Guyana Times Wednesday November 22, 2019

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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Opposition slams Govt's mishandling of Troy Resources' mass employment termination guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4115

friday, november 22, 2019

Page 3

APNU/AFC coalition deal

AFC seats slashed by 25% in new agreement

Page 7

Marcus Bisram arraigned for carpenter’s murder See story on page 11

Marcus Bisram is being escorted out of the Whim Magistrate’s Court on Thursday after he was remanded to prison

by Magistrate Renita Singh

Schoolgirl battles 9 arrested for possession for life after of illegal firearms, illicit being struck substances down on pedestrian crossing …as Region 4 ranks conduct widespread raids Page 11

Digicel Guyana launches “Shake it” Christmas promotion

See story on page 2

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Tullow to P13 continue drilling with hope of finding better crude 2 motorcars stolen days apart, Police launch P12 investigations Duo to face jury for P10 murder of Grove man

Venezuelan migrants P14 squatting along EBD riverside to be relocated Hinterland P15 nurses, midwives continue to face challenges

Teen caught with gun sentenced to 2 years P10

2 news

FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

9 arrested for possession of illegal firearms, illicit substances ‌as Region 4 ranks conduct widespread raids

The unlicensed pistol with two live rounds

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olice Officers operating in Region Four (DemeraraMahaica) Sub-Divisions A (Georgetown), B (East Bank Demerara) and C (East Coast Demerara) swooped down at various locations on Thursday, where a number of persons were arrested and detained for illegal possession of guns and cannabis.

In Region Four A, which entails the area between Agricola to Cummings

Lodge, Police ranks acting on intelligence visited a location at Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown where a search was conducted on a male and an unlicensed pistol with two live rounds were found in his possession.

The twenty-year-old unemployed suspect of Perry Street, Tucville, Georgetown was promptly arrested and is being processed for Court.

Also in this Sub-Division, a Senior Superintendent of Police, along with other ranks executed an intelliThe three unlicensed handguns and twenty-five live rounds of ammunition along with a small quantity of suspected cannabis seized by Police in Agricola

The 40 grams of suspected cannabis found in the possession of a taxi driver who was arrested by the Police on Thursday

gence-led operation in First Street, Agricola.

Their search unearthed three unlicensed handguns and twenty-five live rounds of ammunition along with a small quantity of suspected cannabis.

According to the Police, five persons inclusive of two

The 1350 grams of suspected cannabis discovered by Police at a location in Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara

females were arrested in relation to this operation.

One of the two females in Police custody was arrested while attempting to obstruct Police ranks from executing their duties.

The quintet is said to be assisting law enforcement officials with investigations.

Meanwhile, in Regional Police Division Four B, which covers the villages between Eccles and Moblissa on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, ranks went to a location at the Soesdyke Junction, East Bank Demerara where a to-

tal of 1350 grams of suspected cannabis was found.

As a result, two persons were arrested and are assisting with investigations.

Additionally, Police arrested a 44-year-old taxi driver of Queenstown, Georgetown, after he was nabbed with 40 grams of cannabis along Victoria Road, Plaisance Village, East Coast Demerara on Thursday.

According to the Police, the taxi driver is being processed for Court.

news

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FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Friday, November 22 – 01:00h – 02:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h and Saturday, November 23 – 02:00h – 03:30h and 14:30h – 16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Friday, November 22 – 13:20h – 14:50h and Saturday, November 23 – 14:00h – 15:30h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Expect light rain showers during the morning hours and partly cloudy skies for the rest of the day. There will also be partly cloudy skies at night. Temperatures should range between 21 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Northerly to North-Westerly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 24:39h and 13:14h reaching maximum heights of 2.38 metres and 2.47 metres.

Low Tide: 06:40h and 19:12h reaching minimum heights of 0.78 metre and 0.74 metre.

wednesday, november 20, 2019

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Opposition slams Govt’s mishandling of Troy Resources’ mass employment termination

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pproximately 227 workers were terminated by Australian mining company Troy Resources earlier this week, and the Opposition Leader has left no stoned unturned as he bashed the coalition Government for their failure to protect the jobs of the workers.

At his weekly press conference on Thursday, Jagdeo argued that the current administration was aware of the cash flow issues which surround Troy Resources, but failed to secure the jobs of the now unemployed workers. He indicated that while Government had issued statements to show their concerns, action on their part during the preceding series of events could have saved the jobs of the aggrieved workers.

Generally, he noted, the cabinet is incapable of preserving the occupation of the Guyanese public.

“The Government says it was ‘surprised’ and ‘distressed’ when Troy Resources sent home almost 400 people. Now, this is the height of incompetence. This Government knew all along that this company had cash flow problems. If they didn’t know that, they’re incompetent, because they were engaged with the company”.

He added, “They knew this was coming, but they’re so incompetent that they couldn’t deal with it. And they cannot deal with any situation to preserve jobs…They just don’t know what to do. So what happened is that (Junior Social Protection Minister) Keith Scott just went and issued a cease order and just pushed the company over the top.

They (the company) were already there at the precipice, and they (Government) just pushed them over.”

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

After the news of the termination was announced, Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman had expressed sadness that these workers would be jobless just weeks before Christmas.

However, Jagdeo, the former Head of State, reminded that the coalition administration had fired thousands of Skeldon sugar workers during the 2016 Christmas season, thereby dismantling their credibility as an administration.

Presently, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has expressed displeasure with the outcome, and has promised to stand by the sacked workers.

“How do you being distressed in the cabinet help to secure jobs for workers?

Then they say it’s unconscionable and drastic, particularly when we’re heading in the Christmas season. We in the PPP are on the side of these workers. We’re very unhappy that they’re losing their jobs,

but people are losing their jobs everywhere because a great deal of it is because of the incompetence of this Government. They don’t have any credibility in the cabinet to mention words like ‘unconscionable’ and ‘Christmas season’ when they terminated 2000 sugar workers in December 2016 at Skeldon.

How can you speak with credibility when you did that? The state did that to sugar workers,” he contended.

An internal memo circulated by Troy Resources indicated that the workers would be paid their severance by today (Friday, November 22). It was initially reported that 386 workers were sent off base with their jobs in limbo until the company could decide on a way forward, while the company kept over 100 of the remaining employees on the ground at its mining operations in Karouni, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).

During an interaction

with the media while facilitating a tour last week, Troy Resources’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ken Nilsson had spoken of pressure being brought on his company. Nilsson spoke about the financial cost being incurred to keep the remaining operations functioning.

“In a normal month, our total operating cost is around US$4 million, plus we have (arrears to pay); so we need about US$5 million.

About US$3 million goes back into the local economy in the form of wages, purchases and all the suppliers.

So US$3 million is not going back into the economy (and) you will see the effect of that next month.

“So the total loss for us last month – since September, our total cash inflow is roughly US$6 million, so we have no inflows.

For the last month, we lost around that. So it costs us a lot of money. To get the money, we need to produce a minimum of 4000 ounces per month, and we’ve not produced 4000 ounces (in a while). To be comfortable, we need US$5 million; we could survive on US$4 million,” he had said.

It is understood that all but its exploration activities were suspended in the wake of the death of Geologist Ryan Taylor in a mining pit accident. Nilsson had explained that it costs a hefty sum per day to maintain the remaining workers in the downsized operation.

4

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, november 22, 2019

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

Teachers to help fight drug use in schools

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ast year, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) made public that the use and sale of the drug ecstasy was discovered in five schools. Known as a recreational drug, ecstasy has harmful side effects that include addiction, and it can cause altered sensations. CANU’s announcement might have come as a surprise to many, and it is extremely worrying. What is clear is that some young people have been, and are being, exposed to a drug that also affects the brain and has also reportedly been used as a date rape trap.

Sadly, drug use in some schools is reportedly not new.

Unfortunately, young minds are involved in cigarette smoking and consumption of substances ranging from alcohol to others that are far more harmful. Some are bold enough to capture the effects of these substances through unsavoury activities they engage in afterwards, as is evident from videos that circulate.

CANU’s Deputy Head, Lesley Ramlall, had stated that looking at the videos, especially those involving young girls, is really worrying for society.

This attracted the attention, and the expectation would be for the implementation of measures to eliminate this illegal practice, especially within the school system. This will not be easy, and Ramlall did allude to the related challenges on honing in on the man at the top, the established leader. Law enforcement will have to up the ante in all repects, including intelligence, to holistically deal with this situation, which has a frightening potential to become a wider problem.

While CANU must be commended for making the discovery and alerting the nation, it raises concerns over how long the situation might have been ongoing; whether the schools were aware, or whether they have the capacity to aid in identifying drug sales and use within. The drug trade tends to operate within a network, and at this point it may difficult to know how extensive it may be in the schools, and whether the actual use is confined to the five schools.

Another reality is that young people will, unfortunately, experiment with harmful things. This is where the Ministry of Education will have to be more innovative to derive mechanisms to build capacity among teachers, so that they can be able to spot any possible sign. Once again, this will not be easy, given the innovativeness of those involved. That aside, there must be some signs, including changes in students’ behavioural patterns and performances, depending upon the extent of usage. This is not just for ecstasy, but for other drugs as well.

Teachers would need to be supported in this fight, and it may very well demand a relooking of policies at a higher level for the implementation of effective combating mechanisms. This would need some urgency, given that some young people, who represent the future, are involved. It will take the involvement of all: parents, teachers, the Ministry of Education, and law enforcement.

Crucial is sustained education on the harmful effects of drug use, for which the media should be encouraged to be a part. It has to be national, given what’s at stake. Maybe this could be the opportunity for the establishment of a structured school monitoring mechanism with specific responsibility. This has been touted before, for other reasons, where trained personnel could either be stationed or make visits to schools to gauge any related effects.

This will have to be thoroughly thought out, for there is the possibility that teachers could feel that part of their responsibility is being usurped. They generally look for signs that could indicate a shift in behaviour and try to find a way of having it resolved.

With what is now in the news, it begs the question of whether the situation has in some way moved beyond the remit of teachers; be it a lack of capacity, or awareness, or frankly being afraid to intervene.

Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, speaking on the issue, was quoted as saying law enforcement agencies were “losing the battle” now that drugs have ended up in schools. This is a battle that the nation cannot afford to lose, and one which must be consistently and relentlessly fought. While the stark reality is that the battle is being lost at this point, it can also be seen as a failure by those in authority.

The Government came into office with a strong security portfolio, and the Security Minister’s comments, though factual, not only underscore that failure, but hint at a lack of optimism in dealing with the issue. Granted porous borders, one would want to believe that surveillance has been heightened at ports of entry.

The issue again highlights the need for intelligence gathering to be strengthened so as to aid agencies in curbing the situation.

Beyond these shores, in some schools in the USA, metal detectors had to be installed following an upsurge in attacks on students by students in what was described as gang-related violence. That was after the situation had festered and grown.

Routine searches here may not be farfetched to nip the use of ecstasy in the proverbial bud.

The implications of reducing the overdraft on the Consolidated Fund Dear Editor, Guyana was once declared bankrupt and a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC), even as the country gleefully flaunted all its natural resources (e.g., gold, bauxite, diamond, etc.) to the rest of the world.

A bevy of peer-reviewed studies has demystified the paradox of Guyana being rich with resources and highly indebted at the same time. These studies show that mismanagement of the economy by the PNC during the 1970s and 1980s contributed significantly to the insolvency of Guyana.

After 23 years of prudent macroeconomic management by the PPP/C Administration, the country’s solvency was restored, and it became one of the fastest-growing economies in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The gains achieved by the PPP/C Administration, however, are being squandered by the APNU-AFC Government which has proven:(i) it is unable to develop any project(s) or policy(ies) on its own (visionless); (ii) it cannot even implement project (s)/policies bequeathed by the PPP/C (incompetent); (iii) it is unconcerned about the plight of the average Guyanese (unbothered); and it has a penchant for spending on non-value-added activities such as eating and travelling (wasteful).

The current APNU-AFC Government, like the PNC of the 1970s and 1980s, has placed Guyana firmly on the road that may lead the country into bankruptcy again.

The escalating public debt

and debt service payments, depleting international reserves, and widening overdraft in the Consolidated Fund are early warning signals that the country is quickly heading towards insolvency.

The stock of domestic public debt increased from $75,868 million at end of June 2015 to reach $80,012 million at end of June 2019.

The total domestic debt service payments trended upwards from $821 million in June 2015 to reach $2,033 million by June 2019, an increase of 147.6 percent.

Meanwhile, the international reserves tumbled from US$626.9 million at end of June 2015 to US$522.1 million at end of June 2019, and the overdraft on the Consolidated Fund deteriorated to reach $89.9 billion at end of December 2017.

The large overdraft is particularly concerning, even though some economists would argue otherwise.

While, technically, the overdraft on the Consolidated Fund is not a ‘debt,’ it has to be cleared like any debt at some point in time, unless the Government can negotiate ‘write-offs.’

If the Government manages to secure write-offs to reduce the overdraft, then it would be remembered in the history books for achieving a unique feat, as they would be remembered for remaining in office indefinitely after suffering a defeat of a no-confidence motion.

There are four ways in which the overdraft may be cleared, and each option has implications. The first option is for the Government to re-

pay the overdraft with tax revenue. This option would necessitate increases to either the tax rates or the widening of the ‘tax net’ or both.

Given the fact that Guyanese are already buckling under the heavy tax burden imposed by the APNU-AFC Government, this option will cause immediate financial agony for every tax-paying citizen.

Disposable income would be further eroded with the imposition of any additional tax on income, while prices would escalate as businesses shift the tax burden of higher VAT to final consumers.

A second option available to the Government is to reduce public spending in some areas. This option can free up funds (or create the fiscal space) for the Government to clear the overdraft. I have no doubts the Government is seriously considering this option.

The Government has a track record of firing public sector employees under the pretext it is striving for greater ‘efficiency’ and protecting the Treasury. The 7,000-plus sugar workers displaced by the Government and general contraction in public sector employment are testimonies to this fact.

Given recent pronouncements by the Minister of Finance: that the civil service has too many employees, I am sure this option will be utilised by the APNUAFC Government if re-elected. The financial pain will be immediate but limited to those who have been fired.

A third option is for the Government to take on additional domestic debt to clear the overdraft. If this

option is pursued by issuing Treasury Bills, it will increase our national debt and debt service payments enormously, thereby shifting a higher debt burden to the current and future generations.

Additionally, higher debt service payments can only reduce the funds available for essential social services (e.g., health, education, water, sanitation, etc.) and public goods (e.g., roads, sea defence, etc.). More importantly, this would translate into the financing of Government spending by the Central Bank, or ‘back door fiscal policy.’ This type of underhand activity generally induces inflation and complicates monetary policy.

Another option is for the Government to use the revenue from our oil and gas sector. The overdraft can quickly devour a significant share of the oil revenue that will flow to the country over the next five years. By utilising this option, therefore, the benefits from oil and gas would take longer to ‘trickle down’ to the ordinary Guyanese.

We may very well have to hold our breaths until our faces turn blue to get the benefits from oil, the same way we are waiting for the ‘good life.’ The little glimmer of hope that oil-and-gas has brought to Guyanese would also disappear if they are forced to wait another five years to feel the benefits from the new sector, even as the country sinks deeper into another debt trap.

Regards, Citizen

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, november 22, 2019

5

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

Granger slipped on oil Dear Editor, When caretaker President Granger addresses the attendees at the opening of GIPEX, they should know a bit about his track record with oil, in order to put his speech into context. The Golden Jubilee celebration was the priority for David Granger’s first year in office.

Even though the breakthrough news of the discovery of oil in commercial quantities was made ten days into his administration, it (oil) was not treated as a matter of great importance, or requiring urgent attention.

The Treasury had US$968 million, the economy was recording growth seemingly on auto-pilot, the debt-toGDP ratio was under 50%. To Granger and his cohorts, oil simply meant there was no need for prudence and thrift anymore, oil would flow soon enough and fill all holes in the Treasury; the ‘Good Life’ had begun.

So far so good; but it is now the end of 2019, the Treasury is empty, the oil will only trickle for the next two years; it cannot sustain, much less refill, the holes created. To add insult to injury, Granger ne-

glected to prepare the nation for oil production. This failure has become all too real as the barrels are being made ready for when the taps turn on in approximately six weeks’ time.

Granger’s failure to learn about oil, its production and industry, resulted in him leaving the responsibility for the sector with Raphael Trotman, a woefully inadequate choice given what followed. Trotman led a team dubbed the ‘Quintet+1’ by Granger, and the team collectively failed to understand what ExxonMobil wanted during the renegotiation of the ExxonMobil contract in 2016.

The Quintet+1 accepted a US$18 million bonus in exchange for a four-year extension of the exploration rights in the 6.6 million-acre Stabroek block.

Relinquishment provisions were not brought into effect, and ExxonMobil continues to race against the clock to explore as many prospects as possible before the next renegotiation/relinquishment becomes due in November 2020.

The aforementioned US$18million caused many disturbances locally when its very existence was denied

by the Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan. Granger eventually took the blame for the non-revelation of the bonus, and also assumed responsibility for the ministerial oil portfolio, which became his first and only portfolio during his entire administration.

Granger left the sector dormant until 1st August 2018, when he announced the creation of a (DoE) Department of Energy “to effectively manage the hydrocarbon resources of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana”. The Department is a study in abject failure.

Granger’s experience with the ‘Quintet+1’ seemingly clouded his judgment; instead of hiring an experienced professional in the petroleum industry, Granger turned to a trusted crony, Dr. Mark Bynoe, a part-time lecturer at the University of Guyana.

Bynoe has failed to deliver on any aspect of his mandate, most notably a Local Content Policy. However, other important areas, such as development of industry audit capabilities and a production monitoring system/unit have not been serviced.

Bynoe has developed an IDB consultant- dependency,

Investigate the Ministry of Social Protection Dear Editor, In trying to support a poor Guyanese single-parent family through a temporary period of rough waters, and with them facing homelessness, I approached the Ministry of Social Protection for assistance for the family.

The callous dismissal of the request for support by the Ministerial Advisor at the Ministry of Social Protection was shocking to me. It showed complete lack of awareness of the importance of her role in this country, and incapacity for situational analysis.

This Ministry is reporting that it is providing support, in partnership with IOM, to Venezuelan immigrants; yet it is unable to support a Guyanese family through a temporary period of difficulty.

The shocking solution that the Ministry of Social Protection came up with was to separate the family members.

The highest level of management at the Child Care and Protection Agency made this

recommendation to separate a family as their best means of support for homelessness for Guyanese, yet they are reporting rent subsidies of up to $50,000 support to destitute Venezuelan immigrants.

The administrators of this Ministry are callous, incompetent, and are a danger and threat to society -- and especially to children. I am reminded of the movie ‘Oranges and Sunshine’ which chronicles abuses of children in welfare situations by the British Government, for which British Prime Minister Gordon Brown apologised in 2010.

With this level of management of this Ministry, Guyanese cannot be assured that all is well with the children and families in their care.

There needs to be an audit into the operations, expenditure and management of this Ministry.

The family in question is safe, as support had been found elsewhere. We want nothing to do with this Ministry (or

with the Government), as they have consistently shown themselves to be a threat to the welfare and peace of mind of vulnerable families in Guyana.

Operationally, this Ministry is pursuing an agenda that is opposed to its official mandate, and it needs to be investigated. We can do better in Guyana, much better.

Sincerely, S Khan

seeking the services of highpriced consultants via loans from the IDB. These consultants rewrite the same reports in endless variations for those too lazy to do their thinking, or possess feeble minds. Bynoe is more comfortable in classroom settings, where he can pontificate to schoolchildren without fear of hard questions or contradiction.

In Bynoe we see an example of Bernard Shaw’s “those

who can, do; those who can’t, teach”.

The failure lies not with Bynoe, but squarely with David Granger. Guyana needed someone who could grasp the issues, and build a team to provide solutions. Granger gave us a trusted crony, made in his image; a square peg in a round hole. What can David Granger tell anyone about oil?

Going forward, Guyanese will soon have to choose be-

tween staying with the Granger model of governance or Irfaan Ali’s team-based approach, where professionals with a proven track record of project management, timely delivery, and intellectual capability can deliver solutions for the benefit of all Guyanese.

Elections are on the 2nd of March 2020.

Respectfully, Robin Singh

Mr Granger’s response was shocking

Dear Editor, Mr David Granger was asked this question by a journalist (Mr Leonard Gildharie) a few weeks ago, and I quote: “But the scenario has changed somewhat from 2015? The AFC was there and they were able to grab some vital votes from Berbice and non-traditional PNC areas?

However, since then things have changed. We had the closure of 4 sugar estates, with thousands of workers laid off, pre-dominantly IndoGuyanese. Where are these votes going to come from?”

Mr Granger’s response was shocking. Mr Granger responded as follows, and I quote again: “The population of Guyana is not only confined to the sugar estates, but it is a wide population: in the hinterland community, in the urban areas, and in the rural areas.

“It is possible that many of the people who did not vote for us in 2015 will not vote for us again. But we had a margin, we got 207,000 votes, and I am very confident, because of our record over the last 4 years, we will increase our votes.

“People have gotten greater confidence in us, and it is not possible to judge the AFC or any single party on the performance they made a few years ago. Things have changed, our people have been on the ground, there have been outreaches, the

people are seeing the benefits of the coalition Government, and I am confident that on the ground people are going to support the coalition parties.

“That is why it is important for us to conclude the negotiations with the AFC quickly, so that the people can see that we are still united going forward together.”

This discourse confirmed for me an attitude of mind that is a stranger to reality.

Does Mr Granger have his head in the sand like the proverbial ostrich? Eccentricities like these that are being imposed on the nation have many similarities to a state of mind that harks back to the Sophia Declaration as unveiled by the PNC in 1976.

It was Mr Forbes Burnham who stated: “The Party should assume unapologetically its paramountcy over the Government, which is merely one of its executive arms”.

What I observed from Mr Granger’s statements during that interview was a common thread that the PNC has to be king; but if one observes most

of the policy positions over the last 4 years and 4 months under Mr Granger, the PNC looks more like the King Lear of economic and political management: seethingly insane on many fronts, and then having the audacity to blame everyone but themselves for this mess.

These 2020 elections will be a cruel teacher to all those who cannot understand the fact that 69% of our people are under the age of 50 years.

Those under-50-year-olds will, in their numbers, reject “paramountcy of any political party” over the State and the Constitution. All political players in the eyes of the 69% have a choice – follow the rule of law, or be permanently banished from mainstream politics.

P.S: That interview was weeks ago, and to date, the APNU and AFC have not concluded their negotiation.

See what I mean – wholesale dupery.

Regards, Sasenarine Singh

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friday, november 22, 2019

Page

Foundation

By Sean Kelly

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ll living things – including bugs and fish and people – die. It's difficult, even for grownups, to understand why this must happen. It may be the hardest thing of all to understand. The best we can do is accept death as a fact of life. It happens, and we can't do anything to change that.

When – and how – does it happen?

Most of the time people enjoy long, long lives. Lots of people live well into their 70s or 80s, and some live even longer.

Slowly, though, over the course of many years, the human body wears out, just like the tyres on an old bicycle or the batteries in your favourite toy. When important parts of the body — like the heart or lungs or brain — wear out and stop working, the person most likely will die. When this happens, we say this person died of "old age."

Sometimes younger people die. Sometimes a person gets very sick, and despite all the hard work of doctors and medicines, nothing can keep this person's body working. If a very sick person dies, you may hear the adults around you say that person is better off now and no longer suffering. Still, every day doctors discover more ways to prevent and treat serious illness, so the chances of a person recovering improve all the time.

Other times people die suddenly, like in an accident. This may be the hardest kind of death for families and friends to deal with because it happens so fast. There is no time for them to get used to the idea of losing someone they love. The important thing to remember about this kind of death is it's often so sudden that the person who dies feels little or no pain. We can be relieved about that.

Where do dead people go?

Many people believe that when someone dies only the body dies. It is just as if a glass bottle full of water broke, and the bottle became useless. The container is gone, but what's inside – the water – remains. The part of a person that's left after the body dies is often called the "soul" or "spirit". Some people believe the soul is the part of a human that loves, feels, and creates; it's the part that makes us who we are.

No one really knows what happens to a person's soul after death. There are many different beliefs about that, and it's best to talk with your family to find out what they believe happens after our bodies die. Then you can decide what you believe.

What does grieving mean?

When someone we love dies, it hurts us. We feel sad that the person will no longer be around to talk to or to have fun with. That absence leaves a big hole in our lives. Maybe you had a pet that died. Remember the first few times you walked into the house after your dog or cat was gone? It was strange not to have your pet there. Maybe you cried – that's OK. We need to mourn, or grieve, over losing people and animals and other things we love.

But just like when you skin your knee, the first, intense pain will go away after a while. It takes time for your knee to heal, but it hurts less and less each day. It's the same when somebody dies. That doesn't mean we forget or stop missing people who died. After a while, we can go back to our lives, still loving them and remembering them always.

Remembering people we love who have died is one way to keep them a part of us. Pictures help us do this. Looking at a photo album can help us remember fun times we had together. Lots of families bury the bodies of loved ones in a cemetery. Then they can go and visit someone's grave. It's not that they think of the dead person as really being there, but it is a special place to go and think about how much that person meant to them.

What about me?

When someone dies, you may start to wonder if the other people in your life will also die soon. You may ask yourself, "Will my mom or dad die?" or "Will I die?" The best thing you can do is share these thoughts with your family. It may be difficult – maybe even a little painful – to talk about these things, but it can feel good to share your feelings. It's important to talk about any fears you may have instead of hiding them or pretending you aren't scared. The people who love you want to know you're having these feelings so they can help.

Did you know you can also help the grownups around you when they're sad that someone has died? Can you remember a funny story about the person who died? Or something nice that person did for you? Tell the good stories you remember out loud. They will make everyone feel a little better.

If I'm going to die someday, what should I do now?

There are many things about death we do not know and may never know. We do know that it will happen, someday, to all of us. But you should not worry or wonder about it for very long. There are too many wonderful things to experience in the many, many years ahead. (kidshealth.org)

any of us have heard the adage, “How you spend your day, is how you spend your life.”

I believe it’s even more micro than that.

How you spend the first two hours of your day will determine how you live your life and how productive that life will be.

Giving yourself time in the morning to put yourself in an optimal physical and mental state is equivalent to putting your oxygen mask on first. You can’t help others or thrive until your needs are met first. Here are five easy-but-can't-fail steps for the best start to the rest of your life, every day.

Choose not to “snooze”

Anytime you snooze, it’s a negative reaction. You’re losing out on your first commitment to yourself and that sets a bad tone for the rest of your day.

Place your alarm on the other side of the room and start your day off with a victory lap by waking-up when you promised yourself you would. While this may seem small, beginning your day with a victory rather than a loss will have a profound impact on the following 16 hours.

your mind to thinking through problems, which is a powerfully beneficial habit to form. It is especially useful right before you start your day (which will invariably have its share of challenges).

Exercise to thrive

It’s simply not true that exercise is the key to weight loss. Instead of relegating exercise to a means (for weight loss), think of it as the destination.

There are three key reasons regular exercise is a smart strategy.

First, exercise brings oxygen to your brain, even if you exercise for only 20 minutes. Second, research shows that moderate aerobic exercise can improve your mood for up to 12 hours. Third, exercise is another great opportunity to learn. Listen to an enriching podcast or an educational audiotape while you’re working out.

Refuel to feel optimal

Open your mind by opening a book

What you put into your body to start the day is integral to how you’re going to feel the rest of the day.

While opting for a donut on occasion is something we’re all prone to do, you’ll be amazed how you feel when you switch it up for something that has a well-rounded mix of healthy fats, plantbased protein and complex carbohydrates.

Blending together a smoothie only takes about as much time toasting a slice of bread and slathering it with butter. Consider starting your day with a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil (brain booster) and, after your workout, try a smoothie or breakfast bowl.

Try these strategies, or even just one at a time to begin. Jot down how they make you feel and affect the rest of your day. Implementing these strategies will benefit so much more than just your morning.

I believe self-care is social activism! It’s putting that oxygen mask on, first, so you can effect posi tive change.

As an individual, nothing is more important than learning and getting better, so don't wait until nighttime to focus on your most important objective.

Try a book that’s geared to helping you solve a challenge. That will acclimate

(Excerpted from Entrepreneur.com)

Read your affirmations

Affirmations are positive, powerful statements you make to put yourself in the right frame of mind. An example of an affirmation to you can use is: “I am reborn today – yesterday does not matter. I am as good as what I learn, what I create, who I influence and what I inspire today.”

Or, you can take an example from then four-yearold Jessica whose morning affirmations went viral.

We have between 45,000 and 51,000 thoughts a day.

Choose to have your first thoughts, every morning, put you into the best frame of mind for a rewarding life.

Reading in the morning is the most important step you can take to keep your mind open, observant, and ready to learn.

NEWS

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friday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

APNU/AFC coalition deal

AFC seats slashed by 25% in new agreement

AFC Leader and PM candidate Khemraj Ramjattan with AFC Chief Negotiator David Patterson outside the Ministry of the Presidency after Thursday’s meeting

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final high-level meeting between coalition partners A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance for Change (AFC) on Thursday has resulted in the minority party leaving with a smaller share of the pie than it went in with.

Last week, the AFC disclosed that the “single outstanding” matter between the two parties had to do with the allotment of ministerial, parliamentary and Regional Democratic Council (RDC) posts.

The 2015 Accord had catered for the APNU to get 60 per cent while the AFC gets 40 per cent of the allotments in the three categories.

However, reports coming out of Thursday’s meeting reveal that the AFC was handed only 30 per cent of the allocations, which leaves its majority partner with 70 per cent.

This means that should the coalition win the upcoming elections in March 2020, the AFC’s seats will be slashed by 25 per cent when compared with its allotments agreed upon in the original Accord.

Reports have been circulating that the minority party may not receive the same portions it once enjoyed, having lost its advantage.

The APNU/AFC coalition was toppled by a NoConfidence Motion (NCM) in

December 2018 when AFC parliamentarian, Charrandas Persaud, crossed over and voted in favour of the Oppositiontabled motion.

This, coupled with the AFC’s poor performance at the November 2018 Local Government Elections (LGE), did not give the party much to take to the negotiations table.

Another contentious issue the two parties have been battling out is the selection of a Prime Ministerial candidate. The 2015 agreement saw the APNU getting the Presidential post while the PM candidacy went to the AFC. As such, the AFC went ahead and selected its lead-

Legal advice being sought in alleged sexual assault of 9-year-old

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senior Police official has confirmed that legal advice is being sought in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a nine-year-old girl by her uncle in Linden back in September.

The allegations were brought to light via a social media post in which someone claiming to be the child’s mother indicated that the alleged assault took

place on September 28 and 29 as the child was spending a weekend in the town with an aunt and her husband.

It is alleged that the child was assaulted by the man, who reportedly took her and other family members to swim during this time. The child reportedly informed her mother of the incident upon her return home, and a report was allegedly then made to the

Police at Linden.

While the author of the social media post indicated that there has been no word from Police on the matter, this publication contacted a senior official, who indicated that a file has been prepared with the report for legal advice on the way forward.

The file, the official noted is expected to be handed in today (Friday).

AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan

APNU Leader David Granger

er, Khemraj Ramjattan, to run alongside Presidential Candidate David Granger.

Last week, the AFC’s Executive, Dominic Gaskin, shied away from confirming that Ramjattan was accepted by the APNU as the PM candidate. He would only say that apart from the outstanding issue of the allotments, “all other terms of the Accord have been provisionally agreed”.

Following Thursday’s meeting, which was held between the leaders of the APNU and AFC, accompanied by Volda Lawrence and David Patterson, respectively, attempts to confirm these

final agreements between the two parties were futile.

Ramjattan would only describe the meeting as “excellent”.

However, asked whether the coalition partners will be contesting next year’s General and Regional Elections together, both sides responded in the affirmative.

The AFC leader declared, “Certainly! We’re going into the elections as a coalition, I can tell you that. Together is better”.

Meanwhile, APNU’s Chief Negotiator during these talks, Volda Lawrence, added “… the coalition has always been

strong… Y’all misrepresenting the facts… We good”.

Last week, the AFC had threatened that if the negotiations are further delayed, then it will move ahead with launching its 2020 elections campaign on its own.

However, the threat did not sit lightly with the APNU leader, who stated that the agreement is determined by the negotiations, not by deadlines.

He reminded that these negotiations are being done in a four-stage process, which includes a set of core principles that have already been agreed upon by the two parties and should not be violated.

“The most important principle is that any agreement should be in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana.

That is not subject to deadlines or threats. We will abide by the Constitution… I am very confident that were we to sit without noise, sit down soberly and quietly, we will arrive at an outcome which is the best for Guyana,” Granger contended during an interview with reporters on Wednesday.

Woman dies after allegedly forced to drink filariasis tablets

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ifty-seven-year-old Domattie Mannie, also called “Sister”, of Richmond Housing Scheme, Essequibo Coast, Region Two, (Pomeroon-Supenaam) collapsed and later died after allegedly drinking filariasis tablets.

The woman’s daughter, Jeevanie, explained that her mother was scheduled to do an eye surgery this monthend. She stated that her mother was resting at home when three females showed up claiming to be workers attached to the Health Ministry and as such, requested her to take the tab-

lets in their presence.

Although the woman reportedly told them that she is diabetic, they insisted that she consumed the nine tablets.

The sick woman was forced to drink the tablets on Sunday about 11:30h, after which she collapsed. She died on Thursday morning at about 04:00h.

The dead woman’s children believe that their mother was too weak to take the tablets and the persons giving these tablets are not medically trained.

The daughter stated that since Sunday, her mother

Dead: Domattie Mannie

took ill and never recovered.

Attempts to get a comment from the Health Ministry proved futile.

8 NEWS

FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Brother of slain political activist protests Court of Appeal – wants early date for appeal to be heard

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onald Rodney, the brother of slain Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Leader, Dr Walter Rodney, on Tuesday protested the Court of Appeal, High Street, Kingston, for a date on the hearing for his appeal against his 1982 conviction for being in possession of explosives.

Rodney was convicted for being in possession of an explosive device which killed his brother, Dr Rodney. He served an 18-month sentence. It was reported that Rodney was the person who witnessed the explosion that killed his brother.

In an interview with Guyana Times, Donald Rodney stated that the protest was staged to get the Court of Appeal to set a date for his case.

He is calling for a thorough probe into the previous High Court hearing which purported to dismiss his appeal.

In relation to the alleged dismissal at the High Court, Rodney stated that the matter needs to be properly investigated since the Court of Appeal ruled that the High Court’s decision to throw out the case was unlawful.

He stated that no appeal had been filed before the

Donald Rodney

High Court, so, therefore, this Court had no jurisdiction to dismiss the appeal.

“My attorney was informed that there will be a hearing; however, two senior High Court Judges, along with a representation of the Director of Public Prosecutors (DPP) met and dismissed the appeal,” Rodney stated.

The man highlighted that there is a serious flaw in the justice system and, therefore, a proper investigation should be launched into the matter.

Rodney expressed his disappointment in which the matter was handled and is, therefore, calling on the powers-that-be to address this issue urgently and have justice

served in a timely manner.

The Commission of Inquiry CoI into the assassination ended in 2015; however, the report was not made public, since it implicated senior members of the army and the President the Country, Rodney related.

In connection with the matter, he is also launching an “I am Walter Rodney” petition to be signed and submitted to the Court of Appeal Registry and the Chancellor.

A CoI had been set up on February 8, 2014, to determine who was responsible for the death of the historian by examining the circumstances which led to the bomb blast.

With the submission of a report by the Commission, which did not point to any one person or entity, the WPA called on President Granger “to take the necessary steps to end this chapter of our history”.

Nevertheless, the WPA had urged the President to accept the Walter Rodney CoI report.

Throughout the 17-month-long CoI, whose Commissioners included Jamaican Queen’s Counsel Jacqueline SamuelsBrown and Trinidad-based Guyanese Senior Counsel Seenath Jairam, the People’s

National Congress had been pointed at as the major player behind Rodney’s death.

The report stated that given all the relevant facts, events and circumstances set out, Commissioners could do nothing else but establish that William Gregory Smith was not acting alone but had the active and full support, participation and encouragement of, and/or was aided and abetted by the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) – both agencies of the State – and the political directorate, including Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, in the killing of Dr Rodney.

Rodney, a globally respected political and social activist, died on June 13, 1980, after a walkie-talkie he was examining exploded in his lap.

It was the theory of those close to the founding WPA leader that the man he had somewhat come to trust, Smith, a then GDF Sergeant and communications expert, had planted an explosive in the device Rodney was expected to test. It was claimed too that the Government of the day, the PNC and its leader Burnham had used Smith to carry out the attack.

Fisherman jailed for wounding drinking buddy

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2 5 - y e a r - o l d Albouystown, Georgetown resident was on Thursday sentenced to two years’ imprisonment for maliciously wounding his drinking partner.

The sentence was handed down by Magistrate Rondel Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts after sufficient evidence was presented to the court against

Kevin Allicock

the accused, Kevin Allicock.

Allicock had pleaded not guilty to the charge which detailed that on April 17 at Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Joseph Barker with the intent to maim, disfigure, or cause grievous bodily harm.

According to reports, the Virtual Complainant and Allicock were both imbibing.

They were reportedly play-

ing around with knives and whilst doing so, the defendant dealt Barker one blow to the neck.

The Police report was made and Barker was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he received medical attention for his wound. Allicock was arrested and later charged for the offence.

Taken…

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…for a ride s Ramjattan fights desperately to remain in the running to be Granger’s sidekick in the next elections, he’s going all out to remain in the public eye. So there he was in the Chronic - along with Basil Williams, Dawn Hastings, Chief of Staff of the GDF, and some officials of a company named “Skyfront” - staring at a drone sitting on the ground.

Yes, a drone. Seems the Government will be buying 5 of the spidery-looking devices at $33 million a pop. Yes, you got that right…$33 million Guyana or $165,000 US greenbacks for a single drone!!

Your Eyewitness, jaded as he is, wondered immediately if the drones would be used to bring back ballot boxes to Camp Ayanganna - to save the army from doing the same!!

In their last outing to perform that task, two civilians – evidently under the crazy notion that ballots shouldn’t be hijacked – were shot and killed by the GDF. David Granger, in his role as the military historian, pronounced that the military operation was “exemplary”!! But maybe today it mightn’t be seen as so “exemplary”; hence the drones??

But the article referred to Ramjattan’s 2016 expatiation on the threat Guyana was facing from the movement of guns (small arms) and drugs across the Brazilian border -the latter for trans-ship ment to the US and other locales up north.

Ramjattan boasted that during the Caribbean-United States (U.S.) Security Cooperation dialogue, held at the State Department in Washington DC, he’d impressed upon the Americans the direness of said threat.

He insisted he’d been assured by the Americans that they were very sympathetic and they’d be helping with the planes and drones requested by Ramjattan for surveillance.

Your Eyewitness can remember snickering at the time (in this space) about the logistics of actually deploying these drones – never mind the cost. Your Eyewitness assumed Ramjattan was talking about those drones the US deploys from deep under the mountains of Nebraska to take out targets in, say, Afghanistan.

Ramjattan did say the drones would fly “hundreds” of miles out and then back! Never in his wildest dream did he think Ramjattan meant drones that are used by American farmers to check on their crops, or oil pipeline companies to check on their…well…pipelines!!

The longest-range drones from Skyfront fly at most 60 miles in total…over five hours max!! Exactly where will Ramjattan situate the soldiers controlling the drones in the bush to get the best use of the range?? But more to the point: how come Ramjattan’s paying US$165,000 for a drone that costs one third of that to customers in the States??

Is he feathering his nest before he’s dumped?? …for chumps Donald Rodney - the brother of Walter Rodney, who was with him in the car when Gregory Smith’s planted bomb exploded – will be conducting a vigil in front of the Appellate Court.

The High Court had dismissed his appeal of a 1982 conviction for “possessing explosives” - when neither he nor his attorney were present. Yet the Appellate Court, to which he’d resorted, keeps pushing him around, rather than setting a date to clear his name. Imagine Smith – on instructions from Burnham’s agent – planting explosives in the walkie-talkie he’d given Rodney, and now charging the brother for “possession”!!

But, of course, we know why the Appellate Court – contrary to what it indicated on May 23 – is avoiding setting a date.

In May, the elections date hadn’t been set!! If a date is now set, the whole sordid story of Burnham’s violent reprisal against his political rival will burst out like an open, gangrenous sore!! And an Appellate Court that had ruled in favour of the PNC’s contention that 33 wasn’t the majority of 65 can’t have that.

Can it?!! …as outcasts Just when you think the Government couldn’t treat sugar workers any worse comes word from Minister of Agri, Holder, that in addition to no wage raise, they won’t be getting any bonus.

Not even if they make their targets??

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

news

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FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Jagdeo debunks GPF’s claims of decrease in serious crimes T

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) recently reported that there has been decrease in serious crimes, but Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo believes otherwise; and he highlighted instances which prove that crime is a major issue of concern.

The acting Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston, had indicated last Friday that serious crimes had decreased by 2.5 per cent when compared to 2018.

However, the Opposition Leader dismissed these claims, asserting that there is, in fact, an increase in murders and robberies. He stated that, in many cases, persons have desisted from reporting criminal activities.

He referred to the data which showed, “On that table, you had murders in Guyana going up last year to this year by 35.7 per cent. They had robbery-under-arms going up

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

by 27.2 per cent. They had larceny going up by 31 per cent from last year to this year.

And yet serious crimes going down…People have gotten to a stage where many of them don’t even report the numerous robberies that take place on the streets, or even at their homes.”

Jagdeo took the liberty to call out the coalition Government for failing to produce a successful plan to address the said increase in criminal activities, but noted that the current situation warrants immediate action.

“This is bizarre for a country like ours. The President doesn’t say anything; he says he’s addressing the crime situation. The (Public Security) Minister has gone quiet on the matter, and the Police (Force) is coming up with these stats and we’re led to believe that crime is down.

This is something that requires immediate attention …

They’re not paying any attention to the functions that they get paid to carry out, and they have no policy to address this rampant crime situation that is wreaking havoc,” Jagdeo charged.

After getting into office in 2015, President Granger had summoned his top security of-

President David Granger

ficials and had laid out a fivepoint action plan that the security sector would use to battle the crime wave, which at that time had been rising at an alarming rate. The plan, however, was more of a strategic nature than of immediate actions to address the crime wave.

Since then, despite insist-

ing that the crime rate has been reduced, the coalition Administration had come under heavy criticism for failing to effectively tackle the situation.

In fact, when asked during a podcast why dealing with the crime situation is proving to be difficult when his government is comprised of some former top security officials, President Granger had posited that there is not a single crime problem, and had further expressed that “the crime situation is not as bad as people make it out to be”.

During last week’s engagement, the acting Crime Chief had also provided statistics which showed that a whopping 631 murders had been recorded in Guyana between 2015 and 2019. This was although the APNU/AFC Government had held out that the crime situation in Guyana was under control.

With less than two months

away from the ending of 2019, there has been a total of 114 murders recorded in Guyana, with disorderly murders dominating the list of the types committed.

Meanwhile, over the five-year-period between 2015 and 2019, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) had managed to seize 567 illegal firearms throughout the 10 administrative regions in Guyana.

According to Kingston, in the year 2015, some 115 firearms were seized. In 2016, 110 were recovered, and in 2017, a total of 119 firearms were retrieved. Last year, the GPF seized 140 illegal firearms, and for the year 2019 to date, there were 83 illegal firearms recovered.

As serious crimes pervade, experts have argued that there is a worrying increase in petty crimes, such as robberies against individuals conducting simple activities.

make some US$300 million annually after US oil giant ExxonMobil commences production in the Stabroek Block next month.

Minister Jordan said on Wednesday that he is in the process of establishing a Natural Resources Account to receive the royalties that are expected.

“As you can see, the world is still turning and we have to cater for our portion of the royalty and then profits, to make sure that we get that and safely keep it in the account until it is ready to be activated,” he told reporters.

Previously, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo had stated that an escrow account should be established to hold earnings from the oil and gas sector until after next year’s polls.

However, the Finance Minister explained that the account is a “regular account” at the Bank of Guyana. He noted that post-elections,

when all the necessary committees are established, then they will “take charge” of the money.

However, concerns are mounting that the adequate infrastructure is yet not in place as the country quickly moves into production within weeks.

But Dr Parsan is of the view that there is no need to be worried.

“It’s a process and it takes time, bearing in mind the brevity of the timeframe between what was recently discovered to when and where first oil could come. That’s a process that takes time… I’m pretty confident that as you overcome these small political nuances, the Government of the day will do the responsible thing. It needs to be legislated and bearing in mind these policies are enablers to the success of any industry. So give it some time and let the process take its time to mature,” the consultant posited.

SWF not “slush fund or ATM” – TT consultant …as Govt sets up account for oil monies

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s Guyana prepares for first oil come next month, Trinidadian oil and gas consultant, Dr Neil Parsan, says that any sovereign wealth fund (SWF) established should not be used as a slush fund and must be operated an arm’s-length from politicians.

He was at the time speaking during a panel discussion on day two of the 2nd annual Guyana International Petroleum Business Summit and Exhibition (GIPEX).

The discussion focused on “Strategies to ensure successful transition (from non-producer to oil producer) – during the ‘big boom’”.

Dr Parsan pointed out that the necessary regulations need to be in place when setting up such a fund in order to prevent abuse of the resources.

“I would, however, caution any country with the intent of establishing such a fund to have the frameworks in place, the transparency and account-

ability in place, the measurements in place and it is not a slush fund nor is it an ATM,” he asserted.

According to the Trinidadian Consultant, while there is always a political agenda in everything, this must be superimposed by a national agenda.

On this note, Dr Parsan, who is Trinidad’s former Ambassador to the United States and a Senior Consultant at Dentons— the world’s largest law firm— posited that Guyana needs to have well-equipped policies in place for corporate governance as well as ensuring that the right people are put in the right places.

“I would not hire a plumber to do surgery on me. Therefore, get the right, well-experienced, well-equipped people on state boards to govern the agencies that are responsible for supervising the sovereignty of the states,” he noted.

In the absence of the par-

Consultant Dr Neil Parsan

liamentary opposition, the coalition government went ahead and passed the Natural Resources Fund Bill in January this year.

The legislation, which deals with saving and investing revenues from Guyana’s oil and gas sector, was subsequently assented. The SWF will be operationalised with

the establishment of the Public Oversight Committee (POC), which will look at proposals to manage the Fund’s resources, and the Macro-Investment Committee as well.

The POC is expected to be the largest body with over 20 members, representing the various civil society bodies and stakeholders.

It was reported earlier this month that while Government has activated the process to identify the members for these committees, Finance Minister Winston Jordan has explained that the committees will not be set up until after next year’s March 2 General and Regional Elections.

Nevertheless, he noted that they are working on shortlisting and engaging candidates so that after elections, there will not be many delays in the setting up of the committees.

Setting up an account

Guyana is estimated to

10 NEWS

FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

GA-FDD warns against importation Duo to face jury for murder of Grove man of substandard food items

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he Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has reiterated its warning against the importation of substandard food items. This move comes in light of the recent refusal of containers with substandard food items.

The body, in a statement, said visits were made by officers from the Department to markets and supermarkets in Georgetown where only a few items were located and seized. Communication is ongoing with inspectors in outlying regions to enhance surveillance for the identified products.

The Department is warning importers of the practice of importing substandard items of food into Guyana and the use of fraudulent/ unauthorised documentation to facilitate these imports. Several containers for the named importer are currently at the city wharf and the public is assured that

detailed examination will be exacted on all his containers for compliance before entry is allowed or facilitated, the statement related.

GA-FDD said they are working collaboratively with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) - Customs Department to guard against this practice and have collectively put systems in place to selectively flag the imports of known defaulters in the Customs ASYCUDA system since this act of extending the

shelf life was perpetrated before in June of 2016. The Department, in 2016, therefore had cause to issue a consumer alert.

“The Regulatory Authority in Canada (Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), has officially informed the GAFDD that the certificates used to facilitate the current exports were discontinued since January 2019 and the signatory used for the export is an unauthorised one. The Department

has since made an appeal to the CFIA to exercise greater scrutiny on our behalf for food exported from Canada to Guyana.

“The Department is also in receipt of official communication from the office of Mohabir A Nandlall & Associates, the legal counsel for the importer, signalling their intention to withdraw legal proceedings against the GA-FDD as previously stated publicly after the Department would have exposed the importer’s malfeasance,” the GA-FDD noted.

An appeal is being made for all importers to ensure the correct documentation, channels and agencies are utilised for importation processes. Stringent measures are being implemented to increase the Department’s oversight and to eliminate these practices which may result in the release of substandard items on the market.

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Heeman Gocool and Khemraj Persaud

wo men who were charged in February 2019 with the murder of a Grove, East Coast Demerara (ECD) man during an alleged triangular love affair were committed to stand trial at the Demerara High Court.

Heeman Gocool and Khemraj Persaud were committed by Principal Magistrate Faith McGusty, who ruled that a prima facie case was made out against the duo after sufficient evidence was provided by the State.

It is alleged that on February 13, 2019, the duo stabbed Rohan Persaud to death.

It was reported that the handyman was killed after an argument over one of them having an alleged affair with his reputed wife.

Persaud’s body was discovered by residents who found him lying at the corner of the roadway.

According to Police reports, he was found with a gash on his abdomen. At the time of the discovery, the man’s intestines were protruding through

the wound.

His T-shirt was also rolled up around his neck while his back bore apparent marks of violence.

Moreover, reports are that one of the suspects, of Grove Housing Scheme, moved into the now-dead man’s home after he had misunderstandings with his brothers.

However, while there, he reportedly started a relationship with Persaud’s reputed wife. According to a source close to the family, this led to numerous arguments between Persaud and his reputed wife who subsequently moved out of the home.

Furthermore, Persaud and the suspect, along with other friends, were in Grove at about 01:00h on February 13 when another argument ensued between the duo.

Persaud reportedly again accused the suspect of having sexual relations with his reputed wife and a scuffle ensued. It was reported that one of the suspects reportedly used a stingray (fish) bone and dealt Persaud one stab wound to his abdomen.

Teen caught with gun sentenced to 2 years

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19-year-old who admitted to being in possession of an illegal firearm with matching ammunition was on Thursday sentenced to two years’ imprisonment by Magistrate Faith McGusty when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

During Shamar Plass’, of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown last appearance, the Magistrate had ordered that a probation report be prepared before sentencing.

The charge alleged that on November 3, 2019, at Laing Avenue, he had in his possession a .38 revolver and three live rounds of matching ammunition when he was not the holder of a firearm licence.

In Plass’ explanation, he told the court, “I left the house lil early that morning to buy pampers and powder for my baby. Sherwayne Fordyce then came up to me on the road and handed me a black plastic bag and tell me keep it”.

He then added that while he was walking on Laing Avenue with the plastic bag, unaware of what was inside, a Police vehicle pulled up

Shamar Plass

and he was arrested.

According to facts, Police ranks, acting on information received, went to Laing Avenue where they observed the teen sitting at the side of the road.

The teen was approached by the ranks and a search was conducted on his person which uncovered the firearm in the waistband of his pants.

The Magistrate, after listening to the facts, sentenced Plass to two years’ imprisonment on each of the charges. However, the charges will run concurrently, so Plass will only be spending two years behind bars.

NEws

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FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Marcus Bisram arraigned for carpenter’s murder

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ours after arriving in Guyana to face a murder charge, 30-year-old Marcus Bisram was whisked away to the ancient county of Berbice where the charge was read to him at the Whim Magistrate’s Court.

He was not required to plead to the indictment when he appeared before Magistrate Renita Singh.

He was accused of giving the ordered to kill Fayaz Narinedat, a carpenter of Number 70 Village, Corentyne in 2016 after he was jilted for his sexual advances.

However, on February 14, 2017, following an investigation, Guyana submitted a formal request to the US Department of State for Bisram’s extradition so that he can face the murder charge.

On October 12, 2017, a Judge in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York issued a Certificate of Extrudability, certifying to the Secretary of State that there was probable cause to believe that Bisram committed the charged murder and authorising the Secretary’s extradition of Bisram to Guyana.

But, on November 17, 2017, Bisram filed a petition for a writ of

Marcus Bisram being escorted to the courtroom at Whim, where the murder charge was read to him

habeas corpus in the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York, challenging the Certificate of Extrudability.

On October 31, 2018, following several extensions, the district court denied Bisram’s petition, concurring in the Judge’s determination that there was “reasonable ground” to believe that Bisram committed the murder as was reported.

Bisram subsequently appealed that court’s ruling. Nevertheless, the Appeal Court in the US took a final decision to deny a petition for a rehearing of his appeal arguments and as such, his extradition was approved.

Bisram arrived in Guyana in the wee hours of Thursday via the Cheddi Jagan International Airport.

While at the Whim Magistrate’s

Court, the US citizen was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Sanjeev Datadin, Ryan Crawford and Dexter Todd.

Datadin challenged the jurisdiction, saying that the Whim Magistrate’s Court does not have the right to hear the evidence. He argued that the matter should be called at the Springlands Court instead.

As such, Special Prosecutor Stacy Goodings was given until December 2 to inform that court why the matter should be heard at Whim Court and not the Springlands Court.

In addition, Datadin requested that his client be sent to Camp Street Prison in Georgetown instead of Lusignan or Berbice Prisons for security reasons.

“The United States Embassy, Marcus Bisram, his Defence lawyers and the state all agreed that Bisram’s stay in Guyana throughout the preliminary inquiry or trial, is safe and that he is not injured or harmed in any way. He is still a US Citizen and so when the state was contacted, one of the recommendations was that the Camp Street Prison is a little safer because it is not overpopulated and it’s a little

more controlled with respect to safety,” the lawyer was quoted in a section of the media.

Meanwhile, five persons have already been committed to stand trial in the High Court for the carpenter’s murder. They are Orlando Dickie, Radesh Motie, Diodath Datt, Harri Paul Parsram, and Niran Yacoob.

In addition, during the Preliminary Inquiry (PI), Bisram’s mother, Sharmilla Inderjali, was charged for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

She was accused of requesting Zubir Ally to give false evidence before Magistrate Rabindranauth Singh. She was also charged with attempting to bribe a Police Officer.

During the PI, an attorney was also accused of trying to obstruct the course of justice and was charged and placed before the court.

However, those charges were subsequently withdrawn.

The prosecution is seeking to use the evidence presented to the court against the five accused so that Bisram can be committed to stand trial in the High Court for the death of Fayaz Narinedat. He will make his next court appearance on December 2.

Schoolgirl battles for life after being struck down on pedestrian crossing By: Devina Samaroo

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n 11-year-old girl is still battling for her life after she was struck down by an allegedly speeding motorcar whilst using a pedestrian crossing along the Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

Adalia George, a grade six student of the Soesdyke Primary School, remains hospitalised at a city hospital.

On Tuesday, November 19, the child, along with her siblings, had just disembarked a minibus and were crossing the road.

A car had stopped to allow the group to cross but as they were doing so, another car, which appeared to have been travelling at a fast rate of speed, failed to stop and as a result, the vehicle collided with the school child.

Her siblings immediately rushed to her aid, and the driver of the car assisted with taking her to the Diamond Diagnostic Centre.

Adalia George in the hospital

The driver was subsequently taken into Police custody and is assisting with the investigations.

Miracle

Adalia received serious injuries about her body.

“She had cuts on her face, a fractured neck, a broken shoulder, fractured face, bruises and swelling about

her body, and lots and lots of other things,” her mother, Allison George told Guyana Times during an interview on Thursday.

According to her mother, who is also a teacher at the Soesdyke Primary School, it is a miracle her daughter survived.

The child is able to talk; however, she has not been able

to open her eyes due to the severity of the swelling.

Her mother is worried about the recovery process, particularly any long-term damages which can never be healed.

“I am here [at the hospital] every day and night.

Sometimes she looks like things are looking up and sometimes, she looks down,” Allison explained, noting that her daughter is looking downer than usual – something which worries her greatly.

Adalia sometimes experiences nightmares and would randomly be screaming. She is also in and out of consciousness.

Aspirations

Little Adalia was described as an avid reader who one day aspires to be a veterinarian.

“The whole world would be playing at school and she would slip in the library just to get books…she sits on the school steps with a set of books reading”.

Allison George

“She wants to become a vet, she talks to animals, she reads to them,” her mother said, expressing hope that her daughter gets to realise her dreams.

The child is set to write the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) next year.

Road accidents

Guyana is currently observing Road Safety Month 2019 under the theme

“Accidents can be deadly, drive defensive and stay alive”.

The Guyana Police Force’s Traffic Department recently announced that there is a decrease in fatal accidents for the year so far when compared with figures from last year.

Traffic Chief Linden Isles had acknowledged, however, that Region Four – East Bank Demerara Sub-Division records the highest number of serious accidents, and as such, measures will have to be put in place to address this.

Allison also believes more needs to be done to raise awareness among drivers about their responsibility on the road and to take extra precautions when near a pedestrian crossing.

“The most I can do is try to help parents and authorities understand that we need to do more to help road users avoid these fatalities,” she said.

For now, she is praying that her little girl does not become another statistic.

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FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Troy Resources confirms 227 workers terminated — severance, other benefits to be paid – company

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A Troy Resources Guyana Inc operation site

roy Resources Guyana Inc has confirmed that the services of a total of 227 employees have been terminated and not the 386 that were reported in previous news reports.

The company added that 386 persons made up the staff compliment and while 227 were dismissed, the remainder is on the job.

This was stated in an advertisement placed in the news on Thursday as the mining giant sought to clarify why such a harsh decision was made and how the displaced workers will be treated.

Troy Resources Guyana had suspended its operations close to two months now, following the death of a geologist, 33-year-old Ryan Taylor, and this incident brought to the fore a series

of complaints by employees of the company in relation to the unnerving working conditions they endure(d) at the Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) Karouni concession.

According to the company, at the end of the legal 6-week layoff period, which expires this week, the board took a decision to terminate the services of the laid-off employees.

“Troy will pay the affected 227 staff one month’s salary in lieu of prior notice.

These staff will be paid in full for all severance, leave and overtime accrued. Troy hopes and aims to remain in Guyana for the foreseeable future despite what has been a financially difficult time, over the last 6 weeks in particular”.

The company debunked

claims that the conditions under which any of its employees worked were “poor” and/or “terrible”.

“Troy also provides a medical facility which provides services to all employees as well as members of the public from the surrounding communities (off campers), free of charge. Off campers are frequent users of this service. Troy arranges Medevacs as required, which are almost 100% related to off campers. Troy arguably pays the highest wages in Guyana, based on a countrywide salary review.

Troy employees, except expats, received an 18.5% salary increase over the last 3 years. Most ex-pats received far less than that or even nothing”.

The company further stated that in terms of ser-

vices and conditions, contrary to “false and malicious reports that were circulated in sections of the media”, Troy provides all of its workers with air-conditioned accommodations, recreational facilities such as sporting facilities, games room, gymnasiums and a recreational area for drinks after work.

There are also barbeque areas where employees can prepare their own foods using supplies which they can get from the on-site dining facility.

“This dining facility provides three hot meals per day as well as a midnight snack, all free of cost. In addition, Troy operates on two weeks on one week off roster except for ex-pats who normally work 4 weeks and in some cases 6 weeks on. The company takes pride in ensuring that workloads are not onerous, but rather, allow for a reasonable amount of flexibility so that employees do not suffer from burnout”.

The company added that

in light of the recent accident involving Geologist Ryan Taylor, it is reviewing the way it conducts its operations, with the hope that it can improve.

“As a result of the accident, Troy has broken down the existing safety training modules into smaller units, with the hope for better retention of what is taught.

On restart, all employees will be retrained in the basics before recommencing work. This has already begun”.

2 motorcars stolen days apart, Police launch investigations

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n investigation has been launched into the disappearance of two motorcars that were stolen on Monday and Wednesday evening on the East Coast of Demerara.

It was confirmed by the Assistant Police Commissioner, Royston Andries-Junor, that Toyota Spacio PNN 1948 was stolen on November 20, 2019, in the wee hours from Industry Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara.

While, on Monday, another car bearing number PWW 7630 was stolen at about 22:00h while it was parked in front of the owner’s home located at Lowland, Hope, East Coast Demerara.

The Police official told <<< Guyana Times>>> that up to late Thursday after-

noon, there were no signs of the cars but the owners and the Police are combing every possible area as well as following leads when they arise.

In 2015, there were 41 cases (of carjacking’s); in 2016, 36 cases and in 2017, 47 cases of unarmed robbery where 16 Toyota Premios and 8 Toyota Allion motorcars were stolen.

The growing string of armed carjacking attacks has stirred much uneasiness among car owners, especially taxi operators who are constantly in fear of being attacked.

Some of these cases had seen taxi drivers and vehicle owners being brutalised in the ploy as bandits cart off with the vehicles.

One particular case in

December 2016 saw an armed hijacker driving off with a vehicle carrying a sleeping child. After realising the child was in the car, the young girl was tossed out of the motorcar as the perpetrators made good their escape.

Earlier in 2017, the Police Force had issued a warning, particularly to taxi drivers operating Toyota Premio and Allion motorcars, of an apparent scheme to relive motorists of the vehicles.

To this end, a multi-agency approach was conceptualised, which will allow investigators to be armed with the necessary tools and information on specifications, so as to narrow in on suspects and ultimately recover the stolen cars.

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FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Headless body at Lethem

Local Police explore possibility that murder occurred outside Guyana …could have been victim of “gang-related” incident

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he decapitation of 22-year-old Brazilian national Dico Davi Roberto Moreira, whose headless body was discovered along Tabatinga Road, Lethem, Central Rupununi, Region Nine (Upper TakutuUpper Essequibo), may not have occurred in Guyana.

This is according to acting Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston, who on Thursday during a telephone interview with Guyana Times stated that Moreira’s head is yet to be located despite law enforcement officials combing the Tabatinga area repeatedly.

He explained that al-

though investigators are pursuing various angles as the probe continues, there is a high possibility that the young man was decapitated elsewhere and his headless body dumped along the Tabatinga Road.

“Well, based on the amount of blood that was at the crime scene, that is the scene where the headless corpse was discovered, it is my opinion that he (Moreira) was not killed there. In fact, it would appear as if he was killed at another location and then his body was just taken to that particular spot and left there. He may have been or could have been killed in Brazil even,” Kingston noted.'

Acting Crime Chief, Senior Superintendent Michael Kingston

Tullow to continue drilling with hope of finding better crude

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ollowing the discovery that the oil found at two wells offshore Guyana is low quality and unprofitable, British company Tullow Oil will continue drillings next year with hope of finding a better quality of crude.

This was revealed by Head of the Department of Energy, Dr Mark Bynoe, who told reporters on Thursday that he, along with officials from the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), had met with Tullow representatives prior to the issue being made public.

“As we move forward, part of what they will be doing after— they indicated Q2 of next year—would be the further appraisals of these, and possibly some other, proceptivities,” Dr Bynoe told Guyana Times.

Last week, Tullow Oil revealed that its two fields in the Orinduik Block off of Guyana’s shore contained oil that is less commercially viable.

The Jethro and Joe discoveries are both said to contain heavy crudes with high Sulphur content – a variety of oil that is less economically viable than the light, sweet crudes found in the US and Saudi Arabia or even by ExxonMobil right offshore Guyana in the neighbouring Stabroek Block.

However, Dr Bynoe

Energy Department Director, Dr Mark Bynoe

pointed out on Thursday that this discovery is not unusual circumstances.

“Most of the finds that are often announced, are announced based on a single well that is drilled.

After that, the companies go back in to do appraisal drills. That appraisal drills may then help them to find additional types of fuel. So you can have in the first field, heavy fuel and later on, you can find lighter fuel. It’s not homogenous,” the Energy Director noted.

In the wake of the tests raising questions about the two discoveries, Tullow’s oil shares had plunged by a fifth.

Nevertheless, the company indicated in its trading statement that while the results from the Jethro

and Joe wells continue to be evaluated, the petroleum system models are being updated in pursuit of additional prospects and lighter oil in the area.

Tullow holds a 60 per cent stake in the Orinduik Block, while Total E&P Guyana BV has 25 per cent and the remaining 15 per cent being held by Eco (Atlantic) Guyana Inc. Additionally, Tullow, through its partner Repsol, is currently drilling the Carapa well in the Kanuku Block. The well started at the end of October, with results expected before the year-end.

Questioned about the future of its operations here, Tullow’s Head of Corporate Affairs, George Cazenove, told this newspaper that this will depend on the commercial viability of the oil.

“We are examining our options at the moment and looking at commercial viability. This is a heavy crude and has high Sulphur and this will affect our ability to both develop and sell this oil… I should be clear that we would never refine this crude ourselves.

That would be done by any customers that we might have,” he asserted.

In an article on commoditytrading.com, it was explained that crude oil has a wide range of grades, and heavy sour crude describes those with a Sulphur content greater than 0.5-1%, compared to the light, sweet variation (with Sulphur less than 0.5%). According to the article, the significance of this higher Sulphur content is that it is more difficult to refine the crude into its various distillate products, particularly the in-demand unleaded gasoline.

One of the main impurities in sour crude oil is toxic hydrogen sulphide along with other mercaptans (Sulphur containing compounds), the article stated.

Meanwhile, Police Commander of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Superintendent Keithon King, also told this publication on Thursday that Moreira could have also been a victim of a “gang-related” matter.

He stated that Moreira was a labourer who hailed from Bon Fim, Brazil, and in that section of the country, there are reports of several gangs and gang-related crimes. This is another angle that law enforcement officials have taken into consideration.

“We have contacted the relevant authorities in Brazil since Moreira’s body was found. They have the information that we gave them and as time passes, whatever we find we are letting them know. So between them and us, a lot of work is being done to find the killer(s) of Moreira and bring this matter to a close".

Additionally, another senior Police source told Guyana Times that there is a high possibility that Moreira’s head is not in Guyana. He pointed out that if the now-dead man

Police Commander of Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Superintendent Keithon King

was indeed a target by a gang or gang member and his head is missing, then it most likely would have been taken as a “trophy” or “security for payment”.

“If that is the case, then the young man’s head would not be here (Guyana). Either the person(s) responsible for torturing and killing him removed his head to take back to their boss or employer for

their payment or they took it with them as a trophy”.

It is believed that Moreira was decapitated between 19:00h on Saturday and 07:15h on Sunday.

Earlier in the week, Commander King had explained that local law enforcement officials intensified the hunt for the slain man’s 17-year-old cousin who has been on the run since the discovery of the headless body.

The 17-year-old is also a Brazilian nation.

The now-dead man and the alleged suspect might have started when the young man allegedly had sexual relations with a close associate of the dead man. Since the allegations surfaced, the nowdead man and his younger cousin (suspect) had continuous problems.

Moreira’s body was discovered on Sunday clad in a pair of long black pants and a blue jersey.

A tattoo with a cannabis leaf was seen on the left hand the body and shortly after, Moreira’s sister, Joy Roberto, identified the headless corpse to be that of her brother’s.

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FRIday, november 22, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

Digicel Guyana launches Venezuelan migrants squatting along EBD riverside to be relocated “Shake it” Christmas promotion

Citizenship Minister Felix (second left) engaging a few of the Venezuelan migrants living along the Grove sea dam

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itizenship Minister Winston Felix on Thursday indicated that attention will be given to relocating approximately 150 Venezuelan migrants who are currently residing along the sea dam between Grove and Herstelling on the East Bank of Demerara.

The Minister, along with representatives from the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), distributed food hampers and a quantity of cleaning supplies to both Venezuelans and Guyanese living in the mentioned areas.

Of the approximately 600 persons living along the sea dam, over 150 are Venezuelan migrants, including about 30 children.

Minister Felix informed that his primary focus will now be on engaging the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on the possibility “of relocating the Venezuelan migrants to more habitable circumstances”.

In some instances, he said, during the relocation process, the migrants sometimes find proper accommodation on their own and would get support from

the international agencies.

“So, it depends on what is workable at the time support is given to the migrants. If the migrants find their own [accommodation], well support is given.

Similarly, if the international community is instrumental in finding accommodation, they are supported in the same way,” he explained.

The Minister noted that since April 2018, the UNHCR reached out to countries neighbouring Venezuela to encourage acceptance and humane treatment of the Venezuelan migrants. He said that the countries are being encouraged not to send the migrants back to their homeland and not to prosecute them.

“So as a result of that we have been embracing the Venezuelan migrants however they come. As a result of the policy not to return them, we have been…granting them three months’ stay, which is renewable,” he said.

Minister Felix noted that many of the migrants found living along the sea dam may not have gotten their permits and so officials are now examining the circumstances under which they are living. He explained that arriving Venezuelans must go through a two-part process: the

Immigration Department, which makes a record and looks after their stay in Guyana and the second, the Ministry of Public Health, which is responsible for health checks and immunisations. The newly-found group of migrants, he said, will now have to go through this process.

Minister Felix emphasised that the Multi-agency Coordinating Committee has oversight of the migrant situation. The last report from the Ministry of Public Health, he said, revealed that over 800 migrant children are registered in schools throughout Guyana.

Education for the children living along sea dam will be addressed, in addition to other matters relating to the migrants, including Trafficking in Persons.

The Minister said there is currently ongoing collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which has shown an interest in ensuring that children are in school and that they are living in hygienic conditions.

With regard to the Private Sector’s involvement in assisting the migrants, Minister Felix said aid must be coordinated through the CDC.

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Digicel’s “Shake It” promotion

s the Christmas season is fast-approaching, Digicel Guyana has launched yet another promotion: “Shake it”, where over 30,000 lucky customers will be able to win prizes on a weekly basis.

During the launch on Thursday at its flagship store at City Mall, Regent and Camp Streets, Georgetown, the telephone giant said it will be offering its prepaid and post-paid customers the opportunity to participate in the “Shake to Win Christmas Promotion” by using the new and improved Mydigicel app.

Customers can get the updated app in the Google Play and Apple stores.

The promotion allows participating customers the opportunity to WIN prizes daily and weekly by shaking their phones via the Shake It gaming mechanism in the Mydigicel App. That is only one aspect of the promotion that was revealed by Digicel. Marketing Manager Ramesh Rupchand stated that to be eligible for the Promotion, you must be a Digicel

customer on an active Digicel Prepaid Smart Bundle data plan and/or post-paid customer on a 4G Data bundle plan from the selection of “eligible plans”. Prepaid eligible plans for the daily shake include customers on any Smart Bundle Data plan who would have purchased any 4G data add-on (50MB, 200MB, 500MB or 1GB) within the said day.

Prepaid eligible plans for the weekly shake on Saturdays include ONLY customers on a Monthly Data plan, Monthly Plus Data plan or Quarterly Data plan.

The post-paid customers eligible for the weekly shake would have to be on one of the eligible post-paid data plans.

Rupchand highlighted that customers can find the list of eligible plans in the Shake It section of the Mydigicel App identified with the Shake It Icon. As such, plans listed in the Mydigicel App that do not have the Shake It icon are excluded from the Promotion.

In closing, Rupchand indicated that phase two of the Digicel Christmas promotion will kick off in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne) on November 29, where a block party will be held, followed by the revelation of the new promotion.

This promotion will run from November 23 to December 21, 2019.

Customers at the location were afforded an opportunity to win several prizes such as hats and water bottles by simply showcasing their shaking skills.

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FRIday, november 22, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

617 persons trained in food safety

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he Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has completed two training sessions in November on Food Safety and Financial Management.

The sessions were held on November 4 to 7 and between November 12 and 14.

Both the “Train the Trainer” Food Safety Training and the general sector participant training session for the Food Safety Training were held at the Pegasus Hotel, Guyana, and facilitated by Yvon Bertrand of Council of Engineers and Scientists Organizations (CESO).

Some of the sessions saw

the trainers engaging 30 participants in the areas of Environmental Controls, Food Hazards, Food Handling Manufacturing Practices, and Personal Practices, Raw Materials Receiving, Purchasing and Storage, and Pest Control.

Meanwhile, the areas focused on were expected to shed light on the ongoing issues within the foodservice industry, address and, by extension, improve the standard of food service deliverables presently provided by establishments in Guyana.

Moreover, the “Train the Trainer” session aims to

equip qualified individuals within the sector with the knowledge and technique needed to execute future training in this area on behalf of the GTA. Bringing down the curtains on the training, the GTA focused on pricing and packaging intervention.

This entailed listing out the fixed and variable costs associated with all activities for the community’s tour packages.

Meanwhile, with raising the profile of Guyana’s interior regions being one of the focal points of the country’s broader initiative to popularise the industry, Moraikobai and Karasabai are the next two out of four communities that the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has highlighted as ready for more community-led and owned tourism.

As such, the GTA prioritises working with these four communities in 2019 and into the new year.

Parents to benefit from parental training

Hinterland nurses, midwives continue to face challenges

Participants of the event

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urses and midwives serving communities in Guyana’s interior regions continue to face many challenges as they execute their jobs on a daily basis.

This was according to Mandy Lafleur, nursing and midwifery consultant within the Public Health Ministry during a recent training aimed at building the capacity of midwives.

She noted that as a result of the many challenges, the residents are the ones who are mostly affected.

“There are always challenges. The challenge of access to where some of our people (are) is not that easy... access is a big challenge,” she explained.

Moreover, she explained that midwives would have to walk long distances, which can take even days to get to

patients in some hinterland communities.

“There are instances where midwives would have to walk for two, three hours, days, in other instances, to reach some of our communities and be able to provide service,” she said However, La Fleur said the Ministry is willing to do more in those communities but access to finances is the major stumbling block.

The consultant indicated that patients are also suffering because of the limited access they have to medical resources.

“Because of where they live [residents of hinterland communities], some of them don’t have the kind of resources that are necessary to do quality care and, therefore, some of these cases are referred to Georgetown Public Hospital”.

Meanwhile, the session held at the Guyana Nurses Association (GSA) mainly focused on the management of postpartum haemorrhage; that is, haemorrhage that occurs after a woman delivers a baby.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that if bleeding can be managed during childbirth, then the rate of maternal morbidity and maternal mortality can be reduced significantly.

“We want to build their capacity [the midwives] with the knowledge skills and capacity so that they can go back into their communities and be able to share this information with their colleagues,” La Fleur added.

The training is expected to be done monthly to continuously help nurses and midwives in Guyana.

Kalibur Security, RDC meet to iron out issues

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Child Care and Protection Agency

he Social Protection Ministry has implemented a number of tangible initiatives to prevent unnecessary separation of children from their families with the establishment of the new Children and Family Care Centre.

This is the ninth year that the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) is observing Foster Care Month and as such, this year’s focus is placed on bringing awareness.

More so, the parental training is geared to equip parents with the necessary techniques to better their approach and how to care for themselves while caring for the child.

These parents can benefit from training from

the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) and job referrals whenever the need may arise.

However, the parents are not very cooperative and the Ministry is working on raising more awareness while enhancing their parental training.

CCPA Assistant Director Tiona October explained that foster care is just a temporary option for a child and as such, they are working vigorously to work in the best interest of the child.

However, if the child is to be removed from the home, the organisation still works with the parent, and as it relates to severe neglect, that child is removed immediately.

While the policy is that children are only to be removed from their families and placed in institutional care as a last resort, institutional care has shown to cause a range of problems for children.

Consequently, when children are placed in institutions, every effort is made to get them out before they become institutionalised and, in this phenomenon, institutional care should last for the shortest possible time.

The Senior Probation and Social Services Officer, Monique Meusa, further stated that instead, the organisation makes efforts to have these children from the institutions returned to their biological families.

he Management of Kalibur Security Services and the Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) Regional Democratic Council (RDC) officially met at to iron out issues stemming from a recent attempt to officially terminate the security firm’s contract over allegations of sexual misconduct and alleged ill-treatment of security employees.

The two sides met at the RDC office in Linden to address numerous concerns stemming from the fallout, after which an agreed statement on the way forward was signed by both sides. The agreement constitutes that both the RDC and Kalibur Security Services will be guided by the Labour Laws for settling disputes, guiding payments, the hiring and termination of staff and all matters dealing with the wellbeing and welfare of staff.

Regional Chairman Renis Morian signed on behalf of the RDC, while Managing Director of Kalibur Security Services, George Gomes, signed for the security company.

Following the almost two hours of deliberations by both sides, it was also an-

Regional Chairman Renis Morian

nounced that the female security employee who recently went public about alleged ill-treatment and sexual allegations would be re-instated with full pay and without any loss of benefits.

The sides also agreed to meet on a quarterly basis with plans to meet in the new year to re-negotiate the security company’s contract, which officially comes to an end on December 31.

Additionally, the security company announced plans to enhance its security system in an effort to garner more contracts from the RDC and to better its security services offered to the Region. The company’s country-wide contract

agreement is also expected to be revised with conditions to be improved significantly.

Gomes, in his remarks following the meeting, noted that the meeting was a worthwhile one in which “very good” decisions were arrived at and all issues resolved. He said the company will now be moving forward with anticipation and promised to continue to execute its mandate with professionalism.

Also, among those present at the meeting were Political Assistant at the Ministry of the Presidency, Rondell Bakker, Region 10 Labour Officer Eliza Benjamin- Hall, Kalibur Security Services Operations Manager Lennox Herbert and the company’s Regional Operations Officer Lennox Higgins.

It was noted by the company that based on concerns raised, pregnant staff are not mandated to wear pants.

It was noted that of the approximately 300 of the security company’s employees in Region 10, 70 per cent are women. The issues between the sides had engaged the attention of the Labour Ministry.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, november 22, 2019

Around The World

Impeachment: Trump ex-adviser calls Ukraine election interference theory “fictional narrative” P resident Donald Trump’s former Russia adviser Fiona Hill urged lawmakers in the House of Representatives impeachment inquiry on Thursday not to promote “politically driven falsehoods” that cast doubt on Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election.

In testimony to the House Intelligence Committee, Hill said based on their questions and statements, some members of the panel appear to believe that Russia and its security services did not conduct a campaign against the United States during the 2016 presidential race and that perhaps Ukraine did.

Some Republican members of the Democratic-led committee have advanced the discredited theory, which has been embraced

by Trump and his political allies.

“This is a fictional narrative that has been perpetrated and propagated by the Russian security services themselves,” said Hill, who until July served as the director for European and Russian affairs at the White House National Security Council.

“In the course of this investigation, I would ask that you please not promote politically driven falsehoods that so clearly advance Russian interests,” she said in the last

Fiona Hill, former senior director for Europe and Russia on the National Security Council, testifies before a House Intelligence Committee hearing alongside David Holmes, political counsellor at the US Embassy in Kiev, as part of the impeachment inquiry into US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington

scheduled public hearing in the House inquiry.

The notion that Ukraine and not Russia interfered in 2016 was one of two issues that the US President urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate in a July 25 phone call that is at the heart of the impeachment effort.

Trump also pressed Ukraine on the call to investigate Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election, and his son Hunter, who had served on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma.

The inquiry is also examining whether Trump’s withholding of $391 million in security aid to Ukraine, approved by Congress to

fight Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country, was meant to pressure Zelenskiy to conduct the probes.

Democrats say Trump’s dealings with Ukraine amount to an abuse of power to pressure a vulnerable US ally to dig up dirt on a domestic political rival.

Trump has denied wrongdoing, publicly criticised witnesses and described the impeachment proceedings as a “witch hunt.” His fellow Republicans call the proceedings a “sham”.

David Holmes, a staffer from the US Embassy in Ukraine, testified on Thursday that his work started to become overshadowed in March by Trump’s personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, who was

UNICEF expresses concern about violence against children

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wenty-eight years after Jamaica adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), country representative for UNICEF Jamaica Mariko Kagoshima says the organisation remains “deeply and increasingly concerned” about the scope and impact of violence against the nation’s children.

The CRC is a legally binding international agreement, setting out the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights of every child, regardless of their race, religion or abilities.

“We are very alarmed by the rate at which children are being murdered. In 2018, 46 children were killed.

From the start of 2019 to the 14th of November, 41 were murdered. This is beyond tragic. We are also very concerned that one out of four students, aged 13 to 15, are bullied at school and we are particularly concerned about two of the most widespread forms of violence against Jamaican children — violent discipline and sexual violence,” Kagoshima told the House of Representatives on Tuesday, hours shy of World Children’s Day.

pushing Ukraine to carry out the two probes.

In her testimony, Hill recalled a conversation she had with Trump’s former National Security Adviser John Bolton about Giuliani’s activities.

She said she had already expressed regrets to Bolton about Giuliani’s “smear campaign” against Marie Yovanovitch, the former US Ambassador to Ukraine, who Trump withdrew prematurely from Kiev in May. Bolton, she said, looked pained and “basically indicated with body language that there was noth-

ing much that we could do about it. And then, in the course of our discussion said Rudy Giuliani was a hand grenade that was going to blow everyone up”.

Asked to elaborate on what she thought Bolton meant, Hill replied that what Giuliani was say was “pretty explosive” and that the former New York mayor “was clearly pushing forward issues and ideas that would, you know, probably come back to haunt us and in fact I think that that’s where we are today”.

US intelligence agencies and former Special Counsel Robert Mueller

have determined that Russia interfered in 2016 with a campaign of hacking and propaganda intended to sow discord in the United States, boost Trump’s candidacy and harm his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Mueller’s team brought criminal charges against 12 Russian intelligence officers in the hacking effort, accusing them of covertly monitoring employee computers and planting malicious code, as well as stealing emails and other documents. (Excerpt from Reuters)

‘Referendum on Duque’: Thousands march against Colombia President

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ore than a 100,000 protesters marched through the dense city streets of Bogota and other cities across Colombia on Thursday as the country joined a wave of others in South America experiencing anti-government demonstrations.

Protesters sent out a unified cry against the right-wing administration of President Ivan Duque, whose approval ratings have plummeted amid an uptick in violence, a flailing peace process and general unrest country-wide.

Civil society groups opposing economic reforms

by Duque’s right-wing Government announced the strike last month. But after weeks of protests in Chile prompted by enduring economic inequality, unrest in Bolivia and riots in Ecuador, Haiti, Venezuela and Brazil, the day morphed into something more potent. It became a cumulation of growing woes against the

People demonstrate during a nationwide strike called by students, unions and Indigenous groups to protest against the Government of Colombia’s President Ivan Duque in Bogota [Photo by: Raul Arboleda/AFP]

Colombian government.

“In my community, in my department of Cauca, they’re killing our social leaders in our indigenous lands ... they’re killing us selectively,” said Almayari Barano Yanakuna, a 48-year-old indigenous woman who stood among crowds of thousands.

Hoisting a rainbow indigenous flag over her shoulder, she said her home in western Colombia was once defined by bloodshed, and while they had a brief respite in 2016 when

the government signed landmark peace accords, violence against her community was once again ticking up, and along with it, their fears. She travelled to the capital, she said, to send a message to the Duque and the country.

“Today, I want to send the message that they respect our ancestral territories, that they respect life,” she said. “We don’t want any more killings.”

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

China could ‘turn off power’ in the Philippines, Senate hears UNICEF Jamaica representative Mariko Kagoshima addresses Parliament on Tuesday about violence against children across Jamaica [Photo by: Michael Gordon]

Her address to Parliament marked the 30th anniversary of the CRC, adopted by some 70 heads of government on November 20, 1989.

Kagoshima noted that violent discipline, which includes both physical and psychological punishment, affects eight in 10 children across the country.

She said while UNICEF recognises the need for children to be disciplined, non-violent methods should be administered.

According to Kagoshima, research and experience across the world prove that

there are ways to raise respectful, well-mannered children without hitting or hurting them emotionally.

A poll conducted by UNICEF and the Office of the Children’s Advocate through UNICEF’s U-Report messaging platform, which connects the entity with youth between the ages of 13 and 29, revealed that 62 per cent of the 1,500 respondents disagreed with corporal punishment.

Only 17 per cent agreed with corporal punishment being the best way to discipline children. (Excerpt from Jamaica Observer)

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hina could switch off the Philippines’ national grid, congress has heard in Manila.

The head of the National Transmission Corporation confirmed the possibility during a senate session.

China has part-owned the Philippines’ national grid since 2009 – leading one senator to question whether China’s “hegemonic ambitions” posed a security threat to the Philippines.

The countries have a territory dispute in the South China Sea. “We have given our grid - although 40% it appears - to a foreign corporation that has interests that col-

lide with our country in the West Philippine Sea,” said Senator Richard Gordon, using the Philippine name for the eastern parts of the South China Sea. “And that [country] obviously has a hegemonic ambition.”

The senate heard that although the power could be switched off remotely - the Philippines could restore it within 24 to 48 hours.

China’s State Grid Corp has a 40% stake in the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) - which runs the country’s lone power transmission line.

It transmits electricity all the way from

Luzon - the northern end of the country - down to Mindanao in the south.

On Tuesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros asked given Chinese control of the NGCP - “Is it possible for our power grid to be taken down remotely?”

The chair of the senate committee on energy Sherwin Gatchalian referred to advice from Melvin Matibag, president of the state-owned TransCo, which owns the grid, in his reply.

“Given the technological advancement right now in the telecommunications as well as in software, that is possible,” he said.

(Excerpt from BBC News)

guyanatimesgy.com

friDAY, november 22, 2019

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f you think you can sing, then this is the chance to be a part of the Garage “I think I can Sing— Karaoke Competition” and win fabulous prizes.

The competition gets underway on Tuesday, November 26, with the grand finale set for December 13.

This is the second year for the competition and from all indications, it is expected to be off the hook.

Those who are interested in being a part of the excitement can only pay $3000 as an entrance free.

The winner will receive a

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55” Smart TV along with $100,000 in cash, while the second-place winner will get a 43” Smart TV and $50,000 cash and the third-place winner will bag a 32” Smart TV and $25,000 in cash. In addition, there will be 10 consolation prizes.

For more information on the competition, persons are asked to call 223-2800 or 609-1400. Participants must be 18 years and over and no professional singers are allowed. The event is made possible by Ansa McAL and Boom FM.

The inside of the lounge with more space

Known for his excellent planning and execution of Clash he spanking new Caribbean Fire Fest Lounge is set to open its doors to the Guyanese diaspora in New York, of the Titans and Music of the World in Guyana and NY, he especially the Queens area, on December 7. The state- is hoping to bring the same vibes to the club. of-the-art bar is located at 116th Street and 101 Avenue, “I am looking at bringing the real Caribbean vibes to the Queens, New York and will cater for the starving entertain- Caribbean people living in NY… Live entertainment on a ment needs for the Caribbean populace residing in New York weekly basis, Caribbean cuisine and the real Guyanese culture we do want to bring to NY,” he stated. and to an extent, New Jersey and other states.

He noted that they expect the same support as they reThe opening is expected to be grand with Ravi B and the Karma Band out of Trinidad and Tobago performing. Speaking ceived at the other location. with Guyana Times Entertainment in an exclusive inter“At the other location, the space we had could have barely accommodated view in New York, one of 150 people, with this location, we can the directors now accommodate 500-700 persons… and masterthere will be the in-house deejays and mind behind the initiative, more so, we will show New Yorkers Mahendra the real Guyanese hospitality”.

Nevertheless, he is sure that once Ramkellwan, someone visits the Caribbean Fire is optimistic Fest Bar, they will return. that the venMeanwhile, with respect to ture will be successful. employment, Ramkellwan notB e f o r e ed that 50 per cent of the staff are unge Guyanese, while the remaining 50 relocating, in front of the lo an llw ke m Ra a Mahendr per cent are from various nationRamkellwan alities including Spanish, operated a smaller bar American and some on Liberty Avenue but from the Caribbean. due to the demands and The staff compleoverwhelming support ment is about 45 and from the diaspora, the will be rotated as a shift system. The bar will be capacity was limited. opened during the day As such, the new facility was located and renand will close at 04:00h ovation commenced. every morning.

The investWith the grand opening in a few days, the enment is estimated at US$760,000 and the tertainer stated that on The VVIP sectio n facility not only caters Thursday, December 5, for the ordinary but for the VIP and there will a special inVVIP gathering. The modern stage set up and the inhouse vestors party followed by the grand bars are all eye-catching and will definitely awe those who opening on December 7 and on Sunday, December 8, there choose to party there. will be a grand family-oriented event with guaranteed lots of However, Ramkellwan explained that the new location is fun and excitement.

The Caribbean Fire Fest Bar is the place to be once you in the heart of where most of the Guyanese reside and this will undoubtedly be an advantage. While there are other are travelling to NY for a vacation and for those residing Caribbean bars in the NY area, he noted that this will be one there, it will the ultimate party spot. with a difference.

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he Sonia Noel Foundation for Creative Arts (SNFCA) in collaboration with the Pegasus will be hosting Style Mission once again. Over the years, this charity benefit event has been an excellent conduit for fundraising for the dispossessed, the displaced and the disenfranchised.

This year, the fashion showcase extravaganza will channel proceeds to the victims of Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas. The Foundation has set as its mission that of empowering local and regional creatives so as to provide strategic and networking opportunities to brand and present their wares within a professional, high calibre, bestpractice platform.

Style Mission 2019 will feature local designers Sonia Noel, Vanda Alicock, Gem Fraser, Natasha David; t w o l o c a l boutiques Rare Finz and Fashion Closet; African Designer textiles Eagle Dreamline African Fabrics, Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design (CAFD)Alumni; Trinidadian, Dominique La

Roche and Caribbean Master Designer at Caribbean Fashion Week Robert Young at The Cloth.

This year’s production, under the creative direction of the Caribbean’s fashion guru, Richard Young, promises to be a blast with over forty, recently cast, models, with guest personalities strutting for the cause, the likes of Negla Brandis, Sherod Duncan, Latoya Zephr, James Bond, Ambika Ramraj (Miss Guyana World 2018), Kenny Hercules (Guyana Model Search winner), Nkechi Vaughn ( C a r i b b e a n ’s Next Top Model (CNTM) finalist), Richard Young and Sonia Noel, herself.

“I am elated to be part of a process that will contribute to many lives,” Sonia Noel.

The talk-ofthe-town fashion experience comes off at the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel on Sunday, November 24, commencing at 18:00h. Tickets are available at the Pegasus and at Oasis Cafe.

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guyanatimesgy.com

friday, november 22, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

(March 21April 19)

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

You’ll have plenty of opportunities come your way.

Refuse to let anyone stifle your plans, lead you astray or come between you and your dreams. Celebrate your success with a loved one.

Imagine new ways to use your skills, talents and knowledge to get ahead. A new outlet will breathe life into the way you do things.

Trust your judgment.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Having fun with friends is favored, but don’t feel that you must pay for others. Generosity is nice, but only when kept in perspective. Don’t add to your stress or debt.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

You’ve got what it takes to reach your goal. Set your sights high and adapt to any unforeseeable change that you encounter. Gather the facts and act accordingly.

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Size up what needs to be done and do your best. Don’t let someone’s criticism bring you down. Reward yourself when the job’s complete.

Romance is on the rise.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

Getting out and experiencing new people, places and pastimes will spark enthusiasm and prompt you to look for adventure and excitement. Welcome to new beginnings.

Don’t let anyone limit what you can do. Personal gain is within reach if you are willing to take physical action to improve your life.

Romance is in the stars.

Now is not the time to procrastinate. If something needs to be adjusted, take the initiative before someone else steps in and takes the reins. Live life your way.

Consider where you SAGITTARIUS stand and how you want others to respond to you.

(Nov. 23Use your connections to Dec. 21) help spread your intentions and to get the guidance and support you need to be successful.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

SOLUTION FOr LAST published puzzle AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Get the most out of life.

Shrink your lifestyle and ease your stress. Don’t make situations more complicated, when a little ingenuity, control and self-discipline are all that’s required.

Look at a challenge as a nudge to make a positive change in your life. If you start with physical adjustments, it will eventually lead to mental and emotional improvements.

Stay focused until you have accomplished what you set out to do. Make good use of your time, talent and knowledge. Don’t give in to temptation.

friday, november 22, 2019

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NBA round-up: Clippers win OT thriller over Celtics L ou Williams scored 27 points, and Paul George added 25 points and eight assists to help the Los Angeles Clippers notch an intense 107-104 overtime victory over the visiting Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.

Kawhi Leonard returned from a three-game absence caused by a knee injury to score 17 points on 7-of-20 shooting. Patrick Beverley corralled a career-best 16 rebounds to go along with 14 points and seven assists, and JaMychal Green added 10 points as Los Angeles won its third straight game.

Jayson Tatum scored a season-best 30 points for Boston. Marcus Smart recorded 15 points and eight assists, Brad Wanamaker added 14 points, and Kemba Walker had 13 points and nine rebounds, shooting just 4-for-17 from the field.

The contest marked the first time George and Leonard played together since both joined the Clippers in the offseason.

Wednesday’s game was George’s fourth of the campaign.

Mavericks 142, Warriors 94

Luka Doncic scored 22 of his game-high 35 points in the first quarter as host Dallas made quick work of injury-riddled Golden State in a 48-point thrashing.

Doncic ran up his 35 points in only 26 minutes, hanging around long enough to record a second straight triple-double with a game-high-tying 10 rebounds and a gamehigh 11 assists. According to ESPN, the 25:30 total that Doncic played was the least court time for a player in a 30-point triple-double in

Tomas Satoransky supplied 15 points and seven assists, and Shaquille Harrison had 15 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and three steals for Chicago.

Former Bull Derrick Rose scored 18 points off the bench for Detroit, which has lost five straight and is 1-7 on the road. Blake Griffin scored 16 points and Luke Kennard had 14, but both shot just 4 of 15 from the field.

NBA history.

Tim Hardaway Jr. went 4-for-4 from 3-point range on a 20-point night against his dad’s former team, and the Mavericks shot 22-for38 (57.9 percent) on treys en route to their third straight win. Rookie Eric Paschall led Golden State with 22 points.

Bucks 135, Hawks 127

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 33 points and 11 rebounds, pacing Milwaukee to a win at Atlanta.

It was the ninth time that Antetokounmpo has had 30 points and 10 rebounds in a game this season, tops in the NBA. He has accomplished the feat in eight of his past nine games. The Bucks have won five straight and nine of their past 10. Eric Bledsoe added 28 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Milwaukee.

Atlanta was led by rookie De’Andre Hunter, who scored a career-high 27 points — 11 more than his previous best — and a career-best 11 rebounds. Trae Young added 25 points and eight assists, and rookie Cam Reddish scored a career-high 17 points.

Wizards 138, Spurs 132

Bradley Beal scored 21 of his 33 points in the third quarter as host Washington held on to beat sliding San Antonio.

Beal eclipsed 30 points in four consecutive contests for the first time in his career as the Wizards sent San Antonio to its first seven-game losing skid since Gregg Popovich’s first season as Spurs coach in 1996-97.

Former Spurs forward Davis Bertans and Ish Smith each added 21 points as

76ers 109, Knicks 104

Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams (23) controls the ball against Boston Celtics forward Semi Ojeleye (USA TODAY Sports)

Washington avenged a 124122 setback to San Antonio on Oct. 26. DeMar DeRozan scored 31 points for the Spurs.

Heat 124, Cavaliers 100

Duncan Robinson scored a career-high 29 points — making seven 3-pointers in a decisive second quarter — as host Miami routed Cleveland.

Rookie guard Tyler Herro added 22 points as the Heat improved to 6-0 at home this season. Robinson, a 6-foot7 forward who went undrafted last year, made 9 of 15 3-point tries, falling one short of the team record of

10 3-pointers held by Mario Chalmers and Brian Shaw.

Cleveland’s Kevin Love, who had missed one game due to back tightness, returned to contribute 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Larry Nance Jr., who had missed two straight games due to a sprained left thumb, returned to amass 16 points and nine rebounds.

Jazz 103, Timberwolves 95

Bojan Bogdanovic scored 30 points — including six 3-pointers — and Donovan Mitchell added 26 to lead Utah over Minnesota in Minneapolis.

Rudy Gobert had 12 points,

Boxing officials from Rio 2016 banned from 2020 Olympics

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one of the 36 referees and judges used at the Rio 2016 boxing competition will be allowed to officiate at Tokyo 2020, an International Olympic Committee task force has said.

Several judges and referees were sent home from Rio after a number of questionable decisions during the boxing tournament.

At Tokyo, referees and judges will be picked from a pool of International Boxing Association (AIBA) certified officials, who have been reviewed to ensure they meet the criteria.

"The main objective of the IOC boxing task force is to ensure the completion of the mission of delivering events, while putting the boxers first, and with transparent and credible sporting results and fair play," said boxing task force chair Morinari Watanabe.

An investigation by the AIBA in 2017 found no interference in results and recommended that the Rio judges

Michael Conlan (right) was defeated by Vladimir Nikitin in highly controversial fashion in 2016

be reintegrated on a "case-by-case basis", but the IOC's new selection criteria have now ruled them ineligible for the Tokyo Games.

The task force said its decision followed discussions with athletes to increase clarity, transparency and integrity in the selection process and officiating at the Olympics.

Scores from all judges at the end of each round will also now be displayed publicly during qualifying competitions and the Games.

Irish bantamweight Michael Conlan, who said he was "robbed", and Kazakhstan's Vassiliy Levit lost bouts in which they both appeared to win comfortably during Rio 2016. (BBC Sport)

15 rebounds and five blocks for the Jazz. Mike Conley totaled 16 points, eight assists and six rebounds. Utah snapped a two-game losing streak and earned its third road win of the season.

Andrew Wiggins finished with 22 points to lead the Wolves. Karl-Anthony Towns added 14 points and 12 rebounds. The Jazz shot 42.4 percent from 3-point range and scored 20 points off 13 Minnesota turnovers.

Nets 101, Hornets 91

Jarrett Allen totaled season highs of 22 points and 17 rebounds and Brooklyn defeated Charlotte in New York.

The Nets won for the second time in three games without Kyrie Irving, who sat out due to right shoulder impingement. Spencer Dinwiddie started for Irving and contributed 20 points while tying a season high with eight assists.

Allen enjoyed one of the most productive games of his career and recorded his fifth double-double of the season.

Taurean Prince added 20 points while shooting 6-for15 in a game the Nets never led by more than 12. Terry Rozier topped the Hornets with 18 points.

Bulls 109, Pistons 89

Lauri Markkanen reached the 20-point mark for the first time since the season opener with 24 points, and host Chicago ended a threegame losing streak by pounding slumping Detroit.

Markkanen, who was averaging 12.3 points in nine games this month, made half of his 14 field-goal attempts and 7 of 11 free throws.

Joel Embiid had 23 points, 12 rebounds and five assists while Ben Simmons hit the first 3-pointer of his career, and Philadelphia overturned a 17-point deficit on the way to a victory over visiting New York.

Simmons hit his much-anticipated 3-pointer with 8:20 remaining in the first quarter, and the crowd exploded. Simmons had missed the first 17 treys of his career before connecting from the corner. It was his lone long-distance attempt of the night and his first 3-point try of the season.

Marcus Morris scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds while Julius Randle and Frank Ntilikina scored 17 points each for the Knicks.

The Sixers improved to 5-0 at home and have won nine straight overall against the Knicks.

Nuggets 105, Rockets 95

Nikola Jokic scored a season-high 27 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, and host Denver beat Houston, ending the Rockets’ eight-game winning streak.

Will Barton had 15 points and seven rebounds, and Paul Millsap scored 11 points for Denver, which had all five starters finish in double figures en route to its seventh win in eight games.

James Harden had 27 points, seven rebounds and seven assists, Russell Westbrook added 25 points, and Clint Capela scored 12 points while pulling down a season-high 21 rebounds for Houston.

Raptors 113, Magic 97

Fred VanVleet scored 24 points and added seven assists, and Toronto defeated visiting Orlando.

The Magic were depleted after they lost center Nikola Vucevic and forward Aaron Gordon to sprained right ankles in the first half. Neither returned.

Terence Davis II had a career-best 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Raptors, who shot 52.3 percent from the field. Pascal Siakam had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Chris Boucher contributed 14 points and 11 rebounds. Orlando got 21 points from Evan Fournier.

(Reuters)

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GUYANATIMESgy.COM

friday, november 22, 2019

Farcical end to rainy day at Abu Dhabi T10 A

rain-affected sixth day of the Abu Dhabi T10 ended in farcical fashion as confusion reigned over the specifics of Deccan Gladiators’ shortened chase against Team Abu Dhabi, with players ready on the field but officials still in discussion off it as the game’s cut-off time was reached.

Abu Dhabi T10 rules state that a minimum of five overs must be bowled in both innings to constitute a contest. Deccan were 25 for 1 after 2.2 overs when rain stopped play, just 2.4 overs shy of forcing a result. The rain duly cleared with the Abu Dhabi fielders and unbeaten Gladiators pair Mohammad Shahzad and Anton Devcich taking to the field only to be left waiting as discussions continued off the field.

Despite a target of 62 to win from five overs being set - leaving Deccan needing 37 from 16 balls - the 13 minutes that had elapsed with the players in limbo took the game past its 9.59pm local time cut-off.

A lack of DLS printouts of projected scores was said to be behind the error but with a revised total confirmed and the Deccan chase reduced to its minimum five overs, there seemed no requirement for target forecasts beyond the final revision. In a statement, the organisers confirmed that “supporting documentation” on the target was not available, leading to the delay.

“In the second innings of the Deccan Gladiators vs Team Abu Dhabi match, rain suspended play at 21.30, with covers coming on immedi-

Rain took centre stage in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday (Getty Images)

ately at Zayed Cricket Stadium,” the statement read. “Match officials confirmed that play would resume at 21.46, with the view to reduce the match to five overs, implementing the DLS. “DLS target discussions continued between team management and match officials as both teams took to the field. Supporting documentation was requested, and this was not immediately available before the

scheduled 21.59 match cut-off time. The match referee subsequently decided to abandon the match.”

The point apiece leaves Deccan top of the pile on seven points, but it will be a particularly tough result for Abu Dhabi to take. A win would have moved them to five points and as high as third place, within one point of the Gladiators on six, strengthening their grip on the top-four finish required to remain in the competition. But now, and with one game left to play, the UAE capital’s franchise could be out of the competition by the time they take on Karnataka Tuskers in their final

outing on Friday.

Earlier in the day, a spate of bad weather across the UAE made its way to the capital at the midway stage of the first game as Maratha Arabians and Karnataka was called off before the latter could start their pursuit of 130 for victory.

The subsequent match had Bangla Tigers edge out reigning champions Northern Warriors by six runs.

The tournament’s organisers have also faced questions over the format, following two tied matches without a tie-breaker such as a Super Over in place. (Cricinfo)

New Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho says Jemimah Rodrigues he will not make the same mistakes at Spurs rises to No 4 after Windies tour that he did in previous managerial roles

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he Portuguese replaced Mauricio Pochettino on Wednesday, ending an 11-month spell out of management following his sacking by Manchester United.

Mourinho described himself as humble in his first news conference as Spurs boss, saying he spent his time away from football analysing his career.

“I realised I made mistakes,” he said.

“I’m not going to make the same mistakes. I’ll make new mistakes - but not the same.”

Mourinho, who would not be drawn on what mistakes he was referring to, added: “I am humble, humble enough to try and analyse my career - not just the last year, but the whole thing, the evolution, the problems and the solutions. Not to blame anyone else.

“It was a great thing. I went really deep with that analysis. A break was very positive for me. It was the first summer I did not work and I felt a little bit at a loss during that pre-season.

“I was always humble, in my way. The problem is you didn’t understand that.”

Mourinho’s time at Manchester United came to an end last December with the club 19 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool.

He had also reportedly fallen out with £89m signing Paul Pogba and was criticised by fans towards the end of his tenure for playing dull, defensive football.

The former Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid manager’s departure from Old Trafford continued his run of having never completed four consecutive seasons in charge of a club.

“When I don’t win I cannot be happy and I cannot change that,” Mourinho added. “That is my DNA. “I hope I can influence my players, because if you are happy losing football matches it is very hard to be a winner.

“Sometimes you have to work with people you don’t love and work well. I have principles that I cannot change and one of those is that I don’t think I can change.”

“I don’t need new players”

Mourinho spent nearly £400m on 11 players during his two years at Manchester United, but believes he has al-

Mauricio Pochettino (right) was sacked on Tuesday after five-anda-half years at Tottenham. Jose Mourinho has replaced him

ready inherited a quality squad at Spurs.

“The best gift for me, I don’t need players,” he added. “I am happy with the ones I have.

“I just need more time with them. I know them well from playing against them, but you never know them well enough.”

The 56-year-old takes charge of a Spurs side that are 14th in the Premier League with just three league wins all season.

However, Mourinho, who has won trophies at every club he has managed, is confident the club’s fortunes will soon turn around.He said: “We cannot win the Premier League this season, but we can win it next season. Not will, but can.” (BBC.COM)

emimah Rodrigues has broken into the top five of the T20I batting rankings, moving up from seventh to fourth after compiling 96 runs during India’s five-nil mauling of West Indies. Her most significant contribution came in the final match, in which she struck a half-century.

Following the result, India and West Indies swapped places, with India climbing to fourth after gaining eight points and West Indies dropping to fifth place, after losing ten points.

To cap India’s dominance in the rankings, leftarm spinner Radha Yadav climbed from fifth to second after picking seven wickets in the series, just second behind offspinner Deepti Sharma, who took eight wickets to hold on to her fourth place. With legspinner Poonam Yadav ranked five, India are well represented.

Fifteen-year old opener Shafali Verma, too, climbed in the rankings, leapfrogging from 87 to 30 after finishing the series as the highest run-getter with a tally of 157, which included two fifties.

Meanwhile, Pakistan batter Javeria Khan broke

into the top 20 in T20Is after amassing 111 runs in the 3-0 thrashing of Bangladesh at home. But Bangladesh themselves had something to cheer about as fast bowler Jahanara Alam, who took nine wickets in the series, climbed 22 spots to 15th.

(Cricinfo)

guyanatimesgy.com

friday, november 22, 2019

CLASSIFIED ADS Educational First Aid/CPR And Home Nursing Classes. Kindly call 225-9082 or visit St. John Association 110 Cowan St., Georgetown to enroll for new classes now being scheduled.

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For further info, Call: 694-6606.

TO LET For Rent: 2 Story Concrete House for Rental in residential gated community in Georgetown. 5 Bedrooms A/C, 5 Complete Bathroom, Hot and Cold Water, Backup Generator, Large Yard Space, 2 Living Room A/C, Office, 4 Patio, 2 Car Garage. Call Tel: 6946606 (serious enquires only) FOR RENT BY OWNER. 8000 sq ft of warehouse/office space on the BV (Beterverwagting) Public Rd, East Coast Demerara. Multiple air-conditioned offices. USD $4500 NEGOTIABLE. Call or Whatsapp 592610-6580 To Rent: 1 Fully Furnished 2 Bedroom Apartment (Mosquito Screen, Wifi, Hot and Cold Shower, Security Camera , A.C). 154 Regent Oronoque St. G/Town.Call: 501-3706/ 652-7454

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Colonial Medical Insurance tourney…

21

Hemraj optimistic Guyana will triumph in Super50 Cup

By Timothy Jaikarran

T

he Guyana Jaguars will be taking on the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on Saturday from 13:30hrs as their campaign in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup continues in Port-of-Spain, Republic of Trinidad& Tobago.

Guyana’s recent centurion, Chandrapaul Hemraj, is optimistic that his team would ‘cross the line’ and lift this title, which has evaded them for the past 15 years.

Guyana, who are in Group ‘B’, are currently positioned third on 16 points, having won 4 of the 6 games played.

They are currently tied with the West Indies Emerging Players, who have played the same amount of games.

In an interview with Guyana Times Sport, Hemraj was asked about his performance thus far in the tournament, and he responded, “It’s really great to score a century, but I think

the win was more important, especially where we stand on the points’ table. In terms of me scoring runs and taking wickets, I just want to be consistent throughout the tournament.

Saturday’s game is very important to me and the team.

We are just trying to take it one game at a time, and not look too far ahead.”

Hemraj has had a few starts in the season, with scores of 18, 21, 31, 40 and 5. He ‘dug deep’ in a manner of speaking and led his side to a comprehensive win, scoring his second List ‘A’ century.

He has also proven himself valuable with the ball, returning figures of 2-31 and 3-18. He is currently 19th on the batting charts, having scored 185 runs at an average of 30.83, while also taking five wickets with a strike rate of 24.60 and an impressive economy rate of 4.39.

Hemraj disclosed that the recent role he played when ‘given the ball’ has been quite beneficial to him. He showed his worth with the ball in the recently concluded Hero CPL 2019 tournament and the ongoing Regional Super50 Cup. He disclosed that he is gratified by his performance, as

Chandrapaul Hemraj

he feels able to contribute to the team in more ways than one, thus he feels more valuable to the team as a player.

This left-handed batsman also relayed that it is his personal goal to remain consistent and help his team claim the title, something that has eluded the team’s grasp for the past 15 years.

He has iterated that the Chandrapaul Hemraj of 2018 is not the same person many see today, but is a vastly improved player. “Putting in extra work has helped me understand my game a lot more, mentally and physically. Also, I have good support from loved ones, especially my wife,” he disclosed.

WDCA Beacon 50-Over Competition…

Matches to continue on Sunday ꟷ McGill Super Stars still on top

W

hen action continued in the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA) Beacon 50-Over Competition, Mc Gill Super Stars SC took on New Windsor Forest SC at the Okoo Cricket Ground in Canal #1, West Bank Demerara, but tension between the two teams was diffused by intervention of the rain rendering the game a no-result (washed out).

However, the McGill side, current table-toppers, remain “positive”. In this encounter, played on familiar territory, they had won the

toss and chosen to bat; and had reached 94-3 in 18.3 overs before rain had halted the proceedings.

Balram Aron and Troy Persaud had been left unbeaten on 26 and 16 runs respectively, while Mahendra Jailall had been able to bag 2-16.

They are confident that New Windsor Forest would have lost the match on a ‘regular’ day, but note that the New Windsor Forest team are suddenly imbued with

Porter for Water delivery - 680-3863

a sense of confidence which they acquired when they recently defeated Zeeburg Cricket Team for the first time in 10 years.

Action in the competition will continue this Sunday with various matches being played across the different grounds.

All matches will commence promptly at 09:00hrs. The first fixture will see

Windsor Forest ‘A’ opposing La Grange at the Zeeburg Cricket Ground, while Zeeburg will oppose Windsor Forest ‘B’ at the Windsor Forest Ground.

At Joe Vieira Park, Independence ‘A’ will take on Saw Pit, while All Youth ‘A’ will take on Dynasty at the Malvern Cricket Ground.

The other Sunday encounter would involve Bell Vue taking on Wales at the Belle Vue Cricket Ground.

Super50 Cup: Merchant reported over potential suspect bowling action

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Part of the action in the WDCA 50-Over Competition

amaica Scorpions off-spinner Jamie Merchant has been reported for a suspect bowling action during his side’s game against Canada last Saturday in the Colonial Medical Insurance Super50 Cup. Cricket West Indies has confirmed that Merchant’s action was cited by match officials after he bowled his allotted 10 overs for figures of 0-33 during the game at Warner Park, which the Scorpions won by four wickets.

CWI will now arrange for an Opinion Report of the bowling action of the 30-year-old Merchant from an Independent Assessor, but he is permitted to continue bowling until the results of the assessment are known.

Jamie Merchant

Video footage from the game will be sent to Loughborough University in the United Kingdom for an Opinion Report in accordance with the CWI Regulations for Dealing with Suspected Illegal Bowling Actions. (CWI)

22

friday, november 22, 2019

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Farfan and Mendes Junior Skill Level Squash Tournament 2019…

Stiff battles seen in Category A boys’ matches T

he Farfan and Mendes Junior Skill Level Squash Tournament 2019 began on Wednesday evening at the courts of the Georgetown Club Inc. on Camp Street, Georgetown.

The final local tournament of the year on the Guyana Squash Association’s calendar saw Category ‘A’ player Michael Alphonso battling a brave Gianni Carpenter for a three-set straight win.

In the first game, the boys vied point-for-point up to 8 all, before Alphonso pulled away for the 11/8 win. Alphonso dominated the second game with the skill that gave him the Under-15 Caribbean title, but Carpenter came back fighting in the third game, although he was again able to secure only 8 points, as Alphonso took his first win of the tournament 11/8, 11/5, 11/8.

In the other Category ‘A’ bout, Samuel InceCarvalhal was slow to start against the disciplined, inform Nicholas Verwey, and after a crushing first game defeat, found himself 9/4

down in the second. InceCarvalhal determinedly clawed back seven straight points to clinch the second game 11/9. The battle continued in the third game with extremely long rallies and some killer shots from either

side to level the scores first at 10/10, then 11/11, before Ince-Carvalhal pipped Verwey to the post at 13/11.

Ince had seemed to find his stride in the fourth game, but lost his footing as a tired Verwey fought back with impressive retrieval and patience to obtain his own run of 6 points. Some forced errors from Verwey secured a 3-1 victory for Ince-Carvalhal,

who finished the contest 5/11, 11/9, 13/11, 11/9.

The only girl in the advanced Category ‘B’, Kirsten Gomes, defeated Lucas Jonas in four games.

Gomes, the Caribbean Under-15 Girls’ champion, kept a much improved Jonas deep in the back corners to secure a confident first night win 11/4, 11/5, 8/11, 11/9; while Mohryan Baksh took the other Category ‘B’ Girls match win.

The Da Silva brothers, Louis and Benno, both secured opening night triumphs, with favourite, Louis, taking his win easily against Joshua Verwey, who was new to the category, in three straight games 11/2, 11/1, 11/3.

Benno defeated William Escarragga also in straight games 11/6, 11/6.

Other sibling wins for the night were recorded by young Tianna Gomes and Solomon Ince-Carvalhal, each enjoying their first match victories.

Shiloh Asregado, Bradley Walton, Abhinav Singh, Safirah Summer, Nandishraj Singh, Teija Edwards and Beau

Results of the matches played on Wednesday were as follows: Category A

Samuel Ince-Carvalhal defeated Nicholas Verwey 5/11, 11/9. 13/11, 11/9 Michael Alphonso defeated Gianni Carpenter 11/8, 11/5, 11/8

Category B

Kirsten Gomes defeated Lucas Jonas 11/4, 11/6, 8/11, 11/9 Mohryan Baksh defeated Ethan Jonas 11/3, 11/4, 11/4

Category C

Louis DaSilva defeated Joshua Verwey 11/7, 11/1, 11/3 Shiloh Asregado defeated Lajuan Munroe 11/5, 11/5, 11/2

Category D

Beau Fernandes defeated Lucas Persaud 11/3, 4/11, 11/7. 11/5 Teija Edwards defeated Rayad Boyce 11/8, 11/9, 11/9

Category E

Safirah Summer defeated Kaden Pynaendy 11/8, 9/11, 11/9 Samuel Ince-Carvalhal

Fernandes were also among those to begin the Farfan and Mendes tournament with conquests.

Play will continue tomorrow from 6pm, when top seed Shomari Wiltshire will play his first match of the tournament.

Category F

Abhinav Singh defeated Rylee Rodrigues 11/8, 11/7 Brenno DaSilva defeated William Escarragga 11/6, 11/6 Bradley Walton defeated Demetri Lowe 11/9, 11/7

Category G

Solomon Ince-Carvalhal defeated Jnae Singh 11/6, 8/11, 11/8 Tiana Gomes defeated Mya Dean 11/2, 11/1 Nandishraj Singh defeated Kassie Walcott 11/3, 11/9

Spinners combine to turn things West Indies' way R

ahkeem Cornwall and Jomel Warrican shared nine wickets as they got fully acclimatized to the unfamiliar conditions at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium ahead of the one-off Test match against Afghanistan. The spinners were supremely accurate and unrelenting on the second day of the threeday match as they dismissed the Afghanistan Cricket Board XI for 158 – a lead of 10 on first innings after the visitors were bowled out for 168 on the opening day.

This was Cornwall’s first bowl at this level outside the Caribbean and the off-spinner took 4-54.

He looked mena c i n g

ner again demonstrated immaculate control to record the superb figures of 5-38 off 23.1 overs. His fifth wicket was the highlight of the day – which came through a tremendous low catch by Cornwall at first slip to end the innings 20 minutes after lunch.

Speaking to CWI Media at the ground after the day’s play Warrican expressed great satisfaction with his performance and indicated he is eagerly looking forward to the Test match. It will be the first between West Indies and Afghanistan and also the first at the neutral venue in the city of Lucknow.

“We had a plan to bowl them out under our

throughout his spell and got generous turn and bounce as he delivers the ball from nearly seven feet high. Together with Warrican, he will present West Indies with potent weapons going into the Test which starts on November 27.

Warrican, the Rahkeem wily left-arm spinCornwall

total, so we were very clear in our minds what had to be done out there today, especially in the morning session.

They started at three wickets down for about 50 runs, so we

were playing with just over 100 runs … things had to be very tight,” the 27-year-old said.

“The pitch helped us as spinners, but as the ball got older it got softer, so you had to very disciplined and be patience. I did that today and that brought me the five wickets. You had to vary your pace and work with what was available.

I thought I did that really well and I believe I’m in the right frame of mind for when the Test starts next week.”

In the second innings the West Indies lost opener Kraigg Brathwaite early, caught by the keeper low down in front first slips. John Campbell then played well but fell for 17 adjudged trapped in front. The lefthander added 39 for the second wicket with Sunil Ambris, who dominated the bowling with a stroke-filled 66 off 69 balls.

Promoted to bat at Number 3, Ambris made the most of the opportunity and smashed seven fours and a sensational straight six which easily cleared the 75-metre boundary at longoff by about 20 metres.

Roston Chase, the Manof-the-Series in the ODIs,

SCOREBOARD

Jomel Warrican

continued his solid form with a 57 off 110 balls, which spanned two-hours and 20 minutes either side of the tea interval. He joined Ambris with the score at 40-2 and they added 76 in just 17 overs with a number of breathtaking shots both side of the wicket. (CWI)

Windies 1st Innings – 168 Afghanistan 1st Innings I Zadran b Warrican 11 J Ahmadi c Brathwaite b Warrican 56 Ihsanullah lbw b Cornwall 0 R Shah c Brooks b Cornwall 14 A Afghan (c) c †Dowrich b Warrican 10 N Jamal b Cornwall 13 A Zazai † b Chase 12 I Alikhil b Cornwall 18 R Khan c Holder b Warrican 13 A Hamza c Cornwall b Warrican 5 Y Ahmadzai not out 0 Extras (lb 3, nb 2, w 1) 6 TOTAL (67.1 Overs, RR: 2.35) 158 all out Did not bat: Masood, Ziaur-Rehman, Zadran Fall of wickets: 1-21 ( Zadran, 10.2 ov), 2-22 (Ihsanullah, 13.2 ov), 3-49 (Shah, 26.3 ov), 4-90 (Afghan, 36.4 ov), 5-106 (Ahmadi, 40.1 ov), 6-110 (Jamal, 45.4 ov), 7-131 (Zazai, 53.5 ov), 8-149 (Khan, 61.3 ov), 9-158 (Alikhil, 66.5 ov), 10-158 (Hamza, 67.1 ov)

West Indians 2nd Innings KC Brathwaite c †Afsar Zazai b Nijat Masood 0 JD Campbell lbw b Amir Hamza 17 SW Ambris lbw b Zia-ur-Rehm an 66 RL Chase st †Afsar Zazai b Amir Hamza 57 SSJ Brooks lbw b Zia-ur-Rehm an 7 SO Hetmyer c & b Dawlat Zadran 30 SD Hope lbw b Amir Hamza 20 SO Dowrich † not out 6 Extras (b 9, lb 4, nb 1) 14 TOTAL (52.1 Overs, RR: 4.15) 217/7 Yet to bat: JO Holder (c), RRS Cornwall, JA Warrican, KMA Paul, KAJ Roach, AS Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Kraigg Brathwaite, 1.6 ov), 2-40 (John Campbell, 9.5 ov), 3-116 (Sunil Ambris, 27.4 ov), 4-142 (Shamarh Brooks, 33.4 ov), 5-178 (Shimron Hetmyer, 41.1 ov), 6-206 (Roston Chase, 48.4 ov), 7-217 (Shai Hope, 52.1 ov)

BOWLING KAJ Roach (2-0-5-0) AS Joseph (8-1-27-0) JA Warrican (23.1-12-38-5) RRS Cornwall (22-8-54-4) KMA Paul (1-1-0-0) RL Chase (5-2-8-1) JO Holder (5-0-23-0) KC Brathwaite (1-1-0-0)

BOWLING Y Ahmadzai (6-1-27-0) N Masood (5-2-19-1) A Hamza (20.1-4-59-3) Zia-ur-Rehman (12-2-54-2) J Ahmadi (5-0-22-0) A Afghan (2-0-7-0) D Zadran (2-0-16-1)

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friday, november 22, 2019

23

59th National Schools' Track and Field Championships…

District 10 poised to cop 5th consecutive title Story and photos by Jemima Holmes

F

ollowing another day of intense competition in the 59th National Schools’ Track and Field Championships ongoing at the facility at Leonora, West Coast Demerara, Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) are sitting pretty atop the points table with 633 points.

Without a doubt, it will take nothing short of a mira-

cord, which stood at 5.18.51.

The new record set by the West Demerara athlete now stands at 5.07.47. In that very race, Rupununi’s Vannytta Francise also bettered the old record by finishing 5.14.60 in second place. Third was taken by District 10’s Hannah Joseph in 5.17.39.

Matrim Martin of District 9 also rewrote his own Under-14 1500M record which he had set at 4.43.10 in 2018. He returned to set the new record at 4.38.52.

the park, the Girl’s Under-18 200M race held all the excitement of an Olympic event, as Brianna Charles and Deshana Skeete battled for glory once again. Similar to the 100M event, Charles was beaten by just 4 milliseconds, after leading the race 20 metres from the finish.

Deshana Skeete (District 10) completed her sprint double with a time of 25.12s while Charles (District 11) settled for second place with 25.16s.

Shantae George (District 5)

in 21.32s. Daniel Benjamin of District 11 was third in 22.98s.

The U18 male 200M race saw District 14’s D’Quan Williams winning in 22.67 seconds, while District 3’s Richard Blake and District 6’s Shem McKenzie finished on

the event, District 10 outran the field of athletes to take gold in 3.53.99, while North Georgetown had to settle for second with a time of 4.00.42.

East Georgetown completed the podium with a run of 4.12.32.

At end of the penultimate

points. East Coast Demerara (District 4) is in second place with 363.5 points, and Corentyne (District 6) is in third with 348.5 points.

In the teachers’ competition, West Demerara (District 3) leads the way with 192 points, while South

Wesley Tyndall took the U-16 sprint double

cle today, the final day of competition, for another district to snatch the championships from this district, popularly known as ‘Linden.’

Seemingly a blessing in disguise, the weather pattern remained overcast during the entire day of competition but a raindrop never touched the Leonora synthetic track, the dark clouds that gathered making conditions perfect for

Following his record-breaking run, the youngster struck the famous Usain Bolt lightning pose in an act of celebration.

Shaquka Tyrell completely dismantled the old Girls Under-18 1500M record which was held by Joanna Archer at 5.20.26. Tyrell bettered Archer’s record by 17 seconds as she took first place in 5.03. 99. Rosmond Harvey of West Demerara

occupied third with 26.03s.

Keliza Smith was also among the athletes who completed the sprint double, as she finished comfortably in first place once again. Smith won the U-20 200M event in 24.42s, while District 3’s Deborah George took second in 25.86s. Jasmine Assanah was third in 26.58s.

Loneil Marks had a bit of redemption in the boys U20

After finishing second in the 100M on Wednesday, Hannah Reid ensured that she won the 200M event

competition.

The day began with a bit of record rewriting in the 1500M events. Attoya Harvey had no trouble readjusting her old re-

and Aaliyah Headley finished second and third with times of 5.31.76 and 5.41.98 respectively.

While the other races were presumably a walk in

200M event, after a false start fiasco in the 100M event on Wednesday. Marks crossed the line on 21.36s to take gold, while silver was copped by District 10’s Jennis Benjamin

22.80s and 23.18s in second and third respectively.

Wesley Tyndall of North Georgetown also had the sprint double after crossing the line first in the Boys’ U16 race in 22.74s. District 10’s Sean Johnson and District 6’s Roger Smith completed the podium in 22.82s and 23.33s respectively.

The final events of the day were the highly anticipated boys and girls 4X400M relays, which brought the crowd at the Leonora facility to their feet with excitement.

West Coast Berbice led

by Loneil Marks championed the 4x400M race as the team finished in 3.22.00 to take gold. District 10 grabbed silver with a time of 3.23.32 and District 15 came in third with 3.27.03.

In the female version of

day of competition, District 10 still leads the students’ track and field events with 633

Points’ standings after Day 5: District 10 4 6 12 3 15 11 2 14 5 13 1 9 7 8

Points 633 363.5 348.5 341 319 307.5 296 279 265 257.5 251.5 178.5 130 107.5 64

Georgetown (District 13) have 167 and District 10 has 159 points.

Teachers’ points standings after Day 5: District 3 13 10 11 1 15 5 7 4 6 12 14 2 8 9

Points 192 167 159 152 140 132 130 129 124 122 90 90 81 72 27

friday, november 22, 2019

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

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59th National Schools’ Track and Field Championships…

Page 23

District 10 poised to cop 5th consecutive title

Loneil Marks won the 200M easily after missing out on the sprint action yesterday

There were just milliseconds between Brianna Charles and Deshana Skeete in the 200M sprint

Matrim Martin struck a popular pose after winning the Boys U14 1500M race

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