden Mash Cup football tournament, which concluded on Friday night with ‘the finals’ being contested by Topp XX and Coomacka Mines at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.

This was in the distribution of accolades after Topp XX had edged Coomacka 1-0 to emerge winners of the tournament.

As captain of his team, Hall had scored the goals which eventually enabled Topp XX to cart away the tournament winners’ prize of $600,000.

His goal in the semifinal match had facilitated Topp XX

achieving a 1-1 stalemate with Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection, before going on to beat them 7-6 on penalty kicks.

He then netted the lone goal in Topp XX’s final match in the tournament: against Coomacka Mines, which Topp XX won to emerge winners of this prestigious and lucrative tournament.

Hall’s achievements saw his side become the inaugural holders of this title on Friday, and him become owner of the Alwyn Bynoe Trophy, a pair of soccer shoes from Jerry Faucet, and a king or queen-sized bed from McRae’s Hardware and General Store.

His teammate Travis Waterton was declared ‘Top Scorer’ in the tournament with four goals, more than three

Tournament organiser Stanley Lancaster (left) hands over the MVP Trophy to Keon Hall of Topp XX

other players who each had three goals. Waterton won for himself a pair of soccer shoes donated by former national

West Demerara Cricket Association’s T20 Competition…

Zeeburg defeat Cornelia Ida -as Dhaniram, Azim, Looknauth dominate

T

he Cornelia Ida Cricket Club battled Zeeburg Sports Club on Sunday in the West Demerara Cricket Association’s T20 competition that celebrates Guyana’s 50th Anniversary as a Republic.

This matchup resulted in a 9-wicket triumph for Cornelia Ida through the dominant performances of Vickash Dhaniram, Richie Looknauth and Arshad Azim.

With this match being played at the MetenMeer-Zorg ground, where Zeeburg have registered many of their record-breaking victories, Zeeburg won the toss and

batted first, fully expecting the outcome to be business as usual. However, things did not go their way this time, and they found themselves tied down from the first delivery bowled.

Maintaining a disciplined line and length, the Cornelia Ida side had their opponents struggling for runs as wily bowlers Vickash Dhaniram took 6 wickets for 24 runs and Richie Looknauth pitched in with 2 wickets for 12 runs.

Zeeburg’s ever-reliable batsman Yutesh Dhanpaul led from the front with a handy 39, even as Malcolm Hubbard scored 26 and Andre Seepersaud chipped

in with an unbeaten 21.

The other batsmen, however, failed to hold on to their wickets, although a few cameos were played; and Zeeburg folded for 132 runs made in 19 overs.

Needing 133 for victory off 120 balls, Cornelia Ida lost Khellawan Tulcan for 23, but Richie Looknauth joined the already set Arshad Azim, and the pair blasted a match winning 94 that was enough for the win.

The game ended in 15.1 overs with the score on 135-1, as Azim finished unbeaten on 56, and Looknauth was likewise unbeaten on 50.

S

hai Hope continues his outstanding run of form for West Indies on One-Day cricket, the keeper is also hoping his heroics will lead to a win over Sri Lanka in the ongoing series.

On Saturday at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, Hope made 115 – his second century in his last seven innings.

It was the highest score for West Indies in Sri Lanka, surpassing the 110 made by Adrian Barath at the same venue back in 2011.

“It’s now do-or-die for us. We’re 0-1 down

and we have two more games to make amends.

I’m sure the guys have what it takes to come out and turn it around,” Hope said. “ I h a d t o e n sure that

I came out and stamped my authority on the first game. Unfortunately, it didn’t come out to be a wining effort, but it was still nice to get some runs under my belt.”

W e s t Indies entered

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Arshad Azim and Richie Looknauth shared an unbeaten 94-run partnership

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player Rickland ‘Tallo’ Hutson.

Delroy Conteh took the ‘Best Defender’ trophy.

Coomacka’s Kellon Major

was adjudged the ‘Best Goalkeeper’ for his great saves throughout the tournament.

He won himself a smart phone donated by Melville’s Variety Store of Wisrock. And Shymah Samuels, adjudged ‘the youngest player of the tournament’, received a bicycle from Snooks Variety Store.

The four coaches of the teams that participated in the semi-finals: Bakewell Topp XX, Coomacka, Botafago and Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection, each received a food hamper from Edward B Beharry & Company.

Champions Topp XX won $600,000; runners-up Coomacka won $300,000; third-placed Botafago won $200,000, and fourth-placed Winners Connection won $100,000.

Shai Hope and Darren Bravo pursue a single

the series one point behind the Sri Lankans in the ICC ODI rankings and are looking to move ahead of the hosts.

With one match gone, the visitors now have to make it back-to-back wins the achieve that feat.

In the first match, Roston Chase (41) and left-hander Darren Bravo (39) both got starts but failed to carry on, while all-rounder Keemo Paul lashed a 17ball unbeaten 32

batting at Number 8 to give the West Indies a strong finish.

Given out leg-before to seamer Nuwan Pradeep off the second ball of the game before he had scored, Hope used the DRS reprieve to reach his half-century off 77 balls at the start of the 26th over, before raising triple figures in the 43rd over off 128 deliveries.

“I think there were some key moments, where we could’ve probably put our foot down a bit more.

The run out [between myself and Bravo], we probably could’ve gotten a lot more out of that partnership,” he said.

Hope was speaking as the team arrived in the coastal town of Hambantota for the second match on Wednesday.

The day/night contest will be played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium.

First ball 5am Eastern Caribbean Time. (CWI)

22

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Sterling Products’ inaugural Golf Tourney…

Joaan Deo emerges as champion

F

ormer Guyana Open ladies champion Dr Joaan Deo, with almost surgical precision, gained access to the inaugural Sterling Products’ Golf Tournament Champion’s Trophy on Saturday at the Lusignan Golf Course.

As part of its sponsorship, Sterling Products had provided six hampers that contained a combination of its products, and these were distributed to appropriate winners.

Deo’s performance earned her first place in her Flight (10-18) – the highly competitive ‘middle Flight’ – which led her to emerge as overall winner.

She received the Tournament Champion’s

Trophy, while the golfer placing next in that flight received the 1st place prize for the Flight. (This format was instituted from the previous tournament to avoid the tournament winner also gaining a prize for winning their Flight.)

Winners of the 10-18 Flight were Joaan Deo (62/15) – Champion; Hilbert Shields (66/16) – 1st; Rakesh Harry 67/14) – 2nd. Very good performances were returned by Ravindra Harry (69/13), Ayube Subhan (70/14), Patanjilee Persaud (71/14), Maxim Mangra (71/17), Rabindranath Persaud (72/17); Aasrodeen Shaw (73/12), Lekhnarine Shivraj (73/15), Ian Gouveia (74/14) and Paton George

Dellon Lynch, Jetendra Dhanpat, Avinash Persaud, Brian Hackett, Dr Joaan Deo, Anasha Ally, Rabindranath Persaud, Rakesh Harry and Captain Chatterpaul Deo

(76/16).

In the 19–36 Flight, Brian Hackett produced a great 69/22 to gain the 1st place, while Anasha Ally delivered a commendable 72/32 to be 2nd. Eion Blue’s 74/28 and Eureka Giddings’ 76/27 showed that these players are continually improving their game.

In the 0-9 Flight, current Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud was 1st with a magnificent 70/2, gaining him the Best Gross (72) prize as well; he also won the Longest Drive prize. In 2nd place was Jetendra Dhanpat (73/9,) who was playing after a long absence from the sport.

Nearest the Pin was won by Rabindranath Persaud.

RHTY&SC and Guyana Beverage Inc host successful parade

H

undreds of students drawn from the following Hall Town. Along the way, drawn from six schools: Cropper Primary, participants displayed dozschools in Region Belvedere Primary, Rose ens of placards advising Six joined cricketers of the Hall Town Primary, Tain youths to “Say No” to drugs, Rose Hall Town Youth and Primary, Rose Hall Town crime, suicide, alcohol, toSports Club (RHTY&SC), Nursery, and the Lower bacco and pre-marital sex, Corentyne Secondary and “Yes” to education, life, MS, in a massive sports, culture and religion.

Chubby Children’s The parade Mash Parade that wended its way along the Lower Corentyne Highway in East Berbice on Republic Day, February 23.

Organised by the 10 cricket teams of the RHTY&SC, MS, with sponsorship from the Guyana Beverage Inc under its Chubby brand, this parade had its existence rooted Some part icipants o f the para in the following de pose w ith the Ch main objectives: ubby mas cot also celebration of Guyana’s 50th Anniversary as a School.

With musical accompa- h i g h l i g h t e d Republic; developing social cohesion among residents; niment from the Panamas the start of oil production providing clean entertain- Steelband of Fyrish and the in Guyana and its potential ment for families; and pro- True Heart Family sound for our development in the moting the ‘Say No/Say Yes’ system, the parade com- future.

Thousands of residents menced at Hampshire vilmessage.

The children partici- lage and proceeded to the came out to observe the papating in this parade were ‘Area H’ Ground at Rose rade, and many recorded its

Students of the Belvedere Primary School promoting the Say Yes/ Say No message

impressive features on their mobile devices.

RHTY&SC Secretary/ CEO Hilbert Foster has hailed the parade as a resounding success, and said it had achieved its main objective of spreading the Say No/Say Yes message to youths.

He hailed the Guyana Beverage Inc’s support in sponsoring the proceedings, and predicted that the 2021 edition of the parade would be an even bigger and better event.

Busta’s Marketing Manager Raymond Govindhan has said the company is delighted to be associated with the messages promoted during the parade, and is impressed with the RHTY&SC’s ability to organise events at the highest level.

He urged the students and their parents to make sure they have the perfect mixture of sports and education, as this can make a positive difference in their lives.

After this two-hour parade, the large gathering, which included students, was involved in a mini fun day with trampolines, bouncy castles and children’s games, and also witnessed a specially arranged 20/20 cricket match between the Berbice Female Cricket Team and the RHTY&SC Under-15 Team.

Spearheaded by an unbeaten 52 from Guyana Under-15 player Matthew Pottaya, the Under-15 team outdid the opposition.

GCB U-17 Inter-County Tournament…

Foster admonishes B/ce squad ꟷ as campaign opens against Essequibo today

U

nder the leadership of Captain Zeynul Ramsammy, the Berbice Under-17 Cricket Team will today be opening their campaign in the Guyana Cricket Board’s Under-17 Inter-County Tournament against their Essequibo counterparts, even as their Demerara counterparts open their campaign against the Guyana Under-15 Select Team.

As he met with this team prior to their departure for the capital city, Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster spoke of the importance of maintaining discipline in the

Berbice cricketing culture, and warned the players that no form of indiscipline would be tolerated.

“We have invested heavily in your preparation, as we strongly believe that it is the only way to success. As you leave Berbice to represent the Ancient County, please remember at all times that you are the current stakeholders to the rich legacy of legends like John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Roy Fredericks and Alvin Kallicharran. Do not disappoint us; and always – always -- strive for excellence in everything you do on and off the cricket field,” he ad-

monished the players.

Foster called on the attentive parents to place more emphasis on the personal development of their children, and to turn up at venues to support them. He said that while he strongly believes education is the key to success, participation in sports activities is also a crucial aspect of a child’s development, as it teaches discipline, dedication, and working in a collective environment.

Foster has pledged that, as long as he remains head of the BCB, special emphasis would be placed on the development of youths, and every youth would be given equal

opportunity to fulfill his/her potential.

As he handed over caps to each of the Berbice players, Foster also unveiled several incentives that the BCB has started, among which are ‘man of the match’ prizes for each match and a special award for the ‘Most Valuable Player of Berbice’ wins. He also equipped each of these players with a youth information booklet on Berbice Cricket.

The full Berbice team is: Zeynul Ramsammy (cpt), Jonathan Rampersaud (vicecpt), Leon Cecil, Naresh Veersammy, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia,

BCB President Hilbert Foster

Hemendra Gurdyal, Mahendra Ramcharitar, Satya France, Tomani Caesar, Savishkar Sobhai, Christopher Deroop, Isiah Thorne and Pavendra

Ganesh.

Surendra Kissoonlall is Team Manager, and former national player Delbert Hicks is Team Coach.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

23

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

CONCACAF U-20 Championship Qualifiers…

Page 20 Page 20

Bittersweet Sunday for U-20 national teams Pride, Jaguars pair penalised under CWI Code of Conduct Page 20

Ramdhani siblings receive awards in Canada

RHTY&SC and Guyana Beverage Inc host successful parade Page 22

Page 22

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