Guyana Times Tuesday January 28, 2020

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Issue No. 4179

P13

THE BEACON OF TRUTH TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

Guyana’s oil find continues to grow: ExxonMobil makes another discovery …now over 8 billion barrels recoverable See story on page 2

Page 7

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Court of Appeal defers H2H ruling until after Feb 6 P3 …after AG resurrects “mysterious” 1991 legislation

Craig fatal accident

Driver charged, released on $1.5M bail P9 Sophia residents to Govt: “No land, no vote” P7

Granger seeks to take control of Reg 6 RDC

...focuses on attacking Jagdeo ...takes large convoy to Berbice

Guyana celebrates India’s 70th Republic anniversary

Linden schoolgirl stabbing

Police awaiting legal advice from DPP – P9 Commander

See story on page 11

GCCI, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce express disappointment in Caricom Page 10

Lawyers locked in legal battle in Marcus Bisram murder trial P12

2 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s oil find continues to grow: ExxonMobil makes another discovery …now over 8 billion barrels recoverable

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ith a 16th discovery offshore Guyana, US oil giant ExxonMobil has boosted its estimated recoverable resource base to more than eight billion oil-equivalent barrels.

Northeast of the producing Liza field lies the Uaru exploration well, the company’s latest discovery on the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana.

In its announcement on Monday, the supermajor revealed that the well, its first for the year 2020, encountered approximately 94 feet of high-quality oil-bearing sandstone reservoir.

Uaru, drilled in 6342 feet (1933 metres) of water, is located approximately 10 miles (16 kilometres) Northeast of the Liza field, which began producing in December 2019.

In addition to this latest

ExxonMobil makes 16th discovery offshore Guyana

discovery, ExxonMobil announced that it also upped its estimated recoverable resource base to more than eight billion oil-equivalent barrels.

This new estimate includes the 15 discoveries offshore Guyana through year-end 2019. The previous estimate was six billion oil-equivalent barrels.

“With recent high-quality finds at Tripletail and Mako contributing to our recover-

able resources, our investments will continue to provide benefits for the people of Guyana,” said Senior Vice President of Exploration and New Ventures at ExxonMobil, Mike Cousins.

“The Uaru discovery is another positive step as we begin a new decade with the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and our co-venturers,” he is quoted as saying in a press statement.

Production from the Liza Phase 1 development is currently ramping up and will produce up to 120,000 barrels of oil per day in the coming months, utilising the Liza Destiny floating production storage and offloading vessel (FPSO).

The Liza Unity FPSO, which will be employed for the second phase of Liza development and will have a production capacity of

220,000 barrels of oil per day, is under construction and expected to start production by mid-2022.

Pending Government approvals and project sanctioning of a third development, production from the Payara field north of the Liza discoveries could start as early as 2023, reaching an estimated 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

Guyana’s Director of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe in a statement said this latest development is testimony to the level of economic transformation it is about to undergo.

He is quoted as saying: “All Guyanese should welcome this new discovery and should begin to appreciate that the nation is on the cusp of major economic transformation and sustained development. The Department of Energy remains committed to working with its partners and ecosystem of agencies, to ensure that the benefits from the sector, both direct and indirect, redound to every Guyanese.”

Under the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) governing the Stabroek Block, the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana will be receiving at a minimum, 2 per cent roy-

The Uaru discovery on the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana

alty on all oil produced in the Block plus 12.5 per cent profit oil.

In the meantime, four drillships in Guyana continue to explore and appraise new resources.

A fifth drillship is expected to be deployed later this year.

The Stabroek Block is 6.6 million acres (26,800 square kilometres).

ExxonMobil affiliate Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the operator and holds 45 per cent interest in the Stabroek Block.

Hess Guyana Exploration Limited holds 30 per cent

interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CNOOC Limited, holds 25 per cent interest.

Guyana’s other explorer, British-owned Tullow Oil, has made three oil finds to date at its Joe-1 exploration well, the Jethro-Lobe and the Carapa-1.

However, the quality of the oil finds might not be commercially viable.

A report from Norwegian research company Rystad Energy revealed that for 2019, Guyana was able to overtake Russia as the world’s highest oil producer.

NEWS

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

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Court of Appeal defers H2H ruling until after Feb 6 …after AG resurrects “mysterious” 1991 legislation

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he Court of Appeal has deferred its ruling on the Houseto-House Registration partial appeal until after a February 6 hearing, after efforts by Attorney General Basil Williams to introduce an old piece of “mysterious” legislation into the arguments caught the court by surprise and resulted in the parties requesting more time to review.

It was expected that the Court of Appeal would rule on Monday on the State’s partial appeal of the High Court’s decision on the House-to-House Registration case. However, much to the surprise of everyone, Williams informed the court that he had found a piece of legislation which speaks to inserting residency into the Constitution of Guyana.

This piece of legislation, Constitution Amendment Number 4, Act of 1991, was part of the constitutional reform process prior to the 1992 elections. Williams argued before Chancellor Yonnette CummingsEdwards and Justices Dawn Gregory and Rishi Persaud, that the court should consider the Act as applicable.

However, the Chancellor questioned whether the Act was valid considering the 29-year interval. She also pointed out to the AG that the question appeared not to have been settled even with subsequent elections being held.

Resurrected Act

Former AG Anil Nandlall, who appeared for the first-named respondent, Christopher Ram, argued that this resurrected Act should not be considered as it was not included in the Constitution in the first place.

Casting doubt on whether it was even a lawful document, Nandlall requested time to peruse it. A similar request was made by the other parties, such as Guyana Bar Association President Teni Housty and recently appointed Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde.

Despite some protest from the AG, the court acquiesced to the request.

The court granted all sides until Monday, February 3, 2020, to make written submissions and Wednesday, February 5, to respond. They are to return for a hearing on Thursday, February 6 at 10:30h.

Irrelevant

After the hearing, Nandlall described the Act as irrelevant to current elections, but rather pertains to electoral reforms made in

Former Attorney General Anil Nandlall

1991 for elections the next year. According to him, his successor’s argument is a vexatious one.

“The AG is relying on a piece of legislation that was part of the reforms that took place in 1991 as we were preparing for the 1992 general elections. During that period there were widespread reforms at the level of the legislature and the electoral system. So laws had to be passed to capture the agreements arrived at by politicians at the time.”

“For example the reform of GECOM, we had to specifically keep that and put it in the Constitution, before it became a permanent part of the legislature of the country. But those other aspects of the legislation were never kept. They were like sunset legislature that fell away af-

ter the 1992 elections came and went. So it’s unfortunate, at this late hour, that the AG has come up with this time-wasting exercise.”

Nandlall pointed out that elections are already set and it would be inconceivable for the court to undo all the work the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has put into making the elections happen and preparing a voters’ list. Efforts to contact the AG were futile.

Despite calling it a partial appeal, Attorney General Basil Williams is contesting most of the major points from Chief Justice Roxane George’s August 14, 2019 ruling. One of the major contestations in the appeal is the residency requirement for being registered.

The Chief Justice had ruled that persons, once registered, could not be removed by enumerators without just cause. In the AG’s appeal, however, the Chief Justice is accused of being misconceived in law by not properly

Attorney General Basil Williams

considering Section 6 of the National Registration Act. According to the AG, Section 6 of the Act makes residency a requirement for registration during the qualifying date period. The AG is also alleging that the Chief Justice, somehow, breached the separation of powers doctrine by ruling that GECOM could not remove registrants who were alive and well.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 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

Executive’s subversion of our “constitutionalism”

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ne of the most glaring failures of the PNC-led APNU/ AFC coalition government has been its undermining and weakening the institutions of the State – including several that it launched since 2015. In almost every field of human endeavour, it is recognised that we need “rules of the game” for us to function socially and this is where institutions come in. They are, as a matter of fact, the embodiment of such rules around particular values we seek to guide our lives. Most persons conflate the “organisation” with the “institution”, but the former focuses the persons playing roles to actually transmit the values embodied in the rules that constitute the former.

At the national level, the rules for governing our State are embodied in the Constitution, while statutes passed by the legislature would set out the rules guiding other lower institutions. As such, we have, for instance, the institutions of the Judiciary and the Police Force for enforcing the laws of our State – the values of peace and security; the Revenue Authority for collecting taxes – the value of sharing the costs of our State services; and the Health Services to deal with the medical needs of our citizens – the value of healthy lives.

Not surprisingly, most of our institutions are copied from the developed countries, since they are the exemplars of what we are attempting to achieve and we have seen the outcomes of their high-quality public sector institutions.

However, most citizens of Guyana would agree that while life in Guyana is somewhat above the state of nature described

by Hobbes as “nasty, brutish and short”, it remains so in many respects. However, if we are to examine the source of their angst somewhat closer, we would discover that the letdowns invariably stem from a failure of institutions.

Take, for instance, the complaints about the lack of security in Guyana, with the high rate of crime becoming higher with each passing day. As was noted earlier, the institutions responsible for the value of security are the Police and Judiciary. Now these institutions have been examined and re-examined on numerous occasions by foreign and domestic “experts”. There were subsequent tweaking of the “rules” that govern their behaviour to better deliver the value encompassed in their motto “To serve and protect”. The question is: why the failure?

The reason is that this PNC-led government, in every instance, focuses on the “institutional form” – the organisation of the institution, and not on “institutional function” – the ability of the institution to solve the problem of securing the articulated value. Take the case of what might be seen as the mundane challenge of improving the response of the Police to reports of crimes by the citizenry.

Hundreds of vehicles have been procured – cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, all-terrain vehicles, etc— over the past decade, but to no avail.

But this is because the Government has been focusing on the form and not the function of the Police force. It is clear that the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that were crafted to guide the Police response are not being followed, but it is also clear that internally, there is no follow-up to check and correct why there was no follow-up in the first case.

But it is not only a sin of omission that is being committed; there are also sins of commission. Take, for instance, the institutions of State Assets Recovery Agency (SARA) and Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) which were formed to carry out their eponymous anti-corruption functions. Over the last four years, while the forms of these institutions were in place, in their function, they were subverted to go after the political Opposition – while completely ignoring identified instances of corrupt practices with incumbent government officials.

But the greatest subversion of our institutional structure that holds our country together has been at the top: the Executive’s subversion of our meta-institution of “constitutionalism”, which demands that all adhere to the rules of our Constitution.

Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa and Ashwini Gowdara Siddeshwara, along with President David Granger, cut the Republic Anniversary cake on Saturday during the 70th anniversary of the Republic Day of India celebrations at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (Ministry of the Presidency photo)

Seriously? This is utterly ludicrous

Dear Editor, One of the APNU/AFC Cabinet members, Jaipaul Sharma, asked by the media for a comment on the escalation of violence in Guyana’s schools, stated “bring back hanging. This thing has got out of control”. Is he serious? Is Mr Sharma seriously proposing we hang children? Outside of him joking, there is no other way to interpret what he said.

And if his fallback position is he was joking, then it is still preposterous and reckless this is no joking matter. When taken together with Nicolette Henry’s disdainful declaration a few months back after two children were engaged in a violent confrontation in a city school that “these things are normal, they happen all the time”, it suggests that the Cabinet is clueless and totally insensitive when it comes to dealing with school violence.

I suspect both positions are ones David Granger himself would want to distance himself from. Mr Granger is clueless on most matters Government must deal with.

But I refuse to think he is so disinterested, callous and so heartless that he would align himself and his Government with these extreme, outrageous positions. It is, therefore, bothersome Mr Granger

did not hazard a comment when either of his Ministers uttered such utter garbage.

None of his other Cabinet members or spokespersons did either. Silence, in this case, speaks loudly. While not an option, exercising silence on such sensitive, critical matters demonstrate cluelessness or simply that the Government does not care.

Cabinet members, when they speak, present positions that the public considers Government’s position, unless the Head of the Government or responsible spokespersons clarify Government’s actual positions. In the absence of such public communications and clarifications, these ministerial declarations constitute Government’s positions. It is imperative when a Cabinet member speaks with such “loose mouth” that somebody either owns or disowns on behalf of Cabinet. I shudder to think what would have been the consequence had one of Bharrat Jagdeo’s Cabinet members uttered such nonsense. Jagdeo would have immediately disowned such nonsense, distanced the Cabinet, rebuked the Cabinet member and also would have had the Cabinet’s spokesperson issued a statement officially disowning it. The recalcitrant

Cabinet member would have heard from him in private and in Cabinet, and Jagdeo would not have been shy in publicly rebuking that Minister.

School violence is a serious social issue, it is a critical developmental area, one that Government cannot and must not take a place on the sidelines. Government is not just a player, not just another stakeholder in addressing this issue, Government must be the lead stakeholder to address school violence.

Government must have a plan and invest in and play a leading role in implementing an active programme. School violence is not something that is limited to Guyana. It is a global phenomenon and, unfortunately, Guyana is not the only country where school violence is escalating. When we hear Cabinet members echoing idiotic, reprehensible statements like the ones Ms. Henry did and now the one Sharma has, it exposes the cluelessness, the unpreparedness and unreadiness of those in charge to take control of the situation. In these circumstances, we can expect the problem to mount and to get worse.

Mr Granger has largely sidelined himself from all these grave matters. It is the same with violence against

women. As the man who took the mantle of Head of State in May 2015, these are matters he must inject himself into, no matter how uncomfortable it is. When he hears one of his own Cabinet members dismissing school violence as “something that happen all the time, that is normal”, he has to act immediately to distant himself and Government from such a reckless statement and approach to the problem.

Yet, Mr. Granger said nothing and the Cabinet spokesperson allowed that statement to remain unchallenged, even after an enormous public outrage. Now that Sharma has come out with an even more preposterous position, suggesting we “bring back hanging” to deal with school violence, Mr. Granger must not remain silent. The sideline is the last place he should want to be on this matter and the sideline is not where the citizens expect the Head of State to find comfort. Somebody must demonstrate maturity and someone needs to take responsibility. Instead, as usual, we are floating, the responsible officials are in la la land, as the problem morphs into an out-of-control monster.

Sincerely, Dr Leslie Ramsammy

Peace and our nation’s democracy are threatened Dear Editor, “Resist the spin” was the bold front-page headline of no less a newspaper than the Chronicle, as it reported on the words of wisdom offered

by GECOM Chair, Justice Claudette Singh “in the interest of peace and stability, I urge you not to execute your functions at the expense of a peaceful society…resist the spin and contextualise your stories”. I do hope this leads to increased vigilance by reporters and it would be ideal if it could extend to writers in the opinion columns; for I was ap-

palled by the attempt by GHK Lall to ‘spin’ Volda Lawrence’s incendiary and dangerous appeals to supporters to congregate outside of polling stations for a ‘nightshift’.

GHK bowls a ball that the ‘nightshift call’ has been taken to mean a festive ‘lime’ complete with beverages and BBQ. Utter balderdash!

Having worked as a polling agent in 2015 in the FE Pollard School, Kitty, which housed numerous polling stations, I can testify that the nature of the gathered APNU/ AFC crowds outside of that

institution was neither festive nor a ‘lime’. Further 90 (1) of the Representation of the People’s Act prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquor on Election Day, this is common knowledge. GHK’s attempt to ‘spin’ should be called a ‘noball’ and the bowler’s action should be examined closely; I understand Mr Lall has to sing for his supper and he has fears of returning to the seat of his moped after March 2 should the coalition lose but one must temper the personal for the national.

Editor, I would suggest

that GHK Lall’s pieces be ‘contextualised’ as suggested

by Justice Singh, mayhap in a column entitled ‘The Vigil Idiot’ away from the ‘no spin zone’ for it seems GHK is alert to every possibility but unable to decipher what is meant by Volda Lawrence’s ‘nightshift’; this ignorance, wilful or otherwise, is dangerous and no longer amusing when lives, peace and our nation’s democracy are threatened in such a transparent manner.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

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No splitting of the votes in 2020 elections Dear Editor, The upcoming elections will allow over 600,000 persons (approximately 80 per cent of the population) to elect leaders for the next five years.

There is a consensus among citizens, politicians, and social commentators that these elections will be the most critical in our post-colonial history. I fully support this view since the leaders we elect will either help us to leapfrog with our newly found oil resource or slip pass countries that managed this resource for the benefit of a small elite group (eg, Papua New Guinea, Angola, etc).

With oil wealth, we can modernise the traditional sectors, move to value-added activities, and place the country in a position where it can thrive and compete with countries like Singapore in the fourth industrial revolution. However, this necessitates sound management of the oil resource. This, in turn, requires, at a minimum, a robust legal and regulatory regime for the oil and gas sector, a modern Local Content Policy and a development paradigm that will deliver sustainable development to ensure the people of the country enjoy maximum benefits. In

all the existing development strategies, the NDC, LCDS, NCS, oil does not feature.

Therefore, we need to refine the current development paradigms to include oil or create a new development paradigm for a future with and without oil.

The tasks mentioned above are by no means simple. They will require the best persons (within and outside Guyana) with the relevant experience and track record of crafting and implementing laws as well as policies and strategies. The group of leaders cannot just be fresh faces with youthful energy. These leaders must have experience and a track record to convince us they can do the tasks required.

When I examine the small parties, I am not convinced they fit the bill. Most of the members are not known for any significant accomplishment (note singular, because I don’t know of one accomplishment). They just showed up on the scene for our votes. The only message from the small parties, thus far, is that we should vote for them because voting for the PPPC and PNC is terrible. While they may have a point, the electorate is more

interested in the plans and track record and experience of the candidates. Hopefully, the small parties will include these issues during the campaign season, if they are serious about garnering votes on March 2, 2020. They can also help by joining with every decent-minded Guyanese to ensure that the 2020 elections are free and fair and free from fear.

Based on the performance of small parties in the past, I am sure they will not attract significant votes in 2020. Our history is devoid of any evidence that small parties have made any substantial contribution to Guyana’s development. The first attempt by a small party to influence our development occurred in the 1960s when the TUF joined forces with the PNC. History will confirm the coalition of the TUF and PNC paved the way for a dictatorship that lasted for 28 years, where party paramountcy was practiced openly to the detriment of our development. After a long break, the AFC was formed to the excitement of many young firsttime voters. This party was supposed to take the politics in Guyana beyond race since it was formed by two relative-

Untrustworthy leaders Dear Editor, I am astounded that after more than one year since the No-Confidence Motion and the protracted court trials from the High Court to the Appeal Court resulting in the most comprehensive judgement delivered by the Caribbean Court of Justice some presidential hopefuls have yet blatantly violated Articles 53 and 155 of our Constitution and the Statutory Declaration Act Chapter 5:09 when throughout the legal imbroglio a dual citizenship nomination to the National Assembly was upheld as being unconstitutional. How can they not be aware that they have to give up their foreign citizenship before seeking nomination?

It cannot be assumed that on Nomination Day they suddenly made a decision to contest as the presidential candidate for their respective parties.

The Declaration Form 3A for Presidential Candidate stipulated five conditions which must be met of which, two state unambiguously, “That I am a citizen of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana” and is “qualified to be elected as a Member of the National Assembly”.

Article 155 further states that: “No person shall be qualified for election as a member of the National Assembly who (a) is, by virtue of his or her own act, under any acknowledgement of allegiance, obedience or adherence of a foreign power or state”. Moreover, according to the Statutory Declaration Act, Chapter 5:09, “Everyone who makes a declaration according to this Act containing any statement false in fact or does not believe to be true, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour and shall be liable to imprisonment for one year”.

How can anyone violate

this pellucid Section of the law? It seems that Granger as President has set a bad precedent when he blatantly disregarded and violated our Constitution and the CCJ’s orders, claiming that he has his own interpretation of the law. Now Shuman, Bandhu and Leung have followed suit since their interpretation is that they could sign the Statutory Declaration and relinquish their Canadian and US Citizenship at a later date probably when they are elected to the National Assembly! I simply cannot fathom Yolanda Ward’s statement that these people need to ‘show cause’ for their violation! These people ignored the fact that they must relinquish their foreign citizenship before Nomination Day, at least before signing the Declaration Form. The USA and Canadian immigration websites provide easy online procedures to renounce citizenship. Why were these procedures not followed months ago? Why is GECOM so lenient to them?

Again it leaves us to wonder if these ‘leaders’ suddenly awoke from their slumber and lethargy and decided to become the President of Guyana to bring prosperity to the Guyanese people. So many negative issues affecting our democracy have been going on in our country and we are yet to hear the voice of condemnation from the leaders of the small parties. Then there are the bread and butter issues: the dismissal of 30,000 persons, the closing of four sugar estates, the mounting unemployment among our youths, the rising cost of living, the massive taxes and the inability of the vulnerable groups in our society to eke a living.

Then we must also mention the squandering of our tax-

payers’ dollars and the ensuing massive corruption. Yet these leaders have remained mum.

Moreover, when the illegal Chairman of GECOM was appointed, the voices of these presidential candidates were non-existent; when Granger blatantly violated our Constitution they watched on; when Granger ignored the CCJ orders they sat silently; when GECOM foisted the illegal House-to-House Registration upon us they had nothing to say; now that the voters’ lists are in shambles they are busy with their own self-interest. If it was not for Jagdeo and the great efforts of his team, the trickery, and illegality perpetuated by CEO Lowenfield and his boys would have given the PNC the Government on a platter whilst these neophytes continue to fiddle. Even to date, it is Jagdeo and the PPP/C who have taken numerous measures to ensure that the OLE is clean and that the Elections on March 2 is free and fair and the latest achievement is the forcing of GECOM to provide all updates made to the voters’ list from the H-t-H Registration involving 91,000 persons. In addition, it is the PPP/C activists who are working in the fields to ensure veracity and accuracy!

It is not too late for these charlatans in the smaller parties to make an about-turn and start serving our country.

Before we aspire for higher offices we must be prepared to serve the people.

We must understand that the very first job of a leader is to inspire trust, it is the most essential element in our ability to deliver extraordinary results!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

ly young leaders of the major parties who signalled they wanted a better Guyana for all. There was so much excitement among young and even some old electors, the AFC captured significant votes when they contested elections on its own. However, in and out of office, the AFC failed miserably. In Opposition, the AFC joined with the PNC to cut the budgets and block initiatives like the Amaila Fall Hydro Project and Specialty Hospital Project. During this period, they failed to put forward any new legislation or initiative to advance our development. The AFC subsequently formed a union with the PNC to contest the 2015 elections. In return, the AFC was rewarded crucial Ministries (Natural Resource, Public Infrastructure, Public Security, Ministry of Business, and Ministry of Telecommunication) and the position of Prime Minister.

In Government, their elected members failed to push any significant legislation through Parliament or managed their sectors effectively. As a matter of fact, we have seen an

upsurge in crime, prison fires, mismanagement of infrastructure projects bequeathed by the PPP (airport expansion, Sheriff Street expansion etc), increased bankruptcy across business sectors, and allegations of corruption at the Ministries controlled by AFC. The AFC members also stood quietly in Government when the sugar workers were sent home without their severance, and citizens were taxed to death, causing one member to join the PPP/C to topple the Government by way of a no-confidence vote.

Before the no-confidence vote, the elected members of the AFC performed so poorly the party lost significant support during the local Government elections in 2018. The only remaining hope for the AFC is to cling onto the PNC for relevance.

The AFC, which offered the best prospect for a third force, failed, notwithstanding, they had members with extensive political experience.

The upcoming elections have a significant number of voters who were bitten by the AFC and UF. They are

familiar with the history of the United Force (UF) which opened the doors for a dictatorship and a repetition of this sordid history by the AFC in 2015. I am sure these voters will express some shyness in electing any new small party as a third force. As the saying goes, they are once bitten twice shy.

Editor, in closing, these elections will be about our post-colonial history, plans, experience, and track record rather than emotional speeches and social media posts. At the end of the election cycle, there will be a Government with a majority in Parliament to lead Guyana. Only the PNC or PPP/C will form that Government. There will not be any splitting of votes come March 2, 2020. The electorates have the option to choose between PPP/C with a plan and list of candidates who have the experience/track record or the PNC, which has no plan, poor track record, and history of ruling with an iron fist.

Dear Editor, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan hit the nail on its head when he recently called for tougher scrutiny of recruits to weed out corrupt ranks in the Guyana Police Force (GPF). According to a daily newspaper article, the Hon Minister in response to a report that a member of a specialised section of the GPF was fingered in an armed robbery on the West Coast of Demerara, stated,” All rogue elements must be forced out.

We must strengthen the vetting system (for recruits) .... but we still have the ones who want to live the illegal life.” Although this is a timely call, the focus must be broadened to reach all levels and ranks in the Force to weed out corrupt and undesirable behaviour.

The recruiting system for regular members of the Force is quite simple. Applicants who passed the entrance examination; are physically fit; satisfy background checks by the Special Branch and Divisional Command; are cleared by the Criminal Records Office and are successful at the Final Interview for Selection, will be well on their way to wear the Police colours - blue and black.

For members of the Special Constabulary and other auxiliary, the process is even easier to gain entry in the Force.

No longer can you swear a policeman, give him a badge and a gun and send him in the street to work. No longer can a policeman depend on his brawn and political connections to be effective. The paradigm has shifted. To be effective, a policeman must understand behaviour. He must not only understand the behaviour of the criminals, the behaviour of his superiors, his peers, his subordinates, his friends, his family and members of the public

but his own behaviour. Hence, it is apposite to note that the recruitment process must cater for behaviour, more so physiological behaviour.

Recently, President Anthony Carmona of Trinidad and Tobago called for members of his police service to be exposed to behavioural psychologists. A good starting point to aid the recruitment process is to set up assessment centres. An assessment centre is a place where the applicants undergo a series of events or activities under the watchful eyes of trained assessors, who are expected to, among other issues, analyse the behaviour of the applicants. According to Tinsley (2002), “The assessment centre was and still is - one of the best methods available for selecting suitable candidates for either employment or advancement in law enforcement agencies.” It is nothing new. Both Allies and the Axis used it during World War II to train their spies. During my groundings with my brother officers in Jamaica, I attended several assessment centres for applicants for the Jamaica Constabulary. I vividly recall one applicant had a degree from the University of the West Indies. He failed the assessment and was not recruited as during the assessment he displayed some amount of psychopathic behaviour. Francis Forbes, who was in charge of the Jamaica Constabulary Staff College and who later became a Commissioner of the Jamaica Constabulary remarked, “Him can get a degree from UWI, but if him a psycho, him can’t be a police.” Utilising the assessment centres will result in less persons being recruited but a better quality of persons will be enlisted in the Force.

It is not that all members of the GPF are involved in

corruption and unethical behaviour. There are good and bad policemen.

Another entity that can promote good behaviour is a behavioural science unit.

Some time ago I made a call for the establishment of such a unit in the GPF. It fell on deaf ears. I hope that this time it will fall on fertile soil. I again make such a clarion call. Since then, the University of Guyana has rushed ahead and established a behavioural science department at its Turkeyen Campus.

Certainly, the police can also utilise that facility while they await the setting up of their own such unit. During my stint at the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy in the United States of America, I was exposed to their behavioural science unit. My interaction with that unit then and subsequently enabled me as a senior law enforcement officer to deal effectively with my superiors, peers, subordinates, members of the public, friends, family and my own behaviour.

Establishing assessment centres, early warning systems and behavioural science unit will enable the police to design, develop, implement and evaluated effective strategies and tactics as they move from incident-driven and reactive approaches to effectively analyse the pattern of crimes and violence in order to create opportunities for them to be more proactive and conduct more intelligence-led policing. These interventions would also promote activities to minimise corruption and unethical behaviour in the GPF. May God bless the Guyana Police Force.

With regards, Name provided

Minimising corruption, unethical behaviour in GPF

Yours faithfully, Clinton Conway Assistant Commissioner of Police (Retired)

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

Page

Foundation

CONTINUED FROM MONDAY

Managing social pressures and problems

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ometimes, though, the stresses in your life can actually come from your peers.

They may pressure you into doing something you’re uncomfortable with, such as shoplifting, doing drugs or drinking, taking dangerous risks when driving a car, or having sex before you feel ready.

This pressure may be expressed openly (“Oh, come on – it’s just one beer, and everyone else is having one”) or more indirectly – simply making beer available at a party, for instance.

Most peer pressure is less easy to define.

Sometimes a group can make subtle signals without saying anything at all – letting you know that you must dress or talk a certain way or adopt particular attitudes toward school, other students, parents, and teachers in order to win acceptance and approval.

The pressure to conform (to do what others are doing) can be powerful and hard to resist. A person might feel pressure to do something just because others are doing it (or say they are). Peer pressure can influence a person to do something that is relatively harmless – or something that has more serious consequences. Giving in to the pressure to dress a certain way is one thing – going along with the crowd to drink or smoke is another.

People may feel pressure to conform so they fit in or are accepted, or so they don’t feel awkward or uncomfortable. When people are unsure of what to do in a social situation, they naturally look to others for cues about what is and isn’t acceptable.

The people who are most easily influenced will follow someone else’s lead first. Then others may go along, too – so it can be easy to think, “It must be OK. Everyone else is doing it. They must know what they’re doing.” Before you know it, many people are going along with the crowd – perhaps on something they might not otherwise do.

Responding to peer pressure is part of human nature – but some people are more likely to give in, and others are better able to resist and stand their ground. People who are low on confidence and those who tend to follow rather than lead could be more likely to seek their peers’ approval by giving in to a risky challenge or suggestion. People who are unsure of themselves, new to the group, or inexperienced with peer pressure may also be more likely to give in.

Using alcohol or drugs increases anyone’s chances of giving in to peer pressure. Substance use impairs judgment and interferes with the ability to make good decisions.

Pressure pointers Nearly everyone ends up in a sticky peer pressure situation at some point. No matter how wisely you choose your friends, or how well you think you know them, sooner or later you’ll have to make decisions that are difficult and could be unpopular.

It may be something as simple as resisting the pressure to spend your hard-earned babysitting money on the latest MP3 player that “everybody” has. Or it may mean deciding to take a stand that makes you look uncool to your group.

But these situations can be opportunities to figure out what is right for you. There’s no magic to standing up to peer pressure, but it does take courage – yours: Listen to your gut. If you feel uncomfortable, even if your friends seem to be OK with what’s going on, it means that something about the situation is wrong for you. This kind of decision-making is part of becoming self-reliant and learning more about who you are.

Plan for possible pressure situations. If you’d like to go to a party, but you believe you may be offered alcohol or drugs there, think ahead about how you’ll handle this challenge. Decide ahead of time – and even

rehearse – what you’ll say and do. Learn a few tricks. If you’re holding a bottle of water or a can of soda, for instance, you’re less likely to be offered a drink you don’t want.

Arrange a “bail-out” code phrase you can use with your parents without losing face with your peers. You might call home from a party at which you’re feeling pressured to drink alcohol and say, for instance, “Can you come and drive me home? I have a terrible earache.”

Learn to feel comfortable saying “no”.

With good friends you should never have to offer an explanation or apology. But if you feel you need an excuse for, say, turning down a drink or smoke, think up a few lines you can use casually.

Hang with people who feel the same way you do. Choose friends who will speak up with you when you’re in need of moral support, and be quick to speak up for a friend in the same way. If you’re hearing that little voice telling you a situation’s not right, chances are others hear it, too. Just having one other person stand with you against peer pressure makes it much easier for both people to resist.

Blame your parents: “Are you kidding?

If my mom found out, she’d kill me, and her spies are everywhere.”

If a situation seems dangerous, don’t hesitate to get an adult’s help.

It’s not always easy to resist negative peer pressure, but when you do, it is easy to feel good about it afterward. And you may even be a positive influence on your peers who feel the same way – often it just takes one person to speak out or take a different action to change a situation. Your friends may follow if you have the courage to do something different or refuse to go along with the group. Consider yourself a leader, and know that you have the potential to make a difference. (Excerpt from kidshealth. org)

When it comes to the social scene, making new friends is one of the biggest worries people mentioned. Lots of people said that friends would be in different classes or even at different schools.

Jessie, 15, said, “I’m going to try to make new friends and talk more. Don’t worry about being awkward because others are too. Lots of people are good at being cool, but they are insecure too.”

Finding a safe, welcoming group is a great foundation for dealing with the ups and downs of school. Jessie’s advice: “It’s important to have your own little or big group that you can hang out with.”

Lolo, 14, explained how “My best friend left last year, and I’m worried about who I’ll hang out with.” Her strategy is: “Don’t hang out with anyone who has a good social image but who is mean. Try to find someone who will really be your friend.”

Lots of people are concerned about drifting apart from friends and breaking away from existing friendships to start new ones.

Jen, 16, told us, “I have not talked to my best friends...

I don’t want to be their friend anymore, but they don’t get that.”

Leanna, 14, said, “I am stressed about the groups and who I am going to sit with because I have different friends in different groups.”

Tim, 14, worried about “making new friends without exfriends spreading rumours.”

Brittany, 15, who worried about dealing with “rude old friends” offered this advice: “Be nice to everyone. You never know who you may need help from in the future.”

And Amina, 14, said, “There are these really jealous girls and they are always stressing me out.” She found that just being nice to them can make a lot of difference: “They will be amazed at how you treat them and maybe loosen up some.”

Using kindness to stop meanness in its tracks is one good way to deal. Jessica, 16, has another strategy for coping with rude people: “I just ignore them. It drives them crazy when you don’t act or seem like you care about anything they have to say.”

Some of you worry that the things you did in the past will influence how people see you now. Tina, 15, told us, “My best friend and I were in a car accident last year when we decided to go to a party instead of school. So, I am worried that my peers and teachers will think that I am irresponsible because of that incident.”

Amanda, 14, said her way of dealing with rumours and gossip is “to hold my head up high, smile, and try to create a new reputation for myself. Change the negatives into positives!”

Looking good

How we feel about the way we look is closely tied to social issues, feeling comfortable, and being accepted.

Codi, 14, said, “I am not usually a shy person, but starting high school in a new school is scary. I don’t know anyone other than those on my soccer team. I am afraid that once they see me out of my soccer clothes and in my skater cut-up clothes they won’t want to talk to me.”

“At my old school, I was the most popular girl,” said Emily, 14. “Now I’m starting to get acne and developing.”

Dealing with body changes is a big issue for lots of people.

It’s natural to worry about appearance, but most people said they try to keep things in perspective.

Casey, 14, said, “A year from now, will what you worried about really be a big deal? Other stuff is going to happen.”

Lots of you recommend getting the support of a friend, parent, or counsellor when you’re feeling down about your appearance.

Keisha, 15, said, “Don’t worry about it so much. And when your family and friends say you look great, accept the compliment, because it’s true!”

And Lia, 14, reminds us, “If you’re worried about your clothes and how you look, just remember that it’s what’s on the inside that matters.”

We couldn’t agree more. (Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

NEWS

7

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Granger seeks to take control of Reg 6 RDC

...focuses on attacking Jagdeo ...takes large convoy to Berbice

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resident David Granger on Monday evening told supporters to ensure that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition takes control of all of the Regional Democratic Councils (RDC) in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) at the March 2 polls.

The President and the large convoy left Georgetown for the rally in New Amsterdam where he made the call. As he addressed the gathering he did not outline any major

plans for Region Six but rather launched an attack on former President and Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo.

“For this country to work, the RDC has to cooperate with the Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and with the Central Government.

We can’t have a civil war in which the RDC is fighting with the Central Government and fighting with the Neighborhoods. All three of us have to work together. This is not working out with the People’s

A section of the gathering at the rally

Sophia residents to Govt: “No land, no vote”

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Some Sophia residents expressing displeasure at the long wait for their lands

he residents of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, were full of frustration on Monday as they lashed out at the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government for unkept promises and the slow pace of awarding land.

Angry residents showed members of the media acknowledgement letters from the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) dating back years. They were asked to walk with their letters to a booth set up by the Housing Authority in the area in an effort to appease them.

“This is me land paper boy. Watch what going on here boy! Look how long I apply and can’t get a land boy! Even if they give we a receipt, we can pay piece, piece. All ah we want land at the back here! Even if its $20,000 or $10,000 a month, we can have a receipt to show we paying for the land.

What they doing for people?” argued one resident.

“No land, no vote! We ain’t taking that again. No land, no vote!” Shouted an-

other resident, while another one, this time a woman holding a child, explained that she has been on the dam for seven years. She lamented the Government’s failure to address the needs of Sophia, long perceived as a coalition electoral stronghold.

“You know how long they was to give we land?

Every time people come and break down [structures].

People children getting big!

What happen to poor people? And yall [APNU/AFC Government] want go back in [to power]. Yall gotta give people land!” she shouted in visible frustration.

Meanwhile, CH&PA held an emergency press conference on Monday, where the Authority’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Lelon Saul and Junior Minister with responsibility for housing, Annette Ferguson, attempted to address the issue.

“It was drawn to the attention of the agency last week that persons have begun to move in on the vacant lands in the Cummings Lodge area.

The Authority took the responsibility of going in there

to explain to them that we do not condone or support their actions to squat on the lands,” Ferguson said.

She said that in 2015, the CH&PA engaged the National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL) and paid for the land. Ferguson claimed that they have now begun the necessary infrastructural work so that the persons who acquired the land can begin construction.

“We took a decision on how we will treat with them.

And this morning (Monday), we did have members of staff out at the Sophia area to address those persons who have applied for house lots some time and have not been allocated. We asked them to submit their acknowledgement letters and we encouraged those who never applied to register.”

Meanwhile, Saul added that there is no land at Cummings Lodge for firsttime applicants. He reiterated that the land in that area has already been given out and that the booth is intended to help persons get land in other areas.

Progressive Party (PPP).

We have to control all of the NDCs and municipalities and then all of us will work together for the good of this country and for the good of this region,” he told the gathering.

At the last Regional Elections in 2015, the coalition only won three of the ten RDCs in the region.

According to Granger, development in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) will only be possible if the coalition controls the RDC. “We have a plan for New Amsterdam and that is to make New Amsterdam an engine of growth. We have a plan to make sure that every child in this region goes to school.”

He said there is also a plan to modernise the waterfront and to make the town of New Amsterdam a commercial hub with a deep-water port, which will have ships coming to take produce.

However, Granger stopped short of making any mention of developing the productive sectors which

have all been on the decline under his Administration but said that persons of the region will be able to sell their produce to the Caribbean.

“The town of New Amsterdam is like no other town in Guyana and has 39 Heritage Sites. We will make New Amsterdam Heritage Centre and one for eco-tourism.”

He said his Government has improved medical facilities for all residents of the region. However, the National Ophthalmology Hospital at Port Mourant, Berbice, has not been conducting cataract surgery since the coalition took office in 2015. Since 2015, there have been several protests staged outside of the New Amsterdam Hospital demanding better health services.

Over the past four years, that hospital has been without basic supplies such as cotton wool and gloves along with basic medical supplies.

Granger also boasted that the East Bank Berbice road was built under his

Government.

However, prior to the coalition Government taking office, the PPP Administration had secured funds from the International Development Bank (IDB) for that project and had identified a contractor which the IDB had approved. After the APNU/ AFC took office, it did not find favour with the contractor and was seeking to reassign the project, forcing the IDB to withdraw. The road was subsequently built by the coalition. However, those plans were altered.

During his delivery, the President displayed physical signs of discomfort and seemed uncomfortable as he stood at the podium for close to 30 minutes.

Addressing the issue of sugar, President Granger said the coalition is not shutting down the sugar industry but rather wants to make it work. But those who lost their jobs during the coalition’s current reign were given no reassurance from the Head of State who is seeking a second term in office.

8 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

IN THE COURTS

Ex-soldier jailed for drug possession A cting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus on Monday jailed an ex-soldier for two months. However, his sentence was suspended pending community service. Last week, Magistrate Isaacs-Marcus had ordered a probation report be submitted to the court after the man admitted to drug possession charges.

Joseph George pleaded guilty to the two charges on Wednesday last at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The first charge stated that on January 21, 2020 at Seven Miles, School Street, Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), he had two grams of cannabis in his possession.

It was further stated that on the same day and location, he had 4.5 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking.

When the matter was called, the Magistrate sentenced him to two months’ imprisonment. However, the sentence was suspended pending six weeks of community service that was ordered. As such, the defendant will have to work at the Georgetown Joseph George

Magistrates’ Courts, but failure to complete his community service will result in him serving the time in prison.

According to the prosecution’s case about 18:15h on January 21, Police ranks, acting on information received, went to Seven Miles, School Street, Mahdia and met George.

The court heard that the ranks conducted a search on the 47-yearold man and during the search, two transparent bags with cannabis were found in his right pants pocket.

A more extensive search was conducted, and the cocaine was found in the crotch of his pants. He was then arrested and charged for the offence.

George, during his emotional plea for mitigation, told the Magistrate that he spent a total of seven years behind bars and was recently released from prison.

The man admitted to the court that he became an addict while serving in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). He claimed that on several occasions he tried to quit, but was unsuccessful.

The campaign…

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…heats up ell, we’re just a tad over a month away from what’s being billed as “the mother of all elections” in the history of Guyana. Is this because it’ll be the biggest turnout ever? But Granger’s been calling for an 80 per cent turnout…so that means he’s expecting it to be lower than that. What to do?? He knows if there’s a low turnout, it would mean he and the PNC are in some serious trouble.

Traditionally, it’s his PNC constituency that has proven to be reluctant to come out on Election Day - -contraposed to an always more efficient PPP mobilisational machinery and committed supporters.

While in 2011 and 2015 the numbers improved because of exploiting dissatisfaction with the PPP’s long incumbency, that has waned precipitously over the last five years. The PNC has been unable to match the PPP’s stimulation of business – especially at the grassroot level – which puts money into the hands of those same PNC supporters. No matter how they bob and weave, the PNC can’t dislodge that experienced truth of deprivation from that critical demographic.

But as a historian, Granger would know that in 1964, the turnout was 97 per cent and it wasn’t because of any good times delivered by either the PPP or PNC. The reason for that phenomenal figure was because of the extreme polarisation in the populace after the violent ethnic “disturbances” between 1962 and 1964. In fact, Granger constantly evokes that sordid period of our history and refers to it as “the troubles”.

And now we can begin to understand the method behind the madness of the PNC campaign as they singlemindedly evoke the purported “killing of 400 black youths” not DURING the PPP regime, but BY the PPP regime!!

So, who cares that this number has been conclusively disproved? Didn’t you read that SN disaggregation of the actual data?? Or that these were tit-for-tat reprisals precipitated by bandits taking on the Guyanese State? So, who cares that innocent civilians’ lives were snuffed out like flies?

So, using the anger generated by evoking their outrageous claims of the PNC constituency being under threat of returning to that violent period if the PPP were voted back into office, they use coded dog whistling language – a la Volda Lawrence’s “strong young men nightshift” call – to prepare for violence!! And of course, a larger turnout of their base! It doesn’t get more cynical and callous than that – but then, it’s the PNC we’re dealing with!

This tactic serves two purposes – apart from getting out the PNC vote: it intimidates PPP supporters by scaring them away from showing up at polling stations, and secondly, allows ballot boxes to be stuffed during the storming of the Polling Stations by Volda’s “night shift””! …rallies and class Thanks to the miracle of social media, your Eyewitness has seen all the PPP Rallies. He’s chuffed they’ve been treating Guyanese with the respect they deserve. After all, they’re the ones who’ve been facing the heat during the last five years under the PNC, and they certainly don’t need anyone pandering to them. That would make a mockery of their angst!

Unlike the PNC, they haven’t been throwing bacchanalian fetes with imported SOCA artistes under the guise of “political rallies” which are supposedly meant to inform voters as to their plans for the country. It’s clear the PNC is contemptuous of their base and see them incapable of rising above “wine, women and song”!! On the PPP stage also, they’ve stuck to explaining their vision for the country, buttressed by the “how” and “when”!

Sadly, their record was marred by a painfully vulgar, misogynistic and illiterate outing at a street meeting by Clement Rohee.

Get him off!! …and small parties The “joined-up” small parties must’ve figured they’d have a built-in crowd of commuters, touts, and riff-raff when they scheduled their meeting at the Big Market on a Saturday afternoon.

Sadly, their 11 members were an (absolute) majority of the “crowd”!

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

NEWS

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden schoolgirl stabbing

Craig fatal accident

A

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Police awaiting legal advice Driver charged, released on from DPP – Commander $1.5M bail s the 15-year-old Linden schoolgirl, who was stabbed in the back, remains hospitalised in a stable condition at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC), one of the two schoolgirls who were taken into custody in relation to the incident has been released.

Meanwhile, the 14-yearold main suspect in the case remains in custody as Police await legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the way forward.

This was disclosed by Regional Commander, Superintendent Hugh Winter.

Meanwhile, an official attached to the LHC has confirmed that the victim is showing signs of improvement and her vital signs are looking “good”.

The two sisters, aged 14 and 12, who are students attached to the Linden Foundation Secondary school in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice), were taken into Police custody for questioning in connection with the stabbing of their colleague last Thursday.

The victim, of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden, was stabbed to her lower back with a 12-inch “Rambo” knife during a fight with a First Form student. She underwent five hours of emergency surgery and was transported to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) early on Friday morning. According

The injured student in her hospital bed

to the hospital official, the student suffered extensive injuries to her muscles, tendons and several of her internal organs including her lungs, spleen, diaphragm and stomach.

The incident occurred at about 15:00h at Third Corner, Central Amelia’s Ward, and was caught on camera and shared on social media.

Based on reports received, the injured student was involved in a physical altercation with another female student of the said school when she was stabbed in the lower back allegedly by another female student with a “Rambo” type knife. The alleged perpetrator is said to be the older sister of the student the victim was involved in the fight with.

In the video, the knife can be seen lodged in her body as she bled profusely and pleaded with persons to be taken to the hospital.

Guyana Times understands that the student was rushed to the LHC and immediately tak-

en into the operating theatre to undergo emergency surgery.

Justice

The injured student’s mother is calling for justice and for witnesses to come forward.

The woman, who is a self-employed single mother, noted that it is not the first time one of her children was injured by a student of the school.

The injured student’s mother believes that the incident could have been avoided had someone intervened.

“This incident could have been avoided by passersby, by students, the teachers, the guard and I don’t know what happened. They leave my child lying on the road with a knife in her back and I can’t take it like that I need justice,” the clearly distraught mother said.

This publication understands that teachers of the school had confiscated a similar knife as the one used to stab the student from a male student.

Supply, East Bank Demerara (EBD) resident was charged for causing death by dangerous driving and released on $1.5 million bail on Monday at the Providence Magistrates’ Courts.

Quacy Decunha appeared before Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied the charge which stated that he drove motor car PVV 8691 in a dangerous manner on January 25,2020, causing the death of Dhanraj Budhram, 47, of Belle West, Canal Number Two, West Bank Demerara (WBD).

Decunha was slapped with five other traffic-related offences: failing to render assistance to Budhram, failure to report the accident; failure to stop after the accident, driving without a licence and breach of insurance by driving an uninsured motor car.

Reports are about 12:20h

Dead: Dhanraj Budhram

on Saturday, Budhram was en route to his Belle West, Canal Polder Number Two home when the accident occurred.

It was reported that Budhram was on the northern lane in the vicinity of a turn at Craig, EBD as the motor car was approaching from the southern side.

While both the motorcyclist and the car’s driver were

navigating the turn, the car collided with Budhram’s motorcycle, knocking him off.

However, the 27-year-old driver did not stop to render any assistance, but instead sped away from the scene. Another driver who witnessed the accident recorded the licence plate of the car. He then rushed to aid the motorcyclist while the Police were summoned to the scene. Budhram succumbed to his injuries before he could have received medical help. Guyana Times understands that the driver of the motor car was said to be heading towards his Supply home when the accident occurred.

Some hours later, he turned up at a police station accompanied by a lawyer. A breathalyser test was conducted, but there was no trace of alcohol.

The case will continue on February 13, 2020.

10 NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GCCI, Jamaica Chamber of Commerce 3-year-old leukaemia patient express disappointment in Caricom to receive overseas treatment …over having to pursue regional partnerships independently

GCCI Senior Vice President Timothy Tucker

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he Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat is not doing enough for its member states in relation to promoting and providing the avenue for trade agreements between countries and their business communities.

This is according to Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) Senior Vice President Timothy Tucker, who on Monday during a discussion with representatives of the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce (JCC), pointed out that upcoming investments between the two countries could have been executed earlier if Caricom had been playing an active role.

“I believe that not enough is being done regionally.

It is a feeling that maybe Caricom is asleep. Somebody at the top there is sleeping somewhere and not doing enough for regional integration,” Tucker said on Monday.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the situation, stating that Guyana’s Private Sector, like its many counterparts in the Region, was being pushed to establish ties and agreements that would benefit their countries.

This, he said, falls within the mandate of Caricom.

“The purpose of Caricom over the years is to bring the Region together. And bringing the Region together not just as a people or at Carnival, but for economic activities, the transfer of skill and labour around the Region and not just in one department…the Chamber has asked the question: is Caricom relevant? We have to reach out to each other to have events and activities… when it should have been fostered with an open relationship with Caricom.”

Additionally, he noted that the non-tariff barriers, which some Caribbean States have implemented, continue to hamper the Guyanese market. He urged that measures be put in

JCC President Lloyd Distant Jr

place to have such barriers removed since they affect not only one country but the Region as a whole.

“Too many times, there are non-tariff barriers placed by Member States.

Even some Member States have a way of, for the want of a better word, economical colonialism is being done by some States. I encourage the rest of them to take example of Guyana and Jamaica’s relationship,” Tucker declared.

Meanwhile, JCC President Lloyd Distant Jr briefly echoed similar sentiments about the need for more regional collaboration and investments in Caricom countries.

“There is much more that we can do together as Caribbean nations to increase trade in this Region.”

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hree-year-old Chayanne Parboo, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in December of last year, has been accepted to receive medical treatment overseas according to local charitable organisation Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA).

SHEA in a post on Monday shared that it has secured medical treatment for the child and is currently raising funds for her immediate transportation since young Parboo’s blood platelet counts continue to be critically low.

The three-year-old is hospitalised at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she was required to have a bone marrow test done to diagnose her condition, but due to her low blood count, doctors were prevented from performing the test, thus placing her in the line to urgently obtain blood platelets.

The child fell ill and was admitted to the Suddie Public Hospital but was later transferred to the GPHC where doctors made the health discovery.

Young Parboo’s plate-

Three-year-old Chayanne Parboo

let count was recorded to be 6000 and will need at least 50,000 to conduct the test since a normal platelet count ranges from 150,000 to 450,000 platelets. But

even so, the treatment the child needs is not available in Guyana.

SHEA is publicly urging persons to donate funds to transport the young child for immediate medical care.

Duo remanded for narco possession, assault

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hief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded two men who were found with marijuana and fought while in Police custody.

Twenty-four-year-old Joel Amsterdam and Kevon Velloza, 27, both appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts and denied the charge which stated that on January 25 at First Avenue, Bartica, Region Seven, (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), they had in their possession 1454 grams of marijuana for the

purpose of trafficking.

It was further alleged that on the same day and at the same location, Velloza assaulted Amsterdam so as to cause him actual bodily harm.

The prosecution is contending that on January 25 at about 10:15h, both defendants were passing the Bartica Police Station acting in a suspicious manner.

Ranks then attempted to carry out a search and both men began running.

However, their bid to escape was short-lived as officers gave chase and apprehend

them.

They were then arrested and taken to the station where a search was carried out on their possession and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be narcotics were found in a black haversack.

While at the station, both men were placed in a lock-up and they were involved in an argument. It was then that Velloza dealt Amsterdam a cuff to his face and kicked him about his body.

Ranks then intervened and took Amsterdam to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries. Velloza admitted that he assaulted Amsterdam and was fined $10,000. Failure to pay the fine will result in three weeks’ imprisonment.

The case will continue on January 30, 2020, at the Bartica Magistrate’s Court.

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

11 Guyana celebrates India’s 70th Republic anniversary NEWS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Tassa drummers performing at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

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s Guyana joined in celebrations to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Republic Day of India, the two countries have committed to fur-

ther strengthen ties in the areas of climate change and environmental issues.

At a reception hosted by the Indian High Commission at the Arthur

Chung Conference Centre, President David Granger applauded the country on the strides it has made in areas of climate change.

“Guyana applauds

Outpatient Department commissioned in Berbice

The nurses’ station at the new Outpatient Department

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he Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) Outpatient facility was officially commissioned on Saturday at the New Amsterdam Regional Hospital (NARH).

In 2005 when the new NARH was opened, both the Outpatient and Accident and Emergency units were housed in the same space with the same staff tending to two different types of patients.

Medical Superintendent of NARH, Dr Vasana Henry outlined that this new unit will significantly reduce patient build-up, reducing the previously experienced waiting time in half. Also, the two departments can concentrate on their respective cases.

“Particularly at Accident and Emergency, they can now focus on actual emergency services which is their priority,” Dr Henry noted.

The Outpatient Department is staffed with eight medical personnel who will extend the service six days a week. Meanwhile, the A&E will continue to function on a 24-hour basis.

President David Granger addressing the gathering at the 70th anniversary of the Republic Day of India. Also in photo are India’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa and Mrs Srinivasa

India’s leadership in promoting solar energy and technology to bring prosperity, energy security and sustainable development to the peoples of solar-rich countries – the solar belt – of tropical states particularly in Africa, the Americas and Asia.”

The Head of State posited that Guyana will be intensifying its work in order to advance in its Green State Development agenda.

“We are collaborating, today, as advocates for combating the adverse effects of climate change. India has been a leader in its commitment to working towards mitigating the impact of climate change at the international level,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, the High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr KJ Srinivasa pledged his country’s support in strengthening already strong ties.

“Guyana and India shares friendly and cordial relations between the Governments and its people

both the Government support each other in the international fora, we collaborate in various fields and the one thing in this relationship is it continues to grow and we expect it to reach new heights in the near future. India is very happy to strengthen the collaboration with Guyana that is where we all need to work together and think about ways and means for furthering the collaboration between the two countries.”

To this end, he highlighted the fact that India will lend its support towards the development of the “Green State” initiative which is based on the Low Carbon Development Strategy initiated by the former Government. It is a framework that is supposed to incorporate economic development programmes with strategies to promote the fight against global warming.

“India is now tackling climate change. As part of an International Solar Alliance,

we are a partnership with Guyana to improve on technologies, sharing of new and improved technologies.”

The event featured cultural programmes including dance and music presentations by the High Commission’s Cultural Centre, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), and presentation of skits based on patriotic themes by the students of Texila American University and Lincoln American University in Georgetown.

The event also included prize distribution to the winners of an essay/drawing competition conducted by the High Commission on the topic “Swachhata Pakhwada” (Clean India Campaign).

India’s Republic Day is observed on January 26 each year and serves as a reminder of the day when that nation’s Constitution came into force in 1950, completing the country’s transition toward becoming an independent republic.

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Lawyers locked in legal battle in Marcus Bisram murder trial

Fayaz Narinedatt

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egal arguments pertaining to the Marcus Bisram trial continued on Monday at the Whim Magistrate’s Court with both the prosecution and the defence citing sections of the law to support their very differing submissions.

The prosecution is contending that it has the right to call witnesses to take the stand to give evidence during the preliminary inquiry while the defence is contending that since it is a paper committal, the prosecution should not be given the “luxury” of calling witnesses.

These legal submissions were before Magistrate Renita Singh.

The prosecution is contending that it has 15 witnesses to call and the defence only wants to call one witness, and based on the evidence of that witness it might call a second witness.

State Prosecutor Stacey Goodings pointed to Section 71A of the Criminal Law Act, saying that it explains the course by which evidence is to be taken and it gives the prosecution the right to call witnesses.

Goodings noted that the defence has been using the

very Section to say the trial should proceed by way of paper committal. She said the State needs to be adequately able to present its case and at the end of the day, it is the prosecution which is burdened with the responsibility to prove that a prima facie case was made out against the accused.

This process, she noted, also gives the defence an opportunity to cross-examine a witness, which is ensuring justice.

According to her, it is the court’s job to ensure that the prosecution builds a prima facie case and as such, the prosecution will need to ensure that all its witnesses are credible.

She also argued that the prosecution has disclosed fully to the court and the defence all evidence that it has.

Defence submissions

However, Attorney-atLaw Sanjeev Datadin in response also referred to Section 6 of 71A and noted that the prosecution cannot cross-examine its own witnesses.

He told the court that Section 62 to 68 of the law were made in the 1950s and section 71A is the amendment to those laws which was put into law in 2008. He later explained to reporters what the defence’s position is.

“Which is that statements of the witnesses are marked as exhibits and that is how the deposition is created for any further trial that is to take place if the Magistrate is to find that a prima facie case is made out.

What they are trying to say is that the old procedures apply but this amends those procedures. Hence those

provisions only apply now so far as they are not inconsistent with Section 71.”

During Monday’s hearing, Datadin said the defence has accepted all of the evidence which the prosecution has indicated that it has and only wants to cross-examine one or two witnesses.

The defence told the court it has the confidence that the court understands the evidence put before it.

The defence is contending that it will only take one day to conclude the preliminary inquiry if it is allowed to only call one or two witnesses but it will take forty-five trial days if the evidence is to be taken from fifteen witnesses.

Bisram, Datadin noted, does not need the luxury of hearing all of the evidence in court.

“What has to happen is that they have to mark the witness statements and the

person has to be represented by an attorney-at-law.

If he is unrepresented then it has to go the long way.

For the paper committal, the defence also needs to say who are the persons that they need to cross-examine; so that they only cross-examine those persons. Remember this is not a trial but rather in inquiry to determine if there is enough evidence for a trial. The other thing that must happen is that all the documents, all the tapes, all the pictures and anything that the prosecution would like to make a part of its case must be produced to the court and they also have to be marked.”

Magistrate Renita Singh has set February 10, 2020, as the day she will make a ruling on the submissions.

Both sides are to be ready to proceed depending on which way her ruling goes. Hence, on February

Marcus Bisram leaving the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Monday

10, at least one witness is expected to take the stand.

Bisram is accused of ordering the death of Fayaz Narinedatt, a carpenter of Number 70 Village Corentyne, on November 30, 2016.

Bisram was initially

charged here in absentia, while five others: Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob have also been committed to stand trial for the murder of Faiyaz Narinedatt.

River.

Reports indicated that the incident occurred at about 16:15h as Benjamin, who was temporarily employed by the company as a logging clerk, was “tagging off some logs”.

One of the logs is said to have rolled off a ramp, crushing both of his feet in the process. He was taken to the Kwakwani Hospital Complex in the Upper Berbice area by workers attached to the company.

Benjamin succumbed while receiving medical attention.

Police have since indicated that no other marks of violence were seen on any

other part of his body and, therefore, no foul play had been suspected.

Meanwhile, Director of the logging company, Ameer Bacchus said he was saddened by the incident, as he pointed out that the now deceased man was a very religious worker who would gather his colleagues for Bible scripture reading each morning. In a statement issued on Friday, Bacchus noted that the company had ceased operations as a result of the incident and has since contacted Benjamin’s family and informed them that the company will bear all funeral expenses.

Crushing injuries resulted in death of Hururu labourer – PME

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post-mortem examination (PME) performed on the body of a 64-year-old labourer, Edland Benjamin, has given the cause of death as crushing injuries to both legs.

Benjamin, of Hururu Mission, Aroaima (Upper Berbice River), lost his life on Thursday evening after he was crushed by a falling log. The PME was conducted by pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital mortuary on Monday and his body has since been handed over to relatives for burial.

Benjamin was an employee attached to the NS

Edland Benjamin

Bacchus Sawmill, a logging company in the Bissaruni backdam, Upper Berbice

Participants wow audience at children’s Mash competition opening

Some of the young participants performing their dances

First place winners Graham’s Hall Primary

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massive display of energy and colours permeated the National Cultural

Centre on Monday, as the Education Ministry officially opened its 2020 Regional Children’s Mashramani

Competition. Over 20 primary schools from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) participated.

The competition, which makes provisions for the participation of primary, secondary and nursery level students is aimed at encouraging schools, parents and communities to work together in a creative, artistic manner to provide a display of talents by students and to foster a sense of pride to their national identity.

Parents, teachers and other students present at the opening ceremony were

treated to introductory performances of dance and calypso, which ignited the rousing atmosphere that remained consistent as the St Pius Primary, Sophia Primary, North Georgetown Primary, Westfield Prep, and Smith Memorial followed with flamboyant performances in the ages five to seven category.

Meanwhile, in the eight to ten category, Comenius Primary, North Georgetown Primary, Smith Memorial, Stella Maris Primary, and Graham’s Hall Primary among others equally gar-

nered the cheers of the crowd during their performances.

However, Graham’s Hall Primary outshined their competitors, copping first place and will be representing the Georgetown Education District at the National Children’s Mashramani Competition against other districts.

Their winning masquerade band performance was choreographed by Nikouma Philadelphia and Britney Duncan.

Some of the performance categories for both age rang-

es included: fantasy, ring games, religious beliefs, masquerade band, and dramatic poetry, interpretive, legends and traditions, and social commentary.

The competition continues today with dramatic poetry and calypso, up until January 31, with choir presentation and jingle competitions specifically focusing on the violence in schools; masquerade dance; physical display and costume. While on February 7, the nursery mashramani day of activities will be hosted.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

waste to business Superbet to offer more Organic opportunity project begins in Guyana games, services in 2020 …retailing agents awarded for outstanding contributions to company Warning

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Superbet’s Operations Manager Tariq Kerret

fter seven years of operations in Guyana’s gaming industry, Superbet is continuing to expand its services with additional options for its customers, in collaboration with its local retailing agents.

In previous years, Superbet rolled out an extensive chain of retail agents, allowing players the convenience of multiple locations with the option of also enjoying customised gaming centres across Guyana.

During a recently held “Retailer Day” event, the first activity hosted to honour outstanding agents in Guyana, Superbet’s Operation Manager, Tariq Kerrett, stated that new plans are in the pipeline for the entire 2020 that will rapidly expand the services which the company present-

ly offers.

“The gaming industry has a massive potential and in 2020, we will explore this potential further. Our aim is to not only aim to reward our agents for reaching our targets in 2019 but also to ensure that you are fully aware of the 2020 resolution. We are also doing product development which is to bring more games and also we are going to do customer relationship management… introducing new player cards so that customers can receive bonus points coming for 2020,” Kerrett told the gathering at Marriott Hotel on Saturday.

He also lauded the efforts and contributions that agents have made in ensuring that Superbet continues to operate here in Guyana.

However, Kerrett pointed out that the management of the company was on previous occasions notified that some agents charge customers for them to receive their winnings.

The operation manager warned against such a practice since the company does not require that persons pay additional costs to receive their winnings.

“We received some reports of agents taking, charging customers for payouts.

Now that is against our company’s policies, which I think you all would be aware of. A customer should not have to pay to receive the money that they have won,” he added.

Awarded

Meanwhile, retailing agents were awarded under various categories for their outstanding contributions in relation to sales and services it offered last year.

Additionally, Kerrett assured them of Superbet’s commitment to supporting them in new branding for the company that will be executed shortly.

Superbet is part of the Pasha Gaming Group, with operations in Uganda, Cyprus and Belgium, with almost 20 years of expertise in the betting industry across the globe, having several operations in Suriname as well.

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Some participants of the workshop on how to create business opportunities from organic waste

uyana is among six Caribbean territories currently benefiting from a waste management pilot project designed to create economic opportunities from organic waste.

The Guyana leg is a partnership between the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The pilot project is being implemented in two phases and is facilitated by IICA Technical Specialist, Dr Abimbola Abiola.

The first phase of the project is a two-day workshop “Creating Economic Opportunities for the Organic Waste Management Sector through the Adoption of Bio-economic Models in the Caribbean”. which commenced on Monday, NAREI said in a press statement that day.

Participating agencies were selected from both the Private and Public Sectors.

They include Demerara Distillers Limited; NAREI;

the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority.

At the end of the workshop, participants will be responsible for several projects.

They are expected to present their findings in April 2020 when the second phase of the project will commence.

According to NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Oudho Homenauth, this project, which would assist in eliminating greenhouse gases, complements the Institute’s research in soil management.

“Soil health is important, so we have been doing various research in this regard. While we would have conducted some studies in composting, emphasis is being placed on vermicomposting. We have been able to transfer this technology to the farming communities.

Another area we are looking at is the utilisation of coconut waste. We have had successes with the use of coconut coir and cocopeat,” Dr Homenauth said.

IICA Country Representative to Guyana, Wilmot Garnett encouraged participants to consider the financial aspects of their projects since agriculture was business. He explained that the findings would help to determine whether a project would be financially feasible in one area versus another.

Garnett related that Belize, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and The Bahamas are also beneficiaries of this pilot project.

However, the project will be rolled out to other Caribbean territories.

“IICA through its programmes of Bio-economy and Production Development; and Climate Change, Natural Resources and Management of Production Risks, has identified the potential solution of developing a model based on composting technology (in its first stage). This model promotes the development of complex interlinkages between actors in the value chain, such as those in the renowned industrial symbiosis projects,” Garnett said.

Jamaican businesses on trade mission in Guyana

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number of Jamaican companies have signalled their interest in doing business in Guyana and a delegation from the Jamaican Chamber of Commerce is currently here exploring these avenues.

With Guyana now being an oil-producing nation, a number of regional countries have been visiting on trade missions. For this particular mission, Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), is collaborating with its Jamaican counterpart to further the Jamaica-Guyana Economic and Commercial Partnership.

This is according to GCCI Senior Vice President, Timothy Tucker, who on Monday during the first day of the three-day meeting with the Jamaican delegation told the media that the trade relations between Guyana and Jamaica remain positive and strong.

He noted that Jamaica is already one of the primary markets for Guyana’s

Representatives of the GCCI, including GCCI Senior Vice President Timothy Tucker, and GO-Invest Head Owen Verwey, along with the delegation from the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, on Monday

exports and that there is much more that can be done through partnership.

“There remains, however, an unexploited potential for increasing trade between Jamaica and Guyana.

In 2018 our countries held talks and agreed to reactivate the Guyana-Jamaica joint commission that was

set up under the agreement of Economic, Technical and Cultural Co-operation which was signed by both States on June 1st, 1999. The reactivation would see both countries collaborating on trade and investment and agriculture among other things.”

Meanwhile, according to President of Jamaica

Chamber of Commerce, Lloyd Distant Jr over 10 representatives are in Guyana discussing potential investment and trade initiatives.

He explained that although it may appear to be a small number of Jamaicans, each person represents multiple organisations/companies that have interests in

offering services in Guyana.

“We have a number of persons who are in the technology fields, manage services, shared services, Information Technology (IT) security, cloud services. As well as a number of consulting and business support operations, services businesses, trading and distri-

bution. We are represented by a couple of businesses in that area, real estate, manufacturing, we have two companies here that are in the manufacturing and as well as legal services, in particular arbitration and dispute resolution.”

Additionally, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GO-Invest (Guyana), Owen Verwey commended the GCCI for spearheading and facilitating the resuscitation of the partnership with the Jamaican counterparts.

He stated that Guyana is filled with many opportunities for investment especially with the oil and gas sector as a catalyst for the furthered development of the region.

He added that the difference in the two countries’ tourism landscape presents a huge opportunity for Jamaicans by combining those locations for multi-destination tourism among other profitable initiatives.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

China virus death toll passes 100

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he United States warned against travel to China on Monday and Canada issued a more narrow travel warning as the death toll from the spreading coronavirus passed 100, with tens of millions stranded during the biggest holiday of the year and global markets rattled.

Global stocks fell, oil prices hit three-month lows, and China’s yuan dipped to its weakest level in 2020 as investors fretted about damage to the world’s second-biggest economy from travel bans and the Lunar New Year holiday, which China extended in a bid to keep people at

home.

The health commission of China’s Hubei province said on Tuesday that 100 people had died from the virus as of Jan. 27, according to an online statement, up from the previous toll of 76, with the number of confirmed cases in the province rose to 2,714.

Other fatalities have been reported elsewhere in China, including the first in Beijing, bringing the deal toll to 106 so far, according to the People’s Daily. The state newspaper put the total number of confirmed cases in China at 4,193, though some experts suspect a much higher number.

A medical official takes the body temperature of a man at the departure hall of the airport in Changsha, Hunan Province, as the country is hit by an outbreak of a new coronavirus, China, (Reuters/Thomas Peter)

US Supreme Court lets hardline Trump immigration policy take effect

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he US Supreme Court gave the go-ahead on Monday for one of President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies, allowing his administration to implement a rule denying legal permanent residency to certain immigrants deemed likely to require government assistance in the future.

The justices, on a 5-4 vote, granted the administration’s request to lift a lower court’s injunction that had blocked the socalled public charge policy while litigation over its legality continues. The rule has been criticized by immigrant rights advocates as a “wealth test” that would disproportionately keep out

non-white immigrants.

The court’s five conservative justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts and two justices appointed

by Trump, carried the day.

The court’s four liberal justices said they would have denied the administration’s request. The action was announced even as Roberts sat as the presiding officer in Trump’s impeachment trial in the US Senate.

Lawsuits aiming to block the policy were filed against the administration by the states of New York, Connecticut and Vermont as well as by New York City and several nonprofit organizations.

In imposing an injunction blocking it, Manhattan-

based U.S. District Judge George Daniels on Oct. 11 called the rule “repugnant to the American Dream” and a “policy of exclusion in search of a justification.”

The administration asked the high court to let the rule go into effect even before the New York-based 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules on Trump’s appeal of the injunction. The 2nd Circuit is considering the matter on an expedited basis, with legal papers to be submitted by Feb. 14 and arguments expected soon afterward.

The administration can now enforce the rule nationwide except in Illinois, where a lower court has blocked its implementation.

Ken Cuccinelli, acting deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), praised the high court.

“It is very clear the U.S. Supreme Court is fed up with these national injunctions by judges who are trying to impose their policy preferences instead of enforcing the law,” Cuccinelli told reporters.

Green Cards At issue is which immigrants will be granted legal permanent residency, known as a “green card.”

Under Trump’s policy, immigration officers would consider factors such as age, educational level and English proficiency to decide whether an immigrant would likely become a “public charge” who would receive government benefits such as the Medicaid health insurance program for the poor.

The administration has said the new rule is necessary to better ensure that immigrants will be self-sufficient. Critics have said the rule would disproportionately bar low-income people from developing countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia from permanent residency.

“Limiting legal immigration based on an applicant’s wealth is shameful and entirely un-American,” Democratic Senator Dick Durbin wrote on Twitter.

A spokesman for US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that processes visa applications, said it would “determine the most appropriate method to implement the public charge rule” and would release additional information soon.

Trump has made his tough immigration stance a hallmark of his presidency and 2020 re-election campaign. (Reuters)

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump offered China whatever help it needed, while the State Department said Americans should “reconsider” visiting all of China due to the virus.

Canada, which has two confirmed cases of the virus and is investigating 19 more potential cases, warned its citizens to avoid travel to China’s Hubei province, at the heart of the outbreak.

Authorities in Hubei province are taking increasing flak from the public over their initial response to the virus. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited the city of Wuhan, epicenter of the outbreak, to encourage medical workers and promise reinforcements.

Visiting Wuhan in blue protective suit and mask, Li praised medics, said 2,500 more workers would join them in the next two days, and visited the site of a new hospital to be built in days.

The most senior leader to visit Wuhan since the outbreak, Li was shown on state TV leading medical workers in chants of “Wuhan jiayou!”

- an exhortation to keep their strength up.

China’s ambassador to the United Nations, following a meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday, said “the Chinese government attaches paramount importance to prevention and control of the epidemic, and President Xi Jinping has given important instructions. ...

“China has been working with the international community in the spirit of openness, transparency and scientific coordination,” he said.

Guterres said in a statement, “The UN appreciates China’s effort, has full confidence in China’s ability of controlling the outbreak, and stands ready to provide any support and assistance.”

(Reuters)

"It's dangerous": Sinaga case fuels LGBT backlash in Indonesia

This year's LGBT beauty pageant in Bali was cancelled after the organisers received violent threats on social media [Yayasan Gaya Dewata via Al Jazeera]

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escribed by British prosecutors as "the worst-known sex offender in the country's history," Indonesian exchange student Reynhard Sinaga drugged and sexually assaulted nearly 200 men in Manchester over several years.

But Sinaga, who was sentenced to life earlier this month, is not the only one being punished for his crimes.

According to the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights, revulsion over the case has sparked a widespread homophobic backlash in his Muslim-majority Southeast Asian homeland.

"Some regents and mayors have set policies to discriminate against LGBT groups and violate their rights in the name of family values," Commissioner Beka Ulung Hapsara told Al Jazeera, referring to local government officials.

The most high-profile ex-

ample took place in Sinaga's hometown, the Javanese city of Depok, where Mayor Mohammad Idris announced raids targeting the LGBT community. He also described gay people as "victims" and promised to open centres to rehabilitate them.

Local news coverage on the Sinaga case also smeared the LGBT community, with newspapers and TV stations obsessing over his sexual orientation.

"They, and the public also, paid more attention to Reynhard Sinaga's sexual orientation instead of focusing on the real problem, which is rape," Hapsara said.

Even Sinaga's distraught mother joined the fray, saying that as Christians her family did not "believe" in homosexuality.

Tellingly, she also said her son had rejected her appeals for him to come home from the UK because he did not believe Indonesia was a good place for him. (Al Jazeera)

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

The impact of Kobe Bryant’s death is everywhere W

e all do what we can to commemorate: large gestures, small gestures, personal gestures. Most of us did not know Kobe Bryant personally, we knew only what we saw on a basketball court and, later, sitting beside a basketball court in the company of his beautiful daughter.

Some of us did know him. Jerry West, the man who made Bryant a Laker, said: “This was a man for all seasons.” Phil Jackson, who coached him to his greatest heights, together winning five championships, said: “Kobe was a chosen one.”

Michael Jordan, the player to whom he was most often compared, said: “He was like a little brother.”

But there are others. So, so many others.

In New York City on

Sunday night, the lights of Madison Square Garden were swathed in purple and gold, signature colours of the Lakers. There was a time when you’d sooner see that building voluntarily draped in Red Sox logos. But that’s what Kobe meant to basketball fans in this city, where he always seemed to save his very best for Madison Square Garden, “my home away from home” as he often called it Monday morning, commuters on the 7 train at the 42nd Street-Bryant Park platform were greeted by an impromptu sign, “KOBE” covering the numerical half of the hyphen, giving him temporary co-ownership of the famed park named after former Post editor and noted abolitionist William Cullen Bryant.

In the Philippines, a

country Bryant loved and visited many times, they had dedicated a new basketball hall, The House of Kobe, in Valenzuela City just hours before Bryant’s helicopter crashed Sunday, killing the 41-year old Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven others.

“Everyone has been fighting back tears today,” said Congressman Eric Martinez, a leading force behind the hall. “This is a basketball-loving nation.”

In the Japanese city of Kobe, which bequeathed Bryant his name, Mayor Kizo Hisamoto said, “Our city had the good fortune of crossing paths with Kobe Bryant as his father named him after this city, given his love of Kobe beef. Due to his connection with this city he came to visit the Kobe gov-

Kobe Bryant drives against the Memphis Grizzlies during a 2015 game at the Staples Center [AFP via Getty Images]

ernment office in 1998 to make a donation for charity and between 2001 and 2011 he became the city’s ambassador and told the world

Bolivia's Anez sparks fierce backlash with election bid

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olivian politics is back in crisis mode after caretaker leader Jeanine Anez launched plans to run in upcoming presidential elections, sparking criticism from allies and opponents, and prompting at least one minister to resign in protest.

The South American country was gripped by political turmoil in October when a disputed election led to widespread protests that eventually toppled leftist leader Evo Morales. Anez took the interim president role amid the political vacuum.

The conservative former Senator, who launched her presidential bid on Friday, had previously said her goal was solely to help the country hold new, transparent elections and that it would not be appropriate for her to run.

“A presidential candidacy disrupts her historic role and the credibility of the transition,” Carlos Mesa,

the runner-up in the October 20 vote and a former ally of Anez, wrote in response to her election plans.

“What is at stake is the international image of the country and of those who have fought with democratic conviction in defence of popular sovereignty.”

Over the weekend, at least one of Anez’s Cabinet, Communications Minister Roxana Lizárraga, resigned, saying the Government had forgotten its “objectives” and that running while in office would be a “betrayal of democracy”.

On Sunday, Anez said she had asked all her ministers to resign for a “new stage of democratic transition”.

Anez said in a speech on Friday she had not intended to run, but had decided to be a candidate because of a split Opposition vote to Morales’ socialist party and what she said was a lack of candidates who could unify the country.

Bolivia’s interim President Jeanine Anez speaks during a ceremony to announce her nomination as presidential candidate for the upcoming elections on May 3, in La Paz, Bolivia, January 24, 2020

Anez had been seen favourably among those who had taken part in protests against Morales, who angered many by defying term limits to run for a fourth consecutive term. She has restored some calm after a period of deadly protests last year.

“Jeanine Anez has every right to run like any Bolivian,” said Oscar Robles, a university professor in the highland seat of government La Paz.

Most disagreed, however.

Another ally and presidential hopeful Tuto Quiroga said the move hurt Bolivia’s international credibility and put at risk the objective of holding impartial elections.

Morales, currently living in Argentina, said on Twitter that Anez’s candidacy was proof there had been a “coup” against him, a stance he has long held since his November resignation.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

about us.”

Of course, no city in the world is as affected by these dreadful days as Los Angeles, which not only lost Kobe and Gianna Bryant, but also seven of its other sons and daughters. Their names are lesser known but their loss is no less felt by their own communities of southern California.

John Altobelli was a long-time respected baseball coach at Orange Coast College, and among his former players was the Mets’ Jeff McNeil, who Tweeted of Altobelli: “One of my favourite coaches I have ever played for and one of the main reasons I got a chance to play professional baseball.” Altobelli’s wife, Keri, and daughter Alyssa were also on the helicopter.

So were Sarah Chester and her daughter, Peyton, and Christina Mauser, who assisted Kobe coaching the girls’ basketball team, whose game was Sunday’s

destination. Ara Zobayan was the pilot. They will all leave their own abscesses in a world they departed too soon.

But it is Kobe Bryant whose name we all know, whose career we all witnessed, whose personal failings were well-documented, whose public life we all shared in some small way.

The Lakers will host the Clippers Tuesday night in their first game after this unspeakable catastrophe.

This would have been a magnificent basketball party, a third meeting this season between the Lakers, the old-school guardians of LA, and the Clippers, the feisty upstarts.

It will be something else entirely now, part memorial service, part celebration. If the healing must begin at all, best that it start at Staples Center, even if so many members of the NBA are living today in the words of Mike Breen, the Knicks’ peerless television broadcaster who, as the NBA’s national voice, called the last two of Bryant’s five championships with the Lakers in 2009 and 2010.

“Just don’t feel like broadcasting,” Breen said Sunday before the Knicks-Nets game on MSG Network, undoubtedly channelling a strand of Bryant himself, doing what Bryant undoubtedly would have wanted him to do to honour him in the most appropriate way: go to work.

“I know a lot of the players don’t feel like playing. It’s just a sad, sad day.”

Everywhere.

(Mike Vaccaro/New York Post)

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

Regional

Brazil rainstorms: Death toll climbs to 44

T

he death toll caused by record rainfall in southeastern Brazil jumped to at least 44 on Sunday as officials expressed alarm about continuing storms.

At least 44 people had died in the state of Minas Gerais. There were also reports that nine others died in neighbouring Espirito Santo. More than a dozen people remained missing, authorities said.

Some 20,000 people had been evacuated owing to the threat of floods and landslides.

The capital of Minas Gerais state, Belo Horizonte, recorded 171mm

View of damage after a landslide in Vila Bernadete, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais state, Brazil [Douglas Magno/AFP]

(6.7 inches) in a 24-hour period from Thursday to Friday – the highest rainfall in 110 years.

State Governor Gustavo Zema declared a state of emergency in 99 cities, a

measure meant to facilitate federal disaster aid.

He also decreed three days of official mourning for those killed in the floods and landslides.

Authorities in Espirito

Santo said they were on maximum alert" due to a forecast for more rain.

In the city of Alegre, officials warned that a dam was in danger of breaking and urged people living below to evacuate.

Another 2000 people were evacuated in the Rio de Janeiro state city of Itaperuna.

From India, where he is on an official trip, President Jair Bolsonaro said the Government was doing "everything possible", while adding that in such a large area "it is difficult to serve everyone". (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Peru election: Crushing blow for President's opponents Popular Force

P

eru's once influential conservative Popular Force party has suffered a crushing defeat in congressional elections.

The party dominated Congress before the body was dissolved by President Martín Vizcarra in September.

Vizcarra took the drastic step arguing that lawmakers were obstructing his anti-corruption agenda.

No party won an overall majority, but centrist par-

will lose many of the 73 out of 130 seats in Congress it held until September.

According to the quick count, the centrist Popular Action party will emerge as the strongest party with 10.1 per cent of the vote.

An evangelical party, the Agricultural People's Front of Peru, known by its initials in Spanish as FREPAP, came second in the quick count with 8.9 per cent. The party has not had any representatives elected

to Congress since 2000 and its last-minute surge has surprised political analysts.

It is followed by the right-wing Podemos Peru (We can, Peru) party with 8.2 per cent, and the centre-right Progress Alliance with eight per cent.

In another unexpected result, the nationalist Union for Peru (UPP) also passed the five per cent threshold necessary to enter Congress. (Excerpt from BBC News)

Jamaican master's degree student Norville Belvett goes grocery shopping in Wuhan, China

dead now it's 81 dead,” said Norville Belvett from his dorm room in Wuhan.

“More cities getting shut down, they are not encouraging evacuation because we have not yet been in 14 days quarantine,” he said.

He was far less optimistic than when the Jamaica Observer first spoke with him last Friday. (Jamaica Observer)

ties have made gains, which could ease the passage of reforms.

The new Congress will be short-lived – it will be replaced in next year's general elections.

A quick count carried out by Ipsos research firm suggests Popular Force has dropped from the 36.3 per cent it won in the 2016 election to seven per cent, putting it into sixth place.

If confirmed, the figures mean that the party

Jamaicans in China starting to panic

S

ome Jamaicans at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China are now starting to panic as the death toll rises, food shortages worsen, and they can see no end in sight to their nightmare.

“People are panicking.

Every day we are waking up to more bad news; one day it was 15 dead then it was 24

Family survives 34 days in jungle “eating berries”

A

Colombian mother and her three children aged 14, 12 and 10 have been found by indigenous Peruvians 34 days after they were reported missing, authorities say.

They said they had managed to survive by eating seeds, plants, and berries.

The four had been on their way back from visiting relatives in a remote area near the PeruColombia border when they became disorientated and got lost.

They are being treated in hospital for malnutrition

and dehydration.

Colombian broadcaster Caracol said the woman, who has not been named, had arranged to meet her husband to travel back with him across the border to Colombia where they live. Her husband reported his family's disappearance in Puerto Leguízamo after they did not turn up at the agreed location.

The woman said she had become disoriented half way through the journey and got lost in the area near the Putumayo River.

She and her three chil-

dren spent the next 34 days walking through the jungle until they came across members of the Secoya indigenous group near the village of Yubito.

The Secoya alerted the Peruvian Navy which in turn informed their Colombian counterpart, which sent a hovercraft to transport the family 180 kilometres (110 miles) upriver to Puerto Leguízamo in Colombia.

Footage broadcast on Colombian channel Caracol TV [in Spanish] showed the malnourished and dehy-

drated children being lifted onto the hovercraft and being reunited with their father who was waiting for them at the naval base in Puerto Leguízamo.

"If we didn't have water every 30 minutes, we'd faint," the mother can be heard saying. "We had to keep stopping all the time and the girls couldn't walk anymore."

Gen Sergio Alfredo Serrano of the Colombian navy said the four were covered in bites and stings as well as cuts to their feet.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Murder charges in Vale dam collapse case complicate Brazilian probes

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he filing of murder charges against the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brazilian miner Vale SA and 15 others for a 2019 dam collapse that killed more than 250 people was hailed by victims’ families as a major step in bringing those responsible to justice.

But the move by State Prosecutors in Brazil’s Minas Gerais risks driving a wedge between their investigation and a parallel probe at the federal level, complicating the judicial process and potentially making convictions less likely, according to a lawyer with knowledge of the case and other legal experts.

Federal investigators are yet to identify the cause of the January 25, 2019 collapse of a tailings dam at the Corrego do Feijao iron ore mine dam east of Brumadinho, which released a sea of mud that slammed into Vale’s offices and cut through a nearby community, killing 259 peo-

ple and leaving 11 still missing. It was one of the world’s worst mining tragedies.

The final results of a complex study will not be completed until June, they say.

That delay has put the State and federal investigations out of synch, recalling the legal problems that dogged the prosecution of a similar mining disaster in Brazil in 2015.

“The charges are a bit of a surprise,” said Davi Tangerino, a lawyer and law professor at Fundação Getulio Vargas in Sao Paulo, “because of the awaited technical study.”

“I don’t think there are the concrete elements required for homicide charges, precisely because this technical part is missing,” Tangerino added.

A legal source involved in the case, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the divergence between the state and federal prosecutions was likely to be exploited by defense lawyers.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Tobago PNM gets 1st woman leader

T

rinidad and Tobago’s Ambassador to Costa Rica, Tracey Davidson-Celestine has become the first woman to lead the Tobago People’s National Movement (PNM) Council.

She beat Kevin Charles – who is also the Chief Secretary of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) – by a landslide at the polls.

Davidson-Celestine took home 3150 votes while Charles managed to poll 2142 votes.

Davidson-Celestine and scores of supporters arrived shortly before 22:00h at the PNM Tobago Council's offices at Scarborough. She was elated to have been elected and promised to get the healing process underway within the Tobago arm of the PNM, in the shortest possible time.

Davidson-Celestine told reporters she has a 100-day plan – starting with reconciliation – to bring together all the leaders and losers of the elections and those in Tobago East and West, to fill any gaps that separate them. She said 2020 was critical, since Tobago would be facing both the THA elections and a General Election.

Davidson-Celestine also re-stated her intention to resign her posting as High Commissioner to Costa Rica as soon as it becomes possi-

The new PNM Tobago leader says women can do what they desire once they have the willpower

ble.

She said women can do what they desire once they have the willpower.

“I want to tell all women that everything is possible,” she encourages. “You have to be determined. You have to be very passionate about those things that you believe in, and go for it, and at some point in time, the victory will come.”

Davidson Celestine said she was of the view that nothing was said during the campaign that would have caused animosity among party members. She also thanked outgoing leader, Kelvin Charles, who congratulated her and conceded defeat before the official announcement of the winner. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

17

Around the World

Wife of Canada’s 1st coronavirus patient ‘Nobel for environment’: India’s Pavan Sukhdev tests positive; 19 under investigation

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he wife of Canada’s first confirmed patient with the fast-spreading Wuhan coronavirus also has tested positive for it at an Ontario laboratory, and 19 other suspected cases in Canada are under investigation, public health officials said on Monday.

Canada’s second patient with the novel coronavirus is in her 50s and currently showing no symptoms, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health David Williams said at a news conference. She has been in self-isolation and is being monitored by health officials.

Her husband had been confirmed to have the virus by a national laboratory in Winnipeg, according to the

A traveller wears a mask at Pearson Airport arrivals, shortly after Toronto Public Health received notification of Canada’s first presumptive confirmed case of novel coronavirus, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada January 26, 2020

release. He is currently stable at a hospital in Toronto.

The man had mild symptoms while on a flight to

Toronto from Guangzhou, China, Canada’s Chief Health Officer Theresa Tam told reporters on Sunday.

The couple arrived in Toronto on Jan 22 after visiting Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus outbreak.

The new coronavirus has infected more than 2800 people in China, with 81 dead, and has spread to several countries. There are still many unknowns surrounding the virus, such as how dangerous it is and how easily it spreads between people. It can cause pneumonia, which has been deadly in some cases.

The flu-like symptoms include fever, cough and breathing difficulty.

Williams added that some of the 19 suspected cases being investigated by health officials are from Toronto. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Libya’s increase in conflict puts migrants at “significant risk”

A

n increase in fighting in Libya will make life even more precarious for the more than 636,000 refugees and migrants in the country, human rights activists say.

The comments came as the United Nations on Monday gave new details about an air raid that hit a migrant detention centre and killed at least 50 people last July.

Libya, a large oil producer, has been engulfed in chaos since 2011 when longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was killed in an uprising.

It is now split between two rival administrations: the internationally backed Government of National

Accord (GNA) led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the House of Representatives allied to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA).

A crumbling ceasefire, brokered by the Russian and Turkish Presidents, has been in place since earlier this month.

However, at least three people were killed and dozens wounded on Sunday in a battle between Libya’s two rival Governments. Earlier this month, an attack of a military academy killed at least 30 people.

“Different armed groups and external powers are currently involved in the

About 4500 people are currently held in ‘official’ detention centres across Libya. Thousands more are held in ‘prisons’ run by armed groups

Libyan civil war. The conflict seems likely to intensify and become deadlier, making life even more precarious for the country’s refugee and migrant population, “Jeff Crisp, a research fellow at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, told Al

Jazeera.

“Those being held in detention centres will be at greatest risk of aerial bombing raids,” added Crisp, a former head of policy, development and education at the UN refugee agency. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Thousands flee northwest Saudi says Israeli passport holders Syria as al-Assad cannot visit “for now” pushes towards Idlib

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renewed drive by President Bashar al-Assad to recapture rebel-held territory in Syria’s northwest sparked a new exodus of tens of thousands of civilians towards Turkey’s border on Monday.

Syrian forces backed by Russian air power have stepped up a campaign to take control of Idlib province, the last rebel stronghold where millions took refuge after fleeing other parts of Syria earlier in its nearly nineyear civil war.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Government forces reached the eastern, northern and southern outskirts of Idlib’s Maaret al-Nouman city.

The Syrian army encircled and was close to capturing Maarat al-Numan, an urban centre 33km (20 miles) south of Idlib city. This would mark a significant advance for al-Assad’s drive to take back all of Syria, and end the conflict that has killed hundreds of thou-

sands of people.

The Syrian Observatory has put the number of displaced since January 15 at 120,000.

The renewed fighting comes despite a January 12 ceasefire between Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in the conflict.

Fouad Sayed Issa, an aid worker with the Violet Organisation in northern Syria, said al-Assad’s latest campaign has frightened Syrians in the rebel enclave who fear death or arrest if their towns are recaptured.

A witness said thousands on Monday fled from the Idlib towns of Ariha and Saraqib with trucks and cars seen crawling in gridlocked traffic towards areas, including the town of Azaz, close to the Turkish border.

Turkey, which backs some rebel groups opposed to al-Assad, already hosts more than 3.5 million Syrian refugees and fears millions more could soon cross the border. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

I

sraeli citizens are not welcome to visit Saudi Arabia, the kingdom’s Foreign Minister said, after Israel gave its citizens the green light to visit.

Israel’s Minister of the Interior Aryeh Deri said on Sunday Israeli citizens, both Muslims and Jews, have the right to travel to Saudi Arabia for religious and business visits.

But Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan told a US network on Monday that Israelis are not welcome at the moment in Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites. Like most Arab countries, Saudi Arabia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel.

Deri said Israelis would be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia under two circumstances: for religious reasons such as a pilgrimage for the Hajj, or for up to 90 days for business reasons.

Travellers would still need permission from Saudi authorities, Deri said.

Israel has peace deals with only two Arab countries Jordan and Egypt - but its occupation of Palestinian territory has long served as a major factor preventing similar accords with the rest of the Arab world.

Israel has, however, been seeking to build ties with Gulf nations in recent months.

His comments came as US President Donald Trump said in Washington his “Deal of the Century” plan for the Palestinians and Israelis - already rejected by the Palestinians - has a “chance” and will be unveiled today.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

wins Tyler Prize

Pavan Sukhdev, 59, is the third Indian to receive the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement [Leonardo Cendamo/Getty Images]

S

ince 2008, Indian banker-turned-environmentalist Pavan Sukhdev has been warning the world about the kind of climate catastrophe currently unfolding in countries such as Brazil and Australia.

On Monday, Sukhdev, 59, was awarded this year’s Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, often called the “Nobel prize for environment”, for “revolutionising how decision-makers would come to view the natural world”.

Sukhdev, who shares the prestigious award with Gretchen Daily, a conservation biologist from the United States, is the third Indian in the last decade to receive the award, instituted in 1973.

In 2011, Sukhdev had delivered a TED Talk in which he warned of gradual degradation and depletion of the natural capital or ecological services such as minerals, water, arable land, habitat,

fossil fuels and biodiversity required to support life on the planet.

Sukhdev’s work - from leading the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Green Economy Initiative in 2009 to his work with some Indian states in the 2000s - has been driven by an urgent need to make the world understand the consequences of taking nature for granted.

But it was his selection as leader of the United Nationsled Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study that his work really gained a global significance.

The first TEEB study, published in 2008, estimated that the world was losing its natural capital to the tune of two-to-four trillion dollars every year. It pointed out that global development came at a huge environmental and human cost mostly borne by the world’s poorest. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

US military confirms plane crash in Afghanistan, disputes claims it was brought down

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he US military said on Monday an E-11A aircraft crashed in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province, but disputed claims that the Taliban had brought the military plane down.

Senior Afghan officials told Reuters the authorities had rushed local personnel to locate and identify the wreckage, in a mountainous area partly controlled by the Taliban.

“While the cause of crash is under investigation, there are no indications the crash was caused by enemy fire,” a US military spokesman, Colonel Sonny Leggett, said in a statement.

The military aircraft, built by Bombardier Inc, is used to provide communication capabilities in remote locations.

The military did not say how many were on board or if anyone was killed.

US officials, speaking on the condition of anonymi-

ty, said that fewer than five people were on the plane when it crashed. One official said that, according to initial information, at least two people were on the plane.

“The plane, which was on an intelligence mission, was brought down in Sado Khel area of Deh Yak district of Ghazni province,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban in a statement.

Mujahid did not say how fighters had brought the plane down. He said the crew on board included high ranking US officers. A senior defence official denied that senior American officers were involved.

The Taliban controls large parts of Ghazni province. The militant group, which has been waging a war against US-led forces since 2001, often exaggerates enemy casualty figures.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

SUDOKU

Your insight and ability to help others will put you in a favored position. Your intentions and motives are positive, and because of this, success will be yours.

You will sparkle if you step into the limelight. If you get involved in a group effort, you will get more than you give. Your ability to work a crowd will be advantageous.

Veering off the beaten track will end up costing you. Don’t take an impulsive action because of boredom.

Consider what’s possible and what isn’t. Protect your interests and don’t jeopardize your position.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Discuss your feelings and intentions. An unusual gesture will intrigue you. If you remember a certain experience, it will be easier to move forward. Love is present.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Money matters will occupy your mind. Reconsider your generosity and set new rules and budgets that will help you physically assist others in instead of doing so financially.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Expect to have a change of heart. An attraction you feel for someone will confuse you. Someone from your past will come to mind or pop back into your life. Avoid impulsive action.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Your unique ideas will help you get ahead. Consider changing your direction or bumping up your skills or knowledge to enhance your qualifications. Walk away from negative people.

SCORPIO

You will be attracted to unusual subjects and people. If you spend some time with people who are much older or younger than you, it will change your perspective on life, love and happiness.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Rest, relax and stay out SAGITTARIUS of trouble today. Emotional (Nov. 23meddling will take place if Dec. 21) you share personal information with someone you think you can trust. Listen more and say less.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

YESTERDAY’S

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

You will be attracted to activities that offer something new and exciting. A pleasure trip will open your eyes to different customs, traditions and cultures that will influence your lifestyle.

Contemplate what you want to do next. Nothing is forever, and although you may enjoy what you have, a change will encourage personal growth, new skills and experiences.

Keep your sights set on your goal. If you go off course, you will have to backtrack.

Refuse to let someone lead you astray or goad you into a debate.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

19

Pelicans get 1st win with Zion NBA round-up:

Z

ion Williamson had his first double-double as an NBA player, and the New Orleans Pelicans won for the first time with him in the lineup, 123-108 over the visiting Boston Celtics on Sunday.

Williams, the top pick in the 2019 NBA draft, had 21 points and 11 rebounds in his third game after preseason knee surgery. Jrue Holiday scored a teamhigh 25 points, and Derrick Favors added 15 points and 10 rebounds. Lonzo Ball added a career-high 15 assists to go with eight points.

All-Star guard Kemba Walker led the Celtics with 35 points, Gordon Hayward scored 23, and Jaylen Brown, returning from a two-game absence due to an ankle injury, added 20.

Before the singing of the national anthem, the Pelicans held a 24-second moment of silence in honor of former Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who died along with one of his daughters, Gianna, and seven others in a helicopter crash near Los Angeles on Sunday morning. When the game began, the teams followed the lead of the Spurs and Raptors earlier in the day by dribbling out the shot clock in Bryant’s honor on their first possessions.

Portland Trail Blazers 139 - Indiana Pacers 129

Damian Lillard continued his scoring spree with 50 points, matched his season high of 13 assists and grabbed six rebounds to lead Portland past visiting Indiana.

Lillard made 14 of 23 shots from the field — including 8 of 12 from 3-point range — to become the first player in franchise history to record three straight efforts of 40 points or more. CJ McCollum scored 28 points and made six 3-pointers for the Trail Blazers after missing the previous three games because of an ankle injury.

Jeremy Lamb scored 28 points and Domantas Sabonis had 27 points, 14 rebounds and a career-best 11 assists for the Pacers, who lost for just the second time in their past nine games.

Indiana dropped its 11th straight game at Portland.

in the first quarter, by a dozen at halftime but by just a point heading into the final period. The Spurs then scored 12 of the first 15 points of the period to take an eight-point advantage before the Raptors answered with a 14-0 run.

Atlanta Hawks 152 Washington Wizards 133

Trae Young responded in an emotional way to the reported death of Kobe Bryant by producing 45 points and 14 assists to help Atlanta defeat visiting Washington Sunday. Young began the game wearing No. 8, Bryant’s original jersey number, before changing into his usual No. 11. Young wore Bryant’s No. 24 on the back of his shoes.

It was the eighth time this season Young has scored 40plus points. He was 13 of 24 from the floor, 13 of 16 from the line and had six rebounds. Five other players scored in double figures: De’Andre Hunter with 25, Kevin Huerter with 18, John Collins with 16, Bruno Fernando with 14 and Cam Reddish with 13. Fernando had 12 rebounds.

Bradley Beal had 40 points and six assists for Washington, which had six other players score in double figures. Troy Brown Jr. finished with 19 points.

Los Angeles Clippers 112 - Orlando Magic 97

Kawhi Leonard scored 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and Landry Shamet and Montrezl Harrell added 19 points each as Los Angeles used a third-quarter charge to notch the road victory.

Lou Williams scored 15 points as the Clippers improved to 4-1 on their season-long six game road trip.

Leonard extended his career-long streak of 30-point games to eight.

Michael Carter-Williams scored 15 points as the Magic lost their third consecutive game and fell for the fifth time in their past six games. Orlando lost twice to the Clippers during that stretch, falling 122-95 at Los Angeles on Dec. 16.

New York Knicks 110 - Brooklyn Nets 97

Reggie Bullock fueled a decisive third-quarter run by hitting back-to-back 3-pointers — including the basket that gave New York the lead for good — in its victory against visiting Brooklyn.

Julius Randle had 22 points and 15 rebounds as the Knicks won for just the third time in 13 games.

Memphis Grizzlies 114 - Phoenix Suns 109

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Javonte Green (43) and forward Grant Williams (12) (USA TODAY Sports)

Marcus Morris Sr. scored 21 points, Taj Gibson scored 11 points and Bullock added 10 points. Mitchell Robinson (12 points) and Frank Ntilikina (11 points) each scored double digits off the bench.

Spencer Dinwiddle scored 23 points for the Nets, who have lost six of seven and are 3-14 since Christmas.

Taurean Prince had 14 points while Rodions Kurucs scored 12 points. Joe Harris and Garrett Temple added 11 points apiece.

Denver Nuggets 117 Houston Rockets 110

Nikola Jokic had 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, Jerami Grant scored a season-high 25 points and host Denver beat short-handed Houston.

Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris scored 17 points each, Will Barton had 11 and Malik Beasley 10 for Denver.

The Rockets played without NBA leading scorer James Harden due to a left thigh contusion that head coach Mike D’Antoni said might keep him out of

Monday’s game at Utah.

Toronto Raptors 110 San Antonio Spurs 106

Pascal Siakam scored 35 points, 30 of them in a dominating first half, and Fred VanVleet hit the decisive 3-pointer in the final minute as visiting Toronto earned a victory over San Antonio.

It was Toronto’s seventh straight win, tying its season best. The last team to beat the Raptors was San Antonio, which defeated the Raptors 105-104 in Toronto on Jan. 12.

Toronto led by 19 points

Ja Morant scored 23 points to lead three Memphis players scoring 20-plus and the host Grizzlies held off Phoenix.

On a day with news of NBA legend Kobe Bryant’s death, Sunday’s game opened with Memphis taking a 24-second shot-clock violation. Phoenix reciprocated with an eight-second backcourt violation. The gestures recognized Bryant’s two professional jersey numbers, 8 and 24.

Following the somber tribute, Memphis jumped ahead 30-18 after the first quarter. Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks carried much of the scoring load from the outset, and both Jackson and Brooks finished with 20 points. (Reuters)

Olympics: Women's basketball qualifier moved from China to Serbia

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women’s Olympic basketball qualifying tournament for this year’s Tokyo Games has been moved from China to Serbia as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) said in a statement on Monday that the Feb. 6-9 qualifiers scheduled for Foshan would now be held in Belgrade on the same dates.

“After having carefully evaluated the developments regarding the coronavirus outbreak and placing as main priority the safety of the participating players and team delegation members, the FIBA Executive Committee decided to relocate the tournament,” it said.

The flu-like virus that was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan has killed 81 people, all in China, and infected more than 2,700 others.

Team USA won the 2016 Olympics Women’s Basketball Gold

Belgrade was already due to host one of four FIBA Women’s Olympic qualifying tournaments.

The qualifiers will complete the 12-team Tokyo

2020 Women’s Olympic tournament, with the top three from each group of four going through.

The United States, gold medalists in Rio de Janeiro

in 2016, and hosts Japan are participating in the qualifiers but are sure of Olympic places already.

(Reuters)

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

Nadal beats Nick Kyrgios to reach Australian Open quarter-finals

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panish top seed Rafael Nadal battled past rival Nick Kyrgios in a thrilling four-set match to reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Nadal, 33, had not dropped a set this tournament before 23rd seed Kyrgios provided his biggest test so far.

Kyrgios, who wore a Kobe Bryant basketball shirt in the warm-up, battled hard but Nadal came through 6-3 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-4).

Nadal will face Austrian

fifth seed Dominic Thiem in the last eight.

Nadal and Kyrgios have not always seen eye to eye with the rivalry blowing up last year after a tempestuous meeting in Acapulco.

Afterwards the 19time Grand Slam champion said Kyrgios’ behaviour “lacked respect” before the Australian responded by calling him “super-salty”.

Yet the appreciation for each other’s ability, despite their wildly contrasting styles, has rarely been

in doubt and was typified by their firm handshake at the net following a riveting contest on Rod Laver Arena.

“When Nick is playing like he did today with this positive attitude he brings a lot of things to our sport,” said Nadal, who won his only Australian Open title in 2009.

Stan Wawrinka produced some of his best tennis to battle past fourth seed Daniil Medvedev and reach the Australian Open quarter-finals.

Fog likely to figure prominently in probe of Bryant’s fatal helicopter crash

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ALABASAS, Calif.

(Reuters) - Weather conditions appear likely to come under the scrutiny of investigators probing the helicopter crash that killed former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven others near Los Angeles on Sunday, when overcast skies and fog grounded other aircraft.

A Sikorsky S-76 chopper owned by Bryant slammed into a steep hillside outside the town of Calabasas, California, about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles, igniting a brush fire and spreading debris over a quarter-acre (1,000 square meters) of grassy terrain.

Hours later, Los Angeles County authorities said all nine people aboard the helicopter died in the crash.

The deaths of Bryant, 41, and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, were confirmed by the National Basketball Association, as expressions of disbelief and grief poured in from fans, fellow athletes and politicians.

Bryant and his entourage were reported by local

media to have been on their way to a sports academy in the nearby city of Thousand Oaks, where he was to have coached his daughter’s basketball team in a youth tournament.

Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board began arriving in the area on Sunday to launch separate crash investigations.

Among the factors expected to be at the forefront of the probe are weather conditions, given that forecasters reported low clouds and limited visibility in the vicinity at the time of the crash, and various eyewitnesses recounted thick fog over the foothills where the helicopter went down.

Fog in the area was so bad Sunday morning that both the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department grounded their helicopter fleets, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing officials.

“The weather situation did not meet our minimum standards for flying,” a Los Angeles po-

Kobe Bryant’s helicopter was a Sirorsky S-76

lice spokesman Josh Rubenstein told the Times.

The sheriff’s department also grounded helicopters on Sunday morning, “basically because of the weather,” Sheriff Alex Villanueva said, according to the Times.

The one-time star forward was known since his playing days to travel frequently by helicopter to avoid the Los Angeles area’s notorious traffic.

Bryant rocketed to fame as an 18-year-old rookie and played 20 years for the Los Angeles Lakers - 18 of them as an all-star - winning five NBA championships. He was the fourth-highest scorer in league history, with 33,643 career points.

Others aboard the ill-fated helicopter, in addition to the pilot, included a teammate from Bryant’s daughter’s basketball team Alyssa Altobelli, and the girl’s parents John and Keri Altobelli.

John Altobelli was just about to start his 28th season as baseball coach at Orange Coast College, having won his fourth state championship just last year, the college said in a news release on his death.

The same statement identified Keri and Alyssa Altobelli as victims of the crash.

The Altobellis are survived by two of Alyssa’s siblings, J.J. and Lexi, the college said.

Also killed on board was Christina Mauser, an assistant girls basketball coach at a private school in Orange County, Mayor Katrina Foley of Costa Mesa, California, said on Twitter.

Mauser was the wife of Matt Mauser, singer of the rock and party band Tijuana Dogs, who mourned his wife with a statement on Facebook.

Rafael Nadal paid tribute to Nick Kyrgios’ talent and attitude after winning their match in three hours and 38 minutes (Reuters)

The Swiss 2014 champion, whose recent years have been hampered by injuries, won a see-saw encounter with the Russian 6-2 2-6 4-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-2.

Wawrinka, the 15th seed, next plays German seventh seed Alexander Zverev after he beat Russia’s Andrey Rublev.

Fifth seed Dominic Thiem also advanced with a clinical win over Gael Monfils.

The Austrian did not face a single break point in a 6-2 6-4 6-4 win over the French 10th seed that took him to the last eight for the first time at Melbourne Park.

He will now face world

number one Rafael Nadal, who defeated Australia’s Nick Kyrgios.

Halep advances

Fourth seed Simona Halep overcame a gutsy display from Elise Mertens to secure her place in the Australian Open quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-4 win.

The 2018 finalist was a break up in the first set and two breaks up in the second but saw her advantage eroded by the Belgian 16th seed in both sets.

However, Halep responded by moving up gears, and eventually won in one hour 37 minutes on Rod Laver

Arena.

The Romanian will play Estonian Anett Kontaveit in the last eight.

Russian 30th seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Germany’s Angelique Kerber, the 2016 champion, and will now play Spain’s Garbine Muguruza.

Pavlyuchenkova’s 6-7 (57) 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win means there is guaranteed to be a new name on the women’s trophy. Six of the last eight remaining players have never made it past the quarter-finals in Melbourne before, while Halep and Petra Kvitova both lost in their one final appearance. (BBC Sport)

WICB PCL 4-Day Championships…

Jaguars again top points’ table

V

eerasammy Permaul propelled the Guyana Jaguars to a commanding 219-run victory over previous tournament leaders Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in a match of the WICB PCL 4-Day Championships played on Sunday at the National Stadium at Providence in Guyana.

In the process, he recorded his 500th firstclass wicket and returned the Jaguars to the top of the points’ standings.

Round 3 having been concluded, Jaguars now lead the points’ standings with 44.6 points; marginally ahead of the Barbados Pride, who have defeated Jamaica Scorpions to record their second consecutive win, after opening their campaign with a loss. The Pride are on 44.4 points.

In the all-islands derby, a career-best spell from Sheeno Berridge undermined hosts Windward Islands Volcanoes and set

up Leeward Islands Hurricanes for their first win of the season -- by 165 runs. Volcanoes sit third on 32.8 points, after recording a win, a loss and a draw.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are fourth on 32.6 points. They also have a win, a draw and a loss to their account.

The Hurricanes’ win means they have broken the spell of two successive losses, and have jumped out of the cellar to land on 26.6 points.

The Scorpions occupy the cellar with 21.2 points after two draws and a loss.

Round 4 commences on Thursday, February 5, when current leaders and fivetime defending champions, Guyana Jaguars, face the dwindling Scorpions team at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, while the Pride would battle the Hurricanes and Red Force would tackle the Volcanoes.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

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21

Local athletes electrify Enmore Ground in AAG meet H

opeful Guyanese athletes on Sunday continued preparing for a hectic year of athletics activities by participating in the Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG)-hosted third developmental meet to be staged since the beginning of 2020.

In an effort to ensure that athletics events are spread out around the country, this meet was staged at the Enmore Community Centre Ground, ECD, and the attendance was encouraging.

Running Brave’s Brianna Charles had an excellent day on the track, as she sprinted to take the first position in the Girls’ U19 150-metre and 300-metre races.

Charles clocked 19.12s and 43.41s in those respective races.

Running Brave’s Princess

Brown was second in the 150-metre race, crossing the line in a time of 19.77s, while Delia Persaud of the Mercury Fast Laners placed third in a time of 21.97s.

In the 300M event, Mercury Fast Laners’ Tiea Lowe and her club mate Tia Charles finished second and third respectively, clocking times of 46.83s and 48.58s.

Tonya Rawlins commanded respect in the Girls’ 20+ 300M event, as she crossed the line in 42.48s.

Police Progressive Youth Club’s (PPYC) Cassie Small and Running Brave’s veteran athlete Alisha Fortune finished in respective second and third positions, clocking times of 43.51s and 45.32s.

Wesley Tyndall of Running Brave Athletics Club continued his fine form, clocking the Boys’ U16

60-metre dash in a time of 7.36s, and consigning Rurallites’ Troyan Gibbons (7.49s) and PPYC’s Yohance Nedd (7.56s) to respective second and third positions.

The male U19 60-metre race was won by New Amsterdam’s Nicholas Denheart in 7.09s. PPYC’s Kevin De Souza finished a close second in 7.16s, while Super Upcoming Runners’ Andrew Baptist was third in a time of 7.35s.

Denheart completed the sprint double when he crossed the line first in the 150M race, clocking a time of 17.22s, and beating Rurallites’ Shem McKenzie (17.36s) and PPYC’s Kevin De Souza (17.41s) into respective second and third places.

The Over-20 60-metre dash was a closely contest-

ed affair, but when the fireworks had ended, PPYC’s Davin Fraser had triumphed in 6.94s, followed by his club mate Stephon Boodie in 7.04s and GDF’s Yannick Williams in third with a time of 7.11s.

As usual, GDF’s Leslain Baird produced an outstanding performance in the javelin event. With his eyes set on participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Baird threw a distance of 64.90 metres to place first.

While it is obviously not his best throw, it signals the athlete’s consistency leading up to this year’s games.

GDF’s Jermaine Simmons threw 52.65M to be adjudged second in the event, while fellow soldier Timothy Sealey copped third with a throw of 48.97M.

Leslain Baird, loading up a throw on Sunday last

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The ‘First Lady of the UGSS’ is handing over winning prizes to the first-placed team’s captain, Raheem Angus, in the presence of tournament organiser Jafar Gibbons and representatives

he Kings of Studies II football tournament, hosted at the University of Guyana Turkeyen campus on Saturday from 10:00 hrs, eventually resulted in Five-o defeating Saints Renegades in a hard-fought encounter from which they emerged this year’s champions.

The tournament received considerable support from spectators, and more than 100 student-athletes participated in the one-day activity. The matches, played alongside the newly-constructed Behavioural Sciences Building, were played in a round-robin style and consisted of two fiveminute halves, after which the knockout stage, comprising of two semi-final games and the final game, were staged.

With tournament rules dictating that, ‘a goal (scored) in the final two minutes of play is worth two (goals)’, a total of 65 goals were scored, 20 in the knockout stages alone.

The grand finale was a backand-forth encounter, with both teams going on a rampage from the get-go. A couple of missed opportunities from either team only motivated them more, especially with $100,000 on the line.

The first half ended with the two teams deadlocked, but the eventual victors persisted; they were able to score a goal in the final 2 minutes of play, and exploited the tournament rule mentioned above.

At full time, the scores read 2-0 in favour of Five-O, and they carted off the spoils while

Second-placed Saints Renegades’ Captain, Myron Philips, receiving his prize from Student Action Movement PRO Swenessa McGregor

Tournament MVP Jessie Marshall receiving his trophy from Marissa Maison, Student Action Movement rep

Saints Renegades and Goons FC won $50,000 and $25,000 respectively. All prizes included medals and trophies.

Jessie Marshall was adjudged MVP, while Mark Chester was adjudged the highest goal scorer.

This tournament aims to create cross-faculty interaction by having teams with players from any faculty compete, and this was fully achieved. The sponsors of this tournament were CNL Construction, Robbie Rambaran, Kashif and Shanghai organisation, Bill Wilson and Colin Aaron, among others.

22

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BCB/RHTY&SC Busta 40 Overs Champion of Champions tourney…

RHT Thunderbolt clinch title in nail-biter

ꟷ as Foo's brilliance fails to save Albion

By Brandon Corlette in Berbice

T

he Rose Hall Town (RHT) Thunderbolt Flour team have defeated arch-rivals Albion by three runs in an exciting 40-over encounter that was the final match in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) Busta 40-overs Champion of Champions tournament.

Watched by a capacity crowd at the Port Mourant Community Centre Ground on Sunday last, Albion, in pursuit of 182 for victory over RHT, fell short by three runs, ending on 178-8 when their 40 overs had expired.

Guyana Jaguars batsman Jonathan Foo played a masterful innings of 76, but it proved insufficient for the Albion team.

The match came down to the proverbial wire, with 17 runs required from the final over, and fast-bowler Keon Sinclair on strike. With Foo at the crease, the crowd had fancied Albion’s chances of pulling off the win, but the final over yielded 13 runs, with Foo smashing a six before being run out four balls into the over.

After Foo’s departure, Albion found themselves

needing 8 runs from only two deliveries. A fortunate boundary from the penultimate ball changed the dynamics of the game to 4 runs being required off the final ball; but RHT prevailed, taking a wicket off that final ball.

Crandon's 71 leads RHT to 181 all out

Fresh from a stint in Canada, former Guyana Jaguars player and West Indies ODI player Royston Crandon played a brilliant knock of 71 from 69 balls, including three sixes, to lead RHT to 181 all out in 39.2 overs.

RHT began with a 32-run opening partnership featuring veteran Delbert Hicks and former Guyana U-19 batsman Junior Sinclair.

Hicks departed for nine off the bowling of Foo, and two runs later, Jason Sinclair was run out for one.

The right-handed Crandon, batting at number four, played a mature innings, although he lost partners at regular intervals.

He was supported by the Sinclair brothers: Junior, who made 25 from 32 balls, including three fours; and Keon, who chipped in with 16 from 11 balls.

Bowling for Albion, prom-

ising Berbice left-arm youth spinner Gourav Ramesh grabbed 3-22 in eight overs, while Sarwan Chaitnarine took 2-9.

Foo, David Latchya and Kandasammy Surajnarine each took one wicket.

Foo controls the chase

In 10.2 overs, Albion lost three wickets with the score on 55.

Surajnarine fell to captain and off-spinner Eon Hooper, w h o made a mess of the righthander’s stumps after he had scored only four.

Adrian Sukwa was bowled by paceman Keon Sinclair for three, while Sharaz Ramcharran made a 30-ball 31 that was decorated with four boundaries.

He was eventually bowled by Sinclair.

Batting at number four, Foo was partnered by Rajiv Ivan, a former

The victorious RHT Thunderbolt Flour First Division team (Brandon Corlette photos) Jonathan Foo goes big, hitting one over longoff in his impressive knock

Guyana Jaguars batsman, whose stay at the crease was brief, as off-spinner Crandon rattled his stumps for five.

Foo and Latchaya added 61

runs for the fifth wicket partnership, rotating the strike and hitting the odd boundary. Latchaya departed for a boundary-less 26 from 58 balls, after hitting a Hooper delivery to cover and being caught.

At that point, Foo remained in control, with Albion on 125-5, but he lacked capable partners in the lower order. On a fairly large outfield, and with a pitch that had invariable bounce, Foo managed to clear the boundary twice, besides hitting three fours in a crafty innings that ended with a run out through the

efforts of a calm Hooper and a sharp glovesman in Jason Sinclair.

Hooper ended with figures of 2-28 in seven overs, while Keon Sinclair had 2-44 as Albion’s 40 overs expired on 178-8.

When Foo was dismissed four balls into the over, the game was decided: RHT won the championship trophy and $100,000, while Albion received $50,000 and the runners-up trophy.

This final was described

by BCB President Hilbert Foster as one of the best contested in the ancient county.

Magnum Mash Cup Christianburg-Wismar gets enters 2nd night backboard from LABA/Brusches

A

ll roads will lead to the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue this evening when the 3rd edition of the Magnum Tonic Wine Mashramani Cup Futsal Tournament continues with another round of group matches.

In tonight’s opening matches, Sophia will pit skills against Island AllStars from 19:00hrs; Broad Street will battle it out with Kingston from 19:30hrs, and Albouystown will tackle Belfield from 20:00hrs.

This will be followed by Mocha engaging Future Stars from 20:30hrs, while the fifth match would involve Rio All-Stars opposing Melanie from 21:00hrs.

In the sixth clash, Gold is Money takes aim at Stabroek Ballers from 21:30hrs, while Bad-a-Yard locks horns with Back Circle from 22:00hrs in the final match.

Tournament coordinator and Co-Director of San Sports, Esan Griffith, in an official press release, said, “Tonight is the continuation of what is expected to be another monumental night of action. The event has already started in dramatic fashion, with several upsets, which bodes well for the tournament going for-

Classic/Think Green Organisation

Part of the tournament’s opening night’s action at the National Gymnasium

ward, and highlights the development and emergence of the format and the teams.”

He Continuing, he said, “I want to reiterate to the players and fans that all systems are in place to ensure a safe and memorable event. There is a genuine atmosphere of excitement among the respective communities, which bodes well for the tournament and its continued growth.”

The other ‘match days’ are: Thursday January 30th, Saturday February 1st, Tuesday February 4th, Thursday February 6th [Round of 16], Saturday February 8th [Quarterfinals] and Saturday February 15 [Semi-finals], with the finale scheduled for Saturday February 22nd.

The groups involved are: Group-A: Back Circle,

Sparta Boss, Ansa McAl All-Stars and Bad-A-Yard.

Group-B: Rio All-Stars, Leopold Street, Spartacus and Melanie.

Group-C: Future Stars, Alexander Village, Spot-7 and Mocha.

Group-D: Bent Street, Showstoppers, North East La Penitence and Avocado Ballers. Group-E: Sophia, Broad Street, Kingston and Island All-Stars; and Group-F: Gold is Money, Albouystown, Stabroek Ballers and Belfield Warriors.

Winners of the event will pocket $600,000 and the championship trophy, while the second-placed side would collect $300,000 and the respective accolade. Third and fourth placed units would receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively, and the corresponding trophy.

LABA President Lawrence Simon (third from left), handing over the equipment to Rono Stephens of CWSS

T

he Christianburg-Wismar Secondary ‘Multi’ School of Region 10 is the recipient of a brand-new Spalding adjustable, shatter-proof, regulation-size, all-weather basketball backboard.

The presentation was held last Thursday in the compound of the school, where President of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA), Lawrence Simon, presented the equipment to Ronon Stephens, a teacher and an assistant basketball coach at that school.

The presentation was made on behalf of the LABA, Brusches Basketball Foundation, and the Think Green Organisation.

In his remarks, Simon said, “This will enhance basketball in the school, and support the clinic that we propose to launch soon: basketball within the secondary schools.”

Simon disclosed that LABA would be engaging the Ministry of Education to launch the programme, which will target secondary schools across Linden; and as resources are received, other schools would benefit.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

23

GFC are bridesmaids again! ꟷ after Fruta Conquerors U-20 thrashing

GFC fought hard, but Fruta U-20 were always in control of things Story and Photos by Jemima Holmes

P

roverbial wedding bells often ring for the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), calling them to the altar; but each time, the Bourda team have found themselves being the proverbial bridesmaids, holding the trail of the bride as she takes the spotlight and the accolades.

The situation was no different in the final match of the Turbo Knockout Football Tournament played on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue, where the GFC succumbed to the Fruta Conquerors U20

team by a margin of 3-1, after initially putting up a resistance.

Runners-up to Northern Rangers in the 2018 edition of this tournament, GFC found themselves in a familiar position on Sunday as they contested another Turbo final.

They were imbued with an air of confidence as they embraced another opportunity to get their hands on this tournament’s championship trophy; and when the evenly balanced, star-studded teams began their encounter at a fast pace, the GFC ferocity looked promising in the opening minutes of the game.

However, they figuratively bit the dust, as their Under20 counterparts played a bet-

ter game to cop back-to- back Petra tournament wins.

The Fruta Conquerors’ strategy soon fell into place, and Rashawn Rich became class personified as he kept GFC’s Kelsey Benjamin quiet on the left wing. With Benjamin being unable to break away from the defense, and with two early opportunities having been squandered, the pressure began to take its toll on the Bourda team.

Fruta, on the other hand, seemed patient in their quest to get the job done; and got their first strike in the 16th minute, when Captain Nicholas Mc Arthur guided the ball into the goal.

Things degenerated for GFC, as they lost a player to a red card infringement some minutes later. They, however, were able to hold off Fruta for a 1-0 halftime score.

Jermain Garrett opened the second segment of play on a high for the Under 20 team with goal number 2, after he had capitalized on a cross coming in from the corner which GFC goalie Ronnell McLean failed to scoop up.

As the ball slipped from Mc Lean’s grasp, Garrett needed only to ease it into the net for the Fruta second goal.

Clearly in control at this point, Fruta Conquerors focused on tightening their defense, further frustrating their opponents. Building on a series of passes from Mc

Jermain Garrett fending off the GFC defence during the final

Arthur and Ryan Hackett, Rayvon Bailey added a third goal to the Fruta tally in the 85th minute, and thus shut down any thought GFC might have had of staging a comeback.

The boys in blue and white were, however, able to pick up a consolation goal following Ravie Coates’s entrance in the final minutes of the game. Benching Coates in the final being arguably GFC’s first mistake of the encounter, Coates, who has been a fixture in the starting XI all tournament, was brought into play only when GFC were already down by 3 goals.

The decision came back to haunt GFC, as, two minutes

into his playing time, Coates drew a foul inside the box, affording GFC a penalty opportunity. It was successfully taken by Kelsey Benjamin in the 90th minute, but, seconds later, the mythical Fat Lady was singing.

Speaking exclusively with this publication, Fruta Conquerors’ captain and tournament MVP, Nicholas Mc Arthur, declared himself proud of the team’s performance, and noted that the Under-20 team’s win is a great sign for the future of Guyanese football.

“Well, the team feels very proud. Just like at the press conference, we said that the team is bringing our ‘A’ game to this final and we came out

successful with it. It shows a good sign for the future, ‘cause if we, as a unit, could make it far in football, at least some of the kids could get a chance like I did,” an elated Mc Arthur declared.

Fruta Conquerors pocketed $400,000 for the win, while GFC settled for $200,000.In the thirdplace playoff, 2018 winners Northern Rangers saved face with a 1-0 victory over Pouderoyen FC. Damian Williams was the only one to find the back of the net, in the 34th minute.

For their efforts, Northern Rangers and Pouderoyen copped $100,000 and $50,000 respectively, all compliments of Guyana Beverage Inc.

National Junior TT Championships…

Van Lange retains U-15 and U-18 titles ꟷ Melville, Thomas are U-18 and U-15 champs

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he National Juniors Table Tennis Championships concluded in grand fashion as fans witnessed from the pavilion the unveiling of the champions in the 18-years-and-under women, U15 women’s singles, 15-years-and-under boys, and U18 men’s singles.

These four finals were all dominated by members of the Titans Table Tennis Club (Jonathan Van Lange, Crystal Melville, Thuraia Thomas) originates out of the Red Cross Building.

The Finale (U-18 Women) The afternoon’s action commenced with the U18 women’s final kicking off. Crystal Melville and Thuraia Thomas were pitted against each other after hard fought preliminary matches. In the end, the better woman was Melville, who won the finals 3-2.

Her first set saw her losing to Thomas 11-9, but she bounced back 11-8 to tie that match at 1-1. Nerves got to Melville as she lost the third game 11-2, but after composing herself, she left Thomas staring at a trail of dust while she won the last two matches 11-6 and 11-7.

Earlier, in the semifinal, Thomas defeated Nkechi McRae 3-1 to book her spot in the final; but she lost the first set 11-0, then came back

Despite losing 11-8 in the third set, Van Lange returned strong to win the last game 11-6. The U15 finale was nothing like its under-18 counterpart, as Van Lange did not allow Ninvalle to breath, cramping him and constantly applying the pressure with every serves. He was able to win all three matches 11-9, 11-8, 11-8, to reclaim both U18 and U15 titles.

to win the other three sets with ease. It was the same for Melville, who lost her first set to Jasmine Billingy 11-9, but was able to win the last three games with ease.

U-15 Women In the U15 women’s category, Melville and Thomas met again, but this time the story had a different ending, as Thomas triumphed.

Thomas won her category 3-2 after many thought she would have given up her fight She had lost the first two rounds 11-8, 12-10, but returned to surprise Melville and win the last three matches 12-10, 11-8, 12-10.

Thomas was also able to book her spot in the final when she defeated Billingy 3-2, losing the first two sets but taking the last three by storm. It wasn’t the same for the McRaeMelville showdown, as Thomas defeated McRae-Melville with ease 3-0.

U-18 and U-15 Men (Van Lange dominates) It was expected that Van Lange and Kaysan Ninvalle would have each booked their spot in the finale of both events. These two talented youngsters were dominant in all their matchups. In the U 18 category, Van Lange flew past Ninvalle with much ease, and was able to win the first two rounds 11-8, 11-5.

What’s next?

The tournament served as a key component for establishing a ranking and selection system, among other benefits. With the continental qualification event for Games of the XXXII Olympiad scheduled for April 15–19, 2020 and the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics scheduled for August 2020, many of the events scheduled on the regional and international calendar of activities have been advanced.

This will see the Caribbean Junior and Cadet Championships being scheduled for March 2020, the Caribbean Senior Championships being scheduled for April 2-8 in Havana, Cuba — which is being used as the qualification event for the 2021 World Table Tennis Championships in Houston Texas, USA; and the Continental Olympic qualification event being held early in 2020. These are expected to provide greater impetus to the Jonathan Van Lange national championships.

Thuraia Thomas Crystal Melville

Kaysan Ninvalle

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 23

GFC are bridesmaids again! ꟷ after Fruta Conquerors U-20 thrashing

BCB/RHTY&SC Busta 40 Overs Champion of Champions tourney…

National Junior TT Championships…

RHT Thunderbolt clinch title in nail-biter Van Lange Page 22

ꟷ as Foo's brilliance fails to save Albion

Page 23

retains U-15 and U-18 titles

ꟷ Melville, Thomas are U-18 and U-15 champs

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