Guyana Times Tuesday May 28, 2019

GBTI records $1.4B in profit for 2018

P7

…reduction as income from interest falls Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 3937

TUESday, may 28, 2019

Delay in CCJ ruling on NCM encouraging GECOM’s wilfulness …Commissioner says GECOM proceeding with house-to-house registration at own risk

See story on page 3

WCD braces for flooding during high tides See story on page 11

PRICE

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Permit needed to import eggs – GLDA warns

…defaulters can face criminal charges P2

Petty crimes spiralling in Region 2 P8

…as sections of sea defence remain unrepaired Breaches in sea defence at Mahaica P9 raise concerns over flooding

People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Presidential Candidate Irfaan Ali in Santa Cruz (Little Kanaballi), Region One (Barima-Waini), where he met with residents and listened to their issues and concerns. Over the past week, Ali has visited several communities within the region as he continues his countrywide outreach

Illicit trade, new packaging guidelines major challenges for Demtoco

Police to P11 go after motorcyclists, pillion riders without helmets …both persons will be charged – Traffic Chief

Page 10

Guyana-Suriname ferry service suspended

Goldfields refuses Page 7 to meet with “unrecognised” unions

Page 8

…denies claims of unilaterally transferring contract workers

Suspected cow thief, friends P10 nabbed with gun, ammo

2 news

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Permit needed to import eggs – GLDA warns …defaulters can face criminal charges

B

efore the importation of eggs to the Guyana market, distributors must obtain an import permit in keeping with mandated requirements by the Guyana Livestock and Development Authority (GLDA).

The authority issued a public notice to all traders, indicating that it is a criminal offence to bring eggs into the country without proper documentation. If persons are culpable of the offence, they will be presented before

the court to face charges.

“Importation of eggs without the requisite documentation is a criminal offence and will result in the seizure and destruction of the eggs and the consignee (importer) will be charged and placed before the court.”

The Agriculture Ministry had announced less than two weeks ago that the GLDA’s hatchery was closed due to the unusual death of ducklings.

“There is an increased

mortality rate of ducklings being hatched at our facility, additionally, we were also informed by some farmers that a similar occurrence was taking place on a number of farms throughout the various regions,” the statement said.

It was later mentioned that the Muscovy breed was under threat, especially those between two to three weeks of age. This initiated a surveillance and monitoring exercise with the livestock. At that time, the deaths were la-

115 cops authorised to use breathalysers

A

total of 115 Police officers were recently authorised to use breath analysing instruments, otherwise known as breathalysers – devices used for estimating blood alcohol content.

Guyana Times understands that only authorised officers are allowed to conduct these tests on civilians who are suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol.

The names of these cops were published in the Official Gazette on May 25, 2019, and Traffic Chief Linden Isles is among them.

The Gazette states, “In exercise of the pow-

ers conferred upon him

by Section 39C (10) of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Amendment)

Act, Chapter 51:02 of the Laws of Guyana, the Honourable Vice President and Minister of Public Security has authorised the following officers and ranks of the Guyana Police Force as analysts to operate breath analysing instruments.”

Persons can be charged for drunk driving if, when tested, their blood alcohol content is found to exceed the prescribed limit of 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, and their blood alcohol concentration exceeds 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

belled as an “unusual occurrence”.

“The ducklings most affected are from the farms that toll hatch at the GLDA hatchery, therefore, as a result of this unusual occurrence, the GLDA is currently conducting an active surveillance exercise through all five coastal regions and are monitoring the breeding flocks of the affected farmers,” the Ministry of Agriculture explained.

The Ministry was also

seeking to engage an overseas laboratory unit to provide additional data.

“We are actively working with an overseas reference laboratory to have this un-

usual event addressed within the shortest period of time…

We are working assiduously to have the situation rectified at the earliest opportune time.”

2 years later

Landline service at Charity still inoperable

The phone donated to the Charity Police Station

T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) landlines in Charity, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) have been inoperable for the past two years, posing a great inconvenience to residents

helpless in cases of emergencies.

The Charity Police Station was lucky enough to be gifted a wireless desktop telephone just recently by its Station Management Committee and the business community.

Reports can now be made via telephone through contact numbers 613-0573 and 672-0140.

G Division (Essequibo Coast and Islands) Commander Khali Pareshram told <<<Guyana Times>>> on Monday, “The lines have been down in excess of two years due to a technical

fault by GTT. Before now residents would complain that they cannot get in contact via telephone with the ranks to share information or make reports, so with this device now they can now get a quicker response from the Police by getting in contact with us via telephone in terms of incidents, in terms of sharing information and making reports, etcetera.”

He complained that the technicians at GTT were unable to rectify the issue after two years. This newspaper’s efforts to contact GTT for a comment on the matter proved futile.

news

3

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Tuesday, May 28 – 01:00h and 13:00h-14:30h and Wednesday, May 29 – 01:30h and 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Tuesday, May 28 – 12:05h-13:35h and Wednesday, May 29 – 13:00h-14:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY

Lightly cloudy conditions and light rain showers are expected to prevail throughout the day, 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: South South-easterly to East North-easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 12:06h reaching a maximum height of 2.17 metres.

Low Tide: 05:38h and 18:08h reaching minimum heights of 1.10 metres and 1.00 metres respectively.

saturday, may 25, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS C

06

07

14

19

20

28

FREE TICKET

11 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01

06

12 18 24

LUCKY 3

4

0

1

6

Afternoon Draw

4

3

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

05

06

10

12

PAY DAY

03 09 11 14 17

14

17

21 SUPER PAY DAY

07 09 12 19 20

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

Delay in CCJ ruling on NCM encouraging GECOM’s wilfulness …Commissioner says GECOM proceeding with house-to-house registration at own risk A bench of five Justices from the commissioners. the Caribbean Court of Justice “These actions will no doubt heard submissions from all be reviewed, preferably by the parties in the No Confidence CCJ or some other competent Motion and Guyana Elections court, at some time later. In the Commission cases, in two mara- meantime, to do so would be to thon sessions on May 9 and May their own peril,” Commissioner 10 and much hinges on whatev- Gunraj added. er decision they deliver.

Earlier this month, GECOM The crucial decision was on was advised by its own Legal the calculation of what consti- Officer, Excellence Dazzel’s, tuted a “majority” to give effect that “based on (election laws), to Art 106 (6): “The President the voters list must be updated and the Cabinet shall resign if bi-annually by adding persons the Government is defeated by who are now qualified to be registered, to that a vote of majority of all electlist and those ed members of “If the vote of no-confidence who are no lonqualified to the National was valid and if Parliament ger be registered, Assembly on ought to be dissolved and to be taken off a vote of confidence.” That if the parties don’t agree that list.” time has alopinto extend the three-month ion,Theexpressed ready elapsed period then we have a choice by Dazzell, also and another between a situation where states week is about to that: expire. with each passing day beyond “The use of D u r i n g work ‘rethat three-month period—a the vise’ [in the the heardagger is being thrown at the Election Laws ings, Justice constitution every day and (Amendment) Saunders had asked on the other hand having an Act 15 of 2000] the Attorney that election which is a little bit suggest representthe process is less than perfect. Now, which not one where ing GECOM, S t a n l e y of those two options is better a ‘new’ List is Marcus: “If the for democracy?” - Justice generated, but vote of no-conone where the Saunders fidence was most recent list valid and if is updated or Parliament amended….I ought to be dissolved and if therefore advise that procedures the parties don’t agree to ex- be put in place to ensure the retend the three-month period vision of the list, otherwise the then we have a choice between Commission would be acting a situation where with each in defiance of the law and may passing day beyond that three- prejudice aby by-election that month period—a dagger is being may become necessary.” thrown at the constitution every This runs counter to day and on the other hand hav- the arguments made by the ing an election which is a little G o v e r n m e n t - n o m i n a t e d bit less than perfect. Now, which Commissioners on GECOM that of those two options is better for a new list was required through democracy?” house-to-house registration. In Marcus allowed that de- fact, a United Kingdom (UK)mocracy could not be sacri- based Guyanese has gone to the ficed for “speed” upon which courts over the exercise, arguing Justice Saunders cited the that if it goes forward, she will Constitutional alternative be disenfranchised. In fact, the of Art 106 (7) which reads, Opposition has contended that “Notwithstanding its defeat, the many more will be in the same Government shall remain in of- predicament. fice and shall hold an election Meanwhile, if the Caribbean within three months, or such Court of Justice rules that last longer period as the National year’s no confidence motion Assembly shall by resolution against the Government was supported by not less than two- validly passed, it means early thirds of the votes of all the elections would be required and elected members of the National the Government by law should Assembly, and shall resign after the President takes the oath of office following the election.”

However, even as Guyana awaits for the CCJ judgement, GECOM sponsored advertisements about house to house registration have sprung up. According to a GECOM Commissioner, going ahead with the exercise is flouting the law.

GECOM proceeding at own risk In an interview with this publication, GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj made it clear that he respects the process the CCJ has to go through before they arrive at a decision. But he noted that GECOM’s use of that time to proceed with house to house registration is in breach of the Elections Laws (Amendment) Act of 2000.

“As it relates to the renewal of the list of electors, the actions of GECOM to proceed with House to House Registration amounts to a deliberate flouting of the laws of Guyana, specifically Act 15/2000 and Act 10/2018.”

The law stipulates that the list shall be updated by Continuous Registration and/ or Claims and Objections and this should have been embarked upon since last year and at latest, in January 2019 after the Commission reconvened.

According to Gunraj, GECOM’s tenuous standing is especially the case in light of the fact that no information regarding expenditure has been presented to the Commission for approval or even scrutiny by all

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

have held elections since March 19 of this year.

In published ads, GECOM has explicitly announced that it has launched preparations for house-to-house registration.

Since this process will take at least six months and possibly a year, observers opine that with the delay in the CCJ delivering its ruling on the NCM case expeditiously as they had promised, they are allowing GECOM to make its prediction of delayed elections a self-fulfilling one that, in the words of one of its Justices, “throws a dagger at the Constitution every day.”

In February, the CEO of GECOM, Keith Lowenfield,

Gecom Chairman, Retired Justice James Patterson

had declared that if there were to be house-to-house registration, General and Regional Elections could not be held before February 2019. In that month, the three Government appointed Commissioners, with the support of the Chairman James Patterson, outvoted the three PPP Commissioners to pass a motion for the Secretariat to proceed with its 2019 Work Programme.

This work programme included house to house registration. In like manner they also voted to declare that GECOM was not in a financial position to conduct General and Regional Elections in 90 days.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESday, may 28, 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

New ways to ease traffic congestion T

raffic congestion continues to be a major challenge in large and growing metropolitan areas all over the world. And in spite of several efforts being made by governments and other development partners to remedy the situation, it is more than likely that traffic congestion would become significantly worse in the years to come.

Both the economic and school systems require that working people and those going to school occupy the road at approximately the same time, resulting in road transport systems being overloaded.

Here, in Guyana, traffic congestion in the city and its environs is almost unbearable, especially during morning and evening ‘rush-hour’ traffic. These days it is normal to spend more than half-hour in the traffic when going or coming from work or school, especially in areas along the East Bank and East Coast corridors, where traffic build-up is huge almost daily.

Not only is the traffic situation adding to people’s personal frustrations, but it certainly is having a negative impact on the level of output of our citizens, both students and workers. For example, productive hours are lost by way of employees coming to work late, or because they are so tired and stressed the next day, after spending long hours either waiting for transportation or being stuck in traffic.

With establishment of new housing schemes across the country and the increasing numbers of vehicles, thousands of persons have now been relocated from the city to other suburban and rural areas. Most of these persons have to travel back to the city, where they work or attend school.

Over the last seven years or so, there has been a fivefold increase in the number of vehicles traversing our roads. The road network expansion programme, even though improving, still cannot accommodate this massive increase in the number of vehicles using our roads.

Traffic congestion cannot be eliminated completely; it is the way modern societies operate. However, there are certain steps which could be taken to immediately minimise the impact traffic congestion has on citizens and their ability to get to their destinations with minimal delays. For example, the authorities could work to ensure an increased Police presence in certain areas, to properly direct traffic in order to ensure a smooth flow. In some areas leading in and out of the city, there is hardly any Police presence; and some motorists use the opportunity to break the rules. There could also be more diversions where there is a heavy traffic buildup.

As a long-term solution, an effective way to address the challenge is to continue expanding the road network in the country, especially in areas that are heavily populated. At present, there are too many vehicles, too few roads, and too little space, especially in the capital city. There is no doubt that, once completed, the East Bank/East Coast Road Expansion project would bring much relief to the travelling public. It is expected that the new roadway will serve as a corridor for communities on the East Bank of Demerara, including Perseverance, Mocha, Providence, Eccles, Peter’s Hall and Aubrey Barker Road. Instead of going through the hectic Georgetown traffic, the new road link would allow drivers the option to divert from the East Coast and onto the bypass road to access the East Bank of Demerara.

The authorities must continue to look at ways in which the road network in Guyana could be further expanded, improved, rehabilitated, and maintained. In addition to easing traffic congestion, this could result in reduction of the large number of road fatalities in the country.

Army Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Patrick West on Friday received the tots of the Guyana Defence Force’s Margaret Rose Arthur Daycare Centre for their traditional Career Day. In photo, West interacts with some of his young visitors (GDF photo)

Artist creates “grief party” to raise awareness of Venezuelan crisis

A

Venezuelan artist who lives in Bristol has created a show to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in her homeland.

Ania Varez said her show Guayabo – Venezuelan slang for heartbreak – was a “grief party” connecting people in England with her family in Venezuela.

She said it was a “love letter to my family” and “invited people to gather around their pain and pain of others”.

The UN says more than three million people have left Venezuela since 2014.

Varez, who moved to Bristol in 2015, said: “Half of my family are still in Venezuela. I left at a time when it was still an option.

Nowadays, things have got so bad people feel they have no option but to leave.”

The 28-year-old wants to

Ania Varez says artists in the “Venezuelan Diaspora” have a “responsibility to speak up because Venezuelans over there can’t”

bring the focus back on to what she thinks matters the most: the lives of people in Venezuela.

“It’s a humanitarian crisis and people are dying. That fact is beyond political ideologies,” she said. Venezuela has one of the highest homicide rates in the world; electricity

shortages; bare supermarket shelves; and a collapsed public health system.

Varez said: “Venezuela is a failed state - no structure works. There are power cuts every week. People leave their homes every morning to go to work, not knowing if they’ll come back alive but people carry on - out of dignity, out of resilience.”

She said: “I want to inform people about the crisis from the point of view of a family, who’s experiencing it.

So, ‘what is my grandmother thinking before she goes to bed?’ Mine is just one of the many stories.

“This is my way of going to people and asking, ‘what shall we do about this?’”

Varez said: “I was lucky, I left on a plane with a Spanish passport. All these Venezuelan people are walk-

ing out of the country with nothing.”

She said: “We need to have better conversations about what shall we do when we learn about the suffering of others.

“Here in England, when I have a terrible day, I can still go out of the house and get food. If my mum has a terrible day, she can’t.

“In Venezuela people don’t get the chance to grieve, be scared, to feel these things, they are busy surviving.”

Guayabo is an immersive performance and includes film, spoken word and WhatsApp messages to exchange rituals of grief and connect the audience with Varez’s family.

It will be performed in London next month, South Korea in July and in Bristol in November. (BBC)

In Venezuela, Bishops call for “urgent” help

N

early 4 million Venezuelans have left the country, which represents an enormous social cost: broken families, children and the elderly left alone As the humanitarian situation continues to worsen for Venezuelans, Catholic bishops are calling for the opening of a corridor for humanitarian aid.

“We, the bishops, are often accused by the government of being opponents,” Bishop José Luis Azuaje Ayala, President of the Venezuelan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, recently told the press, according to a dispatch from Fides May 24.

“Unfortunately, in Venezuela, everything is polarized. It’s either white or black.”

“What is certain is that if being alongside the poor, in favor of respect for fundamental rights, means being in the opposition, then yes, we are in the opposition,” the bishop said.

Almost a year after the beginning of the serious political, social and humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, the country’s bishops continue to express their firm opposition to

Venezuelan migrants rest as they walk on the road from Cucuta to Pamplona, Colombia (Photo by  Elyxandro Cegarra/ZUMA Wire/MaxPPP)

President Nicolas Maduro’s re-election on May 20, 2018 and whose second term is widely contested. In January 2019, the bishops’ conference described it as “illegitimate” and “morally unacceptable.”

On May 1, Bishop Azuaje denounced the intensification of “repression and violence by state security forces and armed groups.”

Millions of Venezuelans in exile The current “emergency” for the Venezuelan Church is the opening of a corridor for humanitarian aid. “Millions of people are currently on the run,” said Bishop Azuaje.

These Venezuelans are leaving a country in chaos and famine, mainly to neighboring Colombia.

On May 22, during a press conference, Colombian Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo described the Venezuelan migration to his country as “uncontrollable,” calling for greater economic cooperation from the international community.

According to Trujillo, 1.3 million Venezuelans have already reached Colombia, and tens of thousands of people cross the border every day.

The Catholic bishops are not the only ones asking for a

humanitarian aid corridor to be opened.

This is also the case, among others, for Caritas Venezuela. “Nearly 4 million Venezuelans have left the country, which represents an enormous social cost: broken families, children and the elderly left alone,” says its director Janeth Marquez. “Caritas Venezuela is doing everything possible, but we have limited resources.”

As for the director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in Latin America, Mauricio García Durán, went so far as to talk about “the continent’s largest and most serious migration in its history.”

It points to serious health risks, especially for women and children. “At the University Hospital in Cucuta, Colombia, on the border with Venezuela, 70 percent of women who give birth are Venezuelan.”

The Diocese of Cucuta also assists the Christian communities of Venezuela. Since the beginning of the year, it sent them a million hosts and about 50 liters of Mass wine.

(international.la-croix.com)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESday, may 28, 2019

5

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

Politicians, political influence A shocking case of are destroying GPF miscarriage of justice

Dear Editor, Recent information in the print and electronic media revealed that Magistrate Rondel Weaver, at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, sentenced Police Inspector Prem Narine to seven days in prison. During the course of the same day, his attorneys petitioned Acting Chief Justice Roxanne GeorgeWiltshire, who ordered the policeman’s immediate release.

I am not au fait with all the relevant facts in relation to this case. However, it is apparent that there was some exchange of words and other issues in open court between the Police Inspector and the Magistrate, who in her own judgement deemed the conduct of the policeman as contemptuous. No charge was read to the policeman. According to him, the Magistrate told him that he was in contempt of court and sentenced him to seven days in prison – all in one breath.

The process leading up to the jailing of the policeman appears to be flawed.

It was not in keeping with natural justice and standard operating court procedures. The principle of the right to be heard was dashed out of the court’s window. The Inspector was not given the opportunity to defend himself or to have an attorney to plead

his case. Prisoners are entitled to this right, more so, policemen. He was cited for some alleged contemptuous act and immediately sentenced to seven days in prison. Luckily, during the day in question, his attorneys were given a hearing by the Acting Chief Justice who ruled against the Magistrate and ordered the release of the Inspector before the rising of the court.

I am not certain what was the exact offence the law enforcement officer committed. I am also not certain if a charge of contempt of court lies within the ambit of the Magistrates’ Courts.

Certainly, it is within the remit of the High Court.

Flashback! A few decades ago, Justice Keith Massiah in the High Court cited a prominent attorney for contempt of court. It was during the morning session of the court proceedings. He ordered the Court Orderly to arrest the attorney and keep him there until 13:00h that day. Unlike Magistrate Rondel Weaver, Justice Keith Massiah instructed the attorney to appear before him at the appointed time with his defence team and address him, “or the jaws of the Georgetown Prison will open up and swallow him”.

As instructed, the accused appeared before the Justice with a battery of attorneys including some seniors counsels. The defence

was adequately put to the Justice who warned the accused. End of the case.

The right to be heard is a God-given right. It is not only pertinent for legal matters but in resolving conflicts in our daily lives and living. It started in Genesis when Adam and Eve committed themselves. Although God knew exactly what took place, he did not pass judgement on them immediately. Instead, he called them and inquired what happened before imposing judgement. That is how it was in the beginning, so shall it be in the end. No one must be allowed to take away that right from us.

I hasten to commend the members of the defence team of Inspector Prem Narine for their prompt and intelligent action in successfully petitioning the Acting Chief Justice on behalf of their client and to salute her for not only giving them a hearing but taking swift, certain and appropriate action which abbreviated a shocking case of miscarriage of justice committed by Magistrate Rondel Weaver. I hope that inspector Prem Narine will take legal action to expunge from the records the illegal conviction imposed on him.

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

Dear Editor, People would be surprised if we examine racism, discrimination, intolerance and the abuse of power in the Guyana Police Force, based on critical analysis of theoretical and empirical research in the Guyana Police Force. The unlawful intrusion by the State and the discrimination by the Police Service Commission in the promotion of police officers are factors that are demoralising the police officers within the Force. A framework relating to anti-discrimination policy for promoting officers must be implemented, also the introduction of robust mechanisms to achieve democratic accountability.

Since the APNU/AFC coalition Government took office, it is evident that the Indian Guyanese police officers are being discriminated and humiliated in every aspect. There are no Indian Guyanese Assistant Commissioners of Police, there is only one Commander that is Indian Guyanese and the last promotion list indicated that only a few Indian Guyanese in the Police Force were elevated. There are many officers who are working under severe stress but are afraid to speak out against the system because of the fear of being victimised. There is a senior officer who was transferred to a department without even being given a desk to operate, no reasons why, the only assumption is

that he is an East Indian, and was politically victimised.

The Government must set a human rights framework based on existing national legal instruments relating to anti-discrimination policy (including the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials).

This will provide a basis for critical evaluation of the research evidence and the development of measures to reduce racial discrimination and injustice.

Such measures include: -

attempts to ensure that police organisations reflect the diversity of the society; -measures to promote equality of opportunity and equality of service delivery; -structures and processes to ensure legal, political and community accountability; -introduction of civilian oversight measures and robust mechanisms for handling complaints; -the development of ethnic minority staff networks and innovation in education and training.

Politicians and political influence are destroying the Guyana Police Force.

Regards, Zamal Hussain

6

TUESday, may 28, 2019

Page

Foundation

Sounds are everywhere, and you have two cool parts on your body that let you hear them all: your ears! moves, the fluid in the canals sloshes around, moving the hairs. The hairs send this position information as signals through the vestibular (say: veh-STIB-yuh-ler) nerve to your brain. The brain interprets these signals and sends messages to the muscles that help keep you balanced.

When you spin around and stop, the reason you feel dizzy is because the fluid in your semicircular canals continues to slosh around for a while, giving your brain the idea that you’re still spinning even when you aren’t.

When the fluid stops moving, the dizziness goes away.

The cochlear nerve, which is attached to the cochlea and sends sound information to the brain, and the vestibular nerve, which carries balance information from the semicircular canals to the brain, together make up the vestibulocochlear (say: vess-tib-yuh-lo-KOH-klee-er) nerve.

What are ears and what do they do?

The ear is made up of three different sections that work together to collect sounds and send them to the brain: the outer ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear.

The outer ear: collecting sounds

The outer ear is made up of the pinna – also called the auricle (say: OR-ihkul) – and the ear canal. The pinna is the part of the ear you see on the side of your head.

It’s made of tough cartilage covered by skin. Its main job is to gather sounds and funnel them to the ear canal, which is the pathway that leads to the middle ear. Glands in the skin lining the ear canal make earwax, which protects the canal by cleaning out dirt and helping to prevent infections.

The middle ear: good vibrations

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity that turns sound waves into vibrations and delivers them to the inner ear.

The middle ear is separated from the outer ear by the eardrum, or tympanic (say: tim-PAN-ik) membrane, a thin piece of tissue stretched tight across the ear canal. Sounds hit the eardrum, making it move.

This movement leads to vibrations of three very small bones in the middle ear known as the ossicles (say: AHsih-kuls). The ossicles are: * the malleus (say: MAH-lee-us) (“hammer”), which is attached to the eardrum * the incus (say: IN-kus) (“anvil”), which is attached to the malleus * the stapes (say: STAY-peez) (“stirrup”), which is at-

How can I keep my ears healthy?

Take good care of your ears! Here are some smart steps: tached to the incus and is the smallest bone in the body To hear properly, the pressure on both sides of your eardrum must be equal. When you go up or down in elevation, the air pressure changes and you may feel a popping sensation as your ears adjust. They adjust thanks to the narrow Eustachian (say: yoo-STAY-she-en) tube that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose and acts as a sort of pressure valve, so the pressure stays balanced on both sides of the eardrum.

The inner ear: nerve signals start here

The vibrations from the middle ear change into nerve signals in the inner ear. The inner ear includes the cochlea (say: KOH-klee-uh) and the semicircular canals.

The snail-shaped cochlea changes the vibrations from the middle ear into nerve signals. These signals travel to the brainalong the cochlear nerve, also known as the auditory nerve.

The semicircular canals look like three tiny connected tubes. It’s their job to help you balance. The canals are filled with fluid and lined with tiny hairs. When your head

* Don’t stick things like cotton swabs and fingernails into them. Doing so can scratch the ear canal, push earwax deeper into the ear, and even rupture the eardrum. If earwax bothers you, talk to a parent, who can let your doctor know.

* Protect your hearing. Turn down the volume on video games, TV and, especially, portable music players. Wear hearing protection (like earplugs or protective earmuffs/ headphones) if you’ll be around loud noises (at a concert, car race, etc.). Hearing damage builds over time. But it doesn’t take long for problems to develop. Tiny earbuds can harm your hearing as much as a large chainsaw. Keep this in mind when you reach to turn up the volume.

If you have any trouble hearing, let your mom or dad know right away. They can take you to a doctor for a hearing test. (kidshealth.org)

Dealing with feeling guilty G uilt is a normal emotion that signals us when we’ve done something that’s against our values.

Your guilt about what happened is motivating you to want to set things right.

We all make mistakes. But handled the right way, they can be great learning experiences. The best way to deal with situations where you have wronged someone (and your feelings of guilt) is to take responsibility and apologise for your mistake, do your best to repair the damage, and promise yourself to do better next time. After that, you can forgive yourself and let the guilt feelings go.

Give the person time to reflect on what you said and deal with their feelings. Maybe you could do something nice as an apology or ask what they’d like you to do to make things right. After a day or so, approach the person in a friendly way and ask if she can forgive you.

Be prepared for the person to say how hurt or mad they were about what happened. They might be angry when you approach them or may seem fine, but then get mad after they has time to reflect on what happened. You might have to listen, accept what they has to say, and let them express their feelings before she is ready to forgive and move past the issue. Most likely, though, they’ll respect that you had the courage and integrity to talk to them about it – even if they never says so to you. (Adapted from kidshealth.org)

news

7

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Goldfields refuses to meet with “unrecognised” unions …denies claims of unilaterally transferring contract workers

D

enying claims made by the National Mine Workers Union (NMWU) that workers’ severance benefits are in jeopardy, Guyana Goldfields official Peter Benny has said that the fact that the union is not recognised as his company’s employees’ union makes it impossible to meet the body.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Benny acknowledged receiving requests from NMWU President Sherwyn Downer for a meeting. But, according to Benny, Guyana Goldfields cannot meet to discuss workers’ concerns with a union that has not gone through the process and received recognition as the workers’ union.

“We do not stop our employees from unionising.

That’s far from the truth.

We allow them, we’ve never stopped them. However, a couple of years ago (Downer) made a claim at the Ministry

Guyana Goldfields Human Resources Manager Peter Benny

of Labour that he was a representative of employees at Aurora.

“The Ministry organised for us to go and give them our records. The company submitted all of its records and he was supposed to submit the signed membership forms. And he was unable to do so. He is not a bona fide representative of the work-

ers. I cannot go discussing company business with him.

If I am to do that, I would be breaching every possible code of practice,” the Human Resources Manager noted.

Benny denied that Guyana Goldfields has been trying to transfer permanent employees to contracts, thus depriving them of their severance pay benefits.

According to Benny, contract or temporary workers comprise a minuscule part of the workforce and there were no plans to add permanent workers to the mix. He also defended the grievance committee.

“We would not do that.

We’ve never done that in the past and we will not do that in the future. There is no plan to put permanent employees on contract. I know about the law as much as anybody else. I would not be working for a company that breaks the law,” Benny stressed.

“The grievance commit-

NMWU President Sherwyn Downer

tee is chaired by an employee. The grievance committee functions and is effective.”

Meanwhile, when asked, Downer admitted that he did make previous efforts to have his union registered and recognised as representatives of workers from Aurora. But he noted that they experienced difficulty with the signed workers’ forms and as a consequence,

the application process was aborted.

“At this stage and point, I’m not asking the company to recognise the union.... I’m asking based on the email and allegations against the company by the workers to the union (for a meeting),” he stated.

“At this time all the union is asking or requesting is an opportunity to and/ or permission to meet with the workers ... and let’s put all this to rest and let’s hear from the workers directly if they need a union or not ... the media could be invited to witness it all.”

This publication had previously reported Downer saying that workers from Guyana Goldfields have complained that they stand to lose their severance benefits, something they are entitled to by law, and that no one is hearing their concerns.

“We have hundreds of workers who would have

been working with the company since exploration days.

So they have more than a decade of experience. The allegation against the company is that they are now taking steps to have these workers go on contract,” Downer had said.

“These workers are going to lose their severance and their benefits. So what they want right now is attention to this issue. I wrote the company on the 10th of this month and they have not acknowledged my letter or said anything.”

Downer also pointed out that workers reached out to his union, even though it is not the recognised representative of the workers, rather than the Labour Department. This, he said, would indicate a lack of faith in the Government taking action. According to Downer, workers complained that they also lacked faith in the grievance committee set up by the company.

GBTI records $1.4B in profit for 2018 – reduction as income from interest falls

I

ts profits are reduced compared to the previous year’s, but business is still good for the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).

The Bank made $1.4 billion in profits for the 2018 fiscal year.

This is according to GBTI’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018.

According to the statements, this $1.4 billion in profits came after tax. It is still, however, less than what the Bank made in 2017.

According to the Bank’s statements, it made $1.5 billion in 2017, thus making 2018’s figure a 4.93 per cent reduction. The Bank disclosed that its income from interest fell by 8.62 per cent, going from $5 billion in 2017 to $4.6 billion in 2018.

In total, the Bank’s assets came up to $107.5 billion, with total liabilities of $91.3 billion. Its assets include case resources of $21.3 bil-

The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry

lion, loans and advances of $43.3 billion and $6.8 billion in property and equipment.

“At December 31, 2018, the Bank and group investments amounted to $33.619 billion and $33.623 billion respectively. The group’s investments consist of structured financial instruments valued at amortised cost.

“Property and equipment is stated at a netbook value of $6.8 billion and $6.886 billion for the company and group respectively. No revaluation of property and equipment was done during the year,” the Bank noted.

Back in 2017, GBTI had had to contend with the multimillion-dollar fraud allegedly perpetrated against it by gold dealer Siddiqui Rasul, who allegedly defrauded the Bank of some $941 million.

GBTI Chairman Robin Stoby had subsequently told shareholders that the Bank would recover

the $941 million lost in a fraudulent transaction allegedly conducted by Rasul. Stoby had said that while, in the short term, the Bank would have to make provisions for the loss, affecting earnings for that year, the Board’s intention was to make an insurance claim for the money, in addition to conducting civil proceedings in an attempt to recover as much of the funds as possible.

Rasul, owner of SSS Minerals Trading, was on April 3, 2017, charged with six counts of fraud, wherein it was alleged that between March 21 and March 22, 2017, at Bartica, with intent to defraud, he obtained from GBTI $96 million, $290 million, $89 million, $45 million, $298 million and $138 million by falsely pretending that he had cash in a Citizens Bank account to honour cheques that he had written.

8 News

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Guyana-Suriname ferry out of service

The MV Canawaima Ferry (MoPI photo)

T

he MV Canawaima Ferry has encountered technical issues and will not ply the Moleson Creek, Guyana - Nickerie, Suriname route in the coming days to facilitate the necessary rehabilitation works.

The services of the ferry were officially suspended on Monday until further notice.

Public Infrastructure Minister, David Patterson told Guyana Times that the vessel was being powered by a tug for some time now which has encountered some issues.

“It was being powered by a tug for quite some while and the Surinamese, they have to conduct some repairs because the tug, of course, developed some problems yesterday (Sunday) so we

are looking at alternative methods right now,” he explained.

The Minister noted that the Ministry will work hard to ensure that an alternative is put in place as soon as possible. He was unable to say how much the rehabilitation project would cost since the Surinamese, he said, will be responsible for rectifying the issues.

Patterson noted, “The Surinamese have quotations we don’t have it. As part of the agreement, they have to pay for those so it being done from their side… but we are hoping to resume services as soon as possible”.

He was also unable to say how long the service would be down given the fact that Surinamese will be

working on the boat.

Meanwhile, Terminal Manager Gale CulleyGreene is quoted by the Department of Public Information (DPI) as saying that the Canawaima Ferry has been experiencing mechanical difficulties for some time and a decision was taken to have the vessel assessed and repaired.

She further disclosed that if the Canawaima Ferry is docked, a replacement vessel would be sourced.

The matter is engaging the attention of both Guyanese and Surinamese authorities.

Persons who would like more information on the ferry service can contact 3392744/ 339-2787 for more information.

Only last week, a rice farmer of Sparta Village, Essequibo Coast, ran into a bit of luck after residents quickly took evasive actions when they noticed an alleged bandit driving off with his tractor. As a result, the bandit abandoned the tractor and fled the scene.

In addition, the bandits attempted to gain entry into

Persaud’s Bakery in Coffee Grove, Essequibo Coast, but aborted their mission after neighbours raised an alarm.

This publication understands that a new supermarket in Windsor Castle was also broken into and items were stolen.

Lately, many petty crimes are being committed and the residents believe

The Canawaima Ferry Service Inc was introduced to Guyana on October 28, 1998, under the Companies Act Number 29 of 1991 of the Laws of Guyana. It is jointly owned by the Governments of Guyana and Suriname as each country owns 50 per cent of the issued share capital.

Just recently the Government spent some $488 million to rehabilitate the MV Kimbia which serviced communities along the Berbice River and the North West District.

Only two years ago, the Government’s Department of Public Information (DPI) reported that major upgrades were ongoing at the Guyana-Suriname ferry service.

Minister within the Public Infrastructure Ministry, Annette Ferguson had told the DPI that those included repairs to the manager’s office and VIP lounge, removal of vents and installation of doors, removal of windows, repairs to the washroom and waiting area and some other works in the canteen and waiting area.

The project, which commenced on May 30, 2017, was executed to the tune of $9.2 million by Kascon Engineering Services from Region Six.

Petty crimes spiralling in Region 2

T

he rearview mirrors of several vehicles were ripped out on Sunday evening during a Softball Competition that was held at the Affiance Cricket Club Ground.

The vehicles were reportedly parked on the roadside, thus giving the bandits ample time and more so, access to remove the mirrors.

that if the necessary actions are not taken by the police, the crime rate in the region will escalate even further.

A police source stated that some of the crimes committed were reported and some were not. As such, the police are calling on residents to fully cooperate and report any crime committed in their area.

CCPA takes sensitisation to Region 9 for Youth Week

Y

ouths from several villages in Region Nine (Upper Takutu– Upper Essequibo) were recently taught how to identify abuse and report same.

This was done through sensitisation sessions facilitated by the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) in observance of National Youth Week, and the CCPA said the sessions were held in collaboration with the Schools Welfare Department in the villages of Karasabai and Tiger Pond in the North Pakaraimas. The sessions were geared towards helping the children pinpoint abuse and “tell” trustworthy adults.

Some 509 children from the Karasabai Nursery and Primary schools, along with children from the Tiger Pond Nursery and Primary schools, participated in the event.

Sessions were also held with teachers in the area, to help them recognise child abuse in their classrooms; and they were reminded of their responsibility to report such instances to the relevant authorities.

A Child Protection Officer also participated in a round-table discussion aimed at addressing social issues youths face in today’s society. This was done at the St. Ignatius Secondary School.

The activity was intended to challenge youths, and persons involved with them on a daily basis, to take a

Children interacting with presenters during one of the sessions (CCPA image)

stand against child abuse. This year, National Youth Week, observed in Guyana from May 18 to 25, was held under the theme ‘Inspire and Build Resilient Youth’.

The CCPA revealed in April that there has been a growing number of reported child abuse cases in Guyana, and for last year, over 4900 such cases were recorded. This represents an alarming number, and the general consensus is that this scourge is fuelled by neglect and other social ills.

Of this number of cases, 2400 were as a result of neglect. Up to January, 400 cases were reported, with 122 being of a sexual nature.

Child Link had conducted a study, and disclosed just days prior to the CCPA announcement that children in Guyana were being abused even before they become mature.

“National statistics compiled by Child Care and Protection Agency confirmed that abuse of children, both physical and sexual, starts from as young as zero to three (years old). The data indicates that the sexual abuse of girl children remains high in the country. The number of reported cases is as follows: 801 in 2018, 392 in 2017, and 616 in 2016. Similarly, cases reported for boy children were 179 in 2018, 442 in 2017 and 118 in 2016,” ChildLink researcher Samantha Alleyne told the gathering.

According to her, it has been found that children between the ages of 8 and 18 are more vulnerable to these attacks.

In just over two months into this year, 400 reports of child abuse were already received by the Child Care and Protection Agency.

Slackness…

S

…and PNC garrison politics ome folks wondered why the PNC had spent $40 million to purchase and distribute tickets for their supporters to attend the Buju Banton concert at the National Stadium as part of the “Independence Carnival”.

After all, when the PPP had also supported some concerts while in office, the PNC had trenchantly criticised them for pandering to the lowest common denominator in THEIR constituency! Or is it okay for the PNC to pander, ‘cause the PPP’s pandering might be tainted with poaching?

But the dancehall artiste of “Boom bye bye” notoriety, who’d segued back to reggae, made a statement during his show that’ll have the PNC pulling their hair out. Introducing his song “Mr 9”, Banton croaked in his deeply accented Jamaican patois: “A lot of things have happened in Guyana.

A lot of folks I know are no longer in Guyana. Some are alive but they are still not here. Big up, Roger Khan. Big up, meh bredren, Trini. Nuff youths drop out.”

Yes, that’s right! The man who just came out of a US prison after serving 8 years of his 10-year sentence for drug smuggling actually ‘bigged up’ Roger Khan, whom the PNC has made out to be Public Enemy # 2 -- Number 1 being Jagdeo, of course!! – for taking out all those bandits back in the days of the “Buxton Resistance”!!

But, really, if you think about it, the PNC shouldn’t be surprised by this ‘shout out’. Buju Banton’s a product of the “garrison” culture of the Kingston ghetto. Those neighbourhoods are controlled by “Dons”, who run all sorts of criminal enterprises and literally hold the power of life and death over the residents via heavily armed gangs and corrupt Police and politicians. When Banton had last visited Guyana, back in 2006, Khan was at the fag-end of being the biggest Don in Guyana, and related to him positively.

Khan had taken out an ad in the papers, declaring: “Myself and the Commissioner of Police were close personal friends for over four (4) years. Because of the fact that we could not see eye-to-eye with each other on matters of public concern, we parted company and my friends became his enemies. I am willing to answer any questions relating to my relationship with Winston Felix in a Commission of Inquiry under oath and even under a polygraph test. Is Winston Felix prepared to do the same thing?”

So here we have the PNC’s Broomes extending Banton’s “Long Walk to Freedom” tour by taking him into the ghettoes of G/town. Why? To import garrison politics??

Over in Jamaica, Rupert Lewis, the Marcus Garvey scholar, had slammed Banton for appropriating the title of Nelson Mandela’s biography.

Mandela’s imprisonment was for the people, not drugs. …and education One organisation working in our Indigenous Peoples’ community proposed that the present school curriculum isn’t appropriate for their constituency. Their spokesman opined that the kinds of opportunities available in the hinterland make technical and vocational education and training (TVET) more appropriate for the farming, fishing and mining jobs available. And he asked what’s the use of an “English and Maths”-based curriculum.

Now, while this may sound reasonable, it’s quite oblivious to our history, and is grounded in “presentism” - the doctrine that conditions existing in the present will continue ad infinitum. We saw this after the abolition of slavery, when the new educational system was confined to the “Three Rs”: reading, ‘riting and ‘rithmatic”. What would the freed slaves do with studies in engineering and such like??

But just as happened then -- but now at an exponential rate -- “the times are a changing”!! Guyana’s on the cusp of receiving some real money that should enable our entire country to become one where there’s no “hinterland”.

Why should the Indigenous Peoples lock themselves out?? That’s slackness!! …in reporting Some media and a host of PNC supporters are in spin control mode, and have doctored Buju Banton’s “bigging up” of Roger Khan to make it appear he was delivering a homily on choir boys!!

Bring out the halo!!

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

news

9

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Breaches in sea defence at Mahaica raise concerns over flooding

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal pointing to one of the breaches in the river defence

R

apid erosion of the sea dam in the Mahaica, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) area now threatens over 25,000 acres of farmland.

Regional Chairman Vickchand Ramphal has expressed concern saying that Government seemed not to be paying attention to his appeals despite the sea defence being breached at more than one point.

Ramphal told Guyana Times the situation was deteriorating on a daily basis. He said that three months ago he visited the area and having made several observations he contacted the Civil Defence Commission (CDC); the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA); and the River and Sea Defence

mangroves and with no permanent sea defence, both the farming and residential areas between the Mahaica and Abary Rivers are under threat, he pointed out.

Several sections of the shore have no remaining mangroves as protection from erosion and to break the force of the waves penetrating against the fragile sea dam.

Ramphal noted that currently there were several breaches and the sea dam was also eroding.

“At some points when the water comes up, there is a lot of overtopping and it gets into the main drainage canal which is the Bellamy. If the Government does not al-

Blockage along the Bellamy Canal

Board. He said at the time there was just a little overtopping, but the situation has

One of the breaches in the sea defence

changed significantly now.

The powerful force of the sea has been uprooting the

locate the necessary funds to have this problem resolved

Mangrove trees up rooted by the force of the sea

as early as possible, it can be devastating for the farmers who are cultivating wit in this area,” Ramphal explained, stressing that approximately 25,000 acres were being utilised by scores of farmers for rice and other crops.

The farmers can suffer tremendous losses if the problem is not fixed urgently. According to the Regional Chairman, the Bellamy Canal – which runs adjacent to the sea dam – serves as a drainage canal for the entire area. Silt deposits, as a result of overtopping, have blocked sections of the canal, increasing the risk of flooding.

Ramphal noted that even the Mahaica/Mahaicony/ Abary Agriculture Development Authority (MMA\ADA) was officially informed of the situation.

“And so, it is my expectation that this matter be looked at and we have the Government coming in as

early as possible and making the necessary allocations so that we can get this entire area fixed,” he said.

According to the Regional Chairman, while all of the Government agencies seem to have given little attention to the situation at Mahaicony, there has been some volunteer work which has prevented a total floodout.

According to the Chairman, there is need for a holistic approach whereby all of the necessary material gets to the site.

He has explained that the project has been advertised with more than six weeks elapsing and the contract has not been awarded.

“We need to have this being done as early as possible, because as the rain continues it will be more difficult for contractors to bring in their material, because the entire embankment is earth and also the access dam to get to the area is muddy,” the Chairman emphasised.

10 news

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Illicit trade, new packaging guidelines major challenges for Demtoco …as company records 14.4% increased profits

G

uyana’s leading cigarette distribution company, the Demerara Tobacco Company Limited (Demtoco), has recorded a 14.4 per cent increase in pre-tax profits, which represents its highest growth in five years.

This company, which distributes popular brands of cigarettes, like Bristol and Pall Mall, has been grappling with many challenges, including the continued illicit trading in cigarettes; and the market was only recently shaken up with the introduction of tightened regulations governing the trading in tobacco products when new legislation was introduced two years ago.

These obstacles have been taking a toll on the company’s operations, and the firm, in 2017, recorded a 9.5 per cent decrease in pretax profit when compared to 2016. The pre-tax profit for 2017 stood at $2.5 billion.

In fact, over the last three years, Demtoco has been recording declining profits. In 2017, after-tax profit stood at $1.4 billion, whereas the company had raked in $1.5 billion in 2016 and $1.6 billion in 2015.

But last year the company made a stunning rebound, recording a significant $2.9 billion in pre- tax profit. After taxes were deducted, the profit stood at $1.6 billion.

How did Demtoco re-

Demtoco Chairman Marcus Steele

bound?

Chairman Marcus Steele, in the Demtoco 2018 Annual Report, attributed this success to “solid and transformative leadership”, the company’s “high performing and motivated team”, “stringent and superior internal costbase management”, and the “strengthening of key business partnerships”.

He added: “A significant reduction of 14.8 per cent in overheads and noticeable financial gains in our volumes also contributed to the good profit outcome.”

As a result, shareholder value has been demonstrated by a 16.3 per cent growth in earnings per share over the previous year.

Steele also posited that Demtoco’s brands remained strong, and the firm’s “moderate” pricing strategy had

contributed to a 4.5 per cent increase in sales.

Further, he said new regulations introduced by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) have contributed significantly to levelling the playing field.

The GRA has implemented the application of special excise stamps on imported alcohol and tobacco products with a unique barcode feature, to allow enforcement officials to immediately determine whether taxes have been paid on these items.

“This measure has certainly gone a far way towards ensuring a level playing field across the industry,” Steele has declared.

Challenges

Despite these successes, the company continues to deal with serious challenges that greatly impact its operations.

“The illicit trade in cigarettes continued to be an increasing challenge to the legal tobacco industry, revenue collection for the State, and the law enforcement operators in Guyana,” the Demtoco Chairman has said.

He has said that the struggle is to prevent smuggling; tax, duty and excise evasion; and the introduction into the local industry of cigarettes that do not comply with the labelling and packaging requirements of Guyana.

Suspected cow thief, friends nabbed with gun, ammo

F

our men have found themselves in hot water after an unlicensed firearm along with matching rounds of ammunition were discovered in a tractor in which they were travelling.

The discovery was made after Police in search of a cow thief stopped the vehicle and conducted a search.

Also found in the vehicle was raw beef.

Reports are that on Saturday, a cattle rancher from West Coast Berbice reported that a man, whom he identified to investigators, stole his cow.

The ranks then went in

search of the suspect and found him along with three others in a tractor coming out of the backdam in their village.

When the policemen approached the quartet and were about to arrest the suspected cow thief, it was discovered that an unlicensed .38 revolver gun was in the tractor, as well as the matching ammunition.

However, while the suspected cow thief did not acknowledge or deny the accusation reported by the farmer, there was beef inside of the tractor.

According to a police source, it is suspected that

the alleged thief, who is a licensed firearm holder, is also the owner of the unlicensed firearm which was inside of the tractor.

Commander of B Division, Paul Langevine on Monday confirmed that the four men were immediately taken into Police custody in light of the find.

Up to press time, none of the men had admitted to ownership of the unlicensed gun with matching rounds or knowledge of the missing cow.

However, investigations into the stolen cow and the unlicensed firearm continues.

“These cigarettes do not pay what is due to the nation in the form of excise (taxes) and duties,” Steele has said.

Moreover, he has said that the 2017 Tobacco Act and the new labelling and packaging guidelines have contributed to the company’s challenges.

The guidelines basically stipulate that 60 per cent of the package and label of tobacco products must bear graphic pictorial health warnings provided by the Ministry of Public Health.

The other forty per cent is for branding. These health warnings must highlight the harmful effects of tobacco.

Political uncertainty and

the country’s economic position were also cited as challenges.

The future

Nonetheless, the company predicts a successful future ahead. “Wider economic intelligence forecasts strong growth,” Steele has said. “We will continue to build on our momentum as we support regulators, the Government, and interna-

tional organisations in the establishment of workable tax regimes and economic policies which attack the illicit trade,” Steele has said.

Further, he has said that even amidst changing consumer patterns and with affordability being a key factor across all sectors, Demtoco is well organised and resourced to successfully meet the growing demands and future challenges.

Berbice cattle farmers left in cold with nowhere to put livestock

Some of the animals at Gold Digging, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice

T

he MahaicaMahaicony Abary/ A g r i c u l t u r a l Development Authority (MMA/ADA) has reissued notices to cattle farmers occupying lands at Gold Digging, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice for them to remove.

The farmers received the notices on May 20 for them to vacate the lands the same day.

With nowhere to put their livestock, the farmers are claiming that the MMA is reissuing portions of the said lands to other persons for cattle rearing – when some of them do not engage in animal farming.

Initially, the farmers were issued with a letter dated January 18, 2019 from MMA ordering them to vacate the land by February

1, 2019, and according to the notice, from that date those animal farmers would have been deemed illegal.

That letter also ordered the farmers to dismantle all erected structures and to remove their cattle from the lands.

The farmers are objecting to this move, claiming that they have been rearing cattle on the lands for more than a decade and while the MMA says it is redistributing the land legally for the purpose of cattle rearing, no offer was made to those existing farmers for occupancy.

One of the affected cattle farmers, Krisonchand David, attended a meeting with the MMA last Tuesday.

It was at that meeting that he was given the notice from the MMA. According

to David, at the meeting he was told that they were squatters.

“They said all the squatters from Region Five [Mahaica-Berbice] if it is under housing or farming will have to remove and that the MMA will provide land for them,” he related.

However, no land has been issued to the legitimate farmers. The MMA has already started to distribute the lands to persons who are not cattle farmers.

“They say that they have 192 acres of land left and they will see how to share it out. We tell them that we already fence the place and clear the bush a couple of years now,” David related.

Meanwhile, efforts to contact officials at the MMA for a comment on the matter were futile.

news

11

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Police to go after motorcyclists, pillion riders without helmets

…both persons will be charged – Traffic Chief

C

ontrary to popular belief in Guyana that a pillion rider on a motorcycle cannot be charged for failing to wear a safety helmet once the rider has one on, both persons on the vehicle can face charges.

This is according to Deputy Police Commissioner and Traffic Chief, Linden Isles, who during an interview with Guyana Times on Monday explained that many folks seem to believe that no one will be charged for an offence as long as the rider of a motorcycle wears his/her helmet.

“The rider can also be charged if he is carrying a person without helmet and also the rider and the pillion could be charged. If there is

an accident, the rider will face charges that is dependent on the occurrence too.

For instance, if the rider would have ridden in a dangerous manner causing the pillion’s or a pedestrian’s death, he can be charged for causing death in addition to other charges,” the Traffic Chief said.

He noted that the law clearly states that once the motorcycle is over a certain number of Cubic Centimetre (CC) capacity of combustion cylinder, then you have to wear a safety helmet.

“If you are riding or if you are a pillion you still have to wear a safety helmet. But because of certain difficulties in getting to prosecute these persons, because you know when you are riding on the road,

Deputy Police Commissioner, Traffic Chief Linden Isles

by the time they [motorcyclists] are riding with a person without helmet, they just zoom past. We have been engaging in some ex-

ercises whereby we have roadblocks so as to block off the road so that they cannot do so easily, we have been doing it on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) and we will start it country-wide,” the Traffic Chief declared.

According to Isles, it is an everyday occurrence where folks can be seen riding or being transported on motorcycles without protective helmets.

“It is something that has been occurring. And we have been charging persons. The law is there and we have to enforce the law.”

He added that while traversers on the roadways may complain about these roadblocks, they are necessary, so as to uphold the law against persons riding on the roadway without safety

helmets as required by the law and against violators of other traffic infractions.

Just last week, 27-yearold fireman Osafo Bess was charged with causing the death of his reputed wife, Abidacy Klass, who was killed during a motorcycle accident at 111 Miles, Mahdia, Potaro Road, Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) Bess had appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing death by dangerous driving.

The court heard that on May 20, 2019, at 111 Miles Mahdia, Bess rode motorcycle CH 3715 in a dangerous manner in the public,

which resulted in the death of Klass, the mother of two.

It was reported that Klass was the pillion rider on the motorcycle when Bess lost control and crashed.

The now dead woman was thrown off of the motorcycle and allegedly picked up by public-spirited citizens who rushed the duo to the Mahdia Public Hospital.

Klass was pronounced dead on arrival while Bess suffered minor injuries.

At the time of the accident, neither parties were wearing helmets.

The Chief Magistrate released Bess on $150,000 bail and suspended his driver’s licence. This matter was transferred to the Mahdia Magistrate’s Court for July 16, 2019.

WCD braces for flooding during high tides …as sections of sea defence remain unrepaired

Violent waves rush over the Uitvlugt seawall

O

ne year ago, the seawall structure along the West Coast of Demerara was hit by massive waves during a period of high tide which caused mass flooding. Presently, residents are concerned since some sections of the structure remains unrepaired, posing an imminent danger should the water rise further.

Guyana Times visited the area on Sunday where many individuals complained of the lengthy period which these works have taken. Karamchand Singh

explained that these works should have been completed immediately after the surge last April.

“Last year, the flood was a serious thing and the seawall was in a better shape then. They just put boulder there to hold off the water and we know what kinda waves does come over when the tide raise. We don’t know how long more we got to wait and wait,” he explained.

Singh added, “They fix some of the other parts but in Uitvlugt, the seawall is in our backyard. That wa-

ter coming straight into we houses. I see some people already block off the doors cause they know what could happen.”

During the past month, the area has experienced significant rainfall in addition to spring tides.

Boulders that were placed last year to keep out the water continue to serve as the main barrier. During that encounter, some of the waves caused destruction to properties after moving over the sea defence at some 20 feet.

An assessment of the

flooding last year pegged the damages at some $100 million. Earlier this year, it was reported that works had commenced at several locations. However, it was indicated that the equipment has been stationed at these locations and is only operational for days at a time.

“We see people coming to work for a couple days and then they gone for a week. This is why the repair taking over a year.

Over one year and they still can’t finish,” Bibi Haniff lamented.

For Leonora, a contract was awarded to the sum of $175 million to address a gap of 325 metres while at Uitvlugt, a sum of $130 million was allocated to

Boulders placed at the site to contain the waves

address 250 metres of sea defence. For Stewartville, $107 million was awarded for 200 metres of work.

For De Willem, the works were pegged at $107 million and at Anna Catherina, two projects were tendered at $104 and $106 million, which will be executed simultaneously.

Sluices were also on the rehabilitation list and were

treated as a separate project.

However, earlier this month, the Cinderella Park Koker at Zeelugt suffered a breach after one of its components failed, allowing water to enter at a rapid rate. Regional officials were later dispatched to normalise the situation. It is unclear whether this issue was permanently fixed.

12 News

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

MP urges abused women to seek help

Opposition Member of Parliament, Priya Manickchand

I

n just under five months, the lives of at least five women were snatched at the hands of their lovers and has sprouted worry among almost every Guyanese.

Former Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who was at the forefront of a number of legislation to protect women’s rights when she was Human Services Minister and Opposition Member of Parliament (MP), has been very vocal on violence against women and was, in fact, representing a young mother, who was found dead earlier this month.

Manickchand said that she is deeply saddened over that specific tragedy which will leave five children parentless as the father is likely to face the full brunt of the law for confessing to the heinous act.

She was, however, keen to note that there are many factors which result in such a mishap occurring, some of which may include the woman’s financial dependency on a man. In this regard, the MP stated that the law provides for women to be compensated by the male they

were with if they would like to exit an abusive relationship.

According to the attorney-at-law, a woman can be granted, “Maintenance for you and children; an occupation order [which] means he has to leave the house irrespective of who owns it or how it came to be your house.

In other words, if his parents gave him the house or if it is in his name, an occupation order would allow you to live there without his presence and a tenancy order [which] means that even if the agreement of tenancy is in his name, the court can order it be put in your name”.

Additionally, these women can also “gain custody of their children, orders prohibiting him from hitting, speaking to or coming anywhere near where the victim live or works as well as take half or 1/3 of all you own together even if it is all registered in his name”.

The MP has appealed to women being abused to seek help as there is currently legal aid available in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), Five (MahaicaBerbice), Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) and in Georgetown, Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).

On May 17, a 39-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her husband during an argument at their Anna Regina, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) home.

Dead is Farida Khayum, a mother of six of Lot 9 Market Street, Anna Regina. Her husband has since been charged for murder.

Mere days before, Zaila Sugrim, Manickchand’s client, was allegedly murdered

Dead: Zaila Sugrim

Dead: Omawattie Wazi

Dead: Farida Khayum

by her husband and buried in a shallow grave near his Crane Village, West Coast Demerara home. The woman and the suspect had separated for over eight months but their union brought forth five children. According to relatives, the mother of five endured 15 years of an abusive marriage.

Reports are Sugrim was last seen at the Vreed-enHoop Stelling on May 11, 2019, when she allegedly entered a motorcar with her estranged husband.

Sugrim left her brother’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara (EBD) house, where she had been living for the past eight months, to be picked up by her estranged husband to visit the businessman’s home where she was expected to celebrate her eldest child’s birthday. However, by nightfall, the family became worried since it was very unusual for her not to call if she was out for long periods.

Her brother, Ahmad Haniff, grew worried and called her cellphone but the phone was turned off.

Repeated attempts to reach Sugrim on her mobile proved futile and other fam-

ily members confirmed that they had not heard from the woman.

On May 12, 2019, the worried brother visited the Diamond Police Station where he filed a missing person’s report. In the company of several police officers, a visit was made to his sister’s estranged husband’s home but they were informed that he had not seen Zaila nor did he want anything to do with her.

Reports are close relatives reportedly inspected CCTV footage of the home but a particular time period was deleted. This was reported to Sugrim’s rela-

tives, who in turn informed Police ranks. This led to ranks swooping down on the suspect’s La Grange, WBD property where a search was carried out, however, nothing was found.

After relatives made additional reports at the Diamond Police Station, another group of ranks swooped down on the suspect’s Crane home.

It was not until a search of the suspect’s motorcar was conducted by the police that they received a break in the case after blood was allegedly spotted in the car’s trunk. This prompted Police to arrest the suspect and im-

pound the car.

After much interrogation, the suspect allegedly broke down and reportedly informed the investigators that he had buried the body in a shallow grave near his home.

In March, 20-yearold Omawattie Wazi called “Agile” of Lot 33 D Williamsburg, Rose Hall Town, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), was killed by her husband.

Reports are Wazi and the suspect, Gavin Gill, had been living at Port Mourant Village for a year but she moved to her mother’s Williamsburg, Rose Hall Town home after her husband of 14 months became abusive.

Guyana Times was told that the young mother moved out with her sevenmonth-old baby and started working. On March 30, at about 07:55h while on her way to work, her husband struck her down with his car. She was riding a bicycle at the time. This publication understands that the man then exited the car with a knife and stabbed her several times before chopping her with a cutlass.

Region 4 Education Department honours 53 seniors

UG to offer doctorate in biodiversity in September

P

ersons interested in pursuing a masters degree in biodiversity will now have an opportunity to pursue studies in that field as the University of Guyana will be offering a Doctorate in the Biodiversity field this coming September.

The programme has a clear interdisciplinary and intersectorial focus that seeks to embed stakeholders and beneficiaries in the research of the doctorates, UG said in a statement.

“The UG Doctorate in Biodiversity (UGDB) is a state-of-the-art doctoral research programme for doctoral research training but also seeks for addressing managerial issues of significance for the future of biodiversity, its ecosystems and its services for Guyana, the Guiana Shield, the Caribbean and the world,” the University of Guyana said in a statement.

The mission of the programme is to generate primary and cutting-edge knowledge in the complex field of biodiversity. Our ambition is to produce doctors

with a new profile, reflecting a wide scientific and international breadth on biodiversity issues tackling problems of local and global interest such as global warming and climate change.

The programme seeks to encourage Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy (MPhil/PhD) candidates to do research focusing on old and new research lines such as biosystematics, biogeography and evolutionary explanations of biodiversity, nature conservation and protected areas management, inventories of biodiversity resources at different scales (genetic, species, ecosystems, landscapes, and biomes).

It further seeks to encourage candidates to focus on research in geographical distribution and the ecological and evolutionary factors involved, use of biodiversity by local communities, marketing and commercialisation of biodiversity, risk of biodiversity alteration or extinction by human populations in urban or rural landscapes, biodiversi-

ty conservation, protected areas, land reclamation or ecosystem restoration, their economic potential values in agriculture, food, forestry, health and pharmaceutical, cosmetic, tourist and recreation, mining industries, bioconstruction as well as other connected areas with economics, planning, political governance, education, communication, biotechnological development among others.

According to UG, ideal MPhil/PhD students should be able to design and carry out original high-quality research that contributes to the knowledge base of biodiversity management to demonstrate effective communication and presentation skills, to critically evaluate and use scientific theories and frameworks relevant to biodiversity assessment and management.

They should also be able to critically analyse research literature and apply a set of ethical standards in the conduct and dissemination of research.

Regional Executive Officer Pauline Lucas presenting one of the many awards to a former educator

A

s Guyana celebrated its 53rd Independence anniversary, the Education Department of Region Four (DemeraraMahaica), in observance of the occasion, honoured 53 seniors at a simple but significant ceremony.

At the inaugural event, seniors were awarded for their contributions to Guyana throughout their early years. The awardees included former teachers, soldiers, nurses, and administrative and clerical staff.

Acting Regional Education Officer (REdO) Tiffany Harvey and Regional Chairman Genevieve Allen, along with Regional Executive Officer (REO) Pauline Lucas, Regional Vice Chairman Earl Lambert and several senior and junior officers from both the Department of Education and the Regional

A smiling senior gladly accepts his award and hamper from REO Lucas

Democratic Council (RDC), were among the team members who organised the auspicious event.

In remarks at the ceremony, Harvey said that the time has come for homage to be paid to the many men and women who, through their tireless, unselfish and committed efforts, have ensured that Guyana was a much better place today.

“I firmly believe that you, our seniors, have helped in the continued growth and development of this nation. As the Acting Regional Education Officer I say thank you, however with Guyana celebrating its 53rd Independence, we have identified 53 persons who have served in various sectors to identify you today,” the REdO stated.

Meanwhile, REO Lucas reiterated her Department’s gratitude to the awardees

for their past services, as she also commended the efforts placed into hosting the event.

“This is a brilliant initiative as many times when persons retire from the public service they are easily forgotten, it’s as though their contributions went in vain, and I am very happy today that the Department of Education and Miss Harvey have sought to remind you that we have not lost track that you made valuable contributions to the region and more so the country,” Lucas said.

The REO stressed the importance of recognising the seniors, stating that while reflecting on Guyana’s Independence, recognition must be given to the seniors who are being honoured as they have all played a part and contributed in the early days of the nation.

news

13

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Growing problem of mental health plaguing Guyana …new holistic approach to be implemented – CMO

The effects of mental health disorders (www.paho.org photo)

By Kristen Macklingam

T

he latest information provided by the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) suggests that the challenges of mental health in Guyana consume more resources than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis (TB) combined. This is an idea of the extent of the problem.

While mental health issues have been dealt with from a reactionary standpoint over the years, Guyana’s Chief Medical of-

ficer (CMO), Dr Shamdeo Persaud, in an exclusive interview with Guyana Times on Monday stated that a more holistic approach is needed to tackle mental health, which has become an unpalatable pill to swallow.

“What we have started to do is started to develop the Primary Healthcare Integrated Mental Health Programme. So our efforts, with support from PAHO, have been to implement training on the mental health treatment gap. It is a module that PAHO developed that allows us to

train the primary care doctors who are general practitioners on measures for mental health intervention.”

He explained that the Public Health Ministry is aggressively pursuing tackling the issue of mental health challenges in Guyana and, therefore, the focus is no longer on only deploying social workers and psychologists in every region by 2020 to tackle the growing problem of mental disorders. The Ministry now has a much broader goal.

“So it is just not psychiatry now, it is mental health and the Mental Health Unit of the Ministry has about nine modules that are being done with regard to training these primary care doctors throughout the country. So in addition to the gatekeeper programme, which was an intermediate programme where we were training community members, in this instance, we are training health professionals, doctors, nurses and other categories of health workers to establish community-based services. So that is our main thrust at this point in time,” the CMO further stated.

Recruitment of psychologists

Presently, there are some voluntary groups which assist the Public Health Ministry in relation to providing much needed services in addressing men-

Community capacity development

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud

tal health issues, however, there are now more psychologists available to help Government-run health facilities in identifying and treating mental disorders.

“We have been working with those voluntary groups, and in addition to that, we also now actively recruit psychologists at the Ministry. So we have nine psychologists who are working with us. Also, several institutions have also started to employ psychologists, including the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and they are providing counselling support along with the social workers.”

Dr Persaud elaborated that all of the above is in keeping with consolidating the Primary Healthcare

48 persons receive first aid training

A

fter completing a successful first session of its “Delivering Quality Service” training in April, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) had continued with the beneficial programme as it recently concluded two training workshops in Moraikobai, Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) and Karasabai, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).

A total of 48 residents coming from both regions were trained in the areas of delivering quality service, first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). These pieces of training lasted from May 2 to 5, and May 13 to 15, 2019, in the respective regions.

Designed by the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) and conducted by the GTA, the programme is geared towards educating participants on the importance of tourism in Guyana and the neighbouring regions, understanding and respecting cultural differences, and the 10 principles and the importance of delivering quality service to travellers, as well as developing community-led and owned tourism by preparing villages like Moraikobai and Karasabai to independently host travellers.

GTA’s Training Officer, Deborah Clementson and Manager of Training, Licensing and Operations Davina Layne both conducted three days of training each in the communities.

The First Aid and CPR Training resulted in 12 persons from Moraikobai trained in basic first aid, including the A-Z of first aid treatment and emergency procedures such as CPR. An additional 12 persons from Karasabai were trained in basic first aid. The participants were further given instructions in disaster preparedness.

The two-day session in both communities was conducted by Deon Worrell

Residents of Karasabai, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), during the practical session of the First Aid and CPR Training

of St John Association of Guyana who made use of practical, hands-on scenarios involving coaching participants to maximise their individual skills and teaching them how to work as a team. Through this, participants will be able to implement a coordinated response in emergency scenarios which will ultimately build confidence to respond to incidents where time is of the essence, significantly reducing the potential for fatalities.

Most notably, with assistance from the Projects Department within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs (MOIPA), Moraikobai has already embarked on the construction of a lodge.

Once completed, nature enthusiasts, birders and those interested in sport fishing will be welcomed to enjoy the beauty of Moraikobai. Although a proj-

Integrated Mental Health Programme towards the direction of “service delivery”.

ect deadline has not been finalised, the Moraikobai Tourism Committee is confident that the lodge will be completed by the end of the year.

The GTA is committed to providing guidance to the Moraikobai Tourism Committee to help them create a successful tourism enterprise through the creation of day tours and overnight packages and marketing their tourism product, the agency also has a sport fishing training guide scheduled for May 27 - 30 in the village of Warapoka in Region One (BarimaWaini). Warapoka is also one of the four highlighted communities for community-led and owned tourism development in 2019-2025 through the partnership between the GTA and MOIPA.

According to the CMO, focus will still be placed on the capacity development of communities to tackle the growing problem of mental health issues and this includes the Gatekeepers’ Programme that armed communities with lay counsellors who took proactive action to not only prevent the act of suicide but also addressed various forms of abuse.

“We will revisit again the Gatekeepers’ Programme

issues and then they fall into drug abuse and it just becomes a desperate cycle of despair. We recognise that deficiency and we hope that community interventions can help to start addressing that stigma.”

Dr Persaud added that a lot of stigmas associated with mental health disorders are rooted in how both families and communities react and respond and that although it may take a while for the Public Health Ministry to develop and implement a programme that could address this problem, public education is one of the first steps in overcoming it.

A vagrant who is suffering from mental health issues living on the streets

and some other community-based efforts but what we want to do is build capacity in the communities among the health professionals first. This year, by the end of this year, we will make a decision on how we go forward with any additional supporting mechanisms at the community level. We do have some support groups and we still have the PEER Education Programme for drug demand reduction and those two still are running – the general support groups and the PEER educators programme.”

The PEER Education Programme was an initiative adopted some years ago that saw youths across Guyana being trained as peer educators to help tackle the social ills that were/ are affecting various communities.

Additionally, the Suicide Implementation Plan also caters for a number of partnerships to be developed with stakeholders to raise awareness as a means of reducing suicides and suicidal attempts while simultaneously strengthening the supporting network for persons who are in need of counselling services.

Stigma and discrimination

Touching on the issues of stigma and discrimination associated with mental health conditions, the CMO posited that targeting this problem is high on the agenda of the Public Health Ministry.

“Persons who display mental health illnesses are even excluded from their own families. You see a lot of persons living on the streets and they have mental health

“It might take a little while for us to put a programme in that could address it but definitely public education, I think, is one of the first steps.”

According to PAHO/ WHO, half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated. In terms of the burden of the disease among adolescents, depression is the third leading cause.

Suicide has been identified as the second leading cause of death among 14-29-year-olds while the harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents has been pointed out as a major issue in many countries and can lead to risky behaviours such as unsafe sex or dangerous driving.

PAHO/WHO is of the view that much can be done to help build mental resilience from an early age to help prevent mental distress and illness among adolescents and young adults, and to manage and recover from mental illness.

“Prevention begins with being aware of and understanding the early warning signs and symptoms of mental illness. Parents and teachers can help build life skills of children and adolescents to help them cope with everyday challenges at home and at school. Psychosocial support can be provided in schools and other community settings and, of course, training for health workers to enable them to detect and manage mental health disorders can be put in place, improved or expanded,” its website states.

14 news

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Flash floods

Mahdia Access Road temporarily fixed – Patterson

…body found floating still unidentified

S

ections of Region Eight’s (Potaro-Siparuni’s) Mahdia Access Road which were damaged during a recent episode of flooding have been temporarily fixed, allowing for the movement of vehicular traffic in both directions.

Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told Guyana Times on Monday that he had visited the area on Saturday and contractors were mobilised to provide a temporary fix. He said they are seeking to construct a bridge at Red and White to replace the one that was washed away by floodwaters.

This measure is expected to serve as a long-term solution.

Presently, both motor vehicles and trucks are traversing the area, which is also accessible by air.

“We did emergency works on Saturday. I think it is open back for vehicular traffic, and there will be some works to put in a bridge at the open section as soon as possible.

It’s open for traffic now, both vehicle and trucks; but for the long term, we need to put a bridge, and we’re doing that now,” the minister stated.

Reports have suggested that the Natural Resources Ministry would also be un-

dertaking the task of desalinating the creek’s water to provide for easy drainage during heavy rainfall.

Desalination is a process that takes away mineral components from saline water.

The recently formed Mahdia township came under water on Friday following heavy rainfall. While the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) was planning to set up shelters for some persons, everyone was allowed to return to their homes.

An assessment of the extent of the flooding indicated that some 25 homes were flooded, prompting the Civil

Buju Banton urges youths to stay away from violence ...while bigging up Roger Khan

J

amaican reggae and dancehall artiste, Buju Banton performed at the sold-out event at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence on Saturday night.

During the concert, Banton, who was recently released from a United States prison after serving for drug trafficking, preached messages of peace, harmony and urged young people to stay away from violence. In a high energy performance, Banton did not disappoint the well over 19,000 fans who turned up at the national stadium. He bellowed out some of his old school classics, driving the crowd while he kept the energy up with some of his more popular songs, including “Driver Don’t stop at all”. During his performance, Banton spoke about his last visit to Guyana which was in 2006 and said, “A lot of things have happened in Guyana. A lot of folks I know are no longer in Guyana. Some are alive but they are still not here. Big up Roger Khan. Big up meh bre-

Jamaican Reggae and Dancehall artiste Buju Banton performing at the Guyana National Stadium

dren, Trini. Nuff youths drop out”. “Trini” the person he referred to is, in fact, Marlon “Trini” Osborne, who was killed in 2012 after he was shot four times. Osborne was gunned down at the junction near Laluni and Peter Rose Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown, shortly after leaving a friend’s home.

Meanwhile, while in Guyana, the Jamaican dancehall superstar also visited Leopold Street, Charlestown and Tiger Bay in Georgetown, and Victoria

on the East Coast Demerara (ECD) where he interacted with young people. During their visit to Victoria, he met with members of the Rastafarian community and discussed the many advancements that have occurred over the years as well as the challenges facing them.

Banton reminded the youths he interacted with that a life of crime and violence ought not to be their desired path. “Badness is not it,” said Buju Banton.

While visiting the Rastafarian community in Victoria, the Jamaican artiste stressed the importance of having programmes which can enlighten youths and propel them to a positive future. He also urged that community to continue being self-sufficient and singled out agriculture as a cornerstone of a healthy community and by extension, a country.

Banton, whose given name is Mark Myrie, is currently on his “Long Walk to Freedom – I am Legend” concert tour.

Mahdia was inundated on Friday after an episode of intense rainfall

Defence Commission to deploy officials to the area.

Supplies were provided to the affected families while, on Saturday, the water receded slowly.

Other regions were warned that rainfall was ex-

pected until Monday, and residents were urged to take precautions.

While the area is prone to flooding during the rainy season, Friday’s flooding is the largest to have been experienced there in years.

On Sunday morning, the body of an unidentified man was discovered several miles from Mahdia. Based on reports received, passersby saw the body floating in a river and immediately alerted the police.

The body, according to information gathered, did not have any marks of violence, and it is believed that the man had drowned.

The body was taken to the Mahdia Hospital Mortuary, where a post-mortem examination is expected to be conducted.

On Monday, ‘F’ Division (Interior Locations) Commander Kevin Adonis told this publication that the body is yet to be identified.

Agricola community outreach tackles youth unemployment, health services

T

he newly-formed A g r i c o l a Development Association has already embarked on a thriving path, as it recently organised and hosted its first community outreach in the Greater Georgetown village.

Some of the agencies which provided support and made the outreach a reality include the Ministry of the Presidency; the Culture, Youth and Sport Department; the Public Health Ministry and several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

During the outreach held last weekend, a number of youths in the community were made aware of job opportunities as they were given the chance to interact with agencies such as Gafoors; Courts; the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GITC) and the Guyana Prison Service among others on possible future related careers.

President of Agricola Development Association, Timothy Blair

Meanwhile, free health services were offered at the Agricola Health Centre conducted by the Guyana Cancer Foundation, whose team provided free clinical breast examinations, glucose testing, blood pressure testing, and education on cervical cancer.

The Agricola Development Association was recently established to make Agricola sustainable for the youths and to educate and engage villagers about plans to develop

the community.

At the outreach, Association President Timothy Blair underscored that youths within the community should be sensitised on available opportunities in order to take advantage of them.

“We want our young people in the community to be sensitised on the opportunities that are available. [This outreach] offers educational opportunities for the youths that might be interested in learning a skill, but don’t know how to access these services, and those who are looking to have jobs,” Blair stated.

Apart from these opportunities, residents of the community participated in a clean-up campaign coordinated by the Association. Blair noted, “This is a community thing and we want people in the community to recognise and understand that it is their role to participate in changing the face of this community.”

New FAO study finds ways to help countries cope with natural disasters

A

new study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has found that rainwater harvesting in Jamaica and planting Haitian peas are two of the best practices to cope with natural disasters.

The study also found that planting trees provide some form of protection for cattle in Bolivia as that country coped with natural disasters.

The FAO study analyses good practices to face natural disasters in Jamaica, Guyana, Haiti, Bolivia, Colombia, and seven other countries in the world.

The UN body noted that harvesting rainwater in Jamaica, planting trees as barriers to the hurricanes of Haiti and the use of improved pens to protect alpacas from the cold of the Bolivian altiplano, are some of the practices included in the study ti-

tled “Disaster risk reduction at farm level: Multiple benefits, no regrets”.

The study analysed more than 900 farms in 10 countries around the world and showed that on average, improved practices generated two times more benefits than previously used practices, including increases in production and a reduction in damages and losses due to disasters.

It said these solutions do not require substantial investments, making them available to small-scale farmers.

“The study not only demonstrates that prevention is profitable, but also highlights the important role that small-scale interventions at the farm level can play to increase the resilience of livelihoods and promote sustainable devel-

opment,” said the FAo coordinator of Disaster Risk Management, Anna Ricoy.

The south of St Elizabeth is a highly productive agricultural municipality of Jamaica that suffers dry seasons, prolonged droughts and high temperatures during the summer.

Most of the farmers in St Elizabeth buy irrigation water, but its availability is scarce during the drought.

The solution studied by FAO was the introduction of a rainwater harvesting system. The system consisted of catchment basins located in the roofs, a thousand gallon plastic storage tank and a gravity-drip irrigation system.

The FAO said that this practice strengthened the resilience of farmers against drought, allowing them to produce crops during the

dry season, prolong the cycle of each harvest and generate additional income. That simple change produced a 131 per cent increase in the net value of tomato production, and a 29 per cent increase in sweet pepper production, the study showed.

In Haiti, peas are one of the most important subsistence crops in the communes of Bainet and Grand Goave, since they have two growth seasons per year.

But these small vegetables and the farmers who grow them must face a significant threat from hurricanes annually.

The FAO said that one way to mitigate their impact on crops is to plant live barriers, namely hedges, trees and a variety of very tall grasses (elephant grass), which provide natural protection and stabilise

soils. On some farms, farmers combined these “living barriers” with conservation agriculture and agroforestry techniques to improve soil quality, reduce water loss through evapotranspiration and runoff, and improve water infiltration.

“The combination of these techniques allowed farmers to increase the net value of their production by 110 per cent for years without natural disasters, but they also had minor, yet still significant challenges, during hurricane years.

“On the farms affected

by Hurricane Matthew in 2016, the net benefits of pea cultivation were 52 per cent higher than those plots that maintained previously used practices.”

The FAO said it has been assisting Bolivian farmers from El Chaco, in southeast-

ern Bolivia, planted trees on their lands because they are situated is an area of arid plains where cattle must face freezing winds, sudden floods and prolonged droughts. It said these situations led to the death of many cattle.

The FAO said planting the trees not only provided fodder for the cattle, but they became a natural protection against the elements, fertilising the land with their leaves and improving the health of the soil with their roots.

“These silvo-pastoral systems produced an increase of 109 per cent in the net benefit of the farms that implemented them, in comparison to those that maintained their previous techniques. They also allowed carbon capture and ensured greater growth of the grasses that the farmer’s livestock live on.” (CMC)

news

15

TUESday, may 28, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Venezuela called to appear in Canberra court over missed

embassy rent payments

T

Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó

he Republic of Venezuela has been taken to court by a Canberra, Australia family who alleges the country owes them thousands in unpaid rent money.

The Rosa family claimed the South American nation had missed more than A$50,000 in rent payments for two properties in O’Malley it had previously used as an embassy.

In documents seeking a hearing in the ACT Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal, the family claimed that from 2017 the republic began to fall behind in payments, and eventually vacated under contentious circumstances.

In October of that year, the Embassy made headlines when its landlord blockaded the entrance using a construction vehicle.

Things boiled over when top Venezuelan skier Cesar Augusto Baena Sierraalta struck the landlord, claiming the man had showed disrespect for his country.

Sierraalta pleaded guilty and was released on a good behaviour order, with no conviction recorded.

The Republic of Venezuela sought to have the Rosa family’s rent claim dismissed, but the tribunal determined a hearing would proceed.

“I do appreciate that the respondent may be placed in a difficult, and perhaps even diplomatically embarrassing, situation by being required to respond to proceedings in this tribunal,” senior tribunal member H Robinson said in his decision.

“That alone is not a basis upon which this tribunal can or should dismiss these proceedings.”

Venezuela is currently facing the worst economic crisis in its history, marked by hyperinflation, unpayable debts and poverty.

Robinson noted the situation was “clearly volatile” and that the relationship between the parties was “antagonistic”, but said there was merit in the Rosa family’s claim.

“There is a serious allegation that a lot of rent is owed,” he said.

Robinson conceded that, even if a ruling could be made against the Republic of Venezuela, it was questionable whether that could be enforced.

Venezuela said its diplomatic immunity rendered the matter futile.

The next hearing is set down for August. (abc.net. au)

Russia says it is ready to play role in Venezuela crisis talks in Oslo

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Monday that Moscow was ready to play a role in talks between the Venezuelan Government and Opposition in Oslo if the participants felt it was useful.

Norway said on Saturday that representatives of Venezuela’s Government and Opposition would return to Oslo following an initial round of preliminary talks about how to address the country’s political crisis.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement it welcomed the fact that the talks were continuing, but warned against any external powers trying to foist ultimatums on the Venezuelan leadership. (Reuters) The push for a negotiated solution to the Venezuelan crisis appears to be picking up steam with delegates for President Nicolás Maduro and Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó slated for direct talks in Norway this week.

The Norwegian Government, which is serving as mediator, made the announcement two weeks after an initial round of meetings involving the two sides in Oslo. The effort is designed to break months of political gridlock at a time when Venezuela is suffering from its worst economic meltdown in history, a disaster that has prompted more than three million people to flee the country.

“Norway commends the parties for their efforts and appreciates their disposition” to negotiate, Norwegian Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide said on Saturday.

Even so, the Opposition remains sceptical. It claims Maduro has used past negotiations, including meetings in the Dominican Republic two years ago, to stall for time while refusing to make concessions.

“They will never fool us again with a false dialogue like in 2017,” Guaidó told supporters on Saturday.

“That’s why today we’re in the streets.” (National Public Radio)

Teen sold weed to feed siblings, granny

A

teenager who admitted to selling marijuana to maintain his siblings and sick grandmother was fined $1,200.

Odel Charles, 19, gave this explanation when he appeared in the San Fernando Magistrates’ Court charged with marijuana possession.

His attorney Frank Gittens, told the court the teen’s mother died and his father did not play a role in his life.

He was arrested at about 21:00 on Sunday.

Prosecutor Cleyon Seedan said PC Mahabir was on patrol when he saw Charles and other persons sitting on the road at Church Street, Golconda.

Charles was staring at an area and fidgeting. The officer became suspicious and searched under a galvanize where he found 20 grammes of marijuana in a bag.

The teen claimed ownership of the illicit herb and told the officer, “Boss, I selling that to mine my family.” Asking for leniency, Gittens said Charles, a

market vendor, was a first time offender and was remorseful.

Gittens said his client cares for his three siblings ages six, 12 and 14 and his grandmother who is undergoing dialysis treatment.

First Court Senior Magistrate Jo-Anne Connor gave him 28 days to pay the fine or he will serve three months in prison.

In the same court, Junior Young, 43, a machine operator, also admitted that around 12.45 pm on May 24 the police searched his house at Taradale, Ste Madeleine

and found a white plastic bag with marijuana in a cupboard.

When PC Loutan confronted him with the drug, he said, “That’s ah lil smoke ah have”.

The marijuana weighed 75 grammes.

Gittens, who also represented Young, said the accused was charged once before but the matter was dismissed. The magistrate gave him seven days to pay a $2,000 fine or in default serve four months hard labour. (T&T Guardian)

19 guns stolen from Jamaica security company

D

espite State security forces putting a lid on criminal activities in the parish of St James, now under a state of public emergency, criminals managed to make off with 19 firearms and about 150 rounds of assorted ammunition from a private security company.

Police reported that the weapons, which were stolen between Thursday evening and Friday afternoon, include 15 revolvers and four shotguns.

The name of company was

not released by investigators who confirmed the breakin and theft yesterday, but it was reported that the Ironshore Industrial Estate-based security firm was locked up by its owner Thursday evening with weapons and ammunition safely put away.

According to the police, upon the owner’s return to the establishment about 6:00 pm on Friday he discovered that two padlocks were removed from the door and that the building was forcibly entered into.

Police said after inspecting the building it was found that a safe with the firearms and ammunition was broken into and all items stolen.

Three motorcycles, desktop computers and a recording system for CCTV were also reported missing, the police said.

Up to late yesterday police investigators said they were still without a lead in the break-in and theft.

The burglary of the security company was the

second report of a major criminal activity in St James last week.

It was reported that about 8:55 pm Tuesday a group of brazen gunmen travelling in a motor car, in an attempted robbery, shot up a truck travelling on the ‘Elegant Corridor’, injuring the three occupants.

The injured truck driver sped from the attackers and sought refuge at the Coral Gardens Police Station.

The truck was believed to have been transporting a large sum of money. (Jamaica Observer)

NYC ambulance rammed by car, careens onto sidewalk

A

pair of FDNY medics got a little too close to the action Monday when an unlicensed driver barreled into their ambulance as they crossed an East Harlem intersection — sending them flying into a steel streetlight.

The scary incident unfolded just after midnight on Memorial Day as the EMS crew drove through an intersection at 110th St. and Park Ave. A 2017 Dodge driven by Dominique Banks, 28, plowed into the FDNY ambulance, which then smacked into the streetlight, crushing its front grill, according to police.

A third vehicle parked nearby also got hit in the smash-up.

The two medics were unharmed but Banks — who cops said was driving without a license ? went to Harlem Hospital with a leg injury. The 30-yearold woman in the car with him received treatment for a facial injury, cops said.

Banks was charged with driving

An FDNY ambulance was struck by a drunk driver in the early hours of Monday

without a license and issued a desk appearance ticket.

EMS union head Oren Barzilay said he was thankful the crew didn’t

sustain major injuries.

“Our members face many dangers while out helping the public,” he added.

(NY Daily News)

Boat washes ashore along Miami Beach with 13 passengers

W

hile rip currents threatened to pull swimmers away from shore, a large boat carrying 13 passengers strayed from the open seas Saturday night and wound up

marooned along Miami Beach.

No injuries were reported, but the owner of the boat may feel a sting in their wallet when the towing bill comes. A Miami Beach spokeswoman said

the owner will be charged for towing the boat away.

“It’s very expensive to get it towed out,” said Miami Beach Ocean Rescue Chief Vincent Canosa said.

The boat remained

marooned near the Eden Roc Miami Beach on Sunday. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating what led the boat to stray toward the shore. (The Miami Herald)

on Maxon Road ran the stop sign at high speed and struck the SUV, carrying nine people on their way to Niagara Falls, Sunday morning, the Wyoming County Sheriff’s office said.

The SUV was carrying a man, three woman and five children, all from New

Jersey. The women were thrown from the SUV and died at the scene. The fouryear-old boy died later at the Wyoming County Community Hospital.

Two more four-year-olds in the SUV were taken to local hospitals, as were a 14-year-old and a 10-year-

old. The man and the surviving woman in the SUV were also taken to the hospital.

Sawicki was charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, drunken driving, and reckless driving. (NY Daily

Drunk NYC driver kills boy, 2 women in horrific crash

A

drunk driver ran a stop sign and rammed an SUV, killing a four-year-old boy and two women, on a rural road in the upstate town of Sheldon, officials said.

Richard Sawicki, 20, of Lackawanna was in a pickup truck driving south

News)

16

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESday, may 28, 2019

Regional

Fighting between inmates Barbadian woman at Brazil prison kills 15 to head UK college

Brazil’s overcrowded prisons are often the scenes of violence and breakout attempts

F

ighting at a prison in northern Brazil has left 15 inmates dead, according to local officials.

The clashes reportedly broke out on Sunday during visiting hours at Anísio Jobim Penitentiary Complex, in Manaus.

Some of the victims were stabbed with sharpened toothbrushes in front of visitors, whilst others were strangled to death.

Officials say the violence has been contained and an investigation has begun into

the cause of the struggle.

“It was total chaos,” the mother of an inmate – who did not wish to be named – told the Rio Times.

“Everyone started to run, and everyone was pounding on the cell gates, at the doors, and running down the aisles”.

It comes only two years after infighting killed 56 at the same jail, one of the deadliest riots ever in a Brazilian prison.

Brazil has the world’s third-largest prison popu-

lation – 712,305 inmates in April this year, according to official figures.

The population is nearly double the capacity of Brazil’s prisons. This has led to severe overcrowding, fuelling gang violence, riots and sometimes breakout attempts.

In early 2017, several violent rebellions left 119 people dead in jails in northern Brazil.

Around 92 inmates also escaped last September after heavily armed men set off explosives outside a prison and shot their way inside, killing a Policeman.

Attempts to reform the prison system and to introduce tighter controls have met with resistance from powerful criminal gangs which operate both inside and outside of jails.

Earlier this year, gangs launched around 80 attacks on public buildings, banks, buses and petrol stations many of them believed to have been carried out in retaliation for the proposed reforms.(Excerpt from BBC News)

A

Barbadian will be the first black woman appointed to lead an Oxbridge college.

Sonita Alleyne has been elected as the 42nd master of Jesus College, Cambridge – the first female head of the college which was founded in 1496 – and will take up the position from October 1, in the college’s 40th anniversary of co-education.

The 51-year-old businessman and entrepreneur – a co-founder and former CEO of Somethin’ Else, a cross-platform media production company – said it

was “an honour to be elected to lead Jesus College”.

“I left Cambridge 30 years ago, but it never left me. I am delighted to be returning,” added Alleyne, who studied for her undergraduate degree in philosophy at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.

The Barbadian-born Brit, who is currently chairwoman of the British Board of Film Classification, is a former BBC trustee and was also previously appointed to the board of the London Legacy Development Corporation in 2012, as part of the drive

Sonita Alleyne

to promote and deliver regeneration in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and surrounding areas.

She is also fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts and the Radio Academy and was awarded an OBE for services to broadcasting in 2004. (Caribbean360)

Mexico: Man dies on plane after ingesting 246 cocaine bags

A

Japanese man has died on a flight from Mexico City after ingesting 246 bags of cocaine.

The flight, bound for Japan’s Narita International Airport, had to make an emergency landing in Mexico’s Sonora state after he began to have seizures.

Authorities said the man,

identified as Udo N, died of a cerebral oedema caused by a drug overdose.

The passenger transferred to the flight after starting his journey in the Colombian capital Bogotá.

According to a statement

by Sonora’s attorney general, the bags – measuring 2.5cm long and 1cm wide –

were found in his stomach and intestines during the autopsy.

The remaining 198 passengers aboard were able to continue their journey after the emergency landing in the city of Hermosillo.

Mexico’s federal authorities will take over the investigation. (BBC News)

Migrant squatting, activists to introduce prostitution worry T&T MPs Argentina new bill to legalise abortion

R

eports of squatting in Central Trinidad by some Venezuelans and the occupancy of abandoned South houses are among the mixed bag of issues resulting from the influx of migrants to T&T in recent months.

Other issues include certain Claxton Bay-based Venezuelan women being followed home by T&T men after work—and maxi taxis ferrying “arrivals” out of certain La Brea coastal areas.

Parliamentarians on both sides who’ve been tracking the impact on their constituencies of the rising tide of immigrants have noted these and other issues as the two cultures try to deal with the new experience presented by Venezuela’s instability and Government’s upcoming bid to ascertain how many Venezuelans are in T&T during an amnesty registration process starting this week.

In the countdown to Friday’s start of the

Government’s two-week registration drive, while most MPs said that migrants mainly try to earn their keep, certain Opposition MPs were doubtful – from what some Venezuelans tell them—the registration will attract sufficient response to inform Government on exactly how many Venezuelans are in T&T. That’s the intent of the exercise which will allow registrants a one-year work stint and deport the undocumented. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Shippers raise rates for

cargo from US to Venezuela – documents, sources

T

wo major shipping lines this month have raised their rates for transporting goods from the United States to Venezuela, according to three industry sources and two documents, as US sanctions limit transit between the two nations.

Washington on May 15 banned direct flights between the United States and Venezuela, citing safety concerns, as part of a broad package of sanctions meant to pressure Nicolás Maduro into resigning as President of the crisis-stricken country.

Citizens and social service organisations often depend on air and sea shipments for basic food and

medicine in the hyperinflationary nation where a monthly minimum-wage salary barely pays for a single meal.

Shipping lines Hamburg Sud and King Ocean Services have added a surcharge of US$1200 per container of cargo that leaves the United States for Venezuela after May 15, according to documents seen

by Reuters. That service has in recent months been costing between US$3000 and US$5000, depending on the cargo, according to two sources at local ports.

“Shipping companies have increased the cost of their services because of the risk involved in coming to Venezuela with sanc-

tions,” said a local shipping industry source who asked not to be identified.

Hamburg Sud and King Ocean Services did not respond to requests for comment.

In 2016, shipping lines were charging up to three times more to travel to Venezuela than to other South American countries, according to fee schedules seen by Reuters at the time.

US sanctions do not prevent shipping lines from delivering goods to Venezuela.

Washington in April sanctioned four shipping companies and nine oil tankers it said were involved in oil shipments to Cuba. (Reuters)

O

n every Tuesday for more than a year, Monical Menini has headed to a central square in the northern Argentine city of Salta.

There, Menini and other activists and lawyers set up a table, neatly arrange pamphlets decorated in green and unfurl a banner with messages related to a powerful campaign to legalise abortion.

Sometimes the group is met by anti-abortion rights campaigners, who set up competing demonstrations, reciting prayers, tossing holy water at them and carrying giant affiches of foetuses. On a Tuesday in April, pairs of teenage girls, dressed in high school uniforms, approached their table, hoping to acquire a new status symbol: the green handkerchief, em-

Abortion rights activists protest in Buenos Aires last August Marcos Brindicci/Reuters]

blematic of the campaign to legalise abortion in the country.

This Tuesday, Menini, who describes herself as a feminist lawyer, will join thousands of women across the country celebrating new legislation that is expected to

[File:

be introduced in the national Congress that seeks to legalise abortion in Argentina.

The new legislation is similar to a proposal introduced last year that made it past the lower House of Deputies but failed in the Senate. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

3 cops get 14.5 years for killing of schoolgirl

T

he three Police Constables implicated in the March 2012 killing of 16-yearold schoolgirl Vanessa Kirkland were Monday sentenced to 14 years and 6 months each.

Constables Durvin Hayles, Anna Kay Bailey and AndreWain Smith, who were initially charged with murder, were convicted on the lesser charge of man-

slaughter on February 9.

The trio were sentenced in the Home Circuit by Justice Carol Lawrence Berwick.

The former student of Immaculate Conception High School was killed on March 20, 2012 when members of a Police team opened gunfire on a car in which she was a passenger.

Six other occupants in the car were shot.

The defence team, which included Attorneys Peter Champagnie, who represented Smith, Nadine Guy who represented Hayles and Oswest Senior Smith, who represented the female, had all begged the judge to impose a fine and if she deemed it inappropriate to abide by the sentencing guideline, which proposes a starting point of five years. (Jamaica Observer)

guyanatimesgy.com

TUESday, may 28, 2019

17

Around the World

Lake Mai-Ndombe Trump presses Japan over trade gap, expects “good things” from North Korea accident: 45 dead, 200

US President Donald Trump and Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hold a news conference, at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo, Japan, May 27, 2019

U

S President Donald Trump pressed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday to even out a trade imbalance with the United States and said he was happy with how things were going with North Korea de-

spite its recent missile and rocket launches.

Trump told a news conference with Abe after their summit that he wanted US exports to be put on a fair footing in Japan through the removal of trade barriers. He said he hoped to

have more to announce on trade very soon and said he and Abe had agreed to expand cooperation in human space exploration.

Abe, for his part, said the two leaders had agreed to accelerate trade talks but dodged a question about timing.

Trump, who is on a fourday state visit to Japan meant to showcase the Japan-US alliance, said on Twitter on Sunday that he expected big moves on trade would wait until after Japan’s upper house election in July.

Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura told reporters there was no agreement

to reach a trade deal by August.

Abe, who has developed a warm relationship with Trump since the US leader came to office, stressed the closeness of ties.

Earlier, Trump was greeted by Emperor Naruhito and his Harvardeducated wife at the imperial palace in a formal welcome ceremony.

Trump is the first foreign dignitary to be received by the monarch since Naruhito inherited the throne after his father, Akihito, stepped down on April 30, the first abdication by a Japanese emperor in two centuries. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

Taliban invited to Moscow for Afghan talks

A

delegation of Taliban officials led by the group’s chief negotiator is set to meet Afghan politicians in Moscow this week, officials said on Monday, as fighting continues in Afghanistan and the United States pursues a peace dialogue with the group.

The Taliban is to attend a conference marking a century of diplomatic relations between Afghanistan and Russia today, followed by discussions with Afghan politicians about the future of the country on May 29, the group said in a statement.

The 14-member Taliban delegation is led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, in

what will be his first international trip since being freed from a Pakistani prison last October to head the group’s negotiating team in Doha, Qatar.

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai will be in the Russian capital his spokesman said.

The Taliban, which has been in peace negotiations with the US since last year, has repeatedly refused to meet President Ashraf Ghani’s Government, calling it a “puppet” of the West.

US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said in a tweet that the details have to be worked out on “four inter-connected issues: troop withdrawal, count-

Taliban representatives met a number of non-Government Afghan politicians in the Russian capital Moscow in February [Sefa Karacan/

Anadolu]

er-terrorism assurances, intra-Afghan dialogue and negotiations, and reduction in violence leading to a comprehensive ceasefire.

Nothing will be final until we agree on all 4 issues”.

As the negotiations have continued, so has the fighting, with a Taliban roadside bombing killing 10 Afghan soldiers in the country’s

western Farah province, local officials said on Monday.

In the north, Taliban fighters attacked checkpoints in Sari Pul province, killing four members of the security forces and wounding 22, Zabiullah Amani, the provincial governor’s spokesman told the Associated Press news agency on Monday. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

India snubs Pakistan for Modi’s swearing-in ceremony – sources

I

ndia will not invite Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to Thursday’s swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi, who starts his second term as India’s Prime Minister, two sources in the Foreign Ministry said, suggesting any early warming in ties between the nuclear-armed neighbours is unlikely.

An Indian Government statement on Monday said the leaders of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan - all members, with India, of the little-known

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) - have been invited to Modi’s swearing-in.

“This is in line with Government’s focus on its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy,” a government spokesman said.

The leaders of Kyrgyzstan and Mauritius have also been invited, but two sources in Indian’s Foreign Ministry said Pakistan will not be on the list, without providing further information.

For the swearing-in cer-

emony for Modi’s first term in 2014, all nations from the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), that includes Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Maldives, were invited.

Modi and Khan both claimed their air forces carried out air strikes in enemy territory in March, to the alarm of world powers.

Modi, who was widely believed to have benefited politically from the stand-off, won a second term with an increased majority in a general election whose results were declared last week.

C

opioid crisis and hold manufacturers and wholesalers accountable for their roles in it.”

More than 10,000 Canadians have died of opioid-related overdoses since 2016, according to Government figures.

Combating the crisis is estimated to have cost Ottawa nearly US$300 million (400 million Canadian dollars).

Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario have been the hardest-hit provinces but the epidemic has affected every part of the country.

The British Columbia suit named opioid manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors as defendants, includ-

A

t least 45 people have died after a boat sank on Lake Mai-Ndombe in western Democratic Republic of Congo.

The provincial governor, Antoine Masamba, said the vessel was carrying more than 400 people, with reports that about 200 passengers are still missing.

The majority of those on board were teachers going to collect their salaries, a local mayor told the BBC. He said 11 children were among those who died when the old and overcrowded boat went down in strong waves.

The vessel, bound for Boliangwa, sank on Saturday evening almost 30km (18 miles) from the town of Inongo, its point of departure and capital of Mai-Ndombe Province.

The Mayor of Inongo, Simon Mboo Wemba, said police had arrested the captain of the boat and the in-

vestigation was ongoing.

Officials warn the search and recovery operations on the lake could take between two and three weeks.

The BBC’s Gaius Kowene in the capital, Kinshasa, said boat accidents are frequent in DR Congo because of overloading and poor maintenance DR Congo, which is about the size of mainland western Europe, has a poor road network and many areas are inaccessible unless by air or boat - and the country’s only super-highway is the Congo River.

Last month, at least 167 people died in two boat accidents on Lake Kivu.

This prompted Félix Tshisekedi, who became President in January, to make it mandatory for passengers to wear life jackets.

But it is not clear if those on the boat that sank on Saturday were wearing any.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

after bruising election

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Khan called Modi on Sunday to congratulate him on his win.

Modi could still meet Khan at a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan next month, that both leaders may attend. (Excerpt from Reuters)

ing Purdue Pharma, whose popular OxyContin drug has been blamed for triggering the crisis.

“These opioid manufacturers and wholesalers failed to warn doctors and the public of the dangers of opioids and marketed them as safer and less addictive than other medications when they were not,” Ontario said in a statement.

Mulroney said Ontario intends to invest any award from the suit in mental health and addiction services.

Neither British Columbia nor Ontario has yet said how much they would be seeking in damages. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

People look on as the rescue effort continues on Lake Mai-Ndombe

Europe’s leading parties lick wounds

Canada’s Ontario province to sue opioid makers anada’s most populous province of Ontario on Monday announced plans to sue opioid makers to recover healthcare costs related to the deadly addiction epidemic.

Ontario’s Attorney General, Caroline Mulroney, said the province will join a lawsuit launched last year by British Columbia against more than 40 opioid manufacturers and wholesalers.

According to local media, the province will introduce legislation that, if passed, would allow Ontario to join the proposed class action lawsuit.

She unveiled legislation to set up the legal action “to battle the ongoing

missing in DR Congo

I

n Europe’s powerhouses, supporters of mainstream parties have woken to a bruising defeat and are carefully considering their future.

More than 400 million Europeans in 28 member states including Brexiting Britain had been asked to cast a vote for a renewed five-year term of the European Union’s only directly elected body, the European Parliament.

Germany’s governing parties were dealt their worst results for 70 years, with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s centre-right Union bloc taking just 28.9 per cent of the vote (down from 35.4 per cent five years ago) and their Social Democrat allies receiving just 15.8 per cent (down from 27.3 per cent in 2014).

In France, President Emmanuel Macron has faced calls to dissolve Parliament after the far right stormed to victory in the European Parliament

elections. Macron’s Republic on the Move party is a defining voice among pro-business liberals, but received just 5.1 million votes, compared with 5.3 million for Marine Le Pen’s National Rally.

But in Britain and in Italy, there was little surprise as right-wing populists surged.

Liberal Democrats placed second with 20.3 per cent, Labour third with 14.1 per cent and the Greens with 12.1 per cent. The Conservatives could only manage 9.1 per cent.

Overall, pro-remain parties outperformed the “hard-Brexiters”, with the resurgent Liberal Democrats, rising Greens, brand new Change UK and Welsh progressive-nationalists Plaid Cymru getting a combined vote share of 38 per cent. The Brexit party and the UK Independence Party had a combined total of 36.8 per cent. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, may 28, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Keep your emotions under control. The less you let others know about you personally, the easier it will be to get things done without interference. Don’t believe everything you hear.

CANCER

Seize the moment and do something that brings you joy. Getting together with someone who shares your interests will bring you closer. Romance is in the stars.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

SUDOKU

tomorrow.

A physical change will give you the boost you need.

Live a healthy lifestyle and benefit from doing what’s best for you. Love and romance will enhance your life.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Make changes that will help you get ahead. Adding to your qualifications, setting up meetings or taking care of unfinished business will help you advance. Live, learn and love.

Don’t make an unnecessary change. Stick to what works, and avoid what someone else is trying to lure you into. Trust your intelligence, experience and insight, not what others tell you.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Don’t just think about what you want to do; make it happen. A physical change will lift your spirits and give you the confidence to do what makes you happy.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

Think matters through and make decisions based on what you discover.

Refuse to let someone meddle in your affairs or make plans for you. Use your time constructively.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Don’t leave anything to chance. Size up your situation and take an innovative approach to whatever you decide to do. Someone you find interesting will spark your imagination and inspire you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Look for reasonable opportunities that you can take advantage of without counting on someone else.

An empty promise is likely if you rely on others.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Keep your emotions out of important decisions. Do the work yourself and get things right the first time. A positive change at home will bring you closer to a loved one.

Suggest changes you want to make at home or work. Be ready and willing to put in the time to complete the task you set out to do.

Don’t let emotions ruin your plans. Disagreements will not solve a problem, but compromise and understanding will. Walk away from excessive situations. A change of heart is likely.

tuesday, MAY 28, 2019

19

Aston Villa in Premier League heaven with play-off win over Derby A ston Villa are back in the big time, £170m richer and free from the demons that have tormented them since they lost in the play-off final 12 months ago. After three rollercoaster years in the Championship, Villa have managed to navigate a return to the Premier League and how fitting that Dean Smith, a lifelong supporter, was at the helm to complete that journey.

There were wild scenes at the end, in the stands and on the pitch, as the Duke of Cambridge and John Carew jumped all over one another, and Jack Grealish and his teammates celebrated in front of the Villa supporters.

Villa handled the occasion far better than Derby and put themselves in a commanding position when John McGinn, capitalising on an error from Kelle Roos, doubled their lead after Anwar El Ghazi had scored just before half-time.

Derby played within themselves for too long and it was not until the final 20 minutes that Frank Lampard’s team started to attack with any real conviction. Martyn Waghorn’s goal, nine minutes from time, gave Derby some late hope but it was no more than that and Villa showed plenty of grit to hold on.

With so much at stake, it was perhaps not surprising that the game took a while to come alive. More than half an hour had passed before either side managed to register a shot on target as passes went astray and moves broke down far too easily. With tension filling the air, it was scrappy at times and hard to see where a goal was coming from until El Ghazi’s breakthrough.

If there was an element of good fortune about the way the ball ended up in the back of the net, the passage of playing leading up to the goal was by far the best move of the first half as Villa, playing out from the back, broke from one end of the pitch to the other. Conor Hourihane’s lofted pass was the one that did the damage, releasing Albert Adomah in space on the Villa right where Ashley Cole, Derby’s 38-year-old left-back, was left outnumbered.

Adomah cut the ball back to Ahmed Elmohamady, who had

Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish and teammates celebrate after beating Derby 2-1 at Wembley

so much time and space that he was able to take a touch before curling a lovely right-footed cross into the penalty area, over the head of Richard Keogh. Jayden Bogle, the Derby right-back, was caught on his heels a little as El Ghazi, darting across his opponent, threw himself at a ball that went in off his shoulder. Cue pandemonium among the Villa supporters.

Little of note had happened in the previous 44 minutes. Jack Grealish, who drifted in and out of the game, thrashed a 20-yard shot over in the seventh minute, and Tammy Abraham curled another effort over the angle of crossbar and post. As for Derby, there was no real purpose about their play, with Mason Mount’s shot from distance the only time that Jed Steer was troubled before half-time.

El Ghazi’s goal seemed to liberate Villa, whose bright and positive start to the second half was rewarded with another goal just before the hour mark. From Derby’s point of view, it was a dreadful goal to concede and questions will be asked as to how Roos, their goalkeeper, allowed McGinn to get to a high ball ahead of him.

El Ghazi was involved once again, cutting in from the left before thumping a shot that looped up in the air after Keogh had tried to block. Stood on his six-yard line, Roos tried to claim the ball with both hands, rather than punching, and McGinn accepted the invitation to nip in front of him and nod the ball into the unguarded net.

With Villa in total control, it was hard to see a way back for Derby, yet they roused and started to play with the belief that had been missing for so much of this game. Chances came and went before Jack Marriott, who had surprisingly been left out, controlled Bogle’s lay-off and drilled a low shot that flicked off Waghorn, another substitute, and past Steer. Villa, though, were not going to relinquish their grip on a game that had slipped through their hands a year ago. (The Guardian)

Khawaja’s 89 allays injury fears as Australia win

D

avid Warner was rested due to leg soreness and Steven Smith did all his batting in the nets, as Australia’s other big names Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc revved into rhythm and form in a comprehensive defeat of Sri Lanka in the World Cup warmup match at the Hampshire Bowl.

Usman Khawaja compiled an attractive 89 to press his case for the No. 3 batting spot, given intense competition for places that see him effectively duelling with Shaun Marsh for one spot, guiding Australia most of the way to victory with 31 balls to spare.

Using their pace and bounce to good effect, Cummins and Starc conceded a mere 19 runs from the final four overs of Sri Lanka’s innings to restrict Dimuth Karunaratne’s team to a mere 239 for 8, after they struggled to build momentum against Australia’s varied bowling attack on a slow and wearing pitch - the same one used for Australia’s earlier win over England on Saturday.

Combined figures of 2 for 61 from 17 overs left Starc (still recovering from a throat ailment) and Cummins in decent fettle ahead of their tournament opener against Afghanistan, their speed nicely complemented by the spin of Adam Zampa, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell and Smith.

Marcus Stoinis, too, showed signs of value, swinging the

3

SCOREBOARD

Usman Khawaja plays through the offside on his way to 89

ball enough to discomfort set batsmen.

For the Sri Lankans, a succession of starts were wasted, only Lahiru Thirimanne going past 50, and just one half-century stand being raised, by Dhananjaya de Silva and Thisara Perera.

They managed 38 in three overs bowled by Lyon and Kane Richardson, before the returns of Starc and Cummins put a definitive clamp on the innings.

On a fine, cool morning in Southampton, Karunaratne won the toss to bat first, but found boundaries hard to come by in the face of Australia’s discipline.

Richardson’s bouncer extracted the first

wicket, Dimuth not pulling out of a hook shot in time to avoid a thin edge behind that was missed by the umpire Nigel Llong but picked up via the DRS. Kusal Perera was pinned lbw by Maxwell, the over after the allrounder had spun a delivery sharply with artful variation, and Thirimanne’s elegant innings, punctuated by several aristocratic glides through the off side field off the back foot, was ended when Lyon skidded an offbreak bowled down the seam into his off stump.

While the remainder of Sri Lanka’s batting order all managed to get to double figures, there was never a

sense that they were getting away from the Australians, a conclusion backed up by the serene progress of the chase engineered by Aaron Finch’s team.

If there was any concern for the Australians it arrived in the form of Nuwan Pradeep’s nip-backer to get Finch lbw, in exactly the sort of fashion most teams will be looking to dismiss him as per the successes of Jasprit Bumrah for India during the Australian summer.

Every other member of the top six looked at home, batting around Khawaja’s spinal innings, though there may have been some annoyance at how Marsh (lofting to long

Sri Lanka Innings (50 overs maximum) HDRL Thirimanne b Lyon 56 FDM Karunaratne (c) c †Carey b Richardson 16 MDKJ Perera † lbw b Maxwell 12 BKG Mendis c Lyon b Zampa

24 AD Mathews c & b Smith 17 BMAJ Mendis lbw b Zampa

21 DM de Silva b Starc 43 NLTC Perera c Maxwell b Cummins 27 RAS Lakmal not out 7 TAM Siriwardana not out 4 Extras (lb 5, w 7) 12 TOTAL (50 Overs, RR: 4.78) 239-8 Did not bat: JDF Vandersay, N Pradeep, WIA Fernando Fall of wickets: 1-44 (FDM Karunaratne, 9.5 ov), 2-71 (MDKJ Perera, 16.2 ov), 3-110 (HDRL Thirimanne, 24.6 ov), 4-117 (BKG Mendis, 27.1 ov), 5-147 (AD Mathews, 33.4 ov), 6-161 (BMAJ Mendis, 37.5 ov), 7-225 (NLTC Perera, 47.1 ov), 8-230 (DM de Silva, 48.4 ov) BOWLING MA Starc (9-0-38-1) PJ Cummins (8-0-23-1) KW Richardson (6-0-52-1) GJ Maxwell (5-0-14-1) MP Stoinis (3-0-11-0)

on), Maxwell and Stoinis (both tugging catches to deep midwicket) rather gave their innings away. Khawaja was given out stumped when the third umpire deduced his foot was on the crease but not behind it, leaving Cummins to collect the remaining runs in the company of Alex Carey.

A Zampa (9-0-39-2) NM Lyon (8-0-48-1) SPD Smith (2-0-9-1) Australia Innings (target: 240 runs from 50 overs) AJ Finch (c) lbw b Pradeep 11 UT Khawaja st †MDKJ Perera b Vandersay 89 SE Marsh c Siriwardana b de Silva 34 GJ Maxwell c Thirimanne b Siriwardana 36 MP Stoinis c sub (AK Perera) b Vandersay 32 AT Carey † not out 18 PJ Cummins not out 9 Extras (lb 2, nb 1, w 9) 12 TOTAL (44.5 Overs, RR: 5.37) 241-5 Yet to bat: A Zampa, NM Lyon, KW Richardson, MA Starc, SPD Smith, JP Behrendorff Fall of wickets: 1-16 (AJ Finch, 3.6 ov), 2-96 (SE Marsh, 19.3 ov), 3-161 (GJ Maxwell, 29.6 ov), 4-203 (MP Stoinis, 36.4 ov), 5-218 (UT Khawaja, 40.2 ov) BOWLING RAS Lakmal (6-0-26-0) N Pradeep (6-1-28-1) BMAJ Mendis (10-0-54-0) NLTC Perera (5-0-35-0) DM de Silva (5-0-17-1) JDF Vandersay (7.5-0-51-2) TAM Siriwardana (5-0-28-1)

Nevertheless, Australia have won all three of their warm-up matches in England - they are clearly eager for the main event to start. Sri Lanka appear to have a few more problems on their hands, but all will be forgotten should they win their opener against New Zealand. (ESPNcricinfo)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesday, MAY 28, 2019

Champions League final: Kane would be ready “tomorrow” to play H arry Kane has made it plain he will be fit for the Champions League final against Liverpool on Saturday, going so far as to say if the game were tomorrow, he would be available.

The Tottenham striker’s fitness has been a major talking point since the ankle ligament injury he suffered in the first leg of the quarter-final against Manchester City on 9 April. It was the fifth time in three seasons Kane had damaged ankle ligaments. Previously, the England captain has been out for between three and seven weeks with the problems.

Kane returned to full training last Friday and, assuming all goes well, he hopes to be in Mauricio Pochettino’s starting XI for Madrid. The manager has so far given nothing away as to whether he intends to start with Kane. The player’s upbeat fitness bulletin also represents good news for England, who contest the inaugural Nations League fi-

nals, which begin on 6 June.

Kane said: “If the final was tomorrow, I would be fit to play. I feel good. I’m back [training] with the team and there have been no problems so far. I’ve been in full training, doing everything. I’m at a place now where I’m ready to go for any game.

The manager will assess it and decide. But, so far, I feel good and ready.

“Having the threeweek gap after the end of the [Premier League] season definitely helped. From when it happened, I could put a plan in place to be ready for this game. We’ve had longer than we had for the other ankle injuries and it’s worked out well. I’m in a good place.”

Kane said he had chatted to Gareth Southgate, the England manager, over the weekend. “He wanted to wish me luck for this week,” Kane said. “He knows it’s a massive game for our players and the Liverpool team, as well. I guess he’ll have a few happy players and a few unhappy players when we

meet up but we’ve always said when we meet up with England, it’s into England mode.

Firmino returns

Liverpool’s Champions League final plans have received a massive boost after Roberto Firmino returned to training.

The Brazil striker was given the green light to join his team-mates for the first session of the Reds’ training camp in Marbella on Tuesday.

Firmino’s workload will be slowly increased over the coming days following his recovery from a groin injury.

A specialised programme has been drawn up by club staff which will see him play a greater role in the full training sessions over the course of the week.

Barring a n y setbacks, Firmino is on course to take his place in t h e

starting line up for the final showdown with Tottenham in Madrid on June 1.

Liverpool’s 16goal No 9 has missed the past three matches since aggravating the problem during a late cameo in the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona.

Jurgen Klopp was always hopef u l

that Firmino would be fit for the final and the 27-year-old has worked tirelessly to regain fitness.

He reported to Marbella earlier than his team-mates in order to be put through his paces by the club’s strength and rehabilitation assistant David Rydings.

(The Guardian)

Harry Kane tries a shot while Dele Alli watches on

London 10,000: Britons Mo Farah and Steph Twell claim titles

B

ritain’s four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah won the Vitality London 10,000 for the seventh time as compatriot Steph Twell also retained her title.

Farah, 36, finished in 28 minutes 14 seconds as fellow Britons Andrew Butchart and Nick Goolab finished second and third respectively.

Scotland’s Twell, 29, crossed the line in 31:55, ahead of Jess Piasecki and Verity Ockenden.

“I honestly thought this was my sixth [win],” Farah told BBC Sport.

“It’s even better when I heard it was

my seventh one.”

European 5,000m bronze medallist Twell told BBC Sport: “I was a bit nervous because there is a great depth in British women’s running.

“I love running with the guys. I think that an equal run is a really good way to push yourself and push your body.

“This is the penultimate year before the Olympic year. You want to build as much foundation to give yourself the best chance of being selected.

“It’s a huge honour to become an Olympian but that’s not the finish line.

The finish line is giving a really good per-

formance out in Tokyo.”

Daniel Sidbury and three-time Paralympic medallist Shelly Woods won the men’s and women’s wheelchair races, having both won their respective races in Sunday’s Westminster Mile.

“I’m very surprised, but very pleased,”

Sidbury told BBC Sport.

“I’m pleased with how both races went. I was more nervous for this 10k as I thought it would be more of a challenge.”

On Sunday, Twell and her husband Joe Morwood broke a world record for the fastest mile while holding hands. (BBC Sport)

Skeete, Payton lead MHS to inaugural Independence Athletics title

Teachers of the Mackenzie High School posing with the Championship Trophy

O

Mo Farah and Steph Twell retain London 10,000 titles

n a rain-affected Sunday, May 26, when the McNeal/Cameron inaugural Independence Day Track and Field Clash was held at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground in Linden, Region 10, not even inclement weather could prevent enthusiastic athletes of both the Mackenzie High and Christianburg-Wismar Secondary schools from turning in outstanding performances in furtherance of their respective causes, which invariably included bragging rights.

In the end, Deshanna Skeete with 30 points and Russell Payton with 28 led Mackenzie High to a crushing 324-238 points’ win over archrivals Christianburg-Wismar in what from all appearances has shaped up to become an annual bragging rights meet.

Christianburg-Wismar Secondary School’s most outstanding athletes were Shaqua Tyrell, with 28 points, and Tristan Clarke, with 25 points.

Each of these schools was handed appearance

fees of $100,000 and a smart television set, while the meet’s top performers were handed trophies and medals.

At the end of the day’s activities, Mackenzie High were owners of the right to brag for the next year.

Undoubtedly tops in the arena of track and field over the years, these two schools came to head when their yesteryear athletes Mc Neal and Cameron decided on an activity of this sort in a casual meeting between themselves.

Among those who witnessed the clash were former Mackenzie High athlete Michael Goodluck and former ‘Multi’ School athlete Sandra Baird, who reminisced on their years at the two educational institutions. They, too, were recipients of $100,000 and smart televisions.

Regional Member of Parliament Audwin Rutherford and AAG President Aubrey Hutson were also among the multitude who witnessed the day’s activities.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, may 28, 2019

5K Independence Road Race…

CLASSIFIED ADS ARACARI ARACARI HOTEL, WBD (NEAR HARBOUR BRIDGE) ALL MODERN AMENITIES- RATES FROM US$25.

TEL #264-2946-8 CONFERENCE & RETREATS- FULL SERVICE: HOTEL, CATERING & FACILITES. ARACARI RESORT, WBD. ALEX WAYNE: 264-2946.

WEDDINGS & ANNIVERSARIES. RENTAL OR FULL SERVICE: BANQUET HALL & CATERING, ARACARI RESORT. ALEX WAYNE: 264-2946.

SALON: COSMETOLOGY-FULL COURSE $100,000. TECHNICIAN $40,000. ARACARI SALON & SPA, WBD 264-3312, 600-3927.

FOR SALE 1 COMPLETE 6 BASS MUSIC SYSTEM. TEL: 601-9855 / 253-3070 • SMALL BUS/VAN – GOOD CONDITION $380,000 NEGOTIABLE680-3863 • TOYOTA COROLLA CAR, LEFT HAND DRIVE $380,000 NEGOTIABLE -680-3863 • STAND UP FREEZER - $85,000- 680-3863

LAND for sale TRANSPORTED LAND 11.6 ACRES. LOT 15 PUBLIC ROAD, No2 VILLAGE, WCB/CE. PRICE $18M. CONTACT # 686-4818, 648-7109

NOTICE APPLICATION FOR MONEY LENDER CERTIFICATE. PURSUANT TO SECTION 4 OF THE MONEY LENDER ACT. I CEDRIC JOEL WEEKES OF LOT 8 DEN AMSTEL OLD ROAD, WEST COAST DEMERARA GUYANA IS HERE

BY GIVING NOTICE THAT I HAVE APPLIED TO THE MAGISTRATE OF THE WEST DEMERARA MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT FOR A CERTIFICATE UNDER THE MONEY LENDER LICENSE, AUTHORISING THE GRANT TO ME OF A MONEY LENDER LICENSE TO CARRY ON THE BUSINESS OF A PAWN SHOP UNDER THE TITLE, WEEKES FAST CASH PAWNSHOP AT LOT Y BLANKEN BURG PUBLIC ROAD WEST COAST DEMERARA. NOTICE OF ANY OBJECTION TO THE APPLICATION SHOULD BE SENT FORTHWITH TO THE CLERK OF THE COURT OF WEST DEMERARA MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT AND A COPY OF SUCH NOTICE SHOULD BE SENT TO THE SUBSCRIBER CEDRIC JOEL WEEKES (APPLICANT) DATED AT GEORGETOWN DEMERARA THE DAY MAY 2019.

ROOMS AND SHOPPING ROOMS AND SHOPPING IN CENTRAL GEORGETOWN FOR MORE INFORMATION: EMAIL: caribamercare@gmail.com TELEPHONES #: 226-2409/223-4159/644-2388/6875448

spirituality & ASTROLOGY OM SHAKTI ASTROLOGY. MEET PANDIT ONCE AND GET PERMANENT SOLUTIONS FOR ALL YOUR PROBLEMS, PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE. JOB, LOVE, HEALTH AND DOMESTIC PROBLEMS 100%. CALL OR WHATSAPP 692-9449. LOCATED – ECCLES EAST BANK DEMERARA.

TO LET FURNISHED AND UNFURNISHED APARTMENT TO RENT 3 E PUBLIC ROAD LUSIGNAN -638-9803, 6564163

VACANCY • COOK-624-0033 • DRIVER AND PORTER FOR WATER DELIVERY TRUCK – 680-3863

WANTED TAILOR AND SEAMSTRESS TEL: 6019855 / 253-3070

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

21

2 in 2 for “The Kenyan” Story and photos Jemima Holmes

by

A

fter two races that comprised 15km of enthusiastic competition, Kenyan distance ace Godfrey Mbihia was the proverbial last man standing, having figuratively taken Guyana’s best distance athletes “to school”.

He crossed the finish line first on Sunday morning in the Independence 10K, and in little time was already ‘recharged and refuelled’ for what would be a much faster 5K event on Monday afternoon.

Cool, calm and collected on the starting line in the National Park on Monday, he got off to an average start, and stuck with the leading pack.

Given that the distance to be covered was half of what had obtained on the previous day, participating athletes needed to go at a much faster pace in order to make the podium.

The experienced 40-year-old Mbihia was aware of this, and ensured that he kept stride with the front runners.

By the time they hit the Carifesta Avenue stretch, the racers were divided into two groups, and it was clear who would be the first 10 athletes to cross the finish line.

However, what was not clear were the final positions.

Mbihia found himself behind two youngsters, one of whom was Marlon Nicholson who had copped second place in Sunday’s race,

Marlon Nicholson (red) has the lead ahead of “The Kenyan”, Godfrey Mbihia (blue) Kissanna Glen (left) approaching the finish line

having finished right behind the Kenyan; but despite their having the advantage of zest, stamina and youth, Mbihia showed those younger athletes that experience would always prevail, as he took over the lead at Thomas Lands.

Heading into the National Park and nearing the finish line, Nicholson saw an opportunity to recapture the lead, but Mbihia had already put a distance of 60 metres between them, and the younger athlete could not close it. As such, for the second time in two days, the veteran all the way from Kenya was able to reign supreme.

Having now twice competed against Guyanese athletes, Mbihia had many positive things to say about them, while explaining how much he had enjoyed the race.

“Today’s race was so nice. Although I was feeling some tiredness…I was still confident. The race was very competitive; in fact, I loved it. They should take good care of these guys. You have good guys here, strong youths coming up,” Mbihia stated.

The up-and-coming Marlon Nicholson was very satisfied and contented with his second position. He noted that exhaustion and the common cold had almost

prevented him from crossing the finish line, but he was happy that he had been able to persevere and make a good finish in such a tough field of competition.

“Well, I started off tired and my blood started getting hot. At one point I wanted to drop out (of) the race, but I had to make up my mind to run. The Kenyan is a smart runner, he’s more experienced than (I am), and I’m now developing. I give him the respect,” Nicholson told this publication.

Kissanna Glen was the first female to cross the 5K line.

The Running Brave athlete finished minutes before some of her male counterparts, and took commanding strides across the finish line to take

the female top honours.

“I performed good!” she said. “I started the race hard, and I knew if I continued with it I had to get a good end. A lot of things were going through my mind, like stop; but I just ignored that and I continued running, because I knew I was coming to the end,” Glen said.

The 5K race was hosted by the Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS) with sponsorship from Guybisco, Office of the President, Office of the Prime Minister, GTT, ANSA McAL, BK International, Brans Security, Busta Beverages, Cummings Electrical, and Kenneth Phillips.

In excess of $800,000 in prizes have been distributed to the successful athletes.

French Open 2019: Nadal back to his merciless old self C laycourt master Rafael Nadal quickly adapted to the new surroundings at Roland Garros with a 6-2 6-1 6-3 demolition of German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in the first round of the French Open on Monday.

On a revamped Court Philippe Chatrier, the 11-times champion wasted little time in despatching Hanfmann after the German had the audacity to say in the run up to the match that he could do ‘some damage’.

Nadal will next meet another qualifier, German Yannick Maden.

Hanfmann failed to seize potential opportunities as Nadal, who usually starts slowly at Roland Garros, limited his unforced errors to 11.

The quest for perfection has always defined Nadal and the win improved his Roland Garros record to a remarkable 87-2. The Spaniard is hoping to become the first player to win the same Grand Slam title 12 times.

After suffering consecutive semi-final exits in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid this season, questions were asked about Nadal’s form heading into his favorite Grand Slam.

He answered many of those doubts by beating rival Novak Djokovic to win the Italian Open title in Rome, but even that was not enough to convince Nadal that he was ready for Paris.

Novak advances

Top seed Novak Djokovic eased into the second round of the French Open on Monday with a 6-4 6-2 6-2 defeat of young Polish player Hubert Hurkacz.

The 32-year-old Serb is bidding for a second Roland Garros title and to become the first man in the professional era to hold all four Grand Slam titles on two separate occasions.

Reigning champion Rafael Nadal, the man most likely to block Djokovic’s path to a second “Nole Slam”, had earlier launched his bid for a 12th title on the Parisian clay in sublime fashion.

But Djokovic more than matched the Spaniard’s display with a near faultless performance in the afternoon sunshine on Court Philippe Chatrier to seal a 22nd consecutive win in Grand Slam play since losing in the quarter-finals here last year.

He broke serve in the opening game on his way to taking the opening set in routine fashion and the only blip was when he dropped serve at 4-1 in the second set.

Serena’s chasing records

Serena Williams, chasing a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title, overcame a wob-

bly start to reach the second round of the French Open with a 2-6 6-1 6-0 victory against Russia’s Vitalia Diatchenko on Monday.

The 10th-seeded American peppered Court Philippe Chatrier with unforced errors in an ugly opening set before finding her range to set up a meeting with Japan’s Kurumi Nara or Slovenian Dalila Jakupovic.

“I’m just happy to win today,” the American said after her 800th tour-level victory.

The three-times Roland Garros champion is looking to emulate Margaret Court, who claimed 24 majors spread across the amateur and professional eras.

Williams’s haul started at the U.S. Open 20 years ago but she has not won a major since she beat her older sister Venus in the Australian Open final in 2017.

She produced a see-saw display in a half-empty stadium on Monday, struggling to adapt to windy conditions in chilly weather.

Diatchenko broke in the fifth game with a crosscourt backhand winner to open a 3-2 lead, and won on her opponent’s serve again in the seventh game to secure the opening set.

Then Williams fired up the engine and raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set, losing only one more game as Diatchenko faded away. (Reuters)

Pure Silk Championship: Bronte Law wins 1st LPGA Tour title

E

ngland’s Bronte Law won her first title on the LPGA Tour with a two-shot victory at the Pure Silk Championship in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Law, 24, made five birdies and one bogey in a final-round 67 to finish 17 under, having held a share of the lead throughout the tournament.

Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom, Canada’s Brooke Henderson and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka tied for second on 15 under.

“I believe in hard work and determination,” said Law. “I really stayed so focused out there today.

Obviously my caddie, Jeff, did a great job keeping me calm.”

Law’s victory came three weeks after she lost in a play-off at the LPGA’s Mediheal Championship at Lake Merced near San Francisco.

“I guess after San Fran it really gave me per-

spective that I can compete at the top,” she added.

“I came in this week with the sole intention of going one better. It feels really good.”

Eight-time LPGA Tour winner Henderson made three birdies in the last round to finish tied for second alongside Sagstrom - who recorded her career-best finish - and Hataoka, who birdied the final hole. (BBC Sport)

22

tuesday, MAY 28, 2019

T

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

GMMAKA successful at NAFMA International Championships

he Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Karate Association (GMMAKA) recently competed in the North American Martial Arts (NAFMA) International Championships in Atlantic City, New Jersey and emerged successful after battling against a host of international competitors.

In the senior division, Azariah Duncan earned first place in the traditional kata, kumite and freeform disciplines; while Chandrapaul Sukhu placed first in the kumite and 2nd in the freeform and traditional kata disciplines respectively; even as Altaf Singh copped 1st in the traditional kata, 2nd in the kumite, and 3rd in the freeform disciplines.

In the Black Belt division, Zafar Lee Ramnarine placed 2nd in kumite, 3rd in freeform and weapon, and 2nd in traditional kata; while Raul Joseph picked up 3rd in the traditional kata, and Abrar Wahid bagged 3rd in kumite and freeform.

After an 18-year hiatus, Master Lloyd Ramnarine stepped back into the martial arts arena and placed 1st in the kumite, even as he received a special award from grandmaster Jose Torres.

Master Lloyd Ramnarine then congratulated the students who participated in the international martial arts championships, and highly praised their sponsors for making the event a success.

Some of the entities which sponsored athletes are Anand Persaud Dental Lab, Dougie Beer Garden in Bagotstown, Howard

Marslowe confident Bartica football is progressing

Restaurant in Eccles, National Horse Racing, Atlantic Marine Supply, Silvies Variety Store; and Republic Bank for sponsoring Azariah Duncan.

Persons interested in martial arts are invited to visit the following academies: one located at the Diamond/Grove Primary School; Vreed-en-Hoop Martial Arts Academy, located Opposite Royal Castle; Herstelling Tiger Martial Arts Academy, at the NDC Building; Invisible Kicks Martial Arts Academy in La Parfaite Harmonie, WBD; and Red Dragon Martial Arts Academy, located at the Bell West Primary School, WBD. If interested, instructors can be contacted on 698-6727; 6730823; 698-7456; 266-2869, and 622-4857.

Greenidge pleased with chess team’s performance

BFA President Alden Marslowe handing to Potaro Strikers the winning trophy in the recently concluded GFF-KFC Under-20 Knockout Football Tournament

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Bartica leg of the GFF-KFC Under-20 Knockout Football Tournament had come to an end, and the Bartica Football Association (BFA) will now turn their attention to the continuation of the Bartica Senior League, GFF-NAMILCO Under-17 League, and the GFF-Pele Alumni Under-15 League.

BFA officials are convinced that the GFFKFC tournament has no precedent in recent football history at Bartica. They say football at Bartica had experienced a slump over a number of years, but is finally on the upswing again with the recent election of a new BFA Executive Committee and rehabilitation of the community’s main venue, the Bartica Community Centre Ground, which is soon to be completed.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, BFA President Alden Marslowe said, “The winning club from each league will represent Bartica is their respective national playoffs. However, our programmes are designed to be continuous, in order to promote general football development. Along the leagues, we will start Under-13 in the summer and will also boost the Academy Training Centre for younger players.

“Our challenge at Bartica is the availability of facilities. Rehabilitation of the Bartica Community Centre Ground is taking longer than expected, and there is only one other available ground for us to use, which is now

closed due to rain.”

Marslowe also said football at Bartica has been down for many years, and this is causing sponsors to take a while to respond to requests for assistance. But now that the BFA is up and running again, he is optimistic that new sponsors would be pledging to assist football in Bartica.

He related that the BFA has, however, been getting support from the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and its partners, which include FIFA and corporate Guyana.

The BFA president has promised that the BFA would continue to engage sponsors in a bid to convince them that football in Bartica is “alive and kicking”.

He said the BFA was at one point among the top associations in Bartica, and he is confident that, in good time, football will again occupy the exalted position it once did in Bartica.

Asked what makes football in Bartica different from what is being played anywhere in Guyana, Marslowe said, “Our attacking style of play makes our game very exciting; so look out for Bartica once again! One of our clubs, Potaro Strikers FC, will be in action in the GFF Independence Under-20 Tournament early in June in Georgetown.”

The clubs that would be competing in the three tournaments are Beacons, Lazio, Rising Stars, Potaro Strikers, Mil Ballers, Wolves United, Rivers View, and Agatash United.

UG chess coach Ronuel Greenidge standing on the third-place podium

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he University of Guyana Chess Team participated in the recently held XVII Juegos Deportes Universitarios Centro Americanos y Del Caribe Colombian Mayo 20-26 2019, and gained third place overall, after competing against some of the top nations in chess.

Coach of this UG side, Ronuel Greenidge, has expressed his great pleasure at the team’s overall performance.

The participating players were: Davion Mars, who gained 3 of 5 points in the male classical category to help the team secure 3rd place; Andre Jagnandan, who stepped up to the challenge and held on to critical draws against a much-higher-rated Gonzalez Delgado Hugo Andres from Costa Rica, who is rated 1871, and another lower rated opponent, to add to the team’s tally; and Sidney Nelson, who also amassed 2 points to bring the team’s tally up to 6 points, thereby securing third place in the classical senior male team category.

In the blitz category, the team managed to secure another bronze with record-

ed points by Mars, Nelson and Jagnandan.

The lone female team member to participate was Anicia Patterson. She is the current female chess champion at the University of Guyana. For her, the journey was more of an experience, as, while she did not secure a point, she gained valuable ‘intel’, as this was her first international outing.

Speaking with <<Guyana Times Sport>> on his team’s performance, Greenidge said, “I'm pleased, considering the effort they put into it. They needed more tournament experience to place higher. The Costa Ricans have about 15 classical tournaments a year, besides ‘rapid’ and ‘blitz’. Also, the members on the chess squad are on full academic scholarships, so chess is very serious for them. The major disadvantage the player faced was their inability to adapt to the climate and food.”

Despite the inevitable setbacks, the UG side was able to dig deep and secure a place on the podium. For now, the chess team will be training, as its members will be working to up their game and go for gold in the upcoming University Games 2020.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, MAY 28, 2019

23

Upbeat New Zealand aim to extend form against dark horses West Indies A

fter a well-rounded performance tion. against the second ranked India Ross Taylor continued his consistent run at The Oval, New Zealand look to in 2019 with a steady 71, whereas Kane maintain consistency when they take on Williamson reminded everyone of his batWest Indies in their last warm-up game on ting prowess with a well compiled 67.

Tuesday.

With most senior players in fine form, New Zealand have well and truly an- the Blackcaps appear as a settled unit gonounced themselves as a side to be respect- ing into the World Cup. They’ll, ed at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup h o w ever, hope that their 2019, after their convincing victory against wicket-keeper batsIndia on Saturday. man, Tom Latham reTheir new-ball pair of covers quickly from Tim Southee and Trent his finger injury.

Boult exploited the condiWest Indies tions to great effect to get will be desrid of the strong Indian perate to get top-order, before the some match all-rounders, Colin practice, afde Grandhomme ter their first and James warm-up Neesham took game was over. cut short Trent Boult’s due to rhythm and acrain on curacy must’ve Sunday. surely givThe en ominous essence signs to all of this the top-order Kane Williamson (left) and Ross batsmen in Taylor combined to lead New the comZealand to victory over India in petitheir CWC warm-up match

match increases further given the fact that their senior players Chris Gayle, Andre Russell weren’t a part of the recently concluded tri-series in Ireland. Chris Gayle’s form during the home series against England and Shai Hope’s consistency in recent times will act as a huge morale booster for the two-time World champions.

The bowling unit has consistently failed to take wickets in recent times. The new ball pair of captain Jason Holder and Sheldon Cottrell have not been able to create any opportunities, conceding runs at over runa-ball in their nine-over combined spell against South Africa. To add to the woes, Shannon Gabriel, who left the field after bowling the first two balls of the ninth over, didn’t take the field post the first rain interruption. He seems to have suffered a strain of some sort. The team management and the fans will hope that the Trinidad pacer recovers quickly before their first game against Pakistan in the tournament proper.

Martin Guptill has been in great touch of late, having scored two centuries in his last three ODIs. Guptill will carry some good memories from his last outing against the West Indies, when he smashed a World Cup record 237* in the quarter-finals of the last edition. The opening batsman, who led the scoring charts in the 2015 edition, will look at this game as an opportunity to get himself into the groove after he failed to convert

his start against India on Saturday.

Chris Gayle (West Indies): The universe boss announced his return in West Indies colours in grand style, with a series of power-packed performances against England, earlier this year. Gayle, who became the first player to score a double hundred in the tournament’s history in 2015, will relish the batting friendly conditions on offer during the mega-event. The contest between him and the in-form Boult might well be one of the decisive factors on Tuesday.

Chances of a complete 100-over game seem bleak with high probability of rain in the afternoon. However, if the action does take place, one can expect some big hitting in batting friendly conditions which are aided by short boundaries.

Squads: New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt), Tom Blundell (wk), Trent Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Colin Munro, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.

West Indies: Jason Holder (c), Chris Gayle, Kemar Roach, Darren Bravo, Andre Russell, Shai Hope (wk), Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Shannon Gabriel, Carlos Brathwaite, Ashley Nurse, Shimron Hetmyer, Fabian Allen, Oshane Thomas, Nicholas Pooran (ICC)

UG wins 20 medals at Pepsi/Mike Parris Boxing Tournament preps fighters for University Games foreign engagement

The victorious chess team

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he University Games held in Colombia from May 20-26 have seen the University of Guyana contingent winning a total of 20 medals across several disciplines.

Eleven medals were won by the eight-member athletics team, while nine were won by the Chess contingent.

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport, Head of the University of Guyana Sports Department, Sports organiser Lavern Fraser, said: “The performance of the students, in my opinion, was exceptional, since the weather condition of the competition was totally of a different kind. It’s cold here to the extent (that) most of us brought mittens for our hands.

“I want to thank the students themselves, who took the time needed to prepare to ensure an excellent display of how much can be done with little; and (I want to thank the) coach, Mr Mark Scott, for his time and effort. However, in terms of preparation, I do believe that, come next year, we should

Some of the boxers after this weekend’s action

be present in whatever country is hosting the games at least seven days before.”

According to Fraser, of the students who participated in the track and field events, Ruth Sanmoogan and Leoni Adams won gold in the long jump and triple-jump events respectively. Sanmoogan also earned silver and bronze medals respectively in the 200M and 100M events, while Adams also earned bronze in the long-jump event. Moreover, Jevina Sampson and Delina Clarke each earned a silver medal, respectively in the 4x200M and 4x100M relays.

The male athletes Kevin Paul, Noelex Holder, Jovon Johnson and Shimar Velloza won silver in the 4x400M and bronze in the 4x100M relays. Kevin Paul also earned silver in the 400M race, while Holder earned bronze in the 200M race.

Fraser went on to state that the UG 5-person squad of chess players: Davion Mars, Andre Jagnandan, Triston Carter, Sidney Nelson and Anicia Patterson, was quite exceptional in managing to secure third place at the end of their matches.

W

ith three months remaining before they hit the regional stage at the Caribbean School Boys and Juniors Tournament, local youth boxers were given another opportunity to test their skills against their counterparts in yet another Pepsi/Mike Parris U-16 meet.

That meet took place this month at the Andrew ‘Six Head’ Lewis Gym in Albouystown, and more than five gyms from around the country participated.

Results from that encounter are as follows: Malachi Sealey of the Young Achievers Gym (YA) went down to Sean Graham of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF).

Maldini De Silva of the YA went down to Dwyane Baptiste of the FYF. Wayne Castillo of the FYF went down to his gym mate Malachi Jones; and Daniel Wright of Vergenoegen Boxing Gym suffered defeat at the hands of Alex Butcher of the YA. YA’s Shurlon Benjamin was outclassed

by FYF’s Jaqwan Milo, but the YA had their revenge when Joshua Joseph of FYF fell to their boxer Emmanuel Pompey.

FYF’s Patrick Harvey later registered a win over Rose Hall Jammers’(RHJs’) Francis Sukhu in the ring.

A number of exhibition bouts, in some cases featuring female boxers, were also staged.

Akeelah Vancooten of FYF took on Jermin Andrews of the same gym, and the dominant Alesha Jackman was pitted against Ryan Benjamin. Her sister, Abiola Jackman, also came up against Hasha Holder. The final exhibition fight saw Richard Howard of FYF coming up against Shaquency Wright. All these were entertaining fights.

This year’s Caribbean School Boys and Juniors Tournament will be contested in Guyana from August 16-18, and is expected to feature Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia.

Newcomers to the tournament will be Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

The presence of these two powerhouse boxing nations will make for exciting competition. Guyana is currently reigning champion, having won the tournament for the past three years.

tuesday, MAY 28, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Page 23

Upbeat New Zealand aim to extend form against dark horses West Indies Marslowe confident Bartica football is progressing

5K Independence Road Race

Page 22

Page 21

2 in 2 for “The Kenyan”

Godfrey “The Kenyan” Mbihia crossing the finish line far ahead of the pack

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.