Guyana Times Tuesday May 14, 2019

GLSC embarks on satellite mapping trial P 14

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

Issue No. 3923

THE BEACON OF TRUTH Tuesday, may 14, 2019

Homeland Security red flags 3220 Guyanese for overstaying in US

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Cop charged for hitting wife with P8 wood

Page 7

Govt failing to include poor, working class in oil & gas plans – economist

…says industry shaping up to favour exclusive, elitist club

Page 3

Accused pirate released on bail

…after piracy attack in Essequibo River P12

Pensioner’s body fished out of WCB P9 canal

Police leading probe into death of Mazaruni P14 inmate …prisoner was part of reintegration training project The children of the Paediatric Unit at the Georgetown Public Hospital were treated to an entertaining day of fun and games made possible by former GPHC Chief Public Safety Officer Mark Lewis partnering with Bravo Arts (DPI photo)

Man executed outside Bartica bar Mother of 6 loses More Police ranks eye weeks after finally deployed to …as robberies, murders giving birth continue to spiral out See story on page 9

Page 2

…blames hospital for negligence

Berbice

of control

Page 12

Smith Memorial Primary

Education Ministry P13 finally fixes leaking roof

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Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Mother of 6 loses eye weeks after giving birth …blames hospital for negligence

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22-year-old mother of six lost one of her eyes and was recently discharged from the Suddie Hospital, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam).

The woman, Sunita Vandyke, was at the Suddie Hospital for several weeks after doctors at the Georgetown Public Hospital removed one of her eyes without any proper explanation as to why her eye had to be removed when she has never had any medical complications with her eye.

Relatives are calling for a full investigation into the incident. According to

relatives, the woman was admitted at the Suddie Hospital to give birth but everything went downhill after her delivery.

Vandyke’s motherin-law, Phyllis Carter, told Guyana Times that Vandyke delivered a healthy baby at the Suddie Hospital some seven weeks ago. She said that after the birth of the baby, her daughter-in-law went to her Parika residence, where she started to complain of feeling unwell. She said she took Vandyke to the Parika Health Centre, where the nurses administered saline.

She said that after receiving

the saline, her daughter-inlaw started complaining of blurred vision. “As soon as she get the saline and we go home, she started complaining with the eye,” she said.

Carter said after her daughter-in-law continued to complain about having blurred vision, she took her to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, where doctors transferred her to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

The woman said she was sceptical in taking Vandyke to the WDRH since she had previously sued that institution for the death of her

grandson.

She said that they then visited the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation after the eye became worse and Vandyke’s condition worsened. “We meet GPHC emergency with the eye draining inflammation and the nose bleeding and they said that’s not an emergency and we waited several hours and were sent away without seeing a doctor. I even went to the boss upstairs to complain that we were not getting to see a doctor and still, we could [not] get help. We were sent away,” she said.

The frustrated Carter

The ill woman: Sunita Vandyke

related that it was then that she visited the Ministry of Health to lodge a complaint and was directed to the Mercy Hospital and then redirected to the Eye Clinic at GPHC. When she arrived at the clinic, the doctors quickly admitted Vandyke for surgery to remove the eye.

“Just so they say they gotta take out the eye. GPHC and West Dem sabotage my daughter-in-law. They did nothing to help. They never even checked the eye, and we need answers. This girl never had any eye problem” she added.

Carter called for a full investigation stating that Vandyke’s medical record will show that the woman did not suffer from any

medical or eye conditions.

Vandyke’s condition has since gotten worse as she is now unable to walk and has stopped speaking. On Monday, she was taken to the Leonora Hospital again, but due to the severity of her condition, she was referred to the GPHC. The woman, Sunita Vandyke, is alleging that the negligence of staff at the Parika Health Centre, Leonora Cottage Hospital, the West Demerara Regional Hospital and Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation is responsible and called for a full investigation into the matter. Since the incident, the woman has been in and out of the hospital.

LHC launches mental health awareness activities

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he Mental Health Unit of the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC) on Monday launched its Mental Health Awareness Month of activities with a ceremony hosted at the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN) in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

May is designated Mental Health Awareness Month and according to the social worker attached to the hospital, Laurette Smith-Gray, the Unit is embarking on sensitising the Linden community about mental illnesses and the involvement of each resident in helping affected persons.

Various stakeholders were present during the launch, including members of the Guyana Police Force, who are called upon to assist with mentally ill patients when necessary. SmithGray said it is important to network with agencies in dealing with mental health and mental illness.

“It is necessary for us to network with all of the agencies in this community. In every agency or every home, it may have someone who might be exposed to some form of mental illness.

The more we can enlighten persons, agencies and organisations about incidences of mental illness, the more we can have a better response, the stigma will be reduced and persons will be able to get the necessary help,” she noted.

Highlighting a few circumstances where the police are called in, the social worker said in some cases,

mentally ill patients can be very unstable and aggressive. She added that recently, there have been complaints from relatives of mentally ill patients about the way their families are being handled, hence the need to have the police on board to understand patients’ behaviours and how they can be dealt with effectively. As such, she said the Unit is presently involved in sensitising the police in terms of dealing with such patients.

“Because they aren’t criminals...they have a mental condition, and an understanding of the mental condition will help with a better approach in carrying out their duties”, SmithGray said.

Also present at the launch were members of the religious community, probation and welfare officers, councillors and regional officials.

Presently, there are over 400 active patients enrolled in the LHC Mental Health Clinic.

According to information from the clinic, a considerable amount of mentally ill patients was seen at the clinic this year. In January alone, the clinic recorded 133 patients and 107 in February. Medical professionals are presently in the process of rehabilitating a section of the nearby former hospital, which is being converted into a more enhanced, permanent facility in an effort to expand mental health services in the region.

news

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tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Tuesday, May 14 – a nighttime retraction at 01:30h and a daytime retraction at 13:30h-15:00h and Wednesday, May 15 – a nighttime retraction at 02:30h and a daytime retraction at 14:30h-16:00h.

Govt failing to include poor, working class in oil and gas plans – economist …says industry shaping up to favour exclusive, elitist club people?”

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Proposals

Tuesday, May 14 – 12:45h-14:15h and Wednesday, May 15 – 13:40h-15:10h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Cloudy conditions are expected to be followed by light rain showers in the mid-morning to midafternoon period, with sunny intervals in the late afternoon. Partly cloudy skies are expected in the evening, with temperatures ranging between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North Northeasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 13:12h reaching a maximum height of 2.40 metres.

Low Tide: 06:44h and 19:12h reaching minimum heights of 0.87 metre and 0.76 metre respectively.

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Economist Sase Singh

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n economist, trained in macro-financial planning believes that Guyana’s oil and gas industry is shaping up to be one that will see only the elite, rather than the working class and the poor, benefitting from the oil wealth.

This view was expressed by economist Sase Singh, who on Monday noted that Government has so far failed to produce plans that meaningfully cater to include the majority of Guyanese and their interests into the benefits of the sector.

“The current modus operandi in the incoming Guyanese oil industry will affect how the poor and the working class respond to it. Today across Guyana, this oil industry is seen as an elite project.

It is seen by the population as those guys in suits who jet off to Houston to strike deals for themselves,” Singh said.

“The question on the minds of many single mothers and housewives remains – what is in it for me and my children and my family?”

He noted that the remaining hundreds of thousands of Guyanese are trying to come to terms with the reality that very little of the oil wealth will flow directly into their pockets.

He likened their feelings to the feelings that drove the rural workers of the United States who threw their support behind President Trump.

This situation brings out the stark reality that has plagued the nation for generations – the breach between the “haves” and the “haves-not”. This sense of inequality in Guyana has never been worse and the perception is that these oil investments will only make it worse for the working class.

“Firstly, Team Granger with their heavy doses of policy paralysis played a major role in setting the scene to widen this disparity between the two groups. Take for example the re-negotiation process on the oil agreement. There was no scope for the social engineering of the revenue to better impact a wider cross-section of Guyanese.”

“When the mathematics is done, Guyana will have no more than 8 per cent of the revenue from these oil investments in the first 4 years.

Without a plan, all of this money will be in the hands of politicians who do not have a history of doing what is best for the Guyanese people. For example, when the US$18 million signon bonus was provided, it was hidden from the people. Why would you hide information that should be shared with the

Singh warned that the ordinary people have no interest in empty platitudes like the illusionary “good life” but that they want answers to the tough questions, such as what is in it for them and their families. According to Singh, any responsible Government must have adequate emotional common sense to create the framework to engage, re-connect and collaborate with the people to ensure some of these risks are mitigated and that some dollars are reserved exclusively for the poor and the working class.

“That is why I put forward this proposal that 20 per cent of the oil earnings payable should be reserved as cash vouchers allocated directly to all the people who are registered on the Guyana Revenue Authority and National Insurance Scheme systems.

The economist urged that these cash vouchers should only fund deposits to an escrow savings account that can only be accessed to buy new homes, pay mortgages, repair said homes, fund education expenses, healthcare expenses, purchase of hybrid and green motor cars, or bicycles or boat engines, purchase of solar panels, and even purchase of shares in publicly traded companies.

“The idea is that this oil money must work for all Guyanese families not just the one per cent atop the pile. The remaining 80 per cent of the cash should be split evenly between the Sovereign Wealth Fund and the mega infrastructure projects as identified in a National Development Strategy (NDS) similar to the one developed with the help of the Carter Center in 1994.”

This NDS, he added, should be developed jointly by the

Government, the Opposition and civil society. This NDS shall be committed to by law so that if there is a change of Government, it cannot be de-funded because of partisan political reasons.

Some transformative projects Singh suggested were the Amaila Falls Hydro Project, which he noted would bring low cost and reliable electricity.

He also suggested the paving or railing of the transportation link between Linden and Lethem, which he said would connect to a newly built Deep Water Port to facilitate more Brazilian con-

tainers destined for the world.

Another suggestion was the construction of an Oil Refinery, which would create hundreds of new jobs to refine Guyanese oil for the Guyanese and Caribbean Community (Caricom) markets.

“With more than 60 per cent of the population under 40 years of age, it is hoped those who are reading this publication properly understand the consequences for pretending it is business as usual. For Guyana’s sake, I am hoping for good sense to prevail on all fronts,” he said.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, may 14, 2019

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

Power outages

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uccessive governments had promised that blackouts would be a thing of the past, but, from all indications, it is clear that Guyanese will have to wait much longer to see promise becoming reality. Over the past few months, the complaints coming from various sections of the population, including private citizens and business, about constant power outages, have increased dramatically. In fact, recently, there have been several letters to the editor wherein persons have expressed their frustration over prolonged periods of blackout in their communities.

Three days ago, the Demerara-Berbice Interconnected System (DBIS) suffered yet another shutdown, causing power outages in several communities. The utility company announced shortly after that the system was indeed nonfunctional, and promised that the situation would be rectified. On Wednesday last, a burnt primary conductor on the L23 transmission line caused disruptions along the area from Canefield to Auchlyne in Berbice. Two weeks ago, the DBIS recorded a shutdown due to a fault in one of the circuit breakers at the Garden of Eden Power Plant. This caused a “lock out” of the busbar facilitating the transfer of power from four generators. According to GPL, the “sudden” loss of 18 megawatts of generator capacity resulted in the shutdown.

GPL’s poor services have come under criticism many times, primarily by the general populace. In addition to being a discomfort to many, everyone knows that constant power surges can result in severe damage to household appliances, and even cause fires etc. It is even more frustrating when one considers that GPL does not have any clear policy relative to providing compensation when electrical appliances or machinery etc are damaged due to irregular power supply.

Businesses have also been very vocal about the huge negative impact the prolonged periods of blackout have had on their operations. Now that Guyana’s oil and gas sector is about to take off, it would be in the country’s interest to have a reliable supply of power. Investors, manufacturers and many others will not be attracted to come here and do business if the present situation relative to electricity supply continues.

It is clear that both businesses and private individuals are dissatisfied with the service being provided by the power company, especially since the cost they are paying for such service has not decreased; in fact, it has increased over the past few years. This is so despite the fact that the Government has been saving billions of dollars, considering the low oil price.

At present, it is still not clear what steps are being taken to bring a lasting solution to the power woes this country has been experiencing. In fact, officials have been giving one excuse after the other, which does not help in any way. Some experts believe there is a manifest lack of short- and longterm solutions to address the company’s inefficiency. They have expressed the view that no relief is being provided by the Government in the short-term, and no effective plan is in place to address the situation in the medium- to-long-term, which could eventually see the problem deteriorating further.

It is widely believed that Guyana could have been in a better position regarding an affordable, reliable supply of electricity if there were bipartisan support for the Amaila Falls Hydro Power (AFHP) project, which should have been in the system from 2017. The present Government, while in Opposition, basically killed the project on purely partisan political grounds.

Very little has changed under the APNU/AFC Administration, which had used every opportunity to criticize the previous Government for the manner in which the electricity sector was being managed.

That said, we are not oblivious to the many problems being experienced by the power company. These problems, which include line losses and electricity theft, have been known for decades, and have certainly had a tremendous impact on the company’s ability to provide better services to Guyanese consumers. The extent of electricity theft is shocking, and GPL must continue to tackle the issue frontally.

After investing so many billions in this day and age, these constant power outages are unacceptable. The authorities must stop making excuses and find a solution to the problem once and for all.

This boy enjoying a game of Snakes and Ladders at the Georgetown Public Hospital’s Paediatric Unit, where children were treated to an entertaining day of fun and games (DPI photo)

Venezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó calls for US help in letter

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enezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó is calling more openly than ever for US assistance, as he continues to seek fresh elections in the country.

In a letter posted early Monday, Carlos Vecchio – Guaidó ‘s appointed Ambassador to the US – requested a meeting between the US Southern Command and Guaidó ‘s representatives.

The May 11 letter was addressed to US Admiral Craig S Faller, who heads the Southern Command and who had previously voiced support for Guaidó ‘s movement on the official Twitter Supporters of Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó wave a flag of Venezuela during a May 1 demonstration account of the Southern in Caracas Command.

Venezuela’s Opposition im president by more than tions are on the table” and panding TPS privately for movement would “welcome 50 countries, including the argued that a foreign “in- some time, though they anstrategic and operation- United States. As momen- tervention” had already tak- nounced it publicly for the al planning so that we may tum slows in the nationwide en place in Venezuela – not first time Monday. Guaidó protests that he by the US, but by Cuba, himself still has not requestfulfill our conregularly organ- which supports Maduro’s ed it in writing, but discusstitutional obThe letter follows a sions are ongoing. ligation to the speech that Guaidó gave ises, Guaidó has Government. (CNN) begun to eye new “They’ve been asking for Venezuelan peo- in Caracas on Saturday, it. We’ve been talking about Guaidó’s US representatives ple,” Vecchio when he echoed Donald strategies for political change in it. We’ve been talking about back TPS for Venezuelans wrote to Faller.

Trump’s words, saying the country. it for a while,” MucarselOver the past five It did not call for that “all options are on Venezuelan Powell said. “When you flee months, Guaidó’s US repmilitary action the table” and argued P r e s i d e n t a country, the idea for so resentatives have respecifically.

For months, that a foreign “interven- N i c o l á s frained from weighing in on many immigrants who come ad- Temporary Protected Status here when they’re fleeing vithe US has re- tion” had already tak- Maduro’s m i n i s t r a t i o n for Venezuelans, aware that olence is that they’re going en place in Venezuela fused to rule out dismissed the some officials within the to be able to go back to their – not by the US, but by military action letter, with Vice Trump Administration op- country right away. I think Cuba, which supports in support of President Delcy pose any expansion of immi- that also they’re realising Guaidó ‘s move- Maduro’s Government.

Rodriguez say- gration programmes. this is taking longer than ment. However, ing during a namaybe they expected and That changed on US President tionally televised press condeporting Venezuelans back Monday.

Guaidó’s depuDonald Trump has also ference that her council read is not the answer.” ty chief of mission in the urged caution among senior Expanding TPS, a temGustavo Marcano, advisers moving forward, and rejected Vecchio’s re- US, and expressed frustration quest. “Asking for a military joined Democratic US Reps porary programme that althat some aides were openly intervention in Venezuela” Donna Shalala and Debbie lows people to live and hinting at a US military in- was an attempt to destabi- Mucarsel-Powell at a Doral work in the US without tervention in Venezuela, ac- lise the country, Rodriguez press conference Monday to the fear of deportation, to speak in favour of extend- Venezuelans has biparticording to officials familiar said.

The letter follows a ing TPS to Venezuelans cur- san support among South with the matter.

Florida lawmakers, includGuaidó is Venezuela’s speech that Guaidó gave in rently residing in the US. Caracas on Saturday, when ing Republican US Senators Mucarsel-Powell said National Assembly he echoed Donald Trump’s Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. that Guaidó’s representaPresident, recognised as the (Excerpt from Miami Herald) country’s legitimate inter- words, saying that “all op- tives have discussed ex-

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tuesday, may 14, 2019

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

Did Govt pay for a private action Govt’s obsession with brought by a private citizen?

PPP/C caused them to Dear Editor, Compton Reid, a private citizen, and a farmer from Berbice, took it upon himself to challenge the validity of the vote cast by former APNU/AFC MP Charrandas Persaud as a means of nullifying the December 21, 2018, motion of no-confidence which had ended the term of the Government.

It is publicly known that

Reid was represented by a large team of lawyers at both the High Court and the Court of Appeal of Guyana and at the Caribbean Court of Justice – Rex McKay, SC, Robert Corbin, and Neil Boston, SC, and Roysdale Forde.

It would not be an unfair question to ask how did Reid afford to pay for this expensive undertaking. Was the

State, in fact, the sponsor of this private action? Did the State pay for a private action brought by a private citizen? Available information appears to point to the latter.

If that is the case, the Government, firstly, needs to inform the public of whether it is appropriate for the State to use taxpayers’ money to pay for a pri-

vate action. Secondly, the Government must also publicly declare how much monies have already been paid to represent Reid and his legal team including expenses, and, what is the total cost associated with representing this action.

Sincerely, Gail Teixeira

Hell is truth seen too late Dear Editor, For three days in May, lawyers representing the APNU/AFC Administration and the PPP appeared in the Caribbean Court of Justice. The views expressed and arguments ventilated were instructive not only in relation to the cases under appeal but for the revelations of the differing underpinning philosophies that guide the actions of the parties.

Given that a General and Regional Election will happen sometime in the near future; it would be instructive to examine these differences for the benefit of the electorate.

On May 8, arguments were heard on the unilateral appointment of Justice (Retired) James Patterson as Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission.

Arguments put forth by the QC representing the APNU/AFC were suggestive of a President whose powers were unreviewable and for which reasons did not have to be provided. PPP’s counsel referred to these powers being akin to those of a monarch, diplomatically avoiding the word ‘Dictator’.

Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, began his presentations to the august body with base remarks; political remarks more suited to a conversation at

a fish shop than the CCJ. It won him no new friends. It was followed not by legal pleadings but thinly veiled threats of violence should the CCJ ruling not go the way of his Government. Williams urged that the court weigh consequences of a legal judgment and find in favour of an expedient one. This was unprecedented in the history of the CCJ and spoke volumes of what the APNU/AFC is all about; bullyism is part of the DNA. Counsels Courtenay and Boston spent much time and energy arguing that our Parliament was merely a rubber stamp for the decisions taken by the President and his Cabinet. This view furthers the APNU/AFC philosophy of dictatorship as the preferred form of governance. None of the lawyers on the APNU/AFC payroll found merit in the word “representation” in the term “proportional representation”, in their opinion, persons on the list are merely there to serve the master of the list; mere names not individuals; no freedom of thought or action allowed.

The Court of Appeal’s decision that 34 is an absolute majority of 65 kept the Granger Administration legally alive past April 21, 2019, the arguments to support it which were presented varied from Williams’ name-dropping to Roysdale

Forde's global hunt for precedents in support of the half/round-up/plus one formula advanced as a solution. Forde's diligence went unrewarded as it was pointed out his precedents all applied to even number parliaments. This exposed the local court as weak, pliable or worse. The APNU/AFC sees not three branches of Government, but rather a dictatorial Executive supported by a pliant Judiciary and rubberstamp National Assembly.

Editor, to those who would say that arguments made in a courtroom do not necessarily reflect the views of the Granger Administration, I would suggest that no leader or party that truly believes in democracy would allow such arguments as noted above to be put forward on its behalf and in a quest to deny the electorate an opportunity to speak through the ballot. Duplicity is a feature of the Granger Administration but even that would not forgive these transgressions for these arguments are a cure that kills the patient.

The electorate has now seen four years of APNU/AFC, the words of Thomas Hobbes “Hell is truth seen too late” must resonate.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Our Constitution is the supreme law Dear Editor, Our Constitution, like that of any other country, is the supreme law and it not only provides the main governing laws in broad terms, which all other laws must be in consistency with, but it also provides vital checks and balances for those who are in authority to govern our country. In addition, the Constitution safeguards our principle and important rights and entitlements as citizens from each other and from our Government.

Therefore, it is this Constitution which gives us the power through our elected representatives in the National Assembly to ‘divorce’ an elected Government and put in motion the electoral processes to elect a new Government. The coalition has committed numerous atrocities against the Guyanese public to warrant this ‘divorce’.

This ‘divorce’ takes the form of a vote of confidence, commonly called a vote of no-confidence since it will be ridiculous to assume that the Opposition will vote in favour of the Government. This is exactly what took place on the night of December 21, 2018.

The Revised Constitution of 2001 gave us this power through Article 106 of our Constitution and its intent or interpretation is quite clear and unambiguous. Article 106 (6) of our Constitution unambiguously states that “The Cabinet

including the President shall resign if the Government is defeated by the vote of a majority of all the elected members of the National Assembly on a vote of confidence”. On December 21, 2018, all the elected members voted on the No-Confidence Motion and 33 of the elected members voted in favour of that motion. The Constitution makes it clear that 65 members constitute the National Assembly. That is crystal clear and conclusive.

Therefore, when the foregoing Article speaks about a “majority”, it is in respect of these 65 members.

The Caribbean Court of Justice’s President, Adrian Saunders, submitted that the main issue is to determine what constitutes an “absolute majority” albeit that the term is not used in our Constitution. If the CCJ wants to differentiate this “majority” with the other majority needed to pass bills in Parliament and use terms such as “absolute” and “simple” majority in the process, then it is also clear that the Constitution itself provides the acid test for this differentiation. The main ingredient for this differentiation is the “vote of all elected members”. In case of the vote of confidence on December 21, 2018, all the elected members were, in fact, present and voted. The result is a majority of 33 against 32 of the elected members in the 65-member

National Assembly. Therefore, there is a declaration that 33 votes of the members of the National Assembly constitute a “majority” of all the members of the National Assembly within the meaning of Article 106 (6) of the Constitution of Guyana.

Chief Justice George in her ruling on January 31 was absolutely correct when she ruled that, “In our 65-member National Assembly a majority of all elected members, in accordance with the principle of ‘one over all rivals combine’, is the thirty-three (33)

members”. On December 21, 2018, turn and twist as it may, the “absolute” and the “simple” majority became indistinguishable since all the elected members were present and voted and in our odd number National Assembly no number of varied mathematical computations can negate this fact.

I am confident that the CCJ will rule in favour of 33 and not the concocted 34 which can never be applicable to Guyana’s Constitution!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

turn a blind eye on crime

Dear Editor, When the PNC/AFC coalition, or what you would like to call them, were in opposition, one of their manifesto promises was that they would curb crime. They promised the electorate that they would bring crime to a screeching halt because they had the willpower and the mechanisms to do it. It was a believable call because it also caught the eyes of the international community in our midst, they too were somehow convinced that the PNC-led coalition would do it. Here we had a group of individuals who – so it seems – would put a dent on crime once and for all. However, that veiled mask of putting an end to crime all came off when they got into office.

There was a dramatic change in plans as soon as they took on the reins of power because, for starters, crime, criminals and crime-fighting got a new name and a new lease on life. Criminals got a sudden makeover, as they were given a pat on the back and released en masse by the PNC. The jubilee celebrations saw untold numbers being sent back into society to continue where they left off.

The subtle message here was that you are no longer called criminals but you are "baptised" and given a new name. That message has been carried ever since by criminals throughout the length and breadth of Guyana as they have embarked on that nefarious mission that is unprecedent-

ed in our history. Crime got a spike and an upsurge which in many instances has seen deadly consequences.

In addition to that deceptive appearance of bringing an end to crime, the PNC got into their age-old obsession of getting even with the PPP/C. They embarked on that mission with a vengeance rounding up every PPP/C person they could muster, with the sole aim of humiliating and incarcerating, and believe you me, if they had the "all’s clear" they would have done it, even going the full length of imprisoning their opponents without a trial. They would have incarcerated every last member of The PPP/C or anyone associated with that party had "the law" allowed it.

So, millions were spent on the so-called crime-fighting as it pertains to getting the PPP and its associates all "locked up,” while turning a blind eye to the real cause and root evils of crime in society.

So, the natural consequences of that obsession campaign saw the very Government of The PNC becoming criminals themselves with the many corrupt transactions they are embroiled in. And this has been the situation in Guyana to this very day, where criminals roam free while the ordinary citizenry languishes in misery.

Sincerely, Neil Adams

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TUESday, may 14, 2019

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Foundation

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hich part of your body lets you read the back of a cereal box, check out a rainbow, and see a softball heading your way? Which part lets you cry when you’re sad and makes tears to protect itself? Which part has muscles that adjust to let you focus on things that are close up or far away? If you guessed the eye, you’re right!

Your eyes are at work from the moment you wake up to the moment you close them to go to sleep. They take in tons of information about the world around you – shapes, colours, movements, and more. Then they send the information to your brain for processing so the brain knows what’s going on outside of your body.

You can see that the eye’s pretty amazing. So, come on – let’s take a tour of its many parts.

The parts of the eye

You can check out different parts of the eye by looking at your own eye in the mirror or by looking at (but not touching) a friend’s eye. Some of the eye’s parts are easy to see, so most friends will say OK. Most friends won’t say OK if you ask to see their liver!

Big as a ping-pong ball

The eye is about as big as a ping-pong ball and sits in a little hollow area (the eye socket) in the skull. The eyelid protects the front part of the eye. The lid helps keep the eye clean and moist by opening and shutting several times a minute. This is called blinking, and it’s both a voluntary and involuntary action, meaning you can blink whenever you want to, but it also happens without you even thinking about it.

The eyelid also has great reflexes, which are automatic body responses, that protect the eye. When you step into bright light, for example, the eyelids squeeze together tightly to protect your eyes until they can adjust to the light. And if you flutter your fingers close (but not too close!) to your friend’s eyes, you’ll be sure to see your friend’s eyes blink.

Your friend’s eyelids shut automatically to protect the eye from possible danger. And speaking of fluttering, don’t forget eyelashes. They work with the eyelids to keep dirt and other unwanted stuff out of your eyes.

The white part of the eyeball is called the sclera (say: SKLAIR-uh). The sclera is made of a tough material and has the important job of covering most of the eyeball. Think of the sclera as your eyeball’s outer coat. Look very closely at the white of the eye, and you’ll see lines that look like tiny pink threads. These are blood vessels, the tiny tubes that deliver blood, to the sclera.

The cornea (say: KOR-nee-uh), a transparent dome, sits in front of the coloured part of the eye. The cornea helps the eye focus as light makes its way through. It is a very im-

portant part of the eye, but you can hardly see it because it’s made of clear tissue. Like clear glass, the cornea gives your eye a clear window to view the world through.

Iris is the colourful part

Behind the cornea are the iris, the pupil, and the anterior chamber. The iris (say: EYE-riss) is the colourful part of the eye. When we say a person has blue eyes, we really mean the person has blue irises! The iris has muscles attached to it that change its shape. This allows the iris to control how much light goes through the pupil (say: PYOO-pul).

The pupil is the black circle in the centre of the iris, which is really an opening in the iris, and it lets light enter the eye.

To see how this works, use a small flashlight to see how your eyes or a friend’s eyes respond to changes in brightness. The pupils will get smaller when the light shines near them and they’ll open wider when the light is gone.

The anterior (say: AN-teer-ee-ur) chamber is the space between the cornea and the iris. This space is filled with a special transparent fluid that nourishes the eye and keeps it healthy.

Light, lens, action

These next parts are really cool, but you can’t see them with just your own eyes! Doctors use special microscopes to look at these inner parts of the eye, such as the lens. After light enters the pupil, it hits the lens.

The lens sits behind the iris and is clear and colourless.

The lens’ job is to focus light rays on the back of the eyeball – a part called the retina (say: RET-i-nuh).

The lens works much like the lens of a movie projector at the movies. Next time you sit in the dark theatre, look behind you at the stream of light coming from the projection booth. This light goes through a powerful lens, which is focusing the images onto the screen, so you can see the movie clearly. In the eye’s case, however, the film screen is your retina.

Your retina is in the very back of the eye. It holds millions of cells that are sensitive to light. The retina takes the light the eye receives and changes it into nerve signals so the brain can understand what the eye is seeing.

A muscle makes it work

The lens is suspended in the eye by a bunch of fibres.

These fibres are attached to a muscle called the ciliary (say: SIL-ee-air-ee) muscle. The ciliary muscle has the amazing job of changing the shape of the lens. That’s right — the lens actually changes shape right inside your eye! Try looking away from your computer and focusing on something way across the room. Even though you didn’t feel a thing, the shape of your lenses changed. When you look at things

up close, the lens becomes thicker to focus the correct image onto the retina. When you look at things far away, the lens becomes thinner.

The biggest part of the eye sits behind the lens and is called the vitreous (say: VIH-tree-us) body. The vitreous body forms two thirds of the eye’s volume and gives the eye its shape. It’s filled with a clear, jelly-like material called the vitreous humour. Ever touch toy eyeballs in a store? Sometimes they’re kind of squishy – that’s because they’re made to feel like they’re filled with vitreous humour.

In a real eye, after light passes through the lens, it shines straight through the vitreous humour to the back of the eye.

Rods and cones process light

The retina uses special cells called rods and cones to process light. Just how many rods and cones does your retina have? How about 120 million rods and seven million cones – in each eye!

Rods see in black, white, and shades of grey and tell us the form or shape that something has. Rods can’t tell the difference between colours, but they are super-sensitive, allowing us to see when it’s very dark.

Cones sense colour and they need more light than rods to work well. Cones are most helpful in normal or bright light.

The retina has three types of cones. Each cone type is sensitive to one of three different colours – red, green, or blue – to help you see different ranges of colour. Together, these cones can sense combinations of light waves that enable our eyes to see millions of colours.

Helping you see it all

Rods and cones process the light to give you the total picture. You’re able to see that your friend has brown skin and is wearing a blue hat while he tosses an orange basketball.

Sometimes someone’s eyeball shape makes it difficult for the cornea, lens, and retina to work perfectly as a team.

When this happens, some of what the person sees will be out of focus.

To correct this fuzzy vision, many people, including many kids, wear glasses. Glasses help the eyes focus images correctly on the retina and allow someone to see clearly. As adults get older, their eyes lose the ability to focus well and they often need glasses to see things up close or far away. Most older people you know – like your grandparents – probably wear glasses.

To the brain!

Think of the optic nerve as the great messenger in the back of your eye. The rods and cones of the retina change the colours and shapes you see into millions of nerve messages. Then, the optic nerve carries those messages from the eye to the brain!

The optic nerve serves as a high-speed telephone line connecting the eye to the brain. When you see an image, your eye “telephones” your brain with a report on what you are seeing so the brain can translate that report into “cat”, “apple”, or “bicycle,” or whatever the case may be.

Have no fear, you have tears For crying out loud, the eye has its own special bathing system – tears! Above the outer corner of each eye are the lacrimal (say: LAK-ruh-mul) glands, which make tears. Every time you blink your eye, a tiny bit of tear fluid comes out of your upper eyelid. It helps wash away germs, dust, or other particles that don’t belong in your eye.

Tears also keep your eye from drying out. Then the fluid drains out of your eye by going into the lacrimal duct (this is also called the tear duct). You can see the opening of your tear duct if you very gently pull down the inside corner of your eye. When you see a tiny little hole, you’ve found the tear duct.

Your eyes sometimes make more tear fluid than normal to protect themselves. This may have happened to you if you’ve been poked in the eye, if you’ve been in a dusty or smoking area, or if you’ve been near someone who’s cutting onions.

And how about the last time you felt sad, scared, or upset? Your eyes got a message from your brain to make you cry, and the lacrimal glands made many, many tears.

Your eyes do some great things for you, so take these steps to protect them: Wear protective goggles in classes where debris or chemicals could go flying, such as wood shop, metal shop, science lab, or art.

Wear eye protection when playing racquetball, hockey, skiing, or other sports that could injure your eyes.

Wear sunglasses. Too much light can damage your eyes and cause vision problems later in life. For instance, a lens could get cloudy, causing a cataract. A cataract prevents light from reaching the retina and makes it difficult to see.

The eyes you have will be yours forever – treat them right and they’ll never be out of sight! (kidshealth.org)

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Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Homeland Security red flags 3220 Guyanese for overstaying in US

Homeland Security’s 2018 Entry/Exit Overstay Report

By Jarryl Bryan

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uyana has been red flagged by another United States (US) report and this time it is the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which revealed in its 2018 Entry/ Exit Overstay Report that some 3,220 Guyanese overstayed in the US on non-immigrant visas, after arriving for business or on vacation.

This, according to the report, occurred over the period of October 2017 to September 2018, during which time 66,416 Guyanese were supposed to depart from the US. These figures represent a 4.85 per cent overstay rate and are an increase from the previous year, when 2,262 Guyanese also overstayed their time.

Of the latest numbers, the report states that 3,065 of these Guyanese are sus-

pected to have been hiding in the US during this period. It also states that 155 are out of country overstays, or persons who eventually left the country having already overstayed their time.

In addition, the US has found that 45 of this amount were Guyanese students studying in the US and exchange visitors who overstayed the time they were given. There were 339 persons in this category who were supposed to depart the country during the one-year period, an overstay rate of 13.27 per cent.

In the previous year, the amount of Guyanese students overstaying was 28.

The report shows that 322 students were expected to leave but 11 departed after their time had expired and there was no evidence that 17 of them departed at all.

Meanwhile, the report

urges that identifying the offending aliens who overstay their time is important for national security, public safety, immigration enforcement and immigration benefits” purposes.

“Over the years, DHS significantly improved data collection processes in the entry environment. These improvements include the collection of data on all admissions to the United States by foreign nationals, the reduction of the number of documents that may be used for entry to the United States, the collection of biometric data on most foreign travelers to the United States, and the comparison of that data against criminal and terrorist watch lists.”

“Despite the different infrastructural, operational, and logistical challenges presented in the exit environment, DHS has been able to resolve many of the issues regarding the collec-

tion of departure information for foreign nationals.”

Last year there was a significant decline in the number of visitors’ visas issued by the US Embassy in Guyana.

According to a visa summary provided by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs,

Aerial view of the JFK Airport, one of the US’ premier airports

a total of 4923 visitors visa were approved by the US Embassy here during the 2018 Fiscal Year, which runs from October 2017 to September 2018.

This is a whopping 20,000 plus decline compared to the 25,338 visas granted in 2017. It was also significantly less than the 51,202 visas in 2016; 30,121 in 2015; and 17,284 visas in

2014.

The last time these figures were below 5000 was in 2010 when only 4242 non-immigrant visas were granted.

Counter-measures

It states that further efforts such as partnerships with other governments and members of the private

sector such as airlines, airports and cruise lines are ongoing and will continue in order to improve data integrity.

“During the past four years, DHS made significant progress in terms of the ability to accurately report data on overstays—progress that was made possible by congressional realignment of Department resources in order to better centralize the overall mission in identifying overstays,” it also states.

“In FY 2018, new biometric exit tests and deployments in both the land and air environment enabled continued progress toward the fusion of biometric and biographic verification of travelers. While these tests account for only a relatively small percentage of all th e departure records for FY 2018, this is a significant increase from FY 2017 and a critical step forward towards implementing a comprehensive biometric entry and exit system.”

Going forward, the report details that the DHS will continue to develop, test, and expand the entry and exit system during 2019. These improvements will pertain to both biometric and biographic traveler

data.

“This testing will improve CBP’s ability to capture and report this data accurately. DHS will continue to annually release this overstay data to the public and examine trends over time and looks forward to providing updates to congressional members and their staff on its ongoing progress,” the report states.

This report comes not long after the US President Donald Trump ordered his government to crack down on persons legally entering the US but overstaying their time. He signed a memorandum last month, in which he ordered the US State department and the DHS to submit their plans for cracking down on such illegal immigrants.

This memo, issued on April 22, had suggested, among other things, measures such as “suspending or limiting entry of nationals of those countries who hold B-1 or B-2 visas; targeted suspension of visa issuance for certain nationals; limits to duration of admission, to be implemented by the Department of Homeland Security; and additional documentary requirements.”

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tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Trial into “cricket bat” murder commences

Dead: Deonarine Manbodh also called “Ramesh”

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12-member jury was on Monday empanelled before Justice Navindra Singh at the Demerara High Court as the trial into the murder of 40-year-old Deonarine Manbodh also called “Ramesh”, who died as a result of a fatal beating in October of 2016, commenced.

Twenty-two-year-old Jonathan Budhan is accused of murdering Manbodh on October 25, 2016, in the county of Demerara. After this indictment was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty to the offence.

Budhan is being represented by Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes while the State’s case is being presented by Prosecutors Teriq Mohammed, Abigail Gibbs and Tuanna Hardy.

During Monday’s court session, two witnesses took the stand before Justice Singh to give their part of evidence into the matter.

Dinesh Manbodh, brother of the deceased, testified that he was present at the Georgetown Public Hospital Mortuary to identify his brother’s body, after which a post-mortem examination was performed.

Another brother, Nathram Manbodh, in-

Accused: Jonathan Budhan

formed the court that his deceased brother lived in the same yard with him, as the plot of land had three houses constructed on it. He further denied knowledge of the accused being in a relationship with Deonarine’s daughter, stating that he did not know this because he was not involved in the affairs of his brother’s fam-

ily. Under cross-examination, the witness admitted that he wanted his niece to have ‘high-class’ spouses but further stated that his family would never prevent his niece from being with a ‘low-class’ partner because it cannot be stopped.

Back in 2016, Budhan was charged for the murder when he appeared at the Vreed-en-Hoop Magistrate’s Court and was remanded.

Reports indicate that on the day in question, the accused, while armed with a cricket bat, beat the now dead man.

Manbodh was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) where he was admitted and died four days later.

The accused, who evaded police apprehension after committing the act, later turned himself in at the Leonora Police Station where he was charged for the offence.

Cop charged for hitting wife with wood …released on self-bail

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policeman, who hit his wife with a piece of wood, found himself before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts charged for assault and threatening language.

Enoch Jacobs called “Doggie” is accused of hitting and threatening his

wife on February 23, 2019.

The 29-year-old man, who resides at Middle Road, La Penitence, denied that on February 23, 2019, at Vlissingen Road, Kitty, Georgetown, he assaulted Amanda Jacobs. It was further alleged that on the same day at the same location he used obscene language and

threatened his wife.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield did not object to bail. The court heard that on the day of the incident, the couple were attending the Mashramani Day parade along Vlissingen Road, Kitty, when they got into a heated argument. The policeman reportedly became

aggravated and started to assault his wife. The woman then attempted to walk away but the cop allegedly became more annoyed and armed himself with a piece of wood and hurled it towards his wife, hitting her on her feet.

The cop was released on selfbail. The case will continue on May 20, 2019.

4 slapped with attempted murder charge

F

our men appeared on Monday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts for attempted murder.

Thirty-three-yearold Raymondville Sawh; 24-year-old Akeem Lawrence of Sophia, Greater Georgetown, Eson Henry of Lot 594 Caneview South, Georgetown, and 41-year-old Terryville Campbell of Lot 70 Louisa Road, Georgetown, stood before Chief Magistrate Ann

McLennan to answer to the attempted murder charge.

The charge stated that on February 23, 2019, at Pete Rose and Forshaw Streets, Queenstown, with intent to commit murder, they unlawfully and maliciously wounded Visnu Budham.

The four men denied the charge.

Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield objected to bail on the grounds of the serious nature in which the crime was committed.

The prosecution is contending that on February 23, at about 20:30h, the VC was driving north along Pete Rose Street and on approaching Forshaw Street, Shaw drove his minibus without stopping and a collision occurred.

According to the prosecution’s case, the VC came out of his car to talk to the defendant about the manner in which he drove, which resulted in an argument. Shaw then armed

himself with a chopper and dealt the VC several chops.

Henry joined in. The men also stabbed the VC several times, causing him to fall unconscious. Following the incident, the VC was rushed to Woodlands Hospital where he was admitted. An investigation was conducted and the men were arrested. The men were each released on $200,000 bail.

The case will continue on May 20, 2019.

The Police Sergeant was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on October 17, 2018 at Albert Street, Alberttown, he sexually assaulted a woman, by rubbing her legs without her consent.

According to the prosecution’s case, the woman went to the Alberttown Police Station to make a report and while being escorted by Henry in the Police vehicle to apprehend the person she made the report against, the

accused began to rub her leg.

The matter was reported and an investigation was launched. In court on Monday, Henry was released on $120,000 bail. The case will continue on May 21, 2019.

Sergeant charged for sexually assaulting woman

F

orty-eight-year-old Norris Henry appeared on Monday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to a charge of sexual assault.

West Ruimveldt man remanded for robbery under arms

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father of one appeared on Monday before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to answer to the charge of robbery under arms.

Dexter Forde, 25, of Lot

35 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, Georgetown, denied the charge which stated that on March 19, 2019 at Sideline Dam, La Penitence, Georgetown, while being armed with a gun, he robbed Raz Ghani of $25,000 along with other items amounting

to $25,000.

In court on Monday, Forde claimed that he was employed as a labourer with the Public Infrastructure Ministry, building roads.

Police Prosecutor Adduni Innis objected to bail based on the fact that a danger-

ous weapon was used and the defendant was positively identified by the victim. The court heard that Forde was previously charged for stealing a phone.

Forde was remanded and the case was scheduled to continue on May 20, 2019.

PNC’s narrative…

T

…on corruption he stench of corruption enveloping the PNC/AFC Administration got so bad that even some of its fervent supporters can’t squeeze their noses any longer. Especially now it’s a cert the CCJ’s gonna mandate elections sometime later this year. The latest to join in the chorus of criticism is a dyed-in-the-wool PNCite, Kean Gibson, who teaches at UWI, Barbados.

She doesn’t understand why Granger’s tolerating the “normalisation” of corruption!! After all, from the word “go!” on May 11, 2015, you’d think his Ministers had been champing at their bits and pawing the ground impatiently to get their hands into the nation’s cookie jar.

You know the old saw that “the best way to rob a bank is to own one”? Well, it’s clear the PNC’s mantra was “the best way to loot a state is to govern one”!! After all, some of the skullduggery could now be passed off as “legal”, even though it’s not legitimate!!

Like the 50 per cent salary raise for all Ministers; $500,000 house rentals for some; $3 million/annual scholarships while supposedly “working” full time; jetting to Texas to be wooed by big oil etc. etc. Then came the “off the books” looting, like the unaccounted-for $500 million from the “Jubilee Park! And this just in the first few months!

These were followed by so may “gates” – pharmagate, warehousegate, bonusgate, Bridgegate, contractgate, etc – that the term “gated community” got a whole new meaning: a Cabinet of venal ministers!! Oh, what a trail of sleaze it’s been!

But hold it!! It’s not the PNC’s fault at all!! So why should Granger be asked to do anything? And whose fault it is? Well…duh!!! It’s the PPP’s, of course!! Well, at least that’s how the PNC explained the tsunami of corruption they unleased over the land during the last 4 years.

“Emerging from a past that was characterized by ‘pervasive corruption’ and systemic political patronage, it had become a gigantic task for our Government to combat and reduce acts of institutionalized criminality, corrupt practices, and discourage conflict of interest situations”!!

In the four years in office, they haven’t been able to prove a SINGLE CASE OF PPP CORRUPTION, even though they “shook up” the Police top brass; conducted 4 dozen forensic audits; boosted the Intelligence branches, and sicced SOCU and SARA at the PPP with the audit “findings”!!

But yet the PPP Svengalis have been pulling the strings to make these poor PNC Ministers do all those dastardly corrupt deeds!

“Political patronage”? The PPP must’ve hypnotised Volda Lawrence to say that her Government only has “wuk for friends and PNC members”!!

Will no one rid us of the PPP? Hold it! They were thrown out 4 years ago!! …in stirring up religious hate Kean Gibson didn’t just call on Granger to clean up the Augean Stables of corruption in his administration, she excused him for being “naïve” on the issue. In her estimation, on the other hand, the PPP has a “religious” compulsion for corruption. Well…well…well!! The silly season has well and truly begun, hasn’t it? In addition to the “ethnic” dog whistle, we now have “religious” proclivities of the dastardly PPP!!

What religion? Gibson doesn’t pull any punches: it’s Hinduism, of course!! And since “several PPP leaders control important Hindu organisations and institutions”, they HAVE to be controlling the corruption imperative!!

Your Eyewitness supposes, by this logic, that Somalia and South Sudan - rated as the two most corrupt countries in the world - must be run by those conniving Hindus!!

But never mind. The PNC’s fighting for huge stakes control of the biggest windfall Guyana will probably receive for all times. The stakes don’t get higher than that. They’ll use ever dirty trick in the book to win.

But it’s Guyana that’ll lose in the end. …on crime Crime rivals corruption as being on the top of Guyanese concerns. But guess what? The PNC’s ode to its “accomplishments” doesn’t even mention it!! And here they’d boasted so much about their “crime fighting” prowess!

Cat got their tongue??

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

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Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Pensioner’s body fished out of canal Man executed outside Bartica bar …family suspects foul play

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Dead: Antonio Dos Santos

21-year-old resident of Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) lost his life on Monday after he was shot in front of a bar by a man, who later fled the scene and was later handed over to the Police.

Dead is Antonio Dos Santos of Lot 22, Second Avenue, Bartica.

According to information received, the

incident occurred in front of an entertainment bar at First Avenue Bartica at about 02:25h.

Dos Santos was said to be imbibing at the said location when he was approached by the suspect and shot twice in the left region of his chest. The shooter then quickly fled the scene.

The injured man was rushed to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where he was treated and referred to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. However, Dos Santos succumbed to his injuries at about 07:05h at the Bartica Airstrip while being medivaced.

Police were on the hunt for a 29-year-old carpenter of First Avenue, Bartica who was listed as the suspect in the incident. The manhunt ended when the suspect was handed over to the police by his mother at about 17:15h on Monday.

Meanwhile, Dos Santos’ body is at the Bartica Hospital Mortuary, where a post mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted. Investigations are continuing.

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he body of a pensioner was on Monday discovered face down in a canal at Number 29 Village, West Coast Berbice, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Dead is Michael Christopher Nathaniel London also called “Chucky”, 68, of Lot 546 Number 29 Village, WCB. Reports are the body was found at about 11:00h.

The dead man’s daughter said that her father had gone to her home, which is located two villages away, to spend Mother’s Day with her mother – his former wife.

She related that she received a telephone call informing her that a body was discovered in a canal which is adjacent to the school dam and that the body was that of

her father.

According to Janet Koomcarran, he left at about 18:00h to go home.

At the time of the discov-

ery both of his eyes appeared swollen and what appeared to be blood was seen around one of them.

Koomcarran and other family members are pointing an accusing finger at one of the dead man’s close relatives, saying that they suspect foul play. She said that while he was at her home on Sunday, he informed them of his plan to evict a close relative from one of his houses as a result of a family feud.

According to the daughter, it appears as though her father was killed and his body was dumped in the canal.

The family is calling for a thorough investigation into the death. A post-mortem examination is expected to be performed on the body shortly.

uation in Venezuela is worrisome and requires an urgent and concerted response from all actors. Since the beginning of the year, Caricom has been very active on the issue and spared no effort on its own as well as working with like-minded countries and other parties, towards a peaceful internal outcome to the crisis, an objective on which all member states agree,” he said.

The Secretary General said that Caricom has been operating within the framework of the Montevideo Mechanism process established with Mexico and Uruguay.

“The Community has been resolute in reaffirming its guiding principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states, prohibition of the threat or use of force, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for the constitutional framework, human rights and democracy,” he said.

Last week, Caricom chairman, Dr Timothy Harris, led a Caricom delegation to the outreach session of the third Ministerial Meeting of the International Contact Group in Costa Rica, where perspectives on the situation in Venezuela were exchanged.

LaRocque said, Venezuela and Cuba apart, other issues of interest to the Community's welfare also feature on the agenda for the two-day meeting.

He said: “The implications of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom (UK) from

the European Union (EU), and the ongoing Post-Cotonou negotiations which will determine Caricom's and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) future relationship with the EU. “Our meeting today will have to consider several issues as we formulate the Community's position going forward. We are facing a world where major actors are showing a decreasing interest in a collective approach to global problems. It is an era where the multilateral architecture has come under increasing strain.

"Geopolitical competition in a multipolar world has increased, as well as the exercise of state power by the powerful to the detriment of international law and of smaller countries.”

LaRocque said that Caricom, as small states, must therefore rely more than ever on focused and coordinated diplomacy, bolster its relations with like-minded states and continue to advocate for multilateralism.

The two-day meeting is being held under the theme ““Leveraging the Community's Voice in an Era of Challenges and Disorder” and LaRocque said it is more than timely and “constitutes a wakeup call that reminds us as small states that the best way to protect the region's interests in such a challenging time is to be cohesive, to work together as a collective, and to speak with one voice”. (CMC)

Dead: Michael Christopher Nathaniel London

Caricom calls for end to Guyana gets ready for CFATF US embargo against Cuba 4th round evaluation

… AG Chambers to hold training for lawyers, auditors

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he Attorney General (AG) Chambers has announced that it will be organising Anti Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) training and sensitisation workshops for attorney-at-laws, accountants and auditors, This comes even as Guyana prepares for the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) fourth Round Mutual Evaluation, scheduled for the first quarter of 2022. According to a notification from the Chambers, the workshops will be held on Friday and Saturday of this week.

The first one, will cater specifically for the Lawyers. The second training session, for the Accountants and Auditors, will last for three hours. Both sessions will be conducted at Cara Lodge hotel.

“These engagements are critical as Guyana prepares for its CFATF evaluation, and more so, given that the Money Laundering vulnerability levels for Attorneysat-Law and Accountants/ Auditors are generally considered to be high, based on AML/CFT trends globally.”

“The workshops are intended to highlight the obligations of the Attorneysat-Law and Accountants/ Auditors, who are classified as Designated Non-Financial Businesses or Professions

(DNFBPs) under local AML/ CFT legislation. These categories of DNFBPs are required to report suspicious transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit.”

The chambers went on to explain that this is done only when, on behalf of or for a client, they engage in financial transactions as outlined under Section 18(11) of the AML/CFT Act 2009 (amended).

“Further, in keeping with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Standards, these DNFBPs should be effectively supervised, to ensure their effective compliance with their obligations to assist in protecting the international financial sector and playing their part in combating ML and TF in Guyana and worldwide.”

It was only recently that Calvin Wilson, a former Executive Director of the CFATF, had expressed concern over the negative effect the troubles at the Special Organized Crime Unit (SOCU) could have on Guyana’s international status on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) watch list.

The state of SOCU, Guyana’s main money laundering investigation arm, came to light when information was leaked to the media from a probe being conducted by the Guyana Police Force

(GPF), which had unearthed irregularities that included falsified records and missing documents.

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

“If an important arm of the state is deemed to not be efficient at doing its job, in the anti-money laundering architecture, it means that the country is not meeting the international standards to be efficiently implementing the FATF recommendations,” Wilson had explained.

“It means when the country is assessed, the report by the assessor will say exactly what (the headlines about SOCU say in the newspapers.

It will identify the deficiencies and based on the ratings in the report, potentially the country can go back into the review for having the shortcomings.”

He had given examples of Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands, who he noted are being reviewed with their systems having been found wanting by the task force during their evaluations. Wilson also spoke of the effects Guyana being blacklisted would have on the economy.

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ecretary General of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Irwin LaRocque, Monday called on the United States to lift the “unwarranted economic embargo and sanctions” against Cuba.

Addressing the 22nd meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), LaRocque said that next month, the 15-member grouping will host the Sixth Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Caricom and Cuba.

“Cuba has been a long-standing, supportive partner particularly in building the region's human capital in fields such as public health and sport. Our Community reiterates its call for the lifting of the unwarranted economic embargo and sanctions on Cuba which were strengthened recently,” he added.

Washington strengthened the decades old embargo on the Caribbean island after it publicly stated its support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro whom the United States and several other western countries are seeking to remove from power.

Caricom has called for non-intervention in the internal affairs of countries and that it has adopted this principle with regards to Caracas.

LaRocque said that the meeting here was taking place “at a time when our hemisphere continues to face great challenges.

“The ongoing political sit-

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Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Family of fisherman killed in hit-and-run accident calls for justice

Dead: Stanley Bronne

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hree weeks after a driver collided with a Berbice fisherman, causing his instant death and fleeing the scene, family members are calling for justice.

It was on April 23, 2019, that Stanley Bronne met his demise.

The 30-year-old fisher-

man was hit in front of his Lot 7 Number 11 Village, East Coast Berbice home.

The driver, a 37-year-old businessman of Diamond, East Bank Demerara, did not stop at the scene after the impact.

Villagers pursued him with a car. The car they stopped was being driven by an off duty policeman. He was apprehended five villages away.

The dead man’s mother, Sharmilla Bronne, said that the family is not satisfied with what has been happening as it relates to the investigation.

“When we go to the police, the police tell us that the documents gone to the DPP [Director of Public Prosecutions] and when we go to the DPP they tell us that no documents are there,” she told Guyana Times.

Divisional Commander, Assistant Commissioner Paul Langevine in an invited com-

ment said that the police are investigating the matter.

Commander Langevine said he was unaware that the driver is an ex-policeman.

The dead man’s grandmother told this newspaper that what the family is being told does not add up and they are concerned about the integrity of the investigation.

“We went to meet the Commander and I told him what happen and he call someone at the station when I told him that the vehicle is not at the station. He called two times. I don’t know who he spoke with but the Commander was make to understand that the vehicle is there and where as we saw that the vehicle is not there,” the woman related.

She said they were informed that the police officer who drove the vehicle which was involved in the accident was out of the station compound.

Stanley Bronne’s wife, Alicia, with her baby and her mother-in-law, Sharmilla Bronne, and grandmother-in-law

Meanwhile, the dead man’s wife, Alicia, noted that Bronne died leaving her and two children – aged two and two-months-old. She ex-

plained that she is not working and because of having a young baby it is difficult to go out to work.

Meanwhile, his moth-

er is calling on the Police Commissioner and the Public Security Ministry to intervene in the case to ensure justice is served.

Guyana gets ready...

“Potentially, if Guyana continues in this area, if there are no prosecutions, if there are deficiencies in other parts of the architecture, it means potentially the country can be

placed on this (review) list.”

Wilson had referenced Recommendation 19 of FATF, which urges countries and financial institutions to exercise greater diligence

From page 9

when dealing with countries deemed as higher risk. These recommendations including limiting business transactions with such countries.

NEWS

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Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Security firm accused of not transferring UNICEF, Govt partner on Safe employees’ NIS contributions School Project for children

of Venezuelan migrants

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S

An employee’s payslip showing the deduction of NIS contributions

ecurity officers attached to the Radar Security Service and Supplies in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are calling on their employer to pay over monies already collected from their salaries to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The officers, who asked not to be named, told Guyana Times that since the Radar Security Service and Supplies took over the Security Service from Home Safe Security in December 2017, no NIS contribution was paid although $3427 is being deducted from their salaries as NIS contributions.

A visit to the local NIS branch in Anna Regina confirmed the security officers’ story. According to an offi-

cial, there is no record showing payment made by Radar Security for the employees who spoke with this newspaper.

With this revelation, the officers are calling on the Labour Department within the Social Protection Ministry to investigate the issue since some of them will be reaching the age of retirement shortly and are afraid that they will not have enough contributions to warrant NIS benefits.

The workers said that they depend on their monthly salaries to survive and upon retirement, they are looking forward to receiving their NIS pension.

One worker feels that they were robbed and that the company should be

charged for forgery on the grounds that they have been deducting monies for NIS contributions and none was paid over.

He noted that it has come to a point in Guyana where no one cares for the working class who struggle to earn an honest dollar to maintain their families.

When contacted, officer in charge of the Essequibo Coast branch, Clement Ross said that the local office is not doing the accounts. He added that he is certain that employees’ NIS contributions are being paid in Georgetown. According to Ross, a few months may be outstanding but the company is paying NIS for all of its employees at its head office in Georgetown.

he United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Guyana and the Government have partnered on a Safe School Project for the children of Venezuelan migrants, who are living in Region One (Barima- Waini) and other regions.

This was announced by UNICEF Guyana’s Emergency Specialist Ian Jones at Monday’s MultiStakeholder Committee Meeting at the Department of Citizenship.

As part of the project, UNICEF Guyana is partnering with the University of Guyana’s engineering students to expand the learning

spaces in the regions using local materials during the July-August school break.

The Region One villages of Kamwatta, Imbotero, Port Kaituma and Mabaruma will benefit from this initiative while Whitewater and Wauna (also in Region One) will receive learning materials and aids.

Moreover, in partnership with the Education Ministry, UNICEF Guyana will continue its Early Childhood Development engagements in Yarrakita, Imbotero and Khan’s Hill.

Meanwhile, the Department of Citizenship is in the process of finalising a Standard Operating

Procedure (SOP) developed by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for the implementation of Population Registration Identity Management Eco System (PRIMES).

Citizenship Minister Winston Felix, in a Ministry of the Presidency Public Information and Press Services release, explained that the PRIMES would see migrants being registered using information and communication technology. The migrants will be issued with a card, which will be used as an indicator that they were processed and are legally in the country.

12 News Accused pirate released on bail More Police ranks finally …after piracy attack in Essequibo River deployed to Berbice O …as robberies, murders continue to spiral out of control M Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

ore Police officers have been deployed to the county of Berbice to assist in the fight against crime where scores of residents are living in fear due to the high levels of robberies and murders occurring there on a regular basis.

Deputy Police Commissioner and Crime Chief, Lyndon Alves in an interview with Guyana Times on Monday stated that the recent robbery of the Chinese supermarket on Saturday evening, where high-powered rifles were used, has left a number of residents terrified.

“The residents in Berbice are concerned about the crime, most particularly, the last one where it is alleging that high-powered rifles were used. So as a result, additional resources were deployed to aid in the fight there,” he explained.

At least three persons were badly beaten during that robbery which occurred at Albion, Corentyne, Berbice, where it is alleged that the perpetrators were armed with an AK-47 rifle.

The Crime Chief explained that many persons

Crime Chief Lyndon Alves

believe crime is on the increase due to the levels of reporting on the issue but contended that according to police statistics, crime is actually decreasing in that region.

“You see, persons are linking the increase in crimes based on what they are aware of but we are looking at the statistics and based on our statistics, we do not have an increase per se in crime in Berbice… so additional resources were deployed to aid in the fight there along with the ranks of Berbice from Georgetown.”

Meanwhile, in relation to the Chinese supermarket robbery, no arrests have

been made.

On Saturday last, around 21:30h, the proprietors of a Chinese supermarket in Albion, Berbice, along with customers, were robbed after two masked men armed with an AK-47 rifle and a small handgun invaded the business establishment.

When police ranks arrived at the robbery scene, the gunmen fired multiple shots at the vehicle, resulting in the officers having to shield themselves while running for cover to avoid being hit by the bullets that were fired in their direction.

The ranks did not have time to return fire and the bandits made good their escape on foot with their loot.

On May 5, three bandits, two of which were armed with guns, shot, robbed and beat a money-changer at Springlands, Corentyne, Berbice. They escaped with $500,000 in local, US and Surinamese currencies.

In April last, three gun-wielding bandits invaded the Indra Grocery and Beer Garden in Canefield, East Canje, Berbice, and robbed the owners and about 22 customers of a quantity of jewellery, cash and cell phones before stealing a customer’s car to escape.

ne of the men who was arrested for attacking a cargo vessel on the Essequibo River was released on station bail as two of the victims are nursing chop wounds at the Suddie Public Hospital.

Deputy Police Commissioner and Crime Chief, Lyndon Alves on Monday confirmed that the incident took place on Thursday last, and is now in the hands of detectives in Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

“One of the victims was at my office this [Monday] morning. I had to engage the detective inspector at Anna Regina to look into the matter. So the police will be investigating that matter,” Alves told this newspaper.

He stated that presently, no one is in police custody, adding that the person who was initially arrested has been placed on station bail.

Guyana Times under-

stands that the cargo vessel with a three-man crew came under attack at about 22:00h on Thursday last.

The cargo vessel was said to be heading to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) from Parika, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) when the attack occurred.

Reports are that two of the crew members were hospitalised after being chopped about their bodies by the pirates.

At the time of the incident, one crew member managed to escape after he jumped into the Essequibo

River where he waited out the attack on his co-workers.

He then managed to swim back to the vessel, where he found his co-workers badly wounded. The man subsequently called for assistance on a cellular phone.

The alleged pirates are also said to have carted off with an undisclosed sum of cash that was to be used to purchase fuel and supplies.

Meanwhile, the two injured men are receiving treatment for the serious injuries they sustained from their attackers.

No arrests for Albouystown businesswoman’s murder

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olice are still hunting for the perpetrators responsible for the death of Albouystown, Georgetown businesswoman, Nalini Persaud called “Nalo” who was murdered in her home in the presence of her husband on May 2, last.

Commander of “A” Division, Marlon Chapman, told this newspaper on Monday that at present there is no one in Police custody for the murder but that detectives are still following leads.

He stated that while no one has been charged for the crime, investigators are still aggressively pursuing the case, and it is hoped that a breakthrough be made shortly.

On May 2, 2019, Persaud’s lifeless body was discovered in the upper flat of her Lot 161 James and Non-Pariel Streets, Albouystown. She was found with a rope tied around her neck.

Murdered Albouystown businesswoman Nalini Persaud, called “Nalo”

Reports are she was strangled to death, while her husband was beaten after four masked men armed with guns invaded their property.

According information received, the incident occurred at around 03:00h when the couple was in the process of preparing to open for a nor-

mal business day.

Reports were that the perpetrators entered the premises through a hole on the bottom left side of the house. After gaining entry, the men attacked the couple and bound them with duct tape and rope before robbing them of an undisclosed sum of cash and jewelry.

The now dead woman was then taken to the upper flat of the house where she was strangled to death with a piece of rope. The victim’s husband was assaulted and taken out of the bedroom into the lower flat of the premises, which housed a grocery shop, where he was bound to a chair and duct-taped.

It is believed that Persaud might have been killed after she recognised her attackers.

The couple was discovered by their son and daughter-in-law who were alerted of the robbery. An investigation is underway.

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Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Smith Memorial Primary

Education Ministry finally fixes leaking roof

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our days after Guyana Times published an article that the Smith Memorial Primary School’s roof was leaking, causing mass inconvenience for

teachers and students there, the Education Ministry has announced that the issue has been rectified. The school is located on Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

Over the course of the weekend, a visit was made to the institution where the issue was identified and the aluminium sheet roofing was replaced. The students

Timehri logger to stand trial for 2014 murder of co-worker

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ajesh Roopnarine called “Popo”, a logger of Timehri, East Bank Demerara, on Monday made his appearance at the Demerara High Court facing a murder charge. A 12-member jury was empanelled before Justice Navindra Singh, as Roopnarine’s fate will be determined at the end of the trial.

Roopnarine’s trial is set to commence on May 16, 2019, after his attorney requested an extended time to prepare for the trial.

However, at Monday’s court session, the accused denied the indictment which detailed that on December 6, 2014, at 14 Miles Mabura,

Accused: Rajesh Roopnarine

Upper Demerara River, he murdered David Campbell.

The accused is being rep-

resented by Attorney-atLaw Nigel Hughes while the State is being represented by Teriq Mohammed, Abigail Gibbs and Tuanna Hardy.

According to reports, at about 17: 30h, Roopnarine set alight a mining camp with four occupants. While three persons managed to escape the blaze, Campbell was trapped in his hammock and sustained third-degree burns.

Campbell, who was a chainsaw operator, died at the Georgetown Public Hospital seven days after he was reportedly set alight in the mining camp.

Composition of Georgetown’s solid waste 50% organic matter

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he composition of municipal solid waste in the capital city Georgetown has recorded organic matter or putrescible waste at 50 per cent, calling on citizens to practice composting.

Accumulated data demonstrated that the next leading waste product was plastics along with textiles, cardboard, wood and plastic bottles among other materials in smaller quantities.

Solid Waste Director, Walter Narine shared his view on the matter via social media, urging persons to compost their organic waste. According to him, half of the waste which is sent to the Haags-Bosch landfill site can be utilised in the home to create kitchen gardens and other projects. It will also reduce the amount of methane gas that is released into the environment, along with leachate

compounds which are also harmful.

The National Integrated Solid Waste Management Strategy report, which was completed by the Communities Ministry some time ago, had also placed these organic components at half of the total solid waste makeup. The total solid waste load was found to be 545.66 tonnes per day from a catchment area of 405,225 people, or equivalently, 1.35 kilograms of waste per person per day.

This month, it was reported that the Mayor and City Council launched a composting project in schools, teaching children at a young age about the numerous benefits.

Narine had explained that composting can be defined as the breakdown of organic waste into fertiliser, which can be used to stimulate the healthy growth of

plants. He also hinted to the importance of composting as he pointed out that it helps to reduce greenhouse gases produced by humans.

Greenhouse gases are harmful to the protective layer of the earth, called the ozone layer. They are produced from vehicle exhausts among others. He said that methane gas and leachate are harmful and can pollute the water that we drink among other things.

In this regard, he said the project is geared towards educating the children who will then hopefully spread the message to their parents and friends to compost.

The next move, according to him, is to get into communities and teach persons how to compost their waste as it will, in turn, also cut the collection costs.

He had noted, “It will be beneficial to the municipality because it will reduce the frequency of collection because you don’t want your waste to be collected once a week [because] it starts to give off odour, it attracts rodents, dogs and stuff like that but if you take the organic component out of that waste we can collect twice a week and save costs because that would only be plastic and paper”.

and teachers are now situated in a more comfortable environment and it is one that is dry.

In a statement to the media, the Education Ministry said, “Over the weekend, officials from the Ministry of Education Buildings Department visited the school…and rectified the problem. The leaks were identified and the old leak-

ing zinc sheets are now replaced with new ones”.

Last week, during a visit to the school, teachers had expressed worry over the leaking roof which went unnoticed for months during the dry weather. However, after the rainy season began, students and teachers were forced to move around their classrooms to avoid getting wet.

In fact, the Head Teacher of the school, Lyodele Hamilton, was being interviewed in her office when she too was distracted by a leakage coming from above her.

She explained that the Education Ministry was informed of the situation since last term and had promised to rectify it as soon as possible.

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Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police leading probe into Probe still ongoing into death of Mazaruni inmate fraud at CID Headquarters …prisoner was part of reintegration training project

Acting Director of Prisons, Kevin Pilgrim

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he Guyana Police Force (GPF) is now spearheading investigations into the death of Mazaruni Prison inmate Gary Stuart, who died after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance which he had believed to be alcohol.

This is according to acting Guyana Prison Service (GPS) Director Kevin Pilgrim, who, during an interview with Guyana Times on Monday, said the other inmates who consumed the same substance were also taken to the Bartica Regional Hospital for medical attention.

He said that, upon discovering the condition of Stuart before he succumbed, GPS ranks rushed the other prisoners to that hospital as a pro-active measure.

“We did not wait for them to complain. We took the entire team; we made the necessary arrangements to take them over to see the doctor at Bartica Public Hospital. What we would have done initial-

ly is send everybody to the hospital, because the fact that they did not even know what they would have consumed is worrying,” Pilgrim said.

Asked what the prisoners were doing working at the nearby quarry, Pilgrim explained that an agreement was in place for those prisoners to be so engaged as part of the process of their re-integration into society.

“They were there to not just work, but to be trained; so, ideally, they would do whatever the task for the day. Now, from the initial investigation, those men would have found this bottle containing the substance while cleaning up; concealed it, and obviously they would have consumed a portion of the contents of the bottle.

Now, we only learnt of the same after it was observed in the morning hours (that) this individual was vomiting continuously, which would have resulted in him being escorted to the hospital. And in that regard, protocols would have kicked in with regard to (dealing) with that issue,” the acting prison director noted.

He added that permission had been granted for those prisoners to be working there, since they were all identified to benefit from the skills training as they are/were expected to be released back into communities before others.

“Once the prisoner leaves the confines to pro-

vide or perform work, or to be trained, it is actually captured under prisoners’ reintegration-type training. So a prisoner cannot leave to go and work anywhere, unless there is an agreement where somebody has to request, stating the nature of whatever is the work, and approval is there. With regards to the deceased prisoner, a post-mortem examination (PME) has been scheduled by the Police, and will be determined by the availability of the doctor,” Pilgrim explained.

He said the dead inmate’s relatives were notified of his demise, and they visited the Prison Service Headquarters, where arrangements are being put in place for the man’s funeral after the PME has been conducted.

Stuart died at about 05:45h on Saturday last, less than 24 hours after working at a nearby quarry.

He was said to be washing and painting boats when he, along with other inmates, found the bottle of what they believed was alcohol.

The inmates hid the bottle from the prison officer on duty, and Stuart is said to have drunk the substance.

However, it was not until 05:15h on Saturday that Stuart cried out for pains in his stomach and, as a result, was escorted to the Bartica Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. (Kristen Macklingam)

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he two sergeants attached to the Finance Department of the Guyana Police Force -- who were detained last April for investigation into an alleged conspiracy to commit fraud -are still on the job.

Contacted on Monday for an update on the investigations, Crime Chief Lyndon Alves told Guyana Times that the ranks are still serving members of the Force, as the investigations are ongoing. He said that, so far, nothing was found that would have resulted in those ranks being dismissed.

He added that upon completion of the investigations, the Police Commissioner would be so guided as to act on advice obtained.

This newspaper understands that, although still on the job, these sergeants have not been assigned to their original post.

In April last, the two sergeants were detained for six days as investigators probed the alleged ‘conspiracy to commit fraud’ allegations.

The sergeants were under close arrest at the Tactical Services Unit, Eve Leary. A source close to the investigation had told this publication that the sergeants were called in for questioning after a number of instances pertaining to irregularities in the accounting system at the GPF had been uncovered and it was suspected that the system had been compromised. He said the sergeants, who have been working with

the Finance Department for a number of years, were subsequently released on open arrest.

The source had related that the irregularities found concerned money and vouchers for ranks who had performed extra duties and were to receive additional payments. Among the duties some ranks were to be paid for were working at shows, cricket games and other national events.

Guyana Times was told that the parents of one of the sergeants and other close relatives of the other sergeant were also called in for questioning.

The source had disclosed that Police thought it necessary to keep the ranks in custody for the lengthy period they were under close arrest, as the investigations thus far had gone to a new dimension and the sum involved is to the tune of millions of dollars.

“Investigations are unfolding new information. A lot of money is involved. This is all part of the investigation

process. We are dealing with serious allegations here,” the source said.

In the past, Police ranks had complained that they were either short-changed or not paid at all for extra duties. There are also claims by some that they had been made to sign for certain sums of money which were not given to them.

“There are lots of allegations, and [they] are all being investigated. Information is being gathered right now after which charges will follow, if necessary. We are carrying a very thorough investigation, because this has been going on for quite some time, and we are leaving no stone unturned,” the source had said.

Police Commissioner Leslie James had, in April last, urged ranks to desist from accepting bribes and being involved in unlawful activities, stating that those who do so would be “penalised.” The Top Cop had made these comments while addressing the opening of a training programme at the Officers’ Training Centre at Eve Leary, where he also stated that he is looking for a change in performance of ranks and fewer allegations of corruption.

He had added that while the Force would be engaging particular departments to tackle the issue of corruption, if the ranks believe that their salaries are too small, they should tender their resignation.

GLSC embarks on satellite mapping trial

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he Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission has announced plans to embark on a trial use of the national Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) network, which will be ongoing until the ending of 2019.

According to the Commission, the accessibility of this system is important for surveyors, engineers and other professionals in the field to acquire first-hand information. The trial period commenced during the beginning of this month and interested stakeholders can contact the Commission’s headquarters to acquire additional information.

During the trial period, GLSC will monitor the feedbacks received and adjust the system before it is officially rolled out with a stipulated fee. This system is expected to assist with developing sustainable land use policies which will aid in the implementation of the Green State Development Strategy.

The Commission has touted this arrangement as a useful surveying tool but it will also be instrumental in agriculture, mining and construction activities. It will also accomplish Chapter 59:05, Section 4 of the GLSC

Act which states that it is mandated “to execute or cause to be executed geodetic, topographic, hydrographic and cadastral surveys in relation to the land and water resources of Guyana”.

In 2018, a $93 million contract was signed between the GLSC and British firm Ordnance Survey International (OSI), to provide consultancy services for the CORS network project.

GLSC Commissioner Trevor Benn indicated that the project was expected to be highly complex with a specialised blend of technical work to be undertaken. The company also has a history of working in Guyana and understands the functions of the agency as the national mapping and geospatial agency.

Eight years ago, a CORS network project was initiated to the tune of some half a billion dollars. However, while eight stations were set up across the country and equipment was procured, the project did not follow through.

“Given the mistakes that were made before and the lack of use of the previous network, GLSC expects that this consultancy would provide world-class standards, knowledge, expertise and

experience to help us to be able to sustainably manage and maintain the network for the future,” Benn had noted.

Benn had further posited that working along with OSI offered a unique opportunity to understand and implement user requirements on a national scale.

“Unfortunately as a country, we did not keep up with pace of development globally in terms of geospatial work – mapping and surveying. This work is extremely important because of the need for good base data. In our construction industry, for example, a lot of our projects are failing because we do not have good base data. We hope that this work that we’re about to embark on will help us to begin to build the database to help us to get there.”

The objectives of OSI had included full functionality and usability of the existing Network Operations Centre (NOC) and 8-site CORS network, designing associated CORS management processes and train staff to be able to perform all the first and second-line operational activities; and establishing third-line support cover with GNSS equipment and software manufacturer.

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Tuesday, may 14, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Zero tolerance for violence among Journalist shot dead in Kabul students – counselling officer

Senior Guidance and Counselling Officer Vickram Mohabir

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here has been a recent spate of violence reported in schools by students throughout the country.

Speaking with Guyana Times on the issue, Senior Guidance and Counselling Officer for the Schools’ Welfare Unit Vickram Mohabir on Monday said that the welfare unit has in each education district, guidance and counselling officers, who address violence in schools.

He stated that the Ministry has a robust system where guidance and counselling officers in various regions frequently visit schools offering informative talks on violent and non-violent behaviour.

According to Mohabir, the Ministry has zero tolerance for violence and violent behaviour among students and has been offering more counselling and monitoring of behaviour of students in schools throughout the country. He believes

this initiative has been bearing fruit since they have recorded a decrease in violent activities in schools.

He pointed out that while efforts are being made to tackle this issue, it was observed that schools in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Georgetown have higher occurrences of these incidents.

Mohabir explained that in cases where a violent act by a student or students may have occurred, the counsellors would offer counselling to both the victim and perpetrator and will begin monitoring the perpetrator.

This monitoring involves the student making regular visits to the relevant region’s welfare department.

In addition, Mohabir disclosed that the Ministry is working in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security, which implemented a new policy

and are working to develop a diversion method to tackle similar issues escalating in schools.

According to Mohabir, the root causes of violent behaviour were found to be dysfunctional families and poverty. He explained that students exposed to violent behaviour in their communities often act out those behavioural patterns in school. He added that the officers have also found a direct link to poverty as students with limited means revert to bullying and aggressive behaviour which triggers violence. “What we have found is that the children with limited means are those prone to bullying other students which result in violent behaviours,” he explained.

Mohabir pointed out that the Ministry’s Health and Family Life Education subject as part of schools’ curriculum has been bearing fruit in aiding positive behaviours among students since it focuses on life and negotiation skills, conflict resolution, non-violence and sexuality.

Just recently, a student of the Covent Garden Secondary School was attacked and stabbed several times by classmates to his chest, puncturing his lung. He underwent two emergency surgeries and is recovering at home while the young men responsible were placed before the juvenile court and were placed on bail.

Two other incidents also surfaced on social media in the form of videos showing a student physically abusing a teacher and another video went viral where a student was brutalising a fellow student while other students videoed.

Mena Mangal (ANI photo)

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prominent Afghan journalist and political adviser has been gunned down in Kabul, just days after she warned on social media that she feared for her life.

Mena Mangal was shot dead on Saturday morning in south-east Kabul. The attack, in broad daylight in a public place, prompted an outpouring of grief and anger from women’s rights activists, directed at authorities who had left her unprotected in the face of threats.

“This woman had already shared that her life was in danger; why did nothing happen? We need answers,” said Wazhma Frogh, an Afghan human rights lawyer and women’s rights campaigner. “Why is it so easy in this society [for men] to keep killing women they disagree with?”

Mangal had shared her fears in a defiant post on Face­ book on 3 May. She said she was being sent threatening messages but declared that a strong woman wasn’t afraid of death, and that she loved her country.

Interior ministry spokesman Nas­r at Rahimi said unknown attackers had shot Mangal, and a special police unit was now investigating.

In a tearful video posted to Twitter, Mangal’s mother named a group of men as suspected killers, claiming they had previously kidnapped her daughter.

The group were arrest-

ed for that abduction, she said, but later bribed their way out of detention.

Mangal made her name as a presenter on the Pashto-language channel Tolo TV, the country’s largest private broadcaster, and later worked for one of its key competitors, Shamshad TV. Off-screen she was a passionate advocate of women’s rights to education and work, and had recently become a cultural adviser to the lower chamber of Afghanistan’s national parliament.

“Can’t stop my tears at the loss of this beautiful soul. She had a loud voice, and actively raised [that] voice for her people,” Frogh said.

Such a public killing was an “absolute dishonour” on the police, intelligence services and national Security Council, said the political analyst Mariam Wardak. (The Guardian)

Focused, coordinated diplomacy needs to be bolstered – Caricom SG

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oordinating foreign policy matters to help promote the Region’s development, and ensuring that the Caribbean remains a zone of peace are underpinning discussions at a twoday meeting of Caricom Foreign Ministers which opened in St George’s, Grenada, Monday.

Grenada’s Foreign Minister, Peter David is chairing this 22nd Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), which is also deliberating on Caricom relations with the European Union, particularly the post-Cotonou negotiations between the EU and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, and the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU. As Bahamian Foreign Minister Darren Henfield handed over the Chairmanship of COFCOR to Grenada, he cautioned that “our bonds, though tested, must always remain strong”.

He pointed to the recent traction gained through cooperation with, among others, Romania and the United States, aimed at building resilience, including financial resilience.

The financial services sector, he noted, was being “severely impacted” by what he described as the “unfair and unwarranted pressure” from mechanisms proposed by the European Commission and developed countries to reg-

ulate the sector.

Caricom, he said, was heartened by Romania’s commitment that during its presidency of the EU, it will advocate and facilitate discussions on blacklisting of Caricom countries by several EU Member States. Caricom must still continue to address this issue, he said, noting that the Region is looking forward to discussions later this month in Germany.

The incoming Chairman, Minister David, in acknowledging the recent very challenging period that saw escalating regional political and social tensions and adverse security concerns which demanded keen analyses and prudent decision-making, said: “Grenada assumes the mantle and will work assiduously to ensure that gains are cemented, that the fundamental principles of the Community are espoused in all undertakings, and that we coordinate all policy efforts to the benefit of all Community Member States and to ensure that the Region remains a zone of peace through meaningful dialogue.”

In his remarks,

Caricom Secretary General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque said cooperation with the US, the United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, Germany and Italy, to mention but a few, continued to make valuable contributions to the well-being of the people of the Community.

He too recognised the “great challenges” facing the hemisphere.

“The ongoing political situation in Venezuela is worrisome and requires an urgent and concerted response from all actors,” he said, adding that Caricom is being guided by: “…principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of States, prohibition of the threat or use of force, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for the constitutional framework, human rights, and democracy”.

Ambassador LaRocque told the Foreign Ministers that as they coordinate the Community’s position going forward, they must be cognisant that the Community faced a world where major actors show a decreased interest in a collective approach to global problems.

“Caricom, as small states, must, therefore, rely more than ever on focused and coordinated diplomacy, bolster its relations with like-minded States and continue to advocate for multilateralism,” Secretary General LaRocque stated.

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tuesday, may 14, 2019

Regional

Argentine military scrambles T&T Opposition Leader: Economy is dead after bomb threat against O presidential palace

A van from the Argentine Federal Police Explosion Brigade is seen outside the National Congress after bomb threats in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 13, 2019

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rgentina’s military and Federal Police scrambled to secure the presidential palace in Buenos Aires on Monday after a bomb threat was made while President Mauricio Macri was in the building, just hours after a man was arrested trying to enter with a gun.

The threat against Casa Rosada was made via a

phone call in which a person indicated a plan to put a bomb inside a car, the office of Argentina’s Secretary General told Reuters.

The military activated its protocol for such threats, and a team was dispatched to check and secure the entrances of Casa Rosada, the presidential palace and seat of national government. No car containing explosives

was found, and the building was not evacuated.

“There is no possibility of a bomb entering without detecting it,” an official from the office of the Secretary General said.

Local media reported that another threat was made against a congressional office and a response team was also on the scene there. The city has faced false bomb threats before, including ahead of a meeting of the Group of 20 nations last year.

Earlier in the day, a man carrying a gun who claimed to have a meeting with Macri was arrested trying to enter the palace, Macri’s office said in a statement.

Security personnel said Francisco Ariel Muniz, 36, tried to enter the building with a .44 Magnum Taurus revolver inside his briefcase.

pposition Leader Kamla PersadBissessar says the economy has moved from "life support" to being "dead".

She was responding to the mid-year budget review in Parliament Monday.

Persad-Bissessar said she and many people wanted to hear plans from Finance Minister Colm Imbert to improve their lives, but instead he gave more deflection and distraction.

"And all kinds of numbers thrown at us. The Minister admitted he's a magician.

He's a wizard. He conjures up numbers; he picks them out of a hat and pelts them at you. So I am not going to

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CARPHA said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has indicated that the dengue virus alone threatens approximately 3.9 billion people in over 128 countries.

Mosquito Awareness Week 2019 is being observed with the slogan “Fight the Bite, Destroy Mosquito Breeding Sites”, and CARPHA said the week focuses on mosquito-borne diseases and risks associated with them.

It said climate variability can influence the number of persons exposed to mosquito-borne diseases.

“As the rainy season approaches, mosquito control and awareness activities need to be intensified.

Significant rainfall can lead

(Excerpt from Reuters)

to a proliferation of mosquito breeding sites, increased mosquito populations and an increased risk of disease transmission.”

Senior Technical Officer, responsible for Vector Borne Diseases Prevention and Control at CARPHA, Rajesh Ragoo, said the best way to “fight the bite” is to be on the lookout for standing water and clean up our surroundings.

“The two most important things to control mosquito populations in our Caribbean countries is through source reduction, specifically management of water storage drums and tanks, and properly dispose of used vehicle tires to prevent mosquitoes breeding,” he added. (Excerpt from CMC)

Argentine lawmaker Héctor Olivares dies after being shot

Héctor Olivares died in hospital three days after being shot

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n Argentine lawmaker who was shot last Thursday outside the Congress building in the capital, Buenos Aires, has

died of his wounds.

Héctor Olivares, 61, was a member of Congress for the governing Cambiemos coalition.

Police think the shooting was not politically motivated and that the target was a friend of Olivares', Miguel Marcelo Yadón.

The two men were shot at from a car. Six people have been arrested.

Yadón, 58, was hit five times and died on the spot.

Olivares was hit by three bullets and died in hospital on Sunday.

"Yadón was the murder target. Our hypothesis is that it was a person-

al attack," Public Safety Minister Patricia Bullrich said.

Local media reported that all those detained allegedly belonged to the same criminal gang.

They also said that the motive for the killing may have been an alleged relationship Yadón was having with the daughter of one of the suspects.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri has declared two days of mourning for Olivares, whom he described as a hard-working, popular and upstanding man. (BBC News)

Government still had not opened the completed Couva hospital.

"Instead suffer the little children."

Persad-Bissessar commented on the report that Atlantic LNG Train 1 may be mothballed and while Imbert said he would answer in his presentation, he did not say a single word.

She said there were no "game changers" as in previous budget presentations as the Sandals deal was gone and the Dragon gas deal "fly away". Persad-Bissessar stressed these deals were where it was expected to get revenue and foreign exchange. (Trinidad Newsday)

“No other option”: Climate change driving many to flee Guatemala

CARPHA urges Region to deal seriously to eradicate mosquitoes he Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is warning the Region that as the rainy season approaches every effort must be made to intensity efforts to deal with mosquitoes, which it describes as “the world's deadliest animal”.

CARPHA Executive Director, Dr C James Hospedales in a message coinciding with Mosquito Awareness Week 2019 said the mosquitoes could seriously affect the health of Caribbean people.

“Mosquito-borne diseases stress our region's healthcare systems, threaten social and economic development, and negatively impact our tourism industry,” he said.

get into the numbers game with the Minister. Because at the end of the day, you cannot eat the statistics.

You cannot take the numbers and put it in your pocket and go to the grocery to buy your groceries."

She said Imbert's figures, which may be real or not and may be cherry picked, give no comfort to people who have no food on the table or have no jobs.

Persad-Bissessar said after almost four years, Government had no plans.

She said Imbert presented no numbers about people losing jobs or about the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

She said Foreign Direct Investment has dried up and

Transito Gutierrez last saw her son at the beginning of April [Jeff

T

Abbott/Al Jazeera]

he rains in the village of Tizamarte in the eastern Guatemalan department of Chiquimula no longer arrive as they did in the past.

"Before it was beautiful, we used to have two harvests a year," Transito Gutierrez told Al Jazeera.

"Now not one [crop] survives," she said. "Now we cannot do anything. This drought does not end."

Gutierrez's hardship goes deeper than the lost

crops, however. Last month, her 16-year-old son, Juan de Leon, died while in US custody after migrating to the US to find work and send money back home to his family. "[Juan] told me that the coffee plants were dying.

He said he was desperate," Gutierrez told Al Jazeera earlier this month. "He said he could earn more there in the United States than here.

He could earn more than the US$4 a day working in the field."

While the cause of Juan's death is still being investigated by US authorities, the reasons that pushed him to migrate in the first place are the same driving many families in this region to make the journey to the US: Years of drought due in part to climate change are driving more and more residents north to find work to support their families.

Eastern Guatemala and western Honduras are part of a region known as the dry

corridor. Over the last two years, farmers have seen near-complete losses during harvests as the effects of climate change take hold in the region, with 2018 being among the worst years in recent memory.

The Guatemalan Government estimates that more than 200,000 families in 13 of the 22 departments were affected during the 2018 drought.

The situation was not much better in neighbouring Honduras. Officials estimate that nearly 170,000 people were affected in 2018.

In the Maya Ch'orti region of Chiquimula, rivers and water sources across the region are near-depleted or completely dried up.

And temperatures, according to residents and the Guatemalan Government's National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology, have also risen significantly, adding to the strain on crops. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Chinese ‘humanitarian aid’ cargo plane spotted landing in Venezuela – reports

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hina has sent another shipment of humanitarian aid to Venezuela, reports claim, as flight tracker data and footage from the ground show a cargo plane landed.

Beijing sent tons of medicine to the sanctions-hit country in April.

The Suparna Airlines (formerly Yangtze River Express) flight reportedly left Shanghai on Monday, making a stopover in Madrid before arriving at the Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas. Suparna Airlines was established in 2003 and is the second-largest cargo airline in China after China Cargo Airlines.

Pedro Mario Burelli, the former director of Petroleos de Venezuela, first highlighted the shipment on

Twitter, posting a screenshot of the flight path from the FlightRadar24 website. According to the flight-tracking website, the flight which originated in Shanghai landed in Caracas at 13:09h local time.

Some unconfirmed video footage of the aircraft also appeared on Twitter on Monday afternoon.

Venezuelan Journalist Oliver Fernández tweeted a video of what he said was the plane being unloaded at the Simón Bolívar airport on Monday afternoon.

Last month, China dismissed claims that it sent 120 soldiers and military supplies to the country along with 65 tons of medicine after an unconfirmed photo of Chinese and Venezuelan military surfaced along with the footage of aid being de-

livered to Caracas.

China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said last month that Beijing opposes “external interference” in Venezuela’s crisis and dismissed reports of Chinese military involvement as “simply not true.”

Shuang advocated a solution through “peaceful dialogue.”

The crisis-stricken Venezuela is in dire need of medical supplies – the situation only made worse by the barrage of US sanctions that only keep adding up. US President Donald Trump’s Administration recognised Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó as the country’s “interim president” in January and has been pushing hard for the ouster of elected President Nicolás Maduro. (Excerpt from RT)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, may 14, 2019

17

Around the World

China defies Trump with new Czech protests over new Justice round of tariffs on US goods Minister enter 3rd week

C

hina said on Monday it would impose higher tariffs on a range of US goods including frozen vegetables and liquefied natural gas, striking back in its trade war with Washington after US President Donald Trump warned it not to.

The move, widely expected after the United States last week raised tariffs on US$200 billion in Chinese imports, heightened fears the world’s two largest economies were spiralling into a no-holds-barred dispute that could derail the

global economy.

China’s Finance Ministry said it plans to set import tariffs ranging from 5 per cent to 25 per cent on 5140 US products on a revised US$60 billion target list. It said the tariffs will take effect on June 1.

China tried to delete commitments from a draft agreement that its laws would be changed to enact new policies on issues from intellectual property protection to forced technology transfers. That dealt a major setback to the talks.

Trump has since ordered

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to begin the process of imposing tariffs on all remaining imports from China, a move that would affect another US$300 billion worth of goods.

Beijing said on Monday it would “never surrender” to external pressure, and its State media kept up a steady drum beat of strongly-worded commentary, reiterating that the door to talks was always open, but vowing that China would defend its national interests and dignity. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Sudan's Omar al-Bashir charged over killing of protesters

Omar al-Bashir was removed from power after nearly four months of anti-government protests [Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/Reuters]

S

udan's former President Omar alBashir has been charged "with inciting and participating" in the killing of protesters during the mass protests that lead to the end of his decades-long rule.

The prosecutor general's

announcement on Monday came as protest organisers and military rulers resumed a new round of talks on handing over power to a civilian interim body.

Earlier this month, the prosecutor general ordered al-Bashir to be interrogated on charges of money laundering and financing of "terrorism".

There has been no comment from al-Bashir since his removal and arrest on April 11. The former President is reportedly being held at the maximum security Kobar prison in the capital, Khartoum.

Al Jazeera's Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, said a committee of doctors estimate at least 100 people were killed by security forces since protests began last December.

The prosecutor's office highlighted, in particular, the killing of Babiker Abdul Hameed, a 27-yearold doctor who was killed on January 19, "as he was trying to give medical assistance to protesters", said Morgan.

Huge crowds remain camped outside the military headquarters in central Khartoum, vowing to force the military council that replaced al-Bashir to cede power.

Lieutenant-General Shams al-Din Kabashi, spokesman for the military council, said the generals met with protest leaders on Monday and agreed on the structure of transitional bodies. Their makeup would be addressed in further talks a day later, he said. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Blast in Pakistani city Quetta kills 4 Policemen – officials

A

n improvised bomb rigged to a motorcycle and apparently targeting a Police vehicle exploded near a mosque in the western Pakistani city of Quetta on Monday, killing at least four policemen and wounding 11, officials said.

Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Pakistani Taliban,

claimed responsibility for the blast in an emailed statement, just days after they claimed an attack on police guarding a major Sufi shrine in the eastern city of Lahore.

Security forces have been on high alert during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with extra security set up at major sites around the country.

Home Affairs Minister, Ziaullah Langove in the province of Balochistan, said Monday’s bomb targeted police guarding the mosque, where people were performing evening prayers.

Quetta Police Chief Abdul Razzaq Cheema said the four dead were all police and there were two police among the wounded. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Czech Republic Prime Minister Andrej Babis arrives for an informal meeting of European Union leaders in Sibiu, Romania, May 9, 2019

T

housands protested in the Czech capital Prague for a third week running on Monday against a new Justice Minister who they fear could meddle in a criminal case

against the Prime Minister.

Protesters complain of Marie Benesova’s past comments supportive of billionaire Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who has been charged with illegally tapping 2 million euros in European Union funds a decade ago when he was in business. He denies the charges.

Monday’s protest turnout matched last week’s when at least 20,000 protested in Prague’s Old Town Square, CTK news agency estimated. Police do not give estimates. CTK also estimated 2000 marched in Brno, the country’s second largest city.

The demonstrations come after politically-charged overhauls to justice systems in fellow central European countries Hungary and Poland led to protests and disputes with

2 Saudi oil tankers among 'sabotaged' ships off UAE coast

The damaged Andrea Victor

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audi Arabia said two of its oil tankers were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and described it as an attempt to undermine the security of crude supplies amid tensions between the United States and Iran.

One of the ships was en route to pick up Saudi oil to take to the United States, Saudi Energy MinisterKhalid al-Fa-

lih said on Monday.

The UAE identified the vessels as very large crude carrier (VLCC) tanker Amjad and crude tanker Al Marzoqah, both owned by Saudi shipping firm Bahri.

The other two were UAEflagged fuel bunker barge A Michel and Norwegianregistered oil products tanker MT Andrew Victory.

Falih said the attack did not cause any casualties or

U

charged in the college admissions scandal.

The wealthy parents charged allegedly paid bribes, had exams altered, and even had their children edited into stock photos to fake sporting talents in order to fraudulently secure spots at elite US universities.

Parents and college athletic coaches were charged in the scheme, but no children have been accused of committing crimes.

At Monday's hearing, Huffman admitted one count of mail fraud and hon-

est services mail fraud.

She was secretly recorded discussing the scheme as she made plans to falsify a college entrance exam score for her oldest daughter, Sophia Macy.

The actress made arrangements to cheat a second time, for her younger daughter, before deciding not to do so, according to prosecutors.

Huffman said her daughter was unaware of the cheating, and that she felt “regret and shame” for having “betrayed” her. (Excerpt from

BBC News)

an oil spill but inflicted significant damage to the Saudi vessels' structures. He said it aimed to undermine maritime freedom and the security of oil supplies to consumers worldwide.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump warned that it would be a mistake for Iran to try anything against the United States.

Tensions have risen in the year since Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, restoring US sanctions that have pushed Iran's economy into crisis. The United States said it wanted to reduce Iran's oil exports to zero.

Last week, Iran warned it would begin enriching uranium at higher levels in 60 days if world powers failed to negotiate new terms for the deal. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Sri Lanka imposes curfew amid antiMuslim violence

Felicity Huffman pleads guilty in college admissions scandal S actress Felicity Huffman has pleaded guilty to fraudulently conspiring to win a college place for her daughter.

In a Boston court, the Desperate Housewives star admitted paying US$15,000 (£11,500) to have her daughter's exam answers secretly corrected in 2017.

In a statement last month, she said she was in "full acceptance" of her guilt.

Prosecutors have recommended a four-month prison term and a US$20,000 fine.

Huffman, 56, was among 50

the European Union, which said the changes threatened the rule of law.

Czech Chief Prosecutor Lenka Bradacova said in a newspaper interview on Monday the protests might be expressing concern about a repeat of what happened in Hungary and Poland.

Babis, the country’s second richest person, has long fought conflict of interest allegations and put his Agrofert empire of chemicals, farming, media and other firms into trusts in 2017 to comply with new legislation.

Despite the allegations and conflict of interest accusations against Babis, his ANO party, which was a runaway winner in the 2017 election, remains the country’s clear leader in the polls. (Excerpt from Reuters)

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This mosque in Kiniyama was one of the places attacked

ri Lanka has imposed a night-time curfew across the country amid an upsurge in anti-Muslim violence.

Mosques and Muslimowned shops have been targeted but there were no reports of casualties.

In several towns, police fired into the air and used tear gas to disperse hundreds of rioters.

Tensions have been high since Islamist militants attacked churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, killing

more than 250 people.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appealed for calm saying the current unrest was hampering the investigation into last month's attacks in the early hours of Monday.

The seven-hour curfew will take place from 21:00 local time (15:30 GMT).

In the north-western town of Kiniyama, windows and doors to a mosque were smashed and copies of the Koran thrown on the floor.

The attack was triggered by a group of people demanding a search of the building after soldiers inspected a lake nearby looking for weapons, Reuters news agency reported.

In the Catholicmajority town of Chilaw, Muslim-owned shops and mosques were attacked after a dispute that started on Facebook, police said.

Officials have blocked some social media platforms and messaging apps, including Facebook and WhatsApp, in an attempt to curb the violence.

Incidents were also reported in the town of Hettipola, where at least three shops were reportedly torched.

Muslims make up nearly 10 per cent of Sri Lanka's 22 million people, who are predominantly Sinhalese Buddhists. (Excerpt from BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESday, MAY 14, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Emotional situations will be daunting. The information you are fed will be skewed to fit someone else’s agenda.

Partnerships and joint ventures are not recommended.

Concentrate on personal gain and positive change.

CANCER

Reaching out to others will boost your popularity. A heartfelt and compassionate approach, along with determination and a set plan will bring good results. Pay attention to detail, rules and regulations.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Look for an opportunity to get ahead financially or start a new fitness and diet routine. Excess and emotional spending should be limited.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Taking a short trip, discussing important matters with others and paying closer attention to your health and emotional well-being are encouraged. Love and romance are highlighted and will improve your life.

Don’t let the actions of others ruin your day.

Stick to your plan if it will help you reach your goal.

Personal improvements can be achieved if you challenge yourself physically.

Consider making subtle adjustments to your appearance, skills or future direction. Gather information and enforce the changes that will lead to greater happiness and self-satisfaction.

Get things done. Refuse to let your emotions take charge if someone tries to get a rise out of you. Walk away from argumentative people or an unpredictable situation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Make positive changes that will encourage better relationships. Take a breather from someone who is disruptive or not heading in the same direction as you are.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Look for opportunities to discuss prospects with people you want to work with.

Attending networking functions or sharing ideas with a partner will lead to positive results.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Be open to suggestions, but make up your own mind.

A lifestyle change may not turn out to be to your liking. Don’t make a commitment without doing your research.

Set a destination and work to get there. Refuse to let what others do or say bother you. Concentrate on what motivates you and strive to be your best.

Caution will be required when dealing with unpredictable people or situations. Protect yourself against insult or injury.

Surround yourself with positive people and get involved in creative endeavors.

tuesday, MAY 14, 2019

19

NBA Playoffs: Blazers face tall task against defending champions T

he story within the story of this Western Conference finals matchup will surround one player and maybe two, and it is this: Will Kevin Durant heal quickly enough to make an appearance? Will DeMarcus Cousins? And let’s add two more players: Who will Dell and Sonya Curry root for with dueling sons (Stephen Curry on Golden State; Seth Curry on Portland) on opposing rosters?

Seriously, though, Durant returning from a strained calf (which is the more likely scenario than Cousins) will impact the series greatly in Golden State’s favor. If Cousins recovers from his quad injury as well, then it gets to be a really unfair fight – and likely a Warriors’ sweep.

In any event, the Warriors step into this series as a prohibitive favorite, especially if you buy the notion that their Western Conference semfinals series with the Houston Rockets was the unofficial conference championship.

The Blazers aren’t here by mistake. They

just won a Game 7 on the road in Denver, beat Oklahoma City in five games and boast Damian Lillard. Portland’s All-Star guard will certainly feel territorial playing in Oakland, having grown up there as a lightly-recruited high school player.

Yet Lillard seems whipped from his playoff load and was noticeably subpar when he missed 11 of his first 12 shots in Game 7 against Denver and shot below 30 percent on 3-pointers in that series. Also, Rodney Hood is ailing from a hyperextended knee. Maybe this is the time when Jusuf Nurkic’s injury – he suffered a broken leg in March -- finally catches up to Portland.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are bringing the usual cast of characters (minus Durant for the time being) and also have home court.

Again, if Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green don’t become complacent and overconfident, this could be the least suspenseful conference finals in recent memory – if it isn’t already.

Brighton sack manager after 17th-place finish in Premier League

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righton have sacked manager Chris Hughton after the Seagulls finished 17th in the Premier League.

They won just three of their last 23 league games and none of their final nine.

Chairman Tony Bloom said that run “put our status at significant risk”.

Hughton, who joined Albion in December 2014, led the club to the Premier League for the first time in 2017, and they finished 15th in their first season back in the top flight.

Swansea boss Graham Potter, 43, who joined the club from Swedish side Ostersunds in 2018, is the favourite with the bookmakers to replace Hughton.

Hughton, 60, who was contracted until 2021, also took the club to the FA Cup semi-final this season, where they lost 1-0 to Manchester City.

Bloom said: “Our run of three wins from 23 Premier League matches put our status at significant risk. It is with that in mind, and the performances during that period, that I now feel it’s the right time for a change.

“Undoubtedly, this has been one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make as chairman of Brighton, but ultimately one I have made due to how we struggled in the second half of the season.”

Hughton won 40.93% of his 215 games in charge and was named the Premier League’s manager of the month in March 2018.

He is the seventh Premier League manager to be sacked this season.

Chris Hughton was named the Premier League’s manager of the month in March 2018

Bloom praised Hughton for an “excellent job” in stabilising the club, achieving promotion and retaining their Premier League status.

“Chris will always be very fondly remembered by Albion staff and fans as one of our club’s finest and most respected managers,” he added.

It is the third time the former Republic of Ireland defender has been sacked - he was dismissed by Newcastle in 2010 and Norwich in 2014.

Brighton achieved Premier League safety with one game remaining when Cardiff, who finished two points behind them in 18th, were relegated on 4 May. The Seagulls lost 4-1 at home to Manchester City on Sunday, as Pep Guardiola’s side retained the Premier League title.

Brighton appointed FA technical director Dan Ashworth in the same role earlier this year and in February he said his aim was to keep Hughton in a job for as long as possible. (BBC Sport)

Three things to watch

1. Can Andre Iguodala keep up this pace? It should come as no surprise that Iguodala is feeling frisky in the playoffs, but it’s a bit unexpected given that he’s doing it in 2019. Once again, the 2015 Finals MVP is hitting playoff 3-pointers (42.3 percent) and making key defensive plays, yet this is someone who was essentially in hibernation for six months and looked his age (35). But these days, he’s doubling up his regular-season scoring average and and he’s on the floor when it counts.

2. Is CJ McCollum a bigger worry for the Warriors than Damian Lillard? Maybe it’s now “CJ Time” for the Blazers, as McCollum was downright beastly (and more reliable than Lillard) in their last two games against Denver. McCollum averaged 33.5 points in that span and got the call from coach Terry Stotts for the Blazers’ final play in Game 7, which he secured on a mid-range jumper.

3. How full will Draymond Green’s hands

Two of the NBA’s best point guards clash for the Western Conference crown

be with Enes Kanter? Although he brings a bum shoulder into this series, Kanter is an aggressive presence around the basket and will force Green to direct his attention squarely on the Blazers’ center, who’s averaging 13 points on 52 percent shooting. Just the same, Green might force Kanter to play defense, the weakest part of his game.

Game one starts at 21:00h tonight. (NBA)

African trio share Premier League Golden Boot

T

he race to be crowned the English Premier League’s leading scorer this season ended in a three-way tie on Sunday as the African trio of Sadio Mane, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mohamed Salah shared the Golden Boot.

Gabon forward Aubameyang scored twice for Arsenal at Burnley to join Salah and his Liverpool teammate Mane, who netted a final-day double against Wolves, on 22 goals for the Premier League season.

Sergio Aguero, of champions Manchester City, was next in line with 21 goals.

Salah has now won the a w a r d t w o

seasons in a row but this term’s winning tally was the lowest by players in English football’s top-flight since 2010/11 when Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez shared the Golden Boot with 20 goals apiece.

Aubameyang was delighted to be a member of an all-African trio of winners, saying in quotes reported by the BBC: “I share this trophy with two other guys I like, great players and African.

We are representing Africa, that’s cool.

“I am happy we won, and I am sharing this trophy with two other guys I like.

“My teammates k n e w about the Golden Boot,

I said nothing. I did not want them to play and only focus on me. I am a team player.”

For Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp there was the satisfaction of knowing he had a played a part in the careers of all three of this season’s Golden Boot winners, having signed Aubameyang from SaintEtienne in 2013 when he was in charge of Dortmund.

“Auba too? Do they have three boots?” said Klopp, who suffered the last-day heartache of seeing Liverpool finish just one point behind City.

“It is good. They are all my players,” the German added.

Salah scored 32 league goals last season, a record for a 38game Premier L e a g u e campaign.

T h e 26-year-old is the sixth player to win the Golden Boot award in consecutive seasons. (HST)

The holders of the Golden Boot: Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (left); Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sadio Mane

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tuesday, MAY 14, 2019

Bumrah “the best bowler in the world at this stage” – Tendulkar

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asprit Bumrah “is the best bowler in the world at this stage”, declared Sachin Tendulkar, the Mumbai Indians icon, after the paceman had returned 2 for 14 to star in their IPL 2019 final win over Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.

His returns - not a boundary hit off his 24 balls, and 13 dot balls thrown in - were incredible all right, making him a straight pick for the Man of the Match award too. Chatting with Tendulkar for IPLT20.com after the match was Yuvraj Singh, who played a few matches early on in the season for Mumbai but was subsequently benched.

Asked by Tendulkar what made Bumrah so difficult to face, Yuvraj said that apart from an “awkward” action, it was “very tough to understand at what pace he is coming”.

“I think he is bowling the best I have seen in his career,” he added, and Tendulkar agreed: “Let me go on record and say that he is the best bowler in the world at this stage.

And the best is yet to come, hopefully.”

Bumrah was the toast of the Mumbai team, and their fans. Not for the first time either.

Forget the past, just this year, Bumrah came on at the toughest of moments for Mumbai, and delivered almost without fail. Among bowlers to have sent down at least 60 overs, only Rashid Khan had a better economy rate for the season - 6.28 - than Bumrah’s 6.63.

For two fewer wickets - Bumrah ended with 19 and Rashid 17. Expand that list to bowlers who have bowled at least 40 overs, and Bumrah’s economy rate stands at No. 4, with Ravindra Jadeja (6.35) and Chahar (6.55) slotting in between Rashid and Bumrah. Bumrah still ended with the most wickets among them.

Bumrah bowled 172 balls in the death overs (17 to 20), 52 more than the next on the list: Kagiso Rabada. And how did he do in them? His economy rate in that period was 7.67, by far the best among bowlers to have sent down at least ten overs at the death. Next on the list is Chris Morris, with an economy rate of 8.61. And Bumrah’s 13 wickets at the death was also second only to Rabada’s tally of 17.

But Bumrah was - is - more than just his numbers. It’s the effect he has had on opposition batsmen, coming it at crunch moments and making sure liberties were kept to a minimum. “Phenomenal”, Zaheer Khan, the Mumbai director of cricket, called Bumrah - he’s been doing it year in and year out, for Mumbai and for India.

“Just trying to be calm, always learning from all the legends of the game that we have over here, trying to execute, trying to keep things simple whenever I’m trying to bowl … so that’s probably it,” Bumrah told Zaheer about his agenda out in the middle.

Russian anti-doping chief calls for dismissal of athletics federation head

Jasprit Bumrah, the Man of the Match in the IPL 2019 final, celebrates with his team

Those are words one hears often - not much there. But Zaheer did give away a bit of inside information about Bumrah: he is “stubborn”, and he takes “a lot of convincing” when new plans are discussed. But, at the same time, chatting about bowling with Bumrah can make for “great conversations”.

One such conversation - more than once, actually - was apparently about bowling more outswingers, which Bumrah did against MS Dhoni in the final. Only three balls Bumrah got to bowl at Dhoni on Sunday night. The first was an awaygoing delivery, angling in and holding its line, leaving Dhoni poking at thin air.

“He’s been behind [after] me for the outswingers since the tournament’s beginning,” Bumrah said of Zaheer. “I told him I’d bowl it, but he was behind me all the time ‘you should bowl it more often’. So after bowling it today he was very happy.” (ESPN cricinfo)

Independence Track and Field Championships…

Hopetown Flames ready to engulf Leonora track

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ussia’s anti-doping chief has called for the dismissal of the head of the country’s suspended athletics federation as part of a proposal to ensure all Russian athletes can compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a letter seen by Reuters on Monday showed.

In the five-page letter addressed to Russian Olympic Committee President Stanislav Pozdnyakov, RUSADA Director Yuri Ganus proposed the dismissal of the federation’s senior officials, including its President Dmitry Shlyakhtin, and all national team athletics coaches, among several other measures.

“Given that there is critically little time left until the start of the 2020 Olympics, and there is much to do in coordination with (global athletics governing body) IAAF, work toward the transformation of the federation requires an immediate resolution,” Ganus wrote in the letter, which RUSADA later published on its website.

RUSADA and Russia’s athletics federation were suspended after a 2015 report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) found evidence of state-sponsored doping in Russian athletics.

RUSADA was reinstated last year by WADA, angering a string of sports bodies and athletes around the world.

Ganus also called for the creation of an international work group in which Russian and foreign experts would help bring the federation back into the International Association of Athletics Federation’s fold.

Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) Director General Yuri Ganus speaks during a news conference in Moscow

He also called for the dismissal of officials at sports schools and other training centres tied to the doping scandal, as well as officials who have served doping bans.

“The Russian athletics federation needs real change,” Ganus wrote. “We have to stop deceiving not only all those around us, but ourselves first and foremost.”

Russia’s athletics federation did not immediately reply to a request for comment, while Shlyakhtin could not be reached for comment.

“Untimely” Proposals

Russian Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov dismissed RUSADA’s proposals as “untimely” in comments to TASS news agency.

Following Ganus’ proposals, the Russian Olympic Committee said it would create two working groups to help the federation get reinstated and to safeguard the rights of Russian athletes.

Despite the federation being banned, some Russians - including twice world champion high jumper Maria Lasitskene — have been cleared to compete internationally after demonstrating they are training in a doping-free environment.

The IAAF is set to review Russia’s status at its council meeting next month.

Russia was banned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from last year’s Pyeongchang Winter Games as punishment for alleged state-sponsored doping at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

However, some Russian athletes with no history of doping were cleared to compete as neutrals.

The IOC chose not to ban all Russian athletes from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics after a WADAcommissioned report by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren revealed a statebacked doping program across many sports. (Reuters)

Some members of the Hopetown Flames Club

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he Hopetown Flames team are reputed to be fully fit, prepared, and having their eyes set on taking top honours at the Independence Track and Field Championships set for May 18 and 19 at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora.

With a number of phenomenal talents re-emerging from Berbice after some time, Flames’ club manager Keisha Burnett is optimistic that her athletes would do well, come race day.

“We are well prepared and looking forward for the Independence meet,” Burnett noted. “I expect my athletes to perform well, because they have been doing great from the start of the year.”

With Guyana becoming a dominant force in athletics at the youth and junior level, Burnett highlighted that meets such as the one scheduled for this weekend aid in development of local athletes.

“Our athletes are preparing for future meets; so, the more they compete the better for them, and I believe this meet provides exposure for our athletes, and that is important,” she said.

In addition to “up and coming” athletes such as 2019 CARIFTA gold medallist Matthew Gordon, ace sprinter Lionel Marks and a few other notable names who are set to compete, she said opponents are being put on notice to come prepared for stiff competi-

tion from Berbice’s most prominent clubs.

Action at the track and field event is set to start from 10 hours on May 18th and 19th.

A small entrance fee of $300 will be charged at the gates of the Leonora Track and Field Centre, West Coast Demerara.

CARIFTA gold medallist Matthew Gordon in action during this year’s games

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, may 14, 2019

21

GSSF donates safety gear to the Guyana Police Force

GSSF President Ryan McKinnon (front right) handing over ear and eye protection to the OC, TSU, Guy Nurse (front centre) in the presence of GSSF Director Aleemul Ali (front left) and ranks of the TSU

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T

he Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF), in keeping with international sport shooting standards, has adopted a policy mandating that ear and eye protection be worn by competitors at all shooting events.

“Compliance (with) safety (standards) while handling firearms is always paramount,” reiterated GSSF President Ryan McKinnon

in comments he made while handing over a donation to the Guyana Police Force.

The presentation of ear and eye protective equipment was made to the OC, TSU, Guy Nurse, at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Georgetown. The GSSF, in strengthening its partnership with the Police Force, made the donation to aid the safe training and development of ranks with firearms.

The equipment is thus specifically targeted for use by the Training Section of the Tactical Services Unit.

The Foundation looks forward to continued collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, and commits to giving assistance, building capacity, and aiding in the general development of the Force and its ranks where possible.

The GSSF ensures that

all members follow all firearm safety rules, and are personally protected during shooting by wearing protective gear for their eyes and ears. All shooters, instructors, range safety officers, scorers and spectators in reasonable proximity to the shooting points are required to wear eye protection while the range is hot.

The GSSF wishes to thank all its members, part-

ners, collaborators and supporters for the valuable contributions made towards the development of the organization – and, by extension, the sport of shooting in Guyana.

The Board of Directors wishes to express its continued commitment and dedication to the development of the Foundation, while working closely with local regulatory departments and authorities.

Graeme West impressed with Windies Under-19s

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he talent in the Caribbean at the under-19 level has impressed Windies under-19 coach Graeme West.

The coach’s impressions came after a training camp for under-19 recruits at the West Indies High Performance Centre recently.

“The players worked very hard and maintained high standards right the way through until the end,” the head coach told CWI Media.

Despite the talent he has seen, West believes, success or failure is still a long way away.

“The success of each of the Under-19 teams with which I have worked over the last few years is dependent heavily on how quickly they can harness that talent and build and grow game understanding and the ability to repeat their skills at the highest level in pressure situations,” said West.

“It’s still early days, but there is some real ability within this group of players.”

According to West, the ability to strike the ball from the under-19s is impressive and their athleticism was good.

While a number of camps have been planned over the last few months, the players have also been given individual programmes to work on in their own countries.

The development camps will continue until

Windies Under-19 Head Coach Graeme West in a nets session

July when the players go into the West Indies Under-19 Championships in August. That competition, along with the development programmes, should go some way towards prepa-

ration for the Under-19 World Cup. The Windies won the World Cup in India three years ago but failed to achieve the same heights at the last one. (Sportsmax)

Rising Stars topple La Grange – Cato, Brisport record half-centuries

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ricket action continued on Sunday, May 12, at Bartica in Region Seven when the La Grange All Stars cricket team played a one-off T20 match against their hosts, Bartica’s Rising Stars cricket club, at the Bartica Secondary School ground, and suffered a 68-run defeat in this enterprise.

La Grange won the toss and, expecting to dominate the opposition on a sticky wicket, decided to bowl. Rising Stars lost their skipper, opening batsman Elroy Fernandes, without the scoreboard ticking; but the in-form Travis Cato and Shaquille Brisport, playing their natural game, frustrated the La Grange bowlers to the point where they had them spraying the ball all over the place.

The Cato-Brisport partnership changed the fortunes of the Rising Stars to the extent that the team was able to register a score of 228-7 in their 20 overs; with Cato top-scoring with 73 runs, which included eight maximums and two boundaries, while Brisport supported with 60 runs, consisting of five towering sixes and four classy boundaries. Anthony Smith pitched in with 32, and Shane Persaud with 25 to help the Stars to this mammoth total.

Zaheer Khan and Amir were the main bowlers for La Grange, each taking two wickets.

In reply, La Grange were bowled out for 156, with Dev Seepersad top-scoring with 37 and Zaheer Khan chipping in with 28.

Bowling for Rising Stars, Marvin Cheong bagged 3-30 in 4 overs, while Robin Singh took 3-34.

The victorious Rising Stars team

22 Mustafizur, Mushfiqur put Bangladesh in the final B SCOREBOARD tuesday, MAY 14, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

angladesh ensured their place in the tri-series final after a resounding five-wicket win over West Indies in Malahide. After their bowlers fought hard to restrict them to 247 for 9, Soumya Sarkar and Mushfiqur Rahim struck fluent half-centuries and dominated the chase as they sealed victory with 16 balls to spare.

Mustafizur Rahman's first four-wicket haul in eight months, as well as discipline from Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan, and Mashrafe Mortaza's three wickets, took the momentum from West Indies twice, after they chose to bat first.

Then it was Soumya's turn in the spotlight, his 54 off 67 balls getting Bangladesh off the block quickly. After they had lost three quick wickets in the middle-overs to Ashley Nurse, Mushfiqur put together two partnerships, 83 runs for the fourth wicket with Mohammad Mithun, and 50 runs for fifth wicket stand with Mahmudullah, to boss the chase.

West Indies also contributed heavily to their own defeat, missing five chances during the Bangladesh innings.

Kemar Roach dropped two catches while Fabian Allen and Shai Hope couldn't reach the ball despite a dive. Nurse's poor throw cost them Mithun's wicket early during the defining fourth-wicket stand.

After Tamim Iqbal struck the fourth ball of Bangladesh's chase for a thumping four, Soumya piled the pressure on Sheldon Cottrell and Roach, hitting them for a six and four boundaries in the first five overs. Tamim then cover drove Cottrell, before getting two more fours off Nurse in the ninth over.

But later in the same over, Nurse bowled Tamim with one that dipped on the left-hander, and struck his legstump.

After their 54-run opening stand, Soumya added 52 runs for the second wicket with Shakib. During this partnership, Soumya survived two chances: at short cover when Allen couldn't quite hold on to the chance diving forward, as well as Roach dropping a straightforward chance at short midwicket.

Nurse who suffered the Roach drop, struck twice in

his next over. He first had Shkaib caught at short cover, before Sunil Ambris caught Soumya at short midwicket.

Things could have gone worse for Bangladesh had Nurse sent a better throw to wicketkeeper Hope when Mithun, batting on 7, slipped mid-pitch after being sent back by Mushfiqur in the 24th over. Mithun also survived Roach dropping him at deep square leg when he was 22, and eventually the Mushfiqur-Mithun pairing made West Indies pay heavily.

There was to be one more fielding lapse: Mahmudullah, dropped

by Hope off Holder when he was on 10, before the game was done.

When they batted first, West Indies once again gave away a good start against Bangladesh during this tri-nation series. They were 89 for 2 in the 20th over when Mustafizur had Roston Chase caught at midwicket. Ambris and Hope had struck six fours in the first five overs before Ambris guided Mashrafe to Soumya at slip. Darren Bravo fell for yet another low score, when Mehidy Hasan had him lbw for Shai Hope six. Mehidy had dropped Bravo in the previous over.

Chase and Hope had added 33 runs for the third wicket, before Chase and Jonathan Carter fell in the space of four overs. With the scoring rate falling drastically, Holder slammed two fours to break a 103-ball boundary drought.

Holder and Hope added exactly 100 runs to revive the West Indies innings, but with both batsmen falling in the space of 12 balls, Bangladesh got back control. They con-

Hand-in-Hand Inter-County 50-Over U-19 Tournament…

Demerara dominate Select U-17 in opener

West Indies Innings (50 overs maximum) SD Hope † c †Mushfiqur Rahim b Mortaza 87 SW Ambris c Sarkar b Mortaza

23 DM Bravo lbw b Miraz 6 RL Chase c Mahmudullah b Rahman 19 JL Carter lbw b Rahman 3 JO Holder (c) c † Rahim b Mortaza 62 FA Allen lbw b Shakib Al Has an 7 AR Nurse c Rahman b Rahman 14 RA Reifer lbw b Mustafizur Rahman 7 KAJ Roach not out 3 SS Cottrell not out 8 Extras (b 1, lb 4, w 3) 8 TOTAL (50 Overs, RR: 4.94) 247-9 Fall of wickets: 1-37 (SW Ambris, 5.5 ov), 2-56 (DM Bravo, 10.3 ov), 3-89 (RL Chase, 19.1 ov), 4-99 (JL Carter, 23.1 ov), 5-199 (SD Hope, 41.6 ov), 6-207 (JO Holder, 43.6 ov), 7-211 (FA Allen, 44.4 ov), 8-234 (AR Nurse, 48.2 ov), 9-236 (RA Reifer, 48.5 ov) BOWLING Abu Jayed (9-0-56-0) M Mortaza (10-0-60-3) M Miraz (10-0-41-1)

M Rahman S Al Hasan S Sarkar

(9-1-43-4) (10-1-27-1) (2-0-15-0)

Bangladesh Innings (target: 248 runs from 50 overs) Tamim Iqbal b Nurse 21 S Sarkar c Ambris b Nurse 54 S Al Hasan c Chase b Nurse 29 M Rahim † c Bravo b Roach 63 M Mithun b Holder 43 Mahmudullah not out 30 S Rahman not out 0 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 5) 8 TOTAL (47.2 Overs, RR: 5.23) 248-5 Yet to bat: Abu Jayed, Mashrafe Mortaza (c), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mustafizur Rahman Fall of wickets: 1-54 (Tamim Iqbal, 8.4 ov), 2-106 (Shakib Al Hasan, 20.3 ov), 3-107 (Soumya Sarkar, 20.5 ov), 4-190 (Mohammad Mithun, 36.3 ov), 5-240 (Mushfiqur Rahim, 46.1 ov) BOWLING KAJ Roach (6-0-46-1) SS Cottrell (9.2-0-38-0) AR Nurse (10-0-53-3) RL Chase (6-0-24-0) FA Allen (3-0-11-0) JO Holder (8-1-43-1) RA Reifer (5-0-31-0)

ceded just two fours and a six in the last six overs, as West Indies reached the underwhelming score. (ESPNcricinfo)

Rising Stars lift Bartica Baptist Church Under-15 Trophy

The Demerara chase was akin to simple batting practice

By Timothy Jaikarran

I

n action ongoing in the Hand-in-Hand InterCounty 50-Over Under-19 tournament being played at the Everest Cricket ground, Demerara have brushed aside the Guyana Select Under-17 Team by seven wickets.

Having won the toss, the Select side elected to bat in conditions of brilliant sunshine and a hard pitch with a proverbial bias for the team taking first strike.

Rampertab Rampersaud and Matthew Nandu opened the batting, but the latter player was dismissed by Pradesh Balkishun after making just 5 runs off 37 balls.

Although losing the first wicket cheaply, the Select U-17 Team continued to push on, batting smartly as they pushed for singles while seldom dispatching bad balls. The pressure eventually caught up with them as the wickets of Rampersaud, Mavendra Dindyal and Zeynn Ramsammy fell for 19, 6 and 13 runs respectively.

Sachin Singh, Zachary Jodah and Daniel Mootoo chipped away at the top order as the inexperienced Under-17 side proved to be no match for the battle scarred Demerara side.

Andre Seepersaud came to the crease, and played a handy knock of 31 off 55 balls to lift his side out of trouble, but he was run out by Balkishun, which dented his side’s hopes of posting more than 150.

After Seepersaud's resistance, the next five wickets fell for 12 runs, as Qumar Torrington and Ashmead Nedd cleaned up the tail to restrict the Select U-17 Team to 117 all out in 45.5 overs.

Nedd was the pick of the Demerara bowlers with 2-10; while Mootoo’s 1-17, Jodah’s 1-13, Balkishun’s 1-6, Singh’s 1-31 and Torrington’s 1-31 all supported Demerara well.

Needing a total of 118 for victory off 300 balls, the Demerara opening pair of Sachin Singh and Robin Williams started the chase patiently. They established a partnership of 71 without loss at the end of 20 overs, and shared the honours equally.

Eventually, Singh fell victim to off-spinner Ajay Gainda for 32 when he chipped down the track only to be caught at the long-on boundary.

This brought Adrian Hinds to the middle with 46 runs needed from 28 overs. Williams soon became the second wicket to fall, trapped leg before for 32 by Andre Seepersaud. By then the foundation had already been laid, and Demerara were on the verge of victory, needing only to play smart cricket.

Hinds, however, was foolishly run-out for 22 when he misjudged a run, taking the score to 1003 in 29 overs. With 18 runs needed for victory, it was a stroll in the park for Persaud and Alphius Bookie, who ran their singles to take Demerara over the line with the score at 118-3 in 35.3 overs.

Sachin Singh was adjudged ‘player-of-thematch’ for his all-round performance.

The victorious Rising Stars FC

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ising Stars FC’s Under-15 team, under the stewardship of coaches Elwes Jones and Ryan Scott, on Sunday emerged triumphant in the final of the Bartica Baptist Church/ Victory International Ministry/BFA Under-15 Knockout Tournament.

Facing a determined and talented Potaro Strikers FC, the young "Stars" rose to the occasion to shut out their opponents 4-nil by way of a goal each from Chad Edwards, Christon Shewram, Ian Gomes Jr and Shomari Hunte.

Heading into the highly anticipated fixture, Potaro Strikers were considered a definite shoo-in for the title, having effortlessly won all their preliminary and semifinal games. They did not expect Rising Stars, as the underdog side, to bring to the

competition their 'A' game, which stifled the Strikers’ main strikers to leave them goalless at the end of the match.

In third-place play-off action, Beacon FC defeated Rivers View FC. Two goals from Chad Edwards, one from Christon Shewram and one from Daniel Williams were enough to blow away Rivers View FC 4 goals to nil on Friday.

In the presentation ceremony that followed immediately after, Edwards was adjudged the highest goal-scorer; Gomes Jr the most valuable player (MVP), and Delon Jones the best goalkeeper.

The Bartica Football Association hereby expresses gratitude to the Bartica Baptist Church and the Victory International Ministry for this great initiative, which is the second of its kind in as many years.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, MAY 14, 2019

23

GFF’s First Astroturf officially commissioned T

he Guyana Football Federation’s National Training Centre has been aiding that Federation in preparing successful national teams such as the Golden Jaguars, who have qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. The soon-to-be state-of-the-art facility was commissioned on Monday in the presence of representatives of FIFA; those from the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF); the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), and GFF officials.

The story behind this development is similar to that of the prodigal son, with Guyana long awaiting the arrival of their own Astro turf pitch, which is used widely around the world. Guyana have, since 1999, been identified as part of the International Football Federation’s (FIFA’s) board project, and the GFF had, in April 2017, inched a little closer when the sod was turned at the Providence facility by then Minister with responsibility for Sport, Nicolette Henry,

Aged but fit! A few veteran football officials were engaged in a friendly game

and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The dream of the FIFA Forward Project was finally realised in December 2018 when the turf was finished after months of weather delays.

Speaking to Guyana’s need for better playing facilities, those that are up to international standards, GFF President Wayne Forde disclosed the Federation’s plans to construct such facilities in all nine regional member associations.

“The unavailability of good quality football facilities across our country continues to strangle the progress of the game. Football cannot fully DoS Christopher Jones and FIFA Development Director develop without proper playMosengo-Omba unveiling a plaque at the facility ing surfaces, changing rooms Director of Sports, Christopher Jones, while highlighting and lit fields. We have set ourthe Durban Park football project, took the bold step of pledgselves an ambitious target to construct one artificial field in ing the Government’s commitment to providing lands in oreach of our 9 associations in the next five years,” Forde said. der to construct nationwide facilities.

The GFF boss took the opportunity to appeal to the “We are here today to reaffirm the Government’s comGovernment and corporate Guyana for further support. mitment to President Wayne Forde and the GFF, where “This task must not be left to FIFA and the GFF alone; it’s necessary and where land needs to be made available to we need the Government of Guyana and corporate Guyana them.

We want you to rest assured that such will be done,” to play their roles,” the GFF President said.

Jones promised.

FIFA’s Director of Development, Mosengo- Omba, was Following commissioning of the facility, two friendly full of praise for the GFF for embarking on such a fruitful matches were hosted on the fairly new Astroturf pitch inproject. volving FIFA, CONCACAF, CFU and GFF officials. After “FIFA is proud of the progress that has been made by the the fun is done, those officials will get down to work toGFF under the leadership of its president, and FIFA is lookmorrow as FIFA hosts its development conference at the ing forward to widening the relationship with Guyana; and Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.

The Conference will span the I would like to also thank the Government for providing the 14th and 15th of May. land to construct this facility,” Omba said.

Hand-in-Hand one-Day U-19 tournament…

Sinclair’s classy fifty leads B’ce to victory in opening round The after-lunch period produced the ‘Anderson and Sinclair show’ -- class acts which left the hundreds of spectators at Albion in awe at the display of raw text-book shots. Sinclair was at his destructive best as he smashed the ball around, while Anderson was in his groove as he executed shots with grace and elegance.

The duo added 72 fluent runs before Anderson departed for 28 when he was out caught.

Watched by an adoring Berbice crowd that included his brothers, the swashbuckling Sinclair flat-batted one over the sight screen for a six, and powered one over mid-wicket for another, as he smashed two sixes and four boundaries in his 58 runs scored from 74 balls before he was eventually out caught. He was subsequently

How’z dat?!?! Sinclair appeals

By Brandon Corlette

I

nter-County cricket has certainly had a fitting return to Berbice, with the hosts registering a comfortable six-wicket win against Essequibo at the historic Albion Sports Complex on the Corentyne Coast.

Already being witnessed by one of the largest crowds to attend this year’s tournaments, as Berbicians continue to show their unconditional love for the game, West Indies Test players Devandra Bishoo and Shimron Hetmyer added to the glamour of the occasion by gracing the venue with their presence.

The match commenced at 9:50h due to early morning showers in the ancient county; and, having won the toss, Essequibo elected to bat first. The visitors were bowled out for 123 in 42.4 overs of pedestrian batting.

Essequibo got their innings off to an authoritative start with skipper Kevin Christian smashing his counterpart, Kevlon Anderson, along the ground for a boundary in the first ball of the match. From that point on the fans were in for a treat.

With the score on 14, Christian departed for six when he edged one to wicket-keeper Carl Gilgeous, having been brilliantly lined up by Anderson.

Wickets came quickly for Berbice. Gevon Schultz, bowling his first ball of the tournament, castled Demerara lad Jerimiah Scott, who batted

at number three for Essequibo; and off-spinner Seon Glasgow picked up the third wicket for Berbice, thereby reducing Essequibo to 30-3 inside seven overs.

After surviving the seamers, the Essequibo resolve crumbled, and they lost their final seven wickets for 41 runs; the solid left-handed opener Orlando Jailall top-scoring with a hardworking 37 from 73 balls, which included two boundaries.

The spinners bowled brilliantly for Berbice, producing dot balls and building the pressure on Essequibo as they shared seven wickets among themselves. Off-spinner Sinclair ended with 2-22 in nine disciplined overs, while the impressive Nigel Deodat had 2-16 in seven classy overs of left-arm spin. And Kelvin Umrao, Doorsammy Mahadeo, Glasgow, Schultz and Anderson each had one wicket in an all-round bowling performance.

In reply, Berbice cruised to victory, ending on 124-4 in 24.5 overs, thanks to Junior Sinclair’s brilliant half-century.

Berbice lost Alex Algoo and Seon Glasgow in a tricky session before lunch, when the score was at 32-2 after five overs. Algoo, the leading run-scorer in the three-day format, followed a wide ball and was adjudged caught behind for seven off the bowling of Romario Stephen.

And Glasgow was bowled all ends up when his furniture was destroyed by an Elian Whyte delivery.

adjudged ‘player of the match’.

Courtland boy Garfield Benjamin was at his spicy best in seeing his team to victory with an unbeaten 17 scored from 23 balls. In his explosive innings, he smashed two boundaries – one that travelled like an express train into the mid-wicket fence, and another over mid-on.

Debutant Carl Gilgeous remained unbeaten on one, while Essequibians Elian Whyte, Romario Stephen, Amit Persaud and Mahesh Ramnarine each took one wicket for Essequibo.

Berbice will continue their quest of defending their title when the One-Day tournament continues on Wednesday, as they take on Demerara at Everest Cricket Club ground from 9:30h.

Nicolas Pooran named GAW’s marquee player

Nicolas Pooran

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i c o l a s Pooran has been signed by the Guyana A m a z o n Warriors ( G A W ) as their Marquee

Player for the 2019 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which will take place from 4 September to 12 October.

The Trinidadian wicket-keeper batsman played for the Barbados Tridents last year but in a big move for him and the franchise he will be playing for the Guyanese team in 2019.

Pooran has played 11 T20 Internationals for the West Indies and has become a fixture in T20 tournaments around the world.

He is also a member of the West Indies squad for the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup. This will be the third CPL team that Pooran has represented having started his career with the Trinbago Knight

Riders before moving to the Tridents.

Omar Khan, Team Operations Manager, for the Amazon Warriors, said: “Nicolas is amongst the very best T20 batting talents in the world and we wanted to bring him into our team as we push to go one better than last year where we finished as runners-up.”

“He is explosive and exciting, and we are very pleased to be able to have such an impressive young talent representing the Guyana Amazon Warriors this year.”

The rest of the Amazon Warriors squad will be decided at the Hero CPL Player Draft which takes place on 22 May 2019.

tuesday, MAY 14, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

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GFF’s First Astroturf officially commissioned Nicolas Pooran named GAW’s marquee player Page 23

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