Guyana Times Wednesday October 7, 2019.

Oil refinery to be completed by next year – GuyEnergy executive P9

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Govt’s policy has been to reverse Amerindian land rights – PPP guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 4069

MONday, OCTOber 7, 2019

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

Young nurse still to receive salary after 4 months

P10

See story on page 3

– as it welcomes candidates at National Toshaos Conference 2019

CDB economist warns of danger of inflation from oil & gas – notes that exchange rate fluctuation can damage economic sectors See story on page 7

– says Bank of Guyana has crucial role to play in managing rates

Nightclub attempted murder trial

Main witness fails to identify suspect during testimony P8

Teen cyclist struck down by motorist P10

P15 Fixing breaches in Region 6 sea defence may have to wait – Vice Chairman

The Berbice High School Steel Pan Orchestra performed a rendition at “Amity” – A schools' steelpan presentation at the Botanical Gardens on Sunday. The event was hosted as Guyana culminated its observance of Education Month under the theme “Education – the key to national development”

19% of prison inmates in Guyana are between Page 18 and 30 years 11 ...rehabilitation a critical part of Prison Service mandate – GPS Director

Waitress gets 6 months for stealing phone

PNCR celebrates 62nd anniversary in Linden Page 14

P8

2 NEWS

monday, october 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Shift to higher land will have to be done gradually – Jagdeo ...says efforts should be taken to defend coastal region now

I

n light of the recent overtopping caused by abnormally high tides, the topic of relocating Guyana’s coastal populace to higher grounds has reignited but Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said it is unrealistic to do so now and instead, it will have to be done gradually.

“It’s unrealistic to expect people to move [now]. So I see the move as a gradual one, people going to high ground but we can’t give

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

up our productive assets on the coast. We have to defend them and we can defend them if we work smart and find smart solutions,” he contended.

According to Jagdeo at his recent press conference, a lot of the country’s infrastructure and fertile lands are along its coastline.

“Over time that could happen. We can’t pick ourselves up and go and that is why, in Georgetown, you need to focus on better

drainage,” he posited.

Jagdeo, a former President, pointed out that concrete drains need to be built across the country, particularly in the capital city. He suggested that revenues from the impending oil and gas sector can be used to do this.

“That’s what we have to do, concrete drains in the city so you can clean the drains quickly, you can have better management of water, more pumping capa-

Abnormally high tides caused flooding in coastal communities two weeks ago

bility,” he noted.

The Opposition Leader went on to give an example, saying that South Georgetown always floods so the level of the road there needs to be raised and concrete drains built.

Another area he said needs to be looked at is better pumping systems in farming communities so that water can be better managed. Holland, he added, did that for centuries.

“So we can’t move our people out and remember some of our most fertile lands are on the coast so you can’t give up on them and go all the way up to Coverden and [say], you know, ‘let’s give it up’,” the Opposition Leader stressed.

Instead, Jagdeo posited that the country may need to look at reclaiming land offshore to build some resilient infrastructure. This, he said, has been done by a lot of countries.

Nevertheless, with regards to moving to higher lands, the Opposition Leader posited that much needs to be done in order to get people to move.

On this note, the Opposition Leader said that should his party – People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – win the upcoming General and Regional Elections in March next year then they will build infrastructures to develop those higher locations so that people will want to move from the coast. “[We will build a] four-lane road going to the [Soesdyke-Linden] Highway that brings you down from the Highway into Georgetown in 20 min-

utes because you don’t have houses along the highway, you have feeder roads coming in. That will allow people to go and live up the highway because if they have good water, school and they can get into the city in 20 minutes to work and they can drive in, then they will move up naturally,” he asserted.

Furthermore, with climate change already affecting several things such as rain pattern and sea levels and also stretching traditional infrastructure, Jagdeo said Guyana needs to prepare for this.

The former President had won the United Nation’s Champion of the Earth Award back in 2010 for his role in preserving the forest to combat climate change. He had initiated the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which saw Guyana being paid for preserving its forests.

To this end, Jagdeo explained that part of their plan is to expand the LCDS initiative by using the resources earned from the sale of forest carbon to do a number of things. Among those is to build climate-resilient infrastructure.

Pointing to the Hope Canal, Jagdeo said that the infrastructure which is located along the upper East Coast of Demerara is an excellent option for flood control and/or water management.

“Since the canal was built we did not have a major flood in the MahaicaMahaicony-Abary area caused by blowing the water into the Mahaica River [from the Conservancy Dam]… We would lose sometimes up to US$20 million in a year [while we were in office] but we spent about US$16 million to build the Hope Canal but that effectively stop the flood at the back there,” he recalled.

According to Jagdeo, the previous PPP Administration had a multimillion mangrove project to repopulate the coastline as a frontier. He noted that in tsunami-affected countries, the least affected areas were those with mangroves.

“We did researches… So we had an entire plan to focus on all of these areas. We didn’t have the money but at least we had the plan,” he posited. turn to page 10

3 Govt’s policy has been to reverse Amerindian land rights – PPP news

monday, october 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

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

Monday, October 7 – 13:00h – 14:30h and Tuesday, October 8 – 13:30-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Monday, October 7 – 12:10h – 13:40h and Tuesday, October 8 – 13:15h – 14:45h.

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals will be interrupted by thundery showers in the mid-morning and early afternoon hours. Clear skies are expected at night. Temperatures should range between 22 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius.

Winds: Easterly to North-Easterly between 1.78 metres and 4.02 metres.

High Tide: 11:41h reaching a maximum height of 2.01 metre.

Low Tide: 04:56h and 17:35h reaching minimum heights of 1.12 metres and 1.25 metres.

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– as it welcomes candidates at National Toshaos Council 2019

T

he People’s Progressive Party has accused the caretaker Government of reversing the land rights of Amerindians as the party welcomes the delegates of the National Toshaos Conference which gets underway today at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

See full statement below: “People’s Progressive Party (PPP) welcomes all the Toshaos, Councillors and other representatives of Amerindian villages and communities who have travelled from the coastal, riverine and hinterland regions.

We continue to recognise and uphold the National Toshaos Council as the legitimate collective voice of the Amerindian peoples of Guyana. We continue to believe that this annual conference is an important national consultative body representing all Amerindian people, their leaders and communities. This became an important and highly anticipated event by both the NTC and successive PPP/C Governments to address concerns, remedy weaknesses, make proposals and take decisions on the spot. This practice reflected successive PPP/C Governments’ and the NTC’s determined efforts to engage with each other on issues of Amerindian rights and community development as well as matters of national importance.

This 2019 Annual Conference of the National Toshaos Council, however, is different than any other held before. The NTC representative, Mario Hastings, at the launching of the Amerindian Heritage Month on September 1 noted the significance of the times, when he said: “We are uncertain of our political landscape and call for elections to be held soonest so that we can return

to normalcy.”

This Conference is taking place at a crucial and defining period in the life of our nation when constitutional rule has been undermined, and, where there is now an illegal President and Government who have defied the Constitution and the June 18, 2019, ruling of the Caribbean Court of Justice and its subsequent orders.

Several civil society organisations including the Guyana Bar Association, the Private Sector Commission, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the American Chamber of Commerce in Guyana (AmCham Guyana), the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG), the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana, the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the Zadok Fellowship (an organisation of over 100 Christian churches), have all called on the Government to comply with the Constitution.

The recent Guyana Bar Association release stated: “By failing to abide by the clear and unambiguous terms of the Constitution, the Government of Guyana has abdicated its responsibility, violated the Constitution, is operating outside of the rule of law and in breach of internationally recognised standards of democracy.”

In a public statement is-

sued by the Secretary General of the Commonwealth on September 23, 2019, Baroness Scotland made it clear that: “The rule of law and constitutional governance are fundamental Commonwealth values to which Guyana has subscribed. In this regard, and in accordance with the ruling of the CCJ, a general election in Guyana is now constitutionally overdue. A general election should be held in accordance with the unambiguous constitutional imperative to do so. The Secretary General has spoken with the Chair of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) and discussed Commonwealth support to GECOM.” The statement of the OAS General Secretariat on September 28, 2019, underlined the importance to the people of Guyana of leaving behind the period of political uncertainty as soon as possible: “The OAS General Secretariat looks forward to the issuance of the proclamation required by Guyana’s Constitution to firmly establish the date for the elections.

The General Secretariat will continue to follow the situation in Guyana and remains available to provide support as the authorities may require in ensuring the next elections meet the standards of transparency, credibility and integrity, required of all democracies.”

In our press statements on the occasion of the 2017 and 2018 National Toshaos Conferences, we warned that: “Recent developments… are cause for great worry.

Emerging trends in the body politik under the APNU+AFC coalition Government threaten Amerindian rights.”

In 2019, however, developments since December 21, 2018, and the refusal of the President to comply with the Constitution for almost 10 months threaten political and economic stability and undermine democracy and the rights of not only Amerindians but all Guyanese.

We, in the PPP/C, recognise that the most precious asset for the first peoples is the protection of their lands from encroachment; land represents their relationship with their environment and ability to survive and prosper.

It was only after 1992, and under the PPP/C Administration, that the 60 odd communities which had received documents indicating some descriptions of the areas issued in 1976 were able to have their lands demarcated, and, thereby, finally be able to obtain their communal land titles. In fact, all titles held by Amerindian communities were issued by the PPP/C Government. Not one land title or extension of land title has been granted since the APNU/AFC coalition took office in May 2015.

The participants of the NTC are well aware that the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) was one of the most innovative initiatives by the PPP/C Administration which also received international recognition. We initiated the largest pioneer carbon trading scheme for forest carbons which earned US$250 million revenue and contributed in a significant way to the further development of our country.

turnto page 5

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, october 7, 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

Politics killing policies

T

he French and Germans have a single word – “La politique” and “politik” respectively - that encompasses what we in English distinguish as “politics” and “policies”.

But it is clear that the PNC-led coalition Government refuse to performatively acknowledge the distinction offered, as they continue to focus on the exercise of raw power. Politics, of course, is all about the pursuit and retention of power deciding ‘who gets what, when and how’. Less glamorously, policies imply rolling up one’s sleeves to craft principles or rules to achieve goals that have also been outlined and articulated.

The PNC-led Government could not care less about policies. They had, for instance, trenchantly criticised the departed PPP Government on ‘corruption”, but they demonstrated their accusations were just opportunistic “shade”, since they have been unable to secure a single conviction over the last four years, even though they conducted scores of “audits” and laid dozens of charges in the court system. But where are the policies of the PNC Government to deal with corruption?

And we are not talking about simply resorting to shouts of “hang them high”. Carrying out that policy would, after all, result in stringing up a slew of Government officials and individuals associated with the PNC Government. It boggles the mind that no one has been brought to justice for not accounting for the $1.6 billion spent on Jubilee Park, for instance, at the very beginning of the new regime; nor for the clear corruption highlighted in the exploits of Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson, and the proposed Demerara Harbour Bridge towards its end.

We have in mind what Max Weber called “a slow boring of hard boards”: a willingness to look behind a given phenomenon and discern its causes before coming up with the broad principles to deal with it within an institutionalised framework.

Returning to the vexed question of “corruption”, are there, for instance, deeper systemic causes operating within the neoliberal order that has been imposed on our economic system since 1989? With oil bringing us even more intertwined into the global financial and trading system, these questions become even more relevant.

Will there be an investigation into the circumstances under which, for instance, Raphael Trotman was “ordered” to accept a 1% bonus from Tullow, after our offshore oil potential was derisked by the Exxon discoveries?

But politics trumped policies not only in sins of omission, but sins of commission. Take the unilateral decision of David Granger to close four sugar estates and fire 7000 sugar workers: this made no sense economically, socially or politically.

Economically, while sugar was running at a loss, it was bringing in very scarce foreign currency, while it was subsidised with local currency. Starting in 2017, directly after the closures, a shortage in foreign currency was detected, which was denied by the Bank of Guyana and the Government. But at the beginning of this year, the BoG could not explain why it had become the largest net borrower of foreign currency from the commercial banks, which are now completely bereft of hard currency. In the meantime, because of the shortage of US dollars, the Guyana dollar had depreciated by some 15% and sinking fast.

Socially, the closure has unleashed an epidemic of pathologies in the rural communities of Wales, Rose Hall Canje and Skeldon; since there was no provision of alternative employment for the fired workers, and the local economies imploded with the precipitate withdrawal of the weekly injection of the sugar salaries that had kept them going.

Politically, the closure was almost definitely a move to attack the strongest base of the PPP, which had been solidified since the 1940s. But it rebounded to become the death knell of the PNC-led coalition when AFC MP from Canje voted against them in the NCM moved by the PPP, and they became transformed into a caretaker administration.

The MP explained that he could not justify the sugar closures after witnessing first-hand the suffering of the sugar workers.

In the months ahead, the PNC will once again issue a manifesto full of policies, but a forewarned electorate is a forearmed electorate.

Shoaib Malik (left) congratulates Brandon King (right) on reaching his 100 during the Hero Caribbean Premier League Play-Off match between Guyana Amazon Warriors and Barbados Tridents at Guyana National Stadium on Sunday (Photo by Randy Brooks - CPL T20/Getty Images)

A year later, Jamal Khashoggi’s killing has taught regional governments the wrong lessons

F

ar from being a wakeup call, the gruesome murder of Journalist Jamal Khashoggi just over a year ago appears to have instilled a negative lesson – that stifling dissent, even in a lurid fashion, can have limited consequences.

Since Khashoggi was choked and dismembered

by Saudi agents in the Saudi Arabian Consulate in Istanbul, murders, imprisonment, hostage-taking and enforced disappearances of Journalists have increased worldwide, according to Reporters Without Borders.

A total of 80 Journalists were killed in 2018, another 348 were imprisoned and 60 held hostage, the group said.

In particular, Middle Eastern nations, never centres of free speech, appear to have grown bolder since Khashoggi was killed after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, to seek papers he needed to get married. And Journalists are just one group being targeted – also under attack are human rights campaigners, political activists and others.

“For a moment, we thought Khashoggi’s murder would lead to a significant change for the better, that there would be a before Khashoggi and after him,” said Hassan Abbass, co-editor of Raseef 22, a pan-Arab news website based in Lebanon that had featured a column by Khashoggi, in a phone interview Friday.

But events have proved otherwise, Abbass said. In recent weeks, he noted, the Egyptian Government arrested 2300 people after rare protests against President Abdel Fattah Sisi; some of those detained hadn’t even participated in the demon-

Slain Journalist Jamal Khashoggi

strations.

In Sudan, more than 100 people were massacred in June during a crackdown by pro-Government paramilitary groups; the perpetrators have yet to be put on trial. In Iraq, thousands of young men demonstrating for better conditions in the country were shot at by authorities; in the last five days, some 93 people have been killed and 4000 wounded, according to the Iraqi Parliament’s human rights commission.

“Had they been afraid, they wouldn’t have done this,” Abbass said. “That’s proof that Khashoggi didn’t affect them.”

Khashoggi was murdered by a Saudi hit team, and his body has never been found.

A Washington Post columnist, Khashoggi was a well-known figure in DC circles. His death sparked worldwide opprobrium, with the CIA and other intelligence agencies assessing that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman was behind the killing. (In an interview with “60 Minutes”, Bin Salman said he took “full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia”, but denied he had ordered the operation.)

Western Governments

have long treated human rights in the region as a matter of concern, but one that could largely be ignored in favour of lucrative business deals and security arrangements.

Khashoggi’s death could have been a turning point, said Timothy Kaldas, a non-resident fellow at the Cairo-based Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy. But the outrage was “ultimately empty”, because it didn’t translate into action: The US and others continued to sell Riyadh the weapons it needed to pursue a brutal air campaign over Yemen, and private corporations continue to fight for hefty contracts to modernise Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure.

“You can’t condemn someone for murder while selling them arms or facilitating their war crimes and expect to be taken seriously,” Kaldas said.

“While it was an undesirable embarrassment, [governments] learned their campaigns of repression will not meaningfully interrupt their foreign relations. If anything they may be more cavalier in their dismissal of criticism over rights abuses.”

Those Governments have also hardened their views

as to who is friend and foe.

Khashoggi had once been a Saudi Arabian political insider, and though he had gone on a self-imposed exile from his country, he had been, at most, a mild critic of Bin Salman and his policies.

That wasn’t enough to escape his fate, said Farea Muslimi, a friend of Khashoggi and the co-founder of the Sana Center for Strategic Studies, based in Yemen.

“Khashoggi was 100 per cent with his government.

In Western terms, he was a Catholic, just not more Catholic than the Pope himself,” said Muslimi.

“That still didn’t buy him a ticket out of his body being vanished.”

Abbass agreed.

“We’ve got to the point where you can’t think of levels of dissidence. Either you’re a mouthpiece of the regimes, or an enemy. Black or white, there is no other option,” he said.

Still, Agnes Callamard, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings who investigated Khashoggi’s killing, insisted there was something positive in Khashoggi’s legacy.

“The fact that we’re still talking about Jamal Khashoggi, still demanding accountability, the fact that we’re not believing the public relations statement delivered by the Crown Prince, that, to me, is as much part of the story as the continuing repression,” Callamard said in a phone interview Friday.

Yes, outside governments, for the most part, continue to act like nothing happened, she said.

“But it is just one silence.

In the street, in the media, in the public opinion, there is no silence.” (Los Angeles Times)

news

Govt’s policy...

Unfortunately, the APNU/ AFC Government’s repudiation of the Low Carbon Development Strategy, and, the initiatives designed to enhance national, and in particular, Amerindian development, has destroyed long years of work at all levels to find a modern inclusive national developmental strategy for the future. The Government’s often mooted alternative of a Green State Development Strategy remains a mystery with no specific initiatives to address the developmental needs of the people. It remains a non-starter with no plan for comprehensive inclusive development of the country and its peoples. In its wake, there is an enormous vacuum.

Under the Low Carbon Development Strategy several programmes, including multi-year projects, were identified that focused specifically on the development of Amerindian communities – the Amerindian Land Titling Project, the Community Development Plans, the Project for Hinterland Electrification and the Hinterland ICT Project, all were fully funded. All have stagnated due to the Government’s reluctance to move on these issues, or, they have been tarnished with corruption and or monies have been squandered due to corruption.

In 2018, the Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs admitted before the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Natural Resources that no titles or extensions of lands to Amerindian communities had been issued by his Government. Demarcation of titled lands is now at a stand-still. This is in spite of the availability of US$10.7 million that the PPP/C Administration left in the Amerindian Land Titling Project in May 2015.

“Free Prior and Informed Consent”, a fundamental international principle has been repeatedly honoured in the breach; one of the most glaring examples is the decision by the Government to establish the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into lands.

Since its promise in 2017 to the NTC regarding the CoI, the Government has not kept any of those commitments.

This CoI continues to hang like a “Sword of Damocles” over Amerindian land rights.

Most recently at the official launch of the Amerindian Heritage Month, the caretaker Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, apologist that he is for his Government, stated that: “… it is also important that Indigenous peoples understand that all Guyanese have a right to share in the distribution of our resources. We need to find a middle ground where we embrace this reality.”

This language harks back to statements made by presidential adviser Eric Phillips in the media and Minister Keith Scott in the National Assembly that the Amerindians had too much

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monday, OCTOBER 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

From page 3

land and they were “avaricious” and threatened that they would not benefit from the new oil revenues. Not one official of the Government has ever apologised to the Amerindian peoples or retracted these derogatory statements.

Therefore, by acts of omission and commission, by words and deeds, the Government’s official policy has been one of reversing Amerindians’ land rights.

The new administrative requirement of the submission of a Village Improvement Plan (VIP) for any community applying for land or an extension, as announced by Allicock, flies in the face of the Amerindian Act, and is meant to further stall any titles being granted.

Furthermore, there have been more casualties along the way – the Government attempted to dilute the Amerindian presence on

ery single PPP/C-initiated programme that improved the quality of life of the Amerindian communities and their enhanced access to services, goods and opportunities as other Guyanese.

Some of these included: The Hinterland Household Electrification Programme terminated; - Funds for the US$17 million Hinterland ICT programme, are only now being implemented but with a great deal of corruption; Termination of 1972 young Amerindian Community Service Officers effectively shut down the programme and impoverished 10,000 dependents; The Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training programme terminated; HEYS as an alternative is a skills training programme, not an entrepreneurial programme. From its inception it has been bedev-

the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission and promises to reform the Amerindian Act could undermine the present safeguards of Amerindian land rights.

The growing Government neglect of interior areas and Amerindian communities is visible and palpable.

The roads, culverts, bridges and trails are in a deplorable state and villages face restricted travel and movement and an escalating cost of living. The main artery connecting the coast to Administrative Regions Seven, Eight, and Nine is in a worse condition than ever seen in the last two decades.

The social sector – education and health services and their infrastructure – is declining at a rapid pace, compounded with limited school supplies and facilities and shortage of essential drugs and medical supplies everywhere and at all levels of the health system.

The increase in the cost of living due to the 200 draconian taxes and fees of the APNU/AFC Government in the Amerindian communities, always higher than the coastal areas, has worsened dramatically, driving people into greater poverty.

Due to the state of the economy, the lack of opportunities for youth, and, in fact, all Amerindians, has reached alarming proportions. There are few jobs available in these hinterland regions, nor are there jobs on the coast, to offer alternatives to Amerindians and hinterland residents.

The illegal Granger-led Government is guilty of either the dismantling of or diverting resources of ev-

illed by complaints of lack of payments for facilitators and participants alike. The issue of over $800 million being unaccounted for by the Auditor General remains unanswered. Now the entire programme is in jeopardy.

- Limited access to scholarships both local and overseas at the post-secondary levels; - The termination of the “cash care” programme for all children enrolled in public-funded schools hit the Amerindian communities hardest; - Funding for approved Community Development Plans is in jeopardy; - School uniform materials have not been issued for almost 2 school years in many Amerindian communities.

It is the illegal Grangerled Government that is re-

sponsible for worsening conditions in Amerindian communities, and, in fact, the entire country.

Many have been the public promises by the Government but these have remained hollow with key and major issues remaining unaddressed and worsening conditions affecting the economic and social well-being of Amerindian citizens, coupled with alarming incursions on their constitutional and legal rights.

As a result of the NoConfidence Motion and pending elections, the illegal President and Ministers are running into communities, including Amerindian communities, making new promises offering gifts of “David G” satchels, and other things, while ignoring the main issues these communities face of lack of jobs, economic development and access to goods, services and opportunities. During this frenzy of activities, enormous sums of taxpayers’ monies are being siphoned off for personal gain.

The PPP/C assures the Amerindian communities that it will restore, resume and expand the programmes – which the caretaker Granger-led Government dismantled – and improve the quality of life of the Amerindian communities, enhance their access to goods, services and opportunities as other Guyanese, and integrate their communities into mainstream Guyana.

As part of the first initiative of the PPP/C, we shall convene a national development conference in April 2020 for Amerindian communities to initiate the “Resumption of Development” of these communities.

The PPP/C Government’s plans for Amerindian Communities and Hinterland Development will include the following:-

1. Inclusivity - Uphold the principle of “Free Prior and Informed Consent” in decision-making by the Government and State agencies with Amerindian communities on issues and policies of national concern and those which involve their communities; 2. Immediately resume the Amerindian Land Titling programme in compliance with the 2006 Amerindian Act; 3. Fully finance the Community Development Plans thereby creating jobs and income; 4. Increase Presidential Grants to fund and support other village activities; 5. Hire 2000 Community Service Officers and expand the CSO programme; 6. Improve agricultural support and infrastructure across the hinterland; 7. Upgrade the hinterland roads, airstrips and water supply; 8. Resume the Hinterland Household Electrification Programme and the Hinterland ICT programme; 9. Improve working conditions for education and health workers; 10. Improve education and health facilities and services; 11. Remove hardship taxes on hinterland communities especially border areas; 12. Remove VAT on air tickets and freight; 13.

Ensure that Amerindian and other hinterland residents benefit substantially from the proceeds of the oil and gas sec-

tor; 14. Other measures that will benefit all Guyanese such as the restoration of the “cash care grant” to all school children, removal of the 200 tax measures including removal of VAT on essential items; restoring zero-rated VAT for machinery for agriculture, mining and forestry industries will also develop Amerindian and Hinterland communities; 15. Improve ICT on coast and hinterland to provide quicker communication and integration of the hinterland region in mainstream society.

The PPP/C’s track record in Government over the years demonstrated its commitment to our first peoples, our Amerindians – the protection of their land rights, the consistent application of the principle of “Free Prior and Informed Consent” in every case in their interaction with Amerindian communities, the implementation of agreed-on projects for the development of communities, reduction of poverty, and, respect for the duly elected leaders of Amerindian communities. We shall not deviate in our efforts in the new Government to restore and continue to improve the quality of their lives and integration into our nation as equal partners.

The PPP re-commits to all the Toshaos, community leaders and representatives attending this 2019 NTC Conference to uphold the Guyana Constitution, guard democracy and the rights of all Guyanese as equals to enjoy all the resources and opportunities Guyana has to offer.

Only compliance with the Constitution, rule of law, free and fair elections with a PPP/C Government can restore the quality of life of our first peoples, open opportunities and equal access to goods, services and opportunities for advancement.”

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monday, OCTOber 7, 2019

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S

ure, it’s good to get along with your teacher, because it makes that time you spend in the classroom more pleasant.

And yes, it’s good to get along with your teacher because, in general, it’s smart to learn how to relate to the different types of people you’ll meet throughout your life.

But really, there’s one super-important reason why you should get along with your teacher. Kids who get along with their teachers not only learn more, but they’re more comfortable asking questions and getting extra help. This makes it easier to understand new material and do your best on tests.

When you have this kind of relationship with a teacher, he or she can be someone to turn to with problems, such as problems with learning or school issues, such as bullying.

As a kid in primary school, you’re at a wonderful stage in your life.

You’re like a sponge, able to soak up lots of new and exciting information. On top of that, you’re able to think about all this information in new ways.

Your teacher knows that, and in most cases, is thrilled to be the person who’s giving you all that material and helping you put it together. Remember, teachers are people, too, and they feel great if you’re open to what they’re teaching you. That’s why they

Foundation

wanted to be teachers in the first place – to teach!

Some kids may be able to learn in any setting, whether they like the teacher or not. But most kids are sensitive to the way they get along with the teacher, and if things aren’t going well, they won’t learn as well and won’t enjoy being in class.

What does “getting along” mean?

“Getting along” means you and your teacher have a way of communicating that works for both of you and you both are getting what you need from the relationship. From your teacher’s perspective, he or she wants to make sure you are paying attention, being respectful and polite, and trying your best to learn.

From your perspective, you want a teacher who is respectful to you, answers your questions, and tries to help you learn.

In every school, kids will say certain teachers are mean or tough, but don’t judge a teacher until you are in his or her class and can see for yourself. In the majority of cases, your teacher is on your side.

And a teacher who’s called tough may be someone who feels strongly about getting his or her job done – teaching you the subject you are supposed to learn.

It’s also important to remember that making mistakes is a part of learning. By pointing out your errors and helping you correct them, a teacher is

teaching you.

What if we don’t get along?

Teachers want to get along with you and enjoy seeing you learn. But teachers and students sometimes have personality clashes, which can happen between any two people.

If you show your teacher that you want to make the situation better, he or she will probably do everything possible to make that happen. By handling a problem like this, you learn something about how to get along with people who are different from you.

Take these steps if the problem seems tough to solve: Talk to an adult you trust, such as a parent, guidance counsellor, or both.

Give it time. You may not feel immediately comfortable with your teacher, but that may change as you get to know one another.

If you’ve given it time, talk with your parents about what to do next. Lots of times, a meeting can be set up to discuss the problem. This may clear the air and make things better.

Everyone’s goal should be to create trust and kindness.

Your relationship with a teacher is often your first chance to develop a “business relationship”.

Just like your parents have business relationships with the people they work with or the people

who deliver the mail to your house, kids also can have these kinds of relationships. They are different from your family relationships and friendships, which are built on affection and love.

In a business relationship, both parties get something out of the relationship, but don’t necessarily need to be good friends or like each other a lot. They simply need to respect one another, be polite, and stay focused on the job at hand. In other words, they need to “get down to business”.

When you act this way, and remember that you’re not the only kid in the class, you are helping your teacher. Your teacher is likely to notice this and appreciate it.

Teachers also like it when students follow directions and when they learn and obey the rules of the classroom. For instance, there may be rules about listening when another student is talking, or about taking turns, or about raising your hand when you want to say something or ask a question.

What are a student’s responsibilities?

Be prepared for class with the right pencils, books, and completed assignments.

Listen when your teacher is talking.

Do your best, whether it’s a classroom assignment, homework, or a test.

We’ve talked about some of the difficult situations that come up with teachers. Now, let’s talk about the good stuff.

Some teachers make such an impact that their students never forget them. Some former stu-

dents may even go back to visit the teacher long after moving on to a higher grade or another school. Maybe you’ve seen these older students visit a teacher at your school. That’s a real compliment to the teacher — that he or she was so special the student wants to keep in touch.

And there’s an even higher compliment you can give a favourite teacher: Grow up to become a favourite teacher yourself! (kidshealth.org)

V

isiting the foreshore offers an exciting look at ocean plants and animals in the place they call home.

Though tide pool creatures survive harsh conditions, they’re easily hurt or disturbed by human visitors. Using a homemade aquascope, you can watch tide pool life right where it is and leave the animals in their tide pool homes.

Even if a certain teacher isn’t your favourite, you can still have a successful relationship, especially if you fulfil your basic responsibilities as a student.

Here are some of those responsibilities: Attend class ready to learn.

Materials

Large “No 10” can or large coffee can with both ends removed Waterproof plastic tape Heavy rubber bands Clear plastic bag or food wrap Black paint (optional)

Directions

Paint the inside of the can with black paint (optional but helps viewing).

Cover the top and bottom rim of the can with plastic tape to cover the sharp edges.

Stretch the plastic bag or food wrap TIGHTLY over the bottom of the can.

Secure the plastic bag or wrap against the can with one or more heavy rubber bands.

Seal the edges of the plastic against the can with waterproof tape if available.

Barnacles and other tide pool dwellers thank you for stepping carefully when you visit their home – remember, you could be walking on someone’s head or feet! Stay on bare rocks where you won’t crush animals or rip slippery seaweeds.

The best and safest times to visit tide pools are when the tide is low and still going out. You’ll find tide times in newspapers and TV weather reports. For safety’s sake, keep your eyes out for waves, and visit tide pools with friends or family.

Leave ocean animals in their homes. Most will die if pried from the rocks, and all of them need the oxygen from seawater to breathe. Always return animals exactly as you found them. Replace any rocks or shells that you turn over – they are homes for many animals. (montereybayaquarium.org)

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monday, october 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

CDB economist warns of danger of inflation from oil and gas – notes that exchange rate fluctuation can damage economic sectors – says Bank of Guyana has crucial role to play in managing rates

W

hile Guyana is in the midst of a currency crisis before first oil has even arrived, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Director of Economics, Dr Justin Ram has urged Guyana to guard against the impact that inflation driven by oil can have on the overall economy and exchange rate.

Dr Ram was at the time speaking at a public policy talk facilitated by the Guyana Budget Policy Institute on Saturday night at the Regency Suites hotel.

The very theme of the talk was “mistakes Governments make and how to avoid them” and the veteran economist highlighted one that can have devastating consequences.

“How do we continue to keep Guyana phenomenal beyond the economic growth we will see in 2020, and some of the other years in that decade. When we speak of the oil and gas sector, we typically hear the words resource curse,” Ram said.

“I don’t see it that way.

I see this resource as being a blessing. But how do we ensure that it is a blessing for Guyana? Once oil revenues start going into the Government’s coffers, the oil and gas sectors tend to drive inflation in the economy. And that inflation tends to lead to other workers in the economy seeking wage increases.”

According to Ram, while wage increases are desirable, they must be given by the Government in a structured way. According to Ram, however, these wage increases tend not to be matched by actual productivity in oil and gas economies.

“What tends to happen is there is an erosion of the real exchange rate, meaning that the exchange rate appreciates and all other sec-

self showed that the average cost of living rose to $118,000 per month at the half-year mark, compared to the $116,000 it was at last year. This includes cost for food, clothing, footwear and repairs, housing, furniture, transportation and medical care and miscellaneous goods and services.

Currency rate

CDB’s Director of Economics, Dr Justin Ram

tors of the economy become uncompetitive. I think this is what we need to avoid.

So Guyana needs to think about how to avoid this.”

Ram noted that the exchange rate needs to be managed, something the Central Bank will have to play a role in. Ram also noted that long-term planning and vision would be necessary in order to avert the oil and gas pitfalls.

While the inflation rate in Guyana has largely been kept under control in recent years, the Ministry of Finance’s own mid-year report for this year had warned that food prices are actually on the rise.

According to the report, the inflation rate from December 2018 to June 2019 reached 1.6 per cent, which the report says was “moderate”. But behind this marginal increase is an increase in food prices.

“The 12-month inflation rate at the end of June 2019, which grew to 2.4 per cent, was driven mainly by higher food prices. Over the 12 months, these prices rose by 6.3 per cent, and affected 2.5 percentage points of the increase in the Georgetownbased Consumer Price Index (CPI),” the report states.

Meanwhile, the CPI it-

In addition, it was reported on Sunday that Guyana’s currency is now selling at $233 for US$1.

This would be quite a jump from the characteristic $218 it was previously trading at and the highest it has been in years.

Persons have opined that this is due to a shortage of foreign currency, a development that comes on the heels of unimpressive economic performances for the first quarter of the year in the traditional sectors.

The Bank of Guyana’s first-quarter statistical bulletin had shown a general economic downturn among the major sectors, such as in sugar which experienced a major decline of 34.3 per cent, owing to the restructuring process the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is undergoing.

On the other hand, the decline of rice output by 9.3 per cent was attributed to rice bug infestation and the increased costs of production. The mining and quarrying sectors exhibited lower production. According to the bulletin, there was a 4.9 per cent decline in gold declarations.

Only recently, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), having concluded its Article IV consultations in Guyana, had come up with projections that oil will dominate Guyana’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by as much as 40 per cent, rapidly overtaking oth-

er sectors by 2024.

As of the middle of this year, no single sector had more than a 15 per cent share of the GDP. According to the Ministry of Finance’s 2019 mid-year report, the highest individual bite of the GDP came from the wholesale and retail trade, which

had a 13.4 per cent share of the GDP. Combined, agriculture, fishing and forestry have just a 15.6 per cent share of the GDP, with major sectors like sugar, rice and forestry having just 0.9 per cent, 3.5 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively.

Governor of the Central Bank, Dr Gobind Ganga

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monday, october 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Nightclub attempted murder trial

Main witness fails to identify suspect during testimony T

he main witness in the case against businessman Imran Khan, who last October allegedly attempted to kill Romario Baljeet, called “Short Boss”, was unable to identify the accused on Thursday at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

When the matter was called before Senior Magistrate Leron Daly, Dornel Hopkinson, a friend of the Virtual Complainant, who was at Palm Court when the incident occurred, took to the stand to give his testimony.

During the testimony, Special Prosecutor in the case, Latchmie Rahamat asked Hopkinson to look around the courtroom and identify the accused, and the witness smiled and replied he did not see him anywhere in the court.

The Prosecutor, who looked stunned at the answer given by Hopkinson, rephrased the question and asked if he understood the question that was put to him.

It was then Khan’s Attorney, Glen Hanoman objected to the Prosecutor rephrasing the question, since the witness answered.

The Magistrate upheld

Romario Baljeet

the Attorney’s objection and as such, the Prosecutor had to move onto another question. The witness was then ordered to make his next court appearance on October 21, 2019 to complete giving his testimony.

Businessman Khan, 31, of Austin Street, Campbellville, Georgetown, was not required to plead to the charge which stated that on October 28, 2018, at Main Street, Georgetown, he unlawfully and maliciously wounded Baljeet, with intent to murder him.

According to reports on the day in question, at approximately 03:00h, as Baljeet and a friend were leaving a nightclub, they

walked between Khan and another man. It was then Khan dealt the complainant two punches to his head and face, causing him to fall to the ground. The accused then took a glass bottle and a drinking glass and smashed them on Baljeet’s face, resulting in injuries and bleeding.

Persons who were around were afraid to render assistance as the accused began to kick and punch Baljeet.

Baljeet was later picked up in an unconscious state and taken to Woodlands Hospital, where he was treated and admitted. He was subsequently released, but was later readmitted.

And they’re off…

I

Imran Khan

It was previously stated that Baljeet underwent two surgeries on his face and more were yet to be done.

Waitress gets 6 months for stealing phone

A

waitress who was charged for assaulting a man and then stealing his cellphone was on Friday found guilty of stealing the cellphone and was sentenced for that offence.

Twenty-five-year-old Sherryann Marks, of Lot 123 Middle Road, La Penitence, Georgetown, pleaded not guilty to the charge which

Sherryann Marks

stated that on July 31, 2019, at Vlissengen Road, Georgetown, she stole one Alcatel cellphone valued at $60,000, property of Collin Woolford.

During her address to the court, Marks claimed that she walked away with the phone by mistake and was not given a chance to return it.

When the matter was called previously, the Magistrate ruled that there was sufficient evidence that Marks stole the cellphone and as such, she was sentenced to spend the next six months behind bars.

Marks was also charged for using threatening behaviour and was fined $10,000, for that offence, since she pleaded guilty to that charge when she made her first court appearance.

However, the assault matter against Marks is still ongoing and that ruling will soon be handed down.

The Court heard that the Virtual Complainant (VC) and the defendant are known to each other.

It was reported that on the day in question, Marks and the VC had a misunderstanding which caused her to become annoyed. It was then the defendant dealt Woolford several slaps and cuffs about his body and relieved the man of his cellphone.

…to divide Guyana! n what will certainly be the longest political campaign in Guyana’s history, David Granger led his PNC into one of its traditional strongholds – Linden – in their opening sortie. Not the so-called “five party coalition”, APNU… not the APNU/AFC coalition, but the PNC!! Of course, we know Granger and company have been campaigning even as they fought their rear guard, Court battle against the NCM! Surely, dear readers, you didn’t think all those ministerial “outreaches” were belated mea culpas for ignoring areas outside their air-conditioned offices since 2015?!! But under the governmental outreach fig leaf, Granger and company had to observe the proprieties of including personnel from their more expansive “coalition” fig leaf. But not this time. And we should note the significance of the occasion.

Every Guyanese knows the APNU coalition is a sham – conjured up to simply hide the mark of the PNC. Could stripes disappear because of a name and leader change?

Can any single Guyanese rattle off the name of the “party” that Keith Scott heads? Pleeeease! The WPA, which did have name recognition, has constantly bitched and moaned of being ignored in decision making.

So what Granger is signalling with his unabashed identification as the PNC LEADER is that while he’ll go along with the charade of a leading a “coalition”, on this campaign the PNC won’t be hiding its fangs behind a mask. Granger, who revealed that he’d “always been PNC” even when he was heading the army, unapologetically announced: “The PNC will provide that leadership to Guyana. We were born to lead. The PNC is the party that will lead. Guyana is the country that we’ll lead and this is the time for our leadership.”

“We were born to lead”!! And to make sure the country knows who is that “we”, Granger made it crystal clear as he referred to the PPP and their successful NCM: “They tried to stop us but we will continue our work,” and added significantly, “Charrandas didn’t come from Linden.” No, Charrandas comes from Berbice, and we know Berbice is a trope for “Indian-Guyanese”, just as Linden is its mirror image!

Granger is going back to the roots of the PNC which was spawned when Burnham split the PPP by taking African Guyanese along with him. And destroying the ethnic unity in our “land of six peoples” like Humpty Dumpty, which has never been put together again! So yes, the race is on… and Granger seems determined to make it a racial one!!

Granger statement, “Charrandas didn’t come from Linden” also means that Ramjattan and Nagamootoo’s PM hopes are screwed.

Not only they don’t come from Linden, they’re also from Berbice!! …with the lies Now we all know that during elections, politicians will take some liberties with the truth. But we don’t expect those liberties to extend to rape, do we?? But if we go by what Granger spouted at Linden, it looks like the truth will be gang-raped by the PNC in the months ahead. Imagine a man who was educated at UG on our public funds as a HISTORIAN could say the following: “Look at what is happening in terms of security. We’ve done away with the hooliganism of the PPP, the massacres, the troubles. We have restored calm and we will continue to restore calm after March 2nd next year.”

Hooliganism of the PPP? Did the PPP launch violent protests in 1997-98 while they “wuk pon” Janet Jagan? Did PPP launch mo’ fyaah; slow fyaah? Was the PPP holed up in in Buxton to massacre police and innocent citizens as “Freedom Fighters”??

And wasn’t “calm” restored by 2008?

Or did the PNC intervene after that taped discussion between Felix and Basil? Eh Bannuh? …to nomination After waiting to see how the NCM breeze would blow, Carl Greenidge finally renounced his British citizenship to get onto the PNC list.

But his bitterness against Charrandas for blowing his dual-citizen gig, boiled over into a very undiplomatic cussing out!!

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

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monday, october 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Oil refinery to be completed by next year – GuyEnergy executive – to be based in Linden; have 4000 BPD start-up capacity

G

uyEnergy, the company that had publicly announced its intention to build an oil refinery in Guyana since last year, is on course to completing its refinery by next year. This is according its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Turhane Doerga.

According to Dr Doerga in an interview with this publication over the weekend, the company is at the stage where the modules for the oil refinery are being built. And according to Dr Doerga, who is also well known as a rice miller, the structure should be ready for oil in the first quarter of next year.

“We are at the implementation stage. The modules are being built… we’ll be ready for early next year. The first modules being built is US$36 million.

The total project is [over

GuyEnergy CEO, Dr Turhane Doerga

US$100 million],” he said, adding that they had no difficulties in garnering investors.

Dr Doerga noted that they do not have to be limited to purchasing oil from ExxonMobil, but rather can have extended access to the crude oil market. When it

comes to capacity, he said that the aim is to have the refinery reach 10,000 barrels of oil per day.

“The startup is 4000 [barrels per day], within three months it will go to 8000. Because it’s the first set of modules, it’s going to be about 10,000. So it will be enough for the Guyana market. And then we have to cater for the Brazilian investors. And we’ll see how we can export to the Caribbean,” Dr Doerga informed this publication.

According to information from GuyEnergy, the refinery occupies 20 acres of land and will produce gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and some gases. The company also markets the project as one that will require a small tank farm, power plant and workforce, while leaving a minimal environmental impact.

Mayor appeals for assistance to clear canals, parapets

C

orriverton Mayor Winston Roberts is appealing for assistance to clear the canals and parapets in the town and its surroundings.

Speaking with Guyana Times, Roberts noted that they have not been receiving any assistance from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) despite numerous requests.

A canal at Number 76 Housing Scheme is now home to several tall trees.

“It needs urgent attention,” the Mayor says. The situation at the nearby scheme at Number 77 is no different.

Corriverton Roberts

Mayor

Winston

The Mayor stated that he has only been receiving promises from the NDIA. ‘It has been months since we are appealing to the NDIA, but we have just been receiving promises,” he noted.

According to him, during the recent rainy season, the municipality used a small excavator it has to do a small amount of work in the two schemes.

“The sideline needs to be cleaned at least for the upcoming rainy season in December. The vegetation is very, very thick. It has reached a point where manual labour can no longer be used. There is need for a large excavator,” he noted.

The Council is, howev-

One of the clogged canals in the town

er, only equipped with the small excavator.

Meanwhile, Roberts further stated that workers for the Community Enhancement Programme have stopped carrying out work in the township of Corriverton.

“Earlier this year, they would be cleaning the parapets, but for the longest while, we have not seen them. We would like to know the reason for them not coming to Corriverton,” the Mayor said.

“Having them around, we were able to get a clean town on a regular basis.” According to Roberts, Municipal workers worked

with the Community Enhancement Programme workers. However, there was no collaboration with the municipality.

“They would normally appear in the Town and slash the parapets.

“But we are not seeing them here anymore.”

He noted that the Programme did not employ persons from Corriverton, which is a “strange” occurrence.

“A car would just bring the workers and do it – start working at about 6:00 in the morning. They used to do a good job, but now they are not coming anymore,” he reemphasised.

Interest

It was only last year that a team of professional foreign investors had also expressed interest in establishing an oil refinery in Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), with the intention of providing technical skills training to the community’s workforce and education sector.

Prospects for the initiative were discussed when the team met with regional stakeholders, including Regional Chairman Renis Morian, at the office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) in Linden in November 2018.

The team was led by US-based Ghanian entrepreneur Quincy SintimAboagye, who owns an oil company and Alfred Fafali Adagbedu, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seaweld Engineering Limited in Ghana.

Apart from the refinery, the team also expressed a desire to establish a hotel and to develop economic avenues for local farming. These developments were welcomed by Region 10 officials, not only for the overall economic benefits but particularly for the employment opportunities they would provide for the Linden community.

But if these investors were expecting any help from the Government in terms of subsidised crude oil, that prospect has been dismissed by the Government.

Back in January of this year, Department of Energy Head, Dr Mark Bynoe had made it clear that local oil refinery operators will have to build oil at market prices.

“Anyone, who wishes to open a refinery can do so but they will not re-

A model of the modular refinery

ceive subsidised oil from the Department. That’s the crunch,” Bynoe had said, during a stakeholder engagement. He was backed up on this point by the Department’s oil and gas adviser, Matthew Wilks.

“Government doesn’t subsidise private businesses. That’s not the purpose of the Government. The Government has to maximise the revenue for the State to go into State expenditure and, equally, I don’t think people in this room would probably feel happy if we end up subsidising private entities,” Wilks was reported in sections of the media as saying.

Feasibility

With the Government already ruling out building a refinery of its own, the only takers for this initiative are from the Private Sector.

The Government had previously hired a consultant, Pedro Haas, to carry out a feasibility study into constructing an oil refinery.

The results of the study did not favour building a refinery, particularly one with a capacity to produce over 100,000 barrels per day.

In his study, Haas had looked at the cost of building an oil refinery with a capacity of producing more

than 100,000 barrels of oil per day. The study had come up with a US$5 billion price tag in order to construct the refinery in Guyana.

The findings of a study had also recommended that the unit at the Finance Ministry should be equipped and its capacity boosted enough to understand the microeconomics of the petroleum industry.

This is so that the unit can keep up to date with the daily calculations of market prices and feed into the global market.

The expert had also suggested that as an alternative to the establishment of an oil refinery, the Government could pursue maximising income from commercialising crude oil.

Another suggestion was that the Government swap or toll crude oil for products on the global market or create joint ventures with offshore refineries, as well as acquire stock in refining companies.

However, the study was done at a time when ExxonMobil was the only operator in Guyana’s waters to find oil in commercial quantities. Members of the Private Sector have previously urged that the construction of a refinery be re-explored when more operators find oil.

10 news

monday, october 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Young nurse still to receive Teen cyclist struck salary after 4 months down by motorist

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26-year-old nurse, whose three-year contract with the Public Health Ministry was expected to end in September has expressed deep concerns over the non-payment of salaries since June.

The young lady, Carol Kumar, in an interview with this newspaper, explained that she began working with the health institution back in 2015 but was forced to end her service early in 2017, due to her mother’s illness.

However, after one year had elapsed, Kumar was contacted and informed by the Ministry that there is a four-month period remaining before the termination of her three-year contract, and as such, she is required to provide service to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation until that period comes to an end.

As a result, Kumar respected the contract policy

and resumed duties at the institution in June of this year. But from that time to now, the young nurse is yet to receive her monthly salary for that four months as GPHC claims that she was not reinstated.

“When I try to find out they told me last week that I wasn’t reinstated as yet, so I’m asking them if I’m not reinstated as yet why am I working?” She expressed.

The frustrated young

woman highlighted the fact that she cares for her ill mother, and this situation is adding more to her plate since seeking help from the respective Ministry and related agencies are of no use.

“I’ve been four months without salary, my mother is probably dying on me and nobody trying or doing anything about it. And every time I reach out, everybody keep shutting me off. I went to labour before and they

said there’s nothing they can do about it, I went to the Personnel Department of the Ministry of health and they told me the Public Service Union has my letter of reinstatement, I called them and they said they don’t have anything.” Kumar noted.

Moreover, she stated that the situation is unacceptable since she willingly resigned from her previous job to resume duties at the facility.

She is nevertheless, calling on the higher authorities to intervene in the matter.

“I was with another company working, they asked me to resign from my job the month before I started working in May, and I resumed duty and the Ministry of Health in June which I did.

And from June to now, nothing…it’s very frustrating because if they know they’re not gonna pay me, the most they could do is just be mannerly about and tell me something”.

A

teen is currently a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) after he was struck from behind while riding a pedal cycle on Robb Street, Georgetown.

The 13-year-old student of St John’s College has reportedly sustained severe injuries about his body as a result of the accident.

According to witnesses, the motorcycle which struck the teen was driven

by Romeo Cambridge, bearing registration number CC4437.

The teen was heading towards Camp Street when the motorcyclist slammed into the bicycle from behind.

Guyana Times understands that the bicycle the young lad was riding at the time of the accident had no reflectors or lights.

However, the motorcyclist was taken into custody as Police continue their investigations.

Shift to higher...

Two weekends ago, several communities along Guyana’s coastline were inundated from the unprecedented high tides, which lasted days. Villages in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were affected by the high water.

While some of those affected residents are now trying to get back to their lives and others are still grappling with floodwaters, there is yet another bout of high tides expected later this month.

In anticipation of the October 26 high water, the Public Infrastructure Minister in collaboration with the other stakeholder agencies are currently undertaking emergency works to minimise the potential

from page 2

impact from the impending high tides.

Close to 80 per cent of Guyana’s population live in its low-lying coastal regions, portions of which sit from 19.7 inches (0.5 metre) to 39.4 inches (1 metre) below sea level.

This is a worrying factor since a recent report from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) revealed that global warming is accelerating melting in glaciers and ice sheets from Greenland to Antarctica, and that sea levels will likely rise more than previously projected by the end of this century if carbon emissions continue to increase.

According to the report, many of the 680 million people around the world living in low-lying coastal areas will experience annual flooding events by 2050 that used to occur only once a century.

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monday, october 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

19% of prison inmates in Guyana are between 18 and 30 years

...rehabilitation a critical part of Prison Service mandate – GPS Director

P

resently, there are 1917 inmates housed in the various penitentiaries across the country in Guyana. Of this amount, 371 (19 per cent) are persons between the ages of 18 and 30 years.

This is according to Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels, who on the occasion of the Guyana Prison Service’s 136th anniversary celebrations stated that of that 19 per cent, there are 354 males and 17 females.

Of that total, 62 prisoners (17 per cent) are serving time behind bars for drug-related cases.

He explained that the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) remains concerned about the welfare and rehabilitation of all prisoners and that although revised laws are yet to be passed to see the GPS move formally

es of our Ministry of Social Protection – one of our major supporters – to monitor inmates’ compliance with the terms of their release. If we are going to be successful, the Government must continue to recognise the Guyana Prison Service for its contribution to society. Improvement of working conditions is a work in progress – much more is required…comparable increases in our take-home pay would be highly appreciated.”

Touching on the issue of infrastructural development, he noted that while inmate warehousing as a policy has no utility value in an emerging economy, the 2020-projected completion of the expansion of the Mazaruni Prison, the rebuilding of Georgetown Prison, the rebuilding of New

Mazaruni Prison

to a fully correctional institution, in the existing laws, there are sufficient guidelines that allow the GPS to make rehabilitation a critical part of its mandate.

“This is an ongoing exercise…success hinges on the collaboration of the prison authorities, civil society and the Judiciary. Inmates will receive behavioural counselling and job training in the various disciplines mentioned previously, so that on their release they can support themselves, and for some, their families.

Civil society can ease their re-entry by not stigmatising them, and providing opportunities for optimum employment wherever possible.”

Samuels explained that families will have to provide the necessary support systems so prisoners who are re-integrated into society after serving their sentences are not pressured to return to a life of crime.

“It will also require the continued resourc-

Amsterdam Prison, and the construction of a multi-complex rehabilitation centre in New Amsterdam are “all good things to look forward to”.

Meanwhile, he emphasised that the administration of the GPS has embarked on aggressive programmes that seek to bridge the gaps between crime, punishment and rehabilitation.

“Any programme that seeks to invest in our offenders’ future relieves the pressure of crime countrywide and enhances our security. Every successful person that is returned to society provides a safety net for families, and reduces the work of the Joint Services.

We are poised, as a nation, to enter an unprecedented period of nation-building and prosperity, so we must utilise all possible approaches to secure our country.”

The GPS Director posited that one year ago the GPS had a staff complement of 501 members but even

Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels

with recruitment there are still spaces that need to be filled.

“We have seen the retirement of 12, resignation of 7 and 24 would have been dismissed for several breaches of prison rules. Today, we have 495 staff members.

Despite those challenges, we continue to expose ranks to local and overseas training with the hope of building capacity. Fourteen ranks would have benefited from overseas training for the reporting period,” the Director added.

Camp Street Prison

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MONday, october 7, 20

ay, october 7, 2019

(Photos by Dexter Ceres)

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14 news

monday, october 7, 2019| guyanatimesgy.com

PNCR celebrates 62nd anniversary in Linden T

he People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) was observed its 62nd anniversary at Congress Place in Linden, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice) on Saturday with a grand rally and cultural presentation.

The event was marked by the presence of executive Party members and supporters as well as numerous officials. Party Leader President David Granger in delivering the feature address at the ceremony emphasized numerous significant achievements of the Party ever since it was founded in 1957 and entered office in 1964.

He also pointed to achievements of FounderLeader Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham whom he referred to as the “visionary man” who founded the Party. The President noted that since the Party’s re-election 4 years ago it has been working overtime

A group of young dancers performs a routine at the event

and continues to improve and expand policies and services.

“And we are leading the country into greater independence now in 2019...we

encourage economic empowerment, economic entrepreneurship in order to reduce and remove inequality and poverty. We’ve empowered women by pioneering the

struggle for gender equality”, President Granger stated.

He also pointed to the return of democracy with the return of the Local Government Elections which was hosted when the Coalition Party took office, increased public wages and salaries and what he described as growing economy since 2015. He further underscored the importance of education, noting that the Party will continue to build more schools. President Granger also spoke on the launching of the ‘Decade of Development’ initiative next year which he noted will see the country being transformed in various aspects.

“The PNC is here to

Government Ministers at the rally

serve...we will continue to increase the support for poor families...you’ve heard me say that next year we will launch ‘A Decade of Development’...and in this decade, we will give top priority to education. We want a school in every village”, the Party Leader said.

He noted that initiatives such as the Burnham Education scholarship Trust which was started in Linden was created to assist young people with educational supplies as they go through Secondary school.

President Granger also pointed to several advancements to come on stream in Linden, including the reopening of the Linden Call Centre which he noted will create 150 jobs, development of 500 additional house lots

President David Granger and Minister Annette Ferguson sticking the anniversary cake

at Amelia’s Ward, the completion of the Linden synthetic track, the erection of a vocational training centre, construction of a dormitory for the Linden Technical Institute and a new bridge linking Mackenzie to Wismar as well as support with improvements in internet access amongst others.

Numerous students from the Region who were successful at the most recent National Grade 6 examinations were also awarded at the event. The President also handed over a school bus and bicycles to students in the community.

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monday, october 7, 2019 | guyanatimesgy.com

Fixing breaches in Region 6 sea defence may have to wait – Vice Chairman

B

reaches in the sea defences of Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) may have to wait to receive attention since the Government will place emphasis on regions which are more vulnerable.

This is according to Region Six Vice Chairman Dennis DeRoop while addressing the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) on the issue.

DeRoop, who is a member of the Sea Defence Board, explained that like other Regions, Region Six was under threat, but the Government would prioritise the needs of the Regions based on the dangers of the breaches.

“Money is not issued based on regional needs, but rather the country's situation. Hence, other Regions may take precedence over Region Six sea defence repair work. So, some of the breaches we have may not be fixed right now,” DeRoop said as he made mention of the expected October spring tide.

“Region Six has two threatening areas which could be like what occurred at Mahaica.” One area, he said, stretches from Wellington Park to Brighton on the Corentyne and the other from Number 51 Village to Number 62 Village, also on the Corentyne.

Those are the two … [tricky] areas; there is no defence presently. I made recommendations at the level of the Board and the contract was started last Wednesday at Wellington Park to seal about 300 meters, but the opening is much wider than that. I was told that a project will be done in phases,” DeRoop explained.

One of the breaches in Berbice

He posited that the areas would be continuously monitored while adding that the Board recommended that the breaches at Number 51 and Number 62, be attended to next year. Boulders will be placed to retain the line of the sea defence.

“If you do not retain the line, then it could become like the Mahaica situation. It was expected with the hurricane season in the Atlantic that the breach and Danzig at Mahaica would give away,” the Vice Chairman said.

In Corriverton, there was a project being funded by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to reinforce the sea defence from Scottsburg to Line Path. According to the Regional Vice Chairman, the lifespan of the sea wall there has already expired.

“That is why that area was recommended under the CDB loan. The contract currently on is for the rehabilitation of that area.

Another CDB project should be executed on the East Bank of Berbice. However, the design that the consultant submitted has not been accepted by the CDB.” That project, according to DeRoop, has been put on hold. Upon completion,

this project was expected to rectify the outfall channels along the East Bank of

Berbice.

At Fyrish, there is a breach which needs urgent attention, DeRoop told the RDC. “There is no defence presently there,” he said.

Referring to the recent spring tides as the highest-ever seen in Region Six, the Sea Defence Board will be monitoring the coastline.

In addition, the Vice Chairman noted that in Orealla there was sand erosion. “Those areas there are breaking away, slipping into the River. That area will also be monitored as well as overtopping of the Canje River, which has affect-

ed both the East and West Canje.

In Region Five (MahaicaBerbice), where the sea defence gave way at Dantiz last week causing widespread flooding and the destruction of farmland and livestock, the Vice Chairman said the Board has acknowledged that work has to be done in two threatened areas.

He explained that at Mahaica, there were four to five kilometres of sea defence to be repaired, but it could not all be done now.

“That will be a lot of money. It will take the entire budget of the

Region Six Vice Dennis DeRoop

Chairman

Agriculture Ministry to fix.”

Nevertheless, it is not the only danger-prone area as similar threats are present in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam), DeRoop added.

Guyana elected Vice Chair of WHO Executive Board

P

ublic Health Minister Volda Lawrence was this week elected Vice-Chair of the global World Health Organisation (WHO) Executive Board during the 71st Session of the Regional Committee.

Minister Lawrence headed Guyana’s delegation to the 57th Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) meeting, and 71st Session of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas.

That high-level meeting was held in Washington, DC, from September 30 to October 4, during which time participants probed a number of wide-ranging global issues, including strategies and plans to address the multitude of challenges facing the hemisphere; reducing heart disease by eliminating industrially produced trans-fatty acids; making access to or-

gan, tissue and cell transplants more equitable; and improving the quality of care in health services delivery.

The Guyana delegation, which also included Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Karen Gordon-Campbell, also participated in several events on the margins of the PAHO/WHO 5-day programme, including discussions on ‘Response to Ageing Societies’; ‘Mental Health in the Americas’; the Launch of the ‘Report of the Commission on Equity and Health Inequalities in the Americas’, and ‘Addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the Americas’.

Guyana’s Public Health Minister also made a presentation on ‘Multi-sector Collaboration to prevent and respond to GenderBased Violence (GBV) in Guyana’, during which she took advantage of the opportunity to highlight the

DCMO Dr Karen Gordon-Campbell; Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence; PAHO Director, Dr Carissa Etienne and a PAHO official

Government of Guyana’s efforts to implement several measures, including the Spotlight Initiative which targets women and girls affected by GBV to help improve their overall health and well-being.

The ‘Multi-sector Collaboration to prevent and respond to GenderBased Violence (GBV) in Guyana’ is part of Guyana’s menu of measures to respond to a slight increase in incidents of local domestic

violence.

At the 37th Meeting of the Council on Human and Social Development (COHSOD), which preceded the PAHO/WHO meetings which were also held in Washington, DC on September 28- 29, Guyana’s DCMO, Dr. Karen Gordon– Campbell, was nominated to serve as the CARICOM Representative on the Board of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).

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monday, october 7, 2019

Regional

Ecuador arrests shopkeepers; man dies as protests rage E cuadorean authorities began arresting shopkeepers for raising food prices as Indigenous groups clashed with security forces on Sunday in a fourth day of protests against President Lenin Moreno’s austerity measures.

One man died in central Azuay province when roadblocks blocked an ambulance from reaching him after he was hit by a car, authorities said. Local media

identified him as a protester, but that could not be confirmed.

Ecuadoreans complain consumer prices have risen sharply as a knock-on effect of Moreno’s abolition of fuel subsidies, which have also triggered the nation’s worst unrest in more than a decade.

“Everyone’s raising prices with the excuse of the gasoline price rise,” disgruntled pensioner Camilo

People block a road amid clashes with soldiers during protests after Ecuador’s President Lenin Moreno’s Government ended four-decade-old fuel subsidies, in Lasso, Ecuador, October 6, 2019

Salazar, 65, said at a food market in the coastal city of Guayaquil, where prices have risen by up to a third in just a few days.

The Government said 20 people were detained over the weekend for overcharging for products including corn, onions, carrots and potatoes, which are all subject to price controls.

“There is no justification for raising the prices,” Interior Minister Maria

Romo said in a statement.

Ecuador’s dollarised economy had inflation of just 0.27 per cent in 2018.

After a two-day strike by transport unions, Indigenous groups have taken the lead in demonstrations against Moreno’s economic measures. They barricaded roads in various places again on Sunday with burning tyres, branches and rocks.(Excerpt from Reuters)

Trinidad PM: Don’t take social Antigua and Scotiabank blank news on negotiations safety network for granted

T

he Antigua and Barbuda Government and the Canada-based Scotiabank have agreed to a news blackout regarding the discussions over the sale of the bank’s branch in the Caribbean island.

Antigua and Barbuda has been seeking to acquire the operations of Scotiabank after the Canadian financial outfit said it was disposing of some of its assets in several Caribbean islands.

Last November, the Trinidad-based Republic Financial Holding Limited (RFHL) announced that it was seeking to acquire Scotiabank operations in Guyana, St Maarten, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis,

St Lucia, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The RFHL statement said that the purchase price is US$123 million, which represents US$25 million consideration for total shareholding of Scotiabank Anguilla Limited; and a premium of US$98 million over net asset value for operations in the remaining eight countries.

Last month, the Government said that given that RBFH has indicated “it no longer wishes to consummate that deal with Scotiabank” with regard to the branch there, that “puts the government in a bargaining position that brings it closer to realising its ambition for a consortium of local banks and the

Government to own those assets”.

A government statement issued following the weekly Cabinet meeting last week, noted; however, that while the matter had been discussed at Cabinet, “it was agreed that both sides – Scotiabank and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda – would make no public pronouncements while the negotiations among the parties continue”.

But the statement added that the Cabinet had taken note “of the refusal by the Central Bank of Guyana to allow the sale of the Scotiabank assets there to Republic Financial Holdings of Trinidad”. (Excerpt from CMC)

Cuba pays tribute to Cubana victims

P

rime Minister, Dr Keith Rowley has said many citizens have taken for granted the impact of several social programmes on their lives.

While delivering an address at the sod-turning ceremony for the new Sangre Grande Hospital, the Prime Minister responded to those who criticised his labelling of old age pension payments as a poverty eradication programme.

“The idea is that cash is handed out to people to make their way in this country. And I have to be accosted by a lady that is so angry, so upset that the Prime Minister could have told the United Nations that we have a poverty eradication programme in our country.

And she felt insulted by the fact that I could have said that,” said Rowley who explained that TT$4.7 billion was allocated to the Social Development Ministry for the pension programme in the last fiscal year, with an additional 272 million in supplement funds to bolster the programme.

“Almost TT$5 billion, the majority of it going to people

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley (centre); Health Minister Terrance Deyalsingh, and Minister in the National Security Ministry, Glenda Jennings-Smith turn the sod for the construction of the new Sangre Grande Hospital during a ceremony on the site. Looking on are Culture Minister, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly (second from left) and UDeCOTT Chairman Noel Garcia

in an unfunded-by-the-recipient programme called old age pension. Old age pension’s a pension which the government alone funds.

The cash comes straight from the treasury. There’s no contribution from the recipient and that is in fact our social safety net.”

Rowley took a journey

through his own past, and mentioned that his grandfather received a pension of TT$14 which helped support his family. He said the increase in pensions over the years has been allowed for many families to be supported through the payment. (Excerpt from Trinidad Guardian)

Thousands of African migrants stuck in limbo in Mexico

S In Cuba, October 6 was officially established as the Day of the Victims of State Terrorism

C

uba paid tribute Sunday to the 73 victims of the terrorist attack committed 43 years ago against a Cubana de Aviacion aircraft off the coast of Barbados, the perpetrators of which were never prosecuted for the crime.

In tribute to those who died in the terrorist act on October 6, 1976, authorities and a representative of the Cuban people were scheduled to march Sunday on pilgrimage to the capital, Necropolis of Colon, as is customary on the island on the anniversary of the tragedy.

On social networks, Internet users of the Caribbean nation recently

reiterated their denouncements of the complicity of the US Government and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with the perpetrators of the attack.

With the tags #TenemosMemoria, #6DeOctubre, #Cuba and #ProhibidoOlvidar, among others, Twitter users stated that the families of the 73 deceased still demand justice: 57 Cubans, 11 Guyanese and five Koreans.

The Barbados crime, as the in-flight destruction with bombs installed inside the CU-455 aircraft is known, is so far considered the worst attack of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.

According to investiga-

tions, it was orchestrated in Venezuela by Cuba-born terrorists Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch, who used Venezuelans Hernán Ricardo and Freddy Lugo to place the bombs inside the plane.

Ricardo and Lugo were sentenced to 20 years in prison, while Bosch was briefly acquitted on technical grounds and Posada Carriles was in prison for eight years, but managed to escape with the support of prison guards.

Subsequently, Posada Carriles and Bosch found refuge in Miami.

In Cuba, October 6 was officially established as the Day of the Victims of State Terrorism. (Excerpt from Presna Latina)

everal thousand African migrants are stuck in limbo in southern Mexico.

The African migrants have made a dangerous journey of thousands of kilometres up through Latin

America in the hope of reaching the United States.

Mexican officials have stopped them after coming under pressure from Washington to stem the flow of migrants and asylum seekers.

Mexico is offering them the chance of asylum. But that process is long and uncertain. In Tapachula, the queue for applicants goes around the block. (Excerpt from Al

Jazeera)

T&T: Court orders Unicomer to compensate homeowner

T

rinidad High Court has ordered Unicomer (Trinidad) Ltd – the parent company for furniture and appliance retailer Courts – to compensate a Freeport man for nuisance. The court found that the man was inconvenienced by the company’s construction of its headquarters and distribution centre in 2017.

Last week, Justice Avason Quinlan-Williams ruled that construction work by the company amounted to a nuisance.

She ordered the company to pay TT$15,000 a day in com-

pensation from February 24 to March 12, 2017.

She also ordered that the company pay two per cent interest on the compensation sum until the date of payment as well as TT$35,437.55 in legal costs.

In his lawsuit, Baldeo Mohansingh, of Calcutta Road, Freeport, claimed Unicomer infringed on his road access when it began building a wall around its facility which borders his property. He also claimed that the wall blocked off five windows to his home, interfering with

the natural sunlight and airflow.

While she upheld his claim for nuisance, QuinlanWilliams did not rule for damage to property. Mohansingh said he lived at Calcutta Road for over 36 years.

He was represented by Anand Ramlogan, SC; Alvin Pariagsingh; Che Dindial and Robert Abdool-Mitchell, while Unicomer was represented by Colvin Blaze, Alexi McKell, Jeunille Trancoso-Blackman and Maurice Fermin. (Trinidad Newsday)

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, october 7, 2019

17

Around the World

Chinese soldiers in HK warn protesters as emergency rules fail to quell unrest C hinese soldiers in HK warn protesters as emergency rules fail to quell unrest Chinese soldiers issued a warning to Hong Kong protesters on Sunday who shone lasers at their barracks in the city, in the first direct interaction with mainland military forces in four months of anti-Government demonstrations.

The People’s Liberation

Army (PLA) garrison in Kowloon district warned a crowd of a few hundred protesters they could be arrested for targeting its troops and barracks walls with laser lights.

The stand-off with the PLA came after rallies attended by tens of thousands of protesters earlier on Sunday ended in violent clashes in several locations.

Police fired tear gas and

baton-charged the crowds, while some demonstrators threw bricks and petrol bombs at Police as night fell.

Protesters concealed their faces in defiance of colonial-era emergency laws invoked by the authorities on Friday, which banned face masks. Protesters face a maximum of one year in jail for breaking the mask ban.

Police made their first arrests under the new rules,

detaining scores of people.

Chinese military personnel standing on the roof of the PLA’s Osborn Barracks in Kowloon Tong district held up a sign in English and Chinese which read: “Warning. You are in breach of the law. You may be prosecuted.”

The PLA’s top brass has warned violence is “absolutely impermissible”. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Riot Police detain a protester during an anti-Government rally in central Hong Kong, China, October 6, 2019

Tunisia parliamentary vote: Exit 2nd Trump whistle-blower on poll shows Ennahdha in the lead Ukraine comes forward – lawyer

A

T

he conservative Ennahdha party has come first in Tunisia’s parliamentary election, according to an exit poll broadcast by State TV. The poll by Sigma Conseil showed Rached Ghannouchi’s moderate Islamist party would secure 17.5 per cent of Sunday’s vote, or 40 seats in the 217-strong Parliament.

It was followed closely

by Qalb Tounes, a relatively new party founded by jailed media mogul Nabil Karoui, at 15.6 per cent or 33 seats.

According to the exit poll, Karama, a conservative coalition led by lawyer Seiffedine Makhlouf, came in third with 18 seats, followed by the recently formed Tahya Tounes secular party led by current Prime Minister Youssef Chahed with 16 seats.

“As in 2011 and 2014, the winning party will need to form a coalition to gain a

Ennahdha’s Rached Ghannouchi poses with family after casting his ballot [Zoubeir Souissi/Reuters]

majority,” Grewal said. “The big question here is whether that coalition will include both the top two parties, Ennahdha and Qalb Tounes.

During the campaign period, both ruled out a coalition between them.”

This, says Grewal, could mean weeks or even months of negotiations. “No party has over 20 per cent, and it will take at least four parties to even form a Government,” he added.

While Tunisia is often re-

ferred to as the only success story to come out of the Arab Spring, the elections were held against a backdrop of spiralling food prices, inflation and more than 15 per cent unemployment.

Preliminary results will be announced on October 10 and official results on November 17. The assembly will then be given two months to choose a Prime Minister and form a new Government. (Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

France IVF bill: Protests gather thousands in Paris

L

arge crowds have taken to the streets of Paris in opposition to a bill that would give single women and lesbian couples access to fertility treatments.

If passed, the new law would be France’s first major social reform since the legalisation of gay marriage in 2013.

IVF treatment in France is currently restricted to heterosexual couples.

The draft bill has been passed by the Lower House of Parliament. It will go before the Senate later this month.

Predictions on the number of protesters varied, with one research group saying 74,000 attended while organisers put the figure at around 600,000. Police put the attendance at 42,000.

Counter-protesters held a smaller demonstration.

The proposed legislation would allow all women under 43 access to IVF treatment regardless of sexual

The bill has proved controversial among religious and political conservatives

orientation or relationship status.

It would also give children conceived with donated sperm the right to seek out the donor’s identity when they reach the age of 18. This is not currently allowed.

The new legislation would bring France in line with most of its neighbours including Britain, Spain and the Netherlands.

Polls suggest about twothirds of the public support the bill.

Political and religious conservatives want the bill scrapped.

“The family, with a mother and a father, is an ecosystem that needs protecting,” Christian Kersabiec, 68, told the AFP news agency at the protest.

Many of those demonstrating also protested against legalising gay marriage in 2013.

But polls suggest that acceptance of less traditional ideas of family structures has grown since then. (Excerpt from BBC News)

second whistle-blower in the impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump has come forward, according to the lawyer representing the first one.

Mark Zaid told The Associated Press news agency in a text message on Sunday that the second whistle-blower, who also works in intelligence, has spoken to the intelligence community’s internal watchdog.

The lawyer said the second person did not file a complaint with the inspector general but does have “first-hand knowledge that supported” the original whistle-blower.

Zaid represents the first

whistle-blower who filed a complaint on August 12 involving a July 25 phone call Trump held with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky in which he asked him to investigate a Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.

The complaint alleged Trump was “using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country” in the 2020 election.

There was no immediate comment by the White House on Sunday’s reports. Trump and his supporters have rejected the accusations that he did anything improper.

But the telephone call

and the whistle-blower complaint prompted House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to launch impeachment proceedings on September 24 against Trump, saying his actions jeopardised US election integrity and threatened national security.

Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi, reporting from Washington, DC, said the development on Sunday did not refer to “multiple official whistle-blower complaints” but “corroboration” of the initial whistle-blower complaint, adding that it is possible that the development could mean “not much” for the impeachment inquiry.

(Excerpt from Al Jazeera)

Iraqi Police fire on protesters in new unrest, death toll passes 100

A

t least eight people were killed in new clashes between Iraqi security forces and anti-Government protesters on Sunday, the sixth day of unrest in which the death toll has now passed 100 and more than 6000 have been wounded.

The eight were killed in eastern Baghdad, Police sources said, after Police backed by the armed forces used live rounds. The demonstrators had taken to the streets hours after the Government announced reforms to try to ease anger

over corruption and unemployment.

Before the latest clashes in the Sadr City residential district of the capital, an Interior Ministry spokesman said 104 people had been killed, including eight members of the security forces, in the unrest since Tuesday.

He said 6107 had been wounded, including more than 1000 police and security forces, and dozens of buildings had been set ablaze, he added. But he denied the security forces had fired directly at the protest-

ers.

At an emergency Cabinet meeting on Saturday night, the Government agreed a 17-point plan to increase subsidised housing for the poor, stipends for the unemployed and training programmes and small loans initiatives for unemployed youth.

The families of those killed during demonstrations this week will also receive handouts and care usually granted to members of the security forces killed during war, it said. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Rwandan forces ‘kill 19 terrorists’ in retaliatory attack

R

wandan security forces have killed 19 “terrorists” blamed for an attack that resulted in the deaths of 14 people, Police said.

The initial attack on Friday was reportedly carried out by ethnic Hutu rebels in the north of the country.

Officials suspect that the rebels carried out the killings while searching for food.

The retaliatory attack took place near the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Police said.

Armed attackers reportedly went on a rampage with knives, machetes and stones in Musanze district near the Volcanoes National Park, which is popular with tourists for its mountain gorilla sanctuary.

While the death toll was

initially put at eight, authorities are now saying that 14 people were killed.

The area has been targeted by Rwandan Hutu rebels active within DR Congo in the past.

This includes the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia, created after the Hutu-led genocide of ethnic Tutsis in 1994. (Excerpt from BBC

News)

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guyanatimesgy.com

monday, OCTOber 7, 2019

ARCHIE

ARIES

You’ll be drawn to questionable people and concepts. Look for flaws in whatever is being offered to you before you decide to take part. A partnership needs an adjustment.

TAURUS (April 20May 20)

You’ll have too many choices and too many people tempting you. Take a step back and consider what’s realistic and what isn’t. Look at the facts before you take a leap of faith.

(March 21April 19)

dilbert

GEMINI (May 21June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

Peanuts

Calvin and Hobbes

Personal growth, physical improvements and getting things done on time should be your priorities.

Don’t follow someone else when you have your own responsibilities to complete.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Get away from anyone who is causing confusion in your life. Surround yourself with positive people who share your beliefs and complement what you have to offer.

LIBRA

Consider what truly matters to you. It’s time to reevaluate your life and direction. Be honest with those who will be affected by the choices you make.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24Nov. 22)

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23Dec. 21)

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

LAST PUBLISHED WORD

Put your energy into something unique, original or creative. Refuse to let others’ actions stop you from reaching your goals.

Focus on achieving, not on getting into a debate.

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

(Sept. 23Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Keep moving. Physical action will get you closer to your destination than will arguing with someone who doesn’t see things your way.

Romance is on the rise.

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

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

A change can make or break you. Don’t act on impulse or let your emotions lead you down the wrong path. Think before you act, and nurture what you love.

Keep moving toward your goal. Refuse to let distractions come between you and what you want to achieve. The shortcut someone offers will lead to a setback. Use common sense.

He who hesitates is lost.

Consider what you want and make it happen. It’s up to you to control a situation if you want it to turn in your favor.

Spend more time sorting through your personal papers, and consider your medical or legal options.

Refuse to let your emotions stop you from making the right decision.

Take time to consider what’s best for you. Running with the fast crowd or letting others entice you to get involved in something that isn’t good for you should be avoided.

monday, october 7, 2019

19

Jadeja and Shami wrap up huge win for India I

ndia shot through South Africa on the final day, taking seven wickets in the first session before going on to win by 203 runs, their third consecutive Test win by a margin of greater than 200 runs. Mohammed Shami was central to the collapse, accounting for Temba Bavuma, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock - Nos. 4, 5 and 6 - to open up the lower order, who were softened by Ravindra Jadeja before Shami returned to take the last two wickets.

A 91-run stand between Senuran Ravindra Jadeja celebrates Muthusamy and Dane a successful review Piedt kept India out longer than they would against Shami. In the next have expected when they reover, that approach - and a duced South Africa to 70 for similar waft outside off to 8, but the pair’s efforts were his first-innings dismissal not enough to undo the damturned a relatively innocuage caused by the top-order ous R Ashwin delivery into a collapse. wicket-taking one. It stayed South Africa began the low and this time the inside day with a potential 98 overs edge went onto the stumps. to play out, through which It was Ashwin’s 350th Test they’d have to score at nearwicket, and came shortly ly four an over if they harafter Aiden Markram had boured thoughts of a win. In been put down by the wickthe spirit of positivity that etkeeper. helped them put up 431 in The third wicket also the first innings, they got came from a ball that stayed seven off the first over the low, off the very next over, day, with Theunis de Bruyn Shami sneaking a length picking up a boundary ball under Bavuma’s defenc-

es and having him tumbling on the floor. Markram delighted with stylish boundaries through the off side and straight down the ground, and captain du Plessis looked comfortable once again. That was until he shouldered arms to an incoming delivery from Shami.

To be fair to du Plessis, the ball had started well outside off stump. But Shami got the ball to dip back a long way and, with marginal help from a crack in the pitch, hit the top off of an exposed off stump.

India barely had to break

a sweat or rely on cunning strategy for the next few wickets.

Shami got another one to come back in, this time to Quinton de Kock, who was rooted to the crease as he looked to push through the off side on angle.

With only the allrounders and lower order to come, at 60 for 5, Markram let loose, using his feet nicely and looking deliberately more compact in defence, having been bowled through the gate in the first innings. His preferred route was to loft the spinners, and that brought him two boundaries and a six over long-on.

He was left open-mouthed soon enough, however, trying to drive Jadeja over his head only for the bowler to stick his left-hand up and time his jump to perfection to hold on to it. By the end of that over, Jadeja spun the ball past two batsmen’s leading edge, trapped them lbw in front of middle, nearly took a hat-trick and left the visitors on 70 for 8.

Then came the stand between Muthusamy and Piedt, which kept India on the field well past the

15-minute extension to the first session. In fact, they lasted well past the opening of the second session too, as Piedt’s crisp, clean driving down the ground put India on the defensive. At many points, as Piedt and Muthusamy casually drove India’s spinners through the line, Kohli had two or three fielders out on the boundary. Muthusamy was as resolute as Piedt was free-flowing, scoring at a strike rate in the 30s while Piedt used the extra pace of Jadeja to notch up some goodness in an otherwise difficult Test for him. His six, a swat over midwicket, was the 36th of the match, a new record for Test cricket.

Driving through the line

did end up costing him in the end, when Shami returned and found some late swing in the corridor to take the inside edge onto the stumps. There was some more frustration for India Rabada had a few successful swings against Jadeja too, and Muthusamy’s outside edge drew him closer to the fifty on debut that he eventually did not reach, having run out of partners.

That said, India’s frustration perhaps couldn’t compare to that felt by South Africa’s frontline batsmen, who had to sit through yet another period where batting suddenly seemed to become easier once they had left. (ESPNcricinfo)

SCOREBOARD

India – 502/7d & 323/4d South Africa 431 &…

India 2nd Innings South Africa 2nd Innings (target: 395 runs) AK Markram c & b Jadeja D Elgar lbw b Jadeja TB de Bruyn b Ashwin T Bavuma b Shami F du Plessis (c) b Shami Q de Kock † b Shami S Muthusamy not out VD Philander lbw b Jadeja KA Maharaj lbw b Jadeja DL Piedt b Shami K Rabada c †Saha b Shami

39 2 10 0 13 0 49 0 0 56 18

Extras (b 2, lb 2) 4 TOTAL (63.5 Overs, RR: 2.99) 191 all out Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Dean Elgar, 3.3 ov), 2-19 (Theunis de Bruyn, 10.5 ov), 3-20 (Temba Bavuma, 11.3 ov), 4-52 (Faf du Plessis, 21.5 ov), 5-60 (Quinton de Kock, 23.1 ov), 6-70 (Aiden Markram, 26.1 ov), 7-70 (Vernon Philander, 26.4 ov), 8-70 (Keshav Maharaj, 26.5 ov), 9-161 (Dane Piedt, 59.1 ov), 10191 (Kagiso Rabada, 63.5 ov) BOWLING : R Ashwin (20-5-441), RA Jadeja (25-6-87-4), M Shami (10.5-2-35-5), I Sharma (7-2-18-0), RG Sharma (1-0-3-0)

Man City 8 points adrift after surprise loss to Wolves C

hampions Manchester City fell eight points behind Liverpool in the title race after suffering a shock home defeat against Wolves.

Adama Traore scored twice in the final 10 minutes as Wolves won in the top flight at

Manchester City for the first time since 1979.

Traore scored the first 10 minutes from time as the visitors capitalised on a mistake from Joao Cancelo. He added a second on the break deep into injury time.

City have now dropped five points in their opening four home games of the season, having dropped just three in the whole of last season and seven the year before that.

David Silva came closest for the hosts when he hit the bar with a second-half free-kick. Raheem Sterling also had a shot blocked in the scramble that followed.

It was only the second time in 45 league games that City have failed to score. The last time that happened at home in the league was against Huddersfield in May 2018, by which time they had already won their first title of the Guardiola era.

Traore had not scored since September 2018 but the £18m man made no mistake as Wolves twice broke clear of the home defence.

Raul Jimenez provided the assist on both occasions.

Arsenal fire one past Bournemouth

Wolves celebrate Adama Traore’s first of two goals against Manchester City (Getty Images)

David Luiz scored the only goal as Arsenal edged past Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium to move up to third in the Premier League.

Luiz glanced home Nicolas Pepe’s ninth-minute corner for his first goal since his summer arrival from Chelsea.

Bournemouth improved after the break and went close through Callum Wilson, but they rarely troubled Bernd Leno in the Arsenal goal.

The Gunners move above Leicester, Burnley and Crystal Palace with the win, while Bournemouth stay 10th.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang went close in the opening stages and hit the post late on, but those opportunities bookended a game of few chances.

Bournemouth offered little as an attacking threat, but with Arsenal unable to kill the game off they were able to apply some pressure in the closing stages.

Only a last-ditch tackle from Matteo Guendouzi prevented Joshua King from converting a low cross by Callum Wilson, who also fired straight at Leno in stoppage time.

Newcastle stuns Manchester

Steve Bruce hopes Newcastle’s victory over Manchester United “is the turning point” as his side

moved out of the Premier League relegation zone and continued his former club’s troublesome season.

Matty Longstaff, 19, capped an impressive top-flight debut with the winning goal, drilling home a low finish from outside the box to leave the Red Devils just two points above the bottom three and with two wins this season.

Longstaff, playing in midfield alongside brother Sean, could have scored in the first half but rattled the crossbar with a thunderous 25-yard drive, while Fabian Schar flicked a header narrowly over from a corner.

On his 400th game in charge in the Premier League, the result ended Bruce’s long wait for a win over Manchester United, with whom he won three top-flight titles as a player.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looked bereft of ideas in front of goal: Andreas Pereira’s curling strike was comfortable for Martin Dubravka, while Harry Maguire nodded a free header wide from four yards.

The visitors’ tally of nine points after eight games is their lowest since the 1989-90 season, when they were a point worse off. (BBC Sport)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

monday, october 7, 2019

Limacol Football Tournament…

Santos, Fruta Conquerors U-20 book final spots – after penalty victories

Fruta Conquerors worked hard to triumph from a frustrating position

N

ext weekend’s Limacol Football final will be a ‘battle of the best youths’, since the Fruta Conquerors FC Under-20 team and their Santos FC counterparts have both romped to nail-biting victories over determined opponents in Saturday night’s semifinal matches played at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The scripts for both those games were identical, as each encounter ran a full course, including extra time and penalties. However, despite their length, enthusiastic football fans enjoyed the keen rivalry that each game highlighted.

The first semifinal was contested by Fruta Conquerors FC Under-20 and Riddim Squad, respectively hailing from Tucville in Georgetown and Mocha, East Bank Demerara.

Contrasting in their styles, the teams each brought a different approach to the crucial encounter, and this made for an intriguing game from the spectators’ point of view.

The Fruta Conquerors’ youths brought youthful zest and ‘knockball’ tactics to the game, while the highly experienced Riddim Squad played a more aggressive game that was focused on defense.

Over time, Riddim Squad’s strong defenses frustrated the younger Fruta Conquerors team, especially in absence of the latter’s ‘on-point’ forward, Nicholas Mc Arthur.

And to compound their frustrations, Orville Stewart of the Under-20 team netted a goal for Riddim Squad, to give them the lead in the 27th minute.

The combination of negative forces oppressed the Under-20 outfit for most of the game, and they were often overcome by frustration when in front of the goal; but breakthrough finally came in the second half of the game, when stand-in captain Ryan Hackette was fouled in the box. The penalty kick taken by Jermaine Garrette was unerring, as it tucked the ball into the corner of the goal in the 76th minute, to afford that team

Santos FC and Pele FC had a hardfought battle

the much-needed equalizer.

Re-energised, this young team fought back to keep the scores level; then one of Riddim Squad’s most prolific defense players picked up a red card, making the remainder of extra time much easier for the Fruta youths.

Both regulation and extra time elapsed without another goal being scored by either side, opening the came for a penalty shootout in order to determine a winner.

Joel Yhap was superb in the nets for Fruta Conquerors, conceding only one penalty. The same could not be said for Riddim Squad’s keeper, as he let four through for a Fruta Conquerors’ victory.

The second semifinal ran an almost identical course to the preceding match, as a 1-1 score plunged the game into extra time and penalty shootout.

The agile youths of the Under-20 Santos FC team -- possessed of a knack for success, especially after winning the KFC Under-20 Independence Cup ear-

lier this year -- faced a revamped Pele FC team which had a similar component of youths, whose agility was augmented by experienced players.

The high-paced encounter saw each side hunting the early advantage, and the first goal came in the 10th minute, after Pele were awarded a penalty kick that was expertly taken by Mark Jhalu.

But Pele did not trenchantly protect their advantage, and with the passage of time, they made the same mistake their opponents had made: fouling a (Santos) player in the box. The penalty was expertly struck by Rondel Peters in the 42nd minute, to level the scores.

Pele FC had another chance to extend their lead, in the form of a penalty kick, but this opportunity was foolishly squandered. Then frustration got the better of that blue-and-yellow-clad team, and they began to let Santos through their defense.

The end of regulation time saved the Pele squad from an impending onslaught, and extra time

did not prove fruitful for the Santos side; but in the penalty shootout, Santos Under-20 emerged the better team, having connected one more than Pele’s three goals for the win.

The finale between Santos FC and Fruta Conquerors FC -- both under-20 teams -- will be contested on Sunday, October 13th, at the same venue; and the thirdplace playoff between Pele FC and Riddim Squad will be contested on that same night.

Either Fruta Conquerors FC or Santos FC will emerge winners of this Limacol Football tournament and walk away with $400,000, while the second-placed team will have to settle for $200,000. Thirdand fourth-placed teams would respectively receive $100,000 and $50,000.

Sponsored by New GPC under their Limacol brand, this tournament is also supported by WJ Enterprise, sole distributors of Croxley paper and other stationery.

Suriname’s Republic Bank Invitational 2019…

Guyanese golfers ‘sit pretty’ after opening day G

olf rivalry between Caricom neighbouring countries peaked last weekend when top golfers from Guyana engaged their Surinamese counterparts on Day 1 of that country’s annual Republic Bank International Invitational Golf Tournament.

The Guyanese contingent to this tournament, comprised of 8 males and 3 females, can yet emerge champions thereof; but it would be ‘a tough call’, as each would have to give of their respective best to secure top positions as the tournament heads into the final day’s play.

In flight ‘A’, Kishore was in third position along with four others; Persaud was in eighth position along with 2

Golfers in training before a tournament commenced

others; and LGC President Alim Hussain was at 11th, along with another.

In flight ‘B’, Harry was 2nd along with anoth-

er; London was the only 4th; George Bulkan was 6th along with 2 others; Ramsundar was 9th along with another; and Ronald

Bulkan was 16th along with 2 others.

In flight ‘C’, Cadogan was in 3rd position, having produced an outstanding

performance to become the only golfer to bag 3 eagles on Day 1.

In flight ‘D’, Shanella London was in 3rd with 2

others, while Deo was in 6th with 2 others; and in flight ‘E’, Giddings was in 9th position.

Guyana, having performed creditably at this tournament in 2018, when its 22-player team had captured more than 50% of the prizes on offer, is expected to do likewise in 2019.

This Suriname tournament is the tee-off for major 2019 golf tournaments in the Caribbean region, as annual invitational tournaments in Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Barbados will follow in rapid order.

LGC President Alim Hussain anticipates that not only would Guyana’s golfers perform well in Suriname, but they would claim titles in other territories.

guyanatimesgy.com

monday, october 7, 2019

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GTTA to host National Schools Championships in late October T

he Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA), in collaboration with the National Sports Commission (NSC), will stage the 2019 edition of the National Schools Novices and Elite Teams and Singles Table Tennis Championships from October 25 to 27 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).

The 2018 edition of these championships had attracted more than 200 participants from 35 schools countrywide, and were aimed at achieving a number of objectives, among which were the following: Providing opportunity for new talents to have an active platform to be showcased and exposed, and to represent their schools. Re-establishing schools’ championships as a basis for the GTTA’s development thrust, by having more players actively participate in table tennis activities, both recreationally and competitively.

Establishing an active framework for school competitions through formation of school leagues and teams. Identify, recruit and train student athletes who exhibit a proclivity for this sport with a view to selecting the best talents for training and high-performance programmes of the GTTA, and for selection as

possible prospects for national team representation. Fostering camaraderie among students. Promoting/creating healthy lifestyle through the sport of table tennis.

The following categories would feature in this competition: Open Elite Team C/ Ships; Open Boys Novices Team C/Ships; Open Girls Novices Team C/ships; Open Boys Novices Singles C/ships; Open Girls Novices Singles C/Ships; Open Elite Boys Singles Championships, and Open Elite Girls Singles Championships.

There would be awards up for grabs, among which are for the Most Disciplined Team, and the Best Dressed and Most Improved team.

Persons so desirous can participate in these championships by contacting the National Sports Commission on Homestretch Avenue or the Guyana Table Tennis Association.

The contact persons are Deirdre Edghill and Linden Johnson. The price attached to participation in this activity is $1000 per team, and a receipt will be issued for all such monies collected. All Entries must be submitted

by Thursday October 24, 2019.

SCHEDULE:

Friday – 5pm – 7pm Open Girls Novices Singles C/ Ships Open Boys and Girls Novices Team C/Ships Open Elite Girls Singles C/ Ships Saturday – 9am – 2pm Open Boys Novices Team C/Ships Open Elite Team C/ Ships (2pm -7pm) Sunday (Finals) – 9am – 7pm Open Boys Novices Singles C/Ships

Open Elite Boys Singles C/Ships

Kaysan Ninvalle, holder of the Elite Boys’ singles title

Cyril Bonar Memorial T20 Tournament…

Rising Stars cop runners-up spot G

uyana’s Rising Stars Cricket Club have returned from competing in the Cyril Bonar Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament that was held from September 27th-29th at the DR Snelle Park in Paramaribo, Suriname. Other Guyana teams that participated in this tournament were the UG Trojans and the Satro CC. The Rising Stars reportedly destroyed the UG Trojans in their first game. Then they won the toss and opted to bat first in a reduced-overs match against the Satro CC in their 2nd game.

The Rising Stars defeated that team also, to book a spot in the finals against defending champions Spartans CC of Suriname.

In the finals, Rising Stars lost the toss and were made to bowl. The Spartans opening batsmen put on a 74-run partnership, with V. Hirlall smashing 3×6, 4×4 to register a score of 50, and S. Ramjohn striking 3×4s, 1×6 to register a score of 27.

Marvin Cheong then removed the Spartans’ duo, and former West Indies U-15 Skipper Sachin Singh came to the crease. He was clean bowled by Marvin Cheong for five, paving the way for former West Indies U-19 player Ronaldo Ali Mohamed to come to the crease in joining his teammate T. Dudnauth.

Marvin Cheong again removed Dudnauth for (15), and the Guyanaborn Surinamese cricketer Gavin Singh came to the crease, and was immediately sent back by Shaquille Brisport.

Mohamed underscored his talent by ending unbeaten on 51, smacking 5×6s, 1×4. He took his team to 1865 in 20 overs, with Marvin Cheong (4-20) and Shaquille Brisport (1-39) being the only wicket-takers for the Rising Stars.

In replying, Rising Stars opening batsman Elroy Fernandes was clean bowled by Dudnauth for one, and Marvin Cheong and Anand Bharat produced a partnership of 25 before

Gavin Singh clean bowled Marvin Cheong for 14.

Anand Bharat fell shortly after for 09, being clean bowled by Carlos.

Daren France and Bepaul Bandoo appeared to be enterprising batsmen, striking boundaries and building a partnership before France was run out for 12 and Bandoo was caught on 09.

Shaquille Brisport and Anthony Smith were seemingly keeping hope alive, as they built a partnership of 125 by powering 9×6s, 6×4s in smashing balls to all parts of the ground. But they just couldn’t get the job done, as they ran short of overs.

Shaquille Brisport ended unbeaten on a brilliant knock of 94*, in which were hammered 7 maximums and 5 boundaries. Anthony Smith ended on 29*, having powered two maximums and striking a boundary.

Spartans remained champions.

Shaquille Brisport was awarded ‘Most valuable player’ for his allround performance throughout the tournament, scoring 128 runs and taking 4 wickets.

Ronaldo Ali Mohamed bagged the most runs by scoring 155 runs.

Shaquille Brisport was awarded MVP of the tournament

22

monday, october 7, 2019

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2019…

TKR send Patriots packing after Simmons, Narine heroics

By Brandon Corlette

H

aving suffered five successive defeats, d e f e n d i n g champions Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) defied all odds by storming into Qualifier 2 of the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL), in the process trashing the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots by six wickets in the eliminator at Providence.

After Patriots had posted 125-7, TKR, on the back of Lendl Simmons’s half-century and a “player-of-the-match” effort from Sunil Narine, who bowled 19 dot balls, knocked Patriots out of the tournament.

TKR halt Patriots Under overcast skies, the Patriots had a slow start after TKR asked them to bat first. In their cautious approach, they scored 30 runs in the power play, the seamers getting seam movement.

Mohammad Hafeez was the first to be dismissed, with the score on 22-1, as he attempted to take on Ali Khan.

West Indies Test batsman Shamarh Brooks played an exquisite cut shot off Chris Jordan, but had his stumps shattered the following ball.

At 30-2, Brooks departed but the return of Sunil Narine for TKR had an immediate impact. Narine had movement on the fresh Providence wicket, and Evin

Lewis gifted his wicket away, after the ball stopped on him. Lewis had faced 17 balls for his nine runs, as Patriots further

slipped to 30-3.

Evans anchored Patriots to perfection T h e overcast skies cleared up at Providence, but the Laurie Evans storm came upon TKR. Evans was the a g g r e s s o r, creating width and finding the gaps with ease. After the first t w o matches h a d b e e n played on the s a m e pitch, the playoff matches w e r e played on the western p i t c h , w h i c h proved to offer more spin.

The Englishman Evans adjusted well and dealt with the heavy TKR spin attack.

Thomas, who scored a half-century on his previous visit at Providence, played the supporting role in the 51-run partnership. After the duo had brought up the half-century run partnership in 42 balls, Thomas fell for a 16ball 10.

With the score on 81-4 after 14 overs, Captain Carlos Brathwaite partnered Evans, and the classy right-hander reached his milestone from 43 balls with a tickle to fine leg, but he fell to Ali Khan for a 47-ball 55. His innings included eight elegant fours.

Brathwaite continued his inconsistent performances, holding out to the deep fielder after scoring only three.

After Evans had departed with the score on 108-6 in 18.1 overs, the Patriots were expecting a big finish from Fabian Allen, but TKR finished on a high after Allen’s failure with the bat.

Patriots ended on 125-7 in 20 overs.

Jordan ended with 3-30, while

Narine, who was still not fully recovered, bowled 19 dot balls and picked up 2-10 in four overs.

Khan picked up 2-22 in three overs.

Simmons stands tall After putting up their most collective b o w l i n g effort of the season, TKR lost three wickets in the power play with the score on 31-3. Narine hit two boundaries, but found the deep backward square

wicket fall from the non-striker’s end. He lost a partner in Darren Bravo, who faced 10 balls for one and was Rayad Emrit’s first victim in a maiden over.

Simmons, who hit the first six of the match, along with Denesh Ramdin took the score to 43-3 after 10 overs. Patriots, at the half-way stage of their innings, were 54-3.

After a 47-run partnership between the duo, Simmons braced Brathwaite for a six to reach his half-century in 47 balls, but the shot held out to Evans at wide long on.

fielder, to hand Alzarri Joseph his first wicket.

It soon b e c a m e 16-2 when Providence saw the first salute from Sheldon Cottrell. The leftarm quickie, who destroyed the stumps with one that nipped back,

removed Munro for a duck.

As leading run-scorer for the CPL this season, Lendl Simmons watched the third

Ramdin, Pollard add finishing touches Ramdin had a slow start, but shifted gears quickly with Pollard, who smashed three sixes in the unbeaten 50run partnership which came from 18 balls. Pollard took the sword to Brathwaite, smashing the winning runs that went to the boundary in a flash.

Ramdin remained unbeaten on 32 runs from 38 balls as he anchored the innings with Simmons, while Pollard was at his explosive best with 26 from nine balls.

TKR ended victorious on 128-4 in 18.4 overs.

SCOREBOARD St Kitts and Nevis Patriots Innings (20 overs maximum) M Hafeez c Hosein b Khan 11 E Lewis c & b Narine 9 SSJ Brooks b Jordan 5 LJ Evans c Pierre b Khan 55 DC Thomas † lbw b Narine 10 CR Brathwaite (c) c Munro b Jordan 3 FA Allen c Munro b Jordan 6 KJ Cottoy not out 14 RR Emrit not out

2 Extras (lb 1, w 9) 10 TOTAL (20 Overs, RR: 6.25) 125-7 Did not bat: AS Joseph, SS Cottrell Fall of wickets: 1-22 (Mohammad Hafeez, 3.1 ov), 2-30 (Shamarh Brooks, 5.4 ov), 3-30 (Evin Lewis, 6.2 ov), 4-81 (Devon Thomas, 13.6 ov), 5-102 (Carlos Brathwaite, 17.3 ov), 6-108 (Laurie Evans, 18.1 ov), 7-121 (Fabian Allen, 19.1 ov) BOWLING : K Pierre (4-0-37-0), Ali Khan (3-0-22-2), SP Narine (4-0-10-2), CJ Jordan (4-0-

30-3), AJ Hosein (3-0-180), S Prasanna (2-0-7-0) Trinbago Knight Riders Innings (target: 126 runs from 20 overs) LMP Simmons c Evans b Brathwaite 51 SP Narine c Cottrell b Joseph 8 C Munro b Cottrell 0 DM Bravo c Cottrell b Emrit 1 D Ramdin † not out 32 KA Pollard (c) not out 26 Extras (lb 6, w 4) 10 TOTAL (18.4 Overs, RR: 6.85) 128-4 Yet to bat: CJ Jordan, S Prasanna, K Pierre, Ali Khan, AJ Hosein Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Sunil Narine, 1.5 ov), 2-16 (Colin Munro, 2.4 ov), 3-31 (Darren Bravo, 5.4 ov), 4-78 (Lendl Simmons, 15.3 ov) BOWLING : SS Cottrell (3-029-1), AS Joseph (4-0-171), CR Brathwaite (3.4-039-1), RR Emrit (4-1-20-1), FA Allen (4-0-17-0)

"They wanted to see the back of us" – Pollard C

Kieron Pollard

aptain of the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR), Kieron Pollard, was well satisfied after his team’s six-wicket win over St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Addressing media operatives after the match, Pollard praised the bowlers for limiting the Patriots to 125.

“It was an all-hands-on-deck

approach by the team that showed a good bowling and fielding effort.

Turning up on any cricket ground, we would take that”, Pollard disclosed.

Shedding some light on Sunil Narine’s return, Pollard was impressed with the latter’s “player of the match” performance. “It shows that he is a world class bowler, and why the team did not replace him. He was in a lot of pain, and all credit must go to Narine”,

Pollard said.

Playing in front of a large Guyana crowd, Pollard said, “If you’re not good, no one speaks about you; but as a team, we see they (fans) wanted to see the back of us. But the guys in the dressing room are determined. This shows the character they (fans) have, going around the Caribbean”.

Pollard, who hit the winning runs against Patriots and called for the fans’

support, has added that Simmons has been the biggest positive for the team.

TKR will return home and play in their home fortress, and Pollard and company will feel more upbeat.

“We just wanted that win under our belt, but moving forward there is always room for improvements. We had some blemishes in the field, and we will address this moving forward”, Pollard added. (Brandon Corlette)

guyanatimesgy.com

MONday, october 7, 2019

23

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2019…

King’s record knock propels Warriors into final

By Brandon Corlette

B

randon King smashed the highest individual score in the history of Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) tournaments to take the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) to the finale for the fifth time.

GAW downed Tridents by 30 runs, after posting 218-3, the highest T20 total at the Guyana National Stadium Providence.

All hail the King

Brandon King and Chandrapaul Hemraj continued their consistent season at the top of the order.

Under clear skies, the dynamic duo rocked the packed Providence Stadium with some scintillating shots after Captain Shoaib Malik had won the toss and opted to bat first.

In the second over of the match, King smashed Jason Holder for 18 runs. He continued to reign supreme in 2019 as he began Holder’s misery with a neat six down the ground, followed by a hat trick of fours.

Hemraj was equally up to the task. He introduced himself with a smoking slice off Raymon Reifer that went for four, and followed that up with a six over long-on three balls later.

The duo reached their fourth 50-run partnership this season after 6.1 overs, and King continued his masterclass by using his feet and smashing boundaries at ease.

After two fours and one six, Hemraj was brilliantly caught

by Hayden Walsh Jr. for a 23-ball-27. Walsh pulled off the mother of all

ing Andre sistent season, found the fielder at his usual danger zone at mid-wicket and was dismissed for three.

Malik milks it, King slams maiden ton

stunners b y running back to take the catch off his own bowling.

Tridents got their first breakthrough when the Warriors were at 73-1, and this was the highest opening partnership

by GAW. King surpassed fifty for the fourth time for this season in 36 balls with a superb shot through point.

Shimron Hetmyer, continuing his incon-

Captain Malik partnered King, and the duo bossed the hapless Tridents’ bowling attack as they added 97 from 46 balls. King reached his maiden T20 century from 59 balls with a stylish six off Reifer. It was total carnage as King and Malik continued the onslaught with a 29-run over from world class player Shakib Al-Hasan.

After Malik had scored 32 from 17 balls, GAW were 180-3 in 18.4 overs. Nicholas Pooran partnered King and the duo ended the innings with a nine-ball 38-run partnership.

King, who played the first and final balls of the innings, ended on an unbeaten 132; which was the highest score in the history of CPL, surpass-

Russell’s 121 in 2 0 1 8 against TKR. King smashed 11 sixes and 10 fours; while Pooran, having smoked a six off his first ball, ended with 12 from three balls, as GAW continued to break records.

GAW have scored the highest T20 total at Providence: 218 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs. In the bowling mayhem, Hayden Walsh took 2-42 while Holder had 1-36.

Tahir on the move

Tasked with climbing a summit, Tridents’ Johnson Charles and Alex Hales added 32 runs in 4.2 overs, but ran into a roadblock named Imran Tahir.

Charles, who hit three fours in a run-a-ball 15, ended his innings when King extended his dream night by completing the catch at backward point.

‘Tahir began his search for real estate by covering

the yards with his celebration, when he shattered the stumps of Hales, who scored a 19-ball 36.

After scoring 56 in the power play, the prize wicket of Shakib, who scored a nine-ball five, further slowed the Tridents’ scoring rate. Shai Hope, playing his first match of the season, was partnered by JP Duminy; and the duo added 33 runs together before Duminy dragged one onto his stumps.

In departing for 14, Duminy became Odean Smith’s first

victim when the score was on 92-4 after 11.2 overs. Tahir ended his spell with 13 dot balls and two wickets for 13 runs.

Carter keeps Trident hopes alive

Hope departed for 21, but Jonathan Carter kept Tridents in the hunt with his blistering 49. The lefthander smashed three sixes and five fours before falling to Romario Shepherd.

At 151-6 after 17 overs, the task was an unlikely one for the Tridents, who ended on 188-8, with Shepherd taking his third wicket to finish the match.

GAW will await the final, slated for Saturday October 12 at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad. From 17:00h, Tridents will have another bite at the apple when they meet TKR in the second qualifier on Thursday October 10 from 19:00h.

SCOREBOARD Guyana Amazon Warriors Innings (20 overs maximum) BA King not out 132 C Hemraj c & b Walsh 27 SO Hetmyer c Reifer b Holder 3 Shoaib Malik (c) b Walsh 32 N Pooran † not out 12 Extras: (b 1, lb 5, nb 1, w 5) 12 TOTAL: 218/3 (20 Overs, RR: 10.9) Did not bat: SE Rutherford, CJ Green, KMA Paul, R Shepherd, OF Smith, Imran Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-73 (Chandrapaul Hemraj, 9.1 ov), 2-83 (Shimron Hetmyer, 10.5 ov), 3-180 (Shoaib Malik, 18.4 ov) Bowling: JO Holder 4-0-361, Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-46-0, RA Reifer 2-0-25-0, HF Gurney 4-0-46-0, JP Duminy 2-017-0, HR Walsh 4-0-42-2 Barbados Tridents Innings (target: 219 runs from 20 overs) J Charles † c King b Imran Tahir 15 AD Hales b Imran Tahir 36

Shakib Al Hasan c Hetmyer b Shoaib Malik 5 SD Hope c Shoaib Malik b Shepherd 21 JP Duminy b Smith 14 JL Carter c sub (V Permaul) b Shepherd 49 JO Holder (c) c & b Shepherd 29 RA Reifer b Smith 0 AR Nurse not out 13 Extras: (b 2, lb 1, nb 1, w 2) 6 TOTAL: 188/8 (20 Overs, RR: 9.4) Did not bat: HR Walsh, HF Gurney Fall of wickets: 1-32 (Johnson Charles, 4.2 ov), 2-57 (Alex Hales, 6.4 ov), 3-59 (Shakib Al Hasan, 7.5 ov), 4-92 (Jean-Paul Duminy, 11.2 ov), 5-104 (Shai Hope, 13.1 ov), 6-151 (Jonathan Carter, 16.6 ov), 7-151 (Raymon Reifer, 17.1 ov), 8-188 (Jason Holder, 19.6 ov) Bowling: C Hemraj 2-0-23-0, CJ Green 4-0-34-0, Imran Tahir 4-013-2, Shoaib Malik 2-0-13-1, R Shepherd 4-0-50-3, OF Smith 2-0-25-2, KMA Paul 2-0-27-0

monday, october 7, 2019

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Hero Caribbean Premier League 2019…

King’s record knock propels Warriors into final Page 23

TKR send Patriots packing after Simmons, Narine heroics

Page 22

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