Guyanatime 11 april 2018

Auditor General Reports

Lawrence urges national approach to reining in P12 regional excesses Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Issue No. 3530

PRICE

US sanctions on Russian tycoon

$80 vat included

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Union analysing effect on Guyana’s bauxite workers – Lewis

Motorcyclist seriously injured in P2 Patentia accident

Bandits terrorise, US$15M earmarked rob Diamond for Guyana’s border shop owner case – Greenidge

4 years jail for repeat offender

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… Rusal’s shares plunged 41.8 % on world market Oil bonus

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First female ordained as Fire leaves priest in Diocese of Guyana Linden family

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of 5 homeless

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Poor P2 forecasting blamed for Skeldon Hospital sit-in – MoPH

CSME

Guyana hosts consultations on regional customs P5 system – as EU rep stresses need for common customs policy

42% fee hike

Reverend Rita Hunter was over the weekend ordained as a priest at her parish at Jawalla in the Upper Mazaruni River, Region Seven. Hunter, who is from the Akawaio tribe, is the first woman to be ordained as a priest in the Anglican Diocese, breaking hundreds of years of tradition. She was ordained by Bishop of Guyana, the Right Reverend Charles Davidson

Education Ministry Page had “fruitful 15 discourse” with Mae’s admin

Garlic thief jailed for 1 P8 month Police seeking help to ID P15 body found outside GDF Headquarters

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wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Motorcyclist seriously injured in Patentia accident …Police, eyewitness accounts differ

pace. Reports were that Walcott was not wearing a helmet. The young man was said to have suffered broken bones and teeth and injuries to the groin area.

It was further related that the teen was bleeding profusely, and was picked up by the driver of a Toyota

Position of the car just after the accident

The CJ 668 motorcycle

n 18-year-old motorcyclist was up to late Tuesday afternoon nursing injuries at the Georgetown Public Hospital after his motorcycle collided with a hire car on the Patentia Public Road, West Bank Demerara (WBD) that morning.

The motorcyclist involved in the collision near the Patentia Secondary School was identified as John Walcott of Parfaite Harmonie, WBD. According to reports, the

to Wales Police Station, Joseph, a former Wales Estate worker from Sisters Village, WBD, was proceeding north along the western side of the road while the teenager, proceeding in the opposition direction, on the eastern side “swerved” in a zigzag manner into the car’s path. According to the Police’s account of the events, the car driver then swerved to the eastern side to avoid the motorcycle, after which the motorcyclist supposedly swerved back to the eastern

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accident occurred at 09:50h when the car, HC 7212 – which was headed towards Vreed-en-Hoop, WBD and driven by Cyril Joseph, 59 – attempted to overtake another vehicle. Information from eyewitnesses stated that Walcott’s CJ 668 motorcycle came head-on into Joseph’s Toyota car.

Walcott was thrown into the air and landed some 30 feet away, leaving bloodstains on the roadway.

According to the account provided by ranks attached

(Photos by Shemuel Fanfair)

side and struck the left side of the car.

Meanwhile, about 10:30h, the taxi was removed from the point of impact and placed on the road shoulder by several men without Police marking the collision site. The car being positioned at the road corner was consistent with the Police’s account of the driver swerving into that area to avoid the collision.

Eyewitnesses, however, disclosed that both drivers were travelling at a fast

Tundra, who assisted in transporting him to the West Demerara Regional Hospital.

He was, thereafter, transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital owing to the serious nature of his injuries.

The taxi driver, who escaped unhurt, was taken to the Wales Police Station.

Poor forecasting blamed for Skeldon Hospital sit-in – MoPH

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he Public Health Ministry’s Director of Pharmacy, Oneil Atkins, said the industrial action by physicians of the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Unit at the Skeldon Hospital on Monday was totally unwarranted, adding that the sit-in was due to poor forecasting.

Staff of the hospital’s A&E department refused to see patients after they repeatedly complained about lack of basic equipment, coupled with drug shortages – items that are essential for the execute of their functions. In response to the sit-in, the MoPH dispatched a team headed by Atkins to meet with the aggrieved workers to address the issue.

According to the Ministry, the Regional Health Officer, Javaughn Stephens blamed “miscommunication” as the reason for the sit-in. He said the hospital and regional administration were not informed of any drug or medical supplies shortage.

Stephens said some of the medical items were handed over on Tuesday morning to the A&E department and the remainder will be given “before the week is out”. He added that the A&E physicians resumed duties on Monday afternoon.

The industrial action by the Skeldon Hospital A&E doctors caught the Public Health Ministry by surprise with Permanent Secretary, Collette Adams reporting that the MoPH’s authorities were mystified by the limited strike action by the employees.

“The sit-in didn’t disrupt operations in other parts of the hospital according to Mr Alex Foster, the point person for the Public Health Ministry in Region Six,” the statement related.

Atkins said the Skeldon Hospital pharmacy has “some 60 per cent of the drugs” needed to function.

However, he admitted that there is a problem with medical supplies at the Region Six medical institution and blamed that on inadequate forecasting by the officials at the Hospital.

“There is difficulty getting correct consumption (patterns) to inform the MMU (Materials Management Unit) which supplies health posts, health

centres, district hospitals, regional hospitals and the referral hospital with drugs, medicines and medical supplies. The local health sector uses an average monthly consumption pattern to help with forecasting the needs at the existing five levels.

Atkins said the health sector might have to resort to a more scientifically reliable forecasting method,” the statement informed.

He said other strengthening measures will include ensuring two additional qualified pharmacists are recruited and posted to serve the region while another will be stationed permanently at the Skeldon Hospital Pharmacy.

“Clear lines of communication are also to be established for collaboration and cooperation” at the hospital in the ‘Ancient County’, Atkins said.

Just last week, nurses at the Linden Hospital Complex staged a sit-in after repeatedly complaining about drug shortages.

Over the years, the health sector has been plagued by drug shortages and to address that, Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence noted that the Ministry has hired a consultant who has worked with USAID to develop a plan for the retrofitting of Guyana’s medicine and medical supplies distribution system.

She further stated that they have started extending the Diamond Drugs Bond and are currently constructing a new bond at Kingston since the old one is not operational. She noted that once completed it would see the installation of an electronic system so that they will be able to readily have access to information to ensure that “transparency and accountability are more centred.”

Just last year, Lawrence blamed a conspiracy among some drug suppliers and Public Health Ministry staff for the crisis in the sector.

She said she unearthed a combination of skulduggery, collusion, delinquency, deliberate breaching of established sector protocols by public health staff, manipulation of the system by some importers with the support of employees and a fabrication of records including evidence of bogus receipts.

news

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wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

US sanctions on Russian tycoon

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Wednesday, April 11 – a night-time retraction at 02:00h and a day-time retraction at 13:00h-14:30h and Thursday, April 12 – 02:30h and a day-time retraction at 13:30h-15:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Wednesday, April 11 – 13:30h-15:00h and Thursday, April 12 – 14:15h-15:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Sunny intervals with light cloudy skies can be expected throughout the day, while partly cloudy to clear skies can be expected in the evening. Temperatures are expected to range between 21 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 2.23 metres and 6.25 metres.

High Tide: 01:16h and 13:37h reaching maximum heights of 2.14 metres and 2.22 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 07:10h and 19:38h reaching minimum heights of 1.09 metres and 0.93 metre respectively.

SATURDAY, April 7, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

12 14 15 23 25 28 18 Bonus Ball

FREE TICKET

TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

DAILY MILLIONS 05 12 13 16 24 LUCKY 3 2 3 0

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DRAW DE LINE

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

Union analysing effect on Guyana’s bauxite workers – Lewis

…Rusal’s shares plunged 41.8% on world market

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s Rusal’s stocks continue to crash on the world market, President of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GBGWU) Lincoln Lewis said the Union is in the process of analysing the effects of the United sanctions against States Russian business tycoon Oleg Deripaska, who is the main owner of the EN+ conglomerate, which is the co-owner of Rusal.

Rusal is one of the largest aluminum producers in the world and has operations in Guyana in the form of the Bauxite Company of Guyana Incorporated (BCGI), employing over 500 persons. The Government is yet to officially make a statement about the implications of the imposed sanctions on the future of the bauxite industry and efforts to contact Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman proved futile. On Tuesday, when Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge was asked to comment on the matter, he said he had no comment thus far on the matter.

According to reports, the sanctions against Rusal have caused aluminum prices to surge since the sanctions freeze all of the company’s assets under the US jurisdiction.

Additionally, the trading price for benchmark aluminum on the London Metal Exchange hit its highest level in more than a month. Reuters reported that as of Monday Rusal’s shares plunged as much as 41.8 per cent as the implications of the sanctions are being realised.

Deripaska has also been charged in US special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation regarding Russia’s involvement in the 2016 US presidential election.

In light of all this information, Lewis told Guyana Times that after he got wind of the sanctions, a meeting was called to discuss the implications but they had to rely on just reports, hence the discussions came to a standstill.

“Because we just had media reports, we were not able to have a fruitful meeting so this morning (Tuesday) we wrote to the United States Embassy asking for a copy of the order so that we have all the information and we can analyse the situation,” he said.

“We may get the order sometime during the week but at the end of the week, we will be able to say what the impact would be on the bauxite industry and the people involved in it,” Lewis added.

Meanwhile, a senior management official at BCGI said they are yet to receive information from their Moscow headquarters about the implications of the sanction on the local sector. The manager said they are monitoring the situation since Friday, but thus far, operations are progressing normally.

The US Treasury Department in a statement on Friday announced the sanctions against seven Russian

Deripaska, estimated by Forbes magazine, is to have a net worth of $6.7 billion, is the main owner of the conglomerate EN+, which in turn is the co-owner of some of the world’s biggest metals producers, Rusal and Nornickel.

According to the international news agency, Deripaska’s inclusion on the US sanctions list could poten-

Glencore.

Rusal, Reuters reported, had said it regretted its inclusion on the US sanctions list, adding that its advisors were studying the situation. Hong Kong-listed Rusal is one of the world’s biggest aluminum producers. It says exports to the United States account for over 10 per cent of its output.

Rusal owns assets in Italy,

GBGWU President Lincoln Lewis

oligarchs, 12 companies they either owned or controlled and 17 senior Government officials, who Washington said were profiting from the Russian Government’s engagement in “a range of malign activities” around the world.

“Russian oligarchs and elites who profit from this corrupt system will no longer be insulated from the consequences of their Government’s destabilising activities,” the US statement added.

The Treasury Department warned that US entities would be “generally prohibited” from dealings with the persons and firms on the sanctions list, while added that companies outside the United States could face sanctions for “knowingly facilitating significant transactions for or on behalf of” the sanctioned entities.

A report published by Reuters on Friday said the US Government’s decision to include Deripaska on its sanctions blacklist will reverberate around the world because his business empire has a global footprint and counts major multinationals as partners.

Rusal's operation at Aroaima

tially create complications too for companies with which he does business; they include German car giant Volkswagen and commodities trader

Ireland, Sweden, Nigeria, Guyana, and Guinea. It owns a stake in Australian QAL, the world’s top alumina refinery.

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wednesDAY, April 11, 2018

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

Tackling mental health issues

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n March 31, 2018, Reona Payne was brutally murdered by her lover, Orwain Sandy, who was employed as a Captain in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF). Sandy shot Payne over 14 times as he went berserk because she was reportedly having an affair.

As the tearful Army Captain made his way to the courthouse for arraignment on the heinous crime last Tuesday, his Attorney related to the media that his client will need to consult with a psychiatrist because of his condition. While the Attorney did not divulge much detail, it would appear that the GDF Captain may have been dealing for years with challenging mental health issues.

And while nothing justifies or excuses his actions towards Payne and her murder, there is need for those in authority within the country’s high security agencies to place more emphasis on dealing condignly with the mental health and competency of their members.

As Hamlet had stated in his writings, “I have of late – but wherefore I know not – lost all my mirth, forgone all custom of exercise; and, indeed, it goes so heavily with my disposition that this goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory…”

Depression is part of the human condition and Hamlet’s description of its symptoms matches those in a modern medical textbook. The categorisation has become more precise, the treatments more advanced, but the illness is still badly understood and its consequences often hidden. Depression remains if not a source of shame, then at least bewilderment to those who suffer from it and those around them. Yet it is on the increase, neurotic disorders affecting one in six adults at some point in their lives.

Society, and medical science, needs a better response.

Back in 2010, UK Journalist and the Guardian’s head of special projects, who led a team of Journalists investigating international trends and issues, Mark Rice-Oxley wrote powerfully of his “decline from unremarkable working dad of three to stranded depressive sitting on the floor doing simple jigsaws”.

His shock was not just at the crushing effect of a condition that seemed to come from nowhere, but the confusion about how to overcome it.

The truth is medical advances have controlled many diseases, but depression in its different forms is either becoming more common or being detected more often – and perhaps both.

Pharmaceutical treatments, while restricted in their effectiveness, are being used much more widely: 39 million antidepressants are said to be prescribed in Britain each year.

These drugs have strong side-effects and treat the symptoms, not the causes, of depression. For many people they are an essential relief, but a society in which a growing number of people depend on expensive chemicals to control their mental state cannot be healthy. Nor, however, is one in which depression is ignored, or regarded as a passing private issue, different somehow from illnesses with physical causes and consequences. The world has got better at understanding that people with depression are genuinely unwell and need help, but not always at offering that help. The choice sometimes seems to be between self-cure and potent drugs. Four out of five people experiencing some form of depression get better without treatment, but for many the symptoms return, and for a minority, recovery does not come of its own accord.

Part of the challenge is defining what it is to be depressed. The term has such a wide common meaning that it can be used to cover anything from passing grief to long-term illness. The Royal College of Psychiatrists lists typical symptoms: feeling utterly tired; feeling useless, inadequate and hopeless; and feeling unhappy most of the time among them. But there can be no medical exactitude to an illness experienced in different degrees and different ways by different people – only that you know it when it comes.

There are reasons to think that depression is a disease of affluence, or a consequence of the way modern urban life is lived.

This argument can run close to suggesting that people who are depressed but otherwise healthy, wealthy and secure have no business being ill and that their lot in life is still better than that of most of the planet’s population. But it is a real illness and has real causes, not fully understood. Drink, drugs, a lack of sleep, too little company, and too much work can all help unbalance the mind.

Sunshine and exercise can help restore it. But there is something deep about serious depression which cannot be driven away immediately by counselling, a brisk walk, kind friends or great music, though such things can help.

The human mind is the most extraordinary and least understood part of the body, the source of joy and creativity. It can also, as Hamlet knew, create the horror of depression: “This brave o’erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours.”

Sidewalk Art: In Florence, Italy, a chalk artist makes the sidewalk his canvas. He creates his portraits near the Uffizi Museum, famous for housing works by Michelangelo, da Vinci, and Botticelli (nationalgeographic.com)

Not a caring Government

Dear Editor, The unemployment rate in Guyana is staggering and climbing every day.

In the three years of this A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition, the Government has demonstrated its inability to grow the economy and to create jobs, especially for young people in the rural areas.

About two months ago, a 58year old resident of Tempie, Marlin Kwok, invested over $400,000 to construct a carwash bay for her 19-year old grandson, Joshua Johnson, to keep him gainfully employed. She was concerned of the high usage of drugs by youths in the neighbouring Number 30 Village, and was determined to give her grandson an opportunity to make something meaningful with his life. She viewed her investment as a means of creating employment for him and other youths in the village of Tempie. The wash bay employs three, with others on a part-time basic when things get busy on the weekends. But this is about to end.

Last Sunday, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) APNU Regional Councillor,

Marlin Kwok and her grandson

Dillon Crawford, hand-delivered a letter signed by his wife, Oneca Sam, the Overseer of the Tempie/ Seafield NDC, advising of the imminent closure of this car-wash bay if it is not “demolished” within 48 hours.

In an interview I had with Marlin Kwok, she claims that several members of the Tempie/Seafield NDC, including the Chairman, Frank Wilson, had prior knowledge of the wash bay at the time of construction and could have stopped her then, rather than waiting until she had spent over

$400,000 to complete the project. The area is concreted with a wooden ramp.

There is no building associated with the car-wash.

Over 12 years ago, Kwok built a small wooden roadside shack on the same reserve, where she has been selling fruits and vegetables since. She was never given notice to move by the previous Administration, and wonders if her livelihood will now be taken away by the APNU+AFC she voted for in 2015.

Admittedly, Ms Kwok is well aware that both her

fruit shack and her grandson’s car-wash bay are illegally constructed on Government’s reserve.

However, there is much need for both these services in the Tempie area, and the need to encourage more young entrepreneurs to help reduce the unemployment rate.

In addition, there is no plan by Government that I am aware of, to utilise this piece of waste land in the foreseeable future. There are no neighbours close by to complain, and the water used by the car-wash is disposed of properly without causing floods. So why not leave them alone? These people are just trying to survive and make an honest living during the hard times we’re facing as a nation.

And any attempt to “demolish” this wash bay will not only deny them a chance of achieving the “good life” the Government touts about, but this heartless act would send a strong message to their own supporters that the APNU/AFC Government is not caring at all.

Sincerely, Harry Gill PPP/C Member of Parliament

Lack of infrastructure impacting Pomeroon riverine communities

Dear Editor, On April 5, it was reported in the State media that Junior Public Infrastructure Minister Annette Ferguson, who was accompanied by Regional Councillor Juilian Cummings, visited the Pomeroon riverine communities of Friendship and Martindale to address con-

cerns affecting the livelihood and wellbeing of residents, particularly the clogged canals which were adversely affecting ingress and egress to their homesteads.

Over the years, these neglected communities have suffered from the lack of basic infrastructure, such as roads, electricity, potable

water and sewage disposal.

Therefore, the people should not delude themselves into thinking that, from Minister Ferguson's visit, anything substantial will be done anytime soon to improve their lot, since the Govt. has no development plan for this considered backwater area.

However, it's worth a try

for them to seek assistance from the State, as they do not have the financial/technical resources to do much of the "heavy lifting" required to improve their communities, nor the political clout to effect the necessary changes. continued on page 5

wednesDAY, April 11, 2018

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News

CSME

Guyana hosts consultations on regional customs system – as EU rep stresses need for common customs policy

Representative of the EU delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Adam Wisniewski

By Jarryl Bryan

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ocally-hosted consultations bringing together top customs officials from across the Caribbean to consider the implementation of a single regional policy governing customs systems got underway on Tuesday at the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretariat.

Among the topics that will be covered is the Automated Systems for Customs Data (ASYCUDA), long touted by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) as its e-service and modernisation saviour.

In his address to delegates, representative of the European Union (EU) delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Adam Wisniewski, conveyed the EU’s commitment to providing technical assistance to the Region. The EU itself is well known for being a contemporary example of regional integration.

“The EU has been the lead partner of the [African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States] ACP-EU trade programme. Behind each of the projects, there are indications that the programme is still appreciated by the

beneficiaries. One of its most unique features is the technical assistance it brings to the Region.”

“The developing of common import procedures, declarations, and customs valuation procedures is an important step towards regional economic integration, strengthening the Region as a global economic player and significantly contributing to its inclusion in global value chains.”

He contended that this was also a step in the right direction towards achieving a single economic market – one of the reasons Caricom was formed in the first place.

He noted that this would increase the Region’s viability

(EPA), which was signed in 2008, Wisniewski noted instances where provisions to foster regional integration were still not being implemented.

“Although much has been achieved, there are still certain shortfalls, specifically in the case of the Region.

Countries still have to ratify the agreement. Some provisions to promote regional integration are still to be put into practice. And rules on competition, policing intellectual property stealing are

worldwide. Should we agree on a standard or a module for the SAD (Single Administrative Document), we would be the first to implement that. So, the workshop would be very useful in that regard,” Richmond said.

ASYCUDA

Assistant GRA Commissioner with responsibility for Customs, Shawn Richmond

still to be implemented,” he pointed out.

“Our expectation and hope are that this and other similar projects will not only

“The developing of common import procedures, declarations and customs valuation procedures is an important step towards regional economic integration, strengthening the region as a global economic player and significantly contributing to its inclusion in global value chains” – EU rep towards the EU and other trade partners.

But despite the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement

contribute to the overall goal, but will also strengthen the dynamics of the already present in the Region.

Workshops like this can no

Lack of infrastructure...

Firstly, the Government should be requested, through the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority, to provide a dragline/excavator to clear the clogged canals of silt and vegetation. This would enable residents to get their produce to market, their children to school, and their sick to the hospital in a timely manner.

Secondly, the cultivated areas should be empoldered to prevent flooding from excessive rainfall, runoff from adjoining lands, and overtopping from the Pomeroon River.

Next, the Government should provide low-interest loans for residents to buy solar-generated electricity for their homes, which is cost-effective vis-a-vis die-

sel-generated electricity.

Loans should also be provided to assist the residents to purchase 400/500- gallon PVC tanks to store rainwater for their domestic use.

A pit latrine designed with the help of the local sanitary inspector could take care of waste disposal. If adequate financial resources later become available, the pit latrine could be upgraded to a septic tank installation.

Water transportation would be the modus operandi for these communities for the foreseeable future.

Therefore, the Govt. should make available duty-free 25HP Yamaha outboard motors for the people to buy, as well as provide them with technical assistance to help them design and build effi-

Representatives of customs administrations from across the Region pose for a group photo outside the Caricom Secretariat

doubt serve this purpose.”

The EU reportedly funded the project at the behest of the ACP Group of states. The workshop will also provide customs valuation training; participants are expected to discuss this concept, learn the methods of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) valuation system, and how to apply these principles.

Guyana’s representative at the horseshoe table, Assistant GRA Commissioner with responsibility for Customs, Shawn Richmond, gave an update on the country’s progress with ASYCUDA. “Guyana is currently implementing ASYCUDA

From page 4

cient and cost-effective boats to meet their needs.

Minister Ferguson had informed residents of the Pomeroon region that drainage and maintenance of canals within their communities were not areas for which regional Governments receive funding to manage on behalf of the Central Government. Further, she claimed that the complaint she was requested to look into did not fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure (MPI), but she would nevertheless engage further with executives of the RDC and other ministers of the Govt when she returned to office.

It is inconceivable that Minister Ferguson was oblivious to the fact that

the Central Government has been, and is, spending millions of taxpayers’ dollars to provide drainage for Georgetown, East Coast villages, and other coastland areas. Further, the Honourable Minister must have been aware that the MPI has been dabbling with the drainage of Georgetown, East Bank of Demerara villages, and elsewhere since 2015.

The rainy season is expected to commence in a few weeks’ time. It is therefore important for the Govt. to start addressing the needs of a desperate people, thereby alleviating them out of their misery.

Yours faithfully, Charles Sohan

ASYCUDA World is intended to replace the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) GRA used for some time. The GRA has expressed expectations that it would improve efficiency and effectiveness in the trade environment, specifically as it relates to customs clearance.

ASYCUDA World is a recognised Internet-based software system used in several Caribbean territories.

Besides simplifying procedures and minimising administrative costs, the GRA has said the system would allow a paperless environment, facilitate e-payments, improve its risk management capacity, and connect with allied agencies.

Among the other benefits that were touted were a reduction in processing time of customs documentation and the quick release of imported and exported goods.

Earlier this year, the GRA had embarked on a round of sensitisation seminars with key trade stakeholders in the lead-up to the official launch of ASYCUDA World.

This consultation had involved the ASYCUDA National Project Team (ANPT) of the GRA, together with its consultants from the United Nations Conference for Trade and Development (UNCTAD), facilitating a seminar for freight carriers and their agents at the Authority’s Camp Street headquarters.

As the facilitators had already requested shippers, wharf owners, and agents to submit advance cargo manifests in electronic format, the seminar was specific to the manifest module of ASYCUDA World and the mandatory fields associated with the module.

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eloved paediatrician Dr T Berry Brazelton, who died recently at the age of 99, established his reputation by arguing that babies are not “lumps of clay”, as was the prevailing view when he entered the medical field in the 1940s, but rather complex expressive beings whose behaviour is “purposeful and meaningful”. In the decades since Brazelton first began making a case for the purposefulness of the infant mind, research on infant cognition has demonstrated that it is even more complex than he ever imagined. A new study just published in Science reveals that babies as young as 12 months old are actually capable of syllogistic reasoning.

Cesana-Arlotti et al. conducted a series of experiments to investigate the logical processes behind preverbal infants’ continuous efforts to understand how the world around them works. Beginning with the premise that infants are capable of developing, testing, and adapting hypotheses about uncertain future events, the researchers sought to characterise the “basic logical representations” with which they might formulate such hypotheses, given the fact that they have not yet developed the language skills which are often considered a prerequisite for such logical thinking. In order to identify the framework upon which such baby reasoning is constructed, the researchers focused on “one simple logical representation and rule: disjunction (either A or B) and disjunctive syllogism (not A, therefore B).” In other words, they designed their experiments to see whether or not infants were capable of reasoning through the process of elimination.

Infants of 12 and 19 months of age

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

were presented with computerised vignettes in which two different objects, such as a dinosaur and a flower, were shown being hidden behind a wall.

Once the objects were out of sight, a cup entered the picture and scooped up one of the objects a n d brought it out from b e -

hind the wall, but only the top part of the object – identical to the top of the other object – was visible in the cup. Next, the wall was lowered, revealing the object behind it – the object that had not been lifted up by the cup. Finally, the object in the cup emerged and was revealed to be either A) the object that was not behind the wall (as would logically be expected), or B) an object identical to the object behind the wall (a violation of logical expectation). Or, in dinosaur and flower terms, if it was the dinosaur that was scooped up and the flower left be-

hind the wall, in one case, the expected dinosaur would emerge from the cup, and in the other an unexpected replica of the flower would emerge.

Since infants’ visual attention is drawn to whatever they find most interesting at any given moment, the amount of time they spent looking at the different objects was measured to determine whether the unexpected outcome had any effect upon their interest level. As was hypothesised, the infants stared longer at the unexpected outcome than at the expected outcome, indicating that they were aware of what the outcome logically should have been according to the disjunctive syllogism, “not A, therefore B.” As a test to determine whether inferences were being made by the infants at appropriate stages throughout the vignette, or if they only reacted to a violation of expectation at the big cup reveal at the conclusion, the researchers analysed their oculomotor responses at stages where inferences were called for. Significantly, the infants’ pupils dilated more when the scene called for an inference than when it did not, indicating increased cognitive activity during these stages.

Even though reasoning through the process of elimination is a rudimentary form of logic, the authors of the paper point out that it is this same form of reasoning that is most favoured by the master logician Sherlock Holmes as he undertakes a “case-by-case analysis of different possibilities, excluding alternatives until the culprit is found.” The results of this study suggest that the sort of logical reasoning that astonishes us in a Sherlock Holmes is actually not a rare or even an acquired ability, but rather innate and universal, and that “intuitive and stable logical structures involved in the interpretation of dynamic scenes may be essential parts of the fabric of the mind.” (psychologytoday.com)

R

ead early and read often. The early years are critical to developing a lifelong love of reading. It’s never too early to begin reading to your child!

The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

Read together every day

Read to your child every day. Make this a warm and loving time when the two of you can cuddle close.

Give everything a name

Build your child’s vocabulary by talking about interesting words and objects. For example, “Look at that airplane! Those are the wings of the plane. Why do you think they are called wings?”

Say how much you enjoy reading

Tell your child how much you enjoy reading with him or her. Talk about “story time” as the favourite part of your day.

Read with fun in your voice

Read to your child with humour and expression. Use different

voices. Ham it up!

Know when to stop

Put the book away for a while if your child loses interest or is having trouble paying attention.

Be interactive

Discuss what’s happening in the book, point out things on the page, and ask questions.

Read it again and again

Go ahead and read your child’s favourite book for the 100th time!

Talk about writing, too

Mention to your child how we read from left to right and how words are separated by spaces.

Point out print everywhere

Talk about the written words you see in the world around you. Ask your child to find a new word on each outing.

Get your child evaluated

Please be sure to see your child’s paediatrician or teacher as soon as possible if you have concerns about your child’s language development, hearing, or sight. (readingrockets.org)

news

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wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Oil bonus

US$15M earmarked for Guyana’s border case – Greenidge

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decision was taken by Cabinet to set aside US$15 million from the signing bonus that Government received from US oil giant ExxonMobil to be used towards the border controversy case with Venezuela.

This disclosure was made

by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge on Tuesday during a press conference at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, South Road, Georgetown office.

While Government had initially received the US$18 million bonus, Greenidge said it was decided that part of the bonus could be used for the legal challenge, while the remaining US$3 million was set aside for training.

In that same breath, the Minister said there may be a need for more monies to assist with the legal case as the US$15 million may be inadequate. “It is not possible for me to say what it will cost, the lawyers themselves don’t know,” he explained to media operatives when asked to

state how much more would be needed.

Greenidge did, however, state that other needs may arise for additional skills and research, and this would require supplementary funds.

He again stated, “The US$15 million may not be adequate.”

He also reminded that it was Government’s intention to have portions of the signing bonus transferred to the Consolidated Fund whenever there was a need for finances relating to this matter.

“So, for 2018, the Minister of Finance (Winston Jordan) will, down the road, come for supplementary funding, and it will be indicated at that time,” Greenidge explained to the media.

Meanwhile, while Government has already started legal proceedings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Minister explained that the ICJ will determine whether it has jurisdiction to address the matter.

“That’s a routine, all of them do that. Having looked

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

at the case and determined where they can look…, what is within their powers, they will say to the two parties ‘we will begin’ in which case, Guyana will be required to submit a full document of its case,” he said.

When asked to provide the names of the members of the legal team that will represent Guyana at the ICJ, the Minister said it was too ear-

ly to divulge such information and promised to do that at the appropriate time. There are, however, reports that Sir Shridath Ramphal will lead the Guyanese legal team.

The Foreign Affairs Minister said whether or not Venezuela chose to participate in the case, at the end of the day, the ICJ’s ruling would be binding.

This process, the Minister

said, could require oral hearings and written submissions from both countries.

The ICJ is now awaiting a response from Venezuela following the submission of the case by Guyana.

Greenidge also used the opportunity to warn that the ICJ could use several grounds to ‘walk away’ from the case.

As such, he urged the media and the public to be cautious in what they say and report on this sensitive matter. He said these things could interfere with the case.

Some two months after United Nations Secretary General António Guterres had handed over the GuyanaVenezuela border controversy case to the ICJ for final settlement, formal proceedings were filed on March 30, asking the World Court to confirm the legal validity and binding effect of the 1899 Arbitral Award. Guyana’s application was submitted to the ICJ by Second Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister Greenidge.

Secretary General Guterres earlier this year chose the ICJ as the next means of resolving the controversy, which arose as a result of Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 with regard to the frontier between British Guiana and Venezuela was null and void.

According to Guyana’s application to the ICJ, Venezuela had, for more than 60 years, consistently recognised and respected the validity of the binding force of the 1899 Award and the 1905 Map agreed by both sides in furtherance of the Award.

Guyana maintains that the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela was full and final, but Venezuela has, for several decades, registered its diplomatic and military objection to Guyana’s development of its natural resources onshore and offshore the Essequibo.

8 NEWS

wednesDAY, April 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

4 years jail for repeat offender A gold chain thief who was again before the court on a similar matter was on Tuesday jailed for that offence and another when he stood before Magistrate Annette Singh.

Devon Holder of Lot 942 Onderneeming Housing Scheme, West Bank Demerara (WBD), had a robbery charge read to him which stated that on April 5, 2018, at the Stabroek Market area, he robbed Komella Gibson of a gold chain valued $100,000 using personal violence on her in the process.

The 34-year-old initially denied that at about 16:25h

on the day in question, he snatched the chain from the Virtual Complainant’s (VC) neck.

Police Prosecutor Devon Goodman told the court that the defendant attacked the woman with a knife while she was shopping, placed it at her neck then removed her chain. He allegedly dealt her several kicks and cuffs before making good his escape.

However, it was also revealed that Holder has another pending matter before the court.

He was previously accused of stealing another gold chain, this time from Rafeek Mohammed

on January 9, 2018, also at Stabroek Market.

According to Goodman, the VC and his wife were visiting a friend’s stall at the market when they observed Holder passing them a number of times.

He then proceeded to snatch the chain valued $530,000 but was later apprehended and charged.

On his first appearance in court, he had denied that he committed the act. The court was later informed that the defendant had made arrangements with the VC to repay her for the chain.

The court heard that to date, Holder has paid

$300,000 to Mohammed.

However, even though he continued to plead his innocence in both matters, Holder changed his plea and admitted to both crimes.

Magistrate Singh in handing down the sentence took into consideration that he did not waste the court’s time further and the fact that $300,000 was paid to Mohammed.

As such, she sentenced Holder to two years in prison for each of the charges, which are to be run concurrently.

After listening to the sentence, the defendant said, “I don’t rob people, I am a family man.”

Garlic thief jailed for 1 month

A

homeless man, who reportedly stole a bag of garlic along with a bag of Boulanger, was on Tuesday jailed when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

Thirty-four-year-old Bhisham Sookdeo of no

fixed address admitted to Magistrate Annette Singh that he stole the items on April 7, 2018, at Waterloo Street, Georgetown from Alesia Hayman.

Police Prosecutor Devon Goodman revealed to the court that Sookdeo was giv-

en the bags containing the aforementioned items to take to the Bourda Market for the Virtual Complainant (VC), who is a stall holder.

However, he never delivered nor were the goods ever recovered.

Magistrate Singh cau-

tioned the repeat offender not to make a third appearance before her as she will be inclined to give him the maximum penalty.

After telling him to “stop stealing people’s things,” Singh sentenced him to spend the next month behind bars.

Goldsmith before court for buying stolen chain

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goldsmith was reprimanded by Magistrate Annette Singh at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday after he was charged for knowingly purchasing a stolen gold chain.

Deonarine Nagoo of Alexander Village, Georgetown, denied that on April 5 at First Street,

Alexander Village, he knowingly purchased a chain property of Komella Gibson, which he knew was feloniously obtained.

According to the prosecution’s case, Nagoo accepted the chain valued $100,000 and paid the person who took it to him $38,000 for it.

However, Nagoo told the court that he was un-

aware that the item was a stolen and indicated that he was ready and willing to return same to the Virtual Complainant (VC).

The gold chain was shown to Gibson which she identified to be hers and it was then handed over to her.

Magistrate Singh reprimanded Nagoo, explaining to him that he must have

known that the chain was stolen being a goldsmith.

She told him that he was just as guilty as the person who stole the chain and “encouraged these bad people to continue to do what they are doing.”

The VC however, after receiving her chain, said she was not willing to pursue the matter. As such, the case was dismissed.

Retribution…

T

…for drugs here’s this gadfly GHK Lall, who’s parlayed a career in writing long-winded smarmy letters into the top job at the Gold Board. You don’t know what’s a “smarmy” person, Dear Reader? The Free Dictionary tells us it’s someone who’s “excessively ingratiating or insincerely earnest”. If you’re still unclear, see synonyms at “unctuous”!!

Anyhow, in his latest missive – why doesn’t this fella work on getting treatment for those poor slobs at the GGMC who’ve been poisoned by mercury which was supposed to’ve been banned? – he insists we should have more “retribution” against local drug traffickers before we can talk about “reformation”!! Can you believe this guy who claims to have worked on Wall Street and would then have some idea how the drug trade works?

That’s right folks…Wall Street! How else do you think the US$435 BILLION from the drug trade – US$84 BILLION FROM COCAINE – gets recirculated?? Or you think all that money’s kept in the mattresses of the drug producers and traffickers? Think about this: total trade in crude petroleum is US$655 BILLION…not far from the trade in drugs, eh??

And we know folks go on and on about how it takes a fully integrated WORLD banking system to keep all those petrodollars circulating.

So how come GHK and company don’t call for “retribution” against the Big Banks who’re really the “bag men” for the drug trade? And then also, since GHK has boasted as to how he’s a firm believer in free trade and the liberalisation of the market, why does he want to stifle the trade for a commodity that’s so much in demand?

Hey…the rule is “if the market demands the goods, then the drug dealers are all simply obeying the “logic of the market”, which is guided by “the invisible hand”!!

And this brings up the point as to why Lall and his ilk don’t rail about the folks up north who’re the main market for the drugs? Does he really want to tell us a country that can send up a drone from a cave in Nevada under the Rockies and guide it to hit a target in some remote village in Afghanistan, can’t locate the big dealers in the States??

But no…it’s easy to knock Guyana since it’s just a shithole country, isn’t it? After all, the President of the biggest drug-consuming nation who’s been busier fighting the war against immigrants rather than the “war against drugs” said so!! But, seriously, folks…if from the days of Hammurabi, the retribution argument for reducing crimes hasn’t worked, why push it now? Just to show we’re not just a shithole country but a primitive one to boot?

So why don’t we reintroduce “drawing and quartering”? …for Parking Meters Now, don’t get your Eyewitness wrong. He has nothing against parking meters per se. He sees them as a legitimate way for municipalities to regulate traffic in their environs and at the same time collect some revenues. What he has against THIS parking meter contract that City Hall just voted to implement – in an ‘amended’ version – is it’s just downright ILLEGAL!!

And no amount of lipstick applied by the Mayoress, the Town Clerk and their PNC cohorts can change this unfortunate fact. The illegality was committed by the same abovementioned persons since they DIDN’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE THE CONTRACT!! And to rub salt into the open wound of the body politic – the matter’s before the Courts!

To facilitate this ‘contract’ – which ain’t really a contract since it was void ab initio – as the PNC-led APNU/AFC coalition is about to do by commanding its mayor-whipped Communities Minister to approve the City By-laws – is to connive and become an accessory to the original crime.

The good burghers of Georgetown must rally behind MAPM!! …against Govt station Imagine the gall of the Government-owned radio station being subsidised with our taxpayers’ dollars and STILL not paying its broadcasting fees!!

Can we even hope there will be retribution?

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

News

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wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana listed as “major money laundering jurisdiction” – US report

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he US Department of State’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) Volume Two of March 2018 has listed Guyana, among many other countries, as “major money laundering jurisdictions in 2017”.

The report declared that there was a lack of strong interagency cooperation among anti-money laundering (AML) and drug-fighting agencies, adding that these departments did not have adequate human resources and the necessary training for complete effectiveness.

The report called for more training, education, and resources to improve the fight against money laundering. In

its 2018 overview of Guyana, the INCSR posited that “narcotics trafficking and government corruption are the primary sources of laundered funds”. Other issues outlined were human trafficking, illicit gold mining, contraband, and tax evasion.

The report reiterated that Guyana was a transit country for South American cocaine destined for Europe, the Caribbean and North America, noting that traffickers were attracted to Guyana’s remote airstrips, porous land borders, and weak security infrastructure.

It was outlined that Guyana should continue to provide training to “increase awareness and understanding

of AML laws within the judiciary and agencies. The major agencies involved in anti drug and money laundering efforts, such as the Guyana Police Force (GPF); Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA);

the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU); the Special Organised Crimes Unit (SOCU) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) were observed as not being effective enough owing to “inadequate

Auditor General 2016 report

Overpayments of staff in Region 6 flagged by PAC …Accountant General advises check into employment status

H

undreds of thousands of dollars in salaries over paid to staff of the Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) Administration were flagged by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Monday. The meeting revealed that since the Auditor General cited the issue in his 2016 report, not much has changed.

In the Auditor General’s 2016 report, overpayment of salaries was flagged as a prior year issue that was partially implemented. Regional Executive Officer (REO) for Region Six, Kim WilliamsStephens appeared before the PAC and related that the overpayments amounted to $345,000.

“These overpayments were in relation to deduction agencies,” she explained.

“They were written to with a view of recovering the overpayments. To date, we were not able to recover any of the outstanding amounts from these agencies.”

“With regard to the de-

Region Six REO Kim Williams-Stephens

ducting agencies, we would have written them in 2017, because we have a system in place where we write them and in 2017 we were able to recover amounts from the deducting agencies.

However, with regards to 2016 the deducting agencies are asking for additional information to be resubmitted.

We are periodically following up.”

Asked about the last time the region followed up the matter with the former employees, WilliamsStephens deferred to the Chief Accountant who in-

formed the committee that follow up information was submitted. They noted that while a part of the net salary was recovered, the net balance remained outstanding.

Accountant General Jennifer Chapman enquired into whether these persons are employed at other agencies and whether steps were taken to verify this.

Upon the REO responding in the negative, she advised that a letter be written to the Accountant General requesting this verification.

In the Auditor General’s 2015 report, it was recorded that “Fourteen and seventeen employees were overpaid net salaries for the years 2012 and 2014, respectively with the related deductions also being overpaid to the various agencies. Although the regional administration made some progress with recovery of these overpayments, this situation recurred in 2015 with nine employees being overpaid. However, to date there has been no progress

Indigenous Village elections set for May 15

O

ver 200 Indigenous communities throughout Guyana are preparing to conduct Village Council elections for Toshaos and Councillors.

This process will run for a period of one month from May 15 to June 15.

Indigenous People’s Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock had stated that the Ministry has put all necessary arrangements in place to ensure the successful hosting of the elections throughout the country.

In preparation for the elections, audits are to be conducted three months prior. This is in keeping with the Amerindian Act of 2006 which stipulates that ‘the Minister shall arrange a general audit, financial and documentary, before the

Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock

date of Village Council elections.’ The audits are led by an independent auditor.

This will aid in facilitating a smooth handing over of all village assets, as the election results may determine. According to Minister Allicock, the Ministry would have facilitated audits in

some 31 communities this year.

Last month, the community of Batavia hosted its Village Council elections campaign, where prospective Toshaos Ralph Jeffrey, Oren Williams and Royston Rodrigues presented their manifestos to the residents.

Following this, the nominees each delivered a copy of their manifestos to the Village Council, before beginning their respective campaigns.

To be elected as a Toshao, a person must be eligible to stand as Councillor and should not have held the position for the two terms immediately preceding his or her nomination. These elections are held every three years.

with the recovery of the deductions paid over to the various agencies.”

It was also reported that “Unpaid net salaries totalling $9.838 million were refunded to the Consolidated Fund for the years 2012 to 2014. However, the related deductions totalling $2.075 million paid to various agencies were still not recovered. Similarly, for 2015, amounts totalling $1.471 million were refunded to the Consolidated Fund as unpaid salaries for thirty-six.”

Employees and the related deductions of $308,946 paid to the various agencies were also not recovered.”

human resources, insufficient training, and a lack of strong interagency cooperation”.

Apart from Guyana, Brazil, Barbados, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Peru, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States itself were, among many others, listed as “Major Money Laundering Jurisdictions in 2017”.

Only last month former Attorney General (AG) Anil Nandlall accused his successor, Basil Williams, of conveying the impression that the country was compliant with the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements, based on statements he had made in the National Assembly.

He had pointed out that Williams admitted in Parliament he was informed by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) that amendments made to the AML/CFT Amendment Bill in 2015 were in violation of the international guidelines.

Williams, he had observed, told the House that he was also directed to remove them from the legislation.

Nandlall recalled that when the coalition took office in 2015, the first Bill it passed was the AML/CFT Amendment Bill, Number 1 of 2015. It was tabled at the very first sitting of the 11th Parliament.

“It contained all of the objectionable amendments. It was tabled by Williams. He was boastful that he was able to pass the Bills that the previous Government could not pass. It is obvious, therefore, that we were never compliant with the international requirements, as the AG (had) previously informed the nation,” he stressed last month The former AG had also noted that while in Opposition, the now Government caused Guyana to be blacklisted by the CFATF, and to be sanctioned internationally. “Now in Government, they have caused the very same thing to happen!” he posited in March.

10 news

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Fire leaves family of 5 homeless

A

Linden family of five are now counting their losses after a fire completely gutted their flat concrete home situated at One Mile, Wismar.

According to reports, the fire at the house belonging to Curtis Higgins started at approximately 10:00h on Monday while a teenager and two children were at home.

Guyana Times understands that Higgins lived at the house, along with four family members. A neighbour recalled hearing a knock on her door and upon opening it, she was told by one of the children who were home at the time that the house was “burning down”.

“I said, ‘What you mean your house burning down?

Where your mother?’ ‘Me ain’t know’ (was the child’s response) Where your father? ‘Me ain’t know’. Who and you deh home? ‘Me and my sister’....I stand up right

The gutted Higgins home at One Mile, Wismar, Linden

at the side here and when I look, I see the whole roof from the bedroom, the zinc, everything done burn and deh down,” she recalled.

The woman said that she then raised an alarm. She explained that she called 911 several times in order to access the Linden fire service, but was told by the operator that the call was already transferred and she would have to wait for the fire service to arrive. She

noted that neighbours were unable to save anything since the fire engulfed the house quickly.

“When they come everything was actually finished... the house de done burn already,” the woman said. The neighbour indicated that apart from a washing machine, the family were not able to save anything from the house. The inside of the building and its roofing were completely burnt out.

An occupant of the home, Dorette Higgins, when contacted, noted that she lived at the home with her father, Curtis Higgins, for 38 years.

She said she was at her sister’s house when the fire started.

She said she was told by her son, who was home at the time, that they were in bed when he felt his nose burning. His sister, who got up to check, noticed smoke coming from one of the bedrooms.

Higgins explained that there was an issue with electricity at the house a few days ago and her refrigerator was damaged. The woman, who believes the fire was electrical in nature, explained that she has not received any assistance so far. She noted that the family were presently staying at a friend’s home, which has no water or electricity.

The fire service has since launched an investigation.

“Big Foot” murder trial

Accused admitted to tying, pushing hotelier under bed – caution statement

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he Police Caution Statement (CS) of Bryan “Big Foot” Leitch was read out on Tuesday at the High Court, where the 12-member jury heard that the accused was allegedly “sorry” for his actions.

Leitch is being tried for the murder of South Central Hotel’s owner, Joseph Jagdeo, whose body was found bound and gagged at the guesthouse on November 14, 2013 in Room 10.

Police Sergeant Keith Conway, who assisted with the murder investigation, took the stand before Justice Sandhill Kissoon on Tuesday.

The detective, who was stationed at the Grove Police Station, testified that he had taken the accused man from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to the

Brickdam Police Station on November 30, 2013 where he put the murder allegation to him.

Conway claimed that Leitch initially responded: “I don’t know anything about any murder.” However, the next day, on December 1, now retired Police Sergeant Phillip Bowman took the CS in his presence.

According to the document which Conway read out in court, Leitch had stated that on the morning in question, Jagdeo came to his room and told him to leave which angered him.

“I was vexed and I tell he and I tie he hand and put a cloth around he mouth and tie it, I push he under the bed and put the room key on the bed. I then go to the office and took out he cell phone; I sorry

for what happen, I didn’t go to kill he,” the excerpt from the CS stated.

Under cross-examination, Sergeant Conway observed that he never enquired from Leitch if he could read or write and could not say if Sergeant Bowman made a similar enquiry. However, the witness maintained that the defendant looked at the CS and seemed to be reading it.

Leitch was said to be the last known person to stay in Room 10. The prosecution contends that the accused committed the crime between November 13 and 14, 2013 at South Road, Georgetown.

Now retired Police Sergeant Bowman, a key witness in the case, left for the United States of America in August 2017, and there was

no evidence that he returned to Guyana. Several key witnesses have not been presented by the prosecution despite public notices requesting them to appear at court.

State Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh, who was able to testify on Tuesday, gave the hotelier’s cause of death as haemorrhage caused by blunt trauma to the head, compounded with suffocation and compression of the neck.

The doctor also told the jury that Jagdeo’s neck and spine were fractured.

State Counsels Mandell Moore and Lisa Cave are presenting the prosecution’s case while Leitch is represented

by Attorneys Hewley Griffith and Lawrence Harris. Justice Kissoon adjourned the matter to next Monday. (Shemuel Fanfair)

Dead meat worries

S

atiricus felt all rejuvenated. Easter will do that to a fella, he thought to himself as he ambled over to the Back Street Bar. Ever since he’d been a kid, he felt moved when holding a kite that was reaching for the skies. Now that he had his own kids, he tried to impart that wonder to them.

“It’s not the same with these Chinese Kites,” Satiricus complained to the fellas after he took his seat at the back.

“They’re too garish!”

“Like me tell yuh las’ week,Sato, a na de kite,” said Cappo with a smile. “Dem chirren diffren’ nowadays!”

“An’ na only da,” said Bungi. “Dem big-big boom bax mek yuh cyaan even t’ink in yuh own head!!”

“Well, Sato,” said Hari, changing the subject to Satiricus’ alarm. “Now that your leader Nagga Man’s back, how’s he doing?”

“They told him he has to go straight back to the job,” Satiricus said slowly. “And already he’s been hit with a crisis a day!!”

“Me only hear ‘bout de police who cuss up Nagga Man buddy, Charan Rass fram Berbice,” said Cappo with raised eyebrows. “Wha’ mo’ happen?”

“That’s one,” admitted Satiricus. “But now they’ve told him they will yank the government radio station off the air!”

“Me bin fuhget Nagga Man na only gi’e aarda to de Kranic,” admitted Bungi. “’E ah arda radio an’ TV too!”

“But why didn’t they pay their radio licence?” asked Hari.

“Deadbeat!!”

“Well,” admitted Satiricus sheepishly. “None of the media entities can do a thing without Nagga Man’s permission! And you know he was out.”

“Hol’ it right deh!” interrupted Cappo loudly. “Suh HE a de waan who ‘gree fuh fyaah Hine and Lois!!”

“We can’t say for sure,” said Satiricus weakly as he realised he’d trapped himself. He tried to change the subject.

“But there’s that situation in Linden that just blew up!”

“Wha’ da?” demanded Bungi.

“Wan’ KFC big wan tell wan lil gyaal, ‘cash fuh flesh’!”

Cappo said angrily. “And dem want fuh cova da up!”

“But Nagga Man will never stand for that!” said Satiricus stoutly.

“We’ll see about that,” said Hari quietly.

news

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wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Bandits terrorise, rob Diamond shop owner P

olice on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) are on the hunt for two males who escaped with over $500,000 in cash and jewellery after beating a 20-year-old shop owner in Diamond.

Guyana Times understands that about 10:00h on Monday, the men went to the shop posing as customers and attacked the young woman, brutally assaulting her before making good their escape from

the Section B, Block X, Diamond, EBD business.

The young woman, Fazeena Bacchus, called “Peaches”, told this publication that she was alone when one of the men entered the shop, attached

Sophia teen charged for illegal gun, ammo T

he teenager who escaped from custody over the weekend, only to be handed back over to the Police by his mother, was on Monday remanded to the Juvenile Detention Centre for being in possession of an illegal weapon.

The 16-year-old appeared at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court and pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged that he had in his possession a .32 Special Revolver along with matching ammunition on April 6, 2018, in C Field Sophia, Greater Georgetown.

He is yet to be charged for escaping from Police.

According to C Division Commander (East Coast Demerara), Eon Cooper, investigations into the teenager’s escape are still ongoing.

The young man was arrested on Friday last following an armed robbery report. His arrest led to

the crackdown of an apparent “gun trading ring” in Sophia during which one .40 Taurus Pistol with six live rounds, two .32 Special Revolvers with four live rounds and 79 grams of cannabis sativa were found

by Police.

Guyana Times had reported that sometime Thursday night, a resident of C Field was robbed of his cellphone and a sum of cash by an armed teenager and based the description given to Police, they arrested the teenager who had been under their surveillance for some time. At the time of his arrest, the young man was found with the illegal weapon and told investigators that he rented it from another resident in the area.

This information led Police to the residence of that individual and a search was conducted on the premises during which they unearthed the .40

Taurus Pistol and the second .32 Special Revolver under a pillow in the suspect’s room.

Additionally, the ranks also arrested another occupant of the premises after he was found in possession of the narcotics mentioned above.

Meanwhile, the teenager was positively identified by the robbery victim as the culprit and was even found in possession of the man’s cellphone.

The teenager was taken into custody pending further investigations. But on Sunday while at the Cove and John Police Station on Sunday, he requested to use the washroom during which he escaped through a hole in the wall of the Police lock-ups.

However, the young man’s mother a few hours later tipped off Police that her son had gone home to hide. He was subsequently re-arrested.

to the home, with an empty five-gallon water bottle in his hand and made a request to purchase a bottle of water.

After observing that the bottle had dents, the woman said she informed the man that he had to pour the water purchased into the bottle he brought, and she handed him a funnel to do same.

While he was doing that, the other suspect came into the shop and bought a drink. Upon receiving his change, he called for some cigarettes. After the shopkeeper gave him the cigarettes, the man then or-

dered some mints.

“When I gave him the mints, the other one (who had finished throwing out the water by then) scrambled me (over the counter through the small opening) and I started screaming…

He shoved me down and pulled himself inside through the hole and put the gun inside my mouth, telling me “Shut up or I gon kill yuh”. Right away I stop talk and he turn and tell the other one, “Jump in, dawg, I got she” and the other guy came in through the hole and when he reach inside (the shop), he opened the door under the

counter that we used to get outside,” she related.

Bacchus said that the perpetrators then took her into the house, while “pushing and tugging” her.

They went straight to her bedroom, where they removed $340,000 in cash and her rings from her fingers before pushing her to the ground and running back to the shop, where they also took the day’s sales and her cellphone.

Meanwhile, one of Bacchus’s neighbours who had heard her scream had gone to inform another neighbour. After escaping from the shop, the gunmen went over to the neighbour’s house and also robbed him of an undisclosed sum of cash and valuables.

They also reportedly chased another neighbour further up the street while threatening to shoot him.

However, he managed to evade the gunmen by hiding in a nearby yard.

The two bandits then made good their escape.

Investigations are ongoing.

12 news

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Auditor General Reports

Lawrence urges national approach to reining in regional excesses

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ublic Health Minister Volda Lawrence used her seat on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to call for collaboration to effect reform of the regional administrations as she noted that these matters were of national importance.

She made this call during Monday’s PAC sitting. At the time, the question on the floor was the staffing strength of regional administrations and how allocations for employment were being determined.

Lawrence, a former Chairperson of the PAC, urged that both sides collaborate and focus on the issues. According to Lawrence, there has never been a time when collaboration was not a feature of the Committee’s work.

“I have been the Chair of this Public Accounts Committee and there was never a time when the Public Accounts Committee has done its work without full collaboration with both sides of this House, and I say it without fear of contradiction.

“Because we focus on the

issues, we saw it as a national issue, and we had to address it, so that we can make the accountability within every agency in this country done in accordance with the rules and regulations.”

PAC member Juan Edghill had been questioning Region Five (MahaicaBerbice) Regional Executive Officer (REO) Ovid Morrison on whose authority certain vacancies were being filled.

Morrison noted that the vacancies were filled by the public service ministry.

PAC Chairperson Irfaan Ali also questioned him on the number of staff actually required on the payroll.

Lawrence had noted that during the course of the year, priorities change and if more staff was needed, permission could be requested from the public service ministry.

Under questioning from Ali, Morrison confirmed that they did have approval for the 90 additional staff.

Edghill questioned how many were new positions that were created. Morrison noted that there were no new positions.

ply the actual figures at a later time.

The considerations concluded with the Chairman

reminding the REO of the information he has to return to the Committee with.

Morrison gave a commit-

ment to providing the information by the end of the week.

Gittens appointed as Deputy Chief Constable

A

Public Health Minister Volda Lawrence

Edghill pointed out that at one time the authorised employment strength was declared. He lamented that this has been discontinued and because the Regions have ceased presenting their authorised strength, Regions could employ staff in an ad-hoc manner.

Ali questioned how many contracted employees were in the Region. However, when Morrison balked at the question, Ali upbraided him for his lack of preparation. While Morrison admitted that there has been an increase in contracted employees, he promised to sup-

fter months of deliberation, the Mayor and City Councillors of Georgetown have finally moved to appoint a Deputy Chief Constable for the City Constabulary.

Laurel Gittens had been working in the position for a number of months under the premise that she was on probation, however, Councillor Sherod Duncan on Monday afternoon appealed to the Council on the officer’s behalf.

After highlighting that Gittens has served the constabulary for some 31 years, Councillor Duncan explained that by the time the Constable completes her six-month probationary period, she would have already passed her retirement mark.

Duncan lamented the unfairness of the matter, noting that the Constable deserves to be appointed substantively after all the contributions she has made over the years. Another argument put forward in Gittens’ favour was the fact that she had acted in the position of Chief Constable on

Senior Superintendent Laurel Gittens

numerous occasion when the Chief Constable Andrew Foo was on annual leave.

It was disclosed that the Chief Constable did not disagree with the recommendation of Gittens’ promotion but he requested that the probation be attached. After which an evaluation will be done, and the position could be confirmed or not confirmed.

Councillors Noelle ChowChee, Andrea Marks and Carlyle Goring followed suit in the plea for Gittens’ ap-

pointment. Marks in her statement, admitted to agreeing to the probation at a meeting, however she pointed out that the retirement mark was not disclosed nor was it taken into consideration. She explained that had she been aware of those complications, she would have protested the probation upfront. The Chief Constable opted to remain silent during the debate, even after members of the Council called for him to disclose the ‘reasons’ why he requested that Gittens be put on probation. The fact that Foo had not been through a probation phase when he was being appointed was also debated by the Councillor.

Subsequently, by way of a unanimous vote, Gittens was promoted to senior Superintendent and appointed as the Deputy Chief Constable. Gittens’ promotion was being mulled over since December of last year, after the need for a Deputy Chief Constable was underlined

by Councillors and Mayor Patricia Chase Green.

news

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wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Linden pageant scandal

Former Mayor calls for pageant to be cancelled I n light of recent allegations of sexual assault against delegates of the Miss Linden Town Week (LTW) pageant by a Linden businessman, former Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland is calling on the municipality of the Linden Mayor and Town Council (LM&TC) to cancel this year's pageant. He said the delegates should be crowned as municipal ambassadors, whereby they would become a part of the development process of Linden and spread positive messages to young girls.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Holland said this should be done on the heels of the observance of an International Women's Day observance which was staged in Linden recently, where a call was made for society to "guard our girls".

"These revelations are deeply troubling. So, I commend the young ladies’ courage and believe that they should be hailed as ambassadors for our municipality, championing the call for young women to resist the pressure to be demoralised and abused by some in our society. And I believe their courage to speak out, goes well in strengthening others to speak out in spite of threats or the rhetorical silencing that often follows these incidents,” Holland

said.

He added that though he was not apprised of the scandal before it became public, he finds it imperative that law enforcement conduct a thorough investigation of the matter so that justice is served.

"We all have a responsibility to instil wholesome values in the next generation of young men and women and should not chastise or silence them when they uphold such values. This should be commended...," Holland indicated.

Meanwhile, pageant coordinator Crystal Lam has called for the pageant to continue, amidst calls for it to be cancelled. "We have to start somewhere, and the solution cannot be to end all pageants... Over the past few months I have come to know a group of young women who are very passionate about empowering, leading and making positive changes in society... We have to start somewhere. We have to come up with more creative ways in finding solutions.”

Lam added that at a meeting on Monday, the delegates indicated that they no longer care about the prizes.

“They suggested that should they continue, their platforms must change.

Though a 'greener economy' is a worthy platform; they

post alleges that the LM&TC tried to cover up the matter and officials tried to silence the victims.

But the LMTC has said that aiding or abetting any activity and behaviour that is demeaning to women or any other individual or group of individuals is incompatible with its ideals. As such, given the sensitive nature of the case, the LM&TC conducted an independent in-

vestigation into the incident.

The investigation found irrefutable evidence that an incident occurred on March 3, 2018, and the said matter was settled between the parties involved on March 6, 2018.

Meanwhile, the Alliance For Change (AFC) said in a statement on Monday that it is aware of a social media post regarding an alleged incident which took place in

Linden.

The party also admitted that the incident involved a member of the AFC’s Region 10 Regional Management Committee.

Based on some sources, the AFC member was one of the persons who accompanied the victim to the businessman’s premises to seek sponsorship, which led to her allegedly being assaulted.

Cuyuni River robbery-murder

Former Linden Mayor Carwyn Holland

all have social ills they are passionate about, and they want to be able to represent and bring awareness to these issues. In my opinion, the pageant should go on. Give these women a chance to be role models in society. Give them a chance to change society's misconception of pageantry. Our women must not feel like selling one's self to potential sponsors is an undeniable part of pageantry," she said.

The allegation of the sexual assault went viral on social media after a post that a businessman from Amelia’s Ward, Linden had made sexual advances towards the delegates when they were at his premises to seek sponsorship during March 2018. The

7 suspects remain in custody as Police continue probe

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etectives attached to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Headquarters in Georgetown continue to grill the seven suspects who were arrested over Friday’s robbery/murder at a mining camp in the Cuyuni River, which resulted in the death of a Dominica Republic citizen.

Police sources on Tuesday confirmed that the

men remained in custody after they were brought out to the city on Monday.

Fifty-five-year-old Pedro Pablo Rosario, a night supervisor at the mining camp located at Black Water Backdam, Cuyuni River, was shot and killed after three armed and masked bandits invaded the camp sometime around 02:00h.

It was reported that Rosario was relaxing in a

hammock while four other workers were on duty some distance away, when the bandits confronted the supervisor and fatally wounded him.

The three suspects then went to the dredge area where they held the other workers at gunpoint and relieved them of two gold mats containing 100 ounces of gold from the sluice box before making good their escape.

14 news

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

42% fee hike

Education Ministry had “fruitful discourse” with Mae’s admin

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n light of widespread outcry by parents over the burdensome fee hike by Mae’s Schools, a team from the Education Ministry on Tuesday met with the administration of the private institution to discuss the matter.

According to the Ministry, there will be another meeting following Tuesday’s fruitful discussions.

“The two sides met and had a fruitful discourse with a view of arriving at a resolution that is acceptable to the school and parents of children at the early possible time. In two weeks, the MoE and the Mae’s team are scheduled to have another interface on the way forward,” the missive from the Education Ministry detailed.

The Ministry’s team during the meeting was led

by Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson, and comprised of Legal Officer Kellyanne Payne-Hercules; Private School Coordinator Doodmattie Singh, and National Parent Teachers Association Coordinator, Nadia Hollingsworth.

Meanwhile, the representatives from Mae’s in-

New motorcycle brand launched in Guyana

Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson with a team from the Ministry and the administration of Mae’s School following a meeting on Tuesday

clude: Lucinda Mc Curdy, Administration (Ag); Megan Archer, Director – Primary; and Shaundell Beckles, Deputy Director – Primary.

Over the past weeks, parents of students attending Mae’s Schools have been complaining bitterly over the increase of fees of up to 42 per cent for some levels.

The school has justified the fee hike, saying it is to support increasing operational costs.

However, some of the frustrated parents staged a peaceful picketing exercise outside the school on Monday, protesting the excessive increase.

The parents explained

that they are not against a reasonable increase, but the current figures are almost exploitative. To this end, they called for Government’s intervention.

About four years ago, then Education Minister Priya Manickchand, had tabled the Education Bill of 2014, which was read in Parliament in 2014. Then in 2017, the MoE had said the regularisation of all private education institutions will be provided for under the new Education Act. When contacted concerning the status of the new Education Act, the Education Ministry (MoE) said, “The matter has to engage Cabinet, Opposition

and all other stakeholders on the matter reference to the Bill.”

This is not the first time that parents of children attending the Mae’s Schools are protesting a decision by the school’s administration.

In May 2016, several parents of students in Grade Five staged a protest, claiming that they had paid $20,000 for extra lessons that were not being delivered.

Meanwhile, at least one other private education institution – School of the Nations – have since indicated that it too will be increasing its fees, but assured that it would not be as significant as those imposed by Mae’s.

The Moab brand of motorcycles

J

ai Sang motorcycles and spare parts company located on Church Street, Georgetown on Tuesday introduced a new brand of motorcycles to the Guyanese public.

According to the owner of the company, Christopher King, the Moab brand of motorcycles is made and assembled in China.

Sporting an impressive muscular look, the high-performance ma-

chines are said to be top rated within its class and environmentally friendly with a 125cc air-cooled, EFI single-cylinder engine.

The efficient fuel economy and overall performance are amazing features of the cycles, with a guaranteed 370 miles between fill-ups from the 13-litre tank.

King assured that any bike purchased came with a one-year warranty.

NEWS

15

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Ramsammy’s Ruminations We have to do better – universal health care is a right

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ast week, the staff, including doctors and nurses of the Linden Hospital Complex engaged in a sit-in to protest the lack of medicines and supplies. This week, the staff at Skeldon Hospital, similarly, are protesting the lack of medicines and supplies. The shortages of supplies being highlighted by these unprecedented actions by the medical staff of these two institutions are not unique to them and have been reported in public hospitals and health centres throughout the country for the last three years. Sadly, medicine and medical supplies shortages have become chronic in the public health sector. I cannot recall Dr Leslie Ramsammy such staff protests while I was Health Minister for 12 years and in the public health system for 20 years.

The most recent sit-ins – last week and this week – sandwiched the observation of World Health Day, April 7. This World Health Day, the Public Health Ministry held elaborate celebrations and made commitments of access to universal healthcare for citizens everywhere in Guyana. It is a laudable goal. But the Government must also realise that universal healthcare is unachievable unless we can ensure that medicines and medical supplies are available in the Public Sector. Citizens have a right to healthcare and that right means that when people come to the hospitals and health centres they can access medicines and other medical supplies. There is no quality care without safe and available medicines.

Medicine shortage is a prominent feature of poor governance since the A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) assumed office in May 2015. We have heard repeatedly the excuses for the last three years and have endured many broken promises that the situation will change. The people have been told by the Health Ministers in and out of Parliament that the APNU/ AFC Administration is reforming the procurement system for medicines and supplies, implementing a new warehouse system and a new distribution system. Minister Norton promised a more efficient, more effective, more reliable procurement and distribution system several times in 2015 and 2016. Minister Lawrence promised in 2017 and 2018, more than a few times, a first class system. These promises have been like a broken record. Yet the situation keeps deteriorating.

Other than staff sit-ins, the health sector has also highlighted the shortages in other troubling ways. We have had several incidences where operating rooms have been closed and surgery suspended because basic surgical supplies have been in short supply. Eye operations have been suspended in Port Mourant for almost three years now. In several hospitals, including the Georgetown Public Hospital, X-ray machines have been out of operation and patients referred to the Private Sector. Routinely now, patients must purchase their own medicines. Vaccine coverage has dropped each year since 2015 and several vaccines have been in short supply. Supplies such as contraceptives and laboratory supplies are often in short supply. Blood bag shortages have also plagued the sector.

In the meantime, vast sums of money are being expended, supposedly to procure, store and distribute medicines. In fact, in January and February 2017 alone, APNU/AFC paid out more than $2.1 billion for contracts to supply medicines, contracts that abrogated all the procurement laws of Guyana.

The 2018 medicine budget for the Public Sector continues the increased allocation since 2015. The question is where are the medicines? Rubbing salt into the wound, the Government is spending almost $175 million on renting a house as a warehouse in Georgetown; one that is barely used to store non-medicine supplies. Adding even more insult to the injury of medicine shortage, APNU/AFC engages in questionable transactions such as the more than $600 million medicine contract at a cost almost three times the normal cost.

It is good we celebrate World Health Day with our sisters and brothers across the world and reaffirm our commitment to universal healthcare. But we must recognise that there is tangible erosion of the quality of healthcare in Guyana.

Universal healthcare is a laudable goal and the Ministers are on the right path when they promise they are working assiduously to achieve it. Yet the persistence of medicine shortages makes the goal elusive. In fact, these Ministers inherited a health system that made considerable progress towards universal healthcare and that had an equitable and reliable supply chain for medicines. In addition, universal healthcare is a goal of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals which Guyana signed on to in 2015. After three years, APNU/AFC has only succeeded in making people think universal healthcare is increasingly an elusive goal.

Police seeking help to ID body found outside GDF headquarters

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s investigations continue into the discovery of a male body in the canal outside the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Headquarters on Carifesta Avenue on Monday morning, the Guyana Police Force is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the now dead man.

According to the Police, the body is of African descent and appears to be in the late 30s. At the time of the discovery, which was about 06:00h, the man was shirtless and cladded in black jeans.

Commander of A Division

(Georgetown-East Bank Demerara), Leslie James, said on Monday that the body bore marks of violence, which suggest foul play was involved. Nevertheless, the body is currently at the Lyken Funeral Home awaiting identification and post-mortem.

Anyone with information that will lead to the identification of the now dead man is urged to contact the Guyana Police Force on telephone numbers 227-1611, 227-1149, 227-1270, 2276940-9, 226-6221, 225-2694, 911 or the nearest Police Station.

Investigators at the scene where the still unidentified body was found on Monday

Regional body supports Guyana’s need for law school

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he Association of Caribbean Students for Equal Access to the Legal Profession (ACSEAL) has made an urgent call for attention to be paid to thousands of students who are affected in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) states, due to what they described as “unfair admission policies” at law schools in the Region.

The regional body recently compiled a report highlighting the need for a law school in Guyana.

ACSEAL was keen to note that the issue is one which is being administered by law schools throughout Caricom.

According to the body, its support for the law school in Guyana comes from a study which was conducted to consider the “status and relevance of the current legal education system; the extent to which it meets the needs of the respective Commonwealth Caribbean societies; and concerns of discrimination in access to legal education and by extension, the legal profession.”

ACSEAL also noted that the initiative of the law school, along with the other suggestions it made in its report, are intended solely to improve justice for the citizens in the Region.

Some of the noteworthy findings and recommendations of the report include: the establishment of the UTech Law School in Jamaica, as well as law schools in Guyana and Antigua; the abolition of the preference-based admission policy at the regional law schools which presently grants automatic entry exclusively to University of the West Indies (UWI) law graduates.

“Recognition of students’ concerns of the lack of transparency and accountability in the Council of Legal Education (CLE) Annual Entrance Examination; the abolition of the CLE Entrance Examination in its current form; and the reconstitution and reorganisation of the CLE,” the body said in a statement on Monday.

Just Tuesday, <<<<Guyana Times>>>> reported that Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams announced that the shareholders agreement for a local law school is being finalised.

The Government had previously said a plot of land had

already been identified for the institution.

Williams had attacked the Council of Legal Education (CLE) Chairman Reginald Armour for responding to the concerns raised by former Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall without consulting with the current Government on the matter.

He also said that the recent increased tuition fees at the Hugh Wooding Law School and the difficulty of having

Guyanese students live and study in Trinidad and Tobago also support’s Guyana’s push in this direction.

To substantiate his point, the Minister said, “Tuition fees this year have been increased at Hugh Wooding and are now TT$97,000…, well over $3 million (Guyana dollars)… that’s only for tuition, they still have to live and exist in Trinidad.”

He also made the point that Trinidad and Barbados

churn out at least 200 law graduates yearly, while Guyana is allowed to have only 25 or less lawyers trained on an annual basis.

Williams is adamant that Guyana has not been refused permission to set up a law school here. As such, preparations are being made to advance this process at the University of Guyana (UG) Turkeyen campus, where the proposed school would be built.

16 NEWS

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

J’can appointed to Bermuda Court of Appeal

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amaican-born Anthony Smellie, the longstanding Chief Justice of the Cayman Islands, has been appointed to Bermuda’s Court of Appeal.

He will join the court in June while Elizabeth Gloster, Vice President of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, will start in January next year, Governor John Rankin has announced.

“I am very pleased to announce the appointments of Justice Smellie and Lady Justice Gloster to Bermuda’s Court of Appeal following the recommendations of the Judicial and Legal Services Committee,” Rankin said.

“Bermuda is fortunate

Justice Anthony Smellie

to be able to attract such distinguished jurists to maintain the quality of our courts, providing service at the highest possible level for the people of Bermuda.”

Justice Smellie, appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1991, has served as a judge in the Cayman Island since 1993. He became Chief Justice in 1998.

He earlier served as Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in Jamaica and as Solicitor-General and Acting Attorney-General for the Cayman Islands.

Justice Gloster was made a High Court judge for England and Wales in 2004 and joined the Court of Appeal in 2013.

Appointed a Queen’s Counsel in 1989, she has also been a member of the Court of Appeal of both Jersey and Guernsey. (Jamaica Observer)

Brazil’s Temer officially nominates new slate of Ministers

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hile the names were previously known, the formal nomination will allow the officials to take up their posts at a ceremony scheduled for 15:00h local time (1800 GMT).

It is common in Brazil

to see heavy ministerial turnover during an election year, as Ministers leave office in order to run for elected positions. Among the Ministers nominated are the following: Marcos Jorge de Lima as Industry and Commerce Minister,

Wellington Moreira Franco as Mining and Energy Minister, Eduardo Guardia as Finance Minister, Esteves Colnago as planning Minister, and Helton Yomura as Labour Minister.

(Reuters)

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

17

Around the World

Facebook CEO Zuckerberg Syria 'chemical attack': Trump cancels at congressional Latin America trip, Syria puts Army on alert testifies hearings

U

S President Donald Trump has cancelled his first official trip to Latin America to focus on the issue of a suspected chemical attack in Syria.

He will remain in Washington to "oversee the American response to Syria", the White House said.

Meanwhile, the global chemical weapons watchdog has said it will send a fact-finding team to the site in Douma.

Medical sources say dozens were killed in the alleged attack there, but exact numbers are impossible to verify.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said a team would deploy to Syria "shortly".

It comes after Syria and its military backer, Russia, both said they wanted to facilitate a visit by inspectors.

Syria denies being behind any

F

Unverified video shows children being treated after the alleged gas attack

chemical attack.

US Vice President Mike Pence will travel in President Trump's place for the Latin America trip, which begins in Peru for the Summit of the Americas.

Later on Tuesday, the UN Security Council was scheduled to vote on competing US and Russian draft resolutions

on the Syria incident. The US wants a new panel to be set up that would investigate and apportion blame for chemical attacks in Syria, but Russia is likely to veto the proposal.

Trump has pledged a "forceful" response, and has spoken of numerous military options.

Since Saturday's incident,

Washington has been in discussion with Britain and France, raising the prospect of coordinated Western military action. United Kingdom Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to President Trump and President Emmanuel Macron of France in separate calls on Tuesday. (Excerpt from BBC News)

acebook Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Zuckerberg’s number one mission during his appearance before US lawmakers on Tuesday and Wednesday will be to defend against calls to regulate Internetbased companies.

The prospect of new laws that restrict Facebook and other Internet companies, however, is extremely unlikely not only because of a lack of political will and the effective lobbying of technology companies but because few lawmakers want to grapple with the sheer complexity of the technical issues involved.

Zuckerberg is testifying before a joint hearing of the Senate Commerce and

Judiciary Committees.

He is confronting combined outrage over how Russia allegedly used Facebook to spread divisive political propaganda during the 2016 US presidential election and how Facebook seemed unaware that a political consultancy, Cambridge Analytica, improperly harvested personal data of about 87 million Facebook users, most of them Americans.

Senator Bill Nelson, the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee, said on Monday that while he believed new regulation was needed in the face of Facebook’s twin scandals, he did not expect anything substantive to happen. (Excerpt from Reuters)

Digital media take the lead in reporting in Venezuela Colombian FARC leader arrested on drug O trafficking charge

nline media have taken the lead, ahead of the conventional media, in reporting in the tense political and economic climate in Venezuela, where freedom of speech and of information are under siege.

In this country of 31.8 million inhabitants, according to the governmental National Institute of Statistics, 62 per cent have access to the Internet, “although the Internet speed is among the lowest in Latin America, affecting access to information,” said Mariaengracia Chirinos, of the Press and Society Institute (IPYS).

The digital media, and more specifically the 50 or so news portals and aggregators, grew in the last decade in Venezuela, as newspapers, radio and television outlets were closing, shrinking or changing ownership.

In 2007 Radio Caracas TV – the oldest and for decades the most popular television station in the country – lost its concession by order of then President Hugo

Making intensive use of space and resources, portals such as El Estímulo are positioned as the new media to which Venezuelans turn to get information. The photo shows the Director of El Estímulo, Omar Lugo, at the head of a table where several Journalists are working in the newsroom

Chávez (1999-2013). From then on, the monitoring of radio and television stations resulted in fines, closings, cancellation of licences and dismissals of media workers.

Many print media were trapped by the severe exchange controls in force since 2003, which prevented them from accessing currency to import paper and other inputs. Leading daily newspapers turned into weeklies, with fewer pages and small-

er print runs, and many ended up closing or are trying to survive on the internet.

In 2013, after Maduro took office, two powerful national newspapers and the only television station dedicated solely to news, Globovisión, changed hands in financial operations that were kept under wraps, which resulted in a change in their editorial line, to government-aligned positions.

IPYS Venezuela, a non-governmental organi-

sation dedicated since 2002 to the promotion and defence of free speech, has documented the closure of 100 media outlets since 2005, 60 of them under the Maduro administration.

Also under Maduro, 57 audiovisual media outlets have been suspended, including the order for pay TV operators to take off the air international channels such as CNN in Spanish, TN from Argentina and NTN24, RCN and Caracol from Colombia.

(Excerpt from Caribbean News Now)

A court in New York wants Jesus Santrich (centre) on a drug trafficking charge

O

ne of the top leaders of Colombia’s former rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), has been arrested in Bogota following a request from the United States.

Jesus Santrich, a former peace negotiator, is accused of drug trafficking by a court in New York. He planned to export 10 tonnes of cocaine worth US$320 million (£226 million) to the US, Colombia’s Attorney General Nestor Martinez

Funerals held for 24 children 6.2-magnitude in India school bus plunge quake shakes Chile A

A

strong 6.2 magnitude earthquake shook Chile on Tuesday but there was no tsunami alert and no reports of injuries, officials said.

Chile’s National Seismological Centre said the quake struck the Northcentral region at 07:19h (1019 GMT), 35 kilometres (21 miles) north of Punitaqui at a depth of 75.8 kilometres.

The United States Geological Survey also reported the quake as measuring 6.2.

An initial report from

Chile’s National Emergency Office said the quake did not cause injuries or “disruption of basic services.”

The quake was reportedly felt from Atacama in the north to BioBio region in the South. The world’s most seismic country, Chile has a long Pacific Ocean coastline and a history of earthquake-linked tsunamis, but in this case authorities ruled out a tsunami risk.

In 1960 Chile was struck by the world’s most powerful earthquake, measuring 9.5, which left more than 5700 people dead. (Jamaica Observer)

mass funeral has been held for 24 schoolchildren who died when a school bus fell into a gorge in a mountainous region of India on Monday evening.

Tearful relatives placed wreaths on the bodies ahead of the cremation. Most of those who died were younger than 10 years old, while the bus driver and two teachers were also killed.

The incident occurred in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

Road accidents are common in India, often due to poor driving or badly maintained roads and vehicles.

The reasons behind the ac-

Some families have lost more than one child

cident are not yet clear, according to an official statement.

Monday's accident, which occurred about 325 kilometres (200 miles) from the state capital, Shimla,

involved a bus transporting some 40 students from Wazir Ram Singh Pathania Memorial school in Nurpur in the country's Kangra district. (Excerpt from BBC News)

said.

Santrich will remain in custody until the US requests his extradition. One senior FARC member, Ivan Marquez, said the arrest was one of the worst moments for the peace process.

The FARC rebels signed a peace deal with Colombia’s Government in 2016. After the FARC disarmed last year, the group announced the formation of a political party.

It kept the acronym FARC but changed what the letters stand for to the Common Alternative Revolutionary Force. As part of the deal, the FARC were given 10 seats in Congress until 2026, regardless of how many votes they receive in elections.

Santrich, whose real name is Seuxis Hernández Solarte, is due to take up his seat in Congress in July.

“Those detained have betrayed the values and the principles of the peace deal,” Martinez said in a televised address alongside President Juan Manuel Santos.

The president said the alleged offences happened after the peace deal was signed in 2016, as under the peace treaty previous drug crimes are no longer punishable by law. (BBC News)

18

guyanatimesgy.com

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018

ARCHIE

An emotional act can disrupt a good relationship. Think (March 21- before you make a judgment April 19) call that could damage your standing in someone else’s eyes. Offer compassion and understanding instead of criticism.

ARIES

You can make a move, TAURUS as long as you don’t disrupt (April 20- someone’s life in the process.

May 20) Get the go-ahead before you begin work to avoid having to explain what you are doing every step of the way.

dilbert

Stand up for your beliefs, GEMINI (May 21- but don’t offend others while June 20) doing so. It’s important to take the high road, give your all and allow others to have different opinions.

Emotions will be difficult to control. You’ll be tempted (June 21- to act without giving enough July 22) thought to the consequences of your actions. Don’t let others take advantage of you.

CANCER

Peanuts

You’ll be tempted to make LEO a change. Question the valid(July 23- ity and expense of what you Aug. 22) want to do. Don’t bite off more than you can chew.

Calvin and Hobbes

A networking function, edVIRGO ucational pursuit or self-help (Aug. 23programme will do you good.

Sept. 22) What you gain by keeping up with the latest trends will surprise you. Romance is encouraged.

Make alterations at home LIBRA that will help you cut corners (Sept. 23Oct. 23) and save money. Being practical and efficient regarding your utilities and spending habits will ease stress.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — RELIQUARY (RELIQUARY: REL-ih-kware-ee: A receptacle for keeping or displaying sacred relics.)

SUDOKU

Compliments directed SAGITTARIUS your way will be intended to (Nov. 23butter you up. Put your ego Dec. 21)

Average mark 23 words

aside and check into the possible motives behind someone’s gestures. Find a creative outlet to flesh out your ideas.

Time limit 40 minutes Can you find 37 or more words in RELIQUARY? The list will be published tomorrow.

YESTERDAY’S WORD — CONCERTO cent cento cero coco concert cone coot core corn cornet

coronet cote crone croon croton once onto note noter enroot

recto rent root rote tenor tern tone toner tore torn

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. For example, if “bake” is used, “baked” or “bakes” is not allowed, but “bake” and “baking” are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed. To contact Word Game creator Kathleen Saxe, write to Word Game, Kathleen Saxe, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Copyright 2015, Distributed by Universal Uclick for UFS

Live life your way. Don’t SCORPIO shy away from something (Oct. 24you want to do or a lifestyle Nov. 22) you want to lead for fear of being ridiculed. Follow your heart. Romance is featured.

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Overreaction will lead to isolation and regret. Don’t act on an assumption.

Back away from anyone PISCES who is overreacting or indul(Feb. 20March 20) gent. Dealing with people who have much to offer will encourage you to raise your standards and choose your friends and partners carefully.

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018

Marks enthused at bodybuilding prospects

There were a lot of new faces walking away with prizes on Sunday at the National Cultural Centre ( Sean Devers Photo)

P

resident of the Guyana Amateur Body Building Federation (GABBF) in his reflection of the recent novices cham-

pionships contended the sport has a bright future ahead.

Marks felt the growth though minimal still sends

a strong signal the future is promising after witnessing the Championships on Sunday at the National Cultural centre.

Roma deliver shocking knock-out to Barcelona

Roma reached the semi-finals of Europe's premier competition for the first time since since 1984

R

oma pulled off a sensational second-leg comeback to beat Barcelona 3-0 and reach the Champions League semi-finals on away goals.

Barca were heavy favourites to progress after a 4-1 first-leg win, but fell apart to Roma's brilliant showing.

Defender Kostas Manolas scored the crucial third goal, heading in at the near post with eight minutes remaining.

Edin Dzeko struck early to give Roma hope and Daniele de Rossi added a second-half penalty.

The crowd at the Stadio Olimpico erupted at the final whistle as the Roma substitutes and coaching staff piled on to the pitch to celebrate with the players.

There were tears in the stands from those watching, not quite believing what they had witnessed.

Roma became only the third team in Champions League history to overturn a first-leg defeat of three goals or more -

Deportivo La Coruna against AC Milan in 2004 and Barcelona against Paris StGermain last season.

On this occasion, runaway Spanish league leaders Barcelona were on the receiving end of an unthinkable result.

They had no answer to Roma's high-tempo, energetic performance which brought a richly deserved victory.

Roma, fourth in Serie A, kept up the pressure in the second period and were awarded a penalty just before the hour mark when Gerard Pique bundled Dzeko over in the box and De Rossi despatched the spot-kick.

With time running out, Cengiz Under whipped in a cross towards the near post which Greece defender Manolas rose highest to meet and convert to spark jubilant scenes.

In Wednesday's remaining quarter-final ties, defending champions Real Madrid are 3-0 ahead against Juventus after the first leg and Bayern Munich lead Sevilla 2-1. (BBC)

“The patrons got their money’s worth. We had a limitation in athletes in the body building categories but we saw more men’s Physique and Ms Bikini which shows the direction where the sport is going but we certainly hit our mark in terms of patronage”, he told this publication on Tuesday.

The night saw Space Gym’s Tariq Dakhil claim the Mr Physique title while gym mate Diciula DeSouza was crowned Ms. Bikini.

From a competitors standpoint Marks noted there was great improvement in some categories and hoped to see the continued growth of women in the sport.

“Ms Bikini and Men’s Physique are the more attainable body types and are more main stream.

Our

goals I this year is to draw more female participation”.

The next agenda for the federation will be their flagship seniors which will be held on July 15 at the Marriott Hotel and the President revealed they will work acidulously to improve incentives for athletes.

Last year over $1,000,000 was awarded to top performers.

GABBF President Coel Marks

19

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018

Indian Premier League 2018…

CSK gun down 203 in KKR thriller Andre Russell gets one right off the middle © BCCI

C

hennai Super Kings recorded a thrilling five-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their first home game in the Indian Premier League since 2015.

Back playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium after serving a two-year suspension following links to a 2013 corruption scandal, the Super Kings overhauled Kolkata's total of 202-6 with one ball to spare.

Sam Billings (56 off 23) had kept

Chennai's chase on course before team-mate Ravindra Jadeja finished the job in style, launching the penul-

tion.

The right-hander hit half a dozen sixes off the bowling of fellow West

Sam Billings makes room and blazes one over extra cover © BCCI

timate delivery for six.

The Knight Riders had only set such an imposing target thanks to a late blitz from Andre Russell, who crashed 11 maximums in making 88 not out from just 36.

Bravo to Russell

Kolkata - who had beaten Royal Challengers Bangalore in their opening fixture - were indebted to the West Indies all-rounder after their top order failed to build on a promising start.

Birthday boy Chris Lynn made 22 on the day he turned 28, while Robin Uthappa added 29 in a hurry, but the Knight Riders slipped from 51-1 to 89-5 by the halfway stage of their innings.

However, Russell's onslaught put Chennai on the back foot as the Knight Riders became the first franchise to make over 200 in this year's competi-

Indian Dwayne Bravo - including three in a row at the start of the penultimate over - but ran out of deliveries to reach three figures

for the second time in the shortest format.

Elementary for Watson

Chennai capitalised on the powerplay overs in their reply, Shane Watson making 42 from 19 deliveries as 75 runs came from the opening six overs.

Opening partner Ambati Rayudu contributed 39 and MS Dhoni made 25, yet it was Billings who provided some much-needed impetus down the home straight.

The England international hit five sixes and a pair of fours before holing out off compatriot Tom Curran (2-39), leaving the score on 184-5 and CSK needing 19 from eight.

Bravo, Super Kings' hero in their last-ball triumph over Mumbai Indians in the season opener, started the final over with a six before Jadeja followed suit, taking seamer Vinay Kumar the distance down the ground to secure victory. (Sportsmax)

SCOREBOARD

Kolkata Knight Riders Innings (20 overs maximum) C Lynn b Jadeja 22 S Narine c Raina b Harbhajan Sin gh 12 R Uthappa run out (Raina) 29 N Rana c †Dhoni b Watson 16 K Karthik (c) † lbw b Watson 26 R Singh c Bravo b Thakur 2 A Russell not out 88 T Curran not out 2 Extras (b 1, lb 1, w 3) 5 Total (6 wickets; 20 Overs) 202 Did not bat: V Kumar, K Yadav, P Chawla Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Narine, 1.3 ov), 2-51 ( Lynn, 5.2 ov), 3-80 (Rana, 8.1 ov), 4-81 (Uthappa, 8.2 ov), 5-89 (R Singh, 9.6 ov), 6-165 ( Karthik, 17.4 ov) Bowling: Chahar 1-0-18-0, H Singh 2-0-11-1, Watson 4-039-2, Jadeja 2-0-19-1, Tahir 4-0-26-0, Thakur4-0-37-1, Bravo 3-0-50-0

Chennai Super Kings Innings (target: 203 runs from 20 overs) S Watson c Singh b Curran 42 A Rayudu c sub (Shivam Mavi) b K Yadav 39 S Raina c V Kumar b Narine 14 M Dhoni (c) † c †Karthik b Chawla 25 S Billings c Uthappa b Curran 56 R Jadeja not out 11 D Bravo not out 11 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 3) 7 Total (5 wickets; 19.5 Overs) 205 Did not bat: D Chahar, H Singh, S Thakur, I Tahir Fall of wickets: 1-75 (Watson, 5.5 ov), 2-85 (Rayudu, 8.3 ov), 3-101 (Raina, 11.3 ov), 4-155 (Dhoni, 16.3 ov), 5-184 (Billings, 18.4 ov) Bowling: V Kumar 1.5-0 -35-0, Chawla 4-0-49-1, Russell 4-0-35-0, Curran 3-0-39-2, Narine 4-0-171, K Yadav 3-0-27-1

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José Raúl Capablanca

J

osé Raúl Capablanca was born November 19, 1888 in Havana, Cuba. He won the chess world championship (1921) from Emanuel Lasker and lost it (1927) to Alexander Alekhine.

Remarkably, in active tournament competition from 1916 until 1924, he did not lose a single game. In 1942 Capablanca was felled by a stroke while watching a game at the Manhattan Chess Club and died the next day.

As an adult, Capablanca lost only 34 serious games. He was undefeated from February 10, 1916, when he lost to Oscar Chajes in the New York 1916 tournament, to March 21, 1924, when he lost to Richard Réti in the New York International tournament. During this streak, which included his 1921 World Championship match against Lasker, Capablanca played 63 games, winning 40 and drawing 23. In fact, only Marshall, Lasker, Alekhine and Rudolf Spielmann won two or more serious games from the mature Capablanca, though

Jessica Clementson

endgames, and his positional judgment was outstanding, so much so that most attempts to attack him came to grief without any apparent defensive efforts on his part.

However, he could play great tactical chess when necessary – most famously in the 1918 Manhattan Chess Club Championship tournament (in New York) where Marshall sprang a deeply analyzed prepared variation on him, which he refuted while playing under the normal time limit

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nna Regina Multilateral (ARM) School got pass Reliance thanks to some allround efforts on Saturday in the on-going Essequibo School’s U-15 cricket competition.

Played at the Reliance Ground on the Essequibo Coast, the home team were outdone by the eventual winners during the two side’s warm-up match.

Batting first ARMS made 191 for 6 off allotted 20 overs with Eshwar Naught (38), Raynod Ramroop (31), Avick Ramdial (13) and Ardash Ramdial (11), leading the way with the bat.

Shivo Sewrattan and Raj Deonarine, who bagged two wickets each for Reliance, did little to stop the Anna Regina bowlers from running amok as they mowed down the hosts for 108 all out in 19.5 overs with Sudesh Motilall the top-scorer with 28. Bowling for Anna Regina, Raj Ramballi bagged magical figures of 4-20 while Bomesh Paul supported with amazing figures of 3-1; including a hat

in each case, their overall lifetime scores were minus (Capablanca beat Marshall +20?2=28, Lasker +6?2=16, Alekhine +9?7=33), except for Spielmann who was level (+2?2=8). Of top players, only Keres had a narrow plus score against him(+1?0=5).

Keres' win was at the AVRO 1938 chess tournament, during which tournament Capablanca turned 50, while Keres was 22. Statistical ranking systems place Capablanca high among the greatest players of all time.

Capablanca excelled in simple positions and

trick.

Meanwhile, Dr Vishwa D.B. Mahadeo of #66 Village Corentyne, Berbice met with young cricketers on Sunday afternoon at the Reliance, Essequibo Coast Cricket Ground.

Dr Mahadeo encouraged the youths to focus on their game, adding that sports can play a major role in grooming them for a healthier and more disciplined life.

He further encouraged them to keep away from drugs and other substances which can harm them.

The guest speaker noted that as a Medical Doctor he served the Region for over 12 years at Public Hospital, Suddie. He said that he will be assisting Mr. Ramballi a business man of Essequibo Coast to launch an Annual Cricket Competition in the Region.

The aim is to target all Secondary Schools and one of the criteria to be qualified for the game is that student must have achieved the bar mar of 85% attendance at school.

Rodney shows promise at GBA’s U-16 tournament

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Dr Vishwa DB Mahadeo speaking with the young cricketers at the Reliance Ground, Essequibo this past weekend

emale boxers rose to the occasion and did some serious damage when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) held its Michael Parris/Pepsi under-16 school boys and juniors tournament at the National Gymnasium on Sunday.

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(although ways have since been found to strengthen the Marshall Attack).He was also capable of using aggressive tactical play to drive home a positional advantage, provided he considered it safe and the most efficient way to win, for example against Spielmann in the 1927 New York tournament Jose Raul Capablanca vs Frank James Marshall "Novelty Gift" New York (1918), New York, NY USA, rd 1, Oct-23 Spanish Game: Marshall Attack. Original Marshall Attack Julicia Rodney

Several bouts were on show as the GBA continues to strengthen their pool of fighters from gyms across the country.

In the night’s lone female encounter Savannah Boxing Gym fighter Julicia Rodney took on forgotten Youth Foundation boxer Abiola Jackman in a highly entertaining matchup.

During the bout the two fighters stood toe to toe exchanging heavy blows in the first two rounds of the fight.

However, with the two boxers visibly tired in the third round Rodney seemingly did enough to eventually being handed the win.

The evening’s best boxer recipient Travis Inverary defeated Francis Sukhu in their 100-104 weight class encounter while Dwayne Baptiste outlasted Malachi jones in their bout.

Travis Inverary punched his way to the best boxer award After clinching a victory against Francis Sukhu in their highly competitive, punch-filled bout.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

wednesDAY, april 11, 2018

Commonwealth Games 2018…

Natricia Hooper leaps to new PB

– Ramdhani moves into round-of-32

N

atricia Hooper leaped to a new Personal Best (PB) mark in the Triple Jump at the XXI Commonwealth Games in Australia. Natricia who had a previous PB of 13.33m managed to take it to 13.36m but fell short of medal contention by finishing eight on Tuesday. The event was won by Jamaica’s Kimberly Williams with a distance of 14.46m.

Likewise, sister Natrena Hooper who is on a scholarship at the University of West Indies in Jamaica, improved her Season Best (SB)

from 12.57m to 12.62m. She will now turn attention to the High Jump final which occurs on Saturday.

More so, Winston George was not able to replicate his performance of the 2014 Games in Glasgow where qualified for the 200m semi-finals but finished fifth with a time of 20.88s.

On Tuesday he stumbled to a time of 21.19s to place fourth in Heat 7 while running out of Lane 3; the time was awfully different from his SB of 20.41s.

Emanuel Archibald also found it difficult to leap his

way into the next round of the Long Jump by finishing ninth with a best leap of 7.24m. He headed into the event with distances of 7.71m; his group was won by the host’s Henry Frayne with a leap of 8.34m.

Olympian Troy Doris takes to the pit on Thursday for his Triple Jump qualifier while National Javelin record holder Leslain Baird has his qualification on Friday.

Meanwhile, Badminton star Narayan Ramdhani demolished Saint Helena’s Vernon Smeed in the Round of 64 of the Men’s singles.

The Canada-based player won 2-0 with games going 21-6 and 21-8 in his favour.

Today he plays in the roundof-32 against Canada’s Jason Ho-Sue. In Table Tennis national champion Christopher Franklin won in four straight sets in the Men’s Singles group 18 against Romano Spencer, with games going 11-5, 11-4, 11-2 & 11-2. However, the tables

Shemar Britton

Tracy Feng.

Britton also won his first match in Group 14, defeating Tanzania’s Masoud Mtalaso 11-4, 112, 11-4 & 11-2 but suffered a narrow loss to Canada’s Antonie Bernadet as the sets stretched to seven.

The thrilling match went 11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 3-11, 9-11, 15-13 & 3-11. His mixed

lost to Malaysia’s Karen Lyne 1-4. The rest of squad whch includes Nigel Bryan, Natalie Cummings and Joel Alleyne faced a similar faith in their singles.

More so, on a very challenging day which brought with it switching winds on multiple occasions during the 900 and 1000 yards shoot, the Guyanese Pair

Lennox Braithwaite (right) and Ransford Goodluck getting ready for the 900 yards shoot on Tuesday in Australia

turned against him when he played Mauritius’ Brian Chan Yook Fo as the game went 5-11, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11 & 4-11.

Today he plays in the round-of-32 doubles with Shemar Britton against India’s Harmeet Desai and Sanil Shetty while in the mixed doubles he partners with Trenace Lowe to battle the host’s Trent Carter and

doubles partner is Pricilla Greaves with whom he plays Vanuatu’s Ham Lulu and Priscilla Tommy.

Greaves lost both of her Group 4 single matches, first to Sanjana Ramasawmy of Mauritius, 1-11, 6-11, 117, 7-11 & 11-13 then to Canada’s Alice Cote in four straight sets. Lowe also had a mixed bag winning 4-1 against Fiji’s Xuan Li but

of Lennox Braithwaite and Ransford Goodluck managed to hold their own and hold on to the 11th position when the Fullbore Championships – Queen’s Prize Pairs Finals concluded at the Belmont Full Bore Range.

Such was the challenge on the final day that neither of the shooters which include the best marksmen in

the world was able to secure a possible; just two persons shot a 74.

Guyana’s final total after the final two ranges were shot was 563:48 which was also the best Caribbean score, the Guyanese pair finishing ahead just ahead of the Falkland Islands which ended on 547:34 for 12th.

Jamaica was 13th (530:18) followed by Barbados 524:25), Antigua and Barbuda 524:23 and Trinidad and Tobago 500:20 in 16th place.

The gold medal was taken by the English pair of Parag Patel and David Luckman (584:61) with silver going to Chris Watson and Gareth Morris of Wales (582:58) and bronze to Scotland’s Alexander Walter and Ian Shaw (582:49).

South Africa placed 4th (581:53), New Zealand 5th (581:50), Australia 6th (580:54), Northern Ireland 7th (579:49), Canada 8th (579:47), Guernsey 9th (575:45), Jersey 10th (572:36).

The Individual Championships will shoot off today with competition at the 300, 500 and 600 yards ranges, the same ranges would be repeated tomorrow before the marksmen engage in a practice session on Friday at the 900 and 1000 yards ranges before the final day of the Individual competition on Saturday at the same 900 and 1000 yards.

McKinnon, Harry shine in GSSF/ Queensway Steel Challenge

M

arksman Ryan McKinnon continued his form as he emerged on top following last weekend’s Guyana Sport Shooting Federation (GSSF)/Queensway sponsored Steel Challenge held at the Timehri Rifle Ranges.

The GSSF President endured good outings during

the respective stages, some of which included “Five to Go, Roundabout and Accelerator”. He shot a total time of 61.82 to finish first in front second place shooter Pravesh Harry who clocked a time of 70.60.

Third and fourth place spots went to John and Andy Phang who recorded respec-

tive times of 76.18 and 81.09.

Capping of the top five top shooters this past weekend, was former GSSF President Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon who clocked a total of 85.71 from her stages shot.

Meanwhile, the GSSF thanked long time sponsor and federation member Mr. Mohamed

Qualander of Queensway Group of Companies Inc. Congratulations were also in order for the respective winners who helped make the one-day event a success.

Also, the entire proceeds from the winnings from the Side-Match were donated to the GSSF President McKinnon.

wednesDAY, APRIL 11, 2018

guyanatimesgy.com

23

GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter County…

Record-breaking Yadram cripples U-17s with majestic 260

By Clifton Ross

W

indies Youth player Bhaskar Yadram smashed a fourteen year inter-county three-day record, as his scintillating and unbeaten 260 gave Demerara immediate command following the first day of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)/ Handin-Hand Under-19 InterCounty three-day competition which commenced on Tuesday.

The Everest Ground was lit-up by the talented right-hander who imposed himself unto the National U-17 select team which saw Demerara end day one on 445-8 from 97 overs.

Yadram, who was among the top performers for the Windies team in the recently concluded ICC Youth World Cup in New Zealand,

played a tempered innings inclusive of 26 fours and 14 sixes which trilled the decent crowd in attendance.

Mixed with aggression, the lad who hails from Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara, broke the previous highest of 193 set by current Guyana Jaguars skipper Leon Johnson in 2004 for Demerara against Essequibo at Bourda.

Earlier, Demerara’s innings started in rapid pace thanks to Adrian Hinds’ brisk fifty. The youngster was unfortunate to be dismissed just six shy of a well-deserved ton as he perished to nifty leg-spinner Niron Bissu, caught by all-rounder Sheldon Charles at point.

His 10 fours and one six added significant impetus to the team’s momentum, given the cheap dismiss-

Yadram played the punch off the back foot well in his majestic knock (Akeem Greene Photo)

als of his opening partner Robin Williams who scored 20 and vice-captain Sagar Hetheramani who was trapped Leg before wicket by seamer Seon Glasgow for a boundary-less 15.

Then out walked the star of day who flexed his muscles by exposing the inexperience of the bowlers; with the exception of Bissu who

ended the day with 4-60 from 20 overs.

His timing and use of feet against the spinners was accurate as he bullied the opposition bowlers into submission. Bissu somehow kept his nerve for a spinner amidst the carnage as he made constant inroads.

Stephan Wilson (02) and

Nikosie Beaton (01) succumbed to the guile of Bissu.

By tea, Yadram was well past his ton but it was after play resumed that he upped the ante to race to 150.

What was 150 soon looked like 200 and Yadram with time on day one approaching, sped to his double century to much elation.

Dwain Dick played a good lower-order anchor role to score 30 with a few boundaries and a six before Nigel Deodat, who ended with two scalps; cleaned him up near the back-end of the innings.

Yadram further stepped on the gas as a few boundaries saw him end a majestic day of cricket; solid and unmoved off just 219 deliveries heading into today’s play just 40 runs shy of a possible triple.

Over at Lusignan

Community Centre ground, Essequibo won the toss and decided to bat, however, their decision appeared insignificant as their batting line up struggled to cope with the Berbice bowlers, as they crumbled for a meagre 80 off 38 overs.

Quintin Sampson and national youth fast bowler, Joshua Jones scored 18 and 13 respectively. Bowling for Berbice, Karran Arjpaul return excellent figures of 3-3 while Keith Simpson (23) and Kevin Sinclair (3-6) gave support.

Berbice in their first innings, reached 149 for 3 off 55 overs at close of play on the first day. Opening batsman, Alex Algoo is unbeaten on 83. He gained good support from Kevlon Anderson with 36.

Action continues today from 10:00h.

Solo U-19 Hockey Leagues T

off to promising start

he Solo Under-19 leagues featuring competitions for both boys and girls under the age of 19 years got off to a good start at the weekend.

Many new faces were on display in the tournament and the quality of competition seemed significantly better than that of last year.

In the Boys competition, the Saints Sonics pulled off

would face off against ball wizard Omar Hopkinson of Old Fort.

While GCC appeared the more complete side with the edge on possession, Old Fort’s quick counter-attacking raids always seemed a dangerous threat. With the first half coming to a close and no goals on the sheet, the diminutive Sargeant finally got the breakthrough

New and exciting talents are on show in the tournament

the largest margin of victo- for his side with a drive into ry with an astounding 17-0 the scoring circle and wellscore line against the new- placed shot past the Old comers NR Multilateral. Fort Goalkeeper.

Not surprisingly, The GCC Pitbulls seem destined to maintain the title McKenzie would be the othwith two wins, while the er name on the GCC score Hikers cruised to a 3-0 victo- sheet just after the break ry over the Saints Splinters. with a powerful shot.

In Saturday’s highly anGCC would also defeat ticipated match between the the Joseph’s Warriors the GCC Pitbulls and Old Fort, following afternoon 2-0 with outstanding junior nation- goals by Tariq Nelson and als Kareem McKenzie and Seth Jeffrey.

Meshach Sargeant for GCC The Hikers, featuring

a litany of Garnett brothers and cousins, took on the Saints Splinters in what turned out to be a tougher battle than anticipated.

Prolific goal scorer Baraka Garnett pulled off a hattrick of goals in the last five minutes of play to decide the match which was dead even up to that point. The Splinters fought bravely but ran out of steam in the end and conceded to the stronger side.

With NR Multilateral playing their first ever competition, the Saints Sonics took full advantage of their home court familiarity to score maximum goals. The experienced Troy Hodge led the scorers with six goals, Hilmar Chester added four, Edmond Chinian three, Shakeem Fausette two and Shemar Boston and Malique Ferreira added one each.

In the Girls competition, the Bingo Spartans made light work of the GCC Hericanes with a 12-0 victory. Speedy striker Abosaide Cadogan was the top-scorer of the match with five goals, while Alana Cheung scored a hat-trick, Makeda Harding added two and singles were scored by Madison Fernandes and Sarah Klautky.

The Saints girls rounded off the weekend’s matches with a 4-1 victory over St Joseph’s. Talented athlete Charlia Webb scored the opener for Saints in the 10th minute and Cherub Autar scored the team’s second on the halftime buzzer.

Although St. Joseph’s

managed to pull one goal back just after the break through Jasmaine Assanah, Autar was in unstoppable form and hammered home two more to complete her hat-trick and a 4-1 final score for the Saints win.

Matches continue on Saturday and Sunday at the St. Stanislaus College ground.

Part of the action between Hikers and Saints

wednesDAY, APRIL 11, 2018

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

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GCB/Hand-in-Hand U-19 Inter County…

Record-breaking Yadram

Bhaskar Yadram celebrates reaching his record-breaking double century for Demerara at Everest

cripples U-17s with majestic 260

Pg 23

Leg-spinner Niron Bissu was the most effective bowler for the National U-17 select team (Akeem Greene Photo)

Commonwealth Games 2018…

Natricia Hooper leaps to new PB

– Ramdhani moves into round-of-32 Badminton star Narayan Ramdhani demolished Saint Helena’s Vernon Smeed in the round of 64 of the Men’s singles

Pg 22

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Natricia Hooper leaped to a new Personal Best of 13.36m but fell short of medal contention