Guyana Times Wednesday January 29, 2020

P9

Guyana, Albania sign visa waiver agreement Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4180

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

PRICE

Elections 2020

661,000 eligible voters on OLE See story on page 3

$80 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Bandits storm E-Networks' WCD office P2 Deon Stoll’s killing

Taxi driver P8 who allegedly transported killers on bail

…growth a normal feature of continuous registration – Commissioner

Coronavirus disease already suspected in South America Page 13

Thousands sign petition calling for end of P7 GTT monopoly Linden student stabbing

DPP advises Police to P11 conduct further probe …suspect released after court refuses extension

…Guyana on high alert Guyana’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud; Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence, and PAHO/WHO Resident Representative in Guyana, Dr William AduKrow discussing the coronavirus disease

NCN’s Editorin-Chief Fire guts District Ultra sent on leave Lounge at Giftland Mall See story on page 12

Page 9

…after reacting to abusive DPI Head

2 nabbed for Region 3 robberies Page 14

Troy P15 Resources recommences operations at Karouni

2 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Teen collapses, dies while preparing for school A

student attached to the Bygeval Secondary School, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara (ECD) collapsed and died on Tuesday morning as he was preparing for school.

Dead is 15-year-old Triston Assaye of Mahaica, ECD. He reportedly died as a result of a raptured artery in his brain.

Based on reports received, the teenager was already dressed in his school uniform when he complained to his mother of feeling unwell.

The mother, who is a

Dead: Triston Assaye

nurse and works at a clinic close to their home, advised

him to see a doctor before heading to school. This was the last time she had a conversation with her son.

The teen’s aunt, Sandra Henry, told Guyana Times that the teenager was walking out the house and suddenly fainted. After regaining consciousness, the lad was taken to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital. However, while receiving medical treatment, he lost consciousness for a second time.

Shortly after, the 15-year-old succumbed.

Henry stated that a PostMortem Examination

(PME) was done on the same day and it proved that he died as a result of a rupture inside of his brain.

She explained that prior to Assaye fainting, he never complained of any ailments, and was never diagnosed with any illnesses.

The woman said that the youth was an athlete at his school and would usually participate in sports such as long jump and football.

The lad’s relatives are in a state of shock as they attempt to cope with his demise. Assaye leaves to mourn his parents and his eight-year-old brother.

Grandfather accused of raping granddaughter charged

T

he man who allegedly raped his six-year-old granddaughter while watching pornographic videos is expected to make his court appearance during the week after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended that charges be instituted.

According to Police Commander of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Superintendent Yonette Stephen, the file which was sent to the DPP’s office for advice was returned with the recommendation.

The 54-year-old man was released on station bail after the matter was reported to the police by the

Police Commander of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Superintendent Yonette Stephen

child’s mother earlier this month.

Based on reports received, the child and her younger brother were left with their grandparent at Mahaicony, Region Five, after their father died about a year ago.

It was reported that the man was looking at pornographic videos as he allegedly sexually assaulted the child. Further, it was reported that it was a neighbour who heard the child pleading with her grandfather to stop that went to investigate.

The woman, upon peeking through a window, caught the man in the act

as the child cried bitterly.

The neighbour, according to reports, contacted the police and the man was arrested.

The mother of the sixyear-old, who lives away from her children, reportedly received a telephone call from her mother notifying her that something was wrong with her child.

She went to the house and the child reportedly told her mother that the man had interfered with her multiple times.

This publication understands that a medical examination was conducted on the six-year-old which proved that the child was molested.

Meanwhile, Police Commander of Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), Superintendent, Yonette

Stephen, when contacted by this publication on Monday confirmed that the lad had died from natural causes.

Bandits storm E-Networks’ WCD office

T

wo armed bandits on Tuesday stormed the E-Networks branch at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara (WCD) and relieved the cashier and two customers of cash and cellular phones.

Police Commander of Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Assistant Police Commissioner Simon McBean when contacted confirmed that the cashier was robbed of $176,000 belonging to the cable company.

However, during the robbery, one customer was relieved of his mobile phone along with $74,000 in cash while another was robbed of $50,000 cash.

After executing the robbery, the two armed men quickly left the premises and entered a waiting sil-

ver-grey Toyota Premio motorcar which sped away.

Commander McBean also confirmed that the CCTV system at the business entity is non-functional.

However, based on footage retrieved from other cameras nearby, investigators were able to conclude the colour and registration plates of the vehicle.

The ranks have identified a licence plate number from the footage but at this point, they are unable to confirm whether or not that licence number on the plates is authentic.

He added that the men were not masked and as such, a detailed description was given to the detectives on both suspects. Up to press time, no arrests have been made as investigations continue.

NEWS

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, January 29 – 05:00h – 06:30h and Thursday, January 30 – 09:00h – 10:30h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, January 29 – 06:35h – 08:05h and Thursday, January 30 – 07:05h – 08:35h.

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

WEATHER TODAY There will be partly cloudy skies during the day. There will also be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.47 metres.

High Tide: 07:12h and 19:29h reaching maximum heights of 2.48 metres and 2.52 metres.

Low Tide: 00:48h and 13:02h reaching minimum heights of 0.67 metre and 0.73 metre.

Elections 2020

661,000 eligible voters on OLE

…growth a normal feature of Continuous Registration – Commissioner

C

ommissioners from the Guyana Elections C o m m i s s i o n (GECOM) have confirmed that the Official List of Electors (OLE) is completed, with some 661,028 eligible voters.

This came out of a statutory meeting at GECOM on Tuesday. Governmentnominated Commissioner Vincent Alexander informed the media that the list was ready, although he noted that 661,028 was an unusually high number.

He explained that the National Register of Registrants (NRR), the database of all eligible and future voters, had 663,365 persons. Of this, 646,625 persons were extracted for the Preliminary List of Electors (PLE).

He further related that 6094 persons were removed because of death, while there were 395 objections upheld by GECOM following the Claims and Objections (C&O) exercise. The Revised List of Electors, meanwhile, had 661,378 persons. Alexander also explained that 368 duplicates were removed.

Normal feature

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In an invited comment, Opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj said that this growth in eligible voters is normal in the case of Continuous Registration.

He further noted that attempts to discredit the list constitute attempts to undermine the process at GECOM. “While I have my own reservations about what happens at GECOM and the procedures, the size of this list is a normal feature of the Continuous Registration system. And as a consequence, the growth of the list is nothing alarming.”

“In addition to which, the parameters that were used to determine the entries to that list are those which were canvassed before the Chief Justice, who made a ruling as to what ought to be included and what ought not to be included. The list, in my humble opinion, follows the dictates of the ruling of the Chief Justice in that Christopher Ram matter.”

In 2015, when GECOM had published the OLE ahead of those elections, the total number of voters was 570,787.

New registrants w

Over 16,000 new registrants were recorded during the House-toHouse (H2H) exercise that ran from July 20 to August 31, 2019. This number

GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj

GECOM Chair Retired Justice Claudette Singh

GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander

was subsequently included on the RLE. However, the Opposition – People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – has always contended that

the H2H exercise was largely unsupervised and would produce flawed results.

Indeed, the party subsequently found that many

of the persons listed as new registrants are either dead or were previously registered.

TURN TO PAGE 7

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guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

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

Lesson from the Indian “hare”

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he Indian High Commission in Guyana on Sunday commemorated the 70th anniversary of becoming a republic in a simple ceremony at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

As the “Jewel in the Crown” of Britain, even before its Independence in 1947, India held great significance for the colonies of the empire on which “the sun never sat”. It is not a coincidence that from the Pan-African Conference (1900) changing its name to the “Pan-African Congress” in 1919 following the 1912 founding of South African Native National Congress and even the People’s National Congress in Guyana in 1958, they were all inspired by the Indian National Congress – which became simply, “the Congress”.

Founded in 1885, the Congress was quite reformist for the first quarter of a century of existence. Some – who explicitly called themselves “Moderates” – took the British at their word that they simply wanted to tutor the Indians to govern themselves to become full and equal members of the British Empire. Those who felt the struggle for independence had to be fought for “by any means necessary” – including violence – were dubbed “Extremists” and were exiled and jailed.

But one issue that brought the “Moderates”, “Extremists” and Muslims together was the issue in general of Indentured Indian labour that had been shipped to several British colonies and in particular, their treatment in South Africa. Gandhi, who was in South Africa, but in touch with the “Moderates”, assisted the British in the Boer War of 1899-1902, when they fought the Afrikaans. They were astounded when the British joined the Afrikaans after the war to enact very draconian laws against the Indians – whether indentured or “free”. The beginnings of the apartheid system were being instituted and the whites insisted the Indians must be restricted to certain areas.

The “educated” and “upper crust” Indian nationalists in India and in South Africa were more insulted as they were being treated as “coolies”, than anything else: they had been, they thought, transformed into “gentlemen of the realm”. The unified Congress introduced legislation in the Indian Parliament and organised demonstrations across the country to demand that Indian emigration to South Africa (Natal) be stopped. This occurred in 1911 since the whites were prepared for a rise in the cost of labour for their plantations and mines, rather than accepting the equality of Indians and whites.

While some, like Gandhi, who was dubbed a “Mahatma” or “Great Soul” for his espousal of “Satyagraha” or “nonviolent struggle” for India’s independence and refusal to support violence, some younger leaders of Congress such as Subash Chandra Bose did opt for the latter route. During WWII, he formed an army that allied itself with the Axis powers and helped precipitate a rebellion of the Indian Navy in Port Bombay in 1946. More than anything else, it brought independence to India the following year.

Unfortunately, that came at the price of partitioning the country into “India” and “Pakistan” in a bloody process in which more than one million persons lost their lives. Less than three years later, India became a Republic under a constitution drafted by a local team headed by Dr BR Ambedkar, a member of the lowest caste that now calls themselves “Dalits”. He was educated at Columbia University, USA and India was defined as a “sovereign, democratic, republic” In the years since the Indian Republic has maintained its democratic credentials and apart from one aberration in the 1970s, all leaders have observed the protocols of the rule of law, division of power and Judicial Review. Those countries originating as British colonies that attempted to short-circuit the process, such as Guyana in the West Indies and so many in Sub-Saharan Africa, should take a lesson from the Indian “hare”.

PPP/C Prime Ministerial candidate, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips chatting with a Region Ten resident during a visit to Kara Kara Housing Scheme and Old Kara Kara in Linden on Tuesday

Can the coronavirus outbreak be contained?

S

ince a new coronavirus outbreak began in December, Chinese officials have placed millions of people under quarantine, and international airports are screening travellers for signs of the illness in an effort to control its spread.

But as scientists learn more about the new virus, which causes pneumonia, it’s unclear how effective these strategies will be at halting the epidemic.

Cases of the virus, for now, called 2019 novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, have rapidly increased since the outbreak was first announced. There are 4587 confirmed cases of the disease in 16 countries, including 16 healthcare workers, as of January 28. At least 106 people, all in China, have died.

US officials are monitoring 110 people across 26 states for signs of infection, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention announced January 27 in a news conference. Those being monitored include people who recently travelled to Wuhan — the city at the centre of the outbreak — and others they had direct contact with. So far, five people in the United States have tested positive for the new virus; 32 have tested negative.

Researchers are now scrambling to answer unknown questions about 2019-nCoV that might help control efforts, such as figuring out when people are contagious and how much the virus is changing as it passes from person to person.

Can people without symptoms spread the disease?

It’s possible that people who aren’t showing symptoms can transmit 2019nCoV to others, Chinese officials announced January 26.

And because people might

Healthcare workers and Police at a highway toll station outside of Shanghai check a driver for signs of infection with a new coronavirus. Chinese officials have taken measures such as quarantining cities and closing businesses to attempt to contain the spread of the virus

be infected and not show obvious symptoms, doctors should isolate patients and trace their contacts as soon as possible, researchers report January 24 in The Lancet.

Asymptomatic people make outbreaks hard to control because they can spread the disease without signs that they’re sick themselves, making efforts such as airport screenings less useful.

SARS, for instance, had few such cases, which made it easier to identify and isolate patients, as well as quarantine their contacts.

Although transmission from asymptomatic people is common for contagious viruses such as influenza or measles, it would be new for the types of coronaviruses that cause epidemics, says Stanley Perlman, a virologist at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Will China’s lockdown contain the outbreak?

China has taken unprecedented actions to try to contain the virus, shutting down transportation in and out of many cities, closing major attractions like Disneyland in Shanghai, and postponing the start of

school, among other precautions.

While these measures could help isolate infected individuals and prevent the virus from spreading, many experts caution that quarantine, especially at such large scales, is a largely ineffective, and often counterproductive, public health tool.

Before the travel restrictions were fully implemented, at least 5 million Wuhan residents left the city, according to Wuhan’s mayor.

Quarantines can also lead to food and medical supplies shortages, as well as other problems that can increase social discord.

“This is an unprecedented situation, nobody knows what the right thing to do is,” says Allison McGeer, an infectious disease expert at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto who herself contracted SARS in 2003.

McGeer says subduing this outbreak boils down to limiting the virus’s R0 so that on average, any infected person infects no more than one other person. If that happens, the virus has a good chance of petering out.

Officials can bring a virus’s R0 down by identifying and isolating infected peo-

ple, cancelling large gatherings of people or limiting the spread of the virus to other cities so that authorities can focus their attention and effort on one specific area, McGeer says. “China tried to do those things, but we just don’t know if they’ll work.”

Personal actions, like wearing masks, could help contain the spread of the virus, though experts say the evidence is inconclusive. “If you’re infected and you wear a mask, you’ll shed less virus into the air around you,” McGeer says, and potentially reduce the risk that others get infected. For uninfected people, the effects of a mask are less clear, since they usually aren’t sealed tight around the nose and mouth.

McGeer says it could be a couple more days before scientists will be able to see whether the lockdown measures implemented January 23 have any effect. Because it takes time for the virus to incubate and become detectable, she says that the recent spike in cases likely reflects infections that happened before the mass quarantine. (Excerpt from Science News)

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

5

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

APNU/AFC unable to campaign on achievement Dear Editor, It is a massive disappointment to listen to the incumbent APNU/AFC unable to campaign based on its achievement despite being in Government since May 2015. It should have been an easy walkover for them but the fact is, they have little to show for their tenure in Government, except an accelerating decline in our social and economic life due mainly to poor monetary and fiscal policies, wasteful spending, astronomical and unprecedented levels of corruption and blatant violations of our Constitution.

Our declining standard of living resulted from over 30,000 job losses, wage freeze in the sugar industry and massive taxation which emptied the pockets of the people by nearly $100 billion in 2019 alone. The APNU/ AFC coalition not only pau-

perised the masses but they enriched their friends and families through corrupt contracts and giveaways. Theirs was the ‘good life’. The poor people measure their standard of living by simply assessing the level of their disposable income. Do they have more money in their pockets now than in 2015? The answer is they have a lot less!

Only this morning a student told me that, “money na roll sir”. I asked her what she meant and she told me that money is hard to come by – her mother told her that.

Yet Granger has the audacity to come to Berbice and continue his empty rhetoric.

Since 2015 he has been singing how Region Six is important and he will make it the ‘sugar bowl’ and the ‘rice pot’ but has delivered nothing. According to him, the problem is that the PPP controls the Region Six RDC, the

NDCs and the municipalities and that’s why the region is underdeveloped. He failed to let the people know that every year he cuts the RDC capital budget by nearly 50 per cent and it is his REO who holds the purse to the region’s money! There can be no empowerment without resources Mr Granger!

Granger always has a ‘plan’ for everything but nothing ever materialises.

Now he has a ‘plan’ for New Amsterdam to make it ‘the engine of growth’. According to him, his Government will not shut down the sugar industry but wants to make it work. Just like he did during the 2015 elections campaign trail and then he unconscionably closed down four of those estates thereby prompting the once champion of the sugar workers, Nagamootoo, to announce a few days ago at Whim that

those estates were ‘absolutely useless’. Already, the three remaining estates are so starved for resources that the crop and annual targets are no longer achievable, this is due to low yields and continuous breakdown of the factories due to lack of monies. The SPU spent $17.4 billion in 2019 with nothing tangible to show. Granger should explain this phenomenon to his audience. A few years back, he told the rice farmers that it is not the Government’s responsibility to help them. Fortunately for him, he was not speaking to sugar workers and rice farmers but his bussed-in loyalists from various parts of Guyana who screamed their approval of his misguided utterances.

Granger should admit that it is his Government which has transformed the four closed estates into ‘mu-

seums’ since after closure his Government cannibalised the factories and transformed the cultivation into a part of the Amazon rainforest. Jordan has said that the closed estates will still be operational so that they can have high sale values but that was not to be. The APNU/ AFC Government made sure that no one will ever buy the closed estates. They have ‘right-sized’ the sugar industry and yet there is no solution in sight, the remaining estates are on the verge of collapsing. If Granger goes back in Government we can be assured of more ‘museums and historical and heritage sites’. He may even create a brand new Ministry to run these! Nagamootoo immediately comes to mind!

Furthermore, Granger has the false notion that only if the APNU/AFC controls Region Six can it be able ‘to

deliver a good quality of life to the residents…’ This man needs to understand that his Government has been in control of the entire country since 2015 and they have been unable to ‘deliver a good quality of life’ for the masses excepting his ‘fat cats’. He probably feels that Jagdeo and the PPP have been running the country since he seemed obsessed with attacking them with baseless innuendos and falsehoods.

In conclusion, the voters of Region Six will definitely do the ‘chasing out’ on March 2 but it will not be the PPP/C. On that day, Guyanese will vote for a President who is not ‘missing in action’ but one who will join hands with them in forging the real good life for themselves and their children!

Dear Editor, By sheer accident, I ran into the path of “The Unruly Horse” where it’s rider, Mr Anil Nandlall, eloquently (as usual) established many of the instances by this Government, since 2015, of blatant abuse of power, disregard and disrespect for the rule of law, flagrant and obvious racial discrimination as well as political, where persons were perceived not to be in their “camp” (remember the 2000plus Amerindians who were summarily dismissed, and the Afro Guyanese farmers on West Coast Berbice, whose leases were terminated, from all appearances, it seems, because they were approved by President Ramotar).

I cannot match Anil’s oratory and written skills and carefully noted his mention of the personages of Minister Ashni Singh, MP Dharamkumar Seeraj and others, but would just like to once again bring to the public’s attention the glaring discriminatory manner in which

this Government makes its decisions.

In my case, I had a valid contract, which, contrary to what was peddled, was first signed in 2008 (certainly not months before the 2015 elections). My contract would have expired in February 2016, but I was instructed to return to Guyana at the end of August 2015, which instruction I complied with.

After what amounted to a dismissal, absolutely disregarding the terms and conditions of my contract, I put my case to the Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Foreign Affair and finally, Mr David Granger, and after not even an acknowledgement was received, was left with no alternative but to take the Government to court.

To “cut a long story short” I won in the High Court (even though an important element of my entitlement was inadvertently not claimed, and which injustice I still hope to benefit from when the PPP/C again assumes the reigns of

Government in March of this year.

The Government has, true to form, unbelievably, appealed the decision. I am now in “holding on mode” to see if my appeal would be heard before the “decade of development” (who believes that, anyway?) ends, and I would be able to enjoy “the good life”, which has so far eluded all, except those in the Government corridors of power.

I remember just about the time I had my problems in getting the Government to honour my contract, statements made by the number two man in Government (many say he is the number one) that Coby Frimpong had a contract for which performance was sadly lacking (my words) but he was paid, even though the contract was incomplete. I wondered at the time if the treatment of Coby’s contract and mine were different because of any particular reason (Coby is Ghanaian and I am Guyanese).

Going back to the Unruly Horse, while Anil mentioned some names, there are many others whose names were not, because of obvious space constraints, but which are imprinted in the electorate’s collective memories, like the name of Kassim Bacchus, a brilliant Guyanese in the educational field, who was hounded out of a job in the Burnham era, and went overseas to significantly contribute to another society.

In closing, however, I cannot fail to mention the case of former President Ramotat’s three children. The treatment of these young people has significance, not only because of who their father is, but because of the depth to which this Government has sunk our dear Guyana.

Some say we are heading back to the Burnham days (and nights) but I say we are there already.

All three of the Ramotar children were removed from the positions they held, and it seems as if their “sin” was having immediate past

President Ramotar as their father, a person who was in the “trenches” to help ensure that democracy returned to Guyana.

If the treatment of Lisavita Ramotar and her siblings (who are all three eminently qualified to do the jobs they were doing) is not the most blatant act of discrimination and victimisation, then I am living on another planet.

It seems to me that since they could not come up with excuses to tarnish the name of Mr Ramotar, they have descended with vengeance on his defenceless offsprings.

One can only imagine the extreme trauma these persons are going through as a result of the assassination of their characters and competence.

I only hope that when the PPP/C again assumes the Government in March of this year, that the victimisation/ discrimination done against the thousands of Guyanese, would be addressed with immediacy.

The voices of the Guyanese people must, on March 2, reverberate to reverse the acts of victimisation/discrimination, the violent rape of the Constitution, the disregard of the rule of law, the nepotism, the corruption, the decline of the economy and the many more negatives that have been the hallmark of this Government and its disgraceful and unforgettable legacy.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

Blatant act of discrimination and victimisation

Unrelenting display of dishonesty Dear Editor, I seek your consideration in publishing this letter, giving expression to my unbearable disgust over the unrelenting display of dishonesty spearheaded by President David Granger.

This letter highlights a few recent deliberate distortions of facts and incidents in our country which must not go unnoticed.

By now, it is well established that Granger is fully conversant with lies and he tells them with a straight, bold face, one after the other, hoping that his staged images of kneeling in church would mask his serial dishonesty. There is no automacy between prayer and

honesty or decency for that matter, as I have witnessed some praying people who represent the worse deceit and hypocrisy.

On the sugar industry: Granger on Monday in New Amsterdam claimed that the Diamond Sugar Estate was closed by the PPP/C Government, knowing fully well that is a lie. It was former President Desmond Hoyte who closed the Diamond Estate. Granger repeatedly tries to distort the history of things that disfavours him or his party for obvious reasons.

His claim about being criticised for praying: another lie by Granger. The PPP/C never criticised him

for praying, never ever did it happen. It was often said that the religion he embraces, does not subscribe to corruption, lies and dishonesty which have been the hallmark of Granger’s APNU/ AFC Government.

The PPP/C does not criticise people’s religion, race or gender.

On his Brigadier status: the criticism that ensues is that though he was Brigadier he was never made Chief-of-Staff of the GDF because neither former Presidents, Forbes Burnham or Desmond Hoyte had faith and confidence in his leadership ability which resulted in both of them bypassing Granger for the post as Chief-of-Staff of the army.

That is simple, plain truth.

We are already familiar with the numerous Granger lies and fake promises as famous as those in the 2015 elections campaign and the numerous others that popularise him as someone who is untrustworthy, undependable and lacking integrity.

I will avoid venturing into an argument over Granger’s bedtime for the moment, just to say that I rather suspect his sleeping pattern has changed ever since the No-Confidence Motion, as defeat stares loudly at him at the March 2 elections.

Yours truly, Kwame Mc Coy

Sincerely, Harry Nawbatt Nawbatt

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

Page

Foundation

About overweight and obesity W

What does it mean to be overweight?

e see the words “overweight” and “obesity” a lot. You might use them yourself (maybe you told your best friend something like, “I’m overweight; I need to drop five pounds before prom.”).

So, it may surprise you that these words actually have a medical meaning. Doctors use them to define the amount of extra fat a person is carrying.

A doctor likely wouldn’t call someone who wants to lose five pounds before prom “overweight”. When a doctor says a person is overweight or obese, it’s serious. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure.

doctors should plot and follow BMI over time. There are also different charts for girls and guys.

The growth charts have lines for “percentiles.” Like percentages, percentiles go from 0 to 100. Eight lines on the BMI growth charts show the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 85th, 90th, and 95th percentiles. The 50th percentile line is the average BMI of the teens who were measured to make the chart.

When your BMI is plotted on the chart, the doctor can see how you compare with teens the same age and gen-

How do doctors define overweight?

Health care professionals use a measurement called body mass index (BMI) to figure out if a person is overweight. BMI is a calculation that uses your height and weight to estimate how much body fat you have.

After calculating your BMI, a doctor or nurse will plot the result on a BMI chart. This allows health professionals to compare your growth with other teens who are the same age and gender to see where you fit in.

BMI changes with age. That’s why

der as you. Based on where your number plots on the chart, the doctor will decide if your BMI is in the underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese range.

There’s a big range of normal on the chart: Anyone who falls between the 5th percentile and the 85th percentile is a healthy weight. If someone is at or above the 85th percentile line on the chart (but less than the 95th percen-

tile), doctors consider that person overweight.

A BMI measurement over the 95th percentile line on the chart puts someone in the obese range.

Why does it matter?

A couple of extra pounds are not a health risk for most people. But being overweight or obese can lead to health problems, both physical and emotional.

It’s particularly important to catch weight problems while someone is still a teen. Being overweight as a teen makes a person more likely to be overweight as an adult. In addition, many overweight teens are developing longterm medical problems like diabetes.

Teens who are overweight also might be teased or bullied and are more at risk for depression.

If your doctor thinks your weight isn’t in a healthy range, he or she will probably make specific eating and exercise recommendations or refer you to a dietitian or doctor who specializes in weight management.

Doctors can help people take a healthy approach to losing weight. Fad diets and other weight-loss methods can be hard to stick to, may not provide the nutrients your body needs, can have unwanted or dangerous side effects, and are usually not effective in the long run.

Losing weight can be challenging. But it’s a lot easier to turn things around if you catch weight problems early on. (kidshealth.org)

and

What can I do about

overeating?

I think I have a problem with overeating. What can I do?

– Maya*

T

he first thing is to figure out if your overeating is something that happens only once in a while or often. We all eat too much every now and then, like on holidays.

But if you’re overeating often, there are some things that might help you avoid doing so. For example, instead of eating when you’re not hungry, find other ways to keep yourself busy, like taking a walk or talking on the phone. Put your food on a plate or in a bowl and sit down at the table to eat — don’t eat out of a

bag o r container.

And don’t eat meals or snack while doing something else, like watching TV or doing homework. That’s a setup for overeating!

Binge eating, also called compulsive overeating, is different from simply overeating. People with binge eating disorder feel a compulsion (a powerful urge) to overeat. They regularly eat large amounts of food and don’t stop eating when they become full. With binge eating, a person feels out of control and powerless to stop eating while they’re doing it. Then, they may feel guilty or ashamed afterward.

If you think you may have an overeating problem, talk to a parent or doctor. Treatments are available that can help you feel better about yourself and have a healthy relationship with food. *Names have been changed to protect user privacy. (kidshealth.org)

7 Thousands sign petition calling for end of GTT monopoly NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…as Govt fails to deliver on liberalisation promise

E

nding the telecommunications monopoly was one of the David Granger-led Administration’s earliest promises when the APNU/ AFC Government took office. However, five years later, the monopoly has not budged and Digicel is putting pressure on the Government to do so.

A petition has been started calling on the Government to end the monopoly, which grants the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company (GT&T), a virtual monopoly on services.

“Not only is the #LiberalisationNOW Change.org petition racking up new signatures daily, the accompanying campaign video on YouTube has gained over 52,000 views

and the campaign, Facebook page has 2086 followers with campaign posts having a reach of 654,990 since the start of campaign,” a statement from Digicel’s communications Manager Vidya Sanichara states.

“Likewise, there are 16,725 engagements on the Facebook page with people actively commenting and sharing posts to show their support for breaking the monopoly and liberalising the telecom industry.

Calling this change “long overdue”, Sanichara noted that after three decades, Guyanese suffer from limited choices, poor broadband coverage, poor quality of service and poor response time.

She also noted that despite the legislation that was supposed to pave the

661,000 eligible...

It had previously been announced that over 6500 persons of the 16,863 new registrants were not confirmed during the five-day field verification exercise which concluded on December 22. Figures released to the media the next day had shown that Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) had the highest number of unconfirmed persons, which tallied to 3657.

Some 370,000 registrations obtained during the scrapped $3 billion H2H exercise were sent overseas to be cross-matched with the National Register of Registrants Database (NRRD) in order to filter out the duplicates.

Attempts to remove names

As GECOM continues it elections preparations for

the March 2 polls, Attorney General Basil Williams – in the Government’s partial appeal of the House-to-House Registration – is seeking to introduce an old piece of “mysterious” legislation which speaks to inserting residency into the Constitution of Guyana.

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

Former AG Anil Nandlall described the Act as irrelevant to current elections. Nandlall pointed out that elections are

way for ending the telephone monopoly being passed in Parliament since July 2016 and assented to by the President, there is still no progress.

“This requires the issu-

FROM PAGE 3

already set and it would be inconceivable for the court to undo all the work the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has put into making the elections happen and preparing a voters’ list.

Williams is contesting most of the major points from Chief Justice Roxane George’s August 14, 2019 ruling. One of the major contestations in the appeal is the residency requirement for being registered.

The Chief Justice had ruled that persons, once registered, could not be removed by enumerators without just cause. The AG is also alleging that the Chief Justice, somehow, breached the separation of powers doctrine by ruling that GECOM could not remove registrants who were alive and well.

ance of a commencement order by the Minister. With Guyana stuck in the telecoms dark ages, liberalisation must happen immediately to give Guyana the internet it deserves.”

“The stakes couldn’t be higher. Bringing Guyana’s communications into the 21st century won’t just improve lives; it’s essential to developing the economy - especially now that oil production has begun with the first million barrels recently sold.

As things stand, Guyana’s communication services are nowhere near ready to take full advantage of this development.”

A quote from CEO of Digicel Guyana, Gregory Dean was also included. In the statement, Dean welcomed the petition and commented that “The response to the petition clearly shows that Guyanese are sick of being left behind and missing out on the opportunities that come with a digital

economy.”

“Guyanese are calling on all our leaders to take the necessary steps to eliminate the monopoly immediately and liberalise our telecommunications market so that other companies can roll out the services that Guyanese have waited far too long for.

I encourage everyone to get on board with this movement by signing the petition before February 8th and show that the will of the people cannot be denied.”

In January of 2018, it was reported that negotiations with GTT and the Ministry to address the lifting of the monopoly were effective. These negotiations began in 2016, where the intention of ending the 26-year-old monopoly on the fixed-line market was discussed. The liberalisation, once in place, would ensure there is fair competition and regulation among all enterprises in the business sector.

The liberalisation of the sector is heavily dependent on the settlement of a US$44 million tax claim against GTT. Atlantic Tele Network, GTT’s parent company, makes mention of this

in its quarterly filings to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission -including a sum of US$5 million for an adverse decision against the telecoms giant.

“GT&T is also involved in several legal claims regarding its tax filings with the Guyana Revenue Authority dating back to 1991 regarding the deductibility of intercompany advisory fees as well as other tax assessments,” the report states.

“The company maintains that any liability GTT might be found to have with respect to the disputed tax assessments, totalling $44.1 million, would be offset in part by the amounts necessary to ensure that GTT’s return on investment was no less than 15 per cent per annum for the relevant periods. The company believes that some adverse outcome is probable and has accordingly accrued $5.0 million as of June 30, 2018, for these matters.”

Efforts to contact Public Telecommunications Minister Cathy Hughes for an explanation for the delay and silence from the Government was futile.

8 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Deon Stoll’s killing

Taxi driver who allegedly transported killers on bail

T

he taxi driver who was slapped with an accessory to murder charge of gold miner Deon Stoll was granted bail by the Demerara High Court.

Keith McKenzie, along with three others were slapped with an accessory to murder charge, while four others were slapped with the capital offence of murder.

At his first court appearance, McKenzie’s attorney, George Thomas, had informed the court that his client was merely hired without knowledge of the crime during the group’s appearance before the Chief Magistrate, Ann McLennan. On Tuesday he was granted bail in the sum of $500,000 with the condition that he lodge his passport with the court and report to the police once per week.

Stoll, called “Mow”, who hailed from Charity, Essequibo Coast,

Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), but resided in Bel Air, Georgetown, was shot and killed during the course of a robbery outside of El Dorado Trading at Da Silva Street, Newtown, Kitty, on October 14, 2019.

Following investigations, a total of eight persons were charged in connection with the murder.

Those slapped with the indictable offence were Shane “Demon” Morgan, also known as Delon Morgan; Roberto Sankar; Wayne St Hill; and Steve Rollox.

Odessa “Baby” St Hill, Alonzo Dos Santos, Duncan “Blackboy” Vanvield, and Keith McKenzie were all charged with accessory to murder.

The 44-year-old businessman succumbed to his injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) moments after being shot.

Reports are that the

Deceased: Deon Stoll

businessman had arrived at El Dorado Trading at about 10:20h on October 14, 2019, and as he was about to exit the car, two gunmen, who arrived in a white car, opened fire on him and his driver, Clayton Powley.

A review of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed that Stoll

was sitting in the front passenger seat of motor car PPP 6727, being driven

by Powley. A white Toyota motor car with tinted windows, which had appeared to be tailing Stoll’s vehicle, also stopped across the road from the business place seconds later.

Stoll had earlier visited a business place on Sheriff Street, Georgetown, where he had collected an undisclosed sum of cash.

Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan recused herself from the preliminary inquiry (PI) into the matter since she is a serving colonel within the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), which may spark a conflict of interest since one accused, Alonzo Dos Santos, is a doctor and serving member of the GDF. As such, Chief Magistrate McLennan transferred the matter to Magistrate Leron Daly, who will conduct the PI.

Rattled…

Y

…by Jagdeo our Eyewitness just had to cringe when he looked at Granger’s presentation to the PNC’s New Amsterdam rally! He’s never seen someone so rattled in politics since Nixon sweated rivulets during his debate with JFK!! You could tell immediately from how he came on stage: awkwardly bouncing up the stairs to the beat of their campaign jingle, and then attempting to sashay to the podium!! He was so obviously trying (unsuccessfully!!) to convince the bussed-in faithful that he wasn’t quite as old and tired as the PPP had pointed out!!

Not only is Granger bereft of any rhythm, but he also doesn’t even have the energy to even stimulate energy!! He looked like exactly what he was: an old man trying desperately to turn back the clock and turn up some dynamism from days long gone by!! Then there was the delivery of the speech— again, the lack of energy in the flat, hoarse monotone that he’s been reduced to over the last year made listening so painful!

But it was the content that most portrayed how rattled he was: it was so spasmodic, it came as a surprise that he kept looking down at his notes. Isn’t a prepared speech supposed to flow? Have a structure?

Build up to some point he wanted to make? But it soon became clear as to what had derailed the poise he’s cultivated so assiduously since he was thrust on the national stage: he’d start to make a point from his notes about some initiative or the other that he was supposed to promise the people of Berbice, but after a sentence or two, he’d launched into an attack on Bharrat Jagdeo!!

Jagdeo has gotten so far under Granger’s skin, the poor ex-Brigadier had to literally shed it and expose his real persona: mean, petty and spiteful!! He confessed to being an old man – 75 years old…but sought to counter that by saying that Jagdeo was appointed to office by a man – Jagan – just as old!! Really??! How does Jagan having the foresight to detect young talent, excuse Granger being unable to carry out his official duties?? But the remark typified the series of nonsequiturs that Granger made all night!

Accused of going to bed by 8 pm – clearly meant to show that he can’t handle the workload of a modern president and causing the vacuum in leadership that had caused the Guyanese ship of state to be adrift – Granger made a crude crack about only his wife knowing when he goes to bed!! Going for a laugh and ignoring his abdication of the duty he took an oath to uphold!

But relief is in sight: the end of his presidency is nigh!! …and rolling The EU has officially informed us that the UK has withdrawn from their Union – effective this Friday.

Imagine that!! The country that had foisted a “West Indian Federation” on us, and castigated Jamaica when they pulled out after a referendum, is doing the same almost sixty years later!! But then, the EU wasn’t REALLY a federation, was it?? It was the model for Caricom!!

So does the move by our erstwhile imperial power signal it might be time to recalibrate our Caricom commitments?? The benefits of the grouping as a trade block has never been of much consequence for us – even with our rice, they always gave us a “hard card”! Foreign policy coordination to leverage the value of 15 votes in international fora? Well, with Jamaica supporting the US on their Latin American strategy and Barbados leading in the opposite direction, where does that leave us?

But we’re now an oil-producing country! Isn’t it time for us to embrace our continental destiny!?!

We have nothing to lose but our immigration benches!! …and more land The Sophia folks are being courted by the PNC for their votes…and their “strong bodies for the nightshift”.

But unlike in 2015, they’re demanding land – which they’ve seized.

Just following the footsteps of the big ones!!

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

NEWS

9

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire guts District Ultra Guyana, Albania sign visa Lounge at Giftland Mall waiver agreement

M

illions of dollars went up in flames on Tuesday after a fire of unknown origin completely gutted the popular party spot, District UltraLounge, located at the Giftland Mall, Pattensen, Greater Georgetown.

Firefighters at the scene on Tuesday

Owner of the District Ultra Lounge, Sean Major

The blaze reportedly started at about 13:25h inside the nightclub which caused an emergency evacuation of the area which is

seen assembled in the parking area as firefighters contained the blaze.

Owner of the entertainment spot, Sean Major during an interview with the media explained that nothing was salvageable as he estimated his total losses to be $45 million.

“I was home and I got a call saying that the inside is no fire, I didn’t know to what extent or what magnitude…I was in total shock when I went in to see that it was completely damaged.

There’s no salvaging anything there and obviously, we’re disappointed,” Major noted.

Inside the destroyed District Ultra Lounge

known as “The Strip”.

When Guyana Times arrived at the scene, patrons and business owners were

Major further added that his next step is deciding whether to rebuild or move on. But according to

the businessman, the fire was not electrical.

“Me and my partner will sit down [and decide] what we want going forward, if we’re just [going to] let it go and maybe rebuild…this has nothing to do with electrical based on a few fire officers I spoke to. They checked the panel, everything is in tack”.

Also at the scene was the proprietor of Giftland Mall, Roy Beepat, who told reporters that the fire was contained very early by the mall’s personnel and firefighters, who arrived at the scene on time.

Beepat shared that there are a number of fire security measures in place at the mall to guarantee customers’ safety.

“Once again, our teams responded very quickly, the fire alarm went off, all the firefighting equipment was there, our personnel from iBet was very quick and they put the fire out in record time…the fire was put [out] in five to seven minutes after it started.

There’s fire hoses, fire escapes, there’s firearm alarm and a very alert and welltrained security. In fact, we have regular fire drills so in events like this the place is evacuated very quickly.”

Ambassador of Guyana to the United States, Dr Riyad Insanally, and Ambassador of Albania to the United States, Floreta Faber with their respective delegations following the signing of the MoU

T

he Governments of Guyana and Albania on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, service and ordinary passports, at the Embassy of Albania, in Washington, DC. Ambassador of Guyana to the United States, Dr Riyad Insanally and Ambassador of Albania to the United States, Floreta Faber, signed on behalf of their governments.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement on Tuesday said that Guyana and Albania established diplomatic relations on May 1, 1985, and it is hoped

that the MoU will lead to the enhancement of relations between the two countries. Albania is a country in southern Europe, locat-

ed in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula on the Strait of Otranto, the southern entrance to the Adriatic Sea.

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Mother of 2 fearful for her life after reputed husband threatens to kill her

A

mother of two is desperately crying out for help after she suffered the worst physical abuse at

life and her two sons after her abusive reputed husband threatened to kill them.

She identified her abus-

Gopaul was severely beaten by her husband a week ago

the hands of her reputed husband.

The woman, Sabrina Gopaul, is now fearful for her

er as Eshwar Sookdeo, also known as “Vekash” or “Bucko”.

The young mother, in

an exclusive interview with Guyana Times , stated that she has been constantly abused by the man with whom she has spent more than seven years. As a result of the abuse, she was forced to leave the house and is now staying with her parents.

“Normally, he would drink and he always a come home and create problem. He always threatening me and would pull knife on me. It used to happen every two weeks and I cannot take it anymore”.

The woman stated that the last fight she had with him was two weeks ago.

“He was drunk and came home like 2 o’clock the morning and I was sleeping. He starts curse and pull out the

The Court had imposed a restraining order against him.

“He signed one 18-month bond but yet and he come and threaten me. The Police ain’t doing anything…when I go to the station them say them can’t find him. They are not making an attempt to get him,” she stated.

Gopaul further added that

Sabrina Gopaul

net so we can’t sleep and then he poke me in the eyes. He starts choking me and bite me in the temple. He lock the house and didn’t want me to go outside to tell anyone”.

After the woman made a report, he was arrested and charged for assaulting her.

she ended the relationship because she is afraid her sons might become abusers.

“I have two sons and whatever I went through, I would not want them to do that to their wives, so I ended the relationship”.

Efforts to contact the Police on the matter proved futile.

Duo freed of 2011 murder charge

Lowell Hope and his co-accused Sherlund Joseph at the High Court on Tuesday

A

fter being locked away for almost 10 years, 37-year-old Lowell Hope and his co-accused, Sherlund Joseph, were freed of a murder indictment, after a submission for the charge to be withdrawn was upheld by Justice Sandil Kissoon at the Demerara High Court.

When the duo appeared at the High Court, they pleaded not guilty to the offence which read that on August 9, 2011, at Monosse Backdam, Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), they murdered 19-year-old Kenny Creame.

Defence Attorney Maxwell McKay during the court hearings submitted to the court that the prosecution had no evidence against his clients

and as such, made an application for the charge to be withdrawn.

In response to the application, State Prosecutor Tuanna Hardy made no objections and admitted that the prosecution had no evidence that would warrant a conviction. As such, Justice Kissoon cancelled the indictment and freed both men.

According to previous reports, the now dead teen, formerly of Port Kaituma, North West District, was beaten to death with pieces of wood, during an argument with the men.

A post-mortem examination conducted on Creame’s remains revealed that he died as a result of blunt trauma to the head.

NEWS

11

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden student stabbing

DPP advises Police to conduct further probe …suspect released after court refuses extension T he Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has advised the Police to conduct further investigations into the stabbing of a 15-yearold Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) student of the Linden Foundation Secondary School.

The teen was stabbed to her back with a Rambo knife by a schoolmate during a fight on Thursday last.

Regional Commander Hugh Winter confirmed that the 12-year-old sister of the suspect was released from Police custody on Saturday.

However, the 14-year-old old main suspect was released from Police custody on Tuesday.

The Commander added that the Police moved to the court to have an additional 72 hours period extension to keep the teen in custody. However, this request was denied by the court. As such, she was released.

Meanwhile, the victim of Central Amelia’s Ward, Linden remains a patient at the Intensive Care Unit at the Linden Hospital Complex (LHC). Her condition is listed as stable.

She is expected to begin eating solid food today, this newspaper was told.

A hospital official had confirmed that the student, who was stabbed to her lower back with a 12 inch “Rambo”

knife, underwent five hours of emergency surgery and was transported to the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) early on Friday morning.

According to the official, the student suffered extensive injuries to her muscles, tendons and several of her internal organs including her lungs, spleen, diaphragm and stomach. She was being closely monitored while in the ICU over a 24-hour period.

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

Based on reports received, the injured student was involved in a physical alterca-

tion with another female student of the said school when she was stabbed. The suspect is the older sister of the student with whom the victim had the altercation.

In the video seen by this publication, the knife was left protruding from the child’s back as she bled profusely.

She can be seen in the video begging for help to be taken to the hospital but no one immediately assisted. In the video, persons can be seen passing by but did not render assistance. Students from the school who were cheering on when the fight started were seen running away when the teen was stabbed. She was eventually assisted after she

The injured Linden Foundation Secondary School student

rushed into the moving traffic.

Meanwhile, the injured student’s mother is calling for justice for her child.

“This incident could have been avoided by passers-by, by students, the teachers, the

guard and I don’t know what happened. They leave my child lying on the road with a knife in her back and I can’t take it like that I need justice,” the clearly distraught mother had said.

No 63 Beach double murder

Man confesses to torturing, killing hotel owner, worker

…Police on hunt for accomplice

on the hunt for the accomplice who is also from No 65 Village.

It was reported that there was a high level of

A

resident of Number 65 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), has confessed to the torturing and killing of the owner of the Sun Splash Beach Resort and his handyman while implicating another man.

The confession was made over the weekend and ranks of the Major Crimes Unit are on the hunt for the accomplice.

On December 27, 2019, the badly decomposed bodies of 59-year-old Harry Prashad, a handyman of Number 65 Village, Corentyne, and 68-year old Vivekanand Brijbassi were discovered in the balcony of Sun Splash Beach Resort located on the Number 63 Beach.

Narpatty was found lying on the back with two toes severed – one was next to his body and the other was not located.

Prashad was found

violence with the dismembering of some parts of the body.

Commander Calvin Brutus had stated that the

police are aware that there is an ongoing dispute for the property between the deceased and other family members.

harm on Mohamed Kadeer, a police officer.

Wilkie was represented

by Attorney-at-Law Ronald Daniels, who asked that his client be released on bail.

The police prosecutor told the court that on the day in question, Kadeer and a party of policemen were on patrol duty in Mahdia when they stopped at a popular nightclub.

The defendant and his brother were reportedly behaving in a disorderly manner outside of the club when

Kadeer asked them to desist from doing so.

Nevertheless, as Kadeer attempted to arrest the defendant’s brother, he dealt the officer several blows to the mouth, resulting in him losing the teeth.

The duo made good their escape but Wilkie was subsequently arrested and charged for the offence. Bail was granted in the sum of $70,000 and Wilkie was ordered to report every Monday to the Mahdia Police Station.

Carpenter who knocked out Police Officer’s teeth gets bail

A

Murdered: Brijbassi

Vivekanand

about fifteen feet away with both hands tied to a post on the balcony, one foot was also tied to the post and was severed at the ankle. Both bodies were in an advanced state of decomposition with maggots feasting.

Meanwhile, a source close to the investigation revealed that approval was granted by the High Court to further detain the self-confessed murderer.

The source noted that it

Murdered: Prashad

Harry

Persaud

was related that the man in custody explained that he and his accomplice attacked and beat Brijbassi in the lower flat of the resort. He detailed that the injured man was taken to the balcony where Prasad was sitting.

Once there, both men were tortured and left to die. The source also stated that they are following all major leads with respect to the double murder and more so, they are

22-year-old carpenter was on Tuesday arraigned for allegedly cuffing a police officer, thus causing him to lose three teeth.

Shem Wilkie of Lot 111 Miles Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni), appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates Courts before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan He denied the charge which stated that on January 11, 2020, at 111 Miles Mahdia, he inflicted grievous bodily

12 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NCN’s Editor-in-Chief sent on leave …after reacting to abusive DPI Head

NCN Editor-in-Chief Leeron Brumell

T

he management of National Communications Network (NCN) has sent its Editor-in-Chief on administrative leave to facil-

itate an investigation into reports of an assault involving himself and Head of the Department of Public Information (DPI), Imran Khan.

NCN Editor-in-Chief Leeron Brumell was sent on administrative leave after an incident with Khan who allegedly stormed into his office and was abusive to him.

According to reports, the incident stemmed from Brumell’s decision to have Marcey Parker removed from reading the television news while being a candidate of A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC). This newspaper was told that Brumell, in an official document to the management of the company, stated that it was unethical to have someone on a party’s candidate list read the news. The decision to have the anchor re-

sons. Our security officials looked at it and thought that it would have been best for the Editor in Chief to proceed on administrative leave while they investigate the matter.”

Asked if the leave was indefinite, he noted that the duration of the leave depends mainly on the outcome of the investigation.

Support for EIC

Marcey Parker

placed reportedly angered Khan who stormed Brumell’s office.

Khan has no legal standing over administrative decisions of NCN. When contacted by this publication, NCN’s Chairman Enrico Woolford confirmed that there was an altercation and that after being shown the footage, Brumell voluntarily proceeded on leave to facilitate the investigation.

“The matter is under investigation. There was an incident. There was an altercation between two per-

The incident has seen some employees of NCN taking to social media to express support for their Editor-inChief, who they said made an ethical decision in the interest of the core principles of journalism.

“The decision was to remove someone, who’s a candidate at the upcoming Elections, from reading the news. He didn’t say that she shouldn’t be working at the company anymore, he simply said she cannot be involved in the news, even if it’s as simple as reading it,” one media colleague wrote on social media in support of Brumell.

“He (Brumell) even said it’s her constitutional right

DPI Head Imran Khan

to be a candidate; however, as a journalist, there are written and unwritten principles that govern the profession and that’s what he’s standing by,” the colleague added.

It was only on Sunday that the necessity of journalists appearing unbiased was emphasised during a two-day training on Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) coverage, ahead of the General and Regional Elections. Meanwhile, the Guyana Press Association has since been engaged on the matter.

NEWS

13

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Coronavirus disease already suspected in South America …Guyana on high alert …ports of entries monitored – health officials

W

ith a case of coronavirus already confirmed in the South American nation of Ecuador, authorities in Guyana have begun preparing for a possible outbreak here, but have assured that there is no need to panic.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence stated that finances will not be a problem and that the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has already established an isolation area for suspected cases.

In the event that the numbers exceed the hospital's capacity, more such facilities will need to be established.

“So that is being worked on and we will make a presentation to the Minister of Finance. He is fully aware of what we are doing and how we are moving forward with this process of preparation. So, the Permanent Secretary is taking note of all of the needs by both the GPHC and what we will need in the regions and the local facilities which fall within the ambit of the Ministry of Public Health.”

normal. Our aim is to try to get the persons that are suspected cases to a particular area of the hospital so that they can get care.”

Currently, a screening process in the form of a questionnaire is being used by health officers stationed at various ports of entry to help in the detection of suspected cases.

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr Karen Boyle noted that this will aid in the confirmation of a passenger’s age, sex, seating on planes to determine if other passengers would have been exposed among other information.

“This screening tool, all of our port health officers will have this. And the immigration officers have also been sent this too. They have also been advised that if anybody is coming on the plane that has these signs or symptoms refer them to the port health officers so they could have further questions.”

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Shamdeo Persaud also pointed out that persons with flu-like symptoms should not be stigmatised, and that the screening is not limited to passengers

Meanwhile, according to Dr Tracey Bovell, who operates at the GPHC’s Emergency Room, that hospital is already in preparation mode for suspected and/or confirmed coronavirus cases.

“We have identified our isolation areas and we are working to concretise them to ensure that they [are] safe for the public and for the other patients that will be visiting the hospital for medical care that are not related to this illness as well. The Emergency Room and the Outpatient department will still function as

coming from New York to Georgetown or from Panama to Georgetown, but other areas as well.

“In addition to that, each arriving aircraft is required to complete what is called a health declaration, a declaration form. The flight attendants would usually indicate if there is anyone on that flight reported sick, vomiting, having fever … in those instances we will identify those persons, those are made aware to the port health officers on arrival before the aircraft is cleared, those persons will

be removed and we will take them through the interview that is in place.”

Dr Persaud noted that the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), which is the designated Influenza centre in the region, has activated its biosafety level 3 services and has the capacity to test for the coronavirus disease.

“What we have to finetune a bit is the system to collect the samples and have them shipped effectively in a timely manner to that centre. Results are promised within three days from the last conversation we have had with CARPHA.” Meanwhile, Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) Resident Representative, Dr William Adu-Krow also noted that 14 countries apart from

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

China have reported cases where coronavirus cases were confirmed.

He stated that 52 of those cases come from countries outside of China.

Globally there are 4564 confirmed cases as of noon on Tuesday with 106 per-

PAHO/WHO resident William Adu-Krow

sons succumbing to this deadly disease.

“In the Americas, we have seven confirmed cases and those seven confirmed cases, five are from the United States of America and two are from Canada.

There are six suspected

representative,

Dr

cases in our region. One is from Ecuador and five in Canada, the issue is gradually getting to our shores, and our advice to member states including Guyana is to make sure the index of suspicion is high,” Dr AduKrow added.

14 NEWS Duo arraigned, remanded 2 nabbed for Region 3 robberies T for ganja possession T WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

he labourer and the miner who were caught by the Police on Saturday with a quantity of cannabis – which they claim was for their boss— made their first Court appearance on Tuesday and were remanded to prison.

Twenty-four-year-old Kevon Andrew, a labourer of Philadelphia Street, New Amsterdam, Berbice and Joel Amsterdam, 27, of Stanleytown, Berbice, appeared before Principal Magistrate Sherdell Isaacs at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charge and were remanded to prison until February 20, 2020.

It was reported that on the day in question, Police ranks acting on information visited First Street, Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), where they observed the two men acting in a suspicious manner.

Kevon Andrew, the 24-year-old labourer

Twenty-seven-year-old Joel Amsterdam

As the Police Officers approached them, the labourer started to run but was eventually apprehended by the ranks. At the time, he was carrying a black haversack on his back.

Both he and his colleague were taken to the Bartica Police Station where the haversack was searched, during which investigators discovered

three bulky parcels containing a number of stems, leaves, and seeds.

The labourer, however, told the Police that he and the pork-knocker were taking the cannabis to their employer.

The suspects never divulged the identity of their boss. The parcels of narcotics were weighed at 1454 grams collectively.

miner

wo men have been arrested in connection with a number of armed robberies in Region Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara) after their identities were positively identified by reviewing CCTV footage and descriptions given to the police by witnesses.

However, a third man was also taken into Police custody for at least one robbery committed earlier this month. He is expected to be placed on an Identification Parade to determine whether he would have committed other robberies.

Police Commander of Region Three, Assistant Police Commissioner Simon McBean explained that the three men were arrested between Sunday and Tuesday morning.

He noted that two of the suspects were apprehended at the same address and a weapon that was used in one of the robberies less than two weeks ago at the VreedEn-Hoop, New Road, West Coast Demerara (WCD) village, was also recovered.

However, the Commander noted that the gun is a “replica”, it is considered a “toy gun” but it was used during the commissioning of the robbery at the popular drinking establishment. He added that the victims would not have been able to tell the difference.

Those two suspects are also allegedly part of the quartet that hijacked a hire car on January 3, 2020, and executed a daring robbery at the “Fresh Bar” in Parika, East Bank Essequibo (EBE).

The car was attached to a taxi service based on the WCD. On the night of the robbery, the suspects reportedly stopped the car under the

pretence of hiring it but instead, after entering, they held up the driver.

Sometime around 23:05h, a gunman and a knife-toting bandit stormed into the drinking establishment where they assaulted the owners and customers before relieving them of an undisclosed amount of cash and gold jewellery.

One customer was in the gambling section when the knife-toting bandit attacked him and relieved him of a gold band and gold chain.

After the robbery, the men rushed into a white motor car that had been parked outside the bar and made good their escape.

Minibus Association mulls training for drivers

I

n light of hundreds of drivers being charged for dangerous driving in the past six months, President of the United Minibus Association, Eon Andrews believes that by bringing all drivers under the umbrella, it will ensure discipline.

Andrews said that they are willing to work along with the Guyana Police Force to put a dent to reckless driving by bus drivers.

He further added that the Business Ministry along with stakeholders will be holding several courses for safe driving.

Some buses on the East Coast Minibus Park

“Some of these persons would have been in it whereby you will be taught

safe driving, courtesy, first aid, tire safety…. they are going to be issued with a

certificate”, he said.

Commenting on the issue of the driver who was sentenced to six months for allowing students to jump from a moving bus, the President said, “I cannot say that I agree with the punishment, I may feel he should get 10 years instead, somebody may feel he should get five years. According to the Magistrates’ Court, they have stipulated sentences for certain offences so he would not have gotten off.

What should happen, they should increase these fines or punishments”.

Andrew also told the me-

President of the United Minibus Association, Eon Andrews

dia that the drivers on the West Bank of Demerara will be dressed in uniforms with almost immediate effect.

Chairman of the La Parfaite Harmonie Union, Patricia Smith said that she fully supports the initiative and believes that it will bring structure to their jobs.

“Being here as a minibus driver, a lot of recklessness going, happening on the road. If we join with the Minibus Association as we do and get uniformed, everything would be at a standard”, she said.

NEWS

15

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Ramsammy’s Ruminations APNU/AFC dismal record on housing – total disgrace

R

ight at this moment, people have decided to squat on lands as they desperately try to get a piece for building a house.

Sophia-Cummingsburg is the most prominent area. But persons in several places around the country have decided to do the same, taking matters in their own hands, demanding the Government provide them with house lots. The David Grangerled APNU/AFC had made house-lot distribution to all Guyanese who need house lots a promise during the 2015 election, this being a prominent manifesto promise.

Five years after, so many Guyanese, mostly APNU/AFC supporters, have resorted to squatting in their demand for house lots and, with elections thirty-four days away, declaring “no house lots, no vote”, eloquently exposes the betrayal. APNU/AFC has dismally failed to deliver on its promise that every Guyanese in need of a house lot will be Dr Leslie Ramsammy able to get it. In fact, it is a total disgrace.

The persons who have resorted to this illegal method are highlighting a genuine problem. Of the many PPP/C successes in Government, one of the most significant successes was the development and distribution of house lots. More than 120,000 house lots were distributed and almost 100,000 homes were built during those terms in government.

A great part of that success story happened during Bharrat Jagdeo’s terms as President and Irfaan Ali’s terms as Minister of Housing. The sprawling communities of Diamond, Eccles, Mon Repos, Parfaite Harmonie, Tuschen, Charity New Housing Scheme, Reliance and Henrietta Housing Schemes, Glossow, Hope, Waterloo, Foulis, Amelia Wards, and many, many others are testimony to these new house lots that were developed and that allowed many working-class Guyanese to have the pride of their own homes.

Many Guyanese who had become squatters during the PNC years in Government, pre-1992, for the first time owned their lands after 1992 when the PPP regularised those lands and provided titles. These included the largest residential squatting area in Caricom – Sophia. In the case of Cow Dam, another large squatting community, most persons could not get titles, even though the PPP government approved titles. The reason is that a PNC-backed cooperative obtained a court injunction, claiming the land was given to them by the PNC Government prior to 1992. This is even as the cooperative has less than a handful of members.

Just as distribution and building of homes represented a big success story of the PPP, so does this represent one of the biggest failures of the APNU/AFC/PNC Government. In five years, they barely can identify a handful of houses lots given out. Most of these are to themselves. Few or no working-class Guyanese benefitted from a house lot in the last five years. A few core homes were developed, but the price for these are beyond most working-class citizens and the quality has been seriously questioned. The result is that most of them have had no takers.

During the PPP’s time in office, as much as the then Government was aggressive in developing house lots and housing schemes, the then PNC and the new iteration of that party, APNU/AFC, tried to block development. They tried legal action to block the $4B that Parliament approved for Irfaan Ai’s Ministry of Housing to purchase land from GuySuCo[KM1] to develop thousands of house lots.

When the PPP offered house lots and offered to help move persons from Tiger Bay, the then PNC tried to get the residents of Tiger Bay to reject the programme. In fact, on the advice from PNC leaders, some of the residents in Tiger Bay took the house lots and the financial support, but never moved from the illegal occupation in Tiger Bay. The party that had disgraced itself by institutionalising squatting had further added to its reputation and its credentials as a party that embraced squatting as a solution to housing.

In fact, because of its promise to ensure all persons in need would get house lots if it won the 2015 elections, soon after the elections’ results were announced, people took to marking off house lots in many parts of the country.

The then President Granger announced that squatting would not be permitted and promised again that these persons would have house lots, but they needed to first remove themselves from the land. Five years have gone, the promise remains unfulfilled. Worse, not only was the promise never fulfilled, but APNU/AFC literally closed the housing ministry and never made any serious effort to develop even a single new house lot.

Again, they are on the campaign, this time for the 2020 elections, and again bold housing promises are being made.

But the party that institutionalised squatting pre-1992 and which failed the last five years to develop any new housing scheme is having a horrid time convincing its own supporters that they will deliver on this promise should they get back into Government. Many of the same people who occupied land just after the 2015 elections and who gave David Granger and APNU/ AFC the benefit of the doubt, are people who have decided to squat again with the demand “no land, no vote”. Why should they believe the very people who have betrayed them again and again?

Troy Resources recommences operations at Karouni

F

ollowing several challenges last year, Australianbased Troy Resources has announced that it has resumed operations at its Karouni goldmine in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

The gold mining company says it began operations in the second week of January and it intends to resume full production by the end of next month.

Last year, the future of Troy Resources was put in question following the death of a geologist at the mines site.

After the geologist’s death, the company was issued a cease order.

The loss of production

The gold processing plant at Troy Resources’ Karouni goldmine operations

days coupled with existing financial constraints resulted in the company operating at a loss and sending home hundreds of employees.

However, in a statement last night, the compa-

ny said they have complied with all requirements and received the requisite approvals for the resumption of activities.

Some employees were rehired and work is moving apace to have the process-

ing plant operate on a fulltime basis.

The company said it was able to restart operations after a successful fundraising event which secured approximately US$10.3 million.

16

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

Regional

Patient cleared! : No case of coronavirus in Jamaica

A

nswering the concerns sparked by social media Tuesday morning, Jamaica health officials have determined that Tuesday morning’s suspected case “does not meet the case definition of the coronavirus”.

The Accident and Emergency Department at the University Hospital of the West Indies in St Andrew was on lock-down amid what was believed to be the first suspected case of the novel coronavirus in the island.

The person did not have a fever with a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or above. The travel history was to China but officials said that the patient visited an area where the virus was not in circulation. The patient’s incubation period for the virus also is said to be just outside of the period for consideration with the coronavirus being 2 to 10 days (but may extend to 14 days).

The unnamed patient travelled to China on 7th January 2020. They then left China on the 13th of January and returned to Jamaica on the 14th of January. Today would make day 15 after the patient would have left China.

deadly virus’s appearance on the island.

There are 4593 confirmed cases of the novel coronavi-

T

Outside of China there are 56 confirmed cases in 14 different countries. (Antigua Observer)

Strong quake shakes northern Caribbean University Hospital Medical Chief of Staff, Dr Carl Bruce; Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and Acting Chief Medical Officer Karen Webster-Carr

Dr Carl A R Bruce, Medical Chief of Staff at the UWI hospital, indicated that “because the patient had a history of travel to Asia… to China specifically… the team, rightfully so, considered whether or not one of the differential diagnosis… should be considered.”

“Out of an abundance of caution, the doctors just wanted to ensure that they discussed this. The patient is doing well. The patient does not have a fever above 38 degrees as by the case definition,” he added.

The university hospital, however, is still conducting evaluation and testing on the patient who will be discharged according to “normal protocols” as soon as

that process is complete.

Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, backed the hospital’s handling of the case stating that, “we take this issue very seriously”.

“We believe that is better to err on the side of caution in terms of taking a very proactive position. And I am prepared to say that I suspect that is what the university team did in terms of evaluating, assessing and considering all options when it comes to this particular case,” the Health Minister added.

The emergency press conference was held because of rising panic on the island due to word being spread about the possibility of the

US backs programme to help Venezuelan migrants settle in Brazil

he US Agency for International D e v e l o p m e n t (USAID) and the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) launched a programme on Tuesday to help tens of thousands of Venezuelan migrants settle for the longterm in Brazil.

USAID officials said the agency will provide $4 million to fund the programme that will facilitate access to employment, business training and language courses to aid the economic and social integration of Venezuelan émigrés.

Almost 900,000 Venezuelans fleeing the political and economic crisis in their country have crossed

rus globally. China has confirmed 4537 confirmed with 6973 suspected. 976 are said to be severe with 106 deaths.

the border into Brazil since 2018, according to Brazilian authorities.

Most have continued to other countries, especially in Spanish-speaking Latin America, but 264,000 Venezuelans have applied to stay in Brazil, overwhelming social services in the Brazilian border state of Roraima.

The IOM programme backed by USAID will help Brazil’s strategy carried out by the country’s Army and Air Force to move Venezuelan immigrants out of Roraima to cities further south where there are more opportunities for sustainable work and a new life.

The programme, called Economic Integration of

Vulnerable Nationals from Venezuela in Brazil, was launched by USAID Deputy Administrator for Latin America John Barsa and the US State Department’s deputy assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Carrie Filipetti.

USAID said it has already provided nearly $15 million to date to support Venezuelans in Brazil.

Since fiscal-year 2017, the US Government has provided more than $656 million in humanitarian and development funding to help Venezuelans affected by their country’s ongoing crisis, both inside Venezuela and in 16 neighbouring countries. (Reuters)

B

uildings were evacuated in the Cayman Islands as a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 triggered fears of a tsunami in the British Overseas territory, Cuba and Jamaica.

The USGS reported that the quake occurred at 2:10 pm local time (3:10 p.m. Barbados time) at a depth of 10 kilometres (km).

It said the epicentre was located latitude/longitude: 19.315°N / 78.814°W

of the Cayman Islands.

Residents on the Cayman Islands said that buildings were evacuated.

Tremors were felt in several parishes in Jamaica, as well as The Bahamas and Haiti. (CMC)

Winair flight makes emergency landing

A

W i n d w a r d Islands Airways International Winair flight travelling from St Maarten to Curaçao had to make an emergency landing at Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) on Tuesday morning due to mechanical issues in midair.

Around 09:00h on Tuesday, Winair flight WM 806 took-off from PJIA destined for Curaçao.

Approximately 10 minutes in the flight, the left engine shut down, obliging the aircraft to return to PJIA with one engine running, said Winair in a press release on Tuesday afternoon. The aircraft landed safely shortly afterwards.

St Eustatius Monuments Foundation Director and local historian Walter Hellebrand was on board the flight. He said that right after take-off he observed that something was not quite right. He said that he was sitting in the row next to the propellers, so he was able to see the propeller slow down and then stop altogether.

The aircraft then began to fly lower.

“It was weird to be in

Passengers disembarking the aircraft that had to make an emergency landing [Photo by Walter Hellebrand]

a plane in the air and see the propeller coming to a complete stop while the plane was losing altitude.

But everyone is okay,” said Hellebrand.

“Safety protocol and procedures of Princess Juliana International Airport and Winair were followed. A maintenance team will be dispatched from Guadeloupe to troubleshoot and repair the engine,” said Winair in the press release.

The affected aircraft was one of Winair’s ATR 42s, which are wet-leased from Guadeloupe-based airline Air Antilles.

“The ATR 42 in question are robust regional turboprop aircraft with an

ETOPS (Extended-range Twin-engine Performance Standards) certification, which both the ATR 42600 and ATR 72-600 versions were granted by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This means they are capable to fly on one engine for 120 flight minutes from any airport at which they can land,” said Winair.

All passengers of the affected flight were rebooked and were expected to arrive Curaçao “with an approximate 4-hour delay,” said Winair, adding that its ATR flight schedule for Tuesday was affected and delays can “be expected on all flights.”

(Excerpt from The Daily Herald)

Unit (CPU), the Special Operations Response Team (SORT) and the Tobago Task Force.

Police say these arrests now bring to 28, the total number of persons charged for breach of the Children’s Act, for the year, thus far.

The accused appeared before Magistrates in Central Trinidad, Sangre Grande and Scarborough, Tobago, on Monday 27th January, 2020.

The offences range from

sexual penetration of a child to sexual touching of a child and having knowledge of sexual penetration of a child and failing to report it.

These offences are all contrary to the Children’s Act 46:01.

According to official police reports, during 25th to 26th January 2020, an island-wide exercise resulted in the arrest of the suspects from the Central, Eastern and Tobago Police Divisions.

(Excerpt T&T Guardian)

Mexican leader blasts critics after supporters hector grieving family Trinidad: 8 people charged for Sexual Offences in CPU, SORT Operation

M

exican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador lashed out at critics on Monday after a group of his supporters angrily hectored members of a US-Mexican family protesting to the government about the murder of their loved ones.

Supporters of the president chanted insults at participants of a peace march as their column arrived on the Zocalo square in Mexico City’s historic centre next to the presidential palace on Sunday.

Among the leaders of the march were Adrian LeBaron, who lost a daughter and four grandchildren in a November massacre of nine women and children by suspected cartel gunmen.

The nine dead, who were dual US-Mexican nationals of Mormon origin, were among the 34,582 homicide victims registered in the country in 2019, a record.

Some American relatives of the LeBarons sparked anger in Mexico after the massacre by urging US President

Donald Trump’s administration to declare Mexican drug cartels terrorist organisations.

Lopez Obrador supporters who jostled the protesters yelled “LeBaron out” and other slogans.

When asked at a regular news conference about the hostility directed toward the peace march by his supporters, the leftist Lopez Obrador said victims of violence deserved respect.

The clashes, he said, were due to “existing differences.”

(Excerpt from Reuters)

T

he Child Protection Unit (CPU) is strongly urging citizens with information on child abuse to report it to the nearest police station, or to the CPU, to ensure that an investigation into such cases are launched immediately.

The renewed appeal comes as seven men and one woman were nabbed in an intelligence-led exercise over the weekend, by officers of the Child Protection

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

17

Around the World

In peace bid, Trump proposes Palestinian Netanyahu formally indicted in court on state with capital in eastern Jerusalem

U

S President Donald Trump on Tuesday proposed the creation of a Palestinian state with a capital in eastern Jerusalem, in an effort to achieve a peace breakthrough with Israel that will be a tough sell for Palestinians.

Under Trump’s proposed Middle East peace plan announced at a White House ceremony attended

by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the United States will recognise Israeli settlements on the occupied West Bank.

In exchange, Israel would agree to accept a four-year freeze on new settlement activity while Palestinian statehood were being negotiated.

US President Donald Trump applauds Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as they deliver joint remarks to discuss a Middle East peace plan proposal in the East Room of the White House in Washington, US, January 28, 2020

Palestinian leaders had rejected Trump’s long-delayed plan even before its official release, saying his Administration was biased

towards Israel.

The absence Palestinians from announcement is fuel criticism that

of the Trump’s likely to the plan

tilts toward Israel’s needs rather than theirs.

Israeli-Palestinian talks broke down in 2014, and it was far from clear that the Trump plan will resuscitate them.

US senior administration officials said they expected initial Palestinian scepticism over the plan but hoped that over time they will agree to negotiate. It places high hurdles for the Palestinians to overcome to reach their long-sought goal of a state.

It remains to be seen also how Israel responds, given the pressures its right-wing Prime Minister, Netanyahu, faces going into his third attempt at re-election in less than a year. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Indian schoolgirl wins bravery award for thwarting trafficker

A

n Indian schoolgirl who won a bravery award after she helped a child escape a trafficker, is to become the inspiration for a new anti-slavery campaign, officials said on Tuesday.

C a r o l y n Malsawmtluangi, from the northeastern state of Mizoram, was honoured by the Government on India’s Republic Day last week for “showing exemplary courage” after she stopped a human trafficker who had kid-

napped a seven-year-old girl from a neighbouring village.

Malsawmtluangi, 11, first spotted the trafficker when playing volleyball with friends in June last year but assumed they were a mother and daughter, and even asked if the young girl wanted to join their game.

But after Police raised the alarm over a trafficker the next day, Malsawmtluangi soon spotted the woman again and began talking to her before agreeing to take care of the

girl while the woman ran an errand.

It was then that both girls escaped - Malsawmtluangi carrying the child on her shoulders and running home while avoiding stones hurled by the angry trafficker.

“If Carolyn had not stopped them, the trafficker would have disappeared with the little girl,” said Khawlhrinj Lalhlupuii, a secretary at the Mizoram State Council for Child Welfare that recommended

her for the annual award.

In Mizoram, anti-trafficking efforts have been increased in recent years in a bid to stem a rise in reported cases.

The National Bravery Awards are given to around 25 children between the ages of six and 18 every year.

The recipients, selected from across India, are given a medal, a certificate, a cash prize, and also receive financial assistance to complete their schooling. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to 106 as China tightens measures

T

he death toll from the new coronavirus now stands at 106, with the number of infections almost doubling in a day to more than 4500.

The rise comes as Governments scramble to control the spread of the virus. Hong Kong is going to slash cross-border travel with mainland China.

Meanwhile, Japan is sending a plane to Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, to evacuate its citizens The virus has spread across China and to at least 16 countries globally.

Wuhan, as well as wider Hubei province, are already effectively in a lock-

down with strict transport restrictions in and out of the area. Wearing masks in public is now mandatory in some Chinese cities.

On Monday, authorities in Beijing confirmed a 50-year-old man had died - the first fatality in the Chinese capital from the virus.

Hours later, Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the high-speed rail line between the territory and mainland China would be suspended from Thursday.

Flights, buses, and ferry services will also be cut down drastically in an effort to halt the virus's spread to the city - a global financial centre.

A

late on Monday and were apparently able to breach the compound with ease because a sympathetic policeman opened a door for them.

Details were provided

by Mahbobullah Ghafari, a Baghlan provincial councilman. A local police official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not

Netanyahu was in Washington for meetings with President Trump when Israel's Attorney General filed the charges in a Jerusalem court [Amir Cohen/Reuters]

I

sraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been formally indicted in court on corruption charges after he withdrew his request for parliamentary immunity from prosecution.

Netanyahu was in Washington for meetings with US President Donald Trump ahead of the release of Trump's long-delayed USIsraeli "peace" plan for the Middle East when Israel's Attorney General filed the charges in a Jerusalem court on Tuesday.

Earlier, Netanyahu said he was withdrawing his bid for parliamentary immunity from prosecution on corruption charges, paving the way for a trial to begin.

Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister issued a statement on Facebook on Tuesday, saying the immunity proceedings in Parliament would have been a "circus" and he did not

Travel is being severely restricted and monitored

The coronavirus causes severe acute respiratory infection and there is no specific cure or vaccine.

Most of the deaths have been in Hubei province.

The initial victims were mostly elderly people or those with pre-existing re-

spiratory problems, but few details have been released about the dozens of deaths confirmed in recent days.

A total of 60 people had been discharged from hospital after recovery, according to Chinese state media.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

allowed to brief reporters about the attack, also gave the same account.

Six others were wounded in the overnight attack in Pul-e Khumri, provincial council member Samiuddin Nazir told DPA news agency.

A spokesman for the Taliban, Zabiullah Mujahid, however, put the death toll

at 17, adding that one officer was taken hostage. The group has, at times, exaggerated its claims.

The attack comes one day after the Taliban claimed it shot down an American military plane in Ghazni province - a claim the US military denies. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

want to take part in a "dirty game".

His retraction paves the way for legal proceedings against him to go forward.

A trial could take months or years and the 70-year-old leader is under no legal obligation to resign.

Netanyahu was indicted in November on charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust over allegations that he granted state favours worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Israeli media barons in return for gifts and favourable coverage.

He denies any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim of a witch hunt by the media and the political left aiming to remove a popular rightwing leader.

The Prime Minister's political opponents made his legal troubles a focus of their campaigns in the previous two elections last year.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Crowded Lagos to ban motorbikes from most of Nigerian metropolis

N

Afghan police officers killed in Taliban 'insider' attack t least 11 Afghan police officers have been killed after Taliban fighters stormed a police base in Pul-e Khumri, the capital of Baghlan province, local Government officials told the Associated Press on Tuesday.

The fighters first overran a checkpoint near the base

corruption charges

igeria’s business capital Lagos will ban commercial motorcycles from nearly the entire city, citing overcrowding and safety, authorities said on Monday, a move that could change the commute for thousands and threaten ride-hailing startups.

The Lagos state Government announced on Twitter that it would ban motorcycles, commonly known as okadas, from operating in most of Lagos because of what it described as their “chaos and disorderliness” and “scary figures” of fatal accidents.

The ban cites a 2018 law to bar okadas and small three-wheeled vehicles known as kekes from Feb 1. It would bar them from virtually all the main commercial and residential neighbourhoods. Only one major area, far west of central Lagos, was not listed.

It could anger Lagosians who rely on the two- and

three-wheeled vehicles to zip through intense congestion that regularly traps larger vehicles for hours, as well as the drivers who rely on them for income.

On Tuesday morning, passengers queued up in the centre of town, some hopping on Gokadas with their signature green helmets and others waiting their turn for one of dozens of other drivers who zipped away as quickly as they arrived.

As yellow kekes streamed past, Lagos resident Folarin Bosun said the Government could not offer an alternative to okadas and kekes which are often his only option to get to work on time.

Chinedu Azodoh, cofounder of Max.ng, said their bikes are above the 200 cubic centimetre engine size banned under the law, and that he had not heard directly from the Government. But a ban, he said, amounted to “a restriction on poor people.

(Excerpt from Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

DILBERT

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

PEANUTS

CALVIN AND HOBBES

Problems with an authority figure are likely if you don’t abide by the rules.

Use your time wisely and refrain from arguing with stubborn people.

If you take a straightforward approach, it will be easier to get things done.

You’ll have limited funds due to your generosity. Offer suggestions or a helping hand, but not cash.

Refrain from talking about personal problems.

An awkward moment will arise if you are too friendly with someone who is in a higher position. Accept the inevitable and proceed.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

A challenge will be exhilarating. If you test your skills, it will boost your confidence.

Love and romance look promising if you are receptive to someone’s advances. Social activity is encouraged.

VIRGO

A financial setback may occur if you get involved in a joint venture. Be more responsible and practical. Don’t offer money when you can offer sound advice. Make changes to personal documents.

(Aug. 23Sept. 22)

SUDOKU

Keep busy and get things done. Channel your energy into what matters most to you. Set your mind on doing, not on stewing, and you will amaze everyone with your accomplishments.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

You’ll face opposition if you discuss personal matters with someone close to you. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you.

SCORPIO

Someone you deal with will be manipulative. Don’t make a move for the wrong reason or share information that someone will be able to use against you. Physical activity is favored.

(Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Attend an event that is SAGITTARIUS a little out of the ordinary.

(Nov. 23Someone you meet will inDec. 21) troduce you to a hobby or activity that interests you. A job change looks promising.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Do what you want and follow your dreams and intuition. Don’t fall short of your expectations because someone close to you is discouraging. Think for yourself and do what’s best for you.

Your competitive drive will help you succeed. If you offer help to others as you pursue your own goals, you will gain popularity as well as the support you require to reach your objective.

Gambling of any kind will lead to unforeseen problems. Don’t take on issues that don’t belong to you.

Protect your possessions, assets and reputation, and update personal documents.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

19

NBA round-up: Gordon pours in 50 in Rockets’ win E

ric Gordon scored a careerhigh 50 points, Danuel House Jr. chipped in a double-double, and the shorthanded Houston Rockets pulled off a stunning 126-117 victory over the red-hot Utah Jazz on Monday in Salt Lake City.

With James Harden (thigh), Russell Westbrook (rest) and Clint Capela (heel) all unavailable for the second game of a back-to-back set at altitude, Gordon carried Houston with a scintillating performance.

The veteran guard shot 14 of 22 from the floor, drilled 6 of 11 3-point attempts and hit 16 of 20 free throws to lead the way.

His three-point play through a Rudy Gobert foul extended the Houston lead to 118-105 with 1:39 remaining and snuffed out the final hope Utah had at capping a comeback.

House added 21 points with 11 rebounds while adding five steals, and Austin Rivers contributed 21 points for Houston. Gobert posted 12 points and 14 rebounds for Utah, which got 36 points from Donovan Mitchell and 30 from Bojan Bogdanovic. The Jazz had won 14 of their previous 15 games.

Chicago Bulls 110 - San Antonio Spurs 109 Zach LaVine hit a pair of

Chicago Bulls guards Zach LaWine dribbles the ball against San Antonio Spurs guard Dejounte Murray (USA TODAY Sports)

go-ahead free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining to cap a 23-point effort, and Denzel Valentine added 16 points to lift host Chicago over San Antonio.

San Antonio’s DeMar DeRozan missed the second of two free throws with 0.2 seconds remaining and missed a put-back try at the buzzer as the Spurs lost their third straight game.

Chicago relied on seven double-figure scorers to earn successive wins for the first

time since Dec. 18-21. LaVine scored 14 points in the final 12 minutes to help the Bulls erase an 11-point deficit.

DeRozan scored 36 points and grabbed 10 rebounds while Patty Mills added 25 points for the Spurs, who were without LaMarcus Aldridge (thumb).

Cleveland Cavaliers 115 - Detroit Pistons 100 Collin Sexton scored 23 points, Kevin Love supplied 20 points (all in the first half),

and Cleveland snapped a seven-game losing streak by thumping host Detroit.

Tristan Thompson had 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Alfonzo McKinnie contributed 15 points off the bench for Cleveland. The Cavaliers outscored Detroit 65-49 in the second and third quarters.

Reggie Jackson topped the Pistons, who have lost three straight, with 16 points.

Andre Drummond had 15 points and eight rebounds for Detroit.

Miami Heat 113 Orlando Magic 92 Center Bam Adebayo recorded the third tripledouble of his career — 20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists — as host Miami defeated Orlando.

The Heat also got 21 points from Duncan Robinson — he made 6 of 9 3-point attempts — and 19 points and seven assists from Jimmy Butler, who had left Miami’s previous game with a sprained ankle.

With the win, the Heat tied the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers for best home record in the NBA (21-2).

Orlando, which had won nine of its previous 13 games against in-state rival Miami, was led by Nikola Vucevic’s double-double: 13 points and 12 rebounds. Aaron Gordon added 13 points, but just two after halftime.

Sacramento Kings 133 - Minnesota Timberwolves 129 (OT) Nemanja Bjelica broke the fifth tie of overtime with two free throws with 48.3 seconds left, and Sacramento, after an improbable rally that forced the extra session, held off Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Buddy Hield scored a career-high 42 points off the bench for the Kings, including

12 during a 21-4 regulationending flurry that erased a 17-point deficit in the final 2:49.

Andrew Wiggins scored 36 points, including seven 3-pointers, for the Timberwolves, who set season highs for threes (23) and 3-point percentage (50 percent).

Dallas Mavericks 107 Oklahoma City Thunder 97 Luka Doncic scored 29 points to lead Dallas to a road win over Oklahoma City, snapping the Thunder’s fivegame winning streak. Doncic was just 2 of 8 from the field in the opening quarter but 8 of 16 the rest of the way.

Tim Hardaway Jr. added 15 points for the Mavericks while Kristaps Porzingis and Delon Wright scored 14 each.

Wright added a season-high 12 rebounds.

For Oklahoma City, Dennis Schroder was forced into the starting lineup for the first time this season as Chris Paul missed the game one day after the death of his close friend, Kobe Bryant. Paul and Bryant played on two Olympic teams together. Schroder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander were a combined 11 of 36 from the floor. Schroder led the Thunder with 21 points. (Reuters)

RHTY&SC, Farfan and Mendes Ltd renew cricket sponsorship for 24th year A

s Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) MS, Hilbert Foster on Friday last described the long-term sponsorship of business entity Farfan and Mendes Ltd as one of the main foundations of the RHTY&SC’s success story over the years.

The Farfan and Mendes Limited, located at Providence, East Bank Demerara, has been an official sponsor of Guyana’s most vibrant youth and sports organisation since 1997.

Foster has said that relationship actually started in 1996, when the company, through its then General Manager, June Mendes, donated a grass cutter towards the upkeep of the Area H Ground.

In February 1997, this company became the official sponsor of the RHTY&SC, MS, Under-15 Team, and over the years, the team has won several Berbice Championship matches and produced dozens of Berbice and Guyana under- 15 players.

Among the players produced by the club under sponsorship are Assad Fudadin,

Farfan and Mendes Customer Service Representative Okachi Dennis handing over sponsorship cheque to Marissa Foster of the RHTY&SC

Shemaine Campbelle, Sheneta Grimmond, Shabika Gajnabi, Royston Crandon and Kevlon Anderson, who all went on to play

for the West Indies. Others, who played for Guyana, include Abdel Fudadin, Delbert Hicks, Khemraj Mahadeo, Murphy La Rose,

Dominic Rikhi, Shevon Marks, Shawn Pereira, Naresh Mahadeo, Parmanand Narine, Arif Chan, Junior Sinclair, Sylus Tyndall, Matthew Pottaya, Jonathan Rampersaud, Jeremy Sandia and Mahendra Gopilall.

Foster has hailed the relationship between the club and the company as one that has touched and changed the lives of countless youths in a positive way. He said youths from his small hometown and across Berbice have benefited from the company’s sponsorship and from other forms of support.

The RHT Farfan and Mendes Ltd Under-15 Team has, since 1997, successfully hosted over one thousand self-developmental activities under this sponsorship.

These include: Senior Citizens Breakfast Programme, Say No/ Say Yes Programme, Tribute to Mothers, Tribute to Fathers, Children’s Mash Parade, Tribute to Heroes, Summer Camp, Medical Outreaches, Feeding of the Poor, Construction of Play field, Career Fair, Youth Information Booklet, Posters, Educational Competitions, Youth Inspirational Forum, Tribute to

Teachers, and Top Ten Students’ Awards.

Over the years, the company has also supported the club by sponsoring its annual review magazine, charity programmes, cricket academy, summer camp, and annual Christmas village, among other initiatives. The club’s Asst Secretary/CEO, Simon Naidu, has reassured the company that its support is appreciated, as sponsorship is hard to obtain in Guyana, much less for sponsorship to last for almost a quarter of a century.

Naidu has pledged that under the leadership of Captain Matthew Pottaya, the team would continue to maintain the high standard of the club.

Marketing Executive of the company, Onai Vasconcellous, has said that Farfan and Mendes Ltd is pleased to be associated with the RHTY&SC, MS, and that the club has an excellence record of promoting the company’s brand.

He expressed confidence that the relationship would continue to expand in the future.

The sponsorship for 2020 is worth $250,000.

20

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

Australian Open: Djokovic sets up Federer semi-showdown R

oger Federer defied age and logic once again to save seven match points before beating unseeded American Tennys Sandgren in a sensational Australian Open quarter-final.

The out-of-sorts Swiss fought off form and fitness concerns before winning 6-3 2-6 2-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-3.

World number 100 Sandgren looked set to be the lowest ranked player to reach the Melbourne semifinals since 1991.

But third seed Federer battled to win in three hours and 28 minutes.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who had a medical timeout in the third set for a groin problem, will play Serbia’s Novak Djokovic in the last four after the defending champion beat Canadian 32nd seed Milos Raonic.

Djokovic entered the semi-final against Roger Federer after producing another clinical performance to beat Canadian 32nd seed Milos Raonic.

Djokovic dismantled Raonic’s potent serve to win 6-4 6-3 7-6 (71) despite an eye problem late in the third set.

The Serb second seed, who is aiming for a record-extending eighth title, has lost just one set in Melbourne so far.

Djokovic, 32, will meet Swiss third seed Federer in Thursday’s semi-final.

It is the pair’s first meeting at the Australian Open since Djokovic beat 38-year-old Federer in their 2016 semi-final.

“He is one of the all-time greats and the match-ups against Roger and Rafa have made me the player I am today,” said Djokovic, who has won six of the last nine Australian Open men’s titles and is unbeaten this year.

“I hope I can get just one match point against him. Let the better player win.”

in the previous round, put in an accomplished performance against big-hitting Tunisian.

World number 78 Jabeur, the first Arab woman to reach a Grand Slam quarter-

Barty to meet Kenin in semis Ashleigh Barty became the first Australian woman to reach the semi-finals at her home Grand Slam for 36 years with victory over Petra Kvitova in an absorbing encounter in Melbourne.

The top seed made 2019 runner-up Kvitova pay for a host of missed chances in a 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory at the Australian Open.

French Open champion Barty will face American 14th seed Sofia Kenin next.

Kenin reached her first major semi after a 6-4 6-4 win over Ons Jabeur.

Kenin, who ended American teenager Coco Gauff’s run

Djokovic piled the pressure on Raonic with his athletic return of serves (AFP)

Sofia Kenin has won three WTA titles (Getty Images)

final, showed plenty of fighting spirit and saved five set points in the opening s e t before pushing K e n i n hard in the second, but ultimately paid the price of 36 unforced errors.

Kenin saved three break points at 2-3 in the second set in a near 10-minute game and she said this had been key to the victory.

“After that I got my momentum and started playing better,” the 21-year-old said.

“I’m super excited. It was a tough match.”

The last Australian woman to reach the semi-finals in the singles at Melbourne Park was Wendy Turnbull in 1984, who was the most recent finalist from the home nation in 1980.

(BBC Sport)

Investigators seek answers Inter Milan complete signing of midfielder to chopper from Tottenham crash, 9th I victim identified FBI forensic specialists assist at the site of the crash

I

nvestigators will continue after sunrise Tuesday to sift through the wreckage of Kobe Bryant’s ill-fated helicopter that crashed in California, killing the former NBA star, his daughter and seven others on board, as they try to answer both the why and how of the accident.

An 18-member National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) team, assisted by FBI forensic specialists, began mapping the wreckage site Monday with drone aircraft and examining debris scattered across the hillside where Bryant’s chopper went down on Sunday.

Los Angeles County coroner’s investigators, working alongside aviation NTSB inspectors, said they had recovered the first three bodies collected from the crash site and were searching for more remains.

Officials said that they would be on the scene for about five days collecting perishable evidence and would not draw any conclusions in the near term, also noting that the craft was not equipped with a flight data recorder called a “black box.”

In a sign limited visibility was of particular interest to investigators as reports indicated foggy conditions, NTSB board member Jennifer Homendy ap-

pealed to the public to come forward with any photographs that might help document local weather conditions at the time of the crash.

But Homendy told reporters that weather was just one factor.

“We take a broad look at everything in an investigation - man, machine and the environment. And weather is just a small portion of that,” she said at a late-afternoon news conference in Calabasas, California, about mile from the crash site, roughly 40 miles (65 km) northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Bryant, who won five National Basketball Association championships in his 20 years with the Los Angeles Lakers, was known since his playing days to travel frequently by helicopter to avoid the Los Angeles area’s glacial traffic.

In addition to the charismatic 41-year-old and his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, three other families linked to the Mamba Sports Academy perished on their way to a girls’ basketball tournament: a husband and wife with their 13-year-old daughter; a mother and her 13-year-old daughter; and a basketball coach who was also a mother.

The ninth victim was the pilot, Ara Zobayan, an experienced former flight instructor who was instrument-rated, or

qualified to fly in fog, according multiple media accounts.

The company that owns the chopper, Island Epress Helicopters, said the pilot had more than 10 years- experience and has logged more than 8,000 flight hours.

Witnesses recounted thick fog over the foothills where the helicopter went down. The fog was so bad that both the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department grounded their helicopter fleets, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing officials.

Air traffic controllers gave the pilot “Special Visual Flight Rules,” or clearance to fly in less than optimal weather around the Burbank airport.

A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) official noted a pilot “does not get a general, or blanket, clearance from the FAA to fly in these conditions. A pilot is responsible for determining whether it is safe to fly in current and expected conditions.”

The NBA canceled a game scheduled for Staples Center on Tuesday between the Lakers and their crosstown rivals, the Clippers, as fans mourned.

(Reuters)

nter Milan have completed the signing of Christian Eriksen from Tottenham for a fee of around £16.9m.

The 27-year-old Denmark midfielder has signed a contract until 30 June 2024.

Eriksen told Spurs in the summer he wanted a fresh challenge with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.

After a hoped-for move to Spain failed to materialise, Eriksen began the season with Spurs and played 28 times in all competitions this season.

Inter currently sit second in Serie A, three points behind leaders Juventus.

“I’m very excited and can’t wait to introduce myself to the fans,” Eriksen said. “I’ve already experienced their warmth, it’s been a fantastic welcome.

I feel great.”

“The numbers say that I did really well in England. It’s now time to start a new challenge, I’m really happy to have the opportunity to play in Serie A for a big team.

Inter is a fantastic club.”

Meanwhile, Tottenham have made midfielder Giovani Lo Celso’s loan move from Real Betis permanent, completing a £27.2m transfer. (BBC Sport)

Christian Eriksen

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

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21

Sarwan renews BCB Under-17 tournament sponsorship – donates $100,000 coaching kit

W

hen BCB President Hilbert Foster met with former West Indies ODI legend Ramnaresh Sarwan -- to launch the third edition of the Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 Berbice Cricket Tournament -- at the fitness 53 Gym recently, Foster reminisced on the relationship between the BCB and Sarwan as follows: “You were the first person to call me after my election as President of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in February 2018, and you were the first sponsor to come on board, just two hours after election. My presidency has been very successful because of persons like you, who have invested heavily into our cricket.

Berbice Cricket would forever be grateful to Ramnaresh Sarwan.”

In under one month, the vibrant BCB raised $8M in cash and kind for Berbice Cricket in 2020.

The first edition of the Ramnaresh Sarwan Under-17 Tournament was won by Rose Hall Town Bakewell, while the defending champions and arch rivals Albion Community Centre have clashed in the 2019 finals, which were recently played.

Foster has said that with the Guyana Cricket Board’s InterCounty Under-17 Tournament coming up in the near future, the BCB, being pro-active, would like to start early preparation. The under-17 tournaments normally attract about 20 teams, and involve players born on or after September 1st, 2003.

Among the teams expected to participate in this tourna-

Ramnaresh Sarwan handing over sponsorship cheque to BCB President Hilbert Foster

ment are: Achievers, East Bank Blazers, Paradise, Bush Lot United, Blairmont, Tucber Park, Mt. Sinai, Edinburgh, Rose Hall Canje, Albion, Rose Hall Town Bakewell, Port Mourant and No73.

Players like Leon Cecil, Isai Thorne, Rampertab, Jonathan Rampersaud, Mahendra Gopilall, Jeremy Sandia, Tameshwar Mohabir, Zeynul Ramsammy, Rashaad Gafoor and Salim Khan are expected to play in the 50-over format event.

The teams would be divided into

four zones, with the top two zones advancing to the quarterfinals. Foster has said that the Lewison General Store Under-15 Tournament has already commenced, and another under-15 tournament would start after the national elections in March.

As part of a comprehensive developmental programme, the BCB would also be hosting Under-13, Under-19, Under-21 and Under-23 tournaments in 2020.

Foster reminded clubs that only Berbicians would be allowed to play, while a walkover would be grant-

ed half an hour after the scheduled start of play. Clubs who lose by walkover would be banned from playing at the junior level for the rest of the year. Captains who are not present at the venue fifteen minutes before the start of play would lose their rights to the toss. The BCB would select a 30-man squad, based on performance in the tournament, to participate in several trial matches.

Sarwan has donated a coaching kit worth $100,000 to the BCB as the board strives to develop its coaching department. The donation, Foster stated, would be used by the coaching staff headed by Level Three Coach Winston Smith in the upcoming inter-county tournaments and in the BCB coaching programmes during the year.

One of the BCB’s main objectives is to make sure that every promising talent in Berbice is unearthed and allowed to be fulfilled. Later in the year, the BCB is also expected to receive another coaching set from another former Guyana senior player.

The BCB President has expressed gratitude to Sarwan, and has called on other former cricketers to give back to the game which made them household names.

Sarwan, in brief remarks, said he was very impressed with the BCB under the leadership of Foster. He urged the board to always strive for excellence, and noted that he was satisfied with the hosting of the first two tournaments.

"I’m feeling fast as ever" – former world record holder Powell rejects ‘old guy’ label

F

ormer 100m record holder Asafa Powell has insisted he remains in great shape to compete despite being dismissed as an ‘old guy’ by a competitor at the Boston Indoor Grand Prix on Saturday. In his prime, Powell cast an enviable figure for many sprinters, his picture-perfect running style taking him to a world record time of 9.77 in 2005 and then lowering that mark with a time of 9.74 in 2007. The Jamaican went on to clock the most sub-10 second times for any sprinter with a total of 98.

In recent years, Powell, who has been plagued by injuries, has struggled to reach close to such heights. On Saturday, the sprinter finished in 5th place in the men’s 60m, with a time of 6.71, expectedly well off his best of 6.44. His efforts seemed to do little to impress United States sprinter Demek Kemp. The 23-year-old South Carolina representative took the event in a personal best time of 6.50. “Feels great,” Kemp said of the run. “I had some good competition.

Glad to have a personal record,” he added. He clearly did not feel Powell was among them, however. “He’s an old guy,” Kemp said when asked about competing against the Jamaican.

For his part, Powell, who insisted the run was about testing his legs, however, claims he is feeling as good as ever and is confident he should still be competing.

“I am still feeling very strong, still feeling as fast as I did years ago,” Powell told Track Alerts.

“With the entire Jamaica is motivating me, and with that kind of support, it’s hard to give up,” he added.

(Sportsmax)

Asafa Powell

South Africa docked 6 WTC points, fined 60% match fees for slow over rate

GUYANA TIMES

S

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Circulation Department on

Phone: 223-7230 EXT: 55 Faf du Plessis talks with Umpire Joel Wilson (Getty Images)

outh Africa have become the first team to be docked World Test Championship (WTC) points for a slow over rate after were fined 60% of their match fee after falling short of their target in the fourth Test of their series against England at the Wanderers.

After leaving frontline spinner Keshav Maharaj out of their side, South Africa did not bowl a single over of spin in the Test, leaving them three overs short after time allowances were

taken into consideration.

In line with Article 2.22 of the ICC’s code of conduct, players are fined 20% of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the time allocated to them, and in accordance with Article 16.11.2 of the WTC’s playing conditions, a side is penalised two points for every over they are short.

Faf du Plessis, South Africa’s captain, pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing following the levelling of the charge by the match officials.

South Africa sit seventh out of nine teams in the inaugural WTC, with 24 points after seven matches. (ESPNcricinfo)

22

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s 50th Republic Jubilee celebrations…

Relay Festival added to calendar of activities T

he celebrations for Guyana’s 50th Republican Anniversary will have the added flare of sporting activities, as the 50th Jubilee Relay Festival was launched on Tuesday morning at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s Main Street office.

With Guyana’s 50th Republic Anniversary being fully prepared for, the Ministry of Social Cohesion and the body whose job it is to coordinate the celebration for the upcoming Republic milestone have thought it fitting to include sports in the calendar of activities. That is how the idea of a track event was birthed.

Festival Committee Director Stanley Lancaster, sharing the committee’s rationale for venturing into the track-and-field realm, said: “The events that have been planned for the 50th Anniversary of the Republic are many. I think we have in excess of 50 events that are going to celebrate this occasion, but we did think that all aspects of our culture and our life should be celebrated, and as such, sport plays an integral role,” Lancaster disclosed.

“What is critical about the sporting aspect is that it speaks to a healthy nation and it speaks

Events Director Mark Scott

to a nation who is physically capable of dealing with building where we are going as a country. So we want healthy Guyanese, and sport speaks clearly to this aspect of ourselves,” the renowned broadcaster went on to say.

The highly-anticipated relay event, which will be hosted at the Leonora Track and Field facility on the West Coast of Demerara on February 16, will cater to athletes of all ages in three categories, namely: Open, Under-20, and Under-16.

Some of the events that would be featured in the relay festival are 4x100M, 4x200M, 2400M medleys, 1500M medleys, 800M medley and 4x4 mixed relays. No field events will be contested at the event.

According to events Director Mark Scott, invitations to athletes in Regions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 10, and to all clubs affiliated with the Athletics Association of Guyana, have already been sent out, with entries expected to close on Friday, February 7, at 4pm.

Scot also disclosed the variety

P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants to open GSSF shooting calendar

L

ocal sport shooters will be given opportunity to participate in a match sponsored annually

by P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited.

That match has, for the fifth consecutive year, marked the start of the year’s shooting calendar for matches hosted by the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF).

Chairman of the Steel Challenge Shooting Committee, Dr Pravesh Harry, noted that shooters will be competing under two divisions: Production and Limited. The match will consist of four stages, with each stage being contested five times. Times would be recorded, and the worst time discarded, leaving the shooter with four recorded times, the total of which is their score for the stage.

At the end of the match, the scores would be tallied, and prizes would be awarded for the top three performers in each division.

Dr Harry has already met with representatives of P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited for the handover of sponsorship funds.

The GSSF would like to thank P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Limited for their continued support and dedication to the shooting sport.

At the handing over ceremony for the sponsorship

Jaya Panday, Senior Representative of P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd, handing over sponsorship funds to GSSF Director Dr Pravesh Harry

funds, held at P&P Insurance Brokers and Consultants Ltd.’s office located at Lots 272-273 Lamaha Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown, Dr Harry, in accepting the kind sponsorship, conveyed thanks to the Executive Director of P&P, Vikash Panday.

The Foundation would again like to express its

gratitude to Chief Executive Officer Bishwa Panday and P&P Insurance, who unhesitatingly came on board to support the sport shooting fraternity.

For more information on the GSSF, interested persons are invited to visit www.guyanasportshooting. com.

of prizes that will be up for grabs, and shared how the 50th Jubilee will tie in with them.

“For the senior category, they will be receiving cash prizes of $35,000, $25,000 and $15,000 as first, second and third place. For the Under-20 and Under-16, they will be receiving medals -- a special medal being made with the Golden Jubilee logo on it,” Scott revealed.

Speaking on the AAG’s behalf, First Vice-President Sheryl Hermonstine assured that the meet will be conducted in accordance with the World Athletics guidelines, and the highest standards would apply.

“The birth of this event took place at the National Schools Athletics Championships between the Minister, the Guyana OverseasBased Sports Association Inc (GOBSA), and the AAG President.

However, I want to assure you that the Athletics Association will ensure that this event is run under the guidelines of the IAAF (World Athletics), and that all the officials will be certified and ready for the event,” Hermonstine informed.

Complete list of events:

Open

Male 4X100M 4X200M 2400M medley Female 4X100M 4X200M 800M Medley

4X400M (Mixed) Under-20 Male 4X100M 4X200M 1500M Medley Female 4X100M 4X200M 800M Medley 4X400M Medley Under-16 Male 4X100M 4X200M 1500M Medley Female 4X100M 4X200M 800M Medley

Pollard joins Northamptonshire for Vitality Blast K

ieron Pollard will join Northamptonshire for the middle stages of the 2020 Vitality Blast.

Allrounder Pollard, who was named West Indies white-ball captain in September, has played 499 T20s, more than any other player.

Pollard will join the squad for eight games, beginning with the Steelbacks’ first home fixture on June 5 against Durham, subject to approval from his home board.

He will then lead West Indies in their bid to defend the World T20 title in October.

“Now, visa criteria permitting, I see this as a wonderful opportunity to be back in England again playing in the action-packed Vitality Blast tournament,” Pollard said. “I want to thank Northants for welcoming me to their group of exciting players. I know they have some amazing fans and I look forward to entertaining them and bringing more success to the club.

“Of course as captain of the West Indies team and defending champions I have one eye on the ICC T20 World Cup later this year in Australia, but I can assure you my focus will be 100 percent on winning games for Northants when I arrive in June.” Pollard is poised to become the second player behind Gayle to score 10,000 T20 runs with 9,966 at an average of 30.85 and with a strike rate of 150.40.

With a highest score of 104 and 49 half-centuries, Pollard adds genuine firepower to the Steelbacks’ middle order. Steelbacks captain Josh Cobb was looking forward to welcoming Pollard to The County Ground.

“His stats are unbelievable,” Cobb said. “We’ve actually won a trophy together before at the Dhaka Gladiators, though I’m not sure he’ll remember that, so hopefully we can get another one together this year in the Blast.” Cobb said.

The Steelbacks are Pollard’s 30th professional club and his first return to English domestic cricket since 2010, when he helped Somerset reach the T20 final. (ESPNcricinfo)

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

23

BCB strikes $500K sponsorship deal with Trophy Stall

“O

ver the last two years, we have done the impossible in Berbice Cricket. From taking over a board with almost no funds, no developmental programme, no proper tournament being played, and morale at the lowest level, we have witnessed the transformation of Berbice Cricket to one of its highest levels ever.

“We have raised close to $30M in cash and kind in sponsorship, organised over 60 tournaments at all levels, hosted dozens of developmental programmes, and returned morale to the cricketing network.

“Our success has been based on a simple formula of sheer hard work, forward and visionary planning, (and) a policy to make everyone feel part of the system.

“Your support via this historic sponsorship package would assist us to take our cricket to an unmatched level. Thank you for being a real friend of Berbice Cricket.” those were the words of BCB President Hilbert Foster at a special launching of a $500,000 sponsorship deal with Managing Director of the Trophy Stall, Ramesh Sunich.

Under this historic sponsorship deal, Trophy Stall would provide trophies for

As BCB boss, Foster has said the board is looking at avenues to cut back on administrative costs, and areas such as meals and refreshments for finals, internet, transportation and stationery have been targeted.

Sponsorship for these areas is currently being sought, so that more funding can be placed into developmental programmes.

Since the election of Keith Foster in 2008, the BCB have not received a single cent from the Guyana Cricket Board for subventions, and have had to raise all of their funding. But despite this setback, Foster has said, the BCB have gone on to become the most vibrant board in the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, Sunich handed over $400,000 worth of cricket balls to the BCB on behalf of a medical doctor who is an overseas-based Berbician. The balls would be shared out to clubs participating in the ongoing BCB Under-15 tournament and to members of the board.

Foster has made it quite clear that only clubs which have junior teams would receive assistance from the BCB and his club, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, in 2020.

Two boxes of balls would be given to each of 14 clubs that have junior teams, while the member clubs of the BCB that do not have a junior selection committee would each receive one box

of balls.

Foster expressed gratitude to Sunich for his support, and explained that under the sponsorship, all Berbice junior inter county teams would be named after the Trophy Stall, while the business entity would be promoted at all BCB matches.

Sunich, in brief remarks, congratulated the BCB on their works, and said he was delighted to support the development of Berbice Cricket. Trophy Stall, the popular businessman noted, is fully committed to the development of sports, as it is a safe avenue for youths to stay away from social ills, such as drugs and crime.

ICC U-19 World Cup tournament in South Africa…

BCB President Hilbert Foster and Trophy Stall Managing Director Ramesh Sunich, launching the historic sponsorship

twenty different tournaments during 2020. The trophies would be for the manof-the-finals, runner-up team, and winner.

Foster disclosed that, over the last two years, the BCB have used over $600,000 on trophies, and

this large amount of funds could have been used for developmental youth programmes. With Sunich’s assistance, the BCB would, in 2020, have more funding for their countywide coaching programme and for preparation of inter-county teams.

Tucber Park celebrating a wicket against Blairmont in the earlier rounds

BCB Banks Beer 2-Day semis postponed T

he Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Banks Beer 2-Day cricket matches that were slated for this weekend have been postponed to the following weekend, due to the Banks DIH shareholders’ meeting.

Two semifinal clashes were set for this weekend: Albion and Tucber Park were set to meet at Albion, while Young Warriors were slated to host Rose Hall Town.

On a BCB post yesterday, information was publicised that the sponsor has requested that the matches be postponed due to the shareholders’ meeting this weekend in New Amsterdam.

With Guyana Jaguars players currently on break, this weekend’s matches were expected to feature some of the biggest names, with Albion having the services of Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie and Jonathan Foo, among others; while Tucber Park would have had the ser-

vices of Romario Shepherd and Nial Smith, being the big names that were prepared to visit Albion.

And if the matches were bowled off this weekend, Rose Hall Town would have had the services of Kevin Sinclair, the Guyana Jaguars prodigy and West Indies Emerging Player; and Young Warriors would have had West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer, who was also available for this weekend’s clash.

With the semifinals set to be played the following weekend, on February 8-9, most of these star players would be unavailable, engaged in duty for the Guyana Jaguars or West Indies.

Reflecting on the third-round fixtures: Albion, which played to a draw against Rose Hall Town, lost first innings points.

Young Warriors and Tucber Park gained first innings points in their respective matches played against West Berbice and Blairmont.

West Indies aiming to extend unbeaten run in today’s quarter-final match

W

est Indies and New Zealand are latter is currently the West Indies leading scheduled to lock horns today from run scorer in the tournament with 129 runs 4:00h in their quarter-final match- at a strike rate of 110.25. Anderson is one up of the ICC U-19 World Cup tournament run behind.

The West Indies are the only team to at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, South have more than one batsman score over 100 Africa.

The West Indies Under-19 team have runs in the tournament.

The West Indies innings of the tournaplayed undefeated in their group, and proceed to the quarter-finals after wins against ment so far goes to Anderson, for his unEngland, Australia, and most recently beaten knock of 86 against England in Nigeria; but they have had a lengthy lay off. Kimberley. Anderson showed a clear affinThe young Windies players have so far ity for scoring in front of square on the legimpressed in their campaign, showing great side, making 60.3% of his runs through this skill and maturity, as well as demonstrating zone.

He favoured attacking the quicker bowlraw talent and brutal power. Quick bowler Jayden Seales and seam- ers, scoring 56 runs from the 56 pace deing all-rounder Nyeem Young liveries he faced, and was deadly when have particularly the England seamers missed their yorkimpressed with ers, scoring 20 runs from the 8 deliveries he t h e ball during faced that were slightly short or full of their the tournament, hav- intended target. His was an innings that ing taken eight and six showed excellent maturity and control, with only 14.8% false shots played. wickets respecAfter sealing tively. an unbeatSeales has bowled with exen group stage cellent pace throughout the tournament, often reaching with the late 130s a on the speed gun.

His blinding speed mamAshmead Nedd moth has often been far too much 246-run for the young batsman to handle, win over Kenya, and has drawn the highest percentage of false shots from seamwhich was the ers bowling a minimum of 100 twelfth biggest deballs in the competition. feat in U19 World The West Indies have also Cup history, the Windies will be scored heavily with the bat, toextremely contalling 649 runs from their three fident going matches, the most of any team into the to complete their three allotted group games so far. They score knocko u t just below 31 runs per wicket, the third highest average in the tournament, currently behind India and Afghanistan. stagOut of the eleven players es of to have scored 100 runs or t h e more in this tournament, competition, three are West Indian: where they will face a tough test against New Captain Kimani Melius, Kevlon Anderson Zealand.

Kevlon Anderson and Nyeem Young, while the

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 2020

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

guyanatimesgy.com

ICC U-19 World Cup tournament in South Africa…

Page 23

West Indies aiming to extend unbeaten run in today’s quarter-final match RHTY&SC, Farfan and Mendes Ltd renew cricket sponsorship for 24th year

Guyana’s 50th Republic Jubilee celebrations…

Relay Festival added to calendar of activities

Page 22 Page 19

Events Director Mark Scott, AAG VP Sheryl Hermonstine, Festival Director Stanley Lancaster, Festival Administrator Desiree Wyles-Ogle and Director of Culture Tamika Boatswain take a photo opportunity following the event’s launch

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