Guyanatime 12 may 2018

Govt to spend $484M to buy planes for GDF

P3

– assures airworthiness of 1970s aircraft

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THE BEACON OF TRUTH

Saturday, May 12, 2018

Issue No. 3561

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As piracy massacre retaliation deepens

Arsonists torch 2 Enterprise homes

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WHAT'S INSIDE:

AG’s out-of- P9 court settlement proposals received Cabinet approval – Harmon

Page 14

Border controversy

Govt grilled on supplemental provisions for P7 ICJ case

…in search of “Pumpkin”

…as $788M to be first signing bonus tranche for Consolidated Fund

These Enterprise, East Coast Demerara homes were on Friday set alight by arsonists

Cyber Crimes Bill

Ramjattan leading fight to keep sedition clause alive Piracy massacre

"Crackhead" confesses to murdering 5 fishermen See stories on pages 8 & 16

…as Corentyne man remanded for 2015, 2016 attacks

CCJ upholds “Smallie”, “Sally” Page 12 acquittals for Lusignan massacre

Triangular love affair

Page 9

83 fired Enmore female workers receive food hampers Page 13

AFC back P11 pedals on Constitution reform promise Taxi driver died from multiple stab wounds – PM P16 …suspect still on the run

Battered woman begs court not to jail abusive husband P8 GRPA assists struggling P13 Essequibo Coast mother of 10

Guyanese P14 woman found dead in St Kitts

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

BRIDGE OPENINGS

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

Saturday, May 12 – a night retraction at 02:30h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h and Sunday, May 13 – a night retraction at 03:00h and a day retraction from 14:30h-16:00h.

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on: Saturday, May 12 – 14:20h-15:50h and Sunday, May 13 – 15:15h-16:45h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

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

WEATHER TODAY Thundery rain showers can be expected throughout the day and into the evening. Temperatures will range between 23 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees Celsius.

Winds: East North-easterly to North-easterly between 1.34 metres and 5.81 metres.

High Tide: 02:13h and 14:36h reaching maximum heights of 2.48 metres and 2.51 metres respectively.

Low Tide: 08:09h and 20:28h reaching minimum heights of 0.72 metre and 0.66 metre respectively.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018

LOTTERY NUMBERS A

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19 23 26

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FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2018

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Govt to spend $484M to buy planes for GDF – assures airworthiness of 1970s aircraft

W

hile Government had readily admitted that the aircraft it is looking to procure through its supplemental paper are refurbished, what was not said was how long ago they were manufactured. But in the National Assembly on Friday, the Government revealed that the aircraft are over four decades old.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon made this disclosure while the $484.2 million in supplemental financing for the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was under consideration. He was asked by Opposition parliamentarian and former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee about the manufacturing date of the aircraft.

“These are not new aircraft. They are aircraft that have been in service and are being purchased by the company that owns them. The two (Skyvans) and the two Islanders. The Skyvans were manufactured in 1977 and the Islanders in 1976. The Islanders were (used to transport) passengers and cargo, the Skyvans were for paratrooping.”

Under further questioning from Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira, Harmon assured that the planes were issued with air worthiness certificates from Brazilian and European Aviation officials.

According to the Minister, they will be further examined before Guyana even uses them.

Concerns were raised about whether the plane models were still being manufactured.

Harmon noted that while they are no longer being manufactured, these models are still in use around the world and as such, sourcing spare parts will not be an issue.

During a recent post-Cabinet press briefing, Harmon had announced that Government was looking to purchase two Skyvans. In addition, the State is also looking to acquire two Islander aircraft.

When asked, Harmon had noted they would serve a variety of functions. According to the Minister, these range from the aircraft performing search and rescue operations to delivering items to border troops.

It was revealed that the GDF had requested some $484.2 million for these aircraft when Government tabled supplementary estimates for Current and Capital Expenditures. Over $200 million from its 2018 capital programme was supposed to meet initial payments.

Additional sums are expected to be used to close the deals. Their request came under the Agency head of Defence and Security Support.

Authorities have been frank that Guyana’s aviation capacity is in need of a boost.

Aviation sector

At a press conference last year, Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Egbert

Members of Parliament on Friday considering the supplemental financing for the Guyana Defence Force

Field, had lamented the deterioration of the Defence Force’s helicopters, noting that the situation has not been rectified for years.

“An important element of search and rescue which is a helicopter in the event of a crash, I don’t know why the GDF equipment was allowed to deteriorate to the point where they do not have a serviceable helicopter for search

and rescue, which is the Bell 412 helicopter,” he had said.

In a letter to the media, one operator highlighted some of the deficiencies in the sector. Roraima Airways CEO, Captain Gerry Gouveia had zeroed in on problems such as the lack of effective search and rescue operations.

In recommendations accompanying his criticisms, Gouveia had urged the author-

ities to boost Guyana’s national rescue capability by acquiring an appropriate/suitable helicopter to execute timely and safe extractions from the jungle if the need arose.

It is understood that besides one Bell helicopter that was out of commission, the GDF air corps boasts a smaller Bell 206. It also has two Skyvan 8R-GRR models, a Cessna and a Harbin aircraft.

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saturDAY, may 12, 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

Terror on the high seas L

aw enforcement authorities in Guyana and Suriname are busy trying to get to the bottom of the recent heinous piracy attacks, so as to ensure that the families of the victims receive the justice they deserve. Currently, security officials in Suriname have a total of 15 persons in custody, among whom are two alleged suspects who were identified by survivors as two of the sea bandits. Investigators believe that they were among a group of men who attacked the fishermen in Surinamese waters on April 27 last, during which 20 crew members were chopped and thrown overboard.

Thus far, there have been five survivors and three bodies recovered, while about a dozen fishermen are still missing.

As the investigations continue, though, there is now an interesting twist which is being unfolded; that is: investigators believe that the basis for this act, which the Opposition Leader described as an act of terror, had to do with some form of revenge for one of the persons in custody, whose brother was allegedly gun down in a drive-by shooting some time ago in Suriname.

It was also confirmed that the second attack, just days later, which saw a boat captain killed and his crew missing, is also believed to be linked to the first incident.

Whatever might be the reason for these gruesome attacks, it is incumbent on the authorities here to revise the current systems in place to address piracy. There is a dire need to restore some sense of comfort to fisher folks, who ply their trade to support themselves and families.

Over the past couple of years, Guyanese fishermen have faced several tragedies while at sea. Several of them have endured brazen attacks by gangs of criminals with fast boats and assault rifles. In addition to being robbed of their valuable possessions, quite a few of them have been killed by their captors. What is even more worrying is that some of the persons carrying out these crimes are themselves fishermen.

Certainly, piracy has had, and is having, a very negative impact on the fisheries sector in Guyana. The fear alone for fisher folks of being attacked at sea is enough reason to prevent persons from getting involved in the field. The economic reality is that the fisheries sector employs over 16,000 fishermen and fish farmers, and a further 6000 in processing and marketing. Thousands more depend directly or indirectly from fishing-related occupations such as boat building, accessories supply, and maintenance services etc.

Even though the then PPP government had toughened the anti-piracy law and had taken a number of steps to assist victims of piracy, enforcement and patrol continue to pose a challenge to the authorities. To begin with, the marine Police seem incapable of dealing with the problem. There is need for sufficient vessels and skilled personnel to conduct maritime patrols along the coastland and in the estuaries of the numerous creeks and rivers, especially in hotspots such as Berbice areas, where piracy seems to be more prevalent.

There is also need for more coordination among public and private agencies, to exercise efficient control over the country’s ports, harbours and coastlines. The Coast Guards should intensify their patrols, especially during certain periods of the year, when there is an increase in piracy. Also the GPF, Customs & Trade Administration, Fisheries Department, Shipping Association, Transport & Harbours Department, and the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) need to be brought together to plan for the long-term safety of persons legitimately using our rivers and coast, and for the security of commercial and other activities.

Even more importantly, based on what occurred in the most recent incidents, there is clearly a need for closer collaboration with neighbouring countries, especially as it relates to establishing effective warning systems and information sharing. There is need for an effective communication network to be developed, so that in the event of a piracy attack, that mechanism would lead to more patrols being activated etc. From what we gathered recently, there was a lack of collaboration and effective communication mechanism between Surinamese and Guyanese officials prior to the most recent cases of piracy.

These are measures which could be taken to lessen the frequency of these attacks, thus reducing the risk of losses of equipment; catch; and, more importantly, preventing the loss of lives.

Balinese artists dressed in decorative costumes take part in the Maritime Festival at Pandawa Beach on the resort island of Bali, Indonesia (Reuters)

At what point will our indebtedness be repaid?

Dear Editor, Having read the International Monetary Fund’s Guyana: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2018 Article IV Mission, I feel compelled to share my analysis in layman’s terms.

I believe the pertinent paragraph is “Guyana’s medium-term prospects are favourable. The commencement of oil production in 2020 will be a turning point.

The main direct effect on the domestic economy will be through higher fiscal revenue, and spillovers to supporting activities. The balance of payments will swing sharply to positive after 2020. Oil revenue significantly improves the fis-

cal outlook, and is expected to place the public debt on a downward trajectory.

The mission welcomed the progress made on establishing a comprehensive fiscal framework for managing oil wealth” After the wheat is separated from the chaff, the report leaves no doubt that our nation’s economic survival is now dependent on oil production in 2020.

In three short years, the dreaded ‘Dutch disease’ has overtaken a formerly robust economy. Our forecasted growth targets are not being realized. Spending is up, we have moved from a $10 billion surplus to a $48 billion deficit. Maladministration,

caused by lack of vision; ad hoc approaches in place of policy; profligate spending; bypassing of procurement procedures; payment of billions in legal settlements; questionable tenancy agreements; refusal to declare assets to the Integrity Commission; expensive Commissions of Inquiry handed out like sweets to cronies; the list of reckless acts with the public purse is long, and continues to grow.

The direct consequence is: the only way back to solvency for Guyana in the medium term is for ExxonMobil to pump oil and bail us out.

Editor, while the IMF report speaks positively of a “comprehensive fiscal

framework for managing oil wealth”, I must ask at what point will our indebtedness be repaid, so the saving could begin? With two more years of APNU/AFC spending ahead of us, I can only see the “downward trajectory” alluded to by the IMF getting steeper.

This report makes it clear why the APNU/AFC Administration will not countenance the possibility of reopening negotiations with the oil company; for when one’s hand is in the tiger’s mouth, one must pat the tiger’s head.

Sincerely, Robin Singh

Slap to our independence Dear Editor, I have, with disdain, listened to the frivolous mantra about the corruption perpetrated by the previous PPP/C Government, and felt that, with the countless Commissions of Inquiry and the millions in taxpayers’ dollars spent, SOCU would have presented unequivocal evidence to prosecute the alleged PPP criminals in our courts of law.

However, from a little research done, I have found that it is the consensus of legal opinion that the common law offence of gross misconduct in public office “should be strictly confined; it can raise complex and sometimes sensitive issues”.

Furthermore, it is stated that if there is clear evidence of one or more statutory offences, they should usually form the basis of the case. In other words, ‘there is no suitable statutory offence for a piece of serious

misconduct…’

In formulating our FMA Act, our Parliamentarians cannot be deemed not to be aware of the existence of this common law offence, but they have legislated laws which adequately cover the offences which can be committed by public officers, and for which they must be held legally accountable. They knew that the common law offence of ‘gross misconduct in public office’ has no place in our legal system!

Therefore, I will contend that the abuse of judicial process is glaringly evident in the case against Dr Ashni Singh and Winston Brassington. The Financial Management and Accountability Act, Section 85, states that an official who— (a) falsifies any account, statement, receipt, or other record issued or kept for the purposes of this Act, the Regulations, the

Finance Circulars or any other instrument made under this Act; (b) conspires or colludes with any other person to defraud the State or makes opportunity for any person to defraud the State; or (c) knowingly permits any other person to contravene any provision of this Act, is guilty of an indictable offence and liable on conviction to a fine of two million dollars and to imprisonment for three years.

Both Dr Ashni Singh and Mr Brassington were public officials at the time, and the Act makes provisions for offences committed during their tenure as public officials. Section (b) of the Act makes it clear that evidence must be submitted to prove that these officials “conspired or colluded with any other person to defraud the State or make opportunity for any person to defraud the State”. But did SOCU, after three (3) years of in-

depth investigation, come up with any such evidence?

The answer is a resounding no. These gentlemen acted within the FMA Act, and with the approval of Cabinet, which is chaired by no other than the President himself. Furthermore, the john public would like to know that these public officials sold the land and corruptly benefited from the deals, not that they have failed to adhere to some procedures!

SOCU has decided to carry out its political dictates by pulling the most spurious and vexatious charge it can find, not from the Laws of Guyana, but from the English Common Law. So much for being an independent nation for 50 years! Shame and disgrace!

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf RDC Councillor, Region Six

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$600M in supplemental funds for GuySuCo D&I passed in Parliament …as Govt lambasted for pre-emptive closure of sugar factories

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overnment used its one seat majority to approve in the National Assembly a financial supplemental paper that would provide it with $2.5 billion in capital and current supplemental finances, but those efforts were staunchly examined by the Parliamentary Opposition.

At the sitting, Agriculture Minister Noel Holder was first in the line of fire. Asked to explain the $600 million being sought under line item one of the paper, Holder blamed the need for the money on the non-performing Guyana Sugar Corporation and the need to maintain drainage and irrigation at the estates. This, he noted, includes residential drainage.

O p p o s i t i o n Parliamentarian Dharamkumar Seeraj lam-

Opposition parliamentarian Dharamkumar Seeraj

basted the Government for closing the estates without undertaking adequate studies that would have ascertained the cost that would come with closing the estates.

According to this Member of Parliament, Government is only now coming to terms with the costs of its decision.

“We are only in the fifth

month and already this Ministry (wants more money),” Seeraj said. “This indicates that this Ministry is unsure about what it’s doing. I would ask the Minister of Agriculture to explain how it intends spend this money.”

Holder explained that the NDIA would be responsible for 26 additional drainage pump stations with 55 pumps; three additional pump stations with eight pumps; and the maintenance of 4,560 additional miles of drainage and irrigation canals, 1000 miles of access dams, and 760 bridges, among other things.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between the two entities will see the NDIA contracting GuySuCo to maintain middle-walks and canals, and rebuilding access

Agriculture Minister Noel Holder

dams, among other things.

The NDIA would supervise the works, while GuySuCo would provide the manpower for the work.

Additionally, GuySuCo would provide a coordinating officer at each estate to inspect and verify the work.

According to the supplemental paper, the mon-

ey is being sought “to offset increased expenditure for National Drainage and Irrigation Authority arising from the transfer of drainage and irrigation responsibilities previously undertaken by GuySuCo.” While Holder was able to provide basic information on expenditure at the various estates since the beginning of the year, he ultimately had to commit to laying over certain documents in a week’s time.

On that note, the sums were approved as part of the overall sums that ultimately were approved.

The National Industrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICL) has officially taken over the divested sugar estates.

Some $30 billion had been sought by the state, with NICIL outlining earlier

Ball is in Government’s court

Dear Editor, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has suggested that better parenting, schooling, and religious and community involvement are important to tackle domestic violence. The Hon. Minister must know that political will, more than anything else, can ensure the needed mechanisms: 1) Parent/Teachers Associations hold monthly parenting training for members.

2) Government supports umbrella religious bodies to organize regular parenting sessions at mandirs, churches and mosques. Perhaps a representative coordinating body can be set up?

3) Sensitivity training for all Police officers to address Police disregard for abuse complaints, and bribery in return for doing nothing or engaging in personal attempts at mediation and monitoring bodies to prevent same, among other issues.

4) The Gatekeepers’ Program to ensure first responders in every community. The Caribbean Voice plans to implement this programme next year, and we welcome the

Ministry’s collaboration. We promise we won’t ask for money.

5) Ministry of Education directives for all educators to be mandatory reporters, once abuse is suspected, identified or reported, as is the case in many nations.

6) A national survey to determine the root causes of domestic violence, perhaps spearheaded by the University of Guyana, which already has the required skills and capacity. In effect, the ball is totally in the Government’s court, which, to date, has played nothing shots.

7) For example: In February 2015, The Caribbean Voice and other stakeholders met with the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board (PTCCB), at which it was agreed that the PTCCB would unveil an adaptation of the Shri Lankan model of Hazard Reduction, which had reduced pesticide suicide in that nation by 50% in about a decade. Nothing has since been heard about that proposed unveiling.

8) After our August 2015 National Stakeholders’ Conference on Suicide and

Related Issues, Minister Ramjattan informed TCV that President Granger had directed him and the Prime Minister to provide all necessary help to TCV. We’re still waiting for any form of assistance.

9) Last year, when a special sitting of Parliament was held to discuss suicide prevention, The Caribbean Voice was one of two NGOs invited to make a presentation. However, our invitation did not come from Government, but from the local office of an international organization.

10) Since we launched our Youth & Student Workshop in 2016, continuous efforts to obtain Government’s permission (just permission, nothing else) to take it to public schools have met with no success, even

though many schools have requested the workshop.

11) Since 2015, continuous efforts to obtain Government’s (non-material) support for a National Youth & Suicide Essay Contest on suicide with US$5,000 in prizes have met with no success.

12) Last year the Government voted against a bill to decriminalize attempted suicide, to prevent the Opposition from getting credit for it.

13) Last year, when we planned a weekend intervention in Region Two, our request for our team to be accommodated overnight at the government guesthouse was rejected because TCV was “a PPP organization”, an assertion that has no basis in real-

ity.

14) Last year also, a request for a meeting with the then Police Commissioner was rejected with an unfounded assertion that TCV had supposedly campaigned at the 2015 elections. Incidentally, Minister Ramjattan had set up such a meeting in 2015, but a few days prior, we were informed that the meeting was postponed, as the Commissioner had an urgent matter to attend to.

Subsequent communication to have the meeting reset went unacknowledged.

15) Last month, at a meeting with Minister Ramjattan’s personal assistant, a broad range of issues was raised. A response sent to us on April 17 ignored all the items discussed,

this year that the funding is expected to cover a four-year period to provide capital and support infrastructure maintenance and upgrades at Albion, Blairmont and Uitvlugt estates.

The Special Purpose Unit (SPU) established under NICIL to oversee the divestment of the sugar corporation’s assets had selected London-based PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to value GuySuCo’s assets, so that they could be sold to private investors.

Government had, through State Minister Harmon, announced it would be keeping the divested estates running, since it would make more economic sense for investors wanting to buy the estates to see them functioning. Monies would therefore have to be allocated to keep the estates running.

but stated that “the Ministry of Public Security Budget cannot accommodate additional budget lines to its existing work programmes.” Yet we merely requested $50,000 to print flyers for the National AntiViolence Candlelight Vigil held on World Suicide Prevention Day, September 10. Since its inception by Voices Against Violence, (an umbrella of almost 100 entities across Guyana), two years ago, 800-plus vigils have been held across Guyana.

Incidentally, we reached out to the Minister based on his offer of support in a recent Kaieteur News interview.

There is much more, but the above make the case.

Sincerely, The Caribbean Voice

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T

he thought of people wishing her a happy first Mother’s Day this year is difficult for Tari Okoya-Koren. It will be the first Mother’s Day she celebrates with her sevenmonth-old son, Rufus. But even among her friends and family, some struggle to understand that she’s been marking this holiday for years.

“It just sort of makes me wince or cringe at the idea of someone saying, ‘Happy first Mother’s Day,’ because I have had three,” OkoyaKoren, 34, tells Glamour.

Before Rufus, there was a baby she and her husband, James, jokingly referred to throughout her pregnancy as Zebulon. In March 2016, at 22 weeks pregnant, she says she began experiencing pain and went to the hospital, delivering her baby weeks before he would’ve had a chance to survive. Zeb lived for two and half hours, time he spent almost entirely in his parents’ arms.

“There was nothing wrong with him, but he just came too early,” OkoyaKoren says. After Zeb’s death, the couple struggled both with their own grief and the unintentionally hurtful responses from some of their relatives.

“It was just sort of like a script: ‘This is God’s plan.

This was supposed to happen. Just move on,’” OkoyaKoren says. “No one wanted to hear how I felt. No one asked me. It was more like, ‘Now that I have said my piece, I am going to carry on my merry way.’ That was really hard, because it was my family, and I’m close to my family.”

guyanatimesgy.com

Foundation

Her first Mother’s Day after losing Zeb was particularly difficult, and she and James spent the day at the beach near their home, where they had scattered their son’s ashes. By her second Mother’s Day, OkoyaKoren was

pregnant again, but wasn’t ready to share the news. She also wanted to honour Zeb. “Not that I wanted people to say, ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ – that wasn’t it. I understand that for most people, Mother’s Day means you’ve got a living, breathing child you’re taking care of. But the acknowledgement is helpful, the acknowledgment that it is still a hard day,” Okoya-Koren says. “I had a few conversations that day that felt like folks were just trying to get off the phone. They didn’t want to bring it up.”

This year, even after the birth of Rufus and the joy that has come with it, she braces herself for that same lack of understanding about a fundamental part of her

identity as a mother of two.

“I’m not whole. I’m missing one,” she says.

“I was a mother.”

Loss is common enough, we should be prepared to field tough

conversations like this with the people we love. Early pregnancy loss occurs in about 10 per cent of clinically recognised pregnancies, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, with approximately 80 per cent of those miscarriages occurring in the first trimester. About one per cent of pregnancies in the US will end in stillbirth (or a loss after 20 weeks gestation), according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, and every year about 24,000 babies die within their first year of life.

For women coping with loss at any stage, Mother’s Day can bring with it a sense of feeling misunderstood or unseen, according to Kate Kripke, founder and director of the Postpartum

Wellness Center in Boulder, Colorado.

“One of the hardest things about Mother’s Day for women who have suffered neonatal losses is that people are celebrating mothers who have children to show as an example that they are mothers,” Kripke told Glamour. “I think that is something people can really

struggle with: ‘I feel like a mother, but I have nothing to show for it. So is this Mother’s Day really for me? Or is it just for women who have babies and children that people can look at?’”

Stephanie Lynn Cohen, 33, says she felt this way after the death of her newborn daughter, Madison Rose. Born in June 2016 with a congenital heart defect, Madison underwent open heart surgery and was on the waiting list for a donor heart. That September, the baby died suddenly when she was two and half months old.

“My first Mother’s Day after losing Madison was extremely difficult, since I

was a mother, but with no living children for others to see,” Cohen told Glamour.

“Family and friends acknowledged me as a mom, and sent cards or messages. My husband, Matt, took me away to Bermuda last year for Mother’s Day to get away and to try to find some sun and joy.”

This year the holiday brings its own joy and challenges. Cohen is now

a mom to her second daughter, Cameron, who is four months old. When people ask whether Cameron is her first child, she says she “hates to lie” and say that she is, and it hurts when even family and friends avoid mentioning Madison’s

name.

“We want to remember.”

A common mistake people make when trying to support someone who has lost a baby is not mentioning that child’s name, Kripke says, and Cohen agrees. “It is very hard when others do not acknowledge my loss, either because they feel uncomfortable or they just don’t know what to say. [Often] people are shocked or feel bad or are obviously sorry when I say that Cameron is not my first child. I am proud and love to tell people about Madison. I love to talk about her because she was a person, she did exist, and I never want others to forget her,” she says.

Mentioning her child’s name is not going to suddenly remind a mother of her loss; it’s something she already carries with her every day, Kripke says.

“The reality is that woman is already grieving,” she says. “It is really hard for a woman who has lost a baby or a young child to make sense of that infant or child’s significance in the world and in their life. One of the things those mothers can really grieve about is that no one is going to remember them. So we want to remember.” (Excerpt from Glamour)

Continued from Friday

When you are at work or involved in other activities and your child is being cared for by a trusted caretaker or family member, it can be a very good learning experience for your child. He develops social skills essential in relating to people other than his parents. He also acquires the confidence that he can rely upon others to nurture him. As he grows, going on sleep-overs or attending pre-school are also valuable experiences. Your child learns that you and he can be apart, he can manage on his own, and that you will always return. These experiences strengthen children’s trust in themselves and the world around them. They are then capable to go out and experience life on their own in a self-confident way.

As a modern parent your life is complex and the demands upon your time are great. Certainly, you need to continually work on giving tons of time and attention to your kids. But, you can relax. As we can see, developmentally, your child does not need you to be there 24/7.(Excerpt from psychologytoday.com)

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Border controversy

Govt grilled on supplemental provisions for ICJ case …$788M to be first signing bonus tranche for Consolidated Fund

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he parliamentary Opposition has always contended that money from the ExxonMobil signing bonus – said to be used to defend Guyana’s patrimony – should never have been held outside the Consolidated Fund and that they would have supported the Government seeking the money as supplemental funds.

As such, $788 million in sums being sought by Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge in supplemental finances to defend its case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was put under the microscope by Opposition.

Among their questions was the source of the funds. In her contribution, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira questioned wheth-

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo

er the sums originated from the ExxonMobil signing bonus of US$18 million.

“I am not sure I understand the intent of the question. The exercise takes place across a number of years. So we don’t plan to transfer it all in one year,” the Foreign Affairs Minister replied.

In light of the state of Guyana’s foreign reserves, Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo asked whether the Government anticipated the foreign reserves and the Consolidated Fund running flat. However, Greenidge replied in the negative.

Pointing to Article 33 of the ExxonMobil’s contract, Jagdeo also questioned the Government on the contents of the contract speaking to verifying accounts. He asked whether Government would share with ExxonMobil particulars on the account, when it has a track record of not sharing the information with the people of Guyana.

In the end, however, the sums requested were passed by the Government majority.

According to the supplemental paper, the $788 mil-

lion was “to meet the estimated cost in 2018 of presenting Guyana/Venezuela controversy at the International Court of Justice including payment of legal fees.”

A decision had been 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 Minister Greenidge during a press conference at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, South Road, Georgetown a month ago.

While Government had initially received the US$18 million bonus, Greenidge said it was decided that US$15 million 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 had explained to the media.

get scorch up and like he was trying to come out but he get burn," the woman relayed.

The man, identified only as “Sundar” was reportedly unable to escape the heat in

time.

When this newspaper visited the scene, the man was returning from hospital with bandages wrapped around his upper chest and back.

His relatives who were escorting him declined to comment. The fire is suspected to have been electrical in origin.

The incident is however being investigated.

Foreign Affairs Minister Carl Greenidge

Triumph fire leaves cancer patient, children homeless

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single mother of three children who is currently in hospital battling cancer is now homeless after her Triumph, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home suddenly went up in flames on Friday morning.

Th i r t y - se v e n - ye a r-o l d Polly Dowkaran of Lot 106 Agriculture Road, Triumph, ECD, and her three minor children, including a twomonth-old baby, are left to make alternative living arrangements.

Neighbours of the family told Guyana Times the fire started at about 08:00h and no one was at home at the time.

According to reports, a neighbour who resides on the southern side of Dowkaran was exiting her home to emp-

What remained of the property after the fire

ty garbage when she saw smoke billowing from the one storey wooden property and immediately raised an alarm.

The fire service was quickly called and firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the one location. However, by that time, nothing could have been saved.

"The response from the fire service was good, I must

commend them but the house was very old so it burned quite fast... only problem was the house behind got a little damaged," a neighbour reported.

Guyana Times was told that an elderly man who occupies the a building aback Dowkaran's had to be rushed to hospital with burns about his body.

"The old man, he house

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Corentyne man remanded for 2015, 2016 piracy attacks

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Corentyne, Berbice man who was arrested a few days ago in connection with the recent pirate attacks in Surinamese waters, that left at least four dead and 11 missing, was on Friday arraigned with two other crimes which occurred in 2015.

Thirty-year-old Nakool Manohar of Number 43 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, was remanded to prison

by Magistrate Leron Daly when he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts.

He was accused of committing an armed robbery on fishing vessel Sir Narine; the property of Danishwar Reddy, called “Smallie” between April 1 and 30, 2015 while being in the company of others.

Nakool Manohar

During the robbery, Manohar and his accomplices relieved several fishermen of a 240 horsepower outboard engine valued $1.8 million.

In addition, Manohar was also accused of stealing fish-

ing vessel Captain Vikash estimated to be worth $2.3 million; the property of Vikash Balkissoon.

The father of three was not required to plead to the indictable charges when they were read to him.

His attorney, Joel Edmond, in a submission for bail, told the court that his client owns 10 fishing vessels and does not go out at sea.

The defence attorney further explained that his client is also willing to lodge his travel documents at the court as he reiterated that the offences were committed three and two years ago respectively.

On the basis that his client has been cooperating with the Police, he requested that bail be granted.

However, Police Prosecutor Sanj Singh object-

Battered woman begs court not to jail abusive husband

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woman, who is constantly being abused at the hands of her common-law husband, on Friday begged Magistrate Leron Daly to revisit the case after her husband was sentenced to six months in prison for abusing her.

Obed Batson of Lot 20 South Sophia, Greater Georgetown, is accused of beating Keisha Henry in her face on January 18, 2018, causing her to tem-

porarily lose her sight for three days.

The court heard that the altercation stemmed from the woman accepting a lift from her former company vehicle in which she was alone with the driver. After Batson saw her exiting the vehicle, he became angry and dealt her several cuffs to her face.

In court, Batson admitted to the offence saying that they had a misunderstand-

ing on the day of the incident and that he was sorry for hitting his reputed wife.

Moreover, the woman told the court that Batson fathered her four children and she does not have any other means of income and is currently expecting another child.

Magistrate Daly refused to revisit the matter and encouraged the woman to seek help from the Social Protection Ministry.

ed to bail on the seriousness of the offence and more importantly that the accused is being questioned in connection with the recent pirate attacks. Bail was refused and the matter was transferred to the Springlands Magistrate’s Court for May 30.

A few months ago, Manohar’s brother, Somnauth Manohar, was gunned down in Paramaribo, Suriname where he resided and operated a fishing boat.

It was reported that the man’s death stemmed from an ongoing dispute between Guyanese fishermen here and those residing in Suriname over fishing rights in Dutch waters.

Investigators are working on the theory that Somnauth Manohar’s family may have planned the recent horrific attacks as revenge for his death.

In fact, the man’s son was hauled in for questioning in Suriname, while his brother is among the three in custody on the Corentyne.

Currently, law enforcement in Suriname has a total of 30 persons in custody.

Among them are “Crackhead” and “Dick” who told Police that they were following orders.

Campbellville man slapped with gun possession charge

L

aurence Ellis of Lot 157 Campbellville Housing Scheme, Georgetown was remanded to prison on Friday by Senior Magistrate Leron Daly after he appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts slapped with a gun possession charge.

Ellis denied the charge which stated that on May 9, 2018, he had in his possession a .38 pistol without being the holder of a firearm licence.

The court heard that on the day in question at about 20:00h, Police were on mobile patrol duties in the Campbellville area when they stopped the father of one and a search was carried out on his person. He was at the time on a pedal cycle.

During the search, Ellis reportedly took the firearm from his crotch and threw it into a clump of bushes on the parapet.

The gun was subsequently retrieved by the Police. The magazine of same was extracted and six live rounds of ammunition were also found.

The 32-year-old man was told of the offence and was taken into Police custody where he gave a written caution statement.

In his caution statement, he reportedly said he bought the gun for $60,000 almost two weeks ago after he was threatened by someone named “Joshua” who resides in the same area.

Bail was refused, and the matter was adjourned to May 25.

Cohesion…

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…AFC style our Eyewitness is supposed to keep abreast of the news, but it’s clear he fell down on the job. He didn’t even know there was a “Social Cohesion Day”, until he read about its commemoration at the National Cultural Centre. Seems the blessed “Day” is May 11, and it was even given a theme and everything: “Celebrating Lasting Relationships in a Diverse Society”. Imagine that!!

Your Eyewitness was challenged to find out exactly which “lasting relationships” were being “celebrated”… since even the one launched on Valentine’s Day 2015 – the AFC/PNC coalition -- appeared to have hit a rocky patch. AFC leader, Trotman, had made some thinly veiled threats about his party going it alone at the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) – implying, of course, they’ve not been given their fair share of the spoils; or even been given a fair shake!!

But some say that, given Moses Nagamootoo and Ramjattan’s warmer embrace of the PNC and its leader, Granger, Trotman’s threat might just be the ejaculation of a fit of pique occasioned by the removal of the OIL sector from his Ministry of Natural Resource to the Office of the Presidency!! But then that would mean an even older “lasting relationship” – the Nassau Accord between Trotman and Granger – is becoming frayed around the edges! Naaah!!

But back to the celebration of “social cohesion” at the Cultural Centre. Moses Nagamootoo -- the man who would be Prime Minister, if he could chair Cabinet meetings!! – gave the feature address that left quite a lot of people scratching their heads. He spoke feelingly about the 16 fishermen who’d been hacked to death over in Suriname: “It is enough for fishermen to contend with the angry and sometimes treacherous waves and unfriendly weather as they risk their lives, which always (places) their loved ones in anxiety and uncertainty. But to share the sea with murderous men is at the root of the tragedy that has taken too many lives.” Nagamootoo concluded ominously that such actions can have “far reaching effects on social cohesion.” Really??!

Your Eyewitness wonders whether there are aspects to the crime that Nagamootoo knows about that haven’t been released to the public. How exactly would the pirate atrocity lead to less social cohesion? From what we know, it wasn’t a racial thing, was it? Like, say, Fineman at Lusignan. As far as your Eyewitness can see, most Guyanese – of all persuasions – have rallied together to condemn the dastardly act. This is an increase in social cohesion, no?

Could it be Nagamootoo was distancing himself from his AFC colleague Ramjattan – Minister of Public Security -- or not addressing the piracy, by arming the fishermen as he’d promised??

Whither (wither?) AFC’s cohesion?? …and AFC adhesion to the PNC Well, even though Nagamootoo and Ramjattan swear to high heavens there’s absolutely nothing needs fixing in the Cummingsburg Accord, it was announced that “talks” were started between Joseph Harmon (PNC) and Patterson (AFC) on the very same “accord”. Must be because the AFC’s National Executive Council (NEC) demanded the talks – in line with Leader Trotman’s stated position??

What could they be discussing?? There’s the PM’s position, which was degutted rather than enlarged.

Not because Nagamootoo’s satisfied with the fat salary, with appropriate pension looming; SUV, with driver and outriders; housing, with servants; travel, foreign medical, etc, means the AFC has to go along. Then all the so-called “senior” Ministries given to the AFC have also been degutted. Natural Resources just had its biggest sector – oil -- pulled; Public Security had immigration yanked; Agriculture wasn’t even filled by an AFC nominee!! Public Infrastructure’s the only one left intact.

Is this why Patterson, rather than Trotman, is representing the AFC at the “re-negotiation’?? …and frank exchange PM Nagamootoo hosted a meeting of Government Ministers for the visiting Indian Minister. He invited his wife, so your Eyewitness is disappointed he didn’t invite his DPI, said to be “like a son” to him.

Was it because he’d objected to India’s PM as a “fascist”??

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

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Cyber Crimes Bill

Ramjattan leading fight to keep sedition clause alive

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hairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Khemraj Ramjattan, on Friday told a news conference that, despite concerns raised by some members of the party’s leadership and a public uproar regarding Section 18 (1) of the Cybercrime Bill of 2016, he is leading the charge to keep the offence of sedition on the books.

“Unless we want to do a major overhaul of your Criminal Offences Act and abolish sedition, then that’s fine; but as I am advised, and I am leading the charge for maintaining it in our books for very good reasons,” Ramjattan said.

About a week ago, AFC leader Raphael Trotman said the party would not support the sedition clause.

He cited Section 18 (1) as not what modern and open democracies and government is all about. He stated that this view is shared by many within the party, and revealed that if the section is not amended, then he, along with other AFC Parliamentarians, would

have to vote against it.

Section 18 (1) states that “A person commits an offence of sedition if the person, whether in or out of Guyana, intentionally publishes, transmits or circulates by use of a computer system or any other means, a statement or words, either spoken or written; a text, video, image, sign, visible representation, or other thing that bring or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law in Guyana; advocates the use, without authority of law, of force as a means of accomplishing a governmental change within Guyana”, among other thing.

The Bill was first read

by Attorney General Basil Williams on August 04, 2016, and was sent to a Special Select Committee, where it stayed for two years and came back to the National Assembly unchanged. After it came back to the National Assembly, the contents created quite an uproar, since it

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan

was perceived that freedom of expression is being stifled by the legislation.

“Of course, the concerns now coming means we will have to take a second look at it, but I want to make it clear that those who had indicated as if we are affecting freedom of expression, I have written many pieces on freedom of expression, and it is not going to, in any way, affect that; and that is why we were very cautious,”

Ramjattan said.

“Although we have a Section 18 (1) that says sedition by use of computers or the Facebook and internet…we also have a paragraph 18-4 (b) that says criticisms of the Government, criticisms of any minister, and even wanting to lawfully change the Government does not constitute the offence of sedition,” the Minister added.

Section 18-4 (b) states, “For the purposes of subsection (1) – ‘disaffection’ includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity; the following do not constitute an offence under subsection (1): (i) comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection; (ii) comments expressing disapprobation of the administrative or other action of the Government without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection; (iii) comments that the President, Prime

Minister or any Minister of the Government, or the Government has been misled or mistaken in their measures; (iv) comments that point out errors or defects in the Government, Constitution or Parliament; (v) comments that procure, by lawful means, the alteration of any matter of Government; and (vi) comments that point out, for the purpose of removal, matters that produce or tend to produce feelings of hostility and ill-will between different classes of persons in Guyana.”

Ramjattan, who also sits on the Special Select Committee that considered the proposed Bill, said that at the time during the meetings, everyone agreed with the Sedition Clause, but the concerns now require them addressing it. He claimed that the Sedition Clause is not going to affect freedom of expression, and noted that there is no provision in the current laws that caters for cybercrime.

He further explained that the Cybercrime Bills

captures just that, by making provisions to punish those who utilise the power of the internet to commit crimes that lead to unrest.

“As I have said before, sedition is a tool to have in an executive branch, because sedition, as you know, is an offence that goes to the heart of civil strife in your country, and people publishing letters and all of that to ensure that there is civil disorder. It is a part of American law. It is a part of the laws of most Commonwealth countries, although it has been abolished in England,” Ramjattan posited.

Meanwhile, AFC ViceChairperson Cathy Hughes called on organizations and civil society to make use of the proper channels to raise their concerns.

The draft legislation is aimed at tackling the 21st century phenomenon of cybercrime. It treats with the creation of cybercrime offences, and contains provisions for penalties, investigations and prosecutions of such offences.

AG out-of-court settlement proposals receive Cabinet approval – Harmon

Attorney General Basil Williams

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n defending the coalition Government’s outof-court settlements – a move which Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo said has caused the Treasury billions of dollars – Minister of State Joseph Harmon said Attorney General Basil Williams would have recommended these settlements after the previous

Administration failed to defend the State in the respective cases.

Speaking at this week’s post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday, Minister Harmon explained that Cabinet was briefed on and approved the settlements.

“These are recommendations made by the Attorney General and… whether it is out of court or in the court, whatever settlements are made that requires the State to pay over any resources, it is dealt with at Cabinet and full discussions take place there. Cabinet gives its guidance to the responsible minister,” he pointed out.

Of recent, Government, particularly the Attorney General’s Chambers, has come under much criticism for not being able to secure success for several cases against the State. Since taking office, in addition to losing cases, Government has opted to enter into out-of-court set-

also benefited from a $3.8 billion tax write-off in another out-of-court settlement.

At his weekly press con-

Minister of State Joseph Harmon

tlements. Among those companies to benefit from these out-of-court settlements are BK International, which cashed in on US$5.7 million on a settlement, and more recently, a $226 million settlement with Guyana Tractor Equipment (Guytrac).

Additionally, local spirits giant, Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) would have

ference on Wednesday, Jagdeo had raised concerns about this practice, asking whether the State is deliber-

ately losing millions of dollars in court cases.

Turn to page 17

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Liza Phase 2 development

Consultancy firm to aid EPA in environmental authorisation

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s US oil giant ExxonMobil prepares to commence the second phase of development in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recruited the services of a consultancy firm to assist in the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) process.

This was revealed by Minister of State Joseph Harmon at the post-Cabinet press briefing on Friday. He said the $40.3 million contract, which was awarded to a US firm, is for the review of an environmental impact assessment for Exxon’s subsidiary Esso Exploration and Production Guyana

Ltd’s (EEPGL’s) Liza Phase 2 developments.

“EEPGL is seeking environmental authorisation for the second phase of development of the Liza Field in the eastern half of the Stabroek Block of its offshore oil and gas concession,” he explained.

The Minister of State

went on to defend the move to recruit the consultancy firm, saying the EPA is merely filling capacity deficiency with the expertise of the firm and will be supervising the process.

“The contract will be executed under the ages of the EPA – it is the EPA certification that is important.

What this company is doing is filling in on some capacity deficiencies at the EPA...

So it’s basically bringing in capacity at the end of the day to help the EPA to do its work. It is not basically the EPA reneging on its responsibility and feeding it to somebody else to do it… It is the EPA that has to certify at the end of the day,” the Minister asserted.

He went on to note that this particular consultancy firm was selected by the EPA, who thought it was best suited for the work, given that it is an international firm that has tremendous experience all over the world.

According to Harmon, the cost of the contract will be borne by the oil company.

Back in January, Exxon had announced it was starting the process for the potential Liza Phase 2 development, and are progressing with plans for a potential production concept. In fact, it had revealed that as part of the regulatory process, an application was submitted to the EPA for environmental authorisation.

A statement posted on the company’s Facebook page had said, “The potential concept involves a second floating, production, storage and offloading vessel (FPSO) and related subsea equipment, umbilical, risers

223-7230-1 (Ext 55)

and flowlines. The proposed development concept is similar to that of Liza phase 1.”

The company said approximately 35 to 40 wells may be drilled at two subsea drill centres, consisting of a combination of producers and injectors to support production of oil, injection of water and reinjection of associated gas.

“These subsea facilities include various types of equipment, pipelines and hardware, which will allow the oil from the wells to be gathered and moved to the surface of the ocean for further processing by the FPSO,” the US oil giant had said in the social media post.

The FPSO is expected to have an estimated production capacity of approximately 190,000 to 220,000 barrels of oil per day.

Over the years, ExxonMobil has had great exploration success offshore Guyana with seven previous discoveries in the: Liza, Liza Deep, Payara, Pacora, Snoek, Ranger, and Turbot wells.

However, last month the company said that its Sorubim Well came up dry – its second ‘dry hole’ since the Skipjack back in 2016.

Nevertheless, having had a series of successful discoveries of crude in commercial quantities, ExxonMobil will be commencing oil production in 2020.

Meanwhile, as Guyana prepares for first oil in two years’ time, Government is progressing with plans to shift the petroleum section from the Natural Resources Ministry to a Department of Energy, which is to be established under the Ministry of the Presidency.

Minister Harmon said that works are “actively” in progress to set up the Department but could not give a specific timeline as to when it would be completed.

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

AFC backpedals on constitutional reform promise

AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan

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ne of the pillars of the Alliance For Chance (AFC) and the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) was the promise of constitutional reform. Three years later and that promise is not close to being delivered, with the AFC’s leadership revealing that other matters are of greater “priority.”

“There are good reasons why there are other matters before Parliament and we haven’t been meeting regularly for good reasons and that has stalled the process somewhat. But as we had indicated prior, we are going to fast as possible ensure the passage of that (constitutional reform) Consultation Bill so that the process of constitutional reform could start by the Commission going to the various areas across the country. I think that it will be done before the next election and we have to fast track it,” AFC Chairman Khemraj Ramjattan said on Friday.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo read the Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission Bill 2017 for the first time in the National Assembly on July 27, 2017 along with the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2017. The Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission Bill 2017 provides for the establishment of the Constitutional Reform Consultative Commission.

The Bill seeks to support the Government’s goal of reforming the Constitution to be more inclusive, democratic and transparent, whilst removing all anomalies. In addition to the input from stakeholders, the Commissioners have considered and evaluated the submissions from the people of Guyana and acquired the benefits resulting from public consultations.

“I rather suspect the Opposition will support the Consultation Bill after which we will fast track the Commission and because we

do not want a constitutional amendment without hearing from everyone,” Ramjattan said.

He added that they have their views while their partner APNU would have their views on the amendments but noted the need for widespread consultation.

“I will be fully occupied, but I will pay special attention to information and constitutional reform. Those are two big areas because we had promised the Guyanese people that we would have constitutional reform so I will pay special attention to that,” Prime Minister Nagamootoo had said at his swearing in ceremony in 2015.

“I want to start on humbling the powers of the President, the excess powers of the Executive and to bring about inclusion within the Government system,’ he had promised.

Local Government Elections

Meanwhile, as the talks between the coalition partners forge ahead, both parties are mum on the terms being negotiated. However, the AFC did say they have proposed nine major points to be negotiated upon with the upcoming Local Government Elections being the first item.

But when pressed on what they are going into the talk expecting, the AFC’s leadership at the press conference refused to entertain the question.

Senior sources in the AFC said the party is demanding 60 per cent of the total seats secured after the Local Government Elections.

This demand comes after the AFC Councillors in the Georgetown Municipality have been sidelined by the APNU’s Councillors on a number of issues inclusive of the controversial parking meter project.

“We are in the process of submitting a proposal to the negotiation team headed by Minister David Patterson to have him seriously consider making this demand as a means of testing the sincerity and commitment of the APNU to the coalition.

We didn’t get what we deserved after the last elections… but this time we are not playing games,” a senior AFC Executive told Guyana Times on Thursday morning during an interview.

Minister David Patterson is officially heading the AFC team while Minister of State Joseph Harmon is heading the APNU’s team. Both sides have agreed to keep the discussions and types of

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo

proposals which are being considered and made under wraps until the right time to avoid tension during the negotiations.

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CCJ upholds “Smallie”, “Sally” acquittals for Lusignan massacre

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he Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Friday upheld the 2013 decision of the High Court, which found that insufficient evidence was presented to convict Mark Royden Williams and James Anthony Hyles for the 2008 Lusignan massacre.

“The appeal was allowed

and the decision of the Court of Appeal set aside, and the jury’s verdict of acquittal of the appellants is restored,” CCJ’s President, Sir Dennis Byron said while delivering the verdict on Friday morning.

A 12-member jury before Justice Navindra Singh found

Hyles, called “Sally” and Williams, called “Smallie”, not guilty on each of the 11 counts of murder in August of 2013.

Williams and Hyles were allegedly part of the notorious criminal gang headed by Rondel “Fine Man” Rawlins and were accused of

killing 48-year-old Clarence Thomas, his 12-year-old daughter Vanessa Thomas, and his son Ron Thomas; 32-year-old Mohandai Gourdat and her two sons – four-year-old Seegobind Harrilall and 10-year-old Seegopaul Harrilall; 22-yearold Shazam Mohamed; 55-year-old Shaleem Baksh; Seecharran Rooplall, 56; his wife Dhanrajie Ramsingh, 52; and their 11-year-old daughter Raywattie Ramsingh, on January 26, 2008 at Track A, Lusignan, East Coast Demerara in the wee hours of the morning.

Following the not guilty verdict, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Shalimar Hack, appealed the decision in the Guyana Court of Appeal contending that Attorney for Hyles, Nigel Hughes, failed to disclose that he represented the jury foreman, Vernon Griffith, in a civil matter for approximately six years.

Following the trial, Justice Singh placed a life ban on Griffith from jury service due to his non-disclosure.

The DPP’s Chambers,

James Anthony Hyles and Mark Royden Williams

during the appeal, contended that Hughes needed to disclose his relationship with Griffith, which constituted to material irregularity, noting that it was “significant given the fact that at the commencement of the trial on the July 15, 2013, before the jury was selected and empanelled, the learned trial Judge specifically called out the names of all the attorneys involved in the case

pellants that the wording of the Constitution contemplated the possibility of such an appeal and that in principle, the rule against double jeopardy only protected acquittals which were affirmed by the appellate courts.

The court held that the appellants’ acquittals did not fall into that category.

Before considering the specific procedural issues, the CCJ acknowledged that the

and told the entire panel that if they know or are associated with any of the attorneys, they ought to so indicate and would be excused.”

On March 10, 2016, the Appeal Court found that Griffith had a legal and ethical duty to disclose his relationship with Hughes, hence the reason for them ordering a retrial.

Following the decision, the men’s attorney approached the CCJ. Attorneys Nigel Hughes, Stephen Roberts and Savannah Barnwell represented Hyles while Roger Yearwood appeared on behalf of Williams. Sir Fenton Ramsahoye, SC; Shalimar Ali-Hack; and Sonia Joseph represented the Chambers of the DPP. It was submitted to the CCJ that the trial Judge allowed a request by Hyles’s attorney to question jurors, before they were sworn in, due to the widespread pre-trial publicity of the case. The trial Judge as well as State and defence counsel actively participated in this exercise with the main prosecution witnesses being two former members of the “Fine Man” gang.

On appeal to the CCJ, the appellants urged the Court to allow the appeal on the basis that the DPP’s new power to appeal an acquittal breached their constitutional right to the protection of law. In their view, the new law offended the principle against double jeopardy, which prevents an accused person from being tried again on the same, or similar, charges and on the same facts. However, the CCJ rejected this argument and reminded the ap-

requirement, that the acquittal had to be the result of a procedural error(s) or flaw(s) of the trial Judge, was a steep hill for an appellate court to climb. As such, the CCJ constructed a test specifically for application in prosecution appeals against acquittals.

The Court held that the prosecution must satisfy the Court that “given, on the one hand, the nature and weight on the evidence and, on the other hand, the seriousness of the judicial error(s) or procedural flaw(s) it can with a substantial degree of certainty be inferred that had the error(s) or flaw(s) not occurred, the trial would not have resulted in the acquittal of the accused”.

While the Court did not agree fully with the findings of the court below, it found that there were some material irregularities, including the way in which the questioning of the jurors was conducted and the failure of the trial Judge to investigate an allegation of improper communication between a juror and man alleged to be Hyles’ father.

However, on application of the test, the Court held that it could not with the required degree of certainty infer that the acquittals were the result of the errors and that it was possible that the jury simply did not believe, beyond reasonable doubt, the evidence presented by the State.

Both men are still in prison on other offences. Williams was convicted of eight counts of murder for the Bartica massacre. He was also jailed for escaping from Camp Street prison.

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

83 fired Enmore female workers GRPA assists struggling Essequibo Coast mother of 10 receive food hampers

Sonia Chung and six of her 10 children are seen with Reverend Patricia Sheerattan Bisnauth; Lucella Campbell; and RHO, Dr Afarah Khan on Friday

A

fter reading an article in Guyana Times about the struggling mother of 10, who is living in extreme poverty in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), members of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) visited the family at Charity village on Friday.

GRPA Executive Director Reverend Patricia Sheerattan Bisnauth, along with Senior Programme Advisor (Caribbean) of the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Lucella Campbell, and Regional Health Officer of Region Two, Dr Afarah

Khan, visited the family and donated cash and food items as a means of support for them.

Sonia Chung, 35, said that since publication of the article in the Guyana Times, several persons have reached out to her family to assist, and she is very grateful.

Meanwhile, a counselling session on family planning was also done with the mother of 10, and she was advised to do an Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUD) insertion, which will be done locally by Dr Khan.

She was also advised to send her children to school on a regular basis, for edu-

cation is the key to success.

A neighbour of Chung’s had reached out to Guyana Times seeking to have the public’s assistance in helping Chung with basic amenities for her children. At present, six of Chung’s 10 children are living with her.

Speaking with this publication, Chung had said that her youngest child was five months old. She had said that both she and her husband were finding it difficult to gain employment, as they were both uneducated.

Her husband, Moses, she said, had been renting a farm in the Pomeroon River, but owing to the heavy maintenance costs, he could not afford to continue with that venture.

The house in which the family lives has neither electricity nor water, and is being rented for $14,000 per month. The family owes six months’ rent, and it is only the goodwill of the landlord that stands between them and eviction. Describing her situation and her poverty-stricken state, the woman said, “Living in poverty is worse than living in hell.”

Chung said her eldest son, who is 19, is differently abled and cannot help her in any significant way.

(Mohanlall Seulall)

O

ver 170 female sugar workers, who were employed in the fields and factories of the now closed Wales, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates, are to receive hampers from the Guyana Solidarity Movement–New York (GSMNY).

The first distribution exercise was conducted for the workers of East Demerara Estate at the Enmore Community Centre on Friday, where 83 fired female workers received hampers. The workers related that the hampers, which comprised basic food items, will ease the burdens they now have to carry. turn to page 17

Some of the dismissed sugar workers of the closed Enmore Estate with their hampers

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

As piracy massacre retaliation deepens

Arsonists torch 2 Enterprise homes

…in search of “Pumpkin”

The Enterprise, East Coast Demerara house engulfed in flames

P

olice investigators in C Division (East Coast Demerara) are now on the hunt for three men who reportedly barged into an Enterprise, ECD house and set it alight on Friday afternoon.

The two storey wooden and concrete house owned by 30-year-old Vickram Sookraj was set alight at about 12:30h.

It is being reported that three men arrived in a silver car. Two of the men exited the

vehicle, entered the yard and asked for the whereabouts of someone named “Pumpkin”.

Rajputtie Sookraj, sister of the owner of the house, who was at home with a minor child, said the men approached her and asked for the individual for whom they were looking.

She told Guyana Times that she told the men no one by that name lived at that house.

The two men then proceeded to walk up the stairs

leading to the upper flat of the house and one of them entered.

The woman said shortly after, the said man exited the house and returned to the lower flat, telling her “I did just want to make certain that he wasn’t here”, before they both re-entered the vehicle and drove away.

Shortly after the men left, smoke was seen emanating from the building. As such, the woman quickly exited the house with the child and the fire service was summoned.

When the Guyana Fire Service arrived, they battled the blaze but by the time the fire was contained, the house was already destroyed.

According to Rajputtie Sookraj, she would not be able to identify the men and the vehicle if she saw them or it again.

“The thing happened so fast, I wouldn’t be able to point them out, but I know that I never saw them before,” the angered woman relayed.

This publication spoke to the owner of the house who had just returned from sea to find his house on fire.

The visibly distraught man said “I went on the river and not too long I came

The other Enterprise home that was set on fire by arsonists

back and see the house on fire. I went out on the sea for a number of days”.

He further related that his wife, along with his baby, were at hospital since Thursday, since the child is unwell.

However, Sookraj explained that inspection made by neighbours revealed that the fire started in the middle room in the upper flat of the house.

“The fire start in the middle room them seh. Them tell me that three negro bai come and ask for some “Pumpkin” that they think live here but

I don’t know anybody named “Pumpkin”, Sookraj posited.

The seaman estimated his losses to be in the millions, while noting that both he and his sister had a lot of furniture in their house. Sookraj is calling on the authorities to quickly bring the perpetrators to justice as he and his family are now left homeless.

Meanwhile, at about 19:00h on Friday evening, the same three men struck again in the very street burning another home.

Guyana Times was told that the men returned to the community and again

enquired about the whereabouts of “Pumpkin”.

This publication understands that “Pumpkin” is linked to the recent piracy massacre in Suriname. A source close to the investigation told this newspaper that investigators are working on a theory that the search for “Pumpkin” and the torching of the homes are in retaliation over the piracy attack.

Investigators up to press time had made no arrest but are continuing their manhunt for the three perpetrators.

Guyanese woman found dead in St Kitts

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he motionless body of Guyanese Petronella Thom-Hinds, formerly of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara, was on Thursday afternoon found at Farms Estates in St Kitts and Nevis by lawmen who responded to an emergency call made to the Police by medical services on the island.

According to news coming out of that Caribbean island, the 34-year-old Hinds was found in the home of Muriel Archibald, a resident of Farms Estates.

While her death remains a mystery, the Police have taken a number of items from the scene and have lodged same as evidential value.

Moments after the discovery, the lawmen visited several houses in the area and interviewed persons, but came up empty- handed in regard to leads about the mysterious death. The relatives of the mother of two are

Dead: Petronella Hinds

now awaiting the post mortem examination to determine her cause of death.

The Police have taken one person in custody as investigations continue into the matter. When the Guyana Times contacted a relative of the dead woman, she related that family members are still seeking information as to what led to Hinds’s demise.

“All I can say at this time is that we don’t know what really happen, but we are hoping to get some answers soon. Someone travelled to the country on Friday morning, so we are depending on them to give us some information,” the woman disclosed.

A sister of the dead woman also echoed similar sentiments while expressing her shock upon receiving the news of her eldest sister’s death.

Hinds left Guyana a few years ago to take up residency with her husband in St Kitts and Nevis.

Thom-Hinds was a former pupil of St Mary’s Primary School and Covent Garden Secondary School. She leaves to mourn her mother, sibling, and many relatives in Guyana and St Kitts.

Attempts to contact the Charlestown Police Station in Nevis proved futile.

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

16 news

saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Piracy massacre

“Crackhead” confesses to murdering 5 fishermen

Pirate attack mastermind: “Crackhead”

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s investigations continue into the deadly pirate attack that has left at least 14 persons missing and four dead, the main suspect, “Crackhead”, who was arrested on Sunday last in Suriname, has reportedly confessed to killing five of the fishermen before throwing them overboard.

Wanted in connection with the attack, during interrogation the man told Surinamese law enforcement officers that he was the ring leader in the recent spate of piracy attacks in Surinamese waters.

Reports coming out of Suriname have suggested that “Crackhead” also told Police that robbery was not a motive for the attacks, but he was just following orders -orders to attack the boat and “get rid” of the occupants.

Although a confession statement was signed by the suspect, the Police are continuing their investigations, as they have confirmed that 27 others are being questioned. During “Crackhead’s” confession, he did not provide names of his accomplices.

To date, four bodies have been recovered from the attacks, the most recent being that of Gavin Outar, 33, of 18 Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Berbice. His partially decomposed body washed up at the Number 63 Beach, Corentyne, Berbice on Thursday.

At the time of the discovery, the body was clad in a pair of blue ¾pants and bore a tattoo on the left chest.

Based on description of the tattoo, a cousin of the dead man turned up with a photograph of Outar sporting the same tattoo.

His body was taken to

the Skeldon Hospital mortuary to await a post mortem.

Sources told Guyana Times that it seems as though Outar was stabbed before he was thrown overboard.

At a joint press conference on Monday last in Suriname, Justice and Police Minister Stuart Faith reported that 30 persons have been arrested.

It was reported that a boat owner who reported the robbery to the Police described the men he recognised during the brutal attack on the fishermen, one of whom was the prime suspect “Crackhead”.

He reportedly told the Police that it was “Dick”, “Bolo”, “Crackhead”, ‘Sanbad’ and another man he did not

Joshua Jones

Bharrat Herlall

Randy Burnette

Ralph Couchman

Tilaknauth Mohabir

Bobby Ibrahim

er boat was attacked, and the captain was killed. The crew is still missing.

Those identified as missing are Ramesh Sanchara, Ganesh Persaud, Vickey Persaud, Glenroy Jones, Bharat Heralall, Ralph Anthony, and Tiaknauth Mohabir. The three bodies that were initially recovered are yet to be positively identified.

Ganesh Persaud

Triangular love affair

Taxi driver died from multiple stab wounds – PM

…suspect still on the run Dead fisherman: Gavin Outar

know who had carried out the attack. The owner also related that the suspects are all Guyanese.

On Sunday, Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan led a team to the neighbouring country, where he had the opportunity to meet with the relatives of the missing men. During his visit, Ramjattan recognised the need for improved Coast Guard warning systems and information sharing.

Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo, who led a team to Suriname, described the attacks as acts of terrorism, and called upon the Governments of Guyana and Suriname to work together in addressing the horrific incidents. He urged that the full force of the law be used to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Two Saturdays ago, four boats were attacked by a group of men, who brutalised the occupants then threw them overboard. Two days later, anoth-

A

s the Police continue to hunt for the prime suspect in the murder of Linden taxi driver Claude DeJonge, who was stabbed to death on Thursday, a post mortem report showed that the man, formerly of Lot 915 South Amelia’s Ward Mackenzie, died from shock and haemorrhage caused by multiple incised wounds.

The post mortem was conducted by Government Pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh at the Georgetown Public Hospital on Friday. However, the suspect, Corwyn Arthur, also called “Cross eye”, 34, of Central Amelia’s Ward, remains on the run, but has been communicating with relatives of the woman with whom he shared a secret relationship.

The eldest son of the woman told Guyana Times that the suspect has been in communication with him and his mother via telephone, and has since confessed to committing the crime.

“We are the only two people he talking to...he told me he deh over the river

(Wismar) at the back of some Wisroc,” Cleon Samuels has stated.

He recalled that the suspect informed him via telephone that he burned all his clothing on Wednesday evening prior to committing the crime. Although the young Samuels remains in shock, he is worried about his three younger siblings who had witnessed the incident.

“They are traumatised,” the young man stated.

“He (the suspect) call me and he say, ‘Cleon, you know what I do?’...We left shock because this boy does come... and we does cook and enjoy we self,” Samuels said in disbelief.

Samuel further added that the suspect informed him that he was going to take his own life, but he urged him to rethink his decision. A Police source has confirmed that the suspect has not been apprehended, and that ranks in the division are searching every possible area to make sure he is caught.

DeJonge was reportedly killed in an apparent trian-

Dead: Claude DeJonge

gular love affair on Thursday morning, while in bed with his girlfriend at her Lot 1074 Cinderella City, Amelia’s Ward home.

DeJonge was found at about 00:10h lying motionless in a pool of blood next to the front door. He was clad in trousers and his body bore several stab wounds to the neck, shoulder and abdomen.

Based on information received, the now dead man had shared a common-law relationship with his girl-

friend Tanya Samuels, 35, for approximately 11 years.

However, it is believed that the mother of two and the suspect, Corwyn Arthur, shared a secret relationship, and as such, he would periodically sleep over at her house.

It was reported that the relationship ended in December 2017, but Arthur would still visit Samuels’s home under the pretext of being a family friend. On Wednesday evening, the suspect reportedly visited the woman’s home, where he saw DeJonge.

At the time, the suspect was smoking marijuana, which annoyed the now dead man, who asked him to leave the premises.

An argument erupted between the two men, but the suspect left after DeJonge summoned the Police. In retaliation, the suspected later sent threatening messages to DeJonge’s phone, informing him that he would “make his life a living hell”. Instead, he stabbed the man to death during a scuffle after he entered Samuels’s premises.

news

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saturDAY, may 12, 2018 | guyanatimesgy.com

Food For The Poor hosts Mother’s Market Day

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cores of patrons came out on Friday for a Mother’s Market Day fundraiser, which was hosted by Food For The Poor Incorporated (FFP), as Guyana prepares to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday.

The event, which was hosted at the Umana Yana, saw many entrepreneurs who braved the inclement weather in the early part of the morning, to exhibit their unique businesses.

About 20 exhibits were featured and many patrons were impressed with the items being produced by the local manufacturing indus-

Handcrafted jewellery and customised T-shirts that were on sale

tries.

Some of the items that were displayed at the Market Day included handcrafted jewellery, fragrances, locally manufactured oils and soaps, customised shirts, clothing, home décor and craft.

In his opening remarks,

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of FFTP, Ken Vincent related that while many will capitalise on the affordable prices that are attached to the gift items; they are also assisting with contributing to the less fortunate or natural disaster victims.

“This initiative was

called “a horrible, one-sided deal”, a move accompanied by the threat of penalties against any foreign firms doing business in Iran.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said ways to save the deal without Washington needed to be discussed with Tehran, while France’s Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said EU states would propose sanctions-blocking measures to the European Commission.

“Do we accept extraterritorial sanctions? The answer is no,” Le Maire told reporters.

“Do we accept that the United States is the economic gendarme of the planet? The answer is no.

“Do we accept the vassalization of Europe in commercial matters? The answer is no.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Trump agreed in a phone call that talks were needed to discuss how US sanctions on Iran would affect foreign companies operating in the country.

May’s spokeswoman said May had told Trump that Britain and its European partners remained “firmly committed” to ensuring the deal was upheld as the best way to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Both Le Maire and Germany’s finance minister Olaf Scholz had spoken to their U.S. counterpart

birthed from our special events department.

Everything we do is not only to raise funds but also to promote something in society that will benefit others,” Vincent explained.

Meanwhile, he also noted that small businesses will also be able to promote and

advertise their products to the Guyanese public.

Also speaking to the group of primarily women was the owner of Global Seafood Distributors, Allison Butters-Grant, who stated that more such events should be organised to assist new entrepreneurs.

“As we continue along the line of sustainable development of our country, we would need to continue to use our raw materials to develop products that we can market, not only to ourselves, but to other parts of the world. We have some imported [items] but the locally manufactured products outweigh the imported,” she said.

Proceeds from the fundraiser are expected to go towards projects which will be spearheaded by the organisation.

Mother’s Day will be celebrated tomorrow.

Europe moves to safeguard interests in Iran after US pullout

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urope’s largest economies lobbied to protect their companies’ investments in Iran on Friday, seeking to keep the nuclear deal with Tehran alive after Washington pulled out and threatened to impose sanctions on European companies.

Germany and France have significant trade links with Iran and remain committed to the nuclear agreement, as does Britain, and the three countries’ foreign ministers plan to meet on Tuesday to discuss it.

That is part of a flurry of diplomatic activity following Tuesday’s unilateral withdrawal from what US President Donald Trump

Female cook remanded for narcotics trafficking

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oan Damon of Lot 138 King Edward Street in Albuoystown, Georgetown has been remanded to prison until June 8, after appearing before Georgetown Magistrate Leron Daly charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking.

The woman has denied the allegations, which stated that on May 9, 2018, at King Edward Street, she had in her possession 70

grams of cannabis for the purpose of trafficking.

On the day in question, CANU ranks acting on information contacted the woman at her King Edward Street home. After identifying themselves, they requested to search her person and premises. During the search, the mother of three asked to be excused to use the washroom.

While in the process of urinating, she pulled out a while plastic bag from un-

der her garments and was seen throwing it over a fence some three feet away from where a police rank was in the process of cordoning off the premises.

The bag with the item was retrieved, and a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems suspected to be cannabis was unearthed. The woman was told of the offence committed, cautioned and arrested. She will make her next court appearance on June 8.

83 fired Enmore female workers...

from page 13

The initiative materialised after many workers, whose services were terminated, voiced the despairs which they are now faced with after losing their jobs.

Many related that they were single parents, who were working for meager earnings in light of their situations.

This latest support was made possible through the support of many Guyanese in the New York area who have been touched by the stories of sadness in the sugar belt.

Some of the fired workers shared that though they have managed to secure jobs, their rates-of-pay and conditions of work are far less from what they enjoyed in the sugar industry.

Others said that given their

A former worker collects her hamper from former Local Government Minister, Ganga Persaud

age, they have great difficulties in obtaining employment. They lamented that they gave their best years to the sugar industry and the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) and now they have been shoved into the

cold world of unemployment, seemingly without any consideration about their and their family’s well-being.

In the coming days, similar activities will be held at Wales, Rose Hall and Skeldon Estates.

File photo: French President Emmanuel Macron talks to German Chancellor Angela Merkel after being awarded Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany (Reuters)

Steven Mnuchin, urging him to consider exemptions or delays for companies already present in the country.

Le Maire said he was seeking concrete exemptions for countries already present in Iran, including Renault, Total, Sanofi, Danone and Peugeot. Scholz had also asked for concrete measures to help German companies,

Handelsblatt newspaper reported.

The 2015 agreement between major powers and Iran set limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Europeans fear a collapse of the deal could intensify conflicts in the Middle East.

Germany, France and Britain want talks to be held

in a broader format to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its regional military activities, including in Syria and Yemen.

“The extent to which we can keep this deal alive ... is something we need to discuss with Iran,” said Merkel, who earlier spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the issue.

Divisions in Iran over how it should respond to the U.S. pullout were illustrated as senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami told worshippers at Tehran University on Friday that European nations could not be trusted.

President Hassan Rouhani had said on Tuesday that Tehran would remain in the deal, provided its benefits stayed in force with its remaining signatories.

Iran’s foreign minister will travel to Moscow on May 14 and meet his Russian counterpart, Russia’s RIA news agency said, citing a Russian foreign ministry official. (Reuters)

AG out-of-court settlement...

“I wonder if people are benefiting financially from all of these settlements by claiming lack of knowledge?... I probably should say I am confident; but I am saying I wonder now that it is a conduit for corrupt activities – these big judgements,” the Opposition Leader suggested.

However, on Friday, the Minister of State sought to bosh the claim saying these cases started under the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) regime, which failed to defend them.

On the other hand, the Government’s spokesperson went on to say that the present Administration wanted to uphold the rule of law by honouring those judgements delivered in the court against the State.

“The matters which we settled were matters which were decided by the court and we felt that it was important to establish a regime of the rule of law, which said that we respect the judgements of courts… we cannot say that citizens who have been granted awards by the court that we can pay them.

He noted that there are more cases and at the ap-

propriate time the Attorney General will make a full statement of those matters.

Among the cases which the State has lost is the one brought by local construction company, Dipcon Engineering Company at the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in which Government was ordered to pay over $446 million. More recently, the State lost a case to another company, Toolsie Persaud Limited (TPL) in the local High Court and was ordered to pay $187 million.

On several occasions, Attorney General Basil Williams would have blamed the fact his predecessor for dropping the ball on the cases, many of which he said were contracted out to private lawyers.

However, only a few days ago, the Attorney General’s Chambers published an ad, calling on private lawyers representing the State on cases that were not handed out by him to notify the office immediately.

However, the Opposition Leader questioned why such a move was made now and not three years ago when the Attorney General assumed the post.

From page 9

“Now he wants to know who had been doing representations on behalf of the Chambers for cases in the past and current cases… If anyone is worth his salt or even a one per cent level of competence, when you go to a desk you would say to the staff can you find out for me all the cases we have outstanding so that I could be apprised of the cases outstanding,” Jagdeo opined.

Moreover, the Opposition Leader pointed out that his party had offered, through Nandlall, the coalition Administration, upon its assumption to office, assistance on many of the outstanding cases the State had in the courts. But the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change regime never accepted the offer.

“They ignored the offer.

He didn’t find out and then (AG Williams) blames the PPP every time there is a ruling against him,” Jagdeo said on Wednesday.

Back in January, Williams had defended his performance, saying that the Chambers under his leadership has “won more than we’ve lost.”

18

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, May 12, 2018

ARCHIE

Know what you want and don’t hesitate to share your (March 21plans. Change may not be April 19) welcome by everyone, but if it’s what’s best for you, get on with it.

ARIES

Finish what you start.

TAURUS Refuse to let emotional mat(April 20- ters get in your way. Avoid May 20) gossip and don’t make a fuss.

You need some time to yourself.

dilbert

Get firsthand information GEMINI (May 21- before you make a commitJune 20) ment. Knowing what you are up against will help you decide whether you want to participate. Diplomacy will be necessary.

Do your own thing. If someone asks for help, of(June 21- fer suggestions but nothing July 22) more. Partnerships should be evaluated and changes made.

Use discretion when dealing with sensitive issues.

CANCER

Peanuts

Believe in your ability to LEO bring about change, and stay (July 23- within your budget. Be willAug. 22) ing to do the work yourself to cut your costs. A romantic gesture will make your day.

Calvin and Hobbes

You should take part in VIRGO events that will provide in(Aug. 23sight into different lifestyles Sept. 22) or beliefs. Make new friends, and apply what you learn to your everyday routine. Travel is encouraged.

Evaluate and adjust your LIBRA (Sept. 23- current living arrangements.

Oct. 23) It’s time to address relationships that are one-sided or lack equality. Divvy up responsibilities to even out the workload.

WORD GAME TODAY’S WORD — PHAETON (PHAETON: FAY-uh-t’n: A light fourwheeled open carriage.)

SUDOKU

Put your heart on the SAGITTARIUS line.

Discuss your feelings (Nov. 23and plans.

Not everyone will Dec. 21) like your decisions, but the response will help you decide what’s best for you.

Average mark 25 words Time limit 30 minutes Can you find 36 or more words in PHAETON? The list will be published Monday.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22Jan. 19)

THURSDAY’S WORD — TRIMARAN tarn tiara train tram trim rain rani rant riata maar main mania manta

mantra marina mart martin matin mint airman amir anima anti aria arrant

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

When in doubt, listen to SCORPIO an expert. Getting together (Oct. 24with friends or relatives will Nov. 22) be informative, giving you a unique perspective on how to best live your life.

solution AQUARIUS (Jan. 20Feb. 19)

PISCES (Feb. 20March 20)

Don’t let anyone taunt you into a debate. Socialize without bringing up matters that will fuel the fire. Walk away from anyone who pressures or bullies you. Focus on home improvements.

Past mistakes will help you make a better choice.

Do your best to eliminate bad influences from your life and replace them with people who have positive and healthy attitudes.

Be open about what you want, even if you know someone will oppose you.

Facing sensitive matters head-on will help clear the air and give you the opportunity to move forward.

saturDAY, may

Sri Lanka pick 4 uncapped players for Windies Tests

T

hirty-one year old opening batsman Mahela Udawatte has broken into the Sri Lanka Test squad more than 10 years after his international debut, along with three other uncapped players, Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay and Asitha Fernando.

The fresh entrants are there partly because a number of injuries have afflicted the Sri Lanka talent pool. Regular opener Dimuth Karunaratne is out with a fractured finger, and fast bowlers Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Pradeep are out with back and hamstring complaints respectively.

Legspinner Vandersay alone has pushed the incumbent out on the strength of his domestic form. He had been better through the provincial four-day competition than left-arm wristspinner Lakshan Sandakan, or so, at least, say the selectors.

Kusal Perera, who last played a Test in December 2016 in South Africa, was also picked ahead of Danushka Gunathilaka,

who had only recently returned from injury. Kusal's return was somewhat expected given his good returns across formats in both domestic and international cricket this year.

Curiously, the selectors have put a caveat by the names of two senior players: Angelo Mathews and fast bowler Suranga Lakmal, stating that their participation in the tour is subject to fitness. Chief selector Graeme Labrooy explained to ESPNcricinfo: "Mathews and Lakmal are not unfit as such. In fact they are fit, but we wanted to see if they were match-fit. The team is at a training camp in Pallekele, so we'll give them until May 14 before we make a final decision on those two players." Both Mathews and Lakmal had only recently recovered from long-standing leg injuries.

Udawatte - effectively Karunaratne's replacement in the squad - has made his way into the squad on the basis of domestic runs. His previous forays into limited-overs cricket were unsuccessful, but the selectors are hoping his form for the

Jeffrey Vandersay

Kandy provincial team will stand him in good stead in the West Indies. He had hit 97 and 103 not out in a recent four-dayer, and also has a century and a fifty from three provincial oneday matches in May. Rajitha, Vandersay and Fernando, meanwhile, have been on the fringes of the national side for some time.

All three have played limited-overs matches for Sri Lanka, without quite holding down a place. Labrooy said that domestic form again paved these players' paths into the Test squad.

Rajitha appears the likeliest of the trio to make a Test debut, given the dearth of senior quicks; Lahiru Gamage and Lahiru Kumara are the

other seam bowlers on tour.

Beyond the dropping of Sandakan, who Labrooy said had struggled in recent months, there were no major surprises on the spin-bowling front.

Warhorses Rangana Herath and Dilruwan Perera were in the squad, as was Akila Dananjaya who debuted to much acclaim in Sri

12, 2018

19

Asitha Fernando

Lanka's most-recent Test, in Bangladesh.

Kusal Mendis, Udawatte, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva and Niroshan Dickwella are likely to form the core of the batting order, with Mathews joining if he proves fit.

Sri Lanka play three Tests in the West Indies, including the Caribbean's first ever day-night Test, in Barbados. The visitors are scheduled to start their tour with a three-day practice match in Trinidad, before the first Test begins on the same island, on June 6. Sri Lanka have never won a series in the West Indies.

Test squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Mahela Udawatte, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews (subject to fitness), Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal (subject to fitness), Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando ( Cricinfo)

DC United confirms Rooney’s interest D

C United coach Ben Olsen has confirmed the club's interest in signing Wayne Rooney but Everton boss Sam Allardyce says the player has not asked to leave.

The former England captain has agreed a deal with the Major League Soccer side that could see him move to the USA. It is thought Rooney, 32, is willing to leave his boyhood club Everton, one season after returning to the club.

"The deal is not done but there is some interest from our end," Olsen told American website TMZ. Rooney rejoined Everton in July 2017 and scored 11 goals before Christmas but has not been an automatic

Wayne Rooney

pick for Allardyce in recent weeks.

The forward originally left the Toffees as an 18-year-old in 2004, spending 13 seasons at Manchester United where he became their record goalscorer, won five Premier League titles and the 2008 Champions League.

It is understood Rooney has been offered a contract until the end of the 2020 MLS season. The US transfer window does not open until July.

"If the player wants to go - if any player wants to leave - then I'm comfortable with that," Allardyce said.

"My understanding of the situation is there seems to have been some negotiation somewhere along the

line," said Allardyce.

"I don't get involved in anything with regards transfers so all I know is there appears to be interest from DC United. Where that lies and where Wayne lies with it I can't tell you at the moment.

"But in terms of clarity of whether Wayne is staying or leaving, I'll find out a little more later when he comes into training."

Rooney has a slight knee injury and it is understood he had treatment on Friday before leaving the training ground, and will not play in the final match of the season at West Ham on Sunday.

Allardyce's own future at Goodison Park has also been under scrutiny in re-

cent weeks, amid protests from some Everton supporters unhappy with his management and the style of football played by his side.

The former England manager took over in November with the Toffees 13th in the Premier League and has lifted them up to eighth place before Sunday's final game at West Ham. The 63-year-old signed a deal until the summer of 2019 and says he has started planning at Everton for next season.

"I have a one-year contract and until some time somebody says to me 'I do not want you to fulfil that contract' then I have a contract," he said. (BBC)

20

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, may 12, 2018

Indian Premier League 2018...

Buttler keeps Royals’ play-offs hopes alive Opener Watson had already gone for 39 by that point, but captain MS Dhoni's 33 not out and a late flourish from Sam Billings (27) helped Chennai to a solid total.

J

Suresh Raina miscues a hook shot©BCCI

o s Buttler produced an innings to savour a s Rajasthan Royals claimed a crucial Indian Premier League win over Chennai Super Kings.

Facing a testing target of 177 to win, the Royals were led by the inspired Buttler, who clubbed an eye-catching 95 not out to secure a four-wicket triumph with one ball to spare.

The result in Jaipur keeps the Royals, dressed in pink to raise awareness of breast cancer, in with a chance of reaching the IPL play-offs.

The Super Kings remain well placed to extend their season.

Brilliant Buttler the difference Buttler's outstanding 60ball knock continued his fine form since moving to opening batsman.

The Englishman has now scored four consecutive fifties, having also starred in the 15-run victory over Kings XI Punjab on Tuesday.

The play-off picture

The Super Kings could have practically confirmed their spot in the play-offs with a win, although they still sit second and look in good shape to extend their campaign.

Although Rajasthan remain sixth, a second victory on the bounce keeps them in touch on 10 points, with only run-rate separating them from fourth-placed Mumbai Indians.

Kolakata Knight Riders sit between them. (Sportsmax)

The reverse sweep, as demonstrated by Jos Buttler ©BCCI

He hit 11 fours and two sixes to power the Royals to a thrilling triumph, having survived a scare when Shane Watson dropped him in the 16th over.

A delighted Buttler was particularly pleased to have put on such a good show with his family in attendance.

"I have hit my straps and it's always special when you're not out," he said after the Royals clocked up 177-6.

"As we've seen, the wicket plays very well in the first

six overs. [Dwayne] Bravo is one of the best in the world, but you feel it's two hits. You just try to hold yourself, and my family is here, and it's special to perform when my mum, wife, aunt, and uncle are here."

Krishnappa Gowtham's cameo down the order was also telling, his two maximums in the penultimate helping to swing the balance in Rajasthan's favour.

Threat of raina stifled When the Super Kings lost Ambati Rayudu at the start of the third over, Suresh Raina took it upon himself to accelerate the visitors' innings.

The experienced India batsman adopted an entertaining attacking approach, plundering 52 from 35 balls before falling to a catch from Stuart Binny off the bowling of Ish Sodhi.

SCOREBOARD Chennai Super Kings Innings (20 overs maximum) S Watson c †Buttler b Archer 39 A Rayudu b Archer 12 S Raina c Binny b Sodhi 52 M Dhoni (c) † not out 33 S Billings run out (†Buttler) 27 D Bravo not out 1 Extras (lb 1, nb 1, w 10) 12 Total (4 wickets;20 Overs) 176 Did not bat: R Jadeja, D Willey, H Singh, S Thakur, K Sharma Fall of wickets: 1-19 (Rayudu, 2.1 ov), 2-105 (Watson, 11.3 ov), 3-119 (Raina, 12.6 ov), 4-174 (Billings, 19.4 ov) Bowling: Gowtham 3-0-28-0, Sharma 1-0-11-0, Archer 4-042-2, Stokes 4-0-31-0, Unadkat 4-0-34-0, Sodhi 4-0-29-1 Rajasthan Royals Innings (target: 177 runs from 20 overs) J Buttler †not out 95

B Stokes b H Singh 11 A Rahane (c) c Raina b Jadeja 4 S Samson run out (Raina/ Bravo) 21 P Chopra c Bravo b Thakur 8 S Binny c Watson b Bravo 22 K Gowtham c †Dhoni b Willey 13 J Archer not out 0 Extras (lb 1, w 2) 3 Total (6 wickets; 19.5 Overs) 177 Did not bat: A Sharma, J Unadkat, I Sodhi Fall of wickets: 1-48 (Stokes, 3.6 ov), 2-53 (Rahane, 4.4 ov), 3-99 (Samson, 11.2 ov), 4-109 (Chopra, 12.4 ov), 5-146 (Binny, 17.4 ov), 6-165 (Gowtham, 18.6 ov) Bowling: Willey 4-0-471, H Singh 2-0-29-1, Jadeja 4-0-28-1, Thakur 4-0-22-1, Sharma 1-0-10-0, Bravo 3.5-031-1, Watson 1-0-9-0

Blairmont comes to the aid of Paradise Community Centre B lairmont Centre Cricket Club (BCCC), in collaboration with Big B's Restaurant, has assisted the Paradise Community Centre on the West Coast of Berbice with cricket gears for their Under-15 team.

Shabeer Baksh, president of BCCC, mentioned in a small handing over ceremony, “Our club recognized the Paradise Community Centre has been working hard to provide opportunity and support for youths”.

He added, “One of the most dominant clubs in the West Berbice area for decades wants to be influential to keep youngsters away from drugs, alcohol and other social ills by playing cricket. Clubs need focus on having vibrant youth teams, instead of having a senior team only.”

He thanked Big B's management and staff for assistance in making the donation possible. "The youths are the people of tomorrow, let’s care them", he encouraged.

The Paradise Community Centre, under the leadership of Glenford Fordyce, has a lot

to offer youths. Other than cricket, there are basketball and football activities. Fordyce thanked BCCC and Big B's Restaurant for this initiative, and promised the club would continue to work overtime to create opportunities for youngsters.

Manager of Big B's Restaurant Narisa Singh making a presentation to members of the Paradise Under-15 cricket team

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sports

21

Windies, Bangladesh to play T20s in USA

C

ricket West Indies is set to announce that they will be playing two T20I matches against Bangladesh in the United States in August, however, reported matches against Pakistan on US soil may have to wait until sometime in 2019.

Sport360 had reported in February that the Windies were set to play in a triangular T20I tournament in Florida in August involving Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Windies sources, however, told SportsMax.TV that Pakistan was never a part of that tournament.

But, while it is still unclear what arrangements CWI has with Pakistan to play matches in the USA, they won’t happen until possibly 2019. This, according to CWI CEO Johnny Grave.

“We going to announce shortly, if not tomorrow, that we are going to be playing two games against Bangladesh in the USA in August, our first match back in the US since the India Games in 2016,” Grave told SportsMax.TV Thursday.

“And we are still working with Pakistan and other nations trying to identify windows when we have actually got 10 days when we can go and play some matches (against Pakistan).

Grave explained that the Windies has a packed schedule with a number of over-

Windies and Bangladesh will play on neutral territory come August

seas tours interspersed with tournaments. This, he said, is the biggest impediment to playing matches against Pakistan anytime within the next 12 months.

“As soon as the IPL finishes we have the charity game at Lords, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and then the Caribbean Premier League. Then, there is a window there but then there is the Asia Cup and obviously Pakistan in playing in that,” Grave said.

“Then we go to India, Bangladesh and we have England at home. Then it’s onto the Pakistan Super League, the IPL and the Cricket World Cup. It’s nonstop cricket for the next 12 months and there isn’t a window so we are working with Pakistan to see exactly when we might be able to schedule the games.

“2019 is when we are trying to find a window for, but all the nations in the world are going through their

schedules after the Cricket World Cup. We are hoping to find an opportunity there.

We have to be available when Pakistan is available and then obviously we have to find decent conditions in Florida for cricket.”

Notwithstanding the challenge, Grave said CWI is still committed to developing the game in the USA and the Americas.

“We have Bangladesh in Florida and then we are working with Cricket

Canada on some initiatives so there is still plenty of work going on but the actual matches against Pakistan are proving a bit difficult at this time.”

West Indies played three T20 matches against Pakistan in Karachi on April 1, 2, and 3 this year.

The home side won all three matches in the series that represented the first international matches played in that country since 2009.

(Sportsmax)

Independence 3-stage

T

cycling begins today

he annual Independence ThreeStage Cycle Road Race organised by the United We Stand Cycle Club (UWSCC) pedals off today at 07:30h. The first stage pedals off from before the Ocean View International Hotel at Liliendaal, proceeds to Mahaicony, and returns to the place of origin for the finish. A distance of 65 miles will be covered.

Race Secretary and Vice President of UWSCC, Joseph Britton, disclosed that he expects a competitive event. He informed that the second stage, on Saturday afternoon, will be a brand new route.

“The second stage on Saturday afternoon, (beginning) from 14:00h, is set for the Homestretch Avenue/ Hadfield Street Circuit, where the riders would be

Some big names are expected to take to the starting line

traversing 16 times (and covering a distance of) approximately 25 miles.

The final stage, on Sunday, would be contested around the Outer Circuit of the National Park, when

the veteran cyclists would start the action at 09:30h and battle for 10 laps, before the seniors and juniors take centre stage and clash for 20 laps. A total of 55 miles will be covered.

There are more than $400,000 up for grabs, according to UWSCC president, Franklin Wilson.

He disclosed that the club recently held a fund raising bar-b-que specifical-

ly geared towards garnering funds for this weekend’s race; and along with donations from some friends, would be able to cover the proposed prizes.

Overall cash prizes would go to the top three Juniors and Masters (35-49 and 50 and Over) and top six veterans; while stage prizes will also be presented to the top three Seniors and Masters 35-49.

Sueria Manufacturing Limited of Eccles Industrial Area, East Bank Demerara, under its Activade sports drink brand, on Wednesday joined hands with UWSCC, making its product the official drink of the event.

Other sponsors on board are Oliver Young, Shameer Baksh of Universal Cycle and Auto Spares, and Cleon Melville.

22

GUYANATIMESgy.COM

saturDAY, may 12, 2018

Semple to continue stint BCB, NBS as Malteenoes’ President invest heavily

in 2nd division tournament

NBS Manager Rana Persaud handing over the sponsorship cheque to BCB President, Hilbert Foster, in the presence of other staff members

C

The new executive body of the Malteenoes Sports Club

W

inston Semple was re-elected president of the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) following elections held at the club’s pavilion last week.

The ex-First Division batsman, along with Deborah McNicol as first vice-president; former national youth batsman Shawn Holder as second vice-president; Adrian Smith as secretary; Troy Lewis as treasurer; Marcus Watkins as assistant secretary/treasurer; Steven Jacobs as club captain, and Sean Devers as PRO, was appointed to lead the club for the remainder of 2018 going forward.

Oswald Pearce and Owen John were further elected as committee members of the club, which was founded in 1902

by Ferdinand Archer. Seven of the eight executives have played Division

One cricket for MSC, with Jacobs being a present national player.

Semple, elder brother of West Indies ODI batsman Keith Semple, spoke about some of the plans the new executive hopes to accomplish by the end of the year. “We hope to increase our general membership and our pool of youth cricketers, especially the U-13s and U-17s. We also hope to complete our practice facility, which will include concrete and turf pitches,” the 49-year-old said.

The president disclosed that some sponsorship for the practice facility has already been acquired. In the late 1980s, Malteenoes had launched the first ever Cricket Academy in the Caribbean during the August school vacation, and plans are in place to revive that academy, which has produced

several players from as far as Berbice, who went on to represent Guyana at various levels.

Semple lamented that the main problem was getting coaches for the academy, since CPL is played during that period and most of the top coaches would be involved in that tournament.

Members were encouraged to attend the monthly ‘Club Night’ held on the last Friday of each month. John Trim, Clayton Lambert, Rex Collymore, Barrington Browne, Colin Stuart and Indomattie Goordial are MSC players who have played for West Indies.

Former West Indies pacer Ian Bishop represented MSC in the 1980s, while in 1987, seven players in the National U-19 also came from that club.

Rain spoils Women's T20 opener

R

ain continued to be a nuisance after forcing round one of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Senior Women's T20 Inter-county to be called off.

Demerara were scheduled to play Essequibo at the Everest Ground on Friday.

After showers persisted throughout the day, officials were left with no choice but to call off the game without a ball being bowled.

Weather permitting, the action continues today with round two set between defending champiosn Berbice and Essequibo from 10:00h.

lubs in Berbice can now look forward to a 40-Over Round Robin Second Division Tournament as the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) on Friday launched another major tournament in conjunction with the mortgage giants New Building Society (NBS) Limited.

Berbice Cricket Board president, Hilbert Foster, explained that the teams would be placed into sixteen zones to ensure that the tournament is completed on time. The winner of each zone would advance to the playoff stage of the tournament. Teams have until May 25 to register, and must submit a list of at least 16 players.

Foster urges clubs to get themselves properly organised to take advantage of the hard work of the Berbice Cricket Board.

All players would be required to be attired in whites, while only Berbicians would be allowed to play. Clubs would be allowed a maximum of two First Division players, but Under-19 cricketers would not be considered First Division players.

The BCB has also debarred senior players like Devendra B i s h o o , Veerasammy Permaul, R o y s t o n Crandon, Romario Shepherd, Anthony Bramble, Assad Fudadin and Gajanand Singh.

The list of debarred players consists of players who had participated in more than five matches of the Guyana Cricket Board Franchise League in 2017.

NBS Regional Manager Rana Persaud noted the financial institution is pleased to be associated with Berbice Cricket, which enjoys

legendary status in the Caribbean.

The New Building Society, he said, invests heavily in sports and educational activities as part of its corporate responsibilities to Guyana.

Persaud expressed confidence that the BCB would organise a dynamic tournament and that the financial institution would receive widespread media promotion.

The tournament is expected to attract close to eight teams in the West Berbice, New Amsterdam/ Canje, Lower Corentyne, Central Corentyne and Upper Corentyne areas.

Among the teams expected to participate are Bush Lot United, Bush Lot Rising Star, Achievers, D’Edward, Cotton Tree, Blairmont, Police, Tucber Park, Young Warriors, Rose Hall Canje, Chesney, Albion, Port Mourant, Whim, Kildonan, Mental Hospital, Mount Sinai, No. 73, Ramnarine Memorial, Skeldon and No. 68.

Foster has hailed the support of the Management and Staff of the New

Building Society, which is pumping $783,000 into the tournament.

The last New Building Society Second Division Tournament was played in 2015, when Tucber Park defeated Rose Hall Town Bakewell by three runs to emerge as champion.

23

guyanatimesgy.com

saturDAY, may 12, 2018

Woodpecker Junior National Squash…

Verwey proves too much for Mekdeci Full results of Thursday action: Safira Summer beat Malia Maikoo 11/13, 11/4, 8/11, 12/10, 11/8 Madison Fernandes and Abosaide Cadogan brought out all the shots in their intense match

N

icholas Verwey displayed admirable grit and tenacity when he took down budding star James Mekdeci on Thursday evening in the continuation of the Woodpecker Products’ Junior National Squash Tournament at the Georgetown Club Courts.

The two young titans were engaged in an intense Under-13 battle, trading shot for shot, using the full length and width of the court. Verwey dominated the first game 11-6.

Despite obvious signs of fatigue, Mekdeci dug deep

into his inner recesses of determination and secured a successful second game 114, but he was unable to catch Verwey, who regrouped to edge ahead in the third 118, and hold on to win the fourth 11-9.

In the girls U-13, Leshante Berkley and Rylee Rodrigues produced a similarly exciting match.

Berkley stormed Rodrigues for an 11-0 win.

Rodrigues was not about to go down without a fight, and she battled through the second game, pushing Berkley all the way, but

was unfortunately not able to take this one, as Berkley managed a 12-10 win.

Undaunted, Rodrigues rattled off wins of 11-7, 11-7; and in the last game, it went to the wire in a 12-10 victory for Berkley, who took the match.

A similar scenario played out between Safira Summer and Malia Maikoo, each girl showing determination and grit to fight five games; with Summer emerging triumphant in a close match that ended in scores of 11-13, 114, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8.

The girls under-15 match

between Abosaide Cadogan and Madison Fernandes did not disappoint. Both girl played outstanding squash with well thought out rallies, excellent court movements, and sound tactics.

The girls displayed a full repertoire of shots, powerful drives, low drops, trickle boasts and lobs. Cadogan retained her unbeaten record by pulling ahead in a threegame match that finished 12-10, 11-7, 12-10.

Action continues today, with the finals being on Sunday from 11:00h.

GRFU Bounty Farm 15s…

Hornets, Falcons looking to score first points – national spots “on the line”, says Green

P

e p s i Hornets and Police Falcons will be desperate to get their first points in the second round of the Guyana Rugby Football U n i o n ’ s ( G R F U ’ s ) Bounty Farms XVs tournament when action continues today at the

GRFU President, Peter Green

National Park.

When they face the young but aggressive Falcons unit, Hornets will be looking to stamp their authority on proceedings, having already lost two games in the tournament. They are expected to field several senior national players.

GDF and Panthers will on Sunday be renewing their rivalry in what is anticipated to be an electrifying contest. Both teams will be coming full strength in this match for points on the table.

Scrum-off time will be 16:00hs on both days. The tournament will take a break on May 20 for the Pepsi Hornets Carnival Sevens Tournament.

In a recap of last week, Panthers humiliated a 12-man Yahama Caribs side 69-15, while GDF topped the Pepsi Hornets 26-13 in their first 15s match of the year.

Meanwhile, GRFU president, Peter Green, in statement to the media on Friday, expressed his concern over players “not showing up for matches without valid and acceptable excuses (illness or injury)”.

Should the occurrence continue, he stated, “They will not be considered for selection to the upcoming America's Rugby Challenge championship in Colombia in August”.

Additionally, “the international-based players will be requested to send updates -video or otherwise -- of their activities and training for consideration for selection”.

Leshante Berkley beat Rylee Rodrigues 11/0, 14/12, 7/11, 7/11, 12/10 Under 11 Boys Shiloh Asregado beat Grant Fernandes 11/9, 11/5, 11/0 Joshua Verwey beat Breno DaSilva 11/1, 11/6, 11/3.

Under 13 Boys Michael Alphonso beat Lucas Persaud 11/0, 110, 11/0 Ethan Jonas beat Mohryan Baksh 11/8, 11/5, 11/5.

Nicholas Verwey beat James Mekdeci 11/6, 4/11, 11/8, 11/9

Under 15 Girls Kirsten Gomes beat Aliyah Persuad 11/8, 11/3, 11/6.

Abosaide Cadogan beat Madison Fernandes 12/10, 11/7, 12/10.

Under 15 Boys Shomari Wiltshire beat Zachary Persuad 11/1, 11/1, 11/1 Shomari Wiltshire beat Demetrius DeAbreu 11/1, 11/3 , 11/2 .

Under 17 Boys Daniel Islam beat Osmond Mack 11/2, 11/1, 11/4 Anthony Islam beat Gianni Carpenter 11/6, 11/4, 11/6 Samuel Ince-Carvalhal beat Lucas Jonas 11/4, 11/6 , 11/9

Kendall’s inter-club tourney further suspended

B

erbice Volleyball Association’s (BVA’s) president, Levi Nedd, has confirmed that the Kendall’s Union Bustasponsored inter-club tournament has been further pushed back until a more weather-conducive time.

Nedd said the string of bad weather has caused the activity, which was billed for April, to be further suspended until further notice; but he said it would definitely be staged. Apart from the inter-club competition, Nedd pointed out, a number of proposed activities were suspended due to rain which is currently rampaging across the Ancient County.

With the inclement weather stalling most of the outdoor activities, the national coach hinted at a number of alternatives, which will be based indoors at venues in Berbice. He said the BVA is currently doing some indoor educational training -- in areas like coaching and refereeing, which he said were crucial areas.

After the trip to Bolivia was curtailed due to finan-

Levi Nedd

cial issues, players from both Berbice and Georgetown were forced to continue their training with the bigger picture of defending Guyana’s honour and title in October’s 2018 Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) still in the fray. the BVA will, on May 27, be doing some talent spotting when they host a Second Division male/female tournament, followed shortly by a female club tournament; all of which will be held at the Port Mourant Training Centre Hostel or the GuySuCo indoor facilities.

saturDAY, may 12, 2018

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

guyanatimesgy.com

Woodpecker Junior National Squash…

James Mekdeci about to return Nicholas Verwey’s serve on Thursday evening at the Georgetown Club Courts

y e w r Ve o o t s e v pro r o f h c u m i c e d k e M

GRFU Bounty Farm 15s…

Hornets, Falcons looking to score first points – national spots “on the line”, says Green

Pg 23

Pg 23

Pepsi Hornets will think they can quickly rebound from defeat against Guyana Defence Force last weekend (Orlando Charles photo)

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