Guyana Times Tuesday October 22, 2019

NAREI lifts ban on P10 importation of citrus fruits

…advises of rejection if requirements are not satisfied Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Issue No. 4084

tuesday, OCTOber 22, 2019

Guyana ranked 2nd to Russia for most oil finds in 2019 ꟷ found millions more barrels of oil than Norway, UK & US See story on page 7

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Decomposed body of man found in P9 trench with plastic bag around head

Duo busted with 42kg of ganja at Parika P8 charged

14-year-old boy vanishes after visiting P9 friend

Driver killed after fuel tanker turns turtle at Buck Hall P2 Nineteen-year-old Dhanwanttie Amisha Tajeshwar was on Saturday evening crowned Miss Guyana Sari Queen 2019 when the pageant was hosted by the Guyana Divya Jyoti Organisation at the National Stadium. Copping the first runner-up spot was Madhurie Raishma Ramgolam and Nikito Nafeeza Lochan took the second runner-up spot

Teen stabbed to death Atlantic Gardens during argument over resident is Page Page Guyana’s 13 “old grievance” 11

...suspect is part of “gang” that terrorises persons ꟷ residents

newest lawyer

Man dies after reportedly driving car into Demerara River See story on page 12

Former national basketball P9 player found dead in T&T

2 news

tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Driver killed after fuel tanker turns turtle at Buck Hall A 34-year-old man is now dead after the fuel tanker he was operating toppled at Tapir Trail, Buck Hall, Region Two (PomeroomSupenaam) on Sunday.

Dead is Atewick DeFreitas of Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, East Bank Demerara.

Reports are that the driver lost control of the tanker while travelling down a hill. As a result,

the vehicle careened off the road and crashed into a ravine.

The tanker was one of three heading to the Aurora Mine, operated by Aurora Gold Mine Inc – a subsidiary of Guyana Goldfields Inc. The driver was employed

by Trail Boss Interior Trucking Services Inc, locally contracted by AGM to transport fuel to its Aurora Mine. According to Police

information, the driver was travelling at a fast rate of speed when the accident occurred.

During the accident, the driver’s body was reportedly flung out of the vehicle.

Following the report of the accident, AGM’s emergency response team attended the site, where the company’s medical officer reported that the driver had succumbed to his injuries.

The company’s Interim

Dead: Atewick DeFreitas

Chief Executive Officer, Allen Palmiere, in a statement stated, “We are deeply saddened by this tragic accident and our condolences go to his family. Our immediate focus is to support his family, friends and colleagues at this most difficult time. Safety for everyone is our highest priority and this was the first time that an accident of this nature has occurred while fuel is being transported off-site

to Aurora.

“Health and safety are core values of AGM and, as such, frequent training is conducted on all occupational health and safety programmes. An investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing and the necessary authorities have been notified. Operations continued at the Aurora Mine.”

The body is awaiting a post-mortem examination.

news

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tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Tuesday, October 22 – 12:30h-14:00h and Wednesday, October 23 – 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Strict implementation of drug master plan needed to eradicate drug trafficking – NANA Director – says community, civil society must also get involved

Tuesday, October 22 – 11:30h – 13:00h and Wednesday, October 23 – 12:45h-14:15h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers are expected in the morning hours, with sunshine prevailing for the rest of the day. Clear skies are expected in the evening. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

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

High Tide: 11:16h and 23:44h reaching maximum heights of 2.17 metres and 2.25 metres.

Low Tide: 04:31h and 17:11h reaching minimum heights of 0.94 metres and 1.09 metres.

saturday, october 19, 2019

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

NANA Director, Major General (ret’d) Michael Atherly, at the opening of the drug treatment court

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ith Guyana considered a drug transhipment point in South America, only the strict implementation of the Drug Strategy Master Plan will suffice to eradicate the scourge of drug abuse and trafficking in Guyana.

This was emphasised

by Director of the National Anti-Narcotics Agency (NANA), retired Major General Michael Atherly during the opening of Guyana’s first specialised drug rehabilitation court.

According to Atherly, many factors, including those outside of Guyana, can help to explain Guyana’s drug problem.

“National considerations also take into account several international deliberations, including treaties, strategies and best practices. Guyana is located within the hub of the transhipment routes for cocaine-producing countries in South and Central America to the North American and European markets.”

“Drug cartels operating there seem to feel that profits gained from these markets overshadow the risks associated with production and trafficking. Accordingly, Guyana is not spared the distressing consequences of this problem. The drug problem must, therefore, be countered relentlessly.”

Atherly emphasised the need for all stakeholders, including communities, civil society, and the Private Sector, to be involved in eradicating the drug scourge. In addition, he cited the master plan, which the Government launched back in 2016.

“The National AntiNarcotics Agency believes that strong anti-narcotic efforts and demand reduction measures can and must go hand in hand with policies focused on rehabilitation and reintegration of drug users into society, in full respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity.”

“I would like to take this opportunity to reemphasise the need for vigorous implementation of the National Drug Strategy Master Plan.

This plan is aimed at guiding and monitoring the actions of Government departments and their stakeholders, to reduce the demand for and supply of drugs, as well as

the resulting harm from their abuse.”

Earlier this year, a United States (US) State Department report had declared that while Guyana has a comprehensive drug demand reduction strategy, the use of drugs like marijuana and even cocaine is a growing problem.

This information is contained in the 2019 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, which has a section dedicated to Guyana’s profile.

Notwithstanding the trafficking, the report noted that the actual consumption of these drugs is a growing problem.

According to the report, marijuana is the most commonly used drug. The document also noted reported seizures of synthetic drugs like Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA), most commonly known as “ecstasy”, and detailed Government’s response to the scourge.

“The Government of Guyana’s National Drug Abuse Control Unit trains public health officers, teachers, social workers, and civil society groups as part of the Government’s supply reduction strategy,” the report states.

“The Guyanese Government has a drug enforcement presence at its international airports, post offices, and to a lesser extent at seaport and land-border entry points. Control agencies reported several interdiction efforts and drug-related seizures and convictions during the first nine months of 2018”, the report details.

The report also noted that during the first nine

NANA headquarters

months of 2018, authorities seized 164.9 kilograms of cocaine and 889 kilograms of cannabis. It also states that local authorities initiated 358 prosecutions and convicted 24 individuals for drug trafficking.

The report expressed faith in Guyana’s demand reduction strategy, noting that it adequately addresses drug rehabilitation. It named the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Social Protection as the relevant Ministries responsible for addressing demand reduction.

“Non-governmental organisations also offer rehabilitation services, with the Government providing financial assistance. The Georgetown Public Hospital provides free rehabilitation services for drug users. The University of Guyana has a

demand reduction curriculum in place through OAS/ CICAD funding.”

“The Government of Guyana conducts anti-drug awareness sessions in secondary schools, and has plans to create drug treatment courts. As part of the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), the United States supports Guyana through targeted training for law enforcement and maritime officers,” the report had declared.

Being positioned on the South American continent with strong ties to the Caribbean region, Guyana has long been identified as a transhipment point for drug trafficking activities. It was against this backdrop that the US established an office of its Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) here back in February 2016.

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guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, october 22, 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

Youths and AIDS

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IDS is the leading cause of death among adolescents (10-19) in Africa and the second leading cause of death among adolescents globally. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), AIDS-related deaths among adolescents have tripled since 2000 while decreasing among all other age groups, which can be largely attributed to a generation of children infected with HIV perinatally who are growing into adolescence without access to life-saving interventions.

In a report by UNAIDS, experts have warned that ages 1524 years is a highly dangerous time for women.

The report contains detailed data on the complexities of HIV and reveals that girls’ transition to womanhood is a very dangerous time, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. “Young women are facing a triple threat. They are at high risk of HIV infection, have low rates of HIV testing, and have poor adherence to treatment. The world is failing young women and we urgently need to do more.”

One of the main points emphasised is that HIV prevention is key to ending the AIDS epidemic among young women and the cycle of HIV infection needs to be broken. Recent data from South-Africa shows that young women are acquiring HIV from adult men, while men acquire HIV much later in life after they transition into adulthood and continue the cycle of new infections. On the positive end, the report also shows that the life-extending impact of treatment is working.

While grand global initiatives are needed to raise funds and to develop new drugs, it is the local people in the field who will defeat the epidemic. As the world’s HIV community focuses its attention and enthusiasm on World AIDS Day, which is held on December 1 each year, this lesson must not be forgotten.

Locally, the National Aids Programme Secretariat in its re-launching of its national days of testing for HIV/AIDS, announced that particular focus will be placed on youths and young adults.

A representative from the National Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) centre announced that the Secretariat’s programmatic data has revealed that persons between the ages of 15 to 19 and 20 to 25 in Guyana are infected and being diagnosed on a daily basis with HIV. This, she noted, calls for urgent actions to be taken.

Amidst the call for urgent action, the VCT representative also called attention to the large number of school children who are infected with the disease and outlined the urgency of developing a new strategy to target young people in Guyana.

According to UNAIDS estimates, HIV incidence has fallen in many of the most severely affected countries because adolescents and young people are adopting safer sexual practices. In several countries, risk behaviour is on the decline, including the initiation of sex before age 15, sex with multiple partners and sex without condoms.

In countries with generalised epidemics, schools can be a critical venue for reaching adolescents with the information and skills they need to avoid infection. In fact, evidence shows that school-based sex education can be effective in changing the knowledge, attitudes and practices that lead to risk behaviour.

Preventing HIV in countries with low prevalence or where the epidemic is concentrated in specific populations is especially challenging since the spread of the virus is fuelled by high-risk, often stigmatised behaviour.

UNICEF, in a report, outlined that turning the tide against AIDS will require more concentrated focus on adolescents and young people. This will involve strengthening partnerships across sectors and fostering meaningful involvement of adolescents in all aspects of programming and advocacy.

HIV remains a global issue when it comes to prevention among adolescents. As of a few years ago, almost 40 per cent of new HIV infections among adolescents (15-19) occurred outside sub-Saharan Africa. If current trends continue, hundreds of thousands more will become HIV-positive in the coming years.

Since 2000, 30 million new infections were prevented, nearly eight million deaths averted, and 15 million people living with HIV are now receiving treatment. There is still hope, but with the implementation of stronger prevention programmes, many young people will be spared the effects of this disease.

Guyana’s Newest Attorney-at-Law 25-year-old Meenakshi Arti Outar poses for a photo with enthusiastic family members after her admission to the Bar on Monday, at the Demerara High Court

Venezuela’s water system is collapsing

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he brick shack on the outskirts of Venezuela’s capital is crowded with tubs, jugs, and buckets. The water they hold must last the family of eight for a week – but it’s not enough for frequent washing or flushing, so the kitchen is filled with greasy pots and the house smells of stale urine.

And none of the water is treated, making diarrhoea and vomit a regular occurrence.

“We practically live in the bathroom,” said the mother of the family, Yarelis Pinto. Her pregnant daughter, Yarielys, sat nearby, pale and listless, recovering from her latest bout of diarrhoea just one month away from childbirth.

In Venezuela, a crumbling economy and the collapse of even basic State infrastructure means water comes irregularly – and drinking it is an increasingly risky gamble. Venezuela’s current rate of infant mortality from diarrhoea, which is closely related to water quality, is six times higher than 15 years ago, according to the World Health Organisation.

But the Government stopped releasing official public health data years ago.

So The New York Times commissioned researchers from the Universidad Central de Venezuela to recreate the water quality study they had conducted regularly for the water utility in Caracas from 1992 until 1999.

The scientists found that about a million residents were exposed to contaminated supplies. This puts them at risk of contracting waterborne viruses that could sicken them and threatens the lives of children and the most vulnerable.

“This is a potential epidemic,” said Jose María De Viana, who headed Caracas’s water utility, Hidrocapital, until 1999.

“It’s very serious. It’s unacceptable.”

In the latest study, 40 samples were taken from the capital’s main water systems and tested for bacteria and for chlorine, which keeps water safe. The study also tested alternative water sources used by city residents during supply outages.

One third of the samples did not meet national norms.

This should have required Hidrocapital to issue a sanitation alert, according to the utility’s own internal regulations. But Venezuela’s Government has not issued any alerts at least since President Nicolás Maduro’s Socialist Party took power 20 years ago.

“The biggest health risk that we see there right now is water – water and sanitation,” the head of the International Federation of the Red Cross, Francesco Rocca, told foreign reporters this week, referring to Venezuela.

Venezuela’s stagnant economy went into a tailspin in 2014, when a collapse in the nation’s oil export revenues exposed the failure of Maduro’s disastrous policies of price and currency controls. The economy has imploded since, with Venezuela losing two thirds of its Gross Domestic Product and at least 10 per cent of its population.

Spokesmen for Hidrocapital, Venezuela’s Water Ministry and the Ministry of Information did not respond to questions about drinking water quality in the capital.

The risks posed by poor

water quality are particularly threatening for a population weakened by food and medication shortages.

But the problem cuts across the capital’s social, political and geographic divide, affecting wealthy gated communities and shantytowns, areas that support the Opposition and those loyal to the Government.

In Terrazas del Avila, a middle-class neighbourhood whose water the study found was tainted with faecal bacteria, residents buy jugs from private companies to cook or drink, said Juan Carlos Castro, a doctor and community leader there.

“This is not drinking water,” he said of their tap water. “It’s a public health hazard.”

But buying water is a luxury in the neighbouring shantytowns, where many survive on Venezuela’s minimum wage of US$8 a month.

During the regular blackouts and water outages, Aleyda Sabino’s family in the Carapita shantytown walk to a nearby creek to get water. She has a kidney disease and is under doctor’s order to drink a lot of water every day. She tries to, although drinking from the creek often results in fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.

“I feel I will get sick if I drink the water and sick if I don’t,” she said. Boiling the water requires cooking gas – another luxury that is unaffordable to many.

Overall, the new study showed a significant decline in the city’s water quality over the last two decades.

Built with oil proceeds by the previous Governments, the Caracas public water system was once an engineering feat, pumping five million gallons of water per second up thousands of feet to the city’s mountain val-

ley through complex aqueducts and hundreds of miles of pipelines.

The system was part of a broad investment in public infrastructure. The city’s piped cooking gas, its glitzy metro sprinkled with avant-garde art, its elevated motorways and its skyscrapers of public housing were examples of modernity in the neglected and volatile continent.

But while the rest of South America made dramatic improvements in drinking water access in the past two decades, Venezuela’s advances were instead hollowed out by underinvestment, mismanagement and six straight years of a spiralling economy under Maduro.

Outside Caracas, the breakdown of the water infrastructure is even more profound, leaving millions without regular supplies and forcing communities to dig wells and rely on untreated rivers.

The collapse of water services has accelerated in the past two years, according to surveys conducted by universities and Non-Governmental Organisations. During that time, power cuts, pipeline outages, chemicals shortages and the mass exodus of qualified staff shook the State water utilities to their core.

Now, the Inter-American Development Bank estimates only 30 per cent of Venezuelans have regular access to safe drinking water, compared to 60 per cent in 2000.

“There hasn’t been a deterioration of this magnitude and duration in the region in recent history,” said Sergio Campos, the Development Bank’s chief water expert. (Excerpt from New York Times)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, october 22, 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

Gary Best’s attack on Mark Phillips exposed the PNC’s desperation Dear Editor, Please permit me a few column inches in your newspaper to respond to unsubstantiated and fallacious claims by PNCR executive Rear Admiral Gary Best, who, out of sheer desperation, attempted to discredit the credentials of an outstanding patriot, Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips.

Rear Admiral Best, a former army chief himself, at one of the PNCR’s Friday rants sought to make the case that Brigadier Phillips is no match for his party’s leader, Brigadier (ret’d) David Granger – a most outlandish statement from a man who we once entrusted with the protection of our borders.

I wish to remind Rear Admiral Best of a few facts. First, Brigadier Phillips led the Guyana Defence Force with distinction and has maintained an untainted character

post-military.

Brigadier Phillips is also highly qualified, both as a military officer and an academic. He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom.

He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Management from the University of Guyana and a Master’s Degree in Public Sector Management from La Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic.

Brigadier Phillips has held several appointments, including Colonel (Administration and Quartering), and Colonel (General Staff) in the GDF’s Defence Headquarters, during his 30 years of military service. He was also Guyana’s Head of Delegation to the Inter-American Defence Board from 2008 to 2009, and was up to 2011 Guyana’s non-resident Military Attaché to Venezuela. Over the years,

Brigadier Phillips has demonstrated his ability to manage.

Brigadier Phillips is an outstanding orator with hands-on knowledge of our national security architecture. He has never violated our Constitution and has always demonstrated respect for the rule of law.

Having listened to Brigadier Phillips’s presentation on a recent televised interview relating to national security, one can easily conclude that he is au fait with the current state of our national security and has a vision of how to correct this mess created by the Granger-led APNU/ AFC. Having outlined the impeccable record of Brigadier Phillips, let us now examine Brigadier Granger’s record, both as a military officer and President of Guyana.

Granger was never seen as fit and proper to lead the Guyana Defence

Force and was never appointed to such a post due to his poor management skills or lack thereof. As a matter of fact, both President Burnham and President Hoyte bypassed him and appointed others. His failed Government is the testimony that he is unfit and improper to lead or manage anything.

Despite his promises, Granger failed to devise a national security plan for Guyana, even though he is surrounded by the likes of Best and others who claim to have all the answers to issues of national security.

Granger has violated and continues to violate the Constitution which he swore to uphold, both as an officer of the GDF and President of Guyana.

Further, he has very poor knowledge of national security and continues to bungle on this issue every time he attempts to speak to this matter, making him a mismatch for

Brigadier Phillips.

Editor, I would also like to highlight that Rear Admiral Best has no moral authority to question the intelligence and integrity of anyone. He publicly supports a coalition whose tenure in office is wreaked in corruption, cronyism, nepotism, incompetence and disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law.

Brigadier Phillips, on the other hand, is not a member of any political party and has never supported a Government that has violated our Constitution.

Rear Admiral Best speaks of integrity but lives on a plot of land at Pradoville 2 where he constructed a sprawling mansion for which Former Housing Minister, Irfaan Ali is facing politically-concocted charges.

Yours respectfully, Edward Layne

Free and quality education is a Valiant has no record of doing better option than cash transfers anything other than GIPEX

Dear Editor, Two favourite campaign promises are already being bandied about: free education and cash transfers. The former is borne of a desire to fundamentally change our society and future. The latter is an example of how to squander our oil wealth.

This opinion is not influenced by any party affiliation – to me it seems pure and simple common sense.

We all know that investing in our education system is an urgent and vital need.

The IMF’s Article IV report found that while Guyanese children receive around 12 years of schooling, that education is only worth about 6 years compared to other countries with better education systems. That means that half of the time our children spend getting an education is wasted. Perhaps it is better to call it daycare than school?

Better teachers, facilities, resources and programmes will ensure that the quality of that primary education improves. This will equip our children with the solid foundation they need to pursue further education, rather than proceeding to university unequipped for the challenge. We must also invest at the university level as well. Improving UG’s faculties and programmes will prevent Guyanese from be-

ing forced to go elsewhere in order to obtain a degree.

This must be done if we are to halt our devastating brain drain.

To me, all of this seems to be common sense. One of the best things a country can provide its youth is a quality education. Guyana’s system has fallen into disrepair. Now that we have happened into oil wealth, we have an opportunity to fix this mistake.

Compare that to the suggestion that Guyana should begin making cash transfers. A blanket payout to all citizens cannot possibly create the same merits and values that a quality education can. Rather, it rewards Guyanese for having the good fortune to be living in this moment. It also counts on the recipient to be responsible with how they use the funds.

Of course, the idea of limited or targeted cash transfers has been suggested as an alternative. And in a perfect world, our Government would impartially distribute cash to Guyanese most in need, bereft of any racial or political considerations. But we do not live in a perfect world. I fear that the idea of targeted transfers is more likely to become a mere euphemism for buying political support with oil money.

It is the duty of all

Guyanese to refrain from the near-sighted temptations that oil wealth will offer. Every international expert and every country that has already experienced oil wealth all urge us to look to the long term and plan ahead. Our generation is lucky to have seen the discovery of oil, but our labour is just beginning if we are to translate that into lasting prosperity and stability. We have not earned the right to take early retirement on an oil “pension.” We cannot be bribed away from our longterm goal. Let us exercise restraint and look towards policies which create a lasting foundation.

Yours sincerely, Donald Singh

Dear Editor, Wesley Kirton displays naiveté when he writes that the PPP should not protest the GIPEX and instead seek a speaking role at the event.

Is Mr Kirton aware that he is asking the PPP to participate in an event that is tainted by the appearance of corruption? Attendance by the PPP will give legitimacy to an event set to rake in millions of US dollars from the local treasury and others by way of exorbitant delegate and exhibitor fees (US$ 2000-12000).

The lucrative exclusive ‘rights’ to host the Official Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX-2019) have been granted to Valiant Business Media.

Communications

about GIPEX are handled by Alena Trotman, who is listed as the company’s Business Development Officer. With 600 delegates and 200 plus exhibitors, this Londonbased company is set to earn US$3.5 million from this single event.

Valiant is represented by Shariq AbdulHai, who purports to be the ‘Managing’ Director. He, in fact, is the only Director. Valiant has assets of US$364,000 and debt of US$96,000. Valiant has no record of doing anything other than GIPEX. Valiant was formerly known as Brazen London Limited and has no record of business activity in its one month of existence before the name change. Is Valiant a shell company now activated to give legitimacy of a

‘London-based’ title to nepotism and corruption?

When one adds the fact that Ms Alena Trotman is the daughter of Raphael Trotman, Hon Minister of Natural Resources, and that Valiant has no other business of note and the acquisition of the exclusive rights was without use of the tender process, then, attendance by any person or entity can be seen as an act of collusion with corrupt actors.

Unless plausible explanations are offered and evidence of Valiant’s merit is provided, this event can be seen as nothing more than another attempt to gyp the Guyanese coffers. GYP-EX. Respectfully, Robin Singh

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tuesday, OCTOber 22, 2019

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Recognising feelings

he teen years come with all sorts of changes, so it’s normal to face some emotional ups and downs.

If a person is struggling with extra weight, it may add to these emotions.

Of course, not everyone who is overweight is worried or upset about it.

Lots of us know confident, happy people who are overweight – and thin, fit people who are insecure. But because people often feel pressure to look a certain way, teens with weight issues may feel bad about themselves.

If you are overweight, you may feel frustrated, angry, or upset. Being aware of difficult emotions is the first step in dealing with them.

It takes practise to recognise emotions. Sometimes they can be so sudden and powerful that it’s hard to sort out exactly what you’re feeling. The best way is to pause and pay attention for a moment when you first notice yourself feeling upset. Try to name what emotion you’re feeling without

Foundation Dealing with More feelings when you’re for overweight judging yourself. Say to yourself, “I feel angry [or sad, or frustrated]”.

If you’re upset but aren’t quite sure why, it can help to talk to someone you trust, like a close friend, family member, or a therapist. Talking things over can also help people figure out how to deal with your feelings.

If it’s hard to talk about your feelings or you think people won’t understand, keep a journal, draw or paint, or do something else that helps you sort through difficult emotions. The more you take time to explore your feelings,

the more skilled you become at coping with emotions as they come up. That can make it easier to find solutions to problems.

Social concerns

An overweight person may worry about what others think. When people judge you unfairly, it can make you feel like it’s your fault. Well-meaning parents, siblings, or friends can sometimes make things worse by making

“suggestions” about food or exercise.

These good intentions may come across as criticism.

Some teens who are overweight are teased or bullied. Teasing and bullying can make you feel sad or embarrassed. Fear of being judged or rejected might make you shy away from people.

You may stop doing things you enjoy.

But the best thing to do is to take your mind – and other people’s – off your weight and back onto you as a person.

Social concerns: what you can do

Here are some ideas to help you deal with social situations: Volunteer for something you really like doing. The people you volunteer with will share the same interests, so you’ll all be focused on a common goal.

Join after-school clubs and other activities.

Find out what’s going on at the library, the YMCA, or a local drama group.

Focus on building one or two close friendships. Knowing that you have a couple of true friends who are always there for you can help anyone deal with life’s ups and downs.

Remember that everyone feels shy when stepping into a new situation, even people who seem really confident.

You may want to ask a friend to join you when trying new activities.

But what about when friends and family aren’t giving you the support you need? If you feel pressured or misunderstood by friends or family, tell them how you feel. For example, tell them it doesn’t help when they call you out when you slip up. Let people know what you appreciate (such as praise when you do well) and what you don’t like (such as comments about weight or lecturing about food or exercise).

(Excerpt from kidshealth.org)

A

Collect visual aids

lot of science involves memorisation, and it’s helpful to see visual prompts at home. From shower curtains with the periodic table of the elements to placemats that show the solar system, placing study aids around the house can be a huge help. You can also customise your studying by making a poster that highlights the facts you’ll need for your next test.

Figure out “why”

The human brain can only memorise so much. To facilitate understanding, it’s important to see how things fit together and to think of concrete examples. For instance, picturing the firing of a cannon can help us remember Newton’s Third Law (Whenever one object exerts a force on a second object, the second object exerts an equal and opposite force on the first.) A cannon is bigger than a cannonball, so the firing pushes the ball far away. But the ball exerts its own force on the cannon, making the cannon recoil a few inches.

Hone your Maths skills

Science class depends on a solid understanding of how to do word problems: when to add or subtract, multiply or divide. Most students are able to collect numbers from their experiments, but have a harder time knowing what to do with those numbers. You should never try to waive the prerequisite Math class for any given science course. Specifically, advanced science classes rely heavily on a solid understanding of algebra.

Be familiar with the metric system

Science uses metric measurements, which can be confusing for some students. Families can help by talking about metric units together. When you’re driving, convert from miles per hour to kilometers per hour (it’s in the dashboard.) Talk about centimeters and millimeters in addition to inches, and how much you’d all weigh in kilograms instead of pounds. When you go to the market, compare the size of liter bottles with gallons.

Have the right tools

Science relies on having good equipment. Buy whatever supplies the teacher requires. If there’s no list, a basic science supply list should include: coloured pencils, a non-programmable calculator, metric ruler, and a small pair of scissors.

Understanding science is critical in our technology-driven world. By following these tips, your student can maximise his chances of not only getting a good grade, but of understanding the concepts that will give him a better understanding of the natural world. (Excerpt from education.com)

7 Guyana ranked 2nd to Russia for most oil finds in 2019 news

tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

– found millions more barrels of oil than Norway, UK & US

Diagram showing the extent of oil discoveries, and by which companies, for the year

By Jarryl Bryan

O

il and gas companies throughout the world have discovered over seven billion barrels of oil equivalent for the year 2019, but of this amount, Guyana has the second most discoveries so far in the year.

This is according to Norwegian research company Rystad Energy, which

compiled a report on all the discoveries of oil around the world and came up with a list of the top 10 countries.

Russia is in the lead, with over 1.5 billion barrels of oil found in its Dinkov and Nyarmeyskoye oil fields.

Russia is followed closely by Guyana, where oil was found in the Liza 1 field in the Stabroek block by United States (US) based

ExxonMobil and in the Orinduik block by British oil firm Tullow. These companies are not finished drilling, as further projects are being undertaken.

A distant third is the middle eastern country of Cyprus. They are followed by South Africa, Malaysia, Norway, Angola and Indonesia. The United Kingdom (UK) and the US

bring up the rear on the top 10 oil finds list.

Commenting on the steep rise in oil drilling in the Caribbean, the report noted that in 2013, only seven offshore wells were drilled in the region. Now, the report noted, 23 new exploration wells are expected for 2019.

“Rystad Energy expects the Guyana-Suriname basin will continue to occupy headlines with a few planned wells in both Guyana and Suriname. The basin is pinned as one of the most prospective, underexplored basins in the world and will definitely get a facelift from its current assigned volumes if hydrocarbons are established towards the east,” a statement from the company says.

So far, Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited (EEPGL, Exxon’s local subsidiary) has made 14 oil finds in the Stabroek block over 100 miles offshore Guyana, including four for this year.

Last year, the company made five discoveries. These discoveries have pushed the total estimated recoverable barrels of oil equivalent to over six billion. In addition, Exxon is moving ahead with its Liza Phase Two project,

which will contain approximately 30 wells.

The Liza Destiny, Guyana’s first Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, arrived in Guyana’s waters at the end of August. The vessel will play a key role in oil production, scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year.

Meanwhile, Tullow has made at least two oil finds in its Jethro and Joe wells. On September 16, the same day that ExxonMobil announced its 14th oil find, Tullow also revealed that it had made its second oil find in just a matter of weeks – the discovery of 14 metres of oil reservoirs at the Joe well.

After the find, Tullow’s

Exploration Director, Angus McCoss, had noted that the discovery increases the potential in the Orinduik block. He had also alluded to the block having multibillion-barrel potential.

The Orinduik oil block is just a few kilometres from Exxon’s discoveries in the Liza and Payara fields. It is under the administration of Eco Guyana and Tullow, who signed a 10year Petroleum Prospecting Licence and Production Sharing Agreement with Guyana in 2016. French firm Total E&P Activities Petrolieres entered the fray in 2017, partnering with Eco and getting a 25 per cent share in the block.

Specialised drug court launched; offenders can now choose prison or treatment – participants to undergo counselling, random drug tests, among other measures

Chancellor Yonnette Cummings-Edwards cuts the ribbon while (from immediate left) Ministers Khemraj Ramjattan and Basil Williams and acting Chief Justice Roxane George look on

Edwards explaining that drug offenders will now be given a choice to fix their lives.

OAS representative to Guyana, Jean Ricot Dormeus

By Jarryl Bryan

A

specialised drug offences court, the first of its kind in Guyana,

was commissioned with the backing of multiple stakeholders on Monday, with Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonnette Cummings-

The new court will be housed in the lower flat of the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, at the Brickdam entrance. It will feature a drug treatment team that includes Magistrates, State Counsels, a legal aid attorney and a probation officer.

In explaining how it works, Chancellor Cummings-Edwards noted that offenders will get to choose to do community service or enter a drug rehabilitation programme. She noted that participants first have to sign an agreement, which binds them to follow certain rules including regular attendance of the programme and submitting to random drug tests.

“Once the offender comes to the court, and the offender pleads guilty or is found guilty by the Magistrate, that offender is provided with the option to accept a

Chancellor of the Judiciary, Yonnette Cummings-Edwards

custodial sentence or to enter a treatment programme which the drug court provides, as an alternative to incarceration.”

“Participation in that treatment programme is voluntary… the programme will provide treatment tai-

lored to the needs of the participants. Some of the key interventions are educational sessions, one to one counselling, group counselling, treatment recovery plan, reintegration, post-graduation plans.”

Turn to page 8

8 news Duo busted with 42kg of ganja at Parika charged T A new world… tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

he two men of Tuschen New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), who were busted with over 42 kilograms of gan-

remanded to prison.

Thirty-nine-year-old Shafeek Latif and 35-yearold Naresh Totaram each appeared before Magistrate

The marijuana that was discovered in the car that Latif and Totaram were travelling in at the time of their arrest

ja in a motorcar on Tuesday last appeared at Leonora Magistrate’s Court and were

Zamilla Ally-Seepaul and pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to

I

Naresh Totaram

Shafeek Latif

them.

It was reported that on Tuesday last, agents of the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) intercepted a motorcar at the Parika Public Road, EBE, around 03:00h.

At the time, Latif and Totaram were the lone occupants of the Toyota Spacio

motorcar. A search was conducted and two bulky salt bags were found in the back seat of the car.

Upon inspection, the large amount of ganja was unearthed. The men were told of the offence and were taken into custody.

They will return to court on November 8, 2019.

Vendor remanded on Repairman gets armed robbery charges

A

vendor was on Monday slapped with four armed robbery charges when he made his first court appearance at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Eighteen-year-old Leon Patterson appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty and denied the charges when they were read to him.

Police stated that on October 11, 2019, at Meadow Brook Gardens, Georgetown, while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, he robbed Jerome Mitchel of a motorcycle valued at $290,000.

The second charge alleged that on October 14, 2019, at Baramita Street, South Ruimveldt, Patterson,

while being in the company of others and armed with a gun, robbed Richard Porsha of a motorcycle valued at $435, 000.

The third charge alleged that on the same day at Freeman Street, East La Penitence, he robbed Tyrese George of an iPhone 7 Plus valued at $87,000.

He was also accused of robbing Timothy Estwick of a motorcycle valued at $175,000 and an iPhone valued at $60,000 on the same day.

Police Prosecutor Quinn Harris objected to bail being granted to the defendant and as such, he was remanded to prison and will make his next court appearance on November 25, 2019.

2 years’ jail for

stealing from employer

U

riel Amsterdam was on Monday sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after he confessed to a larceny charge when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

The police stated that between October 8 and 9, 2019, at Fourth Avenue, Subryanville, Georgetown, Amsterdam stole $200,000 cash, a gold ring valued $42,000 and a gold chain valued $70,000 belonging to Tenika Archer.

The court heard that on the day in question, Amsterdam was hired by Archer to repair her roof,

Specialised drug court...

She cited the Phoenix Recovery Centre and the Salvation Army as two Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) that are providing their services to ensure the rehabilitation of these drug users.

According to the Chancellor, the court will also work alongside these organisations to ensure the success of the programme.

Edwards also explained the disadvantage of incarcerating drug users without addressing the underlying issues.

“We have come to the realisation that many offenders have a substance use disorder. Some even have mental health disorders.

The grim reality is when these offenders are charged and found guilty, they’re likely to be incarcerated.”

“While in prison, the drug problem remains.

When they’re discharged,

they go back to base as before. And then reappear in the courts with similar offences and are labelled recidivists,” she said.

Rehabilitation

The question of whether offenders can indeed be rehabilitated was answered by Organisation of American States (OAS) representative to Guyana, Jean Ricot Dormeus, who played a key role in collaboration with the Government in implementing the drug rehabilitation court. He noted that Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, recently highlighted cases of rehabilitated prisoners.

“I discussed the topic with Director Samuels.

And he referred to several rehabilitation successes, including a man I met afterwards. He was deported from Canada, went through a hard rending lifestyle in

Guyana, served jail time.

He has been rehabilitated and is currently supporting the Ministry of Health. Can we achieve rehabilitation?

Of course.”

“As I was visiting [Phoenix home], I met a woman who fell into the grips of addiction. As a result, her family became dysfunctional, she engaged in [a destitute] life for 17 years, even sleeping on the tombs of Le Repentir Cemetery.

After an old friend would not give up on her and took her to Phoenix, she was rehabilitated and is now helping others get their lives back.”

He spoke of another individual who holds a Master’s Degree, lectured and even worked on Wall Street, the United States’ financial capital. According to Ricot Dormeus, this man too fell into addiction.

“He was deported to

during which time they were also consuming alcohol. After some time, Archer went on some errands and as such, left Amsterdam in her home.

However, when she returned, there were no signs of Amsterdam and upon closer inspection, the items were discovered missing.

During his appearance in court, Amsterdam related that he had a newborn baby and admitted stealing the items to purchase clothes and other baby items.

After hearing the case, Magistrate Faith McGusty handed down the sentence.

from page 7

Guyana and led a [destitute] life for many years.

His sisters signed him up for rehabilitation. After a long struggle and several relapses, he got rehabilitated.

Now, he’s coaching addicts on how to overcome their plight and again become worthy members of society.”

Earlier this year, a United States (US) State Department report had declared that while Guyana has a comprehensive drug demand reduction strategy, the use of drugs like marijuana and even cocaine is a growing domestic problem.

According to the report, marijuana is the most commonly used drug.

The document also reported seizures of synthetic drugs like Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA), most commonly known as “ecstasy”, and detailed Government’s response to the scourge.

…in world finance? t’s a sign of the times that we’ve entered a new world order when the Breton Woods institutions - the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - are commemorating their 75th anniversary and none of the political parties - even the newbies - have uttered a squeak. Formed in 1944 when WWII wasn’t even over, the two institutions were meant to facilitate the new world order reflecting the ground reality: the US was now the most dominant nation on earth, with its economy exceeding the combined wealth of all the other developed countries.

The sun had set at last on the Britain Empire and the WB and the IMF would ensure that (US) money would “talk” and the rest of the world’s BS would “walk”!! The WB - actually the “World Bank for Reconstruction” - was supposed to fund the (duh!) reconstruction of the wardevastated countries - with the money spent in the US, of course! Later, it was to provide funding for “development” projects in the newly independent countries created from the detritus of a British and French Empires. With the same caveat! The IMF was to ensure the exchange rates for the various national currencies remained stable. How else would the US ensure it was getting back the monies “lent”??

And, of course, this is where Guyana - granted independence in 1966 - came into the picture. When Burnham decided he’d build that Mazaruni Hydro Electric Power plant, who else would he turn to but the WB? Hadn’t they just funded that massive one in Ghana? The WB, of course, balked - supposedly upon the protest of Venezuela. But one has to ask if there weren’t wheels within wheels turning since Burnham had just nationalized US bauxite and was planning to use the power to run a smelter to produce aluminium!

By the late seventies, Burnham and his half-baked utopian schemes of state capitalism combined with cooperative socialism - not to mention racism - had bankrupted the country. Who could he turn to?? The IMF, that’s who!! But after they firmly rejected him after he didn’t accept their “conditionalities”, he described them as “International Mother F***ers! Why would they bail him out when he was yanking the US tiger’s tail by allowing Cuba to send troops to Africa.

Fast forward to 1989 when Hoyte’s decided enough was enough and accepted the IMF’s ministrations.

Our economy was shoehorned into the “Washington Consensus” straitjacket of “liberalization, privatization and stabilization”.

But with WB and IMF losing their teeth and the Chinese creating alternatives with their B& R initiative, you’d think we’d have some buzz on the hustings, wouldn’t you??

As a new oil economy don’t we want to be part of the brave new world? …of constitutional engineering Fossil fuels are now considered bad for our environment. But we use them in the vehicles that move us around!! What to do?? Well, we can engineer our car engines to use fuels that aren’t so polluting – like DDL just did with natural gas, or Brazil does with 10% alcohol.

Similarly, if you want enter your car in a race, you would have to engineer a turbo booster?

Well, as your Eyewitness has been pointing out, lots of parties, especially the newbies insist that to govern our country more efficiently and effectively, we need “constitutional change”. But your Eyewitness disagrees, what we need is “constitutional engineering”. The parties should state specifically what are the objectives they seek to achieve, and then design institutions (incorporated in the constitution) that would deliver these objectives.

For instance, exactly what change would they engineer to make the PNC and PPP “share power”??

We can then decide whether they’re just bloviating anodyne banalities!! …of odious debt Does the international community realise there’s such a thing as “odious debt”? That the moneys they’re lending the PNC government while they’re in their present illegitimate state, imposes no obligation on the new govt to repay them??

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

news

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tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

14-year-old boy vanishes Former national basketball player after visiting friend found dead in T&T F

ourteen-year-old Christopher Basdeo, of Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank Demerara (WBD), disappeared on Wednesday after he reportedly left home to visit a friend’s house.

On the day he disappeared, the teen who attends the Goed Fortuin Secondary School, returned home but left soon after claiming that he was going to visit a friend at his home.

“Wednesday afternoon he came home from school and he said he going by a friend.

And I haven’t seen him back up to now,” his mother, Debbie Basdeo related.

According to the worried woman, her son would never stay away from home for such a long period. Basdeo is

Missing: Christopher Baldeo

the youngest of four siblings.

“He would always come home. Sometimes he would go by his sister around the corner and he would sleep

there. Then he would come home in the morning and go to school,” she added.

She said there was confirmation that her son did visit the said friend, but there were no clues what happened after he left that home.

She is pleading for anyone with information that would help them to locate her son to come forward or contact the nearest Police Station.

Guyana Times understands that a report was made to the Police and persons were taken into custody for questioning in relation to the teen’s disappearance.

Efforts to contact officials from the Police Force for a comment on the situation proved futile.

Last month, a 14-year-

old girl, also of Parfaite Harmonie, had disappeared after she was last seen by her mother in the vicinity of the Vreed-en-Hoop Junction.

According to the woman, the teen had just left school and as such, she journeyed to the Vreed-en-Hoop Junction to pick her up. The woman relayed that the missing teen called her on her cellphone and told her that she was going to cross the road at the junction to purchase something to drink.

After parking, the woman exited her vehicle and walked back to the spot where she last saw her daughter but to her dismay, the young woman had disappeared. She later made contact with relatives.

Decomposed body of man found in trench with plastic bag around head

T

he decomposed body of an unidentified East Indian male was on Monday morning discovered in a trench at Patentia, West Bank Demerara (WBD), with a black plastic bag wrapped around his head.

Reports are that around 09:45h on the day in question, passersby noticed the man’s body in the trench and immediately raised an alarm.

The man’s face was reportedly swollen, making it difficult for residents to identify him.

D Division Commander, Senior Superintendent Linden Lord told Guyana Times that although investigations are underway, the police need the assistance of

the public in identifying the man.

“The police at the Wales and Leonora Police Stations would have received some information from an unknown caller saying that there was a body in a drain at First Street, Patentia.

As a result, Police responded and saw this male lying face upwards in the drain with his head covered with a black plastic bag. The body was dressed in a short, three-quarter hard pants, without any top. turn to page 11

The body of the man in the trench at First Street, Patentia, West Bank Demerara

F

ormer Guyanese national basketball player Andrew Ifill on Monday morning was found dead at his job in Trinidad and Tobago.

At this time, the details remain sketchy, but based on reports received, his body was discovered about 07:30h by colleagues.

Ifill represented Guyana in 2014 at the CBC Championships in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), where he teamed up with former Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers guard Rawle Marshall to guide Guyana to a fifth-place finish.

In that tournament, Ifill finished with an average of 12.2 points, six rebounds and 1.6 assist per game. He was the team’s second highest scorer behind Marshall.

Ifill, who played locally with Bounty Colts, wowed his fans with his basketball skills.

Based on reports received, Ifill and his family moved to the twin-island republic to take up residency. The Maloney Pacers Basketball Club are the first team that the famed Guyanese ‘baller’ represented after he migrated to Trinidad.

Police are continuing their investigations.

Trinidad and Tobago

Dead: National basketball player Andrew Ifill

Basketball Coach Gordon Felix called the 40-yearold Guyanese “one of the best ever” to represent his club.

In a message to club members on Tuesday, Felix said: “we, the members of the Maloney Pacers Basketball Club and Youth Development Program pay special respect to this great Guyanese and Caribbean basketball player, who brought joy to Maloney Gardens, then later represented Detour Shak Attack and Royal Extra Lions.”

He stated that Ifill was the first of many Guyanese to have played for the Maloney Pacers Club with distinguished authority.

10 NEWS

Tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

NAREI lifts ban on importation of citrus fruits …advises of rejection if requirements are not satisfied

A

fter Guyana Times reported over the weekend that the National Agricultural Research

and Extension Institute (NAREI) has imposed a ban on the importation all citrus fruits and Government sub-

sequently distancing itself from such ban, the institution on Monday advised that if not properly documented, it will be rejecting citrus and other commodities instead of a complete ban.

“The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is advising importers of commodities such as citrus, peppers and cabbages to obtain the requisite permission from the National Plant Protection Organisation. It is crucial that these commodities receive the necessary phytosanitary requirements and pest risk analysis. If these requirements are not satisfied, these commodities will be rejected instead of a ban on these commodities,” NAREI said in a statement.

NAREI’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Oudho Homenauth, told this publication in an interview on Friday that his organisation is completely restricting the importation of citrus fruits in Guyana. This move, he noted, was in keeping with the policies of the Government of the day. He further related that the ban on citrus has always been in place.

However, on Saturday Agriculture Minister, Noel Holder said he was not aware of such a ban. Holder explained that Caricom pro-

duces citrus as well and with the CSME agreement in place, Guyana has certain obligations. He further related that big tariffs on citrus would be a possibility rather than a complete ban.

“What you have is a big tariff on citrus coming but you won’t have a ban once they reach the cer-

tain phytosanitary requirements. Once they meet the standards they will be allowed [in the country]. It is Government’s position that there’s no ban on anything.

We don’t ban food items once they meet sanitary and phytosanitary requirements and the correct tariffs are paid,” Holder explained.

In order for agricultural products to be imported into Guyana, one has to have the requisite documentation which includes a pest risk assessment to determine that the produce is free of all pests and diseases. In addition, importers have to be licensed.

As part of the US commitment to partner with all of Guyana, Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch travelled to Region One (Barima-Waini) where she met with regional officials.

Ambassador Lynch was warmly greeting by Mabaruma Mayor Chris Phang upon her arrival at the Mabaruma Airstrip.

Ambassador Lynch enjoyed her first visit where she had a first-hand look at the challenges facing the Region as it continues to receive increased numbers of migrants fleeing Venezuela.

news

11

Tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Teen stabbed to death during argument over “old grievance” … suspect is part of “gang” that terrorises persons – residents

Dead fisherman Noel Singh

A

22-year-old fisherman was on Sunday evening knifed to death in front of his home by a young man with whom he had an old grievance. Dead is Noel Singh of Lot 33 Meten-MeerZorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Reports are that around 20:00h on the night in question, Noel was returning home from a local bar where he and his friends had been consuming alcohol and as he arrived in front of his yard, he was confronted by the suspect.

This led to a continuation of an argument the duo had some six days prior to the stabbing incident.

The row, however, esca-

lated and the suspect reportedly whipped out a knife from his waistband and stabbed Singh twice to the left side of his chest and once to his back. He then cut the fisherman along his left wrist.

As a result, Singh collapsed and fell into a drain in front of his yard. He managed to climb out and was picked up by one of his friends who raised an alarm.

The injured teen’s brother and others rushed him to the Leonora Cottage Hospital, West Coast Demerara (WCD), but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the medical facility.

Reyaad Mohammed, the friend who found Singh bleeding, told Guyana Times that he had just returned home from work and was heading towards the shop to purchase an item when he noticed the perpetrator approaching him from the opposite direction.

“All I see is this boy running coming towards me and I try to run back home, because he had tried to attack me a lot of times already.

So when he passed, then I came out back and saw my friend on the road laying there, panting for breath.

I helped to take him to the hospital with a taxi. The person who stabbed my friend had beat up and cuff up my friend a few days ago before he stabbed him Sunday,”

Mohammed related.

He explained that the suspect, along with a few other young men from another section of the village, would usually frequent his street and terrorise villagers.

“They are coming this side when they drink to make a problem, when they drink and walking late and they see anybody and so, they pick trouble with people, they pick on anyone.

The suspect is troublesome.

Sometimes it is five or six of them that comes at the back here, picking on my friend and even me, a lot of times they come and even try to chop me.”

The dead teen’s father, Dennis Singh, who also spoke with this publication, stated that he was at home when the incident took place.

He was later told that the suspect was lurking outside his yard, apparently waiting on his son to return home.

“It is a lot of them; they does always have knives in their pockets, but he (Noel) must have thought that he did not have a weapon on him. They are always making problem. If I had known at that time, I would have gone out too, and he (the suspect) would not have ran the risk to stab my son,” the elder Singh said.

Meanwhile, the teen’s mother, Nesha Singh, who resides at another house in

The area where the young fisherman met his demise

the village, stated that she had just stepped out of the shower and was clad only in her towel when she received the devastating news.

“All I could do was start to put on my clothing quickly, but by the time I reached there, my older son and others had rushed him to the Leonora Cottage hospital.

When I got there at the hospital, he was dead already.

He had died already by the time I got there,” the woman sobbed.

She recalled seeing the suspect carrying a knife in his hands prior to her son’s death.

The grieving mother, along with the dead fisherman’s other relatives and

friends, is calling for justice to be served.

Meanwhile, the Police are on the hunt for the sus-

pect, who has been on the run since Sunday evening.

(Kristen Macklingam)

Decomposed body...

He noted that the man’s chest area, which was exposed, had been covered with blisters and that this could mean that the body had been there for a while before the discovery was made.

“At this time we cannot say if there was any foul play until the post-mortem on Wednesday which will advise us on the way forward. Now I am appealing to

from page 9

members, especially in the Patentia area, that if they have any information or any knowledge about the missing person they can come to the police at Leonora or go to La Grange or Wales [police stations]. The police would have that person escorted to the mortuary so that they could get a look at the body to see if the body concerns any one of them,” the Police Commander stated.

12 news

tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

WBD residents complain to PUC over sloppy utility services

O

fficials of the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on Monday met with residents at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), where a number of complaints were received about the sloppy utility services in the area.

Residents visited the officials to discuss some of their unresolved utility problems from service providers, namely the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), the Guyana Power Light (GPL), Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GTT) and Digicel.

The initiative was primarily geared at informing

the PUC of pertinent matters relating to the main services providers with the intention that it will be resolved.

A majority of persons told Guyana Times that they were pleased that some pressing issues were heard.

However, action needs to be taken on the part of the Commission to ensure that the services are bettered. For some time, they have been paying their dues while most companies have barely mustered to provide an average service.

One of the major setbacks continues to be the unreliable supply of power from GPL, as a result of power outages. In the past

Telephone services

The PUC booth ready to engage persons at the Vreed-en-Hoop Stelling

months, some villages were slapped with blackouts

which lasted many hours and up to one day.

Laws against bullying needed to protect LGBTQ+ youths – CCPA Head

A

t a reception hosted

by Guyana’s Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD Guyana) and the British High Commission in Guyana to mark Spirit Day, Director of Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA), Ann Greene highlighted that there needs to be laws against bullying towards youths of the LGBTQ+ com-

SASOD Guyana’s Homophobia(s) Education Coordinator Valini Leitch

Director of Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), Ann Greene

munity.

This event, the third of its kind, was held at the British High Commissioner’s residence on Thursday last to raise awareness of an-

ti-LGBTQ+ bullying in schools.

However, Greene stated that LGBTQ+ people in Guyana are oppressed and marginalised because of their sexual orientation and gender identity, and suffer discrimination in accessing their civil rights.

She lamented that LGBTQ+ persons need what every other person needs, regardless of their human characteristics.

“It is love and acceptance. Every human being born into this world has a right to be here, being placed here by the Superior being of the Universe with

their own purpose,” Greene said.

The CCPA Director emphasised that Spirit Day is a day to stand up and give support to persons who suffer infringement of their human rights.

She further pledged to use her role “to contribute towards bringing about the needed social change – the right to social inclusion for all persons. All groups of people must be respected for who they are, without prejudice”.

In addition to laws against bullying, she called for specific interventions to address the unique challenges facing LGBTQ+ youths in Guyana.

Greene said these include targeted social programmes; safe schools, care centres, neighbourhoods and housing; safe access to recreational facilities and activities; access to adequate health services and supportive workplace policies.

In closing, she stated: “the beauty of standing up for your rights is so that others can see you standing and stand up as well.”

HE UK Ambassador to Guyana, Greg Quinn in his brief remarks reiterated that “LGBTQ+ persons are

UK Ambassador to Guyana, Greg Quinn

not asking for special rights; they are seeking to be afforded the same rights as any other Guyanese citizen.”

The High Commissioner further called for persons to promote diversity and tolerance for LGBTQ+ persons.

In closing, SASOD Guyana’s Homophobia(s) Education Coordinator, Valini Leitch commented that taking a stand against LGBTQ+ bullying is not a one-day affair, but requires collective, daily action.

Also in attendance were Wendy Quinn, other representatives of the diplomatic corps, civil society representatives, youth advocates and Private Sector officials.

One woman, on the other hand, told this publication prior to visiting the booth that she was having issues with GTT and her charges, which were seemingly inaccurate. She contended that the fees were hiked even though the telephone usage was not increased.

“My bills doubled within the last month and it wasn’t that we were using the phone more. Everybody in my house work and we’re out of the house. I just don’t understand,” she lamented.

However, as it relates to the liberalisation of the communications sector for increased competition and better services, Government in March inked a “non-binding” agreement with Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT) – a company owned

by US-based Atlantic TeleNetwork (ATN) — which has held the monopoly over the local telecommunications market for more than 20 years.

A joint statement from the Public Telecommunications Ministry and GTT had stated that while the MoU was non-binding, the signing nevertheless represented a

major step toward fully liberalising Guyana’s telecommunications market. This was after they would have missed the 2018 year-end deadline for the complete liberalisation of the public telecommunications sector.

Water

In the past year, communities along the West Coast of Demerara have also suffered from an unstable water supply. Back in September, a number of areas were without water for two weeks. During that time, many claimed that it was a constant issue which has not been rectified despite numerous written complaints. Affected villages included Zeelugt, De Kinderen, Tuschen and Meten-Meer-Zorg among others.

In some instances, persons were forced to fetch water from long distances, some were forced to purchase water while others had to do without. The Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) of TuschenUitvlugt had mailed written complaints to the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) but they were reportedly told that there were no such reports.

Man dies after reportedly driving car into Demerara River

The car being removed from the river

T

he lifeless body of a Berbice, Region Six resident was on Monday morning pulled from the Demerara River after he reportedly drove his motorcar off the

Timehri Wharf, East Bank Demerara.

Dead is 39-year-old Umdut Jagnit of Lot 5 Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice. continued on page 14

News

13

Tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Atlantic Gardens resident Foreign Minister meets is Guyana’s newest lawyer EU, US Ambassadors …aims to focus on corporate, environmental laws

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fter graduating with honours from the Hugh Wooding Law School this year, 25-year-old Meenakshi Arti Outar is one of the country’s newest lawyers, as she was admitted to practice law in Guyana, at the Demerara High Court on Monday.

Outar’s petition was presented by Attorney-at-Law Pratesh Satram in the courtroom of High Court Judge, Justice Diane Insanally.

During the brief proceedings, Outar was advised to always seek guidance from stalwarts in the profession while always keeping abreast with and upholding the laws of Guyana, in order to have a striving career.

During a brief interview with Guyana Times, an enthusiastic Outar expounded that her present achievement was a life-long dream.

The young woman who hails from Atlantic Gardens, East Coast Demerara (ECD) highlighted that she has a

Newest Attorney-at-Law Meenakshi Arti Outar (centre) shares a photo with Justice Diane Insanally (left) and Attorney-at-Law Pratesh Satram (right) after Outar’s admittance to the Bar

deep interest in both company and environmental law especially since there is a lack of attention to such specifics, but with such interest, Outar seeks to journey towards becoming one of

Guyana’s top lawyers.

“So becoming a lawyer has always been something that I dreamed of as a little child; at 16 I didn’t feel like that I was ready to embark on this legal journey so I

pursued a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies; while pursuing that degree I developed a passion for the environment and I saw that Guyana especially and the Caribbean Region, we lacked great development in environmental policies. So I wish to pursue a career path along that line, my passion is with company law and environmental law,” she explained.

Outar noted that the journey through law school was challenging, and she was proud to have overcome every obstacle.

“This journey has been very challenging – the many sleepless nights, the moments where I felt like I could not have done it, but with the constant support of my friends, and my family I made it and I’m here today.

It hasn’t really registered as yet that I’m an Attorney-atLaw, but I feel happy and proud of myself to have completed this journey.”

United States Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch; Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Karen Cummings, and Consular Section Chief Karen Wiebelhaus

F

oreign Affairs Minister Dr Karen Cummings on Monday met separately with United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch and Head of the European Union Delegation, Fernando Ponz Cantó.

gave the reassurance that the Guyana Government would remain impartial while allowing the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) to finalise preparations.

Meanwhile, Ambassador Lynch gave her assurance that all ongoing projects

FTCSF hosts cancer awareness exercise in Linden

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inden based NonGovernmental Organisation (NGO), For The Children Sake Foundation (FTCSF) continues to play its part in the fight against cancer as cancer awareness month activities continue.

As part of its sensitisation campaign, the NGO recently hosted a Cancer Awareness Health Booth at the Wisroc/Amelia's Ward minibus park in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice).

The initiative, which was held under the theme, "It's a big deal", was done in collaboration with the Adolescents Health Department of the Ministry of Public Health

men can take precautionary action on their own by talking with their healthcare providers about what they can do to lower their individual risk factors and learning about what tests are right for them”, he encouraged.

During the exercise, residents were informed of preventative health measures by peer educators and other healthcare professionals.

One of the officials explains the symptoms of breast cancer

Foundation.

During the educational

Some of the participants at the event

(MoPH), the Linden Fund USA, Office of the Linden Mayor and the Vernon Todd

outreach exercise, a number of hampers and bags were also distributed to cancer

survivors.

FTCSF Director, Vernon Todd noted that too often, precious lives are interrupted or cut short by cancer.

He stressed that breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. “Breast cancer does not discriminate, it strikes people of all races, ages, and income levels. As we raise awareness of this disease and its symptoms so we can more easily identify it and more effectively treat it.

This month, as we honour those whose lives were tragically cut short by cancer and as we stand with their families, let us arm ourselves with the best knowledge, tools and resources available to fight this devastating disease”, he noted.

Todd also highlighted that regular screenings and quality care are vital to improving outcomes for millions of people worldwide. “...and we are making strides in improving treatment options. Women and

European Union Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó (centre) addressing Minister Cummings

The parties discussed ongoing cooperation and electoral assistance.

Highlighting the importance of the upcoming general elections scheduled for March 2020, Dr Cummings

in Guyana funded by the United States would continue to be implemented as planned. Ambassador Cantó was accompanied by members of an electoral exploratory mission.

14 news Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs plugs $1.2M for Rupununi Expo 2019 I tuesday, october 22, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

ndigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister, Sydney Allicock on Monday handed over a cheque to the tune of $1.2 million towards the successful hosting of Rupununi Expo 2019.

The event, which is hosted annually by the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, opens on Saturday, November 23 in St Ignatius Village, Lethem, Region Nine.

The two-day event seeks to identify and promote the economic potential of the Rupununi region as well as highlight the unique talent and cultures of the Indigenous peoples.

During a simple handing over ceremony at the Ministry’s head office, Thomas and Quamina Streets, Minister Allicock said “we are very pleased to be supporting the Rupununi Expo 2019. We have a donation in the form of support of one point two million and we hope that it works for

Michelle Skeete receiving the cheque from Indigenous Peoples' Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

your organisation and the peoples of the Region Nine and by extension the entire country”.

Michelle Skeete, a member of the Chamber, after accepting the cheque, expressed appreciation to the

Ministry noting that “we appreciate you continuing to support us”.

More than 30 villages are expected to participate and will be showcasing products in the agriculture sector as well as products from local craftsmen and women groups from across the region.

According to organisers, participants will continue to benefit from training programmes associated with production and marketing of produce to meet international standards, which will open doors of opportunities for local businesses.

Prizes will be awarded for outstanding products in the areas of craft, processed foods, agro produce, tourism, local juices and innovative initiatives.

There will also be activities for the sporting fraternity, where teams from the respective villages will compete in football, cricket, volleyball, archery, a road race (5K), cycling and horse rac-

ing.

The two-day event will also have a mixture of Indigenous talent through dance, songs, skits and the popular Miss Rupununi Pageant.

Booths and stalls will win prizes for presenta-

tion and the winner and the first, second and third runners-up of the Miss Rupununi Pageant, male and female winners in football, volleyball, cycling, archery and the road race will also receive awards and prizes.

Guyana cops regional top CSEC, CAPE awards

Goldsmith kills self after admitting he has “feelings” for daughter-in-law

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n argument between a man and his wife over the romantic feelings he reportedly developed for their daughter-inlaw took a turn for the worst after he allegedly took his life by consuming a poisonous substance.

The deceased has been identified as 47-year-old Deodat (only name given), a goldsmith of Waller’s Delight, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

Based on reports received, Deodat and his wife, Nandranie, were at their home on Sunday afternoon when they began arguing over his behaviour towards their daughter-in-law.

Their daughter-in-law had reportedly complained to Deodat’s wife about the man making advances to-

SUICIDE wards her. As such, the woman confronted her husband.

This resulted in a heated argument between the couple during which the man admitted that he had feelings for his daughter-in-law.

Shortly after, Deodat’s wife went to work.

Around 14:45h, the woman received a phone call

from her husband urgently requesting that she returned home. As the woman arrived at their residence, the man informed her that he was going to commit suicide.

Moments after making that statement, he ventured into the kitchen and locked the door so that nobody could enter. This prompted

Man dies after reportedly...

his wife to rush outside of the house and peek through a window to ascertain what her husband was up to.

The woman told detectives that she noticed Deodat with a ketchup bottle containing a solution to clean gold jewellery.

After consuming the substance, he opened the door, placed the ketchup bottle on the ground, and immediately collapsed.

He was rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH), where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The ketchup bottle with the poisonous substance that he had placed on the ground before his death was also lodged at the Police Station as investigations continue.

from page 12

Based on reports received, at about 04:30h, a security guard residing at Timehri Docks, EBD, was informed that a car was seen in the Demerara River. In turn, he contacted the Timehri Police Station and the ranks responded promptly.

From initial reports, it is believed that the man might have driven his Toyota Carina 192 bearing registration number PHH 5423 overboard. The vehicle was subsequently pulled from the river.

Jagnit’s body was reportedly in the back seat of the motorcar with the seatbelt wrapped around his left foot. The body was, however, inspected but there were no marks of vi-

Dead: Umdut Jagnit

olence.

The body was taken to Lyken’s Funeral Home awaiting a post-mortem as Police continue their investigations.

Top regional CSEC performer Riana Toney

Top regional CAPE performer Michael Bhopaul

he Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) has announced its regional awards to students who would have performed exceptionally well at both the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) for 2019.

This year, both top spots were bestowed to Guyanese students. Michael Bhopaul of Queen’s College copped the CAPE top award while the CSEC top performer was listed as Riana Toney of the Anna Regina Multilateral School.

While Bhopaul would have placed second in Guyana’s lineup this year, he won the Dennis Irvine Award for the top overall student at CAPE. He would have secured passes in eight units – Communications Studies1, Integrated Mathematics1, Applied Mathematics2, Biology2, Chemistry2, French2, Pure Mathematics2 and Physics 2. The teen was also named the second-highest CAPE performer for 2018 and the country’s top CSEC performer back in 2017.

Meanwhile, Riana Toney won the regional top award for CSEC. She would have won the Overall Outstanding Achievement award, having obtained Grade One passes in 19 subjects.

The passes were secured in Agricultural Science, Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, English A, English B, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science,

Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Business, Religious Education, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, and Human and Social Biology.

Having scored the top spot for the Humanities award, her school was listed as School of the Year.

Meanwhile, Brianna Gopie of Queen’s College won the award for Most Outstanding Candidate for Business Education. Gopie achieved Grade One passes in Economics, English A, English B, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, Additional Mathematics, and Food, Nutrition and Health.

Also coming from QC was Samuel Haynes, who copped a similar award for his 18 passes in the Sciences. He secured Grade One passes in Agricultural Science, Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, Economics, English A, English B, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Physics, Social Studies, Spanish, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, Human and Social Biology, and Additional Mathematics.

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news

15

tuesday, october 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

$1.7B in solar farm projects for Regions 7, 8, 9

Contractors who participated in the event

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artica, Region Seven, Mahdia, Region Eight, and Lethem, Region Nine, will benefit from an overall 3.15-megawatt solar-powered minigrid system totalling $1.7 billion (US$8.6 million).

The project is being funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

The 1.5-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant at Bartica will benefit 15,000 residents, while the 1-megawatt Lethem solar will benefit an estimated 5000 people.

Presently, Bartica (Cuyuni-Mazaruni)

has an installed capacity of 4.4-megawatts; Mahdia (Potaro-Siparuni), 1.2-megawatts and Lethem (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), 3.06- megawatts. Lands have been identified for the projects – 7.5 acres in Bartica and 5.2 acres in Lethem.

A pre-bidding conference for the Bartica and Lethem projects was held at the Cara Lodge on Monday.

The event attracted some 20 local and international contractors who had the opportunity to seek clarification on the scope of the jobs.

According to a Department of Public Information (DPI) report,

GEA’s Project Coordinator, Mfon Akpan explained that the projects include engineering, procurement, construction and installation, commissioning and turnkey delivery of the solar plants including battery Energy Storage Systems in Bartica and Lethem. The jobs are to be executed in two lots/ phases.

According to Akpan, the construction of the two projects will commence in the first quarter of 2020. Both will be completed and commissioned by the first quarter of 2021.

“If one contractor shall be awarded both lots, the execution of the project must run concurrently. So, this tells us, that is, you win the two bids, this means that you have 330 calendar days to finish the project,” Akpan explained.

The contractors were advised of the consequences if the work is not finished within the stipulated time.

“If you don’t complete within the 330 days, we are going to charge you 0.05 per cent of your total contract amount every day that you delay delivery.” Akpan cautioned.

The potential contrac-

Members of the Diaspora urged to invest in Linden – as Region 10 Tourism Association hosts Diaspora tour

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A section of the gathering on Monday

embers of the Diaspora were treated to a Diaspora tour of Linden and interactive luncheon on Monday, facilitated by the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Tourism Development Association (RTDA).

The initiative saw more than 20 members from the Diaspora participating thus allowing them an opportunity to view numerous tourism sites in the community as well as seek out possible approaches to collaborative investment.

The members were drawn from countries such as the United States, Nigeria, Jamaica and others who are part of the Diaspora Committee.

Following a tour of various sites in the community, an interactive luncheon was hosted at the Watooka Complex, which saw numerous presentations where-

by members of the Diaspora were given an opportunity to interact with officials.

Speaking at the event, Minister within the Agriculture Ministry, Valerie Adams-Yearwood pointed to agriculture and its impact on the tourism sector.

Linden Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Development (LCICD) President Victor Fernandes, in his remarks, encouraged the members of the Diaspora to seek opportunities to invest in the community, noting that it was “ripe for investment” as he pointed to various prospects such as eco-tourism and hospitality.

Fernandes said plans were in place to make Linden one of the main destinations in Guyana with its natural habitat, flora and fauna, location alongside Demerara River and countless heritage sites. The river, he noted, can be the site

of packaged tours, while pointing to festivals such as the Rockstone Fish Festival.

In the area of infrastructure, he pointed to the future development of the Linden Airstrip and the construction of a major road linking Guyana to other parts of the world. Fernandes also added that there were incentives for investment through GOInvest.

Tourism Department Director General Donald Sinclair extended a warm welcome to the Diaspora members, noting that they were now experiencing “a new Guyana “from a tourism standpoint.

He said the international market has taken interest in what the country has to offer in terms of eco- and nature tourism. Sinclair boasted that the country has gained much prominence as it was recently voted the number one eco-tourism destination in the world.

tors were also informed of the importance of ensuring they are fully in compliance and have all necessary documents in place before the submission of bids. These include business and VAT registration, NIS and GRA compliance and financial and technical capacity.

Tendering for the construction of the Bartica and Lethem solar farms will officially be opened on November 26, while tenders for the Mahdia project will be conducted separately.

The projects fall under the Government’s Renewable Energy Solution

GEA Project Coordinator Mfon Akpan

for the Hinterland initiative. It is aligned with the country’s Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) framework to achieve, among other things, the transition to 100 per cent renewable energy in the power sector; affordable, reliable and clean energy services for all; ensure security and quality of energy for business growth and increase energy efficiency.

Also present at Monday’s event was Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Energy Authority (GEA), Dr Mahender Sharma.

Mabaruma to get immigration/ passport office

A resident making a request at the public engagement

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esidents who have recently raised concerns of the need of stricter birth registration service in the community of Thomas Hill, Mabaruma, Region One (Barima-Waini), are now being reassured that the situation will be addressed as the town of Mabaruma will have an immigration and passport office constructed within the sub-district.

This message was delivered by Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon, during an engagement with

some of the residents on Saturday.

The passport office, which will be the third of its kind, since similar offices were commissioned in Linden and Berbice to the tune of $31 million and $57.5 million respectively, will serve residents of the Mabaruma, Matarkai and Moruca sub-districts, The need for decentralising public services especially to the hinterland communities was highlighted by Harmon as he stated that a high premium is set on public services, such as educa-

tion, health and increased river and road connectivity.

“We have begun the decentralisation of Government services so that the access to direct services is much easier for citizens.

In all of the townships, we are going to establish these extensions of Government services so you can expect that coming very soon so you won’t have to go to Georgetown. Everything is right at your doorstep. This is what we call a paradigm shift,” Harmon noted.

But even while these promises were made, residents requested more efficiency in the registration system within the region in order to ease the burden residents have been faced with over the last few decades in obtaining birth certificates, passports and marriage certificates.

“Residents leave from here to go to town to look after birth certificates and sometimes it takes months to come back,” one resident said.

Harmon further explained that the establishment of the passport office in the township will allow for greater extension of services such as the registration of births and deaths.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, october 22, 2019

Regional

After Chile riots, thousands rally to protest Piñera Government

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housands of Chileans poured into Santiago’s central squares Monday to protest high living costs after a weekend of looting, arson, and clashes with security forces killed 11 people and prompted President Sebastián Piñera to declare the country “at war” with vandals.

Buses and metro networks were partially restored for people to return to work, but many opted instead to join the biggest demonstrations in years in what is normally one of Latin America’s most stable countries.

The crisis was sparked by protests over a hike in public transport fares, but reflects simmering anger

A demonstrator runs from tear gas during a protest against Chile's State economic model in Santiago, October 21, 2019

over intense economic inequality in Chile, as well as costly health, education and pension systems seen by many as inadequate.

Banging drums and pans, blowing whistles and

many waving signs calling for Pinera´s ouster, the largely youthful and peaceful crowd filled Santiago’s Plaza Italia and overflowed into surrounding streets, watched from the sidelines

by soldiers and Police and hovered over by helicopters.

“Pinera, listen! Go to hell!” the crowds chanted.

Jose Jimenez, 33, a filmmaker who had joined the protest, told Reuters it was hard to predict what would come next.

“Something has broken,” he said. “The Government has shown itself to be completely inept and until there’s a way to respond to or contain this situation I think it’s only going to keep growing.”

Camila Tapia, a 23-yearold student from the poor La Pintana neighbourhood of Santiago said she was there to represent her elderly parents, former manual labourers. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Bolivia elections: Concern as results transmission pauses

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here is concern in Bolivia after the electoral authority stopped updating its website showing the preliminary results of the presidential election.

With almost 83.8 per cent of votes verified, incumbent President Evo Morales led with 45.3 per cent, leaving his main rival, Carlos Mesa, in second place with 38.2 per cent.

The partial results suggest Morales does not have the votes needed to win outright and will have to face

Mesa in a second round.

The run-off is scheduled for December.

The site showing the preliminary results stopped being updated at 83.8 per cent of the votes at 19:40h local time (23:40 GMT) on Sunday, The failure to update the results caused immediate concern not just with Opposition politicians but also with the regional body Organisation of American States (OAS), which has election observers in Bolivia.

The OAS tweeted in

Spanish that it was crucial for Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal to explain why the transmission had been interrupted.

Tribunal president María Eugenia Choque said it had stopped the transmission of the preliminary results because the regional tribunals had started announcing the official results.

"We can't have two sets of results at the same time," she said.

However, the official results have not yet been released.

Mesa said the interruption in the transmission of the results was "extremely serious".

"We're not going to allow the manipulation of a result that obviously puts us in a second round," Mesa said in a video he published on Twitter (in Spanish).

Before the transmission was halted, Mesa declared that he had achieved "an unquestionable victory which allows us to say with certainty that we've made it into a second round".

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Cops raid ‘Secret Sundays’ Port of Spain pool party

A

Secret Sunday pool party in Port-of-Spain was busted by officers of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) after midnight on Monday when 22 women and 20 men were detained.

A 37-year-old woman from Westmoorings, who is believed to be the main suspect who arranged the event, has also been arrested and is currently assisting Police in their investigations.

Police said most of the women are non-nationals with no identification in their possession. They were allegedly engaged in lewd dancing, possible prostitution, and child endanger-

Most of the women are non-nationals with no identification in their possession

ment as several of them are believed to be minors. They were found in a house at Lady Chancellor Heights.

Just after midnight on Monday, acting on intelligence, SORT officers con-

ducted a sting operation at the house where the women, along with 20 men, were arrested. They have all been moved to the St James Barracks where they are currently being interviewed

by investigators.

Police also found and seized a firearm and ammunition, narcotics and a large amount of cash.

Guardian Media understands that an advertisement was issued to highlight the event. It was titled "Can you keep a secret?" and gave details for a "Secret Sundays Latin EDM Private Pool Party." It also advertised that the event would be at a secret location where "Secret Pleasures Await" along with a WhatsApp number for interested persons to message for further information and the location. It ended by stating: "Make Sundays your Secret." (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Jamaica to participate in China International Import Expo

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rime Minister Andrew Holness and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith will head Jamaica's delegation to next month's China International Import Expo in Shanghai.

Speaking at the recent Jamaica-China Friendship Association banquet at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston to commemorate the 70th anniversary

of the People's Republic of China, Johnson Smith said Jamaica was invited to participate as a “Guest Country of Honour”.

She said the event presents an opportunity “to showcase what Jamaica has to offer as a trade and investment destination, and partner in the area of commercial relations”.

“We will use the visit to engage targeted stakeholders on prospective part-

nerships that can support [the] quest to build the new Jamaica that our people want,” the Minister added.

Meanwhile, Holness has indicated that “I am looking forward to my visit to China”.

Speaking during a recent ceremony at Jamaica House, which was attended

by China's Ambassador to Jamaica, Tian Qi, Holness said “I have been looking forward to this visit for some

time”, adding that he and, by extension, the Government anticipate that it will serve to “further strengthen and expand our cooperative relationship”.

In the meantime, Johnson Smith praised the Jamaica-China Friendship Association for their role in enhancing bilateral relations between the countries for more than four decades.

(Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

Students say they will continue hunger strike to force President Moise out of office

The students have been posting handwritten messages on the walls where they are holed up at the university in Creole to express their demands

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tudents from the Faculty of Law and Economics of the State University of Haiti (UEH) are continuing their hunger strike to force President Jovenel Moise out of office, even as four of them opted out of the protest that entered its second week on Monday.

The remaining 11 students, including two women, have vowed to continue the hunger strike insisting that they are “clear in our demands.

“We chose not to eat until the President of the Republic hand over the key of the National Palace. We are ready to sacrifice our lives for the change of our country, we are in an unlimited strike, until the resignation of the President,” one of the students said.

The students have been posting handwritten messages on the walls where

they are holed up at the university in Creole to express their demands.

During the day, the students spend their time lying on blankets or on a thin mattress, consuming only water and in some cases intravenous serum as had been provided last Thursday by the Red Cross.”

The actions by the students come as thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday for the second rally organised by a group of artists demanding that Moise, who came to power in 2017, demit office.

The political and economic crisis in Haiti was triggered by the publication in January 2019 of a report on the Venezuela-funded PetroCaribe Oil initiative, under which Caracas provided oil and other petroleum products to Haiti under a preferential agreement. (Excerpt from CMC)

WTO approves CBERA allowing Caricom dutyfree access to US market

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he World Trade Organisation (WTO) has approved the extension of the waiver of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), which allows for continued duty-free access to the United States market for eligible Caribbean products, up to September 30, 2025, according to a statement issued by Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry.

It said that through CBERA, 17 countries, including Guyana and Jamaica, are beneficiaries of preferential tariff treatment intended to support the development of regional economies.

The trade programme was set to expire at the end of the year.

The Ministry quoted a statement in which the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom) informed the WTO that the Caricom region “values its trading relationship with the United States and,

through initiatives such as the CBERA, views it as a partner in pursuance of export diversification, spurring foreign direct investment, building competitiveness, and the economic resilience of the Region”.

In 2018, Caricom exports to the United States accounted for 32 per cent of its global exports while imports from the United States into Caricom amounted to 36 per cent of Caricom's imports from all sources,” the statement noted.

It said among products eligible under this act are textiles and apparel, energy-related products (eg petroleum and methanol), agricultural produce and processed foods.

The Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) was launched in 1983 through CBERA and further expanded in 2000 under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act. (Excerpt from CMC)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, october 22, 2019

Around the World

Bangladesh MP ‘hired 8 lookalikes’

to sit university exams

The scandal emerged after private broadcaster Nagorik TV entered a test hall and confronted one of the women posing as Nusrat, left [Screen grab from Nagorik TV YouTube channel]

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Bangladeshi lawmaker has been expelled from university after allegedly hiring as many as eight lookalikes to take exams in her place, officials said on Monday.

Tamanna Nusrat, from the rul-

ing Awami League party, is accused of paying the lookalikes to pretend to be her in at least 13 tests.

The scandal emerged after private broadcaster Nagorik TV entered a test hall and confronted one of the women

posing as Nusrat in a video that went viral.

Nusrat, who was elected to Parliament last year, was studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree with the Bangladesh Open University (BOU).

“We expelled her because she has committed a crime. A crime is a crime,” BOU Vice Chancellor Professor MA Mannan told AFP news agency. “We have cancelled her enrolment. She will never be able to get admitted here again.”

“The proxy students were protected by the MP’s musclemen when they sat for the tests. Everybody knew it but nobody uttered a word because she is from a very influential family,” a college official said.

Nusrat, who has been served a show-cause notice by the university authorities, could not be reached for comment.

Test fraud, cheating and leaking of question papers ahead of exams are common in Bangladesh, frequently prompting authorities to cancel results. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

At least 55 elephants die in Zimbabwe drought

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t least 55 elephants have starved to death in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park over the past two months amid a severe drought.

“The situation is dire,” Zimparks spokesman Tinashe Farawo said. “The elephants are dying from starvation and this is a big

problem.”

The drought has massively reduced crop levels in Zimbabwe.

A third of the population is reportedly in need of food aid in the midst of an ongoing economic crisis.

In August, a World Food Programme report said two million people were at risk

of starvation in the country.

Some of the elephants were reportedly found within 50 metres (yards) of water pans - suggesting they had travelled far and died just before reaching them.

The elephants have caused “massive destruction” of vegetation in Hwange, Farawo said. The

park can handle about 15,000 elephants but currently has more than 50,000.

Zimparks - which does not get Government funding - has been trying to drill wells but lacks the money to continue, Farawo added.

(Excerpt fom BBC News)

Israel’s Netanyahu gives up effort to form new Government

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sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced he is giving up his effort to form a new Government after failing to form a coalition following an inconclusive parliamentary election last month.

Netanyahu, who heads the right-wing Likud party and faces potential indictment in three corruption cases, had hoped to establish a broad “unity” Government with his main rival, former military chief Benny Gantz.

But on Monday the 70-year-old said he had come up short, announcing in a video posted on his official Facebook page that despite working “tirelessly” to establish an Administration

Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s longest-serving leader [Ronen Zvulun/Reuters]

with Gantz he had been repeatedly rebuffed.

“During the past few weeks, I made every effort to bring Benny Gantz to the negotiating table. Every effort to establish a broad national unity Government,

every effort to prevent another election,” Netanyahu said. “To my regret, time after time he declined. He simply refused.”

Netanyahu said he was consequently returning the “mandate” to President

Reuven Rivlin.

Rivlin gave Netanyahu the first opportunity to form a Government because the Likud-led bloc of right-wing and religious parties won the most seats in Israel’s 120seat Parliament in the September 17 ballot, taking 55, one more than the Blue and White-headed bloc. As individual parties, Likud won 32 seats, while Blue and White took 33.

Following Netanyahu’s announcement, Rivlin said he will now hold consultations with the various political parties to tell them he intends to task Gantz with the job of putting together a new Government. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Brexit: MPs’ vote on deal ruled out by Speaker John Bercow

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he Commons Speaker has refused a Government request to hold a “yes” or “no” vote on its Brexit deal.

John Bercow said a motion on the deal had been brought before MPs on Saturday, and it would be “repetitive and disorderly” to debate it again.

Saturday’s sitting saw MPs vote to withhold approval of Boris Johnson’s deal until it has been passed into law.

The UK is due to leave the EU in 10 days, and while Johnson and fellow EU leaders have agreed a new deal to allow that to happen, it cannot come into

force until it is approved by both the UK and European Parliaments.

The Government has presented the law which would implement the Brexit deal to the Commons, and it will begin its parliamentary journey today.

The Government wanted to hold a “yes” or “no” vote - a so-called “meaningful vote” - on its deal on Saturday, but MPs instead chose to back an amendment tabled by former Tory Sir Oliver Letwin, which said that could not happen until all necessary Brexit legislation was passed.

That legislation, called the

Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), has been introduced and will then have to go through full parliamentary scrutiny in both the Commons and the Lords - something which usually takes weeks rather than days.

But Leader of the Commons Jacob Rees-Mogg announced plans to complete the Commons stages by the end of Thursday. He said the House would not sit on Friday.

MPs will vote on a so-called programme motion - which effectively approves or rejects that timetable - today.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Hong Kong Riot Police tear-gas, chase protesters, residents jeer officers

Police Officers stand next to a burning barricade during an antiGovernment protest in Hong Kong, China, October 21, 2019

H

ong Kong riot Police fired tear gas late on Monday to disperse pro-democracy demonstrators gathered to commemorate the three-month anniversary of an assault by more than 100 men on protesters, commuters and journalists.

The clashes in the Yuen Long neighbourhood came a day after widespread violence in which tens of thousands marched through Kowloon district and hardcore activists threw petrol bombs at Police, torched metro entrances and trashed shops.

Hong Kong has been battered by five months of huge and often violent protests over fears Beijing is tightening its grip on the territory, the worst political crisis since colonial ruler Britain handed it back to China in 1997.

Under a policy that deems marches illegal unless they have a police permit,

riot Police stopped around 100 protesters reaching the Yuen Long metro station in Hong Kong’s northwest, which was closed five hours early amid tight security.

Police ordered protesters to disperse, at one stage rushing them and detaining one person. Scuffles broke out between pro-Beijing supporters and protesters and angry residents emerged from apartments to jeer officers, calling them “black Police”.

After a few hours, most protesters had scattered but Police remained on the streets in force, occasionally firing tear gas at small groups and chasing down individuals. A few masked protesters taunted Police but quickly disappeared up side streets when officers approached.

Elsewhere in the city, protesters staged peaceful sit-ins at five metro stations.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

Facing protests, Lebanon approves emergency economic reforms

L

ebanon approved an emergency reform package on Monday in response to protests over dire economic conditions, but the moves did not go far enough to persuade demonstrators to leave the streets or investors to halt a plunge in its bonds.

Hundreds of thousands of people have flooded the streets since Thursday, furious at a political class they accuse of pushing the economy to the point of collapse.

Roads were blocked for a fifth day across the country.

Schools, banks and businesses were closed, and Banks are expected to remain shut today.

Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri, in a televised speech, said the new measures might not meet the protesters’ demands but were a start towards achieving some of them. The Government must work to recover trust, he said.

“You are the compass and ... your movement frankly is

what led us to this decision today,” added Hariri, who said big steps had been taken towards fighting corruption and waste.

The reforms included the symbolic halving of the salaries of Ministers and lawmakers, as well as moves towards implementing long-delayed measures vital to putting the public finances on a sustainable path.

Maya Mhana, a teacher listening to the speech in Beirut with other protesters, was not convinced. “We are remaining in the streets, we don’t believe a single word he said,” she said.

Protesters sang into the night in Beirut and continued to demonstrate in other parts of the country.

The protests have been extraordinary because of their size and geographic reach in a country where political movements are normally divided on sectarian lines and struggle to draw nationwide appeal. (Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

Tuesday, OCTOber 22, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

You’ll learn a lot about your peers if you mix business with pleasure.

Listening and observing will help you make a good case for your plans.

TAURUS

Refuse to let an emotional issue you have with a loved one or co-worker disrupt your concentration or ability to take care of your responsibilities. Don’t choose sides; stay neutral.

(March 21April 19)

(April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

If you fail to live up to your promises, you will disappoint a loved one. Be willing and ready to support what’s fair. Expand your knowledge and do your best.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

A discussion will lead to answers and positive change. If you make plans to celebrate with a like-minded soul, it will bring you closer together.

LIBRA

Consider your position and the changes you want to initiate. You have more options than you realize. Don’t limit your potential due to a lack of confidence.

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SCORPIO

SUDOKU

Take care of personal business, domestic chores and family matters. A change at home should prompt you to stay in shape, eat properly and maintain a healthy attitude and lifestyle.

Participate in events that allow you to show off what you have to offer. Mix business with pleasure to gain ground at work and at home. Romance is featured.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Keep moving forward.

Say less and do more. Be practical and put your emotions aside when dealing with people who can influence the outcome of what you are trying to achieve.

Stick to the facts. If you exaggerate, you will end up being interrogated by someone doubtful of your contributions. Slow down and choose your words carefully.

Go over financial, legal or medical statements in detail. A joint venture isn’t what it appears to be. Before you commit to anything, make adjustments that will protect your interests.

Partnerships will be difficult if one or both parties isn’t willing to compromise.

Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Focus on how to best handle money matters.

Look over contracts, proposals or work-related matters carefully. Hidden costs will turn what appears to be a good deal into a money pit.

You should avoid impulsive purchases.

tuesday, october 22, 2019

19

Shami, Yadav put India on the brink of 3-0 sweep I

ndia need two wickets to complete a whitewash over South Africa but they will have to wait until Tuesday morning to do it.

The visitors might have one more night in India, awaiting a fate that was writ from the second innings in Visakhapatnam, when Mohammed Shami ripped through their middle order and showed how much of a role seam bowlers would play in this series.

Though R Ashwin remains on top the wicket charts, it was Shami and Umesh Yadav who exposed a weakness South Africa would not have dreamed t h e y had, especially not in the subcontinent.

South Africa have been surprised by short balls, beaten by pace and caught off guard by bowlers who attack the stumps, the very same thing they have seen their own attack do, season after season.

But this is the season of change and India have spent the se- r i e s showing how much they have evolved. No longer a team that relies on conditions loaded in the spinners' favour, they are now an outfit that wins away and that is not only happy to compete on fair-minded surfaces, but can dominate on them.

Sixteen South African wickets fell on day three as they were made to follow-on in consecutive Tests for the first time since 2002, and seven of their players were dismissed twice on the same day. A concussion substitute was required for the third time in Test history after Dean Elgar ducked into a Yadav short ball and was struck just above the ear.

Theunis de Bruyn replaced him and was the top-scorer in the second innings, scant consolation after being dropped and watching his replacement make a strong enough case to stay in the No.3 spot for the foreseeable future.

If there's positive South Africa could take, it was Zubayr Hamza's first-innings effort. After watching his captain Faf du Plessis get beaten and bowled by a Yadav beauty that swerved away from

SCOREBOARD

Zubayr Hamza drives on his way to a half-century

him in the first over of the day, Hamza played a sprightly knock. He was confident on the front foot, energetic in his approach and was the perfect foil for Temba Bavuma, who was circumspect but promised so much.

Hamza and Bavuma put on a fourth-wicket stand of 91, but once Hamza was dismissed, the procession began.

Ravindra Jadeja had Hamza caught o n the back foot, when the batsman was shaping for a flick, but was beaten in the end. This, immediately after an unsuccessful review from India. In the next over, Bavuma came down the track to defend against debutant Shahbaz Nadeem but the ball turned away from him and into Wriddhiman Saha's gloves.

Bavuma was stumped for 32, a score which only added to his failure to covert starts. The tail wagged a little in the form of George Linde but India were all over South Africa. The visitors lost 7 for 55, getting dismissed for their lowest total of the series.

With weather threatening to reduce the time left in the match, and South Africa so far behind, both in terms of runs and in their states of mind, Virat Kohli had no second thoughts about enforcing the follow-on. And within ten overs it was obvious he had made the right decision.

South Africa were reduced to 26 for 4 when the blow to Elgar resulted in early tea.

By then, Quinton de Kock had played down the wrong line to Yadav, Hamza was late on a ball that straight-

ened from Shami, du Plessis took an unnecessary review when he was given out lbw off Shami, and Bavuma was out for a duck.Shami showed South Africa how it's done once again. Hit the deck hard. Use the short ball aggressively. Keep the lines tight. The only thing

he didn't do was finish South Africa off. Not even Ashwin managed that. The South African tail has routinely frustrated India and this time Anrich Nortje hung on with de Bruyn till stumps. However, it's only a matter of time before India complete the formalities.

(ESPNcricinfo)

India 1st Innings – 497/9d South Africa 1st Innings D Elgar c †Saha b Shami 0 Q de Kock c †Saha b Yadav 4 Z Hamza b Jadeja 62 F du Plessis (c) b Yadav 1 T Bavuma st †Saha b Nadeem 32 H Klaasen † b Jadeja 6 GF Linde c Sharma b Yadav 37 DL Piedt lbw b Shami 4 K Rabada run out (Yadav) 0 A Nortje lbw b Nadeem 4 L Ngidi not out 0 Extras (b 8, lb 3, nb 1) 12 TOTAL (56.2 Overs, RR: 2.87) 162 all out Did not bat: TB de Bruyn Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Dean Elgar, 0.2 ov), 2-8 (Quinton de Kock, 1.6 ov), 3-16 (Faf du Plessis, 5.5 ov), 4-107 (Zubayr Hamza, 27.4 ov), 5-107 (Temba Bavuma, 28.2 ov), 6-119 (Heinrich Klaasen, 31.4 ov), 7-129 (Dane Piedt, 36.4 ov), 8-130 (Kagiso Rabada, 37.5 ov), 9-162 (George Linde, 55.1 ov), 10-162 (Anrich Nortje, 56.2 ov) BOWLING M Shami (10-4-22-2) UT Yadav (9-1-40-3) S Nadeem (11.2-4-22-2) RA Jadeja (14-3-19-2)

R Ashwin (12-1-48-0) South Africa 2nd Innings Q de Kock b Yadav 5 D Elgar retired hurt 16 Z Hamza b Shami 0 F du Plessis (c) lbw b Shami 4 T Bavuma c †Saha b Shami 0 H Klaasen † lbw b Yadav 5 GF Linde run out (Nadeem) 27 DL Piedt b Jadeja 23 TB de Bruyn not out 30 K Rabada c Jadeja b Ashwin 12 A Nortje not out 5 Extras (b 5) 5 TOTAL (46 Overs, RR: 2.86) 132/8 (f/o) Yet to bat: L Ngidi Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Quinton de Kock, 1.1 ov), 2-10 (Zubayr Hamza, 2.3 ov), 3-18 (Faf du Plessis, 6.6 ov), 4-22 (Temba Bavuma, 8.3 ov), 4-26* (Dean Elgar, retired not out ), 5-36 (Heinrich Klaasen, 16.1 ov), 6-67 (George Linde, 28.3 ov), 7-98 (Dane Piedt, 37.4 ov), 8-121 (Kagiso Rabada, 42.5 ov) BOWLING M Shami (9-5-10-3) UT Yadav (9-1-35-2) RA Jadeja (13-5-36-1) S Nadeem (5-0-18-0) R Ashwin (10-3-28-1)

Ex-CEOs to plead guilty to roles in US college admissions scam

F

our wealthy parents including the former chief executives of bond manager Pimco and specialty finance lender Hercules Capital Inc (HTGC.N) are set to plead guilty on Monday to participating in a vast U.S. college admissions cheating and fraud scheme.

Federal prosecutors in Boston say ex-Pimco CEO Douglas Hodge, Hercules Capital founder Manuel Henriquez and his wife, Elizabeth, and onetime food manufacturer executive Michelle Janavs took part in a bribery scheme that helped their children gain admission to universities as fake athletic recruits.

Hodge, 61, was the first to plead guilty, admitting he paid $525,000 to facilitate the admission of his daughter and son to the University of Southern California (USC) as soccer and football recruits through the use of bribery.

“I acted out of love for my children, but I know that this explanation for my actions is not an excuse,” Hodge, who will be sentenced in January, said in a statement.

The four are among 52 people charged with participating in a vast scheme in which wealthy parents conspired with a California college admissions consultant to use bribery and other forms of fraud to secure the admission of

Felicity Huffman reported to the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California, on October 15 She is pictured with her husband William H Macy (Getty Images)

their children to top schools.

William “Rick” Singer, the consultant, pleaded guilty in March to charges he facilitated cheating on college entrance exams and helped bribe sports coaches at universities to present his clients’ children as fake athletic recruits.

The 35 parents charged in the investigation include executives and celebrities, such as “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman and “Full House” actress Lori Loughlin.

Huffman reported to prison last week to serve a 14-day term

after admitting she engaged in the cheating scheme. Loughlin has pleaded not guilty.

Hodge was CEO of Allianz SE’s (ALVG.DE) Pimco, the world’s largest bond manager, from 2014 to 2016. Prior to his arrest in March, Manuel Henriquez was chairman and CEO of Hercules.

Janavs was formerly an executive at her family’s company Chef America, which produced the microwavable snack Hot Pockets before being bought by Nestle for $2.6 billion in 2002.

The Henriquezes turned to Singer to help fraudulently inflate their two daughters’ entrance exam scores and also paid him $400,000 to bribe a tennis coach to help their oldest child gain admission to Georgetown University, prosecutors alleged.

Janavs conspired with Singer to pay $600,000 to facilitate admission of two of her children to USC and Georgetown as athletes, and paid another $100,000 to have a corrupt exam proctor correct her two daughters’ answers on the ACT exam, prosecutors said. (Reuters)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

tuesday, october 22, 2019

No record is safe with IAAF poised to allow arms race in shoes to run and run

By Sean Ingle

R

uling body’s technological committee meets on Monday and is likely to wave through Nike footwear worn to shatter marathon-distance records It is the shoes. Anyone who says otherwise is deluded.

Without those chunky, super-fast prototype Nike alphaFLYs – the ones with platforms to make Ziggy Stardust swoon – Eliud Kipchoge does not shatter the two-hour marathon-distance barrier in Vienna.

Without those Nike Vaporfly Next%s, stacked with a carbon fibre plate and thicker Pebax foam that produce a spring effect, Brigid Kosgei does not eviscerate Paula Radcliffe’s women’s marathon record in Chicago a day later.

And without the key-lime-pie-coloured consumer version, £239.99 from your nearest Nike store, legions of club runners are not lopping chunks off their personal bests either.

Of course it is the shoes. Depending on the model and athlete they typically improve a person’s running economy by 4-5% – which translates to at least a minute- to 90-second advantage for an elite male runner over 26.2 miles. Perhaps even more.

But I have news for the athletes and agents who have approached the IAAF, athletics’ governing body, urging it to ban the shoes. It is not going to happen. In fact do not be surprised if the arms race in shoe technology soon goes nuclear.

Why? Well, on Monday the IAAF’s technological committee – which has been studying Nike’s Vaporfly shoes since 2017 – will hold an important conference call involving scientists from the University of Queensland and legal experts. While its thinking is a closely guarded secret, there is no hint the Vaporflys will be banned. Instead, I understand it is considering making a proposal to the IAAF council in the next two to three weeks that a running shoe should be regarded as legal providing it gives no “motor assistance” to an athlete. In other words, if the only power source remains the person run-

ning in the shoes, they would be legally compliant.

This could be just as much a gamechanger as the introduction of the original Vaporflys in 2016. Under such rules the shoes Kipchoge wore in Vienna – said to contain three carbon fibre plates, four cushioning pods, and two distinct layers of midsole foam in order to improve running economy by 7-8% – would be allowed in official races. Forget the 90-second advantage of the Vaporflys in a marathon, it could be three-minutes plus with the alphaFLYs. Some will shrug their shoulders. Sport and technology have, after all, always gone hand in hand. A friend of mine in cycling points out that Ineos are using wheels from Germany, costing £6,000 a pair, that are lighter and stiffer than those used by other teams. That is an undoubted advantage. My friend also suggests modern bicycle tyres are worth 40 seconds on Alpe d’Huez over those from 20 years ago, another sign of how technology inevitably rewrites the rules and the record books.

But athletics is supposed to be different.

With the odd exception – such as the switch away from cinder tracks – technological innovation tends to be subtle and incremental. Tell someone you are a three-hour marathon runner and that means much the same whether you did it in 1985 or 2015. But remarkable as Kipchoge’s run in Vienna undoubtedly was we have no way of knowing how much was down to him – and how much was the impact of his shoes.

We know the Vaporflys may have producing sliding-doors moments in major races. In the 2016 US Olympic marathon trials the Nike athletes Amy Cragg and Shalane Flanagan came first and third wearing early prototypes of the Vaporflys while Kara Goucher, who was not, missed out by one place. The gap between Flanagan and Goucher? Sixty five seconds.

True, other brands like Saucony and New Balance are rumoured to be close to unveiling similar shoes. But Nike has been so far ahead for the past three years you wonder how much the gap will really close.

Eliud Kipchoge (3rd from right), Kenyan marathon world record holder, in action next to his pacemakers during the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna, Austria (EPA)

And it is not just on the road. At the recent world championships in Doha, Sifan Hassan and Laura Muir were among a number of athletes who ran startling times wearing prototype Nike spikes – though the heat of competition, the lack of wind and a lightning-quick track helped too.

So what should be done? Clearly it would be legally tricky to ban the Vaporflys given they have been so widely used for nearly three years. So instead the question will become how to find the sweet spot between encouraging innovation without destroying the time-worn characteristics of track and field: universality and fairness.

One reasonable suggestion, made in the British Journal of Sports Medicine by Geoffrey T Burns and Nicholas Tam, is to introduce rules to regulate the thickness of the midsole of a shoe. “If set at 31mm current competition footwear would remain el-

igible and advances would take place within this geometry, ensuring footwear remains an accessory to physiological competition,” they argue.

As Burns and Tam also point out, similar rules regarding heel thickness for shoes are already used in high jump and long jump competitions. And by adopting a similar approach for running shoes it would “provide a transparent standard that supersedes the band-aid approach of litigating every new development”.

But whatever the IAAF does next, it must more closely observe its own rule 143.2, which states shoes “must not be constructed so as to give athletes any unfair assistance or advantage”.

Yes, the playing field in sport is never going to be truly level but it cannot remain obviously lopsided either. (The Guardian)

Ballon d’Or: van Dijk, Ronaldo, Sinclair confident of maiden Mane on shortlist for award Regional Super50 call-up

K

evin Sinclair has been the brightest light in the West Berbice team -- wherein popular West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer is featured -- in the ongoing SBF Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI), having already registered three ‘player-of-the-match’ performances in the five rounds that have been played.

This right-handed toporder batsman, who also bowls off-spin, spoke to Guyana Times Sport after recording another ‘playerof-the-match’ performance, against the Lower Corentyne team at the Young Warriors Ground in Cumberland, East Canje. In that match, the Lower Corentyne team suffered their first defeat in this tournament, and Sinclair, who scored a solid 51, also took one wicket.

He had this to say about his possible maiden call-up: “My chances are (real, I) just have to keep putting in the hard work; and I will remain very positive”.

Having come ‘through the ranks’, wherein he dominated local cricket, Sinclair played in the Guyana Under-19 team and was adjudged the best junior cricketer in 2018.

Kevin Sinclair, bowling his off-spin (Brandon Corlette photo)

He

has been recording consistently good performances in the CGI Academy programme, and has been having a dream season in the league, producing five-wicket hauls and halfcenturies.

Sinclair disclosed that he has been working on his all-round game, and the academy programme has helped him tremendously. “I have been working a lot in the Academy, especially on my batting and my fitness as well”, Sinclair said.

With the CGI Franchise signing off on Thursday, Sinclair added that he would be looking to contribute with both bat and ball as his team looks to finish a t the top, or in a good position in the standings.

Sinclair highlighted that, heading into matches, he has been studying the opposition off the field. In approaching the match against the Lower Corentyne side, Sinclair said, Nial Smith was on his mind, because the paceman had just taken a 6-wicket haul against Georgetown Sinclair will be eager to finish the tournament on a high as West Berbice come up against Georgetown at Everest today, Tuesday October 22, and against West Demerara on Thursday October 24 at Tuschen. (Brandon Corlette)

Virgil van Dijk helped Liverpool win the Champions League last season

V

irgil van Dijk is one of six Liverpool players to be named alongside Cristiano Ronaldo on the 30man shortlist for the 2019 Ballon d’Or. Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Trent AlexanderArnold, Georginio Wijnaldum and Alisson have also been chosen from the Reds.

The reveal is ongoing with the full list expected to be completed at around 20:00 BST. Lionel Messi is expected to be included among the nominees yet to be announced.

Champions League win-

ners Liverpool have by far the most players on the list from one club.

From the Premier League, Manchester City and Tottenham have two, with Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva from the Premier League title holders and Hugo Lloris and Son Heung-min from Spurs.

Arsenal forward PierreEmerick Aubameyang is also on the list.

Elsewhere, three clubs have two players on the list - Ajax (Dusan Tadic and Donny van de Beek), Barcelona (Frenkie de Jong and Marc-Andre ter Stegen)

and Juventus (Ronaldo and Matthijs de Ligt).

Bayern Munich (Robert Lewandowski), Paris StGermain (Kylian Mbappe) and Real Madrid (Karim Benzema) all have one player each nominated.

The Ballon d’Or winner will be named in Paris on 2 December.

Luka Modric won in 2018 to end the seven-year dominance of the award by Messi and Ronaldo.

Van Dijk is among the favourites to win this year’s award after being named Uefa Player of the Year in August. (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, october 22, 2019

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21

Golden Jaguars’ international player Neil Danns

F

rom the time he began his tenure as Head Coach of the Golden Jaguars, the Brazilian Marcio Maximo has been placing great emphasis on the ‘balance’ between using local talent and international players to produce great results while simultaneously developing local football.

Having consistently chanted his mantra, this head coach expanded on the topic at a press briefing last week, and his reasoning was supported by the international players who have been stalwarts in the Guyanese team.

“I don’t think you can compete with any team without local players; it’s not really development. Also, you can’t give up your international players to compete; it’s a balance (that must be struck),” Coach Maximo explained at the press briefing.

When the names of the 20-man squad for Guyana’s first two CONCACAF Nations

League games in September were released, many were surprised that an even number of local and international players had been named. The coach has not just yet let up on this practice, as he has opted to use a whopping six local players in Guyana’s games against Antigua and Barbuda at home and away.

“I think that international players and local players should work together, like they’re doing now. We need good integration…to maintain our performances,” he said.

Asked about the development of Guyana’s leagues, Maximo declared his belief that that would be a long process. He, however, disclosed that players are already at a point where they are motivated to train and play, and his conviction is that while the players develop, the league would do so simultaneously.

“We’re trying to minimise the gap between local players and international players. It’s my job to do (that), because when Mr. Forde hired me, he hired me to come develop football. I can’t create the best competitive league overnight; you should first motivate players to train (regularly), like they’re doing now, and give the opportunity to them to be part of the process,” Maximo explained.

Guyana’s Neil Danns concurred with this observation, even as he declared that he has seen a fair turnover of players in the Guyanese senior squad. Referring to Guyana’s impressive outing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tourney this year, Danns noted that, in its development, Guyana’s football is going through a positive transition that should directly impact the way it is played locally.

“I think (that) at this moment in time, everyone can feel that Guyanese football is going through a transitional period, and we’re all on board and fully committed to this transition. We realise (that), in order for everything that we achieved

Golden Jaguars Head Coach Marcio Maximo

with the Gold Cup, for that to filter down, it’s got to filter down to the local players,” he stated.

The midfielder declared that the positive impact of the balance has been visible since Coach Maximo joined the senior team set-up.

“So, basically, like what the coach said, the balance has got to be right now. Even from the first get-together under this coach, you could see the difference in the quality of the local players (by observing) their development,” Danns explained.

Danns has even opined that the time is quickly approaching for Guyana’s next generation of senior players to emerge, and he deemed it wise for those players to rub shoulders with contemporaries who are more experienced.

“I’m an ageing player now, and I still have some to give. But it’s all about focus on the next generation now, and the youth players. You see, with the inclusion of your Kelseys and the other young lads, it benefits them now being around the senior players,” Danns explained.

Veronica Campbell-Brown: Statue is "a blessing, a gesture I truly appreciate" V

eronica CampbellBrown, one of the all-time greats of track and field, was honoured by her home country of Jamaica on Sunday when they mounted a statue of her likeness at Independence Park in Kingston.

In a career that has spanned more than two decades since she first represented Jamaica as a junior athlete, VCB, has won 19 senior global medals including three Olympic gold medals and three gold medals at the IAAF World Championships.

She has also won more than 50 medals while representing her country during that time. She won her first Olympic title in the 200m in Athens in 2004 and then defended the title in Beijing in 2008.

During the ceremony attended by many dignitaries including Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Jamaica’s Sports Minister Olivia Grange, VCB’s statue mounted next to that of her mentor and idol Merlene Ottey was unveiled to rapturous applause.

It was the third of four statues commissioned by the government to pay tribute to some of the country’s greatest athletes.

Veronica Campbell-Brown (centre) sharing her special moment with students from her alma mater Vere Technical, along with Sports Minister Olivia Grange

Statues of eight-time Olympic gold medallist Usain Bolt and now fourtime World Champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce have been mounted over the last three years. With VCB’s statue now up, only that of former 100-metre world record holder Asafa Powell is left to join them.

Campbell-Brown, who was accompanied by her husband Omar Brown,

the 2006 Commonwealth Games 200-metre champion, and with her daughter Avianna in her arms, unveiled the latest work of sculptor Basil Watson.

“To be remembered and commemorated for my contribution to Jamaica’s rich history in this unique way is an absolute b ­ lessing and a gesture that I greatly ­appreciate,” said CampbellBrown as she addressed

the audience gathered before her.

A picture of humility on the face of the grand occasion, VCB showered praise on the woman, whose statue stands beside hers.

“Merlene is such an awesome person. I really admire her,” she said.

“I’m just grateful to be among Jamaica’s rich history and persons like her have set the pace for all

of us who came after her.

So I’m grateful to be here among these great athletes.”

Prime Minister Holness, during his address, said Jamaica must recognize in its athletes' victories, the triumph of the nation.

Meanwhile, Minister Grange said moments like these continue to demonstrate Jamaica’s incredible heritage in sports. (Sportsmax)

22

tuesday, october 22, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

My selection in the hands of the selectors, says Foo

H

e displayed all-round brilliance in Lower Corentyne’s match-up against defending champions Essequibo in the ongoing SBF Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) 50-Overs Franchise, scoring a match-winning 86 -- his second score above 80 in this tournament -- and taking 2-20 in 10 top overs of bowling to contribute to Essequibo’s first loss in this tournament.

Then the 29-year-old Jonathan Foo told Guyana Times Sport that his possible selection to participate in the Regional Super 50 tournament, slated for November 6, is in the hands of the selectors.

This right-handed batsman has been experiencing a rich vein of form this season, scoring more than 200 runs for his Lower Corentyne team.

Describing the match against Essequibo as a good game, and declaring it was important for his team to bat out all of its overs, Foo had this to say: “I am just trying to spend as much time as possible at the crease, (during which I would) put away the bad balls, pay respect to the good balls, and rotate the strike”.

Although likely possessing

Jonathan Foo receiving his player of the Match award from match referee Zakir Moakan

the tournament’s strongest attack bowling force, comprising former West Indies fast bowler Ronsford Beaton and the Adams brothers, who are all impressive left-arm spinners, Essequibo was defeated by Lower Corentyne when they met head-on. Reflecting on his impressive knock against these feared Essequibo bowlers, this right-handed player who is known for his power hitting said he has been working towards his selection to participate in the Super50 tournament, and he is confident it is a distinct

possibility.

He has looked more mature than ever in this ongoing tournament, the highest local league in senior cricket in Guyana.

West Indies are set to tour India and play Afghanistan in November, and a few Guyana Jaguars players will be on tour with that West Indies team.

Among them

Banks DIH Golf Tournament 2019…

Foo batting at Young Warriors Ground (Brandon Corlette photos)

are Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Keemo Paul and Sherfane Rutherford, who will be missing for some fixtures in the Super50. Participation of the injured Chandrapaul Hemraj may also be in doubt.

Besides Foo, players who have been performing creditably in the ongoing league include Nial Smith, Anthony Adams,

Kemol Savory and Kevin Sinclair, and they all may fancy their chances for selection to West Indies duty.

Foo made his List ‘A’ debut in 2011, and last played a List ‘A’ match in 2017. He has participated in five List ‘A’ matches and 30 T20 matches since making his T20 debut for Guyana in July 2010.

(Brandon Corlette)

GSCL/Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup 2019…

Sponsorship pours in ahead of opening

Escarraga in ꟷ 26 teams to participate massive win

The winners are, from left: Aleem Hussain, Jerome Khan, Avinash Persaud, Avinda Kishore, Mike Gayadin, Miguel Oviedo representing Guillermo Escarraga, Mahindranauth Tewari, Maxim Mangra and Gavin Todd of Banks DIH

G

uillermo Escarraga of the Machinery Corporation of Guyana (Macorp) is seemingly set to ‘write his name in a prominent place’ in the upcoming Guyana Open 2019 tournament, having comprehensively outperformed the field with a superb net 61 off of a 21 handicap in the Banks DIH annual Golf Extravaganza of Sunday, October 20 last.

For the upcoming Guyana Open, new faces could be in the Winners’ Row in the 19-28 flight, as Guillermo’s net 61 was the overall best net performance for the day, and was way ahead of the score of past Lusignan Golf Club President Jerome Khan, who was second with net 70 off handicap 24.

Following at a distance, other golfers in that flight were: Mauro Remiro and Miguel Oviedo, who each scored 78/28; Jordi Pinol (86/28), Lloyd Fung-A-Fat (87/28), Mario Acuna (89/28), Eion Blue (90/28) and Solomon Bannister (96/28).

Noticeable in the tournament of the day before (Saturday, October 19), Escarraga came in a close second (67/22) behind recently returned Nirmaldeo Sarwan (66/24), who could himself be a keen contender in that category.

Performances in the 10-18 ‘B’ flight are generally less predictable, as this flight has the largest group of golfers.

Sunday’s winners were Mike Gayadin (64/14) and Mahindranauth Tewari (67/15). They were followed

by Bridgelall Harry (68/16), Lakram

Ramsundar (69/18), Rakesh Harry (71/18), Satrohan Tiwari (73/16), Aasrodeen Shaw (74/13), Deoram Dinanath (74/15), Hilbert Shields (74/16), and George Bulkan and Ian Gouveia (75/16) in the range below 76 net.

By comparison, Saturday’s winners were Pur Persaud (64/16), and Satrohan Tiwari (70/16).

Sunday’s results in the 0-9 category also intimate possible new faces for the Guyana Open 2019 Winners’ Row. While 9-time Guyana Open champion Avinash Persaud retained the Best Gross score with 73, his younger brother Avinda Kishore, a previous Guyana Open winner, in producing a gross of 75, seems set on laying a challenge for the title of Champion this year.

Net winners in this category were Avinda Kishore (70/5) and Avinash Persaud (71/2). The performances of Mike Mangal (72/9), Aleem Hussain (73/8), Alfred Mentore (74/9) and Patrick Prashad (75/9) intimate that they also are likely to offer stiff competition for the championship.

In the specialty prize area, Longest Drive was won by Avinda Kishore, while Nearest the Pin was won by Mahindranauth Tewari.

Representing Banks DIH was Gavin Todd - a Director of Banks DIH and a veteran golfer, who was on hand to distribute prizes and congratulate winners of Sunday’s tournament. He disclosed that Banks is willingness to continue supporting the progress of the LGC.

Ink Plus Customer Service Representative Reama Sookdeo (right) handing over her company’s sponsorship to Treasurer of the GSCL, Russell Jubeer

T

he battle lines have been drawn in the annual Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup, and teams are getting ready to take the field for yet another highly competitive tournament.

Last Sunday, at the GNIC Sports Club ground on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown, the 26 teams that have confirmed their participation in the three categories of play were placed into groups for the tournament, to be contested from November 1 to 3.

In the Open (male of any age) and Masters (male over 45 years old) categories, there are eight teams drawn in two groups of four. Each team will play the other teams in their group, with the top two teams after their three preliminary games qualifying for the semifinals.

In the Legends (male over 50 years old) category, there are 10 teams in three groups.

The three teams in Group ‘A’ will play the three teams in Group ‘B’, while the four teams in Group ‘C’ will play each other once. The top two teams from Group ‘C’ would join the winners from groups ‘A’ and ‘B’ for the semifinal matches.

In the Open category, the teams are: Group ‘A’ - SVC NY, Farm All Stars, Bartica All Stars and Cotton Field Wild Oats.

Group ‘B’ - Regal All Stars, Grill Masters, Speed Boat All Stars, and United Brothers.

In the Masters category, the teams are: Group ‘A’ Success Masters, Invaders, Narine Masters and Corriverton Masters. In Group ‘B’, the teams are – Wellman Masters, Fishermen Masters, H.S. Masters, and defending champions Regal Masters.

In the Legends category, the teams are: Group ‘A’ -Savage Legends, Guyana/ Florida Hope, and NYSCL Pro. Group ‘B’ -- Marine Legends, Parika Defenders

and President’s XI Group ‘C’ -- Regal Legends, Orlando Legends, Rockaway Legends and Ramchand’s Legends.

As organisers, the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc (GSCL) will shortly release the full fixtures, including the match venues.

Sponsors, meanwhile, have also confirmed support for the third edition of this prestigious tournament, since they anticipate tremendous exposure and, ultimately, value for their advertising dollars.

Last Thursday, GSCL Treasurer Russell Jubeer was on hand to collect the sponsors’ contribution from Ink Plus, KFC, and Elegance Jewellery and Pawn Shop.

Among the other sponsors on board are Banks Beer, I-Bet Supreme, Crown Mining Supplies, Bedessee Sporting Goods, Star Party Rentals, Cyber Sports, and USA Cricket Zone.

guyanatimesgy.com

tuesday, october 22, 2019

4th Limacol Football Final…

23

Fruta Conquers Santos!

Story and photos by Jemima Holmes

S

unday evening was beset by an electrifying atmosphere and pervasive nervousness as two promising under-20 teams took to the Ministry of Education ground on Georgetown’s Carifesta Avenue to contest one of the most anticipated football encounters of the year.

After more than 2 hours of play, the Fruta Conquerors’ Under-20 squad served their Santos FC counterparts a dish reputed to be best served when cold: revenge.

While to some it was just another game, that victory bought that under-20 outfit their first senior title, undisputed bragging rights, and enough recognition to cement their spot as the best under-20 team around town; at least until the two teams meet again.

The fairytale rivalry between these two star-crossed teams began earlier this year in the inaugural KFC Under-20 Independence Cup, when Fruta Conquerors brushed aside Santos in the Georgetown final 3-1 to draw first blood.

Santos, however, got even in the semifinal of the National Competition by needling Fruta Conquerors with two late goals. Sunday’s Limacol final was therefore a tie-breaker of sorts, with the team winning the best-of-three being considered superior.

As if that rivalry did not exert enough pressure on the teenagers, both teams had set out to make history as the first under-20 team to win a senior team competition.

Ready for battle Clad respectively in brilliant orange and blinding white, the star-studded teams brought in their strongest contenders; and Santos even opted for a fresh

face in the dangerous Jobe Caesar -- brought into their lineup although he had been quiet on the football scene all year.

Fruta Conquerors, for their part, welcomed their captain Nicholas Mc Arthur back among the hunters, his having been missing in action in the semis because of injury.

Eager to determine the outcome of this encounter, the youngsters began the game at a hectic pace, immediately looking for that first goal to frustrate their opponents. This, however, was not to be, as both sides exhibited skill and

deposit the ball within the net, or get anywhere close to the gaol. At one time when in the box, he spilled two great opportunities to put Santos in the driver’s seat. The situation was almost the same on the Fruta side, as Jermain Garrett struggled on the wing in the first half. However, in the second, the youth cleaned it up to send in some impressive shots at the goal.

Ryan Hackett was consistent as always, but even with a handful of free kicks, he could not get past the goal’s custodian.

Nicholas Mc Arthur was adjudged both MVP and highest goal-scorer

awareness in their approach to the crucial game.

With either side having numerous opportunities to score but neither being able to find the back of the net, frustrated spectators direly needed “the freshness of a breeze in a bottle” to assuage emotions that were being toyed with.

Although having an excellent outing, the 19-year-old Jobe Caesar seemingly could not

Playing hero Although action in the middle was hectic, goal-keepers Joel Yhap of Fruta Conquerors and Rashad Roberts of Santos were the real heroes on Sunday night, as they both worked overtime to keep the ball out of goal.

When regulation time ended with the scores still at a deadlock, a half-hour of extra time was granted. And although each side pressured the other

with dribbles and skills, the goalkeeping held up until minutes before extra time ended.

If the goalkeepers were auditioning for the role of Superman, Santos’s Rashad Roberts would have fallen short at the very last moment; b e c a u s e Fruta Conquerors’ Nicholas M c Arthur caught h i m lapsing for the first time in over two hours, and headed the ball into the goal to break the deadlock.

And Mc Arthur was not yet done. He collected a brilliant pass from Ryan Hackett and tucked the ball into the goal to put an equalizer far out of Santos’s reach.

Yhap, on the other hand, was tested a handful more times by the Santos strikers as the minutes ticked away to game’s end; but this goalie, who joined the Fruta Conquerors’ line-up only some months ago, held firm to demonstrate that he truly deserved the accolade he collected later that evening.

Sweet revenge!

Speaking with Guyana Times Sport after the victory, Mc Arthur said the entire team had put in the necessary work for the win.

“This game was a great game. It wasn’t an easy one; the opponents were not easy, and getting the two goals was not easy. But the team just came out and put in the work, and I put in the work individually,” the forward stated.

Reflecting on their semifinal loss to Santos by the same 2-0 margin in the KFC National Independence Cup back in June, Mc Arthur revealed that the team was not at full strength

Fruta Conquerors fought hard to take home the grand prize

in that encounter, and that was a factor that needed to be corrected.

He explained why this win was special for the team. “It was sweet! We didn’t have the strength in the KFC; three of our best players were out of the team. Tonight we had the full squad, so we did it. It is special to me for an under-20 team to win a senior team tournament,” Mc Arthur said with a smile.

When probed about the game plan, the forward revealed that it was only until the extratime segment that the team was given a different strategy, which proved to be the right formula.

“We picked up a late strategy that the coach told us to do.

He told us that we’ll come out successful with it, and we did,” he explained.

In the third-place playoff, Riddim Squad edged out Pele with a lone goal scored in the closing minutes of their game, thereby copping the $100,000 prize. Pele received $$50,000.

Bringing remarks for the primary sponsor New GPC, Company Secretary Zulfikar Ali had many positive aspirations for the young players, while

disclosing that the company would continue to partner with the Petra Organization.

“We would like to congratulate Fruta Conquerors for their victory tonight. You’ve certainly lived up to your name; and also to Santos, for a wonderful final. You can tell from the game tonight that we have a lot of talent, and that’s what this tournament is supposed to bring out. We wish all of the guys well. We do hope that you make it to the national team and further. We look forward to being part of Petra and the tournament in years to come,” Ali stated.

It was no secret that Nicholas Mc Arthur would bag the most goals award for his twelve goals, inclusive of two hat-tricks. The youngster also walked away with the ‘most valuable player’ accolade, whilst the best goalkeeper award was copped by his teammate Joel Yhap, who conceded the least amount of goals.

Fruta Conquerors took home the $400,000 grand prize, while Santos had to settle for $200,000.

SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-day 50 Overs League…

4 matches slated for today ꟷ Johnson’s ton propels Georgetown to 1st win A s play continued in the 5th round of the SBF Petroleum One Day 50 Overs League, Georgetown have recorded their first win; while Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne and West Demerara have each also secured wins.

Georgetown won the toss and elected to bat at Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground. They registered their most impressive performance for the entire league so far by recording the highest score of the league: 292 for 6 in the allotted 50 overs.

Captain and lead scorer Leon Johnson made a massive 104 before his innings ended when Trevon Griffith took a brilliant catch off the bowling of Kishan Singh (2-52). Georgetown benefited from other useful scores from Christopher Barnwell (49), Raymond Perez (27), Winston Forrester (25) and Joshua Persaud (24).

East Bank’s attempt to overcome the massive target established by their opponent was dreadful. They managed only 151 for 5 in their allotted 50 overs. Vishaul Singh scored (60), Yudister Persaud 40, Trevon Griffith 20 and Sachin Singh 17. Christopher Barnwell, Qumar Torrington, Leon Johnson, Ashmead Nedd a n d Steven Sankar each collected one wicket to lead Georgetown to their first win of the league -- by 141 runs.

West Berbice sunk by Upper Corentyne Upper Corentyne took first strike to commence the battle against West Berbice at Bush Lot. Surging to 194 for 8 in their 50 overs, the right-handed opening batsman Alex Algoo top scored with 52, stroking 8 fours in the process before being adjudged leg-before-wicket off the bowling of Andrew Dutchin.

The score was then 2-38, but Clinton Pestano hit 3 boundaries in his valuable contribution of 35; Jonathan Rampersaud batted well for his 32 before his knock was ended by fast-bowler Keon Joseph, who took 2-41. And Anthony Bramble fell to Dutchin for 22.

West Berbice struggled to chase their target. Andrew Dutchin top scored with 31. Keon Joseph, unbeaten, contributed 24 runs and Javed Karim 20. The West Berbice innings closed at 115 with all their batsmen out.

Shawn Pereira remarkably collected 6 wickets in restricting the West Berbice side. Pereira was supported by Eon Hooper with 2-11.

Upper Corentyne won by 79 runs.

East Coast collapse under West Demerara’s pressure West Demerara took the decision to bat, and posted a competitive score of 198-7 in their 50 overs. Left-handed batsman Tagenarine Chanderpaul again emerged as top scorer, with 75, before he was removed by Assif Singh who took 2-52. Romario Shepherd (41) and Ronaldo Renee (30) were the other batsmen to attain double figures.

Replying, East Coast collapsed for 114 all out in 39.5 overs.

Amir Khan top-scored with 35 runs, but fell to Malcom Hubbard who claimed a 5 wicket-haul. Alex Sital, was not out (29), while Robin Williams scored 18.

Keshram Seyhodan sent 3 men back to the benches as he led his team to victory by a margin of 85 runs.

The SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-Day 50 Overs League continues today, Tuesday October 22, with West Berbice facing Georgetown at the Everest Cricket Ground, Essequibo engaging East

Leon Johnson receiving his award for Player of the Match from GCB Representative Selina Bacchus

Coast at Lusignan, East Bank tackling Upper Corentyne at GCC, and West Demerara challenging Upper Corentyne at Albion. Matches commence at 9:30 hrs.

tuesday, october 22, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

4th Limacol Football Final…

Page 23

Fruta conquers Santos!

SBF Petroleum Jaguars One-day 50 Overs League…

GSCL/Prime Minister’s T20 Softball Cup 2019…

Page 22

Page 22

4 matches Sponsorship rolling slated for today in ahead of opening

ꟷ Johnson’s ton propels Georgetown to 1st win ꟷ 26 teams to participate

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