Guyana Times Wednesday May 1, 2019

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

Issue No. 3910

THE BEACON OF TRUTH wednesday, MAY 1, 2019

PRICE

Labour Day 2019

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Workers’ struggle for rights being reversed under coalition Govt – PPP

Indiscipline will not be P11 tolerated – Top Cop warns …as Police Force gets 151 new ranks

3 ‘persons of interest’ being P7 sought in O’Toole shooting

Page 7

…Police analysing new piece of evidence

Bandit shot dead after robbing foreigner Page 8

MMA orders Berbice farmers off lands Page 9

CCAC to P14 crack down on businesses not issuing receipts Harmon P11 appointed Director General of Ministry of the Presidency

...reassigns pastures to Govt supporters – source

Venezuela’s Opposition Promise of stable electricity Leader calls on military to help oust Maduro for Essequibo Coast short-lived Page 10

Page 4

…Region without electricity days after $1.8B power plant commissioned

Bandits hijack cricket club VP’s car Page 7

Father begs for help after daughter left incapacitated

…says hospital staff P16 responsible of child’s injuries

2

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

news

3

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, May 1 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Thursday, May 2 – a night retraction at 03:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Wednesday, May 1 – 13:20h-14:50h and Thursday, May 2 – 14:05h-15:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Labour Day 2019

Workers’ struggle for rights being reversed under coalition Govt – PPP …President says workers’ rights “improving”

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

WEATHER TODAY Light rain showers in the morning are expected to give way to thundery showers in the midday, as light cloudy skies can be expected in the afternoon. Light to thundery rain showers can be expected in the evening, with overall temperatures ranging between 23 degrees Celsius and 30 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 4.91 metres.

High Tide: 14:40h reaching a maximum height of 2.40 metres.

Low Tide: 08:15h and 20:33h reaching minimum heights of 0.85 and 0.77 metres.

Tuesday, april 30, 2019

LOTTERY NUMBERS L

01 04 13

16 24 26

FREE TICKET

27 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

01 06 08 18 24 LUCKY 3

8

6

4

1

Afternoon Draw

6

8

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

01

06

07

11

PAY DAY

01 03 06 08 10

14

17

19 SUPER PAY DAY

01 02 05 17 18

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

O

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

n the occasion of Labour Day 2019, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) while extending best wishes, also took the Government to task for its track record towards workers, particularly the thousands of sugar workers put out of work after the closure of the sugar estates.

The Party hailed the contributions and effort workers put into improving their conditions in its press statement, but noted that workers are now in trying times made all the more difficult due to declining sectors.

Apart from the sugar industry, the PPP pointed to the mining sector, where it noted that small and medium-scale miners are being forced to leave their profession due to taxes. The Party noted that this, together with several other factors, has increased the cost of production.

In terms of the rice sector, the PPP noted that this has also declined due to the absence of new markets and lack of competitive prices for paddy. The Party also noted that the forestry and commercial sectors have also suffered a decline.

“We in the PPP are aware that the economic and political situation in our country is a matter of deep concern and worry to workers and their families. Workers from every sector and people from all walks of life are appre-

hensive, not only about their daily existence but more importantly, about their future, their children’s future and the future of our country.”

“Politically, workers are operating in an environment where discrimination is rampant; their rights and freedoms are being trampled upon; the rule of law is under siege and where political witch-hunting and persecution have become institutionalised policies of the Government of the day.

We believe that these fears and apprehensions are well founded.”

The Party noted that on this significant day, workers have a chance to rally in solidarity with each other and to further highlight their invaluable contributions towards the development of Guyana.

According to the PPP, workers have scored innumerable victories and radically transformed their working conditions from

President David Granger

slavery, indentureship, colonial times to present day.

The struggle, the party noted, was long and hard.

“However, in spite of these challenges the PPP is confident in the workers’ ability to overcome while recognising their diligence and daily sacrifices and will continue to stand in solidarity with them while robustly and fearlessly representing their cause,” the Party stated.

Better life

In his Labour Day message, however, President David Granger insisted that workers receive a better life under his Government. Here he pointed to minimum wage increases to $64,200 since taking office in 2015.

“Workers, today, are much better off as a result of the sacrifices of their forebears. Legislation, organisations, institutions and services now ensure workers’ rights ? including gender equality and retirement

benefits. Improved access to education, health, housing, social protection and public utilities has transformed workers’ lives.”

“The labour movement is urged to continue to work with the Government, Private Sector and civil society to support efforts to generate employment, including self-employment, especially for women and young people.”

According to Granger, Labour Day celebrates the achievements of the working people, recalls their sacrifices and struggles for freedom, food and fair employment. He noted that it is also meant to salute trade unions and their stewardship for the workers’ well-being.

“Your Government remains a friend of workers and of the labour movement. It supports, always, the trade unions’ struggle for a good life for everyone,” the President stated in his Labour Day message.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019

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

Labour Day and unemployment

T

oday is “Labour Day” – a special public holiday set aside for the workers of Guyana to reflect on their condition and to bring their concerns to the rest of the populace.

The observance of Labour Day 2019 comes at a time when thousands of persons are unemployed in Guyana.

Since May 2015 when the current Administration took office, 2000 Indigenous persons and a large number of qualified public servants and contract workers were relieved of their jobs almost immediately after that election.

Thousands of sugar workers were left jobless when the Government, without any form of social impact assessment, closed some sugar estates under the pretext they were not viable. In doing so, it contradicted its own study giving credence to the belief that its action to close the estates was politically motivated. The present Government campaigned on the promise that it would provide thousands of jobs for citizens, but so far, hardly any tangible effort was made in this regard. And in fact with the dismissals, it is the opposite.

At present, the youth unemployment rate in Guyana is a stunning 40 per cent.

Political leaders around the world have been encouraging young people to play an integral role in the development of their communities and countries by getting actively involved in the decision-making processes of their societies.

They have posited, time and time again, that “young people are tomorrow’s leaders” as they underscored the importance of equipping youths with the requisite skills, knowledge, and resources that are necessary to make a positive impact on the world.

This has resulted in some experienced and genuine politicians lobbying within the executive and legislative branches of their respective Governments for larger investments to be channelled towards education, as a sector, and youth development. There has also been a dedicated campaign on the part of some modern-minded politicians aimed at fighting for youths to be included as a serious and permanent partner in the democratic structure and decision-making inner group of Governments and leading national policy-making bodies around the world.

In Guyana, youths aspire to achieve ownership of their own homes; an education on which they could secure opportunities to various career paths in order for them to make their mark and change the world in which they reside; and a family that could thrive and lead a good life.

However, with many youths left unemployed, it can be felt that young people are not treated with the respect they deserve. If they are seriously the leaders of tomorrow, then the present crop of today’s politicians need to give way so that they can directly impact tomorrow’s policies.

That said, unemployment and poverty are two of the main challenges that countries, both developed and developing, are faced with at present. Unemployment leads to financial crises and reduces the overall purchasing capacity of a nation. This in turn results in persons getting in the bracket of poverty followed by increasing burden of debt.

The Government has not offered any practical solution to create jobs to help mitigate the challenges faced by the unemployed young people. It keeps peddling its uninspiring “plantain chips” and “cook-up rice” policy, which some have deemed laughable and which clearly demonstrates a dearth of economic ideas to advance the country and improved the lives of its people.

Today, the trade unions that represent the interests of labour will be marching in the streets to show their solidarity; they should show solidarity for the thousands who are unemployed.

The Government must act more swiftly to save our youths from a life of crime and criminality, poverty, and social stagnation which unemployment brings.

A train makes its way through rapeseed fields in Lemmie, Germany (VOA photo)

Venezuela’s Opposition Leader calls on military to help oust Maduro V enezuelan Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó on Tuesday made his strongest call yet to the military to help him oust President Nicolás Maduro, although there was little sign of defection from the armed forces leadership and isolated clashes fizzled out.

Several dozen armed troops accompanying Guaidó clashed with soldiers supporting Maduro at a rally in Caracas early on Tuesday, while large anti-government protests in the streets turned violent.

But an uneasy peace had returned by Tuesday afternoon and there did not appear to be signs of an immediate attempt by the Opposition to take power through military force.

Officials from US President Donald Trump’s Administration said three top Maduro loyalists had apparently been in talks with the opposition and indicated they would support a peaceful transition of power.

“They negotiated for a long time on the means of restoring democracy but it seems that today they are not going forward,” said US envoy for Venezuela Elliott Abrams, while US national security adviser John Bolton said: “All agreed that Maduro had to go.” Neither provided evidence.

They named the three as Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino, Supreme Court chief judge Maikel Moreno and presidential guard commander Ivan Rafael Hernandez Dala.

Venezuela’s UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada rejected Bolton’s remarks as “propaganda.”

Earlier on Tuesday, Padrino said in a broadcast, flanked by uniformed men, that the armed forces would continue to defend the constitution and “legitimate authorities” and that military bases were operating as normal.

Moreno issued a call for calm on Twitter.

Guaidó, in Twitter posts, wrote that he had begun the “final phase” of his campaign

A Venezuelan National Guard (GNB) vehicle ploughs into Opposition demonstrators in Caracas, Venezuela in this still image taken from a video footage April 30, 2019

to topple Maduro, calling on Venezuelans and the armed forces to back him ahead of May Day mass street protests planned for Wednesday.

“The moment is now!” he wrote. “The future is ours: the people and Armed Forces united.”

National Assembly leader Guaidó invoked the Constitution to assume an interim presidency in January, arguing that Maduro’s re-election in 2018 was illegitimate.

But Maduro has held on, despite economic chaos, most Western countries backing Guaidó, increased US sanctions, and huge protests by Venezuela’s Opposition.

Tuesday’s move was Guaidó’s boldest effort yet to persuade the military to rise up against Maduro. If it fails, it could be seen as evidence that he lacks sufficient support. It might also encourage the authorities, who have already stripped him of parliamentary immunity and opened multiple investigations into him, to arrest him.

Tens of thousands of people marched in Caracas in support of Guaidó on Tuesday, clashing with riot police along the main Francisco Fajardo thoroughfare. A National Guard armored car slammed into protesters who were throwing stones and hitting the vehicle.

Thirty-six people were injured in the incidents, most of them hit with pellets or rub-

ber bullets, said Doctor Maggi Santi of the Salud Chacao health center in eastern Caracas.

Maduro, a former bus driver who took office after the death of political mentor President Hugo Chávez in 2013, said he had spoken with military leaders and that they had shown him “their total loyalty.”

“Nerves of steel!” Maduro wrote on Twitter. “I call for maximum popular mobilisation to assure the victory of peace. We will win!”

Oil prices topped $73 before easing, partly driven higher by the uncertainty in Venezuela, an OPEC member whose oil exports have been hit by the U.S. sanctions and an economic crisis.

Guaidó, in a video on his Twitter account, was accompanied by men in military uniform and leading opposition politician Leopoldo Lopez, a surprise public appearance for a man who has been under house arrest since 2017.

US role Venezuela is mired in a deep economic crisis despite its vast oil reserves. Shortages of food and medicine have prompted more than 3 million Venezuelans to emigrate in recent years.

The slump has worsened this year with large areas of territory left in the dark for days at a time by power outages.

“My mother doesn’t have medicine, my economic situation is terrible, my family has had to emigrate. We don’t earn enough money. We have no security. But we are hopeful, and I think that this is the beginning of the end of this regime,” said Jose Madera, 42, a mechanic, sitting atop his motorbike in a protest on Tuesday.

The White House declined to comment on whether Washington had been consulted or had advance knowledge of what Guaidó was planning.

Accusations flew back and forth, with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza saying the events had been “directly planned” in Washington and Bolton saying that fears of Cuban retaliation had propped up Maduro.

Carlos Vecchio, Guaidó’s envoy to the United States, told reporters in Washington that the Trump administration did not help coordinate Tuesday’s events.

“No. This is a movement led by Venezuelans,” he said.

Brazil’s right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro threw his support behind Guaidó’s push and said Venezuelans were “enslaved by a dictator.” But his security adviser, a retired General, said Guaidó’s support among the military appeared to be “weak.”

Maduro’s foreign allies include Russia, China and Cuba.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday accused the Venezuelan Opposition of resorting to violence in what it said was a brazen attempt to draw the country’s armed forces into clashes. Turkey also criticised the Opposition.

The United Nations and other countries urged a peaceful solution and dialogue.

Germany’s foreign minister, Heiko Maas, speaking in Brazil, said: “What we don’t want is a military escalation, but rather a political solution.”

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland said she had requested an emergency video conference meeting of the Lima Group regional bloc later on Tuesday to discuss the events.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019

5

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

The decision to honour Kadir was no mistake Dear Editor, There is total public outrage on the recent honouring of convicted terrorist Abdul Kadir by the PNC Government. Chief among those who have expressed their amazement and indignation is the USA through its embassy here in Guyana. The move to honour a terrorist who clearly plotted to commit mass terrorism in their country certainly brought stern rebuke by the superpower.

However, it must be noted that even amidst their re-

buke, the USA has given recognition to the following commendable acts by the PNC regime.

Those commendable acts as stated by the US Embassy are: “Guyana is a model to the world on religious tolerance and understanding.” These words of commendation were made at an international forum.

Further, the US Embassy’s statement affirms the fact that “The Guyana Government has shown security cooperation with the US Government in its ex-

tradition of an alleged murderer.”

So, the question any sane person would ask is, why would the PNC-led coalition Government want to change the time honoured good relations with the US, why would they want to upset the US in this wild, reckless move to acclaim a terrorist? Well, the answer is ever so clear. Now, here is the answer to my question.

Pursuant to the US making such sweet words of the PNC, they have also made statements to the effect “All

parties in Guyana must abide by the Constitution.”

The US has also made statements that “there should be free and fair elections in Guyana”. And here is where the rubber hits the road, these statements made by the US do not sit well with the PNC. Whenever you speak of “respect for the Constitution” or the conduct of “free and fair elections,” you have automatically hit a raw nerve on the PNC’s side and this is the real reason for their reaction by honouring

Kadir.

The PNC, in a cold, heartless and calculated response to the USA’s what they would call, “interference in their domestic affairs,” plotted this response.

The decision to honour a convicted terrorist was not spontaneous nor was it a mistake, it was a clear cut attack on the USA sending that message that you need to butt out of Guyana whenever we are in charge.

The PNC is on a course to rig the next election and they are of the firm resolve

that the USA should have no oversight of things here while they conduct that nefarious scheme of theirs.

The real reason is as clear as day. Why they would want to sully the good relations they have had with the USA at this time? By their latest actions, they are sending a clear and decisive message to the superpower as to what they want to achieve in this country.

Respectfully, Neil Adams

Has the evidence already been burnt?

Dear Editor, Former Minister and now former MP, Dr Rupert Roopnarine, in a National Assembly sitting of December 8, 2016, said in a statement that he was asked by Granger “to sit as a Director on the Board of the Homestretch Development Inc (HDI)”.

Mind you, HDI is a private company. Therefore, it is most intriguing as to the source of authority to substantiate why a public official was asked to sit on a private Board by his public service boss. Who are the shareholders of HDI? Can the Guyanese people now understand why we must take every word of Granger with a grain of salt since it is populated with much half-tongue and half-truths? As is evidential today, there is a crisis of credibility in team Granger on many fronts. I seek to support my conclusion with hard evidence.

In November 2016,

Granger made a public statement about this company (HDI) by saying that “there is nothing secretive or criminal about this company” and that his Government will be very forthcoming with information on this company. Compare his words to the 2017 Auditor General Report and you, Editor, be the judge.

This is what the national audit team had to say and I quote: “Payment vouchers to support expenditure totalling $107,119,000 ($107 million) were not produced for audit examination. As such, the completeness, accuracy, and validity of this amount could not be determined.”

The 2017 AG Report further stated “In addition, the amount of $500 million was paid to HDI in 2017 by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to enable HDI to meet its obligation to its creditors. However,

there was no documentation attached to the payment vouchers to indicate the works done, supervisory checks carried out on the works, as well as certification that the works were satisfactorily completed.

In the circumstances, the correctness, accuracy, and validity of the payments made could not be determined.” (Source 2017 AG Report) I do not know the source of Granger’s ethics training, but clearly one can conclude that there are some serious holes in his statements. What is absolutely clear is that there is no commitment on the part of his team to the concept of transparent and accountable for their actions while in public office. This is just one of the many examples where members of team Granger operated under the misconception that they have a transport over all of Guyana and its resources and are not ac-

countable to the people of the land.

As a member of the rational world who has direct training in internal control systems, it behoves me to outline the basic minimum principles that must be followed when payments are made for services rendered.

Before any bills/invoices are paid, we must verify if the goods or services were legitimately received. Can Granger, as the CEO, or this team or any of his officers, say if $500 million of goods and services supposedly provided by HDI were legitimately received? Who is hiding this evidence from the Auditor General? Has the evidence already been burnt?

It is basic common sense that before any vendor’s (in this case HDI) payment request is entered in the system, three fundamental questions should be asked by the accounting officer?

1.

Can we satisfactorily say what is being paid

PNC cannot change its stripes Dear Editor, There is no doubt that after December 21, 2018, the coalition Government continues not only to expose its incompetence, resulting in untold misery and hardship for all Guyanese, especially the poor and underprivileged. As the cost of living continues to spiral uncontrollably, with the ranks of the unemployed continuing to expand the corruption, scandals and the good life for the Government Ministers and officials continue to assault and shock the nation. Unfortunately, this was not enough for the Government, they had to continue the blatant violation of our Constitution to the point of desecrating the sanctity of the National Assembly by honouring and paying tribute to a convicted terrorist.

It is no surprise that the PNC component of the coalition would honour a convicted terrorist since it is a party which had perpetuated domestic terrorism against its opponents during its 28 years of dictatorship rule.

The House of Israel, led by Rabbi Washington creat-

ed fear, mayhem and death during its reign of terror and had the full blessings of the PNC. I cannot erase the memory of Father Darke being stabbed to death openly in public. Moreover, the bomb blast which killed the founder and leader of the WPA, Dr Walter Rodney, is a stark reminder of the terror which stalked the land under the PNC. It was also no surprise when the PNC honoured the notorious criminal, Linden “Blackie” London, by draping his coffin with Guyana’s national Flag, the Golden Arrowhead.

The honouring of a convicted terrorist within Parliament, the supreme law-making body of this country leaves no doubt that the coalition Government does not have an iota of respect for the people of this country. This boldness leaves no doubt that we are heading for an even worse period in the history of our country.

The silence of the WPA and the AFC bears testimony of the arrival of an even worse dictatorship than what we experienced under Forbes Burnham. I cannot fathom the depths to which

these parties have fallen.

The WPA’s founder was assassinated by an act of terrorism by the same PNC to which they are now paying homage to. Where is the independent voice of the WPA? Was Moses Nagamootoo not a victim of the PNC’s acts of terrorism? I could recall him reliving his experiences when he had to run and hide to save his life! But now the sirens have had an amnesic effect. Why is the Minister of Public Security silent on the honouring of this convicted terrorist? Was Abdul Kadir another ‘freedom fighter’ in the long line of PNC ‘freedom fighters’ such as Blackie and Fine Man? I will not be surprised if one day these are honoured in Parliament by the PNC! It leaves no doubt that there is only one party in the coalition – the People’s National Congress!

Lastly, as expected, the coalition Government is now professing itself as the only competent authority to interpret anything, be it the Constitution or be it what it says in plain simple English.

The US Government is now accused of “misinterpret-

ing” the motion passed in Parliament to not “honour” but to “recognise Kadir’s services as a parliamentarian and not as a convicted terrorist”. This would seem to suggest that Kadir as a PNC Parliamentarian is different from Kadir, the convicted terrorist. When a man is convicted of terrorism his ‘service’ as a parliamentarian takes the back seat! He cannot be honoured. Playing with words will not erase the damage done. It is a direct affront to the memories of those thousands of people who have died at the hands of terrorists. How many more would have died had the plot to blow up JFK Airport been successful?

Why was the PNC silent when he was convicted?

They should have defended him then. But it would not have served their purpose at that time! They needed the USA support when in opposition.

Simply put, the PNC cannot change its stripes.

Old habits die hard!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

for?

2. Can we easily identify what was received?

3.

Were the proper computations made on the invoices?

So before a payment is made, you should, at minimum, have a requisition, purchase order, certificate estimating the value of the work completed signed by a competent engineer and countersigned by the independent engineering supervisor. Did the accounting officer of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure follow all steps in ensuring that the payment is valid, complete and accurate?

The Audit Office wrote the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Kenneth Jordan on July 19, 2018, (who is the accounting officer), requesting documentation detailing the works done, supervisory checks of the said works, as well as certification that works were satisfactorily com-

pleted but got a vague response that the Ministry was not involved in the operations of HDI; hence, it did not have any information detailing supervisory checks or their methodology of determining that works were satisfactorily completed. So why did the Ministry make the payment if it cannot verify the work completed?

Upon whose instructions was $500 million paid?

As of the date of this letter, I was advised that no further documentation was provided to the Auditor General by Kenneth Jordan on this matter and thus, I encourage the Audit Office to ensure that they pursue this matter diligently and ensure that it is included as a special investigation in the 2018 Audit Report.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

6

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

A message from the PPP on the occasion of Labour Day 2019

O

n the occasion of International Workers’ Day or Labour Day, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) takes this opportunity to extend best wishes to all workers throughout our dear nation.

This significant day, which celebrates the important resource of human labour, allows for workers to rally in solidarity with

each other and to further highlight their invaluable contributions towards the development of Guyana.

From slavery, indentureship, colonial times to present day, workers have scored innumerable victories and have radically transformed their working conditions. The struggle to accomplish these feats was long and hard. Many were brutalised; many were jailed and many paid the ultimate price with their lives.

These victories must be celebrated, sacrifices respected and lives never forgotten. However, many of the gains won by these workers are now being threatened and much

of the progress made are being reversed under this APNU/AFC coalition Administration.

We in the PPP are aware that the economic and political situation in our country is a matter of deep concern and worry to workers and their families. Workers from every sector and people from all walks of life are apprehensive, not only about their daily existence but more importantly, about their future, their children’s future and the future of our country.

We believe that these fears and apprehensions are well founded.

Every productive sector is on the decline; in the sugar industry, estates have been closed and

thousands of workers were dismissed; in the mining sector, small and medium scale miners are being taxed out of existence, which together with several other factors have skyrocketed the cost of production, thereby forcing them out of existence; the rice sector has suffered a tremendous decline owing to the absence of new markets, lack of competitive prices for paddy and many other factors; the forestry sector has also suffered a deep decline; in the commercial sector, there is a drastic decline in trade and commerce. And we can go on.

The party is also mindful of the devastating impact which the

draconian tax regime, imposed by this APNU/AFC coalition Administration, is having on the working and vulnerable people of our country. We recognise that VAT on electricity, water, health services and basic food items are simply wreaking havoc on families across this land.

Politically, workers are operating in an environment where discrimination is rampant; their rights and freedoms are being trampled upon; the rule of law is under siege and where political witch-hunting and persecution have become institutionalised policies of the Government of the day.

However, in spite of these challenges, the PPP is confident in the workers’ ability to overcome while recognising their diligence and daily sacrifices and will continue to stand in solidarity with them while robustly and fearlessly representing their cause.

As they march in solidarity throughout the country on this Labour Day, they will no doubt make their voices heard bringing attention to their plight. Our party trusts that despite the challenges faced, in some way, the observances for Labour Day will be rewarding.

Once again best wishes to our nations’ workers on this their day.

Govt remains a friend of workers, Labour Day 2019 reminds workers that in unity there is strength! labour movement – President

T

he labour movement, tasked with protecting workers’ rights and improving their quality of life, is essential to expanding employment opportunities and ensuring just conditions of work.

Workers, through their trade unions, historically supported the struggles for the achievement of political independence, social justice, increases in wages and improvements in their living conditions.

Workers, today, are much better off as a result of the sacrifices of their forebears. Legislation, organisations, institutions and services now ensure workers’ rights ─ including gender equality

and retirement benefits. Improved access to education, health, housing, social protection and public utilities has transformed workers’ lives.

Your government has ensured improvements in workers’ well-being, most recently, by increasing the monthly public service minimum wage by 62 per cent from $39, 540 to $64,200; attracting investment to catalyse job-creation; promoting entrepreneurship as a stimulus for employment and expanding public services.

The labour movement is urged to continue to work with the government, private sector and civil society to support efforts to generate employment, including self-employment, especially for women and young people.

Labour Day celebrates the achievements of the working people. It recalls their sacrifices and struggles for freedom, food and fair employment. It salutes trade unions and their stewardship for the workers’ well-being.

Your Government remains a friend of workers and of the labour movement. It supports, always, the trade unions’ struggle for a good life for everyone.

Happy Labour Day!

T

he Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins in extending best wishes to all Guyanese, more so the workers of our country, on the occasion of Labour Day 2019. This year’s observances coincide with the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first workers’ organisation in Guyana. As is now well-known, our country occupies a special place in this regard, having the historic distinction of forming the first trade union in the then British Colonial Empire.

On this Labour Day, the GAWU recognises the dedicated efforts and hard work of the Father of Trade Unionism, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, who, it is recorded, faced great adversity and daunting challenges as he pressed ahead with setting up the British Guiana Labour Union (BGLU). Today, as we hail Critchlow’s selflessness and dedication, we also recall those unionists who came after and continued along the road

that Critchlow started and whose efforts collectively helped to advance the rights and conditions of our nation’s workers.

Today, as we assess the situation 100 years after, we recognise that remarkable gains were realised and several major successes scored. In as much as we are proud of and are encouraged by those achievements, we still recognise that many goals are yet to be attained. In our day too, we cannot ignore the blatant attempts made to undermine and roll back what has been won through the struggles of the working class. At this time, we urge workers to be wary of such attempts and to be on-guard of those who come to you disguised as friends.

The GAWU cannot fail, on the occasion of Labour Day, to express once again, its deep dismay that the Ministry of Labour has been abolished by this Government and in its place, there is a Department. A retrograde step and one reminiscent of colonial times. This is a vexing issue and is a deep concern for the trade union movement as a whole, especially when one considers that such a Ministry was in place for more than sixty years. It is instructive to point out too that since the un-ceremonial exit of the Labour Ministry in 2015, there has not been any legislation which has advanced workers’ rights even

though there are several matters which need to be addressed.

Labour Day 2019, the GAWU recognises, comes when workers find themselves facing difficulties in meeting the demands of living. The levying of taxes has taken a heavy toll. Aggravating the situation is the tax hammer falling on previously untaxed and exempted goods and services. The concern regarding the country’s economic trajectory also cannot escape our attention.

The economic situation does not give us hope or confidence in the immediate future. The GAWU is well aware that it is the workers that will be the greatest victims of any economic decline.

Workers’ Day comes at a time when there is widespread anxiety about the employment situation in the country. We have seen concerns being expressed about the business environment, which undoubtedly has had its impact on employment. The GAWU knows first-hand of the situation in the sugar industry and the drastic fall in the quality of living of workers and their families after the closure of several estates. This callous act of the Administration continues to be a disturbing feature of our times.

Moreover, it is not lost on us that the large turnout of job seekers at the recently held job fair, organised by the Department of Youth, is surely a reflection of the sad state of employment in our society.

On this day, as we consider the many matters that affect and impinge on our workers and their families well-being, the GAWU must express that it is heartened that Labour Day is, once again, observed with emphasis on the unity of the two umbrella unions.

Our Union has long championed unity among workers and is pleased that there has been increased collaboration and cooperation among workers and their organisations in recent times.

That coming together has seen workers being successful in their justifiable demands and reminds us that in unity there is strength.

At this time, when workers still face formidable challenges as they march towards betterment, we are hopeful that the unity forged can be strengthened and advanced in the interest of the Guyanese working class.

On this day too, expectedly, the workers of Guyana will take stock of where they stand and consider their next steps ahead.

Indeed, the road will be arduous, the challenges great. But given the history of struggles and determination of the working class, the GAWU is optimistic that they will attain their objective in the end. The GAWU once again extends greetings for a happy Labour Day to all Guyanese working people and, indeed, the workers of the world.

Support is required to penetrate barriers – GPSU

M

ay Day is a very serious occasion which commemorates the struggles of the working class for betterment in their livelihoods and for future generations. Throughout history, workers have struggled against oppression where employers have chosen profits in preference of

humanity and condemned workers and their families to abject poverty, distress and death. In modern times enlightened employers have worked with trade unions towards etching out better standards of living for workers and have set aside this day to commemorate the struggles and achievements of workers, who were

militant and stood in unity against those ruthless employers.

Workers on this day look forward to celebrating and marking the occasion whereby they look forward to celebrating successes and achievements from our struggles, but these expectations have been overshadowed by breaches in

collective bargaining agreements and other forms of injustices. This conduct from elements within the Administration is most undesirable.

What we are faced with is several new phenomena eg proposals that we have submitted that have been denied after years of frustration are being depreciated and

implemented arbitrarily, while the right to free collective bargaining is being frustrated and undermined.

A variety of different approaches are being employed to undermine members’ confidence in the union and to weaken/destroy the organisation.

That apart, the plight of our sweeper/cleaners prevail.

In the main, there is resistance to pay a living wage, reviewing allowances and providing a safe working environment and disregard is generally displayed to ILO Conventions that are in force. At the same time, security of tenure is being eroded at a time when the ILO is promoting, internationally, the Decent Work Agenda which the Parliament of Guyana has ratified.

All of the issues that were mentioned in my 2018 Labour Day Message continue to exist.

Firm action is necessary to ensure free collective bargaining, to institute natural justice, guarantee a safe and healthy work environment and make available sufficient resources to ensure that workers are properly remunerated to enjoy a life of fulfilment and treasure the feelings that they enjoy the recognition of being treated as a priority in the whole scheme of considerations.

We take seriously the various manoeuvers that are taking place and condemn the arbitrary dismissals supported by lame excuses, for example, loss of confidence in workers. This strange methodology lacks transparency and cannot withstand scrutiny.

There are also novel practices, such as faking interest in workers’ welfare, while at the same time shortchanging them, frustrating and denying representation genuinely made by substantive trade unions and arbitrarily imposing subtle measures that appear to give relief.

The full membership’s support is required to penetrate the barriers that block our movement forward.

This challenge, together, we must commit ourselves to undertake and overcome.

Here I wish to reiterate what was stated in my 2018 Labour Day message and still remains relevant today: “In eliminating the obstacles in our way, we must mobilise now to confront the existing injustices in order to etch out a future that is built on fairness, justice and human rights. As a public sector union, we recognise and are confident that we are integral to the foundation of a just and democratic society and that our fight is a fight for all. We must enhance our relationship, our militancy and solidarity to dislodge the political and executive assaults.

We must obtain positive results in pursuit of resolving all outstanding grievances.”

We, the members, must undertake the responsibility to create a public service that enjoys the confidence of the citizenry and maintain their respect and support.

On behalf of the Executive Council of the Guyana Public Service Union, I extend best wishes to all workers for a Happy Labour Day 2019.

news

7

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Bandit shot dead after robbing foreigner

A

suspected bandit was shot and killed in the wee hours of Tuesday during an exchange of gunfire with a security officer at an apartment building in Crown Street, Queenstown.

Dead is 36-yearold Nigel Wellington of Mocha Arcadia, East Bank Demerara. He was reportedly shot at least four times after robbing a foreign national who was making his way into the apartment building.

Based on reports received, the 33-year-old victim, who is a chef at the El Sol Hostel returned home at about 03:30h and after exiting the car, he stood at the door waiting for the security officer to open it when the bandit pounced on him.

The chef had just returned from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) after accompanying some friends who left Guyana.

Whilst waiting at the

Dead: Nigel Wellington

door, he was held at gunpoint by the now dead man who demanded he hand over his cash and other valuables.

The victim refused to cooperate with the bandit and in retaliation, the armed man struck him to his mouth and relieved him of his mobile phone. The bandit also grabbed an undisclosed sum of foreign and local currency. The alert security officer, who is attached to Ingrid

and Chase Mining Company, upon realising what was happening, ran out and instructed the bandit to “freeze”. The bandit then turned around and pointed his 9mm pistol in the direction of the guard and in retaliation, the security shot him once to the foot.

Upon falling to the ground, Guyana Times was told that the bandit attempted to raise his gun at the officer and again, he was shot, this time to the shoulder.

Although the bandit was shot twice, he attempted to shoot the guard once again

but this time, he received the fatal blow. The man dropped to the ground where his lifeless body remained until the undertakers arrived.

The security officer, a police source related, contacted his superiors and summoned the police to the scene. It is believed that the bandit did not get an opportunity to use the weapon that he was carrying but the investigators have retrieved several spent shells.

The police have also retrieved the items that were taken from the victim. In ad-

dition, the firearm that was being carried by the bandit along with a live round of ammunition was found close to his body.

The man’s body was taken to Lyken’s Funeral Home and is awaiting a post-mortem.

Wellington is no stranger to the law. In January 2018, he was slapped with several robbery charges. He was accused of robbing Vanessa Albert of a Samsung smart TV, a TCL TV, a Samsung 7 Edge phone and a gold ring on December 2017. The sto-

3 ‘persons of interest’ being sought in O’Toole shooting …Police analysing new piece of evidence

individuals in Guyana’s society, something that had been reported in sections of the media.

Evidence

Bandits hijack cricket club VP’s car

V

ice President of the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and former President of the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA), Patrick Harding was on Monday evening relieved of his motorcar and other personal belongings.

Reports are Harding was travelling along Cemetery Road, Georgetown, in his motorcar when his mobile phone rang and he pulled over to the side of the roadway to answer it.

It was at this time, a motorcar pulled up alongside him and its occupants demanded that he take down his window. In so doing, Harding was held at gunpoint and pulled out of the vehicle.

During the ordeal, the armed men took away Harding’s the personal belongings after which they sped away with his Toyota Allion motorcar bearing reg-

A

Police Commissioner Leslie James (left), with School of the Nations Principal Dr Brian O’Toole

Partick Harding

istration number PWW 5610.

Harding, who was manhandled during the robbery, sustained injuries to his hand which required medical attention. He was treated and sent away.

The Police were summoned and an investigation was launched. Up to Tuesday, the car was not recovered and not one was arrested.

len items were valued at $570,000 in total.

Also, he was previously charged for robbing Ezekiel London of a $90,000 laptop and 2 iPhones, valued at $160,000.

Additionally, he along with others, on January 4, 2018, at North Ruimveldt, while armed with a gun, robbed Simona Hopkinson of two gold rings valued at $84,000, three gold earrings valued at $25,000 and a $75,000 flat screen TV, a total value of $184,000.

lmost five months after School of the Nation’s Director, Dr Bryan O’Toole was shot in his driveway in the wake of threats against his school, Police have since identified at least three “persons of interest”.

In addition, new evidence has found its way into the hands of the police, which will have to be further analysed. This is according to Police Commissioner Leslie James, who was at the time speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, hosted jointly by O’Toole and himself.

However, James also revealed to the media that out of these three ‘persons of in-

terest’, at least two have left the jurisdiction with one currently in the United States (US) and the other in an unidentified location.

O’Toole noted that he did describe a possible shooter to the police. However, he said that police showed him documents showing that the individual had left the country, with James affirming that the person left the country since December 15 of last year and did not return. O’Toole maintained that he did not know the shooter personally.

“We’re basically dealing with information passed to us by Dr O’Toole. He’s just given an explanation about what he saw and how his

mind was operating,” James said. “What I can say, based on the information given to us, we took certain steps.

We checked our internal records.”

“And based on our checks, it revealed that the individual was out of the jurisdiction based on the documents that we perused.

There were at least two persons we were looking at. It’s now three. This information, we’ve shared with our counterparts in the US and no stone is being left unturned in this matter.”

James declined to identify who these ‘persons of interest’ are. He also did not confirm or deny that they were connected to prominent

James also related that Dr O’Toole has since provided the police with an audio recording of a person of interest who may have useful information for the police investigation. According to O’Toole, the recording was made weeks ago.

“Dr O’Toole provided to us an audio recording. That, of course, will have to be analysed. Only yesterday it was given to us, yesterday being April 29,” James told the media. Asked about the Police Force’s capacity to analyse the recording, James declined to entertain the question.

O’Toole stressed, however, that the US has to do its part in terms of helping with the investigation as the persons of interest are in that country.

On January 27, O’Toole was shot three times as he was returning to his Bel Air, Georgetown residence, hours after an emergency meeting with parents and guardians about violent threats on social media to injure students and teachers of that school.

8 News

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Chinese supermarket manager charged for attempted murder T he manager of Fresco Supermarket, Diamond Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD) on Tuesday appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan slapped with an attempted murder charge.

Twenty-eight-yearold Xino Xi Qu, of Lot 1B Diamond Public Road, appeared before Chief Magistrate McLennan and was not required to plead to the indictable charge which stated that on April 22, 2019 at Diamond Public Road,

with intent to commit murder, he wounded Gregory Solomon.

Xino’s Attorney-At-Law in a bail application told the court his client has no previous conviction and bail should be granted in a reasonable sum.

Police Prosecutor Gordon Mansfield informed the court that on April 22, the Virtual Complainant (VC) was shopping in the supermarket and after leaving he was confronted by the manager, who accused him of

stealing cash that was left on the counter. According to the prosecution’s case, the defendant rushed up behind the VC and hit him to the head causing the man to fall to the ground where he was dealt several cuffs and kicks.

The matter was reported to the Grove Police Station. The VC was picked to and taken to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre for treatment; however, because of the severity of his injuries, he was rushed to the

Georgetown Public Hospital where he was admitted. The accused was later arrested.

The court was informed that after being discharged from Georgetown Public Hospital, the victim was now wheelchair-bound owing to his injuries. The manager was released on $400,000 bail on the condition that he reports to the Grove Police Station weekly until the conclusion of the case.

The matter will continue on May 2, 2019.

Man to do community service for ganja possession

A

little bit of begging paid off for a 23-yearold man who was caught with cannabis.

Odingo Haywood appeared before Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday to answer to the charge of possession of narcotics.

The charge stated that on April 28, 2019, Police ranks on patrol from

Brickdam Police Station noticed Haywood acting in a suspicious manner when he saw the vehicle approaching him. According to the prosecution’s case, the 23-yearold man was riding a bicycle and upon noticing the police, he started acting in a suspicious manner, causing the ranks to stop and search him.

During the search, one gram of cannabis was found in the left side pocket of his

pants. He was subsequently arrested. Haywood admitted to the charge after it was read to him.

In a plea of mitigation, the man begged Magistrate McLennan to be lenient with him.

“I am willing to pay a fine and do community service once given the opportunity,” he said, adding that he suffers from asthma and the cannabis helps him.

Magistrate McLennan

reprimanded the young man, pointing out to him that he is too young to be involved in illegal activities.

“You’re young and you shouldn’t be smoking cannabis,” the Magistrate said.

Haywood was sentenced to two weeks of community service at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Failure to do his community service will result in him spending four weeks in jail.

Stirring the pot…

N

…of terrorism ot unexpectedly, the US came out swinging at the PNC/AFC Government’s honouring of the terrorist Kadir. They were backed by Britain and the EU, whose innocent citizens have also suffered at the hands of terrorists in recent times. Terrorism – killing civilians to get at their governments – is an especially abhorrent scourge that’s sweeping the world. The Government’s action came on the heels of atrocious terrorist killings in New Zealand and Sri Lanka.

The US, however, mentioned that it was the “National Assembly” that passed the repugnant motion. That’s technically true but there are two caveats to be noted.

Only APNU (read PNC) and AFC’s MP’s were present – the PPP had boycotted the sitting. If they’d been there, your Eyewitness is sure their cogent moral arguments against terrorism in general and pulling the American tiger’s tail in particular, would’ve persuaded a couple of PNC/AFC MPs to vote with the PPP to defeat it.

The second caveat is unlike the US, our Westminster system of government’s Executive is not SEPARATE from the Legislature (National Assembly). Every member of the Cabinet sits in the latter – AND THE Prime Minister (Nagamootoo in this case) explicitly represents the President! This was a PNC/AFC Government’s praise for terrorism. And not only for planning the JFK bombing – but passing secrets to Iran, a state branded by the US as “sponsoring terrorism”!

But sadly, the international public will now see GUYANA also in that light and when travelling abroad we’ll not only get special frisking for drugs, but now special interrogation for terrorist links. And once you get on that list, you’re there till hell freezes over! That’s what the PNC/AFC have done to all Guyanese. The PNC, through its Chief Whip, desperately tried to extricate itself from shooting itself in the foot by adopting TUC leader Lincoln Lewis’ distinction in search of a difference – that Kadir was honoured for his parliamentary service only!! Wasn’t there a moment of silence back in January for him and two other MPs who’d passed on? They think the world is stupid??

There are some who’re only blaming the sponsor and seconder of the motion for the mess the PNC’s gotten our country into. Well, rendition for sponsoring terrorism might be too harsh, but for sure the US should at a minimum cancel their visas immediately. But they cannot be made the scapegoat: the Chief Whip, Amna Ally, had to’ve approved the motion, and her visa should also be revoked. The motion also had to’ve been on the Assembly’s Order Paper at least a week ago. As such, the honouring of the terrorist Kadir had to’ve been approved by Granger himself!!

Bun dem all!! …a la Burnham Now some of his supporters see Granger as some big time military strategist because he attended a couple of courses at some War Colleges. But Granger is more than anything, an acolyte of Burnham, who he speaks of as the greatest strategist since Clausewitz!! Don’t forget that Burnham awarded himself a 2-star Generalship while Granger was just a Lieutenant!!

Granger’s willing to take on the Americans because he’s imitating Burnham from the 1970s and ‘80s. The US was between a rock and a hard place on the communist threat at the time and Burnham could just point to Jagan and run roughshod over then US Ambassadors, like Carlson and King. The US even had to swallow Burnham’s co-op socialist swing!! What Granger seems to’ve forgotten, however, is, as Evan Ellis, professor for the US War College pointed out in his recent visit to Guyana, the communist bogeyman is long gone!! But the PPP and PNC have signed onto the free market regime.

The US now has options to protect its strategic interests! …for a long time Back when Buxton-based terrorists took on the PPP Government, they embarrassed the US by kidnapping the latter’s Caribbean security expert Stephen Lesniac and held him hostage.

But the PNC insisted there were no criminals, much less terrorists, in Buxton!!

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

news

9

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

MMA orders Berbice farmers off lands

...reassigns pastures to Govt supporters – source

T

Cattle in the savannah

he Mahaica/ Mahaicony/AbaryA g r i c u l t u r a l Development Authority (MMA- ADA) has issued notices to farmers occupying land at Gold Digging, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, for them to remove with nowhere to put their life stock.

While the cattle farmers are being forced off the land, huge portions are being gifted out to Government officials for cattle rearing, this newspaper was told.

In a letter dated January 18, 2018, the MMA stated that the farmers were ordered to vacate the land by February 1, 2019, and according to the notice as from that date, those animal farmers are being deemed illegal.

The notice also nullifies previous permission given by the Agriculture Ministry for the said lands to be used for cattle grazing purposes.

The letter quotes the

Section 7 of the lands Act and Section of the Mahaica/Mahaicony/AbaryAgricultural Development Authority Act and Section 20 of the State Lands Act which states that trespass on State lands is an offence punishable by law. “You are hereby instructed to dismantle all erections made thereon and to vacate the aforementioned lot within the timeline stipulated in this notice,” the letter read.

However, a previous document issued by the Agriculture Ministry under the MMA Act (27 of 1977/Cap 69:1 which refers to all State land under the MMA-ADA control: “The area is zoned for the specific purpose of cattle grazing; and rice cultivation shall not be permitted.

It is herein reiterated that the lands are State lands and that no person has been given any exclusive rights to the area or part thereof. Persons/

groups or Co-operative Societies that are in occupation or have made representation for access to the lands must check with the MMA in order to be given formal permission to do so,” the strongly worldly letter says in part.

The MMA has ordered the farmers to dismantle all erected structures and to remove their cattle. The farmers have been occupying the land since permission was given for it to be used for cattle back in 2005. The MMA had already started to share out the land to persons who

also the recipient of 200 acres of land for the purpose of cattle rearing.

Pooran Balmulkund, who has been rearing cattle for over 35 years, says he is totally dependent of the animals to earn a living. He has 45 heads of cattle which give him enough milk to sell to the community.

“It is unfair that we are here so long on the land and that they bringing people from out of the area and give them land and we are here from since 2007 until to now,” Balmulkund said, while add-

Some of the farmers are rearing a variety of animals

are not known as cattle farmers.

One person closely associated with a political party within the coalition Government was 200 acres while another who works with the Government has been given 300 acres for cattle rearing.

Another Government supporter is

ing that on offer was made to the old existing farmers for occupancy. The MMA-ADA has stopped the farmers from erecting fences on the pasture. When this publication visited the savannah on Tuesday, Balmulkund pointed out piles of wood which he cut in an effort to erect fences. The fence to the western end of the pasture had been

Cattle in the savannah at Gold Digging, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice

removed which now allows the animals to go into the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s cultivation area to graze.

Krisonchand David has just fewer than one hundred heads of cattle in the pasture and is feeling the squeeze.

He said they had erected posts and barb-wire fences but these have been pulled down.

“This was done unknowing to us. Now MMA come and give us a piece of paper saying that we have to move and they bring a set of people and told us that they give them paper for the land and that we ate squatters.”

David said he was one of the first farmers to utilise the savannah for the purpose of rearing cattle. He recalled that when he was there, there was thick overgrowth and he worked on clearing it to what it is today.

“Now people come and see that it is clear and they come claiming the place,” he added.

Meanwhile, another farmer Rajin Samaroo who has more than one hundred heads of cattle along with other ani-

mals, told Guyana Times that he feels what is being done is unfair. “We don’t have anywhere to carry the cows.”

He said as a group, the farmers approached the MMA in an attempt to acquire a portion of the land for themselves for the purpose of grazing cattle. “All they do is take we names and say that they gone call and they never call…” He said they have also been threatened that if the animals are not removed they will be impounded. “This is what we as cattle farmers depend on. We have children to send to school. We have bills to pay. When MMA move us from here, where will we go? They want us to sell out the animals and after that what? Money is the easiest thing to finish.”

The MMA met with the farmers last week and they were informed that enough time had been given for them to remove. Pigs, sheep and goats are also being reared in the savannah.

Efforts by this publication for a comment from the MMA management on the issue proved futile.

10 news

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Promise of stable electricity for Essequibo Coast short-lived ‌Region without electricity days after $1.8B power plant commissioned

R

esidents on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) are faced once again with constant power outages just one day after the commissioning of a $1.8 billion power plant at Anna Regina.

The multibillion-dollar plant was commissioned by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other Government officials over the weekend. At the

commissioning, the Prime Minister boasted that with the new power plant, there will be stable and reliable flow of electricity.

However, mere hours after the launch, the entire Essequibo Coast was plunged into darkness. At that time, residents thought it was just a changeover but they remained without electricity. On Monday and Tuesday, the situation worsened with the electricity fluctuating all day.

At the commissioning ceremony, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson told the gathering that the three generators that were installed are new and have a lifespan of over 20 years.

He also promised that they will now receive a more stable and reliable flow of electricity.

The long overdue 5.4-megawatt power station was commissioned on Saturday.

In 2017 and 2018, residents living along the Essequibo Coast were plagued by a series of nonstop power outages, which affected persons throughout the region. At the time, residents had said they had lost faith in the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) which they said was incapable of ending their woes.

In 2018, only two of the five standby generators at the Anna Regina Power Station were functional.

The new power plant at Anna Regina

As such, engineers are appointed to work on a 24hour shift.

It was related that residents have been affected by this issue, which is a major inconvenience.

Additionally, the business community in the region had complained about the significant losses which are incurred, since frozen items thaw and spoil. Further, this publication was told at the time there was a heavy cost attached to running in-

dividual standby generators and the high fuel prices were adding to the burden of residents, as well as the wider business community.

In August 2018, the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) had called on Government to intervene to alleviate the blackout situation since residents, especially the business sector, expressed their fear of losing millions of dollars in cool storage items.

ECCI President, Suean Seewnarayan had told Guyana Times that the commerce in the region was collapsing due to the poor service offered by GPL. She revealed that businesses were dumping products and those who have standby generators are pumping thousands of dollars into fuel and maintenance costs.

The Chamber had said Government was silent on the very important issue.

11 Indiscipline will not be tolerated – Top Cop warns news

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

…as Police Force gets 151 new ranks

Some of the new recruits at the Tactical Services Unit, Eve Leary, Georgetown, on Tuesday

I

ndiscipline will not be tolerated within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) as the law enforcement entity seeks to move ahead as a professional organisation.

This was the warning issued by Police Commissioner Leslie James to the 151 new ranks, who graduated on Tuesday during a ceremony at the Tactical Services Unit at Eve Leary, Georgetown.

“Remember the oaths which you all took, remember the question am I a credit to the Force?

Once you remember those things, the professional execution of your duties will be very simple. You will be measured by the standards that are set by us, I’ve

made it very clear previously and I wish to say this afternoon to you that excellent work will be rewarded and in the same breath, indiscipline will not be tolerated,” the Commissioner cautioned. The Top Cop expressed the need for excellence from the new ranks which, according to him, will be rewarded.

As the GPF celebrates its 180th anniversary this year, the Commissioner revealed that plans are in the pipeline to introduce training in human resources management, police community engagement, station management, the role and functions of subordinate officers, tourism policing, conflict management and conflict resolution,

Police Commissioner Leslie James

Harmon appointed Director General of Ministry of the Presidency

P

rime Minister Moses Nagamootoo on Tuesday announced that former Minister of State, Joseph Harmon has been appointed Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency.

The announcement was made during the Prime Minister’s address at the National Communications Network (NCN) Linden Complex at the Government outreach to the mining town.

Minister Harmon, a dual citizen, resigned as a minister and Member of Parliament (MP) effective April 25. He was replaced as an MP by Mervyn Williams.

Vice President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; former Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin and former Minister of Public Service, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine also resigned as a result of being deemed dual citizens by

Director General of the Ministry of the Presidency, Joseph Harmon

Chief Justice (ag) Roxane George in a court ruling.

Gaskin and Dr Roopnaraine were replaced

by Haimraj Rajkumar and Tabitha Saraboo-Halley respectively.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo was delivering the feature address at the hand-over ceremony of

the NCN Linden assets to the Linden Broadcasting Network (LBN).

Director General Harmon attended the Cabinet meeting earlier in the day at the invitation of President David Granger where his new portfolio was formally announced to Cabinet.

risk management, operational management, public speaking and communication skills, professional

ethics in law enforcement and cybercrimes management.

Meanwhile, the new recruits were trained in six courses at the Felix Austin Police College, Georgetown, the Felix Austin Police College Adventure, Berbice, and the Richard Austin Police College, Essequibo Coast.

They were trained in various conceptual areas such as the introduction to policing, a look at basic policing junior stage, the theoretical and practical aspect of traffic, crime, anger management, English Language, Spanish, domestic violence, human rights and communication.

Additionally, the ranks were all taught the basics of administering first aid.

The recruits were exposed to the pragmatic aspect of information tech-

nology and martial arts and had a first-hand insight and demonstration of how a post-mortem examination is conducted.

However, they were also involved in extracurricular activities such as cricket, basketball, volleyball and football.

Reflecting on training, Constable Rodriguez said that while it was a tough course, she is delighted that she along with her colleagues were able to complete the training.

“Serving as a Police Officer in the Guyana Police Force is certainly no easy job but is an extraordinary duty with extraordinary requirement, requirements that we will strive to meet with faith, hard work, dedication and discipline,” the newly minted rank noted.

12

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guya

ay 1, 2019 | guyanatimesGY.com

13

14 News

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Essequibo Coast couple CCAC to crack down on businesses not issuing receipts placed on bail for Trafficking In Persons

…urges consumers to lodge complaints

T

he Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission (CCAC) is urging customers to lodge complaints against businesses that do not issue receipts following a purchase.

According to the CCAC, it will be unable to address any complaints made without proof of purchase.

Consumer Affairs Officer attached to the Consumer Affairs Unit (CAU), Feyona Austin-Paul told Guyana Times on Tuesday that despite efforts made by the Commission to sensitise consumers on their rights, most customers are still unaware of their privileges.

“Some customers are still not aware of their rights because they are still going into these stores and shopping and then they have to come here which is a measure to show that they probably were not aware in the first place but it also could say that they are aware because they know where they could come for some form of redress,” she said.

Austin-Paul said that the Unit has been trying to reduce the high number of complaints reaching the Unit by stopping the problem at the root. According to her, this would see businesses being inspected more reg-

ularly to identify the flaws.

The consumer officer explained that as of now, business owners are being warned and are given a specific timeframe to adjust their services to suit customers. Moreover, she noted that the names of errant business owners will also be published on the Commission’s website for consumers to be aware of flawed businesses.

On this note, Austin-

Paul encouraged customers to complain against store owners who do not issue receipts, so that the Commission can investigate and ensure those businesses become compliant.

In its annual report for 2018, the CAU said it received more queries than complaints as most persons are now trying to familiarise themselves with their rights.

The report explained,

“One of the reasons why this is so is because consumers are not fully aware of their rights even though they are advised to visit the office or file their complaints online.

Many consumers fear that filing a complaint against a supplier may cause conflicts or affect their shopping in the future. Therefore, in order to surmount this challenge, the Commission needs to be more active in regards to advocacy”.

In its annual report, the unit said that in 2015, some 112 complaints were received and 89 per cent were resolved. In the following year, 141 complaints were filed and 74 per cent were resolved. In 2017, these figures almost doubled as 236 complaints were received and 84 per cent were resolved. Meanwhile, in 2018, the Commission looked into 289 complaints and managed to resolve 79 per cent or 229 of same. The complaints received last year were valued at $91,868,324.

Furthermore, the monthly complaints received were at an average of 24. This also exceeded previous years which were recorded at 19 complaints in 2017, 12 complaints in 2016 and 9 complaints in 2015, CCAC revealed.

A

husband and wife are back before the court facing new charges of Trafficking In Persons.

Fifty-three-year-old Kamwattie Rambarran called “Kama” and 58-yearold Dhanraj Rambarran called “Jaman”, both of Lot 132 Henrietta Village, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), appeared on Tuesday before Magistrate Esther Sam at the Anna Regina Magistrate’s Court to answer to two charges of Trafficking In Persons.

It is alleged that between January 1 and February 16, 2019, at La Cabana Bar at Henrietta Village, Essequibo Coast, the couple harboured and trafficked two Venezuelan women for sexual exploitation.

The prosecution is contending that on the day in question, police ranks con-

ducted a search at the location and during this exercise, five females were found, one being under the age of 18. The women were suspected of being victims of Trafficking In Persons.

The couple was charged on April 17, 2019, for using their place of business as a brothel but on Tuesday, that charge was withdrawn based on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the TIP charge was instituted.

Attorney-at-Law Bernard DaSilva, who represented both defendants, in a bail application told the court that his clients are not flight risks and they are willing to comply with any conditions given by the court.

Bail was granted in the sum of $200,000 each. The case will continue on May 15, 2019.

news

15

wednesday, may 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Extractive sector contributed 65% of Guyana’s exports – 1st EITI Report

Ramsammy’s Ruminations APNU/AFC simply A does not care

T

he A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) forced Parliament which represents all the Guyanese people to officially pay tribute to a man the Americans convicted for terrorism, even though more than 50 per cent of the Guyanese people have objections and now the Americans are upset.

The Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation rebuked the International Air Transport Association which condemned Government’s action to manually collect additional fees, insisting passengers must pay the Government for the expansion done at the airport, never mind exit taxes Dr Leslie Ramsammy have been increased in new taxation twice since 2015.

The Telecommunications Minister chastised and legally threatened the Chief Whip of the People’s Progressive Party and newspapers for exposing the fact her Ministry awarded contracts to a company she owns still. The now recently-former Minister with responsibility for Housing chastised people for highlighting the corruption in her Ministry, including awarding of contracts to her husband.

APNU/AFC appoints a person as an MP, even though she was fingered for fraud when she was a manager of the National Communications Network, in Berbice. These actions are just one-week’s worth of APNU/AFC disrespect.

There have been many things done by APNU/AFC and their parent political party, the People’s National Congress (PNC), to bring disrepute and shame on Guyana and on Guyana’s Parliament. One such thing happened in Parliament on Friday, April 26, 2019 when APNU/AFC passed a motion to pay tribute and deem Abdul Kadir, a former PNC Member of Parliament, a “great” man. The US had arrested and charged Abdul Kadir for a planned terrorist attack on the John F Kennedy International Airport in 2007, tried him in an American Court, convicted him in 2010 and jailed him for life. He died in an American jail in 2018. At the time of his arrest, neither the PNC (now APNU) nor the AFC objected and until Friday, April 26, 2019, both these parties remained silent. When Kadir died last year in the American jail, none of these political parties or their representatives voiced any concern that the Americans had done Kadir wrong.

We have to assume none of them had any reason to question the legitimacy of the charges against Kadir. Why then go to Parliament after so many years of silence? At a time when terrorism is perhaps at its most heightened presence in the world and at a time when America is itself challenged by terrorism; why would our Parliament choose to honour a man who has been convicted of terrorism by the Americans?

Even if APNU/AFC never accepted what the Americans did, why choose now to poke their fingers in the Americans’ eyes? Is this their confession they failed to stand up for their comrade when it mattered? As a political party, they have a right to honour anyone they want, in their name, even if it is the wrong thing to do. But they have no right to dishonour the Guyanese people and, in the process, poke a hole in the common anti-terrorism platform between Guyana and America.

The PPP was not present in Parliament to object because it has argued that Parliament came to an end on December 21, 2018, when the Government fell on the No-confidence Motion (NCM). The courts have become involved because the APNU/ AFC have argued that 33 is not more than 32. The PPP has argued that the NCM of December 21, 2018, remains the status quo until such time all access to judicial courts have been exhausted.

The CCJ is the exhaustion point for all access to the court system and the CCJ will hear the cases on May 9 and May 10. One would have thought, APNU/AFC would await the end of all court matters to determine whether there should be “business as usual”. Their behaviour did not allow them to await the end of all court matters, which happens to be a few days from now.

Besides legal and ethical arguments for Parliament meeting or not meeting before the CCJ completes its business, was there anything on the Order Paper that could not wait for a few more days? The Order Paper for the 113th sitting of the 11th Parliament (April 26, 2019) showed there were a number of reports tabled for the record and a number of amendment bills. Many of the reports tabled are for old audit reports for State agencies, all of which could have waited. Of the reports tabled, it included the ERC report on GECOM’s hiring practice which has been a public document for more than two months now. Of the amendment bills, many of these were supposed to have been done before or during 2018. The Order Paper confirms there was nothing urgent for APNU/ AFC in this parliamentary sitting. Why then force Parliament to meet, with the CCJ challenge hanging over you, just to provoke the Americans?

report completed by the Extractive I n d u s t r i e s Transparency Initiative of Guyana has revealed that the extractive industry in Guyana, particularly gold mining, has contributed to 65.1 per cent of Guyana’s total exports for 2017.

It is EITI’s first report to the Government of Guyana on the extractive sectors, in keeping with an April 25, 2019, deadline for presenting the report. According to the report, total revenues from the sector in the 2017 fiscal year amounted to $20.8 billion.

The Guyana Gold Board, to which gold declarations are made, accounted for 33 per cent of this revenue. This is followed by the Guyana Revenue Authority, 32 per cent and the Ministry of Finance, 18 per cent.

Gold and other minerals contributed $17.4 billion or 84 per cent of revenue from the extractive industries.

On the other hand, oil and gas contributed $2.8 billion or 14 per cent. Bauxite, one of Guyana’s oldest industries, contributed $479 million or 2 per cent.

The extractive indus-

parency. The Government is fully committed to this.”

– Minister of Natural Resources Honourable Raphael Trotman

EITI

Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman during the handing over of the EITI Report summary from Deputy Coordinator for the Guyana EITI (GYEITI) Diane Barker

tries’ contribution to exports has a dollar value of 193.2 billion. Besides the sector’s contribution to exports, it contributed 9.3 per cent to total Government revenues and 4.2 per cent to Guyana’s total employment. Its contribution to Guyana’s overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 20 per cent.

The report was presented to Natural Resources Minister, Raphael Trotman and according to a state-

ment from the Ministry, it will be presented to Cabinet this week. The Minister was quoted in the statement reaffirming Government’s commitment to the EITI process.

“For a country like Guyana where the bedrock of our economy is the extractive industries, this is very important… This has been a steady process. We trust that this is the part of the journey to full trans-

The EITI is a global standard to promote the open and accountable management of oil, gas, and mineral resources. Under the EITI standard, companies publish what they pay to Governments, and Governments publish what they receive in an annual EITI country report.

In many countries, most of the revenues from natural resources accrued at subnational levels are not derived from company payments to Local Government entities, but from transfers to the Central Government.

Depending on the revenue distribution frameworks in place, these transfers can be a considerably larger source of revenue for subnational entities than taxes and fees collected at local levels. The revised EITI standard requires that such transfers are reported where mandated by law and where material.

Turn to page 16

16 news

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Father begs for help after daughter left incapacitated …says hospital staff responsible for child’s injuries

M

unaf Yakub and Parbattie Persaud, the parents of eightyear-old Farida Yakub, also called “Afrida”, of Supenaam Creek, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are doing everything to give their daughter a chance to return to normalcy – even if it means to beg.

The father of the ill child explained that his daughter was a healthy girl, adding that she attended nursery school and while at her primary school, she became ill.

He told Guyana Times that in January 2016, the child started crying out for abdominal pain and was taken to the Suddie Hospital where she was admitted and treated for gas.

On the third day in hospital, she started to bleed from her mouth and ears and was immediately transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where it was discovered that the drug used by medical staff at the

Suddie Hospital caused her brain to swell. This has left her incapacitated.

Some months later, her father without giving up, visited the then Health Minister, Dr George Norton, who reportedly told him that an operation was necessary for his daughter to return to normalcy.

He further told the parents that the surgery will have to be done overseas and that the chances of her surviving are very slim. In addition, it would cost the family GY$10 million. The man said he informed the then Minister that it was the Suddie Hospital that was responsible for his daugh-

ter’s condition and that the Government should assist in offsetting some of the expenses.

Speaking with Guyana Times, the Munaf Yakub explained that he was arrested and charged for disorderly behaviour after he got emotional about his daughter’s condition at the medical facility. He said the Police took him to the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts where he pleaded guilty with explanation and informed the court of his plight. The Magistrate then dismissed the case against him.

He told this publication that the family’s only hope is for their daughter to get

medical assistance.

However, the child’s story was told to Pandit Sugrim Singh of the Richmond Housing Scheme Vishnu Mandir and without hesitation, he immediately paid for the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to be done.

Now the parents are hoping to get the medical assistance in evaluating the extent of damage to her brain and ultimately improve her health.

They are still calling for help from the Government as they maintain that the child’s injuries occurred at the hands of the medical staff at the Suddie Hospital.

(Mohanlall Suelall)

ISG kick starts draw of ‘Oil N’ Go’ promotion Munaf Yakub and Parbattie Persaud with their daughter, Farida Yakub

MACORP CEO, Guillermo Escarraga

A

fter recently introducing its newest line of motorcycle lubricant, Industrial Supply of Guyana Incorporated (ISG) in partnership with National Petroleum is giving back to customers in the form of a promotion from which persons can win one of six Honda 110 motorcycles. As such, the company kick-started the draw, in which the first motorcycle was won for the Oil N’ Go promotion on Tuesday at its Providence, East Bank Demerara location.

The promotion had commenced in March and will conclude on September 30, 2019, prior to which customers were enlightened and advised to be a part of by simply purchasing the Ultra Motorcycle Oil which is solely distributed by ISG. In delivering highlights of the promotion, ISG’s Operations Manager

The Honda motorcycle that was won on Tuesday

Natasha Ali noted that the promotion gives both end users and re-sellers the opportunity to win prizes from the company.

“This promotion enables both out end-user and resellers to win great prizes from ISG….we thought it fit to give back to our end-users, hence six motorcycles are up for grabs from now until September 30; end-users all they have to do is shop any ultra-lubricant,” she explained.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Machinery Corporation of Guyana Limited (MACORP), Guillermo Escarraga, added that the over-all act of giving back demonstrates that his subsidiary is meeting the needs of customers and in return they are showing support. He further ex-

claimed that his company is the first to be hosting massive promotions across Guyana as he expressed satisfaction for the event and encouraged continuous customer support.

“It’s a special occasion because we are going to give away the first of six motor bikes and we’re really happy this is taking place, this is the first time in my memory that I see a company like ours and proudly in the entire Guyana doing such great promotions….we look forward to having the continued support from our customers in this promotion,” Escarraga underscored.

In addition, the winner of the first Honda 110 motorcycle in the promotion was identified as A Adams of lot 46 Evans Street, Georgetown.

Extractive sector contributed...

Where companies are legally or contractually required to make social contributions, these must be disclosed, under EITI standards. Where countries collect significant revenues from the transportation of oil, gas and minerals, such as pipelines, the Government will also be required to disclose the revenues received.

The requirement to publish annual activity reports is not limited to compliant countries, the EITI said. It is foreseen that countries

will report on progress with meeting the EITI requirements as well as (on) efforts to achieve the objectives set out in their work plans.

Validation is procured and managed by the EITI’s International Secretariat rather than by implementing countries. Countries undertake validation more frequently, with compliant countries being revalidated every three years as opposed to every five years under the old rule.

Oil was discovered in commercial quantities in

From page 15

Guyana in 2015, after which Guyana applied and was approved to join EITI. This was done with the understanding that Guyana’s first EITI Report must be published within the next 18 months and the country will be required to commence validation within two and a half years.

Where validation verifies that Guyana has made satisfactory progress on all of the requirements, the EITI Board will designate the country as EITI-compliant.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019

17

Around the World

Iran designates as terrorists White House to designate Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organisation all US troops in Middle East

I

ranian President Hassan Rouhani signed a bill into law on Tuesday declaring all US forces in the Middle East terrorists and calling the US Government a sponsor of terrorism.

The bill was passed by Parliament last week in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s decision this month to designate Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards a foreign terrorist organisation.

It was not clear what the impact of the new Iranian

The Trump Administration reportedly decided to pursue sanctions against the Muslim Brotherhood after an April meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

T

he Trump Administration is working to designate the Muslim Brotherhood a foreign terrorist organisation, the White House said on Tuesday.

The designation will bring economic and travel sanctions against Egypt’s oldest Islamist movement, with more than a million members across the Middle East.

The decision follows a White House visit by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in April.

Sisi asked US President Donald Trump to make the move, US media said.

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed the Administration is

pushing for the designation.

The Trump Administration first directed security and diplomatic officials to find a way to impose sanctions on the Brotherhood after a meeting between Trump and Sisi on April 9, US media reported.

Egypt already describes the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorists.

Sisi overthrew President Mohammed Morsi in 2013, a former Brotherhood leader.

Once the US designation is announced, sanctions on companies and individuals who interact with the group will come into effect.

Last month, the White House hit Iran’s elite

Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with the same designation, the first time the US has labelled another nation’s military as a terrorist organisation.

The Muslim Brotherhood, founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, has influenced Islamist movements around the world with its model of political activism combined with Islamic charity work.

The movement was initially intended to spread Islamic morals and good works, but soon became involved in politics, particularly the fight to rid Egypt of British colonial control and cleanse it of all Western influence.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

Thousands strike in Argentina over Macri’s austerity programme

T

housands of A r g e n t i n e s marched through Buenos Aires on Tuesday as part of a two-day nationwide strike over rising poverty and unemployment due to what protesters say is President Mauricio Macri’s fiscal austerity programme.

Many services including banks and schools closed, while hospitals

were only attending to emergencies. The Buenos Aires underground and many bus lines were down and flights were cancelled.

The strike, which started a day ahead of Labour Day – a public holiday in Argentina – was organised by trade unions and social movements, including Argentina’s powerful freight transport union.

Some groups are expected to continue with public transport union strikes on Wednesday.

Daniel Catalano, General Secretary of the Buenos Aires City sector of the State Workers’ Union, told Al Jazeera the strike had been organised, because people were unable to keep up with the costs of living. (Al Jazeera)

Scandal-hit St Lucia Government Minister resigns

A

St Lucia G o v e r n m e n t Minister embroiled in controversy is now out of Prime Minister Allen Chastanet’s Cabinet.

Public Service Minister Dr Ubaldus Raymond, who was allegedly involved in a salacious conversation with

a woman, a recording of which went viral on social media earlier this month, has stepped down with immediate effect, and Chastanet said he had accepted the resignation “in the best interest of the country”.

“Dr Raymond has served our country well

and in several capacities including Leader of Government Business in the Senate, and previously as the Minister in the Ministry of Finance. I thank him and his family for his years of service to our nation,” he said in a brief statement Monday.

(Excerpt from Caribbean360)

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

law might have on US forces or their Middle East op-

erations.

Rouhani instructed the Intelligence Ministry, Foreign Affairs Ministry, the armed forces, and Iran’s supreme national security council to implement the law, state media reported.

The law specifically labels as a terrorist organisation the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which is responsible for US military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan. (Excerpt from

Reuters)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES (March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

Set a goal and don’t stop until you reach your destination. Share your feelings with a loved one, and make plans that will give you something to look forward to.

CANCER

Make a move or a change for the right reasons, not because someone is pressuring you to do so. Keep your plans secret until you are well on your way to achieving your goal.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Calvin and Hobbes

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Do your due diligence before you sign up for something that is built on dreams, not on reality. A change may be what you desire, but you must consider the cost before you begin.

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

(June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Explore new possibilities, but don’t share your plans prematurely. Gather information and work out a budget. How you approach your objective will determine your success.

Knowledge is power.

Participate in something that will expand your mind and encourage you to make physical improvements. Taking better care of your health and emotional well-being should be a priority.

Sign up for a seminar that will help you curb bad habits and promote your skills and attributes. It’s up to you to make good choices.

Get together with people who inspire you and offer positive suggestions and feedback, while avoiding those who bring you down and complain about everything you do. Romance is highlighted.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Business trips and meetings will play out in your favor. A proposed change will turn out to be exactly what you need to improve your life.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

Know what you want, and don’t settle for less. If someone interferes in your life, put a stop to it and do your own thing. Make home, family and romance priorities.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Keep everyone guessing.

Don’t feel that you must reveal your plans. Take the initiative to make improvements that promote better health, vitality and a new look, attitude or image.

Stick to what and who you know and the things you enjoy doing most. Your skills and abilities will give you a much-needed boost.

Romance is in the stars.

Share your dreams with someone who can offer advice and support, while encouraging you to be realistic. Do your best not to overspend or expand too quickly.

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019

19

VIVO IPL Edition 12…

Gopal hat-trick in washout, RCB eliminated

R

ain had the final say guiding a fast-paced fiveover game into an anticlimactic no-result. And because of that, Royal Challengers Bangalore were the first team to be eliminated in IPL 2019.

Rajasthan Royals had opted to chase, well before the downpour began, and they were 22 runs off their target with 10 balls still left to play when another spell of rain lashed the M Chinnaswamy stadium, putting an end to the game.

Both teams took one point each and that meant Royals still have a chance of making the playoffs; good news for Shreyas Gopal at least, considering he took a hat-trick and all. The batsmen he dismissed, by the way, were Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Marcus Stoinis.

That’s 40,832 international runs.

a Kohli special.

Gopal to the rescue But Gopal, who was already the danger man for RCB having bowled so well against them in his previous two outings, turned it around beautifully.

He first had Kohli caught at long-on for 35 off 7 balls, then he tricked AB de Villiers into mis-hitting one to cover and to press home the advantage, he removed Marcus Stoinis as well, caught at mid-off, to complete his first hat-trick in the IPL.

Kohli tees off The first ball, delivered at 148kph by Varun Aaron, was crashed over the long-off boundary. Next ball, Kohli’s attempted slap over cover took the outside edge for another six. Twenty-three runs came off that first over and everyone was jolted awake after sitting around doing nothing for three hours. Kohli began the second over with a straight six off Gopal, and it looked as if the home crowd would get to enjoy

Royals keep it tight RCB had raced to 50 in 3.2 overs but some excellent running around the outfield, cool heads under high catches and cunning changes of pace from the Royals bowlers ensured there were only 12 runs in the next 10 balls.

Riyan Parag had Gurkeerat Singh caught at deep midwicket in the third over before Parthiv Patel was caught at short fine leg off Jaydev Unadkat in the following over. Oshane Thomas finished off with two wickets in the last over.

Samson falls before rain Sanju Samson and Livingstone gave the Royals a rousing start with 22 runs in the first two overs. Samson also hit Kulwant Khejroliya for 18 runs in the third over and it left the

3

Royal Challengers Bangalore Innings (5 overs maximum) V Kohli (c) c Livingstone b Gopal 25 AB de Villiers c Parag b Gopal

10 MP Stoinis c Smith b Gopal 0 H Klaasen c Livingstone b Thomas 6 G Singh c Lomror b Parag 6 PA Patel † c Thomas b Unadkat 8 P Negi c †Samson b Thomas 4 UT Yadav not out 0 NA Saini not out 0 Extras (b 2, nb 1) 3 TOTAL (5 Overs, RR: 12.4) 62-7 Did not bat: K Khejroliya, YS Chahal Fall of wickets: 1-35 (V Kohli, 1.4 ov), 2-35 (AB de Villiers, 1.5 ov), 3-35 (MP Stoinis, 1.6 ov), 4-44 (Gurkeerat Singh, 2.5 ov), 5-54 (PA Patel, 3.6 ov), 6-57 (H Klaasen, 4.3 ov), 7-61 (P Negi, 4.5 ov)

BOWLING VR Aaron (1-0-23-0) S Gopal (1-0-12-3) R Parag (1-0-10-1) JD Unadkat (1-0-9-1) O Thomas (1-0-6-2) Rajasthan Royals Innings (target: 63 runs from 5 overs) SV Samson † c Negi b Chahal

28 LS Livingstone not out 11 Extras (b 1, lb 1) 2 TOTAL (3.2 Overs, RR: 12.3) 41-1 Did not bat: AM Rahane, SPD Smith (c), R Parag, STR Binny, MK Lomror, S Gopal, JD Unadkat, VR Aaron, O Thomas Fall of wickets: 1-41 (SV Samson, 3.2 ov) BOWLING UT Yadav (1-0-10-0) NA Saini (1-0-12-0) K Khejroliya (1-0-17-0) YS Chahal (0.2-0-01)

Royals needing 23 off 12 balls. Samson fell in the fourth over, but no sooner had he left the field that the rain returned and nullified what was turning out to be a fun game of cricket.

(Cricinfo)

UEFA Champions League

Ruiz Jr set to be named as Joshua Tottenham struggle for firepower after Donny van de Beek strikes early for Ajax opponent for New York bout

Donny van de Beek sidefoots his finish past Hugo Lloris to give Ajax a precious away goal at Tottenham

F

or Tottenham Hotspur it is not going to be easy to find a way back.

They will still like to think they can save themselves and to give them their due, they can be emboldened by the memories of that epic night against Manchester City which got them this far. Yet it will clearly need something dramatic again – something, frankly, that looked beyond them for long parts of this defeat – if they are to stop this vibrant Ajax side reaching the final.

What other conclusion can be drawn after that 30-minute period in the first half when Ajax seemed utterly determined to remind the watching world that they own the patent to Total Football? In those moments Ajax demonstrated to Spurs how demanding the Champions League can be at its elite level, when the quality suddenly goes up a few notches and your opponents are passing the ball like they would on a computer game. And for a while, with Donny van de Beek scoring one goal and threatening others, it did look as though Ajax genuinely fancied their chances of making sure the second leg was a mere formality.

As it turned out, Spurs made it through a difficult night without conceding again and can at least be encouraged by the improvement in their second-half performance. It was still a deflating night for the Premier League’s third-placed side, trying to reach their firstever European Cup final, but they will also know it could have been significantly worse when they recall how close Ajax came to doubling the lead in the 78th minute. The shot from David Neres thudded back off a post and Spurs, saved by the woodwork, can cling to the hope that all sorts of possibilities remain open in the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday week.

By then, they will have Son Heung-min available again, having missed this match because of the number of bookings he had accumulated under Uefa’s totting-up system. Yet Harry Kane will still be out because of his damaged ankle ligaments. Spurs are determined to show they can flourish without the England captain but it was difficult to leave the stadium without thinking Kane’s absence was a considerable factor in why they could not create more penalty-box danger. As hard as Fernando Llorente tried there was not one occasion when Spurs created what could be described accurately as a clear

scoring opportunity.

Ajax, on the other hand, had three of them, plus a selection of other reasonably inviting chances to threaten the Spurs goal, and moved the ball so elegantly and purposefully at times it must have been startling for the home supporters to see their team being so comprehensively outplayed.

Not that it should have come as any surprise that Erik ten Hag’s side were so ambitious in possession. What we saw here was merely Ajax continuing where they had left off against Juventus in the quarterfinal and, before that, Real Madrid in the first knockout phase. It was glorious to watch, slick and inventive, with an emphasis on speed, control and football intelligence.

Ajax have shown already why they have serious aspirations of adding to their three successive European Cups from the 1970s, as well as the one they won in 1995, and they were quick to reinforce that point. Around the half-hour mark there was one statistic to show the away side had had 69% of the ball. In truth, it felt like that was generous on Spurs.

Underpinning everything was the intensity of how Ajax played, their immense work-rate and refusal to wilt even when Spurs were trying to put them under pressure in the second half. Plus we should know by now that Ajax understand the merits of scoring in the away leg. They had managed two in Turin, to go with the four they scored in the Bernabéu, and right from the start they seemed determined to go for it again.

Spurs could not get near the ball and Danny Rose was marginally out of position when Hakim Ziyech played the killer pass for the 15thminute breakthrough. Van de Beek controlled the ball while swivelling to face the goal all in one movement. That left him in front of Hugo Lloris and the goalkeeper was fooled by the way the Ajax player shaped to shoot. It was a brilliant deception. Van de Beek waited for Lloris to go down and then drew back his right foot for a second time to pick out the bottom corner.

When everyone gets time to catch their breath the Spurs fans should reflect this was exactly the kind of occasion for which the stadium was built. It was smart of them to stop the music a few minutes before kick-off to let the supporters create their own atmosphere. The noise was unrelenting and, if nothing else, at least Spurs can realistically think they are still in with a fighting chance.

As well as Neres striking a post, Ajax will also reflect on another opening earlier in the match when Van de Beek dummied the ball then ran on to Dusan Tadic’s pass to give himself another shooting opportunity. This time Lloris saved his team.

Spurs found the first half tough, to say the least, and there will have to be questions about the decision to send Jan Vertonghen back on after the clash of heads with Toby Alderweireld that eventually ended his involvement. Vertonghen was bloodied in the collision and so wobbly on his feet the Spanish referee was among those questioning whether the player should stay on. Spurs decided he should continue after he had been examined by their medical staff, but Vertonghen was obviously in a bad way when it became clear shortly afterwards that it had been a bad idea. For Spurs, it was a bruising night all round.

(The Guardian)

Ruiz (left) beat German Alexander Dimitrenko (right) two weeks ago

U

nified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua is set to face American Andy Ruiz Jr in New York on 1 June.

Joshua, 29, was due to face Jarrell Miller at Madison Square Garden but the American failed drug tests, forcing him out of the Madison Square Garden bout.

California-born Ruiz, 29, has fought for a world title once before and is likely to be confirmed as Joshua’s opponent for his US debut on Tuesday.

Promoter Eddie Hearn says Ruiz will “do anything” to become world champion.

“He will entertain you, give it his all. Even if it means getting sensationally knocked out, he will rather do that than not do it,” Hearn told Fighthype.com.

“I couldn’t afford a guy who I thought may not be good enough or game enough to entertain the fans. I had to pick a guy in my heart who I thought will do everything to become world heavyweight champion at the Garden.”

Ruiz has agreed to terms,

leaving only small details to be finalised, with Hearn stating the fight was “close”.

Ruiz beat Germany’s Alexander Dimitrenko on 20 April, weighing in at 262lbs, which is 17lbs heavier than Joshua in his last win over Alexander Povetkin in September.

At 6ft 2in, he is four inches shorter than Joshua and will be at a substantial reach disadvantage.

In his only world title shot to date, Ruiz lost on points to New Zealand’s Joseph Parker, whom Joshua outpointed 15 months later to unify the WBA, IBF and WBO world titles.

On Monday, British heavyweight Dillian Whyte said Ruiz represented “a savethe-show fight”, insisting the challenger would pose no problem for Joshua.

Joshua will end about nine months of inactivity when he steps into the ring and will seek to extend his 22-fight unbeaten record. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesday, MAY 1, 2019

Wimbledon prize money rises 11.8 %

W

imbledon prize money will total 38 million pounds ($49 million) for this year’s championships, a rise of 11.8 percent, the All England Club announced on Tuesday.

The men’s and women’s singles champions will receive 2.35 million pounds each — 100,000 more than in 2018.

Continuing a theme of recent years, organizers have again significantly raised the prize money for early-round losers.

Prize money for qualifying and rounds one to three in the singles will rise by 10 percent with 45,000 pounds now the compensation for a first-round singles exit.

Wimbledon’s total prize money for 2019 surpasses the 62.5 million Australian dollars ($44 million) at this year’s opening Grand Slam in Melbourne but is still

lower than the $53 million prize pool at last year’s U.S. Open.

The French Open recently announced an 8 percent increase in prize money for next month’s event, taking it to 42.6 million euros ($48 million).

Wimbledon’s prize money has trebled in the last decade.

This year’s Wimbledon Championships will see Court One’s new retractable roof in operation for the first time.

The completion of the three-year project, which includes a new two-level public plaza, will increase seating capacity on the second-biggest show court to 12,345.

Wimbledon greats John McEnroe and Martina Navratilova will be among the players taking part in a test event for the new Court One roof on May 19.

Novak Djokovic & Angelique Kerber ― The 2018 Wimbledon Champions

The tournament will not feature “shot clock” this year, although it is likely to be rolled out in 2020, according to club CEO Richard Lewis.

Shot clock, an on-court display counting down the 25-second limit for a server to start the next point, has already been introduced at the U.S. and Australian Opens.

Tiebreaks will be em-

ployed at 12-12 in the deciding sets of all matches

for the first time this year — meaning all four Grand Slams have different deciding set formats.

This year’s Australian Open introduced a firstto-10 point tiebreak at 6-6 in the decider, the French Open continues to use long deciding sets, and final sets at the U.S. Open are ended with a traditional firstto-seven point tiebreaker at 6-6.

“We feel that 12-12 is a good middle point,” All England Club chairman Philip Brook said. “For us

we felt that a tiebreak at 6-6 in the third set was too early.

“This gives the players a little more time to see if one or the other can win.”

Among a range of sustainability initiatives, Wimbledon will introduce 100 percent recycled and recyclable water bottles this year, while players will no longer receive their restrung rackets wrapped in plastic, saving about 4,500 plastic bags.

Wimbledon begins on July 1. (Reuters)

Cricketer jailed for 5 years for rape of woman

E

x-Worcestershire player Alex Hepburn assaulted the victim at his Worcester flat after she had consensual sex with his then teammate Joe Clarke in 2017.

The 23-year-old was found guilty of rape earlier this month and sentenced to five years at Hereford Crown Court.

Judge Jim Tindal told him the sexual conquest “game” he had set up on a WhatsApp group, was “laddish” behaviour that “demeaned women”.

He told Hepburn he had “arrogantly” believed his victim would consent, during the attack.

“You thought you were God’s gift to women,” he said.

“You did see her at that moment as a piece of meat, not a woman entitled to respect.”

“Trivialised rape” Hepburn was found guilty of one count of oral rape and cleared of one rape charge following a retrial at Worcester Crown Court.

The woman woke up after a night out on 1 April and wrongly believed she was having sex with Mr Clarke before realising it was actually Hepburn, the trial was told.

Hepburn posted rules of the “stat chat” game about many women he and Mr Clarke could have sex with on a WhatsApp group a week before the rape.

His bid to collect “as many sexual encounters as possible” as part of the game was “foul sexism”, Judge Tindal said.

“It demeaned women and trivialised rape - a word you personally threw around lightly,” the judge said.

“Only now do you realise how serious rape is.”

In a victim impact statement, read to the court by prosecutor Miranda Moore QC, the woman said she suffered recurring nightmares in the form of “a repeat of the rape”, which had also led to the collapse of her

relationship with her then boyfriend.

Describing her ordeal as evil and a “heinous crime”, she added: “I take off my hat to anyone who can hold down a healthy happy relationship, after being raped.

“I am flooded with guilt that I can’t ever seem to escape.”

The trial was told the woman met Mr Clarke in a nightclub before returning to his flat where they had sex.

He left his bedroom during the night to be sick and remained passed out in his bathroom.

Hepburn found the woman asleep on a mattress after arriving back at the flat “alone, drunk and frustrated” and he “saw a chance” and attacked her, the court heard, The woman only realised it wasn’t Mr Clarke when Hepburn spoke in an Australian accent.

Hepburn’s barrister, Michelle Heeley QC, said her client had expressed “true remorse”, adding: “He has lost everything: his career, his good character and ultimately his liberty.” (BBC Sport)

guyanatimesgy.com

wednESday, may 1, 2019

21

RHT Gizmos & Gadgets, Albion Cricket Clubs donate to Beacon Foundation’s Cancer Programme

T

he caring and humane side of Berbice cricket was on full display on Sunday last when arch-rivals Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets First Division Team and the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club joined hands to donate $150,000 to the Beacon Foundation’s Cancer Programme.

The two top teams in Berbice were part of a special One-Day Tournament organised by the vibrant Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) in conjunction with Beacon Foundation.

The main objective was to raise funds to enable Beacon Foundation to assist cancer patients who have reached Stage Four.

Rose Hall Town Gizmos

& Gadgets defeated Albion Community Centre Cricket Club by five wickets to lift the $100,000 first prize while Albion took home the runners-up package of $50,000. The management of both Clubs, along with their players, agreed before the match to donate any prize monies won back to the organisers.

BCB President Hilbert Foster praised the kindness of both Clubs and stated that under his leadership, he wanted the Berbice Board to be a beacon of hope to the sick, lonely and less fortunate. The Board, he stated, was fulfilling all of its mandate on the cricket field and was willing to work along with social and charitable organisations to

Shawn Pereira hands over the RHT Gizmos & Gadgets donation to Beacon Foundation

make a positive difference.

Cancer, the BCB President stated, does not look at your status in life or your race, religion or creed. Cancer is one of the worst illnesses in the

Sharaz Ramcharran hands over the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club donation to Beacon Foundation

world, and he lauded the outstanding work of the Beacon Foundation, which cares for close to 30 patients in both Regions Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six

(East Berbice-Corentyne) .

A clearly disgusted Foster blasted the national cricketing administration, who stopped six contracted players from playing in a charity match to assist those in need.

The donation from the Rose Hall Town Gizmos & Gadgets Team was the latest contribution from Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation to charity causes in 2019.

Assistant Secretary Simon Naidu noted that the Club, in the first four months of the year, has assisted over 150 individuals; churches; Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and schools with over $3 million in cash and kind.

Among the popular players representing Albion Community Centre were Devendra Bishoo, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Anthony Bramble, and Kevin Umroa while Clinton Pestano, Kevin Sinclair, Kevlon Anderson, Junior Sinclair, Jonathan Rampersaud, and Shemaine Campbelle are members of the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS. The Club also purchased 50 tickets for the match.

Beacon Foundation Chairperson Patrick De Groot expressed gratitude to the Board for its cooperation in hosting the tournament and explained the outstanding work of the organisation.

RHTY&SC 29th Award Ceremony…

Food For The Poor, Sentinel Security, Shemaine Campbelle, Mike’s Pharmacy on board

T

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) is forging ahead with plans to host its 29th annual award ceremony on May 19.

The prestigious ceremony was postponed from its original date of April 14 owing to a fire at the Club’s office which forced management to push back the event.

The Club’s Awards Committee headed by Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hilbert Foster and Assistant Secretary Simon Naidu have worked over time to make sure that

all plans for the ceremony are in place. A total of 80 club members, law enforcement officers, medical doctors, nurses, teachers, students, and retired teachers will be honoured while several outstanding Guyanese will receive the Club’s highest award, The Dolphin Award of Excellence.

Naidu stated that the Ceremony would be a reduced one compared to previous editions, since the Club has been supporting Berbice cricket on a massive scale following the election of its CEO as President of the Berbice Cricket Board

(BCB).

The Club on Thursday last received a major boost for the ceremony with donations from Bounty Farm Ltd; Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc; Sentinel Security; Moonish Singh; Mike’s Pharmacy; Shemaine Campbelle; Sheneta Grimmond, and AH & L Kissoon.

Singh, a former office manager, donated financially; West Indies player Campbelle donated a cycle while her Club colleague Grimmond contributed two special prizes.

Bounty Farm Ltd

General Manager Patrick De Groot donated four hampers and would be contributing towards the preparation of meals.

Long-time supporter Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc handed over $200,000 worth of prizes while the CEO of Sentinel Security, Noreen Gaskin assisted with $60,000 worth of trophies.

Mike’s Pharmacy Managing Director Lakeram “Mike” Singh assisted with prizes worth $100,000.

The CEO also disclosed that friends, close associates, and the business sector based in Rose Hall Town

have also been contributing in a large way as they also expressed appreciation for the Club’s contribution over the last 29 years to the development of Guyana’s smallest township.

Naidu stated that among the players to be honoured are Clinton Pestano, who is among the favourites to clinch the prestigious Cricketer of the Year Award; Kevlon Anderson; Kevin Sinclair; Campbelle; Shabiki Gajnabi; Jonathan Rampersaud; Mahendra Gopilall; Chanderpaul Govindan; Junior Sinclair and Grimmond.

Apart from the Cricketer of the Year Award, other Awards to be distributed will be the Under-15 Cricketer of the Year, Under-17 Cricketer of the Year, Under-19 Cricketer of the Year, Most Disciplined Player, Most Committed Player and Worker of the year among numerous others.

Senior Food For The Poor official Jimeel Davis has been invited to deliver the feature address while an invitation would also be extended to newly-appointed Minister of Youth, Simona Broomes.

Wilder to fight Fury in 2019 & Joshua in 2020 ― Finkel CLASSIFIED ADS ARACARI ARACARI HOTEL, WBD (NEAR HARBOUR BRIDGE) ALL MODERN AMENITIES- RATES FROM US$25.

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

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

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

LAND for sale TRANSPORTED LAND 11.6 ACRES, LOT 15 PUBLIC ROAD, NO 2 VILLAGE W.C.B. PRICE $18M. CONTACT # 686-4818, 648-7109

TO LET FOR RENT BY OWNER . 8000 sq ft of warehouse/office space on the BV (Beterverwagting) Public Rd, East Coast Demerara. Multiple air-conditioned offices. Call or Whatsapp 592-610-6580

D

eontay Wilder will fight Tyson Fury this year and Anthony Joshua in 2020, according to manager Shelly Finkel.

Wilder will defend his WBC title against mandatory challenger Dominic Breazeale next month, with

Joshua then set to make his American debut at Madison Square Garden on June 1 against an unnamed replacement for Jarrell Miller, expected to be Andy Ruiz Jr. The unification bout against WBA, IBF and WBO champion Joshua appears no closer to coming to fruition.

However, Wilder recently insisted it was inevitable and Finkel anticipates it will finally happen next year.

“He’s fighting his mandatory now, then we have a pretty full slate for this year, then we will discuss

fighting Joshua next year,” Finkel told Thaboxingvoice.

“The name calling, the immaturities that are in the press, they won’t help but won’t hinder making the fight.

“They are all in the works. There is nothing confirmed at this point, the only thing that is locked in is the fight with Breazeale on May 18.

“If everything goes the way we hope it will, we will then discuss his next fight.

“I have spoken with John Skipper [Executive chairman of DAZN, Joshua’s American broadcast partner] more than once. Him

and I are developing a very good relationship, I’m very fond of him.

“Those talks will continue, and eventually it will lead to a fight of Deontay and Joshua.

“I think that on his [Wilder’s] resume, the same as one Joshua’s, it’s a fight that should and will happen, and it’s a fight that will be remembered because there was such a build up, very difficult to make.

“But the fight will happen and the fans will get to see it.”

Wilder and Fury fought to a thrilling draw in December, and Finkel is

hopeful a rematch can happen this year despite the Gypsy King having signed with ESPN and the American being contracted to Showtime.

“He’s someone we continue to speak with as well,” Finkel added.

“The difference is, in the negotiations with Fury, we’re dealing directly and it’s not in the press, there’s no name calling, there’s no gamesmanship.

“That fight will also happen when it’s ready, which will be in 2019 I believe. If that fight is to happen, it would be a joint promotion.”

(Sportsmax)

Troubled PSG suffer 3rd straight away defeat

F

rench champions Paris St-Germain’s stuttering end to the season continued as they lost at Montpellier to suffer three straight away defeats for the first time since 2010.

Thomas Tuchel’s side have won one of their past six games, conceding 16 goals in the process.

Their only victory in that run came against Monaco

last week - which sealed their sixth Ligue 1 title in seven seasons.

PSG led 2-1 before Montpellier scored twice in the final 10 minutes to move up to fifth in the table.

The sides exchanged own goals in the first half before Angel di Maria put the visitors ahead just after the hour mark.

Former Wigan striker

Montpellier are aiming to qualify for European competition for the first time since 2012

Andy Delort equalised after a counter attack before a defensive lapse from PSG allowed 36-year-old Souleymane Camara to score the winner with a deflected effort.

PSG also let a two-goal lead slip in Saturday’s French Cup final before losing to Rennes on penalties. (BBC Sport)

22

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Spartans, Saints, Ballers win big in high-scoring hockey weekend

Y

MCA Old Fort Ballers, GCC Bingo Spartans and the Saints Ladies all registered large-margin wins over the weekend as round one nears completion in the Bounty Paper Towel and Solo Drinks Hockey Leagues Under-20 and SecondDivision Leagues.

Playing at the Saint Stanislaus Ground, Carifesta Avenue on Saturday, the Saints Ladies bagged the biggest win of the weekend with a 9-0 thrashing of YMCA Old Fort Bellas.

The female Under -20 match saw Maria Seegobin leading the charge with a hattrick while Cherub Outar and Charlia Webb netted braces.

Also contributing to the large tally were Clayza Bobb and Nia Williams.

Also in the Under-20 females, GCC Bingo Spartans enjoyed an 8-0 win over the GCC Her-ricanes. Abosaide Cadogan was front and centre as usual, netting two, along with Makeda Harding and Paige Fernandes. The eightgoal tally was completed with one each from Sarah Klautky and Madison Fernandes.

Going hand in hand with the Ladies’ brilliance, Colonel Haywood scored a hat-trick and Devin Munroe a brace, along with one a piece from Brian Asregado and Sherwyn Caesar to bring Hikers Cadets to a 7-0 win over YMCA Old

Fort Rusty.

YMCA Old Fort Aces were also in the winners’ row after restricting SHC Shockwaves

from scoring. Paul D’Andrade, Omar Hopkinson and Shawn Kemraj were responsible for Aces’ three goals.

SHC Shockwaves were not having a good day, as they went down to GCC The Sequel narrowly. Quinn Tobin, Hilmar Chester and Jabari Lovell scored for Shockwaves, but their three were not enough to measure up to the Sequel’s 5. Mark Sargeant, Kevin Spencer, Rahim Oliver, Damon Woodroffe and Marcus Fiedtkou were the scorers for Sequel.

Shockwaves later found themselves locked in a drawn game with Bounty GCC. On Sunday, YMCA Old Fort Ballers celebrated a 7-1 win over their namesakes YMCA Old Fort Generals in the Under-20 male division. Paul D’Andrade, Omar Hopkinson,

Shawn Kemraj, Warren Williams, Nandalall Persaud, Deheron Wilkinson and Shaquan Favourite netted goals to take the winners to 7. Symeon Daniels had the lone reply for Generals.

A hat-trick from Phillip Fernandes led GCC The Sequel to a 5-0 victory over YMCA Old Fort Rusty in the Men’s Second Division.

Also in the winners’ row over the weekend were Bounty GCC, SHC Savages and SHC Shockwaves.

YMCA Old Fort Ballers currently lead the Boys’ Under-20 Solo Drinks competition while GCC Bingo Spartans leads the female list.

Linden Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Competition

Silver Bullets begin title defence tonight Another team Haynes Hitters, who face Quiet Storm in the first game, must win as well to keep their hopes of advancing alive while NK Ballers are in a similar situation following their defeat at the hands of Ashasa Ballers.

Play in the competition continues on Friday when action switches to the Silver City Hardcourt.

The fixtures are: 19:30h (7:30pm) – Quiet Storm v Haynes Hitters 20:00h (8:00pm) – Capital Storm v Ashasa Ballers

D

efending champions Silver Bullets will open the defence of their title with a tricky match-up against High Rollers in the feature clash on day two of the Linden Zone of the Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Competition, which resumes this evening at the Mackenzie Market Park.

Six games are planned and the night’s action promises to produce some sizzling encounters, with former champions Dave & Celina set to go up against Wisroc in a must-win situation for them, having lost their opening encounter to debutants Presidential.

20:30h (8:30pm) – NK Ballers v Amazing 21:00h (9:00pm) – Wisroc v Dave and Celina 21:30h (9:30pm) – Swag Entertainment v Presidential

22:00h (10:00pm) – Silver Bullets v High Rollers Date: Friday May 3 Venue: Silver City Hardcourt 19:30h (7:30pm) – Wisroc v Presidential 20:00h (8:00pm) – Barsenal v High Rollers 20:30h (8:30pm) – Coomacka v Quiet Storm 21:00h (9:00pm) – Silver Bullets v Retrieve 21:30h (9:30pm) – Russians v Haynes Hitters 22:00h (10:00pm) – Swag v Dave and Celina

Hamilton Green 9-a-side Inter-Ward Cup concludes May 5

T

he organisers of this year’s Hamilton Green Cup Inter-Ward/ Village 9-a-side Knockout Football Tournament are putting everything in place to provide fans with a fitting conclusion to the annual event.

The final is set to be played on May 5 (Arrival Day), at the Den Amstel Ground, West Coast Demerara (WCD), and according to Coordinator Lennox Arthur, they are busy preparing to ensure that spectators have a great time throughout the day, with action set to kick off at 16:00h with roundof-16 play, before the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final are played.

Arthur is asking all teams to be at the venue by 15:00h to ensure that there is a prompt start to the day’s proceedings.

The opening salvo of round-of-16 action will see Timehri – with players such as Seon David, Colwyn Cort and Sheldon Holder in their line-up – tackle Mahaicony, who will be spearheaded by Delbert Wilson, Sheldon Toney and Bertie Shepherd.

Tyrone Khan’s Soesdyke then take on Liliendaal in what is anticipated to be an exciting affair.

Khan will be supported by the likes of Delon Smith and Alvin Adams while Liliendaal’s quest for victory will be led by

Anthony Sancho, Otto Jones, and Akeem Saul.

The Mocha versus Charlestown encounter is a virtual final with the Stewart brothers Orville and Dorville and Kevin Gordon expected to lead the former’s pursuit of a win while Keiron Solomon, Jamal Cozier, Jermin Junor and Devon Charles are the key players for the latter.

Kevin Humphrey, Michael Thomas, and Keron Boyce will lead Pouderoyen in their clash against Bagotville, who will depend on the services of Corwin Wright, Mark Chester, and Brian Fredericks to orchestrate a win.

Anthony and Ashley Hardin and Maxwell Trapp will be the lynchpins for Goed Fortuin in their skirmish against De Kinderen, who will have in their line-up Colin Henry, Steffon Coleman, and Romel Medas.

What more could be said of the Sophia v Bourda Blues game, which has players the calibre of Peter and Ernie Smith and Jermaine Nedd starring for Sophia, with Lenox Cort, Tevin Curry and Joshua Brathwaite donning colours for the Blues.

Delon Lanferman, Kevyn Murray, Kobe Kingston and Dwayne Wilson will lead hosts Den Amstel Back Street’s attempt

to advance while opponents Zeelugt have Avery Fraser, Dillon Schultz, and Jason Peters to rely on for victory.

National player Trayon Bobb, Jamaal Harvey and Seon Bobb will represent Uitvlugt in their encounter against Vreeden-Hoop, who will be spearheaded by Curtis Garraway, Trvon Abrams, and Jamal Mounter.

Teams will be battling for a chance to claim the John Fernandes $300,000 first prize and Prime Minister trophy along with hampers from Ricks and Sari. The second-place team will take away the Courtney Benn-sponsored $100,000, third $60,000 put up by Techno Mills and fourth $40,000 donated by Ready Mix along with the respective trophies. All the trophies have been sponsored by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo.

Also at stake are the individual rewards for the Most Goals, whose winner will take home a dinette chair from China Trading, while the runner-up will be presented with a Lazy Boy chair from AH&L Kissoon, along with the Best Goalkeeper, who will claim the Minister of Natural Resources trophy.

Among the sponsors so far are Techno Mills, Ready Mix, Sattaur Gafoor, EC Veira, BEV Enterprises, BK International, IPA,

New Thriving, Ricks and Sari, E-Networks, Starr Computers, NAMILCO, Cummings Electrical, National Sports Commission, Star Entertainment, Alfro Alphonso, the Guyana Police Force, Guyoil, the Minister of State, Prime Minister and the Legal Affairs Ministry.

guyanatimesgy.com

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019

23

Demerara take honours on opening day against Essequibo

Team Demerara looked an organised unit

I

n a one-sided contest between Demerara and Essequibo, the home team, Demerara won the toss and elected

to field first.

The Essequibo boys were bowled out for 75 with off-spinner Joel Spooner doing the damage

Jerimiah Scott looked solid for Essequibo

for Demerara with 5-10.

Demerara are in firm position, enjoying a healthy lead of 87; ending the day on 162-5, riding on

Alphius Bookie’s 52.

Earlier in the day, Essequibo lost opener Kevin Christian for a duck in the first over bowled

by the lively Qumar Torrington. Ameer Singh (01) came and went cheaply when he was out off the bowling of Sachin Singh,

Ashmead Nedd and his team appeal

with the score on 10-2.

The lads from Demerara kept chipping away with wickets; at 27-3, the Essequibians were in all sorts of trouble, losing Bhumeshwar Ramkissoon for one. Orlando Jailall scored a solid 27, which was the eventual top score for Essequibo. At lunch, they were 55-4; they crumbled to 75 all out, losing six wickets for 20 runs.

Joel Spooner was the chief architect with 5-10 in 4.4 overs, and was twice on a hat-trick.

In Demerara’s reply, they had a good start with openers Robin Williams and Adrian Hinds adding 38 runs together. Hinds fell for 13 while Windies U-19 selectee, Sachin Singh scored 13. Robin Williams scored a composed 42, but it was the right-handed Bookie playing the innings of the day at Bourda, scoring 52, decorated with four boundaries and one six.

Amit Persaud has 2-45 for Essequibo thus far; day two will commence from 10:00h at Bourda. (Brandon Corlette)

WEDNesday, MAY 1, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Demerara take honours on opening day against Essequibo

Page 23

Linden Guinness “Greatest of the Streets” Competition

Page 22

Page 21 Page 22

Silver Bullets begin title defence tonight

RHT Gizmos & Gadgets, Albion Cricket Clubs donate to Beacon Foundation’s Cancer Programme

GUYANA TIMES - www.guyanatimesgy.com, email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, NEWS HOTLINE: 231-8063 EDITORIAL: 223-7230, 223-7231, 231-0544, 225-7761 SPORT: sport@guyanatimesgy.com SALES AND MARKETING: 231-8064 - marketing@guyanatimesgy.com - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY GUYANA TIMES INC.